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Birthday trip boy drowns at Bolton Abbey 5:15pm Sunday 6th June 2010 A boy who was celebrating his eighth birthday drowned yesterday despite an underwater rescue attempt in the River Wharfe. People attempted in vain to save Aaron Page when he went into water, which is about 25ft deep, near a footbridge at Bolton Abbey. His 13-year-old brother, who was part of a family gathering of 25, raised the alarm. A police spokesman said: “People entered the water to try to help but were unable to due to the depth of the water and the strong undercurrents. He could not be resuscitated.” Medical staff were on standby and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance joined a search along the riverbank. An underwater search team from the Upper Wharfe Fell Rescue Association (UWFRA) were joined by police divers and, after a search lasting more than three hours, Aaron’s body was discovered in the water. The accident happened at about 3pm. His body was discovered at 6.25pm, downstream from the footbridge and stepping stones at Bolton Abbey. Harry Long, a controller for the UWFRA, said 28 members of the association’s team had been involved in the bid to save Aaron, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire. Fire and ambulance crews were also sent to the beauty spot. ||||| A boy who died after falling into a North Yorkshire river had been celebrating his eighth birthday. Aaron Page was with a large group of family members when he went into the River Wharfe at Bolton Bridge, near Bolton Abbey in Skipton. The youngster, from Pontefract, West Yorkshire, got into difficulty in the water and the alarm was raised by his 13-year-old brother. Emergency services helped in the search and his body was recovered at 1825 BST. Rivers warning The boy was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said members of the public tried to rescue the youngster, but were unable to due to the strong undercurrent and the depth of the water. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Insp Kevin Franks, from North Yorkshire Police, said: "This was a happy family day out to celebrate a birthday at a local beauty spot... and unfortunately this young boy has got into difficulty in an area of water." The officer added: "Despite efforts from members of the public and some quite stirling efforts from the emergency services and everyone else there, sadly we've been unable to bring him out alive." Insp Mike Woodhall, from Harrogate Police, said the accident highlighted the dangers of swimming in rivers. "No matter how safe a river seems sometimes there are inherent dangers," he said. | Last weekend, an eight-year-old boy died after falling into the in , England. The river is known for its depth and strong undercurrent. The accident took place on Aaron Page's birthday, following celebrations with over twenty family members. Page made his way to the river near around 3pm (1400 ) on Saturday; his brother, aged thirteen, was the first to call for assistance after spotting Aaron in the water. Emergency services subsequently assisted in searching for Aaron; the body was recovered at approximately 6:25 pm the same day. Members of the ambulance service failed to resuscitate him, pronouncing him dead at the scene. "This was a happy family day out to celebrate a birthday at a local beauty spot ... and unfortunately this young boy has got into difficulty in an area of water," stated Inspector Kevin Franks of . "Despite efforts from members of the public and some quite sterling efforts from the emergency services and everyone else there, sadly we've been unable to bring him out alive." Inspector Mike Woodhall of Harrogate police cautioned; "no matter how safe a river seems sometimes there are inherent dangers." |
The US branch of RDFRS is officially deemed to have come into existence on 20th April 2006, which is the date it came into existence as a company, and long before it was approved as a charity. This means that any US taxpayer who has ever donated money to RDFRS is entitled to apply to the IRS for a tax refund.For more details go to: Oct 12th - Frankfurt Nov 02nd - Oxford Go to The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science Articles by Richard Dawkins Atheist Help & Resources Local Groups Database of Lecturers Join the Mailing List More Links "Nothing can be more contrary to religion and the clergy than reason and common sense." Voltaire "There are all sorts of things that would be comforting. I expect an injection of morphine would be comforting... But to say that something is comforting is not to say that it's true." Richard Dawkins "The habit of religion is oppressive, an easy way out of thought." Peter Ustinov "I turned to speak to God, About the world's despair; But to make bad matters worse, I found God wasn't there." Robert Frost "What can be asserted without proof can be dismissed without proof." Christopher Hitchens More Quotes ||||| The Out Campaign by Richard Dawkins July 31st, 2007 Reposted from: http://richarddawkins.net/article,1471,The-Out-Campaign,Richard-Dawkins In the dark days of 1940, the pre-Vichy French government was warned by its generals "In three weeks England will have her neck wrung like a chicken." After the Battle of Britain, Winston Churchill growled his response: "Some chicken; some neck!" Today, the bestselling books of 'The New Atheism' are disparaged, by those who desperately wish to downplay their impact, as "Only preaching to the choir." Some choir! Only?! As far as subjective impressions allow and in the admitted absence of rigorous data, I am persuaded that the religiosity of America is greatly exaggerated. Our choir is a lot larger than many people realise. Religious people still outnumber atheists, but not by the margin they hoped and we feared. I base this not only on conversations during my book tour and the book tours of my colleagues Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens, but on widespread informal surveys of the World Wide Web. Not our own site, whose contributors are obviously biased, but, for example, Amazon, and YouTube whose denizens are reassuringly young. Moreover, even if the religious have the numbers, we have the arguments, we have history on our side, and we are walking with a new spring in our step – you can hear the gentle patter of our feet on every side. Our choir is large, but much of it remains in the closet. Our repertoire may include the best tunes, but too many of us are mouthing the words sotto voce with head bowed and eyes lowered. It follows that a major part of our consciousness-raising effort should be aimed, not at converting the religious but at encouraging the non-religious to admit it – to themselves, to their families, and to the world. This is the purpose of the OUT campaign. Before I go any further, I must forestall one major risk of misunderstanding. The obvious comparison with the gay community is vulnerable to going too far: to 'outing' as a transitive verb whose object might be an unfortunate individual not yet – or not ever – ready to confide in the world. Our OUT campaign will have nothing, repeat nothing to do with outing in that active sense. If a closet atheist wants to come out, that is her decision to make, and nobody else's. What we can do is provide support and encouragement to those who willingly decide to out themselves. This may seem trivial to people in parts of Europe, or in regions of the United States dominated by urban intellectuals where support and encouragement is unnecessary. It is anything but trivial to people in other areas of the United States, and even more so in parts of the Islamic world where apostasy is, by Koranic authority, punishable by death. The OUT campaign has potentially as many sides to it as you can think of words to precede "out". "Come OUT" has pride of place and is the one I have so far dealt with. Related to it is "Reach OUT" in friendship and solidarity towards those who have come out, or who are contemplating that step which, depending on their family or home town prejudices, may require courage. Join, or found local support groups and on-line forums. Speak OUT, to show waverers they are not alone. Organize conferences or campus events. Attend rallies and marches. Write letters to the local newspaper. Lobby politicians, at local and national level. The more people come out and are known to have done so, the easier will it be for others to follow. Stand OUT and organize activities and events in your local area. Join an existing local neighbourhood atheist organization, or start one. Put a bumper sticker on your car. Wear a T-shirt. Wear Josh's red A if you like it as much as I do, otherwise design your own or find one on a website such as http://www.cafepress.com/buy/atheist; or wear no shirt at all, but please don't carp at the very idea of standing up to be counted with other atheists. I admit, I sympathize with those sceptics on this site who fear that we are engendering a quasi-religious conformity of our own. Whether we like it or not, I'm afraid we have to swallow this small amount of pride if we are to have an influence on the real world, otherwise we'll never overcome the 'herding cats' problem. If in doubt, read PZ Myers's exuberant hortation at http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2007/07/come_out.php. "Keep" OUT worried me at first, because it sounds unfriendly and exclusive, like the Barcelona Travel Agent whose travel poster, in well-meant English, read "Go Away!" "Keep OUT" here means, of course, keep religion out of science classes, and similar expressions of the US constitutional separation between church and state (Britain has no such separation, unfortunately). As yet another delightful T-shirt put it, "Don't pray in our school, and I won't think in your church." Lobby your local school board. Quote Christopher Hitchens: "Mr Jefferson, build up that wall." Chill OUT (exhort others to do so). Atheists are not devils with horns and a tail, they are ordinary nice people. Demonstrate this by example. The nice woman next door may be an atheist. So may the doctor, librarian, computer operator, taxi driver, hairdresser, talk show host, singer, conductor, comedian. Atheists are just people with a different interpretation of cosmic origins, nothing to be alarmed about. What other OUTs might we imagine? Well, suggest your own. Vote OUT representatives who discriminate against the non-religious, the way George Bush Senior is alleged to have done when he described atheists as non-citizens of a nation "under God". Politicians follow where the votes are. They can only count atheists who are OUT. Some atheists are defeatist in thinking we'll never be effective simply because we're not a majority. But it doesn't matter that we're not a majority. To be effective, all we have to be is recognizable to legislators as a big enough minority. Atheists are more numerous than religious Jews, yet they wield a tiny fraction of the political power, apparently because they have never got their act together in the way the Jewish lobby so brilliantly has: the famous 'herding cats' problem again. And the argument applies not just to politicians but to advertisers, the media, merchants across the board. Anyone who wants to sell us anything caters to demographics. We need to stand up and be counted, so that the demographically savvy culture will come to reflect our tastes and our views. That in turn makes it easier for the next generation of atheists. Fill OUT 'Atheist' on any form that asks for your personal details, especially the next census form. Break OUT! Some might like to throw 'coming OUT' parties where they joyously celebrate the courage of those who have decided to put behind them the habits of a lifetime, or the habits of their ancestors, embrace a realistic and superstition-free life and Break OUT into the real world. Break OUT of religious conformity and, in celebration of your new found freedom, Break OUT the champagne. ||||| Mission Statement: Coming soon The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science RDF is now in the process of applying for charitable status and the precise wording of our Mission Statement is under discussion with the charity commissioners. When the discussion is complete, we shall post the final version here. | Richard Dawkins The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science was recently approved as a charitable foundation in the United States. Started by biologist Richard Dawkins in April 2006, the IRS has approved the foundation's effective date of the tax-exemption as 20 April 2006. As a result, the donors who gave money before the 2007 IRS decision can deduct their donations when they file taxes in 2008. Dawkins started the foundation to combat pseudoscience and attacks on the Enlightenment through educating the British and American publics via research, humanitarian efforts, and lectures. It intends to finance research into the psychology of belief and religion, finance scientific education programs and materials, and publicize and support secular charitable organizations. In addition, the foundation has helped sponsor the "Out Campaign," which encourages atheists to come "out of the closet." |
The couple are looking forward to a belated Christmas dinner A woman who left her remote home in the Scottish Highlands to buy a turkey for Christmas has finally been able to get back home - 30 days after she set out. Heavy snow meant it was not possible for Kay Ure to get back to Cape Wrath after a shopping trip to Inverness. The 54-year-old and her husband John live in the Lighthouse Keeper's cottage at Cape Wrath, on Britain's north western tip, where they run a cafe. Bad weather meant Mrs Ure could not complete the last 11 miles home. However, an easing of the poor conditions allowed Mr Ure, 57, to travel to Durness in Sutherland to pick up his wife. Six dogs Mr Ure told BBC Scotland they were very happy to be finally reunited. He said: "It was nice to see her again and she was glad to be home. We're just having small Christmas festivities today and having something nice to eat." Mr Ure added: "We knew when we moved here it was going to be quite a harsh environment and we were quite prepared for that." His wife's trip to Inverness and back involved an 11-mile car drive, a boat trip and a bus ride. On her return, the road to the lighthouse was blocked by heavy snow. She spent Christmas in a friend's caravan in Durness, while her husband had the company of their six dogs, and two walkers who popped into the cafe. Mrs Ure left for Inverness on an organised shopping excursion on 23 December. Her husband drove her the 11 miles to a jetty where their boat is moored and from there they crossed the Kyle of Durness where Mrs Ure was picked up by a minibus. On her return to Durness the heavy snow had blocked the route to the lighthouse and Mr Ure was unable to make the drive to pick her up. The couple moved from Glasgow to Durness several years ago before moving further north to Cape Wrath. They opened the lighthouse cafe in the summer. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| Photo: PETER JOLLY John and Kay Ure's home in a former lighthouse keeper's cottage at Cape Wrath on the most north-westerly tip of the UK mainland sits on the edge of 900ft-high cliffs and has been cut off by the winter weather for almost a month. Mrs Ure left before the “big freeze” to buy a turkey and the trimmings in Inverness and until yesterday had been forced to live with friends in the village of Durness, 11 miles away. Mr Ure spent Christmas and New Year on his own and celebrated his 58th birthday last Sunday with a tin of baked beans. Yesterday, for the first time since mid-December, he managed to drive 11 miles to a small jetty and cross the Kyle of Durness by boat to collect his wife and the turkey. The couple run the country's “most isolated tearoom” at the end of an ungritted army road and were forced to spend their first festive season apart in 35 years. Mr Ure tried on several occasions to drive his flatbed lorry down from the highest vertical cliffs in mainland Britain, but got only half mile before the vehicle started slipping on ice. During their separation he ran out of coal, his generator blew and he was reduced to a diet of beans and pasta. His six springer spaniels were his only company and he had to feed them on emergency army rations. The couple, who plan to tell their story to a woman's magazine, were not available for comment yesterday, but Mr Ure revealed at the weekend that he hoped to be eating Christmas dinner last night. He said that meeting up again would be “like a second honeymoon” and added that he was looking forward to collecting a bottle of whisky sent by a sympathetic distiller. Kevin Crowe, of the Loch Croispol Bookshop in Durness said: “We saw them in a 4 x 4 together, we're glad their enjoying their Christmas dinner at last. It must be one of the longest waits for Christmas dinner on record.” The couple moved from Glasgow to Durness several years ago before opening the lighthouse café last summer. | Cape Wrath from the sea in 2007 A Scottish woman who set out before Christmas to purchase a turkey finally made it home on Monday, after being cut off by snow for a month. Kay Ure left the Lighthouse Keeper's cottage on Cape Wrath, at the very northwest tip of Great Britain, in December. She was heading to Inverness on a shopping trip. However on her return journey heavy snow and ice prevented her husband, John, from travelling the last 11 miles to pick her up. She was forced to wait a month in a friend's caravan, before the weather improved and the couple could finally be reunited. They were separated not just for Christmas and New Year, but also for Mr Ure's 58th birthday. With no fresh supplies, he was reduced to celebrating with a tin of baked beans. He also ran out of coal, and had to feed the couple's six springer spaniels on emergency army rations. "It's the first time we've been separated", said Mr Ure in December. "We've been snowed in here for three weeks before, so we are well used to it and it's quite nice to get a bit of peace and quiet." |
Alberto Granado, pictured at home in Havana in 2007, was invited to Cuba by Guevara in the early 1960s [EPA] Alberto Granado, the motorcycling companion of iconic revolutionary Che Guevara, has died in Havana at the age of 88, according to Cuban state media. Granado had lived in Cuba since the early 1960s after being invited to the Caribbean island by Guevara following the country’s revolution. His body is to be cremated and his ashes scattered in Argentina, Cuba and Venezuela as Granado requested, state media said. Granado, a biochemist, and Guevara, then a young medical student, embarked together in 1951 on an epic road trip which took them the length of South America from their native Argentina. The adventure, in which the pair worked at a colony for leprosy patients and met impoverished miners and indigenous South Americans, is credited with fuelling the sense of injustice that led Guevara to join Fidel Castro’s uprising against Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista in 1959. The pair started their journey on a spluttering Norton motorcycle but they were soon reduced to travelling on foot, by bus or boat, and hitchhiking when the bike - nicknamed “La Poderosa” or “the powerful one” - broke down irreparably. Granado’s account of the trip, Traveling with Che Guevara: The Making of a Revolutionary, as well as Guevara’s diaries, formed the basis for a 2004 film, The Motorcycle Diaries, directed by Walter Salles and starring Gael García Bernal as Che and Rodrigo de la Serna as Alberto. Guevara was killed in Bolivia in 1967 while attempting to foment a revolution in the Andean country. ||||| Argentinian Alberto Granado, who travelled with Ernesto "Che" Guevara on a journey of discovery across Latin America that was immortalised on-screen in The Motorcycle Diaries, has died in Cuba aged 88. Their road trip awoke in Guevara a social consciousness and political convictions that would turn him into one of the iconic revolutionaries of the 20th century. The two travellers both kept diaries, which were used as background for the 2004 movie, produced by Robert Redford and directed by Walter Salles. Granado was born on 8 August 1922 in Córdoba, Argentina, and befriended Guevara as a child. As young medical students, they witnessed deep poverty across the continent, particularly Chile, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela, and their stay at a Peruvian leper colony left a lasting impression on the pair. They parted ways in Venezuela, where Granado stayed on to work at a clinic treating leprosy patients. Guevara continued on to Miami, then returned to Buenos Aires to finish his studies. Guevara would later join Fidel and Raul Castro in toppling the Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista on New Year's Day in 1959. Granado visited Cuba at Guevara's invitation in 1960 and moved to Havana the following year, teaching biochemistry at Havana University. He had lived in Cuba ever since. In his biography of Guevara, Jon Lee Anderson wrote that Granado was "barely five feet tall and had a huge beaked nose, but he sported a barrel chest and a footballer's sturdy bowed legs; he also possessed a good sense of humor and a taste for wine, girls, literature and rugby". According to Cuban television, Granado requested for his body to be cremated and his ashes spread in Cuba, Argentina and Venezuela. Funeral arrangements have not been announced. Guevara was captured and killed by soldiers in Bolivia in 1967 as he tried to foment revolution in the Andean nation. | Alberto Jiménez in 2007 Alberto Granado Jiménez, the Argentinian biochemist who was 's companion on his transformative motorcycle trip through South America, died in on Saturday, reported Cuban state television. He was 88 and died of natural causes. The politically active Jiménez met Ernesto "Che" Guevara, then a medical student, in Hernando, Argentina where Guevara had gone to play rugby. Both were intellectually curious and interested in exploration. In 1951 they set out on an eight-month motorcycle trip through South American that exposed them to the poverty in which most South Americans lived. The pair worked in a and met wtih destitute miners and . Both men kept diaries which served as the basis for the 2004 film, '''', produced by and directed by . According to the '''', "Their road trip awoke in Guevara a social consciousness and political convictions that would turn him into one of the iconic revolutionaries of the 20th century." The trip is widely believed to have inspired Guevara to go to Cuba and join Fidel Castro in his against Cuban dictator . By the time the two men met again eight years later, Guevara was a revolutionary hero and chief of Cuba’s central bank. Jiménez, who had remained in Argentina working in a clinic, accepted Guevara's invitation to move to Cuba in 1961 and founded a medical facility in . Later he moved to Havana where he continued his medical work. The two remained friends although they did not always agree. Jiménez rejected Guevara’s belief that social reform in Latin America had to be accomplished through . The book '''' was published in the 1990's. Jiménez said of the book that it inspired the image of . Jiménez authored the book ''Traveling with Che Guevara: The Making of a Revolutionary'', published in 2003. |
UK and Netherlands to sue Iceland over lost deposits Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Continue reading the main story Related Stories The UK and Dutch governments are preparing court action against Iceland to recover 4bn euros (£3.5bn) lost when the country's bank system collapsed. It follows a referendum in Iceland which rejected a repayment plan. The UK said it was "disappointed" by the "no" vote, while the Dutch finance minister said the time for negotiations was "over". Iceland's Finance Minister Steingrimur Sigfusson said that resolving the row in court would take at least a year. But he told the BBC: "It is very important to emphasise that the UK and the Netherlands will begin to get their money back later this year." He said the failed bank would be able to pay out on about 90% of claims from the UK and Dutch authorities. The UK and the Netherlands say they are owed the money following the collapse of Icelandic savings bank Icesave. British and Dutch depositors were bailed out by their governments, which are now demanding their money back. 'Worst option' Iceland held a referendum at the weekend on a repayment plan, but with about 90% of the vote counted, 59.1% were against and 40.9% in favour. Johanna Sigurdardottir, Iceland's Prime Minister, said the rejection meant "the worst option was chosen" and had split the country in two. The UK's Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, called the decision "disappointing" and said the matter would go to an international court. Speaking on the Andrew Marr programme, he said: "It's obviously disappointing... We tried to get a negotiated settlement. "We have an obligation to get that money back, and we will continue to pursue that until we do... We have a difficult financial position as a country and this money would help," he said. Dutch Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager said he would be consulting Britain about taking further steps against Iceland, but added that the matter would likely end up in court. "I am very disappointed that the Icesave agreement did not get through. This is not good for Iceland, nor for the Netherlands. "The time for negotiations is over. Iceland remains obliged to repay. The issue is now for the courts to decide," Mr de Jager said in a statement. The issue will now be referred to an international court, the European Free Trade Association Surveillance Authority. Continue reading the main story Analysis The Icelandic people were damned if they did and damned if they didn't. It looks as if they still couldn't stomach the idea of paying off the debts of privately owned banks - even if the revised deal was considerably more generous. The consequences of this referendum vote is that Iceland's years in the financial wilderness could be extended much further. Moody's and other ratings agencies look set to downgrade the country even further, making it prohibitively more expensive to borrow on the open markets. Iceland's bid to join the EU will be paused or even vetoed by Britain and the Netherlands. And the tiny Atlantic economy is facing legal action in the EFTA court which might force it to pay up sooner than planned and at a punitive interest rate. Democracy doesn't pay if you're an Icelander. Mr Sigfusson told a news conference that the dispute with Britain and the Netherlands would take at least a year to resolve in court. "My estimate is that the process will take a year, a year and a half at least," he said. However, some analysts believe the legal process would take considerably longer. He added that the outcome of the vote was clear. "I think it's very hard to interpret this in any other way than the fact that the Icelandic people are not prepared to accept payments or shoulder the burden unless there is a clear legal obligation to do so." Iceland's Landsbanki bank ran savings accounts in the UK and Netherlands under the name Icesave and investors there lost 4bn euros (£3.5bn; $5.8bn). When it collapsed in 2008, the British and Dutch governments had to reimburse 400,000 citizens - and Iceland had to decide how to repay that money. 'Such a revulsion' Iceland's parliament had backed the deal, but President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson refused to sign it, triggering the referendum. A previous deal, imposing a tougher repayment regime, was rejected in a March 2010 referendum by 93% of voters. Mr Sigfusson appeared to rule out a third attempt to persuade voters to accept a repayment deal. "I think we're getting a very clear sign from this referendum, that further negotiations are ruled out. No use in trying that again." But in his interview with BBC News, he said: "There is not much point in being angry. We are where we are and we have to work from then on. Iceland has made considerable progress out of its difficulties in 2008." Backers of a "yes" vote had argued the repayment deal was the best way to resolve the issue in terms of cost and risk to Iceland. The "no" camp said the Icelandic taxpayer was under no legal obligation to pay for a private bank's losses and that the deal would put a heavy burden on the nation. Longer period, lower interest Under the terms of the rejected deal, Iceland would have paid the money back with 3.3% interest to the UK, and 3% to the Netherlands, over 30 years between 2016 and 2046. Under the previous proposal, the money was to be paid back with 5.5% interest between 2016 and 2024. Prime Minister Johanna Sigurdardottir: "Disappointing numbers" The actual cost to the state was expected to be much less than the 4bn euros owed, as the government said most of the repayment would come from selling the assets of Landsbanki. The government has said it did not expect the cost to exceed 50bn kronur (£168m). Analysts say a resolution of the issue is vital to Iceland's prospects for recovery because it would allow the country to return to the financial markets to fund itself. Solving the dispute is also seen as key to Iceland's chances of joining the EU. Iceland's three main banks collapsed within days of each other in October 2008. The government compensated Icelandic savers, but overseas customers faced losing all of their money. The issue sparked a diplomatic row between Iceland and the UK, and created uncertainty over Iceland's economic recovery. ||||| London (CNN) -- An increasingly bitter dispute between the United Kingdom and Iceland over billions of dollars lost when banks collapsed is likely to end up in court, a top British government minister said Sunday. The British government has "an obligation to get that money back, and we will continue to pursue that until we do," said Danny Alexander, the chief secretary of the Treasury. He was speaking Sunday after Iceland's people voted to repeal a law aimed at solving the dispute. Six out of 10 voters in the referendum on Saturday opposed the law, the government said in a statement Sunday, saying turnout was high. Alexander called Saturday's Icelandic vote "disappointing," adding, "We have a very difficult financial position as a country ... This money would help." "There is a legal process going on and we will carry on through these processes," he said on the BBC's "Andrew Marr" show. The battle results from the collapse of an Icelandic internet bank in October 2008. Britain and the Netherlands came up with more than $5 billion to bail out savers in their own countries who lost money in the failure of Icesave -- an online retail bank branch of Landsbanki. They are now trying to claim the money back from Iceland. Some payments will go ahead later this year, Iceland's government said Sunday, explaining that they were not affected by the vote. "These partial payments are expected to cover close to a third of priority (depositor) claims. Moreover, latest figures on its assets indicate that the estate (of Landsbanki) will be able to pay over 90% of claims for deposits," the government said in a statement. Under a European Union directive, Iceland owes compensation to Britain and the Netherlands. The Icelandic government has said it will honor its international obligations. Netherlands Finance Minister Jan Kees de Jager is "very disappointed about the decision of the Icelandic electorate not to agree with the agreement reached between Iceland, the U.K. and the Netherlands," the Netherlands Finance Ministry said in a statement Sunday. "The time for negotiations is over," de Jager said in the statement. "Iceland remains obliged to repay. The issue is now for the courts to decide." The Netherlands Finance Ministry said it is consulting with the United Kingdom about further steps. The International Monetary Fund loaned Iceland $2.1 billion in November 2009, and said repaying the money to the British and Dutch governments was a requirement of the loan. Iceland has begun moves toward applying for European Union membership, which Britain and the Netherlands could block. CNN's Bharati Naik contributed to this report. | Coat of arms of Iceland Results from Iceland's referendum on Saturday show that Icelanders overwhelmingly voted "no" on a government-approved plan to repay Britain and the Netherlands billions of euros lost in Iceland's 2008 bank crash. In Sunday's final results almost 60 percent rejected the deal, with the voting turnout high, the government reported. This is the second repayment plan rejected by the voters; . British and Dutch investors lost 3.9 billion euros ($5.6 billion) in , an Icelandic internet bank that failed in . The two governments reimbursed their citizens and are now seeking repayment from Iceland. Iceland compensated its own citizens for losses but not overseas depositors. The latest repayment plan took two years to work out between Britain, the Netherlands and Iceland and was passed by a 70 percent majority of the Icelandic parliament. It provided for a lower interest rate and a longer repayment period, conditions much more beneficial to Iceland than the previous plan. The cost would average about 12,000 euros before interest per Icelander. Those against the referendum felt that amount was a heavy burden on Iceland and the taxpayer was not legally responsible for a private bank's losses. In a press conference, Iceland's said, "I think it's very hard to interpret this in any other way than the fact that the Icelandic people are not prepared to accept payments or shoulder the burden unless there is a clear legal obligation to do so." He said that Iceland can pay its debts and the country has the reserves to cover future payments. But Iceland's said the referendum results were disappointing and have divided the country. She considers acceptance of the payment plan essential to Iceland's attempts to join the European Union (EU). Under an EU directive, Britain and the Netherlands are owed compensation by Iceland. The International Monetary Fund's 2009 loan to Iceland of $2.1 billion contained the provision that Iceland repay the British and Dutch governments. Britain and the Netherlands are in a position to block Iceland's application for European Union membership. The Netherlands and Britain said the opportunity to negotiate has passed and the dispute will end up before the , the court for the . British said that the British government had fulfilled its obligation to its citizens to compensate them for their losses. "We have an obligation now to get that money back, and we will continue to pursue that until we do. ... We have a difficult financial position as a country and this money would help." Dutch said, "Iceland remains obliged to repay. The issue is now for the courts to decide." The increasingly bitter dispute must be resolved for Iceland to have access to financial markets essential to fund its recovery, experts say, and resolution is essential for Iceland's attempts to become an EU member. |
Mr Ansari became Camden's mayor in May 2009 A London mayor has been suspended from his post after being arrested on suspicion of benefit fraud. Camden Mayor Omar Faruque Ansari, 55, was led from the north London borough's town hall by police on Monday. He was questioned at Holborn police station over claims that he was falsely claiming disability benefits. A council spokesman said the allegations did not relate to Mr Ansari's work at the council. Mr Ansari was released on bail until March. He joined Camden Council's Liberal Democrats in 2006 and became mayor in May last year. 'Serious investigation' Council leader Keith Moffitt said Mr Ansari would be suspended from the Liberal Democrat group while a "serious investigation" was carried out. A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "Officers assisting the Department for Work and Pensions arrested a 55-year-old man yesterday. "He was taken into custody at a central London police station and bailed to return to a date in March." The Camden Council spokesman said he would not comment on "allegations relating to the personal lives of its members". But he added: "No information would suggest that these allegations are connected to Councillor Ansari's work with the council. "We must also note at this stage that these are merely allegations." ||||| HEADLINES: Mayor of Camden is quizzed over disability benefits fraud claims Benedict Moore-Bridger 26.01.10 26.01.10 The mayor of a London borough has been arrested over allegations of benefit fraud. Camden mayor Faruque Ansari was frogmarched from the town hall by police yesterday lunchtime following claims that he was falsely claiming disability benefits. Mr Ansari, 55, was questioned for four hours at Holborn police station before being released on bail. The mayor receives £474 a month in disability benefit arising from complications following an operation on his neck in 1995. He also claimed incapacity benefit until it was stopped in 2006 when he became a councillor. Mr Ansari today said he was confident of being exonerated. He told the Standard: I am registered disabled. I am getting disability benefits, which is true. Somebody made an allegation that I am committing fraud. It is just an allegation. Nothing has been proved. Mr Ansari, who is diabetic and has had a heart bypass, said he did not know who made the allegation. It is a very political thing. When you are mayor of Camden, you are a very trusting figure. Someone is trying to smear me. He said police had some details of his medical conditions, but they were four or five years old. He said: So they thought I might have got better and had given wrong information. But, when they looked at me, they knew I was telling the truth. I've never even had a parking ticket in my life, so this is very distressing. Mr Ansari said his neck operation was for injuries he sustained as a freedom fighter battling for the independence of Bangladesh against the Pakistani army in the Seventies. The mayor, who claimed to have been in command of up to 300 men, said he sustained eight cracked discs in his neck, which were not treated sufficiently at the time. Mr Ansari came to Britain in 1960 and joined Camden council's Liberal Democrats in 2006. A spokesman for Camden council said no disciplinary action had been taken, adding: No information would suggest that the allegations are connected with Mr Ansari's work on the council At this stage, these are merely allegations. A spokesman for the Met police said: We can confirm a 55-year-old man was arrested and taken into custody at a central London police station. He was later bailed to return on a date in March. | File photo of Camden Town Hall, where the mayor was arrested yesterday. The mayor of the London Borough of Camden, England, was arrested yesterday on suspicion of benefit fraud. Omar Faruque Ansari was taken from Camden Town Hall by police to Holborn police station over allegations that he was wrongfully claiming disability benefits. After four hours of questioning, he was released on bail to return in March. Today, Ansar said that he was sure that he would be cleared of any wrongdoing. "It is a very political thing. When you are mayor of Camden, you are a very trusting figure. Someone is trying to smear me", he added. He is reported to receive £474 (about US$765) per month in disability benefits, after complications following a neck operation in 1995 – this was needed for injuries he received fighting for Bangladesh against Pakistan in the 1970s, he explained. "I've never even had a parking ticket in my life, so this is very distressing", he commented. The allegations appear to be unrelated to the mayor's council work, a spokesman for Camden said. He refused to comment further on "allegations relating to the personal lives of the council's members". Ansari, 55, moved to the UK in 1960 and has been mayor of Camden since May 2009, after joining the Liberal Democrats in 2006. He has been suspended as mayor and from the Liberal Democrat group while the investigation is ongoing. |
"The Iranian navy has the ability to launch the most rapid and crushing strike on the enemies," Commander of Iran's first Naval zone Fariborz Qaderpanah told FNA, stressing tight cooperation and coordination between the Navy forces of the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' (IRGC). "To ensure security and defend the countries' borders in the Persian Gulf, the naval forces of the IRGC and Army are in full harmony when conducting operations," he said. He underlined that the navy has deployed necessary weapons and equipment in different parts of the Persian Gulf in a bid to utilize them in case of emergencies. Meantime, Chief of Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi Saturday stressed the country's growing military power, and voiced Iran's preparedness to ensure security of the entire region. "The Islamic Republic of Iran's armed forces could defend the entire region given their new doctrine, strategy and equipment. We are ready to provide security of the region in the best possible way," Firouzabadi told reporters on the sidelines of a military parade on the occasion of the Army Day. The Iranian army's air, ground, and naval forces staged a large parade to display their latest military achievements and equipment on Saturday. ||||| Iran's response to any possible attack on the country would be far greater than the initial invasion, says a top Iranian commander. "Iran's military mechanism is comprised of both defensive and deterrent plans. The Islamic Republic's reaction to any transgression will be strong," Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Force General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said in an interview with Hamshahri newspaper. "The truth is that Iranian armed forces are perfectly capable to trounce invaders in the event of an onslaught against the country." Amid reports that Tel Aviv is preparing to stage a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, Gen. Pourdastan said that the country was not concerned with Israel's state-of-the-art armaments. Despite possessing sophisticated military technology equipment, Israel failed clinch victory in Lebanon and Gaza. He was referring to Israel's 33-day war against Hezbollah in July 2006 and its recent three-week-long onslaught on the besieged and impoverished Gaza Strip. "This is an indication that modern military equipment will not ensure victory." Iran's military industry has successfully produced advanced and modern weapons to meet the need of the country's armed forces. The military industry has manufactured rocket artillery systems to help Iran's military self-sufficiency campaign directed at enhancing the country's defense capabilities in the face of war threats. The surface-to-surface Sejjil missile, the long-range Shahab-3 ballistic missile along with Zelzal and Fateh missiles are among the productions of the unit. The Shahab-3 reportedly has a range of up to 2,000 km (1,250 miles) and is capable of carrying a 1,000-760 kg warhead. This is while the solid-fuel, two-stage Sejjil missile with two engines, is capable of reaching a very high altitude and therefore has a longer range than that of the Shahab 3 model. MP/MMN | Iran has warned Israel that an invasion of its country will be met with strong defense. The response follows a report by the ''The London Times'' that the Israeli military was prepared to strike Iranian nuclear facilities and the order to strike could come within days. "Iran's military mechanism is comprised of both defensive and deterrent plans. The truth is that Iranian armed forces are perfectly capable to trounce invaders in the event of an onslaught against the country," said Ahmad Reza Pourdastan, the commander of Iran's ground force to Hamshahri, an Iranian newspaper. On April 18, ''The Times'' quoted unnamed Israeli defense officials as saying "if its forces were given the green light they could strike at Iran in a matter of days, even hours." ''The Times'' goes on to quote the official as saying that Israeli forces are "making preparations on every level for this eventuality." Israeli forces are awaiting for the final go ahead order from the newly formed government. ''The Times'' states that Israel will launch an air assault, initially bombing over a dozen targets which would include all known Iranian nuclear facilities such as Natanz, Iran's largest nuclear facility. The talk of possible war between the two nations came just before Iran's scheduled military parade on Saturday. The parade was to show the public the latest military equipment for its naval, ground and air forces. |
Restaurants » Dining options in Myrtle Beach and in neighboring towns like North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach and Murrells Inlet are vast and varied. The Myrtle Beach restaurant scene offers a mix of cuisines, including Vietnamese, Indian-fusion, classic steakhouse, innovative Italian and of course, seafood. The ever-growing list of Myrtle Beach area restaurants offer options for every budget and style, from casual eateries to stunning bistros and Fine Dining restaurants run by local celebrity chefs. Entertainment » Myrtle Beach's arts and entertainment scene has come of age in recent years. An array of options can now be found every day of the week, including music, theater, fine arts and nightlife. Live music is constantly going in Myrtle Beach with music festivals from spring into fall and local shows nightly. Local art galleries thrive with constant shows. While the Myrtle Beach nightclubs scene includes Dance clubs, martini bars, ultra lounges, wine bars, pubs and comfortable neighborhood hangouts. Real Estate » Find out about Find out about real estate along the Grand Strand and its communities (Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City, North Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest and more). View our featured property listings, local real estate news and information and search for properties in the area with our convienient HomeFinder.com search tool. Attractions » The full spectrum of The full spectrum of attractions can be found in Myrtle Beach. Youngsters and families can find amusement parks such as Myrtle Waves Waterpark and Family Kingdom Amusement Park along with scores of city parks, museums and galleries. Myrtle Beach festivals bring music, arts and crafts and cultural celebrations to every neighborhood throughout the year. There are also world-class golf courses , well-known and boutique wineries, and shopping destinations ranging from vintage and casual to high-end. ||||| Hurricane OPHELIA Public Advisory Home Public Adv Fcst/Adv Discussion Strike Probs Wind Probs Maps/Chrts Archive UPDATE US Watch/Warning 000 WTNT31 KNHC 141751 TCPAT1 BULLETIN HURRICANE OPHELIA INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY NUMBER 34A...CORRECTED NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL 2 PM EDT WED SEP 14 2005 CORRECTED INTENSITY FROM 80 TO 85 MPH IN REPEAT SECTION ...OPHELIA CONTINUING TO STRENGTHEN AS IT MOVES CLOSER TO THE NORTH CAROLINA COAST... A HURRICANE WARNING IS IN EFFECT FROM LITTLE RIVER INLET TO THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER...INCLUDING THE PAMLICO AND ALBEMARLE SOUNDS. A HURRICANE WATCH AND A TROPICAL STORM WARNING ARE IN EFFECT NORTH OF THE NORTH CAROLINA/VIRGINIA BORDER TO CAPE CHARLES LIGHT VIRGINIA...INCLUDING THE CHESAPEAKE BAY SOUTH OF NEW POINT COMFORT. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SOUTH OF LITTLE RIVER INLET TO NORTH OF THE SOUTH SANTEE RIVER. THIS WARNING WILL LIKELY BE DISCONTINUED LATER TODAY. A HURRICANE WARNING MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED IN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. A HURRICANE WATCH MEANS THAT HURRICANE CONDITIONS ARE POSSIBLE IN THE WATCH AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 36 HR. A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED IN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN THE NEXT 24 HOURS. FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...INCLUDING POSSIBLE INLAND WATCHES AND WARNINGS...PLEASE MONITOR PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR LOCAL WEATHER OFFICE. AT 2 PM EDT...1800Z...THE CENTER OF THE LARGE EYE OF HURRICANE OPHELIA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 33.9 NORTH... LONGITUDE 77.4 WEST OR ABOUT 40 MILES SOUTHEAST OF WILMINGTON NORTH CAROLINA AND ABOUT 70 MILES SOUTHWEST OF CAPE LOOKOUT NORTH CAROLINA. OPHELIA IS MOVING TOWARD THE NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 7 MPH...AND THIS GENERAL MOTION IS FORECAST TO CONTINUE TODAY. A GRADUAL TURN TOWARD THE NORTHEAST AT A SLIGHTLY FASTER FORWARD SPEED IS EXPECTED TO OCCUR BY TONIGHT. ON THIS TRACK...THE CENTER OF OPHELIA IS FORECAST TO MAKE LANDFALL ON THURSDAY ALONG THE SOUTHEASTERN COAST OF NORTH CAROLINA NEAR CAPE LOOKOUT. HOWEVER...THE NORTHERN EYEWALL WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE ACROSS SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT... AND OVER THE OUTER BANKS TONIGHT AND THURSDAY. DATA FROM AN NOAA RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT AND NOAA LAND-BASED DOPPLER RADARS INDICATE MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 85 MPH WITH HIGHER GUSTS. OPHELIA IS A CATEGORY ONE HURRICANE ON THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE. SOME SLIGHT STRENGTHENING IS STILL POSSIBLE DURING THE NEXT 24 HOURS BEFORE LANDFALL OCCURS. HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 50 MILES FROM THE CENTER...AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 140 MILES. SUSTAINED TROPICAL STORM-FORCE WINDS ARE CONTINUING ALONG THE SOUTHEASTERN NORTH CAROLINA COAST FROM NEAR THE NORTH CAROLINA/SOUTH CAROLINA BORDER NORTHEASTWARD TO CAPE LOOKOUT. DURING THE PAST HOUR...A NOAA REPORTING STATION AT WRIGHTVILLE BEACH NORTH CAROLINA RECORDED 6-MINUTE AVERAGE WIND SPEED OF 68 MPH WITH A GUST TO 77 MPH...WHILE NOAA BUOY 41013 LOCATED IN THE SOUTHERN EYEWALL REPORTED A SUSTAINED WIND OF 59 MPH WITH A GUST TO 78 MPH. THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE RECENTLY REPORTED BY A NOAA RECONNAISSANCE AIRCRAFT WAS 979 MB...28.91 INCHES. MAXIMUM COASTAL STORM SURGE FLOODING OF 5 TO 7 FEET ABOVE NORMAL TIDE LEVELS...ALONG WITH LARGE AND DANGEROUS BATTERING WAVES...CAN BE EXPECTED IN AREAS OF ONSHORE FLOW. A STORM SURGE OF 9 TO 11 FEET IS POSSIBLE AT THE HEADS OF BAYS AND RIVERS. OPHELIA IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE ADDITIONAL RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES OVER EXTREME NORTHEASTERN SOUTH CAROLINA AND EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA...WITH MAXIMUM STORM TOTAL AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES POSSIBLE OVER COASTAL SECTIONS OF NORTH CAROLINA. ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE ALONG THE COASTAL AREAS OF NORTH CAROLINA TODAY. REPEATING THE 2 PM EDT POSITION...33.9 N... 77.4 W. MOVEMENT TOWARD...NORTH-NORTHEAST NEAR 7 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS... 85 MPH. MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE... 979 MB. THE NEXT ADVISORY WILL BE ISSUED BY THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER AT 5 PM EDT. FORECASTER STEWART $$ ||||| North Carolina's Outer Banks will take a hit from Hurricane Ophelia tonight and tomorrow. Hampton Roads can expect the chance of heavy rains, some minor flooding and beach erosion, while strong -- but not killer -- winds will pummel the Beach and the lower Bay communities, the National Weather Service says. Richmond and central Virginia will, however, hardly know that a hurricane is passing by overnight and tomorrow morning. The capital region may not even get any rain out of the soggy tropical cyclone as it blows out into the Atlantic Ocean. Look for more on Ophelia and other stories in tomorrow's Times-Dispatch. | The slow moving, and wavering between hurricane status and tropical storm Ophelia, crawled up the U.S. coastline from northern Florida on what appears to be a track for landfall on Thursday near Cape Lookout, North Carolina on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Ophelia gained some strength to a Category 1 hurricane over the last 24 hours while on its north-northeast track to side-swipe the protruding coastline of the Carolinas. Power outages were reported with sustained winds of 80 mph and rain, up to 6 inches, in the southeast portion of the state. Ocean Isle Beach closed a bridge to the barrier islands due to the rough surf conditions created by Ophelia. Residents and tourists had been ordered on Sunday to evacuate Ocracoke by governor Michael F. Easley. Tourists on Hatteras Island were also ordered to leave, but earlier on Monday, emergency officials for Dare County decided against an ordered evacuation for the northern portion of the Outer Banks. Weaker tropical and hurricane storms such as Ophelia have in the past still caused major damage from flooding in North Carolina's barrier islands from winds stirring up the shallow sound waters between the mainlaind and Outer Banks. Further inland from the storm, except for the possibility of thunderstorms, little effect from Ophelia is expected. Virginia's governor Mark R. Warner declared a state of emergency on Monday as a precaution. Nearly two dozen F-15 fighter jets were moved from Hampton's Langley Air Force base out of Ophelia's way to Florida. |
0.3 to Watson, 87.1 mph, gone! Sidebottom strikes! Watson flashes at a short and widish ball, flies off the top edge to Kieswetter, who can't quite hold on, bounces off his gloves and Swann takes the rebound! Massive breakthrough for England. 2/1 2.1 to Haddin, 87.8 mph, Sidebottom strikes again! Australia lose another wicket! Short and down the leg side from Sidebottom, hardly a great ball, but Haddin swung hard at it and it came off what looks like the thigh, Kieswetter took an excellent catch high to his left. Great catch but very unlucky for Haddin 8/3 ||||| LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron hailed England's cricketers after they won their first major one-day title in a seven-wicket victory over Australia in Sunday's World Twenty20 final. "Congratulations to (captain) Paul Collingwood and the England Twenty20 team on becoming world champions for the first time with a magnificent victory over Australia," he said. "Let's hope this marks the start of a great summer of sport for England." Sport and Olympics Minister Hugh Robertson added: "I'm absolutely delighted England have won the World Twenty20. "They have played exciting and intelligent cricket and are worthy winners." South Africa born batsmen Craig Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen starred as England stormed to victory at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. England, chasing 148 to win, after reducing a previously unbeaten Australian side at this tournament to eight for three, saw Kieswetter (63) and Pietersen (47) put on 111 for the second wicket at the Kensington Oval. They eventually won with three overs to spare when Collingwood struck Shane Watson for a boundary as his side finished on 151 for three. ||||| BRIDGETOWN (Barbados): England can finally sing into the sunset, and dance - if not drink and make merry - till the morning breaks. Right from 1975, when multi-nation limited overs tournaments were first introduced, they have always been left with broken hearts and bucketful of tears; on a bright, shining afternoon here at the Kensington Oval, eventually, they had something more than a pint of beer to smile over: an ICC Trophy. It is just ironical that it is the T20 World Cup, a format many still reckon doesn’t count as cricket. Clearly, the times have changed; for the English Lions, though, it is a new dawn. In what was billed an as Ashes final, even before the first Ashes ball has been bowled, England won the toss, shattered Australia’s top order, and overhauled the below-par total of 147 for six. Two batsmen of South African descent led the charge, in a way English batsmen probably wouldn’t or couldn’t; maybe, that was the only way to break this jinx. Craig Kieswetter (63: 49b, 7x4, 2x6) and Kevin Pietersen (47: 31b, 4x4, 1x6) smashed 117 runs to snatch the team’s first moment of ICC glory, with over 18 deliveries left. As Paul Collingwood scored the winning run, Pietersen raced onto the field, arms held high and screaming; he was followed by the rest of his mates, and it didn’t take them long to pin down their captain. Within no time, the huddle materialised: the celebrations followed. Australia, on the other hand, still have to wait. Earlier, after electing to field on a promising track, England snapped three quick wickets to go right on top. But then entered the other Hussey: David; and, in typical Aussie fashion, he began the repair work. David started with extreme caution (7 off 19 deliveries), first unravelling the pitch to his satisfaction: then, as the nerves settled down along with the demons, he began the counter-attack. After 10 overs, though, Australia were merely 47 for four, with the top order back in the hut. As soon as captain Michael Clarke (27) fell, though, just like brother Michael had done in the semifinal two days ago, David took charge. In the 13th over, probably energised by the sight of Cameron White, he smashed spinner Hardy for a six; White promptly responded with a 4, 6, 4, altogether 22 runs. The charge had begun. In no time, they were head to head, sprinting for singles and creating those big hits. By the 15th over, Australia were back in the game: 94 for four. Next over, however, White stumbled, after what might well be a script-turning 30 (19b, 4x4, 1x6). The two Husseys were together now; the duo continued to hunt for runs; but against a disciplined England bowling on a not-too-docile track, it was not easy. They had to bat maturely, and smartly, rather than by being reckless or over-ambitious. David eventually made 59, run out, including a couple of fours and sixes each; Mike faced 10 deliveries and scampered to 17, without being able to pull out his sledgehammer again though. England were spirited and mostly sharp with the line and length too. Spinner Swann, one for 17, was particularly impressive. Australia needed their pacers to strike, fast and quick: Dirk Nannes showed the usual promise and Shaun Tait effected the breakthrough in the next; but after that everything fell apart. Kieswetter and Pietersen plucked a page out of Aussie tactics, attacking from the start itself; it put the Aussies on the backfoot, and they panicked a bit too. ||||| Clarke concedes Twenty20 place in jeopardy BRIDGETOWN, Barbados — Australia Twenty20 captain Michael Clarke admitted his place was under threat after a poor run of form continued in a seven-wicket World Twenty20 final loss to England. Clarke, batting at No 3, was involved in the run out of hard-hitting opener David Warner as Australia collapsed to eight for three at the Kensington Oval here on Sunday, He himself made just 27 --- but that was still his best score of the tournament -- in a total of 147 for six and Clarke ended the event with 92 runs at a meagre average of 15.33. More powerful hitters in Australia's top order were largely able to cover for Clarke's lack of runs and with remarkable frankness, he told reporters: "There's no doubt the selectors will need to have a look at my performances. "I certainly know they haven't been up to scratch through this whole tournament and probably in Twenty20 cricket in general. "I'm sure the selectors will sit down and have a look and if I'm not the right guy for No 3 and the captaincy then they'll make that decision," added the 29-year-old. Clarke, the Test and one-day vice-captain, was the natural choice to inherit the leadership when regular skipper Ricky Ponting retired from Twenty20 international cricket. Up until the final, Australia had been unbeaten at this World Twenty20, having been knocked out in the first round in England last year. But in left-arm quick Dirk Nannes, fast bowler Shaun Tait and the Hussey brothers, Michael and David, they appear to have the nucleus of a fine Twenty20 line-up. Clarke certainly relished leading his side to what was a first World Twenty20 final for both Australia and England. "I've enjoyed every minute it," Clarke said. "Captaining your country is a wonderful thing and I've been very lucky to get that chance. "I'm stoked to have been given this opportunity to lead the Twenty20 team. There are no guarantees in this world and it's about getting back and preparing for the next tournament. "I'll be back as vice-captain (in the Test side) which I really enjoy and we have a wonderful leader (Ponting) back in Australia." England cruised to victory, with three overs to spare, following a second-wicket stand of 111 between South Africa born duo Craig Kieswetter (63) and Kevin Pietersen (47). The win gave England another triumph over Australia to put alongside last year's home Ashes win and set the scene for the return series 'Down Under', which gets underway in November. "I've seen them (England) celebrate twice in a short space of time now but they deserved it," Clarke said. "We knew England were going to be tough, and losing those three wickets early didn't help. It put a lot of pressure on our middle order. "I thought we did well to scrape our way to 140-odd, although we were probably about 30 runs short, or 50 runs short the way England batted. We got beaten by the better team today." Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More » ||||| News: ePaper | Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements | Advts: Retail Plus | Classifieds | Jobs | Obituary | Sport Memorable title triumph for England S. Dinakar Kieswetter and Pietersen fashion a splendid chase to tame the Aussies — Photo: AFP JOY UNBOUND: England's cricketers converge on their captain, Paul Collingwood (second Bridgetown: Defying odds, England ambushed Australia by seven wickets to win its first title in an ICC Global event at the Kensington Oval here on Sunday. Chasing 148, England outplayed Australia with three overs to spare to triumph in the ICC World Twenty20. The side has been professional and was also ruthless. The bowlers, led by left-arm paceman Ryan Sidebottom, set up the victory. Then intrepid opener Craig Kieswetter (63 off 49), who was declared ‘Man-of-The Match', and the inspiring Kevin Pietersen (47 off 31) took the match away from Australia with a 111-run partnership for the second wicket. Both were dismissed late in the game but, by then, the verdict was not in doubt. Skipper Paul Collingwood and Eoin Morgan closed out the contest clinically. In a big game, the Aussie bowling and fielding wilted. England was emotional in its celebrations. — PHOTO: AFP FINE KNOCK: Craig Kieswetter came up with a free-stroking 63 to guide England to a famous victory. Success straightaway Australia had success straightaway when Michael Lumb, clipping Shaun Tait uppishly was held at mid-wicket. In walked Kevin Pietersen. England regrouped. When Dirk Nannes bowled a fuller length, he was cover-driven and flicked for boundaries by the attacking and quick-footed Craig Kieswetter. The free-stroking Kieswetter cashed in on fuller length deliveries; Tait was bravely driven over the covers. Pietersen had his moment of uncertainty against the speedy Nannes. He created room on the off-side but found a yorker-length ball thudding into his pads. However, a cover-drive on the up against left-arm paceman Mitchell Johnson underlined his quality. The England total was 44 for one after the six Power Play overs. Pietersen, settling down, was looking increasingly dangerous. He sashayed down the track to ease Johnson down the ground. His batting has the rare blend of strong back-footed play, the ability to use his feet to shimmy down the pitch with wristy sub-continental flair. He simmers with aggression; wants to dominate. His cricket oozes belief and confidence. So quickly do his feet move that the bowlers' length is disrupted. Consequently their line suffers. He is an Englishman with the attitude of an Aussie. Gradually, the hunter became the hunted. The England zeroed in on Shane Watson, the weak link, with Kieswetter dismantling the Aussie paceman with strikes that were chancy but effective. When Tait returned, Pietersen, his footwork precise, head still and balance perfect, smacked him over his head. Thing of beauty Pietersen's back-swing is a thing of beauty. Crucially, he was picking the length early and was ready with his response. When Tait bowled a full-length scorcher, Pietersen, effortlessly, eased the ball over the long-off ropes. It was a stunning strike. On a bright, sunny afternoon, England, perhaps influenced by the rousing Australian chase in the last-four duel against Pakistan, opted to field. Key batsman Shane Watson slashed at a rising ball, angling across, from Sidebottom in the first over. The 'keeper Kieswetter could not latch on to the offering but Greame Swann was quick to pouch the deflection. Australia was just 24 for three after the Power Play overs. England has contained and struck during an extremely important phase of the match. Michael Clarke put a price on his wicket. The Australian captain is nimble-footed and his duel against off-spinner Swann made compelling viewing. Booming strokes Then the in-form Cameron White cut loose against Yardy with booming strokes over the straight field and the mid-wicket region. David Hussey earned a reprieve at 25 when Broad misjudged a skier at mid-on; Tim Bresnan was the bowler to suffer. Broad, soon, held on to a looping ball when White (30 off 19) attempted to biff paceman Luke Wright. David Hussey continued to torment England. And his brother, Miracle Man Michael Hussey, drove and flicked with a surgeon's precision. David Hussey's enterprising innings (59 off 54 balls) in a pressure situation concluded when he was run out going for a second run in the final over. Australia: S. Watson c Swann b Sidebottom 2 (3b), D. Warner (run out) 2 (4b), M. Clarke c Collingwood b Swann 27 (27b, 2x4), B. Haddin c Kieswetter b Sidebottom 1 (2b), D. Hussey (run out) 59 (54b, 2x4, 2x6), C. White c Broad b Wright 30 (19b, 4x4, 1x6), M. Hussey (not out) 17 (10b, 2x4), S. Smith (not out) 1 (2b); Extras (b-1, lb-2, nb-1, w-4): 8. Total (for six wickets in 20 overs): 147. Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-7, 3-8, 4-45, 5-95, 6-142. England bowling: Sidebottom 4-0-26-2, Bresnan 4-0-35-0, Broad 4-0-27-0, Swann 4-0-17-1, Yardy 3-0-34-0, Wright 1-0-5-1. England: M. Lumb c D. Hussey b Tait 2 (4b), C. Kieswetter b Johnson 63 (49b, 7x4, 2x6), K. Pietersen c Warner b Smith 47 (31b, 4x4, 1x6), P. Collingwood (not out) 12 (5b, 1x4, 1x6), E. Morgan (not out) 15 (13b, 1x6); Extras (lb-1, w-8): 9. Total (for three wickets in 17 overs): 148. Fall of wickets: 1-7, 2-118, 3-121. Australia bowling: Nannes 4-0-29-0, Tait 3-0-28-1, Johnson 4-0-27-1, Smith 3-0-21-1, Watson 3-0-42-0 . Printer friendly page Send this article to Friends by E-Mail Sport News: ePaper | Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous | Engagements | Advts: Retail Plus | Classifieds | Jobs | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News | | have defeated in the final of the to win the tournament. England won by 7 wickets at the , , Barbados to lift the World Cup. A 111 run partnership between , the man of the match and , the man of the tournament, helped them in chasing down the target of 148 runs set by Australia. England won the toss and opted to . Australia scored 147 runs, losing 6 wickets in their twenty overs. was the top scorer, getting 59 runs. Australia scored only 47 runs for 4 wickets in their first ten overs. David Hussey and added 22 runs in the thirteenth over, thus helping their team to get to 147 for 6 in their innings. For England, Ryan Sidebottom took two wickets for 26 runs in four overs. Early in England's innings, of Australia took the wicket of of England, when the latter was caught by David Hussey at mid-wicket. of England came when Lumb got out, and helped England to reach 44 runs in the six overs. The partnership between Pietersen and Kieswetter helped their team to reach the target of 148 runs in seventeen overs, with three overs in hand. England captain told the media that he thought "belief had been the key." "As soon as we got the squad together, seeing how much power we have in the squad, I know that is all on paper but we could tell that we had a lot of potential," he commented. "I think a lot of credit goes to every single player in the dressing room to have the confidence to go out there and really give it their best shots and have no regrets. I think we have done that throughout the tournament and it has certainly paid off," he noted. For England, this is the first victory in a as they had never won a single one-day or T20 World Cup or the tournament till this victory. In this connection, Collingwood said: "this is right up there, with the best," adding "to be the first England team to win a 'World Cup' is very special. We knew it was a ." Meanwhile, Australian captain admitted his disappointment at the result. He conceded that his performance was poor, saying, "There's no doubt the selectors will need to have a look at my performances. I certainly know they haven't been up to scratch through this whole tournament and probably in Twenty20 cricket in general. I'm sure the selectors will sit down and have a look and if I'm not the right guy for No 3 and the captaincy then they'll make that decision" Newly elected UK David Cameron praised the English team. "Congratulations to Paul Collingwood and the England Twenty20 team on becoming world champions for the first time with a magnificent victory over Australia. Let's hope this marks the start of a great summer of sport for England," he said. The commented: "I'm absolutely delighted England have won the World Twenty20. They have played exciting and intelligent cricket and are worthy winners." === Scorecard === '''Toss:''' England won, and chose to field first. '''Fall of wickets:''' 1-2 (Watson, 0.3 ov), 2-7 (Warner, 1.5 ov), 3-8 (Haddin, 2.1 ov), 4-45 (Clarke, 9.2 ov), 5-95 (White, 15.4 ov), 6-142 (DJ Hussey, 19.2 ov) '''Did not bat:''' Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait, Dirk Nannes '''Fall of wickets:'''1-7 (Lumb, 1.5 ov), 2-118 (Pietersen, 13.1 ov), 3-121 (Kieswetter, 14.1 ov) '''Did not bat:''' Luke Wright, Tim Bresnan, Michael Yardy, Greamme Swann, Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom '''England:''' , , , , , , , , , , , '''Australia:''' , , , , , , , , , , '''Man of the match:''' (England) '''Umpires:''' (Pakistan) and (West Indies) '''TV Umpire:''' (New Zealand) '''Match Referee:''' (Sri Lanka) '''Reserve Umpire:''' (South Africa) |
Israel dropped thousands of cluster munitions during a 2006 war in Lebanon [GALLO/GETTY] Countries from around the world have banned the use of current designs of cluster bombs in a treaty human rights workers have described as a "monumental achievement". Factfile Cluster bombs Delegations from 111 countries formally accepted the deal at a ceremony in Dublin, the Irish capital, on Friday after almost two weeks of negotiations. The convention, agreed on Wednesday, requires signatories to eliminate stockpiles of cluster munitions within eight years. Marc Garlasco, a military analyst with Human Rights Watch, said the treaty was a "monumental achievement". Garlasco told Al Jazeera that although the US and other nations have not committed to signing the agreement, he expects the treaty will stigmatise cluster munitions and so deter those nations from using them. "We will now see a future in which not only will these weapons not be used, but [the treaty] also provides for victim assistance as well as clearance of weapons that have been used in the past," he said. Ban opposed The US, along with Israel, Pakistan, China and Russia, who are among the main producers and stockpilers of the weapons, have opposed the ban. Others have questioned whether the treaty will have any significant impact. Al Jazeera's Hamish Macdonald reports that article 21 of the document provides logistical loop-holes. "The article stipulates that any country which signs up to the treaty can still participate in joint operations with any nation which does not," he said. Leila Blacking, from the International Committee of the Red Cross, said: "This was the balance between getting a treaty out that people would be prepared to sign and not having a treaty at all. "It's been a difficult process, ten days ago we weren't even sure that we'd agree on the text that's as strong as it is today." Even though these states have all agreed on the text, they still must go to Oslo at the end of this year and sign the actual treaty, Blacking said. Many key countries are not participating, including the US, China, Russia and Israel, so the potential loop-holes are vast. A third of recorded cluster munitions casualties are children [EPA] Cluster munitions release small "bomblets" in mid-air which spread over a large area, but many of the bombs do not detonate and remain dangerous, injuring and killing civilians after periods of conflict have ended. The document allows the use of future cluster bombs which pick targets more precisely and contain self-destruct technology. Norway spearheaded talks in February 2007 to end the use of the bomb. ||||| In this Nov. 9, 2006 file picture, Mines Advisory Group (MAG) Technical Field Manager Nick Guest inspects a Cluster Bomb Unit in the southern village of Ouazaiyeh, Lebanon. International diplomats from more than 100 nations reached agreement on a treaty that would ban current designs of cluster bombs and require the destruction of stockpiles within eight years. The breakthrough Wednesday May 28, 2008 capped more than a year of negotiations that began in Norway and concluded over the past 10 days in Dublin, but Israel, U.S. Russia, China, India and Pakistan did not participate in the treaty. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari) 111 nations adopt cluster bomb treaty, but not US DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) — Diplomats from 111 nations formally adopted a landmark treaty banning cluster bombs on Friday after futile calls for participation by the weapons' biggest makers and users, particularly the United States. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged every nation in the world to sign the painstakingly negotiated pact "without delay." Twelve days of negotiations ended after diplomats from scores of nations delivered speeches embracing the accord. It requires signatories not to use cluster bombs, to destroy existing stockpiles within eight years, and to fund programs that clear old battlefields of dud bombs. However, the talks did not involve the biggest makers and users of cluster bombs: the United States, Russia, China, Israel, India and Pakistan. And the pact leaves the door open for new types that could pick targets more precisely and contain self-destruct technology. Participants plan to sign the treaty in the Norwegian capital Oslo in December. It would go into effect in mid-2009. Norwegian Deputy Defense Minister Espen Barth Eide, whose nation launched the negotiations in February 2007, said he was confident that the treaty would discourage the United States, Russia, China, Israel and other proponents of cluster bombs to use the weapons again. "The reality is that states do care about not only the legality of their actions, but also the perceived legitimacy and appropriateness of their actions," he said. But Washington this week dismissed the prospect that the treaty would alter U.S. policy. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said the United States remained committed to United Nations-sponsored talks that seek voluntary codes of "best practice" among leading makers of cluster bombs. These talks, also involving Russia and China, are not considering a ban. Nonetheless, the treaty adopted Friday contains several concessions sought by the United States and its NATO allies, many of whom plan to sign the deal. The pact would allow countries that sign the treaty to keep cooperating militarily with those that do not. Earlier drafts of the treaty sought to prohibit such cooperation, an idea fought by the United States and its NATO allies on the grounds this would make joint peacekeeping work difficult if not impossible. Cluster bombs have been used in conflicts worldwide, from Vietnam to Iraq, to crush enemy forces by laying a carpet of dozens to hundreds of explosions with a single bomb, shell or rocket. Their devastating impact on the battlefield often comes at a terrible cost to civilians afterward, including farmers who strike unexploded "bomblets" in their fields or children who mistake the objects for playthings. ||||| Survivors of cluster bombs spoke at the conference More than 100 nations, including the UK, have signed a treaty to ban current designs of cluster bombs. Diplomats have agreed to back an international ban on the manufacture, use or stockpiling of the munitions, following 12 days of talks in Dublin. Some 111 countries including the US, Russia and China have been urged to reconsider boycotting the treaty. UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called the treaty a "big step forward to make the world a safer place". UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon welcomed the landmark charter and encouraged all nations to sign up. In his closing address to the conference, Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin said: "Rarely have we seen such single-minded determination to conclude a convention with such high humanitarian goals in such a concentrated period of time." 'Work together' Mr Martin said he ultimately wanted to see the treaty ratified by all member states of the United Nations. "We must work together to explain and argue for its provisions with those who are not here," he said. Mr Ban said: "I place the full facilities of the UN at the disposal of member nations to help them secure a speedy ratification." The draft treaty will be signed by world leaders in Oslo on 3 December and then individually ratified by each nation. See how a cluster bomb works Cluster bombs have been used in countries including Cambodia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Lebanon. They are made up of a big container that opens in mid-air, dropping hundreds of smaller individual sub-munitions, or "bomblets", across a wide area. Countries like the US, India, Pakistan and Israel claim such munitions are highly useful on the battlefield, but opponents say that where the bomblets fail to explode they leave a deadly legacy for civilians. When details of the treaty were announced on Wednesday, the US said it would not alter its policy. We have taken a momentous step forward Peter Henby Red Cross A statement from the Pentagon said: "While the United States shares the humanitarian concerns of those in Dublin, cluster munitions have demonstrated military utility, and their elimination from US stockpiles would put the lives of our soldiers and those of our coalition partners at risk." The stockpile of cluster munitions the US military keeps at bases in the UK is one issue which has to be addressed. The British representative at the talks in Dublin, John Duncan, said the UK would work with Washington to find a solution to the issue. During the conference, delegates heard from survivors of cluster bomb attacks. International Committee of the Red Cross official Peter Henby said: "It is sad that it took so long to get here and much more time and energy to implement it. But we have taken a momentous step forward." Cluster Munitions Coalition spokesman Steve Goose said even nations who had not signed up would now be under pressure not to use the weapons. He said: "We're certain that nations thinking of using the munitions won't want to face the international condemnation that will rain down upon them because the weapons have been stigmatised now." HOW A CLUSTER BOMB WORKS 1. The cluster bomb, in this case a CBU-87, is dropped from a plane and can fly about nine miles before releasing its load of about 200 bomblets. 2. The canister starts to spin and opens at an altitude between 1,000m and 100m, spraying the bomblets across a wide area. 3. Each bomblet is the size of a soft drink can and contains hundreds of metal pieces. When it explodes, it can cause deadly injuries up to 25m away. Return to top E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? | Today, representatives of 111 countries have adopted a formal ban on . The ban is to be signed and ratified by each country during December 2-3 in , Norway, the country that initiated the discussions on the ban. Following almost two weeks of negotiations, the ban was agreed upon at a ceremony held in , Ireland. Signatories will be required to completely get rid of cluster bomb stockpiles within eight years. Cluster bombs are characterized by the small "bomblets" that they release while falling. Many are opposed to this type of munition because the "bomblets" spread over a large area, meaning that they can easily injure or kill innocent civilians even when aimed at a specific enemy target. Despite U.N. Ban Ki-moon voicing his hopes that all nations would agree to the ban, many countries have boycotted the ban, including the United States, Russia, Israel, Pakistan and India. Military analyst Marc Garlasco of the organization Human Rights Watch noted that these nations will be less likely to use the munitions due to the stigma that will be attached to them. While widely celebrated, some criticize the pact for not being strong enough in its implications. For example, signatories will still be allowed to cooperate on military operations with non-signatories. The ban will go into effect in mid-2009. |
TAIPEI: At least 17 people were dead and 132 others injured after a train derailed on Taiwan's east coast on Sunday afternoon (Oct 21), authorities said. The train, Puyuma Express 6432, was travelling from Taitung and derailed near Yilan county near the coast, on a railway popular among tourists. Advertisement Authorities have not confirmed if any passengers remain trapped alive inside the train. An AFP reporter at the scene said that more bodies were being brought out of the wrecked carriages. "As of 6.30pm there are 17 dead on site and 126 people injured," the Taiwan Railways Administration said in a statement, adding that the train had been moving between two stations in Yilan County before the derailment occurred. Images from the site showed the high-speed Puyuma Express train completely derailed and lying zig-zagged across the track. Taiwan's central government said that rescue services were at the scene and that the premier had been notified; he was said to be "highly concerned" about the safety of the travelers. Advertisement Advertisement All of the train's eight carriages had derailed and five had flipped onto their side at Xinma station, the railways administration said. The railways administration said there had been 366 people on board the service. Taiwan's Central News Agency reported that more than 30 people were still trapped in the train early on Sunday evening. The defence ministry said it had sent in 120 soldiers to help the rescue. President Tsai Ing-wen described the accident as a "major tragedy" in a Tweet Sunday evening. "My thoughts are with all the victims and their families," she added. A train heading from Taipei to Hualien derailed near Yilang county. 3 dead so far, 20 injured. I am on a delayed train heading towards Taipei in the opposite direction. https://t.co/I88pDyHt8x pic.twitter.com/Swl1NHo4ou — mrbrown (@mrbrown) October 21, 2018 Singaporean blogger Mr Brown tweeted that he was at the scene of the derailment, in a train heading in the opposite direction towards Taipei. There have been several incidents of train derailments in Taiwan in recent years. In March this year, a carriage of a train on its way to Taipei derailed inside Shulin station in New Taipei City. No injuries were reported. In October last year, 300 passengers had to disembark onto the tracks after their train bound for Shulin from Taitung derailed in Hualien county. In June 2016, several people were injured when a train derailed in Hualien county. Around 200 passengers were on board when the incident happened, and two people were taken to the hospital. This story is developing. Refresh for updates. ||||| Image copyright TAIWAN RAILWAY ADMINISTRATION / HANDOUT Image caption Rescue operations are continuing into the night At least 18 people have been killed and 170 injured in a passenger train derailment in north-east Taiwan. Railway authorities say they are investigating the accident, which happened in Yilan County at about 16:50 local time (08:50 GMT) on Sunday. A total of 366 people were on the train travelling between Taipei and the eastern county of Taitung when all eight of its carriages derailed. The authorities now say they have freed everyone from the wreckage. The Puyuma Express 6432 service reportedly came off the tracks close to Xinma station, near the town of Su'ao about 70km (43 miles) from Taipei. The deputy chief of the Taiwan Railways Administration, Lu Chieh-shen, told a news conference on Sunday that the train was only six years old and had been in "pretty good condition" before the accident. It is not immediately clear what caused the train to derail, but witnesses told local media they heard a loud noise then sparks and smoke. Emergency medical responders and firefighters are helping the injured and the defence ministry says it has sent 120 soldiers to help with rescue efforts. Witnesses reported having to break windows to escape the carriages, and dozens of injured have been transported to local hospitals. Image copyright AFP Image caption Authorities say five of the train's eight carriages ended up on their side An AFP news agency reporter at the scene said more bodies were being removed from the damaged carriages at about 20:00 local time (12:00 GMT) on Sunday night. Reports say an American citizen was lightly injured in the accident. Photographs from the scene show seats upended, with parts of the railway tracks twisted through carriage windows in places. Taiwan's leader, Tsai Ing-wen, described the accident as a "major tragedy" on Twitter. "My thoughts are with all the victims and their families," she added. Taiwan has an extensive train network and more than half a million passengers travel on the system every day. ||||| Beijing, China (CNN) Taiwan authorities are investigating what caused a train carrying 366 passengers to derail Sunday in Yilan County, northeastern Taiwan, killing at least 18 people and injuring 178. The train was traveling between the cities of Shulin and Taitung when it left the tracks on a coastal line popular with tourists just before 5 p.m. local time, according to the transport ministry. Investigators in Taiwan are examining the cause of the crash. All eight train carriages derailed in the incident, with five of those overturning. Among the dead are eight people from the same family who were traveling back from a wedding in New Taipei city, according to CNN affiliate in Taiwan SET TV. The cause of the derailment is still under investigation, but at a news conference Monday transport ministry officials said they were looking into speed as a possible factor, as well as a report filed by the driver 20 minutes before the incident that said the air pressure in the train's brakes was "too low." Read More ||||| At least 17 people were killed and more than 80 others injured after a passenger train derailed Sunday night in northeastern Taiwan, government officials said. Images on social media showed the mangled wreckage of the train and injured passengers lying on the ground. | At around 4:50 p.m. local time (0850 UTC) on Sunday, at least eighteen passengers were killed and, by varying reports, more than another 170 injured after a train derailed in in northeast Taiwan. It was the most deaths in a train crash in Taiwan in 27 years. The was transporting 366 people when the accident occurred, according to the railways administration. On Sunday authorities said an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the incident. Evacuation through a window at 18:16. Photo of the train wreck at 18:21. Traveling between and , the train's eight carriages derailed around Xinma station. According to Associated Press, locals assisted passengers to escape through the windows of the train before the emergency response team arrived. Emergency workers and roughly 120 soldiers worked to free survivors from the wreckage. Injured passengers were transported to four different hospitals for treatment, ''The New York Times'' reported. The train's conductor, according to , reported some sort of object was on the tracks and might have derailed the train. Transport ministry officials said on Monday the train driver had reported abnormally low pressure in the brakes of the train 20 minutes before the crash. This incident exceeded the fatality count of seventeen in a train derailing at , in 2003. Previously 30 passengers died and 112 were injured as a result of a train collision in in 1991. == Sources == * * * * |
Scores of public buildings were closed in Mexico City in a bid to contain the illness [AFP] Scores of public buildings were closed in Mexico City in a bid to contain the illness [AFP] Jose Angel Cordova told a news conference on Friday that the rate of deaths appeared to be slowing and there were no plans to seal the country's borders, although schools, libraries, museums, theatres were closed in a bid to contain the disease. An outbreak of swine flu in Mexico has killed 20 people and sickened more than 1,000 others, the country's health minister has said. Meanwhile, US public health officials on Thursday said that eight people had been diagnosed with swine flu in the states of California and Texas. Tests on Friday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) showed the virus from 12 of the Mexican patients was the same genetically as a new strain of swine flu, designated H1N1, seen in the US patients, AFP reported. Initial reports from the WHO said that up to 60 people had died in Mexico from the disease, and Cordova said 40 deaths were being "analysed" for the disease. US officials said the White House was closely following the outbreak in the United States and Barack Obama, the president, has been informed. The officials said the virus in the United States was a never-before-seen mixture of viruses typical among pigs, birds and humans. Armando Ahued, Mexico City's health minister, said a massive vaccination campaign was being launched against the illness. Al Jazeera's Franc Contreras in Mexico City said the authorities had advised people not to go outside unless necessary and that many residents had bought surgical masks in attempt to avoid the disease. Pandemic fears The WHO, which has identified swine influenza as a potential source of a human flu pandemic, said it had activated its global epidemic operations centre, which oversees acute public health events in response to the crisis. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said the A/H1N1 influenza identified in at least two of the recent cases by US counterparts could develop into a pandemic-type virus. Human outbreaks of H1N1 swine influenza virus were recorded in the US in 1976 and 1988, when two deaths were recorded, and also in 1986, while in 1988 a pregnant woman died after contact with sick pigs, the WHO said. In recent years the global focus for a possible pandemic has shifted to the H5N1 bird flu virus, which has spread from poultry to humans and killed 257 of the 421 people infected by the virus since 2003. ||||| By Alistair Bell and Noel Randewich MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - A strain of flu never seen before has killed up to 60 people in Mexico and also appeared in the United States, where eight people were infected but recovered, health officials said on Friday. Mexico's government said at least 20 people have died of the flu and it may also be responsible for 40 other deaths. It shut down schools and canceled major public events in Mexico City to try to prevent more deaths in the sprawling, overcrowded capital. Authorities said they had enough antiviral medicine to treat about 1,000 suspected cases reported so far. The World Health Organization said tests showed the virus from 12 of the Mexican patients was the same genetically as a new strain of swine flu, designated H1N1, seen in eight people in California and Texas. "Our concern has grown as of yesterday," Dr. Richard Besser, acting director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told reporters in a telephone briefing. Global health officials were not ready to declare a pandemic -- a global epidemic of a new and deadly disease such as flu. "So far there has not been any change in the pandemic threat level," Besser said. But the human-to-human spread of the new virus raised fears of a major outbreak. Mexico's government suspended classes for millions of children in Mexico City, where scared residents rushed out to buy face masks and kept their kids at home. "We're frightened because they say it's not exactly flu, it's another kind of virus and we're not vaccinated," said Angeles Rivera, 34, a government worker who fetched her son from a public kindergarten that was closing. Close analysis showed the disease is a mixture of swine, human and avian viruses, according to the CDC. Humans can occasionally catch swine flu from pigs but rarely have they been known to pass it on to other people. Mexico reported 1,004 suspected cases of the new virus, including four possible cases in Mexicali on the border with California. Most of the dead were aged between 25 and 45, a health official said. It was a worrying sign as seasonal flu can be more deadly among the very young and the very old but a hallmark of pandemics is that they affect healthy young adults. Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova said Mexico has enough antiviral drugs to combat the outbreak for the moment. "In the last 20 hours, fewer serious cases of this disease and fewer deaths have been reported," he told reporters. The WHO said the virus appears to be susceptible to Roche AG's flu drug Tamiflu, also known as oseltamivir, but not to older flu drugs such as amantadine. NO CONTAINMENT Continued... ||||| Mexico’s flu season is usually over by now, but health officials have noticed a significant spike in flu cases since mid-March. The W.H.O. said there had been 800 cases in Mexico in recent weeks, 60 of them fatal, of a flulike illness that appeared to be more serious than the regular seasonal flu. Mr. Córdova said Friday that there were 1,004 possible cases. Still, only a small number have been confirmed as cases of the new H1N1 swine flu, according to Gregory Hartl, a W.H.O. spokesman. Mexican authorities confirmed 16 deaths from swine flu and said 45 others were under investigation, most of them in the Mexico City area. The C.D.C. said that eight nonfatal cases had been confirmed in the United States, and that it had sent teams to California and Texas to investigate. Image People wearing surgical masks at the General Hospital in Mexico City on Friday. Credit... Dario Lopez-Mills/Associated Press “We are worried,” said Dr. Richard Besser, the acting head of the C.D.C. “We don’t know if this will lead to the next pandemic, but we will be monitoring it and taking it seriously.” There is no point in trying to use containment measures in the United States, he said, because the swine flu virus has already appeared from San Antonio to San Diego, without any obvious connections among cases. Containment measures usually work only when a disease is confined to a small area, he said. The C.D.C. refrained from warning people not to visit Mexico. Even so, the outbreak comes at an awful time for tourism officials, who have been struggling to counter the perception that violence has made Mexico unsafe for travelers. The outbreak was also causing alarm among Mexicans, many of whom rushed to buy masks or get checkups. ||||| (CNN) -- As Hayden Henshaw was being rushed to the doctor's office after becoming ill, his father heard that his son's classmates had been struck with the deadly swine flu virus like the one sweeping through Mexico. Swine flu commonly affects pigs and occasionally infects people in contact with pigs. Patrick Henshaw called his wife immediately to have Hayden checked for it. Later, they received the bad news. Hayden had become the third confirmed case of swine flu at his Texas high school. It is a virus that has killed 68 people in Mexico and infected at least eight people in the United States. Health officials arrived at the Henshaws' house Friday and drew blood from the whole family, then told them to stay inside and away from the public, Henshaw told CNN. The whole family is quarantined indefinitely, according to CNN-affiliate KABB. Henshaw said his family was shocked when they got the news about their son. "Stunned. My wife was having a panic attack," Henshaw told the affiliate. U.S. health officials have expressed concern about U.S. cases of a swine flu virus that has similar characteristics to the fatal virus in Mexico. More than 1,000 people have fallen ill in Mexico City in a short period of time, U.S. health experts said. "This situation has been developing quickly," Richard Besser, acting director of the Atlanta, Georgia-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said Friday. "This is something we are worried about." Besser said all of the eight U.S. patients have recovered. Watch for more on the U.S. cases » New York health officials said Friday they were testing about 75 students at a school in New York City for swine flu after the students exhibited flu-like symptoms this week. A team of state health department doctors and staff went to the St. Francis Preparatory School in the borough of Queens on Thursday after the students reported cough, fever, sore throat, aches and pains. Test results are expected as early as Saturday. The new virus has genes from North American swine influenza, avian influenza, human influenza and a form of swine influenza normally found in Asia and Europe, said Nancy Cox, chief of the CDC's Influenza Division. Swine flu is caused by a virus similar to a type of flu virus that infects people every year but is a strain typically found only in pigs -- or in people who have direct contact with pigs. There have, however, been cases of person-to-person transmission of swine flu, the CDC said. CNN's David Alsup contributed to this report. All About Mexico • Influenza • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ||||| WASHINGTON, April 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday it was too late to contain the swine flu outbreak in the United States.CDC acting director Dr. Richard Besser told reporters in a telephone briefing it was likely too late to try to contain the outbreak, by vaccinating, treating or isolating people."There are things that we see that suggest that containment is not very likely," he said.He said the U.S. cases and Mexican cases are likely the same virus. "So far the genetic elements that we have looked at are the same." But Besser said it was unclear why the virus was causing so many deaths in deaths in Mexico and such mild disease in the United States.(Reporting by Maggie Fox, editing by Patricia Zengerle) | According to Mexican health officials, an epidemic of swine flu has killed at least 68 people and infected a further one thousand inside the country. Mexican health minister José Ángel Córdova said that the casualty rate appeared to be slowing down, and that there would be no plans to block off Mexican borders. “We’re dealing with a new flu virus that constitutes a respiratory epidemic that so far is controllable,” Córdova stated. He said that the disease had mutated from pigs and was transferred to humans at some point. Museums and schools for seven million students near Mexico's capital were closed down in an effort to curb the epidemic, and the government has encouraged people with symptoms of the disease to take leave from work. The outbreak has spread north to the United States, and US health authorities have reported that eight people were diagnosed with swine flu in Texas and California. However, these people have recovered. “We are worried. We don’t know if this will lead to the next pandemic, but we will be monitoring it and taking it seriously,” said Dr. Richard Besser, the acting head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Besser suggested "containment is not very likely" in a telephone briefing on Friday. Tests conducted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) found that the virus from a dozen patients was genetically similar to a new outbreak of swine flu, designated as H1N1. |
Water tractor beam created by Australian scientists in world first Updated Australian scientists have created the world's first water tractor beam which they hope can be used to clean up oil spills. Physicists at the Australian National University have created certain wave patterns in water that pull objects on the surface towards the source of the waves. It is hoped the tractor beam would be developed to assist in removing objects adrift on the surface of the ocean. Dr Horst Punzmann is part of the team behind the design. "A tractor beam is a popular term which, I think it captures quite well the basic principle," he said. "You put an object there and it propagates, it floats backwards to the source of the wave." However, the physicists had been doubtful at first. "First I thought it was impossible and I thought that it was the effect of the boundaries nearby," said Professor Michael Shats, a colleague of Dr Punzmann. "So the first idea was to build a bigger tank. We did, and it worked." Despite this, the scientists have admitted they did not fully understand how it worked. "We have a fair idea, we can generate different flows at will, [but] there's a lot more work to be done to explore that," Dr Punzmann said. "Individual objects that you want to push forward or backward or in a broader context. "The ability to move films on the ocean, like oil films... would be an opportunity." The device also required only a low amount of energy. "The power requirements for the wave maker are relatively small because we generate only the motion in the top layer," Professor Shats said. Topics: science-and-technology, physics, environmental-technology, disasters-and-accidents, act, canberra-2600, australian-national-university-0200 First posted ||||| Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript. ||||| Physicists create water tractor beam Complex waves generate flow patterns that could be used to manipulate floating objects or explain rips at the beach VIDEO: Physicists at the Australian National University have created a tractor beam in water. Using a simple wave generator they can create water currents which could be used to confine oil... Click here for more information. Physicists at The Australian National University (ANU) have created a tractor beam on water, providing a radical new technique that could confine oil spills, manipulate floating objects or explain rips at the beach. The group, led by Professor Michael Shats discovered they can control water flow patterns with simple wave generators, enabling them to move floating objects at will. "We have figured out a way of creating waves that can force a floating object to move against the direction of the wave," said Dr Horst Punzmann, from the Research School of Physics and Engineering, who led the project. "No one could have guessed this result," he said. The new technique gives scientists a way of controlling things adrift on water in a way they have never had before, resembling sci-fi tractor beams that draw in objects. Using a ping-pong ball in a wave tank, the group worked out the size and frequency of the waves required to move the ball in whichever direction they want. Advanced particle tracking tools, developed by team members Dr Nicolas Francois and Dr Hua Xia, revealed that the waves generate currents on the surface of the water. "We found that above a certain height, these complex three-dimensional waves generate flow patterns on the surface of the water," Professor Shats said. "The tractor beam is just one of the patterns, they can be inward flows, outward flows or vortices." The team also experimented with different shaped plungers to generate different swirling flow patterns. As yet no mathematical theory can explain these experiments, Dr Punzmann said. "It's one of the great unresolved problems, yet anyone in the bathtub can reproduce it. We were very surprised no one had described it before." ### AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system. | Physicists at the Australian National University have created a tractor beam in water. A research team from the have generated complex driven by three-dimensional s. Their results show possibility of remote manipulation of objects and were published in this Sunday. As Dr Horst Punzmann told ABC, "A is a popular term which, I think it captures quite well the basic principle. You put an object there and it propagates, it floats backwards to the source of the wave". Professor Michael Shats clarified that "We found that above a certain height, these complex three-dimensional waves generate on the surface of the . The tractor beam is just one of the patterns, they can be inward flows, outward flows or ". Professor Michael Shats spoke about the s: "First I thought it was impossible and I thought that it was the effect of the boundaries nearby. So the first idea was to build a bigger tank. We did, and it worked". As Dr Horst Punzmann noted, "The ability to move films on the ocean, like oil films... would be an opportunity". Professor Michael Shats explained that "The power requirements for the wave maker are relatively small because we generate only the motion in the top layer". To visualise the three-dimensional flows and , was used and help was provided to the researchers by . To create a figure of , finite-time analysis was used. This study was supported by the , the and the (BSF). == Sources == * * * |
The mayor of Quebec City has died in hospital. Andrée Boucher, 70, was taken by ambulance to Laval Hospital from her home in Sainte-Foy Friday morning suffering from a heart attack. Quebec City Mayor Andrée Boucher acknowledges a standing ovation as she is recognized in the House of Commons on Dec. 7, 2006. (Canadian Press) Boucher, who was elected mayor of the amalgamated Quebec City in 2005, had been mayor of Sainte-Foy since 1985. She ran for mayor of Quebec City before the mergers in 2001 and lost that election, but she ran successfully in 2005, despite a low-key campaign with no posters and a budget of only $5,000. Instead, she invited Quebec City voters to visit her home, and they came in droves; it was that kind of free publicity that drove her unusual campaign, and she rode that wave until election day. Boucher was a strong demerger activist during the province-wide referendums on amalgamation. In the end, only two of Quebec City's 13 former suburbs voted to demerge. Sainte-Foy residents opted to remain part of the amlgamated Quebec City. Recently, much of Boucher's time had been taken up planning Quebec's 400th anniversary celebrations, set for 2008. ||||| Décès d'Andrée Boucher Les obsèques célébrées samedi Les funérailles officielles de la mairesse de Québec, Andrée Boucher, seront célébrées samedi prochain à la basilique Notre-Dame de Québec. Sa dépouille sera exposée en chapelle ardente dans la salle du conseil de l'hôtel de ville jeudi et vendredi. La Ville de Québec mettra également à la disposition de la population, à compter du lundi 27 août, à 12 h, des livres de condoléances à l'hôtel de ville et dans les huit bureaux d'arrondissement. La mairesse de Québec a succombé à un malaise cardiaque, vendredi midi, alors qu'elle se trouvait chez elle. Elle a été transportée à l'Hôpital Laval, où son décès a été constaté. Mme Boucher, qui a fêté ses 70 ans en janvier dernier, laisse dans le deuil son époux Marc et ses trois enfants Bernard, Denis et France. Le conseiller Jacques Joli-Coeur assumera la fonction de maire de Québec en remplacement de Mme Boucher. Selon la Loi sur les élections et les référendums dans les municipalités, un scrutin devra être tenu dans les quatre mois suivant l'avis de vacance qui sera déposé par le greffier lors de la prochaine séance du conseil municipal. La date de l'élection devrait être connue d'ici la fin du mois de septembre. La politicienne Mme Boucher est née le 31 janvier 1937. Avant de se lancer en politique, elle a oeuvré dans le monde de l'enseignement après avoir obtenu un baccalauréat en pédagogie et un brevet d'enseignement de l'Université Laval. Andrée Boucher a été élue mairesse de la ville de Sainte-Foy pour la première fois en 1985. Pendant 15 ans, elle travaille principalement sur les finances de la municipalité, faisant de Sainte-Foy une villes les moins taxées au Québec. Son premier grand projet a été de construire un nouvel hôtel de ville qui connaîtra un premier échec avant de devenir réalité. Le bâtiment sera finalement construit au coût de 41 millions de dollars. Elle a aussi mené des batailles politiques remarquées, notamment en s'opposant à la construction d'un nouveau Colisée et à la candidature de Québec pour les Jeux olympiques d'hiver de 2002. Mais son plus grand combat fut celui mené contre les fusions municipales au début des années 2000. Après l'adoption de la loi par le gouvernement du Québec forçant les fusions, elle pose en 2001 sa candidature à la mairie de la nouvelle ville de Québec. Elle subit toutefois une défaite contre le maire sortant Jean-Paul L'Allier. En 2004, elle reprend le flambeau des défusions, mais les contribuables de Sainte-Foy refusent de la suivre. Elle fait une pause dans sa carrière politique en se retrouvant au micro de la station radiophonique CJMF-FM. Elle sera finalement élue à la mairie de Québec en 2005 avec plus de 45 % des voix, après avoir mené une campagne électorale sans programme et sans publicité. Elle a tout simplement ouvert les portes de sa résidence une fin de semaine et invité les citoyens de Québec à venir la rencontrer. Elle est ainsi devenue la première femme maire de la Vieille Capitale. L'an dernier, elle s'était rendue à Bordeaux et Paris dans le cadre de l'organisation des fêtes du 400e anniversaire, en 2008, de la ville de Québec. Il s'agissait d'un projet que Mme Boucher menait de front ces derniers temps et qui nécessitait énormément de supervision de la part de la mairie. | Andrée Boucher Quebec City Mayor Andrée Boucher was pronounced dead on Friday at age 70. She was found unconscious at her home from what was reported to be heart failure, although the cause of death is expected to be confirmed by autopsy. Jacques Joli-Coeur was designated interim mayor. Boucher became Quebec City's mayor in 2005. She previously served as mayor of the nearby community of Sainte-Foy. Tributes were issued by Quebec Premier Jean Charest, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, national opposition leader Stéphane Dion, NDP Leader Jack Layton, and politician and former Quebec City broadcaster André Arthur, a frequent critic of Boucher. |
WASHINGTON – Buddy Roemer watched one of the recent Republican presidential debates from a television studio in New York City, tweeting answers to questions asked of the candidates. The former Louisiana governor, a GOP presidential candidate himself, longs to face off against his better-known opponents, but he wasn't invited to last Tuesday's debate in Las Vegas. In fact, he hasn't been invited to any of the nearly dozen national Republican presidential debates. "I'm frustrated," said Roemer, 68. "I haven't figured out how to crack that —being left out business." Roemer remains optimistic. He filed papers in New Hampshire last Wednesday adding his name to the ballot in the state's early Republican primary. Early this year, he moved to New Hampshire, and he announced his White House bid at Dartmouth College in July. "I'm trying to be like Herman Cain," Roemer said. "I'm trying to catch on fire." But the former governor of Louisiana is still largely unknown outside the South. He has raised a fraction of the campaign money amassed by the top-tier GOP candidates, and he's getting almost no national exposure. "He has to be getting discouraged by the fact that no one is paying him much attention," said Pearson Cross, head of the political science department at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. "He's not referred to as a possible nominee. He has been left out of the debates. In short, it seems like his campaign isn't going anywhere." Roemer's recent appearance at the Occupy Wall Street protests in New York City earned him a few minutes of national coverage. "(For a) campaign that is utterly starved for attention, that's good," said David Lanoue, a political scientist at Columbus State University in Georgia. "(But) it's unclear which Republican constituency this move will appeal to." Weeks earlier, Roemer held a press conference outside the Chinese Embassy in Washington. For more than an hour, he read from a handwritten speech, touting his jobs plan and blasting the Obama administration and Congress for not doing enough about China's "unfair trade practices." "I think it's killing us," Roemer said later in an interview at a nearby coffee shop. "That's why there are no new jobs in America." Roemer was elected governor as a Democrat and served from March 1988 to January 1992. He switched to the Republican party in 1991. He represented Louisiana in the House as a conservative Democrat from 1981 to 1988, and is a former CEO of Business First Bank in Baton Rouge. Roemer acknowledges his campaign is a long shot. "But I'm always a long shot," he said. "I'm into doing it differently. Changing parties while I'm in office is what I did. Taking no political action committee money in Congress, that's what I did. Limiting contributions as governor, that's what I did. These are long-shot types of things." Roemer has staked his candidacy on doing well in the New Hampshire primary, traditionally one of the earliest in the country. It could take place as early as December, experts say. Roemer has held town hall meetings and given speeches around the state. But that hasn't paid off yet, said Andy Smith, a political scientist and director of the University of New Hampshire Survey Center. In a recent survey of likely Republican primary voters, fewer than 1% said they would vote for Roemer, Smith said. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney led the poll with 42%, followed by Cain at 13%. The survey had a margin of error of plus or minus 3%. Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson also polled below 1%. "Neither of them has been able to capitalize on their past experience and neither of them has been able to get voters to take them seriously," Smith said of Roemer and Johnson. They've "just never been able to get off the ground." Political experts say Roemer is right to focus on a state where independents can vote in the Republican primary. "If Buddy can exceed expectations in New Hampshire or even sneak in and steal third — that would give a boost that he could build on," Cross said. Roemer has made campaign reform a signature issue, vowing to accept no donations from political action committees and to limit individual donations to $100. For the quarter ending Sept. 30, Roemer had raised about $126,500 in the last quarter and loaned his campaign $10,000, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. Romney raised $14.2 million during the same period, FEC records show. Roemer said he needs a spot at a national debate to drum up more support. "It's the only way I can make up the money disadvantage," he said. "I just have to keep hoping that maybe a (debate) sponsor would say that I would bring something to the debate." ||||| Buddy Roemer formally launched his presidential campaign on Thursday, trying to cast himself as a viable reform candidate instead of the quintessential long shot. The former Louisiana governor detailed his “Free to Lead” campaign theme: he’s promising to limit contributions he accepts to $100 per person, swear off PAC dollars and target the influence of Big Money on politics. Text Size - + reset POLITICO 44 “I have deliberately chosen a path requiring the help of many because that’s the way to win and, more importantly, that’s the way to get these mighty things done after the election,” Roemer told people gathered at Dartmouth’s Hanover Inn. “Stand with me against the special interests. Spread the word. It will change.” Roemer, who left office in 1992 after a single term as governor and three terms in Congress, also pitched himself as an experienced leader among a field of novices without the temerity to confront the real problems facing America. “We’re a nation at risk. Neither the president nor any of the other candidates for this office addresses or has solutions for the major problems facing America,” Roemer said. Roemer has leased an apartment in Manchester in an effort to court voters full-time at diners, nursing homes and holiday parades. He’s counting on that one-on-one outreach to power a grassroots victory in the first-primary state. Roemer still faces extremely long odds. Prior to announcing his presidential exploratory committee in March, Roemer had been largely absent from politics for over a decade. Since then, he’s been the president and CEO of a small Louisiana bank, which he uses to stress his business experience. His only advance into national politics was as a surrogate for Sen. John McCain during the 2008 campaign. He has been shut out of major debates and is infrequently included in polls. When pollsters survey his chances, he frequently receives less than 1 percent support from voters, and has low name recognition. Bound by his pledge to cap each of his donors at $100 cumulatively, Roemer has also failed to raise any significant money. As of the most recent quarterly report filed last week, he had a bare $19,000 on hand, after just $96,000 in total fundraising — which includes a $25,000 contribution to himself and a $10,000 loan. Roemer acknowledged his long odds Thursday, but said he’s tired of waiting in the wings for someone else to pick up his mantle. “I’m 67 years old. I’m old enough to know what to do, and now I have to get it done,” he said. “You don’t wanna miss this campaign,” he added. “It’ll be something else.” | Roemer in June 2011. U.S. Republican Party presidential candidate and former of Louisiana took some time to answer a few questions from ''Wikinews'' reporter William S. Saturn. Roemer served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 1980s as a member of the Democratic Party. He was governor as a Democrat in 1987 before switching to the Republican Party ahead of the . That year, he lost the party's primary to state legislator . After his governorship, Roemer worked as CEO of Business First Bank in . Roemer announced his candidacy for president back in July after exploring a bid for several months. He has focused his campaign on the issue of , refusing to accept money from (PACs) and limiting individual campaign contributions to $100. He raised a total of $126,500 in the third quarter of 2011, far short of the $14.2 million raised by former Massachusetts Mitt Romney. For his campaign, Roemer has adopted the slogan 'Free to Lead'. He rails against corruption, special interests, and money in politics, and has expressed support for the protests. Furthermore, he has taken issue positions in favor of , a balanced federal budget, and a strengthened national defense. Roemer has not been invited to any national presidential debates. He has focused largely on the first-in-the-nation primary state of New Hampshire, and recently signed up to appear on the state's primary ballot. However, a recent University of New Hampshire Survey Center poll shows him with less than one percent support in the state. Pearson Cross of the commented, "If Buddy can exceed expectations in New Hampshire or even sneak in and steal third — that would give a boost that he could build on". |
Ten days ago the political class devoured every available detail about the American elections. Results from across the Atlantic were reported and analysed with barely less attention than our own general elections. Thousands of words were expended examining the implications for the 2008 presidential race and on assessing the impact on British interests. As a participant, I have absolutely no problem with that. Yet, for all its power, America remains in many respects a faraway country of which we know less than we think. France, by contrast, remains a potent nearby country of which we know more than we imagine. And unless we can muster something approaching the same degree of serious attention to the hugely significant French presidential contest of 2007, all that coverage from Missouri and Montana is going to look politically escapist and even somewhat delusional. Ségolène Royal's election as the Socialist party's presidential candidate this week is an event of immense importance for French politics and for the European left. Apart from anything else, it was the first time that the French left's main candidate has been chosen by one-member-one-vote and - guess what? - the members overwhelmingly chose the candidate they felt was most likely to win against the right. As Labour members proved in 1994, and the Conservatives in 2005, a democratic leadership election is the best possible way of proving that a party is in radio contact with the real world. Royal's win is also an unequivocal personal and political mandate. Not only did she get 61% of the party's votes nationwide, thus winning easily on the first ballot, but she also came top of the poll in 94 out of France's 95 départements (only Seine Maritime - centred on Dieppe and Le Havre - rejected her), and took more than 50% of the votes in 87 of the 95. Put another way, the vote for Royal was a nationwide rejection of Laurent Fabius, who ran against neoliberalism and the EU, and for protectionist socialism, and came bottom of the poll. Why did Royal not merely win but win so emphatically? The most obvious answer is because the Socialists understand that she offers them their only chance of defeating the right's Nicolas Sarkozy next spring. A Sofres poll for Le Figaro this week showed that with Royal as the Socialist candidate, she and Sarkozy were each on 34% in a first-round match-up, with Jean-Marie Le Pen on 13%. With Dominique Strauss-Kahn as the candidate, Sarkozy surges to a 37% to 22% advantage, with Le Pen on 14%. With Fabius as his opponent, Sarkozy does even better, 38% to 17%, with Le Pen only three points behind. But Royal also won because she represents a general break from the failed past. This is most obvious in her gender and her nice smile - if she wins she will be the first female ruler of France since Catherine de Medici. But she is also easily the most modern and innovative candidate. Her political style is inclusive, not lofty in the manner of Jacques Chirac and his predecessors. And, above all, she is open to new ideas. France's failure to adapt to change has become something of a national obsession. French bookshops groan with new contributions to the déclinisme debate - fuelled by high unemployment and suburban riots. "Is France broken?" asks the journalist Patrick Bonazza in one recent volume; his answer is yes. "Is France in denial?" wonders Ghislaine Ottenheimer in another; yes to that too. "Can France recover?" muses the centrist UDF party deputy Christian Blanc; only if it abandons its arrogant refusal to learn from other countries and its fatalistic belief that nothing can be done. This is also very much Royal's view. Her speeches may be stuffed with elegant adjectives and abstract nouns in a way which sounds like Gallic waffle to British ears, and she may as yet be extremely unspecific about how she intends to achieve her goals, but there is no missing the recognition that things must change, not just in her party but in France. There is no mistaking a key political influence on her either. Royal's acceptance speech yesterday spoke of modernisation, individual choice, respect, justice with order, and even "education, education, education". It is vital to see all this in a bigger context. If there is one big thing that could revitalise Europe in the balanced and moderate way that Britain temperamentally espouses, that thing is a change of direction in France. Without such a change, very little is possible. With it, much could happen. There is a respectable historical case, bolstered by too many of the Chirac government's international actions, for saying that nothing will ever really change much in France. Yet next year's election will nevertheless come down to a choice between two menus for change. On the right, Sarkozy's neo-Thatcherite cocktail of tax cuts, big-bang institutional upheavals and tough law-and-order, directed at immigrants in particular. On the left, Royal's neo-Blairite concoction of economic flexibility, cultural liberalism and reducing social exclusion. Presented with this choice, where do Britain's major parties stand? The Tories have already openly embraced Sarkozy, who returned the compliment when he addressed their conference last month by video link. But Sarkozy is also very much Labour's candidate next year. Neither Tony Blair nor Gordon Brown will say it publicly, but each believes that Sarkozy will win and has persuaded himself that this outcome is in Britain's interests. Nothing better illustrates how Labour's failure to understand the Bush administration has perverted its view of Europe and minimised its once hoped-for influence there. In election after European election, Labour has made pro-Americanism and zest for economic liberalism the sole yardsticks of where British interests lie. They have been for Aznar against Zapatero in Spain, Merkel against Schröder in Germany, Berlusconi rather than Prodi in Italy - and now Sarkozy rather than Royal in France. Sometimes, such choices may indeed be the lesser of two evils, as in the need for change from the failed Schröder. But when the party of the left has begun to embrace modernisation and the right is led by a scoundrel, as has happened in Italy and France, Labour's moderate social-democratic interests, and Britain's interests in Europe, should lie decisively on the side of the centre-left party. Let Blair and Brown root for Sarkozy. The rest of us should embrace the most hopeful development in French politics for a generation. martin.kettle@guardian.co.uk ||||| French Socialists Put Woman Forward for President All Things Considered, France moves one step closer to having its first woman president, as the country's Socialist Party selects lawmaker Segolene Royal as its candidate for the April 2007 presidential election. Royal won over 60 percent of the vote, avoiding a run-off and soundly defeating her two male rivals. Royal's likely opponent next year is Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy. Both politicians have cast themselves as offering a radical change from the usual candidates offered by their parties, and both have built impressive popular support among an electorate disillusioned with "politics as usual" in France. Royal, 53, is not new to politics. She joined the Socialist Party in the 1970s; she held minor cabinet positions in the government of former President Francois Mitterand. She is currently a national parliamentarian and governor of a French region. Her partner, and the father of her children, is Socialist Party leader Francois Hollande. It is Royal's ability to connect with voters that has made her popular. Poll after poll has shown that people think Royal understands them better than any other politician. Many also see Royal as being strong on traditional values, such as the family and education. And she has an independent streak. She has shocked some Socialists with her tough stance on crime, and her questioning of the sacrosanct 35-hour workweek. ||||| Recherche: Suggestions ou critiques sur ce service Copyright © 2006 Yahoo! Inc. Tous droits réservés. Yahoo! et vos données personnelles - Conditions d'utilisation Copyright © 2006 Associated Press. Tous droits réservés. La reproduction ou la distribution de ces écrans sans l'accord express de Associated Press est rigoureusement interdite. * Informations destinées exclusivement à Yahoo! France SAS dans le cadre de votre abonnement à la lettre d'information "Actualités" de Yahoo! Conformément à la loi du 6 janvier 1978, vous disposez d'un droit d'accès, de rectification et de suppression des données vous concernant que vous pouvez exercer auprès de Yahoo! France | François Hollande—partner and party leader Royal is now a leading candidate to succeed Jacques Chirac in May 2007. She was elected yesterday by over 100,000 activists after a moderate, and some say Blairite, campaign. In the early hours of Friday morning, the result of a vote by members of the French Socialist Party (Parti Socialiste, PS) was announced, with centrist Ségolène Royal leading the poll to become their candidate in next year's election for President of the Republic. While many parties contest the presidential elections, the winner is expected to be an official candidate of one of the two main parties, the Socialists and the conservative Union for a Popular Movement (UMP). Speaking on French television tonight, François Hollande, leader of the PS and Royal's partner, announced a party recruitment drive to reinforce Royal's campaign against the larger UMP. ====“Ask what you can do for your country”==== Royal spent Friday in her home town of Melle, Deux-Sèvres, where she addressed the world's press, and spoke with supporters, before returning to Paris. The selection has kept columnists and editorial writers busy. In her Friday press conference, she spoke directly to the French people; her words, “Gather, mobilise, ask what you can do for your country,” reminding John Lichfield (''The Independent'', London) of John F. Kennedy. The Manchester ''Guardian's'' Martin Kettle used Royal's success as an opportunity to criticise Tony Blair for appearing to back Nicholas Sarkozy of the UMP. The UMP, the leading conservative party, plans to select its candidate in January. This is the first French presidential campaign where the party candidates are selected by a ballot of the mass membership. French presidential elections traditionally involve a number of candidates (last elections in 2002 saw the French people choosing between 16 candidates.) One of the questions is now the ability of Royal to unite the French left. Traditionally, parties on the parliamentarian left (MDC, Les Verts, Parti Radical de Gauche, Parti Communiste) have been involved in a number of coalitions, most recently before the 2002 elections. Unity in government does not reflect in the polls as the governing majority was represented by four candidates in 2002: Lionel Jospin (PS), Robert Hue (PC), Noël Mamère (Les Verts), Jean-Pierre Chevènement (MDC). The division of the left in the first round of the elections in 2002 is one of the given explanations for the surprise second round opposing Jean-Marie Le Pen (FN) and Jacques Chirac. France is a parliamentary democracy, where the President is the Head of State, but independent of both the National Assembly (legislature) and the executive, which is led by the Prime Minister. The presidency is a high profile and influential role, currently filled by conservative-aligned veteran statesman, Jacques Chirac, whose second term expires in May 2007. |
Login Enter your details below to login If you are an existing member of The Times and The Sunday Times enjoying the full benefits of thetimes.co.uk, then simply enter your Times+ login details below and press 'Enter' Enter your details to login Email address Password Keep me logged in information Keeps you logged in for a rolling 30 days or until you logout ||||| A Royal Navy commander crashed a nuclear-powered submarine into a large rock in the Red Sea after misreading a number one as seven on a navigational chart, a court martial heard today. Commander Steven Drysdale, who was in charge of HMS Superb, had ordered the vessel to take a shorter route to make sure it reached a rendezvous point in time for an operation. The submarine dived to reach deeper water so that it could travel faster, the hearing at Portsmouth naval base was told. A pinnacle jutting out from the seabed was marked as being at a depth of 123 metres, but Drysdale misread it as 723. Thinking that the boat would clear the obstruction easily, the submarine was directed towards it and it grounded. Drysdale, officer of the watch Lieutenant Commander Andrew Cutler and navigation officer Lieutenant Lee Blair all admitted at a previous hearing an offence of neglecting to perform their duty. Captain Stuart Crozier, prosecuting, told the hearing that the submarine had been suffering from technical problems, causing it to lose speed, at the time of the incident in May 2008. He said there was pressure on Drysdale to ensure the submarine arrived in the Gulf on time for planned operations. Crozier said Drysdale ordered a new route to be plotted that cut about four miles off the previous plan. He also ordered the submarine to dive deeper to where there was colder water, allowing it to travel faster. When the new route was charted by the plotting officer, who does not face the court martial, all three defendants failed to spot that the pinnacle marked on the map was only 123 metres deep, the only shallow point in the area. Crozier said that when the submarine collided with the pinnacle, the vessel was brought to an almost immediate halt. "The submarine collided with the underwater obstacle reducing its speed from 16 knots to three knots in a very short time," he said. "There was a significant amount of damage to the forehead of the submarine, but no casualties." He said all three of the accused had looked at the chart. "No thorough check was made as to the depths in relation to the decision to take the submarine to this dive depth (250 metres). The new navigational track went directly over the pinnacle which showed 123 metres." The court martial was told that checking the chart would have been made more difficult because the line of the new route had been drawn directly across the spot where the pinnacle lay on the map, making it difficult to see. The hearing was told that new procedures had since been introduced by the navy so that all depths are rechecked when a new route is charted for a submarine. Commander Alison Towler, representing Drysdale, told the court that the commanding officer had since been moved to a desk job. She said the service had also stopped Drysdale from taking up the high-profile position of Royal Navy staff officer submarines in Washington DC shortly after the incident. She said Drysdale, who has served in the navy for 25 years, had inspected the chart but had misread the depth of the pinnacle. "Cdr Drysdale wishes to express his deep remorse and regret in relation to the incident which has led to this court martial. He fully accepts his responsibility in relation to this matter," she said. Commander Joe Turner, representing Cutler, said: "He regrets the incident and fully accepts his responsibility. He will have to live with what happened for the rest of his life. He expresses his full remorse." Commander Stuart Wright, representing Blair, said the navigation officer was "fatigued" at the time of the crash having lost his signal communications officer to illness. The accident damaged HMS Superb's bow and its sonar equipment, causing it to have difficulty diving. The submarine had to abandon its planned deployment but was able to return to the UK under its own power, the hearing was told. The submarine, which came into service in 1976, was decommissioned in September 2008 and the MoD has said the accident did not lead to the submarine being taken out of service earlier than planned. Drysdale pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the safe direction of the submarine, while Cutler pleaded guilty to failing to supervise the plot officer adequately. Blair pleaded guilty to failing to take into account all the dangers in or near the planned movements of HMS Superb. ||||| Cdr Drysdale was in command of the submarine when it grounded A nuclear submarine commander whose vessel ran aground in the Red Sea has been reprimanded by a court martial. HMS Superb damaged its bow and sonar equipment, resulting in it having difficulty diving, in the incident in May 2008. Cdr Steven Drysdale, from south Wales, admitted an offence of neglecting to perform his duty. Officers Lt Cdr Andrew Cutler and Lt Lee Blair were also severely reprimanded for their involvement. Cdr Drysdale pleaded guilty to "failing to ensure the safe direction" of the submarine, while officer of the watch Lt Cdr Cutler pleaded guilty to "failing to supervise the plot officer adequately". Lt Blair, the submarine's navigation officer, pleaded guilty to "failing to take into account all the dangers in or near the planned movements of HMS Superb". All three of the officers are still serving in the Royal Navy. There was a significant amount of damage to the forehead of the submarine but no casualties Cpt Stuart Crozier Prosecuting The submarine, which came into service in 1976 and had been based at Faslane on the River Clyde, was decommissioned in September 2008. The Ministry of Defence said the accident had not led to the submarine being taken out of service earlier than already planned. The sentencing took place at the HMS Nelson court martial centre at Portsmouth Naval Base. The hearing heard that the three officers had failed to notice on a chart that they were heading towards a pinnacle that rose to 132m as the submarine travelled in about 1,000m of water in the Red Sea. Cpt Stuart Crozier, prosecuting, told the hearing that when the submarine collided with the pinnacle, the vessel was brought to an almost immediate halt. It had to abandon its planned deployment but was able to return to the UK under its own power, the hearing was told. Cpt Crozier said: "The submarine collided with the underwater obstacle reducing its speed from 16 knots to three knots in a very short time. "There was a significant amount of damage to the forehead of the submarine but no casualties." HMS Superb was scrapped by the Royal Navy shortly after the incident The hearing was told that new procedures had now been brought in by the Royal Navy meaning that all depths had to be rechecked when a new route was charted for a submarine. Cdr Alison Towler, representing Cdr Drysdale, told the court the commanding officer, from Miskin, had since been moved to a desk job. She said Cdr Drysdale, who has served in the navy for 25 years, had inspected the chart but had misread the depth of the pinnacle as 723 metres rather than 132 metres. Cdr Drysdale and Lt Cdr Cutler both expressed their remorse and regret over the incident. Cdr Stuart Wright, representing Lt Blair, said the navigation officer was "fatigued" at the time of the crash having lost his signal communications officer to illness. He said that since the incident Lt Blair had been involved in officer training at the Britannia Royal Naval College but would be once again taking up a post of navigation officer onboard the submarine HMS Turbulent later this month. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version | A British Royal Navy commander was reprimanded on Monday by a court martial, after pleading guilty to "failing to ensure the safe direction" of the submarine HMS ''Superb''. Commander Steven Drysdale was in charge of the nuclear-powered submarine in May 2008, when it struck a rock pinnacle 132 metres below the surface. A navigation chart showed the pinnacle, but Drysdale said that he had misread its depth as 732 metres. Officer of the Watch Lieutenant-Commander Andrew Cutler and Navigating Officer Lieutenant Lee Blair were also reprimanded for their part in the incident by the court martial, held at the HMS Nelson centre at Portsmouth naval base. The £32 million submarine was in the Red Sea, heading for the Persian Gulf, and was suffering from technical problems at the time which were slowing it down. The officers decided to dive from 100m to 250m, which would allow them to travel faster and reach their destination on time. According to prosecutor Captain Stuart Crozier: "The three defendants all looked at the chart and the sub was taken to 250m. No thorough check was made to establish whether this depth was safe from obstacles." Lieutenant-Commander Cutler then realised that a change to the route could shorten it. “On assessing the chart, Officer of the Watch Cutler saw he could cut the corner of a dog-leg, saving about three to four miles," said Crozier. "He then instructed the plot officer to draw a new line on the chart. However Lieutenant-Commander Cutler did not check the depth around this new track." "Unfortunately, with the sub now dived to 250m, this new track went directly over a pinnacle which showed only 132m of available depth." The new route was plotted directly over the pinnacle on the chart, and the court martial was told that this made it harder to spot the error. None of the officers, including Commander Drysdale, realised that they had put the vessel on a collision course. ''HMS Superb'' struck the pinnacle at 10.01 on May 26, suffering damage to its bow and sonar equipment. There were no casualties, but the submarine was forced to abandon its mission and return to the United Kingdom. It was decommissioned in September 2008, though the Ministry of Defence said that this was not due to the accident. Commander Alison Towler, representing Drysdale, said that he accepted full responsibility and had "deep remorse and regret" over the incident. "He believes that due to the surrounding information he simply misread 132m as 732m" she said. "It was only later that he realised the plot officer had drawn the sub’s new transit straight through the pinnacle, which made it even harder for it to be seen." Navigating Officer Blair also pleaded guilty to failing to take into account all the dangers in or near the planned movements, and Officer of the Watch Cutler pleaded guilty to failing to supervise the plot officer adequately. All three officers will continue to serve in the Navy, but Drysdale has been moved to a desk job and will not be taking up the position in Washington DC he had planned to. Captain Philip Warwick, president of the court martial board, told the three: "It was indeed fortunate that no one was hurt and we note that the submarine could not complete its deployment in full. The failings were unacceptable and we take an extremely dim view of them." The Royal Navy has since brought in new procedures on submarines to prevent a repeat of the incident, requiring that all depths are rechecked when plotting a new route. |
