document stringlengths 631 51.7k | summary stringlengths 144 4.96k |
|---|---|
Environmental lawyer Larissa Waters believes the Greens can hold the balance of power in Queensland's parliament after this year's state election. She just hopes Premier Anna Bligh doesn't call the election in May, when Waters's first baby is due. Ms Waters, the Greens candidate for Treasurer Andrew Fraser's inner-west seat of Mt Coot-tha, jokes she may have to rely on her branch members to help her through if an election is called for May. "I am giving that a fair bit of interest," the 32-year-old environmental lawyer said. "Luckily we have a pretty good branch in Mt Coot-tha." With the Greens vote strongest in Queensland in inner-city Brisbane, encompassing South Brisbane, Indooroopilly and Mt-Coot-tha, Ms Waters hopes to take a seat in Parliament alongside Ronan Lee, the member for Indooroopilly who last year defected from Labor to the Greens. Ms Waters took a 6 per cent swing from then premier Peter Beattie in 2006 in Brisbane Central, then narrowly missed Queensland's sixth Senate seat in the 2007 federal election due to preferences. The defeat is now ancient history for Waters, with a new house in Bardon, a baby on the way and what she believes are encouraging signs for the Greens. The party will stand candidates in all Queensland seats. At the 2006 election, Mr Fraser polled 45 per cent of the vote, with Greens candidate Juanita Wheeler winning 21.73 per cent, but still behind the Liberal's James Mackay (23.27 per cent). Ms Waters believes the Treasurer is still vulnerable to the Green vote in Mt Coot-tha. "This has been the greenest electorate in Queensland is the past few elections," she said. "And Andrew Fraser is just not green enough for this electorate." She acknowledged Mr Fraser's abilities but questioned whether he was in touch with his electorate and its support for renewable energy and public transport issues. "It think it is more important that he is more connected with the people of his electorate than schmoozing," she said. Ms Waters accused the Government of being too close to its donors and not seriously tackling climate change. Last weekend, the Greens unveiled its policy to build two solar power stations in Queensland. "We can tackle climate change and create long-term jobs, but Labor can't see that because they are blinded by the interests of their big donors - the urban development and coal industries," Ms Waters said. "The Greens want to give the community and the environment a voice back in State Parliament." ||||| 5 February 2009 - High-profile environmental lawyer Larissa Waters has been announced as the Greens candidate for the key seat of Mt Coot-Tha, held by Treasurer Andrew Fraser. Ms Waters narrowly missed out on becoming the first Greens Senator for Queensland in the 2007 federal election. She also ran for the Greens against Peter Beattie in 2006, where she received a 6% swing. “The Greens are expecting to win the seat of Mt Coot-Tha and to re-elect Ronan Lee in Indooroopilly, plus significantly increase our vote in the Premier’s seat of South Brisbane and the inner seats of Brisbane Central and Yeerongpilly. There is a real possibility that the Greens will hold the balance of power in Queensland Parliament after the 2009 election,” said Ms Waters. “Andrew Fraser has presided over forced Council amalgamations, the failure of the health system and an economy that remains dependent on coal. For someone so young, he’s mired in last century thinking,” said Ms Waters. “The Greens want to transition Queensland’s economy to job-rich sustainable industries like renewable energy, public transport, tourism and sustainable urban development. “We can tackle climate change and create long-term jobs, but Labor can’t see that because they are blinded by the interests of their big donors – the urban development and coal industries. The Greens want to give the community and the environment a voice back in State Parliament,” continued Ms Waters. “The voters of Mt Coot-Tha are the Greenest in the state and they are sick of not being heard. I am offering them an alternative - a long-term, sustainable vision from someone who has lived in the electorate for almost all of her life,” she said. Ms Waters, 32, is a solicitor with degrees in environmental science and law, who has worked for 7 years in the community sector as a public interest environmental lawyer. In that time she has helped draft tougher tree clearing laws, worked on the landmark court case to protect the Great Barrier Reef from the proposed Nathan Dam in central Queensland, advocated for better protection of the state’s remaining pristine rivers and has written a proposal to protect the state’s most important wetlands from damaging developments. | The Queensland Greens will run an environmental lawyer against incumbent treasurer Andrew Fraser at this years Queensland state election in Australia. Larissa Waters will be the party's candidate for the seat of Mt Coot-tha. Ms Waters says she is hoping that the premier does not call the election in May, as she Ms Waters is expecting her first child that month. "I am giving that a fair bit of interest," she said. "Luckily we have a pretty good branch in Mt Coot-tha." Ms Waters received a 6 per cent swing at the 2006 election in the Brisbane Central electorate, which was then held by then premier Peter Beattie. She then missed out on a federal senate spot by a narrow margin. While acknowledging Mr Fraser's abilities, Ms Waters questions whether he was still in touch with the electorate. "This has been the greenest electorate in Queensland is the past few elections," she said. "And Andrew Fraser is just not green enough for this electorate. It think it is more important that he is more connected with the people of his electorate than schmoozing." The Greens unveiled its policy to open two solar power stations last weekend. "We can tackle climate change and create long-term jobs, but Labor can't see that because they are blinded by the interests of their big donors - the urban development and coal industries," Ms Waters said. "The Greens want to give the community and the environment a voice back in State Parliament." Queensland's unicameral parliament is currently made up of 58 Australian Labor Party (ALP) members, 25 Liberal National Party (LNP) members, one member each from The Greens and One Nation and four independents. Ms Waters believes there is a general dissatisfaction with both the ALP and LNP and promotes the Greens as an appropriate balance of power, similar to that of the party's federal senate members. Acknowledging the steps taken by the premier on reforming laws to protect the Great Barrier Reef, she has said that "it is long overdue. But the package doesn't cover the complete range of issues. We need both 'stick and carrot' in our approach in this area." Her campaign will be officially launched today on Mt Coot-tha. |
Shark fishing banned in the Bahamas Some 40 species of sharks inhabit the waters of the Atlantic Ocean archipelago Continue reading the main story Related Stories The Bahamas has banned shark fishing in its waters and prohibited the sale, import and export of shark products. The new law will effectively turn all 630,000 sq km (243,000 square miles) of the nation's territorial waters into a shark sanctuary. The ban was approved by Agriculture Minister Larry Cartwright in the capital, Nassau, on Tuesday. The archipelago joins Honduras, the Maldives and Palau in outlawing shark fishing. The government also increased shark-fishing fines from $3,000 (£1,900) to $5,000. Sharks are considered at risk due to demand for their fins in Chinese cuisine - some 73 million of the sea predators are killed each year, environmentalists say. Needing protection In 1993 the Bahamas banned long-line fishing, which limited shark fishing and protected 40 species of sharks inhabiting its waters. But shark fishing was not banned outright, and when a local seafood company announced last year that it planned to export shark meat and fins to Hong Kong, activists called for a new law to be introduced. Environmentalists welcomed the ban. Neil McKinney, president of the Bahamas National Trust, which manages the country's resources, said sharks played an extremely important role in balancing the ecosystem. "They desperately need protection if we're not going to drive them to extinction," AFP news agency quoted him as saying. Tourism is a major industry in the Bahamas, and shark-diving earns it $80m a year in revenue, according to a recent survey. The country's main island, New Providence, is home to Jaws Beach, where one of the Jaws films was shot. Last year, the remains of a boatman who had disappeared off the beach were found in the stomach of a tiger shark caught by an investment banker. The US-based Pew Environment Group said each reef shark brought some $250,000 to the archipelago's economy. Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette said he did not think the ban would affect relations with China, which has increased trade with the Bahamas in recent years. "This is in keeping with the government's commitment to pursue conservation policies and strategies in order to safeguard the marine and terrestrial environment," the Associated Press quoted him as saying. ||||| Why Jaws needs protecting: Bahamas bans shark fishing as THIRD of all species now face extinction They're supposed to be the ultimate hunters - but it turns out they're really the hunted. A U.S. report has revealed shark numbers have declined by as much as 80 per cent worldwide, with a third of all species now threatened by extinction as millions are killed each year for their fins. It comes as the Bahamas announced it has banned commercial shark fishing in its territorial waters, the latest in a long line of countries anxious to protect the ocean predator. Protected: Divers off the Bahamas proudly advertise the country's new ban on commercial shark fishing, as it is revealed their numbers are declining It turns the island chain's 243,244 square miles of territorial waters into a shark sanctuary, designed to protect the 40 species which inhabit that part of the Caribbean. The move will also be good for the Bahamian economy. The country is one of the world's premier shark-watching destinations for divers, and the industry brings in $78million each year. It was already a shark-friendly country - 20 years ago it banned longline fishing, stopping sharks becoming caught in fishermen's nets and allowing the predators to thrive in its waters. Famously, the final Jaws movie was filmed on 'Jaws Beach' , on the archipelago's New Providence Island. Sanctuary: Jaws Beach on New Providence Island in the Bahamas. The archipelago's waters are home to 40 different species of shark But elsewhere sharks are increasingly under threat, according to a new report published by the Pew Charitable Trusts. It revealed shark numbers have declined by some 70 to 80 per cent, and a third of all species are threatened or near-threatened by extinction. Part of the reason is food. Each year, 73 million sharks are killed by fishermen to supply a growing market for Chinese delicacy - shark-fin soup. Their fins are usually sliced off then the bloody carcasses are thrown overboard. On top of that, tens of millions of the predators are killed every year when they are caught in lines or nets intended for other fish. Shark-fin soup has traditionally been served in China as a way for people to show off their wealth. Image problem: Experts say shark numbers are declining in part because they are now thought of as the ultimate human enemy, after the the 1975 film Jaws As the country's proportion of rich people grows, so too does the demand for shark fins, which can be worth up to 100 times more than the meat itself. And unlike, for example, tuna fish, which produce 10 million eggs each year, female Great White sharks produce just two to four live young every couple of years, so their numbers can fall dramatically in a short space of time. Delicacy: The demand for shark-fin soup is growing every year Experts say part of the issue is an image problem - since the 1975 movie Jaws enshrined sharks forever in popular mythology as the ultimate enemy, fear of the predators has grown. But in fact unprovoked shark attacks are incredibly rare. Just six people were killed by the animals last year, according to the International Shark Attack File. Sharks don't even like the taste of human beings, according to Christopher Neff, an Australian shark researcher. In a new book on sharks by Juliet Eilperin, the Washington Post's natural environment reporter, she says part of our horror stems from the way many species of shark swim with their mouths open so they can breathe. She writes: 'This is one of the reasons people see sharks as scary: cruising along as they display their sharp teeth, they look as if they're poised to attack at any moment.' Now many countries are trying to stop their decline by protecting them. Earlier this year Palau, the Maldives and Honduras banned commercial shark fishing. | The Bahamas has become the fourth country to ban shark fishing The Bahamas on Tuesday approved a law banning shark fishing in its waters, along with selling, importing and exporting shark products. This makes the Bahamas the fourth country to ban shark fishing, joining the Maldives, Honduras, and Palau. The 630,000 sq km of water around the Bahamas has now become an official . The ban is welcomed by many, including environmentalists. The President of the , Neil McKinney, spoke about the issue saying, "They desperately need protection if we're not going to drive them to extinction." Deputy Prime Minister also commented on the ban: "This is in keeping with the government's commitment to pursue conservation policies and strategies in order to safeguard the marine and terrestrial environment." However, some feel that the ban will affect relations with China. is highly popular in China, with around 73 million sharks killed every year. To prepare shark-fin soup, the , and the body of the shark is thrown back into the water. A report published by the found that shark populations have fallen by 70 to 80 per cent, with a third of all shark species being threatened or nearly threatened by extinction. == Sources == * * |
A Flat Rock native working as a federal border patrol agent along the Arizona-Mexico border was shot and killed Tuesday evening after encountering what authorities said are bandits known for targeting illegal immigrants. Agent Brian Terry, 40, who served near Rio Rico, Ariz., was killed near Peck Canyon, about 10 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border on I-19. Four suspects are in custody and another is being pursued, according to a news release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Terry had made serving his country and a career in law enforcement his dream since his youth, according to a family friend. "He was an easygoing guy who was very patriotic," said Eric Wymer, a 10-year veteran with the Detroit Police Department and longtime family friend. "He lost his life doing what he loved best: fighting for his country and catching bad guys." Wymer said that Terry, a 1988 graduate of Flat Rock High School, served a stint in the Marines before joining the Ecorse Police Department. He later served with the Lincoln Park Police Department prior to being hired with the Border Patrol. The death of the border patrol agent raises the stakes in the debate between Arizona officials and the federal government over the need for more protection along the Mexican border. In a statement released Wednesday, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said: "Although we needed no reminder of the ever-increasing dangers along our southern border, this tragedy serves as stark notice that the threats facing all who serve in protecting our state and nation are real, and are increasing on a daily basis." She ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff in tribute to Terry. Survivors include his parents, Josephine and Kent Terry; his brother, Kent, and two sisters, Michelle Balogh and Kelly Willis. All are from the Downriver area. Funeral arrangements were incomplete Wednesday. ||||| TUCSON, Ariz. -- Authorities continue to comb the rugged southern Arizona terrain during the manhunt for a suspect they say was involved in the deadly gunfight that claimed the life of a U.S. Border Patrol agent late Tuesday night. “I assure you, that every effort will be extended to bring that suspect into custody,” said Richard Barlow, the Border Patrol deputy chief of the Tucson Sector Agent Brian A. Terry was gunned down the frenzied shoot out that involved a cadre that robs illegal immigrants--vulnerable targets-- as they cross the border. One of the suspects was injured during the shoot out and taken into custody, said Barlow. Three more suspects were later apprehended. "This is a stark reminder of the realities that we face every single day," said Barlow, who wore a black band over his yellow shield at a press conference. "There are people out there that wake up every single day with nothing else on their minds than to harm citizens of this country and our way of life." The FBI and the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office are performing a joint investigation near Rio Rico, Ariz. Prior to the shooting, Terry was waiting with three other agents in a remote area north of Nogales, said T.J. Bonner, the council president of the National Border Patrol . A CBP spokesman would not confirm that account. Terry, 40, a former Marine, was a member of U.S. Customs and Border Protection's special response team. The last fatal shooting of a Border Patrol agent was on July 23, 2009, when Robert Rosas, 30, was killed by unidentified assailants while responding to suspicious activity in a known smuggling corridor near Campo, Calif., CBP officials said. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the killing is an "unconscionable act of violence," according to a statement released Wednesday. She had planned earlier this week to visit the region on Friday, but will apparently move her trip up a day because of the shooting, the Arizona Republic reports. In May, President Obama authorized the deployment of up to an additional 1,200 National Guard troops to the Southwest border to provide support for surveillance, reconnaissance and narcotics enforcement to augment CBP and U.S. Customs and Immigration (ICE) authorities already in place. Those deployments began on Aug. 1. Obama also requested $600 million in supplemental funds for enhanced border protection and law enforcement activities. "Over the past year and a half, this administration has pursued a new border security strategy with an unprecedented sense of urgency, making historic investments in personnel, technology and infrastructure," Napolitano said in a statement released on July 19. "These troops will provide direct support to federal law enforcement officers and agents working in high-risk areas to disrupt criminal organizations seeking to move people and goods illegally across the Southwest border," the statement continued. Napolitano also announced in July that more than $47 million in fiscal year 2010 Operation Stonegraden grants for the Southwest border states to support law enforcement personnel, overtime and related costs. Nearly 80 percent of the funding will go to Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas, up from 59 percent in 2008. FoxNews.com's Joshua Rhett Miller, Edmund DeMarche and The Associated Press contributed to this report. | The United States Border Patrol has announced that a Border agent, Brian Terry aged 40, was shot and killed in Southern Arizona near the border with Mexico on Tuesday night after a shoot out with suspected bandits who were targeting illegal immigrants. Reports state that at least four suspects are in custody with one suspect still at large. Terry was killed at around 11:00 p.m. local time () Tuesday night near . Border Patrol spokesman Eric Cantu told the Associated Press that the FBI is probing the agent's death and had few details at the time. Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Protection also released a statement saying, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Terry family for their tragic loss. Our commitment to Agent Terry and his family is that we will do everything possible to bring to justice those responsible for this despicable act." Further details are not available at this time. U.S. flags across Arizona will be flown at half-staff in honor of Terry. |
By JORGE RUEDA, Associated Press Writer Fri Feb 22, 12:57 PM ET CARACAS, Venezuela - All 46 people aboard a Venezuelan passenger plane died when it slammed into an Andean mountain, rescue crews confirmed Friday. "By the way it crashed we can determine there are no survivors," said Gen. Ramon Vinas, head of the civil aviation authority. Search teams reached the remote site by helicopter and had to lower themselves with ropes onto the "complicated" mountainous terrain, Vinas said. "The impact was direct. The aircraft is practically pulverized," firefighter Sgt. Jhonny Paz told the Venezuelan television channel Globovision. The French-made ATR 42-300 carrying 43 passengers and three crew members crashed Thursday at an altitude of 13,500 feet in an area known as Los Conejos plateau within the Sierra La Culata National Park, officials said. The plane went down about 6 miles from the airport in the Andean city of Merida, where the Santa Barbara Airlines flight departed for Caracas, Vinas said. Once the plane took off, the control tower received no further communication from the pilot, according to Jorge Alvarez, president of Santa Barbara, a small airline that covers domestic routes in Venezuela. Relatives and friends of the victims gathered in tears, some of them embracing, at Simon Bolivar International Airport near Caracas. "We join in the profound pain of all the relatives of our passengers and co-workers," the airline said in a statement. It pledged to cooperate fully in an investigation. Aircraft manufacturer ATR, based in Toulouse, France, said specialists from the company and the French Accident Bureau were leaving immediately to assist investigators. The weather was normal for Merida on Thursday, with some areas sunny and fog at higher elevations, said Lt. Luis Uzcategui of the Merida fire department. "In that mountainous area there always tends to be more fog due to the altitude," Uzcategui said. Among the dead were the mayor of a small town in Merida state, Alexander Quintero; his 11-year-old boy; and two young relatives of federal Public Safety Vice Minister Tarek El Aissami, state Gov. Florencio Porras said. ____ Associated Press writers Sandra Sierra and Fabiola Sanchez contributed to this report. ||||| Click to view scenes from the political life of the Venezuelan leader. CARACAS, Venezuela - Searchers found the shattered wreckage of a plane carrying 46 people in the mountains of western Venezuela on Friday, and officials said all on board were killed. The twin-engine plane slammed into the face of a mountainside, “and by the way it crashed we can determine there are no survivors,” said Gen. Ramon Vinas, head of the civil aviation authority. The flight was reported missing 30 minutes after takeoff on Thursday from the city of Merida. The rescue crews were in the mountainous area of Collado del Condor, at an altitude of about 13,000 feet. Story continues below ↓ advertisement advertisement Residents in the area reported by phone “that they heard a great crash,” said Noel Marquez, the emergency management director in Merida state. The twin-engine plane, owned by Venezuelan airline Santa Barbara, failed to contact control towers in two cities as expected after it took off en route to Simon Bolivar International Airport near Caracas, said Gen. Antonio Rivero, Venezuela’s emergency management director. Emotional scene at airport Before the crash site was found, relatives and friends of those on board gathered in tears, some of them embracing, at Simon Bolivar International Airport as they awaited word from authorities. Yuko Yajima / AP Map locates Caracas and Merida, Venezuela; 1c x 1 7/8 inches; 46.5 mm x 47.6 mm Santa Barbara is a small airline that covers domestic routes in Venezuela. The French-made ATR 42-300 carrying 43 passengers and three crew members took off from Merida’s airport at 4:59 p.m., officials said. The duration of the flight was to have been an hour and 45 minutes. The area where it disappeared is about 400 miles southwest of Caracas. © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. ||||| AP Photo/Fernando Llano Buy AP Photo Reprints CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- All 46 people aboard a Venezuelan passenger plane died when it slammed into an Andean mountain, rescue crews confirmed Friday. "By the way it crashed we can determine there are no survivors," said Gen. Ramon Vinas, head of the civil aviation authority. Search teams reached the remote site by helicopter and had to lower themselves with ropes onto the "complicated" mountainous terrain, Vinas said. "The impact was direct. The aircraft is practically pulverized," firefighter Sgt. Jhonny Paz told the Venezuelan television channel Globovision. The French-made ATR 42-300 carrying 43 passengers and three crew members crashed Thursday at an altitude of 13,500 feet in an area known as Los Conejos plateau within the Sierra La Culata National Park, officials said. The plane went down about 6 miles from the airport in the Andean city of Merida, where the Santa Barbara Airlines flight departed for Caracas, Vinas said. Once the plane took off, the control tower received no further communication from the pilot, according to Jorge Alvarez, president of Santa Barbara, a small airline that covers domestic routes in Venezuela. Relatives and friends of the victims gathered in tears, some of them embracing, at Simon Bolivar International Airport near Caracas. "We join in the profound pain of all the relatives of our passengers and co-workers," the airline said in a statement. It pledged to cooperate fully in an investigation. Aircraft manufacturer ATR, based in Toulouse, France, said specialists from the company and the French Accident Bureau were leaving immediately to assist investigators. The weather was normal for Merida on Thursday, with some areas sunny and fog at higher elevations, said Lt. Luis Uzcategui of the Merida fire department. "In that mountainous area there always tends to be more fog due to the altitude," Uzcategui said. Among the dead were the mayor of a small town in Merida state, Alexander Quintero; his 11-year-old boy; and two young relatives of federal Public Safety Vice Minister Tarek El Aissami, state Gov. Florencio Porras said. ---- Associated Press writers Sandra Sierra and Fabiola Sanchez contributed to this report. © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Learn more about our Privacy Policy. ||||| By Enrique Andres Pretel MERIDA, Venezuela (Reuters) - All 46 people on board died when a Venezuelan passenger plane slammed into the sheer face of a foggy Andean mountain after veering off course after takeoff, officials said on Friday. Rescuers rappelled from helicopters to search for remains in the shattered wreckage lodged 13,000 feet above sea level on a craggy, rock wall known as "Indian Face." The blue-and-white tail of the twin-engine plane rested on the mountainside, which was charred by flames. Pieces of white fuselage and other remains from the crash littered the area, images from a video shot by searchers showed. Whipped by cross-winds, rescue mountain-climbers struggled to lower themselves down the cliff to reach the plane operated by the small local airline Santa Barbara, civil defense chief Antonio Rivero said. "This plane was found completely wrecked, smashed against the face of one of the mountains," Rivero said. "Unfortunately everyone aboard died." With few clearings to land choppers, searchers set up camp almost a mile away and trekked across the rugged terrain to the wreckage. The plane crashed 6 miles from the tourist city of Merida after taking off for the capital Caracas on Thursday before dusk in a notoriously difficult region to navigate. "It makes your heart ache. Venezuela is in mourning," President Hugo Chavez said in a televised speech. He pledged a thorough investigation into what caused the crash. The mountainous region is known for their condors and adventure trails. Continued... ||||| Relatives of some passengers were given the news at Merida airport Wreckage of the plane was found early on Friday just 10km (six miles) north-east of the city of Merida. It had taken off from the western city shortly before dusk on Thursday and on a flight to the capital, Caracas. President Hugo Chavez said Venezuela was in mourning and called for a full investigation into the incident. The mostly Venezuelan victims among the 43 passengers and three crew members included three Colombians and a US citizen. Wall of rock "The impact was direct. The aircraft is practically pulverised," firefighter Sgt Johnny Paz told the Venezuelan TV station Globovision. They have given us the news that there's nothing there, that there are no survivors Olivia Gil, relative of victim "It crashed at an altitude of 12,000 feet (4,000 metres) against a wall of rock," he said. "There are no survivors." The area's mountainous terrain has made reaching the wreckage difficult. "The plane is just too destroyed and it is in such a tough area," said Gerardo Rojas, a regional civil defence chief. Only the tail of the twin-engine ATR-42 plane, operated by the Santa Barbara airline, was visible from the air. Rescuers abseiled down from helicopters to search the wreckage. Other search parties had been sent on Thursday night by foot. Difficult to navigate At Simon Bolivar airport in Caracas, where the plane had been due to arrive, relatives of victims received support from psychiatrists having been informed there were no survivors. Merida is located about 680km (420 miles) south-west of Caracas. It is notoriously difficult to navigate around the city. Pilots are given special training to take off and land at the airport because the city is surrounded by high mountains. Visibility is often poor and planes are not allowed to take off at night. However, the weather on departure was said to have been normal for Merida. No distress call was reported from the pilot. The crashed plane was a turboprop aircraft produced by ATR, a French-Italian company. Santa Barbara airline's president, Jorge Alvarez, said the plane had been well maintained and had no history of technical problems. The plane was about 20 years old and the pilot had been working for Santa Barbara for eight years, he said. ||||| (CNN) -- Rescue teams on Friday found the wreckage of a plane that crashed Thursday night in the mountains of Venezuela, but none of the 46 people aboard survived, a searcher said. Relatives of passengers on board the flight wait for news Thursday at the desk of Santa Barbara Airlines. "The impact was direct. The aircraft is practically pulverized," firefighter Jhonny Paz told Globovision, a privately owned Venezuelan television station. "There are no survivors." There was no word on the cause of the crash. Witnesses saw the Santa Barbara Airlines plane go down, according to Antonio Rivero, Venezuela's national director of civil protection. Harsh weather and rough terrain in the Andes Mountains likely will make the job of emergency workers difficult, Rivero said on a state-run television station. The plane went missing while flying from Merida to the international airport near Caracas, an official said. The pilot did not check in with controllers 20 minutes into the flight, as scheduled, suggesting the plane encountered problems shortly after takeoff. Nelson Marquez, chief of civil defense for Merida, said the plane was carrying 43 passengers and three crew members. Media reports said the Santa Barbara Airlines plane was supposed to land about 7 p.m. local time Thursday. E-mail to a friend CNN's Guillermo Arduino and Adrian Criscaut contributed to this report. All About Venezuela • Air Disasters | A Venezuelan plane with 46 passengers onboard has been reported missing in western Venezuela, officials say. The Santa Barbara Airlines plane took off just before dusk from the city of Mérida en route to Simón Bolívar International Airport outside the capital city of Caracas. Noel Marquez, director of Venezuela's emergency management agency in Mérida, said the plane has failed to contact control towers. Civil Defense chief General Antonio Rivero told reporters that it is unknown whether or not the plane crashed or is simply missing. Mérida a town roughly 680 kilometers (422 miles) from Caracas is a popular tourist location. |
advertisement International Mediators Try to Help End Togo Crisis LOME (Reuters) - International mediators met with Togolese government ministers on Saturday to try to end a crisis in which scores of people died during days of rioting after the late ruler's son was declared winner of a disputed poll. The head of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mohamed ibn Chambas, and Niger's foreign minister, Aichatou Mindaoudou, met Togo's interim president, prime minister and foreign minister in Lome. "The message has been the same from the start. (Regional leaders) have been worried about three things: respecting the constitution, organising elections and guaranteeing peace and security," Mindaoudou told reporters after the brief meeting. She said the delegation would now meet other political players in Togo, without giving details. Days of clashes between security forces and opposition youths followed the announcement on Tuesday that Faure Gnassingbe, whose father ruled the country for four decades, had won Sunday's presidential election. Gnassingbe offered to form a unity government during talks in Abuja hosted by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo on Monday but opposition leaders rejected the idea, saying they could not work with a leader who won a fraudulent election. "I understand they said they didn't sign any agreement ... That is immaterial. We said at the meeting that rather than the letter, the spirit was more important," Obasanjo, who chairs the African Union, told Nigerian state radio on Saturday. "As far as I know, the agreement will be kept and if it is not kept, then we have the power of sanction by ECOWAS, the African Union or we can even invoke the United Nations to join us in the sanction," Obasanjo said. The Nigerian leader met African Union Commission President Alpha Oumar Konare at his country home in Ota, north of Lagos, on Saturday to discuss the crisis, officials said. GERMAN ANGER Germany's foreign ministry said it had also sent a special envoy to Lome after armed men shot into its cultural center on Friday before burning the building to the ground. Continued ... ||||| Togo's refugees too afraid of soldiers to go home Source: Reuters By Pawana Abalo COME, Benin, April 30 (Reuters) - Young men, old women and children among the thousands who fled violence in Togo said on Saturday they were too scared to go home after security forces shot at unarmed civilians in post-election chaos. More than 11,500 people have fled the tiny West African country since trouble erupted on Tuesday, minutes after the late authoritarian ruler's son was declared winner of a poll his opponents say was fixed. Police fought days of pitched battles with protesters dug in behind blazing barricades in Lome, while security forces in other towns sought out opposition supporters and beat them up in their homes, according to those who fled the violence. "Just after the results were announced the red berets (commandos) went out into the streets and started shooting at the boys," said Marthe, 60, who fled over the border to Benin where U.N. aid workers have set up refugee camps. "They only shot at the boys. They ransacked shops and blamed the youths, who were unarmed," she said, standing by a sea of green U.N. tents on acres of red soil near the village of Come. Like Marthe, 30-year-old Lawson fled from the Togolese town of Aneho, which lies 45 km (28 miles) east of the capital and where hospital workers say at least nine people were killed. "As soon as the results were announced we went out into the streets to protest. The military shot into the crowd and I was hit in the foot," Lawson said from his bed in Come's hospital, where a dozen other Togolese refugees with bullet and machete wounds were being treated. "I'm afraid of going back to Aneho because I'm afraid of reprisals. I don't know how the RPT (ruling party) lot will react when they see me," he said. BEATEN UP AT HOME The United Nations refugee agency said 11,500 people had crossed into Benin and Ghana by Saturday, up from 7,000 on Friday. Many had sought shelter with relatives, while others were staying in churches along the border, it said. "They came to my house and searched it. I campaigned for the opposition. My husband was slapped and my children beaten up," said Evelyn, in her 50s, waiting at a transit centre on the border after fleeing her home town of Tsevie, north of Lome. Elvis Edorh, 25, said he too was beaten up at home in Aneho and had to swim across a lagoon to reach safety. "I swam and I got myself here. I lost two nephews who the security forces shot," he said. Interim president Abass Bonfoh has said no order was given to shoot at demonstrators and said that members of the security forces had died in the violence because they had respected that. The opposition says 100 people were killed around the country, while Togo's Human Rights League has said at least 40 were killed with many more wounded by bullets or missing. The U.N. said the camp at Come was now at capacity with 800 refugees, many of them women and children who were being given vaccinations against polio and measles. The U.N. said it expected to transfer 500 more to a new camp at nearby Lokossa. Aid trucks carrying tents, plastic sheeting, blankets and soap left Ghana's capital Accra on Saturday for Benin but the journey would take four days because the convoy would have to snake its way through Burkina Faso to avoid Togo, the U.N. said. Togo spun into chaos when Gnassingbe Eyadema died in February after nearly four decades in power and army leaders named his son, who eventually quit under fierce international pressure and agreed to elections, to replace him. Calm has returned to the streets of Lome although opposition supporters have vowed to fight on. West African mediators held talks with the government on Saturday to try to end the crisis, but refugees slammed the weakness of the international response. "We want our victory. Benin and other countries have to mobilise to help us. The authors of this violence will pay with their blood," said Evelyn. AlertNet news is provided by Printable view | Email this article | Send comments ||||| Germany's cultural institute in Lome was burnt down The delegation - from the regional grouping, Ecowas - met Togo's interim president, senior government ministers, as well as opposition leaders. Meanwhile, thousands of Togolese and foreigners are fleeing the country, many heading for neighbouring Benin. The opposition says some 100 people have been killed since the election. In last Sunday's poll Faure Gnassingbe, the son of the previous leader, won 60% of the vote. "Violence is not the way to deal with democracy," said Mohammed Ibn Chambas, executive secretary of Ecowas (Economic Community of West African States). "We think the way forward is for Togolese to use dialogue, and to sit down and negotiate." 'Out of control' Ecowas has certified the election as fair, but the opposition coalition says the poll was rigged to allow the heir of the late president Gnassingbe Eyadema to stay in power. The UN's Jan Egeland has voiced his concern over the current situation. "There is a lot of violence and it is getting out of control," the under secretary general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief co-ordinator told AFP news agency. Many Togolese and foreigners are fleeing in the wake of the riots The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said more than 11,500 Togolese had fled to Benin and Ghana by Saturday. "We thought yesterday that calm was returning, but overnight another 400 to 700 came," said Rafik Saidi, the UNHCR's regional representative, speaking from Benin. Arson attack Meanwhile, the German government has urged its citizens to leave after the Goethe Institute in Lome was completely destroyed in an arson attack. Togolese authorities had accused Germany of supporting the opposition. "The (Togolese) government must ensure that residents and German institutions are effectively protected and stop anti-German provocation and slander of the German ambassador," said German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer. Mr Gnassingbe won 60% of the 24 April vote, while his main rival, Emmanuel Akitani got 38%. ||||| Analysis: Why Biden's securities regulator faces climate crackdown challenges With Democrats at the helm, the U.S. securities regulator is pledging to crack down on companies and funds that mislead investors over climate change risks, but that may be easier said than done, more than a dozen attorneys and former agency officials say. | Immediately after the provisional election returns in the West African nation of Togo were given last Tuesday, violence and chaos erupted with security forces beating and shooting protesters, who object to the fairness of the Togolese elections and allege widespread fraud. Some of the opposition leaders who were targeted are said to have been unarmed or even found by security forces in their homes, and police have fought in fiery pitched battles against rioters for days, employing tear gas behind burning barricades. At least 40 Togolese citizens have been killed. The elections were won by Faure Gnassingbé, son of the previous leader Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who held power in Togo for about 38 years before his death on February 5, 2005. The army appointed his son as his successor and the country's leader, but regional opposition forced him to step down and seek free elections. The preliminary count indicates that 60% of the vote went to Faure Gnassingbé, a 38-year-old Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Yale University and son of the former President. An additional 38% went to his chief opponent, 74-year-old Emmanual Bob-Akitani, who was endorsed by a six-party coalition and opposition leader Harry Olympio. Further violence is expected as the official vote tally and announcement of results comes within a few days. "Just after the preliminary results were announced the red berets commandos went out into the streets and started shooting at the boys," said Marthe, who fled to a U.N. refugee camp in Benin to escape the fighting. "They only shot at the boys. They ransacked shops and blamed the youths, who were unarmed," she continued in her Reuters interview. More than 11,500 Togolese have fled from their country and taken up temporary residence in Benin and Ghana since the elections, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The opposition party claims that 100 people have been killed in the ongoing violence that passed through Lome and other villages. Togo's Human Rights League has verified the deaths of at least 40, and the wounding of many others. "Violence is not the way to deal with democracy," said Mohammed Ibn Chambas, executive secretary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). "We think the way forward is for Togolese to use dialogue, and to sit down and negotiate." ECOWAS has certified the elections as free from interference, a decision that some countries such as France have accepted, but the United States continues to question the fairness of the outcome. Germany protested after its cultural center, the Goethe Institute, was burned down in Lomé. The Togolese government has accused Germany of aiding the opposition, and former interior minister Francois Boko (who was fired earlier for trying to postpone the election due to fears of violence) has sought refuge in the German embassy. Togo is a former German colony, but the official language of the country is French, since it was passed to Britain and France in 1918 and only gained its independence in 1960. Gnassingbé has offered to form a new unity government, incorporating voices from the opposition, but their leaders turned down the offer, claiming that the election was fraudulent and stolen. "If they refuse tomorrow, I hope that they will decide to join us the next day," said Gnassingbé to France's ''Le Monde'' in their Friday edition. "Reconciliation is a long process. You can't jump overnight from a regime that lasted for 38 years to a new one," he continued. |
Regensburg War Messerangriff ein versuchter Mord? Neutraubling Als im Oktober ein 18-Jähriger in Neutraubling angeriffen wurde, gab es viele Gerüchte. Jetzt ist klar, was die Tat auslöste. ||||| 20 Millionen Dollar für ISS-Mission Japaner fliegt als Weltraumtourist ins All von uhg Ein japanischer Unternehmer wird als erster Weltraumtourist seines Landes ins All fliegen. Der 34-jährige Daisuke Enomoto habe bereits den Vertrag über die Reise zur Internationalen Raumstation ISS im September unterzeichnet, erklärte das amerikanische Unternehmen Space Adventures Ltd. in einer Stellungnahme. (ap) Enomoto war nach einem Bericht der Nachrichtenagentur Kyodo früher Vorstandsmitglied des in die Schlagzeilen geratenen Internet-Start-ups Livedoor. Der frühere Präsident der Firma und vier weitere Vorstandsmitglieder wurden im vergangenen Monat wegen Betrugsvorwürfen festgenommen. Enomoto verliess das Unternehmen bereits vor dem Bekanntwerden der Anschuldigungen. Die Reise zur ISS werde ihn 20 Millionen Dollar kosten, berichtete Kyodo weiter. Space Adventures arbeitet als Partner mit der russischen Raumfahrtbehörde zusammen. Das Unternehmen schickte zuvor bereits die amerikanischen Unternehmer Dennis Tito und Gregory Olsen sowie den Südafrikaner Mark Shuttleworth mit Sojus-Raketen zur ISS. ||||| Verschiedenes 07-03-2006 Verschiedenes Russland schickt japanischen Unternehmer als nächsten Weltraumtouristen zur ISS Ein japanischer Unternehmer wird als nächster Weltraumtourist zur Internationalen Raumstation ISS fliegen. Daisuke Enomoto habe die medizinischen Tests bestanden und einen entsprechenden Vertrag über seine Reise ins All unterschrieben, teilte das US-Unternehmen Space Adventures am Montag mit. Der 34-Jährige werde sich nun in Russland einem Kosmonautentraining unterziehen und vermutlich im September mit einer russischen Sojus TMA-9 Rakete von der Erde abheben. Enomoto wäre der erste Japaner unter den dann vier Weltraumtouristen. Vor ihm flogen bereits der US-Millionär Dennis Tito (2001), der Südafrikaner Mark Shuttleworth (2002) und der US-Geschäftsmann Greg Olsen (2005) zur ISS. Sie bezahlten dafür jeweils 20 Millionen Dollar. Enomoto machte sein Vermögen mit Geschäften in der Informationstechnologie. Im Moment ist er als freier Investor in Hongkong tätig. Werbung Frühjahr 2011. Adolf Hitler erwacht auf einem leeren Grundstück in Berlin. Ohne Krieg, ohne Partei, ohne Goebbels. Im tiefsten Frieden, unter Tausenden von Ausländern und Angela Merkel. 66 Jahre nach seinem vermeintlichen Ende strandet der Gröfaz in der Gegenwart und startet gegen jegliche Wahrscheinlichkeit eine neue Karriere – im Fernsehen. Dieser Hitler ist keine Witzfigur und gerade deshalb erschreckend lustig. HTML5 und Flash wird nicht unterstützt! Archiv: 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 ||||| Updated: 10:45 am, Nov. 4 Japanese entrepreneur Daisuke “Dice-K” Enomoto will be the next private space explorer to visit the International Space Station (ISS), the world’s leading space tourism company Space Adventures, Ltd. announced today. Enomoto, 34, will be the fourth fare-paying private explorer – and the first from Asia – sent into space by Space Adventures, following Dennis Tito, Mark Shuttleworth, and most recently Gregory Olsen, who returned from the ISS last month. Enomoto’s 10 day expedition, which will include eight days on the ISS, is currently planned for October 2006. Like previous space tourists, Enomoto will travel to the ISS in a Russian Soyuz capsule, and he has already begun his cosmonaut training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia. “I am proud to be the first private citizen from Japan to begin training for an orbital spaceflight. I hope that by my interest in space exploration many others will be encouraged to learn more about the mysteries of the black sky. For the past 30 years, I have dreamt of seeing our Mother Earth from space,” Enomoto said in a statement. “We are excited to announce that Dice-K will be the next private space explorer to visit the International Space Station,” said Eric Anderson, president and CEO of Space Adventures in a written statement. “It will be another proud moment at his launch, not only for Space Adventures, but for Japan as a country. We encourage people from all around the world to explore the final frontier. We congratulate Dice-K and wish him well in his training.” Enomoto is a self-described fanboy of the popular Japanese anime series “GUNDAM” – a futuristic cartoon where humans wage battle wearing giant robot suits. In previous interviews, Enomoto has said that with Russian approval, he would like to dress up as Char Aznable, a popular Darth Vader-like character on the show. A former executive vice president and chief strategic officer of the IT company Livedoor and the founder of DICE-K.com, Enomoto now lives in Hong Kong and works as an independent investor. Space Adventures is headquartered in Arlingtion, Va. with offices in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Moscow, and Tokyo. It is the only company to successfully launch private explorers into space and offers a variety of programs, such as Zero-Gravity and MiG flights, cosmonaut training, spaceflight qualification programs and reservations on future suborbital spacecrafts. ||||| A Japanese entrepreneur has been approved as the next candidate for a space tourism flight to the International Space Station, the US firm Space Adventures announced on Monday. Daisuke "Dice-K" Enomoto, 34, who made his fortune in information technology, will become the fourth ultra-wealthy tourist to pay for a ride to the International Space Station (ISS) and the first from Japan. After being judged medically fit and signing a final contract, Enomoto will undergo cosmonaut training with the Russian Federal Space Agency, the company said in a statement. The entrepreneur's flight on a Soyuz TMA-9 en route to the ISS is scheduled for September 2006. Hall of fame "The first phase of training will include cosmonaut theoretical and physical training, along with Russian language tutoring," said Space Adventures, based in Arlington, Virginia, US. Enomoto works in Hong Kong and was previously executive vice president for the now-troubled information technology firm Livedoor. Space Adventures made its name by sending US millionaire Dennis Tito into space in 2001. South African Mark Shuttleworth followed in 2002 and American businessman Greg Olsen paid $20 million in 2005 to spend eight days aboard the ISS. Space Adventures had already announced plans to offer sub-orbital flights for tourists from a commercial "spaceport" planned for the United Arab Emirates. | Japanese entrepreneur Daisuke "Dice-K" Enomoto, 34, is set to become the fourth private citizen in space. The Arlington, Virginia-based company "Space Adventures", which specializes in spaceflight-related travel, announced on March 7 that Enomoto was approved by the Russian space agency as a flight candidate. Enomoto has now passed the physical examinations necessary to be cleared for training, finished the medical preparation, and signed the contract for the flight. His training with the Russian Federal Space Agency will include physical and aeronautical preparation as well as Russian language instruction. Enomoto will be the first Japanese person to fly to the International Space Station (ISS). His trip, to take place in a Soyuz TMA-9 rocket, is scheduled for September, with a ticket price of US$20 million. United States entrepreneur Gregory Olsen returned from the ISS in October 2005; previous space vacationers were American Dennis Tito in 2001 and South African Mark Shuttleworth in 2002. |