AUGUSTA, Maine -- Gov. John Baldacci on Thursday signed into law a bill to make Maine the last of the New England states to legally protect gays and lesbians from discrimination, but within hours an evangelical group launched a campaign to erase the measure from the books. ADVERTISEMENT "This act not only offers essential civil rights, but serves as a welcome," the Democratic governor, who submitted the gay rights legislation, told cheering supporters who packed the State House Cabinet Room. "Our doors are open to all people. This is a proud day for Maine." The law, which received final House and Senate passage Wednesday night, takes effect in late June, 90 days after Wednesday's adjournment of this year's regular legislative session. The measure amends the Maine Human Rights Act by making discrimination in employment, housing, credit, public accommodations and education based on sexual orientation or gender identity illegal. Maine law now prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, disability, religion, ancestry and national origin. The new law will exempt religious organizations that do not receive public funds. It also makes clear that the law does not condone or authorize gay marriages. Baldacci said figures from the state attorney general showing that the number of hate crimes against gays and lesbians increased by 12 percent in 2003 underscore the importance of the legislation. But opponents, asserting that the bill was rushed through the legislative process and enacted without voters' approval, vowed to once again undo a law they see as a legal gateway to gay marriages. "We are here to affirm our support for marriage," Rev. Sandy Williams of the First Baptist Church of Freeport told a crowd activists, who had set up tables to sign up petition circulators. Williams, one of several dozen pastors attending the event, said the "ill-conceived and ambiguously worded" legislation will lead to "a radical redefinition of the family." The Christian Civic League of Maine, which represents evangelical churches in the State House, led successful referendum campaigns in 1998 and 2000 that defeated earlier gay rights laws. The latest effort is two-pronged, said Executive Director Michael Heath. To initiate a "people's veto" referendum next November on the latest gay rights law, opponents must submit at least 50,519 voters' signatures to state election officials by June 28, the Secretary of State's office said. Anticipating many signatures collected by petitioners will be challenged, Heath set a goal of collecting 70,000 signatures, as well as $2 million to wage a referendum campaign. "The clock is ticking," Heath told activists. Petitioners will also collect signatures in hopes of forcing a November 2006 vote on an initiated bill that will deal with marriage. Heath said the wording of that proposal is not yet finalized. Gay activists were not surprised by Thursday's announcement and "we have to assume he will get his signatures," Betsy Smith, executive director of Equality Maine, said after the final legislative votes Wednesday night on the gay rights bill. But Smith said her side was prepared to defend the law should a referendum be initiated. Gay activists stood quietly in the background holding signs with messages such as "No Discrimination" while the religious activists held their news conference. ------ On the Net: Maine Constitution, people's veto provisions: http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/const.htm Coalition for Marriage: http://www.coalitionformarriage.net/ Equality Maine: http://www.equalitymaine.org/ ||||| AUGUSTA The Maine House of Representatives voted Tuesday to outlaw discrimination against gays and lesbians, and barely rejected a provision that would have given the state's voters the final say. Both the House and Senate have now endorsed the anti-discrimination measure and rejected a push to require a referendum on it in November. Lawmakers debated the need for a law to forbid discrimination against gays and lesbians in housing, the workplace, education and other areas. But their focus eventually turned to whether to hold a statewide vote. Similar gay-rights bills lost at the polls in 1998 and 2000. "Real leaders do not hide behind ballot questions," Sen. Barry Hobbins, D-Saco, told his Senate colleagues during a debate Tuesday morning. In the evening, members of the House wrestled with same issue. "If the people of Maine changed their minds, they are in the best position to tell us so," Rep. Joan Bryant-Deschenes, R-Turner, said in arguing for a referendum. The argument, peppered with quotations from famous statesmen, focused on what is meant by democracy. A group of House and Senate Republicans said it means letting the public make the final decision on whether Maine needs an anti-discrimination law. Rep. Roger Sherman, R-Hodgdon, questioned whether a small victory in a legislative race gives a lawmaker the right to decide what is best for a whole district on this controversial issue. "If we keep ignoring the will of the people, the voters are going to get smart to that," Rep. Brian Duprey, R-Hampden, told his colleagues. Several Democratic lawmakers disagreed. They said it is not up to the majority to decide what rights the minority has in Maine. They referred to the struggle for civil rights, and asked whether African-Americans would have the rights they have today if the decision had been left up to voters. The House vote was extremely close. The referendum requirement was defeated 76-74. The margin in the Senate earlier in the day was wider, with the proposal for a statewide vote losing 22-13. After a debate that included religion, marriage and personal stories, the House voted 88-62 to approve the anti-discrimination bill. The Senate had approved the bill in a 25-10 vote Monday. The House included an amendment to the bill that says a vote on the legislation does not reflect a lawmaker's opinion on same-sex marriage. Those arguing against the bill questioned whether it was a first step toward same-sex marriage, and asked whether the state needs to add sexual orientation to the Maine Human Rights Act. Lawmakers who favored the bill mixed religious reasons like the rule of "love thy neighbor" with real-life stories of gays and lesbians who faced discrimination. "If you put a face on the bill, it is suddenly much harder to vote against," said Rep. Charles Harlow, D-Portland. The bill needs final approval in the Senate and House, and the signature of Gov. John Baldacci, who proposed it and continues to support it. But the legislation - which has been proposed repeatedly over three decades - could face one more challenge before it becomes law. The Christian Civic League of Maine met Tuesday to discuss whether it will try to collect the 50,000-plus signatures needed to force a statewide vote for repeal in November. The league's executive director, Michael Heath, has said he is willing to lead a campaign against the measure. But the league will not announce what it has decided to do until Thursday. "I think there is angst in the Legislature and rightfully so. They are thumbing their nose at the people of Maine," Heath said. Betsy Smith of the gay-rights group Equality Maine was happy to see lawmakers step forward and pass the bill without going to the voters. But she predicted a fight at the polls this fall. Staff Writer Mark Peters can be contacted at 623-1031 or at: mpeters@pressherald.com | The new law takes effect June 30 in the state of Maine (highlighted). With the stroke of a pen, Gov. John Baldacci of Maine signed into law a gay rights bill that extended legal protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The new law does not legalize same-sex marriage. Known officially as "LD 1196," the bill's wording adds the term ''sexual orientation'' to the list of protected classes in the Maine Human Rights Act banning discrimination in employment, housing, education, credit, and public accommodations. The bill was passed by the Maine House of Representatives by a vote of 91-58 Wednesday. The State Senate approved the bill the same day by a vote of 25-10. Already protected classes under the state's human rights act are gender, age, religion, race, and physical and mental disability. Additional language was added to LD 1196 before it passed clarifying that it would not extend marriage rights to same-sex couples and exempts privately-funded religious groups from having to comply with its provisions. The new law takes effect June 30. Government official said the new law is needed to send a message. The office of the Maine Attorney General says that the number of hate crimes against gays and lesbians increased by 12 percent in 2003. Baldacci said those figures underscore why the new law is needed. "This act not only offers essential civil rights, but serves as a welcome," Baldacci said in a press conference after signing the new law. "Our doors are open to all people. This is a proud day for Maine." But at least one group is organizing to stop the new gay rights law in its tracks. According to reports, the Christian Civic League of Maine has filed initial paperwork to put a voter initiative on the November 2005 general election ballot to overturn the new law. The group must get at least 50,519 valid signatures from registered voters of the state by a June 28 deadline. Michael Heath, executive director of the group, told the Associated Press that the League has a goal of 70 thousand valid signatures and hopes to raise $2 million to fund a campaign, called a "people's Veto," to repeal the new law. |
It was the deadliest attack in Iraq since January 27, when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-packed car outside a hospital in the Iraqi capital, killing 31 people. Violence in Iraq is down from its peak in 2006 and 2007, but attacks remain common, killing 151 people in January. Police said the suicide bomber was waiting on the street outside the fortified academy near the Interior Ministry headquarters in the east of the Iraqi capital. As the crowd of recruits exited the compound's security barriers in the early afternoon and walked into the road, police said the bomber drove toward them and blew up his car. All of the dead were either police officers or recruits. Another 27 recruits and policemen were wounded. All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to release the information. An academy employee said recruits had just finished a two-week training course. Generally, the recruits are escorted out of the compound, but are on their own once they get to the street. Police recruits have been attacked time and time again in spectacular attacks where suicide bombers have infiltrated protection barriers and other checkpoints. Iraq's police are generally considered to be the weakest element of the country's security forces. In October, 25 people across Baghdad were killed in a string of attacks that included two bombers slamming explosives-packed cars into police stations. Sunday's attack also shows anew extremists' ability to pull off attacks despite government crackdowns and fewer resources. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, but suicide attacks are a hallmark of al-Qaida. Last week, Iraqi and U.S. officials acknowledged that al-Qaida remains a threat to the country's security. ||||| Iraq gun and bomb attacks hit Baghdad and Baquba At least 15 people have been killed in a suicide attack in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. A bomber wearing a suicide vest blew himself up near the entrance to the Iraqi Police Academy in the east of the city. 21 were injured in the attack. Also on Sunday, deadly attacks were reported in and around the city of Baquba, to the north of Baghdad. Four police informants were killed by suspected Al-Qaeda gunmen in the centre of Baquba, local police told AFP. Gunmen also attacked a checkpoint in Abu Khamis, north of Baquba, killing one policeman and two members of the Sahwa (Awakening) militia, according to AFP. 'Cars set ablaze' The attack at the Iraqi Police Academy is the deadliest attack in the capital for weeks. Most of the dead are believed to have been new recruits to the police force. "I can see body parts scattered on the ground and boots and berets covered with blood," a policeman working at the academy told Reuters. "Many cars were set ablaze," he added. The academy has been targeted in two previous attacks, in 2005 and 2009. Al-Qaeda said it had carried out both attacks. ||||| Iraqi security officials say a car bomb blast outside a police academy in Baghdad has killed at least 19 recruits and officers and wounded more than 26 in the deadliest attack for weeks in the capital. Police say a suicide bomber detonated his car as the recruits exited the compound's security barriers in northeastern Baghdad Sunday. Hospital officials say five police officers were among the dead. The rest were cadets. Iraqi police recruits have been attacked repeatedly as suicide bombers have infiltrated protection barriers and other checkpoints throughout the country. The bombing breaks a short period of relative calm that accompanied an easing of a political crisis pitting Shi'ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki against senior members of the Sunni-backed Iraqiya bloc. Late last month, a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-packed vehicle near a Shi'ite funeral procession in Baghdad, killing at least 31 people. No one has claimed responsibility for Sunday's attack. Last week, Iraqi and U.S. officials said the Sunni Muslim extremist network al-Qaida - for whom suicide bombings are a favored tactic - remains a potent threat in Iraq. Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. | A in the Iraqi capital Baghdad yesterday has killed at least eighteen people, all of whom were either police officers or cadets. has cited the death toll as nineteen. At least 26 injuries have also been reported as a result of the incident. According to police, the perpetrator detonated his car as police recruits exited the security barriers of a compound in the north-east of the city. A policeman informed '''' of sighting "body parts scattered on the ground and boots and berets covered with blood" at the scene, as well as various vehicles burning. As of yet, no group has accepted responsibility for the suicide bombing. However, Al-Qaeda characteristically uses attacks of this nature, according to ''''. This attack is reportedly the deadliest in the country since 31 individuals were killed on January 27 as the result of a suicide bomb attack outside a Baghdad hospital, in which a vehicle filled with explosives was detonated. |
WASHINGTON In trying to assemble a bipartisan package to jolt the slumping economy, the White House and Congress have turned to familiar tools that experts say have worked in the past. But there is also a lively debate among economists about which measures will best accomplish the goal. The favorite template for addressing recession fears is a set of tax measures and spending initiatives passed in 2001 and 2002, including a personal income tax rebate in the summer of 2001 that amounted to $300 to $600 per household and a tax incentive the following year aimed at encouraging businesses to invest in new plants and equipment. President Bush highlighted both those basic approaches on Friday in setting out his principles for a deal with Congress to address the current downturn. Democrats are also likely to seek increased spending for programs like unemployment insurance or to funnel more money to states, an approach that Mr. Bush signaled he would oppose. “The research I’ve seen indicates that the programs in 2001 clearly worked,” Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. said in an interview, referring to the tax measures. “They worked quickly, and people spent the money they got. The thing we should be looking at now is how to make them even more effective.” ||||| For Immediate Release Office of the Press Secretary January 18, 2008 President Bush Discusses Economy, Growth Package Roosevelt Room In Focus: Economy Fact Sheet: Taking Action to Keep Our Economy Healthy 11:34 A.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Over the past several months I've held a series of meetings with my economic team on the outlook for the U.S. economy. And before I left for the Middle East, I directed them to conduct a thorough assessment of our economic condition, consult with members of Congress, and provide me with their recommendations about any actions we might need to take. The economic team reports that our economy has a solid foundation, but that there are areas of real concern. Our economy is still creating jobs, though at a reduced pace. Consumer spending is still growing, but the housing market is declining. Business investment and exports are still rising, but the cost of imported oil has increased. My administration has been watching our economy carefully. My advisors and many outside experts expect that our economy will continue to grow over the coming year, but at a slower rate than we have enjoyed for the past few years. And there is a risk of a downturn. Continued instability in the housing and financial markets could cause additional harm to our overall economy, and put our growth and job creation in jeopardy. In recent months, we've taken steps to shore up the housing market, including measures to help struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure and to keep their homes. I've also asked Congress to pass legislation to modernize the Federal Housing Administration and enable it to provide additional assistance to struggling homeowners. The House passed a bill and the Senate passed a bill, and now they need to get together and get a bill to my desk as quickly as possible. After careful consideration, and after discussions with members of Congress, I have concluded that additional action is needed. To keep our economy growing and creating jobs, Congress and the administration need to work to enact an economic growth package as soon as possible. As Congress considers such a plan, there are certain principles that must guide its deliberations: This growth package must be big enough to make a difference in an economy as large and dynamic as ours -- which means it should be about 1 percent of GDP. This growth package must be built on broad-based tax relief that will directly affect economic growth -- and not the kind of spending projects that would have little immediate impact on our economy. This growth package must be temporary and take effect right away -- so we can get help to our economy when it needs it most. And this growth package must not include any tax increases. Specifically, this growth package should bolster both business investment and consumer spending, which are critical to economic growth. And this would require two key provisions: To be effective, a growth package must include tax incentives for American businesses, including small businesses, to make major investments in their enterprises this year. Giving them an incentive to invest now will encourage business owners to expand their operations, create new jobs, and inject new energy into our economy in the process. To be effective, a growth package must also include direct and rapid income tax relief for the American people. Americans could use this money as they see fit -- to help meet their monthly bills, cover higher costs at the gas pump, or pay for other basic necessities. Letting Americans keep more of their own money should increase consumer spending, and lift our economy at a time when people otherwise might spend less. Yesterday, I spoke to members of the congressional leadership from both political parties. They shared with me their thoughts on the best way forward. And I was encouraged by those discussions and I believe there is enough broad consensus that we can come up with a package that can be approved with bipartisan support. I've asked Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson to lead my administration's efforts to forge an agreement with Congress, so that we can deliver this needed boost to our economy as quickly as possible. Passing a new growth package is our most pressing economic priority. When that is done, Congress must turn to the most important economic priority for our country, and that's making sure the tax relief that is now in place is not taken away. A source of uncertainty in our economy is that this tax relief is set to expire at the end of 2010. Unless Congress acts, the American people will face massive tax increases in less than three years. The marriage penalty will make a comeback; the child tax credit will be cut in half; the death tax will come back to life; and tax rates will go up on regular income, capital gains, and dividends. This tax increase would put jobs and economic growth at risk, and Congress has a responsibility to keep that from happening. So it's critical that Congress make this tax relief permanent. We're in the midst of a challenging period, and I know Americans are concerned about our economic future. But our economy has seen challenging times before -- and it is resilient. In a vibrant economy, markets rise and decline. We cannot change that fundamental dynamic. As a matter of fact, eliminating risk altogether would also eliminate the innovation and productivity that drives the creation of jobs and wealth in America. Yet there are also times when swift and temporary actions can help ensure that inevitable market adjustments do not undermine the health of the broader economy. This is such a moment. By passing an effective growth package quickly, we can provide a shot in the arm to keep a fundamentally strong economy healthy. And it will help keep economic sectors that are going through adjustments, such as the housing market, from adversely affecting other parts of our economy. I'm optimistic about our economic future, because Americans have shown time and again that they are the most industrious, creative, and enterprising people in the world. That is what has made our economy strong. That is what will make it stronger in the challenging times ahead. Thank you. END 11:38 A.M. EST ||||| WASHINGTON: With recession fears rising and the stock market tumbling, President George W Bush is advocating up to $150 billion in tax relief for consumers and businesses and says there is no time to waste. Bush's urgent remarks gave fresh impetus on Friday to congressional leaders already at work on an economic rescue package that would include extra money for food stamps, scrip with which the poor can buy food, and jobless benefits in addition to tax rebates of hundreds of dollars each for millions of Americans. The hope is that people would immediately spend the rebates and give the debilitated economy a boost. I believe we can come together on a growth package very quickly, and we're going to need to,'' Bush said. Wall Street remained skeptical. The Dow Jones industrial average dropped 59.91 points after plummeting 306 points a day earlier. Bush said the rescue effort should be quick and temporary, a one-time boost for a national economy that is in danger of sliding into the first recession since 2001 if it has not already crossed that line. The president's tone was somber in his remarks at the White House, but his mood was upbeat later as he visited a factory to underscore his focus on the economy. `Crank this sucker up,' he exclaimed, an exhortation that could fit his hopes for economic revival, though he was referring specifically to a huge riding mower at Wright Manufacturing Inc. Once the engine was roaring, Bush jumped on and steered the mower playfully. Despite darkening economic reports, he said that if Congress should pass a quick federal relief package, `We're going to be just fine.' The president and Congress are scrambling to act as fears mount that a continuing severe housing slump and painful credit crisis could cause people to close their wallets and force businesses to put a lid on hiring, throwing the world's largest economy into its first recession since 2001. The state of the economy has become a major topic in the US presidential campaign, supplanting the Iraq war. At the White House earlier, Bush avoided the word `recession' but acknowledged the economy was severely strained by a long housing slump and high oil prices and said a downturn could occur. For a stimulus package to have much impact, he said, it would need to represent roughly 1 per cent of the gross domestic product, or about $140 billion to $150 billion. In Congress, Democratic leaders pledged to cooperate with Bush and congressional Republicans. Sen. Harry Reid, leader of the Senate's Democratic majority, had criticized Bush on Thursday for deciding to speak publicly on the package before a deal was struck, but Reid said on Friday he was encouraged by the president's remarks. Some Democrats said they were disappointed that Bush had focused only on taxes. Democratic congressional leaders agree that tax relief should be a part of the package. Lawmakers are considering tax breaks for businesses investing in new equipment and $500 rebates for individuals, said congressional aides involved in the talks. Details for couples and people with children were being negotiated. Senior aides to House Democrats and Republicans said the measure also could contain increases for food stamps and higher unemployment benefits. Bush has gone down the tax rebate road before. In 2001, he added refunds of up to $300 per individual and $600 per household as a recession-fighting element of the tax cut plan that had been the centerpiece of his 2000 campaign. ||||| 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. ||||| WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- President Bush urged Friday for "direct and rapid" tax relief for both U.S. consumers and businesses, calling such a plan the country's "most pressing economic priority." Returning money to consumers and firms would be "a shot in the arm" that would boost the economy, he said. Bush said the enactment of such a package should provide "direct and rapid income-tax relief to the American people." 'A successful stimulus package will put a meaningful amount of cash into consumers' pockets quickly and create incentives for businesses to invest immediately.' — Business Roundtable, in letter to President Bush A key part of the White House's plan involves income-tax relief but leaves out breaks on payroll taxes paid by poorer Americans. Washington's 2001 rebate was an income-tax rebate, not a payroll-tax rebate. That plan included rebates of either $300 or $600. This time the biggest rebates could reportedly be more than double those. The package should be equal to about 1% of gross domestic product, Bush said, which would be about $140 billion for a full year. Bush said that there's a risk of an economic downturn but that the White House expects the economy to continue to grow, echoing a view expressed by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke in Capitol Hill testimony Thursday. U.S. stocks rallied Friday before Bush spoke at the White House, dropped back in late morning action and then traded narrowly mixed by midday. See Market Snapshot. The nation's equities market had suffered through its worst three-day stint in more than five years before Friday's trading. On Thursday, Bush, Bernanke and top congressional leaders all called for Washington to act quickly to boost the economy. See full story. Bush spoke by phone with congressional leaders for about 30 minutes Thursday afternoon, discussing ideas to stimulate growth just hours after Bernanke had issued his firm endorsement of a quick, temporary fiscal program to help steer the economy away from recession. Clinton says plan shortchanges some Before Bush spoke Friday, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., said the president's plan "shortchanges the 50 million Americans who most need an economic shot in the arm." "The Bush approach would fail to fully help the millions of lower-income senior citizens who live on fixed incomes and are under enormous financial stress," said Clinton, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for president. "And it would disproportionately leave out African-American and Hispanic families who have, on average, lower incomes than white families," she said. But House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said he is "encouraged" by Bush's announcement and is hopeful an agreement will be reached in the days ahead. "There is a broad consensus that quickly enacting a simple, focused and temporary plan that puts money in the hands of low- and middle-income Americans will be the most effective shot in the arm to our nation s economy," Hoyer said in a statement. Robert Greenstein, director of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, said the administration's plan would bypass or only give partial help to more than 40% of tax filers with the most modest incomes. Families of four making less than $40,950 would get partial help or nothing at all, he wrote. A major business group, meanwhile, called for temporary consumer- and business-tax breaks. "A successful stimulus package will put a meaningful amount of cash into consumers' pockets quickly and create incentives for businesses to invest immediately, providing the jolt that this economy needs," wrote the 160 chief executives of the Business Roundtable in a letter Friday to Bush. Separately, the Conference Board said Friday that U.S. growth could slow during the first half of 2008. See full story. | George Bush making the speech George W. Bush, the president of the United States has suggested an economic growth package that could be worth almost 1% of the United States' GDP (the US GDP is appoximately US$15 trillion). The package is expected to come in the form of tax cuts. In a speech which took place yesterday Mr.Bush said that the economy is an area of "real concern," to the US government. He added that the US "economy is still creating jobs, though at a reduced pace." Democrats want the tax refunds to cover payroll taxes paid by lower-income groups and be combined with more unemployment benefits, food stamps and federal aid to states. It warned against bundling proposals to make Bush's first term tax cuts permanent with the stimulus package, and the Bush administration has separated the two in this proposal. When announcing the proposal George Bush said that "as Congress considers such a plan, there are certain principles that must guide its deliberations: This growth package must be big enough to make a difference in an economy as large and dynamic as ours -- which means it should be about 1 percent of GDP." He added that "this growth package must be built on broad-based tax relief that will directly affect economic growth -- and not the kind of spending projects that would have little immediate impact on our economy. This growth package must be temporary and take effect right away -- so we can get help to our economy when it needs it most." He also added that he believed the package "must not include any tax increases." In the speech George Bush also made it clear that he believes the package should be passed through congress quickly. He said that his belief was that by passing the package through congress quickly would "provide a shot in the arm to keep a fundamentally strong economy healthy. And it will help keep economic sectors that are going through adjustments, such as the housing market, from adversely affecting other parts of our economy." |
By Lolita C. Baldor DENVER - Lt. Daniel Zimmerman, an infantry platoon leader in Iraq, puts a blog on the Internet every now and then “to basically keep my friends and family up to date” back home. It just got tougher to do that for Zimmerman and a lot of other U.S. soldiers. No more using the military’s computer system to socialize and trade videos on MySpace, YouTube and more than a dozen others Web sites, the Pentagon says. Citing security concerns and technological limits, the Pentagon has cut off access to those sites for personnel using the Defense Department’s computer network. The change limits use of the popular outlets for service members on the front lines, who regularly post videos and journals. Story continues below ↓ advertisement advertisement “I put my blog on there and my family reads it,” said Zimmerman, 29, a platoon leader with B Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment. “It scares the crap out of them sometimes,” he said. “I keep it as vague as possible,” he said. “I’m pretty responsible about it. It’s just basically to tell a little bit about my life over here” he said. He’s regularly at a base where he doesn’t have Defense Department access to the Internet, but he has used it when he goes to bigger bases. He’ll have to rely on a private account all the time now. Memos about the change went out in February, and it took effect last week. It does not affect the Internet cafes that soldiers in Iraq use that are not connected to the Defense Department’s network. The cafe sites are run by a private vendor, FUBI (For US By Iraqis). Also, the Pentagon said that many of the military computers on the front lines in Iraq that are on the department’s network had previously blocked the YouTube and MySpace sites. The ban also does not affect other sites, such as Yahoo, and does not prevent soldiers from sending messages and photos to their families by e-mail. Internet use has become a troublesome issue for the military as it struggles to balance security concerns with privacy rights. As blogs and video-sharing become more common, the military has voiced increasing concern about service members revealing details about military operations or other information about equipment or procedures that will aid the enemy. At the same time, service members have used the Web sites to chronicle their time in battle, posting videos and writing journals that provide a powerful, personal glimpse into their days at war. “These actions were taken to enhance and increase network security and protect the use of the bandwidth,” said Col. Gary Keck, a Pentagon spokesman. The Pentagon said that use of the video sites in particular was putting a strain on the network, and also opening it to potential viruses or penetration by so-called “phishing” attacks in which scam artists try to steal sensitive data by mimicking legitimate Web sites. “The U.S. Army’s not going to pay the bill for you to get on MySpace and YouTube,” said Maj. Bruce Mumford, of Chester, Neb., who is serving as the brigade communications officer for the 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in Iraq. “Soldiers need to know what they can and cannot do, but we shouldn’t be facilitating it.” After the warnings of the shutdown went out, military members were allowed to seek waivers if the sites were necessary for their jobs. Often insurgent groups post videos, including ones of attacks or — in some high profile cases — of U.S. or coalition soldiers who have been captured or killed. “I guess it’s a good general policy,” Zimmerman said about the ban on MySpace and YouTube.” If people could be trusted not to break operational security, then they wouldn’t need to have the policy.” If the restrictions are intended to prevent soldiers from giving or receiving bad news, they could also prevent them from providing positive reports from the field, said Noah Shachtman, who runs a national security blog for Wired Magazine. “This is as much an information war as it is bombs and bullets,” he said. “And they are muzzling their best voices.” Among the sites covered by the ban are the video-sharing sites YouTube, Metacafe, IFilm, StupidVideos and FileCabi; social networking sites MySpace, BlackPlanet and Hi5; music sites Pandora, MTV, 1.fm and live365, and the photo-sharing site Photobucket. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ||||| Soldiers use the sites to keep in touch with loved ones A memo from General BB Bell, US Forces Korea commander, says use of YouTube, MySpace and 11 other popular sites via US military portals will be blocked. The US says the use is taking up too much bandwidth and slows down the military's computer system. But a US Strategic Command spokesman said a "secondary benefit" was to help operational security. Personal computers BBC defence and security correspondent Rob Watson says the decision could stop thousands of soldiers from communicating with friends and loved ones. For many US soldiers serving overseas, YouTube and other similar websites are a popular way of keeping in touch, he says. The cyberspace battle space was not one that we were particularly operating well in Lt Col Christopher Garver, US Army US takes Iraq war to YouTube The spokesman for US Strategic Command and Joint Task Force-Global Network Operations said: "As these sites have become more and more popular, they've had an impact on bandwidth resources and network availability and we're having to restrict use of some of them." He denied that the military was unhappy with the nature of content being posted. "We're not stopping anybody looking at anything. It's not the nature of the stuff being posted." However, he added: "Wherever you have sites this popular, you have the potential for malicious activity. A secondary benefit of restricting use of these sites is for operational security." The block on accessing such websites will not affect those soldiers with their own personal computers. Those, though, are few and far between in places like Iraq and Afghanistan, our correspondent says. The Pentagon only recently started posting its own videos on YouTube, showing soldiers in action in Iraq in a move designed to reach out to a younger audience and to show the successes of the US military. In two months, the Multi-National Force-Iraq channel has climbed to 16th in YouTube's most subscribed-to listing and has, the military says, just passed the one million video-views mark. The BBC's Laura Smith-Spark in Washington says the channel is also a belated attempt to counter the influence of Islamist extremist groups, that have used the internet to post footage of hostages or attacks on US forces. ||||| WASHINGTON, March 14, 2007 Coalition military officials in Iraq are hoping to reach out to younger, broader audiences by posting clips of servicemembers in action on a popular video-sharing Web site. Clips of combat and support operations have been posted to the YouTube Web site in an effort to inform Americans of the successes of U.S. and Iraqi soldiers in Iraq, Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said during a phone interview today. “How do we reach out to those in mid-town America who don’t know someone serving here? How do they find out what’s going on?” Caldwell asked. “One thing people don’t know is what’s really going on over here on a daily basis.” The initiative first came about when soldiers began brainstorming about how to reach out and share stories of what’s happening in Iraq with a greater number of people. The group determined that the user-generated Web site would be a perfect venue for the more visually oriented, younger American audience. “We want the American public, from an unfiltered vantage point, to be able to see what coalition forces and Iraqi security forces are doing here in Iraq,” he said. Mechanisms are in place so video clips can quickly and accurately be posted to the Web site, while still adhering to operational security requirements, Caldwell said. Since the multi-national force began the initiative on March 7, six videos have been posted, resulting in thousands of viewings. The most popular, with more than 2,000 views, is a Jan. 24 clip from Operation Tomahawk Strike 11. The video shows U.S. Army soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Division alongside soldiers from the 6th Iraqi Army Division engaging insurgents from a high-rise building during a series of targeted raids. Clips also have been posted showing footage from an unmanned aerial vehicle and a documentary-like essay on the discovery and destruction of a factory making vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. In addition to posting videos on the YouTube site, a “Share our Story” tab has been established on the Multinational Force Iraq Web site, www.mnf-iraq.com, filled with videos, still photos and narratives of the men and women in uniform stationed there. “(The link tells) what they’re doing over here to serve our country, support the government of Iraq and support the Iraqi people as we try to bring greater security and stability and self-governance to this nation,” the general said. | The Department of Defense seal The U.S. Department of Defense has announced that access to popular high-bandwidth websites, including user-generated content sites like MySpace and YouTube, will be blocked on military computers. The block takes effect on Monday and will apply worldwide for all military personnel using Department of Defense computers. The block is targeted at sites that contain user generated content. Including MySpace and YouTube, a total of 12 sites will be off limits according to Robert Weller of the ''Associated Press'': Metacafe, iFilm, StupidVideos, FileCabi, BlackPlanet, Hi5, Pandora, MTV, 1.fm, live365 and Photobucket. According to U.S. Strategic Command officials the block is due to "bandwidth/network issues" resulting in possible "clogging of the network". The move affects soldiers' ability to view content on these sites, but does not affect the military's ability to provide content. Army Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, the Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told Carmen L. Gleason of the ''American Forces Press Service'' in mid-March: "We want the American public, from an unfiltered vantage point, to be able to see what coalition forces and Iraqi security forces are doing here in Iraq." |
Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, the top spokesman for the United States military here, sounded a cautious note on Wednesday at a briefing in which he provided his own assessment of the security plan’s first month. “We know that there has been a decrease in violence, but things still need to get better,” he said. “We still need to be patient.” Image Quieter Baghdad An Iraqi boy approached an American soldier in Baghdad Wednesday after hearing gunshots. The Iraqi military said violence in the capital had fallen in the first month of the new security plan. Credit... Maya Alleruzzo/Associated Press General Caldwell did not provide counts of civilian deaths. He said assassinations were down 50 percent, but that February “was an all-time high” for car bombs. According to American military figures, 44 car bombs struck Baghdad in February, out of 77 nationwide. In January, 40 car bombs exploded in the capital, out of 73 nationwide. Only one other stretch appeared to be worse: during eight days in late April and early May 2005, 60 car bombs exploded throughout the country a rate that has yet to be repeated, according to military officials. Car bombs have been a hallmark of the Sunni insurgency for years, and they are among the most difficult weapons to stop. General Caldwell nonetheless said that eliminating such high-profile attacks was now the primary goal of American troops across Baghdad. Troops have focused raids on suspected car bomb factories, and blast walls have been set up around Baghdad markets to minimize casualties from car bombs that manage to get through. General Caldwell’s comments combined with praise for the cooperation of Shiite officials and negotiators for the Mahdi Army, the Shiite militia loyal to the cleric Moktada al-Sadr seemed to suggest that the military was returning to its former strategy of concentrating on Sunni extremists. That would represent a change from American officials’ comments in the past few months that identified Shiite militias as Iraq’s largest threat. General Caldwell declined to answer a question about whether any recent attacks or assassinations could be attributed to the Mahdi militia, and he said car bombs from radical Sunnis had become Iraq’s most sinister source of sectarian violence. As Sunnis have continued to attack, General Caldwell said, Iraqis in Shiite neighborhoods have exercised restraint. He provided two examples: the decline in assassinations typically conducted by Shiite groups as a form of vengeance and intimidation, and the joint Iraqi-American negotiations in the Sadr City district of Baghdad that he said had laid the groundwork for a security operation there that had faced little resistance from residents. General Caldwell said that 12 reconstruction projects, worth about $3.5 million, had been approved for Sadr City. The biggest-ticket item was an amusement park on the neighborhood’s eastern edge that had been requested by the district’s mayor and other neighborhood officials. He said the scale of killing over the past week, even with an increase in deaths in attacks on Shiites making a pilgrimage to Karbala, was still below what occurred in the fourth week of the two previous efforts to secure the capital. ||||| Story Highlights • NEW: Democrats' bill setting timetable clears hurdle but unlikely to pass • Saddam Hussein's sons exhumed, reburied near father's grave • Iraq: Deadly attacks, bombings, mortar strikes, kidnappings down • Reduced violence comes one month after security crackdown Adjust font size: BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq's military Wednesday reported significant reduction in violence a month after launching a coalition crackdown in the war-racked capital. The numbers of deadly attacks, assassination attempts, bombings, mortar strikes and kidnappings have dropped since the operation's mid-February launch, said Iraqi Brig. Gen. Qassim Atta. The number of civilians killed in Baghdad in the past four weeks was 265, compared with 1,440 killings from mid-January to mid-February, said Atta, a spokesman for the operation. (Effects of crackdown) Atta also reported that 94 terrorists were killed in the February-March period, compared with 19 in the January-February time frame. Other figures released by Atta included: 102 roadside bombings in the February-March period; 163 in the January-February period; 36 car bombs in February-March; 56 in January-February 109 mortar attacks in February-March; 204 in January-February 22 assassination incidents in February-March; 519 in January-February 10 kidnapping incidents in February-March; 98 in January-February Atta offered the statistics as key indications that the security crackdown is bearing fruit. The operation, known in Arabic as Fardh Al-Qanoon, involves about 80,000 U.S. and Iraqi security forces across the capital, while about two dozen joint security stations have been set up in neighborhoods throughout the city, according to the U.S. military. At a separate news conference Wednesday, U.S. military spokesman Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said the security plan is showing "positive" signs of progress. U.S. military leaders expect to see a "discernible difference" in and around the city by a "fall time frame," Caldwell said. "If the high-profile car bombs can be stopped or brought down to a much lower level, we'll just see an incredible difference in the city overall," Caldwell said. "The murders and executions have come down by over 50 percent." Caldwell said two of five new brigades of American troops are in place conducting operations, and a third brigade is on the way. Day's Iraqi death toll: At least 12 The updates came as authorities reported continued violence across Iraq on Wednesday. The attacks included a bombing at an outdoor market in Tuz Khurmatu that killed four people and wounded 10 others, according to a Salaheddin police official. Tuz Khurmatu, a predominantly Turkmen town, is in northeastern Salaheddin province -- north of Baghdad. In Diwaniya, insurgents Wednesday dragged three Iraqi policemen and shot them. Two of them were killed and one was wounded. Police found the bodies and the injured officer near a canal. Diwaniya is the Shiite provincial capital of the southern Iraqi province of Qadisiya. In western Baghdad's Yarmouk neighborhood, a suicide car bomb detonated near a police checkpoint, killing two civilians and wounding four others Wednesday. Gunmen opened fire on a car in the northern Baghdad neighborhood of Adhamiya, a Sunni district. The deputy head of Adhamiya's city council and his three guards were killed. And on Tuesday, 14 bullet-riddled bodies were found dumped across the capital, police said. The thousands of corpses found dumped in Baghdad over the last year are thought to be people killed in sectarian violence. U.S.: We're tracking al-Sadr Reduced violence in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood, Caldwell said, may be linked to the absence of anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who he said was located in neighboring Iran "as of 24 hours ago." Also contributing to relative quiet in Sadr City, Caldwell said, is cooperation between neighborhood officials and Iraqi authorities. Caldwell said not one single incident was reported during U.S. and Iraqi military clearing operations in the sprawling district. Twenty percent of the densely populated neighborhood has been cleared so far, Caldwell said, which means that area has been swept of insurgents and weaponry. Despite the positive signs, Caldwell said Wednesday the U.S. military remains concerned about Iraq's Shiite Mehdi militia, which is loyal to al-Sadr. Coalition forces have detained about 700 militia members in the past few months, he said. The anti-American Shiite cleric represents a "very significant part" of Iraq's political machinery, according to Caldwell. "We are in fact tracking his whereabouts," Caldwell said. Members of al-Sadr's militia are thought to be involved in sectarian violence, and the security crackdown has been targeting such armed Shiite groups. The cleric reportedly fled to predominantly Shiite Iran about the time U.S. and Iraqi forces launched the Baghdad crackdown. Al-Sadr has been supportive of the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki and helped al-Maliki's rise to power in 2006. Al-Maliki has said that no lawbreaker will be immune to the security operations. Debate heats up as U.S. toll rises The U.S. Senate on Wednesday cleared a procedural roadblock, setting up a heated debate over a binding Democratic resolution to set a date for U.S. troops to leave Iraq. After Republican Tuesday dropped their opposition to beginning debate on the proposal, the issue moved to the debate on a vote of 89-9. All nine no votes were Republicans. (Full story ) Why the Republicans decided to no longer block the vote depends on whom you ask. Democrats would say it's because Republicans no longer want to be labeled obstructionists. But Republicans realize the resolution is unlikely to pass. The Democrats' resolution calls for phased redeployment to start four months after it becomes law, with a goal of March 31, 2008, for all combat troops to leave from Iraq. Remaining troops would focus on troop protection, training Iraqi forces and counterterrorism. But even before the debate began, the legislation seemed doomed to fail. Moderate Republicans who had sided with Democrats last month in opposition to the president's troop increase dislike setting a deadline to leave, as do some Democrats. President Bush has threatened to veto any such measure. The movement in the Senate debate came as three U.S. soldiers died Wednesday and nine were injured in Iraq's Diyala province, the U.S. military said. Two of the soldiers died as a result of separate roadside bombings while they were conducting combat operations. A third died from small arms fire, the military said. The military also reported the Tuesday deaths of a Marine and two U.S. soldiers. The deaths bring to 3,192 the number of U.S. soldiers killed since the Iraq war began. Seven American civilian contractors of the military also have died in the contract. Other developments The sons of late Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein have been reburied near their father, an Iraqi tribal leader said Wednesday. The bodies of Uday and Qusay Hussein, killed by U.S. forces in the northern city of Mosul in 2003, were exhumed from the old Awja cemetery north of Baghdad, according to Ali al-Nida, head of the Albu Nasir tribe. They have been reburied outside a hall where their father was buried after his hanging in December, al-Nida said. "We buried them according to their family's will," he said. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, 73, returned home Wednesday to Sulaimaniya in Iraq's Kurdish region after more than two weeks in a Jordanian hospital. The reason for Talabani's hospitalization remains uncertain. At the time, a hospital source told CNN that doctors performed a catheterization procedure on his heart, but family aides denied that report, saying Talabani was suffering from exhaustion and lung inflammation. CNN's Jennifer Deaton and Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report. ||||| US and Iraqi officials on Wenesday claimed that civilian deaths had declined precipitously in Baghdad since the push to secure the capital began a month ago. The Americans acknowledged, however, that car bombs remained a big threat that could restart the cycle of violence, and said they were concentrating operations in areas where such weapons were believed to be assembled. Brigadier Qassim Moussawi, Iraqi military spokesman, said the number of Iraqis killed by violence in Baghdad in the 30 days since Operation Enforcing the Law began was 265, down from 1,440 killed in the previous month. He said that the number of attacks in surrounding provinces had increased, although he did not provide figures. Major General William Caldwell, US military spokesman, meanwhile said: “Murders and executions have come down by over 50 per cent [in Baghdad].” He acknowledged there had been a slight climb in the number killed in the last seven days, but not as much as at the equivalent point in the cycle of previous Baghdad security plans. “This past week is normally the week in which the number of murders goes back to their previous levels,” he said. Stepped-up operations by US and Iraqi forces appear to have had much more impact on death-squad activity than on car bombings, however. Brig Moussawi said the number of car bombs had declined in the last month from to 36 from 56, but blasts attributed to Sunni insurgents, such as a March 6 pedestrian suicide attack on a procession of Shia pilgrims, which killed nearly 120 people, continue to take a high toll. Even before the offensive, the radical Shia militiamen who are believed to be responsible for most such killings around the capital began disappearing from the streets, and some Shia claim this has left them vulnerable to Sunni extremists. “If the high-profile car bombs can be stopped or brought down to a much lower level, we’ll just see an incredible difference in the city overall,” Maj Gen Caldwell said. “The high-profile car bombs is the one [form of attack] we’re really focused on because that’s what will start that whole cycle of violence again.” Many of the car bombs detonated in Baghdad are believed to be assembled in the predominantly Sunni parts of the belt of farmland surrounding the city, and US forces have in recent days stepped up operations in the capital’s southern outskirts. US troops have also been moving into areas outside Baghdad that have also been hit hard by sectarian violence, such as Diala province, where 700 US troops equipped with Stryker armoured vehicles redeployed on Wednesday. The full 21,500-strong force that was earmarked for Iraq as part of the US troop surge announced in January will not be in place for several more months, Maj Gen Caldwell said. Two of five brigades were in place and a third was currently deploying through Kuwait, he said. ||||| Print Preview Baghdad security crackdown seriously curbs killings of US soldiers MIL-IRAQ-US SOLDIERS Baghdad security crackdown seriously curbs killings of US soldiers BAGHDAD, March 14 (KUNA) -- The rate of killings of US troops in Iraq has been on the decline, down by 60 percent, since the launch of the new security measures in Baghdad, according to statistics revealed by the Multi-National Force -Iraq Combined Press Information Centre. Only 17 members of the US military in Iraq have been killed since February 14 till March 13, compared to 42 from January 13 to February 13; the rate was on the decline during the first month of the security crackdown, compared to a month before. Two of the 17 soldiers died at US Baghdad camps of non-combat causes. The remarkable decrease in killings among the US troops came at a time when more of these troops were deployed in the Iraqi capital, especially in districts previously regarded as extremely hazardous for them such as Al-Sadr City, Al-Azamiyah, and Al-Doura. Meanwhile, US attacks on insurgent strongholds north of Baghdad curbed attacks against helicopters. Before the new security plan, many such craft were downed leaving 20 soldiers dead. The US army in Iraq had earlier said that sectarian fighting and violence in Baghdad had dropped sharply, by about 80 percent, since the launch of the plan. The statistics excluded US troops killed in other governorates such as Al-Anbar, Diyala, and Salahiddin. As to the latest human losses, the US army announced Wednesday that two American soldiers had been killed, one in southern Baghdad and the other northeast of the capital.(end) ahh. msa KUNA 141130 Mar 07NNNN ||||| Close Why is your web counter not increasing? We put accuracy above speed and do not update the data base until we have located and cross-checked two or more independent approved news sources for the same incident (for more details see our Methodology ). If you want to submit news stories that could help us confirm an incident involving civilian deaths please email news item weblinks to news@iraqbodycount.org (the more specific and detailed, the better). Still, your "maximum" count seems very low to me. Surely there must be many, many more civilian deaths than you've published. We are not a news organization ourselves and like everyone else can only base our information on what has been reported so far. What we are attempting to provide is a credible compilation of civilian deaths that have been reported by recognized sources. Our maximum therefore refers to reported deaths - which can only be a sample of true deaths unless one assumes that every civilian death has been reported. It is likely that many if not most civilian casualties will go unreported by the media. That is the sad nature of war. (more Q-FAQs to be added soon) ||||| A Week in Iraq 8 Oct 2006 A week by week assessment of significant incidents and trends in Iraqi civilian casualties by Lily Hamourtziadou. The analyses and opinions presented in these commentaries are personal to the author. Email lily@iraqbodycount.org The price they pay for our humanity How sad that Iraqis are suffering so much as a result of our 'humanitarian' war. In all wars there are civilian casualties, but in this case the deaths of Iraqi civilians are particularly tragic, because one of the main justifications for this war was humanitarian, especially after the Weapons of Mass Destruction threat proved to have been unfounded. Indeed, at first glance this reasoning seems fair: nations intervene to end massive suffering at little cost to themselves, and rescue civilians from a tyrant. However, what at first appeared to be a humanitarian intervention has ended up being a humanitarian disaster. What Iraq's 'liberators' are facing more and more is hostility and violence, rather than gratitude, as the new Iraq is facing a civil war and hundreds of civilians are murdered every week. It comes almost as a joke when the Iraqi Foreign Minister declares that the situation in Iraq 'is not as desperate as people think'. Is it not? Let's see what happened in Iraq this past week. At least 400 civilian deaths were reported between Monday 2 and Sunday 8 October. Monday 2 October was declared a 'tragic day' by the US military, because on this day 8 US soldiers were killed in Baghdad. How tragic then for the Iraqis who lost nearly 70 of their people. Some of Monday's victims were workers abducted from a meat factory the previous day. Another kidnapping: 14 engineers are abducted from computer stores (their fate is still unknown). Also 2 children are blown up by a bomb hidden in a rubbish bag. It is announced that Martial Law, which has been in force since November 2004, is to be extended at least until 1 November. Which means that the curfews, raids and arrests without warrants, the army and police patrols will continue. On Tuesday 3 October gunmen kill 4 members of the same family as they are moving to another house in Baquba, after receiving threats, while 7 bodies from another family are found. In Baghdad hundreds of Iraqis participate in a protest demanding the removal of Iraqi and US troops from their districts. On Wednesday 4 October 16 are killed in a triple bombing in Baghdad, dozens of bodies are found in the streets, and a horrific killing takes places in Samara: gunmen storm a house, shoot dead 3 women and slit the throat of a baby girl. On Thursday 5 October Condoleezza Rice arrives in Baghdad. Her arrival is delayed for nearly an hour, as her plane cannot land due to 'indirect fire' around the airport. She urges Iraqis to reconcile. A Kurdish lawmaker is assassinated together with his driver, becoming the first Member of this Parliament to be killed. In Falluja US forces kill a woman when their vehicle patrol, trying to make its way, opens fire over people's heads. This is apparently common practice. Friday 6 October is the most peaceful day this week: only about 20 people die...but unfortunately it is followed by a very bloody Saturday 7, during which at least 90 people lose their lives. One of them is Nasir Shamel, former captain of the national volleyball team, found shot to death outside his shop. Another is a woman gunned down as she walks with her 5-year-old son down the street in Mosul. British soldiers open fire and kill an Iraqi customs policeman, after the British military base in Basra comes under attack. On the same day, Iraqi Police Major General Jamal Taher announces that a 15-km-long and 2m-deep trench has been dug south of Kirkuk to prevent car bombs and insurgents from entering. On Sunday 8 October heavy fighting is reported between US and Iraqi forces and insurgents in Diwaniyah. A policeman and his 8-year-old son are shot and killed as they walk through a market in Samara, while hundreds of policemen appear to have been poisoned. Late on Sunday reports come in that 11 policemen have so far died, while up to 700 are seriously ill, bleeding from their ears and noses, after breaking their fast on Sunday evening. Is this situation desperate? This is clearly a disastrous result. Saddam Hussein was the easiest target to eliminate; allies are now fighting so many. Rowan Scarborough, writing for the Washington Times, mentions some of them: Al-Qaida in Iraq, suicide bombers, Shiite militias, and at least 4 Sunni groups -Ansar al Sunna, Islamic Army in Iraq, Mujahedeen Army in Iraq, Iraq National Islamic Resistance (World Peace Herald 7 October). Yes, it is a desperate situation when the human cost is so high and rising daily, and when all the allies can boast of is the creation of a police state. Iraqis are paying a very high price for our humanity. A price they should not have been expected to pay. Permalink: http://www.iraqbodycount.org/editorial/weekiniraq/10/ ||||| Lily Hamourtziadou is a researcher on the IBC team who is responsible for the daily scanning and collection of press and media stories. 4 Mar 2007 A Week in Iraq A week by week assessment of significant incidents and trends in Iraqi civilian casualties by Lily Hamourtziadou. The analyses and opinions presented in these commentaries are personal to the author. Email lily@iraqbodycount.org Security and other plans A limited raid in the Jamila section of Sadr City took place on Sunday, when 600 US soldiers and 550 Iraqi troops, backed by a column of armoured vehicles, conducted a door-to-door search for weapons. Sundays operation was described as a first step towards establishing a permanent US-Iraqi security station within Sadr City. At least 15 stations have already been established in other neighbourhoods of Baghdad, according to the US military, and several more are planned. The peaceful raid, during which not a shot was fired and no arrests were made, is part of the new security plan that came into force three weeks ago, a plan that has been somewhat effective. The figures for February show no sign of this, as 2,720 were reported dead, an average of 97 a day, which is worse than January, when 2,800 were killed, an average of 90 a day. Moreover, while there were only 2 major attacks in January, there were 5 in February. There was a marked decrease in violence this week, however, when around 450 civilians died. On Monday 26 February 66 civilians are reported dead, 12 killed at an explosion at an Iraqi Ministry during a ceremony attended by the Vice President. In Ramadi 15 are killed by a suicide bomber who blows up an ambulance at a police station; 3 children die in the attack. In the streets of Baghdad 25 bodies are found. Around 70 die on Tuesday 27 February, 3 at a Baghdad restaurant, 5 in an ice cream shop, 5 in an explosion in Suwayra, and 8 policemen are killed by a suicide bomber in a truck in Mosul. In Baghdad 31 bodies are found bound and tortured. US Defence Secretary Robert Gates declares we clearly have no desire for permanent bases in Iraq. On Wednesday 28 February over 60 die; 10 are killed by a car bomb near a vegetable market in Bayaa, Baghdad; another 13 in various incidents around Baghdad, while 18 bodies are found in Baghdad, Mosul, Tikrit and Himreen. In Karbala 60 unidentified bodies are buried. Thursday 1 March has the highest death toll of the week: there are 81 reported civilian deaths. Among the victims are 8 wedding guests killed by a car bomb in Falluja, while celebrating the wedding of a policeman. Another 7 people die at a market bombing in Mahaweel, and 35 bodies are found in Baghdad, Balad and Baquba. Friday 2 March has the lowest death toll of the week: only 45 are reported dead. In Sadr City 10 die near a used car market, when a car bomb explodes, while 2 football players are shot dead during a match. In Baquba the bodies of 14 policemen, abducted the previous day, are found bound and tortured. Another 12 bodies are found in Baghdad, Yathrib and Iskandariya. On Saturday 3 March 67 are killed, including 6 Sunnis from the same family shot dead by gunmen in Yusufiya, after attending a reconciliation meeting with Shias. A child and 3 women are blown up by a roadside bomb near Latifiya, a suicide bomber kills 12, a child among them, at a police checkpoint in Ramadi, and police find 28 bodies in Baghdad, Baquba, Mosul and Kirkuk. On Sunday 4 March 58 are killed, including 7 policemen in al-Baghdadi, 6 people in Muqdadiya and 30 bodies in Baghdad and Mosul. The new security plan is not the only plan that seems to be working. The governments resettlement plan has helped as many as 1,000 families to return to Madaen, Shaab and Mahmudiya, according to the Migration Ministry. They are still a small portion of the total number of displaced; across Iraq as many as 540,000 people have fled their homes since February 2006. Al-Malikis next reconciliation plan hinges on an international conference, called by the Iraqi government, to take place in Baghdad during the coming week. Scheduled for 10 March, the conference will be attended by the foreign ministers and representatives from the USA, Syria, Iran, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Russia, China, Britain, France, as well as the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. Foreign Minister Hoshiar Zebari said the initial mid-level meeting would be a chance for Western and regional powers to try to bridge some of their differences on Iraq. Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki is also hoping the conference will bring reconciliation and support for his government. Meanwhile, living conditions are still deteriorating for Iraqi citizens. It was announced this week that the last major British charity working in Iraq is pulling out, as the worsening security situation makes it impossible to safeguard staff. Save the Children UK has announced that, after 15 years in the country, it is to shut its office, as it can no longer reach the children it tries to help. The charity repaired and equipped schools and hospitals in the aftermath of the invasion, and lobbied for childrens rights to be included in the new Iraqi constitution. Many other British charities have already pulled out of Iraq; Care International closed its operations there in 2005, after the abduction and murder of Margaret Hassan, its director in Iraq. This is very bad news for Iraqi children, because they desperately need help and care. Children in Iraq form 50% of the population and around 8% are estimated to suffer from acute malnutrition. Poverty and insecurity are the main causes of their deteriorating diets. With insecurity forcing the closure of many health centres, and hospitals and clinics lacking medicines and specialists, Iraqs population is increasingly being cut off from access to proper healthcare, say officials at UNICEF and the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR. Iraq may need all the plans its government can come up with. Permalink: http://www.iraqbodycount.org/editorial/weekiniraq/33/ | Map of Iraq Iraqi Brigadier General Qassim Atta al-Mussawi reported that ''Operation Law and Order'' (Arabic: ''Fardh Al-Qanoon'') has been successful in curbing violence in the capital. Coalition forces have swept through various Baghdad neighborhoods in the past few months. Atta, a spokesperson for the operation cited comparative statistics for the four-week periods of mid-January to mid-February versus mid-February to mid-March: * Civilian killing: 1440 to 265 * Roadside bombings: 163 to 102 * Carbombs: 56 to 36 * Mortar attacks: 204 to 109 * Assassination incidents: 519 to 22 * Kidnappings: 98 to 10 It is not clear what these numbers are based on, and independent estimates of the death toll are much higher. According to data compiled by Iraq Body Count (IBC), a volunteer project that maintains a database of civilian deaths in Iraq from media reports, at least 393 people died in and around Baghdad between February 15 and March 11. The ''New York Times'' estimates 450 Iraqi civilian deaths in and around the capital in the period, using initial reports provided by hospitals and the Iraqi Interior ministry. The Associated Press reports that deaths from bombings have dropped by a third (528 to 370) after the start of the operations. It also reports that the number of bodies found in Baghdad, believed to be victims of sectarian death squads, has dropped from more than 200 a week to about 80 a week. At a separate news-conference, US military spokesperson Major General William Caldwell said the security plan is showing signs of progress. "The murders and executions have come down by over 50 percent," Caldwell said. He did acknowledge that reduced violence in Baghdad's Sadr City neighborhood may be linked to the absence of anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, who he said was still in neighboring Iran as of 24 hours ago. All this comes as the United States Congress is debating resolutions on re-deploying troops from Iraq. The troop surge has also been in recent debate on whether or not it is the right move as of now. Meanwhile the United Kingdom announced that it would start withdrawing soon. |
As a follow-up to the successful project Orange's "Elephants Dream", the Blender Foundation will initiate another open movie project. Again a couple of the best 3D artists and developers in the Blender community will be invited to come together to work in Amsterdam on completing a short 3D animation movie. The creative concept of "Peach" will be completely different as for "Orange". This time it'll be funny and furry! Really! (Read more) Last time it was really a waste to tear down the temporary Orange studio... It actually would have worked very well to have our own facilities for projects. And not only for open movies, but also for game projects, or as a space to have coders working for a while, or for interns, for workshops or training. To host the Peach project, a dedicated studio has been rented in Amsterdam, which actually will become the permanent seat of "the Blender Institute". (read more) As a second open project, the Blender Foundation and Crystal Space community are going to cooperate on organizing an Open Game. This will become possible thanks to the support by the NLGD Conference, the "Nederlandse Game Dagen", the annual conference for the Netherlands game industry. This project will have as a main target to validate open source for creating professional quality 3d games, with Blender being used as creation and protyping tool and Crystal Space as engine and delivery platform. An announcement with more details is being worked on still. Full project details will be presented and discussed during the Crystal Space conference, july 14-15th 2007. www.crystalspace3d.org/main/Conference2007 (Read more about Apricot) ||||| !!!EXCITING NEWS!!! Ton Roosendaal has announced a follow up to the Orange project and more! The Peach Open Movie "As a follow-up to the successful project Orange's "Elephants Dream", the Blender Foundation will initiate another open movie project. Again a couple of the best 3D artists and developers in the Blender community will be invited to come together to work in Amsterdam on completing a short 3D animation movie." Three well known Blender artists / animators: " Sacha "Sago" Goedegebure (Netherlands) and Lyubomir Kovachev (Bulgaria) have been approached. They will work with producer Ton Roosendaal to pick the other team members, define the concept and get a great script to work with. Andy Goralczyk, art director of the former Orange team, has accepted to join the team to migrate his experience especially." If you want to be part of the process, see the details on the Blender announcement site. DIGG IT Blender Institute for Open 3D Projects - "Because of the overwhelming success of the first open movie project, Ton Roosendaal, the Blender Foundation's chairman, now works on establishing the "Blender Institute". This will be a permanent office and studio to more efficiently organize the Blender Foundation goals, but especially to coordinate and facilitate Open Projects related to 3D movies, games or special effects." Game Project "As a second open project, the Blender Foundation and Crystal Space community are going to cooperate on organizing an Open Game. This will become possible thanks to the support by the NLGD Conference, the "Nederlandse Game Dagen", the annual conference for the Netherlands game industry." | ''Elephants Dream'' was the first "open source movie" produced with 3D modeling tool Blender. The film is available under a Creative Commons Attribution license and received mixed reactions. The Blender Foundation, which maintains the open source 3D tool Blender, has announced two new projects, codenamed ''Peach'' and ''Apricot''. ''Project Peach'' will be a new open source movie, following in the footsteps of last year's Elephants Dream project (which was initially codenamed ''Orange''). ''Apricot,'' on the other hand, will use Blender in conjunction with open source 3D framework Crystal Space to create an open game, thereby showcasing both technologies. The Blender Foundation published the plans on its website on Sunday. In order to support these and future projects, it will also set up a permanent studio called the "Blender Institute", where software developers and artists can work together in a single location. The ''Peach'' movie project will be headed by Sacha "Sago" Goedegebure from the Netherlands and Lyubomir Kovachev from Bulgaria. Goedegebure is well known in the Blender community for the "Man in Man" animation, which won the 2006 Suzanne Award for Character Animation. Where the theme of ''Elephants Dream'' was dark and industrial, ''Peach'' will be "funny and furry", according to the project announcement. The project is to be completed within 6 months, beginning October 1. Blender's open game project is still at an earlier planning stage, and details will be announced at the Crystal Space Conference in July. According to the published plans, the project will also be completed within 6-8 months, and it will have a budget of more than 50,000 Euros. |
Strong Black Vote Gives Obama SC Win WASHINGTON (AP) — Landslide margins among black voters powered Barack Obama to his win Saturday in South Carolina's Democratic presidential primary, allowing him to overcome the telling edge Hillary Rodham Clinton and John Edwards had among whites. Blacks made up 55 percent of the voters in Saturday's contest, slightly more than turned out in the state's primary four years ago and by far their biggest share in any presidential contest so far this year. Obama won eight in 10 of their votes, with black men and women supporting the Illinois senator by about that same margin, according to exit polls of Democratic voters conducted Saturday for The Associated Press and the networks. Clinton and Edwards split the white vote about equally, with each getting support from nearly four in 10 and Obama getting about a quarter. Obama's high-water mark among white voters so far this year has been the 36 percent he got in New Hampshire, where he finished second overall to Clinton; he also got a third of the white vote in the year's first contest in Iowa, enough for him to win overall in that state. Highlighting the decisive role race played in Saturday's voting, eight in 10 of Obama's votes came from blacks. About six in 10 of Clinton's and nearly all of Edwards' came from whites. Racial attitudes were also in play in voters' perceptions of how effective the candidates would be if elected. Whites were far likelier to name Clinton than Obama as being most qualified to be commander in chief, likeliest to unite the country and most apt to capture the White House in November. Blacks named Obama over Clinton by even stronger margins — two- and three-to one — in all three areas. Following a week of criticism between the Obama and Clinton campaigns in which race became a factor, Obama's relatively small share of white supporters in South Carolina could raise questions about his ability to attract those voters in the crucial Super Tuesday contests on Feb. 5, when nearly half the country will vote. Because of his heavy support from blacks, Obama negated the advantage Clinton has enjoyed among women in most of this year's contests. He got more than half the female vote, compared with three in 10 supporting Clinton, the New York senator. But the gender breakdown was heavily affected by race. Though Obama won eight in 10 votes of black females, Clinton and Obama led among white women, getting about four in 10 of their votes, about double Obama's share. Edwards, the former North Carolina senator, led among white men, garnering about four in 10 of their votes, with Clinton and Obama about equally sharing the rest. In a race featuring candidates who would be the country's first female or first black president, about three-quarters of Democrats said they thought the country was ready for either historic event to occur. And in a show of general Democratic satisfaction with their choices, more than eight in 10 overall said they would be satisfied if Obama were the nominee, while about three-quarters said the same about Clinton. Bill Clinton's campaigning in the state — in which he engaged in some of the campaign's sharpest attacks on Obama — was cited as an important factor by nearly six in 10 voters, including about equal amounts of blacks and whites. Overall, those who said it was important voted in favor of Obama, though by smaller margins than those who said it was unimportant, suggesting his effort may have helped Hillary Clinton slightly. As has been the pattern in most of the Democratic contests this year, the economy was cited as the most important issue facing the nation by far, with about half naming it. About half of those voters backed Obama and about three in 10 supported Clinton. Obama had an even bigger edge among voters naming health care or the war in Iraq as the top problem. In another replay of Democratic sentiment from other states' voting, about half said they wanted a candidate who can bring change, making it the most sought-after quality. And once again this was dominated by Obama, who has made it the leading theme of his campaign, as he won three in four voters who named it. Obama and Edwards about evenly split the lead among voters who said they wanted a candidate who feels empathy for people like them. Clinton, as she has done in the past, won easily among those favoring experience, but they were a small share of voters, fewer than one in five. The poll was conducted for AP and the television networks by Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International as Democratic voters exited 35 sites in South Carolina. The poll interviewed 1,905 Democratic primary voters and had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points. ||||| Race goes national after Obama's big South Carolina win BIRMINGHAM, Alabama (AFP) — White House hopeful Barack Obama took his message of unity on the road Sunday one day after trouncing rival Hillary Clinton in a race-tinged battle in South Carolina's Democratic primary. The African-American senator from Illinois said his two-to-one margin over Clinton in Saturday's contest in the heavily black southern state demonstrated that Americans want to transcend racial and partisan divisions. "I think people want change. I think they want to get beyond some of the racial politics that, you know, has been so dominant in the past," he said on ABC television. After a tense battle splashed with accusations of "race-baiting," Obama swept the field with 55 percent of the vote against Clinton's 27 percent and ex-senator John Edwards' 18 percent. New York Senator Clinton meanwhile defended her husband Bill, whose avid campaigning was blamed for racial polarization and, in some post-vote analyses, for her poor showing. "Maybe he got a little carried away," Clinton said of the former president. "It also comes with sleep deprivation which, you know, I think is marking all of us, our families, our supporters," she told CBS. Although exit polls showed a clear slant among white voters for Clinton and Edwards, Obama said his victory showed that people rejected the nasty politics of the 1990s, when Bill Clinton was president. "In the '90s, we got caught up in a slash and burn politics that the American people are weary of," Obama said. Obama's remarks came as the close-fought campaign looked toward the vast "Super Tuesday" vote of February 5, when more than 20 states vote in both Democratic and Republican primaries, and which could determine the candidates for the November 4 presidential election. While Obama was in Georgia Sunday, Clinton moved to Tennessee where she addressed a black church congregation. Both have two state nominating contests under their belts, all in states with small numbers of delegates to the party's Denver national nominating convention. Clinton then headed to Florida where her campaign expects to get a spurt of news coverage from an expected victory which could diminish Obama's momentum and give her a jolt going into Super Tuesday. Obama could have a challenge winning solid support from Hispanic voters there, some analysts believe. "The Hispanic voter ... has not shown a lot of willingness or affinity to support black candidates," analyst Sergio Bendixen told The New Yorker. But Senator Ted Kennedy, dean of the Democratic Party's liberal wing, was to give Obama's bid a major boost with his formal endorsement on Monday, sources close to the campaign said. Kennedy was to make his announcement at a rally at Washington's American University, accompanied by his niece Caroline Kennedy, the sole surviving child of John F. Kennedy. "Sometimes it takes a while to recognize that someone has a special ability to get us to believe in ourselves ... and imagine that together we can do great things," Caroline wrote of Obama in Sunday's New York Times, under the headline "A President Like my Father." In the race for the Republican nomination tensions rose ahead of the Florida's primary Tuesday, in which Senator John McCain is closely matched with former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney. Romney lashed out Sunday over McCain's accusation that he had advocated a pullout from Iraq "similar to what the Democrats are seeking, which would have led to the victory by Al-Qaeda." "Everybody who's looked at what he said has found it to be completely misleading and inaccurate. It's dishonest," said Romney, seeking to burnish his national security credentials in front of Florida's conservatives. Meanwhile Rudy Giuliani, the former national Republican front-runner who has pinned his campaign on a Florida victory, saw his hopes sink further when a new poll showed him running fourth in the state. A Zogby poll Sunday put McCain and Romney tied at 30 percent, Mike Huckabee at 14 percent and Giuliani at 13 percent. ||||| By Ellen Wulfhorst MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Reuters) - Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton jockeyed for position on Sunday in a bruising U.S. presidential race after Obama scored a landslide win in a South Carolina primary tinged with the issue of race. "I think (the result) speaks extraordinarily well, not just for folks in the South, but all across the country," said Obama, who beat Clinton by a 2-to-1 margin in Saturday's Democratic selection contest in South Carolina. "People want change. I think they want to get beyond some of the racial politics that, you know, has been so dominant in the past," Obama, who would be the first black U.S. president, told ABC's "This Week." Obama's victory, after losses to Clinton in New Hampshire and Nevada, gave him momentum heading into February 5 "Super Tuesday" Democratic contests in 22 states for their party's presidential nomination. Obama, a freshman senator from Illinois, won the first contest in Iowa earlier this month. Clinton, a second-term senator from New York and wife of former President Bill Clinton, would be the first woman president. Clinton and her husband drew criticism for comments seen by some as minimizing the role of blacks in the 1960s civil rights movement and the importance of Obama's success in South Carolina, a state with a large black population. The Clintons have long enjoyed support in the black community, and she predicted Democrats would unite around whoever wins their party's nomination for the November 4 general election against the yet-to-be chosen Republican nominee. Republican President George W. Bush's second term ends next January. Continued... | Obama campaigning in South Carolina. Barack Obama has won the South Carolina Democratic primary, with 55 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton came in second with 27 percent of the vote, while John Edwards was third with 18 percent. "Tonight, the cynics who believed that what began in the snows of Iowa was just an illusion were told a different story by the good people of South Carolina," Obama told his supporters. "In nine short days, nearly half the nation will have the chance to join us in saying that we are tired of business-as-usual in Washington, we are hungry for change, and we are ready to believe again," he said, referring to Super Tuesday, which will be on February 5. 24 states will be holding primaries or caucuses on that day. Clinton reportedly called Obama to congratulate him on his victory. "I have called Senator Obama to congratulate him and wish him well," she stated. A CNN exit poll showed Obama with 81 percent of the black vote, in a primary where 55 percent of voters were black. The exit poll also showed Obama with 24 percent of the white vote, while Edwards and Clinton received 39 percent and 36 percent of this demographic, respectively. ===Results=== Candidate Votes % Delegates (Est.) Barack Obama 295,091 55% 25 Hillary Clinton 141,128 27% 12 John Edwards 93,552 18% 8 Dennis Kucinich* 551 0% 0 Total 530,322 100% 45 Dropped out of race |
A six-year-old girl was killed and her mother and two-year-old brother were in a critical condition last night after a bear attacked the family at a campsite in the Appalachian mountains. The black bear invaded the campsite in Tennessee on Tuesday, picking up the boy in its mouth while the mother and others present used sticks and rocks to try to fend it off. The girl ran away but was later found dead with a bear standing over her, authorities said. "Allegedly, after the rescue squad found the little girl, one of the squad members fired a shot from a small-calibre handgun," Dan Hicks, a spokesman for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, told reporters yesterday. "We don't know whether the bear was hit or not. There was no blood, but it chased off." Forest rangers and local hunters were searching for the animal over an area of several thousand acres yesterday afternoon, using dogs and traps baited with doughnuts. Authorities said finding and killing the animal was their priority. Mr Hicks said the mother and boy were in a critical condition in hospital in Chattanooga, not far from Cherokee national park, where the attack took place. He could not confirm whether the family, believed to be from Ohio, had been camping and did not release their names. Unlike grizzlies, American black bears rarely attack humans, and are more easily scared away. The last known fatal black bear attack took place six years ago, when a schoolteacher was killed in the Smoky Mountains. According to a camping safety document published by the US scouting movement, lightning and bee stings pose a greater risk of death than bears. ||||| The child's mother and two-year-old brother remained in critical condition Friday after the bear attack, which occurred Thursday afternoon according to forest officials. The incident took place on Chilhowee Mountain near a campsite which has since been closed, while forest officials continued on Friday to search for the bear. Bear attacks in the area are a rare occurrence but they do happen, officials said, quoted by the Times Free Press. © 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur ||||| Jason Jackson, an officer for the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency of Roane County, demonstrates a culvert bear trap on Friday, April 14, 2006. The trap, along with several others are being put out to capture a black bear that killed a 6-year-old girl and mauled her mother and 2-year-old brother, in the Chilwoee Campground located in the Cherokee National Forest. (AP Photo/Mark Gilliland) By BILL POOVEY BENTON, Tenn. Apr 14, 2006 (AP) Authorities put out traps baited with honey buns and doughnuts Friday in hopes of capturing a potentially crazed black bear that killed a 6-year-old girl and mauled her mother and 2-year-old brother. It was only the second documented attack on a human by a black bear in modern Tennessee history, said state Wildlife Resources Agency spokesman Dan Hicks. "There is a chance that the same bear would attack someone else, so I hope they do catch him," said Lynn Rogers of the North American Bear Center in Ely, Minn. Black bears generally avoid humans, animal experts said. Rangers at the Cherokee National Forest, where the attack took place Thursday, said a disease, tumor or parasite might have made the animal more aggressive. The 350- to 400-pound bear attacked the family at a waterfall near a campground after several adult visitors tried to drive it off the trail, Hicks said. The bear bit the boy's head, then went after the child's mother after she tried to fend off the attack with rocks and sticks, Hicks said. The animal picked up the woman with its mouth and dragged her off the trail. The girl apparently ran away, and about an hour later was found with the bear hovering over her body, Hicks said. A rescuer fired a shot that scared the animal off, Hicks said. Authorities said they did not know whether it was wounded. Dogs failed to pick up the bear's trail in an overnight search, and authorities set out traps in the thousand-acre area around the attack site. Both the mother and boy were in critical condition at a Chattanooga hospital but were expected to recover. The boy suffered a bite wound that punctured his skull, while the mother had eight puncture wounds to the neck and too many claw and tooth injuries to count elsewhere on her body, doctors said. Authorities have not been able to talk to the mother because of her injuries. "She may not remember the attack at all," Hicks said. Authorities would not release the victims' names but said the family was from Ohio. | Map highlighting Tennessee. A six-year-old girl was killed after a black bear attacked her. Her mother and two-year-old brother, also attacked, were critically injured. The nearly 400-pound bear attacked the family when they were staying at Chilwoee Campground located within the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee. The family was visiting a nearby waterfall when they were attacked. According to rescuers, the girl managed to escape from the bear, but was found only an hour later by a rescuer who fired shots that scared the bear away. "Allegedly, after the rescue squad found the little girl, one of the squad members fired a shot from a small-caliber handgun. We don't know whether the bear was hit or not. There was no blood, but it chased off," said Dan Hicks, a spokesman for the states Wildlife Resources Agency. The mother and the brother both remain in critical condition at a hospital in Chattanooga. The boy's skull was punctured by a bite to the head, before the bear attacked his mother. The mother was trying to scare the bear away with rocks and sticks before being attacked. According to doctors, she had several puncture wounds to her neck, but had too many other claw and teeth marks for them to count. Both are expected to recover. Investigators have not yet been able to speak to the mother because of the severity of her injuries. "She may not remember the attack at all," said Hicks, who also said that it was only Tennessee's second documented attack involving a bear. "There is a chance that the same bear would attack someone else, so I hope they do catch him," said Lynn Rogers of the North American Bear Center. Officials have baited traps with honey buns and doughnuts to try and catch the bear. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims. The campground has been closed. |
Police break up terrorist cell, arrest suspects by Patrick Gillett - Australian Federal police have arrested a group in Melbourne suspected of plotting a terrorist attack. The arrests came after raids at 19 addresses at around 2:00am. Police say that the group was trying to blow up an army barracks. Police beleive that the group members are of Lebonese and Somali decent. All are Australian citizens. The suspects were planning to commit a "sustained attack on military personnel," says AFP deputy commissioner Tony Negus. "The men's intention was to actually go into the Army barracks and to kill as many soldiers as they could before they themselves were killed," Mr Negus told a press conference. "This operation has disrupted an alleged terrorist attack that could have claimed many lives." There are suggestions that the group has connections to groups in Somalia. ||||| Reuters Australian police officers and forensic experts are seen at a house in the suburb of Glenroy in Melbourne, which was raided in connection to planned terror attacks WATCH the video (5:15) Australian police arrested four men linked to a Somali militant group, accusing them of planning a suicide attack on an army base and raising concerns al Qaeda-linked militants were seeking targets outside Africa. The four were arrested in dawn raids on 19 properties across the southern city of Melbourne, after a seven-month investigation involving three police forces and Australia's national security agency ASIO. Officials said Australia's terrorism warning alert would remain at medium level, where it has been since 2003, but Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the arrests showed threats remained. "The sobering element to emerge from today's development is the reminder to all Australians that the threat of terrorism is alive and well," he said in Cairns. It is the latest high-profile terrorism case that Australian police and intelligence agencies have uncovered. Australia's biggest terrorism trial ended in February when Muslim cleric Abdul Nacer Benbrika was jailed for 15 years for leading a cell that had planned to bomb a 2005 football match in Melbourne. Altogether, 12 people were jailed over the plot. In the latest case, the four men arrested were aged between 22 and 26 and were all Australian citizens with Somali and Lebanese backgrounds. Police said they were linked to the al Shabaab militant group. One man, Nayaf El Sayed, 25, was officially charged with conspiring to plan or prepare a terrorist act. Police were granted extra time to question three others, Saney Aweys, Yacqub Khayre and Abdirahman Ahmed. Sayed did not enter a plea or apply for bail, and he refused to stand for the magistrate before he was remanded in jail to reapppear in court on October 26. "He believes he should not stand for any man except God," his counsel told the hearing. A fifth man, in custody on other matters, was also being questioned and police have not ruled out more arrests. Prosecutors told the Melbourne Magistrate's Court they had evidence some of the men had taken part in training in Somalia and at least one had engaged in frontline fighting in Somalia. They said police had evidence of phone conversations, text messages and surveillance footage, including footage of one of the suspects outside the Holsworthy army base in suburban Sydney. The court heard the men planned to seek a fatwa, or religious ruling, to support an attack on the Holsworthy army base. North Africa militants While Australia has never suffered a peacetime attack on home soil, 95 Australians have been killed in bomb attacks in Indonesia since 2002. Al Shabaab is a hard-line militant Islamist youth group that is deeply involved in violence in war-torn Somalia. It has vowed to rule the majority Muslim nation by a hard-line interpretation of Islamic law, and has dug up Sufi graves, forced women to wear veils, closed down movie halls and cut off limbs for theft. Analysts say al Shabaab, which is on the US State Department's terrorism list, is affiliated with Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network, and has recently had success recruiting from the Somali diaspora and other Muslim youths abroad. Strategic analyst Carl Ungerer said the Australian arrests point to growing militant activity from North Africa, and proved Australia was still a prime target for militants. "The arrests this morning clearly show that Australia remains a gold-medal target for international terrorism," Ungerer, from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said. "It is clearly the case, and security intelligence agencies have believed for some time now, there is a real, increasing tempo of al Qaeda activity across all of North Africa, not just the horn," Ungerer said. "There is a growing concern that the next generation of terrorism is going to be North African." Acting Australian Federal Police Commissioner Tony Negus told reporters those arrested had planned to storm a suburban Sydney military base with automatic weapons and kill those inside. "The men's intention was to actually go into the army barracks and to kill as many soldiers as they could until they themselves were killed," he said. Police said they had worked with international agencies over the raids, but declined to say who tipped them off. Australia has gradually tightened anti-terrorism laws since the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States and has more than 1,000 military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. Under Australian anti-terror laws, authorities can detain a suspect for a prolonged period of time without charge, with court approval, while they investigate a case. Rudd said the arrests were not linked to deadly bombings at two luxury hotels in Jakarta last month that killed three Australians. ||||| MELBOURNE -- Australian police arrested four men who they allege were planning a suicide attack on an Australian military base. View Full Image Reuters Police tape is seen at the perimeter near a house in the suburb of Glenroy in Melbourne, which was raided in connection to planned terror attacks August 4, 2009. Police said that the arrested men are all Australian citizens with some being of Somali descent and others Lebanese, and that members of the group have supported the Islamic insurgency in Somalia. The men were planning to use automatic weapons in the attack, police said. The arrests will renew concerns that Australia has put itself in a position where it faces terrorist threats given its strong support for the war on terror. The country has sent troops to wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and Australians have been the target of bombings in other countries including in Bali in 2002 and outside Australia's embassy in Jakarta in 2004. Former Prime Minister John Howard often reminded Australians of the threats they faced but those worries diminished somewhat when Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was elected in late 2007 given his commitment to withdraw troops from Iraq, a process completed this year. Mr. Rudd said the group was alleged to be affiliated with the al Shabaab terrorist group in Somalia, which is believed to be linked to al Qaeda, and that some of its members allegedly traveled to Somalia to take part in hostilities there. He said Tuesday that the arrests are "a sober reminder that the threat of terrorism to Australia continues." Victoria Police Commissioner Simon Overland said police will allege the men planned to attack the Holsworthy Barracks on Sydney's south western fringe, and had carried out reconnaissance on other military installations. "Details of the planning indicated the alleged offenders were prepared to inflict a sustained attack on military personnel until they themselves were killed," said Australian Federal Police Acting Commissioner Tony Negus. About 400 officers from the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and New South Wales Police launched raids at homes in Melbourne early Tuesday, executing 19 search warrants across the city at 4.30 a.m. local time. One of the arrested men, 25-year-old Nayef El Sayed of Glenroy, appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court Tuesday charged with preparing for or planning a terrorist act. He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody until his next court date, a committal mention set down for Oct. 26. Police said more people are "assisting with inquiries" and they are not ruling out further arrests. The men are to be charged under Australian anti-terror laws enacted in 2005, which have already been used to jail six Melbourne men in 2008. The arrests followed a seven-month investigation, dubbed Operation Neath, involving the Australian Federal Police, other police forces, the New South Wales Crime Commission and the Australian Security Intelligence Organization. National security alert levels remain at medium, where they have been since introduction in 2003, indicating a terror attack remains feasible. —Iain McDonald contributed to this article. Write to Alex Wilson at alex.wilson@dowjones.net and Lyndal McFarland at lyndal.mcfarland@dowjones.com Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page A9 | Melbourne CBD Australian Federal Police have caught four people suspected of plotting a terrorist attack in Melbourne. The suspects, all Australian citizens of Somali and Lebanese descent, were arrested early this morning Melbourne time. "Police believe members of a Melbourne-based group have been undertaking planning to carry out a terrorist attack in Australia and allegedly involved in hostilities in Somalia," a police statement says. "The men's intention was to actually go into the Army barracks and to kill as many soldiers as they could before they themselves were killed," acting Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner Tony Negus told a press conference. "This operation has disrupted an alleged terrorist attack that could have claimed many lives." The raids were carried out by officers from Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police, New South Wales Police and the New South Wales Crime Commission. |
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. The Speaker of the House of Commons has been challenged by MPs to stand down in unprecedented scenes in the chamber. Michael Martin did not mention his future in a statement on the expenses furore - instead he set out proposed action to reform the system. He said he was "profoundly sorry" for his role and said all MPs must accept blame for the "terrible damage" done. But a succession of MPs challenged him openly, saying they wanted a debate and a vote of no confidence in him. It follows a week of damaging media revelations about MPs' expenses and criticism of the way Mr Martin has handled the row. Claims stopped In a statement to a packed Commons on Monday, Mr Martin apologised for the expenses scandal and outlined steps he would be taking ahead of the findings of an independent inquiry into the allowances system, expected in the autumn. This included asking party leaders to meet him and members of the House of Commons Commission within 48 hours to look at what proposals for reform for second homes expenses could be agreed upon and put to MPs for approval. In the meantime the Glasgow North East MP urged members not to submit expenses claims for approval. This House should calm itself down, should have a period of reflection Sir Stuart Bell Labour MP In full: Speaker's statement Nick Robinson's blog "We all bear a heavy responsibility for the terrible damage to the reputation of this House. We must do everything we possibly can to regain the trust and confidence of the people," he said. Labour's Gordon Prentice was the first to stand up to ask about the no confidence motion, only to be told it was not a "point of order" - to shouts of "oh yes it is". Douglas Carswell, the Conservative backbencher who is putting forward the motion, got up to ask when it would be debated and when MPs would be able to choose a new Speaker with "moral authority to clean up Westminster and the legitimacy to lead this House out of the mire". Norway debate But he was told it was not a "substantive motion, it's an early day motion", which led to MPs shouting and Mr Martin having to seek clarification from a clerk. Veteran Labour MP David Winnick asked him "with some reluctance" to give "some indication" as to when he would retire, saying "your early retirement sir, would help the reputation of the House". Mr Martin replied that was "not a subject for today". THE SPEAKER'S ROLE The Speaker controls the proceedings of the House of Commons, chairing debates, keeping order and calling on MPs to speak The Speaker is also responsible for the running of much of Parliament - including the Fees Office The Speaker represents the House of Commons' independence in dealing with the monarchy Speakers are elected by MPs in a Commons vote, traditionally remaining in the role until retirement or death and re-elected automatically after general elections Michael Martin was elected following the retirement of Betty Boothroyd in 2000 Q&A: Speaker under pressure More MPs under expenses scrutiny Veteran Conservative MP Sir Patrick Cormack likened the mood in the Commons to the mood in the nation for the Norway debate in 1940 - said to be the moment Conservative MPs realised that Neville Chamberlain had to be replaced as prime minister. And another Conservative MP, Richard Shepherd, said the public would not believe MPs were serious about reform as long as Mr Martin remained as Speaker. Senior Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell was one of the few to stick up for Mr Martin, saying there had "never been in the history of our land such an attack on the Speaker". He added: "This House should calm itself down, should have a period of reflection." The former Tory, now independent, MP Bob Spink also spoke in favour of the Speaker, saying he did not want to see him "become a scapegoat for the action of these members". Senior Lib Dem MP David Heath said the statement would have been welcomed a few weeks ago but he now had "very grave doubts" as to whether they would restore trust. 'Political death warrant' Others sought advice on how a debate on the Speaker's future could be tabled. Former shadow home secretary David Davis asked: "Is it within the power of a backbencher to put down a substantive motion and if so, how?" There were shouts when Mr Martin said that was a matter for the government. The leader of the main opposition party, a government in waiting, and his party cannot, I think act unilaterally to remove the Speaker in the House of Commons David Cameron Cameron starts election petition Mr Martin also had to tell the Conservative MP Mark Field to watch his words when he suggested that some MPs had made fraudulent expenses claims. Later Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, who was attacked by the Speaker last week for giving interviews about greater transparency on MPs' expenses, said Mr Martin "blew it". "The effect of the statement is for the Speaker to have signed his own political death warrant... I give him less than a week," he told BBC News. BBC political editor Nick Robinson said that while Mr Martin's statement may have bought him some breathing space, his fate still hung in the balance. And, at a later meeting of Labour MPs, Mr Robinson said former Cabinet minister Peter Hain urged the prime minister not to try to prevent a debate on the Speaker's future. The Speaker's critics blame him for various attempts to block requests in recent years to have expenses details released under Freedom of Information laws. And he angered many by attacking MPs who had pressed for more transparency or criticised his decision to ask the police to investigate the leaking of expenses details to the Daily Telegraph. Under parliamentary rules, the Speaker can either ignore the motion or ask for it to be debated in government time. Not right For MPs to openly criticise the Speaker breaks a long-standing Commons convention, while the last time a Speaker was forced from office was in 1695 - when Sir John Trevor was found guilty by the House of "a high crime and misdemeanour". Mr Martin has been urged to stand down by Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg. Prime Minister Gordon Brown declined to give Mr Martin his backing, saying that "the decision about who is Speaker is a matter for the House of Commons - it could never be a matter for the government". The BBC understands Mr Brown spoke to the Speaker on Sunday about the situation. Any move to unseat the Speaker would have to be supported by the Conservatives. But Conservative leader David Cameron said: "The leader of the main opposition party, a government in waiting, and his party cannot, I think, act unilaterally to remove the Speaker in the House of Commons - I don't think that would be right." Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| Mr Martin is heading up a Commons inquiry into MPs' expenses The Commons Speaker's wife was within her rights to claim back £4,139 spent on taxis - largely for shopping trips, Parliament's standards chief has said. John Lyon said the claims since 2004 were "reasonable" as Mary Martin can use a £2,500 allowance to support her husband in his official role. Rejecting an official complaint, he said the claims were "not excessive". Michael Martin said some of the food bought was eaten by the couple, but some was used for hospitality. The TaxPayers' Alliance, who submitted an official complaint about the claims, said: "If this is within the rules, then the rules need tightening up." 'Wait and return' The commissioner had been investigating Mrs Martin's claims of £4,139.17 for 156 taxi journeys made since 2004 - mainly for shopping trips - following the pressure group's complaint. In an interview with Mr Martin he was told some of the food and items bought on the trips were consumed by the couple - some was used as refreshments at meetings in his grace-and-favour apartment. It was reasonable, within the terms of the 2002 arrangement, that the Speaker's wife should be able to buy necessary clothing and items for his court dress John Lyon Parliamentary standards commissioner And he was told that, about once a month when the House of Commons was in session, Mrs Martin would do her shopping at a large supermarket and keep a taxi on a "wait and return" basis - because they were "not easy to hail". There were also other trips to smaller shops for "further provisions and perishables", official clothes for Mr Martin and decorations for official functions. In those cases, the return journeys were paid for by the Martins. The claims included trips to the Martins' private home in north London as well, to drop off papers, and to a store to pick out new furnishings for the Speaker's residence. 'Ease burden' According to the minutes of the meeting with Mr Martin, since 2002 the Speaker has been able to claim up to £2,500 a year for taxis for "normal official business". The allowance was provided to allow Mrs Martin to ease the burden on her husband by doing the shopping "to support him in his official duties". If this is within the rules, then the rules urgently need tightening up Mark Wallace TaxPayers' Alliance The Speaker told Mr Lyon he had "tremendous pressures" on his time from early in the morning to late at night and his job often demanded that he be in the House of Commons. Mr Lyon dismissed the Taxpayers' Alliance complaint and strongly supported Mrs Martin, saying the claims were "not excessive". He wrote: "The current Speaker receives considerable support from his wife in preparing and enabling him to carry out his official duties in the way and to the standard which he requires of himself and his office." 'Shocking' He added: "It was reasonable, within the terms of the 2002 arrangement, that the Speaker's wife should be able to buy necessary clothing and items for his court dress to enable him to carry out his official duties." Mr Martin is currently heading up an overhaul of the MPs' expenses system and is fighting a Freedom of Information ruling that a detailed breakdown of MPs' second homes allowance should be published. Mark Wallace, the campaign director of the TaxPayers' Alliance, who submitted the complaint, said it appeared the trips were "more for food for the Martins than for official functions". "If so, it's shocking that they are able to use taxpayers' money for taxis to do their domestic grocery shopping," he said. "If this is within the rules, then the rules urgently need tightening up." "We are all being told to tighten our belts in these tough times - it's about time the Speaker of the House of Commons set a good example and stopped indulging himself with other people's money." The row over Mrs Martin's taxi trips led to the resignation of the Speaker's spokesman, Mike Granatt, earlier this year. Mr Granatt quit after he unwittingly misled a journalist about reports Mr Martin's wife claimed £4,000 taxi expenses since May 2004. He has said officials did not tell him the whole truth. The commissioner's memorandum was published by the Standards and Privileges Committee, which does not usually produce a report when a complaint has been dismissed. But the committee said today that it wanted to "put the matter to rest" and had "no hesitation in endorsing both the decision of the commissioner to dismiss the complaint, and the grounds on which he did so." E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? ||||| The Speaker's supporters say he has long been the victim of snobbery. A no confidence motion in House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin is to be tabled by a Conservative backbencher. MP Douglas Carswell is to make the move following a furore over Mr Martin's handling of leaks of MPs' expenses. Some MPs felt he was more concerned with attacking those who criticised him than responding to public anger. Labour MP Gordon Prentice argued that the speaker was now "too compromised" by recent events and so should stand down immediately. 'The wrong man' Mr Prentice and fellow Labour MP Paul Flynn say they will back Mr Carswell's motion, to be tabled next week. And Lib Dem Norman Lamb has become the fourth MP to publicly call for Mr Martin to go. Mr Prentice said the Speaker's handling of the expenses crisis proved he could no longer defend the interests of Parliament. He said it would be absurd if Mr Martin "soldiered on" until the end of the current Parliament and said his successor must be chosen by a secret ballot of MPs. Speaker Martin is not the right man to have at the helm Gordon Prentice Labour MP Profile: Michael Martin Speaker angry over expenses leak Q&A: Speaker under pressure "Speaker Martin is not the right man to have at the helm," he told the BBC. "He is too compromised." "It is a question of competence and acting fairly and in a non-partisan manner," he said. Mr Carswell, a long-time critic of Mr Martin, says he has already picked up more than half a dozen sponsors for his motion and that it has cross-party support. But he told the BBC he wanted to give MPs the opportunity to go back to their constituencies at the weekend, to understand the public anger about the expenses furore and realise change is needed. "We need a new speaker with a mandate for radical change to make politicians work for the people," he said. "I'm not having a dig at Michael Martin because he is anything other than a decent, honest, honourable man. "I just happen to think he is bad at doing the job of Speaker." 'Pearls of wisdom' Newport West MP Paul Flynn told BBC Wales: "He hasn't led the House of Commons - he's been too defensive and has actually attacked the whistleblowers. We need someone who is interested in exposing the errors of the past and is willing to introduce new rules." And Liberal Democrat frontbencher Norman Lamb told the BBC he would sign the motion. "The final straw came on Monday when he attacked backbenchers in Parliament over this whole expenses debacle. And I felt that at that point he lost his impartiality," Mr Lamb said. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the number of public calls for Mr Martin to go was unprecedented. On Monday, in a statement to the Commons, Mr Martin angrily defended the decision to ask police to investigate where the expenses leak came from. He rebuked Labour MP Kate Hoey, who said it was a waste of money when police had a "huge" job to do in London, telling her: "I hear your public utterances and your pearls of wisdom on Sky News. It's easy to talk then." He also rebuked Lib Dem MP Norman Baker, who has long campaigned for greater transparency on MPs' expenses, as "another member who is keen to say to the press what the press wants to hear". Mr Baker said later he "appeared to be defending vested interests rather than leading us out of this mess". In further bad-tempered exchanges on Tuesday Labour's David Winnick challenged Mr Martin to apologise for his comments to Ms Hoey. Employment Minister Tony McNulty has criticised Mr Martin over his dealings with Ms Hoey and Mr Baker. You have got to understand that a lot of things happen in the heat of the moment Gordon Brown He said he did not believe the speaker was doing a bad job, but he "thought he was a bit heavy-handed with Kate Hoey and Norman Baker". Mr McNulty added: "I think that does detract from the overall reasonable job that he's doing." Conservative leader David Cameron has not criticised Mr Martin, saying it was "a very important constitutional principle that the Opposition supports the Speaker's office and the role of the Speaker". Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also said Mr Martin "does a good job" adding: "You have got to understand that a lot of things happen in the heat of the moment." Mr Martin has been Speaker, the presiding officer of the House of Commons, since 2000. He has found himself embroiled in some controversy - most recently over the handling of the arrest of the Conservative frontbencher Damian Green and search of his Commons office. His critics have also questioned his own use of expenses and accused him of not being impartial. But his supporters say the Glasgow North East MP - a former sheet metal worker - has faced unprecedented snobbery and slurs since becoming Speaker in 2000. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| MPs Want Speaker To 'Get The Message' MPs claim the Speaker has misread public feeling on expenses Another MP has added his voice to calls for the House of Commons Speaker Michael Martin to go. LibDem Norman Lamb told Sky News: "I think he has lost his authority." Tory MP Douglas Carswell says his "no confidence" motion in the Speaker will be put before Parliament next week. Mr Carswell says it has received sufficient cross-party support and he has urged more MPs to back his bid to oust the under-fire Speaker. Mr Martin has been under pressure after refusing to apologise for personal rebukes to MPs who questioned his handling of the Westminster expenses controversy. A long-term critic of the Speaker, Mr Carswell wrote on his blog that support was growing for a formal attempt to topple Mr Martin. "I continue to pick up support for the motion. I can confirm that it will definitely be tabled with backing from both sides of the Commons. "It's the first time anything like this has been done in 300 years," he wrote, predicting that it would be tabled "early next week". Among other MPs from all three main parties who have given their support is Labour backbencher Paul Flynn. The Newport West MP said they were just the visible tip of a very big iceberg of dissent against Mr Martin. "I believe we speak on behalf of two-thirds of MPs on this," he said. "I hope the Speaker will get the message. "We have got to get the message across that we have recognised the understandable outrage of the public, the revulsion." Mr Martin's conduct was openly questioned in the Commons chamber yesterday when he was asked to apologise for comments he made to ex-minister Kate Hoey on Monday. The Vauxhall Labour MP had suggested that calling in the police to investigate leaks about MPs' expenses was a waste of time. Mr Martin rounded on her, pointing to her "public utterances and your pearls of wisdom on Sky News". Some people had other responsibilities than talking to the media, he said. Hoey and Martin clash over expenses The Speaker followed that up with abrupt responses to Lib Dem MP Norman Baker, who has also championed expenses reform, and former Cabinet minister Patricia Hewitt. Labour MP David Winnick, who challenged Mr Martin yesterday to apologise for making personal comments, was told he could have raised it the day before if he had been present. "If it's not adequate, then you know what you must do then," Mr Martin challenged him when he shouted back from the back benches. ||||| Motion of no confidence in the Speaker - UPDATE I continue to pick up support for the motion. I can confirm that it will definitely be tabled with backing from both sides of the Commons. It's the first time anything like this has been done in 300 years. As regards the actual formal tabling of the motion, I'll let you know once it's been formally submitted and tabled - perhaps not until early next week. In the mean time, there are more phone calls to make. PS. No matter what my views about the Speaker, one thing I find awful are the number of anonymous briefings I now read in newspapers about the need to "hand Mr Martin a revolver blah blah". If you don't think he's up to the job, say it. Be frank, be straight forward and be prepared to take the consequences. I've a growing list of MPs who are. Knifing people in the back isn't the way to begin cleaning up SW1. Posted on 13 May 2009 by Douglas Carswell ||||| House of Commons officials have today called in the police to hunt down the mole who leaked details of MPs expenses. The parliamentary officials spent the morning in talks with Scotland Yard, and made the decision this afternoon. In a statement, officials said: "The House authorities have received advice that there are reasonable grounds to believe a criminal offence may have been committed in relation to the way in which information relating to Members' allowances has been handled. "A report has been made to the Metropolitan police, asking them to consider the matter." Even before the details of MPs' expenses were splashed on to the Telegraph's front page and nine inside pages, a hunt was under way for the person who had earlier this year leaked information about claims made by MPs. The House of Commons commission, responsible for publishing a full list of MPs' expenses planned for July, heard that a computer disk containing the details was allegedly stolen and being offered to newspapers. The Labour MP Sir Stuart Bell, a member of the commission, said the information was being offered to national newspapers for up to £300,000 in March and that a hunt had been launched to find the mole. Bell said: "All of the receipts of 650-odd MPs, redacted [edited] and unredacted, are for sale at a price of £300,000, so I am told. "The price is going up because of the interest in the subject." The commission today confirmed an investigation had been launched after details of the home secretary's claims were leaked. Infamously they included a claim by her husband for adult films. The commission said: "An investigation is being done by the house authorities. If there is a prima facie case of criminal activity we would ask the police to become involved." The spokesperson refused to reveal who would be carrying out the investigation but said it was limited at this stage to the earlier leaks. Police could have decided to launch an investigation without receiving a complaint, but that was thought unlikely given the force's unhappy experience of investigating Westminster in recent years. The police investigation into a mole passing information to the Tory frontbencher Damian Green was roundly criticised and MPs were also angered by the protracted cash-for-peerages investigation. The former Liberal Democrat leader Menzies Campbell earlier told the Guardian he was against the idea of the police being called in. "I'm not sure a leak inquiry would serve any purpose," he said. "Indignation from MPs I don't think will carry much weight on this topic." Suspicion over who was responsible for the leak today fell on a City businessman reported to have offered the details of MPs' expenses to national newspapers in March for up to £300,000. It was also suggested that a middleman for someone with access to the information was hawking the details of cabinet ministers' expenses for £10,000 each. The opportunity for an unauthorised person to get their hands on the details arose because of a decision to publish a full list of expenses this summer, following a freedom of information request. As part of the process, receipts were digitised by staff at the government's Stationery Office. A businessman who offered one newspaper the details said the details were accessible because a copy had been accidentally made without any of the officials realising. MPs have access to their own records via a supposedly secure internet site or can request a hard copy. They had until 21 May to report inaccuracies or ask for sensitive information to be edited out. ||||| Mr Martin's property is used to entertain heads of state Inside the residence Over £700,000 of public money has been spent on the Commons Speaker's official residence since 2001, figures show. A Freedom of Information request by the Daily Telegraph revealed that over £100,000 a year was spent on furniture, art and air-conditioning. Speaker Michael Martin's spokeswoman said the improvements were necessary. Mr Martin has been criticised after his family used air miles from official flights, and his wife claimed cab fares for shopping trips. 'Free house' The figures show that £148,900 has been spent on furniture, £13,000 on art, £191,000 on installing a new air-conditioning system, and £291,000 on "building restoration and refurbishment". The Speaker should be setting a good example and he is not Martin Bell Former independent MP A further £992,000 has been spent on the Speaker's garden - although most of those costs are part of the effort to improve security in the Palace of Westminster since the 11 September 2001 attacks. Former independent MP Martin Bell said he was "shocked" by the sums involved. "The Speaker should be setting a good example and he is not - MPs have got to get their palace in order," he said. Mark Wallace, campaign director of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said the figures were "stupendous". "The Speaker is well paid and receives generous allowances as well as a free house, so it is excessive for him to be billing so heavily for furniture, art and cooling systems." The revelations come as Michael Martin carries out a review into MPs' expenses, due to report in the autumn. But his own expenses have been the subject of scrutiny and his spokesman, Mike Granatt, resigned in February after he wrongly rebutted some parts of a story claiming that the Speaker's wife had claimed more than £4,000 in taxi expenses since May 2004. Mr Martin's spokeswoman said the spending on Speaker's House was part of a rolling programme of improvements. She added that the property was used for entertaining heads of state and needed to be maintained as part of Britain's heritage. "Speaker's House is the official residence of the Speaker," she said. "Entertainment of visiting heads of state, parliamentarians and others take place in the State Apartments and the costs listed reflect environmental and heritage requirements and health and safety legislation." E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? | The Right Honourable Michael Martin MP, the Speaker of the British House of Commons, faces a vote of no confidence this week. This motion will be launched by Tory Douglas Carswell MP. Martin addressed the House of Commons at 15:30 BST (14:30 UTC). The Right Honourable Michael Martin MP in 2008Speaker Martin has faced much controversy over his handling of a recent scandal involving the expenses of Members of Parliament (MPs). Martin defended the House of Commons' authorities that requested a police investigation with regard to this leak, causing anger amongst many MPs. In his statement, the Speaker apologised to the public saying that "we have let you down". He also personally apologised: "I am profoundly sorry". He acknowledged that "each and every member, including myself, must work hard to regain your trust". Sir Christopher Kelly will release a report in Autumn about expenses, and the Speaker said that the House should take steps until then and MPs should not file further expense claims. Some MPs urged an interim report to be published before this. The Speaker urged leaders of all Parliamentary parties, including the Prime Minister, to meet with the Speaker and House of Commons Commission within 48 hours to discuss expenses. After the speech, various MPs asked the Speaker questions. Carswell asked "when will members be able to choose a new leader?" and David Winnick MP asked for information about when the Speaker will retire. Bob Spink, the Independent MP for Castle Point, said that his constituents did not want the Speaker to be a "scapegoat". Labour MP for Middlesbrough, Sir Stuart Bell, said "the majority of the House will support this statement you made today" and noted "never in history has there been such an attack on Speaker". In the UK, attacking the Speaker defies a long-standing tradition; the last Speaker to be forced from office was Sir John Trevor in 1695 for accepting a bribe. Even before the speech, MPs from all major parties have supported this motion; Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, has urged the speaker to resign. On his blog, Carswell claimed that he 'continues to pick up support for the motion'. Martin's friend, the Labour Lord Foulkes, has suggested Martin is a victim of snobbery, as the Speaker is "someone from a working class background in Glasgow". In the past, Martin has been involved in several past scandals, including that he made excessive claims for the use of taxis, and for over £1,600,000 spent on the Speaker's residence. |
Photo: CENTRAL NEWS Frances Inglis, 57, was given a life sentence for killing her 22-year-old son Tom after he sustained severe head injuries when he fell out of a moving ambulance. Tom's brother, Alex, speaking outside court, praised his mother for her "loving and courageous act" and called for a review of the law for people who kill as an "act of mercy". He said: "How can it be legal to withhold food and water, which means a slow and painful death, yet illegal to end all suffering in a quick, calm and loving way? "What this case and a number of others have exposed is a need for a complete rethink of existing laws in regard to people that have been, and will be, in the same position as Tom." He added that his whole family, and Tom's former girlfriend, supported his mother's actions "one hundred per cent" and called the law "cruel and illogical". He said: "All of those who loved and were close to Tom have never seen this as murder. "Why is my mum the only person who has been called to answer for her actions which were done out of love for her son?" Inglis, who will serve at least nine years of her life sentence less the 423 days she has spent in custody, said she killed her son to end his "living hell" and that she had "no choice". The court heard how the mother gave her son a heroin overdose two months after he fell out of the moving ambulance in which he was being treated following a pub fight. Nurses resuscitated him and she was charged with attempted murder, but bailed on the condition she did not contact her son. A year later, she entered his nursing home posing as his aunt, and barricaded herself in his room using an oxygen cylinder, a wheelchair and superglue to seal the door shut. She then administered another heroin overdose into both thighs and one arm, which this time proved lethal. When staff broke down the door half an hour later, she urged them not to try to resuscitate him. Judge Brian Barker, the Common Serjeant of London, told the jury that they "could not have had a more difficult case", but asked them to put emotion aside and told them no one had the "unfettered right" to take the law into their own hands. Inglis, of Dagenham, east London, was found guilty of murder and attempted murder. There were cries of "shame on you" and weeping from the public gallery at the Old Bailey as the jury returned their 10-2 majority verdicts after more than six hours of deliberations. The Judge told Inglis: "We can all understand the emotion and the unhappiness that you were experiencing. "The fact is that you knew that you intended to do a terrible thing. You knew you were breaking society's conventions, you knew you were breaking the law, and you knew the consequences." The court heard that the family is bringing a High Court legal action against the ambulance service over the initial accident. The family said there were still questions which needed answering about how Tom fell from the ambulance. ||||| The mother of a severely disabled 22-year-old man was today convicted of murder despite her claim that she had injected him with a lethal shot of heroin to bring his suffering to an end. Frances Inglis, 57, insisted throughout the two-week trial that she was innocent because she had killed her son with love in her heart, and not malice. She was given a life sentence and told she must spend a minimum of nine years in jail. Tom Inglis was left severely braindamaged after a road accident in July 2007, and his mother believed he was locked into a "living hell" with no hope of recovery. But 10 members of the jury were not convinced, and by a majority verdict she was found guilty of murdering him when he lay in bed in a care home in November 2008. She was also found guilty of making a previous attempt on his life. As the foreman read the verdict, members of Inglis's family were escorted out of the public gallery after shouting "shame on you". Judge Brian Barker at the Old Bailey said: "You cannot take the law into your own hands and you cannot take away life, however compelling you think the reason." This was not an act of legal altruism, but "a calculated and consistent course of criminal conduct", he told her. "We can all understand the emotion and the unhappiness that you were experiencing. The fact is that you knew that you intended to do a terrible thing. You knew you were breaking society's conventions, you knew you were breaking the law, and you knew the consequences." Giving evidence, Inglis, a softly spoken mother of three from Dagenham, east London, had maintained that as far as she was concerned, Tom's life ended on 7 July 2007 when he fell out of a moving ambulance. He had been injured in a fight outside a pub on a Friday, and then suffered serious head injuries after falling from the vehicle. Police said they understood he was being taken to hospital against his wishes and that the ambulance door opened three times. The head injuries Tom Inglis sustained in Rush Green Road, Romford, were so serious that his mother believed he would never lead a normal life again. So when she injected him with a lethal dose of heroin 16 months later as he lay in a care home, mute and in need of 24-hour care, she didn't feel she was murdering him. She was releasing him, she told the court. He had not uttered a word since the accident, nor communicated in any way beyond squeezing his mother's hand, but Inglis felt certain he was in constant pain and would have no wish to continue living like that. Sobbing in the witness box, she said: "I know Tom – no way would he have wanted to live totally dependent. I can remember saying I felt I would rather he go to heaven than to hell on earth. I know Tom would not want to live. He had lost his life." For Inglis, who had no previous convictions and had worked with adults and children with learning disabilities, the final straw came around six months after her son's accident, when she was told that the only way for her son to be allowed to die legally would be to apply to the high court to withhold his food and water. "I couldn't bear the thought of Tom dying of thirst or hunger," she told the jury, through streams of tears. "To me that would be so cruel, so cruel. To die slowly like that would be horrible." After researching her son's condition on the internet, Inglis decided to end his misery in the most painless way she could: a drug overdose. Not knowing any drug dealers, she started hanging around places she knew drugs were sold – outside a local station, outside the jobcentre and needle exchanges – until she managed to buy the two grams her internet research told her would be enough to kill. She stole syringes from the hospital and then waited for a moment to strike. "I asked myself what I would want," she told the court. "I would want someone to love me enough to help me die. That's why I thought heroin – a painless, peaceful death." Asked during the trial whether she was guilty of the charge on the indictment, she said: "I don't see it as killing or murder. The definition of murder is to take someone's life with malice in your heart. I did it with love in my heart, for Tom, so I don't see it as murder. I knew what I was doing was against the law. I don't know what name they would call it but I knew that the law would say it was wrong. I believed it would have been Tom's choice to have been allowed to die rather than have the intervention to keep him alive." Speaking after the verdict, Inglis's oldest son, Alex, 26, said: "I want to say that all of the family and Tom's girlfriend support my mum 100%. All those who loved and were close to Tom have never seen this as murder, but as a loving and courageous act. "What this case and a number of others have exposed is a need for a complete rethink of existing laws in regard to people that have been, and will be, in the same position as Tom. How can it be legal to withhold food and water, which means a slow and painful death, yet illegal to end all suffering in a quick, calm and loving way? It's cruel, inhumane and illogical. The law simply isn't keeping pace with modern medicine and aggressive surgery, which is wrong, as it leaves too many people in such tragic and painful existences. We have a duty of care to them and we should not allow this situation to continue. It should not be left to a wife, husband, mother, father, sister or brother to have to end their suffering, and be convicted for murder." Asked if the long sentence sent a warning to others considering a "mercy killing", Detective Chief Inspector Steve Collin, the officer in charge of the case, said: "There's no such thing as a mercy killing in law." Parents under pressure: previous cases March 2008 Judith Richmond, 41, who suffered from bipolar disorder, drowned in a lake near the home in South Cerney, Gloucestershire, she shared with nine-year-old daughter Millie, who suffered from cerebral palsy. She is thought to have drowned Millie accidentally while trying to give her a healing bath. November 2007 Four-year-old Naomi Hill, who had cerebral palsy, was drowned by her mother Joanne, who had suffered depression. Joanne Hill was jailed for life in September 2008. October 2007 Fiona Pilkington, 38, left, killed herself and daughter Francecca Hardwick, 18, right, by setting fire to their car. Francecca had severe learning difficulties and the family had been subjected to harassment by youths in Barwell. July 2004 Jacob Wragg, 10, who suffered from Hunter syndrome, was suffocated by his father Andrew. The former SAS soldierRobert Andrew Wragg was found guilty of manslaughter but spared jail in December 2005. ||||| By Margaret Ryan and Sarah White BBC News Frances Inglis has been given a life sentence after being found guilty of killing her 22-year-old son Thomas. What drove a mother to inject her own child with a fatal dose of heroin when she was already on bail for a previous attempt at taking his life? Frances Inglis was described by her son Alex as 'constantly frantic' When Frances Inglis killed her own son with a lethal injection of heroin she did so with "love in her heart", she told an Old Bailey jury. She believed what she was performing was an "act of mercy" after Thomas suffered serious head injuries when he jumped from a moving ambulance in July 2007. Judge Brian Barker QC told Inglis that although the court could understand the "unhappiness" she was experiencing, what she had intended was a "terrible thing". He said: "You knew you were breaking society's conventions, you knew you were breaking the law, and you knew the consequences." He told her she has to serve a minimum of nine years in jail, although the days she has already spent in custody would count as part of that. Heroin plea The prosecution argued from an early stage that after Thomas had been injured, Inglis decided her son would not want to live the life he was leading. And during the trial a picture emerged of a mother who believed she knew what was best for her brain-damaged son. Inglis, who was doing a nursing diploma, refused to believe an encouraging prognosis from one of the doctors at Queen's Hospital in Romford, Essex. As she sat by her son's hospital bedside, she said: "All I saw was horror, pain and tragedy." Thomas Inglis suffered head injuries when he jumped out of an ambulance Her eldest son Alex told the court how his mother was convinced Tom was being "tortured" by constant pain. "She was constantly frantic and crying and just in a crazy state. You couldn't speak to her," he said. Thomas had been injured in a fight outside a pub one Friday night but it was when he came out of the ambulance that he suffered the serious head injuries. Police said they understood Tom was being taken to hospital against his wishes and that the ambulance door opened three times. Inglis, who is now 57, quickly began researching her son's condition on the internet. It was to a neighbour, Sharon Robinson, that she turned to ask for help in finding heroin to kill her son - 10 days after he was injured. But Ms Robinson, who described Inglis as a "wonderful mother who helped others less fortunate than herself", instead alerted the police. Ms Robinson told the BBC: "She said her son was lying in a hospital bed and in her mind he was dead. The hospital was infusing all sorts of poisons and drugs into him. "She wanted to know if I could get heroin for her to kill him and take her own life." "She was hysterical to say the least." Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Ms Robinson told the BBC her close friend of 15 years had been screaming and crying so much the police had had to intervene. She said: "She was mad and so upset. She couldn't be consoled. She was flailing her arms about. When I tried restraining her I could smell drink on her breath. "I asked her to think about her other children, but she said they had their father and Tom needed to be released from being this shell of a person more. "To Frankie her son was dead once he fell from the back of an ambulance. "But when I called the police it made matters worse. They had to explain to me why she hated the police and ambulance service so much." Planned moves Undeterred Inglis, of Dagenham, east London, managed to get hold of street heroin and injected her son as he lay in his hospital bed. She left thinking he was dead and went for a walk with her dog expecting to be arrested. Instead she was called back to hospital to be told he had been resuscitated. Arrested later for attempted murder she lied about her involvement because she wanted to be free to "release" her son. At her home police found letters Inglis had written, one of which read: "People keep saying Tom is not suffering. How can they know how he feels." Having survived the murder attempt, Thomas was moved to a rehabilitation centre in Hertfordshire. His mother, then on bail for his attempted murder, was banned from seeing him. But 14 months after her first failed attempt, she again injected her son with heroin and this time succeeded in killing him. She had managed to get 10 packets of heroin for £200. Planning her next move, she checked patient notes to work out when she would be alone in the room long enough to kill her son. At home she had left instructions on running the home, worried about her youngest son Michael and her dog. She said her family had no idea what she intended to do. She put a picture of Tom and a prayer Tom's girlfriend had given her on a bed, knowing she would be arrested for what she was about to do. After drinking some brandy in the hospital car park she used an assumed name to get into the nursing home. 'No choice' Alone with her son, she said: "I took the syringe and injected him and held him and told him everything would be fine." When staff tried to get in she said she had HIV. She barricaded herself in using an oxygen cylinder and put strong glue in the lock. Frances Inglis believed she was performing an act of mercy Inglis, of Dagenham, who had denied murder and attempted murder, broke down in tears as she gave evidence saying she had "no choice" but to do what she did. "The definition of murder is to take someone's life with malice in your heart. I did it with love in my heart, for Tom, so I don't see it as murder. I knew what I was doing was against the law." Inglis, who was wearing a green cardigan, sat quietly as the judge outlined her actions during her sentencing. He called the case "highly unusual and very sad" and described Inglis as a "devoted mother" who was "highly regarded" for her work in the community. One woman who had worked with her at a school for people with learning disabilities in Ilford when she was a learning support assistant, described Inglis as "loving, honourable and trustworthy". But everything changed for Inglis the day she got a knock on her door from the police one Saturday morning to tell her that her son had been injured. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version | A woman has been convicted of murder after killing her son in an "act of mercy". The Old Bailey, a London court, heard that Frances Inglis, 57, injected Tom, 22, with heroin and gave her a life sentence. Old Bailey Tom had been injured in a street fight in July 2007 and was put in an ambulance depite his desire not to be hospitalised. The ambulance door was opened three times; the third time Tom jumped out and sustained injuries that left him in a coma. He became mute and dependant on 24-hour care. His only method of communication was to squeeze a hand. Frances was told that if she wanted Tom to die legally then she could ask the High Court to allow his food and water to be withdrawn, so that he would starve to death. Frances told the court "I know Tom – no way would he have wanted to live totally dependent. I can remember saying I felt I would rather he go to heaven than to hell on earth. I know Tom would not want to live. He had lost his life." "I couldn't bear the thought of Tom dying of thirst or hunger," she said of the idea of food and water withdrawal. "To me that would be so cruel, so cruel. To die slowly like that would be horrible." Instead she used the Internet to research Tom's condition and concluded that a heroin overdose would be the most painless method available. A learning disabilities worker with no convictions, she concluded two grams was sufficient to kill and began spending time in areas she believed drugs were on sale – outside the local station, job centre and needle exchanges. Frances was determined to release Tom from his "living hell" and said she had "no choice" in the matter. "I asked myself what I would want," she said. "I would want someone to love me enough to help me die. That's why I thought heroin – a painless, peaceful death." She obtained her two grams and stole syringes from Tom's hospital before injecting him, but he was revived by nurses and she was charged with attempted murder. She was bailed but barred from contacting her son. Fourteen months later she obtained access to Tom by posing as his aunt and placed superglue in the lock of his door, further barricading it with an oxygen cylinder and a wheelchair. It took staff thirty minutes to break in, by which time Frances had injected one of Tom's arms and both his thighs with heroin. This time he died. Frances had left a letter to her family in which she talked of her concerns for her other two sons and dog, as well as the running of the house, expecting a murder arrest. On one bed she left a photograph of Tom as well as a prayer written by his girlfriend. Police also found older letter by Frances, one of which read "People keep saying Tom is not suffering. How can they know how he feels?" She was asked if guilty of murder and attempted murder, to which she responded "I don't see it as killing or murder. The definition of murder is to take someone's life with malice in your heart. I did it with love in my heart, for Tom, so I don't see it as murder. I knew what I was doing was against the law. I don't know what name they would call it but I knew that the law would say it was wrong. I believed it would have been Tom's choice to have been allowed to die rather than have the intervention to keep him alive." The jury "could not have had a more difficult case," according to Judge Brian Barker, but he told them nobody was allowed to override the law. Ten members of the jury agreed, but two sided with Frances, leaving a conviction by majority verdict. The jury foreman was greeted by cries of "shame on you" from France's relatives, for which they were ejected from the building. "We can all understand the emotion and the unhappiness that you were experiencing," Barker told Frances, later adding "You knew you were breaking society's conventions, you knew you were breaking the law, and you knew the consequences." He ordered her to serve a minimum of nine years. "What this case and a number of others have exposed," said France's eldest son, Alex, "is a need for a complete rethink of existing laws in regard to people that have been, and will be, in the same position as Tom. How can it be legal to withhold food and water, which means a slow and painful death, yet illegal to end all suffering in a quick, calm and loving way? It's cruel, inhumane and illogical... We have a duty of care to them and we should not allow this situation to continue. It should not be left to a wife, husband, mother, father, sister or brother to have to end their suffering, and be convicted for murder." Detective Chief Inspector Steve Collin, who was in charge of the case, flatly disagreed. "There's no such thing as a mercy killing in law." "I want to say that all of the family and Tom's girlfriend support my mum 100%. All those who loved and were close to Tom have never seen this as murder, but as a loving and courageous act," said Alex. |