The convoy was returning to barracks at Bordj Bou Arreridj, southeast of Algiers, after escorting Chinese construction workers to a motorway project, when it came under attack on Wednesday evening, the sources said. At least 24 Algerian paramilitary police have been killed in an ambush on their convoy, local sources said. One newspaper, Echourouk, reported that the anti-government fighters set off two roadside bombs and then opened fire on the police, killing them and then stealing their weapons and uniforms. The attackers fled the scene with arms, weapons and six off-road police vehicles, according to the newspaper. The ambush was not immediately confirmed by the Algerian authorities but a vast security operation has been launched in the region. Rise in violence The government of Algeria, a major oil and gas producer, has struggled for nearly two decades to combat fighters who now operate under al-Qaeda's banner. In recent weeks there has been a rise in violence across the country. In late May fighters killed five paramilitary gendarmes and a week later shot dead nine soldiers. In early June, Edwin Dyer, a British man, was killed by suspected al-Qaeda fighters who had been holding him hostage in neighbouring Mali. Violence began in Algeria in 1992 when a military-backed government scrapped elections that a radical Islamic party was poised to win. About 150,000 people have died in the ensuing violence. ||||| Algerian jihadists seek to expand ALGIERS, Algeria, June 18 (UPI) -- The killing of some 20 Algerian paramilitary policemen in a desert ambush Wednesday by Islamist extremists linked to al-Qaida was a show of force by the jihadists who appear determined to expand their operations across the region and open a new terror front. The ambush was the work of al-Qaida in the Maghreb, the Arabic name for North Africa. It was formerly known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, one of the most vicious Islamist groups to emerge from Algeria's civil war throughout the 1990s. It swore allegiance to Osama bin Laden's global network in September 2006. The group has a hard core of an estimated 500 to 800 fighters, a fraction of the tens of thousands active during the war between Islamists and the military-backed regime in Algiers, in which an estimated 200,000 people perished. But its alliance with Osama bin Laden has meant it has acquired seasoned fighters from other al-Qaida affiliates, many of them veterans of the insurgencies in Iraq, Afghanistan and more recently Pakistan. Wednesday's attack serves as an illustration of the Algerian group's growing expertise in guerrilla warfare that are straight out of the jihadist manual developed in Iraq, with considerable influence from Hezbollah's 27-year-old war in Lebanon against Israel. ||||| Gunmen ambushed and killed 18 Algerian paramilitary police officers and a civilian, the government said Thursday. The attack was the deadliest by insurgents in nearly a year. Algeria’s government has been fighting Islamist militants, allied with Al Qaeda, who have regularly attacked government forces. The ambush occurred Wednesday, when gunmen used roadside bombs and guns to attack a convoy of the paramilitary police on a highway about 110 miles from the capital, Algiers, the newspaper Echorouk reported. | Local media stated on Thursday that at least 21 Algerian paramilitary police had been killed after an ambush on their convoy. The convoy was en route to their barracks at Bordj Bou Arreridj, following an escort of Chinese construction workers to a nearby worksite, located southeast of Algeria's capital of , when it was attacked late Wednesday. Militants detonated no less than two roadside bombs to block the convoy, consisting of six vehicles. They then opened fire on the police before stealing their uniforms, weapons, and vehicles. The militants, as part of Al-Qaeda's network, are referred to as al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, (AQIM). Newspaper reports indicated that 21 people had died, while a local official said 23 were killed and a further five had been hospitalized. A large security operation has started in the area; however, the attack was not immediately confirmed by Algerian authorities. The militants have been left over from a civil war begun in 1992 between the government and radical Islamists that has killed between 150,000 and 200,000 people. Violence has since diminished, but attacks on government forces still occur. |
Right around noon today, if all goes as planned, a spacecraft called Messenger will swoop past the planet Mercury and begin two days of unprecedented picture-taking and data-collecting. The flyby, the first visit to Mercury in more than 33 years by an emissary from Earth, will mark a key moment in a NASA mission that will ultimately place the first satellite into orbit around the tiny planet that sits closest to the sun. The planetary science community is eagerly awaiting images and information that should shed light on some of the enduring mysteries about the planet -- such as where in the solar system it was formed and why its hard metal core is so large and its outer rock crust so scant, compared with those of Earth and the other rocky planets. "Mercury is a difficult place to get to, and it's taken a long time to get back," said principal investigator Sean Solomon, who has worked on the mission for more than 11 years. "But now we're in place to learn things about one of our few sister rocky planets, and we're ready for some real surprises." The desk-size spacecraft was launched in 2004 and has taken a circuitous path to Mercury, swinging twice by Venus and once by Earth for gravity assists. Messenger will make two more passes by Mercury to let the planet's gravity slow it down enough for it to swing into orbit in 2011. Still, today's whisker-close flyby will be, NASA officials say, a high point of the mission. Not only will the spacecraft pass within a record 124 miles of Mercury's surface at a relative speed of more than 16,000 mph, but it also will quickly begin sending back its first observations of the physical and magnetic makeup of the planet, to be made by instruments that could answer some of the most basic questions about Mercury's character and history. It will be the closest pass by Messenger in the entire mission, and the nearest to the planet's equator. "The biggest mystery of Mercury is why it has so much heavy metal -- a core very different in size from other planets," Solomon said. "We think we can begin to unravel the mystery once we know the chemical makeup of the planet's surface." There are several competing theories on how Mercury came to be what and where it is. One is that the searing heat of the sun stripped the crust off a once-larger planet and left primarily the core. Another is that the planet collided with another celestial body during a time when the early solar system was cluttered with them. Under this theory, Mercury's outer crust and mantle were smashed away and the planet was knocked into its close-in orbit. Because Mercury is so close to the sun, designing a spacecraft that could stand the heat and calculating a trajectory that would place Messenger into orbit -- rather than plunging into the sun -- were daunting tasks. Temperatures on the ceramic-cloth sunscreen that protects its instruments will reach 600 degrees Fahrenheit. The spacecraft's instruments were designed never to face the sun because they would otherwise quickly overheat and be destroyed, and even pointing them at Mercury will be done for very limited periods. On the side facing the sun, the planet reaches 1,100 degrees at the equator, and on the dark side, it drops to as low as 300 degrees below zero. The name of the probe, Messenger, is an the acronym for Mercury Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry and Ranging. It is the first spacecraft to visit Mercury since Mariner 10 in 1974, at a cost of $446 million for the life of its mission. Reflecting the new technologies and logistical knowledge that made the mission and its unprecedented orbiting possible, the European and Japanese space agencies will also be sending spacecraft to Mercury soon. The planet they will scrutinize has craters, volcanoes, and many unusual and unexplained features, including what might be frozen water in polar crevasses protected from the sun. Its mass is only 5 percent that of Earth's, but its metal core accounts for 60 percent of that mass (compared with about 30 percent for Earth and Venus, and 20 percent for Mars). Mercury also has an active magnetic field in its thin atmosphere, the only rocky planet other than Earth with that feature. And it contains one of the largest impact craters in the solar system -- the Caloris Basin, which is 800 miles in diameter, or about a quarter of the planet's diameter. ||||| NASA Spacecraft to Make Historic Flyby of Mercury Paulette Brown Johns Hopkins Applied Physica Lab On Monday, Jan. 14, a pioneering NASA spacecraft will be the first to visit Mercury in almost 33 years when it soars over the planet to explore and snap close-up images of never-before-seen terrain. These findings could open new theories and answer old questions in the study of the solar system.The MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging spacecraft, called MESSENGER, is the first mission sent to orbit the planet closest to our sun. Before that orbit begins in 2011, the probe will make three flights past the small planet, skimming as close as 124 miles above Mercury's cratered, rocky surface. MESSENGER's cameras and other sophisticated, high-technology instruments will collect more than 1,200 images and make other observations during this approach, encounter and departure. It will make the first up-close measurements since Mariner 10 spacecraft's third and final flyby on March 16, 1975. When Mariner 10 flew by Mercury in the mid-1970s, it surveyed only one hemisphere."This is raw scientific exploration and the suspense is building by the day," said Alan Stern, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington. "What will MESSENGER see? Monday will tell the tale."This encounter will provide a critical gravity assist needed to keep the spacecraft on track for its March 2011 orbit insertion, beginning an unprecedented yearlong study of Mercury. The flyby also will gather essential data for mission planning."During this flyby we will begin to image the hemisphere that has never been seen by a spacecraft and Mercury at resolutions better than those acquired by Mariner 10," said Sean C. Solomon, MESSENGER principal investigator, Carnegie Institution of Washington. "Images will be in a number of different color filters so that we can start to get an idea of the composition of the surface."One site of great interest is the Caloris basin, an impact crater about 800 miles in diameter, which is one of the largest impact basins in the solar system."Caloris is huge, about a quarter of the diameter of Mercury, with rings of mountains within it that are up to two miles high," said Louise Prockter, the instrument scientist for the Mercury Dual Imaging System at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel. "Mariner 10 saw a little less than half of the basin. During this first flyby, we will image the other side."MESSENGER's instruments will provide the first spacecraft measurements of the mineralogical and chemical composition of Mercury's surface. It also will study the global magnetic field and improve our knowledge of the gravity field from the Mariner 10 flyby. The long-wavelength components of the gravity field provide key information about the planet's internal structure, particularly the size of Mercury's core.The flyby will provide an opportunity to examine Mercury's environment in unique ways, not possible once the spacecraft begins orbiting the planet. The flyby also will map Mercury's tenuous atmosphere with ultraviolet observations and document the energetic particle and plasma of Mercury's magnetosphere. In addition, the flyby trajectory will enable unique particle and plasma measurements of the magnetic tail that sweeps behind Mercury.Launched Aug. 3, 2004, MESSENGER is slightly more than halfway through its 4.9-billion mile journey. It already has flown past Earth once and Venus twice. The spacecraft will use the pull of Mercury's gravity during this month's pass and others in October 2008 and September 2009 to guide it progressively closer to the planet's orbit. Insertion will be accomplished with a fourth Mercury encounter in 2011.The MESSENGER project is the seventh in NASA's Discovery Program of low-cost, scientifically focused space missions. The Applied Physics Laboratory designed, built and operates the spacecraft and manages the mission for NASA. | Messenger's approach to Mercury is chronicled in this image taken by the Wide Angle Camera on Messenger. Today, NASA's spacecraft , or the '''ME'''rcury '''S'''urface, '''S'''pace '''EN'''vironment, '''GE'''ochemistry, and '''R'''anging spacecraft, is expected to begin its two day mission at about noon (), of data collecting and photographing of the planet Mercury. It is the first spacecraft to visit the planet in 34 years, since 's visit to the planet in 1974. "This is raw scientific exploration and the suspense is building by the day. What will MESSENGER see? Monday will tell the tale," said Alan Stern, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate in Washington, D.C.. This encounter will provide a critical gravity assist needed to keep the spacecraft on track for its March 2011 orbit insertion, beginning an unprecedented yearlong study of Mercury. The flyby also will gather essential data for mission planning. It will flyby an impact crater called the which is almost 800 miles (1,287 kilometers) in diameter. The basin is one of the largest impact craters in our solar system. "Caloris is huge, about a quarter of the diameter of Mercury, with rings of mountains within it that are up to two miles high. Mariner 10 saw a little less than half of the basin. During this first flyby, we will image the other side," said Louise Prockter, the instrument scientist for the Mercury Dual Imaging System at the in , Maryland. It also will study the global magnetic field and improve our knowledge of the gravity field from the Mariner 10 flyby. The long-wavelength components of the gravity field provide key information about the planet's internal structure, particularly the size of Mercury's core. The flyby also will map Mercury's tenuous atmosphere with ultraviolet observations and document the energetic particle and plasma of Mercury's magnetosphere. In addition, the flyby trajectory will enable unique particle and plasma measurements of the magnetic tail that sweeps behind Mercury. MESSENGER was launched on August 3, 2004 and will travel just under five billion miles in total. It already has flown past Earth once and Venus twice. The spacecraft will use the pull of Mercury's gravity during this month's pass and others in October 2008 and September 2009 to guide it progressively closer to the planet's orbit. Insertion will be accomplished with a fourth Mercury encounter in 2011. |
Događaji dana Događaji dana Specijalci s Kurska gase požar unutar plamtećeg broda Piše: Silvana Fable/EPEHA Foto: Goran Šebelić / CROPIX Turski ro-ro brod, dug 193 metra, koji prevozi 200 teretnjaka i 11 tona opasnog tereta, gori 13 milja zapadno od Rovinja. Posada i putnici spasili se skokom u more PULA - U pulsku zračnu luku večeras u 18.45 sati sletjela je grupa od pet Nizozemaca, specijalno obučenih za gašenje požara na brodovima, iz tvrtke Smith, a odmah su helikopterom prebačeni do turskog broda koji je još uvijek gorio. Gasitelji su se s helikoptera spustili na plamteći brod da bi ugasili vatru. Specijalci tvrtke Smith sudjelovali su i u akciji spašavanja ruske nuklearne podmornice Kursk. Tijekom noći brod Und Adriyatik čuvat će i vodom polijevati i dva remorkera, a počelo je i postavljanje dva kilometra dugih brana oko broda da bi se spriječilo eventualno zagađenje mora. Večeras je u Puli zasjedalo i Zapovjedništvo zaštite i spašavanja Istarske županije, a zapovjednik Dino Kozlevac rekao je da, prema riječima stručnjaka, u ovom trenutku ne postoji opasnost od potonuća broda. - Trenutno nije moguće da trup pukne, odnosno da se brod prepolovi - rekao je Kozlevac. O svemu su obaviješteni i susjedi Talijani i Slovenci koji su također u pripravnosti i priteći će u pomoć ako bude potrebno. Kozlevac je dodao da će se izvoditi kontrolirano gašenje, čime bi se brod trebao potpuno ohladiti da bi ga se moglo otegliti. Brod je tijekom noći čuvalo desetak ljudi. Istarski župan Ivan Jakovčić rekao je kako je u ovom trenutku najvažnije to što nema indicija da je more onečišćeno. Kako je u večernjim satima vjetar okrenuo na buru, nije više prijetila opasnost da ro-ro brod Und Adriyatik , koji plovi pod turskom zastavom i koji se danas ujutro oko 4 sata zapalio na 13 nautičkih milja zapadno od Rovinja, približi istarskom kopnu. Naime, tijekom današnjeg dana brod u plamenu morske su struje i vjetar nosili prema obali, a zaustavio se na 10-ak nautičkih milja od najbližeg kopna, odnosno od Brijunskog otočja. Brod u plamenu danas popodne posjetili su ministar mora Božidar Kalmeta i unutarnjih poslova Berislav Rončević , u pratnji drugih dužnosnika. - Trenutno nije moguće da trup pukne, odnosno da se brod prepolovi - rekao je Kozlevac. O svemu su obaviješteni i susjedi Talijani i Slovenci koji su također u pripravnosti i priteći će u pomoć ako bude potrebno. Kozlevac je dodao da će se izvoditi kontrolirano gašenje, čime bi se brod trebao potpuno ohladiti da bi ga se moglo otegliti.Brod je tijekom noći čuvalo desetak ljudi. Istarski županrekao je kako je u ovom trenutku najvažnije to što nema indicija da je more onečišćeno. Kako je u večernjim satima vjetar okrenuo na buru, nije više prijetila opasnost da ro-ro brod, koji plovi pod turskom zastavom i koji se danas ujutro oko 4 sata zapalio na 13 nautičkih milja zapadno od Rovinja, približi istarskom kopnu. Naime, tijekom današnjeg dana brod u plamenu morske su struje i vjetar nosili prema obali, a zaustavio se na 10-ak nautičkih milja od najbližeg kopna, odnosno od Brijunskog otočja.Brod u plamenu danas popodne posjetili su ministar morai unutarnjih poslova, u pratnji drugih dužnosnika. - Bili smo tamo, snimili stanje koje nije blistavo, ali požar su gasila i dva kanadera, a tijekom večeri stigla su i dva remorkera iz Rijeke. Vlasnik broda sam je naručio specijaliziranu tvrtku iz Nizozemske koja bi sa svojim ljudima trebala ući na brod i riješiti situaciju. Nije ugodno, ali s obzirom na dobru vremensku prognozu i okretanje vjetra na buru, nadamo se sretnom rješenju - istaknuo je nakon obilaska broda u plamenu ministar unutarnjih poslova Berislav Rončević. Može se postaviti i pitanje što se doista nalazi na brodu. Prema dostupnim informacijama, na njemu je 200 kamiona, 200 tona nafte, 800 tona mazuta, od 9 do 11 tona otpadnih ulja namijenjenih kožnoj industriji i dvije tone šibica koje su već izgorjele. Odgovarajući na pitanja novinara je li se u akciji gašenja požara i sprečavanju mogućeg ekološkog incidenta dovoljno brzo reagiralo, Rončević je rekao da se ovakve situacije ne mogu brzo rješavati kao kad je posrijedi požar nekog drugog objekta. - Možda se i moglo brže, ali to je samo osjećaj. Bitno je da nitko od članova posade i putnika nije stradao, da nitko nije ozlijeđen i da su svi živi i zdravi stigli u Veneciju. Za sada nema ni zagađenja mora, a Državna uprava za zaštitu i spašavanje, te krizni stožer Istarske županije ovu će situaciju pratiti i uspješno riješiti - ustvrdio je ministar Rončević. Novinare je zanimalo i je li točna informacija da je prva na terenu intervenirala talijanska obalna straža, te da su talijanske ribarice o požaru informirale hrvatske institucije. I Rončević i državni tajnik za more Branko Bačić rekli su da to nije točno, te da je obavijest s turskog broda upućena Obalnoj postaji Split radio te Nacionalnoj središnjici za traganje i spašavanje na moru. Na brodu koji je iz Istanbula plovio prema Trstu u trenutku nesreće nalazila su se 22 člana posade i devet putnika koje je spasio grčki putnički brod Ikarus Palace . Među posadom broda četiri lakše ozlijeđena Četiri člana posade turskog broda Und Adryatik na kojem je u srijedu izbio požar 13 nautičkih milja zapadno od Rovinja lakše su ozllijeđena, izvješćuje talijanska agencija ANSA. Na brodu su se nalazila 22 člana posade i devet putnika, turskih vozača kamiona. Oni su po mraku prešli na grčki brod s kojim su došli u Veneciju gdje su četvorica među njima prebačeni u bolnicu zbog opeklina prvog i drugog stupnja, i sumnji na ozljede kralježaka i kostiju udova. (H) Kalmeta: Dokazali smo da znamo kontrolirati ZERP Ministar Kalmeta rekao je da su o havariji obaviještene Slovenija i Italija, koje su ponudile pomoć ako bude potrebna. - U ovom trenutku pomoć nam ne treba, jer sve držimo pod kontrolom - rekao je Kalmeta. Pojasnio je i koje su pravne mogućnosti o naplati eventulne štete i troškova s obzirom na to da se brodska nesreća dogodila u Zaštićenom ekološko-ribolovnom pojasu. - U ovom slučaju i za ovaj brod i za zastavu pod kojom plovi, Tursku, ZERP je stupio na snagu još 2004., i tu imamo apsolutnu kontrolu i nadležnost. Ovaj put smo doista pokazali da znamo kontrolirati ZERP. Brod je lociran i poduzeli smo potrebne korake. Vlasnik može očekivati plaćanje odštete. Ako bude, a nadamo se da neće, ekološke zagađenosti, Hrvatska će i to naplatiti. A i za ovo angažiranje brodova i aviona, i sve što se radi, Hrvatska će dobiti odštetu od Turske - rekao je Kalmeta. ||||| Vijesti Hrvatska 06. 02. 2008. | 23:45 Stanje na mjestu havarije turskog broda je pod nadzorom, smanjen intenzitet požara Foto: Duško Marušić Požar, koji je rano jutros buknuo na turskom teretnom brodu "Und Adriyatik", 13 nautičkih milja zapadno od Rovinja, i dalje je aktivan, ali je prema posljednjim informacijama dobivenim oko 23 sata intenzitet smanjen. Po riječima zapovjednika zapovjedništva zaštite i spašavanja Istarske županije Dina Kozlevca trenutačno se na mjestu havarije nalaze dva remorkera iz Rijeke koji vodenim topovima hlade oplatu broda. "Tijekom cijele noći brod Und Adriyatik čuvat će i vodom polijevati dva remorkera, a u toj akciji bit će uključeno desetak ljudi", istaknuo je zapovjednik Kozlevac. To bi, smatra on, trebalo dovesti do toga da brod bude u potpunosti ohlađen kako bi ga se mogao uzeti u tegalj. Da je situacija pod kontrolom ranije večeras potvrdio je i istarski župan Ivan Jakovčić nakon izvanredne sjednice Zapovjedništva zaštite i spašavanja Istarske županije u Puli: "Situacija na mjestu pomorske nesreće, gdje je jutros izbio požar na turskom teretnom brodu, pod nadzorom je i za sada nemamo nikakvih indicija o ikakvu onečišćenju mora." Tijekom dana u gašenju požara sudjelovala su dva tegljača u koordinaciji s kanaderima Hrvatske vojske koji su djelovali u dva navrata ne samo gaseći nego i hladeći brod. "Sva aktivnost bila je usmjerena k tome da se ne dopusti da brod potone, t.j. da se ne pregrije jer je doslovce bio buktinja. U tome smo danas uspjeli, onečišćenja nema i sada nastavljamo s poslom" - kazao je zapovjednik Kozlevac. Po njegovim riječima u međuvremu razrađuju se i drugi scenariji kako bi se more zaštitilo od mogućeg onečišćenja. Stoga će oko broda noćas biti postavljene sigurnosne brane, kako bi se moglo na vrijeme zaustaviti moguće onečišćenje mora. "Riječi je o kompliciranoj operaciji jer istodobno moramo kombinirati gašenje i postavljanje brana. One će biti dugačke dvije tisuće metara, a postavljat će ih desetak ljudi. Za sada imamo odgovore na sva pitanja, odnosno na bilo koji scenarij" - poručio je Dino Kozlevac. Foto: Duško Marušić Odgovarajući na pitanje novinara, kazao je kako je po ocjeni stručnjaka opasnost od potonuća broda vrlo malena, a brod se kreće ovisno o morskim strujama. "On se, na žalost, ne može uzeti u tegalj, ne može se učvrstiti. Danas se kretao 4-5 nautičkih milja prema obali, no vremenske prognoze nam idu u prilog jer se očekuje bura koja će uvelike olakšati situaciju", naglasio je Kozlevac. Dodao je kako nitko ne očekuje eksploziju broda jer je, kako je kazao, "teret u dobroj mjeri već izgorio". Potvrdio je kako je petorica stručnjaka iz Nizozemske večeras stigla u Pulu, koje su angažirali brodovlasnici. "Njihov je zadatak pomoći u rješavanju ovog slučaja jer je riječ o tvrtki specijaliziranoj za gašenje požara na brodovima. Oni će još noćas helikpoterom biti spušteni na brod", zaključio je zapovjednik Zapovjedništva zaštite i spašavanja Istarske županije Dino Kozlevac. Ronald Ružić: Čekanje bure je uvreda susjedima Nezavisni pomorski savjetnik Ronald Ružić upozorava da je čekanje bure uvreda susjednim zemljama jer bi se Hrvatska zajedno s Italijom i Slovenijom trebala brinuti za sigurnost Jadrana. "Brod treba pod hitno otegliti do prve plićine dovoljno udaljene od naselja i pristupiti eksplozivnom gašenju požara," rekao je Ružić u večerašnjoj emisiji "Otvoreno HTV-a. Ružić napominje da se pod svaku cijenu treba spriječiti potonuće turskog broda jer bi u tom slučaju od potonulog "Und Adryatika", koji se trenutno nalazi na vrlo prometnom dijelu Jadrana, prijetila opasnost da se u budućnosti neki drugi brod, u najgorem slučaju tanker, nasuče na njega. Naglasio je također da je ova nesreća dobra škola za nadzor nad Zaštićenim ekološko-ribolovnim pojasom. Podsjetimo, na turskom teretnom brodu "Und Adriyatik", jutros je izbio požar koji još gori, a od popodneva ga gase dva kanadera jer je, po najnovijim podatcima, vatra načinila otvor u palubi kroz koje je sada moguće ubaciti sredstva za gašenje. "Brod se trenutačno nalazi na 10 do 12 nautičkih milja od kopna, no po vremenskoj prognozi vjetar je promijenio smjer, pa se nadam da će ga bura ipak udaljiti od istarske obale prema otvorenu moru", izjavio je ministar unutarnjih poslova Berislav Rončević nakon povratka s mjesta pomorske nesreće. On se nada da će cijeli taj događaj dobro završiti. Brod ne tone, još nema onečišćenja "Brod ne tone i za sada nema nikakvih onečišćenja na moru" - zaključio je ministar Rončević. On je oštro odbacio tvrdnje savudrijskih ribara da je talijanska obalna straža reagirala prije hrvatskih služba za spašavanje. Na brodu "Und Adriyatik", dužine 193 metra, koji je plovio iz Istanbula u Trst, nalazi se 200 kamiona i devet tona opasna tereta. U međuvremenu su aktivirani državni Stožer za provedbu plana intervencija kod iznenadnog onečišćenja mora kojim predsjeda predstavnik Državne uprave za zaštitu i spašavanje, te dva županijska stožera Istarske i Primorsko-goranske županije, dok akciju spašavanja i dalje koordinira Nacionalna središnjica za traganje i spašavanje na moru. Među posadom "Und Adryatika" četiri ozlijeđena Četiri člana posade turskog broda Und Adryatik izvješćuje talijanska agencija ANSA. Na brodu su se nalazila 22 člana posade i devet putnika, turskih vozača kamiona. Oni su po mraku prešli na grčki brod s kojim su došli u Veneciju gdje su četvorica među njima prebačeni u bolnicu zbog opeklina prvog i drugog stupnja, i sumnji na ozljede kralježaka i kostiju udova. Poziv u pomoć poslan u 4.04 sata Brod "Und Adryatik" koji plovi pod turskom zastavom rano jutros zahvatio je požar, 16 nautičkih milja zapadno od Rovinja, na granici hrvatskog teritorijalnog mora i Zaštićenoga ribolovnog pojasa (ZERP-a), izjavila je jutros Marina Halužan, glasnogovornica Ministarstva mora, prometa i infrastrukture. Na mjesto nesreće odmah su upućena tri broda koja su se našla u blizini. Posada grčkog broda "Ikarus Palace" oko 7 sati spasila je sve ljude s broda zahvaćena požarom. Foto: Duško Marušić Poziv u pomoć upućen je s broda Nacionalnoj središnjici za traganje i spašavanje na moru sa sjedištem u Rijeci rano jutros, u 4.04 sati, putem obalne Radio postaje Split. (Hina/M.Mik.) Komentari Galerija slika Ekološka katastrofa na pomolu: brod u plamenu Opširnije Kalmeta i Rončević: Pomoć nam ne treba, stvar je pod nadozorom Slovenija prati stanje i nudi pomoć ANSA: Zagađenje prijeti i talijanskim obalama Talijanska letjelica prva stigla do broda? Nad mjestom havarije već se prije 7.00 sati našla talijanska letjelica – helikopter ili avion. Komunicirala je s centrom talijanske Obalne straže u Veneciji, odakle su im naložili da u slučaju potrebe izbace splav za spašavanje. Letjelica koja se odazivala na ime Manta 10 - 002, upozorila je talijanske ribarice koje su se nalazile u blizini broda da se udalje od pet do sedam milja. Sve se to događalo na rubu hrvatskog teritorijalnog mora i ZERP-a, što dovoljno govori koliko se ZERP provodi, navodi Vjeran Piršić iz udruge Eko Kvarner, pozivajući se na radijsku konverzaciju Talijana koju je jučer ujutro “presreo” ribar iz Umaga. Iz Ministarstva mora odlučno odbacuju sve navode o prisutnosti talijanske letjelice i ribarica te o sudjelovanju talijanske Obalne straže u spašavanju broda u hrvatskim teritorijalnim vodama. Ističu da su upravo oni obavijestili talijanske i slovenske kolege o havariji. (S. Ve.) Stručnjaci: Kamioni s gorivom opasan su teret Jedan riječki kapetan, koji se bavio upravo havarijama i osiguranjima brodova, ističe da je važna luka ukrcaja tereta i točna deklaracija što se prevozi. To, osim broda, mora imati i agent broda. Ukrcani kamioni imaju svoje tankove i gorivo i već su sami po sebi u kategoriji opasnih. Opasni teret koji je naveden u tonama mora imati svoju klasifikaciju. Raspon opasnosti u pomorskim pravilima je velik – gotovo stotinjak opasnosti prema vrsti tereta. Ako brod ostane plutati, tada će istraga biti jednostavnija, iako može trajati mjesecima. No ako potone, tada je i kudikamo teže utvrđivanje prave istine. (G. B.) Ostale vijesti Sanader: Za spore pregovore Hrvatske s EU krive su obje strane Lovrin: RH će do ljeta poslati EK nacrt ispunjavanja mjerila u pravosuđu Swoboda: Za rješenje ZERP-a treba biti dovoljno kreativan Nedjelja opet na ocjenu ustavnosti Sanader: Moguće je smanjivanje stope PDV-a Vlada donijela 'akcijski plan' za ubrzanje pregovora s EU Hrvatska gradi flotu za nadzor Jadrana | Approximate position of the UND Adriyatik when it caught fire Croatia's sea and transport ministry said the UND Adriyatik, a Turkish freight ship caught fire in the Adriatic Sea 13 nautical miles west of the town of Rovinj on the early morning hours of February 6, 2008. An SOS was launched at 4.04 local time. It said that the 193-metre long ship was sailing from Istanbul in Turkey to Trieste in Italy and was carrying 200 trucks and nine tons of dangerous material, in addition to between 100 and 200 tons of ship fuel, causing fears of environmental damage. An official said Croatian fire-fighting planes and ships were trying to extinguish the blaze. As the fire started inside the ship, there was no way of extinguishing it from the outside. The ship's 22 crew members and nine passengers were rescued by the Greek ship Ikarus Palace that was sailing nearby and were on their way to Venice. There were fears of an explosion if the fire was to reach the fuel tanks. Also, the water currents were pushing the ship towards the Croatian coast. However, reports said the fire was diminishing by the end of the day. The ship in flames, as seen outside of Pula today. (Photo: David Orlović) Other photos: 50px 50px |
Britain's 'oldest hospital found' by archaeologists Excavations revealed a range of buildings and "convincing evidence" for building foundations Archaeologists say they have uncovered what may be Britain's earliest known hospital. Radio carbon testing at the site of a former leprosy hospital in Winchester, Hampshire, has revealed some burials took place between AD 960-1030. Excavations revealed a range of buildings and "convincing evidence" for building foundations. Until now, most historians believed hospitals in Britain only dated from after the Norman conquest of 1066. A number of other artefacts and pits found at the site also relate to the same time, the archaeologists said. Continue reading the main story “ Start Quote It is undoubtedly a site of national importance” End Quote Dr Simon Roffey University of Winchester Winchester was the capital of England throughout a large part of the Anglo-Saxon period and after the Norman Conquest, before London replaced it in the 12th Century. 'Intriguing insight' Dr Simon Roffey, of the University of Winchester, which conducted the dig, said: "Historically, it has always been assumed that hospitals were a post-conquest phenomena, the majority founded from the late 11th Century onwards. "However, our excavations have revealed a range of buildings and, more significantly, convincing evidence for a foundation in the 10th Century. An aerial view of the site in Winchester, which may house Britain's earliest known hospital "Our excavations at St Mary Magdalen offer an intriguing insight into a little known aspect of the history of both Winchester and England. It is undoubtedly a site of national importance." Prof Nicholas Orme, a leading researcher on medieval hospitals, added: "I have only studied the documentary evidence but I could not find any such evidence for a hospital before 1066 except perhaps as an activity within a monastery or minster. "A late Anglo-Saxon hospital would surely be a first for archaeology and indeed for history." One of the earliest known hospitals in Britain is Harbledown, in Canterbury, founded by Lanfranc in the 1070s, following the Norman Conquest. ||||| This Hospital was similar in its charitable objects to St Cross. Founded in 1180 by Bishop Toclyve (1173-88) for the reception of nine lepers, it stood in the downs along the Alresford Road, by the first milestone. The site was excavated by the TV Archaeological programme ‘Time Team’. During a chequered history the Hospital lost much of it´s property and funds, and was at times used as a barracks and a prison. Considerable damage was caused to the structure by neglect and misuse. In 1788 this fine example of Transitional architecture was pulled down. Parts of the building were used in the construction of St Peters Church in St Peter’s Street, most notably a fine early Norman gateway, and some in the construction of six alms houses in Water Lane. These were occupied by four men and four women, who each received a pension of two shillings a week. Sometime in the 1920´s they were converted into two dwellings, and were eventually sold into private ownership in the late 60´s, after they had become somewhat dilapidated. Some ancient burials were disturbed during the excavation for their construction. A Roman sepulchre was discovered on the site of the lower cottages. (The whole area is the site of an ancient cemetery). The builders reburied some parts of the disturbed burials, only to have them rediscovered in 1993 during the construction of a new retaining wall. The site was occupied during Medieval times, as a Medieval rubbish pit was found under the rear garden boundary wall. | Archaeologists from the in Hampshire, England have discovered what they believe to be the earliest known hospital in the United Kingdom. Burials at the former leprosy hospital in England's former capital city have been radio carbon dated and are estimated to be from AD 960–1030. Several buildings have been excavated on the site along with the foundations of other structures. Other artifacts were also found on the site. Prior to this discovery the earliest hospitals in the country were believed to date from the Norman Conquest, which took place in AD 1066. A leading researcher on medieval hospitals, Prof Nicholas Orme, said that the only other evidence for hospital activity prior to 1066 was within the context of monasteries or minsters. The earliest known hospital in England before this discovery was at in , founded in the 1070's. The Winchester dig has been taking place in Hospital Field, the location of the former St. Mary Magdalen Hospital which was believed to have been established in AD 1170. The site has subsequently been used as a prison for Dutch prisoners in the 17th century and during the First World War as an army base. == Sources == * * * |
By Jane Barrett MADRID (Reuters) - A Spanish court found 21 people guilty of involvement in the 2004 Madrid train bombings but cleared three men of masterminding Europe's deadliest Islamist attack, which killed 191 people. Victims were shocked by the sentences, which in many cases were much lower than the state attorney had requested and left them without any clearer idea of who dreamed up the attack that ripped apart four commuter trains like tin cans. Judge Javier Gomez Bermudez sentenced three men -- two Moroccans and a Spaniard who provided the bombers with explosives -- to as many as 42,924 years in prison. Nobody else got more than 23 years and seven people were acquitted. The high nominal sentences for the three men reflect their conviction on multiple counts, but the figures are academic as Spanish law says nobody can serve more than 40 years in jail. Relatives of victims were angry at the acquittals and the shorter sentences given to other defendants. Isabel Presa, who lost her youngest son in one of the explosions, shook as she told journalists of her disgust at what she regarded as lenient sentences. "I'm not a judge or a lawyer but this is shameful, outrageous," she said before breaking down in tears. The biggest surprise was that two men originally accused of planning the attack were convicted only of belonging to a terrorist group, not of the Madrid killings. A third suspected mastermind Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed or "Mohamed the Egyptian" was cleared of all charges. His lawyer in Italy, where he is in jail for belonging to a terrorist group, said he fell on his knees in prayer when he heard the ruling. "We're very surprised by the acquittal," said Jose Maria de Pablos, spokesman for a victims' association. "If it wasn't them, we have to find out who it was. Somebody gave the order." Another victims' group said they planned to appeal the ruling. Lawyers have said some of the accused could also appeal. THREE MAIN CONVICTS Ten bombs packed into sports bags and detonated by mobile phones tore through the trains on March 11, 2004, leaving the tracks strewn with bodies and injuring more than 1,800 people. Three weeks later, seven men including two suspected ringleaders of the train bombings blew themselves up in a suburban apartment after police closed in on them. The explosives were the same as were used in the March 11 attack. They may have taken with them the main evidence of who was behind the attack, which the magistrate who investigated the bombings said was inspired by, but not directed by, al Qaeda. Continued... ||||| Photo taken 11 March 2004 of firefighters extricating bodies from one of the trains Anti-terrorist court delivers verdicts in Madrid bombings trial MADRID (AFP) — Spain's anti-terrorist court met Wednesday amid tight security to announce verdicts against 28 suspects in the 2004 Madrid train bombings, which killed almost 200 people and were claimed in the name of Al-Qaeda. The early morning bombings on four packed commuter trains were the deadliest terror attacks in the West since the September 11, 2001 strikes against the United States. The three judges met at 8:10am (0910 GMT) and handed a copy of the verdicts to the president of the National Audience -- Spain's top court for investigating and judging terrorism cases. After three months of deliberations, chief Judge Javier Gomez Bermudez is to read the verdicts and sentences at around 11:00 am (1000 GMT). The announcements will be carried live on Spanish television. Dozens of armed police with bullet-proof vests surrounded the court, located at the entrance to a park in the west of the capital, as a helicopter hovered overhead. An armoured car with a machine gun was also parked outside the building, where journalists and television broadcast vehicles had been stationed since early in the morning. A string of 10 bombs exploded on commuter trains on March 11, 2004, leaving bodies and limbs scattered on railway tracks. A total of 191 people from 13 countries were killed and 1,841 others injured. Prosecutors have called for the 28 defendants to be sentenced to a cumulative total of 311,865 years in prison although under Spanish law the longest jail term anyone can actually serve for terrorist crimes is 40 years. Lawyers for the accused have five days to appeal the sentences to the Supreme Court. During the four-month trial which wrapped up on July 2, all of the accused -- 19 mostly Moroccan Arabs living in Spain and nine Spaniards charged with providing the explosives used in the bombings -- said they were innocent. The defendants also denied having any link to radical Islam or Al-Qaeda. The conservative government at the time initially blamed the armed Basque separatist group ETA. But evidence quickly began to point to Islamic radicals angered over Madrid's decision to send troops to back the US-led war in Iraq. Spain had been threatened with reprisals by Al-Qaeda because of its involvement in Iraq, in a message signed by the leader of the terror network, Osama bin Laden, and released on October 18, 2003. Two days after the attacks, the Spanish government announced the discovery near a Madrid mosque of a videotape in Arabic claiming the attacks on behalf of "Al-Qaeda's military spokesman in Europe." The opposition Socialists scored a surprise victory in a general election on March 14, aided by the perception that the ruling Popular Party had tried to cover up evidence that Islamic radicals were behind the bombings. New Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero promptly fulfilled a campaign promise to withdraw Spain's troops from Iraq. Seven prime suspects blew themselves up three weeks after the attacks in an apartment block when they found themselves surrounded by police. One policeman was killed in the blast. Police were able to trace the SIM card of a mobile phone that was attached to one of the train bombs that did not explode to a shop run by one of the defendants, Moroccan national Jamal Zougam. Zougam was one of the first suspects to be arrested and he is one of the trial's five main accused. He and fellow Moroccan Abdelmajid Bouchar were seen by witnesses leaving backpacks on the trains which are thought to have contained bombs. The three other key defendants -- Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed, Youssef Belhadj, and Hassan Al-Haski -- are accused of masterminding the bombings. ||||| All the accused pleaded "not guilty" during the four-month trial Moroccans Jamal Zougam and Otman el Ghanoui and Spaniard Emilio Trashorras were convicted of murder, but suspected mastermind Rabei Osman was acquitted. Twenty-one - out of 28 on trial - were convicted and seven acquitted over the blasts on four trains that killed 191 and injured more than 1,800. Victims' families said the accused had got off lightly. All had pleaded not guilty to involvement in the Islamist attacks during the four-month trial. Abuse hurled Arriving amid heavy security to hear the result, relatives of the victims hurled abuse at the accused men, but a hush fell over the courtroom as the judge read out the verdicts. We are going to appeal against this mistake. I don't like to see killers walking free Pilar Manjon Victims' spokesperson Survivor's anger In pictures: Chapter closed Madrid digests verdict The announcement was broadcast live on Spanish television. The defendants, 27 men and one woman, 19 mostly Moroccan Arabs and nine Spaniards, had faced charges including murder, forgery and conspiracy to commit a terrorist attack. Ex-miner Trashorras - who supplied the explosives - Zougam and Ghanoui were found guilty of murder, and sentenced to up to 43,000 years in jail each. The jail terms are largely symbolic as under Spanish law the maximum term that can be served is 40 years. Of the nine Spaniards on trial, six were acquitted. Anger Victims' groups were furious at the acquittals and perceived leniency of some of the sentences. Alleged mastermind Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed, known as "Mohamed the Egyptian", was found not guilty but is in prison in Italy after being convicted of belonging to an international terrorist group. MADRID TRAIN BOMBINGS Bombs killed 191 people, injured 1,841 Ten backpacks filled with dynamite and nails blew up on four packed commuter trains Twenty-eight on trial - 19 Arabs, mostly Moroccans, and nine Spaniards Seven top suspects blew themselves up during police raid in April 2004 Prosecutors believe bombings were an Islamist plot All defendants pleaded innocent The defendants Send us your reaction Isabel Presa, who lost her youngest son in one of the blasts, said: "It has destroyed my life, it has condemned me and my husband to a life sentence, and these people get off scot-free." The president of a victims' association, Pilar Manjon, who lost her 20-year-old son in the attacks, said: "We are going to appeal against this mistake. I don't like to see killers walking free." But Spain's PM Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said "justice was done". Security forces were on alert across Spain as the court in Madrid began delivering its verdict at 1130 (1030 GMT) on Wednesday. Compensation In his summary, Judge Javier Gomez Bermudez said that all, if not almost all, the explosives used came from one source - a Spanish mine. Compensation for victims ranging from 30,000 euros (£21,000) to 1.5m euros (£1.04m) was announced. Analysts say the attacks changed the course of Spanish politics because in an election three days later voters ditched a conservative government that at first blamed the bombs on the Spanish separatist group Eta. Spanish investigators say the accused were part of a local Islamist militant group inspired by al-Qaeda, but had no direct links to the terror organisation. They had acted to avenge the presence of Spanish troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, said investigators. Seven suspected ringleaders died in a suicide blast in a Madrid apartment three weeks after the attacks. There were originally 29 people on trial but charges were later dropped against one defendant for lack of evidence. | Plaque at the city hall in memory of the casualties in the 11-M terror attack in Madrid The Audiencia Nacional of Spain (National Court of Spain) has found 21 of 28 defendants guilty in connection with the 2004 Madrid train bombings. The defendants were facing charges including murder, forgery and conspiracy to commit a terrorist attack. 27 of them are men and one is a woman. 19 are mostly Moroccan Arabs and nine Spaniards. Chief Judge Javier Gomez Bermudez read the verdicts which came after three months of deliberations. Jamal Zougam, Otman el Ghanoui and Emilio Trashorras were found guilty of murder. The three were given sentences of 42,924 years in prison, although the most one can serve in Spain is 40 years. As far as the other guilty verdicts, no one was given more than 23 years for their part in the crime. Rabei Osman Sayed Ahmed, aka "Mohamed the Egyptian", was acquitted although he is serving a ten-year sentence in Italy on other terrorism charges. Jose Maria de Pablos, spokesman for a victims' association, said: "We're very surprised by the acquittal. If it wasn't them, we have to find out who it was. Somebody gave the order." "I'm not a judge or a lawyer but this is shameful, outrageous," said Isabel Presa, who lost her youngest son in one of the explosions. She told journalists of her outrage at what she thought were lenient sentences. The 2004 Madrid train bombings (also known in Spain as 11-M) consisted of a series of coordinated bombings against the Cercanías (commuter train) system of Madrid, Spain on the morning of March 11, 2004, killing 191 people and wounding 2,050. |