The Pentagon is not preparing a pre-emptive attack on Iran in spite of an increase in bellicose rhetoric from Washington, according to senior officers. Admiral William Fallon, head of Central Command, which oversees military operations in the Middle East, told the Financial Times that while dealing with Iran was a “challenge”, a strike was not “in the offing”. ||||| US military officials are putting huge pressure on interrogators who question Iraqi insurgents to find incriminating evidence pointing to Iran, it was claimed last night. Micah Brose, a privately contracted interrogator working for American forces in Iraq, near the Iranian border, told The Observer that information on Iran is 'gold'. The claim comes after Washington imposed sanctions on Iran last month, citing both its nuclear ambitions and its Revolutionary Guards' alleged support of Shia insurgents in Iraq. Last week the US military freed nine Iranians held in Iraq, including two it had accused of links to the Revolutionary Guards' Qods Force. Brose, 30, who extracts information from detainees in Iraq, said: 'They push a lot for us to establish a link with Iran. They have pre-categories for us to go through, and by the sheer volume of categories there's clearly a lot more for Iran than there is for other stuff. Of all the recent requests I've had, I'd say 60 to 70 per cent are about Iran. 'It feels a lot like, if you get something and Iran's not involved, it's a let down.' He added: 'I've had people say to me, "They're really pushing the Iran thing. It's like, shit, you know." ' Brose said that reports about Washington's increasingly hawkish stance towards Tehran, including possible military action, chimed with his experience. 'My impression is they're just trying to get every little bit of ammunition possible. If we get something here it fits the overall picture. The engine needs impetus and they're looking for us to find the fuel - a particular type of fuel. 'It now really depends on who gets elected President in the US. If nothing changes in the current course, I'd say military action is inevitable. But we have to hope there will be a change of course.' He denied ever being asked to fabricate evidence, adding: 'We're not asked to manufacture information, we're asked to find it. But if a detainee wants to tell me what I want to hear so he can get out of jail... you know what I'm saying.' Other military intelligence officials in Iraq refused to comment, but one said: 'The message is, "Got to find a link with Iran, got to find a link with Iran." It's sickening.' Last week in Baghdad the US military showed journalists a recently discovered cache of mortars, rocket-propelled grenades and bomb-making materials it claims are of Iranian origin. Rear Admiral Gregory Smith, spokesman for Multi-National Force Iraq, said it was possible they crossed the border before a recent promise by Iran to stop the flow of munitions into Iraq. He said: 'Iran has had a historic malign influence here in Iraq. They have financed many of the activities of Shia extremist groups. In many cases they have done training, they have actually deployed some of their personnel here in theatre. The Qods Force (Iranian Revolutionary Guards) have come here - we know that, we've got some in detention. They have said in many cases they were not here and intend to support a more peaceful outcome in Iraq and we look for their excellence in achieving that.' Among the weapons Washington has accused Iran of supplying to Iraqi insurgents are EFPs, or explosively formed projectiles, which fire a slug of molten metal capable of penetrating even the most heavily armoured military vehicle. The number two US commander in Iraq, Lt Gen Ray Odierno, said there has been a sharp decline in the number of EFPs found in Iraq in the last three months. ||||| Rice: Iran Resolution Doesn't OK War WASHINGTON (AP) — Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday she does not believe a Senate resolution authorizes President Bush to take military action against Iran. "There is nothing in this particular resolution that would suggest that from our point of view. And, clearly, the president has also made very clear that he's on a diplomatic path where Iran comes into focus," Rice said. The Senate in late September voted 76-22 in favor of a resolution urging the State Department to designate Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. While the resolution, by Sens. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and Jon Kyl, R-Ariz., attracted overwhelming bipartisan support, a small group of Democrats said they feared labeling the state-sponsored organization a terrorist group could be interpreted as a congressional authorization of military force in Iran. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton was the only Senate Democrat running for president to support the measure. Her rivals have argued that Bush could use it to justify war with Iran. Clinton insists her vote would not support military strikes and instead was a vote for stepped-up diplomacy. On Sunday, Rice echoed that view. She said Bush was focused on diplomatic options — not waging war. "Obviously, it can be the case that he will never take his options off the table, but this particular resolution has nothing to do with that from our point of view," Rice said. "This resolution is saying that there needs to be strong measures taken against Iran, which we have definitely done." "And if the Iranians suspend their enrichment and reprocessing, I'm prepared to meet my counterpart anyplace, anytime, anywhere," she added. "So the question isn't why will we not talk to Tehran. The question is, why will Tehran not talk to us?" Rice spoke on ABC's "This Week." ||||| Elections in US, Iran could escalate nuclear row: former German FM VIENNA (AFP) — Upcoming elections in Iran and the United States could heighten tensions between the two countries over Tehran's nuclear programme, Germany's former foreign minister Joschka Fischer said Saturday. Any US attack on Iran would be a "nightmare," said Fischer during a discussion at Vienna's Institute for Human Sciences. He described as "shocking" comments on the issue made by Rudolph Giuliani, who is one of the Republican candidates for the 2008 presidential election. Giuliani said last month: "If I am President of the United States, I guarantee you, we will never find out what they will do if they get nuclear weapons, because they are not going to get a nuclear weapon." "The military option is not off the table." Fischer warned the United States not to start again a war that could not be won. An attack on Iran would noly boost Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's chances in or re-elections next year. The United States is spearheading international efforts to thwart Iran's atomic work but Iran denies Western charges that it is trying to build atomic weapons under the guise of its civilian nuclear programme. ||||| Hillary Rodham Clinton’s Senate office announced this afternoon that Mrs. Clinton, along with 29 other Democratic senators, had signed a letter to President Bush expressing “serious concerns” about the administration’s posture toward Iran and its strategy to stop that nation from developing nuclear weapons. Mrs. Clinton has been under fire on Iran from her rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination — chiefly, that she voted for a Senate resolution last month that (according to the rivals) could be read as emboldening Mr. Bush to take military action against Iran. The vote, which had support from 76 senators, urged Mr. Bush to designate the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. Senator Barack Obama, who was away campaigning and did not vote on the resolution, and former Senator John Edwards have criticized Mrs. Clinton’s vote, saying it showed that she had not learned to mistrust Mr. Bush and avoid giving him leverage despite her 2002 vote authorizing military action against Iraq. Mrs. Clinton has said that she did not vote in 2002 to go to war, but rather to continue weapons inspections, and that Mr. Bush misused the authority given by the Senate. As for the latest vote on Iran, Mrs. Clinton has said that nothing in the resolution grants the Bush administration any authority to take military action against Iran. The letter today makes that point: “We wish to emphasize that no congressional authority exists for unilateral military action against Iran.” Some senators who opposed the Senate resolution on Iran signed today’s letter, including Christopher J. Dodd, who is also seeking the Democratic nomination. Mr. Obama did not sign the letter; his campaign spokesman, Bill Burton, sent over this explanation: “Senator Obama admires Senator Webb and his sincere and tireless efforts on this issue. But it will take more than a letter to prevent this administration from using the language contained within the Kyl-Lieberman resolution to justify military action in Iran. This requires a legislative answer and Senator Obama intends to propose one.” Resolution introduced today by Senator Obama. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid also did not sign the letter, nor did the Democratic chairmen of the Senate armed services and foreign relations committees, Carl Levin and Joseph Biden (himself a presidential aspirant, who also voted against the Iran resolution). The text of the letter follows: | Location of Iran A top US commander said yesterday that the United States is not planning a preemptive attack on Iran despite increasing rhetoric from Washington, D.C. The United States Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also denied that an attack was imminent, stating that there is no Congressional authorization for military action against Iran. The denials came as ''The Observer'' ran a report saying that US personnel involved in interrogating insurgents in Iraq are under "huge" pressure to find evidence against Iran. It quoted Micah Brose, a privately contracted interrogator working for the US military there, as saying that information on Iran is "gold". "They push a lot for us to establish a link with Iran", Brose claimed in the interview, adding that "it feels a lot like, if you get something and Iran's not involved, it's a let down." He further claimed that people have said to him that "they're really pushing the Iran thing." Brose denied being asked to manufacture evidence, but stated that "if a detainee wants to tell me what I want to hear so he can get out of jail ... you know what I'm saying." The US has in the past been accused of using exaggerated and fabricated evidence to build its case against Iraq prior to the war. The article by the British based newspaper said most military intelligence officers refused to comment but that one said "The message is, 'Got to find a link with Iran, got to find a link with Iran.' It's sickening." A strike is "not in the offing" - William J. Fallon On Monday, Admiral William J. Fallon, the commanding officer of United States Central Command which is responsible for the Middle East, East Africa and Central Asia, speaking in ''Financial Times'', said that a strike against Iran is "not in the offing." "None of this is helped by the continuing stories that just keep going around and around and around that any day now there will be another war which is just not where we want to go," Fallon continued. "Getting Iranian behavior to change and finding ways to get them to come to their senses and do that is the real objective. Attacking them as a means to get to that spot strikes me as being not the first choice in my book." Despite saying this, he refused to rule out a strike against Iran in the future. "The question is, why will Tehran not talk to us?" - Condoleezza Rice Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was on ABC's ''This Week'' on Sunday, saying that a Senate resolution designating Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization does not authorize military action. "There is nothing in this particular resolution that would suggest that from our point of view. And, clearly, the president has also made very clear that he's on a diplomatic path where Iran comes into focus," Rice said. "This resolution is saying that there needs to be strong measures taken against Iran, which we have definitely done," Rice continued. "And if the Iranians suspend their enrichment and reprocessing, I'm prepared to meet my counterpart anyplace, anytime, anywhere. So the question isn't why will we not talk to Tehran. The question is, why will Tehran not talk to us?" "No congressional authority exists for unilateral military action against Iran" - Hillary Clinton Senator Hillary Clinton, who is running for President, voted for the resolution. She has said that the resolution could not be used to justify war, but rather it seeks to escalate diplomatic efforts. "We wish to emphasize that no congressional authority exists for unilateral military action against Iran," she said in an open letter on November 1, 2007. Attack on Iran would be a "nightmare" - Joschka Fischer Last week, former Foreign Minister of Germany, Joschka Fischer said that he was worried that the upcoming US Presidential election could heighten tensions between the US and Iran. He found particularly worrisome a statement by Presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani in October that "If I am President of the United States, I guarantee you, we will never find out what they will do if they get nuclear weapons, because they are not going to get a nuclear weapon ... the military option is not off the table." |
Microsoft’s decision to walk away casts a cloud of uncertainty over Yahoo and its shareholders. The breakdown in the talks is likely to send Yahoo’s shares plunging, and Mr. Yang and his team will have to decide how to placate investors. The company has been exploring alternatives to a marriage with Microsoft, including a partnership in search advertising with its arch rival, Google, which could lift Yahoo’s profit and perhaps its stock price. Yahoo has also discussed possible mergers with the AOL unit of Time Warner and the MySpace unit of the News Corporation. The MySpace talks have not been active of late. But both remaining options pose challenges. A Google partnership would be likely to attract scrutiny from regulators because of Google’s dominance over online search and advertising, while AOL and Yahoo have many overlapping businesses and technologies, making a merger difficult. In a statement issued late Saturday, Mr. Yang said, “With the distraction of Microsoft’s unsolicited proposal now behind us, we will be able to focus all of our energies on executing the most important transition in our history.” Reactions inside Yahoo are likely to be mixed. Several senior executives favored selling to Microsoft and said in recent days that they were hoping to see a deal happen. Yet other executives were high-fiving each other for defeating Microsoft’s bid, people close to the company said. While its stock may fall on Monday, Yahoo’s management was encouraged by discussions with its largest investors in which they urged management to not accept $33 a share, these people said. For Mr. Yang, Microsoft’s withdrawal is considered a “personal victory,” according to one person who spoke with him. Microsoft has spent years and billions of dollars trying to build an online business. Yet it has steadily lost ground to Google in the search business and has failed to gain significant momentum with advertisers. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Microsoft’s decision to abandon its pursuit of Yahoo is not necessarily the last chapter in the three-month-old saga. If Yahoo’s shares fall significantly, the company will be under intense pressure to act, and may choose to resume negotiations. Earlier this year, under intense shareholder pressure, BEA Systems did just that, agreeing to a takeover by Oracle soon after Oracle dropped an unsolicited offer it had made for BEA. “This seems like a very strong but serious negotiating tactic,” said Jonathan Miller, the former chairman and chief executive of AOL. “It will be up to Yahoo to come back to the negotiating table.” Newsletter Sign Up Continue reading the main story Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to. Sign Up You agree to receive occasional updates and special offers for The New York Times's products and services. Thank you for subscribing. An error has occurred. Please try again later. View all New York Times newsletters. Microsoft had threatened to pursue a hostile takeover if it could not come to an agreement with Yahoo’s management. That could have involved an appeal directly to Yahoo’s shareholders and an effort to remove members of Yahoo’s board of directors. In a letter to Mr. Yang sent on Saturday afternoon, Mr. Ballmer wrote: “It is clear to me that it is not sensible for Microsoft to take our offer directly to your shareholders. This approach would necessarily involve a protracted proxy contest.” He added: “Our discussions with you have led us to conclude that, in the interim, you would take steps that would make Yahoo undesirable as an acquisition for Microsoft.” Mr. Ballmer took particular aim at Yahoo’s discussions of a partnership with Google, noting that it would “make an acquisition of Yahoo undesirable to us for a number of reasons.” Microsoft’s decision to abandon its bid is likely to raise questions among investors about the judgment of both Microsoft and Yahoo. When Microsoft made its initial bid, it said Yahoo was an important part of its strategy to take on Google. Its choice to withdraw, after threatening to force a shareholder vote, may prompt its shareholders to doubt its resolve. At the same time, many Microsoft shareholders who did not want the company to bid for Yahoo may be relieved and send shares of Microsoft higher on Monday. For Yahoo’s shareholders, the abandoned bid may create even more uncertainty over the company’s management. Many Yahoo shareholders would have preferred that the company accept the offer of about $47.5 billion, which was roughly 70 percent higher than the company’s market value at the end of January. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Over the last three months, the companies had infrequent talks, according to people involved in the negotiations from the start who were not authorized to be quoted by name. Frustrated by the lack of discussions, Microsoft sent a threatening letter to Yahoo on April 5 suggesting that Microsoft would try to force a shareholder vote to circumvent Yahoo’s management if the companies could not reach an agreement within three weeks. At the same time, Microsoft began seeking a partner for its bid, holding talks with the News Corporation, controlled by Rupert Murdoch, as well as AOL. Both of those companies had been holding concurrent negotiations with Yahoo about their own partnerships. On April 15, Microsoft and Yahoo held a secret meeting in Portland, Ore., in which the companies discussed “social issues” — like who would run the Yahoo unit if it were folded into Microsoft — but no decisions were made. Three days later, bankers for Microsoft and Yahoo held a conference call in which Yahoo’s bankers suggested that $40 a share would be a “slam dunk” that would get the deal done. A week later, Microsoft’s deadline passed without Microsoft proceeding with a proxy contest as it had threatened. Microsoft decided that it would still try to seek a friendly deal and that a hostile bid could impair the value of Yahoo. Last Tuesday, three days after the deadline, Mr. Ballmer and Mr. Yang had several telephone conversations as Yahoo sought to reach a deal to keep Microsoft from turning hostile. In those talks, Mr. Yang overruled his bankers, telling Mr. Ballmer that Microsoft did not have to go as high as $40 a share to get a deal done, and suggested that they begin negotiations. The next day, Microsoft and Yahoo began talks in earnest, pulling in dozens of bankers and lawyers to try to reach a deal. Mr. Ballmer flew to Yahoo’s headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif., where Mr. Yang said Yahoo would be willing to accept nothing lower than $38 a share. Each dollar per share is equal to about $1.4 billion. Microsoft pushed back, saying it would pay no more than $33 a share. The talks culminated in a final meeting on Saturday in which Mr. Yang flew to Seattle to meet with Mr. Ballmer. Mr. Ballmer stuck to his $33 price, and Mr. Yang said Yahoo’s board would accept $37 a share. Hours later, Mr. Ballmer sent Mr. Yang the letter saying Microsoft would withdraw its bid. ||||| 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. ||||| Yahoo's shares are expected to fall when markets open on Monday Software giant Microsoft has dropped its three-month-old bid to buy internet firm Yahoo because the two sides cannot agree on an acceptable sale price. Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer formally withdrew the offer in a letter to Yahoo chief executive Jerry Yang. Mr Ballmer said Microsoft had raised its original offer from $44.6bn to $47.5bn (£24.1bn) - $33 per share. But he added that Yahoo had insisted on at least $53bn, or $37 a share - more than Microsoft was prepared to pay. The software giant had wanted to do a deal to be able to compete with Google, which dominates the lucrative market for internet advertising. Microsoft's new leadership will have to prove it can deliver a web offering that can ultimately substitute the profits generated by cash cows Windows and Office Tim Weber, Business editor, BBC News website Analysis: Microsoft with Yahoo dot.life blog Q&A;: End of Microsoft's bid This market was worth $40bn in 2007 and is predicted to double to $80bn by 2010. 'Distraction' In his letter to Mr Yang, which has been posted on the Microsoft website, Mr Ballmer said: "We continue to believe that our proposed acquisition made sense for Microsoft, Yahoo and the market as a whole. "Despite our best efforts, including raising our bid by roughly $5bn, Yahoo has not moved toward accepting our offer. "After careful consideration, we believe the economics demanded by Yahoo do not make sense for us, and it is in the best interests of Microsoft stockholders, employees and other stakeholders to withdraw our proposal." Mr Ballmer also told Yahoo's boss that he would not pursue his original plan B of launching a hostile takeover battle, because Mr Yang would "take steps that would make Yahoo undesirable as an acquisition for Microsoft". Mr Ballmer told his own employees that Microsoft could achieve its goals without Yahoo, albeit at a slower pace. Yahoo maintained that Microsoft had offered too little to buy the company. In a statement issued after Microsoft's withdrawal, Yahoo chairman Roy Bostock dismissed the unsolicited bid as a "distraction". Microsoft's shares closed on Friday virtually unchanged at $29.24. Yahoo's shares were $1.85 higher at $28.67 amid expectations of a higher Microsoft offer. The BBC's Peter Bowes says analysts believe the breakdown in talks may have an adverse affect on Yahoo shares and generate uncertainty among investors about the company's management. Disappointment Sir Martin Sorrell, the chief executive of advertising group WPP, said his clients would be disappointed that Microsoft had abandoned its bid for Yahoo. "A combination of Microsoft and Yahoo would have provided balance to the online advertising market place," he told the BBC News website. However, he said that Microsoft was a "resourceful and innovative company" and might still be able to provide a challenge to Google's market dominance. E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? ||||| Microsoft Withdraws Proposal to Acquire Yahoo! Microsoft Corp. today announced that it has withdrawn its proposal to acquire Yahoo! Inc. Related Links Microsoft Resources: • Microsoft and Yahoo! News Archive REDMOND, Wash., May 3, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) today announced that it has withdrawn its proposal to acquire Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO). “We continue to believe that our proposed acquisition made sense for Microsoft, Yahoo! and the market as a whole. Our goal in pursuing a combination with Yahoo! was to provide greater choice and innovation in the marketplace and create real value for our respective stockholders and employees,” said Steve Ballmer, chief executive officer of Microsoft. “Despite our best efforts, including raising our bid by roughly $5 billion, Yahoo! has not moved toward accepting our offer. After careful consideration, we believe the economics demanded by Yahoo! do not make sense for us, and it is in the best interests of Microsoft stockholders, employees and other stakeholders to withdraw our proposal,” said Ballmer. “We have a talented team in place and a compelling plan to grow our business through innovative new services and strategic transactions with other business partners. While Yahoo! would have accelerated our strategy, I am confident that we can continue to move forward toward our goals,” Ballmer said. “We are investing heavily in new tools and Web experiences, we have dramatically improved our search performance and advertiser satisfaction, and we will continue to build our scale through organic growth and partnerships,” said Kevin Johnson, Microsoft president for platforms and services. Below is the text of the letter from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to Yahoo! CEO Jerry Yang. May 3, 2008 Mr. Jerry Yang CEO and Chief Yahoo Yahoo! Inc. 701 First Avenue Sunnyvale, CA 94089 Dear Jerry: After over three months, we have reached the conclusion of the process regarding a possible combination of Microsoft and Yahoo!. I first want to convey my personal thanks to you, your management team, and Yahoo!’s Board of Directors for your consideration of our proposal. I appreciate the time and attention all of you have given to this matter, and I especially appreciate the time that you have invested personally. I feel that our discussions this week have been particularly useful, providing me for the first time with real clarity on what is and is not possible. I am disappointed that Yahoo! has not moved towards accepting our offer. I first called you with our offer on January 31 because I believed that a combination of our two companies would have created real value for our respective shareholders and would have provided consumers, publishers, and advertisers with greater innovation and choice in the marketplace. Our decision to offer a 62 percent premium at that time reflected the strength of these convictions. In our conversations this week, we conveyed our willingness to raise our offer to $33.00 per share, reflecting again our belief in this collective opportunity. This increase would have added approximately another $5 billion of value to your shareholders, compared to the current value of our initial offer. It also would have reflected a premium of over 70 percent compared to the price at which your stock closed on January 31. Yet it has proven insufficient, as your final position insisted on Microsoft paying yet another $5 billion or more, or at least another $4 per share above our $33.00 offer. Also, after giving this week’s conversations further thought, it is clear to me that it is not sensible for Microsoft to take our offer directly to your shareholders. This approach would necessarily involve a protracted proxy contest and eventually an exchange offer. Our discussions with you have led us to conclude that, in the interim, you would take steps that would make Yahoo! undesirable as an acquisition for Microsoft. We regard with particular concern your apparent planning to respond to a “hostile” bid by pursuing a new arrangement that would involve or lead to the outsourcing to Google of key paid Internet search terms offered by Yahoo! today. In our view, such an arrangement with the dominant search provider would make an acquisition of Yahoo! undesirable to us for a number of reasons: • First, it would fundamentally undermine Yahoo!’s own strategy and long-term viability by encouraging advertisers to use Google as opposed to your Panama paid search system. This would also fragment your search advertising and display advertising strategies and the ecosystem surrounding them. This would undermine the reliance on your display advertising business to fuel future growth. • Given this, it would impair Yahoo’s ability to retain the talented engineers working on advertising systems that are important to our interest in a combination of our companies. • In addition, it would raise a host of regulatory and legal problems that no acquirer, including Microsoft, would want to inherit. Among other things, this would consolidate market share with the already-dominant paid search provider in a manner that would reduce competition and choice in the marketplace. • This would also effectively enable Google to set the prices for key search terms on both their and your search platforms and, in the process, raise prices charged to advertisers on Yahoo. In addition to whatever resulting legal problems, this seems unwise from a business perspective unless in fact one simply wishes to use this as a vehicle to exit the paid search business in favor of Google. • It could foreclose any chance of a combination with any other search provider that is not already relying on Google’s search services. Accordingly, your apparent plan to pursue such an arrangement in the event of a proxy contest or exchange offer leads me to the firm decision not to pursue such a path. Instead, I hereby formally withdraw Microsoft’s proposal to acquire Yahoo!. We will move forward and will continue to innovate and grow our business at Microsoft with the talented team we have in place and potentially through strategic transactions with other business partners. I still believe even today that our offer remains the only alternative put forward that provides your stockholders full and fair value for their shares. By failing to reach an agreement with us, you and your stockholders have left significant value on the table. But clearly a deal is not to be. Thank you again for the time we have spent together discussing this. Sincerely yours, Steven A. Ballmer Chief Executive Officer Microsoft Corporation *********** About Microsoft Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Disclosure Statement Statements in this release that are “forward-looking statements” are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors such as Microsoft Corporation’s ability to achieve the synergies and value creation contemplated by the proposed transaction, Microsoft Corporation’s ability to promptly and effectively integrate the businesses of Yahoo! Inc. and Microsoft Corporation, the timing to consummate the proposed transaction and any necessary actions to obtain required regulatory approvals, and the diversion of management time on transaction-related issues. For further information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Microsoft Corporation’s business, please refer to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections of Microsoft Corporation’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, copies of which may be obtained by contacting Microsoft Corporation’s Investor Relations department at (800) 285-7772 or at Microsoft Corporation’s website at http://www.microsoft.com/msft. All information in this release is as of May 3, 2008. Microsoft Corporation undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the company’s expectations. ************* For more information, press only: Rapid Response Team Waggener Edstrom Worldwide (503) 443-7070 rrt@waggeneredstrom.com Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher Joele Frank/Eric Brielmann/Jamie Moser (212) 355-4449 Financial analysts and investors only: Colleen Healy, General Manager Investor Relations (425) 706-3703 Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.mspx. ||||| Microsoft withdraws proposal to acquire Yahoo SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) — Microsoft has yanked its proposal to acquire Yahoo, saying the struggling Internet pioneer refused to budge on price despite the software giant upping its offer to nearly 50 billion dollars. Talks aimed at resolving corporate dueling that began with Microsoft's offer on February 1 to buy Yahoo for 31 dollars per share ended with the two firms unable to close a multi-billion-dollar gap in price expectations. "Despite our best efforts, including raising our bid by roughly five billion dollars, Yahoo has not moved toward accepting our offer," Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer said in a letter postedSaturday on his company's website. "After careful consideration, we believe the economics demanded by Yahoo do not make sense for us, and it is in the best interests of Microsoft stockholders, employees and other stakeholders to withdraw our proposal." In the letter, addressed to Yahoo chief executive Jerry Yang, Ballmer said Microsoft told Yahoo it was willing to raise its offer to 33 dollars per share. The price increase added approximately five billion dollars to the bid, originally valued at 44.6 billion dollars, and reflected a premium of more than 70 percent compared to the Yahoo share price on January 31, Ballmer noted. "Yet it has proven insufficient, as your final position insisted on Microsoft paying yet another five billion dollars or more, or at least another four dollars per share above our 33 dollars offer." Ballmer said that Microsoft did not intend to go hostile and buy the company directly from shareholders. "It is clear to me," Ballmer wrote, "that it is not sensible for Microsoft to take our offer directly to your shareholders." Yahoo downplayed Microsoft's decision, releasing an optimistic statement that dismissed the unsolicited takeover offer as a "distraction." "This process has underscored our unique and valuable strategic position," Yang said in a response posted at his company's website. "With the distraction of Microsoft's unsolicited proposal now behind us, we will be able to focus all of our energies on executing the most important transition in our history so that we can maximize our potential to the benefit of our shareholders, employees, partners and users." Many analysts believe the takeover wrangling was drain on both companies and played into the hands of powerful rival Google. "Microsoft did the smart thing - they walked," said Silicon Valley analyst Rob Enderle. "Yahoo's stock price is going to come down like a rock on Monday." Analysts believe the Microsoft bid was propping up Yahoo's stock price, which will plummet now that the offer has been withdrawn. "Yahoo is going to have to convince the market they are worth more than they were before the Microsoft offer," Gartner analyst Van Baker told AFP. "They have their work cut out for them." Microsoft could watch Yahoo's stock price plunge, let the firm's board of directors take fire from unhappy shareholders, and then offer to buy the company for the same amount of money or less. "Microsoft could be rolling the dice here," Baker said. "They could be betting Yahoo's stock price is going to collapse and they will be able to get it for even less." Baker is among the analysts who doubt Microsoft would get its money's worth from buying Yahoo and think the software king would be better off acquiring a host of promising Internet startups. Microsoft wanted to merge its Internet resources with Yahoo's worldwide offerings to gain ground on undisputed online advertising juggernaut Google. "There are other acquisitions Microsoft can make which, when multiplied, could put them in a better position than buying Yahoo," Baker said. While Yahoo and Microsoft focused on gamesmanship, Google concentrated on expanding its online ad empire and assimilating newly-acquired Internet ad-targeting colossus DoubleClick. "Microsoft can now put its focus back on its core businesses and that is what they need to do," Enderle said. Google was evidenlty maneuvering behind the scenes to keep Microsoft bogged down in a troublesome quest to dominate Yahoo, according to Enderle. Yahoo tested a deal that would let Google pump online advertising revenue from Yahoo search pages. Google would have certainly lobbied regulators to stop a Microsoft-Yahoo merger, Enderle said. "I think Microsoft was being played by Google," Enderle said. "Google was going to make this as difficult as possible and would have tied Microsoft up with anti-trust complaints." ||||| Microsoft Walks, But Some See Just Another Negotiating Ploy DOW JONES NEWSWIRES SAN FRANSICO -(Dow Jones)- Yahoo Inc. (YHOO) claimed victory late Saturday after Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) said it was walking away from its unsolicited takeover attempt for the struggling Internet giant, but some observers said the battle for control of Yahoo may not necessarily be over. Microsoft said earlier Saturday that it was walking away from its $31 per share offer, which initially valued Yahoo at $44.6 billion , because it was unable to reach an agreement with Yahoo over price. Microsoft noted that it had been willing to raise its bid by about $5 billion . "We don't think its over. It's clear that Microsoft needs Yahoo and there is going to be outrageous pressure on Yahoo management from shareholders," said Gene Munster , analyst at Piper Jaffray. That's because Yahoo shares were seen to open Monday at about $21 , down from Friday's close of $28.67 , analysts and arbitrageurs said. Investors unhappy about Yahoo's prospects had driven the company's shares down to $19.18 the day before Microsoft announced its $31 per share offer. Analysts and arbitrageurs said Yahoo shares wouldn't likely fall to the $19 range because some shareholders would be betting that Microsoft was merely trying to ratchet up the pressure on Yahoo . Several shareholders have already sued Yahoo for rejecting Microsoft's bid. Microsoft's decision to walk away recalls a similar move by software maker Oracle Corp. (ORCL) last year in its attempt to win control of BEA Systems Inc. After BEA turned down Oracle's offer, Oracle withdrew its bid and went to great lengths to highlight the effort it made to reach a deal with BEA. Pressure from shareholders ultimately forced BEA management to agree to a deal with Oracle. But Yahoo Chairman Roy Bostock appeared to downplay the potential for a shareholder revolt, saying in a statement late Saturday that he was "pleased that so many of our shareholders joined us in expressing" management's view that Microsoft's offer undervalued the company. Yahoo co-founder and Chief Executive Jerry Yang was quick to declare the dance with Microsoft was over. "With the distraction of Microsoft's unsolicited proposal now behind us, we will be able to focus all of our energies on executing the most important transition in our history so that we can maximize our potential to the benefit of our shareholders, employees, partners and users, " he said in a statement. In a letter to Yang made public by Microsoft , Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said he was willing to raise his offer to $33 per share, which would have reflected a 70% premium to the price at which Yahoo's stock closed the day before Microsoft's Feb.1 offer. Ballmer indicated that Yang wouldn't agree to a deal for anything less than $37 per share. "After careful consideration, we believe the economics demanded by Yahoo do not make sense for us, and it is in the best interests of Microsoft stockholders, employees and other stakeholders to withdraw our proposal," said Ballmer. Ballmer also said he decided against a hostile takeover attempt because it would have involved a protracted proxy contest, and he concluded that Yang would take steps that would make Yahoo undesirable as an acquisition for Microsoft . In particular, Ballmer noted that Yahoo's proposal to outsource its search advertising to rival Google Inc. (GOOG) would make Yahoo undesirable to Microsoft because it would create a host of regulatory issues and fundamentally undermine Yahoo's own strategy and long-term viability. Microsoft said repeatedly that buying Yahoo would be its best opportunity to narrow the gap with Google , which dominates Internet search and the online text advertising market. In the absence of a Yahoo acquisition, Ballmer said Microsoft has a compelling plan to bolster its business through innovative services and strategic transactions with other business partners. "While Yahoo would have accelerated our strategy, I am confident that we can continue to move forward toward our goals," he said. For Yahoo's part, Bostock argued that the company is "profitable, growing, and executing well on its strategic plan to capture the large opportunities in the relatively young online advertising market. Our solid results for the first quarter of 2008 and increased full year 2008 operating cash flow outlook reflect the progress the company is making." -By Scott Morrison ; Dow Jones Newswires; 415-765-6118; scott.morrison@ dowjones.com ||||| Will Microsoft Really Walk? Microsoft insisted that it would acquire Yahoo only on its own terms. Now it said that it will withdraw its offer, after the Internet giant rebuffed a sweetened $33-a-share bid. But is Microsoft really going to walk away from the biggest deal of the software giant’s 33-year history? The company has never denied that it would take a hard line in its negotiations with its target. In fact, Microsoft’s chief executive, Steven A. Ballmer, has regularly talked tough — and may now be adopting perhaps the toughest tactic of all. The possibility of walking away was always present. Even in February, Christopher P. Liddell, Microsoft’s chief financial officer and an architect of its Yahoo offer, has told The Times that he’s willing to play hardball. “You have to be disciplined and ruthless,” he said. “You have to be willing to walk away.” More recently, Mr. Ballmer reiterated that dropping its bid was a possible strategy. In recent weeks, many had expected Microsoft to escalate the fight by beginning a proxy fight. Mr. Ballmer has never shied away from brandishing that club, coupled with a tender offer. But in a recent town hall with Microsoft employees, Mr. Ballmer seemed to suggest that a proxy fight was a relatively unpalatable option. “There’s a lot of downsides and some upsides associated with that,” he said. Mr. Ballmer’s letter to Jerry Yang of Yahoo suggests that he didn’t have the appetite for that kind of fight. He acknowledged that the Internet company would fight hard against such a move, and might take steps like linking up with Google. Microsoft’s chief acknowledged in the letter that his company had indeed raised its bid, by about $5 billion. Given its recent disappointing quarter, the software giant already felt pressured to boost its cash-and-stock bid to win over the recalcitrant Yahoo. The latest offer apparently wasn’t enough to placate Yahoo’s board, which reportedly wanted $37 a share. Perhaps Mr. Ballmer really feels that he could not in good conscience raise Microsoft’s offer significantly without doing harm to his company. But even back when Microsoft first publicly unveiled its bid, analysts said that the company could afford to pay as much as $35 a share, given its ample horde of cash. And as DealBook has written before, Mr. Ballmer is under a lot of pressure to clinch a deal. Failure to do so would be seen as a major management blunder, and shareholders could raise questions about his leadership. One sure effect of Microsoft’s move is that, absent a deal agreement by Monday morning, Yahoo’s stock will take a steep plunge. (Silicon Alley Insider’s Henry Blodget estimated that its shares may fall to the low $20s, potentially a 30 percent drop.) That threat has always hung over Yahoo’s board, who would then have to face a legion of angry shareholders — and potentially lawsuits as well. Of course, Microsoft could later try to reach a negotiated, lower deal at a later point. And that may have been the objective all along. Go to Previous Item from DealBook » Go to DealBook’s Full Coverage of Microsoft’s Yahoo Bid » | 150px Microsoft has announced it is dropping its bid to acquire one of their Internet competitors, Yahoo!, after a three-month courting effort by Microsoft. Steve Ballmer Microsoft chief executive officer, Steve Ballmer notified Yahoo! chief executive officer, chairman and co-founder, Jerry Yang via a letter that Microsoft was dropping their bid for the Sunnyvale, California based search engine giant. In a press release from Microsoft, Ballmer said, “Despite our best efforts, including raising our bid by roughly US$5 billion, Yahoo! has not moved toward accepting our offer. After careful consideration, we believe the economics demanded by Yahoo! do not make sense for us, and it is in the best interests of Microsoft stockholders, employees and other stakeholders to withdraw our proposal”. Microsoft withdrew its bid effort after raising their bid from $44.6 billion to $47.5 billion, which works out at $33 per share. However, Yahoo! were waiting for a bid of around $53 billion, which was more than Microsoft were willing to pay. Microsoft had previously wanted to takeover Yahoo! in-order to compete with Google, the market leader in online advertising. The online advertising market was worth $40 billion in 2007 and will rise to an expected $80 billion in 2010. Some observers, however, are speculating that the bid withdrawal could just be another tactic in their attempt to acquire Yahoo!. Yahoo shares have dropped since the bid was pulled out. |
Liberal member Don Randall brought a life-sized cut out of Kevin Rudd into the chamber. WHEN the PM went away, Australian democracy was at play, with Parliament disintegrating into a high-farce shambles. Anarchy reigned during yesterday's first Friday sitting of Parliament facetiously dubbed by some as the RDO or Rudd's Day Off as disgruntled Coalition MPs brandished a life-size, cardboard cut-out of Kevin Rudd and brayed for the PM. Proceedings were twice suspended after four rebellious Opposition MPs were booted out of the chamber, including one who had to be escorted out by the serjeant-at-arms after defying an order to leave. Furious over the Prime Minister's failure to show up to the controversial Friday sittings ordered by the Rudd Government last year to "allow for greater scrutiny and accountability" the Coalition decided to stage a rowdy political protest. The Opposition is angry the sittings will not include question time, have no proper votes and do not record quorum, which means Mr Rudd and senior ministers are not required to attend. Mr Rudd and Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin skipped the first session to visit an indigenous community in NSW. A sober parliamentary discussion about increasing organ donation rates descended into chaos when Nationals MP Luke Hartsuyker held up a life-size, cardboard cut-out of Mr Rudd. The somewhat stiff proxy PM was then handed to Opposition business manager Joe Hockey and other frontbenchers, to the chagrin of deputy speaker Anna Burke, who ordered its removal. Amid shouts of: "We want the Prime Minister here," Ms Burke ordered Mr Hartsuyker out of the chamber after he ignored a request to resume his seat. She then suspended Parliament for a second time. The hullabaloo in the house began after the Clerk of the Senate, Harry Evans the Senate's most senior public servant questioned whether the Friday sittings imposed by the Rudd Government were constitutional. Barely half an hour had elapsed in Parliament yesterday before Liberal MP Steven Ciobo became the first MP to be physically removed since Liberal-turned independent Paul Zammit in 1992. Speaker Harry Jenkins, who struggled to control proceedings, was then forced to suspend the sitting for a 15-minute "cooling off period". Former government minister Tony Abbott and Liberal Joanna Gash were also kicked out. Mr Jenkins warned that if the community were to have confidence in Parliament, MPs needed to behave with "decorum and dignity", regardless of their views. But Mr Hockey, who this week dubbed Mr Rudd the "part-time prime minister" vowed the disruptions would continue until the Government agreed to hold question time on Fridays. "We don't want cardboard Kevin here, we want the real Kevin Rudd here," he said. Leader of the House Anthony Albanese counter-attacked, challenging the Opposition to go to the next election on the slogan: "Kevin Rudd doesn't work hard." With AAP ||||| February 22, 2008 - 5:25PM Federal parliament was suspended twice amid chaotic scenes as opposition MPs brought a cardboard cut-out of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd into the chamber to protest against his "rostered day off". Four opposition MPs were kicked out, including one who had to be escorted from the House of Representatives chamber, as the five-hour Friday sitting descended into farce. Liberal Steven Ciobo, escorted out by the serjeant-at-arms after disobeying an order to leave the house, is the first MP to be physically removed since Liberal-turned-independent Paul Zammit in 1998. Twice proceedings had to be suspended in a bid to restore order in the chamber. The opposition is demanding Mr Rudd and his ministers face question time or votes on parliament's new Friday sitting days, which have been set aside for backbenchers. Instead of being in Canberra, Mr Rudd visited a NSW indigenous community and the flood-ravaged city of Mackay in Queensland on Friday. The federal coalition warned it will disrupt parliament again every Friday that the house sits. House umpire, Speaker Harry Jenkins, told unruly MPs they risked community condemnation unless they restored the dignity of parliament. "I understand that some members have concerns about the arrangements of Friday sittings," he told the chamber. "If our house is to expect the community to have confidence in it, all members should conduct themselves with decorum and dignity regardless of their views about particular matters - including the conduct of business on future Fridays." But the opposition remained defiant. "Unless the government does something about their conduct in the parliament, they will continue to have us press for a question time every Friday," manager of opposition business Joe Hockey told journalists. "This will make a point - we don't want cardboard Kevin here, we want the real Kevin Rudd." The opposition is also unhappy that under new parliamentary rules, formal votes are not taken on Fridays and are instead deferred to the next sitting day. Manager of government business, Anthony Albanese, said the opposition had been "reduced to a rabble attacking the good order of parliament". He said former prime minister John Howard never sat in the chamber for private members' business when it was held on Mondays. "So let's be clear here - there has been no significant change in the way parliament has operated whatsoever," he said. He insisted the new parliamentary sitting schedule did not disadvantage the opposition as it included more sitting days and question times than the previous government averaged. The changes gave all MPs, particularly backbenchers, the opportunity to put forward their ideas, he said. The four coalition MPs kicked out of the house were former Howard government minister Tony Abbott, Mr Ciobo, the Nationals' Luke Hartsuyker and Liberal Joanna Gash. Following Mr Ciobo's forced expulsion, the coalition later created another uproar when West Australian Liberal MP Don Randall brought a life-size cardboard cut-out of Mr Rudd into the chamber. Nationals MP Luke Hartsuyker broke off his speech to say: "The prime minister didn't bother to front on the RDO (rostered day off).... we want the prime minister here." Mr Hartsuyker was ejected after he ignored the speaker's request to resume his seat, and was later "named" - a parliamentary move used to suspend unruly MPs from the chamber for 24 hours. The cut-out was eventually removed after deputy speaker Anna Burke made repeated requests, but she was forced to again cut short the sitting as it descended into chaos. The coalition's indigenous spokesman Tony Abbott, speaking outside parliament, described the Friday sitting as "Australia's national RDO - Rudd day off". | Discontent with parliament having to sit on a Friday without question time, the Australian opposition parties (comprising the Liberal/National coalition) vowed to continue disrupting Friday sittings until the government bows to its demands. The vow follows a sitting on Friday where the House of Representatives descended into chaos. The opposition says it is protesting against the Friday sittings, which were ordered by the Rudd government to "allow for greater scrutiny and accountability". The opposition is furious that the sittings will not include question time, have no proper votes and do not record quorum, allowing the Prime Minister and senior ministers to skip the session. The government dismisses this by saying that Friday is a day for private member's business and gives backbenchers an opportunity to be heard. Steven Ciobo (Liberal, Moncrieff) moved a motion that there should be question time held every Friday, which led to the opposition moving a motion of dissent against speaker of the house, Harry Jenkins (Labor, Skullin). After the vote on the motion of dissent was deferred, Mr Ciobo continued to argue for his motion after being requested to return to his seat. He was eventually asked to leave the chamber, but refused to do so and was escorted out by the Serjeant-at-Arms. Tony Abbott (Liberal, Warringah) was then ejected for an hour after he accused the speaker of acting "dishonorably" and refused to take his seat. Interjections by opposition MPs continued during a discussion about increasing organ donation rates, with the speaker losing control and suspending the house for 15 minutes. When parliament resumed, proceedings soon degraded again, after a life-size cardboard cut-out of Kevin Rudd was brought into the chamber by opposition MPs. Luke Hartsuyker (National, Cowper) used the prop during a discussion about the Rudd government axing a planned Centrelink call centre in Coffs Harbour. Mr Hartsuyker told parliament "We want the Prime Minister here. I want Kevin Rudd to hear what 150 jobs...". Mr Hartsuyker was then ejected after refusing to take his seat at the direction of Deputy speaker, Anna Burke (Labor, Chisholm) who also demanded that the prop be removed. Ms Burke then removed Joanna Gash (Liberal, Gilmore) for making an offensive remark about the chair of the chamber. After more complaints from opposition MPs, the house was adjourned for a second time. Upon resumption of the house, Speaker Harry Jenkins told MPs they risked facing community condemnation unless they restored the dignity of parliament. "I understand that some members have concerns about the arrangements of Friday sittings," he told the house. "If our house is to expect the community to have confidence in it, all members should conduct themselves with decorum and dignity regardless of their views about particular matters - including the conduct of business on future Fridays." The opposition has remained definant, promising to disrupt future Friday sittings. Manager of opposition business, Joe Hockey (Liberal, North Sydney told journalists that "Unless the government does something about their conduct in the parliament, they will continue to have us press for a question time every Friday," "This will make a point - we don't want cardboard Kevin here, we want the real Kevin Rudd." The Manager of government business, Anthony Albanese (Labor, Grayndler said the opposition had "reduced to a rabble attacking the good order of parliament". Mr Albanese then said that former Prime Minster, John Howard never attended parliament for private members' business when it was held on Mondays. He then said there had been "no significant change in the way parliament has operated". Albanese insisted the new parliamentary sitting schedule did not disadvantage the opposition because it included more sitting days and question times than the previous government averaged. "The changes gave all MPs, particularly backbenchers, the opportunity to put forward their ideas," he said. |
Australia has revoked the Games visas issued for the Sierra Leoneans Another six from the African nation, detained by police on Monday, have been told they can stay in Australia pending an application for refugee status. Thirteen athletes are still missing after the Games finished on Sunday. Three of the Sierra Leoneans detained say they fear being forced to undergo female circumcision if they go home. The 13 athletes still unaccounted for include nine from Cameroon, a Bangladeshi runner and a Tanzanian boxer. Two remain missing from Sierra Leone, which saw 14 of its 21-strong squad disappear from Melbourne. Twenty-one went missing from the Games hosted by the UK in Manchester four years ago. 'Difficult life' One of the athletes detained on Monday, 19-year-old Hassan Fullah, told Australian television he feared being killed, as his 12-year-old brother was, if he had to return to Sierra Leone. The latest group of six to reappear turned up in a refugee centre in Sydney, where they were put in touch with Australian immigration authorities. DISAPPEARING ATHLETES 2002 Commonwealth Games: 21 Sierra Leoneans, 5 Bangladeshis, 1 Pakistani missing in Manchester 2002 Asian Games: 12 Nepalese, 3 Sri Lankans and 1 Mongolian missing in S Korea 2000 Sydney Olympics: 80 officials and athletes overstay visas, 11 cases unresolved The head of the Northern Beaches Refugee Sanctuary told AFP news agency: "All of them feel very strongly that if they go back to Sierra Leone, life will be very difficult for them." Officials said the athletes' cases were being considered. The Tanzanian Commonwealth team is to return home on Tuesday without boxer Iddi Kimweri, the first Tanzanian athlete to disappear while representing the country. The BBC's Emmanuel Muga in Dar es Salaam says most people in the country, including the boxer's 17-year-old wife Rukia, have been shocked by the news. "Kimweri is a very, very nice man. He likes his family and his job and I'm surprised by what has happened to him," Rukia told the BBC. The special visas issued for the Games do not expire for another month, but Australia revoked those of the 14 missing Sierra Leoneans, making them illegal immigrants. ||||| We could not find the page you requested. This is either because: There’s an error in the address or link you have entered in your browser; There’s a technical issue and the page has not been properly published; It is an older article that has been removed from the site. If you believe that this is a technical error, please contact us and tell us of the faulty page and the address shown for this page. You may find what you are looking for in one of the lists below: ||||| Two athletes from Cameroon who disappeared from the Commonwealth Games have contacted Immigration officials in Perth. A refugee advocate group is helping the two male athletes who arrived in Perth this morning. The Department of Immigration says they are in the country legally as their visas do not expire until April 26. The Coalition for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees says the men are receiving legal advice. The Department of Immigration says they have not applied for another visa. | Twelve athletes from Sierra Leone, who disappeared from the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne last week, have been granted bridging visas by Australia's Department of Immigration. The group have been released into the Sydney community. Three of the Sierra Leoneans say they face forced female circumcision if they go back. Department of Immigration spokesperson Sandi Logan said the bridging visas were only a stop-gap measure. "The bridging visa simply enables them to be here lawfully if in the period of time between now and then the type of visa they apply for requires further investigation on a country basis or a country profile, if in fact that's the type of visa and the type of investigation that's required," he said. A group of six Sierra Leoneans contacted the Northern Beaches Refugee Sanctuary - who had previously given shelter and assistance to six other missing athletes. Members of the first group of athletes told media that they feared for their safety if they were forced to return to Sierra Leone. Originally 14 of the nation's 22-strong Games delegation were reported missing. Two other Sierra Leone athletes remain at large after visas allowing them to compete in the Games were cancelled by the Department of Immigration. In total, eleven athletes are still missing after the Games finished on Sunday, including seven from Cameroon, a Bangladeshi runner, and a Tanzanian boxer. The ABC report that two missing Cameroon athletes have contacted Immigration officials in Perth. Refugee advocate group, The Coalition for Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Detainees (CARAD) says the men are receiving legal advice. The Department of Immigration says they are in the country legally as their visas do not expire until April 26. Twenty-one athletes disappeared from the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester, Britain. |
By DAVE OPIYO and DAN OBIERO The British students at the centre of the swine flu debate left as discretely as they had arrived — well, almost. At least six, who had been quarantined at a Kisumu hotel after one of their colleagues tested positive for swine flu have left the country. The group, part of a larger team of 34 students, from whom the first case of the H1N1 virus in Kenya was reported, were reportedly sneaked out in a discreet operation by government officials. Secret mission The Nation learnt that authorities in the secret mission ferried them in small batches to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, to avoid suspicion from fellow travellers. The six, all female, checked into the airport at 8am and departed shortly before midday. The rest were scheduled to jet out later in the day or today morning. The students from the University of Nottingham College of Medicine in the UK were in Kisumu for 11 days on a volunteer mission. They had visited a primary school and a rehabilitation centre for street children in Kisumu before one was positively diagnosed, becoming the first case of the virus to be recorded in Kenya. Ministry of Health officials carried extensive tests on the students, who were residing at the Duke of Breeze hotel. Their condition was found to be stable. On Sunday, sources at the airport told the Nation it was impossible for “those not in the know” to identify the students; they were brought into the airport “just like any other tourists”. The source who preferred anonymity went on: “They were brought discreetly, either one or two at a time.” Head of health at JKIA Philip Dania confirmed that the six had left the country but said: “We have not sneaked any of the students out... There’s nothing like that. Whatever we are doing about the disease, we are doing it publicly.” Dr Dania added: “This is a national health issue that has elicited a lot of concern from Kenyans. We cannot hide anything from Kenyans.” Nation photojournalist William Oeri, who had camped at the airport all night, said he was denied access into the international departure terminal to take pictures. “Law enforcers asked me what I was doing there. They wanted me out of the vicinity,” Mr Oeri said. They said they were under strict instructions not to allow journalists in. Just as their departure from the country was discreet, their exit from Kisumu was equally so. The students left the Duke of Breeze hotel through a back gate under tight security led by a highway patrol chase car. The 8pm incident did not puzzle everyone though. “There was every indication that the isolated students were set to begin their journey,” Mr John Ouma, a cyclist who operates near the hotel, said. Three shuttle buses were seen entering the hotel through a back gate on Saturday evening, manned by youth who made constant phone calls. At 8.15pm, the shuttles left, with the students aboard. Just before the Kisumu-Kericho road, two armed police officers got out of their car to block traffic from either way to let the convoy into the road from a junction. Ten kilometres later, at Masogo junction, they were caught in a traffic snarl-up as a result of a road accident there. The policemen struggled to clear the way for the shuttles through a 200-metre jam. Then they sped off into the darkness. The transfer of the students from Kisumu was coordinated by Dr Joshua Odongo of Widows and Orphans International (UK) who said they were concerned at the attention the students had generated and only wanted them back to their country. Mr Odongo said the students had come to the country through UK-based Kenya Orphan Project and hoped they would continue to support the vulnerable. ||||| By SUNDAY NATION Team The 34 British students, from amongst whom the first case of the H1N1 virus in Kenya was reported, were on Saturday night escorted under a tight security from Kisumu to Nairobi. In a clandestine Police operation, the students were shuttled from Duke of Breeze hotel, where they had been quarantined, through the back gate aboard three 10-passenger carriers. The convoy was led by a chase car belonging to the Kenya Police highway patrol after it emerged that local journalists had got wind of the transfer. The transfer of the students from Kisumu was co-ordinated by Dr Joshua Odongo of Widows and Orphans International (UK). Three shuttles were seen entering the hotel through the back gate at 6.30 Saturday evening, and left the facility at 8.15 carrying the 34 students under tight police security. Hardly had the convoy made it 10 kilometers from Kisumu town, at Masogo junction, when they were caught in a traffic snarl-up along the Kisumu - Kericho highway. The 34 British students are expected to travel back to the UK on Sunday. The students were on a volunteer mission near the lakeside town when of them was positively diagnosed for the H1N1 flu. Meanwhile eight more suspected cases of the H1N1 virus were reported in Garissa town on Saturday. Addressing a news conference on Saturday, the Garissa Medical Officer of Health, Dr Abdullahi Abagira, said initial tests on blood samples taken from members of one family had shown traces of the virus. The medical chief said additional blood samples had been taken to Nairobi for further testing and that health officials were on the lookout to contain the virus. Dr Abagira did not disclose the nationality of the individuals, but the family is said to have travelled from Britain. Their five-year-old child was diagnosed with the virus. The Health Ministry public relations officer, Mr John Kinuthia, confirmed that the child had been taken ill, but said the other family members were just suspected cases. If confirmed, this would push the reported swine flu cases in Kenya to 20 after the World Health Organisation recorded 12 cases by Saturday. In Kisumu, Health officials said they have contained the H1N1 virus even as the residents of Alendu village in Nyando constituency anxiously await the results of the tests carried out on pupils at local schools. “The delay has been occasioned by the large number of samples we took and this may take time to test,” said Dr Jackson Kioko, Nyanza’s director of public health. He said the situation was under control with the 34 British nationals isolated in a Kisumu hotel receiving their last doses of the antiviral Tamiflu medication. The students were due to travel to Nairobi Saturday but Dr Kioko said that they would be doing so on Sunday morning. “We examined the students yesterday and none of them showed symptoms of the flu,” Dr Kioko said. Meanwhile, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has asked Kenyans and foreign visitors to ignore the alarm raised by the reports of swine flu and visit various tourist attractions in the country “normally”. The Vice-President spoke on Friday night at the residence of the Ambassador of the Czech Republic, Mrs Margita Fuchsova. “Health authorities have indicated that this is a mild flu, so people should not fear. Go about your activities normally,” he said. He called on more tourists from Europe to visit Kenya and enjoy the country’s diverse cultures. “During these tough economic times, it is important for the EU and Kenya to stand together. This is best demonstrated through people-to-people contacts,” he said. Mrs Fuchsova said they decided to celebrate the end of the Czech presidency of the European Union through sports and cultural exchange as a way of bringing the two countries together. Heritage minister William Ntimama said cultural tourism was growing fast to rival the Big Five of Kenya’s attractions. “In order to showcase the country’s rich cultural heritage, we are going to intensify cultural exchanges with other foreign countries,” he said. Sports and Youth minister Hellen Sambili praised the co-operation in sports between the two countries, saying that the relationship will help to motivate Kenyan sportsmen and women to excel. Reported by Issa Hussein, Walter Menya, KNA and VPPS. ||||| The 33 Nottingum University students and their supervisor who were quarantined at a Kisumu Hotel after one of them was diagnosed with the H1N1 influenza or swine flu virus Saturday evening left Kisumu Town for Nairobi amid tight security. The students traveling in three Mololine Prestige Shuttles left town at around 8.30 pm under the watchful eye of Kenya Police. They were also accompanied by relatives of the owner of the charity organization that had invited the medical students for humanitarian works in Alendu Primary School in Nyando Constituency. The students were on a volunteer mission near the lakeside town when of them was positively diagnosed for the H1N1 flu. As they were transported to the bus station, journalist pursued the group that has so far been kept away from the media since news of the first case of swine flu broke out early this month in the country. The group was expected to board a British Airways plane destined for Britain on Sunday morning. Elsewhere, Medical personnel in Garissa are on high alert following the detection of eight suspected cases of the HINI virus. Anxiety gripped the district after news that a family from Britain had been detected with the virus. According to the district medical officer of health, Dr. Abdullahi Abagira initial tests from members of one family had shown traces of the virus. Since detection of the virus the government intensified its surveillance at all airports, screening all persons entering into the country even as the world health organization declared the virus as unstoppable. ||||| Journalists were locked out of the room in which 35 British nationals are being quarantined since one of them was diagnosed with the swine flu as Public Health and Sanitation minister Beth Mugo and her PS Mark Bor visited them. The students are sequestered at the Duke Breeze Hotel in the lakeside town of Kisumu as the government continues to monitor their situation. Mugo said all the 35 Nottingham University medical students had been given prophylactic treatment for swine flu as a precautionary measure since the entire group is considered to have been exposed to the sick student. The students are set to leave the country over the weekend. Mugo said no further new infections have been reported in the area adding that the government has a stock of 50,000 doses of Tamiflu medicine to deal with a possible outbreak of the flu. The minister also toured Alend Primary School and Hovic Children's Home where the university students had visited. Tests carried out on the children at both institutions on Tuesday proved negative for the H1N1 flu. Mugo called on members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspected cases of the swine flu and re-emphasised hygiene as the best preventive measure . 'pigs unaffected' The Kenyan government has assured pig farmers that their animals are clean of the Swine Flu. Livestock minister Mohammed Kuti said tests carried out on the pig population in the country showed that the animals were free of the H1N1 virus. He however emphasised on the need to house the animals separately from humans as required by law and to minimise chances of infections. At the same time Livestock Permanent Secretary, Kenneth Lusaka has said the Swine Flu case reported in the country did not originate from pigs, thus making pork safe for human consumption. The PS was addressing farmers during the PATTEC field day campaign to eradicate Tsetse flies and Trapanasomiasis at Koruruma grounds in Osajai Location, Teso North District. 'border screening' Meanwhile immigration officers at the Malaba border town have intensified the screening process amid reports that people arriving from the Ugandan side of the border were being extra cautious following the confirmation of the virus presence in the country. Kenya's Immigration Officer One, Roseline Makokha told journalists that all visitors arriving into the country have to undergo mandatory screening by the Public Health Officials. Flanked by Ugandan Principal Immigration Officer, Robert Karuma, Makokha said the Immigration Office was working closely with the public office to monitor the situation, adding that no case had been reported to date. | The 34 British medical students who had been quarantined due to A(H1N1) flu virus in the Kenyan lakeside town of Kisumu were transported to the capital city of Nairobi amid tight police security on Sunday. Kisumu west of Nairobi The students, who have completed their courses of Tamiflu, are expected to fly back to the United Kingdom Sunday, ending their one week ordeal in Kenya East Africa. The government's swift response to contain the disease has been impressive. The World Health Organisation, which collects data on all laboratory confirmed cases of the flu put the number of visiting students who became infected at 12. The infection spread from their fellow medical student who was originally infected in Nottingham from his girlfriend there. Public Health and Sanitation Minister Beth Mugo reported that it was Kenya's first case of A(H1N1). Test results of the primary school children who had come into contact with the students during their visit are awaited. In a further twist, eight more people are suspected to have the H1N1 virus in the north eastern town of Garissa. The eight are reported to have arrived in Kenya from the UK. If confirmed they will bring the total number of swine flu cases reported in Kenya to 20. |
Personalise your news Help Use the drop down menu below to filter stories and videos the way you want - when you want it! Pick your News ||||| Bluetongue is transmitted by the Culicoides imicola midge Deputy chief vet There have been nearly 3,000 cases in Northern Europe since July, which had fuelled fears of its UK arrival. Cattle, sheep, goats and deer can be infected, but the insect-borne virus is not thought to pose a risk to humans. The discovery near Ipswich came as Surrey's foot-and-mouth protection zone was extended after a new case. The farming industry is already struggling with movement and export restrictions imposed because of the outbreaks in Surrey. On Saturday cattle on another farm - the sixth premises to test positive since the disease was first discovered in August and the fourth in the past 11 days - were slaughtered and the protection zone was extended. Difficulty eating Bluetongue disease is transmitted by the Culicoides imicola midge. It is passed from animal to midge, and from midge to animal, but is not transmitted from animal to animal. The virus has long blighted Africa, but in recent years has begun to spread northwards into Europe. Some scientists believe that climate change could be behind its spread, as warmer temperatures have seen the biting insects gradually move north. Officials warned last month that the UK was at risk from bluetongue after outbreaks in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and Germany. This is absolutely devastating news. The industry has been fearful that this would happen James Mulleneux National Farmers Union Q&A;: Bluetongue disease Animals with the disease experience discomfort, with flu-like symptoms, and swelling and haemorrhaging in and around the mouth and nose. They can also go lame and have difficulty eating properly. "In Europe, where this virus has been circulating in quite an extensive outbreak this season, there has been significant illness in sheep and cattle and loss of production," said the government's deputy chief veterinary officer Fred Landeg. The infected animal was on a small cattle and sheep farm outside Ipswich, he said. The cow would be killed and tests conducted overnight to determine whether bluetongue had spread to other animals. It would not be classed as an outbreak unless other cases were confirmed, he said. No vaccine The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that bluetongue was different from foot-and-mouth, but many precautions already in place could help to control its spread. "This is absolutely devastating news," said James Mulleneux, of the National Farmers Union. "The industry has been fearful that this would happen in England." No vaccine is available currently for the strain of the disease that has hit Northern Europe, where export and animal movement bans have been imposed following outbreaks. There is no treatment once infected Once infected, up to 70% of a flock of sheep can die from the virus. While infected animals can recover - and become immune - productivity is reduced with milk yields in dairy herds dropping by about 40%. Prime Minister Gordon Brown was briefed after arriving in Bournemouth for the Labour Party conference, and the BBC's Carole Walker said he was prepared to chair a meeting of the emergency committee Cobra on Sunday if an outbreak was confirmed. Professor Hugh Pennington, a microbiologist, said wide-ranging zones restricting animal movements would have a severe economic impact on the farming industry. "It would be very bad news if this virus got established here," he said. In Scotland, where in July scientists began researching the midge population in response to the spread of the virus, the government urged farmers to watch for signs of the disease in their livestock. "Bluetongue can have a significant effect on the livestock sector and our best defence is good biosecurity and vigilance for signs of disease," a spokesman said. | The first ever case of Bluetongue disease has been reported in the UK. The case involves a cow at a farm near Ipswich, Suffolk. Bluetongue affects ruminants such as sheep and cows, but is not known to affect humans. It is sometimes fatal, depending on the animals affected, and presently has no treatment. The disease was prevalent in Africa for many years and had since migrated to European nations such as France and Germany, causing officials had feared a UK outbreak in the UK follows recent outbreaks of the disease on the European continent in nations such as France and Germany. Experts such as microbiology professor Hugh Pennington of Aberdeen University had suspected the disease would eventually spread to the UK. |
A jury took just 45 minutes today to clear two teenagers of plotting to carry out a Columbine-style massacre at their school, prompting claims that the prosecution was a waste of public money. Matthew Swift, 18, and Ross McKnight, 16, were accused of orchestrating an attack on pupils and teachers at Audenshaw High School on 20 April this year, the 10th anniversary of the rampage in Colarado by the teenagers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. But the jury at Manchester crown court accepted the Swift's and McKnight's defence that they had been guilty only of indulging in a "fantasy" to channel teenage angst. Police and prosecutors were criticised for pursuing the case against the pair, who had not been in trouble with the police before. One of the defence barristers said it had been an "unnecessary, heavy-handed prosecution" that had wasted hundreds of thousands of pounds. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) insisted, however, that it had been in the public interest for the teenagers to be put before a jury. McKnight's father, Ray, a serving police officer, declined to comment on the CPS's decision but said both his son and Swift had gone through "purgatory" and "absolute agony" after spending six months remanded in custody, McKnight at a young offenders' institute and Swift in Strangeways prison. Outside Manchester crown court, Ross McKnight said: "I would like to make it clear that at no time was any person put at risk. This was just a fantasy. This was never a reality. I would just like to say that during my time in custody, I have taken my GCSEs. I hope that my wish to join the army has not been harmed." The prosecution had claimed the best friends, from Denton in Greater Manchester, were obsessed with the Columbine killers Harris, 18, and Klebold, 17, who murdered 12 students and a teacher before killing themselves in 1999. It was alleged Swift and McKnight had planned a similar murder spree against their own school, which they named Project Rainbow. They would also have planted a diversionary bomb at the Crown Point North shopping centre in Denton, the prosecution said. The trial heard the teenagers had spent months chatting about the subject online, though much of the case was based on diaries kept by the pair full of hate-filled rants against the school and society. No explosives or firearms were discovered after their arrest in March, when police were tipped off that McKnight had made a drunken telephone call to a female friend in which he boasted about carrying out the plan. The trial heard a second girl had received a message from McKnight saying: "If I ever text you not to come into school don't question it, just don't go in." When police searched Swift's bedroom, they found a copy of The Anarchist Cookbook, which details how to manufacture explosive devices, and an imitation machine gun that fires ball bearings. Inside a safe were plans of the school and details of how to use acetone peroxide as a detonator. Also inside the safe was a notepad containing detailed entries about the so-called Project Rainbow. On page one was written: "Ground Zero ... Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold will rise again." In one note, Swift wrote: "Audenshaw high will be no more. Unlike Columbine, my propane bomb will actually fucking explode and I will walk from classroom to classroom killing the fuck out of everybody, then maybe people will learn." Swift is is an orphan and was brought up by his grandparents, having never known his father and lost his mother when he was aged 10. He told the jury his notes were "naive and pathetic ways to channel my teenage angst. I was 16 with a vivid imagination." Giving evidence, Ray McKnight said his son was full of harebrained schemes, such as climbing Ben Nevis in winter or creating a dinghy service along local canals. The jury cleared both teenagers of conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property. McKnight's defence counsel, Roderick Carus QC, said it had been a weak case and possibly the "quickest acquittal of this apparent gravity" that he had experienced. He said: "There is a generation gap here, perhaps because we don't understand how young people live on their computers, that we fail to understand." Stephen Turner, the headteacher of Audenshaw High School, said both were "perfectly ordinary boys" while at school, and they had done well in their examinations. During the investigation, the police flew two detectives to Colorado to question the homicide department that investigated the Columbine killings. Later, that case's lead investigator, Kate Battan, was flown to Manchester. Yesterday, Constable Terry Sweeney, responsible for criminal justice at Greater Manchester police, said: "We presented the evidence we had to the Crown Prosecution Service and, together as a prosecution team, it was felt it was in the public's interest to take this matter before the courts."Ultimately, as part of a fair judicial process, it is for a jury to decide whether there is sufficient evidence for a conviction. In this case, the jury took the decision not to convict, and we respect their decision." John Lord, reviewing lawyer at the CPS, said: "The case brought against Matthew Swift and Ross McKnight was, we believe, one that was as equally strong as serious ... As such, we felt it was in the public interest to ensure that the charges against the defendants were given the full scrutiny of a jury." ||||| UK teens cleared of Columbine-inspired murder plot LONDON — Two British teens obsessed with the Columbine shootings were acquitted Wednesday of charges they plotted a copycat massacre, after a jury rejected the notion that diary entries outlining a similar attack were anything more than a fantasy. The jury took only 45 minutes to clear Ross McKnight, 16, and Matthew Swift, 18, of plotting an attack at their high school just east of the northwestern English city of Manchester on the 10th anniversary of the U.S. killings. The 12-member panel, made up of seven women and five men, accepted the teens' testimony that they never intended to harm anyone. Jurors took the unusual step of waiting outside a Manchester court to wave and smile at a defense attorney after the verdicts. "This was just a fantasy," McKnight told reporters after his acquittal. "This was never a reality." Prosecutor Peter Wright said the teens planned to emulate the school attack carried out by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, who killed 12 students, a teacher and themselves in a shooting rampage at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, on April 20, 1999. But British police never found any explosives or weapons in the case — despite the swaggering promises. "We will walk into school and at the end of it no one will walk out alive," McKnight wrote in his diary, according to prosecutors. It would, he wrote, be the "greatest massacre ever." Notes found in a safe in Swift's bedroom promised: "Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold will rise again." Police were alerted after McKnight drunkenly called a girl and confessed to the purported plot. The teens were arrested in March, and detectives said they found cell phone camera footage of what they said was the pair making explosives, as well as a cache of extremist literature, a bomb-making manual and a map of the school. The attack at the Audenshaw School was purportedly timed for the 10th anniversary of the U.S. massacre. But it was among other suggested targets, including a shopping center, an Ikea store, and a stadium. Defense attorney Roderick Carus ridiculed the idea that Swift and McKnight had been serious about any of these plans, noting that the teens had also been excited by the idea of moving to Alaska and living off the land after watching the movie "Into the Wild." When questioned by Carus about his bomb-making plans, Swift said he'd received dismal grades in chemistry. McKnight, whose father Ray is a police officer, testified that his interest in the school rampage was piqued when he saw Michael Moore's documentary "Bowling for Columbine" with other students. He dismissed his journal entries as "intriguing nonsense" and said he was probably angry at the time. His father testified that his son was full of hare-brained schemes. Swift said his writings and plans, drawn up in 2007, were "naive and pathetic ways to channel my teenage angst." "I was 16 with a vivid imagination," he testified. The acquittal is an embarrassment for prosecutors and police, some of whom traveled to the U.S. before the trial to confer with detectives who investigated the Columbine killings. Prosecutors defended their decision to bring the case to trial, although they said they respected the jury's decision. Ray McKnight said he never doubted his son's innocence. "We are all just incredibly relieved," he said. Ross said he had taken his high school exams behind bars and said he hoped the trial had not damaged his chances of joining the military. "I would now like to put this behind me," he said. Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. | Two teenagers in the United Kingdom have been acquitted of planning a high school massacre similar to the 1999 Columbine High School massacre in the United States. Police and the Crown Prosecution Service have been criticised for bringing the case to trial. Matthew Swift, 18, and Ross McKnight, 16, were cleared of accusations they planned a copycat attack at their school in Manchester to coincide with the April 20 anniversary of the original mass shooting. They had been charged with conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property. Swift and McKnight have spent the last six months behind bars on remand, Swift in prison and McKnight a young offenders institute. Police had thought they had found a criminal plot when they were alerted after a girl received a drunken phone call from one boy talking about a school shooting. They discovered a second girl had received a text saying "If I ever text you not to come into school don't question it, just don't go in." The pair were found to be in possession of ''The Anarchist Cookbook'' and a BB gun . No guns or explosives were found even though the prosecution alleged to have video footage of the pair manufacturing explosives. The prosecution case further focused on diary entries and plans talking of how they would perpetrate the "greatest massacre ever." "Audenshaw high," wrote Swift "will be no more. Unlike Columbine, my propane bomb will actually fucking explode and I will walk from classroom to classroom killing the fuck out of everybody, then maybe people will learn." The 2007 plans were alleged by prosecutors to have included a diversion bomb away from the school, which was the main target, even though they also suggested attacks on several other buildings. Swift explained that his writings were "naive and pathetic ways to channel my teenage angst. I was 16 with a vivid imagination." The defense had focused on the notion that the plot was pure fantasy. Supporting this was testimony, including that of McKnight's police officer father Ray, that the duo had plenty of other weird and wonderful schemes. Much as the shooting idea had come from Michael Moore's documentary ''Bowling for Columbine'', so too had they discussed living off the land in Alaska after watching ''Into the Wild''. Other ideas included a winter mission to climb Ben Nevis and launching a dinghy service on local canal routes. The five men and seven women that comprised the jury agreed, and took just 45 minutes to reject the charges. They even waited for defence counsel so they could wave and smile at them. It was, according to McKnight's lawyer Roderick Carus QC, perhaps the "quickest acquittal of this apparent gravity" he had ever witnessed. He said the case was a weak one that should never have gone to court. One of the lawyers on the case described the teens as victims of an "unnecessary, heavy-handed prosecution" that was a waste of several hundred thousand pounds. British officers working the case flew to the United States to speak with those that worked upon the Columbine massacre. Later, the former head of the Columbine investigation traveled to the UK. Ray McKnight did not comment on the decision to try the case, but he did say both defendants had experienced "purgatory" and "absolute agony" while imprisoned. "We are all just incredibly relieved," he said, stating that he never doubted his son's innocence for a moment. His son read the following statement outside Manchester Crown Court: "I would like to make it clear that at no time was any person put at risk. This was just a fantasy. This was never a reality. I would just like to say that during my time in custody, I have taken my GCSEs. I hope that my wish to join the army has not been harmed." |
July 2, 2008 - 10:28PM Egypt has closed its border with the Gaza Strip after hundreds of Palestinians stormed it and clashed with police a day after the border was temporarily reopened. Angry crowds, who have been waiting for hours to be allowed to pass through the Rafah crossing, swept through the checkpoint and entered Egyptian territory by force, security officials said. Egyptian border guards used water cannon to disperse the Palestinians, who threw rocks at them. All border checkpoints have been closed, according to security sources. The Palestinians were frustrated that only scores of Gazans have been allowed to cross the border since Egypt opened it on Tuesday morning for two days following a truce agreement between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. In January, Hamas militants blew open the border, allowing hundreds of thousands to pour into Egypt to stock up on food and humanitarian supplies after months of an Israel blockade of the Hamas-run territory. The blockade, coming in response to rocket attacks fired from the territory, deprived Palestinians of basic commodities, such as food, medicine and fuel. ||||| Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations GAZA, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of Palestinian travelers broke into the Egyptian side of Rafah crossing on Wednesday, a day after being stuck between the Palestinian and the Egyptian gates, witnesses said. Some of the travelers could cross into the Egyptian territory as Egyptian forces boosted its presence with anti-riot gear. The Egyptians also opened water cannons at the Palestinians who were pushing towards the gates. Palestinian youths threw stones towards Egyptian forces at Rafah crossing and Palestinian forces that deployed on the border. Three Palestinians were reportedly injured by stones. Egypt announced that the crossing was closed following the turmoil, Palestinian sources said. The Hamas-controlled interior ministry also called on the people to evacuate the crossing. Hamas Spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said what happened at Rafah crossing "reflects the state of pressure that the Palestinians go through in the Gaza Strip." Earlier on the day, Hamas announced its discontent with the way Egypt used when it opened its border with Gaza Tuesday to allow stranded Palestinians and patients to cross. The Egyptian "is part of Gaza siege because they increase the suffering of the Palestinian people instead of easing it," said Ihab al-Ghussein, spokesman of the Hamas-controlled interior ministry. On Tuesday, Egypt opened Rafah crossing point for three days before Palestinian patients and travelers who stuck in Gaza and at the Egyptian side. But there are 1500 registered Palestinian patients, Egypt only allowed 25 of them to cross, in addition to 130 stranded people out of some 6,000 travelers, according to al-Ghussein. "The Egyptian side committed big violations and returned two traveler buses despite an earlier agreement to allow the two buses in," al-Ghussein added. The Rafah gate, the only crossing for Gaza travelers, was sealed off in June 2007 after Hamas took control of the Gaza Stripby force. In May, this year, Egypt succeeded to broker a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel to halt Israeli raids into Gaza and ease the siege that Israel imposed on the territory since Hamas ousted the western-backed Fatah movement and the forces of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas voices discontent with Egypt's procedure at Rafah crossing GAZA, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) on Wednesday announced its discontent with the way Egypt used when it opened its border with Gaza Tuesday to allow stranded Palestinians and patients to cross. The Egyptian "is part of Gaza siege because they increase the suffering of the Palestinian people instead of easing it," said Ihab al-Ghussein, spokesman of the Hamas-controlled interior ministry. Full story Israel reopens Gaza border crossings JERUSALEM, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Israel reopened its border crossings with the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, after a one-day closure imposed in what it called a response to a rocket attack from the Hamas-ruled enclave. Four crossings between the Jewish state and the Palestinian territory reopened in the morning, allowing a string of supplies into the largely blockaded area. Full story Egypt opens Rafah crossing for humanitarian cases CAIRO, July 1 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian authorities on Tuesday temporarily opened the Rafah crossing at its border with the Palestinian territories of the Gaza Strip for Palestinians stranded at both sides, the official MENA news agency reported. ||||| Egypt has temporarily re-opened the Rafah border crossing, the Gaza Strip's main crossing with the outside world. The two-day opening is to allow people stranded on both sides to cross, and for some Palestinians to enter Egypt to receive medical treatment. Earlier, Israel again closed its commercial crossings with Gaza after accusing Palestinian militants of firing a rocket on Monday. A truce between Israel and Hamas which, controls Gaza came into effect in June. Fifty medical cases were the first allowed out of Gaza, travelling across the border in ambulances. "I have been here since midnight, and I have cancer. I have my permit for three months, and I keep renewing it and there is no crossing," said a man waiting at the crossing. "Nobody is taking care of us, neither the president in the West Bank (Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas) or the president in Gaza (Hamas leader Ismail Haniya)," he said. On Sunday, Israel had reopened the commercial crossing of Sufa to allow about 70 truckloads of goods to enter Gaza. The 19 June truce agreement - brokered by Egypt - was aimed at halting rocket attacks in return for Israel's lifting of its blockade on Gaza and has been largely holding. Hamas has been seeking the permanent reopening of Rafah crossing, the only crossing from Gaza bypassing Israel. However, under a November 2005 deal, Israel can control access to the European officials who monitor it. In this way Israel has kept the crossing mainly closed since the Hamas takeover of Gaza in June 2007. Egypt last opened the border on 18 June, but only for Palestinians to return to Gaza after receiving medical treatment. Israel insists "normal business" cannot resume at Rafah until Hamas releases an Israeli soldier captured two years ago. Hamas blew up large sections of a border fence in January to allow large numbers of Gazans to stock up on goods they had been deprived of by Israel's blockade. Permanent opening has been left dependent on the outcome of talks between Hamas, the Palestinian leadership and the European Union. | Satellite photo of the Gaza Strip (2005)The border between Egypt and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip has closed again after Palestinians attacked the border. The border opened again on Tuesday, but after Wednesday's events, was once again closed. Egypt had opened the border to allow people stranded on either side to go across, and to allow Palestinians access to supplies and services such as health care. When Egypt restricted passage to only small groups of people, Palestinians began to grow restless. There are reports of stones being thrown at Egyptian and Palestinian border guards. Three Palestinians are reported to be injured. To repel the riot, the Egyptians used water-canons to keep crowds at bay. The Egypt-Gaza border is now sealed again. Hamas militants have previously forced open the Egyptian border in January to allow Palestinians to get essential supplies that have been cut off due to an Israeli blockade. Israel has since allowed supplies to flow into the Gaza Strip as per a ceasefire agreement. |
Bangladesh has unblocked Facebook after officials said the US-based website had agreed to remove caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad and "obnoxious" images of the country's leaders. Dhaka blocked the site a week ago, angered by the content. Last month Pakistan briefly blocked all access to Facebook in the run-up to "Everybody Draw Muhammad Day" - a contest planned by some users. Most Muslims consider representations of Muhammad to be blasphemous. Bangladeshi officials, apparently in response to the same issue, said Facebook had "hurt the religious sentiments of the country's majority Muslim population" by carrying "offensive images" of Muhammad. At the time, Dhaka also raised objections to images of political leaders including current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. ||||| Yes, thats the good news for about million Facebook users from Bangladesh. Facebook is now officially unblocked in Bangladesh from today(2010-06-05) 10PM. It was Blocked on 30th May, 2010. Facebook was blocked from bangladesh since 30th May, 2010 due to distribution of anti-social content. BDNews24.com Reported that Mango Telecom Services managing director, Mir Masud Kabir told bdnews24.com that he received a phone call from chairman of the telecoms regulator retired Major General Zia Ahmed, asking him to withdraw the restrictions on the networking site. Head of the international internet gateway said, “I received the instruction at 11:37pm and reopened the site a minute later.” Though BDNews24.com reported it reopened from 11:38PM but we have seen it was accessable starting from 10:01PM via both Mango and BTCL. Two days ago Govt. Official said they will be lifting the blockage as Facebook authority has responded and cleaning their site and removing that so called anti-social content. ||||| Dhaka, June 5 (bdnews24.com) — Facebook reopened in Bangladesh on Saturday night after being closed for one week. The government lifted restrictions on popular social networking site with some 875,000 users in Bangladesh at 11:38pm. Mango Telecom Services managing director, Mir Masud Kabir told bdnews24.com that he received a phone call from chairman of the telecoms regulator retired Major General Zia Ahmed, asking him to withdraw the restrictions on the networking site. Head of the international internet gateway said, "I received the instruction at 11:37pm and reopened the site a minute later." bdnews24.com/ta/2355h | 180px After a week's block, the social networking website Facebook is finally back in Bangladesh. Facebook was blocked by local authorities in Bangladesh after some "offensive" content of local politicians were uploaded and one man was arrested. The block was lifted 23:58 local time (17:58 ). According to ''BDNews24.com'', Mir Masud Kabir, the Mango Telecom Services managing director, had received a phone call from at 11:57 p.m. (17:57 UTC), asking him to lift the Facebook block. Kabir unblocked Facebook a minute later. The authorities had decided to unblock Facebook after the company promised to remove the content considered blasphemous as well as the "obnoxious" pictures of the country's leaders. |
MANILA, Philippines — ABS-CBN shut down on Tuesday evening its radio and television operations nationwide in compliance with an order from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), which had turned its back on a commitment it made to Congress that it would give a provisional license to the broadcast giant. The NTC issued a cease-and-desist order (CDO) to the network earlier on Tuesday, a day after the network’s 25-year franchise had expired. ADVERTISEMENT The network went off the air at 7:52 p.m., at the close of its flagship news program, “TV Patrol.” It was the first time ABS-CBN was forced by the government to shut down since it was padlocked in September 1972 when dictator Ferdinand Marcos imposed martial law. NTC assurance In March, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba assured members of the House of Representatives that the agency would heed the advice of the Department of Justice to allow ABS-CBN to operate while its franchise renewal was pending in Congress. But on Sunday, Solicitor General Jose Calida, who earlier filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN to have the network’s franchise revoked, warned the NTC against granting a provisional authority to the broadcaster. Cordoba and Deputy Commissioners Edgardo V. Cabarios and Delilah Deles signed the NTC order on ABS-CBN to “stop operating its various TV and radio broadcasting stations nationwide.” Cabarios denied that the NTC was pressured by Calida. He explained that the issue was “the validity of the franchise” and that its legal team had “deemed it proper to issue a CDO” despite Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra’s position that broadcast entities could continue operating while their franchise renewals were pending in Congress. He cited Republic Act No. 3846, or the Radio Control Law that was last amended in the 1950s, which said “no person, firm, company, association or corporation shall construct, install, establish, or operate a radio station within the Philippine Islands without having first obtained a franchise therefor from the Philippine Legislature.” Despite its diversification into high-speed broadband, theme parks as well as international and digital productions, ABS-CBN still relies on advertising from its TV business for about half of its revenues, which hit P40 billion in 2018. ADVERTISEMENT Prior to signing off, network executives thanked the public and its 11,000 employees. “At the start of the enhanced community quarantine, many of you continued to go to work, to maintain our broadcast,” Carlo Katigbak, president and CEO of ABS-CBN, told company employees. He said the network “has done everything and has not violated any laws,” in having its franchise renewed and Congress had acknowledged its importance. “If we have been important to you, keep us in your thoughts, in honor of all our employees,” Katigbak said. Company chair Mark Lopez said it was painful to go off the air, but the company was not losing hope. “Help us continue to pray, so that ABS-CBN can go back on air, and continue to serve,” he said. Emotional Noli Former vice president and longtime TV Patrol anchor Noli de Castro was emotional. “We will not be silenced despite this attack on our democracy and press freedom. In the face of this challenge facing our company and livelihood, we will not turn our backs on you. We, you, are ABS-CBN,” De Castro said in Filipino. The ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) and the network’s social media accounts remain active. The moves by the NTC and Calida came amid the new coronavirus pandemic that had shuttered most of the economy and regular government functions. It followed President Rodrigo Duterte’s threat to shut the network down over a feud with its owners that supposedly began when the TV network failed to air his advertisements during the 2016 election campaign. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon condemned the order, saying the NTC gravely abused its discretion. ABS-CBN could challenge the NTC order at the Supreme Court, which could issue a temporary restraining order, he said. “The Supreme Court itself has said provisional authority can be authorized to be issued where the application for the renewal of the franchise is pending,” said Drilon, a former justice secretary. No basis At the House of Representatives, Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, the head of the committee on franchises, said there was no basis for the NTC to shut ABS-CBN. “If the NTC chooses to succumb to the pressure of the solicitor general and disregard the commitments they gave under oath, we reserve the right to call them before Congress and explain why they should not be held in contempt,” he warned. Calida on Sunday issued a statement saying there was no legal basis for the NTC to authorize ABS-CBN to keep broadcasting with an expired license. He warned the commissioners that they could be prosecuted if they did. Detained Sen. Leila de Lima in a statement said Calida should be disbarred for threatening to sue NTC officials and “for publicly going against (his) clients.” The NTC’s order against the network contradicts the resolution separately adopted by both chambers of Congress, which authorized the NTC to let ABS-CBN operate pending the approval of its franchise extension, according to Sen. Sonny Angara. “I want to express my reservations regarding this because at a time of (a health crisis), people need to be informed by reliable sources,” Angara said. “It’s really disappointing.” ‘Foolishness’ Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the country needed “more, not fewer voices of a free and responsible media especially in this time of pandemic when our countrymen need right and complete information.” Sen. Francis Pangilinan condemned the NTC’s “arbitrary exercise of governmental power.” “This is foolishness,” he said. Laguna Rep. Sol Aragones, the author of one of the 11 ABS-CBN franchise renewal bills and a former reporter for the network, said she was dismayed and shocked by the NTC’s order. “I was expecting them to issue provisional authority to ABS-CBN so it could continue airing while the committee on franchises was hearing the application,” she said. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) said that the shutdown came just two days after World Press Freedom Day. “All this stems from President Rodrigo Duterte’s personal vendetta against the network, whose franchise renewal he pledged to block. It sends a clear message: What Duterte wants, Duterte gets. And it is clear, with this brazen move to shut down ABS-CBN, that he intends to silence the critical media and intimidate everyone else into submission,” NUJP chair Nonoy Espina said in a statement. ‘Marcosian delusions’ Human rights group Karapatan said the NTC move was a “blatant attack on press freedom” and “truly abhorrent” as it came during a public health crisis. “Amid the government’s militarist response to the pandemic, repeated threats of declaring martial law, the rapid shrinking of civic spaces in the country, and an intensified crackdown on dissent, the grave repercussions of the threats against ABS-CBN cannot be ignored. The Duterte regime is desperately fast-tracking its Marcosian delusions of a fascist dictatorship,” it said. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte had accepted an apology from the network regarding the non-airing of his election campaign propaganda and had “left its fate to both houses of Congress.” Cabarios said in an interview with the Inquirer that the agency’s move to shut down a television network due to a lack of a franchise was unprecedented. “As far as I can recall, this is the first time,” said Cabarios, who has spent almost four decades at the NTC. “Usually, we issue a CDO for violating the NTC’s rules.” —WITH REPORTS FROM DJ YAP, MARLON RAMOS, LEILA B. SALAVERRIA AND JULIE M. AURELIO Read Next EDITORS' PICK MOST READ ||||| ABS-CBN's Channel 2 went off air but other operations can still be accessed MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission on Tuesday ordered ABS-CBN to shut down some of its TV and radio operations, after its legislative franchise expired. Hours after the network received the order, ABS-CBN ceased broadcasting after airing TV Patrol, its premiere news program on its free channel. Shortly after, DZMM, whose anchors previously said was supposed to air until 11:00 p.m., also shutdown. RELATED: ABS-CBN's last moments before going off the air for now The NTC order covers 42 television stations across the country, including flagship and free channel 2 and regional channels, 10 digital broadcast channels, 18 FM stations and five AM stations. ABS-CBN said in a report that its online portals for news, entertainment and sports portals are still accessible. Its YouTube channels, for entertainment and news, are also still up. It also said that iWant, its video streaming service and application, still delivers content online. Cable news channel ANC is still airing, “as the NTC order does not cover cable news channels.” “Star Cinema will also be unaffected by the NTC’s cease and desist order,” the report also read. NTC order can be subjected for review The government regulator gave ABS-CBN 10 days upon receipt of the order to explain why the frequencies assigned to it should not be recalled. While the order is immediately executory, which the network complied with Tuesday, it can still be subjected to judicial review, said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. Guevarra said the network may elevate it to the regional trial court or Court of Appeals. Meanwhile, bills for its franchise renewal have been stuck in the House of Representatives’ legislative mill. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano said in an interview with CNN Philippines last week that “there is no intention” to close down the media network. Franchise laws emanate from the House of Representatives. Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III wrote in a tweet on Tuesday night: “ABS Franchise, bring it to the Senate, we will approve it!” The closure of ABS-CBN comes at a time when the Philippines and the rest of the country are grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives globally. ||||| MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Tuesday issued a Cease and Desist Order against ABS-CBN after its legislative franchise expired on May 4. In an Order dated May 5, the NTC directed ABS-CBN to stop operating its television and radio broadcasting stations nationwide “absent a valid Congressional Franchise required by law.” ADVERTISEMENT NTC cited Republic Act No. 3846 or the Radio Control Law which states that “no person, firm, company, association, or corporation shall construct, install, establish, or operate a radio transmitting station, or radio receiving station used for commercial purposes, or a radio broadcasting station, without having first obtained a franchise therefor from the Congress of the Philippines.” Thus, with the expiration of the Republic Act. No 7966, which granted ABS-CBN a 25-year franchise to operate its TV and radio broadcasting stations, NTC said that ABS-CBN “no longer has a valid and subsisting congressional franchise as required by Act No. 3846. “The NTC Regional Offices shall implement the closure order in their respective areas of jurisdiction,” NTC said in a statement. The order likewise gives ABS-CBN en days from the receipt of the Order to respond as to why the frequencies assigned to the network should not be recalled. “After receipt of ABS-CBN’s response, the NTC shall schedule the case for hearing at the earls time after he Enhanced Community Quarantine is lifted by the Government,” NTC said. What happened? The 11 bills seeking the renewal of franchise of ABS-CBN remain pending before the House committee on legislative franchises, the earliest of which, at least in the 18th Congress, was filed in July 2019. While the bills were pending in the lower chamber, House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano on numerous occasions assured that ABS-CBN will not shut down its operations even if its franchises lapses. On May 4, the same day Congress resumed its sessions from their Lenten break, ABS-CBN’s franchise expired. In assuring that ABS-CBN will continue its operations while Congress tackles the bills seeking its renewal, House leaders banked on the NTC granting the network a provisional authority to operate. ADVERTISEMENT Thus in February, Cayetano and Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, the franchise committee chair, earlier sent a letter to the NTC enjoining the commission to grant a provisional authority to operate to ABS-CBN effective on May 4, 2020, “until such time that the House of Representatives/Congress has made a decision on its application.” On March 10, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba told members of the House that they will follow the advice of the Department of Justice (DOJ), allowing ABS-CBN to operate while its franchise renewal bid is pending in Congress. Solicitor General’s opposition On May 3, Solicitor General Jose Calida, who earlier filed a quo warranto petition against ABS-CBN in a move to have the network’s franchise revoked, warned the NTC against granting provisional authority to ABS-CBN. According to Calida, NTC could not grant provisional authorities to ABS-CBN Corporation and its affiliate, ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc. because it must first secure a franchise from Congress. Calida said the NTC commissioners could risk subjecting themselves to prosecution under the country’s anti-graft and corruption laws should they issue the “unlawful” provisional authorities to ABS-CBN while not having a franchise. In response to Calida’s efforts to “pressure” the NTC, Alvarez said that the “Committee on Legislative Franchises will not be dictated upon by any individual or agency as to the manner, schedule, and conduct of its official business.” Alvarez also posted a warning to NTC: “If the NTC chooses to succumb to the pressure of the Solicitor General, and disregard the commitments they gave under oath, we reserve the right to call them before Congress and explain why they should not be held in contempt.” Ironically, Alvarez released the statement merely hours before news broke out regarding the cease and desist order against ABS-CBN. So far, the committee on legislative franchises has only held one hearing—or meeting—to discuss the matter. But during this meeting, no one from ABS-CBN or from the opposition was invited. Instead, the lawmakers decided to first draft the ground rules for the formal deliberations of the franchise renewal bid of ABS-CBN, which Cayetano earlier deemed to be necessary so that the hearings would not be a “circus.” Read Next EDITORS' PICK MOST READ ||||| MANILA, Philippines – Senators on Tuesday, May 5, slammed the National Telecommunications Commission for not keeping its word on issuing provisional authority to broadcast giant ABS-CBN, as they called the move a "grave abuse of discretion." The Senate was conducting its hybrid session when the news of NTC issuing a cease and desist order against ABS-CBN broke. The broadcast giant's franchise expired on Monday, March 4. (READ: DOJ: Order vs ABS-CBN 'immediately executory') On March 4, the upper chamber passed Senate Resolution 40, expressing its sense that ABS-CBN should continue operations beyond franchise expiry. This move was upon the recommendation of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who said that a resolution would suffice to give NTC a legal cover to issue a temporary permit. On March 11, the Senate handed a copy of the resolution to NTC Deputy Commissioner Ed Cabarrios. Speaking to reporters, Cabarrios said that NTC will issue a provisional permit. "Unless, may (there is) restraint from the courts," he said, answering the question on whether nothing can prevent the agency from issuing the permit. Tuesday's move came as a shock to senators, who expected that the agency would furnish ABS-CBN the temporary permit to operate, after the Senate proceedings. The Senate was still waiting for the House of Representatives to approve ABS-CBN's franchise before the upper chamber can act on it. The senators said on Tuesday that NTC's move was a grave abuse of discretion; was "highly irregular and improper;" and against their commitment to the chamber. Here are the statements of the senators: Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri I find it irregular or improper at this time of this international pandemic that we will cut off with a major television station that provides info dissemination. What I find highly irregular that I know for a fact that many broadcast corporations that are operating on provisional authority, meaning wala pang franchise. Marami sa probinsya. A lot of radio stations, wala pang national or local franchise (which means that they don't have franchise. There are a lot in the provinces. A lot of radio stations, don't have a national or local franchise). Maybe ABS-CBN seek redress to Supreme Court because they could cite many instances where the NTC gave provisional authority for those who are still applying, who haven't gotten their franchises. I believe they can ask for a temporary restraining order. Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon I enjoin in condemning this act of NTC as being contrary to law and in grave abuse of discretion. Firstly, there's enough precedence. It's the Supreme Court itseld that said that a provisional authority can be authorized if there renewal of franchise is pending. The Secretary of Justice himself said with the concurrence of the two houses with the matter pending, the NTC can issue the provisional authority. I would join the opinion of the majority leader that indeed the remedy is only in the Supreme Court. There is no harm to allow ABS-CBN to continue. And it is even to the benefit of the public that info flows in these very diffucult times. Senator Francis Pangilinan This is plain and simple – grave abuse of governmental power. It is abusive, abitrary, no less than the NTC released, issued, hundreds of provisional authorities to hundreds of broacasting companies aroudn the country who have franchise, but whose franchises are pending approval. So why single out ABS-CBN? Ito ang nakakalungkot. Over 10,000 employees of ABS-CBN are now in limbo because of this cease and desist order. Samantala, ang mga POGO operations pinabubukas. Inuuna pa ang Chinese nationals at negosyo nila at 'yung mahigit sampung libo nating mga kababayan, gusto nila mawalan trabaho. Apart from that of course, yung malayang pamamahayag. Information is critial during this pandemic. (This is what's saddening. Over 10,000 employees of ABS-CBN are now in limbo because of this cease and desist order. Meanwhile, they allowed POGO operations to resume. They placed priority to Chinese nationals and their businesses over our more than 10,000 citizens, whose jobs will be lost. Apart from that, of course, is the issue on press freedom.) Senator Sonny Angara [It] seems ill-advised and heavy-handed from the standpoint of law and public policy. Both houses of Congress and the Department of Justice issued opinions/resolutions in favor of the issuance of a provisional authority for the media entity to operate, pending congressional deliberations on its legislative franchise renewal. Secondly, there is the risk of many people losing their jobs or livelihoods in what is a very difficult economic environment. Thirdly, people will also lose a valuable source of reliable information in the middle of a pandemic when our people need reliable information more than ever. Senator Grace Poe The ball is in the court of Congress if they pass the franchise. I don't think there's a problem with us solving this issue. ABS and other networks continue to pay their talents even if they’re not working. With this development and with no security of their revenue stream in the coming months, I'm afraid many will lose that benefit of having some sort of support while there’s no work. I think this is another angle that needs to be looked at by the NTC. Ngayon pa sila magpapasara kung kailan ang daming walang trabaho. At least ito, naaalagaan at di dapat sa gobyerno umasa. (They would really have to shutdown ABS-CBN when there are Filipinos who have lost their jobs. At least ABS-CBN took care of their employees and did not ask for government aid.) Senator Risa Hontiveros We need more – not fewer – voices of a free and responsible media and press. Meron na nga pong panahon ng pandemic at kailangan ng ating mga kababayan ng kumpleto at tamang impormasyon tungkol sa paano tayo maakahon sa krisis na to. (We are at a time of a pandemic and we need our citizens to have complete and right information so that we can get over this crisis.) Senator Joel Villanueva We were expecting the NTC to grant ABS-CBN a provisional authority to continue its operations because it has done so previously. The current resolution of NTC is disappointing. To issue this in times of COVID-19 when people need jobs to survive the pandemic is just heartless considering congressional hearings have shown that the station has not violated any law to justify none extension of franchise. I also re-echo the statement of DOJ that on the basis of grounds of equity, the station should be allowed to operate while waiting for the renewal of its franchise. Both the Senate and the House of Representatives agree on this. Such move of the NTC is unfair. Senator Bong Revilla The cease and desist order issued by NTC on ABSCBN is sadly not in accordance with its commitment to Congress and the Senate. Ito ang gusto nating iwasan noon nang sabihin nating kailangan aksyunan agad ng Kongreso ang prangkisa. Naiwasan na sana humantong sa ganito. Sinabi ng NTC na sapat na ang resolution ng Senado at sulat ng Kamara upang mabibigyan ang ABSCBN ng provisional authority, then this happens. Nakakalungkot para sa mga libo-libong manggagawa ng ABSCBN na mawawalan ng trabaho. ABSCBN has legal remedies that they can pursue as they should. (This is what we want to avoid when we said that Congress should act on the franchise. Had Congress acted, then we have prevented this situation. The NTC said that the Senate resolution is already suffice, then this happens. This is saddening for thousands of ABS-CBN workers who will lose their jobs.) Senator Bong Go The matter of allowing ABS-CBN to operate after the National Telecommunications Commission issued a cease-and-desist Order against the media corporation is now with the House of Representatives. There is a bill seeking to renew the franchise of the media corporation now pending before the lower House. Now that session has already resumed, I am urging the House of Representatives to act on this matter with due haste. Upon reaching the Senate and once we have had a chance to conduct our own hearings on the matter, that is when I will decide and vote according to my conscience and the interest of the Filipino people. – Rappler.com ||||| Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 27) — Upon the wish of President Rodrigo Duterte, ABS-CBN says it is donating the ₱2.6 million refund that the network was supposed to pay to him for unaired political advertisements during the 2016 elections. "We will coordinate with the President's office as it relates to his guidance on donating the refund to a charitable institution," the embattled ABS-CBN network said in a statement on Thursday. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a media briefing said there is no need for guidance. "Just donate it to your favorite charitable organization," he said, addressing the station. ABS-CBN said it is "grateful and humbled" that the President accepted the apology they made during a congressional hearing. During a legislative inquiry into the network's franchise woes, ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak publicly apologized for "offending" Duterte when it aired an advertisement that questioned if a tough-talking, cursing politician would be a good fit for president. Katigbak also disclosed that the network could not find airtime for Duterte's advertisements in 2016 since slots for local ads were limited to just two minutes per hour. Katigbak said ABS-CBN refunded about ₱4 million to Duterte, but got delayed in returning the remaining ₱2.6 million. He said the President's camp refused to accept the delayed refund. Duterte won the 2016 presidential polls and has since publicly spoken about his ire against ABS-CBN for not airing his political ads. He previously vowed to put the channel and its subsidiaries out of business, even telling its executives to just sell the company. Malacañang has said the threats should not be taken literally, and that the President has nothing to do with the challenges ABS-CBN is facing regarding the renewal of its franchise. In a chance interview with reporters on Wednesday, Duterte accepted ABS-CBN's apology, but was silent on whether he will support the network's franchise renewal bid. He stressed that he will not interfere with the pending bills in Congress. He also refused to say whether he will approve or reject a bill passed by Congress granting the media giant another 25-year franchise. ||||| MANILA, Philippines – While the House of Representatives wouldn't deliberate yet on the bills seeking to renew the franchise of broadcast giant ABS-CBN, the Senate committee on public services started the ball rolling on Monday, February 24, with a hearing on the network's compliance with the terms of its franchise that's about to expire. Amid criticisms by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, himself a former senator, that the upper chamber was encroaching on the House's power, senators said it had been a longstanding tradition of the Senate to hear such bills while waiting for the House's approved version. Public services panel chair Grace Poe previously said what they were tackling was ABS-CBN's compliance with the terms and conditions of its franchise since Solicitor General Jose Calida had filed a quo warranto petition against the network, accusing it of violating its franchise terms. Information gathered from the investigation would guide the Senate on whether to approve bills seeking to give ABS-CBN a fresh franchise. Republic Act 7966 that grants ABS-CBN's franchise is set to expire 25 years from March 30, 1995, but since the law became effective only 15 days after its publication on April 19 of that year, the justice department says the franchise actually expires on May 4, 2020. The committee also sought to take up the resolution seeking to extend the media giant's franchise until the end of 18th Congress in 2022 while the billse seeking to grant a 25-year franchise has yet to be passed. (READ: What's taking Congress so long to tackle ABS-CBN's franchise?) At the hearing on Monday, senators asked resource persons from government agencies, as well as ABS-CBN executives, to set the record straight on allegations against the network. The network was cleared over issues of taxes, labor conditions, pay-per-view service, and Philippine Depositary Receipts. Taxes The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) on Monday said that the media giant had fully complied with the tax requirements of the government. "They are regularly filing and paying their taxes for the past number of years," said Simplicio Cabantac Jr, BIR Large Taxpayers Service head. Getting permission fro ABS-CBN executives present to disclose the company's tax payments, Cabantac said it paid at least P14.398 billion from 2016 to 2019. ABS-CBN president and CEO Carlo Katigbak said the company withheld from its employees and remitted to the BIR a total of P8.859 billion in income tax payments from 2009 to 2018. In 2019, ABS-CBN settled P152.44 million in tax payments with the BIR, to pay its assessed deficiency in income tax, value-added tax, and documentary stamp tax payments. Labor conditions Former ABS-CBN corporate services head Mark Nepomuceno said the Department of Labor and Employment had just cleared the media giant for its compliance with general labor standards, occupational safety and health, and security of tenure. Answering questions from senators, Nepomuceno explained that the media network had a total of 11,071 workers, of which 5,918 were directly hired by Channel 2. Nepomuceno also told the Senate hearing that the media giant's employees even get "above the mandated benefits of the government." Senator Joel Villanueva asked Nepomuceno if ABS-CBN was practicing the end-of-contract scheme, to which the latter categorically said, "No." For program employees, Nepomuceno said that ABS-CBN also contributed to their mandatory employee benefits, such as Social Security System, Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Pag-IBIG Fund payments. In the case of independent contractors, such as artists, writers, and directors, Nepomuceno said that it depended on the contract negotiation. But Nepomuceno gave assurances that the "bulk" of the contractors were provided with the mandatory benefits, "among other benefits." "For so long that ABS-CBN can afford to do it, we will continue to find ways to better take care of our employees, but it has to be done in ways that allows us to sustain the help and the caring that we give them," Katigbak said. Pay-per-view Lawmakers also probed the network’s "Kapamilya Box Office" or KBO pay-per-view service through its ABS-CBN TV Plus digital box, which is under the franchise of ABS-CBN Convergence. Solicitor General Calida’s quo warranto case had questioned the KBO service, saying ABS-CBN’s broadcasting franchise does not allow it to offer conditional access – that is, to charge customers for access to certain content otherwise unavailable on its free channels. Responding to a question from Senator Ronald dela Rosa, Telecommunications Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba reiterated an opinion from Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra that franchise laws cover "commercial purposes," such as the offering of a pay-per-view service. Section 1 of Republic Act 7908, which allows ABS-CBN Convergence's broadcast operations, states that: "[It is] hereby granted a franchise to construct, operate, and maintain, for commercial purposes." (READ: ABS-CBN case: Testing the limits of corporate structuring practices) But Cordoba said that ABS-CBN introduced the service even without the National Telecommunications Communications (NTC) guidelines yet. The fine for such violation, Cordoba said, amounts to a measly P200. If there are penalties, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph Recto said that the NTC can just impose a fine on ABS-CBN, rather than shutting it down. Asked by Recto if ABS-CBN has any standing penalties with the NTC, Cordoba said, "None." PDRs The inquiry touched on the network’s issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs), an investment instrument that Calida alleged as a form of foreign ownership if issued to non-Filipino investors. Poe and Sherwin Gatchalian sought clarification from Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Commissioner Ephyro Amatong as to whether a company’s PDRs do constitute foreign ownership. (READ: EXPLAINER: Is Calida's ABS-CBN PDR theory bad for business?) Amatong explained that a legal interpretation from 1999 stated that PDRs were not equivalent to certificates of ownership. However, jurisprudence on the definition of PDRs – whether they amount to ownership similar to shares of stock – has evolved in recent years, Amatong added. Poe pointed out that companies with PDRs should then have been notified of any changes in the legal opinion or interpretation of the investment instrument, and should have been given an opportunity to rectify and fulfill the legal requirement on Filipino ownership, which for media companies is supposed to be 100%. Issuing PDRs is a common practice among Philippine companies including media outfits. In the hearing, Amatong said that GMA and Rappler are among several other companies that had issued PDRs. The SEC in 2018 attempted to revoke Rappler's license to operate over its issuance of PDRs to the Omidyar Network. Rappler appealed the case, which has been remanded to the SEC for review. The SEC has yet to issue a resolution on Rappler’s case. At the hearing, Amatong said that PDRs may differ among companies, and violations in one would not necessarily entail violations in others. Poe then asked Amatong whether the SEC has reviewed the PDRs of companies for violations. The SEC has not done such a review, Amatong replied, adding that he "would rather not make a categorical statement at this time" as to whether there are violations in ABS-CBN’s PDRs, given the pending case at the Supreme Court. While it seemed that the Senate hearing helped ABS-CBN clarify the issues hurled at them, the route to renewing the network's franchise remained unclear. Poe said that the Senate committee on public services has yet to decide if there will be another hearing, but in the meantime will "work with the Department of Justice closely." Guevarra, however, divulged to reporters that he had no intention of issuing a formal legal opinion to NTC. Guevarra's position is that the NTC can issue a provisional authority – which it can withdraw anytime – to ABS-CBN to let it operate beyond its franchise expiry on the basis of the principle of equity. In a media interview, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said that the granting of a provisional permit is a measure that would be done on "shaky ground." The ideal situation still, he said, is to pass a resolution to extend the franchise until the end of 18th Congress. Even then, Congress has around 7 session days before it adjourns on March 13. It will be back on May 4, on the same day of the ABS-CBN's franchise expires. "I myself admit that there is a chilling effect dahil NTC lamang ang magbibigay ng provisional authority, na ibig sabihin ay puwedeng i-withdraw anytime (because only NTC has the power to grant a provisional authority which means that it can be withdrawn anytime), especially that NTC is a quasi-judicial body under the executive department," Drilon said. – Rappler.com STORIES FROM THE FEBRUARY 24 SENATE HEARING: ||||| MANILA, Philippines (4th UPDATE) – After weeks of speculation, and only more than a month before ABS-CBN's franchise expires, Solicitor General Jose Calida again pushed legal boundaries by filing on Monday, February 10, a quo warranto petition against network giant ABS-CBN. Calida himself filed the petition before the Supreme Court (SC) past 9 am on Monday. The "Very Urgent Omnibus Motion" asked the SC to nullify the franchises of ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Convergence, Inc "as they are unlawfully exercising their legislative franchises." Asked by Rappler if the petition was meant to revoke the network giant's franchise, Calida said "yes." Calida didn't grant interview to the media but released a statement accusing ABS-CBN of "highly abusive practices benefitting a greedy few at the expense of millions of its loyal subscribers." Calida also accused ABS-CBN of a form of foreign ownership, citing the network's Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs). "The media giant [has] been hiding behind an elaborately crafted corporate veil and [has] been allowing foreign investors to take part in the ownership of a Philippine mass media entity," Calida said in the statement. "Like Rappler, ABS-CBN had issued Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDR) through ABS-CBN Holdings Corporation to foreigners, in violation of the foreign ownership restriction on mass media in the Constitution," added Calida. Calida said this is "gross violation of the foreign interest restriction of mass media provided under Section 11, Article XVI of the Constitution." ABS-CBN has yet to issue a statement as of posting. Rappler maintains that raising capital through PDRs is aligned with Constitution and approved by Philippine courts. 'Abuses'? A quo warranto petition is filed by the solicitor general or a public prosecutor to void the position of a public officer if he or she is found to have usurped office or disqualified from the post, as what they did to ousted chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. Section 1(c) of Rule 66 said the petition can also be filed against "an association which acts as a corporation within the Philippines without being legally incorporated or without lawful authority so to act." Calida said, to use the wording of the provision, that ABS-CBN has been unlawfully exercising their franchise by "broadcasting for a fee, which is beyond the scope of its legislative franchise." Calida hit ABS-CBN's products like ABS-CBN TV Plus, KBO Channel, and calling them "pay-per-view channel without prior approval or permit from the National Telecommunications Commission." "While it is true that broadcasting is a business, the welfare of the people must not be sacrificed in the pursuit of profit," said Calida. Expiring soon ABS-CBN's 25-year franchise will expire on March 30. The House of Representatives has been sitting on the bills that aim to renew the franchise, although Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano has committed committee deliberations on the measures. The law that gave ABS-CBN the franchise, RA 7966, is silent on whether there is a grace period during which ABS-CBN can continue to operate while it waits for the renewal of its franchise. As many as 11,000 jobs are on the line, according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), in what can be the worst threat to ABS-CBN since its closure and takeover during the Marcos Martial Law period. The NUJP has been holding weekly Friday protests to call on the government to renew the franchise. President Rodrigo Duterte has consistently ranted against ABS-CBN, often complaining that the network did not air his political ads despite payment during the campaign. As Duterte badgers the Lopezes to sell ABS-CBN, speculations mount that the President's campaign donor, Dennis Uy, may be a potential buyer. No deal has been made. – Rappler.com ||||| MANILA, Philippines – With the clock ticking before its franchise expiration on March 30, leading TV network ABS-CBN depends on at least 9 bills filed with Congress seeking a renewal. ABS-CBN's television broadcast arm would have to cease operations if the renewal is not granted on time. However, they may still be able to operate by distributing its content onto other media platforms, such as online and through the company's publishing and movie production arms. (READ: Duterte’s ace against ABS-CBN, the Philippines’ biggest network) Here’s what you need to know about the company’s years-long tussle with the government under President Rodrigo Duterte: March 30, 1995 ABS-CBN’s franchise is approved through Republic Act No. 7966, with an expiration date on March 30, 2020. (FAST FACTS: What you should know about ABS-CBN) May 5, 2016 During the 2016 elections campaign period, ABS-CBN airs an advertisement showing clips of Duterte cursing, uttering a controversial rape remark, and saying he is ready to kill. Senator Antonio Trillanes IV paid for this ad. ABS-CBN later says that it was “duty-bound to air a legitimate ad.” June 11, 2016 ABS-CBN says they applied for early renewal in 2014 through the normal legislative process. However, due to time constraints, ABS-CBN withdraws, opting to seek renewal in the 17th Congress. “Claims that the franchise will not be extended are purely speculative,” ABS-CBN says in a statement. November 10, 2016 Nueva Ecija Representative Micaela Violago files House Bill (HB) 4349 in the 17th Congress. The bill seeks to renew the franchise for another 25 years. March 30, 2017 Duterte calls ABS-CBN and newspaper Philippine Daily Inquirer “bastos (rude)” for allegedly reporting unfair news about him and writing in favor of the interests of the owners. He says that one day, “karma will come” to them. He says the Inquirer is “bullshit” and that ABS-CBN “published trash.” Duterte calls the Prietos and Lopezes, the respective owners of the companies, “oligarchs and elites.” In response, the Inquirer says it has “upheld the highest standards of excellence in journalism” since its founding in 1985. March 31, 2017 The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) calls out Duterte for lashing out against the media, saying it was a “brazen abuse of your immense power as chief executive of this land and only shows how little, if any, appreciation you have of democracy and governance.” April 6, 2017 ABS-CBN Chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III says that the administration's anger triggered by the reports is “part and parcel” of the work of a media institution. ABS-CBN maintains that the company has observed “fair and balanced” reporting. April 27, 2017 Duterte accuses ABS-CBN of “swindling,” claiming that the network did not show his political ads during the 2016 campaign although they were already paid for. These comments come just a few days after Duterte renewed the franchise of GMA Network, ABS-CBN’s rival, for another 25 years. Meanwhile, HB 4349 remains at the committee level. Duterte tells Congress, “No need to renew it.” May 19, 2017 Duterte says he will file charges of “multiple syndicated estafa” against ABS-CBN, in a speech at an event launch of housing designs for the military and police. “Kawalang hiya ninyo, kapal ng mukha ninyo, putang-ina ninyo, leche kayo (You have no shame, your faces are too thick, you sons of bitches),” he says, addressing ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III. "Gabby Lopez, I paid ABS-CBN P2.8 million....You accepted my money, you never bothered to show my propaganda (political advertisements). After the elections, you didn't return the money," he adds. He says other candidates such as his running mate Alan Peter Cayetano and vice presidential candidate Francis Escudero experienced the same. August 3, 2018 The President repeats his threat to block ABS-CBN’s franchise in a speech at the inauguration of a drug rehabilitation facility in Bukidnon. He challenges ABS-CBN executives to let him slap them if records show he has less than P40 million in his bank accounts. June 12, 2019 The Philippine Star reports that the House of Representatives froze HB 4349. A lawmaker, who requested anonymity, says no action on any bill seeking to renew the ABS-CBN franchise would be taken as long as the network still has issues with the President. ABS-CBN later says it is unable to comment on or clarify this report. July 1, 2019 HB 4349 lapses after 17th Congress adjourns, but its same sponsor Representative Micaela Violago refiles the first bill in the 18th Congress to extend ABS-CBN’s franchise. October 29, 2019 House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano announces they are set to deliberate on the franchise renewal. At this point, there are at least 5 bills filed that seek to renew ABS-CBN’s franchise. December 3, 2019 In a speech before new Malacañang officials, Duterte says he is still angry with ABS-CBN, telling the network, “If you expect that (the franchise) will be renewed, I’m sorry. I will see to it that you’re out.” This is the third time Duterte reiterates this threat. December 4, 2019 Cayetano says they will no longer tackle the franchise renewal bills for the remainder of 2019, saying there will be “more than enough time” for deliberations in 2020. Although Cayetano said earlier he has a “personal complaint” against ABS-CBN for "unjust meddling" in the 2016 elections, he gave assurances there will be “fair” deliberation in the House. House Minority Leader Bienvenido Abante Jr says the majority congressmen "might perhaps toe the line" with Duterte, which would make it “almost next to impossible” to renew the franchise. December 30, 2019 Duterte tells ABS-CBN it would be better to “just sell” the network, remarking that Congress renewing the franchise is unlikely. January 2, 2020 House Committee on Legislative Franchises Chair Franz Alvarez promises his committee would deliberate on the franchise renewal bills. He tells ABS-CBN that securing a franchise from Congress is “not a right, but a privilege.” – Rappler.com Editor's note: We have clarified that the non-renewal of ABS-CBN's franchise would primarily affect its television broadcasting arm. ||||| President Rodrigo Duterte, addressing ABS-CBN chairman Gabby Lopez, launches another curse-filled tirade against the TV network MANILA, Philippines – In another rage-filled outburst against ABS-CBN, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that he will file charges of "multiple syndicated estafa" against the television network. "I'm telling you now, I will be filing charges of multple syndicated estafa," he said in his speech at the launch of housing designs for the military and police in Davao City on Friday, May 19. He quickly followed this up with a slew of curses: "Kawalang hiya ninyo, kapal ng mukha ninyo, putangina ninyo leche kayo (You have no shame, your faces are too thick, you sons of bitches)." At the start of his rant, he addressed ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio "Gabby" Lopez III. "Gabby Lopez, I paid ABS-CBN P2.8 million....You accepted my money, you never bothered to show my propaganda (political advertisements). After the elections, you didn't return the money," said Duterte. The President claimed political advertisements of other candidates met the same fate. These candidates include his running mate, Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano; and Senator Francis Escudero, a vice-presidential candidate. Duterte had earlier vowed to block the renewal of ABS-CBN's 25-year legislative franchise which grants it the right to operate as a broadcasting firm. Its current franchise will expire while Duterte is still in power. House Bill 4349 seeking to renew the franchise is still at the committee level. (READ: ABS-CBN franchise not for urgent renewal, clarifies lawmaker) The day Duterte was giving his speech, ABS-CBN held a briefing for its investors in Makati. Spurns press freedom Duterte spurned "press freedom" as a shield for ABS-CBN, saying the network's act of supposedly "stealing" from politicians like him means they had it coming. "Press freedom, kayo 'yung number one magnanakaw ayaw niyo isauli, 'yung propiedad, press freeedom (Press freedom, you are the number one thief, you don't want to return, what belongs to us, press freedom)?" he said. He said it was his "constitutional right" to express his anger against media. "Us, how about our freedom? We have our freedom of expression to express our anger and that is also my constituional right. You are bullshit," he said. After another slew of insults, he ended his speech abruptly by saying: "You want to know my sentiments? Fuck you. Salamat (Thank you)." Lobbing insults and threats against media outfits has been a fixture in recent speeches of the President. In particular, he has called out ABS-CBN and the Philippine Daily Inquirer. While initially he pointed out their supposedly biased news, he eventually began targeting their owners, the Lopez, Prieto, and Rufino families. Both media outfits have denied allegations of unfair or inaccurate news. – Rappler.com | Following the expiry of broadcast corporation 's legislative franchise, the Philippine government issued a cease and desist order dated yesterday, forcing the shut-down of broadcasting operations by the company. Later in the evening, the network signed off and went off-air. The last time the Philippine government ordered the network to shut down was during the martial law imposed by former Philippine President back in 1972. ABS-CBN logo. Republic Act No. 3846, also known as the "Radio Control Law", states "no person, firm, company, association, or corporation shall construct, install, establish, or operate a radio transmitting station, or radio receiving station used for commercial purposes, or a radio broadcasting station, without having first obtained a franchise therefor from the Congress of the Philippines." Since ABS-CBN's legislative franchise, Republic Act No. 7966, expired on Monday, the network no longer had a valid franchise to continue airing their programs. The (NTC) issued a cease and desist order to the network yesterday, and in compliance, the network signed off that night. The network tried to renew their franchise as early as July 2019, but all eleven of the legislative bills filed have been stuck in . The franchise of ABS-CBN expired on Monday, the same day Congress reconvened after their Break, which began on March 13. Though the NTC is allowed to provide the network a provisional license while its application to the Congress is still being decided upon, the commission refused to provide the network with said license. A number of condemned the act of the NTC, citing the move as a "grave abuse of governmental power" and "contrary to law". ABS-CBN Corporation is the largest television and radio broadcasting company in the Philippines with over 42 television stations, 10 digital channels, and 18 FM and five AM radio stations, and has been broadcasting for over 65 years. Philippine President threatened the network's franchise renewal before, after the network didn't carry some of his campaign commercials, which they've said was due to a lack of airtime, and he accused the network of "swindling". Solicitor General Jose Calida filed a petition on February 10, accusing the network of violating its franchise. After a Senate hearing was conducted on February 24, the Senate did not find the network had breached laws, nor its franchise terms. ABS-CBN CEO said refunds for Duterte's unaired political ads were offered, of which some were not accepted by his campaign. Katigbak apologized to Duterte during the hearing, which the President accepted according to a statement by the Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. The network's news channel, ABS-CBN News Channel, is still on air, as the network claims the cease and desist order did not cover their news channel's franchise. |