The official account of Pacific Gas and Electric Company. For emergency assistance call 911, for non-emergencies: 1-800-743-5000. We're here from 8-5, Mon-Fri. ||||| The official account of Pacific Gas and Electric Company. For emergency assistance call 911, for non-emergencies: 1-800-743-5000. We're here from 8-5, Mon-Fri. ||||| Public Safety Power Shutoff in Marin is underway. Currently no traffic lights at the intersection of N. Bridge and Bridgway Blvd in Sausalito/Marin City. Please use caution and treat outages at traffic lights as 4-way stops. #MarinPSPS #pgeshutoff pic.twitter.com/ZVxJfyXOnj — Marin County Sheriff (@MarinSheriff) October 9, 2019 More than 20,000 PG&E; customers are currently without power in the North Bay as the utility company starts its Public Safety Power Shutoffs across several regions of the San Francisco Bay Area early this morning.PG&E; confirmed that they had begun phase one of the outages that could impact approximately 513,000 customers.PG&E; says they will initiate a second de-energizing phase on Wednesday between noon and 5 p.m. to another 300,000 customers, including Alameda, Contra Costa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties.A third phase is being considered for the southernmost portions of PG&E;'s service area, impacting approximately 42,000 customers. Specific locations are still to be determined.As of 1 a.m., the shutdowns have left 20,059 PG&E; customers without power in Marin, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties, with the most customers affected currently in the Fairfield and Vacaville city areas, according to PG&E;'s outage website.The first outages started in Fairfield at 12:09 a.m., PG&E; officials said, and a total of 14,520 customers in the Fairfield/Vacaville areas are without power as of 1 a.m. The majority of the outages are in central to north Fairfield, with some outages extending into south Vacaville.The city of Sonoma is the next hardest hit, with 3,421 customers without power near the downtown area and an area extending a few miles north on the State Highway 12 corridor starting around 12:29 a.m., per the PG&E; outage website.In Napa County, 131 customers are without power due to the shutdown in a rural area just west of unincorporated Yountville and Oakville.In an outage unrelated to the power shutdown, approximately 3,748 PG&E; customers are without power in or near the west of the city of Napa. PG&E; is investigating the cause of that outage.On Tuesday night PG&E; held a press conference for the first time this week giving details about the shutoffs."This is forecast to be the strongest offshore wind event since October 2017," said Evan Duffey, a PG&E; Meteorologist."We very much understand the inconvenience and difficulties such a power outage would cause," said Sumeet Singh, the Vice President of Asset and Risk Management and Community Wildfire Safety Program at PG&E.;On Monday, PG&E; doubled their bandwidth, which still did not accommodate an 800-percent increase in traffic to their website. The site crashed, as people looked to see if their home was in an outage area. Now, PG&E; says they are working to double capacity again.Late Tuesday, PG&E; said they will provide backup generators to power the Caldecott Tunnel so that it can remain open, if and when they cut power to the East Bay commuter artery."We believe in backups, and backups, and backups," said Andrea Pook, a spokesperson for East Bay MUD.Pook says EBMUD, rented 29 portable generators, to pump water to their customers since much of our water supply relies on electricity too."What we want to do is preserve that water supply, so what we're asking people to do is conserve water, shut off their outdoor irrigation, when the PG&E; power shut down occurs.""This is not a good contingency for their customers," said Marilyn Varnado, who lives in the Oakland Hills. Like many people in the Bay Area, she checked into a hotel, when she found out her home was in an outage area."Most people don't realize what an outage really means," said Varnado, who added, "stop lights are not going to be working, there's going to be a lot of crazy things going on and I just think there's going to be some tragedies because of that."PG&E; says power restoration will begin Thursday afternoon after the weather event. PG&E; crews will then have to inspect every inch of their power lines and infrastructure, and depending on damage from the expected wind, power could be off in some areas until Monday or Tuesday.PG&E; says as the weather evolves, they will provide updates about the power shutoff and restoration timing. ||||| Advertisement PG&E power shutoffs begin, affecting 513K in first wave PG&E; POWER SHUTOFFS Share Shares Copy Link Copy Pacific Gas and Electric Co. has started its first phase of power shutoffs across Northern and Central California, leaving roughly 513,000 customers without power ahead of a forecast high wind event and elevated wildfire dangers.PG&E said its Public Safety Power Shutoff will eventually impact nearly 800,000 customers across 34 counties, the utility said.At 12 a.m. Wednesday, the utility started cutting power to 513,000 customers in the following 22 counties:AmadorButteCalaverasColusaEl DoradoGlennHumboldtLakeMarinMendocinoNapaNevadaPlacerPlumasShastaSierraSolanoSonomaTehamaTrinityYoloYubaAround 234,000 will lose power during a second phase of shutoffs set to happen around 12 p.m. on Wednesday.The seven counties scheduled for the second phase of the power shutoffs are:AlamedaAlpineContra CostaMariposaSan JoaquinSan MateoSanta ClaraPG&E said it's considering a third phase of shutoffs for the southernmost portions of its service area that could impact about 42,000 customers.The utility said it decided to turn off power because of dry, hot and windy weather in the forecast, increasing the risk for the rapid spread of potential wildfires.PG&E said it expects the weather event will last through midday Thursday. PG&E provided an outage map of areas that will be impacted by the PSPS. The areas that will be impacted are highlighted in blue. Zoom in to see if your home or business could be impacted by the power shutoff below. (Can't see the map? Tap here)The shutoffs are part of PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoff Program, which is designed to reduce the threat of wildfire that could be sparked by lines brought down in gusting winds.“The safety of our customers and the communities we serve is our most important responsibility, which is why PG&E has decided to turn power off to customers during this widespread, severe wind event. We understand the effects this event will have on our customers and appreciate the public’s patience as we do what is necessary to keep our communities safe and reduce the risk of wildfire,” said Michael Lewis, PG&E’s senior vice president of Electric Operations.Customers can access the very latest on the power outages and a list. A of the community resource centers by visiting the Public Safety Power Shutoff updates page."Given the prolonged period during which the wind event will unfold, and the large number of power line miles that will need to be inspected before restoration, customers are being asked to prepare for an extended outage," PG&E said in a release Tuesday.SCHOOL CLOSINGSHere are where schools will be closed:Amador County Unified School District has announced it will cancel school for all of its students Wednesday. The district says it will send out an update by 8 p.m. Wednesday if schools will also be closed on Thursday.Camino Union School District schools will be closed Wednesday.EDCOE Charter Alternative Programs schools will be closed Wednesday.El Dorado Union High School District schools will be closed Wednesday. The district says it will notify families by 8 p.m. Wednesday if schools will also be closed Thursday.Esparto Unified School District in Yolo County is canceling all classes for Wednesday and Thursday.Gold Oak Union School District in El Dorado County has canceled Wednesday classes.Gold Trail Union School District schools in El Dorado County will not have classes Wednesday.Six schools in the Marysville Joint Unified School District will be closed Wednesday. Those school are: Yuba Feather Elementary, Dobbins Elementary, Foothill Intermediate, Loma Rica Elementary, Browns Valley Elementary and Cordua Elementary.Mother Lode Union School District announced that all its campuses will be closed Wednesday and Thursday.Pioneer Union School District schools will be closed Wednesday.Placerville Union School District schools will be closed Wednesday.Rescue Union School District in El Dorado County has canceled school for all students Wednesday. Extended Day programs are also canceled.Solano Community College is closing all four of its campuses on Wednesday. No online classes will be held either.POSSIBLE CLOSURESSeveral schools in the Rocklin Unified School District may be impacted by the PG&E power shutoffs, officials said. The district will not be alerted until between 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. The schools that could be closed Wednesday include:Granite Oaks Middle SchoolSierra Elementary SchoolSpring View Middle SchoolRocklin Elementary SchoolRocklin High SchoolValley View Elementary SchoolVictory High School/RICA at VHSBoth 18-22 Transition Programs at 3rd Street and RHSSee updates on Rocklin Unified School District school closures here.There is a possibility that other school districts may cancel classes Wednesday.This is a developing story. Stay with KCRA 3 for the latest. ||||| Portions of 34 Counties Will be Impacted by Widespread, Severe Wind Event Beginning Wednesday New Counties Added Since Monday: Marin, Humboldt, Trinity and Kern As a precautionary measure to reduce wildfire risk during the forecasted severe wind event, PG&E confirmed that it will implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in portions of 34 northern, central and coastal counties, affecting electric service for nearly 800,000 customers. PG&E expects to begin turning off power in some areas early Wednesday, just after midnight. The power will be turned off to communities in stages, depending on local timing of the severe wind conditions, beginning with counties in the northern part of the state. “The safety of our customers and the communities we serve is our most important responsibility, which is why PG&E has decided to turn power off to customers during this widespread, severe wind event. We understand the effects this event will have on our customers and appreciate the public’s patience as we do what is necessary to keep our communities safe and reduce the risk of wildfire,” said Michael Lewis, PG&E’s senior vice president of Electric Operations. Customer notifications and impact The company has been notifying potentially impacted customers and will continue to do so, via automated calls, texts and emails. However, customers not impacted by the PSPS may experience power outages due to PG&E equipment damaged during this major wind event; those customers will not be notified in advance. It is very possible that customers may be affected by a power shutoff even though they are not experiencing extreme weather conditions in their specific location. This is because the electric system relies on power lines working together to provide electricity across cities, counties and regions. Portions of Kern, Humboldt, Trinity and Marin counties have been added to the potential scope of this PSPS, in addition to the 30 counties identified Monday. Customers can find the full list of impacted counties, cities and communities at www.pge.com/pspsupdates. Estimated time of restoration Overall, based on the latest weather forecasts and models, PG&E anticipates that this weather event will last through midday Thursday, with peak winds forecasted from Wednesday morning through Thursday morning and reaching 40 to 55 mph, with isolated gusts up to 60 to 70 mph. Before restoring power, PG&E must inspect its equipment for damage and make any necessary repairs. That process cannot begin until the severe weather event has subsided. Given the prolonged period during which the wind event will unfold, and the large number of power line miles that will need to be inspected before restoration, customers are being asked to prepare for an extended outage. PG&E will work with state and local agencies to provide updated restoration timelines following the conclusion of the severe weather event. Community Resource Centers To support customers in the affected areas, PG&E will open Community Resource Centers in several locations beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 8 a.m. The centers will remain open during daylight hours only. Restrooms, bottled water, electronic-device charging and air-conditioned seating for up to 100 will be available at these facilities. Centers will be opened at the locations below: County City Location Butte Oroville Bird Street School, 1421 Bird St, Oroville 95965 Butte Magalia 14144 Lakeridge Court, Magalia 95954 El Dorado Placerville El Dorado Fairgrounds 100 Placerville Drive, Placerville 95667 Lake Clear Lake Clearlake Senior Center 3245 Bowers Avenue, Clearlake 95422 Napa Napa 900 Fairgrounds Drive, Vallejo 94589 Napa Calistoga Calistoga Fairgrounds – 1601 N. Oak Calistoga 94515 Santa Clara San Jose Avaya Stadium 1123 Coleman Avenue, San Jose 95110 Nevada Grass Valley Sierra College Grass Valley 250 Sierra College Drive, Grass Valley 95945 Contra Costa San Ramon Bishop Ranch Parking Lot – 2600 Camino Ramon, San Ramon 94583 Calaveras Arnold Meadowmont Shopping Center – 2182 HWY 4, Arnold 95223 San Mateo Half Moon Bay Pasta Moon Restaurant, 845 Main St Half Moon Bay 94019 Placer Auburn Gold Country Fairgrounds 1273 High Street Auburn 95603 Shasta, Tehama Redding, Cottonwood, Red Bluff Shasta College, 11555 Old Oregon Trail Redding 96003 Solano Vacaville Mission Church 6391 Leisure Town Road, Vacaville 95687 Sonoma Santa Rosa, Sonoma Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa 95404 Alameda Oakland Merritt College LOT B – Leona St., Oakland 94508 Tuolumne Sonora Mother Lode Fairgrounds 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora 95370 Santa Cruz Aptos Twin Lakes Church 2701 Cabrillo College Dr, Aptos 95003 Amador Pioneer Mace Meadows Golf Course, 26570 Fairway Drive Pioneer 95666 Mendocino Ukiah 1775 N. State Street, Ukiah 95482 Yolo Winters Next to PG&E Gas Academy – Intersection of E. Grant Avenue & Timber Crest Road, Winters 95694 Colusa, Glenn Williams, Orland 839 Newville Road, Orland 95963 Mariposa Coulterville Coulterville Fire Dept – 10293 Ferry Road, Coulterville 95311 Sierra Sierra City Loganville Campground parking lot – HWY 49, Sierra City 96125 Stanislaus Westley Westley Hotel – 8615 CA-33, Westley 95387 Plumas La Porte 2140 Main St. La Porte 95981 El Dorado El Dorado Hills Rolling Hills Christian Church 800 White Rock Road, El Dorado Hills 95762 Yuba Oregon House 9185 Marysville Road, Oregon House 95962 How customers can prepare As part of PSPS preparedness efforts, PG&E is asking customers to: Update their contact information at www.pge.com/mywildfirealerts or by calling 1-866-743- 6589 during normal business hours. PG&E will use this information to alert customers through automated calls, texts, and emails, when possible, prior to, and during, a PSPS. Plan for medical needs like medications that require refrigeration or devices that need power. Identify backup charging methods for phones and keep hard copies of emergency Build or restock your emergency kit with flashlights, fresh batteries, first aid supplies and cash. Keep in mind elderly family members, younger children and pets. Information and tips including a safety plan checklist are available at www.pge.com/psps. Continue to monitor PG&E’s new weather forecasting web page at www.pge.com/weather, which is a dedicated page with weather forecasting information and a daily 7-day PSPS lookahead. Generator safety Backup electric generators can be a part of any preparedness plan, but they can also pose unique safety hazards. It’s important to understand how to safely operate your generator before an emergency occurs. This means doing regular safety checks and being sure you have enough fuel to last a few days. If you don’t understand how to use your generator, you risk damaging your property, endangering your life and endangering the lives of others. Position your generator where its exhaust can vent safely to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, which can be fatal. Never run a portable generator in the garage or in the rain, and never store generator fuel in the house. Additional tips on the safe use of generators can be found at PG&E’s Safety Action Center at safetyactioncenter.pge.com. Email Currents at Currents@pge.com. | At midnight local time (0700 ), United States public utility (PG&E) began turning off electricity for customers in the San Francisco area of California. PG&E stated it scheduled the blackouts in response to forecasts for high winds amid dry conditions. The aim is to reduce the risk of wildfires. Nearly 800 thousand customers were scheduled to be affected by the shutoffs which were expected to last through at least midday tomorrow. Logo of Within the first four hours 185 thousand customers were without power. According to PG&E's schedule, by noon today over half a million could be affected, at which point phase two was planned to begin. Phase two was planned to affect over two hundred thousand customers. A phase three was tentatively planned, but final decisions were not yet made. PG&E announced the schedule in a press release late yesterday and followed it up with a press conference last night. Sumeet Singh, a vice president at PG&E, said "We very much understand the inconvenience and difficulties such a power outage would cause". Company meteorologist Evan Duffey said, "This is forecast to be the strongest offshore wind event since October 2017". Senior vice president Michael Lewis added, "The safety of our customers and the communities we serve is our most important responsibility, which is why PG&E has decided to turn power off to customers during this widespread, severe wind event. We understand the effects this event will have on our customers and appreciate the public's patience as we do what is necessary to keep our communities safe and reduce the risk of wildfire". According to local news, school districts across the area announced school closings. PG&E announced via Twitter around 11:30 am (1830 UTC), phase one had been completed. The company apologized for its website being inaccessible due to high volume of traffic. == Sources == * * * * * |
Sony Investigating Hacker Claims of Data Theft at Film Unit By Cliff Edwards and Mariko Yasu (Adds analyst comments in fifth paragraph.) June 3 (Bloomberg) -- Sony Corp. started investigating a hacker group’s claim that it stole personal information from 1 million accounts at Sony Pictures website. A group calling itself LulzSec posted statements online saying it broke into SonyPictures.com and downloaded unencrypted personal information, including passwords, e-mail addresses and dates of birth from 1 million user accounts. “We are looking into these claims,” Jim Kennedy, a spokesman for Sony Pictures Entertainment, said yesterday in an e-mailed statement. The attack may be the latest on Tokyo-based Sony, which in the past two months said more than 100 million accounts were compromised after hackers broke into its networks. Sony, which yesterday resumed full operation of the PlayStation Network in the U.S. and Europe after six weeks of suspension, said last month the intrusions will cost about 14 billion yen ($173 million) this fiscal year. “My biggest concern is whether the expense related to unauthorized accesses will stay within 14 billion yen,” said Tsunenori Ohmaki, an analyst at Tachibana Securities Co. in Tokyo. Online businesses have become more important to Sony as its main TV unit won’t likely contribute to its earnings in the near future, he said. LulzSec LulzSec, which described the attack only as recent, posted customer information online from what appeared to be sweepstakes and loyalty-program databases, including one tied to the long- running soap opera “The Young and the Restless.” The group also took information from Sony music operations in Belgium and the Netherlands, it said. “It’s just a matter of taking it,” LulzSec said in its statement. “This is disgraceful and insecure; they were asking for it.” Sony fell 0.6 percent to close at 2,129 yen in Tokyo trading, extending its loss this year to 27 percent. The Nikkei- 225 Stock Average has lost 7.2 percent this year. The maker of Bravia televisions and Walkman music players has been facing series of intrusions to its online entertainment services, forcing an April 20 shutdown of the Qriocity and PlayStation Network services. Sony also halted some Internet services in Canada, Thailand and Indonesia last month after detecting unauthorized accesses. Sony Ericsson Intruders stole the names and e-mail addresses of about 2,000 customers at Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB’s Canadian website, while a site in Thailand may have been modified to help send fraudulent e-mails, Sony said last month. The company also suspended a site in Indonesia because of a suspected attack and found Web codes for the Japanese music unit were stolen. At Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc., hackers have stolen programming code related to artists’ sites, Yoshikazu Takahashi, a spokesman at the unit, said last month. Tim Schaaff, president of Sony Network Entertainment International, appeared before a congressional panel yesterday to defend the company’s response to the April data breach. Sony yesterday restored the PlayStation Network in all markets except Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea. Users of its Qriocity entertainment services will be able to download music with the resumption, while video on demand will remain suspended until further notice, it said yesterday. Sony increased the number of firewalls between servers and added software to monitor intrusions and system vulnerabilities before resuming the services. --With assistance from Yuki Yamaguchi in Tokyo. Editors: Anand Krishnamoorthy, Young-Sam Cho. To contact the reporters on this story: Cliff Edwards in San Francisco at cedwards28@bloomberg.net; Mariko Yasu in Tokyo at myasu@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Young-Sam Cho at ycho2@bloomberg.net; Anthony Palazzo at apalazzo@bloomberg.net ||||| Sony network attacked again, hackers claim Sony has faced a torrid few weeks as its networks have become targets for hackers Continue reading the main story Related Stories A hacker group has claimed it has attacked the Sony network and stolen more than one million passwords, email addresses and other information. Lulz Security said it broke into servers that run SonyPictures.com. Sony said it was aware of Lulz Security's statement and was investigating, the Associated Press reported. In April, hackers broke into Sony's PlayStation Network and stole data from more than 77 million accounts. That attack was considered the biggest in internet history and led to Sony shutting down the PlayStation Network and other services for almost a month. The company has estimated the data breach will result in a $170m (£104m) hit to its operating profit. Since then, Sony's networks have become targets for hackers and the company has confirmed at least four other break-ins prior to the claimed attack on Sony Pictures. Lulz Security claims to be behind one of those attacks: an assault on Sony Music Japan. The latest alleged attack will come as a blow to the Japanese firm, 24 hours after it announced the PlayStation Network would be fully restored in the US and Europe, and said it had beefed up its security systems. 'Asking for it' In a statement on Thursday, Lulz Security said it had hacked into a database that included unencrypted passwords as well as names, addresses and dates of birth of Sony customers. "From a single injection, we accessed EVERYTHING," it said. "Why do you put such faith in a company that allows itself to become open to these simple attacks?" "What's worse is that every bit of data we took wasn't encrypted. Sony stored over 1,000,000 passwords of its customers in plain text, which means it's just a matter of taking it. "This is disgraceful and insecure: they were asking for it." The group also recently claimed responsibility for hacking the website of the PBS network and posting a fake story in protest at a news programme about WikiLeaks. ||||| Sony Probes New Claim That Hackers Stole User Data Sony Pictures is investigating hackers' claims that they have stolen more than 1 million pieces of user information in another attack on the entertainment company's networks. A group of hackers calling itself LulzSec said in a statement that it has obtained users' personal information, including passwords, email addresses, home addresses, dates of birth, and all Sony opt-in data associated with their accounts. Sony Pictures, a unit of Sony Corp. of America, said Thursday that it is aware of LulzSec's claim and looking into it. The data, carried in a plain text file posted to the hacking group's site, appeared to be at least partially genuine. The Associated Press called a number listed by LulzSec as belonging to 84-year-old Mary Tanning, a resident of Minnesota. Tanning picked up the phone, and confirmed the rest of the details listed by LulzSec, including her password, which she said she was changing. "I don't panic," she told the AP, explaining that she was very seldom online and wasn't wealthy. "There's nothing that they can pick out of me," she joked. If confirmed, the breach would deal yet another blow to Sony, which suffered a massive cyberattack in April that targeted credit card information through its PlayStation Network and Sony Online Entertainment networks. Company executives on Thursday faced questions from U.S. lawmakers over why consumers weren't informed more quickly about the breach. Over 100 million user accounts were affected and the company only recently was able to restore service. At the time, experts warned that the attack emboldened hackers and made them more willing to pursue sensitive information. LulzSec said Thursday that none of the data it accessed from Sony was encrypted, "which means it's just a matter of taking it." "This is disgraceful and insecure," the group said in its statement. "They were asking for it." LulzSec recently claimed responsibility for hacking the website of PBS network to post a fake story in protest of a recent Frontline investigative news program on WikiLeaks. | A group of Internet hackers, which refers to itself as Lulz Security or LulzSec, has claimed to have broken into servers for Sony entertainment websites and stolen in excess of one million items of personal details, including email addresses and passwords. Seventy-five thousand "music codes" and three-and-a-half million "music coupons" were also alleged broken into, according to a statement on their website. In a statement, LulzSec reported that, "from a single injection, we accessed EVERYTHING" ''''. Claiming that Sony had not encrypted data which they allegedly gained access to and "were asking for it", the group questioned: "Why do you put such faith in a company that allows itself to become open to these simple attacks?" spokesperson Jim Kennedy has stated that the corporation is "looking into these claims". This incident is reminiscent of an occasion when the data of over 77 million accounts on the were unlawfully taken by hackers in April 2011. The thefts prompted Sony to close the network, as well as other features, for nearly one month. According to , the attack is thought to be the largest in the history of the Internet. |
Wellington hospitals put out SOS for nurses Wellington Hospital and Kenepuru Community Hospital are calling up retired nurses as reinforcements for sick staff. The two hospitals declared a "Code Red" today. No, it is not war -- it is the winter peak season in the health sector. The hospitals don't have the capacity to meet expected demand. Capacity is reduced at the two Wellington hospitals because about 20 nurses are sick and demand is up because of winter-related illnesses. It is not unusual for hospitals to issue a Code Red, but this was the first time the Capital & Coast District Health Board (DHB) had issued one in 2007, said Robyn Toomath, a director of clinical support services at the DHB. "As of today we are around 20 nurses down compared to our usual staffing levels, primarily due to illness. "We would be delighted to hear from any qualified nurses in the community who are between jobs, are on extended leave or are semi-retired, who might be able to help fill in, or to do some short term work for us," said Dr Toomath. They should contact Steve Crew in the Patient Services Coordination Unit. The hospitals can still cope with urgent cases, but less urgent cases may be in for a longer-than-usual wait. Some elective surgery is also being postponed. Dr Toomath said the problem was a combination of increased demand for services and decreased availability of staff to meet those demands. "We have physical beds available, but we can't admit patients unless there are appropriate levels of staff to safely resource those beds." The message to the public was ` `please save our Emergency Department for emergencies", she said. Often a general practitioner could offer a quicker consultation without the need to attend hospital. "We want to be able to focus our Emergency Department resources on patients who genuinely need hospital-level care." If people had doubts they could call Healthline for free advice from a registered nurse. The Healthline toll-free number is 0800 611-116. ||||| Your news how you want it. On the go and no time to finish that story right now? Your News is the place for you to save content to read later from any device. Register with us and content you save will appear here so you can access them to read later. | The Capital & Coast District Health Board today issued a "code red" for two Wellington hospitals. Both Wellington Hospital and Kenepuru Community Hospital have a staff shortage of about 20 nurses, and the hospital is calling on any help available. Dr Robyn Toomath, director of clinical support services at the Health Board, is calling for "any qualified nurses in the community who are between jobs, are on extended leave or are semi-retired, who might be able to help fill in, or to do some short term work for us." "As of today we are around 20 nurses down compared to our usual staffing levels, primarily due to illness" said Dr Toomath. "We have physical beds available, but we can't admit patients unless there are appropriate levels of staff to safely resource those beds." The message to the general public was to "please save our Emergency Department for emergencies", she said. "We want to be able to focus our Emergency Department resources on patients who genuinely need hospital-level care." Any qualified nurses who are willing to help at either of the two hospitals should contact Steve Crew in the Patient Services Coordination Unit, at the Capital and Coast District Health Board. |
Felipe Massa took the lead of the drivers championship after a decisive victory for Ferrari at Magny-Cours on Sunday. The Brazilian trailed team mate Kimi Raikkonen for the first 38 of the 70 laps, but moved ahead decisively as the Finns F2008 developed an exhaust problem. The latter cost Raikkonen the win, but nobody else ever got close enough to the red cars for this to be a problem to the team. Jarno Trulli might have been able to catch Raikkonen, but had his hands full fending off a strong late-race challenge from McLarens Heikki Kovalainen. The Finn nearly squeezed by on the penultimate lap, but as the Toyota moved over they briefly rubbed wheels and Kovalainen went over a chicane and had to concede his challenge. It gave Toyota their first podium since 2005. Behind them, Robert Kubica clung on for second place in the championship chase thanks to a fifth place finish, well ahead of the scrap for the final points between Mark Webbers Red Bull and the Renault drivers. When Fernando Alonso slid wide lapping Giancarlo Fisichella with three laps left, Nelson Piquet moved ahead of his team leader and was hounding Webber by the flag in a drive that gave him his first championship points and might arguably have saved his career. It was a disastrous afternoon for McLarens Lewis Hamilton, who had worked his way up to ninth place when he had to serve a drive-through penalty on the 13th lap after the stewards adjudged him to have gained an advantage on the opening lap by going over a chicane to overtake Sebastian Vettel. The Englishman finally finished 10th, behind David Coulthards Red Bull. Timo Glock hung on for Toyota to 11th place despite Vettels challenge for Toro Rosso, while Nick Heidfeld was a disappointing 13th in the second BMW Sauber. Rubens Barrichello, who started from the back of the grid after a late gearbox change, was the first lapped runner in 14th, his Honda heading home the battling Williams drivers Kazuki Nakajima and Nico Rosberg. Sebastien Bourdais was 17th for Toro Rosso ahead of Giancarlo Fisichella and Adrian Sutil in their Force Indias. Jenson Button was the only retirement after his Honda made first-lap contact with Bourdais and sustained irreparable damage. His success makes Massa the first Brazilian to lead the world championship since Ayrton Senna at Monaco in 1993. He has 48 points to Kubicas 46 and Raikkonens 43. Hamilton trails with 38 after his second race without scoring points. Ferrari extend their lead in the constructors championship to a commanding 17 points over BMW Sauber. ||||| By Andrew Benson Massa took the championship lead with his third win of the season Brazilian Felipe Massa was handed victory in the French Grand Prix when Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen ran into problems with a broken exhaust. Raikkonen was in control of a race dominated by Ferrari but his right-hand exhaust cracked at half-distance. However, such was Ferrari's advantage that Raikkonen held on to second place. Jarno Trulli marked Toyota's best race of the season with third while Lewis Hamilton was 10th after falling foul of officials for the second race in a row. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. But the 23-year-old made it even harder for himself by cutting the Nurburgring chicane in the process of passing Toro Rosso's Sebastian Vettel as he sought to make up places on the opening lap. That led to a drive-through penalty, the most lenient punishment available to the stewards for the offence, which cost him any realistic chance of scoring points. Sometimes you need a bit of luck, and we got that with Kimi's exhaust - it was a nice present Felipe Massa There will, though, be some debate about whether Hamilton deserved to penalised, with McLaren team boss Ron Dennis claiming after the race that Hamilton was already ahead of Vettel before the corner. What was not up for debate was the superiority of the Ferraris. It was obvious from his lap times that even had Hamilton suffered no penalties, the McLaren did not have the pace to challenge the Ferraris. Raikkonen converted his pole position into a lead at the first corner, and set about building the gap he needed to keep his lead, knowing that he was to make his first stop two laps earlier than Massa. Raikkonen, edging further ahead by the lap, was nearly five seconds clear of his team-mate when he stopped on lap 21. And any faint hope Massa had of leapfrogging Raikkonen evaporated when he ran into traffic on the two laps before his stop. Trulli drove brilliantly to hold on to third under intense pressure Raikkonen then set about making the race his own, extending his lead to more than six seconds by lap 30, only to run into his exhaust problem, and being forced to cede to Massa. "That was fantastic," Massa said. "I didn't expect that. "Sometimes you need a bit of luck, and we got that with Kimi's exhaust. It was a good present. "It was a great race. We showed our performance here, we are heading in the right direction, with the team doing a fantastic job." For a short time, Raikkonen was two seconds off the pace, and it looked as if he might be vulnerable to Trulli and Kubica. But as the problem stabilised, he managed to reduce his disadvantage to Massa to about a second a lap. 606: DEBATE Who's your driver of the day? For me it's close between Heikki or Trulli RockingCopseCorner "I just kept losing power," Raikkonen said, "and then it came back. A few more laps and I don't think I would have finished the race. "I had a good car all weekend, was easily on the pole, but then I have a problem with the car. I almost stopped a few times at the end. "I've still taken eight points and I'm in a more comfortable position in the championship." A rain shower in the last part of the race enlivened the last few laps. The Ferraris continued untroubled, but Trulli, who has complained about the Toyota's poor handling in the wet, suddenly found McLaren's Heikki Kovalainen and BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica all over him. But he continued to drive beautifully, and held the two faster cars off, aided by the rain abating with about 10 laps to go. Hamilton suffered a second difficult race in a row The rain returned for the last couple of laps, and Trulli managed to hold off one final assault from Kovalainen as they entered the Nurburgring chicane side by side on the penultimate lap. "It was a great fight at the end with Kovalainen and I enjoyed that and it is what I want to be doing," said Trulli, whose last podium was in the 2005 Spanish Grand Prix. "I don't think we touched, just wheel-to-wheel like we did in go-karting. I'd love to fight every race like that. "I did my job and kept the inside line. I could see the podium and I didn't want to lose the position. "Everybody knows me, I'm hard to pass. Sometimes you get it wrong, this time I got it right." Trulli dedicated his win to former Toyota team boss Ove Andersson, who was killed in a rally accident last week. Red Bull's Mark Webber held off the Renaults of Nelson Piquet Jr, having his most competitive race of the season, and Fernando Alonso for sixth place. Alonso lost seventh to his team-mate, who scored his first points of the season, when he ran wide with two laps to go while lapping Force India's Adrian Sutil. The win, Massa's third of the season, puts him into the lead of the championship, two points clear of Robert Kubica, with Raikkonen a further three adrift. Hamilton, after two disastrous races, is 10 points behind Massa and in desperate need of a good result at the British Grand Prix in two weeks' time. But in view of the superiority of the Ferraris in France, Hamilton's chances of beating the red cars appear slim at Silverstone, where their advantage should be at least as clear. Official result of French Grand Prix at Magny-Cours: 1 Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari one hour 31 minutes 50.245 seconds 2. Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) Ferrari 17.984 seconds 3. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota +28.250 4. Heikki Kovalainen (Fin) McLaren-Mercedes +28.929 5. Robert Kubica (Pol)BMW Sauber +30.512 6. Mark Webber (Aus) Red Bull-Renault +40.304 7. Nelson Piquet (Brz) Renault +41.033 8. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault +43.372 9. David Coulthard (GB) Red Bull-Renault +51.072 10. Lewis Hamilton (GB) McLaren-Mercedes +54.521 11. Timo Glock (Ger) Toyota +57.738 12. Sebastian Vettel (Ger) Toro Rosso-Ferrari +58.065 13. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber +1:02.079 14. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda one lap behind 15. Kazuki Nakajima (Jpn) Williams-Toyota one lap 16. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Toyota 1 lap 17. Sebastien Bourdais (Fra) Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1 lap 18. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Force India-Ferrari 1 lap 19. Adrian Sutil (Ger) Force India-Ferrari 1 lap R Jenson Button (GB) Honda 16 laps completed Fastest lap: Raikkonen, one minute 16.630 seconds, lap 16 Key: R = retired Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? | 2008 Canadian Grand PrixPhoto credit: Mark McArdle Magny Cours Ferrari driver Felipe Massa won the FIA Formula One 2008 Grand Prix de France at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours, France. Though his teammate Kimi Räikkönen started from pole, Massa was able to get closer and overtake after a problem with exhaust lines onboard Räikkönen's car started. Jarno Trulli did his best to withstand Heikki Kovalainen, McLaren Mercedes, pushing hard on him. Trulli made the first podium finish for Toyota team. This achievement was dedicated to the memory of Ove Andersson, team founder, who died in a rally crash recently. BMW Sauber driver Robert Kubica, the previous GP winner, finished only 5th this time. 4 Renault-engined cars occupied the placeholders from 6 to 9th of the final protocol. Mark Webber gained 3 points for Red Bull. Fernando Alonso dropped to 8th place from the 3rd upon the start. His teammate Nelson Piquet Jr. passed Alonso on the closing laps of the race after a slight driving error by the Spaniard. Lewis Hamilton qualified third but was penalized 10 places down the grid after his collision in the previous race. Soon after the start he made an error attacking Sebastian Vettel cutting the Nurburgring chicane and was penalized again by a drive-through penalty. He finished 10th. |
Military interrogators at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq learned about the use of military working dogs to intimidate detainees from a team of interrogators dispatched from the U.S. detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, according to court testimony yesterday. One interrogation analyst also testified that sleep deprivation and forced nudity -- which were used in Cuba on high-value detainees -- later were approved tactics at Abu Ghraib. Another soldier said that interrogators would regularly pass instructions to have dog handlers and military police "scare up" detainees as part of interrogation plans, part of an approved approach that relied on exploiting the fear of dogs. The preliminary hearing at Fort Meade, Md., for two Army dog handlers accused of mistreating detainees provided more evidence that severe tactics approved for suspected terrorists at Guantanamo migrated to Iraq and spiraled into the notorious abuse at Abu Ghraib in the late summer and early fall of 2003. The testimony came days after an internal military investigation showed the similarity between techniques used on the suspected "20th hijacker" in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and tactics seen in photographs at the prison that shocked the world. Several Republican senators are pushing legislation -- opposed by the White House -- that would regulate the treatment of detainees at Guantanamo and other military prisons. One of them, Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.), released recently declassified internal memos written in 2003 by the military's top lawyers in which they warned the Pentagon about developing severe tactics, arguing that they would heighten danger for U.S. troops caught by the enemy, among other problems. "We have taken the legal and moral 'high-road' in the conduct of our military operations regardless of how others may operate," Air Force Maj. Gen. Jack L. Rives wrote in a Feb. 5, 2003, memo. "We need to consider the overall impact of approving extreme interrogation techniques as giving official approval and legal sanction to the application of interrogation techniques that U.S. forces have consistently been trained are unlawful." At Fort Meade yesterday, soldiers testified that the top military intelligence officer at the prison, Col. Thomas M. Pappas, approved the use of dogs for interrogations. Maj. Matthew Miller, a prosecutor, also revealed that Pappas, faced with a request from interrogators to use dogs on three stubborn detainees captured at the same time as then-Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, "admitted he failed to ask" Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, then the top general in Iraq, for approval as he was supposed to have done. Pvt. Ivan L. "Chip" Frederick, one of the ringleaders of abuse by military police who is serving an eight-year prison term, testified by phone from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., that interrogators were authorized to use dogs and that a civilian contract interrogator left him lists of the cells he wanted dog handlers to visit. "They were allowed to use them to . . . intimidate inmates," Frederick said. Sgt. Santos A. Cardona, 31, of California, and Sgt. Michael J. Smith, 24, of Florida, are charged with maltreatment of detainees, largely for allegedly encouraging and permitting unmuzzled working dogs to threaten and attack them. Prosecutors have focused on an incident caught in published photographs, when the two men allegedly cornered a naked detainee and allowed the dogs to bite him on each thigh as he cowered in fear. The dog handlers also allegedly participated in a "contest" to see who could make more detainees urinate or defecate on themselves, but defense attorneys contended that there is no actual witness to such a game and that the claims were merely rumors that spread throughout the prison. This week's hearing is the military's equivalent of a civilian preliminary court hearing or grand jury investigation. Maj. Glenn Simpkins, as investigating officer, will recommend whether authorities should send charges to a court-martial, whether the soldiers should face administrative punishment or whether no charges should be pursued. Cardona faces nine separate counts and a possible maximum sentence of 16 1/2 years in prison; Smith faces 14 separate counts and a possible maximum sentence of 29 1/2 years in prison. Smith's lawyer, Capt. Jason Duncan, questioned a military interrogator, Spec. John Harold Ketzer, who acknowledged that a staff sergeant from Guantanamo had trained him on how to use dogs during questioning of detainees. That staff sergeant, James Vincent Lucas, told Army investigators that he traveled from Cuba to Iraq from October to December 2003 as part of a six-person team to bring his "lessons learned" and to "provide guidelines" to interrogators at Abu Ghraib who were setting up their operation, according to investigative documents obtained by The Washington Post. Lucas said in a statement that he saw no abuse but was aware that "short chaining" was used on some detainees "and clothing removal could be employed." "It would be part of the interrogation plan and approved by 'higher,' " Lucas told investigators, adding that there was a lot of nakedness at Abu Ghraib and a fair amount of brainstorming about innovative and aggressive techniques. "Removal of clothing for interrogation purposes was a 'questionable technique' that needed approval and was allowed in [Guantanamo], but rarely occurred." Harvey Volzer, Cardona's civilian attorney, said he plans to call at least one witness today to talk about a September 2003 visit to Abu Ghraib by Maj. Gen. Geoffrey D. Miller, then in charge of the Guantanamo prison. "There's a direct link between Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib," Volzer said. Researcher Julie Tate contributed to this report. ||||| St. Patrick’s Day is often celebrated with corned beef and cabbage, soda bread and Irish beef stew and then wash it all down with a tall pint of Guinness. Those tried and true recipes are a tradition. But for those of you who really enjoy the green foods, gimmicky cocktails and desserts decorated with four leaf clovers and pots of gold, these are the recipes for you. Fulfill your Pinterest goals with these Instagram-worthy St. Patrick’s Day recipes. ||||| Military dog handlers at the notorious Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq engaged in a competition to see which one could make inmates defecate and urinate on themselves, witnesses testified Tuesday at a preliminary hearing for two soldiers. Army Sgts. Michael J. Smith, 24, and Santos A. Cardona, 31, are accused of using unmuzzled dogs to frighten prisoners. One inmate was bitten by a dog, according to the testimony. Witnesses against the dog handlers included two soldiers previously convicted of abusing prisoners at the American-run military prison near Baghdad. Defense lawyers challenged their testimony and said they were trying to reduce their own sentences in exchange for their cooperation in the dog case. Pvt. Ivan L. Frederick, who is serving an 8-year sentence at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan., testified via telephone that a dog handled by Cardona bit a prisoner on both thighs. His account was corroborated by another convicted soldier, Pvt. Sabrina Harman. Advertisement The inmate, Frederick said, was suspected of hiding weapons in his cell and had tried to attack another soldier who had entered his cell. Frederick also said the defendants talked about a “game” to see “who could get the most detainees to urinate on themselves using the dogs.” Frederick said they were “laughing about it.” According to Army charge sheets, they are accused of maltreating detainees from Nov. 15, 2003, to Jan. 15, 2004 by “directing, encouraging, or permitting [their] unmuzzled military working dog[s] to bark and growl at detainees in order to unlawfully harass and threaten the detainees and in order to make the detainees urinate or defecate on themselves.” Cardona, of Fullerton, with the 42nd Military Police Detachment in Ft. Bragg, N.C., has been charged with nine counts. Smith, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with the 523rd Military Police Detachment in Ft. Riley, Kan., has been charged with 14 counts. Advertisement If convicted, Smith faces up to 29 1/2 years in a military brig, a dishonorable discharge, reduction in rank to private, and forfeiture of all pay and allowances. Cardona faces 16 1/2 years in jail and the same other penalties. Spc. John Ketzer, an interrogator at the Iraqi prison, testified by phone that a dog was used to frighten two juvenile detainees, described as about 10 and 14 years old, who screamed in fear. Ketzer could not identify the dog handler by name but provided a description. One of the counts against Smith accuses him of “an assault upon two juvenile detainees by unlawfully threatening them with a means or force likely to produce death or grievous bodily harm.” In addition to Cardona and Smith, there were three Navy dog handlers assigned to Abu Ghraib. Advertisement Defense lawyers raised the possibility of mistaken identity, suggesting that witnesses might have confused the defendants with other dog handlers. Staff Sgt. Christopher Aston, who oversaw a team of five interrogators at Abu Ghraib, said in phone testimony that on the night that Saddam Hussein was captured, his interrogators asked for the presence of military working dogs for one of three detainees who had arrived. It was unclear from the testimony whether the detainee was connected with Hussein’s capture. Aston said he asked Col. Thomas M. Pappas, head of the 205th Military Intelligence Brigade at Abu Ghraib, for permission to use dogs. Aston said Pappas gave him permission but said that the dogs, when inside the interrogation booth, had to be muzzled. He went over these ground rules with Cardona and Smith, Aston said. That night, one dog was unmuzzled but did not enter the interrogation booth; it remained outside, by the door, close enough to “surprise and shock” the detainee, Aston said. Advertisement Harvey Volzer, a Washington lawyer representing Cardona, said his client and Smith were following orders from higher-ranking officers. “You know it happened,” Volzer said, referring to the fact that Lt. Gen. Ricardo S. Sanchez, then the top ground commander in Iraq, knew and approved of the use of dogs in the Iraqi prison. Volzer said he planned to call one or two witnesses today, including Maj. David DiNenna Sr., who could show the “approval chain” in the military. Soon after the Abu Ghraib scandal broke and photographs showed the use of muzzled dogs to menace prisoners, Sanchez ordered that interrogators no longer expose prisoners to military dogs. Advertisement The Article 32 hearing is the military equivalent of a preliminary hearing to determine if there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed and that the accused is responsible. The presiding officer, Maj. Glenn Simpkins of Ft. Myer, Va., will determine if the case should be referred to a general court-martial. | Ivan Frederick abusing an Iraqi prisoner. In testimony at a military hearing yesterday on abuses at the U.S. prison camp in Iraq, the former warden of Abu Ghraib, Maj. David Dinenna, said he attended in September 2003 a meeting with Maj. Gen. Geoffrey D. Miller, who was then commander of the Guantanamo Bay prison camp. Maj. Dinenna said Gen. Miller recommended using dogs, because of their effectiveness. Two dog handler soldiers at Abu Ghraib stand accused in the hearing. Sgt. Santos A. Cardona, 31, and Sgt. Michael J. Smith, 24, are alleged to have used the dogs to threaten and intimidate prisoners. During the defendants' testimony on Tuesday, they said the interrogation techniques used by them on prisoners was learned from a team of interrogators that was dispatched to Iraq from the Guantanamo Bay military base in Cuba. The Article 32 military court proceeding, which concluded Wednesday in Fort Meade, Maryland, is a preliminary hearing to hear prosecution and defense arguments in the case. The Prosecution is seeking a court-martial with claims that the defendants acted criminally. The Defense contends the soldiers were following orders, and that the charges should be dropped. The investigating officer of the military court, Maj. Glenn Simpkins, has two weeks to weigh the evidence that was presented. Some or all charges could be dropped, but if some charges stand, he will make a recommendation on how Sgts. Cardona and Smith should be dealt with when it goes to trial. The two accused said in yesterday’s testimony that Col. Thomas M. Pappas, the top military intelligence officer at Abu Ghraib, approved the use of the dogs. Testimony was also heard from Pvt. Ivan L. “Chip” Frederick, now serving an 8-year sentence in Fort Leavenworth for his role as ringleader in the abuse, who testified by phone from prison that approval was given to use the dogs, and that a civilian interrogator was also sometimes involved in directing which prisoner cells were to be visited by dog handlers. In addition to the use of dogs, aggressive interrogation techniques such as clothing removal and sleep deprivation were also part of the series of abuses. Staff Sgt. James Vincent Lucas previously had told Army investigators in Guantanamo that he left Cuba in 2003 to go to Iraq where he, as a member of a 6-man team, taught the “lessons learned” at Guantanamo, and served to “provide guidelines” to interrogators at Abu Ghraib. Legislation sponsored by several Senate Republicans seeks to specifically regulate the treatment of prisoners at Guantanamo and other military prisons. A co-sponsor of the bill, Lindsey Graham (R-SC), recently released declassified internal memos dating from 2003 and written by top military lawyers. They warned the Pentagon about the aggressive tactics at Guantanamo. The memos noted it would heighten the dangers for U.S. troops caught by the enemy. Army charge sheets accuse Cardona and Smith with maltreating detainees from November 15, 2003, to January 15, 2004 by "directing, encouraging, or permitting their unmuzzled military working dogs to bark and growl at detainees in order to unlawfully harass and threaten the detainees and in order to make the detainees urinate or defecate on themselves." Cardona, of Fullerton, with the 42nd Military Police Detachment in Ft. Bragg, N.C., was charged with nine counts. Smith, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with the 523rd Military Police Detachment in Ft. Riley, Kan., was charged with 14 counts. |