On the morning Jackson died, Murray tried to induce sleep without using propofol, according to the affidavit. He said he gave Jackson valium at 1:30 a.m. When that didn't work, he said, he injected lorazepam intravenously at 2 a.m. At 3 a.m., when Jackson was still awake, Murray administered midazolam. But Murray told detectives that he feared Jackson was forming an addiction and began trying to wean the pop star off the drugs. He lowered the dosage to 25 milligrams and mixed it with two other sedatives, lorazepam and midazolam. On June 23, two days before Jackson's death, he administered those two medications and withheld the propofol. According to the search warrant, Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, told detectives with the Los Angeles Police Department that he had been treating Jackson for insomnia for about six weeks. He had been giving Jackson 50 milligrams of propofol every night using an intravenous line, according to the court records. Over the next few hours, Murray said he gave Jackson various drugs. Then at 10:40 a.m., Murray administered 25 milligrams of propofol after Jackson repeatedly demanded the drug, according to the court records. [Updated at 12:45 p.m.: Although Murray acknowledged to police that he administered propofol, authorities said they could find no evidence that he had purchased, ordered or obtained the medication under his medical license or Drug Enforcement Administration tracking number. However, police detectives saw about eight bottles of propofol in the house along with other vials and pills that had been prescribed to Jackson by Dr. Murray, Dr. Arnold Klein and Dr. Allan Metzger. Other drugs that were confiscated in the search included valium, tamsulosin, lorazepam, temazepam, clonazepam, trazodone and tizanidine. They also found propofol in Murray’s medical bag. Murray told detectives that he was not the first doctor to administer the powerful anesthetic to Jackson. At least two unidentified doctors gave Jackson propofol in Germany. Between March and April 2009, Murray said he called Las Vegas doctor David Adams at Jackson’s request to arrange for Adams to administer propofol. Murray said he was present at a cosmetologist’s office, where Adams used propofol to sedate Jackson. Since he began treating Jackson, Murray said he repeatedly asked the pop star what other physicians were treating Jackson and what drugs they were prescribing. But Jackson declined to provide the information, Murray told authorities. Murray said he noticed injection marks on Jackson’s hands and feet. When he asked Jackson about them, the pop star told him he had been given a “cocktail” to help him. In addition to Murray, authorities subpoenaed medical records from Dr. Arnold Klein, Dr. Allan Metzger and Dr. David Adams, the affidavit states. They also asked for medical records from Dr. David Slavitt, who conducted the independent medical examination of Jackson for Anschuntz Entertainment Group, Dr. Randy Rosen and nurse practitioner Cherilyn Lee. They also subpoenaed records from Dr. Mark Tadrissi, who stored medical records with Adams. ] Murray has already acknowledged obtaining and administering propofol to Jackson the morning that the pop star died. In an interview with police, Murray told them that he had left Jackson alone under the influence of the medication to make telephone calls to his Houston office and family members. When he returned, he discovered Jackson was not breathing. He performed CPR, and one of Jackson’s staff members called 911. The 50-year-old pop star was rushed to the UCLA Medical Center, where he was later declared dead. Much of the investigation has focused on propofol — a drug typically administered by anesthesiologists during surgery — and whether Murray’s decision to give it to Jackson as a sleep aid outside a hospital setting reaches a level of negligence required for an involuntary manslaughter charge. -- Kimi Yoshino Photo: Conrad Murray. Credit: AFP / Getty Images ||||| The Los Angeles county coroner has ruled that Michael Jackson's death was caused by a lethal combination of powerful sedative drugs. Jackson's personal doctor, Conrad Murray, is the target of a manslaughter investigation led by Los Angeles police, according to the Associated Press. Murray, a cardiologist who treated Jackson for insomnia, told a Los Angeles police official that he had injected Jackson with Propofol in the hours before his death on 25 June in a rented mansion in Los Angeles. In an affidavit, Los Angeles detective Orlando Martinez said that Murray admitted to giving the 50-year-old Thriller singer a veritable cocktail of drugs to help him sleep the night before he died. Murray had been Jackson's personal physician for about six weeks, and told investigators that another doctor had introduced Jackson to Propofol. Martinez said that the Los Angeles county chief coroner, Dr Lakshmanan Sathyavagiswaran, reported Jackson had a lethal level of Propofol in his blood. Murray told police he used the drug to help Jackson sleep, and that he worried that the singer had become addicted to it. He said he tried to wean Jackson off the drug. Murray said Jackson had injection marks on his hands and feet. He told investigators that he had monitored Jackson's pulse and oxygen levels as he administered the sedatives during the night, and that Jackson remained awake despite several injections of drugs. He said Jackson had requested and demanded an injection of Propofol. Murray told investigators that at about 10.30am on 25 June, he left Jackson for less than two minutes to use the bathroom, and that Jackson was not breathing when he returned. He began CPR, injected more drugs and another aide summoned help. Murray has increasingly become the focus of police efforts to establish the cause of Jackson's death. Two offices and a pharmacy connected to him have been searched by police, as has his home. Federal drug enforcement agents were unable to find records of Murray's purchase of Propofol and have sought medical records from a handful of other physicians who had treated the singer. Martinez also said that in April, Jackson had offered to pay another doctor any price to obtain Propofol. The physician declined. Murray has gone into virtual hiding since Jackson's death. In his only public statement, he said in a video posted on YouTube that he had told the truth and "the truth will prevail". ||||| LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- A potent and lethal dose of propofol was the likely factor that induced the death of pop king Michael Jackson, his personal doctor Conrad Murray told the authorities, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday. In a search warrant affidavit declassified in Houston, Murray told the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) that he had kept giving Jackson 50 milligrams of propofol every night for about six weeks in an effort to treat his insomnia. U.S. pop star Michael Jackson performs "We are the World" during the World Music Awards at Earl's Court in London November 15, 2006. (Xinhua/Reuters file photo) Photo Gallery>>> The Los Angeles County coroner's office did find large amount of the anesthetics in Jackson's body after his June 25 death, but the conclusion was withheld because the investigation was ongoing. Fearing an addiction was taking root in Jackson, Murray began to wean him off the drug by reducing the daily dosage by half and mixing it with two other sedatives, lorazepam and midazolam. From June 23 on, he administered only two medications excluding the propofol. Two days later, Murray tried to help Jackson go into sleep, also without using propofol. From 2 a.m. (0900GMT), he injected lorazepam intravenously twice. He then gave the pop star midazolamsince Jackson was still awake, the report said. He used various drugs before 10:40 a.m. (1740GMT) when he injected 25 milligrams of propofol after Jackson insisted in getting the drug. Murray has already admitted to obtaining and administering propofol on Jackson the morning he died in an interview with LAPD detectives before the court document was made known. Making telephone calls to his Houston office and family members, Murray left Jackson alone under the influence of the drug, only found that Jackson stopped breathing when he was back. He performed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and one of Jackson's aide called 911, but to no avail. Jackson was pronounced dead later after he was rushed to the Medical Center of University of California, Los Angeles. An investigation is still underway, aiming to make clear the role propofol played in Jackson's death and whether there is any wrongdoings on the part of Murray. Michael Jackson's rehearsal footage hits screen in 2 months Pop star Michael Jackson rehearses for his planned shows in London at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California in this handout photo taken June 23, 2009.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>> The film, called "This Is It," will be crafted using footage taken of the late pop superstar as he rehearsed at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles and the Forum in Inglewood between April and June. More than 100 hours of rehearsal footage was shot, and it is expected to be interspersed with interviews with Jackson's friends and associates. Full story Jackson photo book to be delivered on Chrismas holiday BEIJING, August 13 (Xinhuanet) -- The luxury publishing company Kraken Opus said on Wednesday it is putting together a Michael Jackson photo book that the pop star wanted to create before his sudden death in June, with delivery set for the Christmas holiday season. Kraken Opus said in a statement that it had been in discussions with the pop star before he died, and now the book has been endorsed and approved by Jackson's estate. Full story Jackson tribute in Vienna set for Sept. 26 Michael Jackson performs during a Victory Tour concert in Toronto, in this October 5, 1984 file photo.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>> BEIJING, Aug. 13 -- A global tribute to Michael Jackson on the grounds of a 17th century palace in Vienna will be held Sept. 26, and Jackson's brother Jermaine will announce the concert lineup soon, organizers said Wednesday. | Michael Jackson According to ''The Times'', Michael Jackson was the victim of a homicide. The Los Angeles County Coroner has concluded Jackson died from a lethal overdose of sedatives. It has been revealed that Jackson was probably killed by an overdose of propofol. His doctor, Conrad Murray, is under investigation for manslaughter. Murray told the Los Angeles Police Department that for the six weeks prior to the singer's death he had administered a 50 milligram dose of the drug every night to help Jackson to sleep. He had begun to cut back on the dose after fearing Jackson was becoming addicted and for two days before the death gave him only lorazepam and midazolam. On the day of his death, Murray said, he injected Jackson with lorazepam, then administered midazolam amongst other drugs. Finally, he gave in to Jackson's insistence upon propofol, giving him 25 milligrams before going to the toilet. Upon his return, Jackson was no longer breathing. Investigators have not been able to trace any records of propofol purchases by the doctor. It is also reported that another doctor had previously been approached by Jackson and asked to sell him the drug, but that doctor refused. |
The Shia-dominated United Iraqi Alliance won almost half the vote The party, which won the 30 January election with 48% of the vote, was allocated 140 seats. The Kurdish parties, which came second in the poll, have 75 seats and interim PM Iyad Allawi's party gets 40 seats. The new 275-seat National Assembly will now have to choose a president and two vice-presidents, who will then decide on a prime minister and cabinet. 'Extremely successful' Chief UN election adviser, Carlos Valenzuela, congratulated those involved with making the election happen. OFFICIAL RESULTS Nearly 8.5 million Iraqis voted, 58% of the registered electorate "The elections were not perfect, they were never meant to be, but they were extremely successful," he said. Iraq's electoral commission announced the results of the election on 13 February. It has spent the last few days considering complaints arising from the elections. Election commission spokesman Farid Ayar told al-Arabiya television that 47 complaints had been filed and most were resolved. As dozens of parties failed to win enough votes to gain parliamentary seats, those who were elected to parliament gained a larger proportion of seats than their vote suggested. Coalition deal The United Iraqi Alliance will have to form coalitions with other parties to govern, as a two-thirds majority of delegates is needed to pass legislation in the new parliament. This will mean weeks, perhaps months, of negotiations before a new Iraqi government is confirmed in office, says the BBC's Jon Leyne in Baghdad. MPs' first job will be to appoint a presidential council, made up of a president and two vice-presidents. They will in turn appoint a prime minister - the most important position in the new government - and a cabinet. Members of the alliance party - which is made up of a coalition of Shia parties - have been meeting this week to discuss their candidate for prime minister. The current interim Vice-President, Ibrahim Jaafari, is seen as a favourite although he is being challenged by Ahmed Chalabi, who once had close ties with the Pentagon but has since lost US support. Mr Jaafari told reporters talks on the issue would continue for "a couple more days". ||||| 17 February 2005 "We congratulate them for it," Carlos Valenzuela told a news conference after the Independent Electoral Commission for Iraq (IECI) announced the final stage of an electoral process in which the UN played an advisory and technical role. The announcement came a day after the Security Council called for inclusiveness and transparency in the next stages of the war-torn country's transition, including the writing of a new constitution, after large numbers of Sunni Arabs, who form about 20 per cent of the population, stayed away from the 30 January poll and thus will be largely unrepresented in the just-elected transitional National Assembly. The Council pledged full UN support for a federal, democratic, pluralist and unified Iraq as the new legislators face the challenges of writing the constitution and holding new elections for a permanent assembly and government by the end of the year. | How the new assembly stands Final figures from Baghdad today showed that the Shia United Iraqi Alliance has won a slight majority in the new Iraqi National Assembly. The party took 140 out of the 275 seats in the Assembly. The major opposition party will be the ''Kurdish Alliance'', which took 75 seats. The third largest party will be that of interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's party, which won 40 seats. Reports in U.S. media say that many Sunni voters stayed away from the polls either because of a fear of violence or to support the call by some radical clerics to boycott the elections. As a result, the Sunni-led Iraqis Party won only five seats in parliament. The results are summarized in the following table: Seats Percentage Party/Population Group 140 51% United Iraqi Alliance/Shiite 40 15% Allawi's Party/Shiite 75 27% Kurdish Alliance/Kurdish 5 2% Iraqis Party/Sunni 15 5% Other 275 100% Total Chief UN election adviser, Carlos Valenzuela, congratulated those involved with the election. He commented that "The elections were not perfect, they were never meant to be, but they were extremely successful." There were fears before the election in international circles that a low turnout could jepordise the legitimacy of the new assembly. However, nearly 8.5 million Iraqis voted - 58% of the registered electorate. As noted previously, the turnout percentage did vary significantly among the various population groups. By combining the two different Shiite parties and comparing to estimated population groups in Iraq we find: Percent ofParliament Estimated PopulationPercentage Population Group 65% 40%-50% Shiite 27% 15%-20% Kurdish 2% 32%-37% Sunni 5% 3%-5% Other 100% 90%-112% Total The Shiite and Kurdish groups had more than 80% turnout whereas the Sunni group had a turnout under 4%. The low turnout by Sunni voters resulted in much higher representative success for both the Shiite and Kurdish groups in the parliament. |
'Dr. Dino' guilty on all counts Couple could get more than 200 years Pensacola evangelist and tax protester Kent Hovind winked at his wife and gave her a reassuring smile as he was led away to jail. Jo Hovind clutched the necktie he had been wearing. She kept her eyes on her husband until he was out of sight. A 12-person jury deliberated for 2½ hours on Thursday before finding the couple guilty of all counts in their tax-fraud case. Kent Hovind, founder of Creation Science Evangelism and Dinosaur Adventure Land in Pensacola, was found guilty of 58 counts, including failure to pay $845,000 in employee-related taxes. He faces a maximum of 288 years in prison. Jo Hovind was charged and convicted in 44 of the counts involving evading bank-reporting requirements. She faces up to 225 years in prison but was allowed to remain free pending the couple's sentencing on Jan. 9. Kent Hovind briefly held onto her arm as the verdict was read. Neither reacted at first. But minutes later, she held her face in her hands. "Nobody likes to pay taxes," Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer said in her closing argument. "But we do because it's the law, and he is not above the law." The jury also granted the prosecution's request for the Hovinds to forfeit $430,400. That amount equals the value of the checks signed and cashed by Jo Hovind in the 44 counts. U.S. District Judge Casey Rodgers released Jo Hovind until sentencing but denied Kent Hovind's request to be released. He most likely will be detained at either Escambia County Jail or Santa Rosa County Jail until sentencing. Heldmyer said Kent Hovind was a flight risk and a "danger to the community." His attorney, Alan Richey, argued that the Internal Revenue Service pursued his client because of his religious beliefs. Kent Hovind, whose life's mission is to debunk evolution, says he and his employees are workers of God and therefore exempt from paying taxes. He pays his employees in cash and does not withhold their taxes or pay his share as an employer. "There's a difference between wrong and committing a crime," Richey said in his closing argument. "You can do all the wrong things you want and still not commit a crime." Jo Hovind's attorney, Jerold Barringer, argued that his client was a simple piano teacher and grandmother who was not aware of bank-reporting regulations concerning large amounts of cash. Any cash transaction at a bank more than $10,000 triggers a currency-transaction report forwarded to the IRS. She was found guilty of using several methods to take out just enough money to avoid triggering the report. The Hovinds and their attorneys declined comment. Their supporters, who took up most of the six rows in Rodgers' courtroom, dwindled in number as the day went on. Jo Hovind's son, Kent Andrew Hovind, and two women escorted her out of the U.S. District Courthouse in downtown Pensacola. Richard Hogan, an acquaintance of Kent Hovind who observed the last day of the two-week trial, said he felt especially bad for Jo Hovind. "He was the leader, and she probably went along with him," said Hogan, 53. He first met the Hovinds when their children were homeschooled. "It's pretty tough to fight Goliath," Hogan said. "The first time the IRS calls, you should go ahead and deal with it. It didn't have to come down to this." ||||| Hovind case at a glance From 2000 to 2003, more than $1.1 million was taken from the Creation Science Evangelism accounts in the form of checks made out to "cash," most of which were signed by Jo Hovind. Most of the checks were made out for $9,500. The Internal Revenue Service alleges that this was a way for the Hovinds to avoid a bank-filed currency transaction report, which is mandatory for cash transactions of $10,000 or more. The banks filed the reports on days when Jo Hovind would make two trips to the bank -- one before and another after 2 p.m., which signals the end of the bank's business day. For example, on Dec. 20, 1999, she cashed a check from the Creation Science Evangelism account for $7,500 at 1:15 p.m. She returned at 2:50 p.m. to cash another check from the same account for $7,500. On the day the IRS searched the Hovind home, Kent Hovind withdrew $70,000 from the Creation Science Evangelism account. Half in a check; the other in cash. 'Dr. Dino,' wife guilty Jury deliberations took about three hours. A federal jury has convicted Kent Hovind and his wife, Jo, of tax fraud. Hovind faces a maximum of 288 years in prison. His wife faces up to 225 years. Her charges include aiding and abetting her husband with 44 counts of evading bank-reporting requirements. In closing arguments this morning, Alan Richey, Kent Hovindís defense attorney, said the Pensacola evangelist was never notified by the IRS that he was violating a specific law by not withholding and paying employment taxes on workers at the Dinosaur Adventure Land and Creative Science Evangelism, both of which he founded and operates. Hovind also believes that as workers of God, he and all employees of the theme park and his ministry are exempt from paying taxes. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer said the case was not about religion but about paying taxes. In her closing argument, she said that Kent Hovind was advised and told numerous times by the court, an attorney and even a member of the Pensacola Christian College that he must pay taxes. Kent Hovind is charged with 58 federal counts, including failure to pay $845,000 in employee-related taxes and withholdings. If found guilty, he faces a maximum of 288 years in prison. His wife, Jo Hovind, faces up to 225 years. Her charges include aiding and abetting her husband with 44 counts of evading bank-reporting requirements. Defense lawyers for the Hovinds rested their case on Wednesday without presenting evidence or calling witnesses. | Evangelist Kent Hovind and his wife, Jo, was found guilty on all counts of tax fraud concerning merchandise and amusement park admission sales. The trial began at United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida on Tuesday October 18, 2006, and prosecutors rested their case against Hovind on November 1. Defense lawyers rested their case on the same day without presenting evidence or calling witnesses; Hovind claims that he runs a church, and thus should not have to pay taxes, while prosecutors claimed that he was actually running a business. |
Legendary rocker Ozzy Osbourne raised nearly $1 million for The Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program over a two-day period after cleaning out his garage and allowing fans and collectors to bid on some memorable merchandise. The auction, held on Friday and Saturday, featured several items that were featured on the hit reality show “The Osbournes” which chronicled the daily life of the singer along with his wife, Sharon, and their two children. Among the items that fetched big dollars in the auction: a pool table went for $11,250, a painting from Edourad Drouot sold for $10,500, a pair of Osbourne’s round glasses brought in $5,250, and a dog bed given to Sharon by Elton John raised $2,375. All proceeds of the sale, which totaled $800,000, went to the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center . For more Music related stories please go to: http://news.finditt.com/NewsList.aspx?cat=16&wcat=12 ||||| Dec. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Ozzy Osbourne, heavy metal's Prince of Darkness, long ago sold his soul for rock 'n' roll. This weekend he sold furniture, art and memorabilia from his 30-year music career for $800,000, double the expected amount. The items auctioned during a two-day sale in Beverly Hills, California, included a black satin coat with bat-wing cape, which fetched $3,300; a hand-painted, floral-design teacup that Osbourne used for coffee during filming of MTV's ``The Osbournes,'' which went for $1,625; and a Victorian-style, carved-walnut pool table custom-made for Osbourne, which sold for $11,250. The sale ended yesterday. More than 500 lots were offered during the sale, run by Julien's Auctions, based in West Hollywood, California. The items were from the Beverly Hills home featured on the MTV show, Ozzy and wife Sharon's Malibu, California, beach house, and their mansion in Buckinghamshire, England. The auction was expected to bring in about $400,000. Sharon Osbourne said proceeds from the auction, after deducting ``costs to do all of this,'' will be donated to the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, where Sharon, 55, was treated for cancer five years ago. ``It did very well,'' Darren Julien, president of Julien's Auctions, said of the sale. ``It raised some good money for a very worthy cause.'' Ozzy Osbourne, 58, gained fame as the frontman of the 1970s proto-metal band Black Sabbath. As a solo artist in the 1980s, he recorded such hits as ``Crazy Train'' and ``Mr. Crowley.'' Occult, MTV Show Osbourne achieved notoriety for writing lyrics that dealt with the occult. During a tour supporting his 1981 album ``Diary of a Madman,'' a concertgoer threw a live bat on stage; the singer, thinking it was a toy, bit into its neck. Osbourne was rushed to a hospital to be checked for rabies. Osbourne struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for much of his career. By the time ``The Osbournes,'' a reality show focused on his home life, made its debut in 2002, viewers found Osbourne had mellowed into a loving if befuddled father and husband. The show ran for four seasons and was among MTV's most-watched programs. Many of the items auctioned were featured on the show. Perhaps the most recognizable was a bronze plaque of a devil's head that hung on the Osbournes' front door. The plaque, expected to sell for $800 to $1,200, fetched $8,750. (All prices include a 20 percent buyer's premium that goes to Julien's.) Some of the priciest items didn't sell, Julien said. They included a 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur, expected to fetch $160,000 to $180,000; a 2005 Cadillac CTS-V sedan ($30,000 to $40,000); and a 1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 88 Club Coupe once owned by romance author Danielle Steel ($40,000 to $50,000). Prior to the sale, Sharon Osbourne said it wouldn't be hard to part with the automobiles. ``We're not great car people,'' she said. ``They really don't do a lot for us.'' To contact the reporter on this story: Daniel Taub in Los Angeles at dtaub@bloomberg.net. To contact the editor responsible for this story: Manuela Hoelterhoff at mhoelterhoff@bloomberg.net. ||||| Many of the items featured in the reality TV series The Osbournes Fans bought the family's custom pool table for $11,250 (£5,470) and a pair of Ozzy's trademark round glasses went for $5,250 (£2,553). "For a celebrity garage sale, it was pretty spectacular," said Darren Julien, whose company ran the event. The money will go towards Sharon's foundation for colon cancer. 'Ozzy factor' The X Factor judge was treated for the illness in 2002. "We had Ozzy fans bidding against these sophisticated fine art buyers, which you don't see every day," said Julien. "For the most part the metalheads were outbidding the art crowd," he added. Bidders came from as far as Germany to try to buy belongings from the Beverly Hills mansion which served as the backdrop for the family's MTV reality television series, The Osbournes. Julien said the "Ozzy factor" made ordinary items sell for far more. An oversized coffee cup that Ozzy often clutched while the cameras rolled went for $1,625 (£790). The beaded wire model of the Eiffel Tower that adorned the kitchen fetched $10,000 (£4,862), while skull-adorned trainers worn by Ozzy sold for $2,625 (£1,276). | ''USS Missouri'' on March 9, 2004. American heavy metal performer Ozzy Osbourne, who became famous as the lead vocalist for Black Sabbath and later as a solo act, has raised more than US$800,000 for The Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program, founded by his spouse Sharon Osbourne at the Cedars Sinai Hospital, by auctioning off personal items. A number of the items that he auctioned off over the two day period have been seen on his reality TV show ''The Osbournes'', which featured home life with Sharon, Ozzy and their two children. Amongst some of the higher-priced items were a carved walnut Victorian-style custom built pool table which raised $11,250, a painting from Edourad Drouot which fetched $10,500, a pair of Ozzy's famous round glasses which raised $5,250 and a dog bed given to Sharon by Elton John which sold for $2,375. Some more famous items were also amongst the 500 lots offered. Ozzy's black satin coat, complete with bat-wing cape, raised $3,300 and a hand-painted floral cup used regularly on ''The Osbournes'' made $1,625. A bronze plaque of a demon's head that was regularly seen in its position adorning the front door of their house had been expected to go for $800 to $1,200instead raised $8,750. A wire model of the Eiffel Tower from on the kitchen table sold for $10,000, while skull-covered trainers Ozzy had worn reached $2,625. Bidders came from as far away as Germany to buy what they could from his mansion in Beverly Hills, California. However, three cars included in the auction failed to attract bidders and did not sell. They were a 2006 Bentley Continental Flying Spur, estimated at $160,000 to $180,000, a 2005 Cadillac CTS-V sedan estimated at $30,000 to $40,000 and a 1950 Oldsmobile Futuramic 88 Club Coupe previously owned by author Danielle Steel estimated at $40,000 to $50,000. Sharon had earlier said of the cars "We're not great car people. They really don't do a lot for us.'' Darren Julien, president of Julien's Auctions, which organised the two-day sale, said "It did very well. It raised some good money for a very worthy cause." "For a celebrity garage sale, it was pretty spectacular.," he went on. He also commented on the fact that there was fierce competition for the many artworks included. "We had Ozzy fans bidding against these sophisticated fine art buyers, which you don't see every day. For the most part the metalheads were outbidding the art crowd." |
In February when Dell launched IdeaStorm as forum for customers to contribute ideas for product offerings, we received overwhelming feedback that customers wanted Linux on desktops and notebooks. As part of an overall effort to update our Linux program, today we are announcing a partnership with Canonical to offer Ubuntu on select consumer desktop and notebook products. Update: These systems will be available in the coming weeks to customers in the United States. This represents another step in the overall enhancement of our Linux program: Since 1999, Dell PowerEdge servers have been available with Red Hat Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and since 2005 with Novell/SuSE Linux Enterprise Server. Dell Precision workstations have shipped for years with the option of Red Hat Enterprise Linux OptiPlex desktops and Latitude notebooks are certified to run Novell SLED 10 Dell updated its policy on driver support of new Linux desktop and notebook products to use open source drivers in kernel.org where possible We recently launched a Linux community board as another way to help our customers to get help they need to augment things we've been doing like supporting Linux mailing lists. You can also find the IdeaStrom update in Ideas in Action section. In this video, Canonical founder Mark Shuttleworth talks about why he started Ubuntu, Linux adoption rate trends, how previous barriers to Linux adoption for mainstream users are improving, and more. View Video Format: flv Duration: 09:59 ||||| Ubuntu is one of the most popular versions of Linux Fans of Linux hope that the move will persuade more mainstream PC users to abandon Microsoft Windows and opt for the open-source operating system. London-based firm Canonical, the lead sponsor of the Ubuntu project, will ensure the software works on Dell PCs. Ubuntu includes software like office programs, e-mail, a browser, instant messaging software and a media player. Michael Dell, the founder, chairman and chief executive of Dell, is himself an Ubuntu user. He has the operating system installed on a high-end Dell Precision M90 laptop he uses at home. 'Strong endorsement' For a long time Linux had been considered to be too difficult to use for normal computer users. Michael Dell's home laptop runs Ubuntu However, more recent versions of Linux distributions, like Ubuntu 7.04, have become much more user-friendly. "Dell are going to work with us to make sure Ubuntu works fully on its hardware," said Chris Kenyon, Ubuntu's director of business development. "For us it is a strong endorsement of Ubuntu and the unique support model we provide," he told the BBC. Open-source software is developed by thousands of developers, and is usually free to use and download. Firms like Canonical make money by providing software support for users of the operating system. Dell has not yet confirmed which computers it will sell with Ubuntu pre-installed, only to say that it would offer Ubuntu 7.04 as an option on select consumer models in the United States in the coming weeks Reports on internet bulletin boards suggest that Dell will offer Ubuntu on an e-series Dimension desktop, a high-performance XPS desktop, and an e-series Inspiron laptop. Prices and availability in countries other than the US have not yet been released. Benefits and drawbacks Running Linux makes desktop computing cheaper, as it strips out the cost of buying a proprietary operating system from Microsoft or Apple. Ubuntu promises users a complete software package This has made Ubuntu - and other Linux distributions - popular not just in developing countries. In France, the National Assembly has just started using Ubuntu on more than 1,100 desktop computers. But using Linux also has drawbacks. Most makers of software and hardware focus on Microsoft's Windows operating system, as it holds about 90% of the desktop PC market. As a result Linux users often find that software - especially for computer games and accounting - does not work on their computers, and that plenty of hardware is not compatible either. However, Mr Kenyon insists that Ubuntu is "an excellent option" for most users, especially if they want web, e-mail and standard office functionality. He also points to the fact that Ubuntu is supported in more than 40 languages, with more to come. And the more popular an operating system becomes, the more companies will start developing software for it, he predicts. The man driving the Ubuntu project, Mark Shuttleworth, shot to global prominence as one of the world's first space tourists, when he flew to the International Space Station on board a Soyuz rocket. The self-made millionaire from South Africa founded Canonical in 2004 to promote and support open source software projects. ||||| Dell to Offer Ubuntu Linux on PCs, Laptops Dell announced that its upcoming Linux desktop PCs and laptops will be preloaded with Ubuntu Linux. They are slated to be avilable by the end of this month. Only 10 weeks after asking customers what products they'd like to see, Dell Inc. Tuesday announced that its upcoming Linux desktop PCs and laptops will be preloaded with Ubuntu Linux. They are slated to be avilable by the end of this month. In postings on Dell's IdeaStorm and Dell2Dell Web sites today, the company said it moved quickly to offer the Linux-based hardware because of customer interest. In February, Dell had set up an "IdeaStorm" Web site to get feedback from customers about what products they wanted. In late March, after hearing from more than 100,000 users who filled out surveys on Linux preferences, Dell said it would start preloading Linux on some of its laptops and desktop PCs. "The reason we're going with Ubuntu is because by far and away Ubuntu was the most requested distribution" by users who registered their preferences on the IdeaStorm site, said Jeremy Bolen, a Dell spokesman. "It was overwhelming, the response we got to the survey." Bolen said that the models, configurations and prices of the Ubuntu-loaded hardware have not been announced. They will run Version 7.04 of Ubuntu Linux and will be available through a dedicated Linux Web page on the Dell.com site where buyers will be able to configure and price their machines. Asked if the new machines will be cheaper than comparable machines loaded with Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Vista operating system, Bolen said, "I don't have a solid answer for that." He also left open the possibility that other Linux distributions such as Red Hat Inc. or Novell Inc.'s SUSE Linux could later be added to Dell's Linux line. The company will "continue to take feedback from our customers and implement meaningful offerings that meet their needs," Bolen said. Details are also being worked out regarding suport for the new Ubuntu Linux-equipped machines, he said. Hardware support will be provided by Dell, but operating system support could be provided through the open-source Ubuntu and Linux communities -- which survey respondents said they preferred -- or through a paid support contract with Canonical Ltd., the Isle of Man-based company that is the commercial sponsor of Ubuntu Linux. "Certainly, the option is open for paid support," Bolen said. "We're still kind of working through the mechanics of that." Bolen said the overwhelming response from Linux enthusiasts inspired Dell to move quickly. "In the past five years, there's been a lot of development in Linux to make it a viable option for our customers, especially our enthusiasts," he said. "The audience we're really going after ... at least initially is the Linux enthusiast." Jane Silber, director of operations at Canonical, called the Dell-Ubuntu partnership "a very important milestone" for her company. "It's an important step in broadening access to Linux and Ubuntu," she said. The partnership with Dell is Canonical/Ubuntu's first reseller deal with a top-tier system maker in the U.S., she said. Canonical does have a partnership with Sun Microsystems Inc., but that only includes precertifying some Sun servers for use with Ubuntu Linux. Sun does not offer hardware preloaded with Ubuntu Linux. Canonical and Ubuntu do have existing preloading deals in other markets around the world, including a relationship with HCL Infosystems Ltd. in Noida, India, and the deal with Dell could "be the first of a string of relationships," Silber said. "The traction and momentum that Ubuntu has been building over the last few years makes Dell and Canonical feel that this is the right [time] to do this. Analysts said the deal could be good for both companies, even though previous attempts at launching a Linux-on-the-desktop movement never gained much steam. An earlier attempt by Dell to sell laptops with Red Hat Linux around 2001 didn't get much traction in the marketplace. "If Dell wants to make a splash with this announcement, Ubuntu is definitely the right pick," said Tony Iams, an analyst at Rye Brook, N.Y.-based Ideas International Inc. "The market is definitely enamored with [Ubuntu]. If they're looking to open up a new market, Ubuntu is definitely the one to go with." What's not certain, however, is how this latest Linux-loaded computer offering will pan out with consumers, Iams said. "You always have to be a little careful" with online marketing surveys such as the one conducted by Dell, he said. "But on the other hand, what is the real risk here? Customers always appreciate choice." As its sales figures have decreased in recent years, Dell has said it would try new directions, Iams said. "As a small step to take, this is perfectly rational," he said. Gordon Haff, an analyst at Illuminata Inc. in Nashua, N.H., said Dell has been forced to listen to consumers because its old ways of doing business haven't been working recently. "Dell was being the Henry Ford of the computer industry in the sense that you could have it any way you wanted it as long as it was [Dell's] way," Haff said. "They didn't want to do AMD processors, they didn't want to do retail [sales], and they didn't want to do Linux because all of these things were difficult for them to do. I think that Dell has realized that it's not in the position where it can give up all of these slices of market share, even if they're not [individually] going to be huge." "Dell was kind of locking themselves out of the market," Haff said. "I think it was starting to hurt them." Stephen O'Grady, an analyst at RedMonk in Denver, called today's Ubuntu announcement "a very interesting decision" that breaks with past attempts at marketing Linux machines that only offered Red Hat or SUSE Linux. "Ubuntu has proved that there is a substantial appetite for Ubuntu on the desktop around the world, and it was only a matter of time until some big manufacturer took advantage of this," O'Grady said. "If basically the knock on Linux on the desktop has been that no major manufacturers support it, then this is the first major chink in that argument. I wouldn't be surprised if other major manufacturers try this, too." Another analyst, Perry Donham at Boston-based Aberdeen Group Inc., said the deal is potentially bigger for Ubuntu than it is for Dell. "I don't think this is a huge win for Dell," he said. "It's going to be a small part of their market. But it's a great win for Ubuntu and for Linux in general." For consumers who have heard of Linux, they'll see that Dell is offering it on machines and is backing it, and that may encourage them to seriously consider using the operating system for the first time, Donham said. "It can only be good for Ubuntu. Maybe people will want to try it out with the big hand of Dell behind their backs." Such a scenario could help the open-source community work even harder at solving some of the remaining problems that keep Linux from being a first choice in the consumer marketplace, such as continuing incompatibilities and difficulties with running popular applications like Apple Inc.'s iTunes music software, Donham said. "It will also sharpen the focus for [creating needed] drivers and support for drivers," he said. "Ubuntu is fabulously popular right now," Donham said. "They're really riding that wave. Ubuntu is the easiest Linux I've come across to set up and maintain. It kind of just launches and goes." For more enterprise computing news, visit Computerworld. Story copyright © 2007 Computerworld Inc. All rights reserved. | OpenOffice running on Ubuntu 7.04. Dell Inc. (Dell) announced Tuesday that, due to public demand, they will be offering an alternative to Microsoft Windows on a selection of their desktop and laptop computers. Dell will partner with Canonical Ltd. to pre-install the recently released Ubuntu 7.04 distribution of the Linux operating system. Until recently, Linux distributions have not been adopted by mainstream computer makers due to concerns over ease-of-use. Newer distributions, such as Ubuntu 7.04, have become much more user-friendly, with features such as automatic updates and software installation. Ubuntu director of business development Chris Kenyon told the ''BBC'' that one of the reasons Ubuntu was selected was its support features and hardware compatibility. "Dell are going to work with us to make sure Ubuntu works fully on its hardware," said Kenyon. A Dell representative suggested that the Ubuntu distribution was chosen due to public demand as expressed on a Dell-run forum website, ''IdeaStorm''. "It was overwhelming, the response we got to the survey," said Jeremy Bolen, a Dell spokesman. Tuesday's announcement was not the first for Dell's Linux offerings. They have offered servers and workstations with an optional enterprise version of Red Hat Linux for some time now. The chairman and CEO of Dell, Michael Dell, is reported to have Ubuntu installed on his own laptop. Perry Donham, an analyst with Aberdeen Group of Boston, suggested that the Dell-Ubuntu partnership will benefit Ubuntu more than it will Dell. "It's going to be a small part of Dell's market," said Donham. "But it's a great win for Ubuntu and for Linux in general." Dell indicated that the Ubuntu-based computers would be available in the next few weeks, from Dell USA only for the time being. The pricing structure has not been revealed, or when such computers would be available in countries other than the United States. |
Exclusive: shark attack victim speaks By Shaun Fewings National Nine News Eric Nerhus' account of his extraordinary brush with death is chilling. The 41-year-old abalone diver said the 3m creature came from nowhere in the cold murky water and in a flash, its jaws had engulfed his head and shoulders. "Half my body was in its mouth," he told National Nine News. "I felt down to the eye socket with my two fingers and poked them into the sockets," he said. "The shark reacted by opening its mouth and I just tried to wriggle out." With his wife and children by his hospital bed, Nerhus recalled how the great white's bite crushed his reinforced goggles, breaking his nose. He said if it was not for his lead-weight vest, he would have been eaten alive. "It was still trying to bite me. It crushed my goggles into my nose and they fell into its mouth. " Mr Nerhus worked an arm free and used his abalone chisel to stab at the shark's head. Freed from its mouth, he desperately made for the surface and the safety of his boat. "He is one lucky boy," abalone diver Graeme Adams said. "There are not too many people who go head first into a white pointer down to their chest and get spat back out again." Mr Nerhus is expected to remain in hospital for a few more days. The emergency surgeons have stitched up his injured arm, which was ripped open, the muscles exposed, during the shark attack. "Mate, there's no point him buying any lottery tickets, I think he's used up all his luck," a friend of the Nerhus family said. Mr Nerhus says he was probably attacked by a juvenile white pointer which mistook him for a seal. Shark experts agree. "With a black wetsuit and black flippers on, you will look a bit like a sick, sad, sorry seal and definitely worth investigating [to a shark]," Sydney Aquarium's Grant Willis said. Colder water temperatures may have attracted the great white closer to the coast. "It's well known, scientifically, that great whites like the cool weather," aerial shark spotter Harry Mitchell said. The frightening ordeal has not put off other abalone divers. They returned to the seas off Eden today, declaring shark attacks to be one of the pitfalls of the job. ||||| Adjust font size: SYDNEY, Australia (AP) -- A 10-foot-long (3-meter-long) shark that nearly chomped a diver in half before he fended the giant fish off with a chisel probably mistook him for a seal, a shark expert said Wednesday. Eric Nerhus, 41, was being treated for severe lacerations to his head, torso and left arm after coming head-to-head with the massive shark, believed to be a great white, while diving for abalone on Tuesday. A witnesses said the shark grabbed Nerhus by the head, crushing his face mask and breaking his nose, before coming back for a second bite that engulfed his entire head and torso. Nerhus managed to free himself from the shark's jaws but sustained deep cuts. He later said he had clubbed at the shark's head and eyes with an abalone chisel. "He's had a run-in with one of the ocean's most formidable predators and he's lived to tell the story, so he's a very, very lucky man," Grant Willis, a shark expert at Sydney Aquarium, told Nine television on Wednesday. The shark probably mistook Nerhus, who was wearing a black wet suit, for a seal, and may have released him once it realized its mistake, Willis said. "So it has bitten in on this guy thinking he's a seal," Willis said. But the man "didn't taste anything like a seal, sort of a bit bony and horrible and nothing like a seal at all, so (it) possibly spat (him) back out." Scientists say there are an average of 15 shark attacks a year in Australia -- one of the highest rates in the world -- and just over 1 per year are fatal. Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. | A great white shark. diver Eric Nerhus is recovering in hospital after being attacked by a 10-foot-long while scuba diving off , south of Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday. Forty one year-old Nerhus said he was diving near the shore in murky waters, when the shark grabbed him by the head, crushing his diving mask. Nerhus fought back, poking the shark's eye socket with his fingers. The shark released him but came back again, grabbing Nerhus by his upper body, leaving deep lacerations on his torso. Nerhus managed to free one arm and stabbed the shark with a chisel. When the shark released him again, he made for the surface, where he was pulled out of the water by his 25-year-old son and was rushed to hospital. He is being treated for serious injuries to his head, body and left arm and is expected to remain in hospital for a few more days. He was able to recount his experience to reporters. Nerhus believes that the shark may have mistaken his black wetsuit and flipper clad figure for a seal, prompting the attack. Grant Willis, a shark expert at agreed with the assessment, speaking to CNN. An average of about 15 shark attacks occur in Australia every year, of which one is fatal. This is one of the highest shark attack rates in the world. |
Brazilian comedian Goncalves dies at 101 SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — Brazilian actress and comedian Dercy Goncalves, known for her vulgar wit and scandalous behavior, has died. She was 101. Rio de Janeiro's Hospital Sao Lucas says Goncalves died Saturday of respiratory problems after being hospitalized the same day with pneumonia. Goncalves was known for speaking her mind, often peppering her conversation with obscenities. In 1991, she shocked Brazil by parading topless on a Carnival float. She was 84 at the time. Goncalves kept working late in life and made several TV appearances after turning 100. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday said all Brazilians will miss her "irreverence and strength." ||||| A atriz Dercy Gonçalves, de 101 anos, morreu às 16h45 deste sábado (19) no Hospital São Lucas, em Copacabana, Zona Sul do Rio. Segundo a assessoria de imprensa do hospital, Dercy foi internada na madrugada deste sábado, com um quadro de pneumonia comunitária grave, que evoluiu para insuficiência respiratória. A família afirmou que o corpo da atriz será velado no domingo (20), na Assembléia Legislativa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (Alerj). O enterro será em Santa Maria Madalena, cidade natal, onde a família tem um mausoléu. O Estado do Rio de Janeiro decretou luto oficial de três dias pela morte de Dercy. Em Santa Maria Madalena, as festividades em homenagem à padroeira da cidade foram interrompidas. Segundo o vereador Nestor Lopes, o prefeito Clementino da Conceição autorizou apenas as festas religiosas a partir do dia 22. Veja vídeos históricos de Dercy Veja fotos de Dercy Gonçalves Corpo de Dercy será velado na Alerj 'Vai-se Dercy, ficam os palavrões mais carinhosos', diz Ary Fontoura Com morte de Dercy, festividades são interrompidas na terra natal ‘Época’: veja vídeo da última aparição pública de Dercy Perda Em entrevista à Globo News, o humorista Renato Aragão disse: “Deus deu um passaporte para Dercy de mais de 100 anos. Hoje estamos muito tristes, mas tenho certeza que com ela o céu vai ficar muito mais alegre”. Chico Anysio afirmou que este é um dia muito triste para os brasileiros e para os humoristas. “Nossa rainha número um morreu, ela era a rainha do humor brasileiro. Na hora em que nosso humor não vai tão bem, a gente ainda perde Dercy. Jesus poderia ter paciência e esperar um pouco mais.” O ator Ary Fontoura lamentou a perda, em entrevista à Globo News. “Grande amiga, que não acreditava na velhice, que sempre pensou em um final de vida honroso. Vai-se a Dercy, ficam os palavrões mais carinhosos que as pessoas podem dizer. Fica o exemplo da comediante. Eu gostaria que ela fosse com Deus.” A amiga, secretária e colaboradora Hynea Moreira de Souza, 54 anos, disse que a família espera que autoridades, como o prefeito ou governador do Rio, reconheçam a importância da atriz e permitam que ela se despeça com uma cerimônia do público carioca antes de seu corpo seguir para Santa Maria Madalena, onde ela deverá ser sepultada. Segundo a amiga, que trabalhava com Dercy há mais de 20 anos, a atriz amanheceu na sexta-feira (18) com uma forte gripe e foi levada ao Hospital São Lucas, em Copacabana, onde os médicos teriam constatado uma pneumonia. Carreira Ainda jovem, ela desafiou padrões da época ao fugir de casa aos 17 anos atrás de uma companhia de teatro. Dercy começou a carreira cantando, mas depois perdeu a voz. Ela trocou seu nome de batismo, Dolores Gonçalves Costa, para tornar-se Dercy Gonçalves, uma atriz da época do teatro rebolado e das chanchadas. Dercy também passou pela televisão e foi uma das primeiras contratadas da Rede Globo, onde estrelou os dois primeiros programas de sucesso da emissora no horário nobre. Em 1989, fez o papel da mãe da rainha na novela “Que Rei Sou Eu?”. No cinema, foram mais de 30 filmes. Em 1991, aos 84 anos, sofreu um acidente de carro e quebrou a bacia. Ainda se recuperando, foi para a Marquês de Sapucaí com os seios à mostra, homenageada no enredo da Unidos da Viradouro (em 2004, voltou a ser destaque, dessa vez no carro da Salgueiro). Também em 1991, passou por uma cirurgia por conta de uma úlcera e de um tumor. Em 1992, participou da novela "Deus nos acuda", fazendo o papel de anjo da guarda nada convencional da personagem de Cláudia Raia. A atriz, que ameaçou posar nua aos 90 anos, não gostava de água, nem a água do mar. Ela mandou construir seu túmulo -- com formato de pirâmide, já concluído -- em Santa Maria Madalena, onde também fica o museu Dercy Gonçalves. O museu exibe diversas peças da atriz, como chapéus, bolsas, perucas, sapatilhas, bijuterias, troféus, cartazes, programas, entrevistas, fitas de vídeo, textos, jornais, revistas e fotos. 'Ninguém é mais feliz' Em entrevista em abril do ano passado, ela disse que ninguém era mais feliz do que ela. Sem um pingo de nostalgia, disse que o passado não interessava. "O ontem acabou. Não tenho mágoa de nada e nem saudade de nada. Vivo o hoje. Tenho alegria de viver, adoro a vida". Vaidosa, a comediante disse que já havia feito mais de dez plásticas. "Não quero ficar feia. Também já fui criança ou você pensa que fui velha a vida inteira?", brincou. Depois de se curar de um câncer e sobreviver a uma tuberculose, ela se achava uma vencedora. "Tudo que passou, acabou. Eu sobrevivi." Argumentava que aprendeu tudo o que sabe da melhor forma possível: vivendo. "Meti a cara, casei. Vivi 20 anos casada, com dignidade. Nada de ruim me aconteceu. Não me envergonho de nada." Mesmo depois de ter viajado por vários países, Dercy disse que não tinha lugar mais bonito que o Brasil. "Conheço mais da metade do mundo. Não tem país de mais calma e dignidade que o Brasil. Isso aqui é lindo". Ela não se dizia religiosa, mas acreditava na natureza. "Não acredito em santo nenhum. Minha religião é a natureza. Deus é um apelido. Ele pra mim não existe. O que existe é a natureza. Deus é fantasma, mas a natureza é a verdade." Leia mais notícias de Rio | Dercy Gonçalves: 1907 - 2008 Brazilian and actress has died at the age of 101. Gonçalves died of on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She was born Dolores Gonçalves Costa on June 23, 1907 in , Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In her 80-year long career, Gonçalves has worked in the theater, revues, film, radio and television, becoming famous by her humorous use of vulgar language. |
News 'Excessive' Sanctions For Tehran Opposed By Combined Reports Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday that Russia opposed "excessive" sanctions against its economic partner Iran, as the UN Security Council prepared to debate sanctions meant to curtail Tehran's uranium-enrichment program. Lavrov also stressed that Russia had not issued Iran any ultimatums whereby Moscow said it would not deliver nuclear fuel for Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant unless Tehran complied with the United Nations' wishes. [...] This is only an excerpt from the full story. The entire article is approximately 472 words in length. Click here to proceed to the full story. ( Note : you will be prompted for your username and password) Subscribing to The Moscow Times online Only articles from today's edition are available for free on our web site. For earlier stories, you will need a paying subscription to our Article Archive. For more information as well as a price list, please visit our Subscriptions page. You might also be interested in our free E-mail News Summary, which delivers our entire edition every day straight to your inbox. ||||| By Evelyn Leopold UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. negotiators sought on Wednesday to bridge differences with South Africa on sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program, with the United States stressing the importance of Russian pressure on Iran to suspend uranium enrichment. But after two hours of talks in the 15-nation Security Council, no consensus was reached on a draft resolution drawn up by Germany and the five permanent members -- the United States, Britain, France, Russia and China -- after a month of intensive talks. The negotiators then had a private session on what compromises could be made. No vote has been set but South Africa's U.N. ambassador, Dumisani Kumalo, the current council president, doubted it would happen this week because any changes would have to be sent to 15 governments for approval. Pretoria has proposed amendments that strip the text of its key provisions -- a ban on Iranian exports on all weapons and financial restrictions on Iranian officials and institutions. But France's U.N. ambassador, Jean-Marc de la Sabliere, still held out hope, saying "Our wish is to have the resolution by the end of the week." Tehran remained defiant in meeting the council's demand that it suspend uranium enrichment work, which can be used for bomb making as well as peaceful purposes. Iran says its work is for generating electricity but the United States and leading Europeans say Tehran wants to build a nuclear weapon. And on Wednesday, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned against any attack on his country. Continued... ||||| Mar 21, 2007 05:51 PM associated press TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s top leader warned today his country will pursue “illegal actions” if the UN Security Council insists it halt uranium enrichment, an apparent reference to nuclear activities outside international regulations. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also warned the United States that Iran would fight back with “all its capacities” if attacked. “Until today, what we have done has been in accordance with international regulations,” Khamenei said. “But if they take illegal actions, we too can take illegal actions and will do so.” He did not elaborate on what the “illegal actions” could be, but Iran is a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, the agreement under which the UN inspections are held. Iran says it will never give up its right under the treaty to enrich uranium and produce nuclear fuel. But it has offered to provide guarantees that its nuclear program won’t be diverted toward weapons, as the United States and some of its allies fear. The five permanent members of the Security Council — the United States, Russia, China, Britain and France — and Germany have drawn up new sanctions to punish Iran for rejecting UN demands to halt enrichment, a process that can produce fuel for a reactor or fissile material for a nuclear warhead. “If they want to treat us with threats and enforcement of coercion and violence, undoubtedly they must know that the Iranian nation and authorities will use all their capacities to strike enemies that attack,” Khamenei told the country in an address marking the first day of Nowruz, or the Persian New Year. Ambassadors from the 15 Security Council countries held informal discussions in New York today ahead of a meeting to discuss possible changes to the draft sanctions resolution. The new sanctions would ban Iranian arms exports and freeze the assets of 28 additional individuals and organizations involved in the country’s nuclear and missile programs, about a third linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, an elite military corps. The package also calls for voluntary restrictions on travel by the individuals subject to sanctions, on arms sales to Iran, and on new financial assistance or loans to the Iranian government. In Washington, U.S. administration officials urged patience with American efforts to crack down on Iran as Democrats levelled fresh criticism of the government’s approach. “Iran is a country very much on the defensive right now,” said Nicholas Burns, undersecretary for political affairs at the State Department. “The United States is committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution to the challenges posed by Iran. This will require patience and persistence,” he told the Senate Banking Committee. The U.S. and France are hoping the new sanctions will be adopted by the end of the week, but that goal seemed complicated. South Africa, which holds the rotating Security Council presidency, has proposed extensive changes to the resolution, including eliminating the arms embargo and a 90-day “time out” on all sanctions. Although the five council powers remained united on their draft, discussion of South Africa’s proposals seemed likely to delay a vote. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said his country “will not support excessive sanctions against Iran,” and added that the draft resolution has been softened at Moscow’s behest, including narrower restrictions on officials’ travel. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said he will travel to the United Nations if the Security Council decides to vote on sanctions. In his own New Year’s address, he accused world’s powers of waging “psychological warfare ... to block our nation’s progress.” Khamenei said sanctions would backfire and only further motivate Iran to develop nuclear power without outside assistance. “Sanctions may even, under circumstances, come to our benefit since they create more motivation for us,” he said. “Western governments don’t agree with Iran possessing nuclear power. Let them. Did we ask anybody permission to achieve nuclear power?” Iran says it needs alternative energy sources for when its oil reserves run out. “Nuclear energy is a must, a necessity in the long term,” Khamenei said. “One day oil will dry up. ... The Iranian nation needs nuclear energy for life, not weapons.” | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Iran has stated today that if the United Nations proceeds with imposing sanctions on the country or force them to halt their uranium enrichment, they will proceed with "illegal actions," but it was not clear if those actions meant moving towards a nuclear bomb or not. "Until today, what we have done has been in accordance with international regulation. But if they take illegal actions, we too can take illegal actions and will do so," said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the top leader of Iran during an address to his nation. Khamenei also said that he will attack their "enemies" who attack Iran. "If they want to treat us with threats and enforcement of coercion and violence, undoubtedly they must know that the Iranian nation and authorities will use all their capacities to strike enemies that attack," added Khamenei. Despite the warning, the United States has said that the path to resolving their issues with Iran's nuclear enrichment is with "diplomacy." "Iran is a country very much on the defensive right now. The United States is committed to pursuing a diplomatic solution to the challenges posed by Iran. This will require patience and persistence," said U.S. Department of State undersecretary for political affairs, Nicholas Burns. Khamenei also stated that "nuclear energy is a must" and "a necessity in the long term. One day oil will dry up. ... The Iranian nation needs nuclear energy for life, not weapons." France says that they are hopeful that by the end of this week, sanctions will be drawn up and imposed on Iran. Russia says that they "will not support excessive sanctions" on the Iranian nation and that "this is how they the U.S. acted in past times, during the Cold War, when they scared everyone with the Soviet threat and persuaded everybody to group together in a disciplined block," said Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov. A meeting that took place on Wednesday between all 15 member nations of the U.N. Security Council was unsuccessful as no conclusion about Iran's nuclear program could be reached. |
Thursday, May 5, 2005 Forthcoming Mac OS X 10.4.1 Update addresses Tiger issues By AppleInsider Staff Published: 10:15 AM EST The first stable builds of a maintenance and security update to Apple's recently released Tiger operating system are being passed around the company's Cupertino headquarters, AppleInsider has learned. Advertisement Anonymous but reliable sources say that after a month in development, Mac OS X 10.4.1 Update, code-named "Atlanta," is ready to be deployed for rigorous and wide-spread testing. Its objective will be to rectify any and all outstanding issues present in the shipping version of Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger," which went on sale over the weekend. Software builds of the Mac OS X 10.4.1 Update have reportedly been assigned to the 8Bx millstone, with the most recent builds rumored to be Mac OS X 10.4.1 build 8B5, 8B7 and 8B9. According to various contacts, the update will address issues with over three dozen components of the Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" operating system, with an emphasis on improving general stability and reliability. Some of the key areas to be targeted by the update include: AFPServer, AddressBook, AppKit, Bluetooth, Carbon, CoreFoundation, CoreGraphics, DashBoard Widgets, DVD Player, Directory Services, Fonts, Help, iCal, iSync, Mail, Preview, Printing, OpenLDAP, Quartz, SecurityAgent, and WebCore. Insiders also believe that Mac OS X 10.4.1 will include updates to Tiger's .Mac synchronization and notification components and pack a new version of the Mac OS X xnu kernel. Already, insiders tell AppleInsider that recent builds of the system update have addressed nearly two dozen bugs located in Tiger, including sleep issues with iMacs, random crashes related to the new H.264 video codec, PDF printing problems with Safari and Bluetooth FTP. Problems with AddressBook, .Mac registration, iPhoto, Pages, iCal, iSync and iDVD have also been rectified, sources said. Of interest to some users, sources said Mac OS X 10.4.1 will also correct DHCP issues experienced by some Tiger users who own certain D-Link wireless routers. Mac OS X 10.4.1, which currently weighs in at approximately 35MB, is slated for a mid to late-May release. Anonymous but reliable sources say that after a month in development, Mac OS X 10.4.1 Update, code-named "Atlanta," is ready to be deployed for rigorous and wide-spread testing. Its objective will be to rectify any and all outstanding issues present in the shipping version of Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger," which went on sale over the weekend.Software builds of the Mac OS X 10.4.1 Update have reportedly been assigned to the 8Bx millstone, with the most recent builds rumored to be Mac OS X 10.4.1 build 8B5, 8B7 and 8B9.According to various contacts, the update will address issues with over three dozen components of the Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" operating system, with an emphasis on improving general stability and reliability.Some of the key areas to be targeted by the update include: AFPServer, AddressBook, AppKit, Bluetooth, Carbon, CoreFoundation, CoreGraphics, DashBoard Widgets, DVD Player, Directory Services, Fonts, Help, iCal, iSync, Mail, Preview, Printing, OpenLDAP, Quartz, SecurityAgent, and WebCore.Insiders also believe that Mac OS X 10.4.1 will include updates to Tiger's .Mac synchronization and notification components and pack a new version of the Mac OS X xnu kernel.Already, insiders tell AppleInsider that recent builds of the system update have addressed nearly two dozen bugs located in Tiger, including sleep issues with iMacs, random crashes related to the new H.264 video codec, PDF printing problems with Safari and Bluetooth FTP.Problems with AddressBook, .Mac registration, iPhoto, Pages, iCal, iSync and iDVD have also been rectified, sources said.Of interest to some users, sources said Mac OS X 10.4.1 will also correct DHCP issues experienced by some Tiger users who own certain D-Link wireless routers.Mac OS X 10.4.1, which currently weighs in at approximately 35MB, is slated for a mid to late-May release. 52 Comments ] Email Story ] [ Print ] [ Story Link ||||| Apple's OS X 10.4, codenamed "Tiger," was released in desktop and server editions last Friday. Alongside more heralded additions to the company's Unix-based operating system, including the desktop search program Spotlight, came the introduction of Jabber. Desktop Macintosh users who use iChat, Apple's IM client, gained the option to access accounts on Jabber servers. On the server side, Tiger shipped with "iChat Server," a turnkey IM server built around Jabberd 1.4, with some enhancements from Apple engineers. While not all of Apple's offering has been well received by existing Jabber users, and at least one analyst isn't sure whether the company's entry into the IM server business will change the overall landscape of enterprise IM anytime soon, Apple employees and Jabber developers are generally optimistic about the company's adoption of XMPP (define) . Secure Chat for Internal Networks iChat's introduction of Jabber functionality brings to three the total number of IM options for Apple users. Previous versions of iChat supported access to AOL's AIM network via either standard AOL user logins or Apple's .Mac service; or "Bonjour" (previously known as Rendezvous) messaging, which allows users on the same network segment the opportunity to chat independent of a central server. Apple has a reputation for simplifying user interfaces, so the addition of Jabber functionality as a separate chat option (as opposed to rolling it into Bonjour messaging) seemed a little out of character for the company. Apple has been using XMPP to drive Bonjour since the feature was first introduced, without exposing Jabber functionality until now. By having a separate Jabber buddy list and discrete access to Jabber servers, said Zelenka, "users will know which [servers] are secure and which ones aren't," which goes hand-in-hand with the primary goal of iChat Server: "[iChat Server's] big focus was to provide secure IM." Shepherding users into iChat Server networks also increases the user management options many enterprise IM management tools are stressing. According to Zelenka, Apple's implementation of Jabber's server includes integration with Open Server, the company's directory and network authentication services architecture. Open Server offers the use of Open LDAP and kerberos, and provides an interface with other directory services based on LDAP, NIS, or Microsoft's Active Directory, among others. Through user and group management, Zelenka said, access can be granted or denied to specific internal Jabber servers. That sort of internal access control, sometimes referred to as "ethical firewalling," provides a way to ensure that regulatory compliance concerns can be handled by restricting internal employee communications over official channels. Though iChat users with an account on one of the many public Jabber servers can still use their existing account, the program offers no way to create a new account. That's reflective of the emphasis on iChat Server: "It's more of an in-house IM system," Zelenka said, noting that Apple's assumption is that administrators will have created a user account on an internal server for the new Jabber user. The Interoperability Door is Only Open a Crack Apple chose to leave a few other pieces of Jabber functionality out of its client as well: Though it's able to use them if they've already been set up on another Jabber client, there's no option within iChat to do the service discovery needed to access Jabber gateways. Gateways allow server administrators to provide a conduit for their users to access other IM networks via Jabber servers. Common gateways in use on public Jabber servers include portals to AIM, Yahoo, MSN, and ICQ. Through these gateways, Jabber users have access to their buddy lists on other services. Gateways have had a rocky history, owing largely to periodic changes in the proprietary IM networks they access: A change in protocol sends gateway developers back to the drawing board and breaks compatibility with Jabber servers until a new version of the gateway catches up to the changes. ||||| Explore how you can increase your competitive edge and profits Ready for your business to grow? Is your business prepared to handle it? Learn to drive growth and reduce data-transfer risks. Learn how centralized data management and operations can benefit your business See how Wachovia lowered costs and increased security for external and internal data transmissions. ||||| I ran into one bug that stumped Apple: The iMac G5 system I borrowed, initially running Mac OS X 10.3, connected to the Internet with no problem through my home network and Comcast cable modem. After upgrading the system to Tiger, which took about 45 minutes and consumed 2 GB of space on the hard drive, the Internet connection disappeared. Why upgrade your technology? Because great ideas deserve great technology. When you’re bringing ideas to life, your desktops, notebooks and servers should work with you, not against you. So why wait? Get new systems today and start creating tomorrow. CDW. The Mac Solutions You Need When You Need Them. Apple Computer's (Nasdaq: AAPL) new Tiger upgrade to the Macintosh operating system, officially Mac OS X 10.4, delivers a worthwhile collection of useful and fun new features -- if not the earth-shattering breakthrough proclaimed by Apple's over-the-top marketing. Like any new operating system, Tiger is also prone to bugs -- some of which I encountered -- making it a good idea for Mac users to wait about six weeks before taking the plunge. Tiger went on sale last Friday at a list price of US$129, although some retailers are offering small discounts. It will run on any Macintosh computer with a G3, G4 or G5 processor and at least 256 MB of RAM. Credit Deserved The hype comes in large part from Apple co-founder and high priest Steve Jobs, who proclaims the upgrade -- the first since Mac OS X 10.3 "Panther" in October 2003 -- as just short of miraculous: "Tiger is the most innovative and secure desktop operating system ever created." That's over-reaching, although Apple still deserves credit for Tiger's many accomplishments, two of which are particularly important: Spotlight and Dashboard. Spotlight is the most important feature, an easy, quick and powerful way to search for files anywhere on your computer. Tiger puts a new magnifying glass icon in the upper right corner of the screen. Click on the icon and you get a small text-entry window where you type a search term. Spotlight almost instantly displays a list of all files containing that term. Here's an example: I loaded 15 gigabytes of personal documents, photos and songs onto an iMac G5 borrowed from Apple. I entered the word "blackberry" in Spotlight and got two results. The first was a photo slide show I'd made several years ago, saved in the Adobe (Nasdaq: ADBE) Acrobat PDF format, with a caption mentioning the Blackberry Farm picnic ground near my home. The second was a Word document from last year referring to the BlackBerry wireless e-mail device. Neither document had the word "blackberry" in the file names. Spotlight doesn't yet look inside all types of files, but it covers the most important, including e-mail, text documents, songs, photos and PDFs. Searching within your computer has been available before, mostly notably with the free Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) Desktop Search tool, but Spotlight is much faster and more comprehensive. Smart Folders Going a step beyond the competition, Spotlight has "Smart Folders" that point to search results without moving the files, and automatically update themselves. Here's another example: I created Smart Folders to search for files related to two of my favorite vacation destinations, Hawaii and Florida. I then wrote a short text document about how I soon hoped to visit both states, and named it "Sunshine." As soon as I saved the document, it appeared in the Smart Folders for both Hawaii and Florida, even though the computer's single copy of the file still resided in the "Documents" folder. Spotlight doesn't substitute for Apple's iTunes software in organizing your music library, or iPhoto in organizing pictures, but it will make life much easier for digital packrats who can't remember the names or locations of crucial files. Dashboard is the fun new feature in Tiger. When you click the Dashboard icon in the Dock, or press the F12 key, the desktop turns gray and a collection of small windows called "widgets" fly onto the screen. The widgets, which you pick from a menu and decide where to put on the screen, are little tools -- a clock, a calendar, the local weather, a stock ticker, Post-It-type sticky notes and more. Tiger comes with 14 widgets, and Apple already offers 42 more on its Web site. Independent developers are also free to create widgets, so there could soon be hundreds. Dashboard disappears with a click of the mouse, so it's easy and even addictive to keep flipping Dashboard on and off while you're working. There's much more in Tiger, some 200 new features by Apple's count. Wild Beasts Some of what else I like about Tiger, but only have room to mention in passing, are: viewing RSS news feeds in the Safari browser, an improved Mail program for e-mail, wide-ranging and easy-to-use parental controls, and improved iChat videoconferencing for Macs with G5 or high-end G4 processors. Still, it's important to remember that new operating systems are wild beasts that take time to tame. To avoid getting mauled, it's wise to hold off for at least a few weeks while bugs are uncovered and fixed. I ran into one bug that stumped Apple: The iMac G5 system I borrowed, initially running Mac OS X 10.3, connected to the Internet with no problem through my home network and Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSK) cable modem. After upgrading the system to Tiger, which took about 45 minutes and consumed 2 GB of space on the hard drive, the Internet connection disappeared -- even though I changed nothing physically. Thank goodness for my friends down the street, a couple who are both longtime Mac users. They let me take the iMac G5 to their house, where the computer effortlessly connected through their Apple AirPort wireless network and DSL modem from SBC. Other reviewers have reported minor Tiger flaws. And there's a least one documented missing piece: Cisco Systems' VPN client software, widely used for remotely connecting to office networks, isn't compatible with Tiger. Cisco is promising a fix later this month. Once Tiger lies down with the lambs, however, I'd recommend the upgrade. Spotlight and Dashboard alone are worth the price of admission. © 2005 San Jose Mercury News, Calif.. All rights reserved. © 2005 ECT News Network. All rights reserved. E-Mail Article Print Version Talkback Related Stories ||||| First Look: Tiger Lives Up to the Hype Excellent new search tool and numerous additions make Apple's update largely a no-brainer. Narasu Rebbapragada, PC World Friday, April 29, 2005 Now that Apple's Tiger has pounced, there is one question on everyone's mind: Is this latest release of Mac OS X worth 129 bucks? The answer is yes. The improvements are not just cosmetic, as Mac skeptics are likely to snicker. Rather, new features such as Tiger's desktop search tool are powerful enough to change the way you use your Mac. Advertisement According to Apple, Tiger should work on any G3, G4, and G5 Mac with a built-in FireWire port. The installer comes on a DVD (although Apple will let you swap for a set of CDs). I installed a shipping version of the OS and found the upgrade to be quite easy, taking about an hour on both an aging 867-MHz, 12-inch PowerBook and a newer 1.67-GHz PowerBook. Spotlight on Spotlight The breakthrough feature in OS X version 10.4--the reason to get Tiger at all--is Spotlight. This whip-smart desktop search tool rummages through your files, folders, e-mail, and certain applications, and then displays results neatly by category. Just like the search box in previous versions of the OS, Spotlight's search window dresses the top-right corner of any Finder window. Alternatively, pressing Command-Space summons a search field that drops down from the upper-right menu bar. The first time you use Spotlight, your Mac needs 15 to 30 minutes to index its contents. After that, the OS constantly indexes files in the background. As you would in the ITunes search window, keep typing to constantly refine your search results on the fly. Spotlight is fast, and its searches can run deep, making it superior to previous Finder-based searches and Windows searches. Spotlight can search by the usual criteria (file name, kind, keywords) but also by a dizzying variety of deeper parameters such as audio bit-rate, codecs, color label, photo aperture, and type of encryption. It searches through files and folders, all Apple applications, and major third-party applications like Microsoft Word and Excel. Spotlight does not search through Microsoft Entourage, however, which is a bummer since not everyone uses Apple Mail. Using my 867-MHz PowerBook, I performed a generic search for the term "PC World," which quickly produced a results list of just about every related e-mail, document, and graphic containing those words. I was even able to save my Spotlight search as a Smart Folder that continually updates and adds further PC World-related files. That means you can create a Smart Folder for each project you're working on, though you might also lose all incentive to organize your hard drive. Widgets, IChat AV, and Built-In RSS Spotlight might be Tiger's biggest new feature, but you're likely to find plenty of other additions useful. I liked Apple's new Dashboard Widgets, which are attractive mini-applications that aggregate information like stock prices, weather reports, and flight times. Widgets themselves are not new. Mac enthusiasts have long been playing around with Pixoria's Konfabulator widgets, which Apple says are distinct from its own widgets. I found Dashboard Widgets to be attractive and useful, although you can't work on your machine while a widget is active. Some widgets also occupy a lot of screen real estate. Four or five on a 12-inch PowerBook obscures what's behind them. Apple improves the Mac's instant messaging chops with IChat AV. The app now supports the Jabber chat protocol and lets you conduct 10-way audio chats and slick-looking four-way video chats, although hardware requirements limit the number of people who can take advantage of this feature. For instance, you need at least a dual 1-GHz Power Mac G4 or G5 and a 384-kbps Internet connection to initiate a four-way video chat. You also need an Apple ISight or a FireWire-connected DV camcorder--IChat did not recognize my Logitech QuickCam Zoom. Fans of Really Simple Syndication will also enjoy Apple's update to the Safari Web browser, which now supports RSS feeds for reading blogs and news feeds. Apple includes links to about 25 news sources, but it's easy to add your own (I quickly added PCWorld.com's RSS feeds) and to create a page that aggregates your favorite news sources. Stricter Parental Controls and Easier Automation Tiger's Parental Controls for Finder, Mail, IChat, Safari, and the new dictionary/thesaurus (a separate app that lets you look up words without an Internet connection) are strict, but there are some holes. For Mail and IChat, for example, you can add individuals with whom your child can communicate, but once people are white-listed, the OS stops monitoring the contents of the messages. That means they can include every profanity known to man and still make the cut. For Internet surfing, the controls work only with Safari, and parents have to add every site a child is allowed to visit as a bookmark. I even had to add the highly benign PCWorld.com. This feature may work well for little children but is sure to become limiting for older kids. Tiger makes makes it easier to deal with repetitive actions like batch-importing photos with its new Automator application. It is distinct from AppleScript and is meant to be far easier to use, although our short time with it didn't yield very fruitful results. It does have a learning curve. Apple includes 175 prebuilt actions, and more are available on its Downloads page as well as through third-party Web sites such as IThink Automator and Automated Workflows. Finally, cross-platform folks will like the improved support for faster, more seamless networking between Mac and PCs. Apple loves slide shows and has added support for them to the Finder, Spotlight, and Mail, letting you, for instance, view a series of e-mail image attachments as a slide show. Apple has added a .Sync preference to the .Mac preference pane to let you easily sync contacts, calendars, keychains, bookmarks, and mail information to other devices through .Mac. Bottom line: Mac OS X Tiger is a giant leap over its predecessor, Panther. In my tests the operating system seemed stable and relatively bug-free, and performance was excellent on both my new test system and my aging Powerbook. For me, the Spotlight search and Smart Folders features are worth the purchase price. That said, if they don't wow you, RSS readers and widgets are available elsewhere, and there's always AppleScript as a more technical alternative to Automator. Apple Mac OS X Tiger (version 10.4) Well-integrated and robust new search tool make Tiger a must-have for Mac users. List: $129 Current prices (if available) Well-integrated and robust new search tool make Tiger a must-have for Mac users.List: $129Current prices (if available) Printer Friendly Version | In chatrooms and on bulletin boards, Macintosh users and the Macintosh-curious are buzzing about Tiger, the newest version of Apple Computer's Mac OS X, version 10.4. The open-source kernel, or base of the system, "Darwin", plus all the features of Apple's proprietary Quartz user interface features, software, and system utilities have passed through their next phase of upgrading and scrutiny, and have been shipping for more than a week now. Apple reports that Tiger, the code name for this release, includes over 200 new features and new versions of application software such as e-mail client Mail, web browser Safari, and multi-person audio/video/text messaging client iChat. Entirely new features have also been rolled out in this release: * Spotlight integrates search in the core of the OS, and utilizes meta-data in its algorithm. * Dashboard provides a sandbox for widgets, handy mini-applicatios like a calculator, sticky notes, and a dictionary, made available at the stroke of a key. * Automator, a graphical scripting interface that enables non-programmers to automate repetitive tasks. One user of the new operating system made this comment: IRC chat snippet: Amgine> so... how is it? pHatidic> It's like being in the future. Industry analysts have pointed to both the advances and the failures of the new version already. Many of the bigger technology advances have gained high praise, but, they point out, Microsoft Longhorn is also expected to have many of these advantages when it is released, expected in late 2006. And inter-operability, long a strength of Macintosh to work with other operating systems and networks, has had a few bugs—such as reports of issues with Server Message Block (SMB) and Active Directory. Another issue for some is the fact that Cisco System's VPN does not work with Tiger. Cisco has promised a compatible release before the end of the month. The biggest technology breakthrough is Spotlight. Using meta-data, searches are fast and easy and very thorough, and the results of the search can be used over and over again and will automatically update and change as you use your system. Search queries on a user's data can be saved as "Smart folders" without ever moving files on the hard drive, so you can collect all your photos, receipts, and webpages about your summer vacation, for example, while still keeping things ordered on your hard drive. According to a review by ''PC World'', this alone is worth the US$129. Still, even Macintosh support sites such as Mac News suggest waiting for the first "point" release (10.4'''.1''') before jumping in, which is expected in late May. Apple Computer has been on a semi-regular release pattern since moving to Mac OS X, with four versions released in 5 years. This constant development program has occasionally been accused of being aimed at forcing users to constantly pay out for expensive new software, but the returns of regular releases have been quick bug fixes and leading edge technology. |
An expanded American footprint would also increase Mr. Obama’s entanglement with an Afghan government widely viewed as corrupt and illegitimate. Multiplying allegations of fraud in the Aug. 20 presidential election have left Washington with little hope for a credible partner in the war once the results are final. The latest tally, with nearly half of the polling stations counted, showed President Hamid Karzai leading with 45.9 percent against 33.3 percent for his main opponent, Abdullah Abdullah, Reuters reported. But the White House left open the possibility that Mr. Obama would send more troops. “There’s broad agreement that for many years, our effort in Afghanistan has been under-resourced politically, militarily and economically,” Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, said Monday. He went on to use the words “under-resourced” and “under-resource” six more times during his daily briefing. The report comes after a sharp escalation of violence in Afghanistan, where more American troops died in August than in any month since the beginning of the war. The military announced Monday that two American soldiers died in separate attacks involving homemade bombs, bringing the total killed last month to 51, according to the Web site icasualties.org. The number of such attacks has nearly quadrupled since 2007, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort,” General McChrystal said in a statement after sending his report to Gen. David H. Petraeus, the commander of all Middle East forces. A military official said General Petraeus immediately endorsed its findings and forwarded it on Monday to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, who will review it before sending it to the White House. Photo The report coincides with an effort by the Obama administration to develop a series of benchmarks, or metrics, to measure progress in Afghanistan, much as was done in Iraq. Congress has insisted on evidence of improvement to justify the additional troops, financial investment and civilian reconstruction teams already committed by Mr. Obama. Advertisement Continue reading the main story Mr. Gates said Monday that despite the “gloom and doom” that has characterized recent discussion, Afghanistan today is a “mixed picture.” He said he would consider any troop requests in the coming weeks, but told Bloomberg News that he was concerned about “the implications of significant additional forces in terms of the foreign footprint in Afghanistan, whether the Afghans will see this as us becoming more of an occupier or their partner, and how do you differentiate those.” Newsletter Sign Up Continue reading the main story Please verify you're not a robot by clicking the box. Invalid email address. Please re-enter. You must select a newsletter to subscribe to. Sign Up You agree to receive occasional updates and special offers for The New York Times's products and services. Thank you for subscribing. An error has occurred. Please try again later. View all New York Times newsletters. Shortly after taking office Mr. Obama ordered 17,000 more combat troops and 4,000 more trainers to Afghanistan, and once they all arrive the American force there will number 68,000. As the NATO commander, General McChrystal also has 40,000 additional foreign forces available to him, but some of their home governments have placed restrictions on how they can be used. General McChrystal wants a large expansion of Afghan security forces and an acceleration of their training, according to American commanders. The Afghan government currently has about 134,000 police officers and 82,000 soldiers, although many of them are poorly equipped and have little logistical support. Under the strategy described by General McChrystal and other commanders in recent weeks, the overriding goal of American and NATO forces would not be so much to kill Taliban insurgents as to make ordinary Afghans feel secure, and thus isolate the insurgents. That means using force less and focusing on economic development and good governance. General McChrystal also intends to try to unify the effort of American allies like Britain, Canada, Germany and France, and possibly to ask them to contribute more troops, money and training. With polls showing falling support for the Afghan war, critics in Congress have grown increasingly vocal in calling for withdrawal. Representative Jim McGovern, Democrat of Massachusetts, returned from Afghanistan last week and said that despite the capable Americans now there, he was pessimistic about the chances of success and did not even know how to define it. Advertisement Continue reading the main story “I have this sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that we’re getting sucked into an endless war here,” he said in an interview. Some Afghanistan specialists said Mr. Obama might have to swallow his own doubts and defy his base. “I think he’s going to have to tough it out,” said James Dobbins, a former American envoy to Afghanistan. “The downside of a policy of disengagement and what would happen for now would be more severe both for the president and for the country.” Mr. Obama has said that deciding to send the additional troops was the hardest decision he has made during his young presidency. On Sunday, just before ending his vacation in Martha’s Vineyard, he visited briefly at the Cape Cod Air Station with the family of a 21-year-old Marine who was killed in Afghanistan in July. Mr. Obama had met the Marine, Cpl. Nicholas Xiarhos, who was born in Hyannis, Mass., in February when he visited Camp Lejeune, N.C., to announce his plan to withdraw combat forces from Iraq. He told a story then of two Marines who stood in the path of a suicide bomber’s truck and stopped it from entering a Marine outpost in Ramadi, Iraq, losing their own lives but saving dozens of their colleagues. One of those saved was Corporal Xiarhos. He later shipped out to Afghanistan, where he was killed in action in July. ||||| Turning Point Looms for the U.S. in Afghanistan Monday marks the end of August, a month with both good and bad news out of Afghanistan and the approach of a key turning point. Civilian casualties caused by Western attacks have fallen dramatically under a new edict from General Stanley McChrystal barring air strikes that risk innocent deaths (19 killed since July 1, down from 151 in the same period of 2008). That's designed to show the Afghan people that the U.S. military is a force for good in their country. But at the same time, U.S. troop deaths reached 45 in August, making it the deadliest month for American military personnel since the war began 94 months ago. That's due to U.S. forces challenging the Taliban more directly, and the Taliban's stepped-up use of roadside bombs to kill as many Western troops as possible. (Read "Obama's Next Move in Afghanistan.") Both elements signal the arrival of a pivot point in Afghanistan, and one that is looming in Washington. McChrystal, now shepherding the final 6,000 U.S. troops into the country to join the 62,000 already there, knows he needs even more forces to prevail. He's expected to request them sometime before the war's eighth birthday on Oct. 7. That prospect is being viewed coolly inside the Pentagon. But President Obama who has declared the Afghan conflict his top national-security priority isn't expected to refuse his handpicked commander's initial request for reinforcements, probably 10,000 to 20,000 more troops. (Read "Will the U.S. Need More Troops in Afghanistan?") On Monday, McChrystal turned his official review of the war over to his superior, General David Petraeus, chief of U.S. Central Command. "The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort," McChrystal said in a statement announcing he had finished his survey. While the report doesn't recommend additional troops, Pentagon officials expect it to form the foundation for such a request in coming weeks. While McChrystal's redeployed and reinforced troops appear to be making progress in various parts of Afghanistan, there remain staggering challenges. The key southern city of Kandahar long the capital of Taliban might appears increasingly under the sway of the insurgency. There are widespread reports of vote fraud in the Aug. 20 presidential election in which incumbent Hamid Karzai claims to be leading. What's more, military and foreign-policy experts some of whom have been advising McChrystal say both the U.S. military and civilian presence is inadequate. (See pictures of the new offensive in Afghanistan.) "President Obama inherited a disaster, a war which had been under-resourced horribly for at least six of the last seven and a half years," former CIA official Bruce Riedel, who was tapped by the White House to review Afghan policy, said last week. Even if McChrystal gets whatever forces he feels he needs, the best one can hope for is that the situation may be stabilized in 12 to 18 months. "Anyone who thinks that in 12 to 18 months we're going to be anywhere near victory is living in a fantasyland," Riedel said. Both Riedel and Anthony Cordesman, a military expert who has been advising McChrystal, mentioned Vietnam in their remarks to an audience at the Brookings Institution last week. That's a ghost that strikes fear into the heart of many Democrats, who fear Obama may be treading down the same path in Afghanistan that President Johnson followed to political ruin for him and his party in Vietnam. "What I found, being in Afghanistan, was all too familiar of problems not only in Iraq but in Vietnam years ago," Cordesman said. "We take the insurgency, and we define it in terms of tactical clashes rather than areas of influence." The Taliban's areas of influence have grown dramatically, he said. (See pictures of the battle against the Taliban.) Riedel warned that if the presidential election isn't seen as legitimate, it could lead to the collapse of the central Afghan government. "If the government of Afghanistan now goes into free fall something like the South Vietnamese governments of the 1960s then all the troops in the world really aren't going to matter," Riedel said. "If we don't have a government we can point to that has some basis of legitimacy in the country, the best generals, the best strategy, isn't going to help turn it around." Still, even the specter of Vietnam is unlikely to dissuade Obama if he agrees with McChrystal's request for more troops, Michael O'Hanlon, a defense expert at Brookings, told the same gathering. "The idea that a Democratic Congress would pull out the rug from underneath a President of their own party on what he has declared to be his top national-security priority before the midterm elections, to me, is unthinkable," O'Hanlon said. He added that such an outcome won't occur "until there is much more evidence that the strategy is failing." That's surely a reassuring thought for McChrystal, bunkered down in Kabul. He knows the number of additional troops he may request needs to be as small as possible. That's why he has ordered his subordinates to look into whether some troops that are performing administrative or logistical tasks perhaps as many as 10,000 could be replaced with trigger pullers. That would give McChrystal more firepower without boosting troop levels. And the Army is expected to issue contracts before year's end to private firms to guard 50 or more U.S. bases in Afghanistan and the convoys that supply them, work currently being done by troops. "The number of personnel required at each location will be based on prior requirements," the solicitation reads, "and may be modified or increased dependent upon mission needs." Just like the real Army. See pictures of Afghanistan's dangerous Korengal Valley. Read TIME's 2004 cover story "Remember Afghanistan?" | With the War in Afghanistan approaching its eighth year, the newly appointed U.S. ground commander in Afghanistan, General (Gen.) Stanley McChrystal, is making his case for a new strategy in the recent submission of classified recommendations to U.S. President Barack Obama. A focal point for discussion is Gen. McChrystal's recommendation for troop levels in the country of which he is expected to recommend an increase by the end of this year. The classified report was submitted this Monday morning, August 31, 2009 and will eventually find its way onto the desk of President Obama serving as the likely basis upon which he will make decisions about the future of the U.S. engagement in the country. At this time the 20-page report is being reviewed by Gen. McChrystal's superiors to include Gen. David Petraeus, Commander of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Mike Mullen, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Gen. Egon Ramms, the senior North Atlantic Treaty Organization Commander before going to U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and on to the President. A public release of the report is not currently scheduled. Although the report does not include requests for troop increases, it is possible that such a request will occur in the coming weeks or shortly thereafter. Gen. McChrystal reportedly described the situation in Afghanistan as "serious" which has caused some concerns about the overall progress of the war, driving the need for the strategy assessment. The White House has signaled its concern with Afghanistan as the Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs, described the Afghan War as "under-resourced politically, militarily and economically". While there have been some leaks about other content in the report, none have been officially recognized by Gen. McChrystal or the U.S. government. Even still Gen. McChrystal remains resolved to ensure the maximum utilization of resources he already commands with reports that he ordered his subordinates to evaluate the need for high numbers of administrative positions vice utilizing those troops in combat roles. Additionally, the U.S. Army is considering whether or not they will utilize contractors to conduct guard duty at certain bases as well as convoy duty. Gen. McChrystal stated, "The situation in Afghanistan is serious, but success is achievable and demands a revised implementation strategy, commitment and resolve, and increased unity of effort". This report will likely be the first step in what will be many of significant changes in U.S. strategy. |
Today in Italy Special service by AGI on behalf of the Italian Prime Minister's office POPE: LAST MESSAGE, "I AM HAPPY, YOU BE HAPPY, TOO" (AGI) - Vatican, April 2 - Pope John Paul II has written a message addressed to his collaborators. It reads, "I am happy, you be happy, too. Let's pray together with joy, I entrust everything to the Virgin Mary with joy". This was confirmed by the 19th Century, which noted that it was the last message written by the Pope, who needed a lot of effort, being helped by his secretary, Monsignor Stanislao. (AGI) - 021355 APR 05 COPYRIGHTS 2002-2003 AGI S.p.A. Invia questo articolo successiva: NAPLES: THREE ARMED MEN ARRESTED IN SCAMPIA precedente: POPE: LECH WALESA, KEY PLAYER IN HOW COMMUNISM ENDED ||||| World Gets First Glimpse of Pope's Body VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Finally at rest after years of crippling disease, Pope John Paul II's body lay in state Sunday, his hands clutching a rosary, his pastoral staff under his arm. Millions prayed and wept at services across the globe, as the Vatican prepared for the ritual-filled funeral and conclave that will choose a successor. Television images gave the public its first view of the pope since his death: lying in the Vatican's frescoed Apostolic Palace, dressed in crimson vestments and a white bishop's miter, his head resting on a stack of gold pillows. A Swiss Guard stood on either side as diplomats, politicians and clergy paid their respects at his feet. An estimated 100,000 people turned out at St. Peter's Square for a morning Mass and thousands more - tourists, Romans, young and old - kept coming throughout the day, filling the broad boulevard leading to St. Peter's Basilica. They clutched rosaries and newspaper photos of the late pontiff as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder to pray for the soul of "our beloved John Paul." "Even if we fear we've lost a point of reference, I feel like everybody in this square is united with him in a hug," said Luca Ghizzardi, a 38-year-old nurse with a sleeping bag and a handmade peace flag at his feet. Early Sunday, a text message had circulated on cell phones in Rome, asking people to light candles in their windows. "May they light up the road to God for him, the way he did for us," the message said. Around the world, bells tolled and worshippers prayed in remembrance of the man who reigned for longer than all but two of his predecessors and was credited with helping bring down communism in Europe and spreading a message of peace during his frequent travels around the world. John Paul, who was 58 when the cardinals elected him the first non-Italian pope in 455 years, also left a legacy of conservatism. He opposed divorce, birth control and abortion, the ordination of women and the lifting of the celibacy requirement for priests. The mourning stretched from the pope's native Poland, where 100,000 people filled a Warsaw square at the spot where he celebrated a landmark Mass 26 years ago, to the earthquake-devastated Indonesian island of Nias, where a priest led special prayers. In Paris, the great bell of Notre Dame sounded 84 times - once for each year of the pontiff's life - as a crowd of 25,000 massed outside. In New York, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani joined parishioners who packed St. Patrick's Cathedral for a standing-room-only Mass. "He showed us how to live and he showed us how to die," said one parishioner, Joan McDermott. "He reached out to people of all faiths, not just Catholics and Christians." In the Holy Land, Israelis remembered John Paul as a builder of bridges between the faiths, noting how he had embraced Holocaust survivors with kindness and maintained friendships with Jewish friends from childhood. In Rome, officials were scrambling for a huge influx of pilgrims - up to 2 million of them - seeking to pay final respects to the late pontiff. Starting Monday, the pope's body was to lie in state at St. Peter's Basilica. The College of Cardinals - the red-capped "princes of the church" who now officially govern the 1 billion-strong Roman Catholic Church - was to hold its first meeting Monday, a pre-conclave gathering expected to plan and set a date for the funeral later this week at St. Peter's Square. President Bush was expected to attend the funeral, which will draw other world leaders as well as Vatican hierarchy and ordinary faithful. The conclave must begin 15 to 20 days after the pope's death. Karol Joseph Wojtyla died at 9:37 p.m. Saturday in his apartment of septic shock and cardio-circulatory collapse, the Vatican said. The mourning began with an overnight vigil in St. Peter's Square. In keeping with Vatican tradition, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the late pope's vicar for Rome, issued a formal announcement of John Paul's death to the people of Rome early Sunday. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Vatican's No. 2 official, gave the homily at Sunday's Mass at St. Peter's. "For a quarter century, he brought the Gospel of Christian hope to all the piazzas of the world, teaching all of us that our death is nothing but the passage toward the homeland in the sky," he said. The written text of Sodano's homily called the late pope "John Paul the Great," a title usually designated for popes worthy of sainthood, such as Gregory the Great and Leo the Great. Sodano did not use the title when he delivered the homily, and there was no explanation. Vatican texts, however, are considered official texts even if they are not pronounced. After the Mass ended, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, who became the pope's public "voice" in the final weeks of his life, read the traditional Sunday noontime prayer, which John Paul delivered throughout his pontificate. The crowd applauded, and some fought back tears, when Sandri announced that the late pope prepared the prayer himself before he died - perhaps one of John Paul's last written documents. "It's a historic event," said Ercole Ferri, a 72-year-old Roman who proudly showed off a list of the six popes he has lived through. "It's not something sad for me. I think of all that he has done." "I think more about how hard it will be for a new one to follow in his footsteps," he added. "John Paul held his hand to us young people," said 21-year-old Alessio Bussolotti, who drove to Rome with his fellow Boy Scouts from the Italian city of Ancona. "Now we have to give him ours." Once the Mass ended, cardinals, prelates, Italian government officials and diplomats gathered in the Sala Clementina of the Apostolic Palace, where John Paul's body lay in state. His crossed hands clutched a rosary, and his pastoral staff was tucked under his left arm. "Our Holy Father looks very much at peace. It was very satisfying for all of us to see him so serene," Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles said after paying his respects. "His life is finished and he gave up his spirit." At their meetings beginning Monday, the cardinals will read John Paul's final instructions, including his choice of burial place. Most popes in recent centuries have asked to be buried in the crypts below St. Peter's Basilica, but some have suggested the first Polish-born pope might have chosen to be laid to rest in his native country. In addition, the cardinals will arrange for the destruction of John Paul's Fisherman's Ring and the dies used to make lead seals for apostolic letters - formal gestures meant to symbolize the end of his reign and to prevent forgeries. On the sidelines, cardinals will certainly be sizing each other up as possible "papabili," or having the qualities to be the next pope. Cardinal Bernard Panafieu, one of five French prelates who can vote, said Sunday he was hoping for someone "who dynamizes the people - God's people - as John Paul II did. At the same time, a man who has an international sense, of the opening of Catholicism to the world. An open man and at the same time, a man faithful to the great traditions of the Church." John Paul survived a 1981 assassination attempt, but in his later years was the picture of frailty, weighed down by Parkinson's disease and crippling knee and hip ailments. Although he continued his travels, he was too weak to continue his famous gesture of kissing the ground when he arrived at his destinations. Hospitalized twice in the past two months after breathing crises, and fitted with a breathing tube and a feeding tube, John Paul became a picture of suffering as his death approached. © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy. ||||| The Pope died in his private apartment at the Vatican at 2137 local time (1937 GMT) on Saturday, surrounded by his closest Polish aides. Many thousands of people gathered in Rome's St Peter's Square to pay tribute to the pontiff, while church bells throughout the city began tolling. The Pope had suffered worsening health problems including a heart condition. Our Holy Father John Paul has returned to the house of the Father Archbishop Leonardo Sandri Senior Vatican official Watch the statement The Pope then received the Viaticum, a Catholic rite for the sick and dying. Long applause The Italian government has declared three days of mourning. News of the Pope's death was received with intense emotion The funeral date has not been set but it is not expected before Wednesday. Pope John Paul II died after suffering from heart and kidney problems and unstable blood pressure. Minutes after his death, the Vatican issued a brief statement to confirm the news, adding that procedures to be carried out in the event of the death of the Pope had been set in motion. THE POPE'S LIFE 1920 - Born near Krakow, Poland 1964 - Archbishop of Krakow 1978 - Elected first non-Italian Pope for 450 years 1981 - Assassination attempt 2002 - Final visit to homeland Obituary: John Paul II The news was met with long applause, an Italian sign of respect, followed by several minutes of silence as the crowd took in the news. "Our Holy Father John Paul has returned to the house of the Father," senior Vatican official Archbishop Leonardo Sandri said. The BBC's Peter Gould, at the Vatican, says people in the square stood in groups, comforting one other. In the Pope's native Poland, people fell to their knees and wept as the news reached them. Tributes have been coming in from political and religious leaders in other parts of the world. US President George W Bush said the world had lost a champion of freedom. YOUR TRIBUTES A wonderful beacon of truth and justice for the world John O'Byrne, Dublin, Ireland Send your tributes The Cardinal Chamberlain of the Roman Catholic Church, Eduardo Martinez Somalo, is now in charge. He has to seal the papal apartments and summon the cardinals from around the world to elect the Pope's successor. The cardinals, many of whom are already on their way to Rome, must meet no more than 20 days after the Pope's death to choose a successor. A preliminary meeting has been arranged for Monday morning. Breathing trouble The Pope's condition deteriorated suddenly on Thursday night with a high fever caused by an infection of the urinary tract. He had been suffering from breathing troubles, exacerbated by the progress of Parkinson's Disease, an incurable condition from which he had been suffering for nearly a decade. He appeared briefly at the window of his Vatican apartment on Easter Sunday to bless the faithful, but was unable to speak. It was the first time during his 26-year pontificate that the Pope had delegated the main Easter ceremonies to his cardinals. Polish-born Karol Wojtyla became Pope in 1978, taking a conservative stand on issues like abortion and contraception. He was the most widely travelled pontiff and visited more than 120 countries during his 26-year papacy. ||||| Pope John Paul II has died in Rome aged 84. A statement issued by the Vatican said he died at 8.37pm this evening. His death was announced by Cardinal Sodano to a still and crowded Saint Peter's Square. The news was was met with a long applause - an Italian sign of respect - by the 100,000 present in St Peter's Square. Bells tolled and many people wept openly. The charismatic Polish Pope led the Catholic Church for 26 years, the third longest serving Pope in history. Dublin's Pro Cathedral is to remain open until midnight tonight to allow people to pray for the deceased Pope. John Paul will be remembered for his role in the collapse of communism in Europe and his unyielding defence of traditional Vatican doctrines as leader of the world's 1.1 billion Catholics. Huge crowds had staged a tearful vigil in St Peter's Square, praying for a man already being dubbed by some Catholics as 'John Paul the Great'. The Pope's health had deteriorated steadily over the past decade and earlier this year took a sharp turn for the worse. The Pontiff, once a lithe athlete and powerful speaker, was already racked by arthritis and Parkinson's Disease, his voice often reduced to a raspy whisper. He was rushed to hospital twice in February and had to have a tracheotomy to ease serious breathing problems. But he never regained his strength from the operation and failed dramatically on two occasions to address crowds at St Peter's Square. On Wednesday doctors inserted a feeding tube into his stomach to try to boost his energy levels. A day later he developed a urinary infection and high fever that soon precipitated heart failure, kidney problems and ultimately death. According to pre-written Church rules, the Pontiff's mourning rites will last nine days and his body is likely to be laid to rest in the crypt underneath St Peter's Basilica. The conclave to elect a new Pope will start in 15 to 20 days, with almost 120 cardinals from around the world gathering in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel to choose a successor. For a full biography of Pope John Paul II click here. ||||| Statements from World Leaders | Groups "The Catholic Church has lost its shepherd, the world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home." -- President George W. Bush "He never wavered, never flinched, in the struggle for what he thought was good and right. Yet, whatever his own hardship and experience of what was wrong in human nature, he never lost faith in the human spirit and its ultimate capacity to do good." -- British Prime Minister Tony Blair "Pope John Paul was a leader of manifest holiness and a faithful and prayerful friend of the Anglican Church." -- The Most Rev. Rowan Williams, archbishop of Canterbury "Pope John Paul II was unquestionably the most influential voice for morality and peace in the world during the last 100 years. His extraordinary gifts, his strong Catholic faith, and his experience of human tyranny and suffering in his native Poland all shaped him, and yet he was respected by men and women from every conceivable background across the world. He was truly one of those rare individuals whose legacy will endure long after he has gone." -- Evangelist Billy Graham "Few Jews will forget his visit to the synagogue in Rome or his deeply moving pilgrimage to the Western Wall in Jerusalem. That one act of atonement for the suffering caused to Jews by the church was one of the great healing moments of our time." -- Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, chief rabbi of Great Britain "Quite apart from his role as a spiritual guide to more than a billion men, women and children, he was a tireless advocate of peace, a true pioneer in interfaith dialogue and a strong force for critical self-evaluation by the church itself." -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan "His guidance renewed in us our need to come together as one human family and challenged us to reach out to the poorest of the poor -- not just to alleviate their suffering but to help them fulfill their potential and maintain their dignity as human persons." -- Ken Hackett, president of Catholic Relief Services "We neither express grief nor joy over the death of the pope. Some of what he said about peace and harmony was worth considering." -- Abdul Latif Hakimi, spokesman for the Taliban in Kabul, Afghanistan "With his vision and dedication, the day when people of faith will view people of other faiths as being partners in faith, rather than in competition with each other to save souls, is not far." -- Anahat Kaur, vice chairperson of World Sikh Council -- America Region "John Paul II has been the most beloved religious leader of our age -- far surpassing in popular admiration the leader of any faith. He has been a man of great warmth, profound understanding, deep spirituality and indefatigable vigor. ... His personal magnetism brought together all Christians in new bonds of understanding." -- Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson "Muslims worldwide respected Pope John Paul II as an advocate for justice and human rights. His message of international peace and interfaith reconciliation is one that will reverberate for decades to come." -- Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations "I think history will record Pope John Paul II as one of the most significant, historic figures of the 20th century, on a par with great statesmen and world leaders. In many ways, he was as eloquent a spokesman for the inherent and intrinsic value of every human being as Winston Churchill was for freedom and liberty." -- Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission "While we had our disagreements -- on gender equality, reproductive rights, and the rights of gays and lesbians -- we never doubted for a moment that he was a man of profound principle, courage and vision. Even when our religious traditions led us to different conclusions, John Paul II always found new opportunities for re-engaging in our common purpose of bringing justice with mercy into the human community." -- Rabbi Eric Yoffie, president of the Union for Reform Judaism "His major legacy to Christians within and outside the Roman Catholic Church was the pope's commitment to the incarnate Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior, along with his commitment to the presence of the Holy Spirit." -- The Rev. Robert Schuller, pastor of the Crystal Cathedral and host of the "Hour of Power" television program "The pope was a man of true peace and justice. His strong commitment to human rights, democracy and interreligious dialogue will not be forgotten." -- Pawan Deshpande, member of the Hindu American Foundation Executive Council "He engaged in a passionate quest to end hostilities in all the hot spots of the globe and to advance human rights everywhere. He spoke forthrightly on the scandal of want and need among the global family, calling to task the wealthy and secure, urging them to invest in economic systems that support human dignity and well-being." -- The Rev. Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of Churches "Pope John Paul II took as an informal motto of his papacy the words of Scripture, `Be not afraid!' Through these 26 years, he taught us in word and deed the meaning of this phrase -- that all who wholeheartedly open their lives to Christ and belong to him have nothing to fear in this world or the next." -- Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, Wash., president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Read more Statements: Catholics for Faithful Citizenship His Holiness the Dalai Lama Council on American Islamic Relations Christian Coalition of America Union for Reform Judaism The Bruderhof Community Bono of U2 Read more ||||| The Pope asked not to return to hospital for treatment No word has been heard for more than 12 hours on his condition, but a briefing has been scheduled for 0930GMT. At the last update, his breathing was reportedly shallow, his blood pressure low and there were problems with both his heart and kidneys. Thousands of people held an evening vigil in St Peter's Square. Up to 70,000 attended past midnight, but numbers had dwindled to just a few hundred by the early hours. "Stay with us. Don't leave us," the crowds chanted, many crying uncontrollably. This evening or this night, Christ opens the door to the Pope Angelo Comastri Vicar general of Vatican City Vatican statements What is Anointing the Sick? The Vatican made three statements on Friday, seemingly to prepare Catholics to expect the worst. Unusually, it kept its press centre open all Friday night, but closed it at 0600 (0400 GMT) on Saturday, saying it would reopen at 0900. Cardinals - who will elect a new pope after John Paul dies - are arriving in Rome from all over the world, the Italian media have reported. The Pope's vicar general of Rome said the pontiff was already "at one" with Jesus Christ. He "already sees and touches the Lord," Cardinal Camillo Ruini told a packed Mass in Rome's St John Lateran cathedral. "I invite all Romans and all Italians to intensify their prayers for him," he said. "We want to be close to him in this hour through the same loving closeness with which John Paul II has accompanied us for nearly 27 years." Another senior clergyman, Angelo Comastri, told about 30,000 people gathered in St Peter's Square: "This evening or this night, Christ opens the door to the Pope." Sacrament given Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said on Friday evening that the Pope's overall condition had been "notably compromised". But he added that the Pope was visibly participating in prayers around his sickbed. Krakow people pay tribute to the Pope they called their own In pictures The Pope's condition deteriorated on Thursday after he developed a urinary tract infection that later brought on "septic shock and a cardio-circulatory collapse". He was given the Catholic sacrament for the sick and dying - called the Anointing of the Sick. But the Pope decided not to return to Rome's Gemelli hospital. He was being treated in his apartment by a team of four top consultants and his private doctor Renato Buzzonetti. Homeland homage Catholics around the world have been praying for the Pope. Soon he will carry his cross into eternity and we will have to study hard the footprints he has left David Power Tipperary, Ireland Pope's illness: Your views In the Pope's homeland, Poland, churches have been packed with worshippers throughout the day. The Archbishop of Krakow, Franciszek Macharski - a long-time friend of the Pope - told his audience: "Do not feel shame at showing your emotion and at shedding tears." US President George W Bush and his wife Laura had joined those around the world who were praying for him, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. ||||| World gets first glimpse of pope's body VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Finally at rest after years of crippling disease, Pope John Paul II's body lay in state Sunday, his hands clutching a rosary, his pastoral staff under his arm. Millions prayed and wept at services across the globe, as the Vatican prepared for the ritual-filled funeral and conclave that will choose a successor. Television images gave the public its first view of the pope since his death: lying in the Vatican's frescoed Apostolic Palace, dressed in crimson vestments and a white bishop's miter, his head resting on a stack of gold pillows. A Swiss Guard stood on either side as diplomats, politicians and clergy paid their respects at his feet. An estimated 100,000 people turned out at St. Peter's Square for a morning Mass and thousands more - tourists, Romans, young and old - kept coming throughout the day, filling the broad boulevard leading to St. Peter's Basilica. They clutched rosaries and newspaper photos of the late pontiff as they stood shoulder-to-shoulder to pray for the soul of "our beloved John Paul." "Even if we fear we've lost a point of reference, I feel like everybody in this square is united with him in a hug," said Luca Ghizzardi, a 38-year-old nurse with a sleeping bag and a handmade peace flag at his feet. Early Sunday, a text message had circulated on cell phones in Rome, asking people to light candles in their windows. "May they light up the road to God for him, the way he did for us," the message said. Around the world, bells tolled and worshippers prayed in remembrance of the man who reigned for longer than all but two of his predecessors and was credited with helping bring down communism in Europe and spreading a message of peace during his frequent travels around the world. John Paul, who was 58 when the cardinals elected him the first non-Italian pope in 455 years, also left a legacy of conservatism. He opposed divorce, birth control and abortion, the ordination of women and the lifting of the celibacy requirement for priests. The mourning stretched from the pope's native Poland, where 100,000 people filled a Warsaw square at the spot where he celebrated a landmark Mass 26 years ago, to the earthquake-devastated Indonesian island of Nias, where a priest led special prayers. In Paris, the great bell of Notre Dame sounded 84 times - once for each year of the pontiff's life - as a crowd of 25,000 massed outside. In New York, U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan and former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani joined parishioners who packed St. Patrick's Cathedral for a standing-room-only Mass. "He showed us how to live and he showed us how to die," said one parishioner, Joan McDermott. "He reached out to people of all faiths, not just Catholics and Christians." In the Holy Land, Israelis remembered John Paul as a builder of bridges between the faiths, noting how he had embraced Holocaust survivors with kindness and maintained friendships with Jewish friends from childhood. In Rome, officials were scrambling for a huge influx of pilgrims - up to 2 million of them - seeking to pay final respects to the late pontiff. Starting Monday, the pope's body was to lie in state at St. Peter's Basilica. The College of Cardinals - the red-capped "princes of the church" who now officially govern the 1 billion-strong Roman Catholic Church - was to hold its first meeting Monday, a pre-conclave gathering expected to plan and set a date for the funeral later this week at St. Peter's Square. President Bush was expected to attend the funeral, which will draw other world leaders as well as Vatican hierarchy and ordinary faithful. The conclave must begin 15 to 20 days after the pope's death. Karol Joseph Wojtyla died at 9:37 p.m. Saturday in his apartment of septic shock and cardio-circulatory collapse, the Vatican said. The mourning began with an overnight vigil in St. Peter's Square. In keeping with Vatican tradition, Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the late pope's vicar for Rome, issued a formal announcement of John Paul's death to the people of Rome early Sunday. Cardinal Angelo Sodano, the Vatican's No. 2 official, gave the homily at Sunday's Mass at St. Peter's. "For a quarter century, he brought the Gospel of Christian hope to all the piazzas of the world, teaching all of us that our death is nothing but the passage toward the homeland in the sky," he said. The written text of Sodano's homily called the late pope "John Paul the Great," a title usually designated for popes worthy of sainthood, such as Gregory the Great and Leo the Great. Sodano did not use the title when he delivered the homily, and there was no explanation. Vatican texts, however, are considered official texts even if they are not pronounced. After the Mass ended, Archbishop Leonardo Sandri, who became the pope's public "voice" in the final weeks of his life, read the traditional Sunday noontime prayer, which John Paul delivered throughout his pontificate. The crowd applauded, and some fought back tears, when Sandri announced that the late pope prepared the prayer himself before he died - perhaps one of John Paul's last written documents. "It's a historic event," said Ercole Ferri, a 72-year-old Roman who proudly showed off a list of the six popes he has lived through. "It's not something sad for me. I think of all that he has done." "I think more about how hard it will be for a new one to follow in his footsteps," he added. "John Paul held his hand to us young people," said 21-year-old Alessio Bussolotti, who drove to Rome with his fellow Boy Scouts from the Italian city of Ancona. "Now we have to give him ours." Once the Mass ended, cardinals, prelates, Italian government officials and diplomats gathered in the Sala Clementina of the Apostolic Palace, where John Paul's body lay in state. His crossed hands clutched a rosary, and his pastoral staff was tucked under his left arm. "Our Holy Father looks very much at peace. It was very satisfying for all of us to see him so serene," Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles said after paying his respects. "His life is finished and he gave up his spirit." At their meetings beginning Monday, the cardinals will read John Paul's final instructions, including his choice of burial place. Most popes in recent centuries have asked to be buried in the crypts below St. Peter's Basilica, but some have suggested the first Polish-born pope might have chosen to be laid to rest in his native country. In addition, the cardinals will arrange for the destruction of John Paul's Fisherman's Ring and the dies used to make lead seals for apostolic letters - formal gestures meant to symbolize the end of his reign and to prevent forgeries. On the sidelines, cardinals will certainly be sizing each other up as possible "papabili," or having the qualities to be the next pope. Cardinal Bernard Panafieu, one of five French prelates who can vote, said Sunday he was hoping for someone "who dynamizes the people - God's people - as John Paul II did. At the same time, a man who has an international sense, of the opening of Catholicism to the world. An open man and at the same time, a man faithful to the great traditions of the Church." John Paul survived a 1981 assassination attempt, but in his later years was the picture of frailty, weighed down by Parkinson's disease and crippling knee and hip ailments. Although he continued his travels, he was too weak to continue his famous gesture of kissing the ground when he arrived at his destinations. Hospitalized twice in the past two months after breathing crises, and fitted with a breathing tube and a feeding tube, John Paul became a picture of suffering as his death approached. © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy. ||||| • CALIFORNIA CATHOLICS REMEMBER | 6:00 p.m. ET Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles, addressed Catholics on the death of the pontiff, recalling a visit to Los Angeles by Pope John Paul II in 1987, which included a Mass led by the pontiff in Dodger Stadium. "The pope spoke directly to the wondrous ethnic diversity of Southern California in his homily at Dodger Stadium, and called us to a deeper unity and harmony among all peoples here," Mahony said. "Some have already dubbed him "John Paul the Great." Of his innumerable achievements, many will remember his indefatigable energy in travel, his longevity, or the canonization of so many saints during his pontificate," he said. "Others will focus on his role in bringing down the Iron Curtain. Only the perspective of time, distance, and historical reflection will allow the greatness of this life and legacy to be measured." • PUBLIC VIEWING | 5:45 p.m. ET The pope's body was expected to be brought to St. Peter's Basilica, where it will lie in state, sometime late Monday, the Vatican said early Sunday. The statement said the College of Cardinals would meet at 10 a.m. Monday in its first gathering before a secret election to be held later this month to choose a successor to John Paul. The cardinals were expected to set a date for his funeral. • FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS | 4:42 p.m. ET The Roman Catholic Church has just entered the interregnum, the period after a pope dies and before another ascends the throne. In that period, the pontiff’s body will lie in state, his funeral will be held and cardinals will gather for the conclave, the closed-door meeting to elect his successor. Meantime, cardinals across the world already are making their travel plans for the conclave, where they make what is likely to be their most important decision as “Princes of the Church.” And given the long tenure of John Paul, many will be voting for a new pope for the first time. • BUSH REACTS | 4:10 p.m. ET President George W. Bush hailed the John Paul on Saturday as a wise and fearless leader whose moral authority helped a democratic revolution sweep through Eastern Europe. “The Catholic Church has lost its shepherd, the world has lost a champion of human freedom, and a good and faithful servant of God has been called home,” a somber Bush said in the White House residence, his wife, Laura, at his side. John Paul, he said, was “a hero for the ages.” The White House said it was waiting to hear from the Vatican on Sunday about funeral arrangements before announcing the U.S. delegation that will travel to the event. ||||| VATICAN CITY - Pope John Paul's recovery from throat surgery is going slower than hoped for, raising even more doubts over if and when he can resume normal activities, Vatican sources said on Tuesday. advertisement "It is clear the Pope is suffering a lot," said another cleric who works in the Vatican. Vatican sources said the 84-year-old Pope, who was last seen in public on Sunday, would have to miss this week's Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) procession at the Colosseum on Good Friday, the day Christians commemorate Christ's passion and death. The Pope, who also suffers from Parkinson's Disease, had hoped to be able to attend the ritual. It was the only event during Holy Week, which ends next Sunday, that the Pope had not previously delegated to cardinals. The procession will instead be presided over by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Pope's vicar for Rome. The Pontiff will watch on television and if his health permits, he will join the ceremony via a video link at the start or the end. The Pope's audiences, including Wednesday general audiences, have effectively been suspended until further notice. Rome was awash with rumours on Monday night that the Pope had suffered a serious setback earlier in the day and several Italian newspapers on Tuesday reported he had a brief breathing crisis. Condition worsening? One newspaper, Rome's Il Messaggero, quoted an unnamed Polish priest as having been told by the Pope's secretary: "Pray for the Pope because his condition is worsening." Slide show • A historic papacy View a timeline of photographs spanning the life of Pope John Paul II. Medical staff have to keep the tube clean and clear of secretions in order to avert breathing problems and minimise the risk of infection. It is not clear when the Pope will be able to resume his regular activities. His only scheduled international trip, to a World Youth Day event in Germany in August, is highly doubtful, sources said. The Pope left Rome's Gemelli hospital on March 13, nearly three weeks after he underwent a tracheotomy to relieve severe breathing problems. Since his release from hospital, the Pope has made three brief appearances, two from his window overlooking St Peter's Square and one on a video link from his apartments. Last Sunday, during a two-minute appearance from his window, the leader of the world's some 1.1 billion Roman Catholics looked uncomfortable, gaunt and in pain. The man once known as "The Great Communicator" remained silent. He banged a glass lectern with his hand in what appeared to be a sign of frustration and was wheeled away. The absence during Holy Week of the Pope, now in the 27th year of his papacy, has hung heavy in the air. Holy Week is the busiest and most important period in the Church's liturgical calendar. The Pope has even delegated the Easter Sunday mass to a cardinal but is expected to deliver his "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world) blessing. Copyright 2005 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. | Stock image of Pope John Paul II in the Vatican '''John Paul II (Karol Józef Wojtyła) 1920-2005''' After months of failing health, ''His Holiness'' Pope John Paul II passed away today, April 2, at 9:37 p.m. local time (19:37 UTC). He was 84 years old. An email message to journalists from the spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls from The Vatican confirmed the death at 20:00 UTC. The Pope had a earlier this year to help him breathe, and then lost his ability to speak last week. On Thursday March 31 he developed a urinary tract infection that led to septic shock and cardiovascular collapse. A nasogastric feeding tube was inserted to help him regain strength. The Pope elected not to return to Rome's Gemelli hospital, but instead to stay in his own apartments where he was tended to by his personal doctors and Vatican medical staff. The same night, he was administered the '''' also known as the last rites. On Friday April 1, the Vatican said he was having difficulties with both his heart and his kidneys. news agency Agenzia Giornalistica Italia reports the pope's final message was "I am happy, you be happy, too. Let's pray together with joy. I entrust everything to the Virgin Mary with joy". A description of the last moment of the holy father from father Jarek Cielecki, director of the Vatican service news and of the Italian TV catolic Tele Padre Pio, tells us the last moment of life of this great man. "The Holy father died looking at the window, gathered in prayer. As such he was conscious. Just before dying, the Pope raised his right hand in a sign of blessing, as if he was aware of all the people gathered in prayer. Then, as soon as the prayer ended, the Pope did a huge effort, said the word 'Amen' and died." The Vatican has announced that the funeral will take place on Wednesday, April 6 and that the Pope's body will lie in state from Monday, April 4. |
Leading Shiite cleric says new Iraq must embrace Islamic law By Steven Komarow, USA TODAY BAGHDAD A high-ranking Shiite cleric who helped a coalition of religious parties to apparent victory in Iraq's elections eight days ago said Sunday that the new constitution must embody Islamic law. Iraqi Shiite Muslims chant religous slogans as they celebrate their preliminary success in the country’s historic elections. Wathiq Khuzaie, Getty Images "We will accept no compromise," said a statement by Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Ishaq al-Fayad, one of the three top Shiite clerics who serve beneath the most senior religious leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. Al-Fayad said separation of religion and state must be "completely rejected." Vice President Cheney, on Fox News Sunday, cautioned against jumping to conclusions about what kind of document Iraq's Transitional National Assembly will write. He indicated the United States plans a hands-off approach. "We need to step back a bit now," Cheney said. "The bottom line for everybody to remember here is, this is not going to be, you know, an Iraqi version of America. This is going to be Iraqi." Cheney predicted Iraqis would try to avoid recreating what they've seen next door in Iran: "a religious theocracy that has been a dismal failure." Ballot counting is expected to take several more days. Partial tallies show a coalition of Sistani-backed political parties will be the largest bloc and could capture a majority in Iraq's new assembly. The 275-member assembly is to appoint a temporary government and write a constitution. Leaders of the coalition stressed during the campaign that the Shiites would seek a broad-based government including members of the rival Sunni Muslim sect that ruled under Saddam Hussein. Despite Shiite assurances, fear of an Iranian-style theocracy has been a factor driving the insurgency by Arab Sunnis. Sixty percent of Iraq's 26 million people are Shiites. Many Arab Sunnis, 20% of the population, boycotted the vote. Kurds, who are mostly Sunni, represent nearly 20% but were enthusiastic about voting. The Iraqi Islamic Party, the largest Sunni political group, said it will play no role in the new government or assembly but said Saturday that it still plans to help draft the constitution. Also Sunday: • Insurgents attacked a police station south of Baghdad under cover of darkness, killing 22 Iraqi police officers and soldiers. Fourteen attackers also died. • The main group monitoring the election in Iraq said its observers had found irregularities, including voter intimidation in some districts. Overall, it said, the election was well run. The group did not rule on whether the vote was fair. • Four Egyptian telephone workers were abducted. Also, a statement on the Web signed by the Jihad Organization said an Italian journalist seized last week in Baghdad was facing possible execution. • The U.S. military said one soldier was killed and two seriously injured Sunday by a roadside bomb just north of Baghdad. It also reported that a Marine was killed Saturday in fighting south of Baghdad. No details of either incident were released. • The interim Iraqi government said it had arrested a Saddam-era general, Khamis Masin Farhan Ugaydi, 51, on Dec. 20 in the oil refinery town of Beiji, an insurgent stronghold. He was helping finance insurgent attacks, a government statement said. • Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, on CNN's Late Edition, said he doubted Iraq would become an Islamic government. "But look, Iraq is for the Iraqis. It's not for Americans. We're not going to decide what kind of a country they're going to have." Iraq's ayatollahs have pressed for Islamic law. Early in the U.S. occupation, they demanded that all women be required to wear head coverings. The U.S.-appointed interim government ignored the demand and said women would have equal rights. Contributing: Wire reports ||||| Middle East Advertising by alClick Advertise Here Dr. Mohammed Bashar al-Faidi, spokesman of the Association of Muslim Scholars Facing the prospect of a Shiite Muslim landslide, Iraq's leading Sunni clerics group has demanded the U.S. to present a timetable for its troops pullout from the country as the price of their participation in drawing up a new constitution. After it held talks with the UN special envoy Ashraf Qazi, the Committee of Muslim Scholars announced it was wiling to participate in drafting a new constitution, provided a consensus was found on a date for the departure of U.S-led troops. "We told him (Qazi) that we had conditions and that we would discuss them with the parties that boycotted the polls and would put forward a common stance," said spokesman Omar Ragheb. "These demands focus on reaching a consensus with all political parties on a withdrawal of foreign forces," he added. The committee, which called previously on the Iraqi Sunnis to boycott the country’s elections, showed willingness it would try and stop Sunni Arab rebel attacks if its demands were met. "Then, the country's elders will tell the resistance: 'No need to spill more blood'," Ragheb said. Meanwhile, 24 people were killed in separate incidents in Iraq, the latest wave of violence to rock the country. 16 people were killed in Iraq in a string of attacks and battles, including a tribal leader, one of three people gunned down in fighting between Iraqi rebels and U.S. troops near the Iraqi city of Ramadi. Also the bodies of two Iraqi soldiers were found in the city, said another police officer, who demanded anonymity. in the largely Shiite city of Basra, four Iraqi soldiers perished in a rare bomb attack, when a booby-trapped motorcycle exploded. Also Saturday, a roadside bomb killed two U.S. troops and wounded four the Sunni Arab heartland north of Baghdad, the U.S. military said. Six people, including three Iraqi soldiers and two children were killed in separate incidents in Samarra. Preliminary results of the Iraqi elections put a religious Shi'ite coalition in the lead with two thirds of the poll, based on results from 35 percent of voting centers. The Shiite alliance expected to win a commanding victory in Iraq's election will insist that one of its members be appointed the country's next prime minister, said a senior official in the alliance on Saturday. "Shiites want the prime ministership, we are insisting on it and will not give it up," Deputy Foreign Minister Hamed al-Bayati said. Bayati is a senior official in the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI). SCIRI is one of the key players in the United Iraqi Alliance, the group of mainly Shiite parties that won strong support from Iraq's 60 percent Shi'ite majority in last Sunday's elections. If the alliance demands the prime ministership, it will be a blow to Prime Minister Iyad Allawi who had hoped to be picked again as a compromise candidate. "The United Iraqi Alliance list has some candidates. The names are not finally agreed on yet because they are still discussing the qualifications and conditions of the prime minister," Bayati said. Candidates under consideration are Deputy President Ibrahim Jaafari, leader of the Dawa party which is part of the alliance, as well as SCIRI official Adel Abdul Mahdi, who is finance minister, and Ahmad Chalabi. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the main Kurdish bloc, expected to also have a strong showing in the election results, said it would demand that its candidate Jalal Talabani, head of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, be appointed either as president or prime minister. Bayati said the naming of the president must be agreed upon between the three main ethnic and religious groups: Shiites, Kurds and Sunni Arabs. If the Kurds got the presidency, a Sunni Arab could be named head of the new National Assembly, he added. "The name of the president has to be agreed on between Shi'ites, Sunnis and Kurds, but if the Kurds want this post they have to please the Sunnis and agree with them on that," he said. Related stories... Early election results: Shiite coalition leads ||||| BAGHDAD -- Four Egyptian engineers working for the Egyptian telecom company Orascom were kidnapped in Baghdad on Sunday, witnesses said. "A group of gunmen kidnapped four Egyptian engineers working with Orascom company as they were leaving their house Sunday morning," witnesses in Adel district, west of Baghdad, said. (Iraq-Egypt-Kidnapping) - - - - GAZA -- Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Sunday that both Israeli and Palestinian officials agreed to meet later inthe day to resume discussions on outstanding issues, mainly prisoners' release. Speaking to reporters, Erekat said aides of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met Saturday night but failed to achieve tangible results. (Palestinians-Meeting) - - - - TEHRAN -- Iran on Sunday reiterated that the European Union (EU)should be more serious in the ongoing nuclear talks, slamming the EU for being influenced by the United States. "We call on the Europeans to be more serious in the negotiationswith us, and they must observe Iran's rights," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi told reporters. (Iran-EU-Nuclear Talks) - - - - JERUSALEM -- Visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Sunday asked Israel to make "hard decisions" in order to achieve peace in the Middle East. "We will ask of our partners and our friends in Israel that Israel continues to make the hard decisions that must be taken in order to promote peace and ... the emergence of a democratic Palestinian state," Rice said before meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. (Israel-Rice-Visit) Enditem ||||| Insurgent attack kills 22 Iraqi police, soldiers Elsewhere, one U.S. soldier from Task Force Baghdad was killed and two others were wounded this afternoon in a roadside bombing north of the capital, the U.S. command said. No further details were released. Fourteen attackers also died in the clash that broke out about 10:30 p.m. in Mahawil, 50 miles south of Baghdad, police Capt. Muthana Khalid Ali said. The dead included five Iraqi national guardsmen and 17 policemen, he said. Earlier today, the multinational command said two Iraqi national guard soldiers were killed and three more injured in a rebel ambush in the same area. Two rockets also exploded near Baghdad International Airport and a third slammed into an Iraqi national guard building in a western suburb. No casualties were reported. The attacks were the latest sign that insurgents are stepping up attacks against Iraq's fledgling security forces, which the United States hopes can assume a greater role in fighting the rebels once a newly elected government takes office. The latest attacks and kidnappings raise new concerns about security following a brief downturn in violence after the Jan. 30 elections, when Iraqis chose a new National Assembly in the first nationwide balloting since the fall of Saddam Hussein in April 2003. A final tally is expected by Thursday, but initial returns point to a landslide by Shiite Muslim candidates endorsed by their clerics. Shiites are believed to comprise about 60 percent of Iraq's 26 million people. On the other hand, many Sunni Arabs, estimated at 20 percent of the population and the core of the insurgency, are believed to have stayed home, either out of fear of rebel reprisal or because of a boycott call by Sunni clerics. The four Egyptians were seized early today near the Mansour district of western Baghdad, Egyptian and Iraqi officials said. They worked for Iraqna, a subsidiary of the Egyptian firm Orascom Telecommunications, which operates the mobile phone network in Baghdad and central Iraq. Six other Egyptians working for Iraqna were kidnapped in two separate incidents in September. All were ultimately freed although Orascom said at the time that it was committed to continuing its work in Iraq. No group claimed responsibility for the latest abduction. On Friday, Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena was kidnapped by gunmen who blocked her car outside Baghdad University. Sgrena, 56, is a veteran reporter for the communist daily Il Manifesto. Her colleagues appealed today to her captors to free her, citing the journalist's anti-American stance and saying that holding her would damage the image of Iraq. "Her articles in Il Manifesto have always expressed opposition to the occupation war led by the United States," her colleagues said in a statement to Al-Jazeera television. "Keeping her captive and hurting her would amount to seriously damaging the cause of Iraq before the eyes of the world." A group calling itself the Islamic Jihad Organization claimed Friday to have kidnapped the woman and gave Italy 72 hours to withdraw its troops from Iraq. But it made no threats to kill her or say what would happen if its demands were not met. The purported kidnappers said in a statement posted today on the Internet that they still were interrogating Sgrena and had given Rome a final warning to withdraw its troops from the country. Today's statement, released in the same group's name, described Sgrena as an "Italian POW," and said her fate "will be announced by us in the near future." The statement could not be verified and did not elaborate on her possible fate. Earlier today, a Web message appeared that was signed by the Jihad Organization. It threatened to kill Sgrena by Monday unless Italy agrees to withdraw its troops. It wasn't clear if both statements came from the same group, given that the names were different. Neither statement included a picture of the woman or other evidence to support the claims. Two other foreigners -- Brazilian engineer Joao Jose Vasconcelos Jr., and French journalist Florence Aubenas -- were believed kidnapped last month. Al-Jazeera aired a claim of responsibility for Vasconcelos by a group that showed his identification cards. No group has claimed responsibility for kidnapping Aubenas. More than 190 foreigners have been taken hostage in Iraq since the U.S.-led invasion in March 2003, and some have been beheaded on graphic videos distributed on the Web or to Arab television stations. The wave of abductions subsided after U.S. and Iraqi troops stormed the insurgent bastion of Fallujah, 40 miles west of Baghdad, last November, discovering what U.S. officials termed "hostage slaughterhouses." However, the abductions of five foreigners in Baghdad within three days raised fears of a new wave of kidnappings. Separately, an Iraqi civilian was wounded today by a roadside bomb that exploded but missed an Iraqi police patrol in the southern port city of Basra, police said. Attackers gunned down an Iraqi contractor who apparently worked with the U.S. military, and police in the Shiite city of Karbala reported that a suicide car bomber struck a U.S. convoy south of the city this morning, destroying a U.S. vehicle. No casualties were reported. Elsewhere in the city, gunmen fired rifle shots at a gasoline tanker truck, and the vehicle exploded into a huge ball of fire. No one was hurt, said police Capt. Mushtaq Talib, adding that the tanker was heading to an illegal port used by oil smugglers in the city. In another attack, gunmen fired on a group of Iraqi policemen working to dismantle a roadside bomb on a main street in central Baghdad, injuring two officers, a police official said. ||||| « Speaking of supporting our troops. . . . | Main | The Super Bowl, the ads -- did I miss anything? » February 06, 2005 An Islamic "Democracy" I managed to sit through nearly an hour of Wolf Blitzer's interview with Donald Rumsfeld this morning -- the usual slate of lies and evasions. What was interesting were Blitzer's questions about what the US would do if Sistani's UIA party decides to base the new Iraqi constitution on Islamic law. Rumsfeld continually avoided the questions, insisting that such a situation will never happen. Oops: NAJAF, Iraq : Iraq's Shiite leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and another top cleric staked out a radical demand that Islam be the sole source of legislation in the country's new constitution. One cleric issued a statement setting out the position and the spiritual leader of Iraqi Shiites made it known straight away that he backed demands for the Koran to be the reference point for legislation. The national assembly formed after last month's historic elections is to oversee the drawing up of the new constitution and Sistani is the figurehead of the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance expected to become the largest single bloc. [snip] Sistani leads the five most important clerics, known as marja al-taqlid, or objects of emulation, who had portrayed a more moderate stance going into the election. The surprise statement was released by Sheikh Ibrahim Ibrahimi, a representative of Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Ishaq al-Fayad, another of the marja. "All of the ulema (clergy) and marja, and the majority of the Iraqi people, want the national assembly to make Islam the source of legislation in the permanent constitution and to reject any law that is contrary to Islam," said the statement. A source close to Sistani announced soon after the release of the statement that the spiritual leader backed the demand. Politicians who say one thing then do another when elected? I guess the Iraqis have learned something about democracy after all. Posted by Kevin Jon Heller on February 6, 2005 at 10:39 PM in World Events | Permalink TrackBack TrackBack URL for this entry: http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/1791298 Listed below are links to weblogs that reference An Islamic "Democracy": Comments Guess you missed this: http://iraqthemodel.blogspot.com/2005/02/new-form-of-tyranny-not-that-easy.html Posted by: 29 | February 7, 2005 12:44 PM Interesting how the rambling blog entry doesn't link to anything, and there is no mention of a "clarification" on any of the newswires... Posted by: Kevin Jon Heller | February 7, 2005 12:53 PM Gee... I missed the part that mentioned Sistani being a member of the 275 person National Assembly charged with picking a President, and drawing up the Constitution. He can want in one hand, and take a dump in the other and observe which fills first. It isn't going to be easy to get two-thirds of the Assembly to agree on ANYTHING, let alone this point. Now, who is the source close to Sistani which goes unnamed? The nanny? The milkman? The maid? How can we know who this person is, and how connected they are? You have to love "unnamed" sources, the workhorse of lazy reporters everywhere. It strikes me your "news" story is more full of holes than the blog, and that is saying a mouthful. Posted by: Buster | February 7, 2005 06:54 PM The depth of Buster's ignorance, to say nothing of his offensiveness, is simply breathtaking. Posted by: Kevin Jon Heller | February 7, 2005 07:02 PM Speaking of rambling blog entries, Kevin does nothing but name-calling in response. What is the saying? Instead of raising your voice, you should be reinforcing your argument. Is Sistani a member of the Council? That was a simple yes/no question. If the answer is no, then he is marginalized by being an outsider. If yes, then he is marginalized as being one of 275, with two-thirds needed to accomplish anything. I fail to see anything in any article which alters these facts in any fashion. Who is the insider? Again, a simple question. In the day an age of Jayson Blair, it is not a stretch to believe an overpaid, underworked journalist would make something up. Enter the "unnamed sources". We are just supposed to take everyone's word that the source is well placed, and everything they say is true, correct, and factual. Great. Then print their names. Pen and sword, don't you know. Failing that, I have to assume (post-CBS) the source is lying, and the outlet is a more-than-willing accomplice. Enter Kevin, the more than willing accessory to the accomplice. In the words of Gen. George Patton, if everyone is thinking alike then someone isn't thinking. Isn't it strange there is never a positive story that reflects well on the administration coming from Kevin? As I said before, it doesn't require thought to be contrary. It just requires well-honed mimic skills. 'Nuff said. Posted by: Buster | February 8, 2005 10:15 AM Post a comment ||||| NAJAF, Iraq : Iraq's Shiite leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani and another top cleric staked out a radical demand that Islam be the sole source of legislation in the country's new constitution. One cleric issued a statement setting out the position and the spiritual leader of Iraqi Shiites made it known straight away that he backed demands for the Koran to be the reference point for legislation. The national assembly formed after last month's historic elections is to oversee the drawing up of the new constitution and Sistani is the figurehead of the Shiite United Iraqi Alliance expected to become the largest single bloc. The role of Islam has been at the heart of months of debate between rival parties and factions as well as the US-led occupation authority which administered Iraq until last June. Sistani leads the five most important clerics, known as marja al-taqlid, or objects of emulation, who had portrayed a more moderate stance going into the election. The surprise statement was released by Sheikh Ibrahim Ibrahimi, a representative of Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Ishaq al-Fayad, another of the marja. "All of the ulema (clergy) and marja, and the majority of the Iraqi people, want the national assembly to make Islam the source of legislation in the permanent constitution and to reject any law that is contrary to Islam," said the statement. A source close to Sistani announced soon after the release of the statement that the spiritual leader backed the demand. "The marja has priorities concerning the formation of the government and the constitution. It wants the source of legislation to be Islam," said the source. "We advise the government not to take decisions which would shock Muslims, such as the conscription of Muslims and the publication of their photos with foreign instructors," Ibrahimi went on his statement. "We warn officials against a separation of the state and religion, because this is completely rejected by the ulema and marja and we will accept no compromise on this question. "If they (the government) want the stability and security of the country, they must not touch the country's Islamic values and traditions," the sheikh said. The role of Islam was a particular sticking point when an interim constitution was drawn up under the US-led occupation. After often acrimonious debate and the threat of a veto by US administrator Paul Bremer, the final version completed in March last year said that Islam should be "a source" of legislation. No law that "contradicts the universally agreed tenets of Islam" would be accepted, said the final draft of the so-called "fundamental law". Sistani and the other top clerics mainly live in the central holy city of Najaf. On top of Sistani and Fayad, there are the ayatollahs Bashir al-Najafi and Mohammad Said Hakim. A fifth, Ayatollah Kazem al-Hairi, lives in Iran. - AFP ||||| ABC News Four Egyptians Kidnapped in Baghdad Four Egyptians Kidnapped in Baghdad; U.S. Soldier Killed, Two Wounded A man looks out of the front entrance of the headquarters of the Iraqna mobile phone operator in the Mansour area of Baghdad, Iraq Sunday, Feb. 6, 2005. Four Egyptians working for Iraqna were kidnapped Sunday when gunmen stopped their vehicle on their way to work in western Baghdad, Iraqi and Egyptian officials said. (AP Photo/Mohammed Uraibi) By JASON KEYSER Associated Press Writer The Associated Press BAGHDAD, Iraq Feb 6, 2005 Gunmen waylaid a minibus Sunday carrying foreign technicians to their jobs at a mobile telephone company in western Baghdad, seizing four Egyptians in the second kidnapping of foreigners in the Iraqi capital within a week. The daylight ambush occurred only two days after gunmen grabbed an Italian woman journalist near Baghdad University, raising fears of a new wave of kidnappings after a decline in abductions since last year's capture of a rebel stronghold west of Baghdad. Elsewhere, one U.S. soldier from Task Force Baghdad was killed and two others were wounded Sunday afternoon in a roadside bombing north of the capital, the U.S. command said. No further details were released. Insurgents also killed two Iraqi National Guard soldiers Sunday and wounded three others in an ambush south of Baghdad. Two rockets exploded near Baghdad International Airport and a third slammed into an Iraqi National Guard building in a western suburb. There were no reports of casualties. The violence has continued despite the Jan. 30 election, when Iraqis chose a new National Assembly in the first nationwide balloting since the fall of Saddam Hussein in April 2003. A final tally is expected by Thursday, but initial returns point to a landslide by Shiite Muslim candidates endorsed by their clerics. Shiites are believed to comprise about 60 percent of Iraq's 26 million people. On the other hand, many Sunni Arabs, estimated at 20 percent of the population and the core of the insurgency, are believed to have stayed home, either out of fear of rebel reprisal or because of a boycott call by Sunni clerics. The four Egyptians were seized early Sunday near the Mansour district of western Baghdad, Egyptian and Iraqi officials said. They worked for Iraqna, a subsidiary of the Egyptian firm Orascom Telecommunications, which operates the mobile phone network in Baghdad and central Iraq. Six other Egyptians working for Iraqna were kidnapped in two separate incidents in September. All were ultimately freed although Orascom said at the time that it was committed to continuing its work in Iraq. | '''February 7, 2005''' Iraq Iraq – With a strong lead in a pre-weekend partial report, Shi'a leaders have begun making known their interests in a Shiite Prime Minister. Others have spoken of the negotiations for the constitution. Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Ishaq al-Fayad is quoted saying the separation of religion and state must be "completely rejected." "All of the Ulema (clergy) and Marja, and the majority of the Iraqi people, want the National Assembly to make Islam the source of legislation in the permanent constitution and to reject any law that is contrary to Islam," he said in his statement. Vice President Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld spent the weekend on television shows and interviews assuring the U.S. public the Iraqi elections would not result in a theocracy for the country. "We have a great deal of confidence in where they're headed," Mr. Cheney said on ''Fox News Sunday''. "I don't think, at this stage, that there's anything like justification for hand-wringing or concern on the part of Americans that somehow they're going to produce a result we won't like." The violence of the insurgency, however, has returned after a brief lull following the elections whose final returns are expected in the coming week. * 14 insurgents, 22 Iraqi police officers and soldiers were killed in an attack on a police station south of Baghdad. * Four Egyptian telecom engineers were abducted. * One U.S. soldier was killed and two injured by a roadside bomb north of Baghdad. * One U.S. marine was killed south of Baghdad on Saturday. * In a rocket attack, 2 missiles exploded near the Baghdad Airport, while a third struck an Iraqi National Guard building; no casualties were reported. * On Friday, an Italian jounalist was abducted near Baghdad University. |
Aftermath of the attack Taleban insurgents have attacked a police post in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar, killing at least 11 policemen, an official has said. The attack took place in the Arghandab district on Sunday night. Police vehicles and weapons were also seized by the attackers, the senior police officer said. In a separate incident, two British members of the Nato force have been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan. The blast happened on Sunday, said a spokesman from the International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), and two other soldiers were injured. Battles Also during the weekend, a suicide bomber struck a road construction crew in the Khashrod district of the south-western Urozgan Province, killing two Indian engineers and their Afghan driver. Taleban insurgents in Kandahar have been fighting some of their fiercest battles against international and Afghan forces. A police vehicle was burnt out during the storming of the checkpoint Hundreds of policemen have been killed by militants in the province in the last year. Analysts say police are often easy targets because they have less training and weaponry, and work in smaller teams than Afghan or Nato soldiers. Violence involving the Taleban and other armed groups is having an impact on the humanitarian situation in the south of the country, according to the president of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Jakob Kellenberger said, at the end of a week-long trip to Afghanistan, that he had expressed concern during his meetings with President Hamid Karzai and others. "I was very much insisting on the protection of civilians and said 'there must be ... a distinction between civilians and those who are participating directly in combat'," he said. Mr Kellenberger also said he welcomed the decision by the Americans to establish enemy combatants review boards for detainees at Bagram airbase, but added that prisoners held at Bagram were concerned about their fate. E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? ||||| Taliban militants have killed eleven Afghan officers in an overnight attack on a police post in the southern province of Kandahar. "At least 11 Afghan police were killed last night in the Arghandab district", AFP reported deputy provincial police chief, Amanuallah Khan, as saying Monday. Police vehicles and weapons were also seized by the attackers, the report added. Khan blamed the Taliban for the attack. The attack comes two days after Taliban militants killed four counter-narcotics officers in Maiwand district of Kandahar province while they were destroying an opium poppy field. Authorities say that more than 900 Afghan police were killed in militant attacks last year. Overall, the UN says that more than 8,000 people, mostly militants, lost their lives in 2007. HE/GM | Eleven policemen have been killed after members of the Taliban attacked a group of police Arghandab region of Afghanistan. The attack, which took place yesterday evening, also resulted in the Taliban taking many of the weapons used by the police. The police chief in the area commented on the incident. "At least 11 Afghan police were killed last night in the Arghandab district," he said when talking to AFP. The BBC claims the police are easier targets than the Afghan and NATO forces for organisations like the Taliban because they often have less training, in addition to weaker weapons. |
Hamas is committed to unilateral truce Palestine-Israel, Politics, 2/8/2005 Just few hours before the quartet summit, the Palestinian Islamic resistance movement ( Hamas) announced it is committed to a unilateral truce "to test the Israeli intention" hours before a conference in Sharm al-Sheikh between the Palestinians and the Israelis and in the presence of Jordan and Egypt. The prominent figure in Hamas movement Mahmoud al-Zahhar following a meeting in Gaza on Monday with the Egyptian security delegation led by lt. gen. Mustafa al-Buheiri, assistant director for the Egyptian general intelligence, said "we have started unilateral truce for testing the intentions." He added in remarks to Sharm al-Sheikh summit "we do hope that there will be no declared decisions without resorting and talking to the Palestinian groups, so as the whole scene will seem to be incomplete." He expressed his hope that the chairman of the Palestinian authority Mahmoud Abbas will discuss results of the summit with the movement so as it will declare final position. For his part, the leading figure in the Islamic Jihad movement, Muhammad al-Hindi, said that his movement will not constitute any threat before announcing the reciprocated cease fire but he stressed there will be no reciprocated announcement without a price (a concession). Previous Stories: Israeli, Palestinian preparation meetings for Sharm al-Sheikh summit (2/4/2005) Israel studies initiatives, rules out negotiations in Sharm al-Sheikh (2/4/2005) Stumbled Israeli- Palestinian negotiations (2/3/2005) Please bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin. Apply for a sales or marketing job! Advertise on ArabicNews.com. MyFlowers.com sold more than $2700 of flowers in one month advertising on ArabicNews.com! Make your company, and products a success. Special rate for new and small business. Inquire! Advertising Info ||||| Last Update: 08/02/2005 13:51 PM meets Abbas in Sharm, will call for 'deeds, not words' By Aluf Benn, Yossi Verter and Arnon Regular, Haaretz Correspondents, and Agencies SHARM EL-SHEIKH - Following a short delay, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met Tuesday with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, at a summit expected to mark a formal end to more than four years of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians. shaking hands across the table. Also present at the summit are Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, the initiator and host of the summit and Jordan's King Abdullah II. The prime minister first met with Mubarak, for the first time since Sharon's election in 2001, and later met with Abbas. Sharon also invited Mubarak and Abdullah to visit Israel. According to Israel Radio, both leaders accepted the invitation. According to Israeli sources, Abbas will announce a cease-fire at the summit, while Sharon will promise to end Israeli military operations in the territories if the Palestinian violence stops. The two sides have been discussing the new security arrangements to be announced at the summit for the past few weeks. "Today must signal a new beginning between Israelis and Palestinians," Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat told Army Radio on Tuesday. A spokesman for Sharon said each side would make a separate declaration of an end to violence rather than signing a written cease-fire agreement. "It's a message of hope for the future. lets turn a new leaf," said Ra'anan Gissin. Sharon was to speak of the importance of not missing the opportunity that has been created, call for "deeds, not words" in the war on terror and reiterate Israel's commitment to the road map peace plan. He was also to emphasize his determination to carry out the disengagement plan, but say that Israel is interested in coordinating it with the Palestinians. He was also to express the hope that if the disengagement passes peacefully, it could serve to "jump start" the road map. Finally, he was to detail Israel's planned goodwill gestures to the Palestinians, such as the release of 900 prisoners. Abbas was to reiterate his declaration from the 2003 Aqaba Summit about the need for the PA to have a monopoly on armed force within its territory. He was also to express his hope that the current Israeli-Palestinian dialogue will lead to implementation of the road map, while warning that many thorny issues, such as the separation fence and the settlements, remain to be addressed in the future. The four leaders were to hold a press conference after their meeting at which each will deliver a speech, but to avoid the emergence of public disagreements, they will not take questions from reporters. The press conference was to be followed by a luncheon for the leaders and their entourages. Sharon, on his first visit to Egypt since being elected, was also to meet separately with Mubarak during the summit. On Monday, the Israeli and Palestinian teams exchanged copies of Sharon's and Abbas' speeches and tried to soften controversial passages. While the summit is taking place, Egyptian security officials will continue a round of talks in the territories with Palestinian security officials and the heads of the Palestinian militias in an effort to finalize the cease-fire arrangements. In Israel, police stepped up the alert level throughout the country Tuesday morning, due to numerous intelligence warnings of possible attempts by terrorists to disrupt the summit with an attack inside Israel. Police also beefed up their deployment and established mobile checkpoints on various roads. Television pictures showed Abbas and Sharon smiling andshaking hands across the table.Also present at the summit are Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, the initiator and host of the summit and Jordan's King Abdullah II.The prime minister first met with Mubarak, for the first time since Sharon's election in 2001, and later met with Abbas. (Click here for scheduled timetable of events) Sharon also invited Mubarak and Abdullah to visit Israel. According to Israel Radio, both leaders accepted the invitation.According to Israeli sources, Abbas will announce a cease-fire at the summit, while Sharon will promise to end Israeli military operations in the territories if the Palestinian violence stops. The two sides have been discussing the new security arrangements to be announced at the summit for the past few weeks."Today must signal a new beginning between Israelis and Palestinians," Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat told Army Radio on Tuesday.A spokesman for Sharon said each side would make a separate declaration of an end to violence rather than signing a written cease-fire agreement."It's a message of hope for the future. lets turn a new leaf," said Ra'anan Gissin.Sharon was to speak of the importance of not missing the opportunity that has been created, call for "deeds, not words" in the war on terror and reiterate Israel's commitment to the road map peace plan. He was also to emphasize his determination to carry out the disengagement plan, but say that Israel is interested in coordinating it with the Palestinians.He was also to express the hope that if the disengagement passes peacefully, it could serve to "jump start" the road map. Finally, he was to detail Israel's planned goodwill gestures to the Palestinians, such as the release of 900 prisoners.Abbas was to reiterate his declaration from the 2003 Aqaba Summit about the need for the PA to have a monopoly on armed force within its territory. He was also to express his hope that the current Israeli-Palestinian dialogue will lead to implementation of the road map, while warning that many thorny issues, such as the separation fence and the settlements, remain to be addressed in the future.The four leaders were to hold a press conference after their meeting at which each will deliver a speech, but to avoid the emergence of public disagreements, they will not take questions from reporters. The press conference was to be followed by a luncheon for the leaders and their entourages.Sharon, on his first visit to Egypt since being elected, was also to meet separately with Mubarak during the summit.On Monday, the Israeli and Palestinian teams exchanged copies of Sharon's and Abbas' speeches and tried to soften controversial passages.While the summit is taking place, Egyptian security officials will continue a round of talks in the territories with Palestinian security officials and the heads of the Palestinian militias in an effort to finalize the cease-fire arrangements.In Israel, police stepped up the alert level throughout the country Tuesday morning, due to numerous intelligence warnings of possible attempts by terrorists to disrupt the summit with an attack inside Israel. Police also beefed up their deployment and established mobile checkpoints on various roads. ||||| JERUSALEM - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Friday that wide-ranging peace talks aimed at ending the conflict with the Palestinians would not be renewed until their leaders took real action to prevent terrorist attacks on Israel. advertisement The summit had been expected to produce a joint cease-fire declaration formally ending more than four years of bloodshed. Such a declaration is one of the first requirements of the internationally backed “road map” peace plan, which envisions the creation of a Palestinian state this year but has been stalled because of violence. Sharon complains Palestinians stalling As part of a package of pre-summit gestures, Israel approved the release of 900 Palestinian prisoners Thursday and agreed to withdraw troops from Jericho, the first of five West Bank towns Israel is expected to leave. The decision came after Palestinian security forces fanned throughout the Gaza Strip last week to prevent militant attacks on Israeli targets. In a telephone conversation Friday with Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik, Sharon said that Israel was working to bolster new Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas but that the Palestinians had not reciprocated, taking no substantive steps to fight terrorism apart from the Gaza troop deployment, according to a statement from Sharon’s office. Israeli officials have complained that Palestinian security forces have not arrested militants or tried to disrupt their weapons smuggling and weapons manufacturing networks. On Friday, Israeli troops shot and killed two Palestinians who tried to sneak into Israel by climbing the security fence surrounding the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli army. It was unclear why they were crossing into Israeli territory. Palestinian officials want next week’s summit to restart the road map, but Sharon told Bondevik that new peace talks would be linked to tougher Palestinian action against militants. “The prime minister stressed that getting into the road map will happen only after the Palestinians halt terrorist activity, dismantle the [terrorist] infrastructures and carry out governmental reforms,” the statement said. Click for related story Bush seeks $350 million for Palestinians Palestinians reject prisoner release Israeli officials say they view the summit as a limited meeting focusing on security issues and efforts to stop violence. Sharon wants to carry out his plan to withdraw from Gaza this summer before opening up wide-ranging peace talks, the officials said. The Palestinians, for their part, rejected Israel’s gestures as insufficient, complaining that the planned prisoner release would free only people serving relatively short terms, not the veteran prisoners the Palestinians were seeking. “It is not what we want. It is not what our people want,” Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said Friday. The new Palestinian leadership views the release of the 7,000 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel as crucial to strengthening Abbas’ domestic support as he proceeds with peace efforts. Despite the mutual criticism, international diplomats, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, praised both sides. Speaking after a meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Rice said she would attend a March conference in London on reforming the Palestinian Authority and its security forces. “I especially look forward to discussions about how we can sustain the momentum that is now developing to a resolution of the Israel-Palestinian conflict to get back onto the road map and to move ultimately to a two-state solution,” she said in London. European Union External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner called the gestures courageous. “Further bold actions are necessary on both sides, but a promising start has been made,” she said in a statement ahead of her visit to the region Monday. Meanwhile, Abbas held a meeting in Gaza of the PLO executive committee Friday night, the first of several sessions he was to hold before the summit. NBC’s Andrea Mitchell in Berlin and The Associated Press contributed to this report. | Israeli and Palestinian flags Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palesinian President Mahmoud Abbas today declared an end to military and violent activities against each other. The two leaders made the expected announcement at a summit held at Shram el-Sheikh, Egypt, the first such meeting between the two sides in four years. Prime Minister Sharon pledged to end military operations against Palestinians, and President Abbas similarly said that the Palestinians will likewise end "all acts of violence against Israelis....wherever they are". Both leaders expressed hope that the agreement will lead to long term peace in the long-running conflict. Prime Minister Sharon said that the agreement is part of the goal of "quiet, dignified and peaceful lives for all the nations in the Middle East". President Abbas said "the calm that is currently prevailing in our territories signals the start of a new era, the start of a hopeful peace." Both sides also confirmed their intent to create an independent Palestinian state. The talks became possible in the renewed optimism after the death of Yassir Arafat and the election of Abbas. The agreement marks a profound change in Israeli-Palestinian relations, but the negotiated truce is a shaky peace. The ability of President Abbas to exert control over Palestinian militant groups is questionable, and thorny political issues remain for the Israelis if they begin to withdraw settlers from the occupied territories. There are signs that the Palestinian resistance groups are willing to participate in the cease-fire: the terrorist organisation, HAMAS released a statement in the hours before the summic stating that "was prepared to calm down resistance raids in the event the Zionist entity reciprocated," referring to Sharon's pledge to stop military activities, yet shortly after the summit a spokesman for the organization said it will not be bound by the cease-fire. The agreement includes a pledge by Israel to release 900 Palestinian prisoners, to create join committees on prisoner release and the withdrawal of troops from Palestinian territories, and cooperation with Palestinian security forces in occupied areas. |
The University of Maine's Student Government may pursue legal action against the band My Chemical Romance. After canceling Saturday night's show, Student Government sent the band two letters demanding compensation for costs incurred. These costs include advertising, money paid to outside contractors and cancellation fees. These costs total over $20,500.The band cancelled on Thursday, stating that drummer Bob Bryar's health was going to interfere with Saturday's performance. The band then played a concert on Friday night."Unless it is truly due to sickness or injury of the band, we intend to seek full damages for breach of contract," Derek Mitchell, the vice president of student entertainment said. "When they played Friday night, I think that kind of voids an 'Act of God' claim."Student Government's contract with the band included an "Act of God" clause that if an emergency were to occur, the band could cancel without consequences. The contract also states that if the band cancelled without good cause the band would be charged.Student Government has given the band two weeks to pay. After Nov. 12 the General Student Senate will vote if they want to pursue a lawsuit or not. Student Government would be represented by the legal services on campus."Come Monday, if we haven't received a check or have no word from them that they intend to pay, we can go to senate on Tuesday night and discuss it further," Mitchell said. He said a lawsuit would incur no additional costs to Student Government.If Student Government does file a lawsuit, the contract states that it would be resolved in Bangor. Usually these types of cases are resolved in the band's choice of cities. "We're not going to go to their turf; they are going to have to come to ours," Mitchell said.Mitchell said that he expects the senate to support a lawsuit if the band does not pay before Nov. 12. "Essentially this loss of $20,000 is a loss of their constituents money. It is really their obligation to allow us to legally recover that in any way possible," he said. "I'm going to fight this to the death. Students will get their money back. It will come back to student entertainment, and we will have big concerts." ||||| Not since Santa canceled Christmas back in 1964 has there been the level of angst and emotional turmoil amongst the masses as when My Chemical Romance canceled their Oct. 27 University of Maine appearance Thursday night. Unfortunately for us, there was no red-beaked mutant reindeer around to make everything right again.Student entertainment received word late Thursday night that drummer Bob Bryar injured himself while opening for Jon Bon Jovi at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. This show was the first of a two-night set the band performed with Bon Jovi, the second set being Friday night - after Bryar's injury. However, that show was not canceled.Along with the disappointment of fans, this cancellation has left student entertainment approximately $10000 - $13000 in the hole for all the preparation that unnoticeably went into getting an act like this into our area of the back woods.Unfortunately for Student Entertainment, an injury is contractually considered an act of God, even at a Bon Jovi concert. "Because it is considered an act of God, both parties of the contract are relieved of any obligations to that contract. While that means we don't have to pay them, it also means they don't have to pay us for any money already spent [in preparation]," Derek Mitchell, VP of Student Entertainment, said.The majority of these fees are accrued from advertising and promotional costs, not to mention cancellation fees for everything from staging and caterers to security, even facility fees from electrical upgrades that had to be taken care of in Alfond Arena. Student Entertainment hopes to recoup some of that money from the band; however, it's looking to be unlikely at this point.Band representatives had discussed rescheduling with Student Entertainment to a mutually agreeable date."I'm hesitant to do it," Mitchell said. "They're not a reliable band. They've canceled a lot of dates."Ironically, My Chemical Romances' last cancellation was also in Maine. The band, scheduled to perform with Muse in Portland last spring at the Cumberland County Civic Center, ended up canceling mere days before the show. Several students reported having bought tickets to both the Portland show and the one that was scheduled here in Orono. This frustration is bound to put a strain on the New England fan base as many people are less likely to buy for a third time. After all, if there's one thing a college student hates, it's being inconvenienced. ||||| Tuesday afternoon, lead singer of My Chemical Romance, Gerard Way, agreed to have a phone interview with The Maine Campus.Instead of conducting the interview using questions only we wanted to know, we went down to the Alfond Arena to find out what student fans buying tickets on opening day would like to know about MCR.We received many questions, running the gamut from serious, music related questions to off-the-wall random queries.Question from Kelly Constantine, senior marine science majorThe Maine Campus: Boxers or briefs?Gerard Way: Briefs.TMC: You can say other…GW: Yeah, briefsQuestion from Jeremiah Richter, junior mechanical engineerTMC: How did you guys meet?GW: Well, Mikey is obviously my brother so we grew up together. During college was when I met Ray Toro through a mutual friend. Then, later on when the band started, we had been getting these shows with another band called Pencey Prep and that's what Frank [Lero's] band was. So, that's basically how we came together. Now Bob [Bryar] we met on the road. He was a front-end sound guy.Question from Sean Hladick, senior journalism majorTMC: I have another student asking about Jon Bon Jovi, because you guys will be opening for him in the upcoming months. How do you feel about that? It seems to a lot of us that you have very different musical styles.GW: It is entirely different, but it's a huge honor. I grew up as a Bon Jovi fan. Whenever you're dealing with Bon Jovi or Springsteen, it's just a great honor and at that point; it doesn't really matter what genre you play. It really just kind of matters that you're all from New Jersey. It was just a huge honor to get asked to open for them, so we feel great about it.TMC: Speaking of New Jersey, do you have a lot of New Jersey pride, or is it something you hide at all?GW: No, not at all. We never hid it. We have a lot of pride being from New Jersey. It's an amazing place. It's very unique, and if you weren't born here and grew up here, you don't necessarily appreciate it as much. We love it. Going on the road, originally, it helped saying you were from Jersey because people have such a weird perspective of New Jersey, that they thought anybody who was a kid from New Jersey was a criminal or something. Nobody really messed with me because I was from New Jersey.Question from Liz Maliga, junior English majorTMC: The next question I have is about your uniforms you guys often wear on stage and whether or not you guys wash them regularly.GW: We don't wash them regularly, but we do wash them. I wash mine the least; I think I wait the longest because I like the uniform to feel really broken-in. I wait sometimes over a week before washing it. We have to wash them eventually; they start to smell really bad.TMC: Well I'm sure you guys get pretty sweaty on stage.GW: Yes, very sweaty.Question from Meghan Jenovese, first-year zoology majorTMC: Where do you usually get your musical inspirations for your song writing?GW: It kind of comes from everywhere. We all have very vast musical taste and we draw upon different things. For The Black Parade, we drew upon our influences from classic rock and I think we really tried to make a classic rock record. I think that kind of shows through. It really comes from all different places: classical music, show tunes, soundtracks, film - a lot actually. Just film itself without music is a big influence for the band. It comes from all different sources.Question from Dana Andrews, junior art education majorTMC: What is your biggest fear?GW: My biggest fear used to be of failure growing up and in art school and then after art school not being able to get any work as an artist. It was really frustrating. I thought I was going to have to work a really lame job and not be allowed to be artistic or anything like that. That was a big fear for a long time.TMC: This is kind of old news, but, in 2006 you were voted both best and worst group as well as best and worst album and I was wondering how you felt about that.GW: I feel great about that. Honestly, we didn't get into this to make any friends. We actually don't have many friends. We got into this to make what we wanted. There's something about being extremely unashamed about what you are that really pisses people off. It means you're going to get a lot of people that understand it and love it and a lot of people that don't understand it and they hate it. We never got into this to be mediocre … Nobody ever says we're just OK. They either say, "Oh man, I love that band," or they say, "I hate that band." That's really awesome. It's a really great thing to have and we're very fortunate to have it.TMC: I understand you don't really like the term emo to describe your music. Is there anything you'd like to say about that?GW: Basically, it's never been accurate to describe us. Emo bands were being booked while we were touring with Christian metal bands because no one would book us on tours. I think emo is F--ing garbage, it's bulls--. I think there's bands that unfortunately we get lumped in with that are considered emo and by default that starts to make us emo. All I can say is anyone actually listening to the records, put the records next to each other and listen to them and there's actually no similarities. I think emo's a pile of s--.TMC: Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?GW: I do actually. Don't be full of s--, number one. Do it for the right reasons. Don't do it for drugs, sex or money. Be sincere, be honest, play what you want, not what everyone else wants to hear, get in a van, never go home and work your ass off. That's honestly it.TMC: Sounds like pretty solid advice.GW: Yeah, there's no science to it. You get in a van and never go home. You sever all ties. You're going to be homeless anyways so you sleep on people's floors. Don't worry about food; don't worry about being comfortable because it's not going to happen. Don't ever worry whether you're going to be big or not. It always seems to me that the bands that don't care are the ones that actually get big.TMC: Do you have anything else that you want to let the UMaine community know?GW: We're really excited to play there. Maine is actually one of the first places we ever played. Our friend Sean Francis booked us in a high school up there. He rented out the whole gymnasium and put a show on for us. It is one of my fondest memories. We spent the whole weekend up there and hung out and took the drive home. It was a really nice weekend trip. It was before we actually started touring. We always miss Maine and we always miss playing up there. | Gerard Way at Big Day Out. According to a University of Maine student government representative, the university may file a lawsuit against rock band My Chemical Romance due to a cancelled show. The band cited health concerns for drummer Bob Bryar in the cancellation notification on Thursday, but played a show on the proceeding Friday. The cancellation reason is considered an 'Act of God', and relieves both parties from any obligations. "Unless it is truly due to sickness or injury of the band, we intend to seek full damages for breach of contract. When they played Friday night, I think that kind of voids an 'Act of God' claim," Derek Mitchell, the vice president of student entertainment said. The lawsuit, if agreed upon by the General Student Senate, would seek US$20,500 for advertising, ticket sales, contractor fees, and cancellation fees. |
Vanuatu PM Natapei ousted in no confidence vote Mr Natapei briefly lost his post in 2009 over a failure to give notice of an absence from parliament Continue reading the main story Related stories The prime minister of Vanuatu, Edward Natapei, has been ousted by a vote of no confidence in parliament while out of the country. Mr Natapei has been replaced by the deputy prime minister, Sato Kilman. Mr Natapei had left Vanuatu just hours before the vote to represent the South Pacific island state at climate change talks in Cancun, Mexico. He had earlier pushed to suspend five MPs who were trying to mount a no confidence motion against him. He had also clashed with MPs over his role in blocking Fiji's military ruler, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, from taking the rotating lead of regional trade group the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Mr Natapei was elected in 2008 but briefly lost his post in 2009 when he failed to give notice of an absence from parliament. ||||| Vanuatu Prime Minister Edward Natapei voted out Updated Vanuatu's Prime Minister Edward Natapei has been ousted from office in a no confidence motion. The motion was passed 30 votes to 15, and Mr Natapei's Deputy Prime Minister, Sato Kilman has been sworn in as the new Prime Minister. The move happened while Mr Natapei was out of the country, on his way to Cancun for the UN Climate Change Conference. The vote of no confidence was driven by unhappiness over Mr Natapei's push to have five opposition MPs suspended from the house, and also over his position on allowing Fiji to take the rotating chairmanship of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Presenter: Campbell Cooney Speaker: Vanuatu journalist, Alain Simeon | Natapei had previously lost his seat due to a paperwork error in 2009 The of Vanuatu has lost his seat after a motion of . was ousted after the vote, passed at 30 votes to 15, took place in parliament. Natapei was out of the country at the time of the vote, attending a climate change summit in , Mexico. The vote took place after several members of parliament became unhappy with Natapei's decisions. He had tried to suspend five members of parliament from the house. There was also concern about his support for , the military leader of Fiji. Natapei supported Bainimarama when he took over as leader of the , the trade group of the South Pacific. This is not the first time that Natapei has lost his seat. In 2009, he lost his post when he failed to notify parliament that he left the country. He was on an official visit to Trinidad and Tobago at the time. Natapei took the post of prime minister in 2008. , the deputy prime minister until the motion was passed, has been sworn in as Natapei's replacement. |
New train service gets underway THE FIRST train on the new Grand Central rail link to London left the North-East a minute late today - thanks to the media. A smattering of rail enthusiasts joined staff, a small number of passengers and a posse of regional journalists on the 6.46am service from Sunderland station, calling at Hartlepool, Eaglescliffe, Northallerton and York, before heading direct to King's Cross, in the capital. The new six-carriage service finally departed more than 18-months after York-based Grand Central Trains was awarded the franchise to operate the first direct services from the North Sea coastal stations of Sunderland and Hartlepool to London in almost 20 years. advertisement It overcame a High Court challenge and problems with the late delivery of rolling stock before finally being given the green flag by the Office of Rail Regulation over the weekend. Only delays for media pictures caused the train to leave the platform slightly late and by mid-journey the service was said to be running three minutes late, with a scheduled arrival time of 10.32am at King's Cross. The will initially be only one service, the 6.46am, per day from Sunderland, returning from King's Cross at 4.50pm, scheduled to arrive back on Wearside by 8.35pm. But there will also be a further daily direct train from King's Cross to York, at 11.27am, arriving at 1.19pm, returning at 2.10pm, with the scheduled arrival in London at 4.05pm. Engineering work on the East Coast Main Line means there will be no services from Sunday, until Boxing Day (Wednesday), but the interim timetable resumes on Thursday next week. Following New Year the trains will feature a full restaurant service, open to both first class and standard rate passengers, with a free wii-fi connection throughout the train to be fitted next month. The arrival of the rest of the fleet is expected to enable Grand Central to run its planned three daily services from Sunderland by the end of January. Carriages are distinctively decorarated, some bearing images of legendary film star Marilyn Monroe, and others with popular board game boards, for Monopoly and Cluedo, embedded into tables. Fares have been kept at a simple 44 single and 69 return, with half-price for concessions, between Sunderland and London, with passengers able to pay on board the train. Further details are available on www.grandcentral.com, which carries latest timetable and ticket information. Posted by: Robert Goff, Thirsk on I ued this service from Thirsk this morning and was very impressed. The staff were very friendly and the at seat buffet service very good. if they keep this standard up and the schudule fits with yours I would definitely use them every time. especially asthey are 1/3 the cost of teh main operator on this route I ued this service from Thirsk this morning and was very impressed. The staff were very friendly and the at seat buffet service very good. if they keep this standard up and the schudule fits with yours I would definitely use them every time. especially asthey are 1/3 the cost of teh main operator on this route What are these links for? If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it. At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web. Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you. More on Digg More on del.icio.us More on Furl More on reddit More on NowPublic/ More on Yahoo! ||||| Trial runs with the new engines have proved successful Grand Central's Sunderland to King's Cross service has been dogged by delays and was due have started last year. Problems with the delivery and refurbishment of rolling stock prevented the East Coast Main Line service launching as planned. But the firm said it was now able to offer a limited service, with the first train departing at 0646 GMT on Tuesday. 'Checks and upgrades' Grand Central will run one return service per day, with stops in Teesside and North Yorkshire, until 23 December. It plans to restart services again on 27 December, after a programme of track maintenance. Managing Director Ian Yeowart said: "We expect to have the full timetable up and running by the middle of January, when all the rolling stock has gone through the necessary maintenance checks and upgrades. "It is very important for the crews to start before Christmas, they have been with us for about 11 months and they are chomping at the bit to get started." Mr Yeowart said passengers would initially be able to buy tickets on the train until its web-based ticket purchasing system was up and running. The company is selling single journey tickets for £44 and £69 for return trips. First class fares are double. The new service will call at Hartlepool, Eaglescliffe, Northallerton, Thirsk and York. | British Rail Class 43 number 43067 leads the first service into London King's Cross Route of the new service. Grand Central Railway have today launched a new train service between London King's Cross and Sunderland in the north east of England. The first service arrived in London shortly before 1030 UTC. The company has been troubled with a variety of difficulties which have caused the launch to be cancelled on a number of occasions. More recently problems with acquiring rolling stock, the decision by the Office of Rail Regulation to allow the services was challenged by the then principal operator of East Coast Main Line services, GNER. The new service calls at Sunderland, Hartlepool, Eaglescliffe, Northallerton, Thirsk, York, and terminates at London King's Cross. Grand Central are operating an interim timetable of one return journey per day until more rolling stock becomes available, expected by the end of January, to permit the full timetable of three return journeys to begin. The company is only one of a few "open access" operators in the United Kingdom which rather than bidding for a franchise and running a level of service set by government, Grand Central applied for access rights having identified a commercial opportunity. |
Mystery missile launch reported off California coast Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Pentagon officials say they cannot explain reports of a missile launch off the coast of California on Monday. A CBS News helicopter captured what looked like the vapour trail of a missile rising from the water about 35 miles (56 km) offshore. "Right now all indications are that it was not [defence department] involvement in this launch" Pentagon spokesman Col David Lapan said. The Pentagon does not consider the missile a threat. "So far we've come up empty with any explanation," Col Lapan said. "We're doing everything we can to try to figure out if anybody has any knowledge of what this event may have been." Under normal circumstances, the launch of a US missile would require several different authorisations and notifications, but none are evident. It is unclear if the suspected missile was launched from land or sea. ||||| Expert Thinks "Mystery Missile" an Illusion Security Analyst: Object Can't Be a Rocket Because It Appeared to Alter Its Course One expert says he has an answer for a video that appears to show an unexplained missile launch off the Southern California coast - there was no missile.John Pike of the security analyst group globalsecurity.org said the video shot by a news helicopter owned by KCBS is an optical illusion.Pike said the video is of an airplane heading toward the camera and the contrail is illuminated by the setting sun. He said the object can't be a rocket because it appeared to alter its course.Pentagon officials were stumped by the event, saying no one within the Department of Defense has been able to explain the contrail or where it came from.The FAA told CBS News that they ran radar replays of a large area west of Los Angeles based on media reports of the location of a possible missile launch, but they did not reveal any fast moving unidentified targets in that area. The FAA also did not receive any reports of any unusual sightings from pilots in the area.Missile tests are common off Southern California. Launches are conducted from vessels and platforms on an ocean range west of Point Mugu.The North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, issued a statement jointly with the U.S. Northern Command, or NORTHCOM, saying that the contrail was not the result of a foreign military launching a missile. It provided no further details."We can confirm that there is no threat to our nation, and from all indications this was not a launch by a foreign military," the statement said. "We will provide more information as it becomes available." ||||| Check out CNN affiliate KCBS/KCAL in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles, California (CNN) -- The Pentagon is unable to explain images of what witnesses took to be a high-altitude rocket launched off the coast of Southern California at sunset Monday, officials said. But John Pike, a defense expert who is director of GlobalSecurity.org, said he believes he has solved the mystery. "It's clearly an airplane contrail," Pike said Tuesday afternoon. "It's an optical illusion that looks like it's going up, whereas in reality it's going toward the camera. The tip of the contrail is moving far too slowly to be a rocket. When it's illuminated by the sunset, you can see hundreds of miles of it ... all the way to the horizon. "Why the government is so badly organized that they can't get somebody out there to explain it and make this story go away. ... I think that's the real story," Pike added. "I mean, it's insane that with all the money we are spending, all these technically competent people, that they can't get somebody out there to explain what is incredibly obvious." A U.S. Northern Command official who didn't want to be identified said the contrail could very well be from an airplane. An "illusion" effect made the contrail appear as if it's rising straight up, but it's actually level, the official said. The event is similar to another sighting around New Year's Eve in which observers believed they witnessed a missile, he said. Col. Dave Lapan, a spokesman for the Pentagon, said later Tuesday that while there is no evidence that the contrail was left by a missile the department is still investigating. No Defense Department units reported launches at the time. The North American Aerospace Defense Command and the U.S. Northern Command did not report any foreign missile launches off the California coast, Lapan added. Regardless, there was no threat to the United States, he said. Tuesday morning, the Pentagon and the North American Aerospace Defense Command were investigating video shot by a news helicopter operated by CNN affiliate KCBS/KCAL showing an ascending orange-colored contrail high into the atmosphere, officials said. A contrail is the visible vapor trail behind airplanes or rockets traveling at high altitudes. The Federal Aviation Administration, the Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, and California Reps. Dana Rohrabacher and Jane Harman -- whose coastal districts are closest to the offshore contrails -- were at a loss to explain the images. "The FAA ran radar replays of a large area west of Los Angeles based on media reports of the possible missile launch at approximately 5 p.m. (PT) on Monday. The radar replays did not reveal any fast moving, unidentified targets in that area," said FAA spokesman Ian Gregor. "The FAA did not receive reports ... of unusual sightings from pilots who were flying in the area on Monday afternoon. "The FAA did not approve any commercial space launches around the area Monday," he added. Lapan said that various agencies are trying to find out what happened. "I don't know specifically what they are all doing. I just know they have been pinged and that we are talking to the FAA, we are talking to other parts of the U.S. government. We are trying to do everything we can to figure out if anybody has any knowledge of what this event may have been," Lapan said in off-camera comments to journalists. "So far we have come up empty," he added. CNN's Charley Keyes and Chris Lawrence contributed to this report. ||||| Mystery missile vapor trail stumps Pentagon WASHINGTON — The US military said Tuesday it has detected no launch of a foreign military missile off the coast of California and offered assurances that whatever happened there posed no threat to the United States. KCBS television caught on camera what appeared to be a missile vapor trail as it arced into the evening sky west of Los Angeles, sparking reports of a possible missile launch. "At this time, we can confirm that there is no threat to our nation and from all indications this was not a launch by a foreign military," the US Northern Command and the North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Command said in a statement, The Pentagon, however, said it had no explanation for the sighting and was trying to get to the bottom of it. Colonel David Lapan, a Pentagon spokesman, earlier said none of the military or Department of Defense (DoD) agencies that might have launched a missile "have come up and said they were involved in this." "So we're still trying to find out what the contrail off the coast of southern California was caused by," he said. "Right now, all indications are that it was not a DoD activity." ContrailScience.com, a website that debunks conspiracy theories linked to contrails, suggested the sighting was an optical illusion. It said an approaching aircraft can leave a horizontal vapor trail that looks like a missile shooting vertically from the ground or sea. What creates the illusion that it is rising from the ground is that the end of the plume is hidden by the curvature of the earth. Ordinarily, a missile test would involve closure of air space and notifications to mariners of when to stay clear of the area, but none were known to have been made in this case, Lapan said. He said it was "implausible" that a military exercise would have been conducted so near Los Angeles' busy international airport. "That's why at this point the operative term is, unexplained," Lapan added. Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More » | An example of a contrail, following a missile launch in 2008 U.S. military officials said on Tuesday they did not know what produced a contrail, or vapor trail, caught on tape the day before by Los Angeles, California television station . is investigating the incident but does not consider it a threat to U.S. security. Around 5 p.m. Monday evening (0100 ), a news helicopter from KCBS recorded the vapor trail of what appeared to be a missile traveling 35 miles (56 kilometres) west of the Los Angeles. However, no standard missile testing procedures were followed in this case: air space was not restricted and ships were not told to avoid the area. Pentagon spokesperson Colonel David Lapan said that any such test was "implausible" due to the close proximity of the sighting to . The and the released a statement in response to the sighting, saying, "At this time, we can confirm that there is no threat to our nation and from all indications this was not a launch by a foreign military. Pentagon officials said they did not know the origins of the vapor trail, but they were looking into the matter. Lapan said that they are "still trying to find out what the contrail off the coast of southern California was caused by," but that currently, "all indications are that it was not a DoD activity." Some say that there was no launch, and that the plume caught on video were simply part of an optical illusion. ContrailScience.com, a website seeking to disprove conspiracy theories related to contrails, said that an airplane moving directly toward a viewer leaves a contrail that appears to rise vertically. However, this is due to the curvature of the earth, and the vapor is actually horizontal. John Pike, of , added that the flying object producing the vapor trail was not a rocket because it seemed to change direction. On Tuesday, Pike said that what the KCBS crew recorded was "clearly an airplane contrail. It's an optical illusion that looks like it's going up, whereas in reality it's going towards the camera. The tip of the contrail is moving far too slowly to be a rocket. When it's illuminated by the sunset, you can see hundreds of miles of it ... all the way to the horizon." An anonymous official from the U.S. Northern Command said the vapor trail may have been caused by a plane. He said it was similar to a contrail seen around New Year's Eve last year, also thought at first to be from a missile launch. officials said that they examined radar replays of the area around Los Angeles, but no missile-like objects were detected. They also said that no pilots in the region reported seeing anything unusual that around the time of the sighting. Military exercises involving missiles are not rare around the Southern California coastal area, with launches occurring west of . == Sources == * * * * |
A team of South Korean scientists say they have found a way to produce the human body's own cancer-killing cells through gene therapy, offering new hope to cancer sufferers. The team said they had found that a gene called Vitamin D3 Upregulated Protein 1 (VDUP1) plays a crucial role in directing stem cells to diversify into immune cells known as natural killer cells. Natural killer (NK) cells are large, granular blood cells known as lymphocytes that are able to eliminate virus-infected cells as well as tumour cells. "Stem cells can develop into various cells and organs in the body," Inpyo Choi said, leader of the team from the state-financed Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology in Daejeon. "We have found that when hematopoietic stem cells diversify into NK cells, the gene, Vitamin D3 Upregulated Protein 1 (VDUP1), plays a decisive role. "We have also succeeded in developing technology needed to induce stem cells obtained from a patient's bone marrow to diversify into immune cells and activate them. "This is the first step toward developing new treatments using our own immune system to fight cancers and other serious diseases." The result of the study, which comes as scientists look for ways to supplement existing cancer treatments including chemotherapy, radiology and surgical operations, was published last week in Immunity, a journal of immunology. The team investigated the role of the VDUP1 gene by breeding mice lacking the gene. The researchers found that these mice showed minimal changes in the development of other immune cells, but there was a "profound reduction" in the numbers of natural killer cells and decreases in the activity of the cells. In the VDUP1-deprived mice the expression of a protein called CD122 - a pre-cursor for natural killer cells - was reduced, showing that the gene was required for CD122 expression and the maturation of natural killer cells. "These results suggest that VDUP1 is a critical factor for the development and function of NK cells in vivo," the team said. Yoon Suk-Ran, a member of the team, said they had extracted stem cells from mice and developed them into NK cells. They injected these cells into mice with skin cancers and confirmed the tumors were contained or killed. "By developing this method, we may extract stem cells from a patient's bone marrow, culture NK cells and inject them back into the patient's body to treat cancers," he said. South Korea has selected biotechnology, together with robotics and nano technology, as strategic sectors for future development and supports them with government subsidies for research. -AFP ||||| 1 Laboratory of Immunology, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yusong, Taejon 305-333, Republic of Korea 2 School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Biotechnology Research Institute, Chonnam National University, Kwangju 500-757, Republic of Korea 3 Laboratory of Development and Differentiation, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Yusong, Taejon 305-333, Republic of Korea 4 Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Taejon 301-131, Republic of Korea 5 Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Taejon 301-131, Republic of Korea Vitamin D 3 upregulated protein 1 (VDUP1) is a stress-response gene that is upregulated by 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 in tumor cells. The in vivo roles of VDUP1 were investigated by producing mice lacking VDUP1 (VDUP1−/− mice). VDUP1−/− mice showed minimal changes in the development of T and B cells, but there was a profound reduction in the numbers of natural killer (NK) cells. As well, these mice showed decreased NK activity. In the VDUP1−/− mice, the expression of CD122 was reduced, demonstrating that VDUP1 is required for CD122 expression and NK maturation. In addition, severe lymphoid hyperplasia in the small intestine was observed in VDUP1−/− mice. Taken together, these results suggest that VDUP1 is a critical factor for the development and function of NK cells in vivo. | Human Genetics A has been discovered that turns into killers, promising new treatments that boost the body's ability to destroy tumors. scientists from the in Daejeon say that the gene, (VDUP1), spurs stem cells to become . These components of the can eliminate virus-infected and cancerous cells. Research leader Inpyo Choi says the team observed that VDUP1 plays a decisive role in causing stem cells to become natural killers. The discovery was made by examining mice bred to lack the gene. The mice had a dramatic reduction in the number and activity of natural killer cells. Besides determining the gene's importance to the immune system, Choi and colleagues have developed technology needed to spur the creation of natural killers from a person's own stem cells. Choi calls this "the first step toward developing new treatments using our own immune system to fight cancers and other serious diseases." The research is reported in the journal ''''. |
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) on Monday decided to postpone the January 8 polls to February 18, in view of the situation in the country after the murder of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Chief Election Commissioner Qazi Mohammad Farooq said. Earlier on Saturday, the ECP released a press statement saying that the election scheduled next month had been "adversely affected" by unrest in the country and that it would hold an urgent meeting on Monday. After Opposition leader Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, another candidate was killed in a bomb blast on Friday. The commission said in its statement: "All activities pertaining to pre-poll arrangements, including printing of ballot papers and logistics as well as training of polling personnel, have been adversely affected." In some places, the commission said, the security situation was "not conducive" to holding the elections on January 8. "Election commission offices in nine districts have been set on fire, leaving electoral rolls reduced to ashes." Benazir Bhutto had returned to Pakistan after eight years of self-imposed exile to take part in the poll. After Bhutto’s assassination, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz - the country’s other major party - has already announced boycott of the polls. Bhutto’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has said it will decide about taking part in the polls on Sunday evening after prayers for Bhutto three days after her death. ||||| US welcomes date for Pakistan vote WASHINGTON (AFP) — The White House on Wednesday welcomed Pakistan setting February 18 as the "date certain" for elections postponed after the slaying of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto. "The important thing is that they have a date certain for the elections," spokeswoman Dana Perino told reporters shortly before Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf defended the postponement in a major speech. Washington hopes "now that that has been set, that the Pakistani people be allowed to have a free and fair election where there is the widest possible participation," she said. "Hopefully in the next few weeks, the political parties will be able to campaign freely and make their case, and then the voters can decide," said the spokeswoman. Asked whether the United States worried that the election might not be free and fair, Perino replied: "We have no indication that it wouldn't be, but of course, we'll continue to monitor." But she later said that she was unaware of charges by Bhutto allies that she was killed as she planned to go public just hours before her death with evidence of plans to rig the vote. "I have not heard about that report. What I was referring to was what we were dealing with several weeks ago, which was Pakistan under a state of emergency, which they currently are not, and hopefully will not be," she said. Earlier, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice briefed US President George W. Bush on "all the contacts between the US government and the various political officials and different parties in Pakistan," said Perino. Copyright © 2013 AFP. All rights reserved. More » ||||| Mr Musharraf spoke of "sadness and anger" at Ms Bhutto's death President Musharraf In a televised address, he said Prime Minister Gordon Brown had agreed to send a team of detectives from London to help establish what happened. He said "terrorists" were behind the murder, and described Ms Bhutto's death as a "great tragedy" for the nation. Elections set for next week in Pakistan have been postponed until 18 February. Mr Musharraf said too much damage had been done to polling stations and voter papers during the unrest in the wake of Ms Bhutto's assassination last Thursday. He said "miscreants and political elements" had taken advantage of the situation - "looting, burning and killing". "Election commission offices, their centres, polling stations and their equipment were all damaged and destroyed. Hence the election commission was facing a big difficulty to hold these elections [on 8 January]," he said. Mr Musharraf said he was setting up a commission to identify who was responsible for the widespread violence, in which at least 47 people have died. At the same time, the president promised free, fair, transparent and peaceful elections. He called for reconciliation rather than confrontation in the run-up to the polls, and said troops and paramilitary soldiers would ensure law and order during this time. Forensic evidence The 30-minute speech was Mr Musharraf's first major public address since Ms Bhutto's death. Mr Musharraf referred to "the pain and anger" of Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP), especially in her home province of Sindh. This is a very significant investigation - all the confusion that has been created in the nation must be resolved President Musharraf Successors' challenge Readers react to succession He paid tribute to his political opponent, saying: "I also feel the same sadness and anger - I respect the sentiments of the nation." He repeated official allegations that al-Qaeda was behind Ms Bhutto's killing, and urged the media to "expose" pro-Taleban militant leaders who, he said, were orchestrating suicide attacks in Pakistan. He said new evidence was coming to light but that expert advice was needed, and he thanked the British prime minister for accepting his request for assistance. "This is a very significant investigation. All the confusion that has been created in the nation must be resolved," Mr Musharraf said. The UK's Metropolitan Police Service has confirmed that it is to send a small team from its counter-terrorism branch to provide support in the Bhutto murder inquiry. Mr Musharraf says soldiers will keep law and order during elections But the BBC's security correspondent Frank Gardner says that privately, British detectives are wondering how much they will be able to achieve in Pakistan as by now, nearly all forensic evidence has been lost from the crime scene and there is little usable footage of the attack. Our correspondent says there is also the sensitive question of the exhumation of Ms Bhutto's body - something her family has so far opposed. Unless her body is exhumed and examined by neutral experts it will be impossible to establish what actually killed her, he says. 'Bhutto's legacy' Speaking shortly after the president's address, Ms Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, said Britain's involvement in the investigation was too late, and should have been requested after the earlier attempt on her life in October. Electoral posters and banners still hang from buildings in Karachi Mr Zardari confirmed the PPP would take part in the re-scheduled elections, saying: "It is the legacy of our leader Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto to participate in elections, no matter what the circumstances." The BBC's Chris Morris in Islamabad says the PPP wanted elections as soon as possible, in order to take advantage of what could be a big sympathy vote. The ruling PML-Q party had said the 8 January vote should be delayed for several weeks, on the grounds that the vote would "lose credibility" if held under current conditions. The election is seen as a crucial move towards democratic rule under President Musharraf, an important ally in the US-led "war on terror" who stood down as army chief in November. | Officials in Pakistan say parliamentary elections will be delayed until next month. VOA correspondent Nancy-Amelia Collins in Islamabad reports the Pakistan Election Commission says the delay is due to the destruction of election offices and materials in violence that broke out last week after Benazir Bhutto's assassination. Chief election commissioner Qazi Mohammed Farooq says the elections originally scheduled for January 8 are being postponed and will be held next month. "The polling will now be held on 18th February, 2008 instead of 8th January 2008," he said. Election officials say they have to delay the vote because violence triggered by the assassination last week of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto destroyed a number of election commission offices and voter rolls in Sindh Province. The opposition says the government of President Pervez Musharraf wants the election delayed to boost the votes for his supporters. The opposition has vowed to mobilize street demonstrations to protest the delay. Political analyst Talat Masood says the government is worried the majority of votes would go to Ms. Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party, the PPP, if elections were held as originally scheduled. "Probably they do not want to allow the PPP to catch the sympathy vote, and at the same time I think, you know, there is also an extreme resentment against the government at the moment. And president Musharraf would be in a very difficult position after the elections, because what he was wanting was a very favorable election result, so that may not be possible if the elections are held now," said Masood. Ms. Bhutto was assassinated last Thursday while campaigning. Her supporters blame the government for failing to take adequate security measures for her safety, and Ms. Bhutto, before her death, had accused elements within the government of plotting to kill her, a charge the government denies. A top aide to Ms. Bhutto, Senator Latif Khosa, says that on the day of her assassination, Ms. Bhutto planned to give two visiting U.S. lawmakers a thick dossier outlining numerous instances of government pre-poll rigging involving voter registration as well as intimidation of PPP supporters. "Everything was recorded in that, with all proofs that we have had, and with the independent reports of the foreign monitors who were also operating. Their reports also supported our allegations as to being substantial and as being true. So they were all recorded, but unfortunately she could not present the report because she was assassinated before she could do that," said Khosa. The government denies the allegations of vote rigging. The government also now says it is "open" to foreign help in investigating the assassination of Ms. Bhutto. The government of Pakistan announce that investigators from the UK will assist into the investigation into the death. The United States government announced that it was pleased that a date had now been set for the elections. |
Gale crater on Mars was once a lake fed by rivers and groundwater. Hurowitz et al. analyzed 3.5 years of data from the Curiosity rover’s exploration of Gale crater to determine the chemical conditions in the ancient lake. Close to the surface, there were plenty of oxidizing agents and rocks formed from large, dense grains, whereas the deeper layers had more reducing agents and were formed from finer material. This redox stratification led to very different environments in different layers, which provides evidence for Martian climate change. The results will aid our understanding of where and when Mars was once habitable. Structured Abstract INTRODUCTION The primary goal of NASA’s Curiosity rover mission is to explore and quantitatively assess a local region on Mars’ surface as a potential habitat for past or present life. A necessary component of that assessment involves an investigation of the surface chemical conditions and paleoclimate of ancient Mars. Gale crater was selected as the landing site for Curiosity; it hosts a ~5-km-tall mountain of layered sedimentary rock. The rocks of Mount Sharp preserve a long-duration record of martian environmental conditions. Geological reconstructions from Curiosity rover data have revealed an ancient, habitable lake environment that was sustained for tens of thousands to tens of millions of years by rivers draining into the crater. RATIONALE We seek to constrain the chemical environment within the lake in Gale crater, as well as short- and long-term climate variations in and around Gale crater. We focus on fine-grained sedimentary rocks that carry information about sediment provenance, the environment of deposition, the conversion of sediment to rock during burial (i.e., lithification), and the chemical conditions of later modification (i.e., diagenesis). These were investigated during the first 1300 martian solar days (sols) of rover operations in Gale crater using bulk geochemical and mineralogical analysis techniques, combined with high-resolution color imagery at a variety of scales. RESULTS Two mudstone units have been recognized, both deposited in lakes: the Sheepbed member of the Yellowknife Bay formation, an older set of strata defining the base of the stratigraphic section; and the Murray formation, of relatively younger age and positioned higher in the stratigraphic section. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) paleoclimate proxy increases by up to ~10 to 20 CIA units (expressed in %) from the Sheepbed member to the Murray formation. On the basis of mineralogy, geochemistry, textural properties, and stratigraphic relationships, the Murray formation can be subdivided into two sedimentary associations, or facies: the hematite-phyllosilicate (HP) facies and the magnetite-silica (MS) facies. The HP facies is characterized by abundant Fe3+ oxides accompanied by phyllosilicates, as well as indications of Mn oxidation and trace metal concentration. These properties are consistent with deposition in an oxidizing environment. The MS facies is recognized by a near-complete absence of pure Fe3+ minerals, and high concentrations of silica accompanied by magnetite, consistent with deposition in an anoxic environment. Both facies were affected by a saline overprint after burial and lithification. ||||| Mars' Gale Crater was once home to a body of water “that offered favorable conditions for microbial life” thanks to stratification that meant different parts of the lake offered different conditions. That's the conclusion of a new paper, Redox stratification of an ancient lake in Gale crater, Mars, that examined data from the first three-and-a-half years of the Curiosity rover's trundlings around the red planet. Published in Science and summarised by NASA, the paper explains that Curiosity has spotted different types of minerals that suggest the lake in Gale Crater had the composition depicted below. A hypothesized redox-stratified lake in Gale crater. Source: Science via. mars.jpl.nasa.gov "This type of oxidant stratification is a common feature of lakes on Earth, and now we've found it on Mars,” writes Joel Hurowitz of Stony Brook University, lead author of the report. “The diversity of environments in this Martian lake would have provided multiple opportunities for different types of microbes to survive, including those that thrive in oxidant-rich conditions, those that thrive in oxidant-poor conditions, and those that inhabit the interface between those settings." NASA's summary of the paper says that as Curiosity moved around Gale Crater, astroboffins quickly concluded that rivers once flowed into the area. But they were confused by find of some rocks with “thicker layering with a larger proportion of an iron mineral called hematite, while other rocks showed very fine layers and more of an iron mineral called magnetite.” "What was causing iron minerals to be one flavor in one part of the lake and another flavor in another part of the lake?” Hurowitz asked. “We had an 'Aha!' moment when we realized that the mineral information and the bedding-thickness information mapped perfectly onto each other in a way you would expect from a stratified lake with a chemical boundary between shallow water and deeper water.” We've still no idea whether Mars ever hosted so much as a single microbe. But NASA is still chuffed with this paper, as it shows that Curiosity landed in a spot that offered a fine look at lots of different environments that together let us piece together Martian history. &Reg; ||||| This evenly layered rock imaged in 2014 by the Mastcam on NASA's Curiosity Mars rover shows a pattern typical of a lake-floor sedimentary deposit near where flowing water entered a lake. Shallow and deep parts of an ancient Martian lake left different clues in mudstone formed from lakebed deposits. A long-lasting lake on ancient Mars provided stable environmental conditions that differed significantly from one part of the lake to another, according to a comprehensive look at findings from the first three-and-a-half years of NASA's Curiosity rover mission. Different conditions favorable for different types of microbes existed simultaneously in the same lake. Previous work had revealed the presence of a lake more than three billion years ago in Mars' Gale Crater. This study defines the chemical conditions that existed in the lake and uses Curiosity's powerful payload to determine that the lake was stratified. Stratified bodies of water exhibit sharp chemical or physical differences between deep water and shallow water. In Gale's lake, the shallow water was richer in oxidants than deeper water was. This diagram presents some of the processes and clues related to a long-ago lake on Mars that became stratified, with the shallow water richer in oxidants than deeper water was. "These were very different, co-existing environments in the same lake," said Joel Hurowitz of Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, lead author of a report of the findings in the June 2 edition of the journal Science. "This type of oxidant stratification is a common feature of lakes on Earth, and now we've found it on Mars. The diversity of environments in this Martian lake would have provided multiple opportunities for different types of microbes to survive, including those that thrive in oxidant-rich conditions, those that thrive in oxidant-poor conditions, and those that inhabit the interface between those settings." Whether Mars has ever hosted any life is still unknown, but seeking signs of life on any planet -- whether Earth, Mars or more-distant icy worlds -- begins with reconstruction of the environment to determine if it was capable of supporting life. Curiosity's primary goal when it landed inside Gale Crater in 2012 was to determine whether Mars has ever offered environmental conditions favorable for microbial life. In its first year, on the crater floor at "Yellowknife Bay," the rover found evidence of ancient freshwater river and lake environments with all the main chemical ingredients for life and a possible energy source for life. Curiosity has since driven to the base of Mount Sharp, a layered mountain inside the crater, and inspected rock layers that grow progressively younger as the rover gains elevation on lower Mount Sharp. Differences in the physical, chemical and mineral characteristics of several sites on lower Mount Sharp at first presented a puzzle to the rover team. For example, some rocks showed thicker layering with a larger proportion of an iron mineral called hematite, while other rocks showed very fine layers and more of an iron mineral called magnetite. Comparing these properties suggested very distinctive environments of deposition. Researchers considered whether these differences could have resulted from environmental conditions fluctuating over time or differing from place to place. "We could tell something was going on," Hurowitz said. "What was causing iron minerals to be one flavor in one part of the lake and another flavor in another part of the lake? We had an 'Aha!' moment when we realized that the mineral information and the bedding-thickness information mapped perfectly onto each other in a way you would expect from a stratified lake with a chemical boundary between shallow water and deeper water." In addition to revealing new information about chemical conditions within the lake, the report by Hurowitz and 22 co-authors also documents fluctuations in the climate of ancient Mars. One such change happened between the time crater-floor rocks were deposited and the time the rocks that now make up the base of Mount Sharp were deposited. Those later rocks are exposed at "Pahrump Hills" and elsewhere. The method the team used for detecting changes in ancient climate conditions on Mars resembles how ice cores are used to study past temperature conditions on Earth. It is based on comparing differences in the chemical composition of layers of mud-rich sedimentary rock that were deposited in quiet waters in the lake. While the lake was present in Gale, climate conditions changed from colder and drier to warmer and wetter. Such short-term fluctuations in climate took place within a longer-term climate evolution from the ancient warmer and wetter conditions that supported lakes, to today's arid Mars. "These results give us unprecedented detail in answering questions about ancient environmental conditions on Mars," said Curiosity Project Scientist Ashwin Vasavada of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California. "I'm struck by how these fascinating conclusions on habitability and climate took everything the mission had to offer: a set of sophisticated science instruments, multiple years and miles of exploration, a landing site that retained a record of the ancient environment, and a lot of hard work by the mission team." In mid-2017, Curiosity is continuing to reach higher and younger layers of Mount Sharp to study how the ancient lake environment evolved to a drier environment more like modern Mars. The mission is managed by JPL, a division of Caltech in Pasadena, for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. Curiosity and other Mars science missions are all part of ambitious robotic exploration to understand Mars, which helps lead the way for sending humans to Mars in the 2030s. For more about Curiosity, visit: Related Curiosity Research Paper: ( Hurowitz et al.) Redox stratification of an ancient lake in Gale crater, Mars Guy Webster Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif. 818-354-6278 guy.webster@jpl.nasa.gov Gregory Filiano Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, N.Y. 631-444-9343 gregory.filiano@stonybrookmedicine.edu Robert Perkins Caltech, Pasadena, Calif. 626-395-1862 rperkins@caltech.edu Laurie Cantillo / Dwayne Brown NASA Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1077 / 202-358-1726 laura.l.cantillo@nasa.gov / dwayne.c.brown@nasa.gov ||||| Los Alamos, N.M., June 1, 2017 - A long-lasting lake on ancient Mars provided stable environmental conditions that differed significantly from one part of the lake to another, according to a comprehensive look at findings from the first three-and-a-half years of NASA's Curiosity rover mission. While previous work had revealed the presence of a lake more than three billion years ago in Mars' Gale Crater, this study defines the lake's chemical conditions and uses Curiosity's powerful payload to determine that the lake was stratified. Stratified bodies of water exhibit sharp chemical or physical differences between deep water and shallow water. In Gale's lake, the shallow water was richer in oxidants than deeper water was. "We're learning that in parts of the lake and at certain times, the water carried more oxygen," said Roger Wiens, a planetary scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory and co-author of the study, published today in the journal Science. "This matters because it affects what minerals are deposited in the sediments, and also because oxygen is important for life. But we have to remember that at the time of Gale Lake, life on our planet had not yet adapted to using oxygen--photosynthesis had not yet been invented. Instead, the oxidation state of certain elements like manganese or iron may have been more important for life, if it ever existed on Mars. These oxidation states would be controlled by the dissolved oxygen content of the water." "These were very different, co-existing environments in the same lake," said Joel Hurowitz of Stony Brook University, lead author of the report. "This type of oxidant stratification is a common feature of lakes on Earth, and now we've found it on Mars. The diversity of environments in this Martian lake would have provided multiple opportunities for different types of microbes to survive." Whether Mars has ever hosted any life is still unknown, but seeking signs of life on any planet, whether Earth, Mars or more-distant icy worlds, begins with reconstruction of the environment to determine if it was capable of supporting life. NASA is using Curiosity to explore habitable environments on the ancient surface of Mars. Over more than 1,700 sols (martian days, which are 24 hours, 39 minutes long), Curiosity has traveled more than 16 km from the bottom of Gale crater part way up Mount Sharp near the center of the crater. Los Alamos National Laboratory developed the laser-shooting Chemistry and Camera (ChemCam) instrument that sits atop Curiosity in conjunction with the French space agency. Los Alamos' work on discovery-driven instruments like ChemCam stems from the Laboratory's experience building and operating more than 500 spacecraft instruments for national security. Scientists are using all the data collected by ChemCam and other on-board instruments to put together a more complete picture of the geological history of Mars. ### About Los Alamos National Laboratory Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC, a team composed of Bechtel National, the University of California, BWXT Government Group and URS, an AECOM company, for the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration. Los Alamos enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health and global security concerns. | In an analysis published on Friday in '''', scientists announced data collected from the show that Mars's was once a chemically stratified lake, meaning the aquatic environment differed markedly between deep and shallow water. According to the report, "all of the physical, chemical, and energetic conditions necessary to establish a habitable environment were present on Mars between ~3.8 billion and 3.1 billion years ago." Composite self-portrait of the Curiosity Rover, taken in 2012 Analysis shows the chemical index of alteration fluctuated over time in a way that suggested the lake varied between hot, wet periods and colder, drier periods. The shallow water would have been rich in oxidants brought in from the atmosphere and groundwater, and the deeper water would have been oxidant poor. , , , and , indicating chemistry suitable for life, have also been found there in a variety of compounds. Lead author Joel Hurowitz of explained, "These were very different, co-existing environments in the same lake... This type of oxidant stratification is a common feature of on Earth, and now we've found it on Mars. The diversity of environments in this Martian lake would have provided multiple opportunities for different types of microbes to survive." The scientists also evaluated the fineness of the , meaning the sizes of individual particles of dirt, dust and sand. Curiosity found larger grains near the edges of the lake where sediments from incoming rivers and streams would have fed it, and smaller ones in what would have been the deep lakebed, which is consistent with particles dropping out of the water as the current slows down. "We could tell something was going on," Hurowitz said in a statement. "What was causing iron minerals to be one flavor in one part of the lake and another flavor in another part of the lake? We had an 'Aha!' moment when we realized that the mineral information and the bedding-thickness information mapped perfectly onto each other in a way you would expect from a stratified lake with a chemical boundary between shallow water and deeper water." |
POSTED: 10:58 pm EDT May 28, 2008 How safe is the public transit system that so many of us travel each day? Team 5's Sean Kelly looked into the MBTA safety records and history of MBTA crashes. Consider the fact that hundreds of thousands of people use MDTA commuter trains every week without problems and you'd have to say the safety record is very good. Looking back at the history of accidents, however, it's typical for one train to be stopped when a crash occurs. The Green Line has had more than its share of collisions over the last two decades. One, in 1990, when one train rammed into the rear of another at the Arlington Street station, hurt 33 people, although there were no fatalities. Investigators determined that the 64-year-old driver who caused it had a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit. Five years later, another collision at the busy Copley Square station. Once again, a trolley rear-ended another car that had stopped. Thirty-two people were hurt but no one was killed. The NTSB determined the female driver who caused it failed to follow posted speeds and never applied the brakes. Until Wednesday’s Newton crash, the most recent serious collision involving passengers happened in March. That's when a runaway freight car from a lumberyard slammed head-on into a commuter train in Canton. It had by far the highest number of casualties at 150, although most injuries were minor. MBTA investigators determined the driver likely saved lives by halting his train to avoid a bigger crash. As bad as all of those collisions were, none matched what MBTA passengers saw in January 2007. Their commuter train traveling through Woburn, Mass., hit and killed two track workers. NTSB investigators determined a dispatcher forgot about the work crew and failed to warn the driver. ||||| E-Mail News Alerts Get breaking news and daily headlines. Browse all e-mail newsletters Related To Story VIDEOS Trolley Driver Killed In Crash MBTA Reports 'Multiple Injuries' In Crash POSTED: 6:09 pm EDT May 28, 2008 A Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority trolley driver was killed Wednesday after two trains collided at the height of rush hour in Newton, according to the woman's father. Raw Video: Trolleys Collide | Passenger Describes Collision The crash -- involving two outbound three-car trolleys -- happened on the MBTA's Green Line D branch near the Woodland stop at about 6 p.m. Wednesday. Both trolleys were derailed in the collision, and some cars' wheels were ripped off in the crash. The crash -- involving two outbound three-car trolleys -- happened on the MBTA's Green Line D branch near the Woodland stop at about 6 p.m. Wednesday. Both trolleys were derailed in the collision, and some cars' wheels were ripped off in the crash. Crews worked for hours to free the driver's body from the twisted wreckage. Her father told reporters gathered at Newton-Wellesley Hospital that his daughter was the driver and she had died in the crash. The woman's name and age have not been released. Crews worked for hours to free the driver's body from the twisted wreckage. Her father told reporters gathered at Newton-Wellesley Hospital that his daughter was the driver and she had died in the crash. The woman's name and age have not been released. "I have no information on the speed of the second train. We do know that the first train had made a stop at the red signal, as all trains do prior to advancing toward Woodland station. That first train had started moving toward Woodland when it was struck from behind," MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said. "I have no information on the speed of the second train. We do know that the first train had made a stop at the red signal, as all trains do prior to advancing toward Woodland station. That first train had started moving toward Woodland when it was struck from behind," MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said. Pesaturo said several passengers were also injured in the crash, and one passenger was flown by helicopter to a Boston hospital. Pesaturo said several passengers were also injured in the crash, and one passenger was flown by helicopter to a Boston hospital. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, located just a half mile from the crash, said they were treating 10 patients for serious, but non life-threatening, injuries. Five passengers were treated at the scene and the trolleys' three other operators were not injured, Pesaturo said. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, located just a half mile from the crash, said they were treating 10 patients for serious, but non life-threatening, injuries. Five passengers were treated at the scene and the trolleys' three other operators were not injured, Pesaturo said. Passengers described a confused scene in the immediate aftermath of the crash, with some passengers screaming and small fires breaking out on the side of the train. Passengers described a confused scene in the immediate aftermath of the crash, with some passengers screaming and small fires breaking out on the side of the train. Barry Gallup, a passenger on one of the trains, said his trolley was rear-ended by another trolley between the Woodland and Waban stops. He said he was thrown forward in the collision, and both knees on his pants were ripped. Barry Gallup, a passenger on one of the trains, said his trolley was rear-ended by another trolley between the Woodland and Waban stops. He said he was thrown forward in the collision, and both knees on his pants were ripped. "All of a sudden I stood up and, supposedly, a train came behind us and rear-ended us. And then all of a sudden, I flew to the front and hit the part where the driver sits. And I looked up, and all of a sudden, people were trapped underneath the train," he said. "I think I might have been knocked out for a few seconds because I stood up and the next thing I know I was laying on the ground." "All of a sudden I stood up and, supposedly, a train came behind us and rear-ended us. And then all of a sudden, I flew to the front and hit the part where the driver sits. And I looked up, and all of a sudden, people were trapped underneath the train," he said. "I think I might have been knocked out for a few seconds because I stood up and the next thing I know I was laying on the ground." Passengers said they did not have any warning before the collision. Passengers said they did not have any warning before the collision. "All of a sudden we rear-ended something," passenger Jill Davidson said. "There was a guy sitting next to me and he went flying and he hit the front of the train. We looked out the window, and the car in front of us was knocked off the tracks, and there was fire being shot into the woods. And we had to run off the train pretty much." "All of a sudden we rear-ended something," passenger Jill Davidson said. "There was a guy sitting next to me and he went flying and he hit the front of the train. We looked out the window, and the car in front of us was knocked off the tracks, and there was fire being shot into the woods. And we had to run off the train pretty much." Pesaturo said the trains would normally have been very crowded at the time of the crash with passengers heading home from the city. Pesaturo said the trains would normally have been very crowded at the time of the crash with passengers heading home from the city. From Sky5, shaken commuters were seen being helped from the cars by emergency crews, and some people were being put on backboards. Several ambulances and medical helicopters were called to the scene, and a triage center was set up at the Brae Burn Country Club golf course next to the tracks. From Sky5, shaken commuters were seen being helped from the cars by emergency crews, and some people were being put on backboards. Several ambulances and medical helicopters were called to the scene, and a triage center was set up at the Brae Burn Country Club golf course next to the tracks. People who live in Newton's Dorset Road neighborhood next to the track said the crash sounded like an explosion. People who live in Newton's Dorset Road neighborhood next to the track said the crash sounded like an explosion. "I heard a crash -- it sounded like steel against steel. Then I thought I heard an explosion, and then a smaller explosion," said Jack Condon. "I heard a crash -- it sounded like steel against steel. Then I thought I heard an explosion, and then a smaller explosion," said Jack Condon. Many residents rushed to help passengers and first responders. Many residents rushed to help passengers and first responders. "It looked like the two of them hit, and on the driver's side front corner, the firemen are trying to peel it back. You can see passenger seats pushed back at the front of the train, but no people," Jerry Bodner said. "It looked like the two of them hit, and on the driver's side front corner, the firemen are trying to peel it back. You can see passenger seats pushed back at the front of the train, but no people," Jerry Bodner said. "I am very grateful that my family wasn't involved, but my heart is breaking for the families," said Maria Arcese. "I am very grateful that my family wasn't involved, but my heart is breaking for the families," said Maria Arcese. The MBTA said on its Web site that shuttle bus service is running between the Reservoir and Riverside stops. The MBTA said on its Web site that shuttle bus service is running between the Reservoir and Riverside stops. Peter Knudson, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board, said a team of investigators will arrive in Boston on Thursday to begin their investigation into the crash. Peter Knudson, a spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board, said a team of investigators will arrive in Boston on Thursday to begin their investigation into the crash. "There are so many ways these accidents can happen. Fortunately, they are relatively rare, but when they do happen, it's rarely just a single thing that goes wrong. Often times there are several things that are lining up at the same time to cause such an accident," Knudson said. "There are so many ways these accidents can happen. Fortunately, they are relatively rare, but when they do happen, it's rarely just a single thing that goes wrong. Often times there are several things that are lining up at the same time to cause such an accident," Knudson said. The team will be looking at all possible factors in the crash, including human and mechanical errors and track conditions. The team will be looking at all possible factors in the crash, including human and mechanical errors and track conditions. Knudson said it will be 12 to 18 months until a final report on the NTSB's findings is released. Knudson said it will be 12 to 18 months until a final report on the NTSB's findings is released. The Green Line is the most heavily-traveled light rail line in the country, the MBTA said. Copyright 2008 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Green Line is the most heavily-traveled light rail line in the country, the MBTA said. ||||| Conductor Killed In Newton Train Collision Commuter Trains Collide On Green Line In Newton NEWTON (WBZ) ― Two above-ground MBTA trains collided on the Green Line near the Brae Burn Country Club in Newton Wednesday evening, trapping and killing a train operator, MBTA officials said. Ten other people suffered minor injuries in the wreck.The collision happened on Dorset Road around 6 p.m. on the D-Line between the Waban and Woodland stops.The father of a 25-year-old MBTA train operator says his daughter, Terrese Edmonds, was the conductor of one of the trains involved. Late Wednesday night, MBTA officials said the operator trapped inside the train for hours after the wreck died.MBTA officials said an outbound commuter 2-car train stopped for a red light signal near Woodland Station and was hit from behind by a second outbound 2-car train. The operator of the second train was trapped inside and emergency crews worked for hours Wednesday night to pull her from the wreckage.MBTA officials have not released the name of the female conductor.WBZ spoke with Terry Jones at an area hospital, who said he believed it was his daughter who was trapped inside the train. Jones said Terrese Edmonds hadn't been heard from since the crash and that her mother was told it was her daughter who was trapped inside."She's not calling me back," Jones said. "It's killing me. I really want to hear from my daughter."MBTA officials said the woman's body would be removed Wednesday night.Jones told WBZ his daughter loved her job and she had been a conductor with the MBTA for six months.One person was pulled from the train earlier in the evening and was airlifted to Boston Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.Newton-Wellesley Hospital received nine injured passengers, two of which walked into the emergency room. All of their injuries are said to be minor, and seven were treated and released by Wednesday night. One patient was on the nearby golf course and suffered smoke inhalation when he went to help the passengers in the train wreck.Three other train operators were among those injured.A spokesman for Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Brian O'Dea, said emergency crews at the hospital were prepared for the train victims."We plan for these kinds of disasters throughout the year," O'Dea said. "Our emergency department is fully staffed. Most of our medical staff is on. We call in people who may have left campus already, so given the time of day, people were still pretty close by."Several ambulances and fire crews remained on scene for hours Wednesday night. At least two choppers were called to the scene earlier in the evening and dozens of emergency personnel aided in the rescue.Uninjured passengers were taken off the train and into an area away from the wreckage.Bob Brodeur was a passenger on the first train and said he was about 15 to 20 feet away from the site of impact."The train was stopped at the time. I thought we were waiting for the track to clear ahead of us. The train was not moving. I remember because I was annoyed. I had a meeting to go to, and I was going to be late and then all of a sudden Wham!" Brodeur said. "And everything broke loose. The chairs broke loose. I wound up on my butt about 4 seats forward. I lost my glasses, cap, briefcase We walked to the front of our car and then I noticed there was a fire to the right of the accident site. It looked like a brush fire ignited by the sparks from the accident. We all started walking along the tracks toward Woodland Station."Damage to both trains was significant.The violent collision completely knocked one of the trains off its wheels. Crews requested heavy rescue equipment from the Boston Fire Department.MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said the first train was stopped at a light, which all trains are required to stop at. Pesaturo said it's unknown how fast the second train was going at the time of the wreck.Green Line service on the D-Line was diverted to Waban Station. Shuttle buses were running between Reservoir and Riverside Stations.Newton resident Max Clary lives in a house near the area where the collision happened. Clary, whose room is above the home's garage, said the impact shook the house, causing items to fall off shelves.The National Transportation Safety Board is in its early stages of an investigation into the collision.A team of about 10 NTSB investigators, including seven from Washington, D.C. and three from other regional offices, arrived on scene Wednesday night and are expected to be there for several days. Officials said the investigation could take 12 to 18 months. The NTSB investigates about 12 rail crashes a year.The investigation may lead to safety recommentations, NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson said.Read: Jon Keller's Questions For The T (© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.) ||||| To continue, please log in or register: Already a member? Please log in: E-mail: Password: Remember me on this computer Forgot your password? If you have already created an account with Boston Globe services, you may log in with that user name and password. Not a member yet? Sign up for FREE! Benefits of membership: - Unlimited access to all Boston.com and Boston Globe content - Participation in chats, message boards and blogs - E-Mail newsletters on topics ranging from the Sox to Shopping Member agreement | Privacy policy | Member FAQ ||||| Operator killed after MBTA trains collide in Newton NEWTON, Mass. -- Federal investigators arrived Thursday at the tracks outside Boston where two commuter trains collided and derailed during rush hour the day before, trapping and killing the operator of one train and injuring more than a dozen passengers. Officials from the National Transportation Safety Board were trying to determine what caused Wednesday's crash, which killed 24-year-old Terrese Edmonds near a station in suburban Newton, said Joe Pesaturo, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The two-car train Edmonds was operating struck the back of another two-car train approaching Woodland Station outbound on the D branch of the Green Line about 6 p.m., Pesaturo said. The trains had about 200 passengers combined. "The first one was stopped at a red signal and was ready to proceed to the station when it was struck," he said. The MBTA expected to bus passengers around the crash site most of Thursday, Pesaturo said. The train struck from behind had been removed from the scene, but the second remained as the investigation began. "They need to thoroughly examine the second train before it is removed," Pesaturo said. A full report is not expected for up to 18 months, NTSB spokesman Peter Knudson said. For several hours Wednesday night, firefighters struggled frantically to free Edmonds from the mangled wreckage. Her body was extricated early Thursday morning, about seven hours after the crash. "It is my unfortunate duty to report the death of one of our employees," MBTA General Manager Daniel Grabauskas said. He said it was a "miracle" that there weren't more deaths. One passenger remained in stable condition in a Boston hospital Thursday, Pesaturo said. Nine others were treated at Newton-Wellesley Hospital and about five were treated at the scene, he said. Passenger Barry Gallup, standing aboard the train that was hit, told reporters the impact threw him to the floor. "I may have been knocked out for a few seconds. ... The next thing I knew I was lying on the ground," Gallup said. He described a confused scene, with some passengers screaming and small fires breaking out on the side of the train. Other passengers concurred about the chaos. "There was a 70-year-old old guy who went ballistic, screaming at the conductor, 'You killed my wife! You killed my wife!' And the wife is going, 'I'm OK! I'm OK,"' passenger Matt Stone, 46, told The Boston Globe. Massachusetts transit officials interviewed the surviving three operators Wednesday, Pesaturo said. Gov. Deval Patrick also telephoned Grabauskas at the scene of the accident to offer any necessary assistance. (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) ||||| To continue, please log in or register: Already a member? Please log in: E-mail: Password: Remember me on this computer Forgot your password? If you have already created an account with Boston Globe services, you may log in with that user name and password. Not a member yet? Sign up for FREE! Benefits of membership: - Unlimited access to all Boston.com and Boston Globe content - Participation in chats, message boards and blogs - E-Mail newsletters on topics ranging from the Sox to Shopping Member agreement | Privacy policy | Member FAQ | Two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Green Line trains have collided in Newton. Both trains consisted of two cars, one of which rear-ended the other causing major damage on both trains, multiple injuries and trapped the female operator of one of the two trains, 24 year-old Terrese Edmonds, who subsequently died. An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board is underway. Green Line D train The crash happened yesterday around 6 p.m. EDT between the Waban and Woodland Green Line stations on the Green Line's D Branch. One train was stopped at a red signal waiting to enter to Woodland when it was struck from behind by the second train. According to MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo, "The first one was stopped at a red signal and was ready to proceed to the station when it was struck." The Green Line, which is the most heavily used light rail line in the United States, is made up of four branches. The D Branch runs along a dedicated right of way and the stations are more spaced out as opposed to the other branches which run on the street. This is one of several accidents the MBTA has experienced recently. Exactly two weeks ago, a trolley on the B Branch derailed and caught fire, and Tuesday, a fire broke out between Park Street and Downtown Crossing on the MBTA's Red Line. The MBTA's Commuter Rail division has also experienced accidents including the death of a 5-year old in Revere who was stuck by a commuter train in the middle of a grade crossing this Tuesday and a MBTA commuter train that was rear-ended by a runaway boxcar belonging to CSX back in late March. Quick thinking on behalf of the engineer on that train is believed to have averted a larger accident. |