Reports of significant damage are emerging from the Goldfields this morning after the biggest earthquake in 50 years struck the region. The 5.0 magnitude quake struck south-west of Kalgoorlie at 8.17am. Residents in Kalgoorlie, Boulder and Coolgardie reported a "sizeable tremor" lasting between five and 10 seconds. Send us your damage pics Geoscience Australia spokesman Chris Thompson said it was largest shallow area earthquake for Australia. “It’s certainly the largest event in 50 years for the area,” he said. Mr Thompson said there had since been 13 recorded aftershocks, but all were very small with the biggest being a magnitude 2.3. Two people have been taken to hospital by ambulance with minor injuries, according to St John Ambulance. One of the people had been injured while at a doctor’s surgery in Kalgoorlie, while the other had been injured at a nearby physiotherapy clinic. RELATED: Mining ops resume | A record | Scary quake | Gallery: Kalgoorlie quake FESA reports quake damaged is mainly confined to the Boulder area with five or six older hotels on Burt Street hit. Burt and Lane Streets in Boulder have been closed and people are asked to avoid the area. The underpass near the intersection of Goldfields Highway and Burt Street is understood to have collapsed. It is understood the Golden Eagle Hotel in Boulder has been badly damaged. Firefighters were called to the historic Lionel Street pub at 8.19am because of extensive roof and wall damage. Other buildings understood to have been damaged include Sheffield's Pub, Boulder Town Hall, Metropole Hotel and the Rock Inn Hotel. A gas leak has forced the evacuation for the Kalgoorlie Hospital. Kalgoorlie School of the Air has been closed after suffering significant structural damage. Students at Boulder Central School have been evacuated and emergency services are diverting traffic. A ceiling collapsed at Boulder Primary School and children have been moved to a newer part of the school. O’Connor Primary School’s administration block has been evacuated and the junior block at Kalgoorlie Primary School has been closed. Cracks have appeared in the walls of North Kalgoorlie Primary School. Structural engineers will assess that and other schools in the quake area today to determine if more need to be closed. Workers have been pulled out of the Super Pit's open pit and underground mine and several other mines in the area have been shut down. Callers to ABC radio, some 50km from Kalgoorlie, said the tremor lasted for several seconds and that there have been aftershocks. One resident said it was the tremor was the worst they had felt in 30 years. One hotelier told 6PR Radio of pulling one of his female workers out of rubble but she was not seriously injured. FESA warns people in the area should prepare for aftershocks and be careful of falling debris. Residents in damaged buildings should turn off electricity, gas and water. People needing help can call the SES on 132 500 or 000 for life-threatening emergencies. Call Western Power on 13 13 51 to report downed power lines. The last significant earthquake to hit Boulder was a 4.5 magnitude tremor in 1987. WA's worst quake hit the Wheatbelt town of Meckering in 1968. The 6.9 magnitude earthquake wiped the town off the map - the damage to the tiny town was so severe Meckering was moved and rebuilt 400m away. ||||| Government to help Kalgoorlie quake victims Updated An assistance package could be available for Kalgoorlie-Boulder residents affected by a 5.0-magnitude earthquake which struck the Goldfields city. About a dozen buildings in the main street of Boulder were badly damaged in Tuesday morning's quake, which is the biggest recorded in the region. Eyre MLA Graham Jacobs, whose office is in one of the worst affected streets, inspected the damage this afternoon. Doctor Jacobs says there will be some assistance from the government, and it will work with the Fire and Emergency Services Authority to determine how much assistance is needed. "Everywhere I look, there's significant cracks in buildings, there's some parapets that have collapsed, there are brick walls that have collapsed," he said. "I think it's very obvious to anybody here today that the impact is rather severe on this area. Hundreds of school children were evacuated from classrooms after the earthquake struck. Geoscience Australia says the earthquake hit one to two kilometres south of the Kalgoorlie city centre in Boulder about 8:20am. Ambulance officers have taken a man and a woman to hospital with minor injuries. They are both in a stable condition. Residents are being warned to prepare for aftershocks, but Geoscience Australia's David Jepsen said the worst should be over. "You can never rule out anything, but the general behaviour of earthquakes in Australia is that you would only have smaller aftershocks." People who need help can call the SES on 132 500. The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) said the quake - the strongest ever recorded in the area - mainly affected Boulder and five or six hotels on Burt Street, including the Roc Hotel and the Golden Eagle, which have been damaged. The balcony of the Golden Eagle hotel collapsed during the quake. Burt and Lane Streets in Boulder have been closed and FESA is asking people to avoid the area. Kalgoorlie Mayor Ron Yuryevich told ABC local radio it was lucky no-one was killed in the quake, which he described as the most intense in the 57 years he has lived in the town. "Facades have come off and fallen through verandahs and in fact the Golden Eagle Hotel [has] gone through the floor there onto the pavement," he said. "At the Commercial Hotel, which is at the main intersection of Burt and Lane Street, it's only God willing that no-one got killed." The Education Department said Boulder Primary School had extensive damage and several buildings had to be evacuated. O'Connor Primary School and Kalgoorlie Primary School have some damage and are partly closed, with some buildings declared unusable. The Kalgoorlie School of the Air is closed. Mine evacuated Workers from Kalgoorlie's KCGM Super Pit have also been evacuated. The Super Pit is the largest open cut mining pit in Australia and KCGM general manager Russell Cole said a full geotechnical assessment was underway. "KCGM believes that this was a seismic event. Because of the location, it is beyond our systems to determine the exact nature and specifics of the event," he said in a statement. "A regional triangulation will need to be undertaken by Geosciences Australia. "All personnel are safe. Mt Charlotte underground crew have been brought to surface and will remain so until a full geotechnical assessment of the area has been conducted. "Open pits have suspended operations and a full geotechnical assessment is underway. This could take several hours." Assessing the damage FESA and SES volunteers from Kalgoorlie are working in the area and locals are being asked to turn off their electricity, gas and water if possible. David Jepsen, a senior seismologist with Geoscience Australia, told ABC Local Radio the earthquake was felt up to several hundred kilometres from where it struck. "This is the largest earthquake that we've had in the region since we've recorded earthquakes here," he said. "We can't rule out the effects of what the mining has done." Western Australian Premier Colin Barnett said authorities were assessing the damage. "We're just getting some information that it was quite a strong earthquake," he said. "There's been some structural damage to some schools [and] they've been closed for the day just to check their safety. It's being dealt with. "Western Australia can be prone to earthquakes and this is an example." Earth shook Residents from across the Goldfields city told ABC Local Radio they felt the earth shake and feared their homes would fall down around them. "I sort of stopped brushing and looked at the kids and thought, I wonder what will go if the house starts falling down," one resident said. Kambalda resident Bernadette said the floors and the walls shook and she ran to get her baby out of its cot as her husband leapt up from the couch so they could shelter beneath door frames. Another local who was about 10 kilometres out of town said the earth shook for 10 to 15 seconds. "I thought it was a mine blast but I knew the mine blast was at the wrong time," the resident said. People in towns as far away as Coolgardie have reported feeling the tremor. Aftershocks Some residents have described feeling several aftershocks. Boulder resident Nikki told ABC News Online there had been dozens of aftershocks since the earthquake. "I live in Boulder and I certainly felt it. I was just falling asleep after working a night shift and the house shaking woke me up," she said. "I immediately heard sirens, probably responding to the damaged buildings on Burt St close to where I live. "Soon after I felt two fairly strong aftershocks in quick succession. There have been dozens of smaller ones since." John Wulf, a cleaner at the Kalgoorlie Hotel, told ABC News Online there had already been an aftershock. "There's been one little aftershock and that was it. That was nothing like the major one," he said. Mr Wulf said he got a huge fright from the first quake. "I was inside and I took off outside very quickly," he said. "I've been through earthquakes before but I haven't felt one like that before. "I thought it was a blast from KCGM [mine], because that's what it felt like. It felt like it was right underneath. KCGM do a lot of blasting but I've never felt one like that before." Mr Wulf said he was busy cleaning at the hotel, but now he would have to start all over again. "There's a bit of debris here and there, nothing I can't fix," he said. But Mr Wulf said he was yet to inspect the damage on the first floor of the hotel. First posted ||||| Biggest quake in 50 years hits Australia's Goldfields PERTH, Australia — The biggest earthquake in 50 years rattled Western Australia's Goldfields region on Tuesday, damaging buildings but not causing any injuries, officials said. The 5.2-magnitude quake, at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometres (six miles), struck just outside the Kalgoorlie-Boulder mining towns at about 8:17 am (0017 GMT), geologists said. "The earthquake has impacted mainly the Boulder area damaging around five or six older hotels on Burt Street including the Roc Hotel and Golden Eagle," Geoscience Australia said in a statement. "Burt and Lane Streets in Boulder have been closed and people are asked to avoid the area. There have been no reports of people trapped or injured." A spokesman for the geoscientific agency said the remote mining centre, about 600 kilometres (370 miles) east of Perth, had not seen an earthquake bigger than 4.2 in the previous half-century. "This is quite a large earthquake for Australia and a shallow, potentially damaging, earthquake," he said. "It's the largest event in this area in the last 50 years." Officials at nearby mines were not immediately available for comment. Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More » ||||| Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 00:17:08 UTC Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at 08:17:08 AM at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones | A magnitude 5.2 earthquake has hit the Western Australian mining town of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. The earthquake, which struck at 08:17 am AWST (00:17 UTC), is the strongest to hit the region of Goldfields-Esperance in 50 years. Goldfields is considered one of the more geologically stable regions of Australia, in comparison to the southwest corner of the state, which is an active zone at the edge of the Yilgarn block. Kalgoorlie is located 600 kilometres (370 miles) east of the Western Australian capital Perth and is historically the largest gold producing centre of its type in Australia. Kalgoorlie is also the largest urban centre in Goldfields, and has the largest number of buildings that would be vulnerable to such an earthquake. Minor casualties and building damage have been reported, and miners and schoolchildren have been evacuated. |
The government says many of the roughly 490 men currently detained at Guantanamo Bay are dangerous terrorists. But ABC News has exclusive details about five men imprisoned at Guantanamo who even the Pentagon admits don't pose a national security threat. The United Nations said today the base should be shut down. The organization said that conditions there were so bad they "amount to torture" and that the prisoners there should be tried or let go. Adel al Hakim and the four other detainees, all of whom are ethnic Uighurs -- Muslims from China's northwestern Xinjiang Province -- have been imprisoned at Guantanamo for more than four years. "What's clear here is that the military had its own military secret tribunal. There were no lawyers there, I wasn't there," said Sabin Willett, a Boston-based attorney who represents two of the detainees. "They determined at this tribunal that these men were not al Qaeda, they were not Taliban. They were not criminals, they were not enemies. They were a mistake." In December 2005, federal district court Judge James Robertson said that "nothing ... establishes that the government has or could reasonably have a concern that these petitioners would return to the battlefield if released." When they were captured on the Fagan-Pakistan border in 2001, the U.S. military branded them enemy combatants, saying they admitted to spending time at a Taliban training camp. When they were finally given a chance to defend themselves last year, a military tribunal determined they posed no threat to the United States. But there is one big problem with setting them free: The men have no place to go. They cannot go back to China because of the high chance they would face persecution or worse. Al-Hakim's sister, Kavser Hakmajan, told ABC News that if he returned to China "he will be facing unthinkable consequences ... mistreated, abused and maybe killed." If Set Free, Detainees Have No Place to Go In a written statement today, the U.S. State Department told ABC News: "It is the long-standing policy of the United States not to transfer a person to a country if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the person will be tortured ... we are looking into resettlement ... outside China." Said Willett: "It might well be worse for them to go back to China, that is true, but that hardly justifies imprisonment." In December a U.S. federal judge agreed but said he had no power to free the men. "This indefinite imprisonment at Guantanamo Bay is unlawful." But, he added, "the question in this case is whether the law gives me the power to do what I believe justice requires. The answer, I believe, is no." In court papers, the government has said the fact that they should not be classified as enemy combatants does not mean they're benign, and that the United States has become aware of people released from Guantanamo Bay who went back to the battlefield. The judge found no evidence "that the government has or could reasonably have a concern" that they would become a threat. In the same decision, he noted the men are "Chinese nationals who received military training in Afghanistan under the Taliban" and that he doesn't have the power to order them released in the United States -- "something which would have national security and diplomatic implications beyond the competence or authority of the court." After more than four years in prison cells, the men have been moved to an upgraded part of the prison called Camp Iguana, where they live nine to a hut. They have a recreation room and a view of the Caribbean. But they're still surrounded by barbed wire, rarely able to communicate with their families, and -- according to lawyers -- given bottled drinking water labeled "Freedom Springs." U.S. officials hope to soon work out an agreement with another country to grant these prisoners asylum, but they remain behind barbed wire in legal limbo. The government has refused to grant them asylum in the United States. ABC News' Luis Martinez in Washington, D.C., and Sylvie Rottman in New York contributed to this report. ||||| Reuters AlertNet NEWSDESK 26 Jan 2006 18:18:46 GMT No longer enemies, Chinese still held at Guantanamo ||||| Czechs refuse ex-terror suspects Security concerns halt U.S. asylum plans for Guantanamo prisoners By Peter Kononczuk Staff Writer, The Prague Post November 09, 2005 The government says security fears prompted it to turn down a U.S. request to grant asylum to former terrorist suspects who are being released from jail in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. But following a report Nov. 2 in The Washington Post that the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency has been running secret prisons in Eastern Europe, the Interior Ministry in Prague says it has never been asked to detain those still suspected of terrorism. In news reports last week, Czech and foreign media conflated the two issues: the U.S. asylum request and The Washington Post's story. "The United States did not ask the Czech Republic to host a facility to hold prisoners," said Interior Ministry spokeswoman Radka Kovár ová. Poland and Romania also deny they have secret CIA jails. A month ago the U.S. Embassy in Prague asked the Czech government to grant asylum to a number of Muslims of Chinese origin formerly suspected of being terrorists, said embassy spokesman Jan Krc . He did not say how large the group was. The men were not found to have any links to the al Qaeda network and were to be released from the U.S. military base in Guantanamo Bay, where the United States detains hundreds of men captured during the Iraq and Afghanistan invasions. The group faces persecution if they return to China, according to Krc . The U.S. overture to the Czechs about asylum was "a humanitarian request because we clearly need to place these people somewhere," Krc said. He added the intention was that the ex-prisoners would have as much liberty as anyone else given asylum. However, Bublan turned down the Americans' request, as did 10 other European states approached by the United States, including Germany and the Netherlands, said Kovár ová. "Minister Bublan evaluated the whole issue and, bearing in mind potential security hazards, said he would not see offering asylum to these persons as appropriate." Meanwhile, The Washington Post's report that the CIA runs prisons in eight countries which it did not name with the aim of interrogating detainees outside the reach of the American justice system stirred concern from watchdogs, who said such jails would contravene European Union rules on human rights. Krc said that the U.S. Embassy's asylum request was unconnected with the news story on secret CIA jails. Petr Kas par contributed to this report. Peter Kononczuk can be reached at pkononczuk@praguepost.com Reader's Comments: [14/11/2005] : Many Americans who helped Eastern and Central European countries embrace the principles of the rule of law and transparency in government to join the nations of the world who reject torture are now horrified to find that we have met the enemy and it is us. News reports about the Bush administration's policy of torture of prisoners in an unamed Eastern European country is highly disturbing to freedom loving Americans including our former President Jimmy Carter and Senator John McCain of Arizona, himself a former prisoner of war. Even though the Eastern European nation has not been named all one has to do is turn to the list of countries on Bush's "Coalition of the Willing" for a big fat clue. The Czech Republic was never duped into joining the list even though one of your foreign ministers was wined and dined and made pronouncements; your Parliament was said no to joining the Coalition. Remember the countries that courageously signed up to defend the US national security interest and possibly qualify for lucrative contracts?? Opps, big contracts didn't necessarily materialize (no surprise there). But then there's those old abandoned Soviet military bases. It doesn't take a Soviet or US rocket scientist to figure out this one - but we'll just wait until more wining and dining on the next official state visit from the President of Poland for the official announcement. Paulette Will Minneapolis, Minnesota | A detainee is escorted to a medium security facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Some men imprisoned at Guantanamo are not considered a threat by the Pentagon. For months United States officials have been trying to find a country which will grant these men asylum. "What's clear here is that the military had its own military secret tribunal. There were no lawyers there, I wasn't there," said a Boston attorney who represents two of the detainees in question. "They determined at this tribunal that these men were not al Qaeda, they were not Taliban. They were not criminals, they were not enemies. They were a mistake." Three months ago, the US Ambassador to the Czech Republic, Jan Krc, asked that country to give asylum to a group of Guantanamo detainees which would have set them free in Europe. The U.S. request to the Czechs about asylum was "a humanitarian request because we clearly need to place these people somewhere," Krc said. US Judge James Robertson said in December 2005 that "nothing… establishes that the government has or could reasonably have a concern that these petitioners would return to the battlefield if released." The U.S. State Department told ABC News yesterday in a written statement,"It is the long-standing policy of the United States not to transfer a person to a country if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the person will be tortured… we are looking into resettlement… outside China." However,the US government has denied granting asylum within the USA to these men. With regard to Guantanamo Bay prisoners in general, the White House spokesman, Scott McClellan said yesterday, "These are dangerous terrorists that we're talking about that are there and I think we've talked about that issue before and nothing's changed in terms of our views." McClellan added, "We know that these are dangerous terrorists that are being kept at Guantanamo Bay. They are people that are determined to harm innocent civilians or harm innocent Americans. They were enemy combatants picked up on the battlefield in the war on terrorism." |
The representatives of Cisco Systems Inc. stated that the company completed a lawsuit against another giant – Apple Inc. The latter, when launching its new gadget called iPhone, used the trademark which belongs to Cisco. The lawsuit was filled by Cisco Systems Inc. in the US district court. The branded iPhones have been in sale since 2000, when Cisco Systems bought the "iPhone" brand name from Infogear Technology Corp. The latter is today owned by the company. Its original filing for "iPhone" brand name dates back to 1996. Apple several times asked permission to use the trademark, which is why Cisco Systems entered into negotiation with it. The iPhone gadget produced by Cisco Systems represents a house phone that uses VoIP (Voice Internet Protocol). Cisco Systems' senior vice president, who is also the company's vice president, Mark Chandler, said that the iPhone developed by Apple is exiting but, the point is, that the company must not use the trademark that doesn't belong to it without asking permission from the trademark's owner. Apple with its new device made a splash in San Francisco, at the conference called MacWorld. While the Apple's iPhone gains popularity Cisco Systems looks forward to fight for its "iPhone" trademark. Cisco Systems has a division called Linkys that has been shipping the new generation of iPhones since the beginning of 2006. In December, Cisco Systems enlarged its line of iPhones with several additional gadgets. There "iPhone" trademark is not registered as Apple's. This was proved by database at the US Patent and Trademark Office. Among the list of companies that already use this brand name Apple is not included. In a press release Apple didn't mention anything about the "iPhone" trademark that it uses now for its cell phone. ||||| Cisco Systems Inc. Sued Apple because of "iPhone" » Science, Technology and Internet [Jan 12, 2007] Cisco Systems, which is one of the leaders in the field of telecommunications, sued Apple for the use of name "iPhone". Cisco sued Apple the next day after media reports stated that Apple was licensing iPhone from the networking company. "IPhone" is the name that Cisco Systems bought, back in 2000, from InfoGear Technology. The networking giant did not achieve any agreement with Apple, which is why it wants to see Apple in court. Cisco Systems introduced its iPhone in December, thus showing its new VoIP phone, designed for home use. Apple supposed to come up with another name before it launched its "iPhone", but the company did not make this step. The vice president of Cisco Systems prepared a special statement regarding the use of "iPhone" name. The statement suggested that licensing was already in development, but something went wrong. The general council of Cisco Systems, Mark Chandler, mentioned that, because Apple asked permission several times to use the term "iPhone", Cisco entered in into negotiations with Apple. He also outlined the fact that, though Apple's gadget might be exiting, the company itself should not use the already existed trademark without permission from Cisco Systems Inc. In conclusion Chandler said that the "iPhone" of today in not the same as the one of tomorrow. Cisco will protect its brand since there is no limit to the convergence of home, mobile and work phones. The database from U.S. Patent and Trademark Office showed that the name "iPhone" does not represent Apple's trademarked. However, there are some companies that already use "iPhone" brand name. These are: Teledex LLC, Xtreme Mobile LLC, Ocean Telecom Sevices LLC and InfoGear Technology Corp., which is today owned by Cisco. Because Apple's representatives didn't mention anything about "iPhone" trademark, the company lets the matter slip while the network giant, Cisco, is not going to do the same. Related Articles: | The iPhone from Apple. The only made its appearance as a prototype and there have been controversies aroused. The dispute has come up between the manufacturer of the iPhone (which was presented on Wednesday for the first time) — Apple Inc. — and a leader in network and communication systems, based in — . The company claims to possess the trademark for iPhone, and moreover, that it sells devices under the same brand through one of its divisions. This became the reason for Cisco to file a lawsuit against Apple Inc. so that the latter would stop selling the device. Cisco states that it has received the trademark in 2000, when the company overtook Infogear Technology Corp., which took place in 1996. The Vice President and general counsel of the company, Mark Chandler, explained that there was no doubt about the excitement of the new device from Apple, but they should not use a trademark, which belongs to Cisco. The is a device which allows users to make phone calls over the voice over Internet protocol (). |
Mr Fox will leave office after an election in July In a BBC interview, Vicente Fox also made it clear that once the document is officially published next month, there would be no further investigation. The Supreme Court had established it was too late to prosecute, he added. Authorities are alleged to have killed or tortured hundreds of suspected left-wingers in the 1960s and 1970s. The document awaiting official publication will be the final report by a prosecutor, Ignacio Carrillo, appointed by Mr Fox to investigate what became known as the "dirty war". "He will have to render his report. It will be placed in an open, public place," the Mexican president told the BBC. "That will be there for history, but legally it's over." Mr Carillo said earlier that the document would be published in April, and it would not be dissimilar to the leaked version. "It's not going to totally contradict the draft," he told reporters. His work is concluding ahead of the presidential election in July 2006, after which Mr Fox leaves office. 'Electric shocks' Earlier this week, a Mexican Magazine and the Washington-based National Security Archive printed material saying Mexicans had a right to know. The leaked report - which covers 1964 to 1982 and is based partly on declassified Mexican military documents - alleged that the Mexican government and military committed "crimes against humanity". Hundreds of activists disappeared during the "dirty war" It said units detained or summarily executed men and boys in villages suspected of links to rebel leader Lucio Cabanas. Detainees were forced to drink gasoline and tortured with beatings and electric shocks. Bodies of dozens of leftists were dumped in the Pacific Ocean during helicopter "death flights" from military bases in Acapulco and elsewhere, the leaked report added. Mr Fox set up an office in 2002 to probe possible human rights violations under the administrations of presidents Gustavo Diaz Ordaz (1964-70), Luis Echeverria (1970-76) and Jose Lopez Portillo (1976-82). The office presented the report to the special prosecutor investigating past abuses on 15 December, but it was not released. Correspondents say Mr Carrillo's work was thwarted by legal obstacles and a lack of resources, and he himself has recently described it as deficient. The fatal blow came when the Mexican Supreme Court rejected Mr Carrillo's attempt to bring to trial former senior officials, including ex-president Echeverria, saying that legally it was too late for prosecutions. ||||| Sarah Telford United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) In a world awash with data, aid workers contend with gaps With nearly 168 million people in need of humanitarian assistance in 2020 -- the highest figure in decades -- there is no time, or data, to lose | A leaked draft of a report on instances of state repression during Mexico's "dirty war" has been called into question by top officials. The document will be officially published next month. Report author, Ignacio Carrillo, assigned to the task by President Fox, commented by saying, "He will have to render his report. It will be placed in an open, public place," and "that will be there for history, but legally it's over." This being a reference to the fact that the Supreme Court has ruled that it is too late to prosecute possible offenders. Carrillo claims, however, that his report is similar to the recently leaked draft. He said, "It's not going to totally contradict the draft." The draft was published by a Mexican magazine, claiming that the public has a right to know. The basis for the report is recently declassified military documents from the years 1964 – 1982. Carrillo also claims that his work was hindered by resistance from the courts, bad resources, and people involved being unwilling to cooperate. The Dirty War refers to the use of state terrorism in Latin America in a period from the 1960s to the 1980s, usually targeted at groups opposed to the government (usually leftist groups). Much controversy exists in the region about what is to be done with alleged offenders in the Dirty War. |
N A T I O N A L N E W S S T O R Y RELATED LINKS Student's disappearance out-of-character 14 August 2006 Police are appealing for a Victoria University student who disappeared suddenly in central Wellington on Thursday night to contact them. Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Cotter, of Wellington CIB, said design student Daniel Antonious Hansman, 19, of New Plymouth, had not been seen since 11.30pm last Thursday outside Coyote bar in Courtenay Place. Mr Hansman did not attend lectures on Friday, and had not been back to his flat in Everton Terrace, Kelburn, or made contact with his flatmates or family. "It's out of character for Daniel to disappear without any explanation," Mr Cotter said. "His parents are concerned for his safety. We'd really like to know where he is and either hear from Daniel, or from people who may have seen him or been in contact with him during the last four days. Mr Hansman was reported missing to police by a concerned flatmate on Friday night. Mr Cotter said that Mr Hansman had been out with two female friends and a male friend in the Courtenay Place area on Thursday night. Advertisement Advertisement "We understand that Daniel was intoxicated. The women were allowed into a bar but both Daniel and the other male in the group were refused entry. "The boys both tried several other bars without success. His friend went to a toilet and when he finished and looked around, Daniel was nowhere to be seen." Mr Cotter said Mr Hansman probably had his cellphone with him and carried his driver's licence for identification. He didn't have a wallet with him, and police were not sure if he was carrying any other property. He hasn't answered any calls left on his cellphone since he disappeared, Mr Cotter said. Mr Hansman is described as a European, 177cm tall, of medium build, has blue eyes and has very dark brown to black medium length hair. When last seen he was wearing dark jeans, a dark blue and black shirt with white and grey vertical stripes on it and black dress shoes. He has a goatee and was unshaven. »EMAIL THIS STORY »PRINTABLE VERSION »SUBSCRIBE TO FREE HEADLINES »SUBSCRIBE TO ARCHIVESTUFF ||||| 16 Mar: The Kaiser Chiefs frontman and his fiancée Grace Zito cancelled two ceremonies last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, and have now ditched their plans to tie the knot in May because lockdown restrictions will still be in place and they want to have a “big party” to celebrate... more ||||| Police seek information on missing Victoria University student 11:53am 14 August 2006 Daniel Antonious Hansman Copyright NZ Police 2006 Wellington CIB is urging missing Victoria University student Daniel Antonious Hansman, or anyone knowing his whereabouts, to contact police. Detective Senior Sergeant Shane Cotter, Wellington CIB, says the 19-year-old New Plymouth man who is studying design at Victoria University in Wellington, hasn't been seen since 11.30pm last Thursday night outside Coyotes in Courtenay Place. Daniel didn't attend lectures on Friday, and hasn't been back to his flat in Everton Terrace, Kelburn, or made contact with his flatmates or family. "It's out of character for Daniel to disappear without any explanation," Detective Senior Sergeant Cotter says. "His parents are concerned for his safety. We'd really like to know where he is and either hear from Daniel, or from people who may have seen him or been in contact with him during the last four days. "We urge Daniel to contact us or his parents." Daniel is a European, 177cm tall, of medium build, has blue eyes and has very dark brown to black medium length hair. When last seen he was wearing dark jeans, a dark blue and black shirt with white and grey vertical stripes on it and black dress shoes. He has a goatee and was unshaven. He was reported missing to police by a concerned flatmate on Friday night. Detective Senior Sergeant Cotter says that Daniel had been out with two female friends and a male friend socialising in the Courtenay Place area on Thursday night, 10 August. "We understand that Daniel was intoxicated. The women were allowed into a bar but both Daniel and the other male in the group were refused entry. "The boys both tried several other bars without success. His friend went to a toilet and when he finished and looked around, Daniel was nowhere to be seen." Daniel probably had his cellphone with him and carried his driver's licence for identification. He didn't have a wallet with him, and police are not sure if he was carrying any other property. He hasn't answered any calls left on his cellphone since he disappeared. If people have information about Daniel or his whereabouts, please contact the inquiry team at Wellington CIB on 04 381 2000. Ends Released by Kaye Calder Wellington Police District communications manager tel 04 496 3464 Copyright 2008 New Zealand Police | are concerned over the disappearance of a 19-year-old student. Daniel Antonious Hansman has not been seen since 11.30 p.m. last Thursday. He was last seen outside Coyote Bar on Courtney Place after he and his friend were refused entry because they were intoxicated. After several other unsuccessful attempts to get into other bars, his friend left for the toilet, but when he returned, Hansman was missing. Hansman is from and is a student at . He has not attended his lectures, contacted his friends or family or gone to his flat since his disappearance. Shane Cotter, Detective Senior Sergeant, said: "It's out of character for Daniel to disappear without any explanation. Mr Hansman had been out with two female friends and a male friend in the Courtenay Place area on Thursday night. The women were allowed into a bar." Hansman was probably carrying his cellphone with him, but it is not being answered. He may also have his driver's licence, but police are not sure if he had any other property or ID. Hansman is a 177- European of medium build. He has blue eyes, brown-black medium length hair, a and is unshaven. He was last seen wearing dark jeans, a dark blue-black shirt with white and grey stripes and black dress shoes. |
BELFAST (Reuters) - The Ulster Volunteer Force, the most lethal of Northern Ireland’s Protestant paramilitary groups, said on Thursday it would put “beyond reach” weapons it used against Catholics opposed to British rule in the province. A man strolls past a mural, depicting a loyalist paramilitary group Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) fighter holding a gun, on a street corner in Belfast, in a September 26, 2005 file photo. The UVF, the most lethal of Northern Ireland's Protestant paramilitary groups, said on Thursday it would put its weapons beyond reach and that it would adopt a "non-military" role. REUTERS/Dylan Martinez/Files “As of midnight, Thursday 3rd May 2007, the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando will assume a non military, civilianised, role,” the UVF said in a statement. “All ordnance has been put beyond reach,” it added. The UVF also said it had ended recruitment and military training and instructed members to obey the rule of law. The group, which killed more people than any other Protestant gang during 30 years of sectarian conflict in the province, said its move followed disarmament by the opposing and predominantly Catholic Irish Republican Army. London and Dublin welcomed the news five days before politicians from opposite ends of Northern Ireland’s sectarian divide begin running the province’s day-to-day affairs. “We need to see how today’s announcement is translated into action,” a spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair said. Irish premier Bertie Ahern said the move was “potentially very important” but joined others in pointing out that putting weapons beyond reach was not the same as disarming. When the IRA ended its armed campaign against British rule and so-called ‘loyalist’ groups such as the UVF, it refused to dispose of its weapons in public but did agree to the presence of independent monitors to verify the scale of decommissioning. The Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD), headed by retired Canadian General John de Chastelain, said it was ready to work with the UVF. “While we’re encouraged by their proposal to end their involvement in paramilitarism, and to reject criminal activity, we are concerned by their intention to deal with their arms without the involvement of the IICD,” the commission said. VIOLENCE AND CRIME The UVF said its decision was in response to a deal between the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of hard-line Protestant cleric Ian Paisley and IRA political ally Sinn Fein that will see the two sides sharing power from May 8. “We welcome recent developments in securing stable, durable, democratic structures in Northern Ireland and accept,” it said. London and Dublin called on the UVF and other loyalist groups to stand down last month after a ceasefire watchdog found that while they had not recently been engaged in “terrorism”, some members were involved in violence and crime. A 1998 peace deal largely ended 30 years of violence in Northern Ireland but paramilitary groups continued to exist. Related Coverage Statement by UVF paramilitary group The IRA pledged in 2005 to dump its arms and pursue its goal of a united Ireland through peaceful means, paving the way for historic talks between the DUP and Sinn Fein in March, but opposing groups such as the UVF had been slow to follow suit. During the 1970s the UVF carried out some of the worst attacks of the conflict, including killing 33 people with car bombs in Dublin and Monaghan in May 1974. Of more than 3,600 people killed during three decades of sectarian conflict, the UVF was responsible for the deaths of around 540 people — most of them civilians. ||||| Veteran loyalist Gusty Spence delivered the UVF statement The UVF said it will keep its weapons, but has put them "beyond reach". However, the body which oversees arms decommissioning said it was "concerned" by the UVF's intention to deal with weapons without their involvement. During the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the loyalist paramilitary group murdered more than 500 people. Its campaign also claimed the lives of 33 people in bomb attacks in Dublin and Monaghan in 1974. The UVF declared that it is renouncing violence and will cease to exist as a terrorist organisation on Friday from midnight. In a statement, it said its weapons would be stored in a number of arms dumps "under the control of the UVF leadership, but not accessible for use by members". We are prepared to meet with the UVF representative to discuss how we can work together in dealing with arms Independent International Commission on Decommissioning UVF statement in full It declared a ceasefire 13 years ago, but since then its members have been blamed for more than 20 murders. Speaking in Fernhill House in west Belfast on Thursday, Gusty Spence said the UVF and its associated group, the Red Hand Commando, "will assume a non-military, civilianised role". On the issue of weapons, the statement said these had been put beyond reach and that the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning led by General John de Chastelain had been informed. However, it did not elaborate on what this means, or whether the general will be allowed to verify its claim. The statement also condemned any criminal activity by its members, and said they should "cooperate fully with the lawful authorities in all possible instances". The UVF has accepted that "the IRA's war is over" and said it was making this move now because it was satisfied that Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom was now safe. The UVF declared a ceasefire 13 years ago However, the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning urged the UVF to work with it to destroy its weaponry. It said it welcomed the statement, but was "concerned by their intention to deal with their arms without the involvement of the IICD". Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain welcomed the move as "a further welcome confirmation that Northern Ireland is emerging into a new and positive era". Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said the UVF should work with the decommissioning body "with a view to full decommissioning". Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd said: "This is a welcome statement if it signals a recognition of the new political reality where there is no room for armed or violent actions." The DUP's Peter Robinson said: "The decision that the UVF is moving to a civilian mode is undoubtedly a major development and it is critical that all paramilitary groups follow this clear path." The SDLP's Patsy McGlone said there was "a yawning credibility gap for the UVF on the issue of targeting and intelligence-gathering". The Ulster Unionist Party's Fred Cobain said: "We hope it signals the destruction of materials of war so that they cannot again be used to inflict harm." The PSNI said: "Whilst we welcome today's announcement, individuals and organisations will be judged by their actions - actions always speak louder than words." ||||| The UVF declared a ceasefire 13 years ago It also said it will keep its weapons, but has put them "beyond reach". However, the arms decommissioning body has said this did not meet the requirements set out in government legislation. During the Troubles in Northern Ireland, the loyalist UVF murdered more than 500 people. Its campaign also claimed the lives of 33 people in bomb attacks in Dublin and Monaghan in 1974. The UVF statement said its weapons would be stored in a number of arms dumps "under the control of the UVF leadership, but not accessible for use by members". The statement was read by Gusty Spence, who helped found the modern day UVF in 1966. It declared a ceasefire 13 years ago, but since then its members have been blamed for more than 20 murders. Speaking in Fernhill House in west Belfast on Thursday, Gusty Spence said that from midnight, the UVF and its associated group, the Red Hand Commando, "will assume a non-military, civilianised role". As part of this move, he said the organisation had implemented a number of measures to deal with what it called the "transformation from a military to a civilian organisation". We are prepared to meet with the UVF representative to discuss how we can work together in dealing with arms Independent International Commission on Decommissioning UVF statement in full These include an end to all recruitment, training and targeting, and all so-called "active service units" have been de-activated. On the issue of weapons, the statement said these had been put beyond reach and that the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning led by General John de Chastelain had been informed. However, it did not elaborate on what this means, or whether the general will be allowed to verify its claim. The Progressive Unionist Party's Billy Hutchinson said: "People should be seeing this (statement) as a positive thing rather than a negative thing." 'Constitutional question' The statement also condemned any criminal activity by its members, and said they should "cooperate fully with the lawful authorities in all possible instances". The UVF has accepted that "the IRA's war is over" and said it was making this move now because it was satisfied that Northern Ireland's place within the United Kingdom was now safe. The statement said: "We have taken the above measures in an earnest attempt to augment the return of accountable democracy to the people of Northern Ireland and as such, to engender confidence that the constitutional question has now been firmly settled." There was also a call to the government to tackle the threat from republican dissidents, and a warning that these activities could "provoke another generation of loyalists toward armed resistance". Gusty Spence helped found the modern day UVF in 1966 However, the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning urged the UVF to work with it to destroy its weaponry. It said it welcomed the statement, but was "concerned by their intention to deal with their arms without the involvement of the IICD". Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain welcomed the move as "a further welcome confirmation that Northern Ireland is emerging into a new and positive era". Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said the UVF should work with the decommissioning body "with a view to full decommissioning". Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd said: "This is a welcome statement if it signals a recognition of the new political reality where there is no room for armed or violent actions." The DUP's Peter Robinson said: "The decision that the UVF is moving to a civilian mode is undoubtedly a major development and it is critical that all paramilitary groups follow this clear path." The SDLP's Patsy McGlone said there was "a yawning credibility gap for the UVF on the issue of targeting and intelligence-gathering". The Ulster Unionist Party's Fred Cobain said: "We hope it signals the destruction of materials of war so that they cannot again be used to inflict harm." The PSNI said: "Whilst we welcome today's announcement, individuals and organisations will be judged by their actions - actions always speak louder than words." ||||| The UVF has said it will become a civilian organisation We do so against a backdrop of increasing community acceptance that the mainstream republican offensive has ended; that the six principles upon which our ceasefire was predicated are maintained; that the principle of consent has been firmly established and thus, that the union remains safe. We welcome recent developments in securing stable, durable democratic structures in Northern Ireland and accept as significant, support by the mainstream republican movement of the constitutional status quo. Commensurate with these developments, as of 12 midnight, Thursday 3 May 2007, the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando will assume a non-military, civilianised, role. To consolidate this fundamental change in outlook we have addressed the methodology of transformation from military to civilian organisation by implementing the following measures in every operational and command area. Recruitment All recruitment has ceased; military training has ceased; targeting has ceased and all intelligence rendered obsolete; all active service units have been de-activated; all ordinance has been put beyond reach and the IICD instructed accordingly. We encourage our volunteers to embrace the challenges which continue to face their communities and support their continued participation in non-military capacities. We reaffirm our opposition to all criminality and instruct our volunteers to cooperate fully with the lawful authorities in all possible instances. Moreover, we state unequivocally, that any volunteer engaged in criminality does so in direct contravention of brigade command and thus we welcome any recourse through due process of law. All volunteers are further encouraged to show support for credible restorative justice projects so that they, with their respective communities, may help to eradicate criminality and anti-social behaviour in our society. We call on all violent dissidents to desist immediately We ask the government to facilitate this process and remove the obstacles which currently prevent our volunteers and their families from assuming full and meaningful citizenship. We call on all violent dissidents to desist immediately and urge all relevant governments and their security apparatus to deal swiftly and efficiently with this threat. Failure to do so will inevitably provoke another generation of loyalists toward armed resistance. We have taken the above measures in an earnest attempt to augment the return of accountable democracy to the people of Northern Ireland and as such, to engender confidence that the constitutional question has now been firmly settled. In doing so we reaffirm the legitimacy of our tactical response to violent nationalism yet reiterate the sincere expression of abject and true remorse to all innocent victims of the conflict. Brigade command salutes the dedication and fortitude of officers, NCOs and volunteers throughout the difficult, brutal years of armed resistance. We reflect with honour on those from our organisation who made the ultimate sacrifice; those who endured long years of incarceration and the loyal families who shared their suffering and supported them throughout. Finally, we convey our appreciation for their honest forthright exchange with officers, NCOs and volunteers throughout the organisation over the past three years which has allowed us to assume with confidence the position we adopt today. For God and Ulster. Captain William Johnston, Adjutant ||||| STATEMENT FROM THE INDEPENDENT INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION ON DECOMMISSIONING Without the commission's involvement, action on arms does not meet the requirements of the decommissioning legislation nor the agreement reached by the parties in the Belfast Agreement. We are ready to meet the UVF representative to discuss how we can work together in dealing with arms. STATEMENT FROM PRIME MINISTER'S SPOKESMAN We welcome this announcement but as with statements from other paramilitary groups in the past, we await to see it delivered in action. What is underlined however, once again, is that the peace process has worked. People can see it working in action and next week's events will underline that further. STATEMENT FROM THE POLICE SERVICE OF NORTHERN IRELAND An announcement by any organisation that they intend to cease paramilitary and criminal activity is a positive development. The police service works tirelessly on a daily basis to create a safer Northern Ireland and we would encourage everyone to fully engage and support the police for the benefit of the whole community. PETER HAIN, NORTHERN IRELAND SECRETARY The statement, committing the UVF and Red Hand Commando to abandoning all paramilitary activity, is a further welcome confirmation that Northern Ireland is emerging into a new and positive era. The recent IMC report acknowledged that the leadership within loyalism wants to move forward and this is an important manifestation of that. FRED COBAIN, ULSTER UNIONIST PARTY The UUP has been working for a long time to see the winding down of loyalist paramilitaries and the disposal of their weapons. We welcome the decision of the UVF/RHC not to continue as a paramilitary organisation, to fully support the lawful authorities and to condemn criminality JOHN O'DOWD, SINN FEIN This is a welcome statement if it signals a recognition of the new political reality where there is no room for armed or violent actions. People who have been the victim of the UVF campaigns across the north, particularly the sectarian campaigns in places like north Antrim, will want to see an end to their violence on the ground. DAWN PURVIS, PUP There has been drastic political change over the last number of years, with new political dynamics forged. This statement by the UVF/RHC is an assurance that they are prepared to be part of this new Northern Ireland in a constructive manner. ALBAN MAGINNESS, SDLP There is a lot of progress here and the UVF has fundamentally taken the big step away from terror and criminality that we all asked them to do. But arms are not really beyond reach while they are under the sole control of the UVF. PETER ROBINSON, DUP The statement by the UVF represents another key step towards a secure and lasting peace in Northern Ireland and is to be welcomed. It points to the standing down of its organisation as a paramilitary force and we look forward to early evidence of this change on the ground. STATEMENT FROM FOUR MAIN CHRISTIAN CHURCHES We welcome today's statement as an important move in the right direction. We applaud the efforts of those involved in moving the organisation into a position where its members can now focus on responsible, constructive participation in civil society. We particularly welcome the statement of opposition to all criminality and the instruction to members to co-operate fully with the lawful authorities to end criminal activity in our society. There is an urgent need for constructive community leadership to address the serious deprivation that exists in parts of Northern Ireland. We believe there are excellent opportunities for people with concern for their communities to make a contribution to improve the quality of life of those who have for so long been held back. However, we express disappointment that weaponry is not being definitively put beyond use. We encourage the organisation to move further and destroy all weapons. We urge others to follow this same path. RAYMOND MCCORD Mr McCord's son Raymond Jnr was murdered by the UVF in 1997, and he said he wanted to see all their weapons destroyed. There's only one reason the UVF are hanging on to the weaponry and that's to keep control of the Protestant areas. You know, their members are still under orders from the UVF leadership. The business they've set up, the racketeering and extortion, are still in place. They're a gangster outfit who, unfortunately, are the same religion as me. ||||| The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) today renounced violence, promised it had put its weapons beyond use and said it would cease to exist as a paramilitary group at midnight tonight. One of the most feared and deadly terror groups in Northern Ireland, the loyalist UVF has killed more than 500 people since the province's Troubles flared in the late 1960s. Downing Street welcomed the statement, though Tony Blair's official spokesman said "we await to see it delivered in action". Nationalist and republican politicians also welcomed the move but had misgivings about the claims weapons had been put beyond use, demanding independent verification. Sinn Fein's president, Gerry Adams, said the move was "another critical step", but added that "for many people it won't go far enough". The UVF stopped short of committing itself to the weapons decommissioning which the IRA has undertaken. The statement signalled that UVF weapons had been placed in secure locations known only to senior UVF personnel. The UVF statement was read out this morning in west Belfast by Gusty Spence, one of the founders of the modern day UVF in 1966. The statement, signed Captain William Johnston, said the UVF and its associated group, the Red Hand Commandos, "will assume a non-military, civilised role". Mr Spence, who was jailed for one of the UVF's first murders in 1967 and who is now a pro-Belfast Agreement politician, said: "All recruitment has ceased. Military training has ceased. Targeting has ceased, and all intelligence rendered obsolete." On weapons, the statement said: "All ordnance has been put beyond reach and the IICD [Independent International Commission on Decommissioning] instructed accordingly." The IICD, which is tasked with overseeing paramilitary disarmament, welcomed the UVF statement but expressed "concern" the group had dealt with the issue of its weapons on its own. The IICD offered to meet the UVF to talk about how to "work together in dealing with arms". Billy Hutchinson, a former Progressive Unionist Party Assembly member turned community worker who once served 16 years for a UVF murder, insisted the weapons were no longer a threat. He said: "Guns have triggers and they need to be pulled. They were pulled because people were involved in a political struggle. The guns have been put beyond reach. They are not a danger to anybody." Nationalist SDLP Assembly member Alban Maginness said the UVF had made a "big step" away from terror and criminality, but added: "Arms are not really beyond reach while they are under the sole control of the UVF." Speaking about the decommissioning aspect, Mr Adams was not highly critical of the statement. He said: "I just think this is a process and let's just take this one step, one day at a time. Every time a group like the UVF is moving forward, whatever the judgment from our point of view, then it has to be measured and responded to in a positive way." Mr Adams did, however, refer to claims that up to 100 republicans were recently told their details were in the hands of the UVF and their lives were in danger. Overall, the announcement is likely to be seen in London and Dublin as an indicator the peace process is still on track ahead of the restoration of the province's power-sharing government at Stormont next Tuesday. The UVF first declared a ceasefire almost 14 years ago, just after the IRA's first cessation, as part of the process which led towards the April 1998 Good Friday peace agreement. However, since then the organisation has been blamed for more than 20 murders. In April the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), which reports on the activity of paramilitary groups in the province, said the UVF was no longer involved in terrorism but said it was involved in organised crime. Today's UVF statement warned loyalists to stay away from crime. It said: "We reaffirm our opposition to all criminality and instruct our volunteers to cooperate fully with the lawful authorities in all possible instances. Moreover, we state unequivocally, that any volunteer engaged in criminality does so in direct contravention of Brigade Command." The Northern Ireland secretary, Peter Hain, said there had to be delivery "but there is a momentum carrying Northern Ireland forward and loyalism needs to be part of that". He referred to a recent IMC report that "acknowledged that the leadership within loyalism wants to move forward and this is an important manifestation of that". Mr Hain said that, following the move, he would consult with the province's chief constable, Sir Hugh Orde, about de-specifying the UVF as a paramilitary group. The UVF statement followed a series of meetings by the UVF's political representatives with the Republic of Ireland's Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, Sir Hugh and Mr Hain. Today's move by the UVF will increase pressure on the Ulster Defence Association (UDA), the largest of the Protestant paramilitary organisations still heavily involved in all forms of criminality, to follow the same path. The UVF statement expressed regret about past violence but also said the group reaffirmed the "legitimacy of our tactical response to violent Nationalism". The statement ended: "For God and Ulster." ||||| Please read this letter regarding the continuing Wikipedia server problems and find out how you can help. The Wikipedia database server has crashed and might remain unavailable for several days. Contributors can use OpenFacts as a backup wiki for creating articles. There is an active IRC channel #wikipedia on irc.freenode.net. The following is a cached copy of the requested page, and may not be up to date. Ulster Volunteer Force From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) is a Northern Ireland Loyalist terrorist group. The current incarnation was formed in May 1966 and named after the UVF of 1912. The original UVF formed in January 1913 by Edward Carson and James Craig as a militia in the tensions surrounding the potential success of the third Home Rule campaign. Serious conflict was only avoided in the short-term by the outbreak of World War I. Many UVF men, naturally, enlisted, mostly with the 36th (Ulster) Division. The men suffered heavy casualties in July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. Certain remnants of the group reformed in 1920 and were used as special constables (B-Specials) for a short time. The current UVF formed to opposed the demands of Northern Ireland nationalists for Civil Rights in the mid 1960s. Despite the UVF claim to attack known IRA members they displayed their resistance by attacks on random Catholic civilians and property. The group was concentrated around East Antrim, County Armagh and the Shankill district of Belfast. The murder of a Belfast barman in June 1966 led to the first leader of the group, Augustus 'Gusty' Spence being arrested and sentenced to 20 years. The UVF is also considered responsible for a series of attacks on utilities installations in 1969. A bomb in a Belfast bar that killed fifteen people in December 1971 is attributed to the UVF as is the brutal murder of the SDLP politician Paddy Wilson in 1972. The group was proscribed in July 1966, but this was lifted in April 1974 in an effort to bring the UVF into more recognized democratic processess. The UVF spurned the government efforts and a subset of the UVF dubbed the Shankill Butchers demonstrated their feelings. The group was possibly responsible for the bombs in Dublin and Monaghan of May 17, 1974 when 33 people were killed and it was certainly to blame for the October 2, 1974 attacks in which twelve civilians were murdered as well as a number of other attacks. The group was returned to illegality on October 3 and two days later 26 suspected UVF members were arrested in a series of raids. The men were tried and in March 1977, and they were sentenced to an average of 25 years each. In the 1980s the UVF was greatly reduced by a series of informers, starting in 1983 with Joseph Bennett's information leading to the arrest of fourteen senior figures.. The UVF joined the Combined Loyalist Military Command in 1990 and indicated its acceptence of the moves towards peace. The UVF agreed to a ceasefire in October 1994. More militant members of the UVF broke away in 1996 to form the Loyalist Volunteer Force (LVF). The UVF has been fighting with the LVF since then and in mid 2000 they also clashed with the largest Loyalist group, the Ulster Defence Association (UDA). The overt clash with the UDA ended in December following seven deaths. The strength of the UVF is uncertain, it peaked in the early 1970s at possibly over 1,000 but its current strength is around 150 activists - those members prepared to commit terrorist acts. The UVF weaponry is limited to small arms, with its sporadic bombing efforts being made using stolen mining explosives. The Red Hand Commandos is an organisation that was established in 1972, but it is so closely linked with the UVF that it is generally regarded as simply a cover name. The UVF have committed more killings than any other protestant paramilitary organisation. Although exact figures vary depending on source, the UVF has killed around 400 people (as of 2003). The Progressive Unionist Party (PUP) is the political group most closely reflecting the views of the UVF. The Young Citizen Volunteers (YCV) is the youth section of the UVF. | Northern Ireland as part of the British Isles.Northern Ireland is shown in orange, the rest of the United Kingdom is peach, and Ireland is white. The Northern Ireland loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) intends to end its decade-long campaign of violence and terror and will disarm, making it the first loyalist paramilitary to do so. However, unlike the Provisional Irish Republican Army, the UVF will not fully decommission weapons. Instead the illegal organization will put weapons "beyond reach" of ordinary members in secure caches only known to UVF leadership. The group, considered a terrorist group in both the United States and United Kingdom issued a statement, read by Gusty Spence, a founding member of the UVF, which stated that "as of 12 midnight, Thursday 3 May 2007, the Ulster Volunteer Force and Red Hand Commando will assume a non-military, civilianised, role." It also added, "All recruitment has ceased; military training has ceased; targeting has ceased and all intelligence rendered obsolete; all active service units have been deactivated; all ordinance has been put beyond reach and the IICD instructed accordingly." However, according to the Independent International Commission on Decommissioning (IICD), this does not meet the requirements set out in government legislature. Although it welcomed the news of disarmament, the Commission said it was "concerned by the UVF's intention to deal with their arms without the involvement of the IICD". Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern suggested the UVF work with the Commission "with a view to full decommissioning". Sinn Fein welcomed the news of UVF's disarmament. "This is a welcome statement if it signals a recognition of the new political reality where there is no room for armed or violent actions," said John O'Dowd of Sinn Fein. The British Prime Minister's office expressed cautious optimism over the UVF announcement. "We need to see how today's announcement is translated into action," said a spokesman for Prime Minister Tony Blair. The group has been on a cease-fire since 1994 in response to the IRA ceasefire. The group was responsible for 427 deaths during the violent period in Northern Ireland known as the "the Troubles" some of which was notoriously violent, which included a group of members known as the "Shankill Butchers" who committed a series of grisly murders of Catholics in Belfast and the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which claimed the life of 33 victims and was the deadliest terrorist incident during the Troubles to happen in the Republic of Ireland. |
The US believes Iran is getting closer to developing nuclear arms He warned of "massive" consequences if Iran was treated unfairly. Mr Khatami said again that the nuclear programme was peaceful and needed to produce power, rejecting US suspicions that it is a cover for weapons. EU powers want Tehran to end uranium enrichment - a key part of nuclear arms production - permanently. "We give our guarantee that we will not produce nuclear weapons because we're against them and do not believe they are a source of power," Mr Khatami told foreign ambassadors in Tehran. "But we will not give up peaceful nuclear technology," he added. In the face of international pressure, the Iranian government has called for large numbers of its supporters to go out onto the streets on Thursday to mark the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution. 'Our clear right' In Washington, President George W Bush said a nuclear-armed Iran would be "a very destabilising force in the world" and urged the West to work together to stop such an outcome. If we feel others are not meeting their promises, under no circumstances would we be committed to continue fulfilling ours Mohammad Khatami The message was reinforced by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a tour of Europe this week. She said Washington had no deadline to refer the issue to the United Nations Security Council for possible sanctions, adding that diplomacy had to be given every chance to work. While talks with Germany, France and Britain continue in Geneva, Iran has suspended uranium enrichment, which can be used to make weapons-grade fuel. But in his speech Mr Khatami said that enrichment was "our clear right" and that Iran had suspended it only "to show our goodwill". He added: "If we feel others are not meeting their promises, under no circumstances would we be committed to continue fulfilling ours. "And we will adopt a new policy, the consequences of which are massive and would be the responsibility of those who broke their commitments." The European countries would like to use a package of incentives to induce Iran to give up its nuclear ambitions, but Tehran has said it is disappointed with what is on offer so far. It says it can only continue talks for a matter of months, not years. Enriched uranium can be used to produce nuclear power, but the technology behind it can also be used to develop weapons-grade nuclear material. ||||| Iran says it won't give up nuclear technology Bush: Nuclear-armed Iran would be 'very destabilizing force' TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- President Mohammad Khatami vowed Wednesday that no Iranian government would ever abandon the progress that the country has made in developing peaceful nuclear technology. The comment did not augur well for negotiations with the big three European powers who are currently trying to persuade Iran to cease permanently the enrichment of uranium. Khatami warned that if the talks with Britain, France and Germany fail, his government will not be bound by its undertaking to suspend enrichment. "If other parties [to the negotiations] are not committed to their promises, we will not be committed to our promises at all," Khatami told a meeting of foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Europeans have promised Iran economic and technological aid in return for cooperation on the nuclear issue. Khatami then went further and warned of a course of action that would reach far: "If we feel you [Europeans] do not fulfill your promises, we will adopt a new policy, and the responsibility of its huge consequences will lie with those who broke their promises," he said. He did not say more about this policy. Uranium enriched to low levels can be used for fuel for nuclear power stations. Enriched to high levels it is used for atomic bombs. Iran says it seeks enriched uranium only for power stations, but the United States believes it wants to build nuclear weapons. "Neither my government, nor any other [Iranian] government can give a convincing reply to people [who seek our] giving up peaceful nuclear technology," said Khatami, whose second and final presidential term ends later this year. "Iran has achieved nuclear technology without the help of others, and it will never give up its right [to use it] under illegitimate pressure from others," Khatami said. Khatami drew attention to opinion polls that show most Iranians want the country to continue with its nuclear development. The nuclear program is perhaps the only issue that all sides of the political spectrum agree on in Iran. The program is a point of national pride. Khatami reiterated that Iran would never make nuclear weapons. He said the country was a signatory to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty and had reaffirmed its commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear power in November. The United States says it supports the European negotiations with Iran, but U.S. officials say privately they expect them to fail. The United States has long wanted the International Atomic Energy Agency to refer Iran to the U.N. Security Council, which has the power to impose sanctions on the country. In Belgium on Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Iran must live up to its international obligations to halt its nuclear program or "the next steps are in the offing." (Full story) In Washington, U.S. President Bush said Wednesday, "The Iranians just need to know that the free world is working together to send a very clear message. You know, 'Don't develop a nuclear weapon.' "And the reason we're sending that message is because Iran with a nuclear weapon would be a very destabilizing force in the world." Bush has refused to rule out an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities, but German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder said Wednesday that his country could not support such action. "We want to help Iran. We want economic cooperation. But we want no military intervention," Schroeder said to applause at a meeting of his Social Democratic Party in Cologne. ||||| Iran's President Mohammad Khatami Thursday warned that Iran would unleash hell if attacked. "If, God forbids, any aggressor puts its foot on this land, Iran will turn into a burning hell for them," he told thousands of demonstrators who had gathered at a famous square to mark the 26th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. "The Iranian nation is not after a war, violence or clashes, but the world must know that the Iranians will not tolerate any invasion," Khatami said, to the chants of 'Death to America' and Death to 'Israel'. According to IRNA, Khatami branded US threats as part of a 'psychological warfare', being waged in accordance with the 'expansionist policies of the American conservatives'. The president also denounced 'the slanders of the American rulers against the Iranian nation and the establishment', saying they were aimed at 'putting a cover on the failures of the extremist US policy'. © 2005 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com) ||||| Rice Discusses Iranian Nuclear Issue Speaking at a gathering of NATO ministers in Brussels, Rice noted that the United States is presently content to wait and see if ongoing meetings between a British, German and French diplomatic consortium and Iranian officials bear fruit. American and European officials believe Iran may be trying to illegally develop nuclear weapons under the cover of its nuclear power program. Iranian authorities have consistently denied the accusation. Rice said U.S. officials are in close contact with the European emissaries trying to resolve the issue. "The Iranians know what they need to do," America's top diplomat pointed out. "They shouldn't be permitted to, under cover of civilian nuclear power, … try to build a nuclear weapon." The U.N.'s International Atomic Energy Agency, according to news reports, has investigated Iran's nuclear-power system for suspected illegal weapons programs, but didn't find any hard evidence. The United States has repeatedly urged the United Nations to slap Iran with political and economic sanctions if it does not comply with the international community and stop seeking to develop enriched uranium nuclear fuel. Enriched uranium can be used in the making of nuclear weapons. "I think everybody understands," Rice observed, "that the Iranians have to be held to their international obligations." Biography: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice | Iranian President Mohammad Khatami said today that his country will never give up its nuclear development process. Talking to foreign ambassadors in Tehran, he said, "We give our guarantee that we will not produce nuclear weapons because we're against them and do not believe they are a source of power, but we will not give up peaceful nuclear technology." "Iran has achieved nuclear technology without the help of others, and it will never give up its right to use it under illegitimate pressure from others," Khatami said. His remarks come as Iran faces increasing pressure to curb its nuclear activities. The United States and the European Union wants the country to give up enriching uranium, a key process in both nuclear power generation and weapons production. Iran claims to have suspended such enrichment—President Khatmi said that enrichment is "our clear right" but that Iran had suspended it only "to show our goodwill". The EU wants a permanent cessation. Khatami also denounced, "the slanders of the American rulers against the Iranian nation and the establishment", saying they were aimed at "putting a cover on the failures of the extremist US policy". Newly-appointed U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said while touring Europe this week that diplomacy with Iran must be given every chance to succeed, adding that no deadline had been set to take the issue to the UN Security Council. |
CLAIMS that images of tortured prisoners in Iraq would trigger renewed violence were "a joke", the producer of the program that broadcast the new footage said today. SBS'sprogram last night aired the images of naked prisoners, some bloodied and apparently lying dead on the floor, that were taken about the same time as earlier photos that led to protests and outrage in the Middle East in 2004. Dateline's executive producer Mike Carey today said the program's researchers had unearthed new cases of apparent prisoner abuse at the US-run Abu Ghraib prison even though the US and Iraqi governments claimed the footage shown was part of material that had already been investigated and dealt with by US authorities. Mr Carey said the new images represented "a quantum leap" in the depravity of anything previously seen from the Baghdad jail. "There needs to be further investigation to find out how those corpses came to be in Abu Ghraib and find out whether they were killed while they were in Abu Ghraib under US care." More than 25 people have already been held accountable for criminal acts and other failures at Abu Ghraib. "(But) I don't think anybody has been punished for murder or killing people," Mr Carey said. He said the program aired the pictures as soon it could after receiving them. The White House and Iraqi government have condemned the broadcasting of the pictures, fearing they could trigger renewed violence and lead to coalition troops being threatened. Mr Carey said that fear was "a joke". "Troops are already at great risk in Iraq," he said. "I don't think anything that we do here in Australia is going to make their risk any greater or smaller." The footage has further enraged Iraqis already incensed by the publication on Sunday of images of British soldiers apparently beating Iraqi youths and by cartoons in European newspapers satirising the prophet Mohammed. Mr Carey said it was a coincidence that this story so closely followed the two other events. "I'm a reporter. We got these pictures showing an order of abuse higher in magnitude than what appears to have happened there," Mr Carey said. "We put them to air because it's our responsibility as reporters to get this stuff on air. "To say that somehow or another that we (timed) it on purpose is just bullshit." Mr Carey said some of the video footage apparently shows one prisoner bashing his own head against a wall, while some photographs appear to show corpses. The program said some prisoners at Abu Ghraib were killed when US soldiers ran out of rubber bullets as they tried to quell a jail riot, and resorted to using live rounds. One picture showed what looked like cigarette burns on a man's buttocks. Mr Carey said other images featured prisoners in sexually humiliating acts that were deemed too graphic to broadcast. He said it was a coincidence that this story so closely followed the two other events. Dateline intends to air more pictures from Abu Ghraib in its program next week that will also include interviews with a US soldier convicted of prisoner abuse and another former US soldier who witnessed the crimes. ||||| The Australian doesn't play nicely with your current browser. Please take a moment to upgrade to the latest version. ||||| An unknown detainee with women's underwear on his head, strapped to a bed frame. Photo taken at approximately 1:53 a.m. on Oct. 20, 2003. Feb. 16, 2006 | Salon has obtained files and other electronic documents from an internal Army investigation into the Abu Ghraib prisoner-abuse scandal. The material, which includes more than 1,000 photographs, videos and supporting documents from the Army's probe, may represent all of the photographic and video evidence that pertains to that investigation. The files, from the Army's Criminal Investigation Command (CID), include hundreds of images that have never been publicly released. Along with the unpublished material, the material obtained by Salon also appears to include all of the famous photographs published after the Abu Ghraib scandal broke in April 2004, as well as the photographs and videos published Wednesday by the Australian television news show "Dateline." The source who gave the CID material to Salon is someone who spent time at Abu Ghraib as a uniformed member of the military and is familiar with the CID investigation. The DVD containing the material includes a June 6, 2004, CID investigation report written by Special Agent James E. Seigmund. That report includes the following summary of the material included: "A review of all the computer media submitted to this office revealed a total of 1,325 images of suspected detainee abuse, 93 video files of suspected detainee abuse, 660 images of adult pornography, 546 images of suspected dead Iraqi detainees, 29 images of soldiers in simulated sexual acts, 20 images of a soldier with a Swastika drawn between his eyes, 37 images of Military Working dogs being used in abuse of detainees and 125 images of questionable acts." The photographs we are showing in the accompanying gallery represent a small fraction of these visual materials. None, as far as we know, have been published elsewhere. They include: a naked, handcuffed prisoner in a contorted position; a dead prisoner who had been severely beaten; a prisoner apparently sodomizing himself with an object; and a naked, hooded prisoner standing next to an American officer who is blandly writing a report against a wall. Other photographs depict a bloody cell. The DVD also includes photographs of guards threatening Iraqi prisoners with dogs, homemade videotapes depicting hooded prisoners being forced to masturbate, and a video showing a mentally disturbed prisoner smashing his head against a door. Oddly, the material also includes numerous photographs of slaughtered animals and mundane images of soldiers traveling around Iraq. Accompanying texts from the CID investigation provide fairly detailed explanations for many of the photographs, including dates and times and the identities of both Iraqis and Americans. Based on time signatures of the digital cameras used, all the photographs and videos were taken between Oct. 18, 2003, and Dec. 30, 2003. It is noteworthy that some of the CID documents refer to CIA personnel as interrogators of prisoners at Abu Ghraib. But no CIA officers have been prosecuted for any crimes that occurred within the prison, despite the death of at least one Iraqi during a CIA interrogation there. Human-rights and civil-liberties groups have been locked in a legal battle with the Department of Defense since mid-2004, demanding that it release the remaining visual documents from Abu Ghraib in its possession. It is not clear whether the material obtained by Salon is identical to that sought by these groups, although it seems highly likely that it is. Barbara Olshansky, deputy legal director at the Center for Constitutional Rights, said, "We brought the lawsuit because we wanted to make sure the public knew what the government was doing, particularly at these detention facilities," and, "It is the public's right to know." Gallery A new selection of photos from the internal Army investigation into the Abu Ghraib prisoner-abuse scandal. Click here to view images Based on a verbal description of the files and images, Olshansky said she believes that the material obtained by Salon represents all of the Abu Ghraib images and video the Pentagon has been fighting to keep confidential. "I'm guessing that what you have is a pretty rare and complete set," she said. The Pentagon initially argued in federal court that release of more Abu Ghraib images would violate the privacy rights of the Iraqi prisoners. Later, government lawyers argued that public release of the records might "endanger" soldiers in Iraq because publication of the pictures could incite further violence. The government's argument was rejected by a federal district court last September. Judge Alvin Hellerstein said in his ruling, "Terrorists do not need pretexts for their barbarism." Release of the photographs in the suit has been delayed as the government appeals Hellerstein's decision. Meanwhile, military trials of the soldiers who served at Abu Ghraib continue. Next month, two more enlisted men, both dog handlers, will face a military court at Fort Meade in Maryland. No high-ranking officer or official has yet been charged in the abuse scandal that blackened America's reputation across the world. Additional reporting by Mark Follman, Page Rockwell and Michael Scherer. ||||| Washington Post Staff Writer Thursday, February 16, 2006; Page C01 From the beginning of the Abu Ghraib scandal, when the first images of torture and humiliation from the Iraqi prison appeared, we knew there were more. And now, two years later, they've begun to emerge. An Australian television network has put yet more scenes of blood and savagery into circulation, circumventing both the U.S. government's efforts to keep Abu Ghraib images out of the public eye and the gatekeeping of news organizations (including this newspaper), which have not published a substantial number of photographs they are holding. Just as certainly as they will inflame the Arab and Muslim world, they will raise the question of whether it is responsible for Western news organizations to distribute them. And for bloggers to post them. And for pundits to debate them. Do they add anything new, or only open old wounds? Do they undo the work of investigation, trial and punishment that put men like Charles Graner, one of the original perpetrators, behind bars? Or do they underscore the inadequacy of that process, both the limited scope of who has been punished, and the apparently limited deterrent effect of the scandal? Reports of abuse continue to come in, from prisons in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay, and U.S. leaders, who denounce torture, have been accused of keeping the door open for abuses that are torture in all but name. Newspapers that have held these images have been constrained, in large part, by the sheer graphic nature of them, especially the nudity. Other images are difficult to interpret and show things that are hard to identify. In the latter category is a photograph that began popping up on Web sites yesterday, of what seems to be a toilet floor covered with blood and litter, framed by a small glimpse of tiled walls. It suggests a bathroom turned into a holding cell, or perhaps a scene from a hospital or triage center, or a torture chamber. The blood on the floor instantly suggests the splatter and drip paintings of the abstract expressionists. Newspapers have often turned to blood as a substitute for violence, showing photographs of the gore that lingers on streets long after the bodies -- too graphic to show -- have been cleared away. Here, in a photo that contains no particular information, no names, no certainty even about whether it shows what it seems to show, is the blood image in a new form. This is no substitute, no polite euphemism for what can't be shown. Blood as a substitute for death deflects horror; this blood demands answers. Comparing blood to paint, violence to art, is dangerous, even repellent. But in one sense, the blood on this floor is exactly like the paint drippings of Jackson Pollock, who captured the visible traces of action, the visual memory of gestures. In Pollock's painting, the gestures fixed on canvas were often graceful, melodic even, with paint obeying the law of gravity with a gentle quiescence. If this is blood, we can only imagine what the gestures were. What's powerful, and infinitely sad, about this bloody floor is the silence. Whatever happened in this room, it almost certainly was accompanied by a cacophony of pain. That's gone now. As is anyone involved with what happened there. The garbage on the floor, the opening of a toilet, suggest human beings reduced to refuse. The anonymity of those who may have suffered is absolute. Other photographs have appeared with faces decorously blacked out, a nod by those publishing the images to the dignity of the victims. Here, everything has been blotted out, and strangely enough, the dignity is now complete. The victim is now just blood, there is no face to put on him or her, nothing we can say about what or where the wounds were, and how they happened. And in this abstraction from anything identifiable, the victim becomes completely, finally Human, not a particular man or woman, with a certain color of skin, or cut of hair, or any clothing to place him or her in the categories that we use to make sense of the faraway, the foreign or the frightening. The abstraction of blood leaves an open space for anyone looking at this picture to imagine himself or herself in its midst, to imagine, say, that the blood pooling on the floor like wax before it drains to the opening of a rank toilet is our own. And that these dull industrial tiles, with their insidious repetition of a pattern, are the last things we remembered before the lights went out. Those who deplore the release of these images are right in that they may add no specific new evidence to a forensic or political or journalistic argument. And they draw us -- no, wrench us -- further from what Americans like to think of as "closure," the end of the shame, the end of the argument. But this one image, just a pattern of darkness on a canvas of cement and tile, opens up everything, because who can look at it without going there? If the original Abu Ghraib photographs compelled us to realize our connection to the perpetrators -- our soldiers, fighting our war -- this sad, silent image begs us to at least imagine that we are connected, in a deeper, human way, to the victims. ||||| By Adam Brookes BBC Pentagon correspondent The images are, as the state department's legal adviser put it, disgusting. Chained, terrified and humiliated Iraqis people the photographs. The new images show worse abuse than those released earlier One man - apparently deranged - slams his head against a wall while a video camera runs. Detainees are forced to perform sexual acts. A young girl holds up her shirt, bearing her breasts for the soldier's camera. A man stands naked and smeared with excrement. These new images seem to depict abuse worse than anything we had already seen. They imply much greater violence. Empty cells inexplicably spattered with blood, a man with a serious gash across his throat, another with blood leaking from a head wound, corpses, a torso dotted with small circular wounds - are they cigarette burns? A few of the images appear to have been taken for medical purposes. Most do not. They are all fresh and awful reminders of what happened in Abu Ghraib prison in 2003. Pentagon concerns Nine soldiers were prosecuted for the abuses in the prison. A dozen or so more were reprimanded - their careers finished. The US government professed shock at the contents of the images, but said they should not have been released for privacy reasons, apparently. The US says it has already investigated all abuses at Abu Ghraib "We felt that it was an invasion of the detainees themselves to have these photographs come out," said John Bellinger of the state department. It could also "fan the flames around the world and cause potentially further violence", he added. At the Pentagon, military officials said they too were worried the images could fuel anti-American feeling worldwide. Those feelings are already running high - with protests in Pakistan and elsewhere following the publication of cartoons in European newspapers which satirised the prophet Mohammad. And, of course, the video from Iraq, which seems to show British troops beating young Iraqi men. A Pentagon spokesman was keen to point out that 12 investigations had been carried out into the treatment of detainees in US military custody. "None of those investigations," he said, "found that Department of Defence policy ever condoned or encouraged the mistreatment of detainees." He said, too, that none of the abuses had been carried out during authorised interrogations. Calls for investigation This has consistently been the Pentagon's stance: that the abuses were the work of a few ill-disciplined and warped soldiers, and are not representative of the way detainees are treated. No senior officer or civilian official was ever charged with a crime in relation to the Abu Ghraib abuses. The Pentagon would like to consider the case closed. Civil liberties groups, on seeing the new images, renewed their calls for fresh - and fully independent - investigations into Abu Ghraib and other detention facilities, and into whether America's military leadership may have played a role in allowing the abuse to take place. "I think we need to know what role did [Defence Secretary Donald] Rumsfeld have in creating an atmosphere, or creating a policy, that led to this," said Barbara Olshansky of the Center for Constitutional Rights. Their calls will probably go unheeded. They will certainly be resisted by the White House and the Pentagon. Whether the public has the appetite for revisiting the searing scandal that was Abu Ghraib remains to be seen. But only one out of three network television news bulletins carried a story about the new images on Wednesday night. | ''The Australian'' has reported today that the has confirmed the authenticity of the images aired by Australian television network . Contradicting claims made by some media outlets, SBS Dateline's executive producer Mike Carey claimed on Thursday that the program's researchers have found cases of prisoner abuse that have not been dealt with by US authorities. He described the new images available to SBS as a "quantum leap" compared to the previously broadcast pictures. Carey announced that next week's program will show more abuse pictures, but he noted that some images featuring prisoners in sexually humiliating acts will not be broadcast, as they were deemed too graphic. Next week's program will also include interviews with a US soldier that has been convicted of prisoner abuse and another former soldier who witnessed the crimes. The ''Washington Post'' has noted, as suggested by SBS, that several news outlets including themselves have "not published a substantial number of photographs they are holding." The ''Washington Post'' further explains that "Newspapers that have held these images have been constrained, in large part, by the sheer graphic nature of them, especially the nudity." The ''Washington Post'' also cites SBS's ability to circumvent "the U.S. government's efforts to keep Abu Ghraib images out of the public eye" as another reason why the images were not first published by other media outlets. The U.S. internet news site '''' has now published some of their own previously held back pictures and confirmed that they possess "files and other electronic documents from an internal Army investigation into the Abu Ghraib prisoner-abuse scandal", which include the originally published pictures, as well as the ones published by SBS. ''Salon'' notes that some of the files from the Criminal Investigation Command refer to CIA agents that interrogated prisoners at Abu Ghraib, but that no CIA officers have been prosecuted "despite the death of at least one Iraqi during a CIA interrogation there", underscoring the claim made by SBS that some of the pictures document previously unprosecuted abuse. The US government expressed concerns about the new abuse pictures being published. John Bellinger of the State Department told ''BBC'', "We felt that it was an invasion of the privacy of the detainees themselves to have these photographs come out... (and that the publication could also) fan the flames around the world and cause potentially further violence". |
Strike on eve of Games called off Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Continue reading the main story Related Stories A public sector strike involving border staff due on the eve of the Olympics has been called off by union officials. The Public and Commercial Services union said the government had agreed to create hundreds of new jobs, although this is denied by the Home Office. Thursday is expected to be Heathrow airport's busiest day ever as thousands of spectators arrive for the Games. In the first event later, Britain's women footballers play in Cardiff, two days before the opening ceremony. The Team GB women's football side will get 18 days of sport under way at 16:00 BST (15:00 GMT) against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium. Cameroon and heavily-fancied Brazil clash at the stadium after the GB game, and four other matches in the same competition are also taking place at Hampden Park in Glasgow and the City of Coventry Stadium. In other Olympics news: The launch of Games Lanes in London has caused confusion, with some of the lanes still open to everyone, and signs on some stretches apparently offering conflicting advice to motorists The Emirates Air Line cable car service, over the Thames and linking two Games venues in Royal Docks, east London, and Greenwich, south-east London, was briefly suspended owing to "technical issues" The Olympic flame visits Wembley Stadium as it travels 30 miles through the London boroughs of Harrow, Brent, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. Follow day 68 of the torch relay here, during which England's World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks, Rupert Grint of the Harry Potter films, and decathlete gold medallist Daley Thompson will be among the torchbearers The final dress rehearsal for the opening ceremony is due to take place later at the Olympic Stadium, in Stratford, east London Government lawyers had been due at the High Court on Wednesday seeking an injunction to prevent the PCS strike. They were to argue there had been a "procedural error" in the union's ballot of its members, including immigration and passport workers. But on Wednesday morning, PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka announced the suspension of the strike after "major progress" in the dispute. He said 800 new jobs were to be created in the Border Agency and 300 in passport offices. Recruitment adverts had already been placed for the jobs at sites including Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports, the union added. However, immigration minister Damian Green said he did not recognise the job figures announced by the union. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. There were, for example, more than 300 current vacancies in the passport service, which the union had been told were being filled, he said. "So it's pretty clear that the union leadership needed some kind of fig leaf for their climbdown, and that's what they've done - and I'm glad they've done it." The Olympic Route Network (ORN), made up of 175 miles of roads connecting up the main Olympic venues across the country, has come into force on Wednesday. Traffic needs It is designed to make it easier for athletes and officials to get around the Games and has seen junctions blocked off, bus stops moved and parking bays suspended. As part of the ORN, designated Games Lanes in London are in operation between 06:00 BST (05:00 GMT) and midnight and only open to VIPs, athletes and accredited media. The controversial Games Lanes can be turned on and off by Transport for London Ordinary motorists going into the lanes face fines of £130. But the Games Lanes are intended to be flexible to traffic needs, resulting in confusion among motorists on the A40 in west London on Wednesday morning at electronic signs suggesting they could use the lane alongside fixed signs warning that the Games Lane was being enforced. Leon Daniels, Transport for London's managing director of surface transport, said people accidentally straying into the lanes would not automatically incur a fine. He said: "We don't want enforcement, we want compliance. Nobody will be harshly dealt with if the Games Lane becomes activated after they pass it." ||||| A strike by Border Agency staff on the eve of the Olympics has been called off, sparing likely disruption at Heathrow airport and travel hubs around the UK on Thursday, after the Public and Commercial Services union claimed the government had performed an about-turn on job cuts. Home Office members of the UK's largest civil services union were preparing to stage a one-day strike the day before Friday's opening ceremony, hitting services at immigration control as well as the passport service and the Criminal Records Bureau. Speaking one hour before the government was due to launch a high court challenge against the looming strike, the PCS general secretary, Mark Serwotka, said a Home Office decision to hire 1,100 staff – including 800 border employees – had convinced the union to cancel its plans. "We believe that significant progress means that there is no case for the union to proceed with industrial action tomorrow," he said. The PCS said the job adverts went a long way to clawing back Border Agency job cuts over the past two years, which were one of the key factors in the dispute. The 1,100 new jobs include a planned 300 extra staff at the Passport Service, the PCS said. A work-to-rule campaign during the Games has also been shelved, the union said. Heathrow was expecting one of its busiest ever days on Thursday and the airport has, so far, had a smooth run-up to the Games. Serwotka denied that the Home Office recruitment drive had given the PCS an opportunity to avoid action amid concerted political criticism of the strikes. The PCS only became aware of the 800 new border jobs when they were advertised on Friday, Serwotka said. "By any definition this is a significant development." Recruitment adverts were placed on websites this morning for the jobs in areas including Heathrow, Gatwick and Luton airports, said the union. Asked if he regretted calling strikes on the cusp of the Games, Serwotka, whose union represents just under 16,000 Home Office employees, said: "Absolutely no regrets." The union said the government's legal challenge was based on a claim that 12 staff in Paris and Brussels were involved in the dispute when they were not covered by the issues. The PCS said its members had been subjected to "disgraceful" attacks from government ministers since the announcement last week of the strike. The home secretary, Theresa May, had described the planned walkout as "opportunist and wholly unjustified". A spokeswoman for airports operator BAA said on Wednesday: "We welcome the decision by the PCS to call off tomorrow's strike. "So far passengers arriving for the Olympics have had a smooth journey through Heathrow and it is great news that those arriving tomorrow can also expect a warm welcome to London and the Games." | The (PCS), the largest civil services trade union in the United Kingdom, yesterday reversed its decision to hold a strike for its worker members scheduled for today, the day before the Olympic Games are due to start in London. The strike, which was called last week as a result of job reductions being made, would have affected the (UKBA), the , and the , at amongst other UK airports. PCS cited the "significant development" of the creation of 1100 new job positions, 800 in the UKBA and 300 in the Passport Service, as the reason for the union's decision change. "We believe that significant progress means that there is no case for the union to proceed with industrial action tomorrow," Serwotka said yesterday morning. The PCS also reported position recruitment advertisements appearing on the Internet for London Heathrow, and . However, the UK government's Home Office denied that they had created such positions. "We have made no concessions to the PCS and are not creating any new jobs in response to their threat of strike action", a spokesperson for the Home Office stated. Saying the recruitment effort, initiated two months ago, was amongst scheduled modifications to the , the spokesperson clarified: "Unfortunately, due to an administrative error, a figure of 400 posts was repeated in both adverts by mistake. This will now be corrected". Serwotka's announcement was made one hour before lawyers representing the had been due at the to attempt to gain an injunction preventing the strike. According to the PCS, the government's plan was based on accusations that twelve staff members in Brussels and Paris became involved in the dispute despite the fact they would be unaffected. The PCS' decision was welcomed by airport operating company . "So far passengers arriving for the Olympics have had a smooth journey through Heathrow and it is great news that those arriving tomorrow can also expect a warm welcome to London and the Games", a spokeswoman for BAA said yesterday. had considered the PCS' plans "opportunist and wholly unjustified". Serwotka said he had "absolutely no regrets" about his previous decision to call the strike. The PCS has also postponed plans to launch a initiative during the 2012 Summer Olympics. |
Liberals and conservatives can become equally bug-eyed and irrational when talking politics, especially when they are on the defensive. Using M.R.I. scanners, neuroscientists have now tracked what happens in the politically partisan brain when it tries to digest damning facts about favored candidates or criticisms of them. The process is almost entirely emotional and unconscious, the researchers report, and there are flares of activity in the brain's pleasure centers when unwelcome information is being rejected. "Everything we know about cognition suggests that, when faced with a contradiction, we use the rational regions of our brain to think about it, but that was not the case here," said Dr. Drew Westen, a psychologist at Emory and lead author of the study, to be presented Saturday at meetings of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology in Palm Springs, Calif. The results are the latest from brain imaging studies that provide a neural explanation for internal states, like infatuation or ambivalence, and a graphic trace of the brain's activity. ||||| human nature Science, technology, and society. Relax and Enjoy It Why intercourse beats masturbation. By William Saletan Updated Friday, Jan. 27, 2006, at 8:09 AM ET (For the latest Human Nature columns on men, sadism, and women who molest boys, click here.) Sex lowers your blood-pressure response to stress for days, according to a small study. For two weeks, 46 volunteers "kept diaries of how often they engaged in penile-vaginal intercourse (PVI), masturbation," or other "partnered sexual activity." Then they were assigned public speaking and measured for stress. Results: Those who had PVI "were least stressed, and their blood pressure returned to normal faster than those who'd only masturbated or had non-coital sex. Those who abstained had the highest blood-pressure response." Researchers' theory: The duration of the effect, and the fact that you get more of it from PVI than from other sex, suggests the benefit comes not from orgasm but from oxytocin, a pair-bonding hormone. Translation: It's not the sex; it's the love. Skeptics' suspicions: 1) People who volunteer to record and report their sex acts are not a representative sample. 2) Great, this news will really help us control teen pregnancy. 3) Maybe the low stress causes the sex, not the other way around. 4) This isn't a study; it's a pickup line. (For Human Nature's takes on noncoital sex acts, click here, here, here, or here. For PVI between unauthorized pairs, click here or here. For the costs of abstinence, click here or here. For the pope's take on love and sex, click here.) The same amount of smoking is more risky for blacks than whites and less risky for Latinos. A study shows the risk of getting lung cancer from smoking a pack a day is 55 percent higher in blacks than in whites, and 50 percent lower in Latinos than in whites. Reactions: 1) This will confirm biological differences between the races and help us customize treatments and prevention efforts. 2) It will confirm biological differences and lend credence to racists. 3) It will let the medical establishment write off lung cancer as a black disease. 4) It will let skeptics explain away health problems in blacks that are really caused by racism. 5) It will free us to address racial health disparities more effectively by focusing on biology instead of racism. Jews with a genetic mutation have a 1-in-3 chance of having Parkinson's. The mutation causes 18 percent of Parkinson's cases in Ashkenazi Jews and 37 percent of such cases in North African Arabs. Questions: 1) Does this mean Jews and Arabs should be tested for the mutation? 2) Does it reaffirm the bond between Jews and Arabs? 3) Does it mean we'll find genetic causes of Parkinson's in other groups? 4) Does it mean we'll find genetic causes of other diseases? Female promiscuity gives males big testes and small brains. In bat species noted for female monogamy, males have small testes and big brains; in bat species noted for female promiscuity, males have testicles five times as big, but smaller brains. Testes in one species are 8.5 percent of the male's body weight. Reason for big testicles: If a female is taking sperm from you and another guy, the best way to pass on your genes instead of his is to deliver more sperm. (This is why chimps have testicles "many times larger than those of gorillas.") Reason for small brains: Male bats that spent their energy making sperm beat out the ones that spent their energy thinking. Researchers' conclusion: "Size does matter." (For an article on the importance of male genital size in fish, click here. For human misconceptions about penis size, click here.) Anti-obesity crusaders are targeting haggis, a Scottish dish made by boiling a sheep's heart, liver, lungs, and windpipe in its stomach. Scottish health officials have put it on a list of "restricted" foods for kids because it has too much salt and fat. Reactions from haggis defenders: 1) It's "all natural," unlike hot dogs. 2) First they came for the smokers; now haggis; what's next? 3) At least we'll still have haggis hurling. An FDA panel voted to allow over-the-counter sales of a fat-blocking pill. Good news: The drug, orlistat (marketed as Alli), stops your intestines from absorbing one-fourth of the fat you eat. Bad news: 1) To lose weight, you still have to eat less and exercise. 2) If you stop taking the pill, the weight comes back. 3) The pill also blocks absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. 4) Can you guess what your intestines do with the fat they're no longer absorbing? "Fecal incontinence, gas and oily discharge ... spotted the undergarments of trial participants." FDA panel chairman's question to executives: "Have you considered placing a warning on the box, 'Don't take this product while wearing your new La Perla underwear?' " Rebuttal: You'll lose even more weight, because the prospect of "anal leakage" will kill your interest in ice cream. Brain scans confirm the irrationality of partisan political thinking. MRIs of 30 partisan Democrats and Republicans show each group judging flip-flops by the other's candidate (Bush or Kerry) harshly. But when exposed to flip-flops by its own candidate, each group shows activation of brain regions that regulate negative feelings, administer forgiveness, and express relief and happiness. "The 'cold reasoning' regions of the cortex were relatively quiet." Rich people are freezing their bodies and leaving their money to themselves. According to the Wall Street Journal, 142 people have had their heads or bodies frozen, roughly 1,000 have made similar arrangements, and at least a dozen (the rest are keeping mum, according to participants) have set up "revival trusts." The idea is to accrue wealth and shield it from taxes so you can collect it if scientists figure out how to revive you and keep you alive. More than 20 states permit "dynasty trusts" that can last centuries; lawyers are amending these to let the deceased collect if he returns. Questions: 1) Can your clone collect the money, or do doctors have to bring you back with your memories? 2) Do you have to return your life insurance payout? 3) If they figure out how to revive and cure you, isn't that good fortune enough? (For Human Nature's previous update on freezing and reviving people, click here.) (WSJ link requires subscription.) Ears may have evolved for breathing. 1) Fossils of a prehistoric fish related to early land animals show a widening earlike cavity unconnected to the inner ear, which means the cavity had another purpose. 2) The cavity resembles blowholes of today's sharks and rays. 3) Early land animals had the same cavity but apparently no eardrums. 4) Later land animals added eardrums, since sound is harder to hear on land than in water. Researchers' theory: Ears originated in water for breathing, then evolved on land for hearing. Conclusions: 1) Creationists are wrong to suggest that organs are "irreducibly complex," i.e., can't evolve in stages unrelated to their current function. 2) "It's hard to believe that if God wanted to design an ear, this is the way He'd go about it." (For Human Nature's take on creationism and irreducible complexity, click here.) Latest Human Nature columns: 1) Men, women, and the joy of punishment. 2) Scalia on abortion and suicide. 3) Teachers who have sex with boys. 4) Our creepy genetic experiment on dogs. 5) The pope's anti-gay tendencies. 6) Does Alito treat women like girls? 7) Bill Bennett's racial determinism. 8) The mainstreaming of anal sex. (Click here to return to top of page.) William Saletan is Slate's national correspondent and author of Bearing Right: How Conservatives Won the Abortion War. ||||| SAN DIEGO -- Applying some of the same brain-scan technology used to understand Alzheimer's and autism, scientists are trying to learn what makes a Republican's mind different from a Democrat's. Brain scanning is moving rapidly beyond diseases to measuring how we react to religious experiences, racial prejudice, even Coke versus Pepsi. This election season, some scientists are trying to find out whether the technology can help political consultants get inside voters' heads more effectively than focus groups or polls. Already, the scientists are predicting that brain scanning — known as functional magnetic resonance imaging, or fMRI — will be a campaign staple four years from now, despite ethical concerns about "neuromarketing." Brain scans measure blood flow. When brain cells start firing in a part of the brain that governs a particular emotion or activity, they need more oxygen, which is carried by the blood. During an fMRI, active regions of the brain can be seen lighting up on a computer monitor. Last month, Drs. Joshua Freedman and Marco Iacoboni of the University of California at Los Angeles finished scanning the brains of 10 Republicans and 10 Democrats. Each viewed images of President Bush, John Kerry and Ralph Nader. When viewing their favorite candidate, all showed increased activity in the region implicated in empathy. And when viewing the opposition, all had increased blood flow in the region where humans consciously assert control over emotions — suggesting the volunteers were actively attempting to dislike the opposition. Nonetheless, some differences appeared between the brain activity of Democrats and Republicans. Take empathy: One Democrat's brain lit up at an image of Kerry "with a profound sense of connection, like a beautiful sunset," Freedman said. Brain activity in a Republican shown an image of Bush was "more interpersonal, such as if you smiled at someone and they smiled back." And when voters were shown a Bush ad that included images of the Sept. 11 attacks, the amygdala region of the brain — which lights up for most of us when we see snakes — illuminated more for Democrats than Republicans. The researchers' conclusion: At a subconscious level, Republicans were apparently not as bothered by what Democrats found alarming. "People make tons of decisions and often they don't know why," Iacoboni said. "A lot of decision-making is unconscious, and brain imaging will be used in the near future to perceive and decide about politicians." Freedman came to political brain scanning through his brother Tom, who served as a consultant to President Clinton. Tom Freedman asked his neuroscientist brother if the technology could improve on how campaigns woo voters. "No one had done fMRI with politics," Dr. Freedman said. "So we decided to see what we could find." The UCLA researchers said they have not been contacted by any political consultants other than Freedman's brother and a collaborator, though they expect to change after the election. Already, some companies are dabbling in neuromarketing. DaimlerChrysler used MRIs to gauge interest in different makes of cars. Researchers at the California Institute of Technology are scanning brains for reaction to movie trailers. Baylor University scientists just published brain scans suggesting preference for Coke or Pepsi is culturally influenced, and not just a matter of taste. "This is a story of the corruption of medical research," warned Gary Ruskin, who runs a nonprofit organization called Commercial Alert in Portland, Oregon. "It's a technology that should be used to ease human suffering, not make political propaganda more effective." Have a comment on this article? Send it ||||| Walter Dill Scott: The Psychology of Advertising (1908) One of the most important new developments in turn-of-the-century psychology was the beginning application of psychological theory and method to problems of everyday life. For the first time, issues in vocational guidance, mental health, child rearing, education, law, and business were subjected to systematic psychological analysis. While not the first to apply the new scientific psychology to the study of business practices,509 Walter Dill Scott510 was one of the most influential figures in this movement. His contributions, which spanned a period of more than 40 years, dealt with topics ranging from the psychology of advertising, sales, and public speaking, to personnel selection, classification, assessment, and management.511 Scott's earliest work was in the psychology of advertising. At the time, advertising executives were divided on the most effective approach to advertising design. The prevailing view was that consumers were rational. Given information about the product and reasons why it should be purchased, they would respond appropriately. The minority view held that consumer response to advertising was non-rational. To be effective, advertising had to make a strong impression, appealing less to readers' understanding than to their wishes and desires.512 In a series of articles extending from 1901 to 1908, Scott brought current psychological theory and experiment to bear in support of the minority view, at the same time lobbying effectively for the importance of a scientific approach to questions of advertising effectiveness. In 1908, he gathered this material together in The Psychology of Advertising,513 a book that gave birth to advertising psychology as a subdiscipline in its own right.514 As Scott put it: 'advertising has as its one function the influencing of human minds...As it is the human mind that advertising is dealing with, its only scientific basis is psychology.'515 At the time, the dominant theoretical concept in the analysis of social influence was that of 'suggestion,' the process whereby a 'conception, conclusion or action...follow(s) with less than the normal amount of deliberation' when 'called forth at the instigation of a second person or upon the presentation of an object'516 in the absence of competing thoughts. Every normal person, Scott thought, was subject to the influence of suggestion; and suggestion, not reason, was the primary determinant of human action.517 The implication for advertising was clear. Effective advertising must implant the thought of purchasing the product in the mind of the consumer without raising interfering thoughts. To help advertisers achieve this goal, Scott assessed the relevance of what was then known about basic psychological functions, including memory, feeling, sympathy, instinctive action, volition, habit, and attention, to the design of advertisements that would maximize the power of suggestion and minimize interference. With regard to memory, Scott emphasized the importance of four principles believed to increase the memorability of an advertisement. These were repetition, intensity (e.g., use of vivid colors, placement in the initial or final position in the publication, request for action such as filling out a postcard), association value (especially with the reader's personal interests and motives), and ingenuity (e.g., choice of names reflective of the nature of the product). Feeling was discussed in terms of pleasure and pain and their effects on suggestibility: 'In pleasure our minds expand. We become extremely suggestible, and are likely to see everything in a favorable light...In pain we ...refuse to receive suggestions, are not easily influenced, and are in a suspicious attitude toward everything which is proposed.'518 To be successful, therefore, advertising must be designed to elicit pleasure in the reader; and, in this regard, Scott discussed 'the significance of such simple laws as that of proportion and symmetry in accomplishing the desired result.'519 Sympathy, for Scott, was 'a mental attitude which is induced by the realization of the fact that someone else is going through that particular form of experience.'520 In general, the greater the perceived similarity between the reader and those seen pictured in an advertisement, the greater the degree of sympathy elicited by an advertisement; and the greater the sympathy, the higher the likelihood that the advertisement would influence the reader through the power of suggestion. In analyzing the relevance of instinctive action to advertising, Scott introduced the issue of motivation. 'Every instinctive action is directed toward some object, but the effect of the action is to bring the object into a relation which will make it helpful toward the preservation or furtherance of the interests of the individual...'521 Effective advertising, in other words, had to appeal to individual interests or motives. For Scott, these included interest in property, food, clothing, hoarding, hunting, constructing, parenting, and enhancement of the social, moral, intellectual, or aesthetic self. Examining the nature of volition in terms of clarity and valuation of ends, accessibility and valuation of means, and choice of means and ends, Scott argued that advertisers wishing to ensure that decision making favored purchase of their product should bring the product 'before the public in such a manner that the idea of it will be clear and distinct in the minds of potential purchasers.'522 They should inform the public of exactly what is necessary to secure the product; and they should present the product 'in such a manner that its value seems great'523 and its purchase desirable. Borrowing his analysis of habit directly from William James,524 Scott also emphasized the importance for the advertiser of inducing 'the public to get the habit of using his particular line of goods. When the habit is once formed it acts as a great drive-wheel and makes further action easy in the same direction.'525 To establish a habit, advertising must be extensive; to maintain the habit, it must be continued. In discussing attention, Scott argued that 'the power of any object to compel attention depends upon the absence of counter attraction.'526 In support of this view, he reported an empirical study of the attention value of large versus small advertisements, concluding that, all other things being equal, attention value varies with the size of the advertisement (e.g., a full page advertisement elicited more attention than two half-page advertisements). Finally, in addition to discussing basic mental functions in relation to advertising effectiveness, Scott also addressed issues specific to the advertising of foods, the impact of street railway advertising, the use of the questionnaire method, and the applicability of laws of progressive thinking to advertisers. Taken together with the main thrust of the book, these topics covered virtually everything that was then known about the application of psychology to advertising. It is hardly any wonder that Scott's work was influential. Indeed, within only a few years, the non-rational approach to advertising, which had been a minority view when Scott entered the field, had become the mainstream perspective. 509 As early as 1896, a psychologist at the University of Minnesota, Harlow Gale, had begun to carry out laboratory experiments designed to assess the relative attention value of various characteristics of advertisements. Self published as: Gale, H. (1900). On the psychology of advertising. In H. Gale (Ed.). Psychological Studies. Minneapolis: Author, his research received little attention and had no impact on advertising practice. 510 1869–1955. For biographical information on Scott, see Jacobson, J.Z. (1951). Scott of Northwestern. Chicago: Louis Mariano; see also Ferguson, L.W. (1962). The Heritage of Industrial Psychology (Vol. 1: Walter Dill Scott, first industrial psychologist). Hartford, CT: Finlay Press, pp. 1–10; for Scott’s obituary, see Strong, E.K., Jr. (1954–5). Walter Dill Scott: 1869–1955. American Journal of Psychology, 67–8, 682–3. 511 For a bibliography of Scott’s publications, see Jacobson, op. cit. 512 For a discussion of this split, see Curti, M. (1967). The changing concept of human nature in the literature of American advertising. Business History Review, 41(4), 335–57. 513 Scott, W.D. (1908). The Psychology of Advertising. A Simple Exposition of The Principles of Psychology in Their Relation to Successful Advertising. Boston: Small, Maynard. 514 This was not Scott’s first book on the topic, however. In 1903, he had published the material from his early articles as Scott, W.D. (1903). The Theory of Advertising. A Simple Exposition of the Principles of Psychology in their Relation to Successful Advertising. Boston: Small, Maynard. Although of significance as the first book on the topic, the 1903 work was not written with a view to systematic presentation of the subject, while the 1908 book was. 515 Scott (1908), op. cit., p. 2. 516 Ibid., p. 81. 517 Scott was strongly influenced in his view of suggestion by the work of Bernheim, especially by Bernheim, H. (1889). Suggestive Therapeutics. A Treatise on the Nature and Uses of Hypnotism. New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons; for a discussion of the content and significance of this work, see the essay on Bernheim in this volume. 518 Ibid., p. 24. 519 Ibid., p. 37. 520 Ibid., p. 38. 521 Ibid., pp. 52–5. 522 Ibid., p. 95. 523 Ibid. 524 James, W. (1890). The Principles of Psychology. New York: Henry Holt; for a discussion of the Principles, see the essay on James in this volume. 525 Scott (1908), op. cit., p. 132. 526 Ibid., p. 157. Extracted from Classics in Psychology, 18551914: Historical Essays ISBN 1 85506 703 X © Robert H. Wozniak, 1999 Classics in Psychology, 1855–1914 Historical Essays - Contents Classics in Psychology, 1855-1914 | A recent study led by Dr. Drew Westen, a Professor of Psychology at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia has concluded that political partisans use an "almost entirely emotional and unconscious" thought process when digesting damaging information about a favored political candidate. The experiment used fMRI scans of 30 men who self-identified as either a committed Republican or Democrat. The subjects were given a series of conflicting quotes by either President Bush or Senator Kerry, and covered such topics as the Enron scandal and the current state of Social Security. The quotes were doctored to maximize the apparent contradiction, but were presented as factual. The results suggests that many seemingly rational political decisions are strongly influenced by unconscious emotional reactions. Such conclusions match well results from advertising psychology which say that purchases are also not as rational as people believe. Past fMRI studies have found that Democrat and Republican partisans tend to experience different emotions when shown an image of a preferred candidate. Westen will present his results next month at a meetings of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology in Palm Springs, CA. |
Wednesday, January 11, 2006 PHOTOS A sniper killed the male suspect while a female suspect was in custody, said Osceola County Sheriff Bob Hansell. Four hostages were not injured. The suspects had escaped the Mercantile Bank, a mile west of Walt Disney World, with one hostage after authorities blasted through the rear door using an explosive device. But police soon cornered them in their getaway car, authorities said. The male suspect then "used the hostage again as a shield to get into another vehicle," Hansell said. "He tried to leave again and at that point he was taken down by one of our snipers." Deputies had been using cell phones to negotiate with the suspects, who were wearing masks, wigs and coats. The hostages said they were treated well and were not threatened with violence, Hansell said. It was not immediately clear whether the suspects ever got any money. (Story continues below) ADVERTISEMENTS Advertise Here Around 7:15 p.m., police blasted through the bank's rear door. The suspects escaped with a female hostage and drove away in a bank employee's car, but they traveled less than a mile before street barricades stopped them. Shots were fired at deputies but nobody was hurt, police said. The suspects had been holed up in the bank since Tuesday morning. The first hostage was released when the robbers panicked when deputies arrived so quickly after the robbery, said sheriff's spokeswoman Twis Lizasuain. The second was freed in exchange for cigarettes and the third after deputies agreed to back their vehicles a few feet farther away from the bank, Lizasuain said. Police did not release the names of the suspects or the hostages. The same bank was robbed Nov. 16, and investigators are still looking for two suspects, Lizasuain said. ||||| POSTED: 11:55 am EST January 10, 2006 A bank robber who was fatally shot by a sheriff sniper to end a 10-hour police standoff threatened to kill himself and his last hostage in his final moments, the Osceola County sheriff said Wednesday. The male suspect, identified Wednesday as 50-year-old Gaetano Alessandrello, and a woman investigators identified as Amanda Lynn Moeller, 26, attempted to rob the Mercantile Bank, located on a busy tourist highway, a mile west of Walt Disney World on Tuesday. The first three hostages were released as the standoff progressed, but the fourth wasn't freed until Alessandrello was shot. None of the hostages was injured. Moeller's initial court appearance Wednesday was postponed after questions arose about her identity. She was being held at the Osceola County Jail without bond. Alessandrello cooperated with authorities during negotiations to release the first three hostages. "After that, his whole demeanor changed. He started saying, 'I'm not going to let this hostage go. This is my only leverage,"' Sheriff Bob Hansell said. Alessandrello became noticeably agitated and angry at times and did not make good on his promise to let the final hostage go, even when authorities complied with his demands, he said. The standoff culminated when the two robbers and the hostage escaped with an undisclosed amount of money out the front of the bank, Hansell said. Authorities used explosives to blast through the rear door, to take control of the bank and prevent the robbers from returning, Hansell said. The robbers, using the hostage as a shield, escaped in a bank employee's car and a brief car chase ensued, until deputies flattened their tires. "That's when he threatened, 'Everybody's going to go with me,"' Hansell said. "We knew right then that he was not going to go mobile again because that just increases the risk to the hostage." Alessandrello, of Celebration, was pronounced dead at the scene. Deputies arrested Moeller and recovered the money. The hostages had been holed up in the bank since 9:30 Tuesday morning. The first was released when the robbers panicked after deputies arrived so quickly after the robbery, said sheriff's spokeswoman Twis Lizasuain. The second was freed in exchange for cigarettes and the third after deputies agreed to back their vehicles a few feet farther away from the bank, Lizasuain said. Deputies used cell phones to negotiate with the suspects, who were wearing masks, wigs and coats. Authorities have not released the names of the hostages, but said all four are in shaken, but in good condition. The same bank was robbed Nov. 16 by a male and female duo and investigators are still looking for two suspects, Lizasuain said. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that the two robberies are connected. Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Mercantile Bank was closed for business Wednesday as employees cleaned up after the standoff. Workers also replaced the bank's rear door, which was destroyed when authorities blasted through it. ||||| Tuesday, January 10, 2006 PHOTOS A 10-hour standoff with two armed bank robbers ended Tuesday with their hostage rescued, one of the suspects killed by a sniper and the other arrested, said Sheriff Bob Hansell. A sniper killed the male suspect, while the other robber, a woman, was in custody, Hansell said. The standoff at the Mercantile Bank , a mile west of the Disney theme park, started at approximately 9:45 a.m. and ended at 7:45 p.m., Hansell said. The robbers fled the bank with a hostage after sheriff's deputies threw a some sort of explosive device to distract them into the back of the bank and the robbers ran out the door. They used the female hostage as a shield to jump into a silver Lexus owned by a bank employee, said Hansell. After a brief car chase, which ended because of barricaded streets, the robbers were trapped in the vehicle whose were flattened by authorities. "He used the hostage again as a shield to get into another vehicle," Hansell said of the male robber. "He tried to leave again and at that point he was taken down by one of our snipers." (Story continues below) ADVERTISEMENTS Advertise Here Hansell said the hostages were treated well and had no complaints or threats of violence. Sheriff's spokeswoman Twis Lizasuain said the alleged robbers appeared to be a man and woman wearing disguises, heavy coats, masks and wigs. Traffic in the tourist area ground to halt after deputies cordoned off the area. As a result, several families in town for Disney visits were stuck in the area hotels and nearby restaurants were all but deserted. Lizasuain said none of the three previously released hostages were hurt, and the suspects have said they don't intend to harm anyone. She said at least one of the robbers was armed, but did not specify a weapon. The released hostages, two women and a man, were let go hours apart — the first woman after the robbers panicked when deputies arrived so quickly after the robbery, Lizasuain said. The man was released about three hours later in exchange for cigarettes, and the second woman was released just before 3 p.m. after deputies agreed to back their vehicles a few feet away from the bank, Lizasuain said. The last hostage was a female employee. Lizasuain said the suspects wanted deputies to open up roads for her release, but that request was denied. Lizasuain said the released hostages were shaken, but recovering. Julie Flores, the front desk clerk at a Quality Inn within sight of the bank, said several guests were getting restless after being stuck inside much of the day. She said families weren't confined to their rooms, but couldn't leave the hotel after police shut down the area. Sam Hamade, manager at Giordano's Pizza across the street from the bank, said his store couldn't even make its scheduled 10 a.m. opening because roads were already closed off. "People are calling for deliveries, and we cannot deliver," he said, adding that the shutdown cost an estimated $12,000-$13,000 in lost business. Meanwhile, Valerie Balkeway, who lives near the bank, said the area was safe. "I feel very safe walking around here," Balkeway. "If it hadn't been the suspect being killed, it would have been the hostage." Calls to the bank were routed to a Mercantile call center, where a woman said she had no additional information. Mercantile Bank is a subsidiary of the South Carolina-based South Financial Group, which issued a statement saying: "The police are in charge of this situation. We are cooperating fully and in every possible way. Our concerns are for our employees." | Map of Florida highlighting Osceola County Two suspected robbers west of Kissimmee, Florida released one hostage after negotiating with sheriffs' deputies. Other hostages remain inside, authorities say. Police later shot and killed one bank robber and arrested a second on after a 10 hour stand-off with police. "A sniper shot the male suspect while the female was in custody", said Osceola County Sheriff Bob Hansell. Four hostages were not injured. The suspects had escaped the Mercantile Bank, a mile west of Walt Disney World's Wide World of Sports, with one hostage after authorities blasted through the rear door using an explosive device. But police soon cornered them in their getaway car, authorities said. The male suspect then "used the hostage again as a shield to get into another vehicle," Hansell said. "He tried to leave again and at that point he was taken down by one of our snipers." Deputies had been using cell phones to negotiate with the suspects, who were wearing masks, wigs and coats. Around 7:15 p.m. EST, police blasted through the bank's rear door. The suspects escaped with a female hostage and drove away in a bank employee's car, but they traveled less than a mile before street barricades stopped them. Shots were fired at deputies but nobody was hurt, police said. The suspects had been holed up in the bank since Tuesday morning. The first hostage was released when the robbers panicked when deputies arrived so quickly after the robbery, said sheriff's spokeswoman Twis Lizasuain. The second was freed in exchange for cigarettes and the third after deputies agreed to back their vehicles a few feet farther away from the bank, Lizasuain said. Police did not release the names the hostages, but the suspects were identified Wednesday as a 50-year-old male, Gaetano Alessandrello, and a 26-year old woman, Amanda Lynn Moeller. It was not immediately clear whether the suspects ever got any money. Tourists near the bank, in hotels, were confined to them for hours as police asked them "to stay indoors". The hostages said they were treated well and were not threatened with violence, Hansell said. The same bank was robbed just 2 months ago on November 16, 2005. It is unclear if the two robberies are connected or not. |
Malawi is one of the world's poorest countries Jan Egeland, the UN relief coordinator, called on donors particularly those in the Gulf states benefiting from high oil prices to help out. The UN launched an appeal last month for the more than 4m Malawians who are facing hunger after the worst harvest in a decade. The majority of Malawians live on less than a dollar a day. On Wednesday, British aid agency Oxfam said that up to 10m people in southern Africa could face severe food shortages later this year unless wealthy nations take immediate action. 'Windfall' "We have received zero pledges for this appeal," Mr Egeland announced 10 days after the UN had called for assistance. NEEDING FOOD AID Malawi: 4m Zimbabwe: 4m Zambia: 1m Lesotho: 500,000 Mozambique: 400,000 Swaziland: 200,000 Source: Oxfam He asked oil-producing nations to be more generous with their share of profits from high oil prices on world markets. "There are many countries in the Gulf and elsewhere who have received an enormous windfall from these oil prices. We can save a life for a $1 a day," he told reporters. About 4.2m of Malawi's 11m people face hunger. Maize production this year stood at 1.3 million tonnes, far short of the 2.1 million tonnes needed to stave off famine. Oxfam began to distribute food in Malawi this week, but they say they need far more. The charity says people could face food shortages in a belt of countries including Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. HIV hits farming Southern Africa was weakened by severe food shortages leading to major international appeals in 2002, and drought this year has been worse than it was then, aid agencies say. They are urging donors not to ignore the lessons of Niger's food crisis, when early warnings of hunger went unheeded and little was done until television cameras showed children starving to death. These appeals come as scientists warned that farming in Africa has declined at an alarming rate since the start of the Aids epidemic. The virus is ravaging agriculture, with the areas of cultivated land dropping in parts of Kenya by 68%, the British Association of Science Festival revealed on Wednesday. Some 80% of Africans derive their livelihood from farming, so it is vital to the continent's economic growth. Southern Africa has some of the world's highest rates of HIV infection, with between 30% and 40% of the adult population HIV positive. ||||| Unfortunately we are unable to process your request at this time. This error is usually temporary. Please try again later. If you continue to experience this error, it may be caused by one of the following: You may want to scan your system for spyware and viruses, as they may interfere with your ability to connect to Yahoo!. For detailed information on spyware and virus protection, please visit the Yahoo! Security Center. This problem may be due to unusual network activity coming from your Internet Service Provider. We recommend that you report this problem to them. While this error is usually temporary, if it continues and the above solutions don't resolve your problem, please let us know. Return to Yahoo! | Location of Malawi The United Nations have called upon member states to donate US$88m to fight hunger in Malawi. So far, not a single country responded. U.N launched an appeal ten days ago and especially called upon nations in the Persian Gulf, who are benefiting from the current high oil prices, to donate. "There are many countries in the Gulf and elsewhere who have received an enormous windfall from these oil prices. We can save a life for a $1 a day", Egeland said. Malawi is one the poorest countries in the world. The majority of the population live on less than one US dollar a day. Four million people out of a population of ten million face hunger every single day. The domestic production of has plunged to 1.3 million tons, only half of what is needed to feed the population. The prices on the other hand have increased by 50%, making it even harder for the affected people. estimates that in the entire region, about 10 million people would face serious food shortages later this year if the developed countries don't act quickly. HIV/AIDS is also a major problem for southern Africa with the infection rate being as high as 40% of the adult population. |
Wearing a chest full of medals, Alberta's new lieutenant governor, retired Col. Donald Ethell, shares a joke with a soldier while inspecting the guard on the legislature grounds after his swearing-in ceremony in Edmonton on Tuesday, May 11, 2010. Photograph by: Chris Schwarz, edmontonjournal.com EDMONTON — Alberta's new lieutenant-governor plans to travel the province as much as possible during his term, to meet people from Abee to Zama City. The retired army colonel has seen much of the world in his work as a peacekeeper, making stops in Cyprus and Lebanon, the Balkans and Central America. But Donald Ethell has never been to Castor, something he plans to remedy this summer when he inspects the cadet squadron at their annual parade. "We will get there somehow or another," he said of the small town east of Red Deer. Ethell, one of Canada's most decorated peacekeepers, was sworn in Tuesday at the legislature. He took over the post from Norman Kwong, who served for five years as the Queen's representative in Alberta. Premier Ed Stelmach said Ethell's career and values will aid him in his new role. "His honour's compassion and dedication to the well-being of his fellow citizens has been a constant," Stelmach said. "Those traits are the hallmark of Albertans and will guide him well in his work on their behalf." Federal Public Works Minister Rona Ambrose said Ethell's life and work exemplify Canada's finest military tradition. Ethell, whose medals now stretch halfway across his chest, signed up for the military at 17, but flunked out of the air force after a 10-month stint. He eventually decided to give the Armed Forces another shot and went on to serve in 14 international peacekeeping missions and work as Canada's director of peacekeeping operations in Ottawa. Since his retirement in 1993, he has volunteered for a number of humanitarian and veteran's organizations. Ethell first moved to Calgary in 1956 and has made the city his home base ever since. Still, he admitted he hasn't travelled much in the northern half of the province and isn't yet a familiar face to many Albertans. He hopes people will get to know at least four traits. "Trust, loyalty, integrity and honour. That's what I stand for as a Canadian," Ethell said. "You've got to have that core in order to be successful as a soldier or in civilian life." During his time in the new job, he plans to reach out to people with mental illness and families of fallen soldiers. He has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and said it's healthy the stigma is being lifted from other soldiers and emergency personnel who live with it. "I can understand that people need to be reassured that they're not alone." Ethell also wants to reach out to aboriginal people, who he said face a unique set of challenges. "We hope to celebrate our success and honour the special place aboriginal people hold in Canadian culture," he said. Ethel will have key constitutional duties, including signing bills into law and swearing in cabinet. Day to day, however, the role is largely ceremonial. amclean@thejournal.canwest.com © Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal ||||| Calgary Herald Headline News Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Calgary Herald, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of Calgary Herald Headline News will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again ||||| Calgary Herald Headline News Sign up to receive daily headline news from the Calgary Herald, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. Email Address There was an error, please provide a valid email address. By clicking on the sign up button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You may unsubscribe any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300 Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of Calgary Herald Headline News will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again ||||| Alberta's new Lt.-Gov. a veteran The newly sworn-in Lieutenant Governor of Alberta vowed to make mental health a priority in his position, reflecting on his own struggle with post traumatic stress order in the past. Read the full story ||||| Alberta's 17th lieutenant-governor sworn in Alberta's new lieutenant-governor, Donald Ethell, reviews troops outside the provincial legislature Tuesday. (CBC)Retired colonel Donald Stewart Ethell was sworn in as Alberta's 17th lieutenant-governor on Tuesday. Ethell, who has served on 14 international peacekeeping missions, replaced Norman Kwong, whose five-year term ended Monday. "I am honoured and excited by this opportunity to serve our great province," Ethell, 72, said in a statement on Tuesday. "I will strive everyday to earn your confidence and to serve as Her Majesty the Queen's representative in Alberta with honour, loyalty, integrity and trust." Ethell led Canada's peacekeeping operations from 1987 to 1990 and served as deputy force commander of multinational forces during the 1990 Persian Gulf War. His last posting was in Yugoslavia before retiring in 1993. During his 38 years with the Canadian Armed Forces, Ethell participated in missions in Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel and the Balkans. He was awarded the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2001. Ethell has most recently appeared as a defence analyst for the CBC and other media organizations The Governor General appoints lieutenant-governors on the advice of the prime minister to serve five-year terms where they act as provincial representatives of the Queen. ||||| Decorated peacekeeper named Alberta lieutenant governor Col. Donald Ethell is Alberta's new lieutenant governor. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press) Col. Donald Ethell is Alberta's new lieutenant governor. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press) Retired colonel Donald Stewart Ethell, a distinguished soldier who has served on 14 international peacekeeping missions, has been named Alberta's new lieutenant governor. Ethell is a "champion for veterans and the welfare of those in the world's most vulnerable nations," said Prime Minister Stephen Harper in making the appointment on Thursday. Ethell led Canada's peacekeeping operations from 1987 to 1990 and served as deputy force commander of multinational forces during the 1990 Persian Gulf War. His last posting was in Yugoslavia before retiring in 1993. During his 38 years with the Canadian Armed Forces, Ethell participated in missions in Cyprus, Lebanon, Israel and the Balkans. He was awarded the Alberta Order of Excellence in 2001. The Governor General appoints lieutenant governors on the advice of the prime minister to serve five-year terms where they act as provincial representatives of the Queen. Ethell, who has appeared as a media defence analyst, replaces Norman Kwong, whose five-year term has already expired. "It was a privilege and an honour to have Norman serve as our lieutenant governor during these last five years. I appreciated his gentle humour and his passion for people," said Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach in a statement on Thursday. | Tuesday saw Colonel assume the post of provincial in Edmonton, capital of Alberta, Canada. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Edmonton's Legislative Building, with the retired colonel inspecting the guard afterwards. As is traditional, the taking of the oath of office was accompanied by a fifteen-gun salute. The new Lieutenant Governor, Colonel Donald Ethell, at the swearing-in ceremony at the Legislative Building in Edmonton. The 72-year-old decorated war veteran assumes the post from , who served from January 20 in 1995. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the appointment last Thursday. Alberta Premier Ed Stelmech alongside Ethell. Ethell has served Canada, with distinction, spending 38 years in the armed forces, and involved in over fourteen peacekeeping missions. "I can assure you that I will not be stuffy and aloof just because I've got a whole lot of medals on my shoulder", said Ethell (''', , '''). Alongside his military medals, the new Lieutenant Governor is a member of the , the , and the Order of St. John. "I'm very grateful for the opportunities that were presented to me by the military. It was shape up or get out. And that's exactly what I did." said Ethell. a believer in second chances. He was known as a leading United Nations' Peacekeeping diplomat, and in later years with the Canadian Association of Veterans. Armed forces present at the swearing in ceremony. Alberta said, "his Honour's compassion and dedication to the well-being of his fellow citizens has been a constant. Those traits are the hallmark of Albertans and will guide him well in his work on their behalf." The first Lieutenant Governor of Alberta was sworn in during 1905, as Alberta became a province of Canada. Ethell is the seventeenth holder of the office. "Colonel Ethell has had a distinguished career in the Canadian Armed Forces and as a humanitarian. He is one of Canada’s most decorated soldiers as well as a champion for veterans and the welfare of those in the world's most vulnerable nations.” said Harper. |