Mean Fiddler agrees takeover LONDON (Reuters) - Mean Fiddler says it has agreed to a takeover offer that values the music festival and concert organiser at 37.9 million pounds. The offer was made by Ireland's privately owned Gaiety Investments, a live music promoter, and the UK arm of U.S.-based Clear Channel Communications. Mean Fiddler, which runs the Leeds and Reading music festivals and has a 39 percent stake in the Glastonbury Festival, said its board would recommend the 60-pence-per-share cash offer. © Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved. ||||| Music promoter awaits investor takeover 08/04/2005 - 19:12:41 Music promoter Mean Fiddler today looked set to be taken over by investors including the world’s largest concert promoter. The company, which owns a string of UK music venues such as London’s Astoria, the Reading rock festival and 39% of the Glastonbury festival, received an offer valuing it at around £37.9m (€55.2m). US giant Clear Channel Entertainment and Irish firm MCD Productions revealed last month they were planing a takeover. Their investment vehicle Hamsard said tonight that the board of Mean Fiddler was recommending its offer. Hamsard, which already owns nearly a quarter of Mean Fiddler’s shares, said the company was “highly complementary” to its existing business. It said there were a number of cost savings and revenue drivers that would boost the group’s profitability in the future. The group said: “Following the acquisition, the Mean Fiddler group will continue to pursue a strategy of delivering world-class event promotion and event management both through its festivals and music businesses in the UK.” The planned acquisition, which is subject to shareholder approval, will see founder Vince Power pocket around £13m (€19m) for his 35% stake in the company he set up more than 20 years ago. Mean Fiddler’s annual sales top £44m (€64.1m) a year and stars who appeared at its recent shows included pop princess Britney Spears and R’n’B icon Usher. Clear Channel has significant assets in the UK where it owns, operates or exclusively books 28 venues including the Grand Opera House in York and Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre. It also has radio broadcasting and outdoor advertising divisions. MCD is headed by festival promoter Denis Desmond and has steadily built up its stake in the firm to become its second-biggest shareholder with 24.3%. Hamsard said it had received the backing of investors representing around 80.6% of Mean Fiddler’s shares. Shares had closed at 55.25p before tonight’s announcement. Get your FREE Ringtones, Java Games & Colour Logos from IOL 's NEW My Mobile site Business News | Messageboards | Print Version | Email to friend | Previous Page © Thomas Crosbie Media, 2005. ||||| Following a large number of enquires at our head office, please note that holders of day tickets for the Carling Weekend: Reading & Leeds Festivals will not be allowed to camp overnight at either site - even if customers have tickets for the entire three days. This is due to the allocated spaces for camping at both events being directly relative to the amount of weekend tickets sold. Click here for hotel information at both sites | Mean Fiddler PLC, one of the most successful music promoters in the UK and Ireland has today agreed to be taken over by the Irish owned Gaiety Investments (owner of MCD Promotions) and US based Clear Channel Communications. The deal values Mean Fiddler at STG£37.9m (€55.3m; US$71.4m) or £0.60 a share. It will be an all cash transaction. Mean Fiddler was founded in 1982 by Vince Power, a native of County Waterford, Ireland. The company, which started life as a small but trendy club in London, grew rapidly in the 1980's to encompass a French restaurant and three venues in London; the Acoustic Room, the Powerhaus and Subterania. Today the company regularly organises some of the largest music events in Europe. It runs the Reading and Leeds music festivals and also owns a 39% stake in the Glastonbury Festival. |
The detention of the Iraqi Airways chief in the UK caused indignation The detention of the Iraqi Airways chief in the UK caused indignation Iraqi Airways has dropped flights to London and Sweden after a row with Kuwait over war reparations. When the airline's first jet to fly to London in more than 20 years arrived last month, Kuwait tried to have it confiscated. The state-owned airline's chief was temporarily stranded in the UK on the basis of a UK court order. Iraqi Transport Minister Amer Abdul-Jabbar is expected to decide on Wednesday on the airline's future. "We will announce whether or not we will dissolve the company," he told Reuters news agency after meeting cabinet colleagues in Baghdad. Passport seized Iraq and Kuwait are locked in a dispute over billions of dollars in reparations from Baghdad, including about $1.2bn (£0.8bn) related to aircraft and parts seized during Saddam Hussein's 1990-91 invasion. The historic Iraqi Airways flight to London on 25 April was delayed nine days by Europe's volcanic ash cloud crisis, but it was already nearly a year behind schedule. Touching down in London's Gatwick Airport, the jet was impounded on the basis of a court order obtained by a lawyer for state-owned Kuwait Airways. The lawyer said the order from the High Court in London included freezing the assets of Iraqi Airways worldwide "subject to frequent judicial review". It required the director general of Iraqi Airways, Kifah Jabar Hassan, to provide a statement on the airline's assets, remain within the jurisdiction of the court and surrender his passport. He was later allowed to leave Britain. Mr Hassan confirmed on Tuesday that the London and Sweden routes would be cancelled. The transport minister said Kuwait had been stepping up its efforts against Iraqi Airways in recent days. "Our planes that land in Sweden, London and Germany, they are blocking supplying them with food, fuel and water," he said. He suggested that if Iraqi Airways were to be declared bankrupt, Kuwait would have to drop its claims. "We can establish another airline company and put an end to this case," he added. "With this, the Kuwaitis will get nothing. ||||| AFP - Iraqi Airways has dropped its services to Britain and Sweden because of the "escalation" of a legal battle with Kuwait, the state-run carrier's chief said in a statement on Tuesday. "We are sorry to announce to our fellow citizens, especially the communities living in Britain and Sweden, that Iraqi Airways will stop flying to these two countries because of difficult circumstances as a result of Kuwaiti escalation," Kifah Hassan Jabbar said. Jabbar had his passport seized and the plane he arrived on impounded at London's Gatwick Airport on April 25 as a dispute with Kuwait Airways marred Iraqi Airways's first commercial flight from Baghdad to London in 20 years. The 10-hour flight had arrived in London after stopping in Malmoe in Sweden carrying 30 foreign and Iraqi passengers on board, including Jabbar and Iraqi Transport Minister Amer Abduljabbar Ismail. There have been no further flights. Iraqi Airways had planned two flights a week, with the Baghdad-London leg stopping off in Malmoe, and the return trip going directly from the British capital to Baghdad. Kuwait Airways says Iraqi Airways owes it 1.2 billion dollars, a dispute dating back to Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait in 1990. According to the emirate, 10 of its planes as well as aircraft parts were plundered after its airport was seized during the invasion. Jabbar's passport was eventually returned and he was allowed to return home on May 6 after he complied with the court order to provide Kuwait Airways with an affidavit of Iraqi Airways's assets in Britain. "We hope that our fellow citizens understand this decision," Jabbar said. "Politicians have kept their mouths shut and decision makers have not stood up to face the consequences of the ex-regime, which has put us in this situation." | have announced that they are to drop all flights to the United Kingdom and Sweden. The announcement comes after a row with Kuwait over war reparations. Iraq and Kuwait are in dispute over billions of dollars of reparations; this includes around $1.2bn in aircraft and parts seized beginning in 1990 by Saddam Hussein. The airline's director general was stranded in the United Kingdom on the basis of a court order obtained by last month, but his passport was returned and he was allowed to leave after he informed the court of all the airline's assets in the UK. Amer Abdul-Jabbar, the Iraqi Transport Minister released a statement saying that "We will announce whether or not we will dissolve the company." The cancellations were announced by the director general of Iraqi Airways, Kifah Jabar Hassan. Hassan spoke about the plans to dissolve the company, saying that "we can establish another airline company and put an end to this case. With this, the Kuwaitis will get nothing”. On April 25, Iraqi Airways sent its first jet to the United Kingdom in twenty years. The flight had been delayed for over a year and was met with further restrictions for nine days after the in Europe. The aircraft was impounded by London High Court and no further flights to the UK have been made. |
MEXICO CITY — Responding to a growing sense that Mexico ’s military-led fight against drug traffickers is not gaining ground, the United States and Mexico set their counternarcotics strategy on a new course on Tuesday by refocusing their efforts on strengthening civilian law enforcement institutions and rebuilding communities crippled by poverty and crime. The $331 million plan was at the center of a visit to Mexico by several senior Obama administration officials, including Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates; Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano; Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and Dennis C. Blair, the director of national intelligence. The revised strategy has many elements meant to expand on and improve programs already under way as part of the so-called Mérida Initiative that was started by the Bush administration three years ago, including cooperation among American and Mexican intelligence agencies and American support for training Mexican police officers, judges, prosecutors and public defenders. Under the new strategy, officials said, American and Mexican agencies would work together to refocus border enforcement efforts away from building a better wall to creating systems that would allow goods and people to be screened before they reach the crossing points. The plan would also provide support for Mexican programs intended to strengthen communities where socioeconomic hardships force many young people into crime. The most striking difference between the old strategy and the new one is the shift away from military assistance. More than half of the $1.3 billion spent under Mérida was used to buy aircraft, inspection equipment and information technology for the Mexican military and police. Next year’s foreign aid budget provides for civilian police training, not equipment. Military-to-military cooperation was expected to continue, officials said, despite reports by human rights groups of an increase in human rights violations by Mexican soldiers. Experts at the Washington Office on Latin America, an organization that advocates for human rights and social justice, said that Pentagon assistance to Mexican counter-narcotics efforts amounted to $78.2 million in 2009 and 2010. In a news conference, Mrs. Clinton echoed comments she made a year ago, when she acknowledged that it was Mexicans who bore the brunt of drug-related violence, which was driven in large part by American demand. “Yes we accept our share of the responsibility,” Mrs. Clinton said. “As I said when I first came here a year ago, I think standing right here on this stage, the United States is your partner and your supporter. “We know that the demand for drugs drives much of this illicit trade, that guns purchased in the United States are used to facilitate violence here in Mexico. The United States must, and is doing its part to help you, and us, meet those challenges.” This revised strategy, officials said, would first go into effect in Tijuana and Ciudad Juárez, the largest cities on Mexico’s border with the United States. Ciudad Juárez, a city of 1.7 million, has become a symbol of the Mexican government’s failed attempts to rein in the drug gangs. Around 3,400 people were killed there in the last year, including an American employee at the United States Consulate and her husband, as well as the Mexican husband of another consulate employee. The public outcry generated by the violence in Ciudad Juárez forced President Felipe Calderón of Mexico to acknowledge that the drug war would not be won with troops alone. American officials defended President Calderón and the Mexican military. President Obama expressed his confidence in Mexico in a telephone call with President Calderón on Monday night. “We know that in a violent situation like the one created by the drug cartels, it is necessary to work even harder to protect and promote human rights,” Mrs. Clinton said. “And when you deal with people who engage in beheading, who murder children who won a football game, who are total nonrespecters of life and human rights, you have to work extra hard to maintain human rights, to maintain the rule of law.” Ms. Napolitano said she had made several trips to the border in recent months to work with Mexican authorities on new law enforcement techniques, including the kind of community policing efforts credited with significantly reducing violent crime in Los Angeles and Chicago. In the coming months, State Department officials said, the United States and Mexico would open a joint command center in Mexico City. “We are looking at everything that can work,” Mrs. Clinton said. “Our goal in this intensive consultation is to see what works and pursue it, and to see what doesn’t and improve it.” ||||| Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has pledged increased support for Mexico in the fight against drug gangs. In Mexico as part of a high-level US delegation, she said more would be done to cut US demand for drugs and the flow of profits and guns into Mexico. The gangs "are fighting against both of our governments", she said, adding that a broader effort would aim to tackle social problems fuelling the trade. Ten days ago, three people connected to the US consulate were killed in Mexico. Discussions during the one-day visit are focusing on the Merida initiative, a $1.6bn US programme of aid aimed at fighting drug cartels. Mrs Clinton said: "This new agenda expands our focus beyond disrupting drug trafficking organisations" to include "strengthening institutions, creating a 21st Century border, and building strong, resilient communities". She added: "The recent downturn in economic growth and remittances has aided the drug traffickers in their recruitment of young people." 'Real deal' Defence Secretary Robert Gates, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano are part of the US delegation. ANALYSIS Julian Miglierini BBC News, Mexico City Mrs Clinton said what many in Mexico wanted to hear: that the US is partly responsible for the drug conflict in Mexico and that it supports the Mexican government's embattled military strategy against the drug cartels. At the news conference, the American secretary of state and her Mexican counterpart Patricia Espinosa mentioned other joint initiatives, such as a study on drugs consumption and how to help local communities shattered by the violence. These measures could indicate the start of a new era of bilateral co-operation on the drugs issue. An era that would go beyond the security aspects and also include addressing the root causes and the consequences of the drug conflict. It is that impact on society - plus more than 18,000 people killed since the deployment of troops - that has made of the drug conflict Mexico's most urgent problem. "You rarely see this kind of meeting with this kind of array of cabinet officials on both sides, so I think it indicates this is the real deal," Ms Napolitano said. Mrs Clinton is due to meet Mexican President Felipe Calderon at the end of her visit. The trip comes a year after President Barack Obama promised to be a "full partner" with Mexico in fighting drugs. A poll in Mexican newspaper Milenio on Tuesday found 59% of respondents thought the cartels were winning the drugs war, compared with just 21% who believed the government was. On the eve of the talks, Mr Obama spoke to Mr Calderon to discuss their "mutual desire to work together for the benefit of the safety and security of citizens on both sides of our shared border", a US statement said. Lesley Enriquez - a US citizen working at the Juarez consulate - her American husband, Arthur Redelfs, and Jorge Alberto Salcido, the Mexican husband of another consular employee, were shot dead in two separate incidents on 13 March in the border city of Ciudad Juarez. The motives for the killings remain unclear. Last week, US police across the border in El Paso, Texas, rounded up members of the Barrio Azteca gang suspected of carrying out the killings. Drug-related violence has left some 18,000 people dead in Mexico since 2006. Most of the funds in the Merida Initiative, which is due to expire in 2011, are allocated to Mexico, with the rest going to other countries in Central America. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version | On Tuesday the United States and Mexico announced a new strategy to combat increasingly violent drug movements across the border between the two countries. According to American officials, the new plan would place more emphasis on local law enforcement, as well as providing aid to cities affected by the drug trade. It would be based off an earlier plan, called the Mérida Initiative, that was introduced by the Bush administration three years ago. According to Hillary Clinton, the new strategy would not supersede the older initiative, but would rather supplement and expand upon it. Other American officials said the new plan would lead to additional efforts to introduce systems that would enable those transporting drugs to be apprehended before they reached the border, rather than just constructing a better defense at the border. The new plan would also eliminate funding for military defense systems in favor of training for civilian police officers. Under the original Mérida Initiative, much of the $1.3 billion spent was on military equipment such as aircraft for Mexican forces. The new plan's budget includes no money for such purchases. The announcement came during a visit to Mexico City by several senior officials from the Obama administration, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who, together with her Mexican counterpart, introduced the new plan. Other American officials included military officers as well as Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano. |
Knife found at O.J. Simpson's former L.A. home studied by police LOS ANGELES Police said on Friday they were examining a knife purportedly found at the former home of O.J. Simpson, the onetime football star acquitted of stabbing to death his ex-wife and her friend in the "Trial of the Century" two decades ago. | Supreme Court temporarily blocks Louisiana abortion law WASHINGTON The Supreme Court, two days after hearing a major abortion case from Texas, on Friday temporarily blocked a Louisiana law imposing regulations on doctors who perform abortions in a move that would allow two recently closed clinics to reopen. Exclusive: U.S. watchdog to probe Fed's lax oversight of Wall Street NEW YORK A U.S. watchdog agency is preparing to investigate whether the Federal Reserve and other regulators are too soft on the banks they are meant to police, after a written request from Democratic lawmakers that marks the latest sign of distrust between Congress and the central bank. Brazil's Lula detained in corruption probe; Rousseff objects SAO PAULO/BRASILIA Former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was briefly detained for questioning on Friday in a federal investigation of a vast corruption scheme, fanning a political crisis that threatens to topple his successor, President Dilma Rousseff. | ||||| Israeli troops have seized many Hamas MPs and ministers He was held when troops burst into the house early on Saturday, his wife said. The Israeli military confirmed the detention of Mr Shaer, who is a senior member of the governing Hamas movement, which does not recognise Israel. Israel has detained about 30 MPs and a third of the cabinet since the capture of an Israeli soldier in June. Mr Shaer's wife added that he had been in hiding since Israel began its crackdown in late June. He was rarely home during that period, she said. An unnamed Israeli army spokesman quoted by AFP news agency said the detention was "part of our fight against the radical Hamas movement". 'Sorry, madame' According to the detained man's wife, "several" military vehicles circled the house before dawn after which troops came to the door. An officer told her after checking their identity documents: "Sorry madame, but your husband has to come with us". "He let him first say goodbye to our four children," she told Reuters news agency. Israel's crackdown has largely focused on the Gaza Strip, Hamas's stronghold, but politicians from the Islamist movement have also been detained in the West Bank. Its position is that Hamas is a terrorist organisation and its leaders are therefore "targets for arrest". In a separate development, an Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian gunman in the West Bank, the army said. The gunman was then shot dead, officials say. The incident happened at a checkpoint near the city of Nablus. | West Bank territory On Saturday, in a pre-dawn raid, Israeli soldiers seized Nasser al-Shaer at his home in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank. Al-Shaer is the Palestinian Deputy Prime Minister and a top official of the Hamas militant group. The Israeli military confirmed the detention of al-Shaer. Israel has been cracking down on the Hamas movement, which does not recognise Israel, for the last seven weeks. Al-Shaer is the highest ranking Hamas member to be detained. 30 members of Palestinian National Authority parliament have also been detained during the crack-down. Nasser al-Shaer, a former university professor, is known as a pragmatist in Hamas. Palestinian officials accused Israel of undermining their efforts to form a broad government coalition. The West Bank was captured by Israel from Jordan in the 1967 Six-Day War and is considered by the United Nations and most countries to be under Israeli occupation. Some Israelis and various other groups prefer to refer to it as "disputed" rather than "occupied" territory. |
(CNN) TESS, NASA's planet-hunting satellite, launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 6:51 p.m. ET Wednesday. It had a 30-second launch window. The launch was originally scheduled for Monday, but rescheduled to conduct additional Guidance Navigation and Control analysis, the agency said. The first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket was able to land on the droneship minutes later. The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite is NASA's next mission in the search for exoplanets, or those that are outside our solar system, and TESS will be on the lookout for planets that could support life. After launch, TESS will use its fuel to reach orbit around the Earth, with a gravity assist from the moon. That will enable it to have a long-term mission beyond its two-year objective. "The Moon and the satellite are in a sort of dance," Joel Villasenor, instrument scientist for TESS at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said in a statement. "The Moon pulls the satellite on one side, and by the time TESS completes one orbit, the Moon is on the other side tugging in the opposite direction. The overall effect is the Moon's pull is evened out, and it's a very stable configuration over many years. Nobody's done this before, and I suspect other programs will try to use this orbit later on." Over 60 days, TESS will establish an orbit around Earth and test its instruments. Then, the two-year mission will officially begin. What will TESS do? TESS will pick up the search for exoplanets as the Kepler Space Telescope runs out of fuel. Kepler , which has discovered more than 4,500 potential planets and confirmed exoplanets, launched in 2009. After mechanical failure in 2013, it entered a new phase of campaigns to survey other areas of the sky for exoplanets, called the K2 mission. This enabled researchers to discover even more exoplanets, understand the evolution of stars and gain insight about supernovae and black holes. Soon, Kepler's mission will end, and it will be abandoned in space, orbiting the sun and never getting any closer to Earth than the moon. TESS will survey an area 400 times larger than what Kepler observed. This includes 200,000 of the brightest nearby stars. Over the course of two years, the four wide-field cameras on board will stare at different sectors of the sky for days at a time. TESS will begin by looking at the Southern Hemisphere sky for the first year and move to the Northern Hemisphere in the second year. It can accomplish this lofty goal by dividing the sky into 13 sections and looking at each one for 27 days before moving on to the next. The satellite itself is not much bigger than a refrigerator. The cameras sit on top, beneath a cone that will protect them from radiation. TESS will look for exoplanets using the transit method, observing slight dips in the brightness of stars as planets pass in front of them. Bright stars allow for easier followup study through ground- and space-based telescopes. "TESS is helping us explore our place in the universe," said Paul Hertz, Astrophysics Division director at NASA Headquarters. "Until 20 years ago, we didn't know of any planets beyond our own solar system. We've expanded our understanding of our place in the universe, and TESS will help us keep expanding." The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite is scheduled to launch this week. The cameras can detect light across a broad range of wavelengths, up to infrared. This means TESS will be able to look at many nearby small, cool red dwarf stars and see whether there are exoplanets around them. Red dwarf stars have been found to host exoplanets within the habitable zone , and many astronomers believe they could be the best candidate for hosting Earth-size exoplanets with conditions suitable for life. What makes TESS different NASA expects TESS to allow for the cataloging of more than 1,500 exoplanets, but it has the potential to find thousands. Of these, officials anticipate, 300 will be Earth-size exoplanets or double-Earth-size Super Earths. Those could be the best candidates for supporting life outside our solar system. Like Earth, they are small, rocky and usually within the habitable zone of their stars, meaning liquid water can exist on their surface. "One of the biggest questions in exoplanet exploration is: If an astronomer finds a planet in a star's habitable zone, will it be interesting from a biologist's point of view?" said George Ricker, TESS principal investigator at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research in Cambridge. "We expect TESS will discover a number of planets whose atmospheric compositions, which hold potential clues to the presence of life, could be precisely measured by future observers." These exoplanets will be studied so that NASA can determine which are the best targets for missions like the James Webb Space Telescope. That telescope, whose launch was just pushed back to 2020 , would be able to characterize the details and atmospheres of exoplanets in ways scientists have not been able to do. "We learned from Kepler that there are more planets than stars in our sky, and now TESS will open our eyes to the variety of planets around some of the closest stars," Hertz said. "TESS will cast a wider net than ever before for enigmatic worlds whose properties can be probed by NASA's upcoming James Webb Space Telescope and other missions." Technicians help prepare the spacecraft for its mission. NASA believes that TESS will build on Kepler's momentum and open the study of exoplanets in unprecedented ways. "TESS is opening a door for a whole new kind of study," said Stephen Rinehart, TESS project scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "We're going to be able study individual planets and start talking about the differences between planets. The targets TESS finds are going to be fantastic subjects for research for decades to come. It's the beginning of a new era of exoplanet research. I don't think we know everything TESS is going to accomplish. To me, the most exciting part of any mission is the unexpected result, the one that nobody saw coming." The search for life More than a decade ago, Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists first proposed the idea of a mission like TESS. They have been instrumental in bringing the mission from idea to reality and will continue to be involved once the mission launches. A science team devoted to TESS at MIT aims to measure the masses of at least 50 small exoplanets that have a radius of less than four times that of Earth -- an ideal dimension that could suggest habitability. "Mass is a defining planetary characteristic," said Sara Seager, TESS deputy director of science at MIT. "If you just know that a planet is twice the size of Earth, it could be a lot of things: a rocky world with a thin atmosphere, or what we call a 'mini-Neptune' -- a rocky world with a giant gas envelope, where it would be a huge greenhouse blanket, and there would be no life on the surface. So mass and size together give us an average planet density, which tells us a huge amount about what the planet is." TESS Objects of Interest, an MIT-led effort, will look for objects in TESS' data that could be exoplanets and catalog them. "TESS is kind of like a scout," said Natalia Guerrero, deputy manager of TESS Objects of Interest. "We're on this scenic tour of the whole sky, and in some ways we have no idea what we will see. It's like we're making a treasure map: Here are all these cool things. Now, go after them." TESS data will also be publicly available so that anyone can download them and search for exoplanets. A data pipeline has been established so that TESS can fulfill its mission. It will collect about 27 gigabytes per day -- that's about 6,500 song files -- and send data back every two weeks. NASA's Pleiades, an incredibly powerful supercomputer, will be able to keep up and process the 10 billion pixels over three to five days. The more people that look through the data, the better, the scientists believe. This could be how planets that support life are found. "There's no science that will tell us life is out there right now, except that small rocky planets appear to be incredibly common," Seager said. "They appear to be everywhere we look. So it's got to be there somewhere." ||||| CAPE CANAVERAL — SpaceX will reboot its launch effort for NASA’s TESS satellite on Wednesday, with a 30-second window opening at 6:51 p.m. It was scrubbed hours before the Monday window when the space company decided to conduct more analysis of the guidance, navigation and control systems. This mission’s navigation includes getting the satellite close to the Moon, so it can slingshot around and enter an elliptical orbit. Forecast was almost perfect with 90% favorable weather outlook, only a slight concern that cumulus clouds might get really big. “Winds will become southeasterly and a few low-topped cumulus clouds may form after noon over the Spaceport,” said the latest forecast from the Air Force’s 45th Weather Squadron. “The primary weather concern is a slight chance of cumulus reaching 15,000 feet. Maximum upper-level winds will be from the northwest at 50 knots near 37,000 feet.” NASA said Monday that the “TESS spacecraft is in excellent health, and remains ready for launch.” TESS will launch on a Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. TESS, which stands for Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, is a telescope/camera that will hunt for undiscovered worlds around nearby stars, providing targets where future studies will assess their capacity to harbor life, NASA says. With the help of a gravitational assist from the Moon, the spacecraft will settle into a 13.7-day orbit around Earth. The spacecraft will be looking for a phenomenon known as a transit, where a planet passes in front of its star, causing a periodic and regular dip in the star’s brightness. NASA’s Kepler spacecraft used the same method. TESS is designed to concentrate on stars less than 300 light-years away. Got a news tip? pbrinkmann@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5660; Twitter is @PaulBrinkmann ||||| (CNN) TESS the planet hunter is ready to launch today. The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite is NASA's next mission in the search for exoplanets, or those that are outside our solar system, and TESS will be on the lookout for planets that could support life. The satellite is expected to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, about 6:32 p.m. ET Monday. TESS will use its fuel to reach orbit around the Earth, with a gravity assist from the moon. That will enable it to have a long-term mission beyond its two-year objective. "The Moon and the satellite are in a sort of dance," Joel Villasenor, instrument scientist for TESS at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said in a statement. "The Moon pulls the satellite on one side, and by the time TESS completes one orbit, the Moon is on the other side tugging in the opposite direction. The overall effect is the Moon's pull is evened out, and it's a very stable configuration over many years. Nobody's done this before, and I suspect other programs will try to use this orbit later on." Sixty days after TESS establishes an orbit around Earth, after instrument tests, the two-year mission will officially begin. What will TESS do? TESS will pick up the search for exoplanets as the Kepler Space Telescope runs out of fuel. Kepler , which has discovered more than 4,500 potential planets and confirmed exoplanets, launched in 2009. After mechanical failure in 2013, it entered a new phase of campaigns to survey other areas of the sky for exoplanets, called the K2 mission. This enabled researchers to discover even more exoplanets, understand the evolution of stars and gain insight about supernovae and black holes. Soon, Kepler's mission will end, and it will be abandoned in space, orbiting the sun and never getting any closer to Earth than the moon. TESS will survey an area 400 times larger than what Kepler observed. This includes 200,000 of the brightest nearby stars. Over the course of two years, the four wide-field cameras on board will stare at different sectors of the sky for days at a time. TESS will begin by looking at the Southern Hemisphere sky for the first year and move to the Northern Hemisphere in the second year. It can accomplish this lofty goal by dividing the sky into 13 sections and looking at each one for 27 days before moving on to the next. The satellite itself is not much bigger than a refrigerator. The cameras sit on top, beneath a cone that will protect them from radiation. TESS will look for exoplanets using the transit method, observing slight dips in the brightness of stars as planets pass in front of them. Bright stars allow for easier followup study through ground- and space-based telescopes. "TESS is helping us explore our place in the universe," said Paul Hertz, Astrophysics Division director at NASA Headquarters. "Until 20 years ago, we didn't know of any planets beyond our own solar system. We've expanded our understanding of our place in the universe, and TESS will help us keep expanding." The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite is scheduled to launch Monday. The cameras can detect light across a broad range of wavelengths, up to infrared. This means TESS will be able to look at many nearby small, cool red dwarf stars and see whether there are exoplanets around them. Red dwarf stars have been found to host exoplanets within the habitable zone , and many astronomers believe they could be the best candidate for hosting Earth-size exoplanets with conditions suitable for life. What makes TESS different NASA expects TESS to allow for the cataloging of more than 1,500 exoplanets, but it has the potential to find thousands. Of these, officials anticipate, 300 will be Earth-size exoplanets or double-Earth-size Super Earths. Those could be the best candidates for supporting life outside our solar system. Like Earth, they are small, rocky and usually within the habitable zone of their stars, meaning liquid water can exist on their surface. "One of the biggest questions in exoplanet exploration is: If an astronomer finds a planet in a star's habitable zone, will it be interesting from a biologist's point of view?" said George Ricker, TESS principal investigator at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research in Cambridge. "We expect TESS will discover a number of planets whose atmospheric compositions, which hold potential clues to the presence of life, could be precisely measured by future observers." These exoplanets will be studied so that NASA can determine which are the best targets for missions like the James Webb Space Telescope. That telescope, whose launch was just pushed back to 2020 , would be able to characterize the details and atmospheres of exoplanets in ways scientists have not been able to do. "We learned from Kepler that there are more planets than stars in our sky, and now TESS will open our eyes to the variety of planets around some of the closest stars," Hertz said. "TESS will cast a wider net than ever before for enigmatic worlds whose properties can be probed by NASA's upcoming James Webb Space Telescope and other missions." Technicians help prepare the spacecraft for its mission. NASA believes that TESS will build on Kepler's momentum and open the study of exoplanets in unprecedented ways. "TESS is opening a door for a whole new kind of study," said Stephen Rinehart, TESS project scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. "We're going to be able study individual planets and start talking about the differences between planets. The targets TESS finds are going to be fantastic subjects for research for decades to come. It's the beginning of a new era of exoplanet research. I don't think we know everything TESS is going to accomplish. To me, the most exciting part of any mission is the unexpected result, the one that nobody saw coming." The search for life More than a decade ago, Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists first proposed the idea of a mission like TESS. They have been instrumental in bringing the mission from idea to reality and will continue to be involved once the mission launches. A science team devoted to TESS at MIT aims to measure the masses of at least 50 small exoplanets that have a radius of less than four times that of Earth -- an ideal dimension that could suggest habitability. "Mass is a defining planetary characteristic," said Sara Seager, TESS deputy director of science at MIT. "If you just know that a planet is twice the size of Earth, it could be a lot of things: a rocky world with a thin atmosphere, or what we call a 'mini-Neptune' -- a rocky world with a giant gas envelope, where it would be a huge greenhouse blanket, and there would be no life on the surface. So mass and size together give us an average planet density, which tells us a huge amount about what the planet is." TESS Objects of Interest, an MIT-led effort, will look for objects in TESS' data that could be exoplanets and catalog them. "TESS is kind of like a scout," said Natalia Guerrero, deputy manager of TESS Objects of Interest. "We're on this scenic tour of the whole sky, and in some ways we have no idea what we will see. It's like we're making a treasure map: Here are all these cool things. Now, go after them." TESS data will also be publicly available so that anyone can download them and search for exoplanets. A data pipeline has been established so that TESS can fulfill its mission. It will collect about 27 gigabytes per day -- that's about 6,500 song files -- and send data back every two weeks. NASA's Pleiades, an incredibly powerful supercomputer, will be able to keep up and process the 10 billion pixels over three to five days. The more people that look through the data, the better, the scientists believe. This could be how planets that support life are found. "There's no science that will tell us life is out there right now, except that small rocky planets appear to be incredibly common," Seager said. "They appear to be everywhere we look. So it's got to be there somewhere." ||||| If the vagaries of weather and rocket science do not intervene, the most ambitious search for alien worlds around the brightest stars in the sky will begin on Monday with the launch of Nasa’s newest planet-hunting spacecraft. After final preparations at the weekend, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, or Tess, is on course for take off as early as 6.32pm local time (11.32pm UK) from Cape Canaveral in Florida, the first opportunity mission controllers have to launch in a window that remains open until June. The lofting of hardware high into space often calls for a holding of breath, but for those who have ploughed time and money into the $200m (£140m) Tess space telescope there is an extra frisson. Theirs is the first Nasa mission to hitch a ride on a Falcon 9, a rocket made by Elon Musk’s SpaceX company, and which was certified for such missions only in February. Barring any mishaps, such as a “rapid unscheduled disassembly” – a glorious euphemism Musk used to describe the explosion of a Falcon 9 rocket stage in 2015 – Tess will be flung into a highly elliptical orbit around Earth that has never been attempted before. The space telescope will swing as far out as the moon as it scours the heavens for planets, then swoop back towards Earth to beam home its data. Each orbit will take nearly 14 days. “Right now, everything is go for a launch on Monday,” said Stephen Rinehart, the Tess project scientist at Nasa’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. “Putting stuff up in space is not without risk, but at this point there is nothing more we can do. We think we’ve got a spacecraft that is ready to kick ass once it’s up in orbit.” Tess comes hot on the heels of Nasa’s Kepler space telescope which transformed scientists’ understanding of planets beyond the solar system. When Kepler launched in 2009, astronomers knew that alien worlds circled faraway stars, but had little idea of their number and sizes. As of last month, Kepler had found more than 2,300 “exoplanets”; a similar number await confirmation. Based on Kepler’s observations, astronomers now believe that the Milky Way is home to at least two billion potentially habitable planets where conditions are neither too hot nor too cold for life-sustaining water to flow. But for all Kepler’s success, it observed only a fraction of the sky and most of the stars it studied are extremely faint, making it hard for astronomers to look more closely at the planets that swing around them. This is where Tess comes in. The space telescope will spend two years observing 200,000 of the brightest stars in the sky. Most will be no more than 300 light years away. Like its predecessor, Tess is designed to spot alien worlds by detecting the subtlest of shadows they cast as they move across the face of their parent stars. Bill Chaplin, the professor of astrophysics at Birmingham University, will use Tess data to look at how stars contract and expand as seismic waves surge through them. His calculations will help astronomers confirm the masses and ages of the new planets they find. “When you look up at the night sky, we’ll know about the planets that are around the stars you can see with the naked eye,” he said. Mission scientists hope to spot 500 Earth-sized planets and perhaps 20,000 new worlds in total. Astronomers will then draw on ground-based telescopes, and soon-to-launch space-based observatories such as the James Webb Space Telescope scheduled for 2020, to look more closely at the planets. With those follow-up measurements in hand, scientists can work out the planets’ masses and densities, and perhaps even what gases fill their atmospheres. It is no simple task, but if water, methane and other key molecules are found, scientists can start to talk about whether life could, or did, gain a foothold on the distant worlds. “There are some people on the mission who are very, very, very keen to find Earth-sized planets in the habitable zones of their host stars and that would be absolutely fabulous,” said Rinehart. “But the data on all these planets is interesting, because they help us form a picture of how planetary systems form and evolve. It’s going to be a game-changer in our ability to study planets.” In 2028, the European Space Agency plans to launch Ariel, the Atmospheric Remote-sensing Infrared Exoplanet Large-survey, to study the atmospheres of 1,000 exoplanets ranging in size from Jupiter to not much larger than Earth. “Tess will provide hundreds of exoplanets, especially super-Earths, which will be optimal targets for atmospheric characterisation with Ariel,” said Giovanna Tinetti, principal investigator on the mission at UCL. But first Tess must reach its intended orbit. Should the Falcon 9 release the space telescope on the correct trajectory, mission scientists will spend 60 days running tests on its systems and sensors, calibrating the cameras and ironing out any bugs. The first batches of data are expected to land in June, but researchers will work on the information for months before making results public. “My real hope is that we start finding things that we didn’t expect,” said Rinehart. “If we knew what all the answers were before we launched the mission, why the hell would we fly the mission?” ||||| The fifth SpaceX cargo mission to the International Space Station under NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services contract now is scheduled to launch no earlier than 1:20 p.m. EST Friday, Dec. 19, from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. NASA Television coverage of the launch begins at 12:15 p.m. The change of launch date allows SpaceX to take extra time to ensure they do everything possible on the ground to prepare for a successful launch. Both the Falcon 9 rocket and its Dragon spacecraft are in good health. The prelaunch news conferences also have moved to Thursday, Dec. 18 at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. All briefings, which are subject to a change in time, will air live on NASA TV and the agency’s website. The first briefing of the day will air at noon and will provide up-to-date information about the launch. Participants for the prelaunch briefing will be: Mike Suffredini, NASA’s ISS Program manager Hans Koenigsmann, vice president for Mission Assurance at SpaceX Kathy Winters with the U.S. Air Force’s 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida The second briefing, now at 1:30 p.m., will cover some of the numerous science investigations headed to the space station. Participants for the science briefing will be: Julie Robinson, NASA’s ISS Program chief scientist Michael Roberts, senior research pathway manager at the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, headquartered in Melbourne, Florida Cheryl Nickerson, Micro-5 principal investigator at Arizona State University Samuel Durrance, NR-SABOL principal investigator at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne The final briefing, now at 3 p.m., will cover the Cloud-Aerosol Transport System (CATS) Earth science instrument headed to the space station. Participants for this briefing will be: Julie Robinson, ISS Program chief scientist at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston Colleen Hartman, deputy director for science at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland Robert J. Swap, program scientist with the Earth Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington Matthew McGill, CATS principal investigator at Goddard An on-time launch on Dec. 19 will result in the Dragon spacecraft arriving at the space station on Sunday, Dec. 21. Expedition 42 Commander Barry “Butch” Wilmore of NASA will use the station’s 57.7-foot robotic arm to reach out and capture it at about 6 a.m. Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency will support Wilmore as they operate from the station’s cupola. NASA TV coverage of grapple will begin at 4:30 a.m. Coverage of Dragon’s installation to the Earth-facing port of the Harmony module will begin 9 a.m. | Artist's representation of the Transiting Exopanet Survey Satellite. On Wednesday at 6:51 p.m. local time (2251 ), a SpaceX launched from Air Force Base in Florida, United States, carrying, as a payload for the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the (TESS). NASA designed TESS to search for exoplanets circling stars mostly within 300 light-years of the . Officially a NASA Astrophysics Explorer mission, much of the TESS program is to be run from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research in cooperation with the . "One of the biggest questions in exoplanet exploration is: If an astronomer finds a planet in a star's habitable zone, will it be interesting from a biologist's point of view?" TESS principal investigator George Ricker told the press, "We expect TESS will discover a number of planets whose atmospheric compositions, which hold potential clues to the presence of life, could be precisely measured by future observers." A little more than an hour after launch, NASA and SpaceX teams announced the satellite was up and functioning and had deployed its solar panels. Most launches have a roughly two-hour period during which the mission can be executed, but this one had a window of only thirty seconds because this satellite must use the Moon's gravity to reach the desired orbit. TESS is slated to enter a high orbit distinct from the geosynchronous orbits used by many other satellites. TESS instrument scientist Joel Villasenor, also of MIT, explained, "The Moon and the satellite are in a sort of dance. The Moon pulls the satellite on one side, and by the time TESS completes one orbit, the Moon is on the other side tugging in the opposite direction. The overall effect is the Moon's pull is evened out, and it's a very stable configuration over many years. Nobody's done this before, and I suspect other programs will try to use this orbit later on." If all goes according to plan, TESS will circle the Earth for 60 days to establish its 13.7-day orbit and test its machinery before beginning its mission: using its four cameras to analyze stars for decreases in brightness that may be caused by a planet passing between us and them, a technique called the . TESS's launch comes just as the , launched into orbit around the Sun 2009, is about to run out of fuel. Scientists used Kepler to identify at least over 2300, perhaps over 4500 planets and gather data on stars and black holes. TESS is designed to cover 400 times as much of the sky as Kepler, and is capable of viewing 85% of the sky. Scientists expect it to find 1500 planets during its two-year mission, 300 Earth-like, but believe it may find many more. Because TESS's cameras can cover a wide range of radiant energy, including infrared, scientists believe it may be able to detect planets orbiting , which scientists consider likely to host rocky, Earth-like planets with the right mass for an atmosphere and the right temperature to host liquid water, a range called the . The data collected by TESS are to be publicly accessible so anyone who wishes may participate in the search. NASA plans to process the data, about 27 gigabytes collected per day, using a supercomputer called . The original schedule had launch at 6:32 p.m. on Monday evening but it was postponed so the SpaceX team could perform more guidance navigation control tests before launch. SpaceX is a private company that has partnered with NASA before on such missions as resupplying the International Space Station. == Sources == * * * * * |
Miss Mason presented Radio Bristol's weekday afternoon programme A BBC radio presenter has been replaced over allegedly racist comments made during an off-air phone conversation. Sam Mason, who took over the BBC Radio Bristol weekday afternoon programme six weeks ago, was suspended on Friday. She was informed by station bosses on Saturday that she would no longer be working for the BBC. According to The Sun newspaper, Miss Mason allegedly told a Bristol taxi firm "not to send an Asian driver to pick up her daughter". The paper said Miss Mason, 40, told a cab operator: "A guy with a turban on is going to freak her out." Worker 'outraged' When her request was refused, she is alleged to have said: "You've managed it before." The taxi worker was said to be outraged and recorded the conversation. The cab firm involved in the row issued a statement on Tuesday evening revealing that the employee who took the telephone call from the radio presenter had been sacked. A spokesperson for The Streamline Black and White Taxis said: "We confirm that a telephone call from Radio Bristol presenter Sam Mason to the company was illegally recorded by an employee. "That employee was dismissed for similar offences on 3 November." Miss Mason is reported to have called the taxi firm off-air as she played a song on her afternoon show. A transcript of the conversation, published in The Sun, records how she ordered a taxi to take her 14-year-old from her Clifton house to her grandparents' home. A BBC spokesman said: "Although Sam Mason's remarks were not made on-air, her comments were completely unacceptable and, for that reason, she has been informed that she will no longer be working for the BBC with immediate effect." Sam Mason was not available for comment. ||||| A BBC presenter has been fired for telling a taxi firm not to send an Asian driver to pick up her daughter. Sam Mason, 40, told a cab operator: “A guy with a turban on is going to freak her out.” When her request was refused, she snapped: “You’ve managed it before.” The taxi worker was so outraged she recorded the conversation and passed a copy of it to The Sun. You can hear the astonishing call by clicking on the multimedia link, right. Mum-of-one Mason, an ex-TV glamour girl, called the cab firm off-air as she played a song on her BBC Radio Bristol afternoon show. Race row ... BBC station where Mason worked A transcript of the conversation records how she ordered a taxi to take her 14-year-old from her Clifton house to her grandparents’ home. Mason then says: “I know this sounds really racist, but I’m not being . . . please, don’t send anyone like, you know what I mean. An English person would be great, a female would be better.” Operator: “We would class that as being racist. We can’t penalise the Asian drivers and just send an English one.” Mason: “You’ve managed it before.” Operator: “Right, OK. I don’t agree with it personally.” Mason: “It’s not your 14-year-old girl who’s, you know, is it?” Operator: “Yes, but that’s racist to say you don’t want an Asian driver.” Mason: “If it were me I wouldn’t care if it had two heads, but it’s my little girl we are talking about.” Mason, who has battled alcoholism, is then handed to a male operator and tells him that his female colleague has “a bad attitude”. She adds: “I work at the BBC. I’m far from racist and that uneducated woman has no right to call me one.” She says of her daughter: “I don’t want her to turn up with a guy with a turban on, it’s going to freak her out. She’s not used to Asians. “She’s not racist her godparents are black.” Mason rang off, but called back later to complain before a manager accepted her booking. Advertisement She was suspended when we alerted the BBC and fired 24 hours later. A spokesman for BBC Bristol said: “Although Sam Mason’s remarks were not made on air, her comments were completely unacceptable.” The taxi worker said all calls were routinely recorded and logged in case of queries or complaints. j.coles@the-sun.co.uk | A United Kingdom radio presenter with the BBC was fired on Saturday, and replaced, after an allegedly racist off-air phone call. Sam Mason of BBC Radio Bristol had earlier called up a taxi firm to arrange a booking for her 14-year-old daughter. Logo of BBC Radio Bristol Mason asked the operator not to send an Asian cab driver. She said, "A guy with a turban on is going to freak her out." After the operator refused Mason snapped back claiming, "You’ve managed it before." The original female operator had passed the call over to another operator. Mason then accused the first of having "a bad attitude", and said, "I work at the BBC. I’m far from racist and that uneducated woman has no right to call me one." The call then ended but she called back to complain. The female operator who took the call was also fired from her job for illegally recording the call. A statement from the taxi firm stated that "We confirm that a telephone call from Radio Bristol presenter Sam Mason to the company was illegally recorded by an employee. That employee was dismissed for similar offences on 3 November." A copy of the call was sent to British tabloid ''The Sun'', which broke the story on Tuesday. ''The Sun'' informed the BBC. A BBC spokesman said: "Although Sam Mason's remarks were not made on-air, her comments were completely unacceptable and, for that reason, she has been informed that she will no longer be working for the BBC with immediate effect." According to BBC News, Mason, who worked at the station for only six weeks, was unavailable for comment. The incident comes just weeks after the Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross prank call scandal involving Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs. |
SCIENCE NEWS September 01, 2005 Chimp Genome--and First Fossils--Unveiled Image: YERKES NATIONAL PRIMATE RESEARCH CENTER Many animals, ranging from the rat to the puffer fish, have had their genome sequenced, and now humankind's closest living relative, the chimpanzee, has joined the group. The publication of a draft sequence of this primate's genome today in the journal Nature provides the most detailed look yet at the similarities, and differences, between humans and chimps. Previous studies comparing DNA between the two analyzed randomly selected regions of the genetic codes that comprised around 500 base pairs each. The Chimpanzee Sequencing and Analysis Consortium, made up of 67 scientists from around the world, set out to catalogue the chimp's entire genome, which contains some three billion base pairs. The researchers studied the DNA of Clint, a male chimp that lived at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta, Ga., until he passed away at the age of 24. Using the shotgun sequencing approach, they mapped 94 percent of the genome with a high degree of certainty, covering some parts of the sequence three or four times. ADVERTISEMENT (article continues below) The scientists compared the chimp genome to the human one, focusing on points at which the two differ. When considering substitutions of one base pair for another, the results indicate that about 1.2 percent of the genomes are different, which agrees with past estimations that chimps and humans share upwards of 98.5 percent of their DNA. But when the investigators considered duplications and rearrangements of larger sections of the genetic code as well, they found an additional 2.7 percent difference between the two genetic blueprints. "Over the new few years, such a comparison will allow us to learn more about how our own genome has evolved and gain a better understanding as to why we get cancers and other diseases that chimpanzees very rarely suffer," explains Richard K. Wilson of Washington University, a co-author on one of the papers. Humans are believed to have diverged from chimps between roughly six million and seven million years ago. By studying the chimp genome, scientists hope to better understand our own biology and what sets humans apart. "As more is learned about other functional elements of the genome, we anticipate that other important differences outside of the protein-coding genes will emerge," remarks co-author LaDeana W. Hillier, also at Washington University. So far, the team has identified six regions of the human genome that suggest they underwent mutations so advantageous that it took just a few hundred generations for them to become entrenched in the entire population. In the same issue of Nature, researchers report having found the first chimpanzee fossils. The remains are scant--just three teeth--but they have led to an intriguing revelation about our closest living relative. Today's chimps are confined to the woodlands of west and central Africa. Most hominid fossils, on the other hand, have turned up in the semiarid East African Rift Valley. Some scholars thus posited that ancient chimps and humans probably did not overlap geographically, and in fact might have diverged from their common ancestor when East Africa began to dry out, with chimps heading for the lusher areas and hominids taking over the grasslands to the east. Indeed, once ancestral human and chimp populations separated, so one hypothesis goes, the Great Rift Valley itself might have barred chimps from moving into East Africa. The new discovery, made by Nina G. Jablonski of the California Academy of Sciences and Sally McBrearty of the University of Connecticut, refutes that idea, showing that chimps lived alongside an extinct species of Homo in Kenya roughly half a million years ago. Judging from the remains of hippos, crocodiles, catfish and other bones found at the site, the two appear to have inhabited a wet, wooded area surrounding a lake. The chimpanzee's preference for wooded environs may explain the paucity of fossils belonging to these creatures: bones do not preserve well in wet habitats. That said, now that fossil chimps have been identified in this region, more may be recognized, the authors conclude. Indeed, it is possible that humans have shared the landscape with their closest living relative ever since they started down separate evolutionary paths. --Sarah Graham and Kate Wong RELATED LINKS: Chimp Genome Special from Nature What does the fact that we share 95 percent of our genes with the chimpanzee mean? MORE SCIENCE NEWS: Lack of Sleep Affects Doctors Like Alcohol Does Road Runoff Causing Freshwater to Turn Saltier, Study Shows Speeding Neutron Star Is Fastest on Record New Catalyst Produces Hydrogen from Water New Antibiotics Successful against Superbugs ||||| LOS ANGELES, Aug. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- A comprehensive comparison of the newly deciphered chimpanzee genome sequence and that of humans shows our closest living relatives share perfect identity with 96 percent of our DNA sequence, an international research consortium reported Wednesday. In a paper published in the Sept.1 issue of the journal Nature,the Chimpanzee Sequencing and Analysis Consortium, including 67 researchers from the United States, Israel, Italy, Germany and Spain, described the landmark study comparing the genome of the chimp with that of human. Related papers will also appear in the journal Science. "As our closest living evolutionary relatives, chimpanzees are especially suited to teach us about ourselves," said Robert Waterston, chair of the Department of Genome Sciences of the University of Washington School of Medicine. Waterston is a seniorauthor of the study. "We still do not have in our hands the answer to a most fundamental question: What makes us human? But this genomic comparison dramatically narrows the search for the key biological differences between the species." The chimp and human genomes are very similar and encode very similar proteins. The DNA sequence that can be directly compared between the two genomes is almost 99 percent identical. When DNA insertions and deletions are taken into account, humans and chimpsstill share 96 percent of their sequence, the researchers found. At the protein level, 29 percent of genes code for the same amino sequences in chimps and humans. In fact, the typical human protein has accumulated just one unique change since chimps and humans diverged from a common ancestor about 6 million years ago. They discovered that a few classes of genes are changing unusually quickly in both humans and chimpanzees compared with other mammals. These classes include genes involved in perception of sound, transmission of nerve signals, production of sperm and cellular transport of ions. The researchers indicated the rapid evolution of these genes may have contributed to the special characteristics of primates, but further studies are needed to explore the possibilities. The genomic analyses also showed that humans and chimps appear to have accumulated more potentially deleterious mutations in their genomes over the course of evolution than rodents. While such mutations can cause diseases that may erode a species' overall fitness, they may have also made primates more adaptable to rapid environmental changes and enabled them to achieve unique evolutionary adaptations, the researchers said. Despite the many similarities found between human and chimp genomes, the researchers emphasized that important differences exist between the two species. About 35 million DNA base pairs differ between the shared portions of the two genomes, each of which, like most mammalian genomes, contains about 3 billion base pairs. In addition, there are another 5 million sites that differ because of an insertion ordeletion in one of the lineages, along with a much smaller number of chromosomal rearrangements. Most of these differences lie in what is believed to be DNA of little or no function. However, as many as 3 million of the differences may lie in crucial protein-coding genes or other functional areas of the genome. Among these genetic changes are those that may be related to the human-specific features of walking upright on two feet, a greatly enlarged brain and complex language skills, the researchers said. A few classes of genes appear to be evolving more rapidly in humans than in chimps. The single strongest outlier involves genesthat code for transcription factors, which are molecules that regulate the activity of other genes and that play key roles in embryonic development. A small number of other genes have undergone even more dramaticchanges. More than 50 genes present in the human genome are missing or partially deleted from the chimp genome. The corresponding number of gene deletions in the human genome is not yet precisely known. Three key genes involved in inflammation appear to be deleted in the chimp genome, possibly explaining some of the known differences between chimps and humans in respect to immune and inflammatory response. On the other hand, humans appear to have lost the function of the caspase-12 gene, which produces an enzyme that may help protect animals against Alzheimer's disease. The researchers also scanned the entire human genome for deviations from normal mutation patterns. Such deviations may reveal regions of "selective sweeps," which occur when a mutation arises in a population and is so advantageous that it spreads throughout the population within a few hundred generations and eventually becomes normal. They found six regions in the human genome that have strong signatures of selective sweeps over the past 250,000 years. Enditem ||||| Chimp and human DNA is 96% identical By Clive Cookson, Science Editor Published: August 31 2005 18:46 | Last updated: August 31 2005 18:46 The first detailed genetic comparison between humans and chimpanzees shows that 96 per cent of the DNA sequence is identical in the two species. But there are significant differences, particularly in genes relating to sexual reproduction, brain development, immunity and the sense of smell. An international scientific consortium publishes the genome of the chimpanzee, the animal most closely related to homo sapiens on Thursday in the journal Nature. It is the fourth mammal to have its full genome sequenced, after the mouse, rat and human being. ||||| Chimpanzee genes show what it means to be human By Roger Highfield, Science Editor (Filed: 01/09/2005) Scientists have pieced together the genetic recipe of the chimpanzee, marking a milestone in the centuries-old quest to discover what sets humans apart from other animals. Although humans did not evolve from chimps - they shared an apelike ancestor some six million years ago - they are our closest living relative. Differences in the sequence of four chemical "letters" that spell out the genetic codes, or genomes, of chimp (Pan troglodytes) and man (Homo sapiens) could account for the very human abilities to write opera, build cathedrals and walk on the Moon. The comparisons of the two genomes, published today in the journal Nature by 67 researchers in the Chimpanzee Sequencing and Analysis Consortium, provide unambiguous confirmation of the common and recent evolutionary origin of humans and chimpanzees, as first predicted by Charles Darwin in 1871. But they suggest that our species may be more different from the great apes than previously thought: the differences between the chimp and human genomes is 10 times greater than that which occurs between any two humans, but 10 times less than the differences between the mouse and rat. Today's studies contain good news for men: contrary to some dire predictions made recently, the Y chromosome that distinguishes men from women is not heading for extinction, unlike the chimp Y which appears to be endangered by the ape's more promiscuous lifestyle, according to a report by Dr David Page, Dr Jennifer Hughes and colleagues at the Whitehead Institute, near Boston. Both male and female chimps engage with multiple partners when they mate, placing less pressure on evolution to preserve those genes on the Y whose functions have nothing to do with reproduction. Because humans historically have been largely monogamous, our Y chromosomes have been spared. To obtain the chimp genome, scientists analysed cells grown from Clint, at Emory University's Yerkes National Primate Research Centre. Clint spent his whole life at the facility and died last year of heart failure at 24. A refined version of his genetic code is presented in the journal Nature by the consortium and, at first sight, it looks very similar to that of humans, consisting of about three billion or so genetic "letters", with obvious differences in only 35 million, though some segments have been shuffled. "Such a comparison will allow us to learn more about how our own genome has evolved and gain a better understanding as to why we get cancers and other diseases that chimpanzees very rarely suffer," said Dr Richard Wilson of Washington University in St Louis. The latter include HIV and Alzheimer's. "We still do not have in our hands the answer to a most fundamental question: What makes us human? But this genomic comparison dramatically narrows the search," added Prof Robert Waterston, of the University of Washington, in Seattle. When the draft human genetic code was first unravelled a few years ago, scientists were surprised to find that humans were described by far fewer genes than expected, more like 25,000 rather than 100,000 as previously thought. Today's findings show the genetic sequences of man and ape differ by only 1.2 per cent in terms of single-letter (base pair) changes to the genetic code, but duplications and rearrangements of larger stretches of DNA add a further difference of 2.7 per cent, report Dr Evan Eichler, of University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, and his colleagues. "For all the talk of the 1.2 per cent single base-pair difference and the importance of those, there's even more difference between the species due to duplication events," said Dr Eichler. Hotspots of genetic creativity have been found by Dr Barbara Trask, of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre and University of Washington, Seattle, and her team in regions near the ends of chromosomes, called subtelomeres, where DNA segments changed chromosomal location and copy number very recently and there are gross differences in gene content between human and chimpanzee, as well as between human individuals. Genes usually code for proteins, the molecules that build and operate a body, and many key differences are expected to be found in genetic code that controls where proteins are made, how and in what quantities. Now scientists are looking for changes that gave our ancestors a greatly enlarged brain, the ability to walk upright on two feet, and developed their complex language skills. rhighfield@telegraph.co.uk Previous story: Mother and children die after jumping in front of train Next story: Breasts may be grown in lab thanks to gene find ||||| Please enable cookies on your web browser in order to continue. The new European data protection law requires us to inform you of the following before you use our website: We use cookies and other technologies to customize your experience, perform analytics and deliver personalized advertising on our sites, apps and newsletters and across the Internet based on your interests. By clicking “I agree” below, you consent to the use by us and our third-party partners of cookies and data gathered from your use of our platforms. See our Privacy Policy and Third Party Partners to learn more about the use of data and your rights. You also agree to our Terms of Service. ||||| Chimp code finally revealed By: Agencies September 1, 2005 London: The genetic code of our closest living relative, the chimpanzee, has been sequenced and analysed by an international team of researchers. The scientists say the information is a milestone in the quest to discover what sets us apart from other animals. A comparison shows chimps and humans to be almost 99 per cent identical in the most important areas of their “life codes”. The team tells Nature magazine that future research will tease out the significance of the few differences. The study was undertaken by an international group called the Chimpanzee Sequencing and Analysis Consortium, which was made up of 67 scientists at 23 research institutions in the US, Germany, Italy, Israel and Spain. Fundamentals The work provides a catalogue of the genetic differences that have arisen since humans and chimpanzees diverged from a common ancestor some six million years ago. “As our closest living evolutionary relatives, chimps are especially suited to teaching us about ourselves,” said the study’s senior author, Robert Waterston. Email this article Print this article Post / View comments Rate this story: 1 2 3 4 5 ||||| Register for NYTimes.com. Breaking news and award winning multimedia New York Times newspaper articles Arts & Dining reviews Online Classifieds It's free and it only takes a minute! Member ID or E-Mail Address: Password: Forgot Your Password? Remember me on this computer. ||||| Answering a key part of the age-old question of what makes us human, scientists on Wednesday unveiled a genetic comparison of people and chimps, revealing that changes to a mere sliver of DNA make it possible for us to walk upright, compose piano concertos and fall victim to cancer. Those changes amount to 200,000 of the 3 billion chemical letters that make up the human genetic code that have occurred in the 6 million years since Homo sapiens and chimpanzees diverged from a common ancestor -- a relative blip in the history of life on Earth. Like other mammals, humans and chimps have seen rapid evolution in genes related to immune response, reproduction and smell. But humans and chimps have outpaced other mammals in evolving sophisticated genes related to hearing and brain function, the researchers found. Researchers also identified six regions where genetic mutations appear to have spread rapidly throughout the human population in the last 200,000 years. Advertisement One of those regions contains a gene, FOXP2, that is associated with speech development in humans. Another hot area has been associated with obesity. In the interconnected world of genetics, the myriad mutations have also made humans susceptible to cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, malaria, AIDS and other ailments that don’t occur in chimps, said Dr. Robert Waterston, chairman of the Department of Genome Sciences at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle and a leader in the study. The results, published in a flurry of papers in the journals Nature and Science, provide a roadmap for studying diseases and the mechanisms by which humans evolved into the dominant species of Earth. Advertisement “This is telling us about those changes that make us human,” said Eric Lander, director of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., one of 67 researchers in five countries who worked on the project. The chimp DNA was taken from a male named Clint at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center in Atlanta. He died last year of heart failure at age 24. The resulting genome overlaps with 96% of the human genome, and the corresponding sequences are 99% identical, the researchers found. That high degree of similarity is what makes the chimp genome useful in studying human DNA. Advertisement “The human genome itself is just a parts list,” Lander said. “The human genome with the chimp genome tells us how these parts have changed.” The scientists found a total of 40 million genetic differences between humans and chimps. About 35 million involved a change in a single DNA nucleotide, commonly known by the letters A, T, C and G. The remaining 5 million discrepancies involved genes that were inserted or deleted in either the human or chimp genome. Most mutations are of little consequence, occurring in the vast regions of the genome that are not used to make proteins. Only about 200,000 of the mutations are in the functional part of the genome, Lander said. The overwhelming similarity of the human and chimp genomes, and the incremental nature of the changes that set them on different developmental paths, validate the mechanics of evolution, project researchers said. Advertisement At a time when the theory of evolution is under attack by proponents of “intelligent design,” Dr. Francis S. Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, said he could not think of a better way to prove the theory of evolution “short of a time machine.” The genome research agency, part of the National Institutes of Health, funded the study at a cost of $20 million to $30 million. The scientists found that evolution was more flexible -- and in some ways simpler -- than many had previously thought. There has been a debate about whether evolutionary advances depend on big changes in a few genes, or small changes in many genes. Advertisement Dr. Christopher A. Walsh, a neurology professor at Harvard Medical School, said the studies showed that a small number of changes were enough, demonstrating the power of evolution to respond to circumstances. “You don’t have to wait for 100 different changes to occur simultaneously for something to happen,” Walsh said. Scientists found six areas of the human genome that were overcome with mutations during a period of rapid and widespread change, an event called a “selective sweep.” These areas are remarkably similar, indicating that the changes occurred roughly within the last 200,000 years. As an example, Landers cited the emergence of the gene for digesting lactose, which allows humans to drink milk from animals. The mutation would confer an evolutionary advantage, helping it to spread quickly and maintain its original form. Advertisement Researchers still don’t know the significance of the selective sweeps they identified. But in studying them, they can make inferences about disease outbreaks and other events that would have sparked such vast genetic change, said Evan Eichler, a geneticist at the University of Washington who worked on the study. Research groups around the world are now tackling different pieces of the human genome in the hopes of unraveling the complexities of disease and the forces that shaped human development. “Maybe in 20, 30, 40, 50 years it will tell us why our brains are twice as big,” said Richard K. Wilson, director of the Genome Sequencing Center at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “This is a place to start trying to answer those questions.” But Collins, of the National Human Genome Research Institute, cautioned that genes could not solve all of the mysteries of life. Advertisement “The real question about what it takes to be human is more than a biological question, it’s also a theological question,” Collins said. DNA “may not tell us ‘How do we know what’s right and wrong?’ and ‘What’s the human spirit, anyway?’ ” | The Chimpanzee Sequencing and Analysis Consortium, made up of 67 scientists from the United States, Israel, Italy, Germany, and Spain, has released a draft version of its report on the chimpanzee genome in the September 1 edition of the scientific journal ''Nature''. The researchers mapped 94% of the genome. The report centers on comparisons between chimpanzee and human DNA. |
No such article. If it's an older article that you had bookmarked, you may be able to find it in the archives. If you got to this page from a current link on our site, then it's an error. In this case, the system has automatically detected and logged the error, but you can submit a Problem Report to report additional information or if you have any questions. Thank you for visiting HoustonChronicle.com! ||||| Creekstone Farms Slaughtered by USDA Creekstone Farms is a little slaughterhouse in Kansas with an idea that would have had Adam Smith's mouth watering. Faced with consumers who remain skittish over mad cow disease - especially in Japan - Creekstone decided that all its beef would be tested for mad cow, a radical departure from the random testing done by other companies. It was a case study in free-market meatpacking entrepreneurship. That is, until the Bush administration's Department of Agriculture blocked the enterprise, apparently at the behest of Creekstone's competitors. According to the Washington Post, Creekstone invested $500,000 to build the first mad cow testing lab in a U.S. slaughterhouse and hired chemists and biologists to staff the operation. The only thing it needed was testing kits. That's where the company ran into trouble. By law, the Department of Agriculture controls the sale of the kits, and it refused to sell Creekstone enough to test all of its cows. The USDA said that allowing even a small meatpacking company like Creekstone to test every cow it slaughtered would undermine the agency's official position that random testing was scientifically adequate to assure safety. What it didn't say was that the rest of the meatpacking industry was adamantly opposed to such testing, which is expensive, and had no desire to compete with Creekstone's fully certified beef. "If testing is allowed at Creekstone . ," the president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Assn. told the Post, "we think it would become the international standard and the domestic standard, too." The Agriculture Department's Creekstone decision reveals the best thinking of Soviet central planning: The government shoots the innovator to preserve market stability. Though President Bush invokes free-market principles when it comes to industry downsizing, "outsourcing" jobs, media mergers and energy deregulation, those principles apparently have their limits when a company seeks to become an industry leader in consumer protection. Located in the small town of Arkansas City, Creekstone is a model operation in an industry that often seems medieval. It traces the origins of its high-quality Black Angus beef to reduce the use of animals that have been given antibiotics. It pays high wages, employs humane slaughtering techniques (they make for better-tasting beef) and maintains a slow enough production line to guarantee worker safety and to ensure that animals are dead before they are butchered. Although the largest U.S. meatpacking companies have fought regulations that would force such practices, Creekstone - which has been in business since 1995 - has proved that some consumers will pay more for such corporate policies and the premium product that results. The appearance of mad cow disease in the U.S. herd hit Creekstone's small operation hard. Much of its market was in Japan, where all cows are tested for the disease and where U.S. beef is banned because American meatpackers don't follow the same policy. So Creekstone's chief operating officer, Bill Fielding, announced that he would voluntarily test the 300,000 cows his company slaughters annually, to satisfy customers willing to pay the cost. Absent the test, Fielding says Creekstone may face bankruptcy and have to lay off its 790 workers. The Department of Agriculture seems to have only one purpose in preventing Creekstone from testing - appeasing the big slaughterhouses. The USDA has a long history of doing the bidding of the meatpacking industry at the expense of the public. Indeed, in many academic studies, the department is presented as a textbook example of the problem of "agency capture," wherein an agency becomes so identified with the companies it regulates that it becomes an extension of those companies. The allegations of agency capture have been magnified in the Bush administration, in which former industry executives hold key regulatory positions - Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman has a chief of staff who was the head lobbyist for the National Cattlemen's Beef Assn. and a senior advisor who was the association's associate director for food policy. When mad cow disease appeared in the United States, the department again took the industry line and resisted calls for added testing. Only after worldwide criticism did it reluctantly make such modest rule changes as requiring slaughterhouses to discard "downed" animals - cows so sick that they had to be dragged into slaughterhouses to be butchered. Most Americans were surprised to learn that the department had ever allowed such animals into the food supply in the first place. The administration may be correct that testing every animal in the U.S. is unnecessary and not cost-effective. But why not let Creekstone find out what the market will bear? The position of the administration is an affront to anyone who believes in the free market. It's as if the Department of Transportation refused to allow Volvo to add air bags just to keep the pressure off other carmakers. Congress should step in and end the department's monopoly over testing kits. It should also call for the removal of the officials involved in the decision. As for the self-described free-marketeers in the Bush administration, Creekstone Farms may not offer them an appealing meal but at least it doesn't come with a heaping side order of hypocrisy. Jonathan Turley is a law professor at George Washington Law School. © 2004 LA Times Related features Ranchers and Dairy Farmers Win Two Battles vs. Corporate & Government Foes USDA Captured by Corporate Meatpackers More on Independent Business Issues More on Food, Health and Agriculture ||||| Creekstone Farms will become Certified Humane’s largest member in 2006 Washington, DC (September 2005) — “Creekstone Farms and Certified Humane share the same vision for a better animal welfare system on a global basis. This relationship is an ideal way to raise the visibility of the animal care and handling issue in the U.S., Europe, and Asia. We are committed to meet all of the requirements for certification under the “Certified Humane Raised and Handled” program,” announced John Stewart, CEO and founder of Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, LLC... Read More Creekstone Farms Premium Beef Earns European Union (E.U.) Approval ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. (September, 2005)— Creekstone Farms® Premium Beef today announced the company has received approval to export beef to the European Union (E.U.). This coveted approval—awarded to just four other U.S. beef processors to date—speaks volumes about Creekstone Farm's high standards for animal handling and beef production... Read More Creekstone Farms® Earns the Industry’s First USDA Process Verification for Tender Beef Arkansas City, KS (May 2005) — Creekstone Farms Premium Beef LLC, the privately held producer and processor of Creekstone Farms® Natural Black Angus Beef™ and Premium Black Angus Beef™, is the first beef processor in the nation to receive USDA Process Verification for Tender Beef... Read More | Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, an organic meatpacking company based in Arkansas City, Kansas, filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for what the company claims is threats by the USDA that it would face prosecution if it proceeds with plans to test nearly 100% of its beef for Bovine spongiform encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease or BSE. The USDA position is that allowing any meatpacking company to test every cow would undermine the agency's official position, a position that holds to random testing as a scientifically adequate measure to assure safety. It also claims that 100% testing does not ensure food safety because the disease is difficult to detect in younger animals. The USDA currently tests about 1% of cattle slaughtered in the U.S. The USDA's objection is believed to be the result of pressure from larger meatpacking operations. In 2004, the president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association told the Washington Post that "If testing is allowed at Creekstone, we think it would become the international standard and the domestic standard, too." Creekstone Farms says tests cost about $20 per animal, increasing the cost of beef by about 10 cents per pound. |
Nicole's got the Sex Factor: Scherzinger won't have any problems pulling in viewers as it's confirmed she IS replacing Cheryl Cole on U.S. show By Andrea Magrath Last updated at 3:23 PM on 7th June 2011 The ongoing saga of the U.S. X Factor judging panel may finally be over. Show bosses have announced that Nicole Scherzinger will indeed be replacing Cheryl Cole. And the Pussycat Doll proved perhaps why she became a favourite of show bosses as she cooled off in a pool in France last week. The Sex Factor: Nicole Scherzinger was pictured taking a dip in her hotel in France last week The 32-year-old stripped down to a white bikini and flimsy T-shirt to take a dip at her hotel in southern France before flying back to the UK. Nicole filmed an appearance on the Graham Norton show today, but will be jetting off again soon to start her new role at the New Jersey auditions on Wednesday. It emerged over the weekend that Cole had been invited to return to her role after being fired a fortnight ago, but the 27-year-old has snubbed the offer, leaving the Pussycat Doll free to take her place. Finally confirmed: X Factor have announced that Nicole Scherzinger IS replacing Cheryl Cole on the judging panel TODAY'S POLL Whose side are you on in the X Factor USA furore? Team Cole: It was humiliating for her Team Cowell: It's not his fault she didn't impress American TV executives VOTE POLL RESULTS Close All polls Click to view yesterday's poll results Fox, FremantleMedia North America and Syco TV released a statement on Monday afternoon announcing the news. It read: 'Nicole Scherzinger will be replacing Cheryl Cole on the judging panel of The X Factor. 'Nicole will join Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and Paula Abdul on their search across America to find the next global superstar or group to win the life-changing $5million dollar recording deal. The smile says it all: Nicole is in the UK where she was pictured at the ITV studios today ahead of flying back to the U.S. for X Factor auditions on Wednesday 'Nicole has previously joined Simon Cowell as a guest judge on The X Factor for the UK version of the show in 2010. Steve Jones will act as sole host of The X Factor. ' Show bosses did an unexpected U-turn when they offered Cheryl her job back on Saturday. She was given 24 hours to decide, but after previously knocking back a consolation-style offer of returning to her old post on the UK version, Cheryl now appears to be severing ties with the franchise. She's got talent: Nicole, pictured performing on Britain's Got Talent last week, will be joining Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and L.A. Reid following Cheryl's departure Show sources were quick to point out that an official comment had never been released confirming Mrs Cole’s axing – and that her picture and biography had been kept up on the Fox X Factor website. But friends of the Girls Aloud star believe their silence is part of Fox executives' plan to wriggle out of paying Cheryl out - as they were banking on her not turning up to the next auditions on Wednesday, making her in breach of contract. But the singer is thought to have threatened to make public emails and text messages that prove she was indeed fired, the Daily Mirror claim. ||||| American TV bosses have confirmed Cheryl Cole will no longer be a judge on the US version of the X Factor. It's the first time Fox, Freemantle North America and Syco TV have confirmed the Girls Aloud star is no longer part of the format. In a statement, bosses confirmed that former Pussycat Dolls' singer Nicole Scherzinger will be her replacement. Former T4 presenter Steve Jones will host the show by himself as Nicole Scherzinger becomes a judge. The statement said: "Nicole will join Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and Paula Abdul on their search across America to find the next global superstar or group to win the life-changing five million dollar recording deal. "Nicole has previously joined Simon Cowell as a guest judge on The X Factor for the UK version of the show in 2010. "Steve Jones will act as sole host of The X Factor." ||||| Published on by itn Cheryl Cole has officially been replaced by Nicole Scherzinger on the US X Factor judging panel. . Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/theshowbiz411 | The production companies of the United States television programme '''' have confirmed that has been removed from the judging panel for the show. , the show's broadcaster, made the announcement on Monday alongside and , the production companies of the programme. has also been reported to take up the position Cole will vacate. , a former presenter, will now be the solitary presenter of the programme. The three other judges on the panel will consist of , and . Fox and the production companies have stated: "Nicole Scherzinger will be replacing Cheryl Cole on the judging panel of The X Factor. Nicole will join Simon Cowell, L.A. Reid and Paula Abdul on their search across America to find the next global superstar or group to win the life-changing 5 million dollar recording deal. Nicole has previously joined Simon Cowell as a guest judge on ''The X Factor'' for the UK version of the show in 2010. Steve Jones will act as sole host of ''The X Factor''." Having previously been released from her position, Cole declined the opportunity to reclaim her position on . On Saturday, the programme makers gave Cole a time period of 24 hours to decide whether or not to be a judge on ''The X Factor US'' once again; she subquently rejected the offer. |
FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 player's profile Mateja Kezman is a player who thrives on goals. A poacher supreme, he is always ready to pounce on the slightest mistake by the opposition defence. Serbia and Montenegro coach Ilija Petkovic is fortunate to have a wealth of striking talent at his disposal. However, it seems likely that Kezman will get the nod for Germany, thanks to the crucial goals he scored in qualifying which helped his team finish above Spain and avoid a potentially hazardous play-off match. Of the five goals he scored in his seven appearances, the one against Spain at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid was particularly memorable, as was the decisive goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina in his sides final group game. That strike officially sealed Serbia and Montenegro's place at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany. The striker, nicknamed 'Batman', began his career in his homeland, first with lower-league clubs and then in the first division with Sartid. He continued his rise to the big time with a move to Partizan Belgrade, where he came to the attention of Europes footballing elite. Kezman is reserved and uncomfortable in the limelight, a family man who has not forgotten his roots. However, in 2000, the international language of goals brought him to the Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven; a force to be reckoned with in the Eredivisie and beyond. Here, over four seasons, the striker became a veritable goal machine, also proving himself in European competition. He then moved on to London, where he had a one-year spell at Chelsea before being lured to Spains La Liga by Atletico Madrid. There was a great deal of expectation surrounding the forward's arrival at Chelsea, but he never quite clicked with the Blues. While in Spain, his club made a slow start to the season and Kezman himself succumbed to injury. He has, however, shown signs of being back on track at Atletico and has produced some fine performances for his national side. Kezman is a winner and a big-game player, particularly in a supportive atmosphere. His experience marks him out as a veteran, but he is still only 27 years old and will continue to improve. His main qualities are pace, opportunistic instincts and the ability to drop off and find space in deep areas. These attributes could be very useful in Germany, where everything suggests that Petkovic will send his team out to play a tactical game, looking to hit the opposition on the break. Kezman scored on his international debut in 2000 in a friendly against China, and has been a regular member of the national set-up ever since. He was involved at UEFA Euro 2000, where he was sent off only 44 seconds after coming on as a substitute against Norway in Liege. He also took part in the qualifying phases for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2004. In February 2003, following a 2-2 home draw against Azerbaijan, Kezman announced his retirement from international football, but the return of current manager Ilija Petkovic in 2004 after, ironically, the return match against Azerbaijan, made him change his mind. On that day, a new and successful period kicked off, culminating this summer in Germany. © 2001-2006 FIFA, All Rights Reserved ||||| PLAYER INFO Dear JadranSport readers,we constantly seek for more informations, data and stories about Ex-Yu players and of course this is a task that is almost impossible to deliver for a small team like us. Thats why we would appreciate it very much if you have those kind of informations for us. Just send us an email to info@jadransport.org and we will publish it on our site.Thanks for your supportJadransport editors Mateja Kezman is a quick striker who is always there to take advantage of a mistake made by an opponent’s defender. Sometimes he looses control over the ball because he wants to make his actions in a too fast way. In general, Kezman is very dangerous in the box, where he does have the availability to score from all sorts of angles. He is on his best at the big important games with a big crowd, so the draw in Group C against big opponents will pleasure him. After a disappointing season at Chelsea, Kezman made the move to Spain. At Atlético Madrid he seems to have developed into more relaxed player and person. Kezman made 8 goals in the Primera Division this season, while he picked up a slight injury now and then. Once again, in the big games against Real Madrid and Barcelona for example, Kezman showed something extra, playing with even more passion then he normally does. One of the key players of the national team during the qualification games, Kezman did have a slow start though (beginning on the bench against San Marino for example), but played better and better when the campaign developed. He became top scorer of his team during the qualifications with 5 goals, among them the very important equalizer in the away game against Spain. He made the only goal in Belgrade against Bosnia-Herzegovina, in the last game, which sealed the successful World Cup qualification campaign with a ticket to Germany. Kezman, Mateja - HEADLINES Fenerbahçe striker Mateja Kezman is suspended for two Turkish Super Ligi games as a result for getting a red card in last weekend’s league game... Former FK Partizan and PSV Eindhoven top scorer Mateja Kezman is still having a difficult period in Turkey. During his side’s 2:1 win against... According to some media rumours, Spartak Moscow is in talks with Fenerbahce about the 27 year old Serbian striker Mateja Kezman. Fenerbahce's Serbian striker Mateja Kezman proved once again, that he is a marksman for important goals, when he scored the 2:0 in the 27th minute... Serbian midfield ace Sasha Ilic continues to prove that he is a better striker than many could have predicted, before his arrival to Turkish top... Scoring four goals in five games since signing for Fenerbahce has boosted Mateja Kezman's self-esteem enough for the Serbian striker to openly... Another spectecular goal by Mateja Kezman in the Turkish SüperLigi. His third goal for "Fener" was the match winner against Konyaspor. Kezman scored a fantastic equalizer for Fenerbahce, while Sasa Ilic got injured in Galatasray's match against Besiktas. Turkish giant Fenerbahçe won their first round home match in this years’ UEFA Cup with a minor difference. After 90 minutes the score line was... Fenerbahce continued their run and defended their 1st rank in the Turkish SüperLigi with a 4:2 against Antalyaspor, despite a rather poor... Mateja Kezman left Atletico Madrid and moved on to the Turkish Super Ligi. The Serbian forward signed a 4-years-contract with Fenerbahche. The... Mateja Kezman is, as usually, full with confidence ahead of the World Cup. Just recovering from a recent minor knee injury, he trained on Monday... Bad luck for one of the key players of the Serbo-Montenegrin World cup squad. In the last training session at their Austrian camp in Kärnten,... Atletico Madrid are set to join the race for Crvena zvezda centre-forward Nikola Zigic. On the other side, it seems as if Fiorentina is interested... Mateja Kezman's opener for Atletico Madrid in their last weekend's match against Real Betis wasn't enough for the "Red & Whites" to... In its edition from the beginning of this week the Spanish prestigious newspaper “Marca” brought up the reunion possibility of the former PSV... Serbia & Montenegro's star striker injured his hip area in yesterday's Premiera Division match between Atletico Madrid and Atletico Bilbao in... Except for Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan), Savo Milosevic (Osasuna), and Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd), Atletico Madrid's striker Mateja Kezman is one of... Last Sunday the players and supporters from Atlético Madrid didn’t know what happened to them. It was not only the fact that their team was... During the last weekend when it comes to Serb players in the top Spanish division out of three strikers who made their appearance only Mateja... ||||| Mateja Kezman (12 April 1979 - Belgrade) - Played first career game with Zemun, in 1995. - Transferred and played for Partizan Pirot, FK Loznica and Sartid, in 1995-1996-1997 - Scored his first career goal with Sartid, in 1997. - Transferred to Partizan Belgrade, in 1998. - Had his first European Cup match with Partizan in UEFA Cup, in 1999. - Had his first international debut against China, in 2000. - Awarded as the Yugoslav player of the year, in 2000. - Awaded as the Yugoslav League Top Goal Socrer, in 2000. - Transferred to PSV Eindhoven, in 2000. - Had the nickname “Batman” during the time he spent with PSV. - Announced his retirement from international football for Serbia & Montenegro after a draw against Azerbeijan, in 2003. - Won the UEFA Cup top goal scorer award, in 2004. - Transferred to Chelsea, in 2004. - Returned to the international football with Serbia & Montenegro, in 2004. - Won the Premiere League and League Cup with - Transferred to Atletico Madrid, in 2005. - Signed a 4 years contract with Fenerbahce, in 2006. Additional Information - Had 30 Champions League Appearances and 3 goals. - Had 19 UEFA Cup Appearances and 12 goals. (2 App 2 Goals in Fenerbahce) - Scored 105 goals in 122 matches with PSV Eindhoven in 4 seasons. 2006-2007 Season Statistics with Fenerbahce - Turkish League : 5 Appearances 3 Goals - UEFA Cup : 3 Appearances 2 Goals ||||| From Atléticopedia Mateja Kežman Personal information Full name Mateja Kežman Date of birth April 12, 1979 Place of birth Belgrade, Serbia Height 180 cm Weight 74 kg Nickname Keža, Batman Club information Current club Fenerbahçe SK Position Striker Number 9 Youth clubs Professional clubs* 1997 - 1998 1998 - 2000 2000 - 2004 2004 - 2005 2005 - 2006 2006 - present Sartid FK Partizan PSV Eindhoven Chelsea Atletico de Madrid Fenerbahçe SK 17 (9) 60 (34) 122 (105) 25 (4) 30 (8) 6 (3) National team 2000 - 2003 2003 - 2006 2006 - present Yugoslavia Serbia and Montenegro Serbia 49 (17) * Professional club appearances and (goals) counted for the domestic league only. Mateja Kežman (Serbian Cyrillic: Маtеја Кежман) (born 12 April 1979 in Zemun, Yugoslavia) is a Serbian footballer, playing predominantly as a striker. He made his name at FK Partizan in his homeland and marked his international debut for FR Yugoslavia against China in May 2000 where he opened the scoring. Kežman currently plays for Turkish side Fenerbahçe. Player profile Mateja Kežman began his career in his homeland Serbia, first with lower-league clubs and then in the first division with Sartid from Smederevo. He continued his rise to the big time with a move to Partizan Belgrade, where he came to the attention of Europe’s footballing elite. So, Mateja made his name as a predatory goalscorer with Partizan Belgrade and opened the scoring on his international debut for Serbia and Montenegro against China in May 2000. After that he became essential for his national team, scoring on the average in every third game (17 in 49 matches). However, in 2000, the international language of goals brought him to the Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven; a force to be reckoned within the Eredivisie and beyond. Here, over four seasons, the striker became a veritable goal machine, also proving himself in European competition. The first year he moved, he justified the large investment (10.500.000 €) of the Dutch, and became the top scorer in the Dutch Eredivisie, scoring incredible 24 goals from just 33 games in his first season. While at PSV, Kežman also became extremely close with the liking, and picked up the nickname “Batman” - the famous theme song was played at the Philips Stadium everytime he scored! What a support! That tune was heard plenty of times as he proceeded to score 81 goals over the following three seasons with PSV (105 goals in 122 league matches + other competitions), before finally moving to Chelsea for £5,3 million in the summer of 2004. where he had an one-year spell before being lured to Spain’s La Liga by Atletico Madrid. There was a great deal of expectation surrounding the forward's arrival at Chelsea, especially after a good pre-season, but he never quite clicked with the Blues. Despite being part of the Blues' Premiership-winning squad, Kežman struggled in England, often finding it hard to hold down a spot in the side given coach Jose Mourinho's preference for playing one striker, preferably a “big man”. He mainly played as a substitute in the last minutes of the game, and scored only 7 goals in all competitions. That was extremely frustrating, and the main reason why he is still struggling for self-confidence for club football to be back on track, and in height of his scoring fame. After crossing to the great club of Madrid, Kežman openned his list of goals with a strike for Atletico’s first Liga victory against Barcelona. Everybody was crying for more. But soon after Kežman suffered a bad injury of his right knee, and the club was already in deep psychological crisis led by Carlos Bianchi. Sacrifying himself for the club’s sake, he worked hard to recover and get back to the pitch twice faster then the doctors have predicted. He has, however, shown signs of being back on track at Atletico and has produced some fine performances for his national side. Speaking of qualificatons for the 2006. FIFA World Cup, of the five goals he scored in his seven appearances, the one against Spain at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid was particularly memorable, as was the decisive goal against Bosnia-Herzegovina in his side’s final group game. That strike officially sealed Serbia and Montenegro's place at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany™. Mateja Kežman is reserved and uncomfortable in the limelight, a family man who has not forgotten his roots. He is married with Emilia, and has three children. He is a man of faith too, and a true believer. Every time he scores, he praises the Lord, reminding that his talent is a gift from above. Mateja Kežman is a player who lives for goals. A poacher supreme, he is always ready to pounce on the slightest mistake by the opposition defence. Kežman is a winner and a big-game player, particularly in a supportive atmosphere. He thinks only to win, and can’t stand when his team-mates surrender without a true fight. Those are the moments when you can see his temper. His experience marks him out as a veteran, but he is still only 27 years old and will continue to improve. His main qualities are pace, opportunistic instincts and the ability to drop off and find space in deep areas. He is not a great technician, but when he gets the ball in the area, he is a master in finding it’s way to the net. His motto is: “The ball is rounded, so everything is possible.” He has come to Spain’s capital with big expectations, and with great desire to manage great things with Atletico de Madrid… In August of 2006, Mateja was transferred to Turkish side Fenerbahçe SK. His potential of 177 goals in 303 league and national team matches (without other competitions) speaks for itself. Some of that potential can be seen by visiting some of the following web links. Web links | Serbia and Montenegro international, Mateja Kežman, will sign a three year contract with Fenerbahçe today. The striker spent an unsuccessful season with Chelsea and all three parties have agreed to this 7 million Euro transfer. Kežman started his career in Serbia and Montenegro, where he became popular while playing for Partizan, Belgrade. He was bought by the Dutch team PSV, where he was a prolific striker, setting a record number of goals per season. His year in Chelsea was not as successful, as he mostly started games as a substitute and managed to score only seven goals in official games. Other teams that demonstrated an interest in Kežman this summer included Sevilla, Olympique de Marseille and Schalke 04. Kežman led Serbia and Montenegro's scoring during the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifications with 5 goals, including the only goal in the final game against Bosnia and Herzegovina which in turn allowed Serbia and Montenegro to qualify directly, having come first in their group. He has managed 16 goals in 45 caps for Serbia and Montenegro, as of December 2005. He failed to make an impact with the London club, and only started 14 games for Chelsea, leaving for Atlético de Madrid after just one season. Despite his disappointing year, Chelsea made a transfer profit on the player. After a short spell in Madrid, Fenerbahçe SK trusted in "Batman" and signed him to a three year contract in August 2006. The management and fans knew he was a risky transfer, especially considering he was to fill the void of departed superstar Nicolas Anelka. The management's faith seemed to pull through as Kežman quickly found his PSV-form back again and scored in consecutive matches early into the season. Kežman scored 3 crucial goals in his first 3 matches (2 were Game-winning and 1 was Game-tying). All three were beautiful strikes and won weekly honours. |
French fear new serial killer after four people are murdered by gunman on a motorbike (just like Muslim fanatic who killed seven just weeks ago) Murders have chilling echoes of Muslim fanatic Mohamed Merah's killing spree Three of the victims shot in the head with the same 7.65mm handgun used for each killing Shootings took place in the same Paris suburb as attack last November By Ian Sparks | The French fear a new serial killer is on the run after a gunman claimed the life of his fourth victim yesterday before fleeing on a motorbike. The murders have chilling echoes of Muslim fanatic Mohamed Merah’s killing spree in south-west France last month. An urgent hunt is underway for the new killer who killed his first victim with a shot to the body, while his next three targets died from a bullet to the head. Probe: Forensic officers investigate after a 47-year-old woman was shot in the head by a gunman who fled on a motorbike. He has been linked with another three killings Police said the new killer has used the same 7.65mm handgun each time having carried out the four killings in the space of six months. District prosecutor Marie-Suzanne Le Queau said that witnesses had also seen a man ‘staking out’ the building where the latest killing took place today. A neighbour of the latest victim, said: ‘There were at least four loud bangs and then terrible screaming. There were people standing around saying “He killed her – he killed her”. ‘The man was tall, and he was white. After the shootings he leapt on to the moped and drove off at high speed.’ Murder: The same killer is believed to have shot three other people over the last six months in Grigny, Paris The killings have drawn instant comparisons with murders carried out by Toulouse Al-Qaeda fanatic Merah. He shot seven people dead before he was shot himself by marksmen. The latest victim of the new killer was a 47-year-old mother who was killed yesterday outside her home in the suburb of Grigny. The murderer, who was wearing a crash-helmet, then made his escape. In at least two of the previous shootings between November and April - all in the same southern Paris district - the killer had also fled on a bike. Similarities: The serial killer has drawn comparisons with Toulouse Al-Qaeda gunman Mohammed Merah who killed seven people The 23-year-old Al-Qaeda follower shot dead three soldiers in Montauban, then days later gunned down a rabbi and three children at a Jewish school in Toulouse - always escaping on his Yamaha T-Max scooter. He died in a hail of gunfire while leaping from a window after a 32-hour siege at his flat. Interior minister Claude Gueant said today: 'This series of killings is worthy of our attention and we have put all our energies into the investigation.' The first victim was a young woman shot as she was parking her car outside her flat in the suburb of Juvisy-sur-Orge on November 27. That murdered woman’s neighbour was then shot and killed in the street on February 22. An 81-year-old man was killed as he entered his apartment block in the nearby suburb of Ris-Orangis on March 17. Then a 47-year-old mother was shot in Grigny yesterday. Asked if he believed the killings were linked, Mr Gueant replied today: 'Yes, this is a concern.' Investigation: Police probe the killing of a 47-year-old woman in Grigny, France, who was shot in the head by a gunman Mr Gueant also said in a separate interview that Islamist groups in France may now be plotting to to seek revenge for the death of Merah. He told Europe 1 radio: 'We have noticed a renewed enthusiasm and a desire to avenge the death of Mohammed Merah. 'Some radical Muslims may follow in his footsteps and try to become a martyr. We have to be vigilant.' French news media stressed that the first two killings pre-dated Merah’s murders in south-west France, but LCI TV news added: 'The similarity of the modus operandi is both striking and frightening.' ||||| (CNN) -- Investigators in France are hunting for a suspected serial killer after four fatal shootings with the same weapon in a Paris suburb in the past five months. The fourth victim, a 47-year-old woman, was shot in the head Thursday in Essonne, a few miles south of the capital, officials said. Police are carrying out traffic stops in the area Saturday and police presence has increased to five times their usual level, CNN affiliate BFM-TV reported. Officers are looking for a blue-and-white Suzuki motorbike in connection with the latest killing, BFM-TV said. Interior Minister Claude Gueant told French radio station Europe 1 on Friday that he feared a serial killer could be responsible. "We are putting every effort into finding out who is behind this," he said. Prosecutor Marie-Suzanne Le Queau told reporters Friday that 100 investigators were working on the case. Ballistic tests indicated the same weapon was used in all four attacks, she said, according to BFM-TV. The other three occurred on November 27, February 22 and March 17, she said. Le Queau said the method was not identical in each killing. In the first case, the victim received several bullet wounds to the body, while in the subsequent three cases, each victim died of a shot to the head. A suspect was arrested in November on suspicion of the first killings and remains in custody, Gueant said. However, three more murders have been committed since with the same semiautomatic weapon. France is still recovering from the shock of a series of gun attacks in the southwestern cities of Toulouse and Montauban last month. Mohammed Merah, an Islamist who according to prosecutors claimed to have attended an al Qaeda training camp, shot dead seven people in three attacks. He was killed at the end of a long police siege of his apartment in Toulouse. A series of high profile police raids on suspected Islamists across the country have followed. ||||| With chilling echoes of Toulouse gunman Mohammed Merah, the Paris killer fled from his latest slaying yesterday on a motorbike A gunman on a motorbike is believed to be responsible for four murders in a Paris suburb - sparking fears that another French serial killer is on the loose. The four victims have been gunned down in housing estates within a 6-mile radius to the south of the capital since November, all shot at close range from the same weapon. With chilling echoes of self-styled al-Qaida gunman Mohammed Merah, who massacred seven people in Toulouse last month, the Paris killer fled from his latest slaying yesterday on a motorcycle. He shot his victim, a woman of Algerian origin, in the head with a 7.65mm calibre gun - the same weapon police say was used for the three other killings. The 47-year-old victim was a widow who worked at Orly Airport and lived with her 18-year-old son. She was described by a neighbour as "a normal person, simple, no history." The first victim was a 35-year-old laboratory assistant who was also shot dead in her building on 27 November. Police probe: Officers talk to residents close to the latest shooting scene AFP On 22 February, one of the first victim's neighbours, a 52-year-old man, was shot dead in their building's car park. Then, on 19 March, an 81-year-old man was killed by a shot to the head. All the killings happened between 4pm and 6pm. Police said the small-calibre weapon used is not common among the criminal underworld as it must be fired at close range. Last month, France was shocked by a string of seven killings by Merah, a 23-year-old Frenchman from an Algerian family who declared he was inspired by Al-Qaida. Merah killed three off-duty paratroopers, three Jewish schoolchildren and a trainee rabbi before he was cornered in his apartment and killed in a shootout with police. | File photo of a handgun of the same caliber as indicated in these incidents, 7.65mm. French authorities suspect a serial killer may be responsible for a recent string of shooting deaths. At present, four people have been murdered in the Paris suburb of in the past six months. Although a suspect was apprehended in November after the first shooting, three more incidents have occurred while the suspect remains in custody. The fourth victim, a 47-year-old woman, was shot in the head Thursday. The other three shooting occurred on November 27, February 22, and March 17. CNN affiliate BFM-TV reported that in relation to Thursday's killing, authorities are on the lookout for a blue-and-white Suzuki motorbike. On Friday, Prosecutor Marie-Suzanne Le Queau told reporters that ballistic tests indicate all four incidents involved the same 7.65mm handgun. She also said there were 100 investigators on the case. Last month in France, Frenchman committed seven murders. Merah, claiming inspiration from al-Qaeda, killed three Jewish schoolchildren, a rabbi in training, and three off-duty paratroopers before he was killed in a shootout with authorities. |
SAN FRANCISCO Apple has relied on slick applications, and even slicker advertisements, to promote the iPhone and maintain its advantage over rivals like Google in the battle to rule the next generation of smartphones. But the fight may come down to something more provincial: who has the best lawyers. On Tuesday, Apple sued HTC, the Taiwanese company that is the largest maker of smartphones running Google’s Android operating system, including the Nexus One, designed and sold by Google. In the lawsuit, filed with the office of the United States International Trade Commission and the United States District Court in Delaware, Apple said that HTC phones running Android violated 20 of its patents, including those relating to the iPhone’s ability to recognize the touch of multiple fingers on its screen at once. Since last fall, Google has been gradually adding multitouch capabilities to phones running Android through software updates. Though the lawsuit singles out HTC, many patent lawyers and analysts say they believe Apple’s target is Google and the Android operating system, which the company gives away to cellphone manufacturers. “We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We’ve decided to do something about it,” said Steven P. Jobs, Apple’s chief executive, in a statement. “We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours.” Apple and Google, once close allies, are now fighting for control of the market for smartphones, seen as the most important computing platform of the next decade. The battle has become emotional since last year, when HTC, Motorola and other phone makers began selling Android-based phones that offered a credible alternative to the iPhone. In that time, the two companies have competed to acquire several start-ups, and Eric E. Schmidt, Google’s chief executive, left Apple’s board. The lawsuit “is the opening shot in a war,” said Kevin Rivette, a patent lawyer and former vice president for intellectual property strategy at I.B.M. “Apple is island-hopping, attacking first the Asian companies. Then it can go after Motorola, gradually whittling away at Google’s base. They want to break the Android tsunami.” In a statement, HTC said that it “values patent rights and their enforcement but is also committed to defending its own technology innovations.” The company said it had not yet had an opportunity to review Apple’s claims. HTC said Wednesday in Taipai that it did not believe the lawsuit posed a short-term material impact to its business or that it would affect its forecast for the first quarter of this year. Google said in a statement: “We are not a party to this lawsuit. However, we stand behind our Android operating system and the partners who have helped us to develop it.” The iPhone, introduced in 2007, was the first cellphone that largely did away with physical controls, turning the entire device into a finger-activated screen. Apple had to invent new visual cues and software tricks so users could operate such a device, and the result was a product that wowed customers and seemed unique in the marketplace. Now the iPhone looks less special. Other companies have sought to duplicate the technology, and similar touch-screen phones are available from Samsung, the BlackBerry maker Research In Motion and Google’s various partners, including HTC. In the high-tech world, with start-ups and individual inventors claiming innovations, patents can be easily invalidated by courts, and many companies have tried to avoid expensive and time-consuming legal battles. The wireless communications business has defied that trend somewhat. Broadcom and Qualcomm, two mobile component makers, sued each other for years over rights to wireless technology before settling last year. In October, Nokia sued Apple, claiming the iPhone infringed on 10 of its patents, and Apple countersued. Now Apple, with its patent portfolio relating to multitouch controls and other ways these complex phones operate, apparently believes it has the legal leverage to slow down Google and the spread of Android. Aside from multitouch, Apple says HTC also violated patents relating to how iPhone users can wake up their phones by swiping a finger over the image of a lock, and how users scroll through a list or document by dragging a finger down the screen. As with all patent cases, a decision or settlement could hinge on whether lawyers for HTC and perhaps Google, if they decide to help can find “prior art” that demonstrates Apple’s innovations were not all that novel. Such a task may not be that difficult. Palm sold touch-based mobile phones for years before the introduction of the iPhone, and is believed to have a large portfolio of patents. Synaptics, based in Santa Clara, Calif., is also a major owner of intellectual property related to touch screens. These companies, and others, may now become valuable acquisition targets as the big players look to improve their position in the coming legal battles and the inevitable countersuits. “Companies have been working on this for some time,” said Mark A. Lemley, a law professor at Stanford who also represents Google in some unrelated matters. “Now, it’s fair to say the Apple technology works better than prior generations of technology, so there may well be inventions there.” Greg Aharonian, who runs the Internet Patent News Service, a site devoted to intellectual property news, said he believed that at least some of Apple’s patents would be found to be invalid. But he said the company’s goal might be to buy itself some time in the marketplace. ||||| Apple has lashed out at HTC with a lawsuit alleging 20 different patent infringements related to the iPhone's user interface, underlying architecture and hardware. The violated patents center on touch and gesture features, including finger-swipe unlocking mechanisms, power conservation, touch-screen scrolling, and accelerometer capabilities. Apple seeks to ban the sale of HTC phones running Google's Android operating system as it allegedly copies iPhone functionality. Windows Mobile is also accused of stealing iPhone hardware decoders. HTC manufactures the most popular Android handsets, including the first G1 and the Nexus One. Other phones singled out in the suit are the Touch Pro, Touch Diamond, Touch Pro2, Tilt II, Pure, Imagio, Dream, myTough 3G, Hero, HD2 and Droid Eris. According to Apple, HTC has repeatedly cribbed from the iPhone design. "We can sit by and watch competitors steal our patented inventions, or we can do something about it. We've decided to do something about it. We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours," Apple's CEO Steve Jobs said in a statement. The lawsuit was filed with the US International Trade Commission and the US District Court in Delaware. "HTC values patent rights and their enforcement but is also committed to defending its own technology innovations. Until we have had this opportunity, we are unable to comment on the validity of the claims being made against HTC," an HTC spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times. Microsoft declined to comment. You can check out the full Apple complaint here. A few of the specific patent infringements: Unlocking A Device By Performing Gestures On An Unlock Image System And Method For Managing Power Conditions Within A Digital Camera Device Automated Response To And Sensing Of User Activity In Portable Devices So what's Apple seeking? "A permanent injunction, which would bar HTC from importing or selling phones here that use these patents, along with triple damages with maximum interest." That last part means a big bail of cash; Apple is clearly not messing around. Some industry experts believe the suit is an indirect shot at Google, whose Android OS does indeed use multitouch liberally. If all this sounds familiar, it is. Last year Apple sued Nokia for similar reasons. Apple COO Tim Cook made a statement that is pretty much a replica of Jobs': "We're very, very comfortable with where we are competitively…we like competition, as long as they don't rip off our [intellectual property]…and if they do, we'll go after them." There were also grumblings about Apple suing Palm that haven't yet come to fruition. ||||| A customer tries out the new iPhone 3GS on the first day it is being sold at the Apple Store in Zurich June 19, 2009. SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Apple Inc sued Taiwan's HTC Corp, which makes touchscreen smartphones using Google software, accusing it of infringing 20 hardware and software patents related to the iPhone. Media Even though the suit did not name Google Inc as a defendant, Apple's move was viewed by many analysts as proxy for an attack on the Internet company, whose Nexus One smartphone is manufactured by HTC. "I think this is kind of an indirect lawsuit against Google," said Kaufman Bros analyst Shaw Wu. Apple's suit was filed with both the U.S. International Trade Commission and the U.S. District Court in Delaware on Tuesday, and seeks to prohibit HTC from selling, marketing or distributing infringing products in the United States. The complaint filed with the ITC cited Google's Nexus One, which was launched in January, and other HTC phones such as the Hero, Dream and myTouch -- which run on Google's Android mobile operating system -- as infringing products. In a statement, a Google spokeswoman said: "We are not a party to this lawsuit. However, we stand behind our Android operating system and the partners who have helped us to develop it." HTC said in an emailed statement that it was looking at the filings. "HTC values patent rights and their enforcement but is also committed to defending its own technology innovations," spokesman Keith Nowak said. Apple's move comes amid fierce competition in the smartphone market, as new players angle for a piece of the fast-growing segment. Mark Simpson, a patent attorney with law firm Saul Ewing in Philadelphia, said HTC made for an easier target than Google. "It's probably simpler for them to go after the company making the infringing goods, which is HTC. It's easier to prove at this point," he said. MKM Partners analyst Tero Kuittinen agreed. "HTC is an optimal target for Apple -- it's a relatively small vendor with a weak brand. It may be easier to push around than Samsung (which also makes Android smartphones). One question here is whether Apple can intimidate operators to back away from new HTC products by flashing the possibility of litigation trouble." SMARTPHONE WARS Apple said HTC "knowingly induce(s) users of accused HTC Android products" to infringe on a number of Apple's patents, some dating back to the mid-1990s. They cover user interface processes and other software and hardware components. "We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours," Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs said in a news release. An Apple spokesman declined to comment beyond the complaints. The iPhone held a 14.4 percent smartphone market share in 2009, according to research group Gartner. Phones running Android comprised only 3.9 percent of the market, but were growing fast. Apple lost some share to Android phones in the fourth quarter. "This move could be a sign Apple is getting rattled by Google's recent momentum in the mobile space -- notably the avalanche of Android products unveiled at Mobile World Congress," said Ben Wood from CCS Insight. Apple's lawsuit is the latest scrape over ownership of the underlying technology for smartphones -- handsets that play video and music, take pictures and send e-mail. Eastman Kodak Co in January filed a complaint with the ITC, saying Apple's iPhone and Research in Motion Ltd's BlackBerry camera phones infringe the photography company's patents. Nokia, the world's top mobile phone maker, has also sued Apple over patents. Apple has countersued. That dispute, potentially involving hundreds of millions of dollars in annual royalties, reflects the shifting balance of power in the mobile industry as cellphones morph into handheld computers that can play video games and surf the Web. In its ITC filing against HTC, Apple noted that some of the patents at issue are at the center of its legal fight with Nokia. Shares of Cupertino, California-based Apple fell 14 cents to close at $208.85 on Nasdaq. (Additional reporting by Sinead Carew and Franklin Paul in New York, and Tarmo Virki in Helsinki; Editing by Derek Caney, Tiffany Wu, Gary Hill and Richard Chang) ||||| Apple’s cold war with Google just heated up. The iPhone maker on Tuesday announced what appears to be a proxy battle against Google in the form of a pair of legal complaints for patent infringement against Taiwan mobile phone manufacturer HTC, a Google partner. The complaints seek not only monetary damages against HTC but to bar it from importing and selling in the United States any of its phones based on Google’s Android operating system. That could cause Google a good deal of pain, even though the company isn’t a defendant in either action. HTC manufactured the first Android phone, the T-Mobile G1, and Google’s own recently launched Nexus One, and it has shipped more devices running Android than any other manufacturer. Patents cited by Apple cover, among other things, technologies related to how the iPhone’s touch screen works, how users unlock the gadget by sliding their finger across its screen, how documents are displayed on it, and how different parts of the iPhone’s underlying operating system interact with each other. Apple’s legal actions are the sharpest blows yet in its increasingly bitter relationship with Google, which has deteriorated from one of close collaboration to rivalry. Although Google provides several of the native applications that ship with Apple’s iPhone, devices based on Android compete directly with the iPhone. While Apple’s phones have far outsold Android ones to date, some analysts think Android devices will soon outpace iPhones and grab an increasing portion of the smartphone market. So it’s not surprising that Apple would try to defend its turf, analysts said. “They’re starting to see some competition for the iPhone and they’re starting to be worried about it,” said Michael Risch, who focuses on patent law as an associate professor at the West Virginia University College of Law. Apple’s actions took the form of a lawsuit filed in federal district court in Delaware and a complaint with the U.S. International Trade Commission. The company charges that HTC infringed 20 of its patents altogether, 10 of which are a part of the suit and 10 of which are cited in the ITC complaint. In a statement, Apple portrayed the suit as a means to defend its intellectual property — not its market position. “We think competition is healthy, but competitors should create their own original technology, not steal ours,” said Apple CEO Steve Jobs. HTC declined to comment, saying in a statement that it learned of Apple’s complaints through media reports and hadn’t yet reviewed them. Google noted that it wasn’t a party to the complaints but issued a statement saying “we stand behind our Android operating system and the partners who have helped us to develop it.” When Jobs unveiled the iPhone three years ago, he said Apple had filed some 200 patents related to it and intended to defend them to prevent others from copying it. Since then, numerous companies released phones that clearly took inspiration from the iPhone’s design and interface. But outside of a few threatening remarks directed vaguely at Palm soon after the company unveiled its new Pre phones and webOS software last year, Apple didn’t follow up Jobs’ words with any public actions until last fall. That action was prompted by Nokia, which filed a patent suit against Apple and followed it up with a complaint with the trade commission. Instead of simply defending itself, Apple responded in kind, filing a countersuit against Nokia and its own complaint with the trade commission. But the actions against HTC mark the first time Apple has gone on the offensive with its iPhone-related patent portfolio. Many companies that collect patents hold them primarily for defensive purposes — as protection from claims of infringement, said Carl Oppedahl, a partner with the Oppedahl Patent Law Firm. But it’s not unusual for such companies to “get religion” and become more aggressive about collecting and defending patents after they’ve been sued, such as Apple was by Nokia, he said. The latest suit comes as relations between Google and Apple grow more strained. Google CEO Eric Schmidt resigned from Apple’s board in August. At about the same time, Apple refused to approve two Google applications for use on the iPhone, a move that prompted an inquiry by the Federal Communications Commission. In January, at a company meeting, Jobs reportedly derided Google’s mantra of “Don’t be evil,” and charged that the search giant wanted to kill the iPhone. Apple that month bought mobile advertising firm Quattro, less than two months after Google bought rival firm AdMob. Contact Troy Wolverton at 408-920-5021. Follow him at http://twitter.com/troywolv. | HTC Heroes Apple sued HTC, a Taiwanese manufacturer of mobile phones, on Tuesday, in a lawsuit claiming 20 different patent infringements, largely relating to the user interface of the iPhone, which is manufactured by Apple. According to the lawsuit, filed with both the United States District Court in Delaware and the United States International Trade Commission, HTC violated Apple patents pertaining to both multi-touch gestures, which allow users to interact with a device's touchscreen using multiple fingers, as well as patents involving more general touch features. Devices mentioned in the suit are all phones manufactured by HTC that use Google's Android software. The lawsuit says that HTC, in selling the phones, knowingly induced those using the mentioned products to violate patents owned by Apple, some of which were filed in the mid-1990s. Although the lawsuit named only HTC as a defendant, many viewed the action as an indirect challenge to Google, as the lawsuit only covered HTC devices running Google's Android software. The operating system has seen increasing popularity in the last year, and has increasingly included multi-touch input of the type mentioned in the lawsuit. One analyst, from Kaufman Brothers, said, "I think this is kind of an indirect lawsuit against Google." Others said that Apple was suing HTC instead of Google because the phone manufacturer was an easier target than Google. Another analyst from MKM Partners said that "HTC is an optimal target for Apple-it's a relatively small vendor with a weak brand." In the documents, Apple said that their goal was to permanently block HTC from importing and selling devices that had the offending qualities, as well a significant cash payment in damages. |