Syria: Danish, Norwegian embassies set ablaze (VIDEO) Demonstrators storm Danish, Norwegian embassies in Damascus, set fire to buildings in protest of offensive caricatures of Islam’s prophet; top Hamas official: We should have killed all those who defiled the Prophet Muhammad, but instead we are protesting in peace Sharon Roffe-Ofir (VIDEO) Thousands protested in Israel and all over the world Saturday against the Prophet Muhammad cartoons published in a Danish newspaper. Protest in Damascus (Footage: Reuters) In Syria outraged demonstrators stormed the Danish Embassy in Damascus and set fire to the building in protest of offensive caricatures of Islam’s prophet. Thick, black smoke was still rising from the three-story building as firefighters struggled tried to put out the flames. Holy War London Islamists target Israel, Denmark / Yaakov Lappin Radical groups call on supporters to wage holy war against Israel and Denmark, slam Muhammad cartoons Full Story The protest started out peacefully but as anger escalated, people broke through police barriers and used the concrete barricades protecting the embassy as ladders to climb inside the building and set it on fire. “With our blood and souls we defend you, O Prophet of God,” They chanted. Some removed the Danish flag and replaced it with a green flag printed with the words “There is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” The building also houses the embassies of Chile and Sweden. Later it was reported that the Norwegian embassy was also set ablaze. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has instructed his trade minister to look into the possibility of annulling contracts signed with European countries that published the cartoons, according to Iran’s official news agency. “These cartoons present the impertinence and audacity of the West’s newspapers,” Ahmadinejad said. In Israel, more than 1,000 demonstrators marched through the streets of Nazareth in protest of the cartoons. During the march, organized by the northern branch of the Islamic Movement, those addressing the crown on hand said “We will not let anyone hurt the values sacred to Islam.” ‘This is a global confrontation’ Islamic Movement Chairman Sheikh Raed Salah said the anti-Islam crusade was launched by U.S. President George W. Bush, adding that he has turned to Israeli media outlets that published the cartoons demanding their apology. In a demonstration of the Islamic Movement’s southern wing Arab MK Ahmed Tibi said, “A law should be passed in Europe punishing those who insult Islam, similar to the anti-Semitism laws. Danish embassy on fire (Photo: Reuters) Top Hamas official Mahmoud al-Zahar told Italian newspaper Il Giornale, “We should have killed all those who defiled the Prophet Muhammad, but instead we are protesting in peace.” When asked whether the response to the cartoons may have been exaggerated, al-Zahar said “Hamas is not threatening anyone, but it seems that Denmark, France, Norway and other European countries are in complete agreement with whoever drew the cartoon. They did nothing to stop those responsible or reconcile with Islam. “Someone (in Europe) threatened to burn a Quran and you blame us of exaggeration? Europe must be very careful. If he who promised to burn the Quran will be in a position to defile Muhammad’s name, you will be making a historic mistake; a mistake the entire West will regret dearly,” he added. “This is a global confrontation, and Europe is responsible for it. We are not protesting as Palestinians, but as Muslims who have been insulted by the defiling of the Prophet Muhammad. Al-Zahar told the Italian newspaper that Hamas is not interested in a violent struggle with the Christians, saying “Hamas does not want violence, especially not against our Christian and Catholic brothers; they are not responsible for this slandering. They have always respected us in Gaza, and therefore the Hamas warriors are prepared to protect their schools and churches from any attacks. I have given my word that no harm will come to any Christian,” he said. Nir Magal, Associated Press contributed to the report (02.04.06, 19:05) talkback Print Send to friend See More Little Einsteins Settlers in Zion Square: Olmert bad for Jews ||||| The Norwegian Embassy in Syria set on fire The Norwegian Embassy in Damascus has been burned down, after angry demonstrators in the Syrian capital set the building on fire Saturday evening. Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere (photo) says embassy personnel will be evacuated. No Norwegians have been hurt. The Norwegian Department of Foreign Affairs has adviced Norwegian citizens to leave the country. / np 04.02.2006 18:39 However, the demonstrators finaly broke into the building, sacked it and set it on fire. Earlier in the day the Danish embassy was set on fire by several hundred demonstrators. Several thousand demonstrators roamed the streets of Damascus on Saturday protesting against the caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed which were first published by the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten and later by a number of other European newspapers. | The Norwegian and Danish embassies in Damascus, Syria have been set alight by crowds numbering in the thousands. Reports indicate both embassies have been destroyed by fire. The building hosting the Danish embassy also contained the embassies of Chile and Sweden. The Danish embassy was initially torched, at a time when it was reportedly empty. Officials and staff had been evacuated. Attempts to disperse the protest outside the embassy using tear gas were carried out by Syrian police and it is reported that a number of protesters were taken to hospital. The attacks on the embassies may have been provoked by text messages which reportedly circulated among Syrians claiming that Danes would burn copies of the Qur'an in a Copenhagen square. Some of those who gathered outside the embassies in Damascus were reported to have been chanting, "With our blood and souls we defend you, O Prophet of God. There is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God." Earlier in the week, text messaging circulated in Egypt that said; "Denmark wants to burn the sacred Qur'an Saturday in Copenhagen in response to the Muslim boycott," and "Send (this message on) and you will be rewarded," the text said. Despite claims in the text messages that the holy book of Islam would be burned on Saturday, there were no reports to indicate that it occurred. |
TURKEY said today it was not afraid of "paying the price" to win victory over Kurdish separatists based in northern Iraq after a rebel ambush near the Iraqi border left 12 soldiers dead. "Although it respects Iraq's territorial integrity, Turkey will not tolerate that terrorism be aided and abetted and will not be afraid to pay, whatever the price may be, to protect its rights, its indivisible unity and its citizens," the country's top civilian and military officials said in a statement issued after an emergency meeting. The statement came after parliament on Wednesday gave the Government authority to order cross-border military operations to strike at bases of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Iraq's Kurdish-run autonomous north. "The fight against the separatist terrorist organisation will be waged with determination until the very end," the statement said. The talks were chaired by President Abdullah Gul and were attended by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the army brass and several cabinet ministers. The Turkish army said today heavy fighting erupted in the south-eastern province of Hakkari following an ambush by PKK rebels on a military patrol in the area. Twelve Turkish soldiers and 32 rebels were killed in the ensuing clashes, which also left 16 soldiers wounded. Share this article (What is this?) NEWS.com.au is not responsible for the content for external internet sites ||||| NEWS EUROPE Turkey border clashes kill dozens Hundreds spilled into the streets in several Turkish cities to protest against PKK fighters [AFP] Turkey has vowed strong action against Kurdish fighters after as many as 17 of its soldiers were killed in clashes sparked by an ambush near the border with Iraq. Thirty-two fighters from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) were also killed in fighting on Sunday, with Turkey continuing to threaten a possible incursion into northern Iraq. Abdullah Gul, Turkey's president met Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the prime minister, and several top army officers and cabinet ministers to discuss Ankara's response to the attack. Following the meeting, a statement from the president's office said Turkey would pay any "price" to deal with the PKK. "While respecting the territorial integrity of Iraq, Turkey will not shy away from paying whatever price is necessary to protect its rights, its laws, its indivisible unity and its citizens," the statement said. Turkish plans Earlier, Vecdi Gonul, the Turkish defence minister, said a cross-border incursion into northern Iraq was on the table, but ruled out an imminent move. Your Views "I think it is pretty difficult to say troops shouldn't [invade] when the Turkish soldiers are being killed, and their villages attacked" Celtic, Karlstad, Sweden Send us your views "There are plans to cross the border" but "not urgently", he told reporters in Kiev, after talks with Robert Gates, the US defence secretary. "There are plans to cross the border" but "not urgently", he told reporters in Kiev, after talks with Robert Gates, the US defence secretary. The US, which opposes any Turkish unilateral military action, strongly condemned the latest violence in Turkey's southeast and pledged co-operation with Ankara against PKK rebels. "These attacks are unacceptable and must stop now. Attacks from Iraqi territory need to be dealt with swiftly by the Iraqi government and Kurdish regional authorities," Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for George Bush, the US president, said. Al Jazeera's Barnaby Phillips in Silopi, Turkey, said the situation along the border was more tense than ever. "The question is whether Turkey's soldiers and politicians feel as though they have now been pushed too far and that they must cross into northern Iraq." Baghdad denounces PKK In the Iraqi capital, Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, denounced the PKK attack as a "terrorist operation" in a written statement, but just hours before that, the Iraqi parliament backed a motion condemning Ankara's threat of incursions. Barzani, left, says Kurds would defend themselves if Kurdistan is attacked [AFP] "Iraq's parliament unanimously votes to condemn the threat of using force to solve the dispute. It feels that the Turkish parliament's decision to use force does not boost bilateral relations," the motion said. "Iraq's parliament unanimously votes to condemn the threat of using force to solve the dispute. It feels that the Turkish parliament's decision to use force does not boost bilateral relations," the motion said. Iraqi Kurdish leaders said they would rebuff any attack on their territory. Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reporting from northern Iraq, said: "The position in general in the Kurdish region is that they want to keep out of this fight. "However, they do say if Turkey comes into northern Iraq ... they won't sit there idle watching Turkish tanks rolling through their streets and through their mountains." Massoud Barzani, the Kurdish leader of the largely autonomous northern Iraq region, told reporters: "We are not going to be caught up in the PKK and Turkish war, but if Kurdistan region is targeted, then we are going to defend our citizens." Massoud Barzani, the Kurdish leader of the largely autonomous northern Iraq region, told reporters: "We are not going to be caught up in the PKK and Turkish war, but if Kurdistan region is targeted, then we are going to defend our citizens." Speaking after a meeting with Jalal Talabani, the Iraqi president, he ruled out handing over PKK leaders to Ankara. Talabani reiterated Barzani's comments saying that the handover of PKK leaders "was a dream that will never be realised". Meanwhile, in Turkey, hundreds of people spilled to the streets in several cities to protest against PKK fighters. Nearly 1,000 demonstrators carrying Turkish flags gathered in Istanbul's central Taksim area, chanting slogans against Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed PKK leader. Clashes Sunday's clashes close to the Iraqi border came four days after Turkey's parliament authorised cross-border raids against the PKK. A PKK official told Al Jazeera that it attacked Turkish forces as they attempted to enter Iraq, though earlier the group claimed Turkish troops had already crossed the border. Separately, a PKK spokesman told The Associated Press that a group of fighters killed and captured a number of Turkish forces during clashes about 70km inside Turkish territory. "The PKK fighters were in a defensive position when they killed and injured a number of Turkish soldiers and captured another number," the spokesman, Abdul-Rahman al-Chadarchi, said without elaborating. A statement by al-Maliki's office pledged to do everything it could to secure the release of hostages. The Turkish military said it had launched an operation to catch the Kurdish fighters, with troops monitoring possible escape routes and shelling 63 "possible targets". Ankara says about 3,500 PKK fighters use bases in the mountainous region across the nearby border with the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq to attack Turkish targets. The PKK wants autonomy for Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast and more than 30,000 people have been killed since they began their fight in 1984. Source: Al Jazeera and agencies | As many as 17 Turkish soldiers were killed and 16 were injured in an ambush after Iraqi Kurdish militants (PKK) attacked the patrol in Hakkari Province on the Iraq-Turkey border. As a result, a large battle erupted and at least 32 Kurdish militants were killed. "Although it respects Iraq's territorial integrity, Turkey will not tolerate that terrorism be aided and abetted and will not be afraid to pay, whatever the price may be, to protect its rights, its indivisible unity and its citizens. The fight against the separatist terrorist organization will be waged with determination until the very end," said Turkey's top officials in a statement issued to the media, after an emergency meeting was held in regards to the battle. Turkey has been building up troops along its border with Iraq with reports suggesting as many as 60,000 are currently stationed there. On Wednesday, Turkey approved a measure that authorized sending troops into Iraq to take out PKK militants, but on Sunday an official said that the incursion into Iraq was not urgent. "There are plans to cross the border, but not urgently. We'd like to do these things with the Americans," said Turkish defense minister, Vecdi Gonul. The U.S. has stated repeatedly that they are against any military action against the PKK and believe that it would cause even more instability in the region. "These attacks are unacceptable and must stop now. Attacks from Iraqi territory need to be dealt with swiftly by the Iraqi government and Kurdish regional authorities," said a spokesman for U.S. President George W. Bush, Gordon Johndroe. Iraq has spoken out against the attacks by the PKK and has condemned any such attacks on Turkish soldiers saying "Iraq's parliament unanimously votes to condemn the threat of using force to solve the dispute. It feels that the Turkish parliament's decision to use force does not boost bilateral relations." Leaders in the Kurdish controlled areas of Iraq state that any attack on them would be met with retaliation. |
A DEMONSTRATION by about 1000 female Saudi students against discrimination and corruption at their university left one dead and more than 50 injured, after police armed with batons stormed the gathering. The incident took place Wednesday at King Khalid University in south-western Abha, but was only receiving Western attention later in the week, The Times reported. One woman died later in hospital after suffering a seizure amid the violence, residents said, while it was also reported that a protester had suffered a miscarriage. A week-long protest had targeted alleged corruption by the president of the university, as well as the unsanitary result of campus cleaning being ceased. Almost 30 of the university's professors had resigned in the wake of the deadly clashes, Press TV reported, adding that a fresh demonstration had been called for Saturday, during which protesters would demand the university president's resignation. ||||| By ABHA: ARAB NEWS More than 50 women students were injured while protesting about alleged poor educational standards on the campus of two King Khalid University women's colleges on Wednesday. Asir Gov. Prince Faisal bin Khaled ordered an immediate investigation into the incidents at the College of Education and College of Literature. The demands of women students at the College of Education and College of Literature included an end to alleged ill-treatment by faculty members and administrative staff and an efficient system to keep the college campus clean. The university administration said it would investigate the cause of the incidents and take steps to deal with the issues, Al-Watan daily reported yesterday. “On Tuesday several students were shouting and misbehaving in the college complex. They attacked security guards, administrative staff and faculty members. They were saying their demands were not fulfilled,” Director of Public Relations at the university Awad Al-Qarni said. Students started gathering Wednesday morning in front of the college buildings and protesting after some of them were called by the administration to discuss their issues, he said. “After that the situation worsened and students started destroying university property. Fire extinguishers and water hoses were used against the vandalizing students and some of them fainted,” he said. He said one of the guardians had driven away some cleaning workers and that caused the accumulation of garbage at the university. Students alleged that cleaning operations were never properly undertaken and supervisory officials were arrogant. “We have to walk on mounds of garbage that have accumulated close to the cafeteria. It is because the university authorities are neglecting cleaning operations,” said a student, who gave her name as K.E. “I don’t go to classes often because of the poor conditions in the university. Faculty members and administrative officials treat us badly.” She added that students wanted a total change in the situation and that they were fully aware of their rights as students. A student who gave her name as H.S said the authorities did not even bother to furnish lecture halls with a sufficient number of chairs and the complaints of students were never heeded. A parent, who did not want his name published, said most of the water taps remain closed and the cafeteria was not open on Wednesday. The sister of an injured girl alleged students were shoved or beaten up, causing injuries. A number of officers from the police, Civil Defense, Health Department and Red Crescent as well as members of the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia) were present at the scene of the disturbances. Parents of the injured girls demanded the Ministry of Education set up a commission to investigate the issues. A spokesman of the Health Department in Asir province said 22 students were admitted to hospitals such as Asir Central, Ahad Rafidah General, military hospital, Abha General and Khamis Mushayt General. He added 31 cases were treated on the campus itself. Haia spokesman in the province Awad Al-Asmari said 50 commission members were sent to the scene. They provided protection to students, helped girls contact their parents and collaborated with other departments to solve the issue as quickly as possible. The spokesman denied any girls were injured by Haia members. “On the other hand, the Haia presence created a sense of peace and security in the girls,” he said. The members did not enter the college until after all girls left with their guardians, he said. ||||| Women 'injured' in Saudi university protest Women face restrictions in many aspects of their lives in Saudi Arabia Continue reading the main story Related Stories An investigation has been launched after at least 50 women were reportedly injured when a protest at a university in Saudi Arabia turned violent. Hundreds of women took part in the protest against discrimination and mismanagement at the King Khalid University, in Abha, on Wednesday. Dozens were said to have been injured after security forces and religious police moved in to break it up. The university said some of the students had attacked staff. The BBC's Arab Affairs Editor, Sebastian Usher, says that images of the women shouting in protest against the university authorities were posted on social media and networking websites. The women are reported to have been injured either by the security personnel or in the crush of bodies. There have been several protests at Saudi universities, or involving recent female Saudi graduates over the past year, mainly complaining about a system that is biased against them. The kingdom has also moved to improve rights for women recently - allowing them the right to vote and participate in future municipal elections. The students were angry about bad management, that rubbish was allowed to pile up at the university and at the lack of basic facilities for women. | Dozens of female students were injured on Wednesday after police and security forces stormed a demonstration at 's . Up to 1,000 students were protesting alleged corruption, discrimination, and failure to remove rubbish at two female campuses. The protests were in the city of Abha. University officials said law enforcement moved in after students attacked staff, and said intimidation by a guardian was behind the failure to clean rubbish. Awad Al-Qarni, the uni's head of PR, said students "saying their demands were not fulfilled" attacked staff on Tuesday. The next morning, he said, the administration offered dialogue to protestors but began using fire hoses and extinguishers on them when they "started destroying university property". Students have said cleaning was never done properly. Reports suggest a crush of people injured some, with one report claiming a woman died in hospital after having a seizure, and another miscarried. As well as police and security forces, the Department of Health, the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (Haia), and the Red Crescent were on the scene. An Department of Health spokesperson said twenty-two casualties were distributed between, at least, Asir Central, Ahad Rafidah General, Abha General, and Khamis Mushayt General hospitals, and military hospital, with 31 more treated on-site. Haia sent 50 commissioners and area spokesman Awad Al-Asmari denied they had injured anyone, saying they provided assistance to the protestors. "On the other hand," he said, "the Haia presence created a sense of peace and security in the girls". One student said there were not enough chairs in lecture theaters, and that the administration ignored students; another said she "doesn't go to classes often because of the poor conditions in the university. Faculty members and administrative officials treat us badly." She described having "to walk on mounds of garbage that have accumulated close to the cafeteria". A parent said water taps did not work. All wished to remain anonymous or went only by their initials. It is reported thirty professors have stepped down, with a protest demanding the president's resignation scheduled for tomorrow. == Sources == * * * |
ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey on Wednesday ended search and rescue efforts in the rubble of buildings that collapsed as a result of Friday’s strong earthquake in the Aegean Sea, after the death toll crept up to 116 in the western city of Izmir and a Greek island. The quake, the deadliest to hit Turkey in nearly a decade, injured 1,035 people in Izmir and 137 were still being treated, Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said. It said search and rescue efforts at 17 damaged or collapsed buildings had been completed and teams were clearing the rubble. In addition to the 114 people killed in Turkey, two victims of the tremor were teenagers on the Greek island of Samos, authorities said. On Tuesday, 90 hours after the quake struck, rescuers in Izmir pulled a young girl alive out of the rubble. Slideshow ( 5 images ) More than 2,790 tents were set up for temporary shelter and more than 10,222 beds were distributed in the area, AFAD said. It said 22 boats had sunk and 43 others had run aground, of which 40 had been rescued, as a result of the quake. Turkey is crossed by fault lines and is prone to earthquakes. More than 500 people were killed in a 2011 quake in the eastern city of Van, while another in January this year killed 41 people in the eastern province of Elazig. In 1999, two powerful quakes killed 18,000 people in northwestern Turkey. AFAD said Friday’s earthquake had a magnitude of 6.6, with 1,855 aftershocks. The U.S. Geological Survey put the magnitude at 7.0 and the Kandilli Observatory in Istanbul said it was 6.9. ||||| Turkey's government has ended its search for people missing following a quake and tsunami disaster that hit its Aegean Sea coasts last Friday. The magnitude-7.0 quake and the ensuing tsunami have claimed at least 116 lives in Turkey and Greece. Search-and-rescue operation had been ongoing at 17 locations in the hard-hit western Turkish province of Izmir. The government said Wednesday it had terminated the operation. In Turkey, 114 people were killed and 1,035 others injured. Two died and 19 others were injured in the Greek island of Samos, near the quake epicenter. Turkey's government says 180 structures in Izmir Province must be demolished as they are at risk of collapse. Residents who evacuated have taken shelter in more than 3,000 tents that have been set up. The government plans to build new homes for the evacuees to move into in less than a year. A magnitude-6.7 jolt rocked eastern Turkey in January this year, killing 41. ||||| Members of rescue services search in the debris of a collapsed building for survivors in Izmir, Turkey on November 1, 2020. Rescue workers extricated a 70-year-old man from a collapsed building in western Turkey on Sunday, some 34 hours after a strong earthquake in the Aegean Sea struck Turkey and Greece, killing at least 53 people and injuring more than 900. Advertising Read more It was the latest in a series of remarkable rescues after the Friday afternoon earthquake, which was centered in the Aegean northeast of the Greek island of Samos. Search-and-rescue teams were working in nine buildings Sunday in the Turkish city of Izmir as day broke. Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay raised the death toll in Izmir, the country's third-largest city, to 51 as rescuers pulled more bodies out of toppled buildings. Two teenagers were killed Friday on Samos and at least 19 others were injured. There was some debate over the magnitude of the earthquake. The U.S. Geological Survey rated it 7.0, while Istanbul's Kandilli Institute put it at 6.9 and Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) said it measured 6.6. The quake triggered a small tsunami in the Seferihisar district of Izmir, drowning one elderly woman, and on Samos. The tremors were felt across western Turkey, including in Istanbul, as well as in the Greek capital of Athens. Hundreds of aftershocks followed. Turkey’s disaster agency said nearly 900 people were injured in Turkey alone. Ahmet Citim, 70, was pulled out from the rubble shortly after midnight Sunday and was hospitalized. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca tweeted that he said: “I never lost my hope.�? Unclear how many still buried Turkey has a mix of older buildings and lightly regulated cheap new construction, which can lead to serious damage and deaths when earthquakes hit. The vice president said 26 badly damaged buildings would be demolished. “It’s not the earthquake that kills but buildings,�? Oktay said, repeating a common slogan. AFAD said more than 5,700 personnel had been activated for rescue work and hundreds of others for food distribution, emergency help and building damage control. It was unclear how many more people remained under the rubble. Turkish media reported three more people were pulled out Sunday from one collapsed apartment building but their conditions were not known. Dogs, cats and rabbits have also been rescued from the debris. Turkey is criss-crossed by fault lines and is prone to earthquakes. In 1999, two powerful quakes killed some 18,000 people in northwestern Turkey. Earthquakes are frequent in Greece as well. In a rare show of unity amid months of tense bilateral relations, Greek and Turkish government officials issued mutual messages of solidarity over the quake toll. The quake occurred as Turkey was already struggling with an economic downturn and the coronavirus pandemic. So far, more than 10,000 people with the virus have died in Turkey, and some experts have accused the government of concealing the true impact of the virus with the way it counts cases. (AP) Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe ||||| (CNN) A 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Aegean Sea off Greece and Turkey on Friday, according to the United States Geological Survey. At least six buildings have been destroyed in the Turkish cities of Izmir, Bornova and Bayrakli following the tremor, the Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said on Twitter. There were no reports of loss of life yet in the Turkish cities impacted. "Our teams continue their screening and interventions in the field" he said. This is a developing story. ||||| Locals and officials search for survivors at a collapsed building after a strong earthquake struck the Aegean Sea on Friday and was felt in both Greece and Turkey, where some buildings collapsed in the coastal province of Izmir, Turkey, October 30, 2020. At least 19 people have been killed and hundreds injured after a powerful earthquake struck Turkey’s western coast and parts of Greece on Friday as both nations vowed to help the other in their recovery efforts. Advertising Read more The Turkish government's disaster agency said 17 people had died, one due to drowning, while the number of people injured rose to 709. Among the dead were the wife and two children of the secretary-general of the Turkish Medical Association’s Izmir branch, the group said. The tremor could be felt as far away as in Istanbul and on Greek islands, where officials said two teenagers had been found dead after a wall had collapsed in an area of Vathy, a town on the island of Samos. High tidal waves were seen in both countries and led to flooding on parts of the Izmir coast. Greek public television said the quake also caused a mini-tsunami on the eastern Aegean Sea island of Samos, damaging buildings. The US Geological Survey said the 7.0 magnitude quake was registered 14km (8.6 miles) off the Greek town of Karlovasi on Samos. Turkey's disaster agency reported a lower magnitude of 6.6 for the quake while Greece's seismological agency said it measured 6.7. Search and rescue operations continued at 17 collapsed or damaged buildings in Izmir, Turkey's third-largest city, the agency said. Authorities were setting up tents with a total capacity of 2,000 people near areas with the highest damage, Urbanisation Minister Murat Kurum said. Images from Izmir showed collapsed buildings and dazed people trying to make their way through rubble piled high on the streets. We pray that there is no further loss of live in Turkey or Greece and we send our best wishes to all those affected on both sides of the earthquake. This tragedy reminds us once again how close we are despite our differences over policy. We’re ready to help if Greece needs it. — Fahrettin Altun (@fahrettinaltun) October 30, 2020 Other images on social media showed water rushing through the streets of Izmir from an apparent sea surge. Thick white plumes of smoke rose from various parts of the city where buildings had collapsed. Aerial footage on Turkey's NTV television showed entire city blocks turned to rubble. TRT television showed rescuers being helped by residents and police using chainsaws as they tried to force their way through the rubble of a seven-floor building that had collapsed. Rescuers called for silence for signs of any survivors, clearing boulders and other debris in a human chain. CNN Turk showed one woman being pulled out alive. A tsunami has just hit Vathy town Samos, huge damage to property, as of yet only a few injured. Greek government expecting second tsunami #tsunami #samos #greece #earthquake pic.twitter.com/aVk0kabDKu — Fareid Atta فريد عطا (@atta_fareid) October 30, 2020 Turkey and Greece indicated they would work together if needed, despite recent tensions between the two neighbours over rights in the areas of the eastern Mediterranean thought to be rich in natural resources. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis alluded to the tensions writing on Twitter: "Whatever our differences, these are times when our people need to stand together.” He called Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Friday, offering condolences, following the deaths of civilians in the Turkish city of Izmir. Erdogan responded to the tweet with his thanks and offered his condolences. “Turkey, too, is always ready to help Greece heal its wounds. That two neighbours show solidarity in difficult times is more valuable than many things in life,” he wrote. Expressions of solidarity came from the French government who offered to provide assistance to both Turkey and Paris’s close ally Greece. 'It was chaos' On Samos, near the quake's epicentre, people rushed out into the streets in panic. "The walls of some houses have crumbled and several buildings are damaged," the island's deputy mayor Michalis Mitsios was quoted as saying by public broadcaster ERT. "It was chaos," added fellow deputy mayor Giorgos Dionysiou. "We have never experienced anything like this." High tidal wave warnings were in place on the island where eight people were injured, according to a Greek official. The Greek civil protection agency told Samos's residents in a text message to "stay out in the open and away from buildings". The island's airport was also closed as a precaution. Greece and Turkey are both situated in one of the world's most active earthquake zones. In 1999, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Turkey's northwest, killing more than 17,000 people, including 1,000 in Istanbul. Another quake in 2011 in the southeastern province of Van resulted in more than 600 deaths. In Greece, the last deadly quake killed two people on the island of Kos, near Samos, in July 2017. (FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and REUTERS) Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning Subscribe | On Wednesday, the Tuskish government declared they were officially ending the search of survivors of the earthquake in the . Reports said at least 116 people died due to this earthquake, while the number of casualties rose to at least 1,035 in Turkey and about 19 in Greece. USGS' map of impact. On the Greek island of , two people died when a wall collapsed. The disaster caused buildings on Samos and in the west coast city of , Turkey, to collapse or be severely damaged. The earthquake also caused a "mini tsunami" to flood some streets of Samos and Izmir. In Izmir, Turkey, a building collapsed. The earthquake occurred on Friday with its epicentre in the Aegean Sea near Samos. Turkey's reported the magnitude of the earthquake was 6.6 and, as of Wednesday, 1885 aftershocks had occurred since the earthquake. The US Geological Survey reported it was of 7.0 magnitude. Local officials said on Saturday, about 20 buildings collapsed. Early reports suggested police and people used simple tools such as chainsaws to rescue people who were trapped. Turkey and Greece had earlier had poor relations over disputed resources in the Mediterranean, but the leaders of the two countries spoke by telephone on Friday night, and publicly expressed their willingness to help each other. |
MUMBAI: The serial killer stalking the streets of South Mumbai is getting bolder. On Saturday morning he struck again, claiming his eighth victim, bludgeoning a 20-year-old unidentified youth to death. The body was found by policemen in a secluded spot between Churchgate and Grant Road. The killer had struck on Friday morning too, killing another youth just a kilometre away near the Wankhede Stadium railway foot overbridge. “We found a 10 kg stone that was used to crush the victim’s head,” a senior police officer told DNA. “From the food packets and some leftover chicken curry found at the site it seems that the victim was first offered food before being killed.” The police, however, are awaiting the post-mortem report to establish whether the serial killer had sexual intercourse with his victim. All his previous victims were sexually assaulted before being killed. “The stone appears to have been brought by the killer in a gunny bag, which we recovered from the site,” said the officer. “We have discounted the possibility of the bag belonging to the youth, who appears to be a rag picker, as it was clean. A sack used for collecting scrap and garbage would have been dirty.” Police officials involved in the investigation feel that the killer is a South Mumbai resident who knows all the secluded spots in the area. ||||| Toral Varia CNN-IBN Mumbai: Even as the Mumbai Police gropes in the dark for the elusive ‘beer can killer’ the murderer continues to be on the prowl. On Saturday morning, police found yet another unidentified body of a young man on the Grant Road railway tracks and the ‘serial killer’ is the main suspect. “I cannot deny or confirm the involvement of the same person simply because there are similarities as well as differences in the modus operandi of the murderer,” DCP, Railways (Western Region), Ramrao Pawar says. At least five people have been murdered over the past one month in South Mumbai and the police are suspecting the ‘beer can killer’s’ hand behind the murders. Police officials are confident that the ‘beer can killer’ is behind four out of five murders. According to the police the suspect leaves behind a beer can at the spot of crime and this has earned him the nickname of the 'beer can killer'. The police also confirmed that the murderer uses the same modus operandi for all his victims and most murders are said to be committed in early mornings. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police has formed a 90-member special investigation team to nab the suspect, who is aged between 25-30 years and is suspected to be mentally deranged, a senior police official told PTI. A high-ranking police official has also compared the killer with Mumbai’s Raman Raghav, who had killed nine people in their sleep in the 1960s. | A serial killer on Mumbai's streets killed yet another person last night; making the latter one of five young men murdered recently. The body of a 20-year-old unidentified man was found in a secluded spot on the railway tracks between Churchgate and Grant Road, his head was crushed by a 10 kg stone. A senior police official said that they had found food at the crime scene, indicating that the victim had been offered it before being bludgeoned. The police are awaiting the post-mortem report to confirm whether this victim, like the others before him, had been sexually assaulted before being murdered. This attack comes just a day after another body was found a kilometre away, near the Wankhede Stadium rail bridge. Police say that the perpetrator may have claimed up to eight lives so far, although his role has only been confirmed in four cases. The killer, suspected to be a man in his late 20s, targets young, male ragpickers in South Mumbai, killing them in the early morning and leaving a beer can at the scene of the crime. Although the latest killing appears to be the work of the same man, Railway Police officials are wary of declaring this homocide as the work of the same perpetrator, saying there were "similarities as well as differences in the modus operandi of the murderer". Mumbai Police have established a 90-man team tasked with nabbing the serial killer, who a senior police official compared to Raman Raghav, who bludgeoned 9 pavement dwellers in their sleep in the 60s. |
Error: Javascript is disabled in this browser. This page requires Javascript. Modify your browser's settings to allow Javascript to execute. See your browser's documentation for specific instructions. ||||| Asharq Al-Awsat A Jordanian Royal Decree has been issued on Sunday accepting the resignation of Justice Minister Bassam Talhouni and Interior Minister Ibrahim Mubaideen from their positions as of 28, February 2021. Another Royal Decree was issued, approving the assigning of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Local Administration Tawfiq Kreishan to administer the Ministry of Interior, and Minister of State for Legal Affairs Ahmad Ziadat to administer the Ministry of Justice, as of 28, February 2021. This came following reports by Jordanian media stating that Prime Minister Bishr Al-Khasawneh asked the two ministers to resign for violating defense orders to combat Covid-19 and attending a dinner in a restaurant, exceeding the allowed number at the table. ||||| Slideshow ( 2 images ) AMMAN (Reuters) - Jordan’s interior and justice ministers were fired on Sunday for attending a dinner party at a restaurant that violated the coronavirus restrictions that their own ministries are supposed to enforce. Prime Minister Bisher al Khasawneh accepted the resignation of Interior Minister Samir Mobeideen and Justice Minister Bassam Talhouni, days after the announcement of new rules intended to stem a month-old surge of infections driven by a more contagious variant of the virus. Their appearance in a public banqueting room, disregarding social distancing rules, added to widespread outrage at the hefty fines slapped on ordinary people while officials go unpunished for attending functions with far more than the 20 guests allowed. Police have arrested dozens of people for breaking stay-at-home orders in recent weeks and shut hundreds of shops and businesses in one of the toughest crackdowns in a year of lockdowns and restrictions. The government has also deployed more military personnel at hundreds of checkpoints to enforce last Thursday’s decision to bring forward a curfew from midnight to 10 p.m. Officials say the latest wave of infections has been driven by people flouting restrictions on movement. Under the new rules, anyone not wearing a face mask in public can be fined up to 100 dinars ($140), a punitive sum in a relatively poor country where the pandemic has pushed unemployment to record levels. The kingdom, with a population of around 10 million, has recorded 380,268 coronavirus infections and 4,627 deaths. | The Jordanian Ministers for Interior and Justice resigned yesterday after they were found violating anti-coronavirus measures. File photo of now ex-Minister of Justice Bassam Talhouni. Both Interior Minister Samir Mobeideen and Justice Minister were found at a public banquet violating the social distancing as well as maximum permissible capacity guidelines which their ministries are expected to enforce. Current capacity is limited to 20 people. This comes days after the imposition of new restrictions on Jordanians, including stay-at-home orders, a military-enforced curfew and a 100 (~US$140) fine on those not wearing face masks. Their resignations was accepted by Prime Minister and, in one of two Royal Decrees, King Abdullah II. According to multiple reports, the second decree ratified Deputy Prime Minister for Local Administration to run the Ministry of the Interior and State Minister for Legal Affairs to run the Ministry of Justice. A recent surge in new infections by of the coronavirus have led to at least 4627 deaths and over 300 thousand cases in the nation of ten million, Reuters reporterd. Officials attribute it to Jordanians not obeying the restrictions, and have arrested dozens for breaching stay-at-home orders; hundreds of businesses have also been closed, Reuters further added in the report. |