Consumer Complaint Database [beta] This contains data from the consumer credit card complaints received by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We do not verify the accuracy of these complaints, but we do take steps to confirm a commercial relationship between the consumer and the identified company. Data is refreshed daily, starting from June 1st, 2012. Download, search, & visualize Example visualizations ||||| This view is currently private. You can preview it, but you will need to make it public before people will be able to see it. Comments for row , column To start accessing this dataset programmatically, use the API endpoint provided below. For more information and examples on how to use the Socrata Open Data API, reference our Developer Documentation . The Socrata Open Data API (SODA) allows software developers to access data hosted in Socrata data sites programmatically. Developers can create applications that use the SODA APIs to visualize and “mash-up” Socrata datasets in new and exciting ways. Create an iPhone application that visualizes government spending in your area, a web application that allows citizens to look up potential government benefits they'd overlooked, or a service that automatically emails you when new earmarks are added to bills that you wish to track. Using a digitally signed dataset, it is possible to prove using cryptographically secure methods that a particular copy of a Socrata dataset has not been tampered with. This is useful if, for instance, you are looking to publish findings based on this data, and you want to be able to prove its integrity. To obtain a signed version of this dataset, simply click on the link below to generate a key and begin the download. The key and downloaded data are specific to the current version of this dataset; if the owner updates the dataset in the future, you will have to restart the process to get the new data. Publish the downloaded data along with the key that you receive, and using the instructions found within the downloaded package, third parties will be able to confirm that your data is legitimate. To generate a signed version of this dataset, simply click on the link below to generate a key. Note that if you update this dataset in the future, you will have to return and regenerate the key in order for consumers to again have access to it. Also note that this process involves operations on the entirety of the data, so it may take some time if your dataset is very large, or contains large attachments. Only dataset owners may generate signed keys. ||||| Feds personal tweets give insight to #ShutdownLife Justin Herman and his 'shutdown beard,' which he's been documenting on Twitter since the shutdown began. (Image from Herman's Instagram.) FCW posted its top seven feds to follow on Twitter on Day One of the government shutdown. At first glance that might seem counterintuitive -- many agencies tweeted that they would be unable to update their accounts during the shutdown. But some feds are keeping the Twitterverse illuminated with their shutdown stories and opinions via their personal accounts. Justin Herman, social media guru for the General Services Administration, is providing updates on his #shutdownbeard. A day before the shutdown, Herman tweeted "I've taken 3 oaths of office in 10 years: military officer; Congressional aide; Fed executive. Public service demands an Iron Price sometimes". Beth Beck, open innovation program manager at NASA, signed off with a flourish. "Shutting down my NASA iPhone + iPad during furlough = forced digital detox. Let the cleanse begin," she tweeted. Some feds tend toward comedy, others toward opinion. Dan Munz, deputy assistant director for consumer engagement at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, tweeted, "Basically, there's now a strong incentive to fill legislation with minor symbolic things you can bargain away later to protect the core." Munz's agency is fairly new, so he can perhaps be forgiven for ignoring the fact that using legislative leverage to get what you want has been a staple of congressional affairs since the days of Hamilton and Jefferson trading the states' debt for a capital on the Potomac. Others eschewed politics for simple good manners. After tweeting about data.gov not being accessible during the shutdown, Jeanne Holm of NASA tweeted, "I've never wanted to say 'I'm sorry' to so many people in one day. Thanks for your patience and understanding." ||||| Daily Caller News Foundation American financial transactions are not free from Washington’s watchful eye during the government shutdown. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a creation of Dodd-Frank, is still open for business. That’s because the Bureau gets its funding from the Federal Reserve, which does not receive money through the congressional appropriations process. “The CFPB doesn’t like to advertise it’s a part of the Fed,” John Berlau, a researcher at the free market Competitive Enterprise Institute, told The Daily Caller News Foundation, “but it is, and it has some of the same Fed issues with lack of transparency and accountability.” Berlau pointed out that while intelligence agents and law enforcement personnel are furloughed, CFPB analysts continue to collect mountains of financial data on millions of everyday Americans without their consent. At a House hearing last July, the bureau’s deputy director told lawmakers his agency was monitoring the transactions of 900 million separate credit card accounts — around 80 percent of the U.S. credit card market. But many other questions about the data program remain unanswered. “It’s too bad that the shutdown isn’t preventing the CFPB from continuing the assault on privacy, transparency and entrepreneurship,” Berlau said. “These outrages have to be furloughed.” Concerned about the CFPB’s spying and lack of accountability to Congress or the courts, some Republican lawmakers are trying to do just that. House Republicans have indicated that they want CFPB rules changed to give Congress greater control over the bureau’s budget before they vote for a debt ceiling increase. That demand goes along with the Republican push to delay Obamacare for one year as part of a debt ceiling compromise, a clear sign of how important many believe it is to bring the CFPB under a system of checks and balances. “As horrible as Obamacare is, bringing accountability to the CFPB is equally important,” Berlau concluded. Follow Brendan on Twitter Content created by The Daily Caller News Foundation is available without charge to any eligible news publisher that can provide a large audience. For licensing opportunities of our original content, please contact licensing@ dailycallernewsfoundation. ||||| WASHINGTON -- If Congress can't pass legislation to keep the government funded by Monday at midnight, the Smithsonian museums will close, the Centers for Disease Control will halt its influenza monitoring program and up to 800,000 federal workers (many of whom have already faced unpaid leave due to sequestration) will be furloughed. But shutting down the federal government won't stop two of the Republican Party's most despised bogeymen: Obamacare and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Obamacare is at the center of why there may be a shutdown beginning Tuesday. Instead of passing a clean continuing resolution to fund the government, House Republicans -- egged on by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) -- have insisted that President Barack Obama's signature health care law be defunded or delayed. The Democratic-controlled Senate, however, has rejected that approach. Without agreement, there will be a shutdown. A report in July by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service found that Obamacare -- including the individual mandate detested by so many conservatives -- would still be in effect during a shutdown. "If a government shutdown were to occur during calendar year 2014, the lapse in funding would not automatically suspend the requirement of the individual mandate," the report said. "In other words, during the time period that the government is shut down, taxpayers who fall within the coverage of the individual mandate would still be accruing penalties for any months in which they lacked minimum essential coverage." "Many of the core parts of the health care law are funded through mandatory appropriations and wouldn't be affected," Gary Cohen, the Health and Human Services Department official overseeing the health care rollout, told reporters this week. For years, Republicans have tried to block the CFPB, which was first proposed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) when she was still in academia. It was only in July, when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) threatened to change Senate rules, that Republicans ended a two-year blockade on Richard Cordray's nomination to lead the agency. They acknowledged that the problem was not Cordray. Instead, they wanted to use his nomination as leverage to change the CFPB's financing and structure, which would have gutted the agency and its independence. Republicans have called for the CFPB to be subject to the congressional appropriations process. Supporters of the agency argued that it shouldn't be, since other banking regulators aren't either. Because it gets its money from the Federal Reserve, and not Congress, it would remain open even if the government shuts down. Republicans still have their eye on the bureau, though. This week, House Republicans put together a plan that would make raising the debt ceiling contingent on a GOP wish list of items, including giving Congress the authority to slash funding for the CFPB. | Count of complaints by company recorded so far during the US Government shutdown Unlike some parts of the US , the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has been open during the federal government shutdown and recording a record-low number of complaints submitted by consumers against companies, companies, providers, , money transfer providers, companies who provide , and other companies providing consumer loans. With data not available for yesterday, the first four days of the shutdown had daily totals of 37, 16, 13, and 3 complaints. With the exceptions of September 29 with 15 complaints and September 28 with 23, it is the lowest daily total since March 16 of this year when 36 total complaints were recorded and February 23 of this year with 14. The total complaints are also down from the same dates last year, when the total complaints per day for the first four days of October 2012 were 272, 298, 288, and 225. Of the 69 filed complaints recorded so far this month, 27 were complaints about mortgage companies, 21 were about bank accounts and 10 were about credit card companies. 40% of credit card companies complaints, 42.9% of bank account complaints and 48.1% of mortgage complaints are currently listed as still in progress. Most of the rest have been closed with an explanation. leads all companies in terms of total complaints filed this month with 9. Bayview Loan Servicing, LLC and have 7 complaints each. , , and have 4 each. and have 3 each. , Nationstar Mortgage, , , and have 2 complaints each. 18 financial services companies have 1 complaint each filed against them. During the government shutdown, some CFPB staff have voiced their opinions on . Dan Munz, deputy assistant director for consumer engagement at the CFPB, tweeted, "Boy, shutdown week has really created a sudden bumper crop of amateur federal management experts."; "Also, seems like is singlehandedly undoing whatever progress he'd made in portraying this as a Dem shutdown."; and "Basically, there's now a strong incentive to fill legislation with minor symbolic things you can bargain away later to protect the core." The agency has been able to stay open during the government shutdown because it is funded by the . According to Amanda Terkel at the '''', members of the have put closing the CFPB on their wish list of items in negotiating for a new debt ceiling limit. Party members have previously stalled the appointment of as the CFPB boss as a way of hindering it from engaging in oversight of financial organizations in the the US. == Sources == * * * * * * |
Minnesota smokers become "actors" to get around the ban The law grants an exception from the ban to performers in theatrical productions. So the bars have become theatres, and their customers, actors. Now some bars print bills listing the "cast" of bartenders, and ashtrays become "props". Drinkers don costumes and attempt strange accents. But a health official said it was time for the curtain to fall on the ploy. 'Before the Ban' At the Rock, a heavy-metal bar in Maplewood, owner Brian Bauman explained why his clientele were doing little more than sitting around, smoking and drinking to a soundtrack of deafening music. It's turned into the most fun thing I can imagine Lisa Anderson Bar owner "They're playing themselves before 1 October - you know, before there was a smoking ban," he said, according to the Associated Press. "We call the production, Before the Ban!" Other bars have taken to the scheme with greater gusto, with customers dressing up in costume, the entrance labelled "stage door" and promising productions such as the Tobacco Monologues. Up to 100 bars across the state are relying on the legal loophole to allow smokers to continue lighting up. Health warning But the state's health department says they are indeed breaking the law, and has threatened to hit them with fines of up to $10,000 (£5,000). "The law was enacted to protect Minnesotans from the serious health effects of second-hand smoke," said Sanne Magnan, the Minnesota health commissioner. She said the "theatrics" would have to end. But bar owners fear their takings will fall once the ban is reimposed, while others will miss the antics. "It's turned into the most fun thing I can imagine," said Lisa Anderson, owner of a bar in Hall City. Read a selection of your comments on this story: If bars would simply put in air purifiers like many bars here (it is still legal to smoke in bars here), and in Europe, there would really be no problem. A bar equipped with a good air purification system is probably healthier than breathing city smog. Cat, New Orleans, USA The ban is nice when I'm getting coffee in a coffee shop, but it destroys what little night life Minnesota has. Nick, Minneapolis, Mn Bars in New Zealand allow customers to drink AND smoke on a smoking deck or porch outside (clearly sectioned off as a part of the bar). The ban has not really affected bar attendance at all. However, just after the ban took effect, one smoker decided to install a private "club," allowing smoking, in his garage. He was fined with serving alcohol without a license. Mel, Christchurch, New Zealand Ontario has been one of the first provinces to implement a complete smoking ban a few years back. Smokers are not even allowed to light up on roof covered patios (strangely enough, umbrella covered patios are exempt). In principle I am not against the ban, but it has had an effect on the entertainment industry. I've spoken to many restaurant owners and staff, the general opinion is that fewer people go to restaurants and bars, and when they do, they consume and tip less. I understand that this is just anecdotal evidence, but interestingly statistical evidence to the contrary is very difficult to find. Cosmin, Toronto, Canada In Los Angeles they are banning people from having fires in their fireplaces during certain nights in the winter because of the excessive green house gasses they produce. One can only imagine how long it will take before all smoking is banned because of its effects on the greenhouse effect! Michael, Los Angeles, California, USA Call them feel good socialist control freaks, but when I go to the pub, why should I have to suck in someone elses dirty cigarette smoke? You smoke, not me. Don't be a baby, go out in the cold to enjoy your right to smoke. Mike, London, Uk Maybe implement a modern day speakeasy where all can get together for a drink and a smoke? Go underground. It was done once and I hope the american people still have the balls to stand up for what they believe in. Our rights are taken away one piece at a time, never all at once. Be aware! lisa, hayden usa I miss my clothes not smelling from smoke when I wake up on a Sunday morning after a good Saturday night's lash-up. I miss my lungs feeling this good on a day-to-day basis. I miss my friends who dont go to the pub anymore because they can't involuntarily kill people by smoking in the pub anymore. Oh, I could go on..... Rory Byrne, Dublin People try to get around the smoking ban because it's extremely cold in Minnesota -- just like it is here in Chicago. I still think the bars should've been able to decide whether to allow smoking, and just post signs outside that say whether it's allowed or not. That way no one that doesn't want to be around smoke has to be. They can simply choose to go elsewhere. Alex, Chicago, USA A seedy bar in my town got around the state's smoking ban by declaring itself a cigar bar. The state tried to shut it down, but the bar fought the state in court and won. Chris, Durango, Colorado, USA I think it is time for the government to step out of our personal lives. It should be up to the owner of the bar/restaurant/or whatever to decided if it is a smoking place or not. They are the ones who pay the bills on the place, not the government. Jack Stefani, Indianapolis,USA Good on the bar owners and patrons! The new trend of banning smoking in 'public' places (private business) is inappropriate. Smoking is unhealthy but instead of taking away property rights of the business owners we should consider banning cigarettes. Jess, Wisconsin, USA Lumpini Park has a smoking ban, despite the traffic around the park which makes it one of the most polluted areas in Bangkok. I hate these facists that believe they can ban consensual smoking. It tempts me to take up cigarettes again just to blow smoke in their faces. Andy Canfield, Roiet, Thailand Ireland was the first place to introduce workplace smoking ban and it has worked brilliantly. Pubs are have a better environment, food in restaurants tastes better and people in general, will eventually reap the benefits of the policy through health effects. There will always be resistance to such a move, but there was also resistance to the abolition of slavery. Ian Breslin, Dublin, Ireland Our state imposed a smoking ban in bars that serve food after a ballot resolution in November 2006.Some taverns are trying to get around it by serving food in polystyrene containers with plastic cutlery! I think what they are trying to do is say that the customer has simply bought "take out" food that they have chosen to eat at the bar!!! I'd love to meet the lawyer who first dreamed that one up Chris Bell, Las Vegas, USA At a pub near me they put in a miniature hotel room in the bar which could be used for smoking. DH, Reading, UK I've come across bars that quietly don't observe whether their customers are smoking. I've seen them cut holes in the wall that customers can smoke through etc. In all honesty, smoking is bad and smokers are not only killing themselves - they're killing everybody else too. I hope the ban takes proper effect as soon as possible. George Cowley, Columbia, USA Minnesota is the state where absolutely NOTHING is allowed. It is filled with feel-good, socialist control freaks. They spend their days inventing methods to impose their will on the public. Tom, Minnesota, USA ||||| Minnesota Department of Health News Release March 5, 2008 Contact information 'Theater nights' in bars are not exempt from Freedom to Breathe Act The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has determined after seeking legal advice that “theater nights” being held in bars do not fall within the theatrical production exemption of the Freedom to Breathe Act. The Freedom to Breathe Act bans indoor smoking in workplaces, including bars and restaurants. It was signed by Governor Pawlenty in May 2007 and took effect October 1, 2007. The bill included an exemption allowing smoking by actors and actresses as part of a theatrical performance. Some bar owners have claimed the right to declare that all activity in their establishments is part of a “theatrical performance,” declaring employees and patrons are “actors and actresses.” In reviewing the law, MDH has determined that it has the authority to address “theater nights” and take enforcement action if the activity is an attempt to allow smoking in violation of the act. Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Sanne Magnan said MDH will work together with local health agencies to bring establishments into compliance if they violate the law. “These bars are attempting to circumvent the Freedom to Breathe Act,” Magnan said. “The law was enacted to protect Minnesotans from the serious health effects of secondhand smoke. We expect all establishments to comply with the law. It is time for the curtain to fall on these theatrics so that employees, and all Minnesotans, are protected from secondhand smoke.” The U.S. Surgeon General has estimated that exposure to secondhand smoke killed more than 3,000 adult nonsmokers from lung cancer and approximately 46,000 from coronary heart disease in 2005. This does not include the health consequences to people with asthma and other conditions worsened by exposure to secondhand smoke. In numerous surveys, the vast majority of Minnesotans have said they support comprehensive measures to protect the public from exposure to secondhand smoke. MDH is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act. The department has the authority to levy fines of up to $10,000 on establishments that fail to comply with the law. MDH’s mission is to protect, maintain, and improve the health of all Minnesotans. Minnesotans who have concerns about a facility’s compliance with the law can find information at www.health.state.mn.us/freedomtobreathe. The Web site includes fact sheets, suggested letters that encourage compliance and other information about Freedom to Breathe. Minnesotans can also contact their local public health department or send an e-mail to MDH at mciaa@health.state.mn.us for more information. -MDH- For more information, contact: John Stieger MDH Communications 651-201-4998 | Return to top | MDH Home | News Releases | | The flag of Minnesota The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has said that bars do not become exempt from to Freedom to Breathe Act by holding ‘theatre nights.’ The act, which is designed to ban smoking in bars, excludes actors in theatrical performances. The MDH has, however, said that "theatre nights being held in bars do not fall within the theatrical production exemption of the Freedom to Breathe Act." The press release by the MDM said that "in reviewing the law, MDH has determined that it has the authority to address theater nights and take enforcement action if the activity is an attempt to allow smoking in violation of the act." It continued by saying that "the Minnesota Commissioner of Health Dr. Sanne Magnan said MDH will work together with local health agencies to bring establishments into compliance if they violate the law." The theatre nights sometimes involve bars calling the visitors to the bars "cast" with the entrance becoming a "stage entrance:" or something similar. The Minnesota Commissioner of Health commented on these actions by saying that "The law was enacted to protect Minnesotans from the serious health effects of secondhand smoke," and that "We the MDH expect all establishments to comply with the law. It is time for the curtain to fall on these theatrics so that employees, and all Minnesotans, are protected from secondhand smoke." |
Associated Press Feb 1, 2007 TOKYO -- Although Sony is blaming its faltering profits partly on PlayStation 3 price cuts in Japan, a senior executive said Wednesday that further slashing prices may be in store for the just-launched video game machine.Pricing is among the factors Sony Corp. is studying as it expects to break even in its money-losing gaming business next fiscal year, said Senior Vice President Takao Yuhara, stressing that no additional price cut has been decided."We may look at the price as part of our strategy to expand the market when the timing is right," Yuhara told reporters at Sony's Tokyo headquarters.The PS3 launched in the United States and Japan in November, plagued with production problems that resulted in shortages and will keep the machines out of Europe entirely until March. The next-generation game player also faces immense competition with Nintendo Co.'s Wii and Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox 360.Sony's announcement Tuesday that October-December profit slipped 5% to 160 billion yen ($1.3 billion), largely because of PS3 startup costs, sent Sony shares down 1.4% in Tokyo on Wednesday. Shares also dropped 32 cents, or 0.7%, to $45.98 in midday trading Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange.Yuhara said red ink in the gaming division for the fiscal year through March could turn out to be worse than the 200 billion yen ($1.6 billion) operating loss that Sony is forecasting for now.Startup expenses such as advertising and shipping were higher than the company had anticipated. Production delays forced Sony to ship machines by air rather than ships to meet launch targets in the United States.But Sony hopes to break even in gaming during the following fiscal year, which ends March 2008, Yuhara said. "Such factors, including price cuts to some extent, are factored in" the company's break-even plans, he said.Game machines generally come down in price over time. But faced with competition, Sony made an unusual move in lowering the PS3 price in Japan by about 20% even before sales started.Even before the cut, analysts say, Sony was already taking a loss on each machine sold; manufacturers typically sell machines for less than their true costs, hoping to recoup the investment by selling games.Analysts and game fans are watching to see when PS3 prices may drop again, which would depend on its proliferation in the market and cuts in production costs. Sometimes a price cut is timed with the introduction of blockbuster game software, expected to boost machine sales.Sony has a lot riding on PS3's success, but consumers seem to be snatching up its rival Wii, which costs about half as much as the cheaper, $500 version of the PS3 and comes with a wand that players swing around like a bat, fishing pole or conductor baton, depending on the game.Nintendo, which makes Pokemon and Super Mario games, saw profits for the first nine months of the fiscal year soar 43% and has shipped 3.19 million Wii machines globally.Sony shipped 1.84 million PS3 machines worldwide through Dec. 31, the company said. The machine has already gone on sale in the United States, Japan and some other countries, but its sale has been delayed to March 23 in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australia.The company stuck to its earlier target of shipping 6 million PS3 consoles by March 31. Earlier, it said it shipped 2 million PS3 machines worldwide by mid-January, falling about two weeks behind its initial shipment targets in Japan.Yuhara said Sony's earlier price cut in Japan was an effort to respond to the expectations of hard-core game fans and helped get the machine off to a smooth rollout."In the PS3 business, production was very tight, but we knew the market wouldn't wait," he said.But price cuts can be risky for sophisticated machinery like PS3, which comes loaded with next-generation DVD called Blu-ray disk and is powered by a super-chip called "cell."The challenge Sony faces is to sell the machine in numbers to bring down costs and make money in software sales to make the operation more profitable. ||||| Sony may look to cut PS3 price Sony may be eyeing price cuts for its next-generation PlayStation 3 video game machine in a bid to break even on the console by the end of fiscal 2008, it told reporters in Tokyo. According to the Associated Press, Sony senior vice president Takao Yuhara said that while no specific plans have been made, the company is considering reducing the price as a way to boost sales. "We may look at the price as part of our strategy to expand the market when the timing is right," Yuhara said. Sony had already reduced the price of the PS3 in Japan prior to launch. But with prices--which go up to $599 for a full-featured PS3--leaving some feeling that the machine is too expensive, the company may be worrying that it cannot sell enough of the consoles to make up for its tremendous overhead. At the same time, market share in the next-generation console race is crucial, as Microsoft's Xbox 360 has already been selling well for more than a year, and Nintendo's Wii is currently the sales darling. Industry observers have long assumed that Sony would eventually cut the PS3's price in order to woo more customers--especially since it loses more than $200 on each unit--but no one expected movement on that so soon. | Technology giant Sony is reportedly looking into cutting prices on Playstation 3 gaming consoles. Even though Sony loses about (U.S.) $200 for each unit sold, the company believes that selling units for less will increase sales of games and peripherals, which is apparently where the company makes the most profit. By reducing prices on Playstation 3 units, Sony's gaming division is looking to break even by 2008. The report is not indicative that Sony will reduce the price of the console, only that it is looking into doing so. |
Reports from Burma say opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been in prison or house arrest for 12 of the past 18 years, left her home to meet with a government official. VOA's Luis Ramirez reports from our Southeast Asia Bureau in Bangkok. Burmese activist holds a picture of opposition party leader Aung San Suu Kyi outside the Burmese embassy in Bangkok, 02 Sep 2007 Witnesses say a caravan of cars left Aung San Suu Kyi's Rangoon home and headed for a government guesthouse. There, an official said she was to meet with a liaison who was appointed by the Burmese military leader, General Than Shwe, to deal with the opposition leader after the military's violent crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators nearly a month ago. The unusual movement is seen as an incremental concession by Burma's military government following strong international condemnation of the crackdown. Among other things, the international community has demanded that the Burmese leadership open a dialogue with the opposition. U Lwin, a spokesman for Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party in Rangoon, confirmed a caravan left her home and went to a government guesthouse Thursday. He calls it a positive sign, after the government appointed a liaison official. He says that one way or another, the process of change has to begin. It is the first time Aung San Suu Kyi is known to have left her house since October 2, when she was allowed to go and meet with visiting U.N. special envoy Ibrahim Gambari. This comes ahead of a second visit to Burma by Gambari, which is expected in early November. Ibrahim Gambari, 23 Oct 2007 Gambari is currently on a six-nation tour of Asia, trying to drum up support for more pressure on Burma, especially by its neighbors: China, India and the other Southeast Asian nations. Speaking in Beijing Thursday, Gambari said it is also crucial for China - Burma's closest ally - to join the push for reform in the country. He referred to Burma by its new name, Myanmar. "We are pleased that we are making this stop, because this is a very important stop in this extended mission, not only to ASEAN countries, but also to neighboring countries of Myanmar," he said. Aung San Suu Kyi's party won a landslide victory in legislative elections in 1990, but the military, which has ruled Burma since a 1962 coup d'etat, annulled the results. Buddhist monks pray at a riot police's road block in downtown Rangoon, 26 Sep 2007 Witnesses say security forces continue to arrest those suspected of taking part in last month's pro-democracy demonstrations. The protests, sparked by a rise in fuel prices and led largely by Buddhist monks, ended when soldiers used guns, batons, and teargas against demonstrators in Rangoon, Mandalay, and other cities. The government says 10 people died, but diplomats and witnesses say the figure could be in the hundreds. ||||| Burma's detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi today made a brief foray from the Rangoon home where she has been under house arrest for discussions with a senior official from the country's ruling junta. The hour-long talks with Aung Kyi, the labour minister appointed by Burma's leader, General Than Shwe, to liaise with the opposition, was a glimmer of movement by the regime. The junta is under growing diplomatic and economic pressure in the wake of the bloody crackdown against the monk-led pro-democracy protests that left at least 13 people dead and thousands behind bars. No details of the talks emerged and members of Ms Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party had no advance warning. Burma's state television showed pictures of the two meeting. The former general was appointed at the suggestion of UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari, who twice met with Ms Suu Kyi, 62, and Gen Shwe after world leaders expressed revulsion over last month's brutal repression by the reclusive regime's troops. Gen Shwe, 74, head of the military regime that has held power for 45 years, said he would not meet Ms Suu Kyi unless she dropped her calls for sanctions against Burma. But analysts said today's first tentative steps marked some progress and could lead to a face-to-face meeting. Three cars picked up in the Nobel peace prize winner from the heavily barricaded lakeside villa where she has spent 12 of the last 18 years under house arrest. Her NLD party won elections in 1990, but the army annulled the vote. She was taken the short distance to the government guest house where she met Mr Gambari last month. The UN envoy will shortly return to Burma to hold further discussions aimed at pushing the regime towards democracy. In another sign of the intense pressure the junta finds itself under, it also agreed yesterday to allow Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the UN special rapporteur for human rights in Burma, to visit despite barring him for years. ||||| YANGON, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Newly-appointed Myanmar Liaison Minister U Aung Kyi met with Aung San Suu Kyi, detained leader of the National League for Democracy (NLD), at the state guest house here Thursday afternoon, state-run TV Myanmar reported in an evening telecast. It was the first meeting between U Aung Kyi and Aung San Suu Kyi since the prior, who is now Minister of Labor, was named concurrently liaison minister on Oct.8, responsible for getting link with the latter. The appointment of U Aung Kyi as the liaison minister came after Special Envoy of United Nations Secretary-General Ibrahim Gambari's urgent mission to Myanmar from Sept. 29 to Oct. 4, during which, Senior-General Than Shwe, Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council (SPDC), offered through Gambari to meet and talk personally and conditionally to Aung San Suu Kyi. Gambari, Special Adviser of UN. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, has been agreed by Myanmar to visit again the country in the first week of November to go on with UN's mediation efforts for the country's national reconciliation, according to UN sources. Gambari has been touring six Asian nations since Oct. 15 to consult with regional partners of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, China and Japan about the situation in Myanmar. The UN Security Council (UNSC) unanimously adopted on Oct. 11 a presidential statement on Myanmar calling for efforts to achieve an inclusive national reconciliation in the country. Meanwhile, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Myanmar Paulo Sergio Pinheiro has also been agreed by the Myanmar government to visit again Myanmar by next month to look into the human rights situation in the country, UN sources added. | Aung San Suu Kyi at the NGO Forum on Women, Beijing, China (1995). Myanmar opposition leader, Aung San Suu Kyi has left her house arrest to meet with government officials. Witnesses have observed a caravan of vehicles leaving the home of the 1992 Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Reports say that she is meeting with a liaison minister, U Aung Kyi, who was recently appointed by Senior General Than Shwe, the leader of Myanmar's military junta. The appointment of a liaison minister came after Special Envoy of the United Nations, Ibrahim Gambari, arrived in Myanmar on an urgent mission to press for mediation and reconciliation. Yesterday, protests around the world yesterday marked the 12 years that Aung San Suu Kyi has spent in detention or house arrest. She was first arrested in 1989. |
Von Henning Noske Riesenprobleme mit der Bundestagsnachwahl im Kreis Dresden I werfen ein Schlaglicht auf Mängel im deutschen Wahlrecht. Denn es ist möglich, einer Partei mit der Zweitstimme zu schaden. "Wenn man das Bundestagswahlergebnis kennt, kann man bei einer Nachwahl also strategisch wählen und der Partei schaden, die man wählt. Das ist verfassungswidrig", erklärt Prof. Dr. Gernot Sieg vom Institut für Wirtschaftswissenschaften der TU Braunschweig. Nach dem Tod der NPD-Direktkandidatin muss die Wahl in Dresden für 200 000 Wähler am 2. Oktober nachgeholt werden. Zwei Wochen lang wissen Dresdens Wähler also, wie sie abstimmen müssen. Sie können sogar negativ wählen: Ein gutes Zweitstimmen-Ergebnis einer Partei kann diese auf Bundesebene nämlich Sitze kosten. Bei knappem Ausgang der Wahl könnte dies ein zweiwöchiges politisches Chaos und eine anschließende Verfassungskrise auslösen. Ursache sind Ungereimtheiten im Mix von Mehrheits- und Verhältniswahlrecht – und die Überhangmandate. Diese erhält eine Partei immer dann zusätzlich und ohne Ausgleich für die anderen, wenn sie direkt mit der Erststimme mehr Parlamentssitze erobert hat, als ihr nach Zweitstimmen zustehen würden. Kompliziert wird es durch die Landeslisten. Zunächst profitiert eine Partei von Überhangmandaten durch Erststimmen. Jeder direkt gewählte Kandidat zieht dann ins Parlament ein – und keiner von der Landesliste. Viele Zweitstimmen führen dazu, dass von dieser Liste mehr Kandidaten hätten einziehen können – wegen der Überhangmandate aber nicht konnten. Das ist also ein Vorteil, der glatt verpufft. Und jetzt kommt’s: Das gute Zweitstimmen-Ergebnis schadet anderen Landeslisten. Dort rücken weniger Abgeordnete über die Liste ins Parlament. Im Resultat hat die Partei insgesamt mehr Stimmen, aber weniger Abgeordnete. Forscher wiesen nach, dass dies immer wieder vorkommt. Zum Beispiel: 1998 haben 30 000 SPD-Stimmen in Bremen die SPD einen Sitz mehr im Bundestag gekostet. Experten vermuten angesichts der Dresdener Nachwahl nichts Gutes. "In Sachsen riecht es nach Überhangmandaten", weiß Gernot Sieg. Schon wird die Forderung laut, das Bundestags-Wahlergebnis bis zum 2. Oktober nicht zu veröffentlichen. Dies dürfte jedoch illusorisch sein. Also bleibt die Hoffnung auf einen klaren Wahlausgang bereits am 18. September. Ansonsten müsste das Bundesverfassungsgericht wohl das vertrackte Problem lösen. ||||| 12.09.2005 Die für den 2. Oktober angekündigte Nachwahl aufgrund des plötzlichen Todes einer Dresdner Wahlkreiskandidatin hat in Deutschland eine regelrechte Wahlhysterie ausgelöst. Selbst Hellmuth Karasek äußerte sich heute zu Überhangmandaten, Zweitstimmen und Verhältniswahlrecht – alles Themen, mit denen man zwischen den Wahlen bei den meisten Lesern und Zuhörern bestenfalls müdes Gähnen und Abwinken hervorruft. Auch wenn Wahlrecht.de schon einige Stunden, bevor die Meldung am Donnerstag morgen durch die Massenmedien verbreitet wurde, neben der Nachwahlankündigung auf die rechtlich problematische Situation hinwies – die meisten Medien legten den Focus ihrer Berichterstattung auf die Verzögerung der Bekanntgabe des Wahlergebnisses durch den Bundeswahlleiter und den Kampf um das Direktmandat. Keineswegs minder spannend ist aber ein Blick auf die möglichen wahlstrategischen Überlegungen, mit denen sich die Dresdner nach dem 18. September auseinandersetzen werden müssen. Um keine gewagten Spekulationen über den Ausgang der diesjährigen Wahl anstellen zu müssen, bietet es sich an, von dem Wahlergebnis der Bundestagswahl 2002 auszugehen. Wenn man unter diesen Umständen die Union mit der Zweitstimme wählt, müßte man ihr schon schaden wollen und die Partei um einen Sitz – wie 2002 den ihres Kandidaten Siegbert Meseck – bringen wollen. Politische Gegner der CDU könnten genau aus diesem Grund erwägen, die CDU mit der Zweitstimme zu wählen. Damit würden (und wurden) die Wähler in Dresden Opfer einer sehr merkwürdigen Eigenschaft des Bundestagswahlsystems, den sogenannten negativen Stimmgewichten. Denn tatsächlich hatten im Wahlkreis 160 (Dresden I) 49.638 Wähler mit der Zweitstimme CDU gewählt, am Ende also 3.713 CDU-Stimmen zuviel, die dem CDU-Kandidaten Siegbert Meseck das Mandat gekostet haben (Excel-Datei zum Nachrechnen). Die negativen Stimmgewichte beeinflussen aber nicht nur die Wähler in Dresden. In allen Bundesländern, in denen Überhangmandate auftreten können, gilt für die Anhänger der Überhangpartei bzw. Anhänger des gewünschten Koalitionspartners, daß man mit der Zweitstimme möglichst nicht die überhängende Partei wählen sollte (also z. B. die CDU in Sachsen oder die SPD in Brandenburg – siehe Tips und Tricks zur Bundestagswahl 2005). Notwendig für negatives Stimmengewicht in diesem Umfang und damit für solch abstrus anmutende Wahlempfehlungen ist das Auftreten von Überhangmandaten (bzw. so vielen Direktmandaten, daß Kandidaten auf der Landesliste nicht zum Zuge kommen). Daß es in Sachsen zu Überhangmandaten kommen wird, ist recht wahrscheinlich. Wahlrecht.de kommt bei einer Hochrechnung des Ergebnisses der letzten Bundestagswahl unter Berücksichtigung aktueller Umfragen auf dreizehn gewonnene Wahlkreise für die CDU in Sachsen, aber nur auf einen Anspruch von elf Sitzen nach Zweitstimmen – und damit auf zwei Überhangmandate). Angesichts dessen könnte es nach dem 18. September in Dresden zu einem äußerst merkwürdigen Wahlkampf kommen. Wahlkämpfer der CDU, die die Wähler auffordern, den CDU-Kandidaten zu wählen, aber bitte, bitte nicht die CDU-Landesliste; und eventuell sogar SPD-Wahlkämpfer, die um Zweitstimmen für die CDU werben, um so die Größe der CDU/CSU-Fraktion zu reduzieren. Nach Veröffentlichung der Ergebnisse der anderen 298 Wahlkreise wird Wahlrecht.de eine analoge Berechnung erstellen und veröffentlichen. Und zwar unabhängig davon, ob der Bundeswahlleiter etwas veröffentlichen darf oder nicht, entsprechend der letzten Bundestagswahl versuchen wir wieder früher als der Bundeswahlleiter ein Ergebnis (ein vorläufiges Endergebnis ist es diesmal ja nicht) zu veröffentlichen. Dies geschieht natürlich nicht, sollten die Wahlurnen am 18. September um 18 Uhr tatsächlich versiegelt bleiben. Dann wundern wir uns aber auch nicht über das, was zwei Wochen später bei der Auszählung der Stimmen herauskommt. Grund dafür sind aber nicht das halbe Dutzend Verfassungsbeschwerden bzw. Eilanträge, die nach den heutigen Agenturmeldungen beim Bundesverfassungsgericht mit dem Ziel erhoben bzw. gestellt wurden, die Veröffentlichung des vorläufigen bundesweiten Ergebnisses zu verhindern und über die, nach Angaben einer Gerichtssprecherin, noch diese Woche entschieden werden soll. Denn hierbei ist nach ständiger Rechtsprechung des Gerichts davon auszugehen, daß diese Beschwerden und Anträge als unzulässig abgewiesen werden und auch durch Geheimhaltung der Ergebnisse verschwindet das negative Stimmgewicht nicht. Jedoch haben es die Richter des Zweiten Senats noch in der Hand, diesen absurden Effekt des negativen Stimmgewichts rechtzeitig vor der Bundestagswahl 2005 zu verhindern. Eine Wahlprüfungsbeschwerde einer Wählerin gegen die negativen Stimmgewichte der letzten Wahl (also u. a. die o. g. sächsischen negativen CDU-Stimmen, die dem CDU-Mann Meseck das Mandat gekostet haben) ist – 36 Monate nach der letzten Bundestagswahl noch immer (!) – beim Bundesverfassungsgericht anhängig (Az.: 2 BvC 11/04). Hier muß das Gericht entscheiden, ob es dazu eine Entscheidung treffen will oder aber, ob es sich dieses Themas erst in der nächsten Legislaturperiode anläßlich der Beschwerden gegen die negativen Stimmengewichte der kommenden Wahl annehmen will, nachdem es sich schon vor vier Jahren nicht inhaltlich dazu äußerte. Der Beschwerdeführerin liegt bisher nur ein Schreiben des Berichterstatters vom 9. Dezember des letzten Jahres vor, in dem sich dieser sehr knapp und Manipulationserfolge bestreitend äußert – ein Satz, der den nächsten Beschwerdeführern sehr hilfreich sein könnte. Zur Vermeidung negativer Stimmgewichte liegen dem Gesetzgeber und dem Bundesverfassungsgericht eine Reihe von Vorschlägen vor, darunter unsere Minimallösung zur Verbesserungen des Bundeswahlgesetzes. Links ||||| Nicht jede Stimme hilft gewählter Partei von Gerrit Wiesmann, Berlin Wähler in sechs Bundesländern könnten dem Umfragenstand zufolge die Bundestagswahl durch den bedachten Einsatz von Erst- und Zweitstimmen maßgeblich beeinflussen. In Sachsen, Baden-Württemberg und im Saarland könnte die Union mehr Wahlkreise per Erststimme gewinnen, als ihr Mandate durch das prognostizierte Zweitstimmenergebnis zustehen. Prognose-Patt bei der Sonntagsfrage In Brandenburg, Hamburg oder Sachsen-Anhalt könnte sich die SPD nach Angaben der Informationsdienste Election.de und Wahlrecht.de Zusatzmandate sichern. "Wer in Sachsen ein so genanntes Überhangmandat für die Union schaffen will, sollte mit der Erststimme CDU, aber mit der Zweitstimme keinesfalls diese Partei wählen", sagte Martin Fehndrich von Wahlrecht.de. "Wenn ein Wähler in Brandenburg ein Zusatzmandat für die SPD sichern will, sollte er mit der Erststimme SPD, mit der Zweitstimme keine oder eine andere Partei wählen." So könnten Wähler die Schlagkraft ihrer Stimmen erhöhen und ihren Lagern vielleicht auch entscheidende Zusatzmandate sichern. Angesichts des Umfragepatts zwischen Schwarz-Gelb und Rot-Rot-Grün sollten sich die Wähler in den Ländern, in denen Überhangmandate am wahrscheinlichsten sind, über die Folgen der unüberlegten Zweitstimmenabgabe bewusst sein. Diese Länder zeichnen sich 2005 dadurch aus, dass wegen starker Dritt- und manchmal auch Viertparteien viele Wahlkreise mit relativ geringen Erststimmenquoten zu gewinnen sind. So hat die beliebteste Volkspartei im jeweiligen Bundesland gute Chancen, mehr Wahlkreise zu gewinnen, als ihr über ihr Zweitstimmenergebnis eigentlich zustehen würden. Entscheidend ist die Zweitstimme Ausschlaggebend für die Sitzverteilung im Bundestag sind die Zweitstimmen. Gewinnt eine Partei 50 Prozent der vertretenen Zweitstimmen, stehen ihr die Hälfte der Mandate zu. Diese werden nach Zweitstimmenfang in den Ländern auf die Landesverbände verteilt. Erbringt ein Verband ein Viertel aller Stimmen, stellt er jedes vierte Fraktionsmitglied. Wenn aber eine Landesgruppe durch Erststimmen mehr Wahlkreise gewinnt, als ihr Mandate nach Zweitstimmen zustehen, darf sie die Überhangmandate behalten. "Jeder taktische Wähler in einem solchen Land muss wissen, dass jede zusätzliche Zweitstimme für eine Partei mit Zusatzmandat den Erststimmen-Überhang abbaut", sagte Fehndrich. Das Überhangmandat könne so zu einem reinen Proporzmandat für den Landesverband werden, das wiederum einem anderen Landesverband ein solches Mandat streitig machen würde. "Es kann also sein, dass die Abgabe einer Zweitstimme der gewählten Partei eher schadet als hilft." Im Fachjargon heißt das "negatives Stimmgewicht". Brandenburger Beispiel So hatten bei der Wahl 2002 707.841 Brandenburger mit der Zweitstimme SPD gewählt und damit die Partei geschwächt. Mit dem Ergebnis standen der SPD zehn Mandate zu - über Erststimmen hatte sie auch genau zehn Wahlkreise gewonnen. Doch mit nur 600 Zweitstimmen weniger hätten die Wähler eines dieser normalen Proporzmandate in ein Überhangmandat verwandelt, so Fehndrich. Als Folge hätte die SPD in Bremen bei der Sitzverteilung unter den Ländern ein Mandat mehr bekommen. Statt 251 wären 252 SPDler in den Bundestag eingezogen. Um ungewollte Auswirkungen zu vermeiden, müsse der Wähler in einem "Überhangland" nicht an eine Partei, sondern an das Lager denken, sagte Matthias Moehl von Election.de. "Wenn ich in Hamburg für die SPD oder für die Grünen bin, muss ich für ein Linksbündnis stimmen: Mit der Erststimme wähle ich den SPD-Kandidaten und mit der Zweitstimme nur die Grünen." Ein bürgerlicher Wähler etwa im Saarland müsste hingegen allein mit der Erststimme CDU wählen und die Zweitstimme den Liberalen geben. Doch können auch Gegner einer Partei, die Zusatzmandate bekommen könnte, ihre Stimmen taktisch abgeben. Nach Angaben Moehls könnte ein CDU-Anhänger in Potsdam oder Halle die Erststimme dem derzeit zweitplatzierten Kandidaten der Linkspartei geben, um den SPD-Favoriten zu besiegen. Im Wahlkreis Dresden I, in dem am 2. Oktober gewählt wird, müssten SPD-Anhänger mit der Erststimme ebenfalls Linkspartei wählen, um ein sonst sicheres Direkt- und mögliches Überhangmandat für die CDU zu verhindern. | Electoral voting experts are expecting a chaos in the German federal election, caused by the by-election in the constituency of Dresden I, in the state of Saxony. The reason is a bug in the German electoral law, which can force the voters to vote against their political party. While in 298 of 299 constituencies the federal elections take place on September 18th, a Dresden constituency has to vote on October 2nd, caused by the death of the NPD candidate there, Kerstin Lorenz. Voters in Germany have two votes, one for a candidate in their constiuency and another for the list of a party within one of Germany's sixteen states. The vote which normally defines how many seats a party gets in the Bundestag is the second vote (party vote). But due to the extreme complexity of Germany's Mixed Member Proportional voting system, voters could actually have "negative vote", as constitutional lawyers call it. This is mainly caused by overhang seats, which occur when a party gains more seats by winning constituencies than they would actually be entitled to according to the Percentage of second votes they get. Polls suggest that exactly that is going to happen with the CDU in Saxony. The CDU would then actually have to urge their supporters not to vote for them with their second vote because that could change their overhang seat into a "normal" seat, which the CDU would then be missing in another state where no overhang seats occurred thus reducing their total seats by one. In the 2002 election 49638 party votes were cast for the CDU in Dresden I and caused them to lose the seat of Siegfried Meseck. A complaint against the 2002 election at the German constitutional court is still not decided. |
Allen was famed for his dry routines He was most famous for his TV shows Tonight With Dave Allen and Dave Allen at Large, which featured his satires on topics including religion. Allen got his first break on a BBC talent show in 1959, and toured with the Beatles in the UK and France. He died in his sleep on Thursday night at his west London home. He leaves a wife, Karin, and three children. He was the original grumpy old man - he had so much anger and that was where he got his energy from Writer Ian Davidson Comics including Eddie Izzard, Barry Cryer and Dylan Moran were among those who paid tribute to Allen's comedic talents and originality. The BBC's head of comedy Jon Plowman called Allen a "wonderful comedian" who would be sadly missed. "That extraordinary relaxed style with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other as he buttonholed us with wonderful jokes and stories is the image that we shall remember," he told the BBC News website. "He was a groundbreaker in many ways, particularly in the jokes and sketches that had a go at religion - something that certainly came from his growing up in Ireland that was sometimes quite tough for its day." Mr Plowman added that Allen "tried to show the hypocrisies of the world as well as its funny side". 'Sense of absurd' And writer Ian Davidson, who worked for 10 years with Allen, told the BBC News website: "He had so much anger, especially against the priesthood, and that was where he got his energy. He also had such a keen sense of the absurd." "He was terrific to work with - whenever we visited him the first thing on his mind was making us lunch." Mr Davidson paid tribute to Allen's ability to spin out stories on stage. "I always enjoyed the tales about how he lost part of his finger - he never told them the same way," he said, adding: "I could always tell they were lies." Allen retired from performing in 1999 Allen's first UK TV series was ITV's Tonight With Dave Allen, although he had become well-known through his guest spots on BBC One's The Val Doonican Show. It was followed by Dave Allen At Large for the BBC, in which he developed his familiar themes of debunking religious rituals - inspired by his strict Catholic upbringing. During the 1980s he moved onto an eponymous show simply featuring Allen with his trademark stool and glass of whiskey. One of his routines led to questions being asked in the House of Commons about his strong language. It led to a 1991 stage show, An Evening With Dave Allen, and a series for ITV in 1993. His last performance came in 1999, when he recorded a rare interview for BBC Radio 4. He remained protective of his material, refusing to allow it to be rebroadcast while he was alive. Offers of work had continued to come in, and he was considering a project scheduled for later this year when he died. ||||| The former journalist became a fixture on BBC television in the 70s and 80s with the series The Dave Allen Show and Dave Allen at Large. Sitting cross-legged on a stool and wearing a three-piece suit, his readiness to poke fun at sex and the Catholic church occasionally landed him in hot water. Asked to describe himself in an interview in 1998, he said: "I'm a grumpy old fuck with a sense of humour." Television producer Paul Jackson, who became friends with Allen after working with him at ITV, remembered the comedian as a "fabulous storyteller". "You remember his love of argument and complexity," Mr Jackson said yesterday. "He told stories not jokes and through those stories he observed human nature so precisely and was angry at the things in life that should make you angry. He railed against the stupidity of the world and gave voice to a lot of things people think but don't say." Alan Yentob, the BBC's creative director, described Allen as an original. "There was no one like him - the stool, the smile, the cigarette, the hand gesture, the slow burn," he said. "He was a master storyteller, a real original." Allen's agent for 27 years, Vivienne Clore, said the comedian had been unwell over Christmas, but had recovered and was not suffering any life-threatening illnesses. He was still considering new projects at the time of his death and enjoying his garden at his home in west London. He would have been "pissed off" to be described as in semi-retirement. "He had a natural curiosity about everything and everyone and would build up a close relationship with everyone he worked with." Allen, was born Dave Tynan O'Mahoney in Tallaght, Ireland, in July 1936. After short stints as a reporter on The Drogheda Argus and a redcoat at Butlins holiday camp in Skegness, he turned to comedy. He learned his craft the old-fashioned way, touring extensively with theatre groups and performing in nightclubs and working men's clubs. His first taste of television came on the BBC talent show New Faces in 1959. Allen toured Australia in 1963 and was invited to host his own TV chatshow, Tonight with Dave Allen. It ran for 18 months, despite a controversial episode in which he discussed the merits of masturbation with guests Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. He returned to the UK in 1964 and the first episode of the British version of Tonight with Dave Allen went on air four years later. In 1971, BBC2 commissioned Dave Allen at Large, a mixture of straight-to-camera monologues and sketches. Allen's taboo-challenging humour was a reliable source of controversy throughout his career. In 1990, he used the f-word on air, forcing the BBC to issue an apology and prompting MPs to ask questions about him in the Commons. Allen is survived by his wife, Karin, and three children. ||||| fOOTBALL | Matt Dickinson new To Boris Johnson, it may be money and resources “spaffed up the wall”. To the survivors, the 710 pages of the Sheldon report released today are a necessary but very incomplete insight into a time and a culture that devastated the lives of hundreds of young boys, and their families. It was hard to know what to expect after more than four...To Boris Johnson, it may be money and resources “spaffed up the wall”. To the survivors, the 710 pages of the Sheldon report released today are a necessary but very incomplete insight into a time and a culture that devastated the lives of hundreds of young boys, and their families. It was hard to know what to expect after more than four...To Boris Johnson, it may be money and resources “spaffed up the wall”. To the survivors, the 710 pages of the Sheldon report... ||||| Dave Allen, the Irish comedian who became a household name on British television in the 1970s and 1980s, has died. He was 68. Allen died in his sleep at his West London home. He had been ill for some time, according to his agent Vivienne Clore. Allen was best known for his hit shows 'Tonight with Dave Allen' and 'Dave Allen at Large'. He is survived by his wife Karin and three children. | The famous Irish has died aged 68. Known as the ''Sit-down comedian,'' Allen was among the first to base his dry wit humour around the comic practices of large organisations and institutions such as the . Born in Dublin in 1936, he later moved to England to pursue his career. He initially was a , but later entered comedy. His fame peaked in the 1970s and 1980s with the ''BBC'' TV shows ''The Dave Allen Show'' and ''Dave Allen at Large.'' He is survived by his wife Karin, and their three children. |
Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Advertisement Footballer David Beckham has spoken of his awe for British troops while making a visit to Afghanistan. The 35-year-old former England captain set out for Helmand - where about 8,000 British troops are based - on Friday. He told BFBS British Forces News: "These guys are the bravest people that I've ever met and it really is, it truly is, an honour to be here." The visit came as Foreign Secretary William Hague and Defence Secretary Liam Fox met military leaders in Kabul. Beckham said: "To see the morale of the troops is really incredible. It first kind of hit me on the way over when we were on the military plane flying in to Afghanistan. "You can see the faces, you can see obviously they know they are leaving their families, but they're so focussed and they've got this look in their eyes that they're just so confident and just ready. I've been wanting to come for years David Beckham In pictures: Beckham visit "It's scary, it really is scary, you feel it. Just yesterday one of the troops was killed, and you feel it and you see the flags at half-mast and you feel the tension there. "These guys are the bravest people that I've ever met and it really is, it truly is, an honour to be here." He added: "I've been wanting to come for years, but with my playing schedule I've never had the time. 'Amazing' "But obviously being injured now it's given me the chance to do things I've always wanted to do and never been able to. I'd love to come back." Asked if he would have considered a military career had he not become a footballer, Beckham said: "Without a doubt... I've represented my country many times on the field, but what these guys do representing our country is really amazing." Beckham posed for pictures, signed autographs, took part in a question and answer session with troops and visited Camp Bastion's hospital. He also got a lesson in weapon handling and joined senior officers cooling off in a paddling pool as temperatures in the camp reaching 45C (113F). During a penalty challenge with troops he scored with his only attempt. The footballer made his name at Manchester United before going on to play for Real Madrid, Los Angeles Galaxy and AC Milan. The UK force level in Afghanistan is currently 9,500, but with special forces totals some 10,000. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| Britain will not set a deadline for withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, the foreign minister said Saturday, after arriving in Kabul with a warning that the British government wanted to pull out as soon as possible. William Hague, along with Defence Secretary Liam Fox and International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell met President Hamid Karzai on their first visit to the country since the new coalition government took power in London this month. They had made clear to Karzai that Britain expected to see his government make progress to match the international strategy for ending Afghanistan's long insurgency, he said. "We are urgently taking stock of the situation, but in the sense not of deciding whether to support that strategy but of how to support that strategy in the coming months and years," he told reporters. "There isn't going to be an arbitrary or artificial timetable. We have to give the strategy that has been set out the time and support to succeed (and) that does need and require Britain's continued military involvement." Britain has 10,000 troops in Afghanistan, the second biggest commitment behind the US in a force of 130,000 fighting the Taliban insurgency under NATO command. The number of foreign troops is set to rise to 150,000 by August as part of a US-led counter-insurgency strategy aimed at speeding the end of the war now well into its ninth year. The ministerial visit coincided with the death of a Royal Marine in southern Afghanistan on Friday, bringing to 286 the number of British soldiers killed in the country since 2001. It also came as The Times newspaper published an interview with Fox, in which he said the visit would focus on speeding up the withdrawal of British forces, and that no new troops would be deployed. "We need to accept we are at the limit of numbers now and I would like the forces to come back as soon as possible," he was quoted as saying. Speaking to reporters in Kabul, Fox said the answer to the question of whether Britain needs to be in Afghanistan was "an unequivocal yes". "We are here primarily for reasons of our own national security. We don't want to see instability in Afghanistan, which could again become a failed state, which is a safe haven for terror groups which could launch attacks internationally," he said. "We have the resolve to see through this situation to ensure we get to a security position where the Afghan security forces can manage their own internal and external security "We don't wish to be here any longer than we have to, to achieve that situation," he said. Karzai has pledged that Afghan security forces will be able to take responsibility for the country's security by 2014, with the help of his Western backers in bankrolling and training the police and army. Hague said bilateral discussions had focussed on ensuring this commitment is met. London also supported Karzai's plans for a "peace jirga," or conference, set for May 29 on ending the war and possibly holding peace talks with the Taliban. Hague said the jirga, along with an international conference slated for late July and parliamentary election due in September were milestones for gauging Afghanistan's commitment to standing alone. "Our objective is to reach a situation where Afghans are able to look after their own security and their own affairs without any danger being presented to the rest of the world from this country," he said. "It is not possible to say when we will reach that objective but it is possible to hope that we will see some serious political progress through the peace jirga, the Kabul conference and the parliamentary elections during the course of this year." The importance of Afghanistan to Britain was underscored last Saturday when Karzai became the first foreign leader to meet Prime Minister David Cameron. Britain's Conservative-Liberal Democrat government has said it wants to cut the defence budget by at least 25 percent but has pledged to support the forces in Afghanistan. In the Times interview, Fox said British troops stationed in southern Helmand province would not relocate to neighbouring Kandahar, where the US is leading what they hope will be a final fight to eradicate the Taliban. NATO announced Friday that about 8,000 British troops in Helmand are to come under US operational control, as part of a restructuring of NATO forces in the south, the Taliban heartland where fighting is fiercest. ||||| The defence secretary, Liam Fox, wants to speed up the withdrawal of British troops from Afghanistan, saying that Britian is not a "global policeman". His comments came as he joined the foreign secretary, William Hague, and the international development secretary, Andrew Mitchell, on a trip to Afghanistan to meet political and military leaders in the capital, Kabul. While Hague indicated that the new coalition government was not planning a strategic break with existing UK policy on Afghanistan, Fox said expectations of Britain's role in the country needed to change. He also risked angering the president, Hamid Karzai, by describing Afghanistan as a "broken 13th-century country". In an interview with the Times, published ahead of their arrival today, Fox said the goals of the mission in Afghanistan were primarily military rather than humanitarian. "We have to reset expectations and timelines," he told the paper. "National security is the focus now. We are not a global policeman. "We are not in Afghanistan for the sake of the education policy in a broken 13th-century country. We are there so the people of Britain and our global interests are not threatened." Fox said he would like the forces to return to the UK as soon as possible, and ruled out any transfer of British troops from Helmand province to neighbouring Kandahar. His comments were a contrast to those of Mitchell, who told journalists on the flight to Kabul that development was "absolutely crucial". "We need to ensure that we help the Afghan people to build a functioning state," he said. "That's about providing basic education and healthcare facilities, but it's also about ensuring there are opportunities for promoting livelihoods so that people have jobs. "If we are going to prioritise making sure there is a functioning state in Afghanistan, then development, the work we are doing in that respect, is absolutely crucial." Aides insisted there were no differences between the three ministers. Hague told reporters on the flight that "the question is how to support the efforts of the Afghan government and our Nato partners, not whether to support them". "We are taking stock as a new government, we want to see how things are working, we want to hear the military advice, we want to talk to the Afghan government themselves, we want to discuss the detail with the United States." The visit was the first to Afghanistan by members of the new government and is intended to reflect the high priority being given to the conflict. It came as the death of another British serviceman was confirmed yesterday, the 286th in the campaign and the first fatality since the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition took office. On arrival the ministers, all Conservatives, met General Stanley McChrystal, the US commander of Nato operations in Afghanistan, and other military leaders. Britain has about 10,000 troops in Afghanistan – part of a US-dominated force that is expected to grow to around 140,000 at its height in a few weeks. Washington is sending more troops in a bid to seize insurgent-held areas before a planned withdrawal starting in July 2011. ||||| By Kim Sengupta, Defence Correspondent David Beckham flew out to Afghanistan last night on a surprise visit to British troops. He said he hoped to "do something useful" following the Achilles tendon injury which has ruled him out of the World Cup. Beckham, 35, will meet troops and Afghan children, although his participation in kickabout games for the photographers will be limited, because of his injury. Instead he will spend the weekend meeting soldiers, sleeping in a tent and eating in their refectory. The midfielder, who plays club football for Los Angeles Galaxy, is also expected to meet American troops, and those of other nationalities, such as the Danish, Estonian and Canadian. He will be the most famous British sportsman to visit the front line in Helmand. A number of other sportsmen, including footballers, have been approached to take part in morale-boosting trips but most have not felt able to undertake the assignment. | English footballer David Beckham is to visit Helmand Province, Afghanistan, to speak with British service personnel English footballer David Beckham today arrived in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, the location of some of the most fierce fighting in the ongoing battle against the Taliban insurgency and the location of approximately 8,000 British soldiers and Royal Marines on a "morale boosting" mission. It is expected that he will spend the weekend in the country, visiting both and the Helmand provincial capital of Lashkar Gah. Thirty-five year old Beckham, former captain of the , left on Friday, telling reported that he had "nothing but admiration" for the personnel serving in Afghanistan and that he had "wanted to visit Afghanistan for a long time and I hope that in some small way it helps remind everyone at home what an amazing job they are doing out here in very difficult conditions. I feel very humble." The footballer will hold a question and answer session with British troops. He said that the hoped "to do something useful" in Afghanistan, having missed out on the upcoming World Cup due to injury. Beckham is also due to meet groups of Afghan children as well as other soldiers serving in Helmand, including Canadian, Dutch and Estonian forces. William Hague with Hillary Clinton at a meeting last week where the two politicians declared their unity in their approach to Afghanistan Three British cabinet ministers, including Foreign Secretary William Hague, Defence Secretary and International Development Secretary also arrived in Afghanistan today on a separate, diplomatic, mission. They met with American General Stanley McChrystal, the NATO commander in the country and will meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai later today in the first official visit from the United Kingdom to Afghanistan since the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition was formed after the UK general election two weeks ago. Hague, who discussed Afghanistan with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton last week, described the operation in the country as "our most urgent priority" while Fox emphasised that he wished to see a speeding up of the process leading to the withdrawal of British troops, saying "national security is the focus now. We the United Kingdom are not a global policeman." Beckham's visit comes as the deployment in southern Afghanistan is being restructured, with the southern command being split up into two commands, one under the command of an American two-star general and the other commanded by a British major-general. As Beckham was flying out, news broke that a Royal Marine had been killed in an explosion in Helmand. |
Washington Post Staff Writer Wednesday, March 23, 2005; Page C01 Let me be the first to wish Sarah Jessica Parker happy birthday. The actress, who became a television icon playing sex columnist Carrie Bradshaw in "Sex and the City," turns 40 on Friday. Somebody send her a bunch of red balloons, a la Mr. Big, to mark the occasion. Her milestone birthday might have passed relatively unnoticed but for the unceremonious dumping by the Gap, which announced Monday that Parker is being replaced by 17-year-old British singer Joss Stone as the clothing company's celebrity spokesmodel. Let me also be the first to predict that indignant equal-opportunists will fling their Manolo Blahniks across the room and loudly decry yet another example of the sexism/ageism/injustice that afflicts the modern woman. Middle-aged actresses will sigh dramatically on "The View," dime-store feminists will offer the "how little society has really changed" exegeses and Gap executives will join Harvard President Larry Summers in the politically incorrect woodshed. Cue the violins and pour the cosmos. Time out for a reality check. The timing of the announcement was unfortunate, given that the Gap just unrolled its spring commercials with the khaki-clad Parker trilling "I Enjoy Being a Girl." It's tempting to assume the plotline of this particular celebrity breakup is "great older woman loses out once again to younger replacement." But remember, what "Sex and the City" did so brilliantly for six years was to slice through the stereotypes of modern sexual politics and teach that the easy explanation wasn't always the correct one. A quick review: The last season of "Sex" wrapped up in February 2004, and shortly thereafter the Gap announced it had signed Parker to promote its casual wear. It was the first multi-season contract in the company's history, and the glamorous fashion icon was paid a reported $38 million to star in ad campaigns that started in fall 2004 and were to end this spring. Let me repeat that: $38 MILLION. Assuming she started work on the project a year ago, that comes to roughly $3 million a month, or $104,109 a day -- not that she worked every day. (I'd give you the exact figure, but you know how tough math is for women.) This is in addition to her new HBO deal, her perfume deal, her closet full of amazing clothes, shoes and handbags . . . but I digress. Gap was desperate for housewives, singles and anyone else to punch up sluggish sales. "I think they felt the need for an iconic but contemporary face to represent Gap. . . . I think they were perhaps feeling a little insecure, a little in need of some high luster around the brand," said Wendy Liebmann, president of WSL Strategic Retail. Parker, worshiped for her quirky urban chic, was supposed to draw in millions of women who wanted to look just like her. Robert Passikoff, president of Brand Keys, a New York market-research firm, calls it " 'Field of Dreams' branding" -- except in this case they didn't come. So now the retailer is opting for professional models to sell "our product story of white denim" for the summer season, with the teenaged Stone and her music featured in television commercials, according to the company's statement Monday. It added that the company has "no future plans" to sign any more multi-season deals. Substituting a 17-year-old celebrity for a 39-year-old celebrity could be another bonehead choice by Gap executives, but it's a free market and they are within their rights not to renew Parker's contract. Officially, Parker says the split is mutual, although the tabloids are already buzzing that she's really humiliated -- not because she's been replaced by a younger woman, but a virtual unknown. Numbers are catnip for those who like to divide the world into the Favored and the Forgotten. But for the record: Forty is not the "new 30" no matter how cute you are, and most teenagers don't want to look like any 39-year-old, no matter how chic. The reality is that 40 is still 40, even with Botox and really cute khakis. The eyes still go, the knees aren't quite as flexible, and sometimes older and wiser is not a fair trade for crow's feet or alimony. The question is not if we age but how gracefully we do it. Are ageism and sexism real problems? Yes. Are they the problem in this case? Impossible to know for sure, but to label it as such trivializes real cases of discrimination for qualified people desperately fighting to hold onto their jobs. Please, please, please. Pay me $38 million for a year's work, then drop me faster than one of George Clooney's girlfriends. I'll live. Trust me. ||||| Channel: Business U.S. International Politics Entertainment Technology & Science Sports Health World Crises Oddly Enough Life & Leisure The News Room Weather Video Pictures YOU ARE HERE: Home > News > Entertainment > People > Article ||||| In my FREE Special Report -- "6 Picks for Ultimate Growth" -- I reveal a handful of signature traits that distinguish great stock investments -- and great stock investors -- from the also-rans. Armed with these four easy-to-spot criteria, you're on your way to identifying those rare rule-breaking companies that can reward you with extraordinary long-term returns . By Alyce Lomax (TMF Lomax) March 22, 2005 If you're like me, and have gotten a little sick of hearing Sarah Jessica Parker sing about how much she likes being a girl on those Gap (NYSE: GPS) commercials that are currently all over TV, here's some good news. Gap will be switching spokespeople for its summer campaign. Gap's latest SJP ad has been on a seemingly endless loop on the networks, at least whenever I happen to switch on the set, and I was beginning to really grit my teeth starting last week. Just last night, though, I hit the limit, slamming the mute button lest I throw something at my television screen. Yep, if you like being a girl, that means you should go to Gap, sure, whatever. I get it, I get it. Enough already! Sarah Jessica Parker was signed on last spring, snapped up quickly by Motley Fool Stock Advisor pick Gap right after she ended her days as Carrie Bradshaw on HBO's Sex and the City. I did a little Take about it at the time, in fact. As outlandish as the idea was that SJP's persona on that show might smoothly transfer to Gap's fashion sense, it seemed just kooky enough to work, given her recent popularity. Gap's press announcement today didn't give any indication that the campaign was not successful, although it called the three-season campaign with Sarah Jessica Parker "unique," as the company doesn't plan any more multi-season contracts with celebrities. Take that as you will, as it might be interpreted as an expensive initiative that didn't garner the results expected. Of course, investors who have been watching this stock know that despite the best efforts of Ms. Parker and the creative teams that came up with the ads, Gap's quarterly fashion sense continues to be, well, flattish. Lots of investors have been waiting for quite some time for Gap to stage a return to its former levels of denim-and-khaki greatness, but in the meantime, other, hotter retailers have stolen the show when it comes to sales and earnings performance, like Chico's (NYSE: CHS) and Urban Outfitters (Nasdaq: URBN). How often do you see either of them advertise on television? Interesting, isn't it. In Sarah Jessica Parker's defense, of course, an ad campaign might spark interest in a retail brand, but in the long run, it's the threads on the shelves and hangers that really coerce customers into buying. SJP might burst into song about how much she likes being a girl, but in this case, it seems like a case of failed girl power. Gap is a Motley Fool Stock Advisor pick. Get Tom and David Gardner's picks hot off the presses every month when you subscribe to Motley Fool Stock Advisor. Alyce Lomax does not own shares of any of the companies mentioned. ||||| Joss Stone is super, duper diggin' on the Gap. The 17-year-old soul sensation has been tapped to replace Sarah Jessica Parker as celebrity spokeswoman for the clothing purveyor, beginning with the Gap's summer line. a d v e r t i s e m e n t The Gap said Monday that Stone would team with a series of models to hawk the company's new white denim line. Stone, who was nominated for three Grammy Awards at this year's ceremony, including Best New Artist, accounted for two of the 50 best-selling albums in the world last year, with The Soul Sessions and Mind, Body & Soul. Though she walked away from the Grammys empty-handed, Stone nonetheless left an indelible impression when she teamed with a bald-headed Melissa Etheridge (who had just completed treatment for cancer) for a searing tribute to Janis Joplin. Parker, who turns 40 on Friday, has been the face of Gap for the last three seasons, flitting through television commercials and beaming up from print ads like the anti-Carrie Bradshaw. (Who, of course, would never have been caught dead in anything but designer duds.) With the Sex and the City star's spokesmodel tenure coming to an end, the company said it was unlikely to bring another celeb aboard for multiple campaigns. "While Gap will always seek partnerships with celebrities, musicians and rising stars, we don't have any future plans to sign a single person to a multi-season deal like the unique and special relationship we enjoyed with Sarah Jessica," a Gap spokesperson said in a statement. Parker won't exactly be left destitute minus her modeling gig. Earlier this month, Ferris Bueller's missus signed a two-year deal with HBO to develop and produce series and long-form programming. She also recently announced the upcoming release of her signature fragrance, due to launch this fall. However, Parker's not quitting her day job just yet. She appears in the upcoming comedy Stangers with Candy, starring Amy Sedaris, which was well-received when it premiered at Sundance. She's currently shooting Christmas-themed romantic comedy The Family Stone with Diane Keaton and Claire Danes. Next up, she'll star with Matthew McConaughey in Failure to Launch. | Gap, Inc. is headquartered in San Francisco, California Sarah Jessica Parker has lost her fashion cache with Gap Inc. The U.S. clothier said it was dropping the star of its current and ubiquitous ''I Enjoy Being a Girl'' television advertising campaign and buying out her contract. Parker who turns 40 Friday and is best known for her role as the Manolo Blahnik shoe-crazed Carrie Bradshaw on the HBO comedy, ''Sex and the City,'' was ousted after less than one year of a multi-year contract. She signed a three-year $38 million deal with the San Francisco-based retailer in mid-2004 and has only appeared in ads for the company since the 2004 holiday season. "While Gap will always seek partnerships with celebrities, musicians and rising stars, we don't have any future plans to sign a single person to a multi-season deal like the unique and special relationship we enjoyed with Sarah Jessica," Gap said in a statement Monday, stopping short of calling the ad campaign a failure. One such rising star slated to appear in the upcoming summer white denim promotion for Gap is 17-year-old Grammy-nominated British singer Joss Stone. Although Gap would not say its Parker ad campaign was less than successful, the same can not be said for stock market pundits. "If you're like me, and have gotten a little sick of hearing Sarah Jessica Parker sing about how much she likes being a girl on those Gap commercials," Alyce Lomax, a stock market commentator for The Motley Fool web site, said. "Investors who have been watching this stock know that despite the best efforts of Ms. Parker and the creative teams that came up with the ads, Gap's quarterly fashion sense continues to be, well, flattish ... in the meantime, other, hotter retailers have stolen the show." In a statement to reporters, Parker called the spilt with Gap a mutual decision, and walks away $38 million richer and recently signed a 2-year deal with former employer HBO to develop future programming for the network. Parker is also scheduled to appear in two upcoming comedy films, a movie adaptation of the Comedy Central series, ''Strangers with Candy'', as well as ''The Family Stone'', costarring Diane Keaton and Claire Danes. |
MEXICO CITY - Mexican gas and oil pipelines were attacked in six places before dawn Monday, causing explosions, fires and gas leaks that forced the evacuation of thousands of people. The blasts reverberated for miles. No direct injuries were reported, although civil defense agencies said two women in their 70s who lived nearby died of heart attacks shortly afterward. A small, shadowy leftist group linked to similar attacks in July left a note claiming responsibility, a police official in the Gulf Coast state of Veracruz told The Associated Press. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not allowed to be quoted by name. Story continues below ↓ advertisement advertisement The note was found alongside at least one undetonated explosive device uncovered by soldiers in a swampy area about 550 yards away from a highway toll booth 25 miles north of the port of Veracruz, the official said. The government did not immediately verify the information. Interior Secretary Francisco Ramirez said the federal Attorney General’s Office was trying to determine who was responsible for the “premeditated acts.” “Pemex’s fundamental installations are adequately protected by our armed forces, and we will do our utmost to find those responsible,” Interior Secretary Ramirez said. The six blasts happened about 2 a.m., according to a statement from the Mexican state oil monopoly Petroleos Mexicanos, or Pemex. The company immediately shut down the affected lines as well as an extra line in the area as a precaution. 'There is still a risk' Flames from the fires could be seen up to six miles away, said Pedro Jimenez, who was packing his family into a truck to leave. “You could see the fields of crops lit up.” Dozens of families lined roadways to evacuate to local shelters. Pemex said domestic gas and gasoline service would not be affected. Click for related content Dozens killed as truck blows up after Mexico collision At four sections of the pipelines, fires broke out, while at others leaking gas prompted fears of explosions and forced civil protection authorities to evacuate several communities including Ciudad Cardel and Antigua, said state Civil Protection Deputy Director Ranulfo Marquez. The explosions also prompted authorities to close two main highways. “We still have a gas leak in the area of Ciudad Cardel,” Marquez said. “There is still a risk.” Authorities also were checking to see if any gas had leaked into the Chiquito River, near the city of Nogales, said Nogales Mayor Marcelo Aguilar. Mexico increases security Starting Sunday evening, residents reported smelling gas from the pipelines. The explosions could be felt up to 12 miles away, Marquez said. The July attacks forced at least a dozen major companies, including Honda Motor Co., Kellogg Co. and The Hershey Co., to suspend or scale back operations. Those attacks sent the Mexican government scrambling to increase security at “strategic installations” across Mexico. It was not clear what security measures were in place Monday. Mexico is a major oil producer and exporter, with oil and related taxes accounting for over a third of the federal government’s revenue. The United States imported 12.7 million cubic feet of natural gas from Mexico in 2006, about 0.3 percent of total imports that year. © 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ||||| Sabotage blamed as blasts rip Mexico pipelines Second such attack in 2 months may cut natural gas supplies 25% while repairs made By DUDLEY ALTHAUS Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle MEXICO CITY — Saboteurs attacked four natural gas pipelines in energy-rich Veracruz state Monday, the second time in as many months that the country's petroleum infrastructure has been targeted. Explosive charges detonated in the pre-dawn darkness at six locations on the pipelines that link refineries to consumers in Mexico City and other major population centers. The pipelines are operated by the government's petroleum monopoly, Pemex. Fires raged at the sites, and authorities evacuated some 24,000 people from the areas near the explosions, but no deaths or injuries were reported. Pemex officials said natural gas supplies could be cut by 25 percent for several days while repairs were made to the pipelines. The Associated Press quoted an unnamed police official in Veracruz as saying that a note left by an obscure leftist guerrilla group had claimed responsibility for the blasts. But the report was not confirmed. The guerrilla group has always immediately taken responsibility for its attacks, and Mexican officials were not rushing to assign blame. Traveling in India on a state visit, Mexican President Felipe Calderon pledged to bring the attackers to justice, saying they "wish to impose by force their ideas on everyone else." "There is no place in today's democratic Mexico for these criminal acts," Calderon said in a statement. "Causes are defended within the realm of ideas, within democratic institutions, within the law." Mexican officials sought Monday to calm the public and energy markets about the severity of the threat. They said fires resulting from some of the explosions were quickly brought under control by Pemex crews. "Pemex's fundamental installations are adequately protected by our armed forces," said Francisco Ramirez, Mexico's interior minister. "We will act energetically to find those responsible." The organized crime unit of the Mexican justice ministry said Monday its agents were involved in the investigation. Similar sabotage in July in the central states of Guanajuato and Queretaro were claimed by the People's Revolutionary Army, or EPR. The group, which had been underground for several years, was formed more than a decade ago by remnants of long-dormant guerrilla movements. And like the July event, the bombs Monday appeared to display a level of logistical sophistication. Targeting valves, above-ground sections and transfer terminals in 30- to 48-inch pipelines, the explosions went off nearly simultaneously in various locations, some of them hundreds of miles apart. Several of the explosions were on the Gulf of Mexico Coast, about 30 miles north of the port of Veracruz. The others hit pipelines halfway between the port and Mexico City, near the city of Orizaba. The pipelines run from the refineries at Minatitlan and Cactus, in southern Mexico, to Monterrey, Mexico City and Guadalajara. The most damaging attack appeared to be near the community of La Balastrera, west of Orizaba and about 150 miles east of Mexico City. Explosions damaged a 30-inch natural gas pipeline, a 24-inch liquefied gas line and another carrying refined chemical products. July's explosions targeted similar Pemex pipeline facilities near a large refinery at Salamanca in Guanajuato state. Though no one was injured, the ensuing natural gas shortage forced auto manufacturers, other factories and businesses to close for several days. Calderon criticized At that time, the EPR labeled Calderon — a conservative politician who was declared the winner of a squeaker election last summer over a leftist rival — a "fascist" working in the interest of Mexico's wealthy elite. Although Calderon now enjoys widespread support in opinion polls, many among Mexico's political left consider the election to have been fraudulent. Based mostly in the southern and heavily indigenous states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, the EPR has sought to reverse Mexico's free-market economic policies of the past two decades, which many say have harmed poor, rural communities. Monday's explosions came just a few weeks after Mexico City's tallest office tower was evacuated when an anonymous caller tipped police off to a pipe bomb in the parking garage. dudley.althaus@chron.com | Petroleos Mexicanos (file photo) Oil and gas pipelines in Mexico were attacked in six different places Monday, forcing the evacuation of approximately 12,000 residents. The six blasts were to reported to have happened at about 2:00 a.m on Monday morning. The company who owns the pipelines, Petroleos Mexicanos, shut down all lines after the attack. No deaths as a result of the explosions were reported, however; the blasts were blamed for the death of two 70 year old women who died from heart attacks. Mexican officials have called the blasts "premeditated" and at least one rebel group (most notably EPR) has claimed responsibility for the blasts. |
Ex-employee of family arrested in their murders JERUSALEM (JTA) -- The man arrested for the murder of three generations of an Israeli family had been fired from the family's restaurant more than a year ago. Damian Kirilik, 38, was arrested last week for the Oct. 17 murder of six members of the Oshrenko family. Kirilik was fired as head waiter of the family's restaurant in Rishon LeZion. The victims were Revital, 3, and Netanel, 4 months; their parents, Tatiana, 28, and Dimitry, 32; and grandparents Edward and Ludmilla, both 56. Tatiana and Dimitry were Russian emigres who operated clubs and a restaurant for Russian Israelis. Their bodies, all bearing stab wounds, were found in their burning apartment. The investigation has been under a police gag order. Police had questioned employees as well as the relatives and friends of the family. Robbery and avenging honor appear to be the motives behind the killing, according to reports. Kirilik's wife, who also had worked at the restaurant, was arrested for aiding the alleged murderer, as were other family members. Click to login and write a letter to the editor or register for a new account. This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now. ||||| Israel police nab suspect in gruesome family murder JERUSALEM — Israeli police said on Monday they had arrested a man suspected of slaughtering six members of the same family, including a newborn, because he was fired from the family restaurant they owned. Demian Kerlik, 39, is suspected of stabbing to death the Oshrenko family in Rishon Lezion outside of Tel Aviv in October in a gruesome murder that shocked the country and was branded one of Israel's worst-ever. The victims included Dmitry and Tatyana Oshrenko, their three-year-old daughter Revital and four-month-old son Netanel, and Dmitry's 56-year-old parents, Edward and Lyudmilla. "He didn't slaughter them all at the same time, he simply waited in the flat for hours for all of them to come in one by one," police commander Avi Noiman told a crowded press conference on Monday. After the killing, Kerlik set the apartment alight, police said. Kerlik immigrated five years ago to Israel from Russia, where he is allegedly wanted for robbery, police said. Police believe that Kerlik carried out the killings because he was fired from his job at the restaurant owned by the Oshrenkos some two years ago, and this "developed into deep hatred over time." Police central command chief major general Nissim Mor said Kerlik re-enacted the crime and that during the re-enactment he knelt in front of the crib in which he allegedly killed the four-month-old Netanel and asked for "forgiveness." "There is no forgiveness for such a thing," Mor said. Police also arrested Kerlik's wife Natalia who admitted to planning to rob the family together with her husband. Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More » | Police have arrested a man in the murders of a family of six found stabbed to death in their burning apartment near Tel Aviv, Israel. Damian Kirilik, 38, is believed to have killed the Oshrenko family at their home in Rishon LeZion after being fired from their restaurant. Kirilik gave a re-enactment of his alleged actions which saw him wait at the house for each person to return home before killing them. The deceased were 56-year-old grandparents Edward and Lyudmilla Oshrenko, their son and daughter-in-law Dmitry and Tatyana Oshrenko and the children, three-year-old girl Revital and four-month-old boy Netanel. The Oshrenkos were Russian immigrants who ran the restaurant and several clubs for other Russian Israelis. Kirilik, too, had emigrated from Russia five years ago, where he is alleged to be wanted for robbery. Around two years ago he was sacked from his position as head waiter and police say the years had turned this grudge into hatred. Police central command chief major general Nissim Mor said Kirilik had asked to be forgiven while kneeling before the infant's cot. Mor commented that "there is no forgiveness for such a thing." Kirilik's wife has admitted to assisting her husband in plans to rob the Oshenkos and is also in custody for assisting him, as are several other Kirilik family members. The murders they are accused of involvement in have been described as "one of Israel's worst-ever crimes", according to the ''Agence France-Presse'' news agency. |
A French rescue worker said the man may have had access to food A Haitian man has been pulled alive from the rubble of a ruined hotel after 11 days, as the official search for quake survivors was declared over. The 23-year-old man was carried on a stretcher from the Napoli Inn Hotel in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Haitians and rescuers cheered as the man, seen to be smiling, was taken towards a waiting ambulance, the BBC's Adam Mynott reports from the scene. Earlier, Haiti's government said search-and-rescue operations had ended. UN spokeswoman Elizabeth Byrs in Geneva said the decision was "heartbreaking" but that it had been taken on the advice of experts. HAITI'S REMARKABLE SURVIVORS Emmannuel Buso, 21 - rescued after 10 days Marie Carida, 84 - saved after 10 days Mendji Bahina Sanon, 11 - trapped for eight days Lozama Hotteline, 25 - pulled out after seven days Elisabeth Joassaint, 15 days - buried for seven days, half her life Ena Zizi, 69 - rescued after seven days Haiti quake: Survivors' stories She said most search-and-rescue teams would now be leaving Haiti, although some with heavy lifting equipment might stay to help with the clean-up operation and with aid distribution. Rescuers said the man found on Saturday appeared to be in good condition, but thirsty. French Fire Commander Samuel Bernes had earlier told AFP news agency he was thought to have been trapped under a piece of concrete but may have had access to food. Two people, an 84-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, were pulled alive from the rubble in Port-au-Prince on Friday. The woman, who was found in the wreckage of her home seriously injured and severely dehydrated was taken to the main city hospital for treatment. Her son said he had heard her cries on Thursday morning and, almost a day later, he dug her out with the help of friends. The 21-year-old man, Emmannuel Buso, was pulled out alive by an Israeli search team and is said to be in a stable condition. Speaking from his hospital bed, he described how he had had no food, and had drunk his own urine to keep thirst at bay. The head of the Israeli team, Major Amir Ben David, said the rescue had given hope more people could be found alive. BBC HAITIAN CREOLE SERVICE Broadcasting on the radio daily at 0910 local time (1410 GMT) Twenty-minute programme in Haitian Creole Broadcasting on FM in Haiti's six largest cities Also available on satellite and online, and via social media BBC Caribbean More than 1,000 mourners gathered on Saturday by Port-au-Prince's shattered Roman Catholic Cathedral for the funeral of Haiti's Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot and a vicar, Charles Benoit. President Rene Preval attended the service, joined by New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan and the Vatican's ambassador to Haiti. "I came here to pay my respects to all the dead from the earthquake, and to see them have a funeral," mourner Esther Belizair told AP, saying that she had lost a cousin. Few funeral services have been held in Haiti for those killed by the quake. At least 75,000 bodies have so far been buried in mass graves, Haiti's government has said. Many more remain uncollected in the streets. The BBC has started a new radio service in Creole, one of the country's main languages. The 20-minute long daily broadcast, called Connexion Haiti, will try to give people up-to-date information about the basic services they need to survive - such as where to find food, clean drinking water, medical assistance and shelter. An estimated 1.5 million people were left homeless by the 7.0-magnitude quake, which some have estimated has killed as many as 200,000 people. The UN says 130,000 people have now been relocated out of Port-au-Prince, easing the pressure on overcrowded camps in the city. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| Humanitarian relief is being scaled up as rescue efforts come to an end Haiti's government has made the "heartbreaking" decision to declare the search and rescue phase for survivors of the earthquake over, the UN says. The announcement came a day after two people, an 84-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, were pulled alive from the rubble in Port-au-Prince. The UN spokeswoman Elizabeth Byrs says 132 people have been rescued since the earthquake 11 days ago. On Friday the official government death toll from the quake rose to 110,000. Speaking in Geneva, Ms Byrs said that the decision to end the rescue operation was "heartbreaking" but that it had been taken on the advice of experts. She said most search and rescue teams would now be leaving Haiti, although some with heavy lifting equipment may stay to help with the clean-up operation and with aid distribution. She added that humanitarian relief efforts were still being scaled up in Port-au-Prince, as well as in the towns of Jacmel, Leogane and other areas affected by the earthquake. The BBC's Adam Mynott, at a university building in Port-au-Prince where many people are feared buried, says there has been some disquiet among Haitians about the decision to end search efforts. But although two people were pulled out alive in the capital on Friday, it is believed rescue teams have detected no new signs of life under the rubble for the past three days, our correspondent says. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Advertisement On Friday an 84-year-old woman was found in the wreckage of her home seriously injured and severely dehydrated. She is being treated by doctors at the main city hospital with intravenous fluids and drugs. Her son said he had heard her cries on Thursday morning and, almost a day later, he dug her out with the help of friends. Meanwhile, a 21-year-old man, Emmannuel Buso, was pulled out alive by an Israeli search team and is said to be in a stable condition. HAITI'S REMARKABLE SURVIVORS Emmannuel Buso, 21 - rescued after 10 days Marie Carida, 84 - saved after 10 days Mendji Bahina Sanon, 11 - trapped for eight days Lozama Hotteline, 25 - pulled out after seven days Elisabeth Joassaint, 15 days - buried for seven days, half her life Ena Zizi, 69 - rescued after seven days Haiti quake: Survivors' stories Speaking from his hospital bed he described coming out of the shower when the earthquake hit. He said he had no food, and drank his own urine to keep thirst at bay. The head of the Israeli team, Major Amir Ben David, said the rescue had given hope more people could be found alive. No decision has yet been taken on whether the Israeli team will now go home, the Associated Press news agency reported. More than 1,000 mourners gathered on Saturday by Port-au-Prince's shattered Roman Catholic Cathedral for the funeral of Haiti's Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot and a vicar, Charles Benoit. President Rene Preval attended the service, joined by New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan and the Vatican's ambassador to Haiti. "I came here to pay my respects to all the dead from the earthquake, and to see them have a funeral," mourner Esther Belizair told AP, saying that she had lost a cousin. Few funeral services have been held in Haiti for those killed by the quake. At least 75,000 bodies have so far been buried in mass graves, Haiti's government has said. Many more remain uncollected in the streets. 'Most complex operation' The BBC has started a new radio service in Creole, one of the country's main languages. BBC HAITIAN CREOLE SERVICE Broadcasting on the radio daily at 0910 local time (1410 GMT) Twenty-minute programme in Haitian Creole Broadcasting on FM in Haiti's six largest cities Also available on satellite and online, and via social media BBC Caribbean The 20-minute long daily broadcast, called Connexion Haiti, will try to give people up-to-date information about the basic services they need to survive - such as where to find food, clean drinking water, medical assistance and shelter. An estimated 1.5 million people were left homeless by the 7.0-magnitude quake, which some have estimated has killed as many as 200,000 people. The UN says 130,000 people have now been relocated out of Port-au-Prince, easing the pressure on overcrowded camps in the city. Meanwhile the UN agency the World Food Programme says it has increased its food aid to survivors. Speaking after a two-day evaluation mission to Port-au-Prince, the executive director of WFP, Josette Sheeran, said that on Friday the agency had delivered about 2 million meals. "This is the most complex operation WFP has ever launched," she said. "Haiti's entire supply chain infrastructure has been devastated, and we have been faced with launching an operation from scratch." A benefit concert featuring more than 100 music and Hollywood stars has been broadcast around the world to raise money for the victims of the earthquake. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| Haiti has officially abandoned the search and rescue effort to find survivors from the earthquake which devastated much of the capital, Port-au-Prince. In the 11 days since the disaster, 132 people have been pulled alive from the rubble of ruined buildings strewn throughout the city. As recently as Friday, two survivors were found, including an 84-year-old woman. | Port-au-Prince after the earthquake. The United Nations has announced that the government of Haiti has put an end to its efforts to find and rescue buried survivors of the earthquake that hit the region eleven days ago. The announcement comes just a day after two people were found alive. According to Elizabeth Byrs, the UN spokeswoman, 132 people have been rescued since the earthquake hit. The death toll, as of Friday, is estimated to be 110,000. It is thought that the chances of survival are so slim that it is not worth the resources required for a successful rescue operation. Byrs called the decision to end the rescue effort "heartbreaking", but added that it had been advised by experts. Only yesterday, an 84-year-old woman was found—severely injured and dehydrated—in the rubble of her home, and Emmannuel Buso, aged 21, was rescued by an Israeli search team. He said that he was coming out of the shower when the earthquake hit, and survived ten days by drinking his own urine. There is currently no information on whether the Israeli team will also stop their rescue efforts. Shortly after the announcement, a French rescue team reported that it was trying to save a man who is trapped under the ruins of a hotel and supermarket. They cannot yet see the man, who said that he saw the team's light, and that as many as five other people are trapped with him. The rescue team said that it could take two hours to rescue the man. It is hoped that removing focus from the rescue operation will allow more money and effort to be diverted to the logistically difficult relief effort, which has already seen planes arriving at the now operational Port-au-Prince airport at a rate of 150 per day and a United States Navy hospital ship, the USNS Comfort, moored outside the partly-operational seaport. At least 130,000 people have been relocated out of Port-au-Prince, say the UN, whose World Food Program has provided approximately 2 million meals to starving people and calls the current operation "the most complex operation WFP has ever launched". The magnitude 7 earthquake is estimated to have made 1.5 million people homeless, and some estimations of the death toll rise as high as 200,000. More than 75,000 bodies have been recovered and buried in mass graves, while more remain in the streets waiting to be collected. |
WASHINGTON — It was cold and drizzling outside the City Courthouse just after 6 a.m. on Wednesday, but no one seemed to mind among the same-sex couples waiting for the chance to apply for a marriage license. “This is a dream come true,” said Sinjoyla Townsend, 41, as she smiled ear to ear and held up her ticket indicating she was first in line with her partner of 12 years, Angelisa Young, 47. “We wanted it so bad.” Gay rights advocates hailed the day as a milestone for equal rights and a symbolic victory as same-sex marriage became legal in the nation’s capital. Washington is now the sixth place in the nation where same-sex marriages can take place. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont also issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Despite failing in court, opponents of the law vowed to fight another day. The law survived Congressional attempts to block it, and Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. on Tuesday rejected a request from opponents of same-sex marriage to have the United States Supreme Court delay it. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty signed the measure into law in December, but because the District of Columbia is not a state, the law had to undergo Congressional review, which ended Tuesday. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington on Tuesday limited employee health care benefits to avoid coverage of same-sex couples. It was the second time Catholic Charities changed its rules to protest same-sex marriage, having earlier ended its foster care program. The new law was already having regional implications. Maryland’s attorney general, Douglas F. Gansler, issued a legal opinion last week concluding that Maryland should immediately recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Mr. Gansler’s move is expected to draw legal and legislative challenges, but for Terrance Heath of Montgomery County, Md., it was the turning point that persuaded him to get married. “We realized that we can finally get many of the benefits and protections that other couples take for granted,” said Mr. Heath, 41, a blogger who lives with his partner, Rick Imirowicz, 43, and their two adopted sons. “Before that attorney general decision we could have the legal documents, like wills and medical power of attorney,” Mr. Heath said. “But there was no guarantee that those documents would be recognized.” He said that he and Mr. Imirowicz had worried about what might happen to any inheritance meant for their sons, Parker, 7, and Dylan, 2. “Marriage gives us peace of mind,” Mr. Heath said. “It gives my family security that we deserve.” At the city’s Marriage Bureau inside the Moultrie Courthouse, just blocks from the Capitol, the mood was giddy as couples hugged and talked about a day they never thought would arrive. “I became a naturalized U.S. citizen in the mid-’90s,” said Cuc Vu, a native of Vietnam who was third in line with her partner of 20 years, Gwen Migita. “But this is really the first time that I feel like I have the full rights and benefits of citizenship.” Court officials explained that the Marriage Bureau had changed its license applications: They ask for the name of each spouse rather than the bride and groom. Officials who perform the weddings read, “I now pronounce you legally married.” On a typical day the office processes 10 licenses, court officials said. By late Wednesday afternoon, more than 140 couples had filed to be married, the mayor’s office said. Because of a mandatory waiting period, couples will not be able to marry in the city until Tuesday. City officials say the measure will also provide a financial boost to the local economy. A study by the Williams Institute at the University of California, Los Angeles, predicted that more than 14,000 same-sex marriages would occur in the city over the next three years, which would bring in $5 million in new tax revenue and create 700 jobs. ||||| More than 100 same-sex couples seek DC licenses WASHINGTON — Couples waited in line for hours Wednesday to apply for marriage licenses on the first day same-sex unions became legal in the nation's capital. Cheering erupted from the crowd when the first couple signed in at the city's marriage bureau inside the Moultrie courthouse, just blocks from the U.S. Capitol. By the afternoon, more than 100 couples had come to the bureau, and more than 50 had completed their applications. The rest stood in line in the courthouse corridor, checking e-mail, reading newspapers and exchanging stories with other couples. Because of a mandatory waiting period of three business days, couples won't be able to marry in the District of Columbia until Tuesday. But the mood Wednesday was still celebratory. Couples got cupcakes from a city councilman who sponsored the gay marriage law, and throughout the morning, people applauded as they exited the marriage bureau with their applications complete. Sinjoyla Townsend, 41, and her partner of 12 years, Angelisa Young, 47, claimed the first spot in line just after 6 a.m. They are already domestic partners in the city but wanted to become legally married. "It's like waking up Christmas morning," said Young, who teared up when she sat down to process their paperwork. "It's really like a dream come true." Most couples applying for licenses were from the district and nearby Maryland and Virginia, but one couple had gotten on the road at 4 a.m. to drive from West Virginia. Many said they had already had marriage ceremonies — some years ago — but wanted marriage certificates. And they said they attached special importance to being at the courthouse on the first day. "This shows that there's a buildup, waiting for this to happen," said Christopher Grieder, 46, of Herndon, Va., who has been with Stuart Kopperman, 53, for 14 years and is planning an April 3 wedding. Others said they felt an urgency to get married while they can. Eva Townsend and Shana McDavis-Conway had a wedding in St. Croix in 2008 and are registered domestic partners. But McDavis-Conway is from California, where same-sex marriages were legal for a time before voters decided to ban them. She said she wanted to get married now in Washington in case something similar happens there. Townsend and McDavis-Conway planned to go in late to work, though other people in line said they had taken the day off. Couples spent the time talking to their neighbors in line and relating their love stories. One couple met online on a Star Trek fan film site, another dancing at a country and western bar. Emma White, 30, and Stephanie White, 40, met volunteering on Howard Dean's 2004 presidential campaign and had a wedding ceremony in 2006. Emma is pregnant with a baby due in April. The couple — No. 58 in line — said they wouldn't do another big wedding because they had already been married. Stephanie White said the government was "just "catching up" to what had already happened, though it makes her feel "a little more secure" to have a marriage license. Washington is the sixth place in the nation where gay marriages can take place. Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont also issue licenses to same-sex couples. To prepare for Wednesday, the marriage bureau changed its license applications so they are gender-neutral, asking for the name of each "spouse" rather than the "bride" and "groom." The bureau also brought in temporary employees to help its regular staff. "Everybody who wants a marriage license is going to get one. It may take a little longer, but they will get their license," courthouse spokeswoman Leah Gurowitz said. Normally, the bureau handles just 10 applications a day. Two heterosexual couples did show up Wednesday morning. Matt Lawson, 30, and Christine Vander Molen, 27, said they learned last night that they could expect a crowd at the marriage bureau on the historic day. But they are getting married next weekend and couldn't wait any longer to apply for a license. Vander Molen said she didn't mind being the "odd couple out" and found it funny when one person looked at them quizzically and asked, "You two are getting married to each other?" The gay marriage law was introduced in the 13-member D.C. Council in October and had near-unanimous support from the beginning. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty signed it in December, but because Washington is a federal district, the law had to undergo a congressional review period that expired March 2. Opponents, however, are still attempting to overturn the bill in court. That worries Eric North and Tom French, both 45, who were waiting in line Wednesday at the courthouse. "We want to get in when we can," French said. "I want to be able to say I'm married," North added. Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ||||| The District of Columbia on Wednesday began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, following a last-minute U.S. Supreme Court decision not to address the issue. The District now becomes the sixth jurisdiction in the United States to issue such licenses to same-sex couples — joining Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Weddings cannot be performed in Washington until Tuesday because of a mandatory waiting period. "Our mood is absolute jubilation," Darlene Garner said outside the Moultrie Courthouse, blocks from the Capitol and the White House. She and partner Candy Holmes were among the first in line to apply for a license. "The accomplishment of today is that finally I'm able to marry the love of my life," added Ms. Garner, who plans to wed Tuesday. RELATED STORY: • R.I. gubernatorial candidates to back gay marriage The 13-member D.C. Council voted in December in favor of the Marriage Equality Act. The vote was 11-2, with the council's two openly gay members — David A. Catania, at-large independent, and Jim Graham, Ward 1 Democrat, voting yes. Council members Marion Barry, Ward 8 Democrat, and Yvette Alexander, Ward 7 Democrat, voted no. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, a Democrat, promptly signed the bill. Photo Gallery Same-sex couples apply to be married in D.C. Same-sex couples arrive at D.C. Superior Court in Washington to apply for marriage licenses on Wednesday, March 3, 2010, the day on which gay marriages became legal in the District of Columbia. Opponents of same-sex marriages have tried several ways to stop the legislation, including the appeal to the Supreme Court for a temporary injunction. They said D.C. residents should vote on the legislation, not the council. Late Tuesday, Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. issue what the high court calls an "in chambers opinion" — a measure to address eleventh-hour requests and written by the justice who presides over the courts from which the case started. He said voters will have the right to challenge the legislation in D.C. courts and pointed out that Congress declined to stop the law from taking effect. "This argument has some force," Justice Roberts wrote in the three-page opinion regarding the case Jackson v. District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics. "However, I conclude that a stay is not warranted. … It has been the practice of the court to defer to the decisions of the courts of the District of Columbia on matters of exclusively local concerns." The D.C. Court of Appeals last week unanimously rejected the case. The judges' one-page opinion provided only the legal basis for their decision: that a temporary injunction is granted only when the plaintiff likely would win the case or when allowing something to go forward would bring harm to the plaintiff. Republicans in Congress have said they lacked the votes to oppose the legislation successfully. D.C. churches are exempt from having to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies. But the bill does not have the support of the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, which has concerns about the cost of Catholic Charities having to extend services to spouses in same-sex marriages. Same-sex marriage was approved last year in California, but the law later was struck down by a voter referendum. Angelisa Young, 47, and Sinjoyla Townsend, 41, were the first couple in line Tuesday to apply for a marriage license. They arrived at the courthouse at 6 a.m. "No matter where I go in the world now, when I say 'I'm married' somebody else will truly understand exactly what I'm talking about," Ms. Young said. "It's not gay, it's not lesbian, it's just a human right of being able to share love and enjoy each other. That's basically all we're asking for and we got it today." Ms. Young and Ms. Townsend will be married at the Human Rights Campaign building in Washington, D.C., in a non-denominational service Tuesday. They have been together for 12 years. | same-sex marriage in California. The United States capital of Washington, D.C. legalized same-sex marriage on Wednesday. Beginning at 6 A.M. local time (1100 UTC), couples began submitting marriage applications at local courthouses citywide. Washington D.C. becomes the seventh United States territory to legalize same sex marriage. The bill was ratified by Mayor Adrian Fenty last December. Due to city's territorial status as a federal district, the bill had to be reviewed by congress. The bill passed congressional review Tuesday night. The bill faced opposition from many family values activists, who tried to stop the bill from becoming law. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rejected a lawsuit to prevent the measure. |
Iran-US-Ahmadinenejad's Letter President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has written a letter to the US President George W. Bush. "The letter to US President George Bush carries the Iranian nation's views and comments on international issues as well as suggestions for resolving the many problems facing humanity," said the Iranian president here Tuesday. The president made the remark at Tehran Mehrabad International Airport before his departure for Indonesia to attend a meeting of the D-8 (Group of eight developing Muslim states). The letter was submitted to President Bush via the Swiss embassy in Tehran, which takes care of the US interest section in Iran. Earlier, Ahmadinejad had told reporters he had decided to send letters to leaders of certain countries on the occasion of Year of Great Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). The following is the full text of Ahmadinejad's letter to George Bush: "In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful, Mr George Bush, President of the United States of America, For sometime now I have been thinking, how one can justify the undeniable contradictions that exist in the international arena -- which are being constantly debated, especially in political forums and amongst university students. Many questions remain unanswered. These have prompted me to discuss some of the contradictions and questions, in the hope that it might bring about an opportunity to redress them. Can one be a follower of Jesus Christ (PBUH), the great Messenger of God, feel obliged to respect human rights, present liberalism as a civilization model, announce one’s opposition to the proliferation of nuclear weapons and WMDs, make “War on Terror” his slogan, and finally, work towards the establishment of a unified international community – a community which Christ and the virtuous of the Earth will one day govern, but at the same time, have countries attacked. The lives, reputations and possessions of people destroyed and on the slight chance of the presence of a few criminals in a village, city, or convoy for example, the entire village, city or convoy (are) set ablaze. Or because of the possibility of the existence of WMDs in one country, it is occupied, around one hundred thousand people killed, its water sources, agriculture and industry destroyed, close to 180,000 foreign troops put on the ground, sanctity of private homes of citizens broken, and the country pushed back perhaps fifty years. At what price? Hundreds of billions of dollars spent from the treasury of one country and certain other countries and tens of thousands of young men and women – as occupation troops – put in harms way, taken away from family and loved ones, their hands stained with the blood of others, subjected to so much psychological pressure that everyday some commit suicide and those returning home suffer depression, become sickly and grapple with all sorts of ailments; while some are killed and their bodies handed to their families. 1414/1414 MORE ---> Iran-US-Ahmadinenejad's Letter ||||| Iran-US-Ahmadinejad's Letter On the pretext of the existence of WMDs, this great tragedy came to engulf both the peoples of the occupied and the occupying country. Later it was revealed that no WMDs existed to begin with. Of course Saddam was a murderous dictator. But the war was not waged to topple him, the announced goal of the war was to find and destroy weapons of mass destruction. He was toppled along the way towards another goal; nevertheless the people of the region are happy about it. I point out that throughout the many years of the imposed war on Iran Saddam was supported by the West. Mr. President, You might know that I am a teacher. My students ask me how can these actions be reconciled with the values outlined at the beginning of this letter and duty to the tradition of Jesus Christ (PBUH), the Messenger of peace and forgiveness? There are prisoners in Guantanamo Bay that have not been tried, have no legal representation, their families cannot see them and are obviously kept in a strange land outside their own country. There is no international monitoring of their conditions and fate. No one knows whether they are prisoners, POWs, accused or criminals. European investigators have confirmed the existence of secret prisons in Europe too. I could not correlate the abduction of a person, and him or her being kept in secret prisons, with the provisions of any judicial system. For that matter, I fail to understand how such actions correspond to the values outlined in the beginning of this letter, i.e. the teachings of Jesus Christ (PBUH), human rights and liberal values. Young people, university students, and ordinary people have many questions about the phenomenon of Israel. I am sure you are familiar with some of them. Throughout history many countries have been occupied, but I think the establishment of a new country with a new people, is a new phenomenon that is exclusive to our times. Students are saying that sixty years ago such a country did not exist. They show old documents and globes and say try as we have, we have not been able to find a country named Israel. I tell them to study the history of WWI and II. One of my students told me that during WWII, which more than tens of millions of people perished in, news about the war, was quickly disseminated by the warring parties. Each touted their victories and the most recent battlefront defeat of the other party. After the war they claimed that six million Jews had been killed. Six million people that were surely related to at least two million families. Again let us assume that these events are true. Does that logically translate into the establishment of the state of Israel in the Middle East or support for such a state? How can this phenomenon be rationalized or explained? 1414/1414 ---> Iran-US-Ahmadinejad's Letter ||||| Iran-US-Ahmadinejad's Letter Mr. President, I am sure you know how – and at what cost – Israel was established: -Many thousands were killed in the process. -Millions of indigenous people were made refugees. -Hundreds of thousands of hectares of farmland, olive plantations, towns and villages were destroyed. This tragedy is not exclusive to the time of establishment; unfortunately it has been ongoing for sixty years now. A regime has been established which does not show mercy even to kids, destroys houses while the occupants are still in them, announces beforehand its list and plans to assassinate Palestinian figures, and keeps thousands of Palestinians in prison. Such a phenomenon is unique – or at the very least extremely rare – in recent memory. Another big question asked by the people is “why is this regime being supported?” Is support for this regime in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ (PBUH) or Moses (PBUH) or liberal values? Or are we to understand that allowing the original inhabitants of these lands – inside and outside Palestine -- whether they are Christian, Moslem or Jew, to determine their fate, runs contrary to principles of democracy, human rights and the teachings of prophets? If not, why is there so much opposition to a referendum? The newly elected Palestinian administration recently took office. All independent observers have confirmed that this government represents the electorate. Unbelievingly, they have put the elected government under pressure and have advised it to recognize the Israeli regime, abandon the struggle and follow the programs of the previous government. If the current Palestinian government had run on the above platform, would the Palestinian people have voted for it? Again, can such position taken in opposition to the Palestinian government be reconciled with the values outlined earlier? The people are also asking “Why are all UNSC resolutions in condemnation of Israel vetoed?” Mr. President, As you are well aware, I live amongst the people and am in constant contact with them -- many people from around the Middle East manage to contact me as well. They do not have faith in these dubious policies either. There is evidence that the people of the region are becoming increasingly angry with such policies. It is not my intention to pose too many questions, but I need to refer to other points as well. Why is it that any technological and scientific achievement reached in the Middle East region is translated into and portrayed as a threat to the Zionist regime? Is not scientific R&D; one of the basic rights of nations? You are familiar with history. Aside from the Middle Ages, in what other point in history has scientific and technical progress been a crime? Can the possibility of scientific achievements being utilized for military purposes be reason enough to oppose science and technology altogether? If such a supposition is true, then all scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, mathematics, medicine, engineering, etc. must be opposed. Lies were told in the Iraqi matter. What was the result? I have no doubt that telling lies is reprehensible in any culture, and you do not like to be lied to. /1414 MORE ---> Iran-US-Ahmadinejad's Letter ||||| Iran-US-Ahmadinejad's Letter Mr. President, Don’t Latin Americans have the right to ask why their elected governments are being opposed and coup leaders supported? Or, Why must they constantly be threatened and live in fear? The people of Africa are hardworking, creative and talented. They can play an important and valuable role in providing for the needs of humanity and contribute to its material and spiritual progress. Poverty and hardship in large parts of Africa are preventing this from happening. Don’t they have the right to ask why their enormous wealth – including minerals – is being looted, despite the fact that they need it more than others? Again, do such actions correspond to the teachings of Christ and the tenets of human rights? The brave and faithful people of Iran too have many questions and grievances, including: the coup d’etat of 1953 and the subsequent toppling of the legal government of the day, opposition to the Islamic revolution, transformation of an Embassy into a headquarters supporting the activities of those opposing the Islamic Republic (many thousands of pages of documents corroborate this claim), support for Saddam in the war waged against Iran, the shooting down of the Iranian passenger plane, freezing the assets of the Iranian nation, increasing threats, anger and displeasure vis-à-vis the scientific and nuclear progress of the Iranian nation (just when all Iranians are jubilant and celebrating their country’s progress), and many other grievances that I will not refer to in this letter. Mr. President, September Eleven was a horrendous incident. The killing of innocents is deplorable and appalling in any part of the world. Our government immediately declared its disgust with the perpetrators and offered its condolences to the bereaved and expressed its sympathies. All governments have a duty to protect the lives, property and good standing of their citizens. Reportedly your government employs extensive security, protection and intelligence systems – and even hunts its opponents abroad. September eleven was not a simple operation. Could it be planned and executed without coordination with intelligence and security services – or their extensive infiltration? Of course this is just an educated guess. Why have the various aspects of the attacks been kept secret? Why are we not told who botched their responsibilities? And, why aren’t those responsible and the guilty parties identified and put on trial? All governments have a duty to provide security and peace of mind for their citizens. For some years now, the people of your country and neighbors of world trouble spots do not have peace of mind. After 9.11, instead of healing and tending to the emotional wounds of the survivors and the American people -- who had been immensely traumatized by the attacks -- some Western media only intensified the climate of fear and insecurity – some constantly talked about the possibility of new terror attacks and kept the people in fear. Is that service to the American people? Is it possible to calculate the damages incurred from fear and panic? American citizens lived in constant fear of fresh attacks that could come at any moment and in any place. They felt insecure in the streets, in their place of work and at home. Who would be happy with this situation? Why was the media, instead of conveying a feeling of security and providing peace of mind, giving rise to a feeling of insecurity? Some believe that the hype paved the way -- and was the justification --for an attack on Afghanistan. Again I need to refer to the role of media. In media charters, correct dissemination of information and honest reporting of a story are established tenets. I express my deep regret about the disregard shown by certain Western media for these principles. The main pretext for an attack on Iraq was the existence of WMDs. This was repeated incessantly -- for the public to finally believe -- and the ground set for an attack on Iraq. Will the truth not be lost in a contrived and deceptive climate? Again, if the truth is allowed to be lost, how can that be reconciled with the earlier mentioned values? Is the truth known to the Almighty lost as well? /1414 MORE ---> Iran-US-Ahmadinejad's Letter ||||| Iran-US-Ahmadinejad's Letter Mr. President, In countries around the world, citizens provide for the expenses of governments so that their governments in turn are able to serve them. The question here is “what has the hundreds of billions of dollars, spent every year to pay for the Iraqi campaign, produced for the citizens?” As Your Excellency is aware, in some states of your country, people are living in poverty. Many thousands are homeless and unemployment is a huge problem. Of course these problems exist – to a larger or lesser extent -- in other countries as well. With these conditions in mind, can the gargantuan expenses of the campaign – paid from the public treasury – be explained and be consistent with the aforementioned principles? What has been said, are some of the grievances of the people around the world, in our region and in your country. But my main contention – which I am hoping you will agree to some of it – is: Those in power have a specific time in office and do not rule indefinitely, but their names will be recorded in history and will be constantly judged in the immediate and distant futures. The people will scrutinize our presidencies. Did we mange to bring peace, security and prosperity for the people or insecurity and unemployment? Did we intend to establish justice or just supported especial interest groups, and by forcing many people to live in poverty and hardship, made a few people rich and powerful -- thus trading the approval of the people and the Almighty with theirs’? Did we defend the rights of the underprivileged or ignore them? Did we defend the rights of all people around the world or imposed wars on them, interfered illegally in their affairs, established hellish prisons and incarcerated some of them? Did we bring the world peace and security or raised the specter of intimidation and threats? Did we tell the truth to our nation and others around the world or presented an inverted version of it? Were we on the side of people or the occupiers and oppressors? Did our administrations set out to promote rational behavior, logic, ethics, peace, fulfilling obligations, justice, service to the people, prosperity, progress and respect for human dignity or the force of guns, intimidation, insecurity, disregard for the people, delaying the progress and excellence of other nations, and trample on people’s rights? And finally, they will judge us on whether we remained true to our oath of office – to serve the people, which is our main task, and the traditions of the prophets -- or not? Mr. President, How much longer can the world tolerate this situation? Where will this trend lead the world to? How long must the people of the world pay for the incorrect decisions of some rulers? How much longer will the specter of insecurity – raised from the stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction -- hunt the people of the world? How much longer will the blood of the innocent men, women and children be spilled on the streets, and people’s houses destroyed over their heads? Are you pleased with the current condition of the world? Do you think present policies can continue? If billions of dollars spent on security, military campaigns and troop movement were instead spent on investment and assistance for poor countries, promotion of health, combating different diseases, education and improvement of mental and physical fitness, assistance to the victims of natural disasters, creation of employment opportunities and production, development projects and poverty alleviation, establishment of peace, mediation between disputing states, and extinguishing the flames of racial, ethnic and other conflicts, were would the world be today? Would not your government and people be justifiably proud? Would not your administration’s political and economic standing have been stronger? And I am most sorry to say, would there have been an ever increasing global hatred of the American government? Mr. President, it is not my intention to distress anyone. If Prophet Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Ishmael, Joseph, or Jesus Christ (PBUH) were with us today, how would they have judged such behavior? Will we be given a role to play in the promised world, where justice will become universal and Jesus Christ (PBUH) will be present? Will they even accept us? My basic question is this: Is there no better way to interact with the rest of the world? Today there are hundreds of millions of Christians, hundreds of millions of Muslims and millions of people who follow the teachings of Moses (PBUH). All divine religions share and respect one word and that is “monotheism” or belief in a single God and no other in the world. The Holy Koran stresses this common word and calls on all followers of divine religions and says: [3.64] Say: O followers of the Book! Come to an equitable proposition between us and you that we shall not serve any but Allah and (that) we shall not associate aught with Him, and (that) some of us shall not take others for lords besides Allah; but if they turn back, then say: Bear witness that we are Muslims. (The Family of Imran) /1414 MORE ---> Iran-US-Ahmadinejad's Letter ||||| Iran-US-Ahmadinejad's Letter Mr. President, According to divine verses, we have all been called upon to worship one God and follow the teachings of divine Prophets. “To worship a God which is above all powers in the world and can do all He pleases.” “The Lord which knows that which is hidden and visible, the past and the future, knows what goes on in the Hearts of His servants and records their deeds.” “The Lord who is the possessor of the heavens and the earth and all universe is His court” “planning for the universe is done by His hands, and gives His servants the glad tidings of mercy and forgiveness of sins” “He is the companion of the oppressed and the enemy of oppressors” “He is the Compassionate, the Merciful” “He is the recourse of the faithful and guides them towards the light from darkness” “He is witness to the actions of His servants” “He calls on servants to be faithful and do good deeds, and asks them to stay on the path of righteousness and remain steadfast” “Calls on servants to heed His prophets and He is a witness to their deeds” “A bad ending belongs only to those who have chosen the life of this world and disobey Him and oppress His servants” and “A good end and eternal paradise belong to those servants who fear His majesty and do not follow their lascivious selves.” We believe a return to the teachings of the divine prophets is the only road leading to salvation. I have been told that Your Excellency follows the teachings of Jesus (PBUH) and believes in the divine promise of the rule of the righteous on Earth. We also believe that Jesus Christ (PBUH) was one of the great prophets of the Almighty. He has been repeatedly praised in the Koran. Jesus (PBUH) has been quoted in Koran as well: [19.36] And surely Allah is my Lord and your Lord, therefore serve Him; this is the right path. Marium Service to and obedience of the Almighty is the credo of all divine messengers. The God of all people in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, the Pacific and the rest of the world is one. He is the Almighty who wants to guide and give dignity to all His servants. He has given greatness to Humans. We again read in the Holy Book: “The Almighty God sent His prophets with miracles and clear signs to guide the people and show them divine signs and purify them from sins and pollutions. And He sent the Book and the balance so that the people display justice and avoid the rebellious”. All of the above verses can be seen, one way or the other, in the Good Book as well. Divine prophets have promised: The day will come when all humans will congregate before the court of the Almighty, so that their deeds are examined. The good will be directed towards Haven and evildoers will meet divine retribution. I trust both of us believe in such a day, but it will not be easy to calculate the actions of rulers, because we must be answerable to our nations and all others whose lives have been directly or indirectly affected by our actions. All prophets, speak of peace and tranquility for man -- based on monotheism, justice and respect for human dignity. Do you not think that if all of us come to believe in and abide by these principles, that is, monotheism, worship of God, justice, respect for the dignity of man, belief in the Last Day, we can overcome the present problems of the world -- that are the result of disobedience to the Almighty and the teachings of prophets – and improve our performance? Do you not think that belief in these principles promotes and guarantees peace, friendship and justice? Do you not think that the aforementioned written or unwritten principles are universally respected? Will you not accept this invitation? That is, a genuine return to the teachings of prophets, to monotheism and justice, to preserve human dignity and obedience to the Almighty and His prophets? /1414 MORE ---> Iran-US-Ahmadinejad's Letter ||||| Iran-US-Ahmadinejad's Letter Mr. President, History tells us that repressive and cruel governments do not survive. God has entrusted the fate of men to them. The Almighty has not left the universe and humanity to their own devices. Many things have happened contrary to the wishes and plans of governments. These tell us that there is a higher power at work and all events are determined by Him. Can one deny the signs of change in the world today? Is the situation of the world today comparable to that of ten years ago? Changes happen fast and come at a furious pace. The people of the world are not happy with the status quo and pay little heed to the promises and comments made by a number of influential world leaders. Many people around the world feel insecure and oppose the spreading of insecurity and war and do not approve of and accept dubious policies. The people are protesting the increasing gap between the haves and the have-nots and the rich and poor countries. The people are disgusted with increasing corruption. The people of many countries are angry about the attacks on their cultural foundations and the disintegration of families. They are equally dismayed with the fading of care and compassion. The people of the world have no faith in international organizations, because their rights are not advocated by these organizations. Liberalism and Western style democracy have not been able to help realize the ideals of humanity. Today these two concepts have failed. Those with insight can already hear the sounds of the shattering and fall of the ideology and thoughts of the Liberal democratic systems. We increasingly see that people around the world are flocking towards a main focal point -- that is the Almighty God. Undoubtedly through faith in God and the teachings of the prophets, the people will conquer their problems. My question for you is: “Do you not want to join them?” Mr. President, Whether we like it or not, the world is gravitating towards faith in the Almighty and justice and the will of God will prevail over all things. Vasalam Ala Man Ataba’al hoda Mahmood Ahmadi-Nejad President of the Islamic Republic of Iran " /1414 MORE ---> Iran-US-Ahmadinejad's Letter | The French daily ''Le Monde'', which has a tradition of publishing full texts by politicians and intellectuals, was one of the first organisations to publish the full English text of Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's letter to US president George W. Bush on May 9, 2006.President of the USA- George W. Bush On the same day, US daily ''The Wall Street Journal'' published a scan of the English text, and the Iranian Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) published the full text. In the UK, ''The Guardian'' published the full text two days later. The full text of the letter included discussion of a wide range of international, social, political, economic and religious issues including proliferation of nuclear weapons, WMDs, the "War on Terror", "unified international community", "the possibility of the existence of WMDs in one country", Saddam Hussein, the Iran-Iraq War, Guantanamo Bay, the Holocaust, the establishment of Israel, the Palestinian legislative election in 2006, US vetoes of UNSC resolutions against Israel, Operation Ajax in 1953, the shooting down of the Iranian passenger plane Air Flight 655, Iran's nuclear program, September Eleven, economic inequality, international inequality, the monotheistic religions, and the liberal form of democracy. |
Bush, Turkish PM Discuss Kurdish Rebels WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush on Monday pledged fresh help to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in fighting Kurdish rebels, declaring them "an enemy of Turkey, a free Iraq and the United States." In an Oval Office session, Bush offered intelligence sharing to help combat the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK. Bush also said top military figures from the United States and Turkey would be in more regular contact in an effort to track the movement of the guerrilla fighters. "I made it very clear to the prime minister that we want to work in a close way to deal with this problem," Bush told reporters. With Turkish troops massed on the border of his country, Erdogan is weighing a major cross-border attack against the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, rebels in northern Iraq. The guerrillas have killed more than 40 Turks in the past month in cross-border raids, and pressure is growing on Erdogan to hit back. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below. WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush hoped a face-to-face meeting Monday would persuade Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to hold back tens of thousands of Turkish troops massed on Iraq's border. But Erdogan came to Washington expecting the United States to take action against Kurdish rebels staging cross-border attacks from Iraq into Turkey. So far, the U.S. has been unable to deliver. During a trip to Turkey last week, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice promised to redouble efforts against the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK. But her Turkish counterpart, Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, made clear his government was not satisfied. "We are at the point where words have been exhausted and where there is need for action," Babacan said Friday. Turkish leaders have signaled that a decision on what to do about the rebels may hinge on what Erdogan can bring back from Washington to a Turkish public that favors military action in Iraq. "Rice's visit only raised expectations in Turkey," said Bulent Aliriza, director of the Turkey project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank. "If President Bush does not make clear that he is willing to take direct action against the PKK or make the Iraqi Kurds take such action, Erdogan may not be able to resist a military operation." The PKK, which has fought for autonomy for Turkish Kurds since 1984, is labeled a terrorist group by Europe and the United States. Turkey has complained for years that the United States has not done enough to end PKK activity Iraq's autonomous Kurdish north. The issue has enraged Turks and moved public opinion against the United States. Mark Parris, a U.S. ambassador to Turkey in the Clinton administration and now a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution, said that Monday's meeting would be the last chance for the Bush administration to repair strained relations with Ankara. "If Erdogan hears something relatively reasonable and concrete you can put this relationship back together," Parris said. "If not, that effort might have to wait for a new administration." The Bush administration worries that a cross-border incursion would bring instability to what has been the calmest part of Iraq, and could set a precedent for other countries, such as Iran, that have conflicts with Kurdish rebels. For weeks, the Bush administration has stressed the need for a diplomatic solution between Turkey and Iraq. Rice said the U.S. was considering sharing more intelligence and information with Turkey and said she had begun talking with Turkish leaders about long term solutions. Following a meeting in Istanbul with Iraqi officials including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki during a conference on Iraq, Rice won a pledge that Iraq would step up efforts to fight PKK terrorism. Later Saturday, Iraqi Kurd authorities shut down the Irbil and Sulaimaniyah offices of the Kurdistan Democratic Solution party, an organization that allegedly had close ties to Kurdish guerrillas. But Turkey was still looking for more from the United States. "I am expecting that this trip will result with the United States ... taking solid steps," Erdogan said Saturday prior to leaving Turkey for Washington. The intensity of Turkey's demands on the PKK has risen as hit-and-run raids by the rebels and other fighting have left dozens of soldiers and civilians dead in recent month. The skirmishes were the latest in a conflict that has seen nearly 40,000 people killed. ||||| REGION IN DETAIL REGION IN DETAIL Digg del.icio.us Newsvine Reddit Facebook WASHINGTON President Bush asked Turkey's leader on Monday not to invade northern Iraq and pledged to help the country battle Kurdish rebels by sharing surveillance and trying to cut off their ability to raise money. Bush also declared the rebel Kurdistan Workers Party, known as the PKK, a "terrorist organization" after his Oval Office meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "They're an enemy of Turkey, they're an enemy of Iraq, and they're an enemy of the United States," Bush told reporters. Erdogan, through an interpreter, noted that his Parliament authorized a military strike in Iraq "if necessary." He said the Oct. 17 vote was "a mandate for a cross-border operation that solely aims at the PKK. It cannot and it does not cover civilians." Speaking later at the National Press Club, Erdogan said Turkey has the right to defend itself, "and we are at the point of using our right emanating from international law." The Turkish leader also said he told Bush during their meeting that he wants a peaceful Iraq, "because their stability is our stability." Asked how he would react to a Turkish invasion into Iraq, Bush said, "I don't like to answer hypothetical questions." The PKK wants a separate Kurdish state and has fought a two-decade battle to separate the area from Turkey. Turkey now has troops stationed on its border with Iraq, next to an area in Iraq controlled by the Kurds, and has been shelling PKK positions. The Kurdish area of Iraq has long been considered the most stable part of that country. The United States and Turkey have been discussing possible responses to the PKK for weeks. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and other U.S. officials have often cited Turkey's importance as a key supply route for U.S. troops in Iraq. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in Israel that "we clearly are going to have to take action to deal with the PKK threat," but she did not elaborate. Rice said the United States also has made clear to Turkey that "anything that would just make northern Iraq unstable" would not serve long-term, regional interests. Bush told Erdogan that the United States would provide intelligence help so that the U.S., Turkish and Iraqi military could track the movement of PKK rebels "on a real-time basis using modern technology." Bush said it is important to know "who they are and where they are in order to make any strategy effective." Addressing comments to the Turkish people, Bush said Erdogan made it clear that PKK attacks are a serious problem. "He expects there to be action, and I agree," Bush said. The Bush administration has worked to defeat a proposed congressional resolution condemning alleged genocide of Armenians during the Ottoman Empire in 1915. Turkey has denied that genocide took place. A final House vote has yet to be scheduled. In his remarks at the Press Club, Erdogan said he greeted the vote delay with "cautious optimism. This draft has the potential to deeply damage our strategic cooperation." Contributing: Donna Leinwand Share this story: Digg del.icio.us Newsvine Reddit Facebook Enlarge By Osman Orsal, Reuters A Turkish soldier patrols in the southeastern Turkish province of Sirnak, bordering Iraq, on Monday. Conversation guidelines: USA TODAY welcomes your thoughts, stories and information related to this article. Please stay on topic and be respectful of others. Keep the conversation appropriate for interested readers across the map. | Oval Office on November 5, 2007. On Monday, the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan paid an official state visit to the United States. During his visit, he met with President George W. Bush in the White House for talks that centered on the Turkey-PKK conflict and the Iraq War. Turkey is concerned about attacks by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that originate from within the borders of Iraq. There have been cross-border clashes between Turkey and the PKK. Turkey has threatened a major incursion, something the US seeks to avoid, as it could upset the relative calm in northern Iraq. The PKK has been listed as a terrorist organization by a number of countries and organizations. The PKK's goal has been to create an independent socialist Kurdish state in a territory which it claims as Kurdistan, an area that comprises parts of south-eastern Turkey, north-eastern Iraq, north-eastern Syria and north-western Iran. After the meeting, Bush said of the PKK that "they are an enemy of Turkey, they are an enemy of Iraq, and they are an enemy of the United States." He pledged additional intelligence to help Turkey, an offer that was also made by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice last week, during her Middle East tour. Bush further offered mutual military assistance with both Turkey and Iraq to fight the PKK. "We want to work in a close way to deal with this problem," he said. Erdogan mentioned during the post-meeting news conference that the Grand National Assembly of Turkey has already authorized military action in Iraq. He did not, however, say whether such action would be imminent. Neither leader indicated to what level, if any, that direct military cooperation would exist. Ali Babacan, the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Turkey, was last week not so impressed by Rice's offers. "We are at the point where words have been exhausted and where there is need for action," he said on Friday. "The Bush administration would like to just kick this can down the road," said Bulent Aliriza, a political observer for the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "The problem is, the can has been kicked down the road to the point where now it can't be kicked anymore." |
Poll managers, from left to right, Alberta Fernandez, Alma Brown, Harold Nesbitt, Annabell Gathers and Kathy Bronson, all of Mt. Pleasant, wait for more voters during the South Carolina Republican presidential primary at the Jones Recreational Center in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Saturday, Jan. 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Alice Keeney) Romney Wins Nevada Caucuses Mitt Romney won quiet Republican presidential caucuses in Nevada on Saturday while John McCain and Mike Huckabee dueled in a hard-fought South Carolina primary, a campaign doubleheader likely to winnow the crowded field of White House rivals. Democrats shared the stage in Nevada, where Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama vied for a caucus victory and the campaign momentum that goes with it. Romney's western victory marked his second straight success, coming quickly after a first-place finish in the Michigan primary revived a faltering campaign. Caucus-goers in Nevada said the economy and illegal immigration were their top concerns, according to preliminary results from surveys of voters entering their caucuses. Romney, the former Massachusetts governor, was leader among voters who cited both issues. Mormons comprised about 20 percent of all caucus-goers, another advantage for Romney, who is trying to become the first member of the faith to win the White House. Alone among the Republican contenders, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas aired television ads in Nevada, and the libertarian-leaning Texan was running a distant second behind Romney. Nevada offered more delegates but far less appeal to the Republican candidates than South Carolina, a primary that has gone to the party's eventual nominee every four years since 1980. That made it a magnet for former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson, who staked his candidacy on a strong showing, as well as for Romney, McCain, the Arizona senator; and Huckabee, the former governor of Arkansas. McCain, a former Vietnam prisoner of war, appealed to a large population of military veterans in South Carolina, and stressed his determination to rein in federal spending as he worked to avenge a bitter defeat in the 2000 primary. Huckabee reached out to evangelical Christian voters, hoping to rebound from a string of disappointing showings since his victory in the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses. Romney campaigned on a pledge to help restore the state's economy, much as he did in winning Michigan. In South Carolina, the economy and immigration were cited as top issues, and preliminary survey data indicated a strong turnout by evangelical voters. Survey data in both states were from polls conducted for The Associated Press and the television networks by Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International. ||||| CHARLESTON, South Carolina (CNN) -- Sen. John McCain of Arizona will win the South Carolina Republican primary, CNN projects. John McCain celebrates with supporters in Charleston, South Carolina. more photos » "It took us a while, but what's eight years among friends?" McCain said, referring to his loss to George W. Bush in the state's 2000 primary. McCain edged out former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to seal a crucial win Saturday. "The path to the White House is not ending here tonight," Huckabee said after the results came in. "Tomorrow we wake up to fight the battle yet again and yet again." Watch Huckabee pump up supporters » Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson was in third, followed by former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. See what the results mean » McCain ran strong in the coastal Low Country around Charleston and ran even with Huckabee in the state's inland Piedmont region, according to exit polls. "It is an impressive victory. It was a narrow victory. What was remarkable is he did it without carrying conservatives. South Carolina is the homeland of conservatives. That's why it exercises so much influence in the Republican party," said CNN senior political analyst Bill Schneider. "Essentially, McCain did it on a personal vote. It wasn't ideology; it wasn't issues. It was a vote for him personally, which has always been his strongest appeal," Schneider said. Watch McCain thank supporters in South Carolina » The state's Republican primary voters have picked their party's eventual nominee in every election since 1980. South Carolina's Democratic primary is next Saturday. The Republican results came in just hours after Nevada held its caucuses. See scenes from Saturday's races » On the Democratic side, Sen. Hillary Clinton took Nevada, and among Republicans, Romney was the winner. Clinton led rival Barack Obama by 6 percentage points with 98 percent of precincts reporting. Although Clinton won the overall state vote, Obama took more delegates because of the areas where he won. CNN projects that Obama will pick up 13 delegates to Clinton's 12. Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards was a distant third. Rep. Ron Paul edged out McCain to take second place among Republicans, ahead of Thompson and Huckabee. California Rep. Duncan Hunter, who received just 2 percent of the GOP vote, abandoned his presidential bid after the results came in. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who had poor showings in both Nevada and South Carolina, largely skipped the early voting states to focus on Florida and the delegate-rich states competing in the Super Tuesday contests on February 5. In both South Carolina and Nevada, Republicans named the economy as the most important issue affecting their vote in the primary and caucus, according to early exit polling data. And illegal immigration was the second-most important issue. The war in Iraq, followed by terrorism, were next, the exit polls showed. Exit polls in South Carolina indicated clear divisions among voters. Among those who considered themselves born-again or evangelical Christians, Huckabee won a clear victory. Among those that viewed the war in Iraq to be the most important issue, McCain was dominant -- but Iraq ranked as only the third-most important issue among all voters. McCain tried unsuccessfully to extend polling hours in South Carolina after learning voting machines in the eastern part of the state were malfunctioning, according to a lawyer for his campaign. Earlier in the day, Clinton thanked her supporters in Nevada. "I guess this is how the West was won," she said. Watch Clinton celebrate in Nevada » Clinton issued a special thanks to her supporters from the 60,000-strong Culinary Workers Union. Clinton had been encouraging members of the union, which endorsed Obama, to vote their conscience. Zachary Conine, a permanent caucus chairman in Las Vegas, said Clinton's campaign organization helped hand her the win. "Her people are efficient, fervent. They were there first, they were calling people, they had a list of voters they were using to call people, making sure people came out. They had signs, they had shirts, they had a clear chain of command," he said. Nevada marks the third win for Romney. He took Michigan on Tuesday and also won the overshadowed contest in Wyoming. "If you can win those two states -- Michigan and Nevada -- it means you have put together quite a coalition and have been able to make the kind of inroads you have to make to take the White House," he said Saturday afternoon from Florida. Watch Romney claim victory » In a presidential race that's increasingly coming down to who has the most delegates, a win helps Romney. Romney also benefited from his Mormon religion, the poll results show. Romney captured 94 percent of the voters who identified themselves as Mormon, which made up 25 percent of all Republicans participating in the GOP caucuses. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints estimates there are 170,000 members living in Nevada. So far among Democrats, Clinton has won New Hampshire, Nevada and Michigan. In Michigan, she was the only major candidate on the ballot. Obama claimed victory in Iowa. Among Republicans, Huckabee won Iowa, McCain won New Hampshire and South Carolina, and Romney won Wyoming, Michigan and Nevada. The Democrats next face off in South Carolina on Saturday, and the Republican race heads to Florida for the January 29 primary. E-mail to a friend CNN's Bill Schneider and Kate Taylor contributed to this report. All About South Carolina • Nevada ||||| Long Road For Candidates After Big Wins WASHINGTON (CBS) ― The voting blocs that made winners of Hillary Rodham Clinton and John McCain in weekend presidential contests don't automatically spell victory for them in the contests next up.Democrats vote in South Carolina on Saturday, followed by the Republican contest in Florida three days later.Clinton won Nevada Democratic voters by capturing majorities of whites and Hispanics. Barack Obama got eight in 10 blacks in the campaign's first true test of the two rivals' appeal to that constituency.But a different dynamic may await in South Carolina, where a repeat of that pattern by the state's racial groups might spell victory for Obama, an Illinois senator, because of the sheer number of blacks who make up the electorate. Should Obama get an emphatic majority of blacks there while whites give Clinton just more than half their vote, as they did in Nevada, Obama could have the numbers he needs.Then there is the gender factor.Clinton beat Obama in Nevada by 13 percentage points among women while they split the male vote. She also had prevailed among women in winning New Hampshire, though Obama narrowly took Iowa's women voters to win there.A mid-January poll of South Carolina Democrats by Mason-Dixon Polling Research Inc. showed Clinton and Obama splitting women while Obama led among men. That, too, is a formula for an Obama victory.As in Nevada, women are expected to comprise nearly six in 10 Democratic voters in South Carolina, which could give Clinton an edge should she retain her recent hold on female voters.Another South Carolina opportunity for Obama is that state's independents. He has won the independent vote in each state so far, and they are expected to be a fifth to one-fourth of the South Carolina vote a bit more than the 15 percent share of Nevada's voters Saturday.The Republican race hopscotches down to Florida following McCain's narrow victory over Mike Huckabee in South Carolina. McCain heads into the Jan. 29 Florida primary heavily reliant on marginal segments of the GOP like moderates, independents and less religious voters though exit polls of South Carolina voters showed signs he may be growing on the party's mainstream.But it also presents the latest installment of a familiar test: Can he win the nomination without capturing its bedrock supporters, religious Christian and conservative voters?Huckabee's losing coalition in South Carolina read like the GOP's honor roll: the very conservative, frequent church-goers, white born again and evangelical Christians, those who want to deport illegal immigrants and make all abortions illegal, and people seeking a candidate who shares their values.McCain's supporters were an assortment of Republicans who seldom call the shots in the GOP. It's a ragtag list: moderates, independents, those who are not born again or evangelical, and people who pray only occasionally. Also, those who favor keeping at least some abortions legal and making some accommodations to illegal immigrants, are unhappy with President Bush and worry about the war in Iraq.Yet McCain was seen as the likeliest Republican to win the White House in November by 43 percent on Saturday about double those who thought Huckabee or Mitt Romney had the best chance to win.In Florida's 2000 GOP presidential primary as McCain was losing the party's nomination to George W. Bush, conservatives were six in 10 voters, self-identified Republicans were eight in 10. He lost both groups badly.In South Carolina, though, McCain showed reasons for hope with mainline GOP voters.McCain and Huckabee basically split Republicans evenly and trailed Huckabee by 9 percentage points among conservatives. He also won half of the state's moderates, better than he had done in any contest this year, and four in 10 independents.Even among white, born again and evangelical Christians, McCain lost to Huckabee in South Carolina by a wide but respectable 43 percent to 27 percent margin. And he did well with people seeking experience and leadership.In South Carolina, though, McCain had no serious competition for moderate votes, while the conservative vote was divided among Huckabee, Romney and Fred Thompson. Florida will be different with Giuliani waiting there.As for Saturday's other winner, Romney's GOP Nevada win was essentially uncontested and signaled little about his prospects ahead.The data is from surveys conducted for AP and the television networks by Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International among 1,655 voters leaving 35 precincts in South Carolina's Republican primary and 1,098 voters entering 30 sites in Nevada's Democratic caucuses. The margin of sampling error for both was plus or minus 4 percentage points. (© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.) | Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney appeared be the winner Saturday in the Nevada Republican Caucuses in the bid to be the next President of the United States. With 2% of the votes counted, Romney was leading his nearest competitors by more than a 3 to 1 margin, or having 45% of the votes. Romney, a Republican who polls between second and third nationally, appears to have been helped by concerns over the health of the U.S. economy, as well as worries over immigration. This is Romney's third win after winning his home state of Michigan's Republican primary on Tuesday and the Wyoming primary which was overshadowed by other contests According to entry polls conducted by CNN on Nevada voters, immigration and the economy topped the list of concerns - far exceeding concerns about Iraq and the War on Terror, issues generally thought to be weak spots for the Romney campaign. 38% of those polled believed the economy comes first. U.S. Representative Ron Paul (R-TX), a long-shot candidate who once ran on the Libertarian ticket, and U.S. Senator John McCain were in a fight for second. Paul has 14% with McCain currently trailing at 13%. Democrats also cast votes Saturday, with results expected later in the afternoon. The Nevada caucuses were largely overshadowed by the Republican South Carolina primary, which is being held on the same day. This was part of a strange campaign irony, as Nevada will send more delegates to the Republican National Convention in September. South Carolina was stripped of half its delegates after violating party rules by holding a primary contest before Super Tuesday. New York state Senator Hillary Clinton has won the Nevada Democratic Caucus with 52% of the votes needed to win beating her opponent Barack Obama by 8% who had 44% of the votes. Hillary's win was boosted by minority Latino and women voters. There was some controversy over the fact that some at-large Democratic caucuses would be held in casinos, giving casino workers a chance to vote, the Nevada State Education Association and six individuals filed a lawsuit claiming this was unfair and would give more delegates then other locations and that this violates state law. Due to the fact that some of the Nevada State Education Association's leaders have endorsed Clinton and that the fact the lawsuit was filed two days after the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 endorsed Obama, lead some political commentators to state it was a proxy battle between Obama and Clinton. Image:Mitt Romney, 2006.jpg|Former Governor Mitt Romney (R-MA) Image:Hillary Clinton 2007-3 cropped.jpg|Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) |
RTÉ.ie/Lisbon has complete results and live video/audio feeds of the Referendum. Send us your comments and read public reaction so far. Irish voters have rejected the Lisbon Treaty. With results in from all 43 constituencies, the Lisbon Treaty has been defeated by a margin of 53.4% to 46.6%. A total of 752,451 people voted in favour of the treaty and 862,415 voted against. Just 10 constituencies - Clare, Dublin South, Dublin South East, Dublin North, Dublin North Central, Dún Laoghaire, Kildare North, Laois Offaly, Carlow Kilkenny and Meath East - voted in favour of the Treaty. Advertisement Tánaiste Mary Coughlan, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern all failed to carry the vote in their own constituencies. The result comes as a surprise to many in Europe, and was also a shock for political activists in Ireland. Campaigners on both sides felt the Yes side had made up some ground in the last week - but that impression turned out to be wrong. The margin of victory for the No side is similar to the first referendum on Nice - but on a much higher turnout. In general, the picture is that working class and rural constituencies voted against, while middle class areas were in favour. Just ten of the 43 constituencies voted in favour - compared to only two that were on the Yes side in Nice 1. In regional terms, the result was closest in Dublin, where the No side won by 51% to 49%. But the capital also had the widest margins. It had the constituency with the highest No vote (Dublin South West at just over 65%) and the constituency with the highest Yes vote (Dun Laoghaire with 63.5%). The region with the highest No vote was Connacht/Ulster, where the No vote led by 57%. Waterford was the first constituency to declare an official result - and it was unequivocal, rejecting Lisbon by 54-46. This morning's tallies showed the strength of the No vote across the country, with just a handful of constituencies looking like they would vote Yes. Each constituency counted its own votes separately, before sending the result to the Referendum Returning Officer in Dublin Castle, who announced the overall result. ||||| DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish voters rejected a treaty on Friday to overhaul the European Union’s unwieldy institutions, putting the entire bloc’s reform plan in peril and humiliating Ireland’s political leaders. The pact, known as the Lisbon treaty, failed by a margin of 53.4 to 46.6 percent in the only EU country to put it to a popular vote. “No” vote supporters cheered loudly for several minutes, interrupting an official as he read out the results. Prime Minister Brian Cowen called the vote “a source of disappointment to my colleagues in government and to me.” “In a democracy, the will of the people as expressed at the ballot box is sovereign. The government accepts and respects the verdict of the Irish people.” The treaty was an effort to resurrect EU reforms that were torpedoed by French and Dutch voters in 2005. This time all countries but Ireland avoided a referendum. The “No” vote means a country with fewer than 1 percent of the EU’s 490 million population could doom a treaty painstakingly negotiated by all 27 member states. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso urged the other 26 members to press on and ratify the treaty. Fourteen have already done so and another four are close. The treaty envisages a long-term president of the European Council of EU leaders, a stronger foreign policy chief and a mutual defense pact. It was due to take effect on January 1, but cannot come into force if a single member fails to ratify it. Ireland ranks in surveys as one of the EU’s most pro-European states. But the treaty’s opponents persuaded voters that the pact would reduce the influence of small countries and undermine Ireland’s jealously guarded historic neutrality. Turnout was a healthy 53 percent, eliminating suggestions that voter apathy was to blame for the defeat of a measure supported by all three of Ireland’s major political parties as well as farmers’ groups, businessmen and many labor unions. Electoral returns showed opposition to the treaty concentrated in working class areas where many people are suspicious of Brussels and of their country’s political elite. Ireland is one of the EU’s great success stories -- once one of the poorest countries in western Europe, it is now one of the world’s richest. But the economy has started to stall and many voters are uneasy with massive immigration and rapid change. EURO FALLS The euro fell to its lowest level in over a month against the dollar after the first reports suggesting a “No” victory. EU leaders meeting in Brussels next week will have awkward questions for Cowen, making his European summit debut after taking over as prime minister last month. “The result does bring about considerable uncertainty and a difficult situation. There is no quick fix,” Cowen said. “We need to pause to observe what has happened and why, and to consult widely at home and with our European partners.” Slideshow ( 5 images ) Brian Lenihan, the finance minister, said Ireland would have a hard time persuading other states to renegotiate the pact. “We’ve already had seven years of negotiation and renegotiation,” he said. “It’s very difficult, having gone through plan A and plan B, to see where plan C lies.” Germany, France and Britain all said they would continue their efforts to ratify the treaty. “We are sticking with our goal for it to come into force. The ratification process must continue,” German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said. Slideshow ( 5 images ) Other European leaders expressed hope that Ireland would still find a way to sign up to the pact. “Ireland will for sure find a way to ratify this treaty,” Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters. But Mary Lou McDonald, a member of the EU parliament from Ireland’s nationalist Sinn Fein party, which helped lead the “No” campaign, said it would be impossible for Irish leaders to wriggle out of the referendum result. “This is a moment of democratic truth here. Do you listen to the people or don’t you?” The treaty’s failure, especially with robust turnout, was a surprise. On polling day bookmakers were still taking bets giving it overwhelming odds to pass. It wasn’t the first time Irish voters have shocked the EU. They almost wrecked the bloc’s plans for eastward expansion in 2001 by rejecting the Nice treaty, but the government staged a second referendum in which that pact passed. The government has said it is not considering a re-run this time around. (Writing by Peter Graff; Editing by Caroline Drees) (For more stories on the referendum, visit: here To have your say, click on: here) ||||| European leaders said they had no "plan B" if the treaty was rejected Substantial vote tallies across Ireland show the European Union Lisbon reform treaty has been rejected, Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has said. European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso said all indications were that Ireland had indeed rejected the treaty. He called for other states to continue their ratification processes and said a solution should be sought. The treaty must be ratified by all 27 members. Only Ireland has held a public vote on it. With results in from 39 of 43 constituencies, the No campaign was ahead by 53.6% to 46.4%, state broadcaster RTE reported. Mr Ahern was the first senior figure from the Irish government to admit that it looked like the treaty had failed. "It looks like this will be a No vote," Mr Ahern said on live television. "At the end of the day, for a myriad of reasons, the people have spoken." Obviously it's disappointing. It's quite clear there's a very substantial No vote Dermot Ahern, Justice Minister Q&A;: Irish referendum Mark Mardell's Euroblog In quotes: Referendum reaction He said it looked like other EU countries would ratify the treaty, so an Irish No vote would leave the EU in "uncharted waters". Mr Barroso said he had spoken to Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen and agreed with him that this was not a vote against the EU. "Ireland remains committed to a strong Europe," he said. "Ratifications should continue to take their course." Mr Barroso said EU leaders would have to decide at a summit next week how to proceed. The people of Ireland have shown enormous courage and wisdom in analysing the facts presented to them and making the decision they have Declan Ganley, Libertas UK to press ahead Send us your comments However, the BBC's Oana Lungescu in Brussels says the third failed referendum in three years on the EU's reform plans is bound to undermine the bloc's public legitimacy and dent its confidence when it faces other big players on the world stage. France and Germany quickly issued a joint statement expressing regret over the Irish result. European leaders earlier said they had no "plan B" for how to proceed if Ireland's electorate voted No. Declan Ganley of the anti-treaty lobby group Libertas said that if the No vote had indeed triumphed that it was "a great day for Ireland". "The people of Ireland have shown enormous courage and wisdom in analysing the facts presented to them and making the decision they have," Mr Ganley said. The No campaign was a broad coalition ranging from Libertas to Sinn Fein, the only party in parliament to oppose the treaty. Confusion Correspondents say many voters did not understand the treaty despite a high-profile campaign led by Mr Cowen, which had the support of most of the country's main parties. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Mr Cowen accused the No camp of "misrepresentation", saying voters had voiced concern about "issues that clearly weren't in the treaty at all", the Irish Times reported. Turnout is said to have been about 45%. Commentators had predicted that a low turnout figure would suggest a rejection. The treaty, which is designed to help the EU cope with its expansion into eastern Europe, provides for a streamlining of the European Commission, the removal of the national veto in more policy areas, a new president of the European Council and a strengthened foreign affairs post. The treaty is due to come into force on 1 January 2009. Fourteen countries out of the 27 have completed ratification so far. The Lisbon Treaty replaces a more ambitious draft constitution that was rejected by French and Dutch voters in 2005. Just over three million Irish voters are registered - in a European Union of 490 million people. In 2001, Irish voters almost wrecked EU plans to expand eastwards when they rejected the Nice treaty. It was only passed in a much-criticised second vote. E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? ||||| Andrew Duff, a British member of the European Parliament and the Liberal Democrat spokesman on constitutional issues, said that the treaty’s defeat had been a “tragedy” for the grand project that is the European Union. “The problems the treaty was established to address are still there: effectiveness, democracy and the capacity to act,” he said in an interview. Referring to the 2001 Nice Treaty, which last reorganized the way the union functions, he said: “If the outcome of this is that we are obliged to struggle on with the existing treaty, then the Irish have done no favors for themselves or us.” It is unclear what exactly will happen next. Ireland is the only country to put the Lisbon Treaty to a referendum, as its law requires. In general, such treaties are far more popular with Europe’s leaders than with its voters, and most governments are reluctant to risk the uncertainty of a national vote. The other 26 countries in the European Union are considering it through their legislatures and executives, and 18 have approved it so far. Around Europe, pro-treaty officials reacted to the vote with a collective brave face, vowing to forge ahead with the Lisbon Treaty despite Friday’s possibly fatal setback. In 2001, Ireland initially rejected the Nice Treaty in a similar referendum to the one on Friday, but was prevailed upon to change its mind in a second referendum the next year. There is no suggestion yet that that might happen again. But in Brussels, the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, said he believed that the treaty was still “alive.” In Paris, Jean-Pierre Jouyet, France’s minister for European affairs, said that “the most important thing is that the ratification process must continue in the other countries, and then we shall see with the Irish what type of legal arrangement could be found.” | A referendum in Ireland proposing the country's ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon has been rejected by the electorate despite near universal support from the country's political establishment. Although in most states the issue has been (or will be) decided through parliamentary vote, Ireland was obliged to hold a referendum by its constitution. Ireland is the first state to reject the treaty which came about as a reworking of the E.U. Constitution, rejected by referenda in France and the Netherlands in 2005. 862,415 cast their vote against the treaty and 752,451 people voted for it, yielding a 53.4% to 46.6% margin of defeat. All 43 constituencies have been counted. "It looks like this will be a No vote," Dermot Ahern, the Irish Minister for Justice said on live television. "At the end of the day, for a myriad of reasons, the people have spoken." "The Treaty is not dead," said European Commission President José Manuel Barroso. "The ratification process is made up of 27 national processes, 18 Member States have already approved the Treaty, and the European Commission believes that the remaining ratifications should continue to take their course," he said. "Ireland remains committed to a strong Europe," said Barroso after speaking with Taoiseach (prime minister) Brian Cowen. "Ratifications should continue to take their course." France and Germany issued a joint statement expressing regret over the result. The United Kingdom said it would continue with its own ratification process. |
Print Authors sue Google over Google Print The Authors Guild and three other writers filed a class action suit on Tuesday against Google Inc. over the Google Print program. The lawsuit charges Google with massive copyright infringement. Google Print is a beta, or test, project that allows Internet users to search for content in books. Google is in the process of scanning books from several libraries into the searchable database. The Authors Guild, a society of published writers representing over 8,000 U.S. authors, charges that Google has not sought the approval of authors to include their works in the program. Google does allow copyright holders to exclude their books from the program. However, traditionally, content users must have affirmative authorization from a copyright owner to use the copyrighted material, said Terence Ross, a partner and copyright law specialist at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, a Washington, D.C., law office. “Merely saying that if we don’t hear from you we assume it’s okay has never been accepted by any court and I doubt it would ever be accepted,” he said. Google said in a statement responding to the lawsuit that its activities are consistent with the fair use doctrine under U.S. copyright law and the principles underlying copyright law. Fair use is a concept within U.S. copyright law that allows copyright material to be used in limited circumstances, such as quoting parts of a novel for a book review, without the permission of the author. When users search the Google Print database, they find a “brief snippet of text where their search term appears,” not the entire text, Google explained in the statement. Still, Google is copying entire works into its database. “It’s not what’s delivered to the PC user that’s the copyright issue, it’s the fact that they have copied the entire work in the first place,” said Ross. “I don’t see fair use.” Google also points to a paper issued by Jonathan Band, an intellectual property lawyer, who cites potentially relevant cases. In one, a company was allowed to make copies of images on Web sites and offer them in smaller, lower quality form because such a format doesn’t alleviate the need for the higher-quality originals. Similarly, rather than erode the potential for authors to sell books, Google argues the program will encourage sales. “This ability to introduce millions of users to millions of titles can only expand the market for authors’ books, which is precisely what copyright law is intended to foster,” the statement said. Google is working with University of Michigan, Harvard University, Stanford University, The New York Public Library and Oxford University to scan all or part of their books into the Google Print database. The lawsuit was filed in a New York federal court. The three writers named in the suit in addition to the Authors Guild are Herbert Mitgang, a former New York Times writer and book author, Betty Miles, a children’s book author and Daniel Hoffman, a poet and author. 59 Comments on this story Email this story to a friend Print ||||| By Tim Beyers (TMF Mile High) September 21, 2005 I'm a bit conflicted this morning. Yesterday I received a press release from The Authors Guild, of which I am a member, announcing it has filed suit against Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) for what it calls "massive copyright infringement." Three members of the Guild are the actual plaintiffs: Herbert Mitgang, a former New York Times editorial writer; Betty Miles, a noted children's author; and Daniel Hoffman, a former Poet Laureate of the United States. At the center of the dispute is the Google Print for Libraries project, which began in December. The idea is to digitally scan and make available for search the content of millions of books housed in major university libraries, including Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, and Michigan. The New York Public Library has also been a participant. It's not clear how many texts have been scanned to date, but it's likely to be in the tens of thousands, including works still under copyright protection. And that's what has the Guild up in arms. It claims that in striking its deals with libraries, Google never sought the permission of individual authors. It gets confusing because there are two types of Google Print programs: Google Print for Libraries, and Google Print for Publishers. In the latter, publishers such as Simon & Schuster -- which has published The Motley Fool's series of books -- can have their texts listed in Google searches for free. (Simon & Schuster is a division of Viacom (NYSE: VIA) and participates in Google Print for Publishers.) But there seems to be a question as to whether participating in Google Print for Publishers grants Google the right to scan copyrighted works if those works are part of a library collection. Obviously, the Authors Guild doesn't think so. And therein lies my conflict: As a member of the Guild and a writer, I'm completely in favor of defending the intellectual property rights of my fellow members. Yet I also depend on the richness of Google so much that I hate to see anything impede the process of digitizing useful texts. There's unlikely to be a clear winner in this -- least of all investors. After stubbing its toe with Gmail, Google should have known it would have to tread carefully in the realm of copyright law. To its credit, the technology does appear very well designed. But intellectual property is still a tricky, relationship-driven business. Managing it can be tough. Just ask Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) -- iTunes wouldn't be the success it has become without some clever bargaining with the music industry and hundreds of musicians. Are writers really any different? Not in my, um, book. I don't relish changing positions, but this latest debacle convinces me that my dueling opponent, Rich Smith, was right: Google has a big mission in organizing the world's information, and it takes more than good technology to do that. Till the company proves it understands this, it doesn't deserve your hard-earned investing dollars. There's no need to go Googling for more information. We've got related Foolishness for you right here: Google Wi-Fi? Whoa, that's creepy. When it comes to the Search King, Mr. Softy is getting awfully hard-nosed. Maybe Google could learn a thing or two from Apple's long, strange trip to iTunes. Do you loathe the thought of pricey tech stocks? Do you go to the mall and only shop in the bargain aisle? Do garage sales actually appeal to you? If so, Motley Fool Inside Value was made for you. Learn how Philip Durell and his Foolish band of value-investing analysts buy stocks on sale when you take a risk-free trial today. Your portfolio will thank you. Fool contributor Tim Beyers wishes he had more work to copyright. Sigh. Tim didn't own shares in any of the companies mentioned in this story at the time of publication. You can find out what's in his portfolio by checking Tim's Fool profile here. The Motley Fool has an ironclad disclosure policy. ||||| Google says its plan will raise awareness and sales of books The Authors Guild has filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuit seeks class action status, seeks damages and demands an injunction against further infringements. Google said it regretted the Authors Guild action, asked for more talks, and claimed its plans benefited writers. Co-plaintiffs in Google action Authors Guild - professional group for published writers Herbert Mitgang - historian, critic, ex-New York Times writer Betty Miles - children's book author Daniel Hoffman - Poet Laureate in the US - 1973/74 The suit names as co-plaintiffs The Authors Guild and writers Herbert Mitgang, Betty Miles and Daniel Hoffman. Google has a grand plan of "organizing the world's information and making it more universally accessible and useful". It hopes to pump $200m (£110m) into creating a digital archive of millions of books from four top US libraries - the libraries of Stanford, Michigan and Harvard universities, and of the New York Public Library - by 2015. It is also digitising out-of-copyright books from the UK's Oxford University. 'Brazen violation' However it has temporarily stopped scanning copyrighted texts until November to allay concerns about the plan, after several groups complained about copyright violation. The action by the 86-year-old Authors Guild is part of a push by the organization to roll back efforts by Web sites to make the contents of books freely available online. Google has said copyright holders who contact the company and ask for their books to be withheld from the project, will be respected. Only small portions of the books are shown unless the content owner gives permission to show more Google statement But critics say that moves the onus from Google to the writers. "This is a plain and brazen violation of copyright law," Nick Taylor, president of the 8,000-member New York-based Authors Guild, said in a statement. "(Authors), not Google, have the exclusive rights to... authorize such reproduction, distribution and display of their works," the guild's complaint says. But Google said its project "directly benefits authors and publishers by increasing awareness of and sales of the books in the programme". "Only small portions of the books are shown unless the content owner gives permission to show more," it added. | 250px Google is being sued by the Authors Guild, among others, due to the verbatim publishing of contents of their books in Google Print for Libraries, a search engine for searching books that started in December. The Authors Guild wants Google to make the content from books protected under copyright unavailable, as they claim that they have never given permission for their text to be published. However, Google offers the option of having their text removed from their databases. Google also claims that the text is used under ''fair use'', as they only include "snippets" of the text, and not the entire book. Also, Google sees Google Print as an incentive to authors, as it could help boost sales. “This ability to introduce millions of users to millions of titles can only expand the market for authors’ books, which is precisely what copyright law is intended to foster,” says Google. The lawsuit was filed by three writers in a New York federal court, and has the support from the U.S.-based Authors Guild. The suit acknowledges that text snippets presented via the internet to users is legal under the U.S. definition of ''fair use''. Rather, the complaint centers on the wholesale copying of a book's text into Google databases. Another Google Print program, called "Google Print for Publishers", seeks consent from publishers (such as Simon & Schuster, who has given permission) to publish their works. Considering as publishers ''may'' be holders of the copyright in book contents, this could be the sole project of Google Print, assuming Google Print for Libraries is deemed "massive copyright infringement" by the District Court in Manhattan where the suit was filed. |
Temporary housing arrives for Chile quake victims Posted Chile's Government has airlifted in hundreds of portable houses for people left homeless by a powerful earthquake that hit the country's north. At least two people were killed and another 150 injured when the 7.7 magnitude quake struck north of the coastal mining city of Antofagasta. Chile's Housing Minister says almost 3,000 houses have been either damaged or destroyed. ||||| By Pav Jordan SANTIAGO (Reuters) - A powerful earthquake hit mineral-rich northern Chile on Wednesday, killing at least two people, injuring more than 100 and halting output at some of the world's largest copper mines. The magnitude 7.7 quake raised massive dust clouds in Chile's mountainous north and shook buildings in isolated cities up and down the Pacific coast. Dozens of road workers were reported trapped in and around a coastal highway tunnel that collapsed in the hardest-hit area. Government spokesman Ricardo Lagos said rescuers would try to reach them early on Thursday. "They will be evacuated by the Navy via the ocean," he said. "As far as we know there are no injured or dead (among them)." Hundreds of miles away in the capital Santiago, buildings swayed and unnerved even the earthquake-hardened. The area rocked by the earthquake lies between Chile's northern Pacific coast on one side and the barren Atacama desert and towering Andes mountains on the other. The worst damage was in Tocopilla, 75 miles north of coastal mining city Antofagasta, where people were caught under rubble from crumbling rooftops and balconies. At least 115 people were injured in Tocopilla and its mayor, Luis Moyano, said about 1,200 houses had been flattened, leaving 4,000 residents homeless. Continued... ||||| Location of the Chile earthquake, 14 Nov 2007 Authorities in Chile say at least two people have been killed and more than 100 injured after a powerful earthquake struck in the north, sending terrified residents into the streets and cutting power to some of the country's copper mines. Officials said two women were killed Wednesday when their houses in the town of Tocopilla collapsed during the 7.7 magnitude earthquake. They also said another person may have died in a tunnel collapse there, which has trapped some 50 workers. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered west of the town of Calama. It was felt as far away as the Chilean capital, Santiago, and neighboring Peru and Bolivia. Television images showed cars crushed under the concrete awning of a hotel in Antofagasta, 170 kilometers south of the epicenter. The quake was followed by six aftershocks with magnitudes of up to 5.7. Additionally, the quake triggered a tsunami warning which was later lifted. In August, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck Peru, killing about 540 people and injuring more than 1,000 others. The southern port city of Pisco was one of the areas devastated by the powerful quake, which lasted two minutes. Some information for this report provided by AP, Reuters and AFP. ||||| 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 about 40 km (25 mi) east-southeast of Tocopilla at 8:40 AM MST, Nov 14, 2007 (12:40 PM local time in Chile). The magnitude and location may be revised when additional data and further analysis results are available. Felt Reports Two people killed, at least 45 injured and buildings damaged (VIII) at Tocopilla. Twenty people injured and some buildings damaged (VII) at Maria Elena. Buildings damaged (VII) at Antofagasta and Calama. Power and telephone outages occurred at Antofagasta and Iquique. Felt (VII) at Baquedano and Mejillones; (VI) at Alto Hospicio, Arica, Huara, Iquique and Taltal; (V) at Caldera, Chanaral, Copiapo and Tierra Amarilla; (III) at Alto del Carmen, Coquimbo, Freirina, Huasco, La Higuera, La Serena and Vallenar; (II) at Santiago, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. Felt from Arica to Santiago. Felt (III) at Arequipa; felt at Lima and in Moquegua and Tacna, Peru. Felt (III) at La Paz; felt at Cochabamba and in other parts of Bolivia. Felt at San Juan, Argentina. Also felt at Sao Paulo, Brazil. Tectonic Summary The earthquake near Antofagasta, Chile of November 14th 2007 results from the release of stresses generated by the subduction of the oceanic Nazca plate beneath the South American plate. In this region, known as the Peru-Chile subduction zone, the Nazca Plate thrusts beneath South America at a rate of approximately 79mm/year in an east-north-east direction. This earthquake indicates subduction-related thrusting, likely on the interface between these two plates. This earthquake occurred near (and within) the southern end of the rupture area of the great magnitude 8.8 earthquake of 1877, which produced a destructive tsunami and whose source region has since the late 1970ís been recognized as a potentially dangerous seismic gap. In 1995, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake thrust-fault occurred in the same subduction zone approximately 200km further south of the November 14th event. PDF JPG Earthquake Information for South America Earthquake Information for Chile Tsunami Information | Authorities in Chile say at least two people have been killed and more than 100 injured after a powerful earthquake struck in the north, sending terrified residents into the streets and cutting power to some of the country's copper mines. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake struck on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at 15:40:53 UTC. Officials said two women were killed Wednesday when their houses in the town of Tocopilla collapsed during the 7.7 magnitude earthquake. They also said another person may have died in a tunnel collapse there, which has trapped some 50 workers. Government spokesperson Ricardo Lagos said "They will be evacuated by the Navy via the ocean. As far as we know there are no injured or dead among the workers." The USGS said the quake was centered west of the town of Calama. It was felt as far away as the Chilean capital, Santiago, and neighboring Peru and Bolivia. Television images showed cars crushed under the concrete awning of a hotel in Antofagasta, 170 kilometers south of the epicenter. The police chief of Arequipa, Hernan Tamayo said, "People ran out into the streets because of how prolonged the quake was. There was a lot of alarm but no material or human damage." The quake was followed by six aftershocks with magnitudes of up to 5.7. Additionally, the quake triggered a tsunami warning which was later lifted. In Tocopilla, 115 people were injured. Mayor Luis Moyano said about 1,200 houses had been flattened. "Today, the people of Tocopilla are going to have to sleep in the streets," he said in a radio address. In total, 3,000 homes have been destroyed in Chile, according to the Housing Minister. The government has airlifted hundreds of portable homes to provide shelter. In August, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake struck Peru, killing about 540 people and injuring more than 1,000 others. The southern port city of Pisco was one of the areas devastated by the powerful quake, which lasted two minutes. |
The Metropolitan police commander Ali Dizaei was jailed for four years today after being convicted of falsely arresting a man and making up an account that he had been assaulted and threatened. A jury at Southwark crown court today found the 47-year-old guilty of misconduct in public office and attempting to pervert the course of justice. Dizaei, a controversial and high-profile officer, faces being sacked from the force in disgrace. The jury took two hours and 31 minutes to reach its unanimous verdicts. As the verdict was announced, Dizaei, once tipped as a future commissioner of the Metropolitan police, stood motionless in the dock. He stared in the direction of the jury. They did not glance back. In between the verdict and sentencing Dizaei was able to leave the dock to hug and kiss his wife, Shy. The offences he has been convicted of carry a maximum of life imprisonment. The case was investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC). After the verdict its chair, Nick Hardwick, branded Dizaei a "criminal in uniform" who had behaved like a "bully". Dizaei is president of the National Black Police Association and was suspended over the incident in September 2008 at the height of a race row that convulsed the force. The trial was the second time in seven years Dizaei had faced criminal charges. In 2003 he was cleared by a jury and later returned to duty. He is believed to be the most senior officer in recent times to stand trial. The crown said Dizaei was involved in the "wholesale abuse" of his powers by bullying, threatening and intimidating a man in the culmination of a personal vendetta. He was charged with threatening and falsely arresting Waad al-Baghdadi, who said Dizaei had failed to pay him money owed for a website he designed for the officer. The crown said that the £600 Dizaei allegedly failed to pay Baghdadi led to months of rising tension, which spilled over into verbal and physical clashes outside a west London restaurant in July 2008. Peter Wright QC told the jury that Dizaei was on trial for falsely claiming that Baghdadi had made threatening gestures and assaulted him. Dizaei arrested Baghdadi and called 999 for help. He maintained his account to officers at the scene and after Baghdadi was in custody by making verbal and written statements, the court heard. Wright said the senior police officer's account was contradicted by a recording of a 999 call Baghdadi made to police, during which Dizaei arrested him. Wright told the jury: "These are allegations, we say, that involve the wholesale abuse of power by a senior police officer for entirely personal and oblique motives." Dizaei said Baghdadi had made threatening gestures towards him and he decided to arrest him for a public order offence. The officer said his wife was left terrified by the verbal tirade and threats from Baghdadi. Dizaei claimed that during the arrest he was poked or stabbed in the stomach with an object that he believed to be the top of a shisha pipe. There was a struggle as he tried to handcuff Baghdadi. A forensic medical examiner later concluded Dizaei's injuries were not consistent with being stabbed by a shisha pipe but were more likely to be "self-inflicted". However, an accredited Home Office pathologist challenged that finding and said it was based on a "fundamentally flawed approach". The crown claimed that during the arrest Dizaei threatened Baghdadi, saying: "I'll fuck your life … You think I don't know what you do in London … I'll find every single detail of your life in London." Hardwick said: "When Mr al-Baghdadi tried to get Commander Dizaei to pay him the money he owed him, Dizaei assaulted and then arrested him. He went on to lie about what had happened and, if he had been successful, Mr al-Baghdadi may have been sent to prison. "Dizaei behaved like a bully and the only way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them. Mr al-Baghdadi has shown tremendous strength of character throughout this case ‑ from the moment he was confronted by Ali Dizaei, throughout our investigation, and finally when giving evidence at court. We are grateful for the confidence he placed in the IPCC and, as a result of that, justice has been done today. "The greatest threat to the reputation of the police service is criminals in uniform like Dizaei." ||||| On a summer night in July 2008, Commander Ali Dizaei decided to take a break from his duties as a senior police officer and fighting his own force over race – a combination he had become used to juggling since joining the Metropolitan police in 2001. Dizaei and his wife, Shy, went to Yas, a Persian restaurant in west London run by an old friend of his. Dizaei could have had no inkling that, within hours of finishing his meal, a series of bizarre events would unfold, taking him into the dock of Southwark crown court and making him the most senior police officer in modern times to face criminal charges. The 47-year-old Scotland Yard commander and his wife left the restaurant and went to their car, where they sat talking to the restaurant owner, Sohrab Eshragi, through an open window. During their conversation, 24-year-old Waad al-Baghdadi, a website designer, crossed their path. There was no dispute that a row broke out, but it was for the jury to decide what was said by whom, whether the police officer used his position to bully Baghdadi or whether the web designer had threatened Dizaei and his wife. The criminal case against Dizaei boiled down to one question – whether the jury believed the word of a senior police officer or that of the man he arrested. The crown's case was presented by one of Britain's top criminal prosecutors, Peter Wright QC, who had led the cases against the Suffolk serial killer of sex workers, and terrorists who plotted to set off liquid bombs on board planes heading to North America from Britain. Wright told the jury Dizaei had engaged in "wholesale abuse" of his powers by bullying, threatening and intimidating a man in the culmination of a personal vendetta. He said Dizaei had falsely arrested Baghdadi, claiming he had threatened him and stabbed him with the end of a shisha pipe during a scuffle. Furthermore, Wright said a medical examiner called in by police concluded that the injuries suffered by the officer were more likely to have been self-inflicted. Dizaei was charged with threatening and falsely arresting Baghdadi, who claimed the Met commander had failed to pay £600 for a website he had designed for him. The policeman detained Baghdadi, called 999 for help and maintained his account, both at the scene and after Baghdadi was in custody, by making verbal and written statements. He said the officer's account was contradicted by a 999 call Baghdadi made, during which Dizaei arrested him. The crown said its case was supported by CCTV footage and other evidence, and Wright told the jury: "These are allegations, we say, that involve the wholesale abuse of power by a senior police officer for entirely personal and oblique motives." In the witness box, Baghdadi claimed that, when he came across Dizaei and his wife, he talked normally. But he said the officer had become enraged, left the car and squared up to him on the pavement. He told the jury Dizaei had challenged him to a fight and then ordered him to leave the restaurant after he had gone in for a meal. Baghdadi said he had left but then called 999 before staying in the area. Then Dizaei drove up and proceeded to arrest Baghdadi, during which time he was alleged to have told him: "I'll fuck your life." CCTV footage of the scene showed parts of the incident but, in the absence of eyewitnesses, the only direct evidence that Dizaei had made any threats came from Baghdadi. The web designer told the jury he saw Dizaei as a gangster "like Tony Montana", the mob boss from the film Scarface. Set against this was evidence from the officer's wife that Baghdadi's verbal tirade had left her terrified and that he had said he would "extract the money out of your throat". The restaurant owner told the jury Baghdadi was "a crook basically", adding: "His history ... everybody knows he's not a good gentleman." Eshragi said that, far from Dizaei intimidating Baghdadi by ordering him out of the restaurant, he had urged him to ask the web designer to leave because he feared a fight might break out. "I was worried about this man [Baghdadi]. He was in a fight before and disappeared before the police arrived," Eshragi said. The crown's claim that Dizaei had wounded himself, for which it relied on a police doctor, was challenged by Dr Nat Cary, one of the country's leading forensic pathologists who has worked on many high-profile cases including the death of Benazir Bhutto and the case of Ian Tomlinson, the newspaper seller who died at last year's G20 protest. Cary said the claim was based on a "fundamentally flawed approach" to forensic medicine. "He [Dizaei] alleges he has been poked with the shisha pipe," he said. "In my view, that's consistent [with the injuries]." | Commander Ali Dizaei of London's Metropolitan Police Service today became the most senior officer anywhere in the United Kingdom to be convicted of offences by a court. Dizaei, who was branded a "criminal in uniform" by Independent Police Complaints Commission chair Nick Hardwick, has been jailed for four years after he attempted to frame an Iraqi businessman. It took a Southwark Crown Court jury under three hours to find Dizaei guilty of misconduct in a public office and attempting to pervert the course of justice. The charges carried a maximum of life imprisonment. Dizaei, 47, who is head of the National Black Police Association, had gone to the Yas Persian restaurant, run by one of his friends, and taken his wife Shy with him. They then went to their car and struck up a conversation through its open window with the restaurant's manager. During this conversation they were approached by Waad al-Baghdadi, an Iraqi website designer in his twenties. He requested that Dizaei pay £600 that he owed Baghdadi, who had constructed his website. According to the Crown, this dispute had been ongoing for months and Dizaei had been attempting to intimidate Baghdadi. He told the Iraqi to depart when he entered the restaurant; although the businessman did, he stayed nearby and rang the 999 emergency number. The exact content of the argument that led up to this is unclear. Dizaei and his wife testified that Baghdadi was abusive and threatening, telling the officer he would "extract the money out of your throat" while the owner of the Yas said he was "a crook basically... His history ... everybody knows he's not a good gentleman," said owner Sohrab Eshragi. Eshragi said that the request Baghdadi leave the premises was due to concerns of trouble, claiming Baghdadi had been in a previous fight. Baghdadi denied the allegations and the court rejected Dizaei's version of events. While Baghdadi was making his emergency call, Dizaei arrested him and made a 999 call of his own. He requested assistence from other officers, and said that Baghdadi had assaulted him by stabbing his stomach with a shisha pipe. He maintained this account when police arrived and kept it up in written statements, but although Baghdadi was found to be carrying such a pipe examination of Dizaei's wounds by a police doctor concluded he had inflicted them upon himself. A Home Office pathologist questioned this finding for the defence. Dr. Nat Cary said it was based on a "fundamentally flawed approach," and that the injuries were consistent with Dizaei's version of events. He has helped investigate the assassination of former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto, and the death newspaper seller Ian Thomlinson, the latter of whom died during a G20 protest. The Crown further alleged that Dizaei told Baghdadi "I'll fuck your life... You think I don't know what you do in London... I'll find every single detail of your life in London." The prosecution case was presented by Peter Wright QC, who has prosecuted in trials over serial murders of Suffolk sex workers and a plot to bomb transatlantic airliners. He said that Dizaei's actions were a "wholesale abuse of power by a senior police officer for entirely personal and oblique motives." Judge Justice Simon said that Dizaei had committed a "grave breach of public trust" and told him "This sentence needs to send a clear message that police officers of whatever rank are not above the law." A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman said outside the court that "He abused his power and ignored his responsibility," and that while corruption was unacceptable in any police officer it was particularly so in a senior member of the forces. "The public should have confidence that we will prosecute anyone, regardless of their position, if they commit serious offences. We believe justice has been served for the victim and the public." "If he Dizaei had been successful, Mr al-Baghdadi may have been sent to prison," noted Hardwick. "Mr al-Baghdadi has shown tremendous strength of character throughout this case ‑ from the moment he was confronted by Ali Dizaei, throughout our investigation, and finally when giving evidence at court. We are grateful for the confidence he placed in the IPCC and, as a result of that, justice has been done today." Dizaei has been a policeman for 24 years, and at one stage was rumoured to be destined to take control of the Metropolitan Police, although the Metropolitan Police Authority may now choose to end this career. His trial, which began this month, is his second this decade. He was prosecuted in 2003 but cleared of any wrongdoing. The incident with Baghdadi was in June 2008 and Dizaei has been suspended on full pay since September of that year. Hardwick said that "The greatest threat to the reputation of the police service is criminals in uniform like Dizaei." |
SYDNEY (Reuters) - A stranded Chinese bulk coal carrier leaking oil into the sea around Australia's Great Barrier Reef is in danger of breaking up and damaging the reef, government officials said on Sunday. The 230-meter (754-ft) Shen Neng I was on its way to China when it ran aground on a shoal on Saturday. It had 950 tonnes of oil on board and officials said patches of oil had been spotted in the water early on Sunday, but no major leak. The premier of Queensland state Anna Bligh said the ship was in a poor state, and posed a danger to the reef. "The situation remains serious as the extent of the damage means there is a very real risk that the vessel may break apart," Bligh said in a statement. "Every effort is now being made to limit the impact of this incident on the Great Barrier Reef." Aircraft overflew the vessel early on Sunday, taking photographs and dispersant was to be sprayed later in the day. The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia's major tourist attractions and is considered to be highly vulnerable to damage from pollution. Environmentalists have criticized regulations which do not require a special pilot to guide ships through the tortuous channels in the area. They warned that communities of coral only recently studied by science could be destroyed by a major oil leak. "It would devastate the local ecosystems in this area," Ian Herbert, vice-chairman of the local Capricorn Conservation Council, told Reuters. "There are corals surrounding some of these islands that are very special." The China-bound ship was carrying 65,000 tonnes of coal from the Queensland port of Gladstone. It was located 70 km (43 miles) east of Great Keppel Island, offshore from the city of Rockhampton. Continued... ||||| There are concerns the Shen Neng I may break up A Chinese ship has run aground off north-eastern Australia, sparking an alert of an oil leak into the Great Barrier Reef. The Shen Neng I, carrying 950 tonnes of oil, ran aground 70km (43 miles) off the east coast of Great Keppel Island. Oil patches have been seen and officials said there were real concerns the ship may break apart, causing a greater spillage. Conservationists say they fear for a major accident in the future. The Shen Neng I, with a crew of 23, was carrying about 65,000 tonnes of coal to China from the Australian port of Gladstone. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh said the ship was in danger of breaking up. "We are now very worried we might see further oil discharged from this ship," she said. Maritime Safety Queensland general manager Patrick Quirk said: "It is in danger of actually breaking a number of its main structures and breaking into a number of parts." Capricorn Conservation Council spokesman Ian Herbert told the Australian Associated Press he feared the latest incident was "a sign of things to come". "We are outraged that no marine pilot is required on ships between Gladstone and Cairns," he said. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest reef system and extends for more than 2,500km. ||||| The winter duck are now arriving in large numbers from more northern lands, and among them are some gadwall. These duck are not so flashy as the others, but they are beautiful in a more discreet way. Black, white and a soft grey are the restrained colours of the drake. But there is more to him than that. His head is delicately peppered, and his breast and flanks are patterned with an exquisite web of tiny curled lines. His beak is blackish and he has a striking black patch at the back. Other species of duck have glossy green or blue patches on their wings, but the gadwall | Satellite image of the Great Barrier Reef. A Chinese merchant ship has run aground off the coast of Australia and began leaking oil into the ocean near the Great Barrier Reef, triggering fears of a major oil spill into the waters near the reef. The ship, the ''Shen Neng 1'', was carrying 950 tonnes of oil, along with 65,000 tonnes of coal, from Gladstone, a port in Queensland, Australia, to China. It reportedly ran aground sometime late on Saturday 70 kilometers from Great Keppel Island, according to a spokesperson from the Queensland state government. The spokesperson, Mark Strong, said that oil had been spotted off the ship about two nautical miles away, although there was currently no major leak. A plane was dispatched to spray a dispersant over the oil, as well as to assess the situation, and a major clean-up operation was being planned by authorities. The day after the ship first grounded, reports began emerging that it had been travelling in a restricted zone of the ocean, around nine miles outside the normal shipping lane, and had been travelling at full speed when it grounded. An official from Queensland said that a probing inquiry would later be conducted into its presence outside the shipping channel. Conservationists said that the incident was "a sign of things to come," and that there was the potential for a much larger accident in the future. One such person, a spokesman for the Capricorn Conservation Council, said that "We are outraged that no marine pilot is required on ships between Gladstone and Cairns." Cairns is a city on the northern coast of Australia. |
West Indies v England, 5th Test, Trinidad, 5th day West Indies survive in thrilling finale The Bulletin by Andrew Miller West Indies 544 (Chanderpaul 147*, Nash 109, Gayle 102) and 114 for 8 (Swann 3-13) drew with England 546 for 6 dec (Collingwood 161, Strauss 142, Prior 131) and 237 for 6 dec (Pietersen 102) Scorecard and ball-by-ball details The hero of the hour: Fidel Edwards blocked out the final over to deliver the Wisden Trophy to his side © Getty Images West Indies regained the Wisden Trophy for the first time since 2000 in a thrilling finale to the series in Trinidad. Left with 66 overs in which to bat in their second innings after England's lunchtime declaration, West Indies shipped wickets at regular intervals but clung on tenaciously to reach the close on 114 for 8. The heroes of the closing overs were Denesh Ramdin, who produced the rearguard of his life to finish unbeaten on 17 from 87 deliveries, and Fidel Edwards, their man for a cliffhanger, who reprised his nerveless role in Antigua last month by facing up to Monty Panesar with nine men round the bat, and blocking out the final five deliveries of the series. For West Indies it was a sensational escape, their second in three Tests either side of last week's bore-draw in Barbados, and one which sealed their first series victory since 2004. In the process, the result vindicated Chris Gayle's controversial tactics at the start of the game, not to mention their selection of an extra batsman. Having set their sights on a draw from the first morning, the tactic came excruciatingly close to backfiring as England produced some of their finest batting and bowling of the series to take the match to the wire, but in the end, the momentum West Indies gained from their incredible 51-all-out victory in Jamaica at the start of the series proved sufficient to inch them over the line. After four days of ennui, the finale to the series was a grandstand affair. It began with England resuming on 80 for 3, with quick runs the priority if they were to have any hope of forcing their way back into the series. Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior responded superbly by hustling along in a fifth-wicket partnership of 106 from only 88 balls, but England's lunch-time declaration was arguably too cautious, given how much was at stake in the day. Had they declared at the moment of Prior's dismissal for 61 from 49 balls, with a lead of 209 and half-an-hour of the session remaining, it might ultimately have made the difference. But with Pietersen unbeaten on 86 at the time and closing in on his 16th Test hundred, Strauss was unable to make the bold call. Pietersen eventually reached his landmark from a brisk 88 balls, but in the final analysis, those lost five overs might have made the difference. Nevertheless, in their previous five innings of the series, West Indies had batted for 157.4 overs, 89.2 overs, 128 overs, 194.4 overs and 178.4 overs. To expect them to roll over inside 66 was optimistic in the extreme, but optimism is exactly what England carried with them into the field. Led magnificently by James Anderson, who produced a brilliant spell of fast and aggressive swing bowling, and kept in the hunt by the spin pairing of Monty Panesar and Graeme Swann, they hustled West Indies at every opportunity, claiming three wickets in the first 19 overs to rule out any prospect of a successful run-chase, before chipping away unrelentingly at the middle and lower order. The first to go was Lendl Simmons, who opened the innings in place of the injured Chris Gayle, but was turned inside-out by an Anderson legcutter that zipped off a leading edge and screamed low into the slip cordon, where Paul Collingwood scooped an inspirational catch with his right hand, inches from the turf. Three overs later, and Devon Smith - never comfortable against the spin of Swann - slogged wildly across the line and was trapped plumb lbw for 17. Swann, whose final figures were a mesmeric 21-13-13-3, then claimed the big one, as Ramnaresh Sarwan propped forward outside off, and nicked a catch low to Collingwood's left at slip. One delivery later, and Collingwood was so nearly back in the action again, but Shivnarine Chanderpaul's first-ball edge dropped tantalisingly short at slip. Swann, however, was not to be denied. Having resumed after tea on 78 for 3, West Indies lost the crucial wicket of Chanderpaul three overs into the final session, as he played back to a delivery which held its line on off stump and rapped him just inside the line. With some justification, Chanderpaul called upon his team's final referral to try to engineer a reprieve, but that decision came back to haunt his partner, Ryan Hinds, later on in the session, when he was adjudged caught at slip off Panesar for a diligent 20 from 93 balls, even though replays suggested his pad, and not his bat, had been responsible for the deflection. No referral could have saved Brendan Nash, however. A maiden Test centurion in the first innings, he made just 1 from 12 balls before Anderson, swinging the ball both ways at will in a brilliant six-over spell, zipped one back into his knee-roll from round the wicket. As Nash departed, so the saviour of the innings, Ramdin, arrived. His maiden Test century in Barbados last week gave him the sheen of confidence that the situation required, even though for the early part of his innings, he looked like an lbw waiting to happen as he was persecuted by Anderson's late inswingers. But with massive tenacity he endured, as the captain, Gayle, eventually appeared at No. 8 in the order after suffering a torn hamstring in the first innings. Gayle's immobility meant that Panesar became his personal tormentor - of the 42 balls he faced in his innings, 36 were from the left-arm spinner, whom he clubbed down the ground for his solitary scoring stroke, but against whom he ultimately had no response. Panesar, who lost 25% of his match fee for excessive appealing in the first innings, was utterly unfazed by the hole in his pocket, and roughly one in three of his deliveries to Gayle resulted in a raucous appeal. Of these, one led to a wasted referral, another looked to be stone-dead in front of middle stump, and a third finally got the desired result, as Gayle propped uncomfortably forward and umpire Tiffin finally raised his finger. At 107 for 7 with nine overs remaining, England had the opening they needed, but with Ramdin in the zone and refusing to yield, there was only one end on which they could work. Anderson capped his day by shattering Daren Powell's stumps with a perfect inswinging yorker, but with eight deliveries of his series remaining, he simply could not blast his way past Ramdin's ever-broadening bat. Eventually, it was left to Panesar to produce the miracle that England needed, but Edwards, for the fourth time in his career, after Test-saving efforts against Zimbabwe, India and England at Antigua, held firm. Having patted the fifth ball of Panesar's over back down the pitch, Edwards raised his arms in triumph, knowing that his team could not now be beaten. Moments later a crestfallen Strauss wandered across to shake hands and finally extinguish a contest that had barely fizzled for 11 sessions before bursting into full Technicolor in the final day-and-a-third. England arrived in the Caribbean believing victory was theirs for the taking, but they've been thwarted by a team with greater depths of resolve than perhaps even the men themselves had realised. Andrew Miller is UK editor of Cricinfo © Cricinfo ||||| From off-field sacrifices, the tribute that left him emotional and his “dream” to win a flag with his dad in the grandstand, this was the best of Dustin Martin’s rare TV interview. ||||| Fifth Test, Trinidad (day five, close): England 546-6 & 237-6 drew with West Indies 544 & 114-8 Match scorecard By Jamie Lillywhite Chris Gayle led his side to a first major Test series win in five years England fell agonisingly short of victory as West Indies held on to draw the final Test and win the series 1-0. The Windies were set 240 from a minimum 66 overs and after losing three wickets in the first 19, never chased it. Graeme Swann took 3-13 and when the eighth wicket fell there were still 20 balls remaining, but Denesh Ramdin (17) held out as they closed on 114-8. Earlier Kevin Pietersen's 16th Test ton and a fluent 61 from Matt Prior saw England add 155 and declare at lunch. It is the first time the Windies have held the Wisden Trophy for nine years, and their first major series success for five years. But England will feel they should have won 2-1, having taken nine wickets in Antigua and come within just two strikes of victory here. They gave themselves two sessions to bowl out the home side and packed men around the bat in a frantic effort to force the win. Seamer James Anderson was outstanding with his reverse swing to claim 3-24 but, with the crowd on the edge of their seats, England ran out of overs. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Skipper Andrew Strauss will no doubt come under fire again for not declaring early enough, and the 1-0 series defeat drops England to sixth in the rankings. But things looked as though they would be different when Paul Collingwood took a stunning low catch in the seventh over to dismiss makeshift opener Lendl Simmons, and tension began to mount in a home dressing room desperate to experience the winning feeling again. Swann saw off Devon Smith after the opener played a wild swipe and was pinned leg before after a referral as England's hopes grew. Ramnaresh Sarwan, the man who began the day with 612 runs from six innings, played his usual stylish range of strokes despite the situation, and successive driven boundaries off Monty Panesar brought up the West Indies 50. Panesar took two wickets to give England hope of a stunning victory But Collingwood took another superb low slip catch to dismiss him, and almost made it a hat-trick of catches when Shivnarine Chanderpaul edged his first ball centimetres short of him. The first-innings centurion scratched around for 51 balls for his six runs either side of tea before the enterprising Swann pinned him lbw on the crease with a quicker delivery. Anderson was introduced after tea and responded with a superb spell, expertly varying and disguising the direction of swing. He shaped some away from the adhesive left-hander Brendan Nash, before bringing one back to claim an lbw, and with almost 28 overs to claim the final five wickets England were buoyant. Even ice-cool captain Chris Gayle looked a little anxious in the stands, and he was forced into the fray at number eight when umpire Daryl Harper decided a ball from Panesar had brushed the bat before it looped to slip, and an aghast Ryan Hinds had no referral with which to plead his case. Gayle was clearly handicapped by his hamstring injury but stretched painfully forward to pad Panesar away, prompting a ferocious appeal from the spinner and an unsuccessful referral, meaning none were available for the final 16 overs. 606: DEBATE If it was not appeasing the ego of his predessor as captain, so that he could get his century, is there another reason why Strauss did not declare 30 minutes before lunch The Devil's Advocate Panesar, appealing with almost deranged intensity, finally persuaded umpire Russell Tiffin to grant one in his favour as Gayle was hit low on the pad in front of the timbers. With eight outfielders surrounding the bat close to the wicket, Panesar began to see several deliveries shooting along the deck, but it was the return of Anderson that brought another late twist. A superb inswinging yorker shot through Daren Powell but there was to be no fairytale finish for the tourists. The day began as planned for England, with some attacking strokeplay, although many felt they should have declared earlier and tempted the Windies to be more adventurous with less of a target. Pietersen's innings contained many shots from his vast array of inventiveness. Pietersen's inventive century gave England a faint chance of victory There was a switch-hit over the fielders for four, and he brought up his half century with an extraordinary shot reminiscent of French Cricket when he paddled past the keeper with his feet together. But even Pietersen was outscored by Prior, who used his feet superbly and timed the ball sweetly, scoring 32 of a 50 partnership reached in just 39 balls. The West Indies tactics were a little difficult to fathom, however, given the fact that with England pushing for quick runs, they could have bowled them out. Occasional slow medium pacers Simmons and Nash were preferred to strike bowler Powell, and fielders were spread as if in the middle overs of a one-day international. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. When Prior's brilliant innings came to an end the lead was 209, Pietersen was on 86 and there were 20 minutes until lunch. Around this period, 12th man Steve Harmison was busy conveying constant messages from the dressing room to the middle under the pretence of delivering new gloves. Whether the thinking was genuinely about Pietersen's century or not, those 20 minutes would surely have been more use to England than the 30 runs scored in that time. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version | The West Indies cricket team held on to a draw in the fifth and final test of the five match test series at Queen's Park Oval, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad against the England cricket team to win the five test series 1-0 and regain the Wisden trophy after a gap of nine years. This is their first major test series victory in five years. To win the match, West Indies were set a target of 240 runs in 66 overs or to bat two sessions for a draw. West Indies pair of Fidel Edwards and Denesh Ramdhin thwarted the English attack to finish on 114-8 and drawing the match.Earlier in the day Kevin Pietersen scored 102 runs to enable England to declare at 237/6 in their second innings. England had drawn the previous two tests in Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda and had lost the first test in Jamaica by an innings and 23 runs. The second test in Antigua was abandoned. Matt Prior was declared Player of the match and Ramnaresh Sarwan was declared the player of the series. |
Barry Diller's IAC/InterActiveCorp last night was near a deal to purchase the fifth-largest Web-search service, Ask Jeeves Inc., for around $2 billion in stock, according to people familiar with the matter, marking an aggressive move by the electronic-commerce company into the Internet's most competitive arena. The deal, which could be announced as early as today, would be the latest in a long run of Internet deal making for Mr. Diller, IAC chairman and chief executive. During the last decade, Mr. Diller has built a... ||||| Up to 30% of all new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are now thought to be the result of the B.1.1.7 variant, a new strain of SARS-CoV-2 that is more transmissible and possibly more deadly. This comes from testimony from Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, who is expected to testify later today in the House about the nation's vaccine rollout. The CDC previously said that it expects B.1.1.7, which was first detected in the U.K., to be the most dominant form of the virus in the U.S. by the end of March. Walensky also said in her testimony that the U.S. is sequencing about 4% of the roughly 400,000 new cases reported each week. Using genomic sequencing on virus samples is the only way to identify the new variants of concern. ||||| IAC/InterActiveCorp, the Internet company headed by Barry Diller, is close to an agreement to acquire Ask Jeeves Inc., the nation's fourth-largest search engine company, for about $1.9 billion, according to an executive involved in the negotiations. An announcement could be made as early as today. IAC/InterActive owns a variety of Internet businesses. Its principle holdings are Expedia, Ticketmaster, Home Shopping Network, Match.com and CitySearch. Advertising spending on search sites is rapidly growing and Mr. Diller's company appears to be trying to tap into a market dominated by Google and Yahoo. Most of Ask Jeeves's revenue comes from advertising that appears on its sites through a contract with Google. That contract runs through 2007. Fourth-quarter profits and revenue at Ask Jeeves, whose brands include ask.com, Excite.com, iWon.com, more than doubled. Net income rose to $17.5 million and revenue rose to $86.1 million from $31.8 million a year earlier. | Barry Diller's InterActiveCorp (IAC) is near a US$2 billion deal to buy search engine ''Ask Jeeves'', according to a report in Monday's ''Wall Street Journal''. The corporate boards from both companies were in talks all weekend negotiating what appears to be an all-stock deal. If approved, the price tag would be a substantial premium over ''Ask Jeeves'' valuation of $1.4 billion as of Friday's stock market close. The acquisition of Oakland, California-based ''Ask Jeeves'' by IAC would mean they own a known brand name and get a foothold in revenues from search engine advertising. The company also would become a direct competitor with companies such as Google, Yahoo!, Amazon.com and Microsoft who also have launched their own high-profile internet search engines. ''Ask Jeeves'' also owns other brands, including Excite.com and iWon.com. Diller has built InterActiveCorp on the backbone of the cash generated by Home Shopping Network, a company he used to bankroll the purchases of a large portfolio of internet and electronic commerce companies. These include Expedia, Ticketmaster, Match.com, CitySearch and the LendingTree. He also bought and grew cable networks USA Network and Sci Fi Channel before selling them off to NBC Universal, of which he is the largest individual shareholder. |
Hi all, can it get any busier, or more exciting, in sport at the moment? The Olympic Swim Trials were sensatio...Read More ||||| LEARN ENGLISH WITH US Video to take away and play Download full episodes of English Bites. Australia Network is offering video podcasts (or vodcasts) of our popular English Bites program on a free trial basis. Subscribe or download video now >> Download full episodes of English Bites. Australia Network is offering video podcasts (or vodcasts) of our popular English Bites program on a free trial basis. ||||| "People need to be reminded that he's not a drug addict any more. He stopped using a long time ago," Susanna Jovicic said. "If people fear that he's going to re-offend, I think that he's more chance of winning lotto that re-offending or going back to that life. "All he wants is his life back. I think that's the most paramount thing that people need to understand. "Once he'd done his time, I know that in jail he stopped (using heroin). He came out, he started a new life." Mr Jovicic, who was born in France, says he was left stateless when the Serbian Government refused to recognise him as a citizen. Ms Jovicic said that, contrary to media reports, the family is yet to pursue compensation. "I can tell you right now, we have not had a conversation about compensation. That's been the least of what we've been thinking about," she said. "That's not even in our present way of thinking. We just want him home. That's all we want and that's all we've always wanted." Robert Jovicic's health problems include scoliosis, an enlarged prostate, mental illness, sand in his kidneys and the need of a catheter to urinate. His sister says the first priority will be to seek medical treatment. "He'll be coming to Sydney. What he does down the track, where he chooses to live I'm not sure but in the immediate he'll be residing with us," she said. "We can't wait to actually touch him and see him living and breathing in front of us. We will need to take care of his immediate needs straight away just to alleviate some of the pressure on him, on his health." She said Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone's decision to allow his brother's return to Australia vindicates their struggle. "It just validates to us that all the work that we've been doing to bring him back, that we were right," she said. "If Robert wasn't entitled to come back here, he wouldn't have been so there's a reason why she has said yes. It's more that just compassion I believe. "I'm thankful that she, in the end, made that decision." - theage.com.au ||||| DEPORTED former drug addict and burglar Robert Jovicic will demand compensation from the Government after Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone agreed last night to allow him to return from Serbia. Three months after Mr Jovicic launched a campaign, which began when he camped on the steps of the Australian Embassy in Belgrade, Senator Vanstone has agreed on compassionate grounds to let him come home. Her move comes just ahead of a Federal Court verdict on a bid by Mr Jovicic's family for his return. The backdown follows the minister's decision to allow paranoid schizophrenic heroin addict and convicted burglar Ali Tastan, 43, to return to Australia. He was deported to Turkey even though had lived in Australia since he was two. The Government is facing a string of similar actions after a recent Federal Court ruling that protects from deportation long-term residents who do not take out Australian citizenship. Mr Jovicic, who has been stranded in Serbia for more than two years after being deported for a string of 150 burglaries, is expected to return to Australia on Thursday and has vowed to sue the Government. In an interview with The Australian in Belgrade this week, Mr Jovicic said: "Of course I will go for compensation because I was quite comfortable back home. Since they kicked me out my health has deteriorated to the point where I'm struggling to walk." Mr Jovicic had been left destitute, and battling psychiatric problems, on the streets of Belgrade. "I don't think Australians want people who aren't citizens and (who) consistently break the law to be able to stay in Australia," Senator Vanstone said in a statement released yesterday. "Equally, I don't think Australians want someone who has lived in this country for a long time to find themselves in the circumstances overseas in which Mr Jovicic finds himself. "On balance, after some anguished consideration, I decided to allow him to return." Mr Jovicic's sister Sue, who campaigned for his return, told The Australian last night the decision was a welcome surprise after the federal Government had fought her for three months over his return. "I think it just validates our belief that Robert was wrongly deported," she said. "I think anybody who has been deported has the legal right to return. The family will be there at the airport waiting for him and it will be quite emotional." Then immigration minister Philip Ruddock ordered Mr Jovicic's deportation to Serbia in July 2004 even though he was not born there, did not speak the language and had lived in Australia since he was two. The family appealed for his return, saying he was left homeless on the streets of Belgrade, battling mental illness, a debilitating back problem and internal injuries. They said because Serbia revoked his citizenship after discovering the paperwork used by Australian authorities to deport him was invalid, Mr Jovicic was unable to work, access doctors or welfare or even book a hotel. Mr Jovicic, who says he kicked his drug habit during his last jail term, from 2000 to 2002, began using crutches a few weeks ago. He says his back injuries have worsened since his deportation because he can no longer visit chiropractors or physiotherapists. "Every time I go to a doctor here about my back they send me to a psychiatrist," he said. "If they keep doing that I will need one." ||||| Update on Robert Jovicic’s Case Media Release v05154 Tuesday, 22 November, 2005 Minister for Immigration, Amanda Vanstone, said she had asked her department for a detailed report on Robert Jovicic’s case before making any further comment. However, the Minister said she could canvas several facts available to her. A convicted criminal, Mr Jovicic had his Permanent Visa cancelled in October 2002 under Section 501 (2) of the Migration Act by the former Minister for Immigration, Philip Ruddock. As an adult between 1984 and 2002, Mr Jovicic was convicted on charges of burglary, theft, possessing stolen property and possessing prohibited substances. ‘Although Mr Jovicic has referred to himself as an Australian citizen, he is in fact not,’ Minister Vanstone said. ‘In 1998 Mr Jovicic applied for Australian citizenship but was refused on the grounds that he was not of good character.’ Mr Jovicic was born in France. At the time his parents were citizens of Yugoslavia. A person whose visa has been cancelled under s.501 of the Act is liable for removal from Australia. The individual is removed to a country where they have right of entry and stay. ‘Mr Jovicic co-operated with his return and assisted in obtaining a travel document to Serbia and Montenegro, where his father lived and was liaising with Serbian authorities,’ Minister Vanstone said. ‘I am advised that he can apply for citizenship in Serbia and that, to date, he has not.’ People who have permanent residence in Australia but do not seek or are refused citizenship can be removed from Australia if they are considered to be of bad character. This is an appropriate mechanism in the Migration Act to provide protection for the Australian community. Minister’s media contact: Kevin Donnellan Authorised by Senator the Hon. Amanda Vanstone Liberal Senator for South Australia Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Ground Floor, 75 Hindmarsh Square, ADELAIDE, SA, 5000 This website has been wholly funded by the Liberal Party. ||||| Robert Jovicic will be given a special purpose visa and his status as a permanent resident reinstated [File photo]. (AFP) A man deported from Australia to Serbia after having his residency stripped says he is stunned at the news he will be allowed to return home. Immigration Minister Senator Amanda Vanstone says 38-year-old Robert Jovicic will be given a special purpose visa and his status as a permanent resident will be reinstated. Mr Jovicic had spent all but two years of his life in Australia before he was deported in 2004 on character grounds. He does not speak Serbian and was not permitted to work. He says he is grateful his ordeal is nearing an end. "Our country stands alone and it is the epitome of the true meaning of a fair go for all," he said. "Today I truly feel proud to be Australian." ||||| The Department operates a national telephone inquiry line on 131 881, for the cost of a local call anywhere in Australia. Overseas, please contact your nearest Australian diplomatic office. © 2001 Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA), Australia. Last update: 6 June 2001 Disclaimer. ||||| Doorstop Interview Parliament House, Canberra - 1st March 2006 Tony Burke: The Australian National Audit Office have just put out the report into the tendering process that happened for the detention centres. This was a tendering process when the Government changed from ACM, the former company to GSL the new company. As you go through the figures, and there is a lot of detail in the report, what we have is nothing short of a scandal in the way the Government has handled this. Initially, the company ACM, which held the contracts for the detention centres, was coming a little bit behind when it came to value for money. GSL were then allowed to vary their contract and vary it again and vary it again until they had varied it by $32.5 million dollars. By this stage, ACM, the company that first held the contracts was clearly winning on the value for money stakes. On the value for money index they were offering better value for money and they were offering better quality of service and conditions for detainees within the detention centres. Notwithstanding the fact that they were offering better value for money and that they were offering better conditions, the Government just decided to stop negotiating with them. The Government just decided to stop negotiating with ACM at all and continued to negotiate with GSL. During this time, the people who were involved in the negotiations of the contract on behalf of the Department became horribly compromised. Minutes were not kept; there are different set of minutes that are conflicting. There are some sets of minutes where the people making the decisions on behalf of the Department for who would run our detention centres in some sets of minutes, they do know which companies have the different tenders, in other sets of minutes they were not told which companies had the different sets of minutes. A reference was provided for one of the companies tendering by the chair of the Steering Committee who was also the contract administrator. The person in charge of the Steering Committee to decide who would win the tender actually wrote a reference in favour of one of the companies. This person was advised by the Probity Advisor to not do so. But the Probity Advisor also became compromised because the Probity Advisor was willing to take other roles in this contracting process. Some information about this contracting process and the tendering process will never be known. Records were not kept, records were lost and some of the records we had are conflicting. At the end of the whole process when GSL is successful in winning the contract to run our detention centres, ACM is awarded a payment-a payment which they were not contractually bound to receive, a payment which the National Australian Audit Office can find no reason for them having received at all. But at the end of this, for no reason whatsoever, $5.7 million dollars is given to ACM. $5.7 million dollars for no reason. We want to know who authorised the payment. We want to the reference that was given on ACM on behalf of the contract administrator to be released publicly. We want the information to start to come out that has been hidden and some of which we are just going to have to fumble our way through for the simple reason that the Department, under Philip Ruddock's watch, was managed in such an incompetent fashion that records were not kept. Journalist: Could this be corruption not just incompetence? Tony Burke: We don't know the answer to that. You certainly can't rule it out. You certainly can't rule out corruption when you look at the information that appears before us. But $5.7 million dollars given to a company, apparently for no reason and now we see Cornelia Rau and Vivian Solon having to go through protracted negotiations for the way they were treated inside the Department of Immigration's regime. Cornelia Rau is struggling to get a compensation payment when the company that has actually been in charge of managing our detention centres receives $5.7 million dollars for apparently no reason at all. It is no surprise Amanda Vanstone dropped this report at the end of today, by the end of the news cycle. Journalist: Robert Jovicic will be allowed to return to Australia, does that show the Government does have a heart on immigration matters? Tony Burke: I'm not going to get stuck into them for bringing Robert Jovicic back. Robert Jovicic coming back is a good move; I'm not going to pretend that everything that they do is always dreadful. I actually hadn't caught up with that news. If it's now been announced that Robert is on the way back, I've never pretended that he is a wonderful member of the community, he hasn't been- but he is unarguably Australia's problem and we should take responsibility in dealing with him. Journalist: Are you worried about the length of time it has taken? Tony: It was plain from the time that Lateline broke that story, it was plain from the time that we became aware of Robert Jovicic freezing in a Serbian winter on the steps of our own embassy and clearly with some mental health issues that Robert should have been returned to Australia- not because he is an ideal person to have in Australia but because the problems that are associated with Robert Jovicic are Australia's. He has lived in Australia for 36 of his 38 years. I don't believe he developed his criminal mind by the age of two. | An Australian resident, deported to Serbia in 2004, will return home to Sydney this week. The Immigration Department says Robert Jovicic will be given a special purpose visa and his status as a permanent resident will be reinstated. He became a nationless man, impoverished, battling mental health problems and sleeping on the streets of Belgrade. Mr Jovicic, 39, was born in France and arrived in Australia as a two-year-old with his Serbian-born parents. Like nearly one million Australian residents eligible for Australian citizenship, Jovicic never officially became an Australian citizen. Ex-Federal Immigration Minister, and now Attorney General, Philip Ruddock ordered Jovicic's deportation on character grounds in June 2004 - after he was jailed for committing crimes in support of a heroin addiction. Mr Jovicic says he had since kicked his drug habit. The current Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said it was a "very hard decision" to allow Mr. Jovicic to return to Australia. "the community expected to be protected from non-citizens who break the law. On balance, after some anguished consideration, I decided to allow him to return," the Minister said. She said Mr Jovicic was not stateless, he had just refused to apply for Serbian citizenship. His family say Serbia revoked his citizenship after discovering "the paperwork used by Australian authorities to deport him was invalid". They claim he has since been unable to work, access doctors, welfare or even book a hotel. His family also claims that he does not speak Serbian, and has not been permitted to work because of this. He says he is grateful his ordeal is nearing an end. Robert Jovicic's sister says people have no reason to fear her brother's return to Australia. "People need to be reminded that he's not a drug addict any more. He stopped using a long time ago," Susanna Jovicic said. "If people fear that he's going to re-offend, I think that he's more chance of winning lotto," she said. "All he wants is his life back. I think that's the most paramount thing that people need to understand. Once he'd done his time, I know that in jail he stopped (using heroin). He came out, he started a new life." Ms Jovicic said the family is yet to pursue compensation. "I can tell you right now, we have not had a conversation about compensation..." she said. "We just want him home." She says the first priority will be to seek medical treatment. Her brother's health problems include scoliosis, an enlarged prostate, mental illness, sand in his kidneys and the need of a catheter to urinate. She said Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone's decision to allow his return "validates our belief that Robert was wrongly deported," she said. "I think anybody who has been deported has the legal right to return. The family will be there at the airport waiting for him and it will be quite emotional." Minister Vanstone said in a November 2005 media release: "Mr Jovicic is not an Australian citizen: Mr Jovicic, a convicted criminal, had his Permanent Visa cancelled in October 2002 under Section 501 of the Migration Act by the former Minister for Immigration, Philip Ruddock... As an adult between 1984 and 2002, Mr Jovicic was convicted on charges of burglary, theft, possessing stolen property and possessing prohibited substances. In 1998 Mr Jovicic applied for Australian citizenship but was refused on the grounds that he was not of good character." Commonwealth Ombudsman John McMillan found Senator Vanstone's department had unfairly deported people with criminal records who had lived in Australia since they were children. However, Vanstone said she supports the changes to the Migration Act which allow the Immigration Minister to "deport non citizens who break the law on character grounds and make the decision unappealable." |
Selig awaits union response on steroids By Hal Bodley, USA TODAY Commissioner Bud Selig should know this week if baseball's players union will embrace his request for a much stricter steroids policy. Selig's proposal, outlined in an April 25 letter to union chief Don Fehr, calls for a 50-game suspension for any player who tests positive a first time, a 100-game ban for a second offense and a lifetime ban for a thirdviolation. Selig also wants amphetamines included. To be adopted, the plan must be approved by the players. Fehr said over the weekend the union wasn't ready to discuss the plan, which comes four months after the players opened the current collective bargaining agreement and approved a stricter policy. He predicted a response by early this week. Selig, citing an improved relationship between the commissioner's office and the union, wrote: "Last winter, we reopened our agreement to deal with steroids. I am asking you now to demonstrate once again to America that our relationship has improved to the point that we can act quickly and effectively deal with matters affecting the integrity of our great sport." Selig added, "Don, I continue to believe that time is of the essence in addressing this issue." Selig, in admitting the current program isn't strong enough, said: "Regardless of whatever incremental progress we have made under the current agreement, we continue to have a serious integrity issue with regards to our current policy and our great game." Said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) ranking minority member of the House Government Reform Committee that held a hearing on steroids in baseball on March 17: "It's weaker than the policy Congress is considering, but significantly stronger than baseball's current policy." Former union executive director Marvin Miller told USA TODAY on Sunday the players erred when they reopened the current agreement in January and approved a somewhat stronger policy. The current CBA expires after the 2006 season, but the steroids policy extends through 2008. "I expect that in the next go-round we will perhaps see that spitting on the clubhouse floor will be at least two lifetime penalties to be served consecutively," said Miller. When asked if he'd discussed reopening the CBA with Fehr, Miller said: "Nope. He hasn't asked me. I know why he hasn't asked me; he knows what I think." Selig, who does not need union approval for players not on 40-man rosters, said he will make changes to the minor league program, including tougher discipline. Atlanta catcher Johnny Estrada said, "It's about time they stiffened it (policy) up. But the testing has got to be better if the penalty is going to be that stiff for a first offense. I don't want to be getting a positive test for taking supplements." Contributing: Wire reports ||||| "I believe my obligation with the players," Fehr replied, "is to consult with everyone in private, confidentially, in a situation in which they are not under the glare of TV cameras. That's first. Secondly, my personal view, this is not an institutional view I'm expressing now, my personal view is that our job with violations of substance abuse is not to destroy careers. Our job is to stop it." Fehr added that if "we can put people on the right track" and get them back playing, that is "manifestly better" than ending their careers. "That is the principle behind every employee assistance program in the country," he said. "It worked with drugs and abuse with us. No question about that. "And therefore, my suggestion is, and I believe this very strongly, we have to find out empirically if it works," he added, alluding to the current drug policy, "before you go back and do that. The evidence we have so far suggests that what we did, which is far short of the program we have now, far short of it, had not only a demonstrable, but a dramatic effect. The data is the data." During the hearing, Representative Elijah E. Cummings, Democrat of Maryland, challenged Fehr's defense of progressive discipline for illegal drugs. "You talked about you didn't want to destroy the careers of these players, these multimillion-dollar players," Cummings said in a firm voice. "Well, Mr. Fehr, let me tell you something. I have people in my district that don't have a job. And if they get caught with a Schedule III drug, you know where they're going? To jail. And nobody cares about their careers." When Fehr was asked later if he would accept a policy of zero tolerance for steroids, he sidestepped again. | Baseball commissioner Allan H. "Bud" Selig has proposed a new steroids use policy for the game. The plan calls for a 50-game suspension of a player testing positive for the first time, a 100-game ban for a second offense, and on a third violation the player is out with a lifetime ban from the game. In an April 25th letter written to Don Fehr (Executive Director of the Players Association) and all major league team owners, Selig wrote, "Steroid users cheat the game." So far this season, four less-than-big-name major league players have been suspended. Under the current policy, each player is forced to sit out 10 games. The ball is now thrown to Fehr, who said over the weekend the union was not ready to discuss it. An answer from the players union will probably be forthcoming some time this week. Congressional hearings on steroids in baseball were held March 17. Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), the ranking minority member of the House Government Reform Committee, said, "It's weaker than the policy Congress is considering, but significantly stronger than baseball's current policy." Testifying at the hearings, Fehr said, “My personal view, this is not an institutional view I'm expressing now, my personal view is that our job with violations of substance abuse is not to destroy careers. Our job is to stop it." Selig also wants to add amphetamines list of banned substances in the major leagues. |
Iraqi factions meet for talks in Finland: organisers HELSINKI (AFP) — Representatives from Iraq's main ethnic groups met in Finland to study reconciliation processes in Northern Ireland and South Africa in a bid to find a framework for justice and human rights in Iraq, the meeting's hosts said Saturday. "Senior leaders from all the major ethnic groups are represented," a spokesman for the Finnish non-profit organisation Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), Mikko Autti, told AFP. A total of 36 Iraqis were taking part in the seminar on "Divided Societies," in addition to representatives from South Africa and Northern Ireland, Autti said. Neither the names of the participants nor the location or duration of the talks were revealed. The closed-doors seminar is a follow-up to a first round of talks held in September 2007 in Helsinki, where delegates studied the peace processes in South Africa and Northern Ireland to see what lessons could be learned to end Iraq's inter-communal violence. That four-day meeting concluded with the Helsinki I Agreement, a set of recommendations including the principles of power-sharing and a commitment to removing the use of violence as a means of resolving political differences. The second round of talks began on Friday and were likely to continue at least through Sunday, another CMI spokesman, Quintin Oliver, said. "All the participants are engaged in intense discussions with a considerable and detailed review of the Helsinki I Agreement and principles in light of the changed circumstances (being discussed in the second round)," he said. "It is now likely that the discussions will continue into a third day," he told AFP. Both rounds of discussions were jointly organised by the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at the University of Massachusetts, the Institute for Global Leaders at Tufts University in Massachusetts, and CMI. CMI was created by former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari in 2000. In 2005, the group mediated a peace accord between the Indonesian government and rebels in the province of Aceh. ||||| Rival Iraqi factions begin secret meetings in Finland HELSINKI, Finland: Rival Iraqi factions began meetings at a secret location in Finland Friday to try to find ways of ending violence in their country, organizers said. Crisis Management Initiative, a mediation group led by former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, said 36 senior representatives from Iraq including Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds were attending the peace seminar. Advisers from Northern Ireland, with long experience of sectarian conflict, and from the apartheid-era struggle in South Africa are also taking part. They include Martin McGuinness, a former IRA commander, deputy leader of Sinn Fein, and the senior Catholic in the nearly year-old power-sharing government in Northern Ireland, according to his party. The talks are a follow-up to similar meetings held over four days in Finland in September 2007 when participants agreed on a plan for peace. The venue then, an isolated inn in southeastern Finland, was kept secret until the talks were over. "The delegations from Northern Ireland and South Africa are here with more delegates and more senior people," CMI spokesman Quintin Oliver said, but declined to give further details. Jeffrey Donaldson, a Protestant lawmaker from Northern Ireland and junior government minister, was also attending, his party confirmed. Both he and McGuinness took part in the first round of talks. Donaldson described the September agreement as a "road map" to Iraqi peace. Oliver said he did not know how long the talks would last. "The meeting started this morning. The discussions are continuing," he said. "In these sorts of events you have to be able to take it for as long as it needs." In September, participants approved recommendations including the disarmament of feuding factions and forming an independent commission to supervise the process. Ahtisaari, who in 2005 took part in talks to help end 30 years of fighting between Aceh rebels and the Indonesian government, was not expected to participate. ____ Associated Press Writer Shawn Pogatchnik in Dublin contributed to this report ____ On the Net: CMI site: http://www.cmi.fi | Representatives of Iraq's main ethnic groups have begun a second round of negotiations in Finland to study successful negotiations in South Africa and Northern Ireland. The initial talks, in September last year, ended with the Helsinki I Agreement, which presented a series of recommendations aimed at bringing peace to Iraq. The talks have been arranged largely by the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), a non-profit organisation founded in 2000 by then Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari. CMI has previously arranged a successful arrangement between Indonesia and rebels in the province of Aceh, ending 30 years of fighting with talks in which Ahtisaari was chairman. He is taking no role in the Iraqi negotiations. "Senior leaders from all the major ethnic groups are represented," said a CMI spokesman. 36 Iraqis are attending the seminar, entitled "Divided Societies", as well as South African and Northren Irish representatives. The Iraqis include prominent Shi'ites, Sunnis and Kurds although the names of the participants, as well as the exact location and length of the event, have been kept secret. This mirrors last time, where the site, an isolated inn in the Southeast, was only revealed after the talks had ended. All previous African and Irish representatives have also returned, as well as several others. Amongst those sent to explain their historic peace negotiations is Martin McGuinness, former Irish Republican Army commander, deputy leader of Sinn Fein and Northern Ireland's power-sharing government's senior Catholic. That government has been in place just under a year. Junior Irish government minister Jeffrey Donaldson, a Protestant lawmaker, is also present. Both participated in last year's discussions. Last year's four-day event's Helsinki I Agreement contained deals to aim for power sharing and to stop using violence to settle political disputes. CMI spokesman Quintin Oliver said that "All the participants are engaged in intense discussions with a considerable and detailed review of the Helsinki I Agreement and principles in light of the changed circumstances (being discussed in the second round)," and that the new talks began on Friday and will probably continue at least until Sunday. As well as CMI, organisation for both sets of talks was handled by the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at the University of Massachusetts and the Institute for Global Leaders at Tufts University in Massachusetts. |
A full council general committee yesterday unanimously voted against a 24-hour McDonald’s at Minyama. A Development application for a 24-hour McDonald’s restaurant at Minyama is dead in the water, with division nine councillor Vivien Griffin delivering the killer blow. A full council general committee yesterday unanimously voted recommending against the fast-food giant on the grounds of local community safety. Divisional councillor Chris Thompson successfully garnered councillor support to reject the proposal. “We knocked back a Hungry Jack’s on Nicklin Way because of the nuisance code,” he said. “We already have a 24-hour McDonald’s at Mooloolaba, only one kilometre away, and there are already (anti-social) issues at that site.” Mayor Bob Abbot said philosophically the site was in some ways even more suitable than the Mooloolaba location except for its proximity to the residential estate, and local residents had “every right of objection”. He said the restaurant would also operate only as a takeaway between 2am and 5am, exacerbating the problems. But it was Ms Griffin who put things beyond doubt when she described what was hidden in plain view – the provision that a security guard would be employed at the restaurant. “The (development) application creates the anticipation of hiring a security guard therefore it is anticipating a problem,” she said. Ms Griffin added that surrounding businesses were zoned for showrooms and bulky goods supply, and while restaurants were allowable, a 24-hour drive-through was not what that classification had in mind. The rejection will be ratified at Thursday ordinary meeting. Say No to 24hrs McDonald’s protest group spokesman John Meyer-Gleaves was “over the moon”. Attending the meeting, he said he initially had concerns but “Vivien Griffin and Bob Abbot were bloody brilliant – they just nailed it”. “It’s not often you knock Maccas over,” he said. ||||| Councillors reject McDonald's Minyama plan Posted Sunshine Coast councillors have rejected an application for a 24-hour McDonald's restaurant at Minyama. The full council general committee yesterday voted unanimously against the proposed development on the Nicklin Way, because the site was deemed to be inappropriate. Councillor Chris Thompson says the committee's decision is expected to be ratified at Thursday's council meeting. "It is only a recommendation at this stage from the general committee," he said. "It needs to be endorsed or ratified by council at its ordinary meeting on Thursday and then it will become a statutory decision of council. "I'm reasonably pleased with the outcome." | The development application for a McDonald's restaurant at Minyama, on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in Australia, has been rejected by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council. "We knocked back a Hungry Jack’s on Nicklin Way because of the nuisance code," said divisional councilor Chris Thompson. "We already have a 24-hour McDonald’s at Mooloolaba, only one kilometre away, and there are already anti-social issues at that site." Map of countries that have McDonald's restaurants. Local residents previously vowed to fight any McDonald's development at the proposed site due to the risk of anti-social behavior. Protest group spokesman John Meyer-Gleaves was "over the moon". "It’s not often you knock Maccas McDonald's over," he said. Mayor Bob Abbot said Minyama was in some ways more suitable than Mooloolaba. However, he was concerned about the proximity to a residential estate. The rejection is expected to be ratified at an ordinary meeting of the council on Thursday. "It needs to be endorsed or ratified by council at its ordinary meeting on Thursday and then it will become a statutory decision of council," Chris Thompson said. "I'm reasonably pleased with the outcome." |
However, the prime minister also defended British diplomats, insisting that some had been working "round the clock" and had only managed to enter New Orleans itself overnight. Mr Blair spoke after the first British survivors began arriving home yesterday with horror stories about the New Orleans Superdome stadium, the city's main emergency shelter. Speaking at Gatwick airport, Christine Robertson, whose daughter, Cora, 22, was in the stadium for four days, said yesterday: "They left these very young people in a foreign country in fear of their lives. They just abandoned them. They did nothing to support them." Some spoke of intimidation and harassment by men at the stadium and other witnesses have told of rapes, murders and suicides. Mr Blair said he understood the anger but said the disaster had created a "confusing and difficult" situation, which had been "more shocking and serious than people contemplated". Mr Blair, speaking in a round of broadcast interviews in Beijing where he was holding trade talks, said he was "really sorry if there has been difficulties". He said: "It's been really tough for people, I know that, but it's been tough for our officials on the ground." In Washington yesterday, the deputy British ambassador, Alan Charlton, said officials had previously been denied access to New Orleans and were doing everything they could. The Bush administration has been criticised for its sluggish early response to the disaster. "Overnight we have got people there in New Orleans for the first time, actually people to be on the spot to handle this," Mr Blair said. The prime minister said he expected the current total of around 130 missing Britons to fall, and added that the UK was helping to coordinate a European aid package, including ration packs and camp beds to be sent to the stricken areas. New Orleans was "effectively going to be rebuilt", he said. At RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire this morning, 500,000 military ration packs worth £3m were loaded on to civilian charter planes to be flown to Little Rock in Arkansas. From there, the supplies will be flown on to troops and survivors evacuated from the disaster area who are now in Houston, Texas, and in less affected areas of Mississippi and Alabama. A further 15 aircraft are expected to fly out later this week and the operation could be extended to provide blankets, tents and cooking equipment. ||||| Mr Blair, speaking during his visit to Beijing, said: "It's been really tough for people, I know that, but it's been tough for our officials on the ground." His comments came as the Foreign Office claimed that British diplomats had been unable to get into New Orleans until Sunday. A spokesman said more than 20 diplomats had been willing to go but requests for permission from the US state department and the Louisiana state government had been repeatedly rebuffed. Mr Blair said: "I'm really sorry if there have been difficulties about this but I can assure you some of these staff have been working round the clock and because it's been a very difficult and confused situation it's been difficult for them, the staff, as well as the people for whom this has been a catastrophe." Although journalists have been going in and out of New Orleans, the Foreign Office spokesman said the journalists had a choice but "we have to work with the US authorities as accredited diplomats and we were told no one was getting access. "We were told ... that it would hamper the evacuation." He added: "The security situation was not great. If you had put in diplomats, it would have needed armed guards and that would have taken away resources [from the rescue effort]." The spokesman said diplomats had been in the surrounding cities, and had offered to help Britons with accommodation and clothes - paid for by the Foreign Office - and with flights. Nine officials from the Foreign Office rapid deployment team had flown to the US on Thursday to support British staff converging on the hurricane-hit area from around the US. "When we were made aware there were Britons in the Superdome, we raised the conditions with the US authorities and not long after that they were moved." Britons caught up in the hurricane continued to arrive back in the UK yesterday. One family said American police took snapshots of trapped tourists instead of helping them. Gerard and Sandra Scott were stranded in their New Orleans hotel with their young son but police did nothing as they shouted for help from the hotel windows. "I couldn't describe how bad the authorities were," Mr Scott told Radio 4's World at One. "Just the little things like taking photographs of us ... for their own personal photo albums, little snapshot photographs. "At one point, there were a load of girls on the roof of the lobby saying 'Can you help us?' and the policemen said 'Show us what you have got' and made signs for them to lift their T-shirts. When they said no, they said 'Fine' and motored off down the road in their motorboat." Several Britons have yet to make contact with their families, including Mike Healy, 48, originally from Warwickshire but now living in Bay St Louis. His sister, Susan Betteridge, 52, of Stratford-on-Avon is planning to fly out to look for him. Jill Amend, 70, from Richmond, south-west London, was waiting for news of her son, Vernon Carroll, 46, who she fears she may have seen floating face down in the flooded city on television news. "I know he would call me if he could," she said. "I wish the Foreign Office could be a bit more supportive ... All I can do is sit here, wait and worry." | British Prime Minister Tony Blair has apologised to Britons affected by Hurricane Katrina. Many British citizens who were trapped in the New Orleans have complained to the British Foreign Office about the lack of response from their government after the hurricane destabilized almost 200 miles of the United States gulf coast. British nationals living and vacationing in New Orleans reported that U.S. authorities had refused to evacuate them as Hurricane Katrina approached the city, leaving them stranded in their hotels. President George W. Bush has been criticized for refusing material aid from France and Britain in rescuing people trapped in New Orleans. |
Springfield displays big doughnut Just what will happen to an oversize bun in Canterbury is not yet clear. The town of Springfield is celebrating sharing its name with the town made famous in The Simpsons, ahead of the release of the movie version of the TV cartoon. The unveiling of the doughnut will be the icing on the day's festivities. The Simpsons is set in the fictional US town of Springfield. In Canterbury, Springfield Township Committee chairman Williams Townshend says the doughnut's days are numbered. He says a resource consent allows it to stay in the precinct for two months only. Williams Townshend says it was made locally, but those hoping for a piece will be disappointed. He says it is definitely not edible. He says the big bun goes on show at midday. ||||| Whakatāne Mill closure: 'People are racing around looking for jobs' For over 40 years, Rua Williams has worked at the Whakatāne Mill, but soon he'll be clocking out for the last time. 52 minutes ago ||||| Giant doughnut unveiled in Canterbury Jul 15, 2007 11:57 AM Just what will happen to an oversize pastry in Canterbury is not yet clear. A giant dooughnut has put the icing on the small town of Springfield's celebrations, ahead of the release of The Simpsons movie, set in the fictional US town of Springfield. The town of Springfield is celebrating sharing its name with the town made famous by The Simpsons, ahead of the release of the movie version of the TV cartoon. But the Springfield Township Committee Chairman Williams Townshend says the dooughnut's days are numbered. He says a resource consent allows the dooughnut to stay in the precinct for two months only. Townshend says the dooughnut was made locally, but those hoping for a piece will be disappointed. He says it is definitely not edible. | An oversized delight has been erected in the small town of Springfield, Canterbury, New Zealand, as part of the 20th Century Fox massive worldwide marketing campaign for ''The Simpsons Movie''. The giant, pink frosted doughnut was made locally, and the locals are celebrating the fact that their town shares a name with the fictional town of Springfield in the hit Fox cartoon series. The series screens on both TV3 and Sky 1 locally, with the movie set for release nationwide on July 26, 2007. However, the movie will not be screened locally, with residents having to travel to Christchurch to watch the movie. Springfield Township Committee chairman William Townshend says not to get too excited about the piece as it only has a resource consent that allows it to be erected for two months. He also said those hoping for a piece would be disappointed. "It is definitely not edible." Ainslie Burton, spokesperson for the visitor information centre, says the doughnut will be hard to miss. An estimated 3,000 people attended today's unveiling at midday (NZST), Springfield's 2001 population was 219. |
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