Google's new operating system to take on Microsoft SUN VALLEY, Idaho (AP) — Google Inc. is working on a new operating system for inexpensive computers in a daring attempt to wrest away Microsoft Corp.'s long-running control over people's computing experience. The new operating system, announced late Tuesday night on Google's Web site, will be based on the company's nine-month-old Web browser, Chrome. Google intends to rely on help from the community of open-source programmers to develop the Chrome operating system, which is expected to begin running computers in the second half of 2010. The Mountain View, Calif.-based company disclosed its plans for the operating system shortly after an online technology news service, Ars Technica, and The New York Times telegraphed the news on their Web sites. Google is designing the operating system primarily for "netbooks," a lower-cost, less powerful breed of laptop computers that is becoming increasingly popular among budget-conscious consumers primarily interested in surfing the Web. The operating system represents Google's boldest challenge yet to its biggest nemesis — Microsoft. A high-stakes duel between the two technology powerhouses has been steadily escalating in recent years as Google's dominance of the Internet's lucrative search market has given it the means to threaten Microsoft in ways that few other companies can. Google already has rankled Microsoft by luring away some of its top employees and developing an online suite of computer programs that provide an alternative to Microsoft's top-selling word processing, spreadsheet and calendar applications. Meanwhile, Microsoft has been trying to thwart Google by investing billions of dollars to improve its own Internet search and advertising systems — to little avail so far. In the past month or so, though, Microsoft has been winning positive reviews and picking up more users with the latest upgrade to its search engine, now called "Bing." Microsoft is hailing the makeover with a $100 million marketing campaign. Now Google is aiming for Microsoft's financial jugular with Chrome its operating system. Microsoft has drawn much of its power — and profits — from the Windows operating system that has steered most personal computers for the past two decades. Google's chief executive, Eric Schmidt, and its co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, have made little attempt to conceal their disdain for Windows in recent years. Schmidt maintains Microsoft sometimes unfairly rigs its operating system to limit consumer choices — something that Microsoft has consistently denied doing. Google fears Microsoft could limit access to its search engine and other products if Windows is set up to favor Microsoft products in the default settings. Page and Brin have frequently derided Windows as a clunky operating system susceptible to computer viruses and other security problems. Google made a veiled reference to Windows' perceived shortcomings in its blog posting. "We hear a lot from our users and their message is clear — computers need to get better," wrote Sundar Pichai, Google's vice president of product management and Linus Upson, Google's engineering director. A Microsoft spokesman didn't immediately respond to an e-mail request for comment sent early Wednesday morning. Schmidt and Brin are expected to discuss Google's new operating system later this week when they appear at a media conference hosted by Allen & Co. at the Sun Valley resort in Idaho. Despite its own power and prominence, Google won't have an easy time changing the status quo that has governed the personal computing industry for so long. As an example of how difficult it is to topple a long-established market leader, Google estimates about 30 million people are now using its Chrome browser — a fraction of those that rely on Microsoft's market-leading Internet Explorer. And there have been various attempts to develop open-source software to undermine Microsoft with relatively little effect. The Chrome operating system will run in a new windowing system on top of a Linux kernel — computer coding that has been the foundation for the open-source software movement for nearly two decades. Google has already introduced an operating system for mobile devices, called Android, that vies against various other systems, including ones made by Microsoft and Apple Inc. The Android system worked well enough to entice some computer makers to begin developing netbooks that will eventually run on it. Google, though, apparently believes a Chrome-based system will be better suited for running applications in netbooks. "We believe choice will drive innovation for the benefit of everyone, including Google," wrote Pichai and Upson. Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ||||| By Maggie Shiels Technology reporter, BBC News, Silicon Valley Google is developing an operating system (OS) for personal computers, in a direct challenge to market leader Microsoft and its Windows system. Google Chrome OS will be aimed initially at small, low-cost netbooks, but will eventually be used on PCs as well. Google said netbooks with Chrome OS could be on sale by the middle of 2010. "Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS," the firm said in its official blog. The operating system, which will run on an open source licence, was a "natural extension" of its Chrome browser, the firm said. The news comes just months before Microsoft launches the latest version of its operating system, called Windows 7. 'Back to basics' "We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you on to the web in a few seconds," said the blog post written by Sundar Pichai, vice-president of product management, and Google's engineering director Linus Upson. So at long last Google is making its move. It is poised to strike at the heart of Microsoft's software empire. Tim Weber, Business editor, BBC News website Charge of Google's light brigade Both men said that "the operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web" and that this OS was "our attempt to rethink what operating systems should be". To that end, the search giant said the new OS would go back to basics. "We are completely redesigning the underlying security architecture of the OS so that users don't have to deal with viruses, malware and security updates. "It should just work," said Google. Google already has an operating system for mobile phones called Android which can also be used to run on netbooks. Google Chrome OS will be aimed not just at laptops but also at desktops for those who spend a lot of time on the web. 'Truly competitive' The announcement could dramatically change the market for operating systems, especially for Microsoft, the biggest player with around 90% share. "This announcement is huge," said Rob Enderle, industry watcher and president of the Enderle Group. "This is the first time we have had a truly competitive OS on the market in years. This is potentially disruptive and is the first real attempt by anyone to go after Microsoft. "Google is coming at this fresh and, because it is based on a set of services that reside on the web, it is the first really post-web operating system, designed from the ground up, and reconceived for a web world," Mr Enderle told the BBC. It's a few hours since Google used its company blog to announce its entry into the operating systems market, and already opinion is strongly divided Rory Cellan-Jones BBC's technology correspondent Read Rory's thoughts in full Last year Google launched the Chrome browser, which it said was designed for "people who live on the web - searching for information, checking e-mail, catching up on the news, shopping or just staying in touch with friends". Stephen Shankland at CNET said the move had widespread implications. "One is that it shows just how serious Google is about making the web into a foundation not just for static pages but for active applications, notably its own such as Google Docs and G-mail. "Another, it opens new competition with Microsoft and, potentially, a new reason for anti-trust regulators to pay close attention to Google's moves." Some commentators said Google's motivation in all this was pretty clear. "One of Google's major goals is to take Microsoft out, to systematically destroy their hold on the market," said Mr Enderle. "Google wants to eliminate Microsoft and it's a unique battle. The strategy is good. The big question is, will it work?" At the popular blog, TechCrunch, MG Siegler said: "Let's be clear on what this really is. This is Google dropping the mother of all bombs on its rival, Microsoft." Microsoft releases Windows 7 later this year to replace Windows Vista and Windows XP, which is eight years old. The Redmond-based company claims that 96% of netbooks run Windows to date. Out of beta In a separate announcement Google also revealed that many of its most popular applications had finally moved out of trial, or beta, phase. Gmail, for example, has worn the beta tag for five years. "We realise this situation puzzles some people, particularly those who subscribe to the traditional definition of beta software as being not yet ready for prime time," wrote Matthew Glotzbach, the director of product management in the official Google blog. The decision to ditch the beta tag was taken because the apps had finally reached the "high bar" mark, he wrote. More than 1.75 million companies use Google apps, according to the firm. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version | Google logo. Google announced today that they are developing Google Chrome OS. The operating system, announced on their official blog, will be based on their Chrome browser, which is now nine months old. Google said that at first it will be targeted toward netbooks, but in the future, will eventually expand. The company said that it will continue to be developed alongside Android, their operating system currently being used on mobile devices. The system will run in a windowing system atop a Linux kernel and will be fully open source. It is planned to be released in 2010. On their blog, Google said, "Speed, simplicity and security are the key aspects of Google Chrome OS. We're designing the OS to be fast and lightweight, to start up and get you onto the web in a few seconds," said the blog post written by Sundar Pichai, Vice President Product Management, and Google's engineering director, Linus Upson. Both men said that "the operating systems that browsers run on were designed in an era where there was no web" and that the new OS is "our attempt to re-think what operating systems should be". |
Yeltsin oversaw a period of immense change in Russia Mr Yeltsin - who had a history of heart trouble - died of heart failure in hospital at 1545 (1145 GMT). He came to power after being promoted by former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, a man he then outmanoeuvred. He won international acclaim as a defender of democracy when in August 1991 he mounted a tank in Moscow. In what became one of the defining moments of his career, Mr Yeltsin rallied the people against an attempt to overthrow Mr Gorbachev's era of glasnost and perestroika. In another episode of high drama, two years later he ordered Russian tanks to fire on their own parliament in October 1993, when the building was occupied by hardline political opponents. YELTSIN KEY DATES July 1990: Resigns from Communist Party June 1991: Elected president of Russian republic (in USSR) August 1991: Rallies citizens against anti-Gorbachev coup, bans Russian communist party December 1991: Takes over from Mikhail Gorbachev as head of state 1992: Lifts price controls, launches privatisation October 1993: Russia on brink of civil war, Yeltsin orders tanks to fire at parliament December 1994: Sends tanks into Chechnya June 1996: Re-elected as Russian president, suffers heart attack during campaign 1998: Financial crisis, rouble loses 75% of its value December 1999: Resigns, appoints Vladimir Putin successor Obituary of Yeltsin In quotes: Reaction to death But Mr Yeltsin, who became Russia's first democratically-elected leader after Mr Gorbachev resigned in December 1991, saw his final years in office overshadowed by increasingly erratic behaviour and plummeting popularity as the economy suffered. Bouts of ill-health were accompanied by rumours of a drinking problem, exhibited most famously when Mr Yeltsin grabbed a conductor's baton in Berlin and, apparently inebriated, tried to sing along with the orchestra. The BBC's diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall says despite his unpredictability, Boris Yeltsin remained a reliable Western ally, even when relations grew icy over Nato's military action against Yugoslavia in 1999. He announced his retirement in the final hours of 1999, handing over to former secret service chief Vladimir Putin, who was prime minister at the time. Mr Yeltsin may have disappointed Russians by bringing them neither peace nor prosperity, our correspondent says. But, she adds, he did help end 70 years of Soviet Communism, and that, in the long run, is what he will probably be remembered for. Mr Gorbachev paid a mixed tribute to his successor, saying Mr Yeltsin was responsible for "many great deeds for the good of the country and serious mistakes", Russia's Interfax news agency reported. Mr Putin has telephoned Mr Yeltsin's widow, Naina, to express his condolences. The US White House praised Mr Yeltsin as an "historic figure during a time of great change and challenge for Russia". A funeral for the former Russian president will take place at Moscow's Novodevichy cemetery on Wednesday 25 April. President Putin has also declared that a day of national mourning. "We will do everything we can to ensure that the memory of Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin, his noble thoughts and his words ''take care of Russia' serve as a moral and political benchmark for us," he said in a televised address. Chechen debacle Mr Yeltsin's eight years in power brought immense changes to Russia. I cannot shift the blame for Chechnya... I made the decision, therefore I am responsible Boris Yeltsin The BBC's Russian affairs analyst, Steven Eke, says under the Yeltsin leadership, Russians were given greater political and civic freedoms than they had ever enjoyed. The media, especially television, were able to criticise the authorities, even the president, in a way they would no longer consider possible, he says. But history may judge Mr Yeltsin's actions towards the rebellious region of Chechnya much more harshly, he adds. In 1994, Mr Yeltsin launched a disastrous large-scale military intervention in the breakaway republic, pledging to crush resistance in days. Instead, a bloody war of attrition ensued, which left tens of thousands of people dead, and the north Caucasus permanently destabilised Speaking in an interview with Russian television in 2000, Mr Yeltsin said that he saw the lives lost in Chechnya as the biggest responsibility he had to bear. But he added that there had been no alternative and that Russia had to act against Chechen separatists. "I cannot shift the blame for Chechnya, for the sorrow of numerous mothers and fathers," he said. "I made the decision, therefore I am responsible." ||||| MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia’s former president Boris Yeltsin was to lie in state on Tuesday before a state funeral for the man who dismantled the Soviet Union and led Russia through its first uncertain years of independence. Boris Yeltsin attends a concert in Moscow in a 2003 photo. Yeltsin died on Monday aged 76. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin Members of the public will be able to pay their respects to Yeltsin, who died of heart failure on Monday aged 76, at the Cathedral of Christ the Savour near the Kremlin, a church blown up by the Communists then rebuilt under Yeltsin. “He will be lying in state in the second half of today,” said a Kremlin spokeswoman. “It will be open to the public.” Russian newspapers were filled with tributes to Yeltsin, the country’s first democratically-elected leader. But they also noted his shortcomings: economic turmoil, his disastrous war against rebels in Chechnya, and his drink-fuelled gaffes. “The man who gave people new life and new opportunities to pursue their dreams also — and this was important for him — removed fear from people’s hearts,” said a commentary in the Nezavisimaya Gazeta daily. “People saw their difficulties in adapting to a new way of life as the blunders of the country’s leader. And as people no longer had fear, the head of state was ostracized by just about everyone.” Boris Yeltsin waves to a crowd of demonstrators in Moscow in 1991. Yeltsin died on Monday aged 76. REUTERS/Michael Samojeden/Files NATIONAL MOURNING President Vladimir Putin, whom the ailing and out of touch Yeltsin handpicked to succeed him before stepping down in 1999, issued a decree declaring Wednesday a day of national mourning. In an address to the nation late on Monday, Putin said that thanks to Yeltsin, “a whole new epoch was born. New democratic Russia was born, a free state open to the world.” Putin’s decree instructed presidential chief-of-staff Sergei Sobyanin to take charge of funeral arrangements, and ordered the foreign ministry to invite world leaders. It was not yet clear who would be attending. Slideshow (8 Images) After a funeral service on Wednesday in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Yeltsin is to be buried the same day in Moscow’s Novodevichye cemetery, the Kremlin said. Former Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev and composer Dmitry Shostakovich are also buried there. Many of the newspaper tributes to Yeltsin viewed him through the prism of seven years under Putin who, critics say, has rolled back many of the democratic reforms his patron introduced. “Boris Yeltsin said that he was leaving Russia to ‘a new generation of politicians’, under whom the country ‘will never go back to the past’. But over seven years of his presidency Vladimir Putin has proved that a return to the past is possible,” said the Kommersant newspaper. There was also acknowledgement of Yeltsin’s shortcomings, including a privatization drive that handed state assets to loyal business moguls at rock-bottom prices. “The malevolence of fate: everything he initiated turned out the opposite way round. He wanted to make many rich but only enriched a few,” said the Moskovsky Komsomolets newspaper. Alluding to Yeltsin’s penchant for alcohol, the paper said: “He had one personal weakness, which is understandable and forgivable for Russia. And it wasn’t this weakness that ruined his authority but the war (in Chechnya) and privatization.” | Boris Yeltsin in 1993 Former President of Russia Boris Yeltsin has died at age 76, according to a Kremlin spokesperson. "Today, at 15:45 (11:45 GMT) Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin died in the Central Clinical Hospital as a result of a deteriorating cardio-vascular problem," said the spokesperson. Yeltsin had a history of heart problems. Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin (Russian: Бори́с Никола́евич Е́льцин) was the first President of the Russian Federation from 1991 to 1999. The Yeltsin era was a traumatic period in Russian history— marked by widespread corruption, economic collapse, and enormous political and social problems. Yeltsin maintained a low profile since his resignation, making almost no public statements or appearances. However, on February 1, 2006, Yeltsin celebrated his 75th birthday. He used this occasion as an opportunity to criticize a "monopolistic" United States foreign policy, and to state that Vladimir Putin was the right choice for Russia. |
Drone Kills 8 in Pakistan Pakistani officials say a suspected U.S. drone attack has killed at least eight people in the country's northwest. Pakistani officials say a suspected U.S. drone attack has killed at least eight people, including foreign militants, in the country's northwest. The officials say two missiles were fired at a compound being used by suspected Taliban militants in Mir Ali village, in North Waziristan, a region on the Afghanistan-border that is a militant stronghold. U.S. military officials never confirm such attacks, but its armed forces and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) employees in Afghanistan are the only forces that deploy pilotless drones in the region. The head of the CIA, Leon Panetta, was in Pakistan Friday for talks with Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. The prime minister's office said Mr. Gilani stressed that U.S. policy in Afghanistan take into account Pakistan's concerns. The statement also said the two men agreed to "operational functioning" among their two militaries and intelligence agencies to fight terrorism. Meanwhile, Pakistani officials say a remote-controlled bomb ripped through a police vehicle in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing two police officers instantly, while a third died later of his injuries. That bombing on Friday came less than 24 hours after a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a court building in Peshawar, killing at least 19 people and wounding more than 36 others. Militant attacks have surged in the northwest since Pakistan launched a major anti-Taliban offensive in the lawless tribal region of South Waziristan in mid-October. Military officials say around 500 militants and 70 soldiers have been killed since the offensive began. The reports cannot be independently verified because journalists and rights groups are barred from the battlefield. Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters. ||||| US drone strike kills eight in Pakistan: officials MIRANSHAH, Pakistan — The strike took place in the district of Mir Ali, northeast of Miranshah, the main town of the restive North Waziristan tribal district, officials said. "At least eight people were killed in the drone attack. A compound used by militants was targeted," a senior security official told AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. Another security official described the target as a Taliban training centre in Palooseen village. There were foreigners among the dead, the official said, using a term employed widely in Pakistan to mean Al-Qaeda operatives. North Waziristan neighbours South Waziristan, where Pakistan has been pressing its most ambitious offensive to date against homegrown Taliban militants since October 17, sending troops backed by fighter jets and helicopter gunships into battle. Northwest Pakistan has seen a surge in the US strikes, which fan anti-Americanism in the nuclear-armed Muslim country, since President Barack Obama took office and put the country on the frontline of the war on Al-Qaeda. Obama has reportedly increased pressure on Islamabad to fight not just Tehreek-e-Taliban, which launches attacks within Pakistan, but those using Pakistan as a base from which to fight the Kabul government and Western troops in Afghanistan. Another US drone attack killed six militants, including three foreigners, in North Waziristan overnight Wednesday to Thursday, Pakistani officials said. A foreign "terrorist" named Salah al-Somali was the target, but there was no confirmation on whether he died or not, Pakistani military officials said. The US military does not, as a rule, confirm drone attacks, which US officials say have killed a number of top-level militants but Islamabad publicly opposes as a violation of its sovereignty. Criticism of the strikes has lessened somewhat in public since a US drone attack killed Pakistan's much feared Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud on August 5 and analysts say Islamabad gives its tacit support to the strikes. Since August 2008, at least 65 such strikes have killed around 625 people, although it is difficult to confirm the precise identity of many of those who die given that the remote region is largely closed to outsiders. Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More » ||||| US drone strike kills eight in Pakistan: officials MIRANSHAH, Pakistan — The strike took place in the district of Mir Ali, northeast of Miranshah, the main town of the restive North Waziristan tribal district, officials said. "At least eight people were killed in the drone attack. A compound used by militants was targeted," a senior security official told AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media. Another security official described the target as a Taliban training centre in Palooseen village. There were foreigners among the dead, the official said, using a term employed widely in Pakistan to mean Al-Qaeda operatives. North Waziristan neighbours South Waziristan, where Pakistan has been pressing its most ambitious offensive to date against homegrown Taliban militants since October 17, sending troops backed by fighter jets and helicopter gunships into battle. Northwest Pakistan has seen a surge in the US strikes, which fan anti-Americanism in the nuclear-armed Muslim country, since President Barack Obama took office and put the country on the frontline of the war on Al-Qaeda. Obama has reportedly increased pressure on Islamabad to fight not just Tehreek-e-Taliban, which launches attacks within Pakistan, but those using Pakistan as a base from which to fight the Kabul government and Western troops in Afghanistan. Another US drone attack killed six militants, including three foreigners, in North Waziristan overnight Wednesday to Thursday, Pakistani officials said. A foreign "terrorist" named Salah al-Somali was the target, but there was no confirmation on whether he died or not, Pakistani military officials said. The US military does not, as a rule, confirm drone attacks, which US officials say have killed a number of top-level militants but Islamabad publicly opposes as a violation of its sovereignty. Criticism of the strikes has lessened somewhat in public since a US drone attack killed Pakistan's much feared Taliban warlord Baitullah Mehsud on August 5 and analysts say Islamabad gives its tacit support to the strikes. Since August 2008, at least 65 such strikes have killed around 625 people, although it is difficult to confirm the precise identity of many of those who die given that the remote region is largely closed to outsiders. Copyright © 2009 AFP. All rights reserved. More » ||||| Eight suicide bomb attacks in Pakistan in November, six of them in Peshawar, have killed 110 people [AFP] The strike on Friday came as Leon Panetta, the director of the CIA, held talks with officials in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. At least eight people have been killed in a suspected US missile attack targeting al-Qaeda-linked fighters in Pakistan's mountains on the Afghan border. The attack was the second in two days in North Waziristan, considered by US officials to be the most dangerous place in the world where al-Qaeda fighters are plotting attacks on the West. The missile slammed into a compound used by anti-government fighters in Palooseen, a village located in the district of Mir Ali, Pakistani officials said. Also on Friday, at least three police officers were killed after a roadside bomb hit their convoy in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar, police said. Officials said about six people were also wounded when their vehicle drove over a bomb buried beneath a road. The attack, shortly after midnight, came hours after a suicide bomber blew himself up outside a court building in the city, killing at least 19 people. "It was a remote-controlled bomb. Two policemen died on the spot, while a third has succumbed to his injuries a short while ago," Mohammad Haroon, a police official, told the Reuters news agency. 'Operational functioning' During his second visit to Pakistan since taking office this year, Panetta held talks with Yousuf Raza Gilani, the prime minister of Pakistan, on Washington's policy review in Afghanistan. A statement released by Gilani's office said that both agreed on "operational functioning between the two militaries and intelligence agencies" to eliminate the terror threat. Peshawar, capital of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) bordering Afghanistan, has borne the brunt of the attacks perpetrated by the Taliban in recent weeks in retaliation for a military offensive launched in the country's semi-autonomous tribal region of South Waziristan. The Pakistani military launched its offensive against members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, one of the main anti-government groups, nearly a month ago, pitting about 30,000 troops against an estimated 10 to 12,000 Taliban fighters in South Waziristan. Eight suicide bomb attacks in Pakistan this month alone - six of them in Peshawar - have killed 110 people. The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for several of the attacks, but Gilani said that many of the group's commanders were on the run. "They are using the weapons they have scattered here and there," he said. "God willing, it will take some time, but I assure you things will return to normal soon." The US, weighing options for how to tackle an intensifying Taliban campaign in Afghanistan, has welcomed the offensive but is keen to see Pakistan tackle Afghan Taliban factions based along the border. Despite the barrage of bombs, the Pakistani government says it is determined to defeat the Taliban fighters with the help of its allies. | Pakistani officials said that a suspected US drone attack has killed at least eight people today, including foreign militants, in the country's northwest. The officials said that two missiles were fired at a compound being used by suspected Taliban militants in Mir Ali village, in North Waziristan, a region on the Afghanistan-border that is said to be a militant stronghold. "At least eight people were killed in the drone attack. A compound used by militants was targeted," said an unnamed official to the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency. Police official Mohammad Haroon said to the Reuters news agency that "it was a remote-controlled bomb. Two policemen died on the spot, while a third has succumbed to his injuries a short while ago." US military officials generally do not confirm attacks such as these, but its armed forces and Central Intelligence Agency employees in Afghanistan are the only forces that deploy pilotless drones in the region. At least 65 similar drone strikes have killed about 625 people in Pakistan since August of last year, according to AFP. |
Japan's Prime Minister calling nuclear situation "very grave and serious" Posted: Friday, March 25, 2011 12:30 PM EST TOKOYO, Japan (NBC)--Japan's prime minister is describing the situation at the crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant as "very grave and serious." Officials suspect one of the reactor cores may have been breached, a situation that could mean more serious radioactive contamination. The apparent leak is in Reactor Three which has been the most troubled at the Fukushima site. Friday, Prime Minister Naoto Kan addressed the nation, "The government is stepping up monitoring efforts to control the radiation." The problem came to light when three workers got exposed to excess radiation on Thursday. A day later, two of them were taken to a special radiation hospital in Tokyo. Measurements of the radiation in water in the plant found it to be 10,000 times normal. Today an official was asked about the source. "When you take a look at the water, it appears that the source of the radiation is from the nuclear reactor." Also today, the government said people living with 18 miles of the reactor site should consider a voluntary evacuation. Earlier, they had suggested people in that zone stay indoors. The next big questions: how much of the radiation is leaking and how much will be remain in the concrete and steel containment facility that surrounds it and how much gets into the environment. Reactor number three, where a hydrogen explosion destroyed the building covering the containment facility, is considered the most dangerous because its fuel contains plutonium which is even more dangerous than the uranium in the other reactors. "Nuclear engineers tell me that there is no clear path forward, there is no obvious next step. The only thing that is clear, is this is going to be dangerous and go on for weeks and maybe longer," said NBC News reporter Robert Bazell. ||||| Japan steps up nuclear plant precautions; Kan apologizes Residents within 18 miles of the Fukushima plant are urged to leave; the previous limit had been 12 miles. The prime minister urges people to summon their courage and apologizes to farmers and business owners near the plant. People living within 12 miles of the plant have been evacuated, yet those living between 12 and 18 miles of the facility have been told it is safe to remain as long as they stay indoors. But two weeks after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the country and hobbled the plant, causing radiation to leak, the situation has yet to be resolved. Japan's government Friday urged residents living within 18 miles of the stricken Fukushima nuclear power plant to voluntarily leave their homes and suggested that officials could expand the mandatory evacuation zone. "It has become increasingly difficult for goods to arrive, and life has become harder," Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said at a news conference. He called upon local governments in the zone near the plant to encourage people to leave. It was not immediately clear how many people remained within 18 miles of the plant. Photos: Japan's earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis As the country marked the second week since the disaster and the official death toll crossed 10,000, Prime Minister Naoto Kan addressed the nation, urging victims to "summon the courage to keep moving forward" and pledging the "utmost" efforts to rebuild the country. But under pointed questioning from reporters, Kan said that the situation at the Fukushima plant remained "grave and serious." "We are not in a position where we can be optimistic. We must treat every development with the utmost care," he said, dressed in a blue jumpsuit. He also apologized to farmers and business owners around the plant for damage caused, and sought to rebut criticism that his government has failed to communicate in a clear and timely fashion with the public and foreign governments about the situation at the Fukushima plant. Kan's remarks came after nuclear safety agency officials said that they suspected a breach in the reactor core of one unit at the quake-damaged plant. Two workers at the facility were hospitalized for radiation exposure Thursday after stepping into contaminated water during repair operations at reactor No. 3. The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said water in the turbine room where the workers were exposed registered about 10,000 times the level of radiation found in coolant inside a reactor. That could indicate there was damage to the core and a leak through the containment vessel, the agency said. | Two weeks after a disastrous earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, the has been described by the Prime Minister as "very grave and serious". In a nationally televised report to the nation on Friday, said the Japanese government was "not in a position where we can be optimistic." Radiation is reported to still be leaking from the plant, in . "The source of the radiation seems to be the ," said official Hidehiko Nishiyama, adding that radiation was "more likely" coming from the core than from the reactor's . On Thursday three workers stepped into contaminated cooling water in the reactor's turbine room while trying to replace cables at reactor No. 3, Nishiyama said. The water seeped into the the boots of two of the workers, touching their skin and causing lesions; the third worker's clothing protected him from the water. The two workers with skin lesions were hospitalized for radiation exposure. The radiation level of the contaminated water measured 10,000 times the level of cooling water in an undamaged reactor. Work has been stopped on attempts to reattach a permanent power line to the in reactor No. 3, and the building has been evacuated. Nishiyama could give no predictions of when work would resume. The possibility that water is leaking from the core of reactor No. 3 increases the danger for workers who attempt to cool the crippled plant. The reactors must be cooled before more safety work can begin. Japan had been using seawater for cooling since the disaster crippled the power plant's cooling systems, but U.S. officials were concerned that saltwater could harm the equipment, causing it to seize up and corrode, thereby worsening the situation. == Sources == * * * |
Government goes high-tech to redesign $100 bills WASHINGTON — The folks who print America's money have designed a high-tech makeover of the $100 bill. It's part of an effort to stay ahead of counterfeiters as technology becomes more sophisticated and more dollars flow overseas, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says. The makeover, unveiled Wednesday by Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, may leave people wondering if there's magic involved. Benjamin Franklin is still on the C-note. But he has been joined by a disappearing Liberty Bell in an inkwell and a bright blue security ribbon composed of thousands of tiny lenses that magnify objects in mysterious ways. Move the bill, and the objects move in a different direction. The new currency will not go into circulation until Feb. 10 of next year. That will give the government time to educate the public in the United States and around the world about the changes. "We estimate that as many as two-thirds of all $100 notes circulate outside the United States," said Bernanke, who stressed that the 6.5 billion in $100 bills now in circulation will remain legal tender. The $100 bill, the highest value denomination in general circulation, is the last bill to undergo an extensive redesign. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing began the process in 2003, adding splashes of color to spruce up first the $20 and then the $50, $10 and $5 bills. The $1 bill isn't getting a makeover. The changes are aimed at thwarting counterfeiters who are armed with ever-more sophisticated computers, scanners and color copiers. The $100 bill is the most frequent target of counterfeiters operating outside of the United States while the $20 bill is the favorite target of counterfeiters inside the country. The redesigned $100 bill had originally been expected to go into circulation in late 2008 but it's introduction was delayed to give the government time to refine all the new security features. The government has prepared education resources in 25 languages to inform the public about the design changes and is giving people a chance to view the new bills on its website. "We wanted the changes to be very obvious, visible and easy to see," Larry Felix, director of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, said in an interview with The Associated Press. The new blue security ribbon will give a 3-D effect to the micro-images that the thousands of lenses will be magnifying. Tilt the note back and forth and you will see tiny bells on the ribbon change to 100s as they move. But that's not all. Tilt the note back and forth and the images will move side to side. Tilt the note side to side and the images will move up and down. In addition, to the right of Franklin's portrait will be an inkwell that will change color from copper to green when the note is tilted. The movement will also make a Liberty Bell appear and disappear inside the inkwell. "As with previous U.S. currency redesigns, this note incorporates the best technology available to ensure we're staying ahead of counterfeiters," Geithner said. Franklin will remain on the front of the $100 bill and Independence Hall in Philadelphia will remain on the back of the currency although both have been modified in ways aimed at making it harder to produce counterfeit copies of the bills. "The new security features announced today come after more than a decade of research and development to protect our currency from counterfeiting," said U.S. Treasurer Rosie Rios, whose signature along with Geithner's will appear on the new currency. Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ||||| The $100 bill has gotten a new look intended to thwart counterfeiters. Officials from the Treasury Department, the Federal Reserve board and the United States Secret Service unveiled the new design Wednesday. The government had announced it last month. While the bill retains the security features found on the previous design, the new design also has a couple of new features. Among them, a blue “3-D Security Ribbon” contains images of bells and 100s that move and change as you tilt the note. Meanwhile, the “Bell in the Inkwell” on the front of the note changes color from copper to green when the note is tilted. According to the government, the $100 note is the most widely circulated and most often counterfeited denomination outside the United States. “This note incorporates the best technology available to ensure we’re staying ahead of counterfeiters,” Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner said in a statement. The reaction online so far has been positive from bloggers at sites like creditcardoutlaw.com and Bargaineering.com. What do you think of the new design? You can learn more about it here. ||||| Treasury unveils new high-tech $100 bills with '3-D Security Ribbon' Handout The bill (features on top above the old bill) features a variety of new security measures, including a blue "3-D Security Ribbon" that features tiny Liberty Bells. You won't need special glasses to spend the new $100 bills - even if they do boast 3-D technology. The new currency introduced Wednesday features a variety of new security measures, including a blue "3-D Security Ribbon" that features tiny Liberty Bells. The bells change to the number 100 when the bill is tilted, one of several changes that Treasury officials hope will frustrate counterfeiters. The 3-D strip is actually woven into the bill, rather than printed on the paper. The bill - due to debut on Feb. 10, 2011 - also features a color-changing inkwell and Liberty Bell to the right of Franklin's portrait on the bill. An embedded thread to Franklin's left will glow pink when placed under UV light. And the words "The United States of America" will be microprinted on Franklin's jacket collar. "This note incorporates the best technology available to ensure we're staying ahead of counterfeiters," said Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. The $100 bill is the favorite target of counterfeiters outside the United States, authorities said. As many of two-thirds of the current $100 bills in circulation are overseas. The bill was initially expected to appear in 2008, but the timetable was pushed back to allow additional security enhancements. Officials stressed that the 6.5 billion $100 bills currently in circulation will remain legal tender when the new bills roll out. | Obverse of the Series 2009 US$100 bill Reverse of the Series 2009 US$100 bill Official animated video released yesterday The United States 's unveiled a new Wednesday morning. This is the first time that the one hundred dollar note has been redesigned since 1996. Until now the one hundred dollar note, along with the and dollar notes, was not part of the newest batch of dollar note redesigns. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing redesigned the series 2006 5, 10, 20, and 50 dollar notes previously. The new one hundred dollar note will contain new security and design features. Along with a new stylized portrait of , the note also features a quill pen and inkwell on the obverse. On the reverse it has a new larger printed '100' in gold lettering. The new security features include a , a new more secure watermark, and a new feature called 'motion' which uses 650,000 micro lenses to create a moving image. The note was originally slated for release in 2008 although budget constraints pushed the release date back to late 2009 or early to mid 2010. The note will go into general circulation by early 2011. |
FILE - In this Jan. 14, 1977 black-and-white file photo, two former White House press secretaries, Ron Ziegler, left, and Jerry terHorst, right, chat with then-current press secretary Ron Nessen, center, at the National Press Club in Washington. terhorst, a former press secretary to President Gerald Ford is dead at age 87. (AP Photo, File) (AP / ) sns-ap-us-obit-terhorst WASHINGTON (AP) — Jerald terHorst, who resigned as White House press secretary rather than defend President Gerald Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon, is dead at age 87. A longtime Detroit News journalist, terHorst served for a month as Ford's spokesman in 1974 before quitting to protest the president's decision not to hold his predecessor accountable for any crimes in the Watergate scandal. TerHorst told Ford in his resignation letter he could not credibly speak for him in defending the pardon while young men who evaded Vietnam military service as a matter of conscience had to pay for their actions. TerHorst died Wednesday night of congestive heart failure at his retirement community in Asheville, N.C., attended by his grown children, according to his son Peter, who informed the Gridiron Club and Foundation in Washington. Ford issued the pardon as a way to heal a nation badly shaken by the scandal that drove Nixon from office after the 1972 break-in at Democratic headquarters by burglars tied to Nixon's re-election committee. The pardon itself opened a national rift but Ford said for the rest of his life that it was the right decision. Some historians have come around to that view. TerHorst persisted in his belief the pardon "set up a double standard of justice." He said that in addition to quitting over principle, he realized his job with Ford had become untenable because he was one of the last aides to find out the pardon was coming. In his Sept. 8, 1974, resignation letter, terHorst objected to the absence of pardons not only for draft resisters but other figures in the Watergate affair who ended up behind bars. "These are also men whose reputations and families have been grievously injured," he wrote. "Try as I can, it is impossible to conclude that the former president is more deserving of mercy than persons of lesser station in life whose offenses have had far less effect on our national well-being." Born in Grand Rapids, Mich., terHorst began covering Ford in the late 1940s as a reporter for The Grand Rapids Press, when the future president won his seat in Congress from Michigan. TerHorst joined The Detroit News in 1953 and moved to Washington in 1958, becoming the paper's bureau chief here in 1961. He returned as a syndicated columnist after his short stint with the president and went on to serve as Washington public affairs director for another Ford — the automaker. In a Detroit News interview last year, terHorst lamented that the job of White House press secretary has become less about telling Americans what the president is doing and why, than about peddling the presidential party line. "You do a lot of spinning," he told the paper. "I did not want to do that kind of work. I wanted to be the connection between the media and the president on his policies. That gets to be very difficult these days. It's a shame in a way that it's evolved in that direction." His wife Louise died last year and he is survived by four children. Memorial services were expected in Washington and Asheville. ||||| Jerald F. terHorst, Ford's press secretary, dies Jerald F. terHorst, 87, who resigned as White House press secretary over President Ford's pardon of Richard Nixon, died yesterday. Just a year ago, I talked to him upon his wife's death and was reminded that this journalist, who was press secretary for only 30 days, was one of the few public figures in Washington ever to resign on principle. When he came home with the news that Ford planned to pardon Nixon, his wife asked what he was going to do. "I told her I was going to resign. . . . She said, 'Sounds to me like you're on the right track,' " he told me. His letter of resignation is considered a classic.""As your spokesman, I do not know how I could credibly defend that decision in the absence of a like decision to grant absolute pardon to the young men who evaded Vietnam military service as a matter of conscience and the absence of pardons for former aides and associates of Mr. Nixon who have been charged with crimes -- and imprisoned -- stemming from the same Watergate situation," he wrote. "These are also men whose reputations and families have been grievously injured. Try as I can, it is impossible to conclude that the former President is more deserving of mercy than persons of lesser station in life whose offences have had far less effect on our national wellbeing." He returned to the Detroit News where he had previously worked, then became the spokesman for the Ford Motor Co. Here's a photo before the White House Press Room dedication for James Brady, Reagan's former Press Secretary. From left: Pierre Salinger (Kennedy), Jerald terHorst (Ford), Larry Speakes (Reagan) ,and Mike McCurrry (Clinton). | TerHorst's letter of resignation Former United States press secretary Jerald terHorst has died at the age of 87. TerHorst was President Gerald Ford’s first press secretary and served in the position for a month in 1974. The cause of death was announced as congestive heart failure. He resigned from his position over President Ford’s decision to pardon former President Richard Nixon after the Watergate scandal. TerHorst said that he could support President Ford’s decision if men who evaded service in the Vietnam war as a matter of conscience were pardoned. TerHorst wrote in his resignation letter to President Ford, “I must inform you that I cannot in good conscience support your decision to pardon former President Nixon even before he has been charged with the commission of any crime.” He continued to say that “As your spokesman, I do not know how I could credibly defend that decision.” After his resignation terHorst returned to Detroit and had a successful career as a journalist. |
On April 4, 2015, the Moon will turn a shade of red in many parts of the World as the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, casting its shadow on the Moon's surface. The Earth's atmosphere is to blame for turning the Moon red during a Lunar Eclipse. ©bigstockphoto.com/ prajit48 Animation: Next Eclipse in your city This will mark the first Total Lunar Eclipse of the year and the third eclipse in a series of four total eclipses of the Moon in the 2014-2015 lunar tetrad. 10 facts about the April 4, 2015 Total Lunar Eclipse Earth Casts its Shadow The Moon does not have any light of it's own – it shines because its surface reflects sunlight. During a Total Lunar Eclipse, the Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon and cuts off the Moon's light supply. When this happens, the surface of the Moon takes on a reddish glow instead of going completely dark. The red color of a totally eclipsed Moon has prompted many people in recent years to refer to Total Lunar Eclipses as Blood Moons. The science of Total Lunar Eclipses Why Red? The reason why the Moon takes on a reddish color during totality is a process called Rayleigh scattering. It is the same mechanism responsible for causing colorful sunrises and sunsets and the sky to look blue. Colorful Sunlight We all know from our school science textbooks that even though sunlight may look white to human eyes, it is actually composed of different colors. These colors are visible through a prism or in a rainbow. Colors towards the red spectrum have longer wavelengths and lower frequencies compared to colors towards the violet spectrum which have shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies. Earth's Atmosphere The next piece in the puzzle of why the sky looks blue and a totally eclipsed Moon turns red is the Earth's atmosphere. The atmosphere is about 300 miles (480 kilometers) thick and is made up of different gases, water droplets and dust particles. When sunlight entering the Earth's atmosphere strikes the particles that are smaller than the light's wavelength, it gets scattered. Not all colors in the light spectrum, however, get equally scattered. Colors with shorter wavelengths, for example those towards the violet spectrum, are scattered more strongly than those with longer wavelengths like red and orange, which pass through the atmosphere. This light then gets bent or refracted back to the surface of the Moon and gives it the reddish-orange glow that Total Lunar Eclipses are famous for. Light blue band visible on the Moon's surface. ©bigstockphoto.com/Medardus Look for a Blue Band Veteran eclipse watchers will tell you that if you look really hard right at the beginning and just before the end of totality, you may detect a light blue or turquoise band on the Moon's face. This happens because the Earth's Ozone Layer scatters red light and lets through some of the blue light that gets refracted to the Moon. How to view a Lunar Eclipse Many Shades of Red The Moon can take on different shades of red, orange or gold during a Total Lunar Eclipse, depending on the conditions of the Earth's atmosphere at the time of the Eclipse. The amount of dust particles, water droplets, clouds and mist can all have an effect on the shade of red. Volcanic ash and dust in the atmosphere can also lead to the Moon turning dark during an eclipse. Fun fact: If you were lucky enough to see a Total Lunar Eclipse from the Moon, you'd see a red ring around the Earth. In effect, you'll be seeing all the sunrises and sunsets taking place at that specific moment on Earth! Sunrise and sunset times in your city The Danjon Scale was created by French astronomer, André-Louis Danjon. Measuring the Eclipsed Moon's Brightness Scientists measure the appearance and brightness of a Total Lunar Eclipse using a five point scale – ranging from 0 to 4 – called the Danjon Scale. A Lunar Eclipse is ranked and assigned a value on the Scale at the time of mid totality. ||||| An astronaut in space captured haunting photographs of Friday’s total lunar eclipse, also called a blood moon because of its eerie orange-red colour. German astronaut Alexander Gerst, a geophysicist and spaceflight veteran, launched toward the International Space Station(ISS) on June 6. In the short time the European Space Agency astronaut has been in orbit, he’s done some stunning photography of Earth and the moon. On Friday, Gerst watched and photographed the eclipse from his temporary home about 250 miles above the planet. Here are a few pictures he snapped, plus some other share-worthy imagery he’s recorded over the past eight weeks. Astronauts on the space station see the moon many times per day because they orbit Earth about once every 90 minutes. It helps that their viewing platform is far above any clouds. Gerst took this photo of the moon fading into Earth’s atmosphere on June 22, 2018. Gerst trained on Earth to use all the photo gear at the space station before he launched into orbit. In addition to being a steady shot, Gerst will be the commander of the Expedition 57 mission aboard the ISS. On July 27, 2018 — when the moon was eclipsed by Earth’s shadow — Gerst was ready. The core of the planet’s shadow, called the umbra, coloured the moon red because of the way Earth’s atmosphere refracts the sun’s light. Alexander Gerst/European Space Agency “Just took a photo of the lunar eclipse from the International Space Station. Tricky to capture,” Gerst said in a caption for this picture. “The slight hue of blue is actually the Earth’s atmosphere, just before the moon is ‘diving into it.'” The moon was in totality (fully shadowed by the umbra) for nearly an hour and 43 minutes. Views during the partial eclipse, when the moon is in Earth’s outer shadow, or penumbra, were equally haunting. “A partially eclipsed moon, with our neighbuoring [sic] planet in the background, just before diving into Earth’s atmosphere. Just magical,” Gerst said of this image. Gerst managed to snap a handful of pictures before the blood moon wrapped up. “Caught the moon leaving Earth’s core shadow, just before setting over the South Atlantic,” Gerst said of this photo. “Last photo of the lunar eclipse taken from ISS.” When he’s not shooting a lunar eclipse, the German astronaut likes to photograph long shadows cast by cloud formations below him. “Did I mention I love cloud shadows?” Gerst wrote on Flickr while sharing several images he’s taken of the phenomena. Gerst has also managed to record time-lapse videos of auroras on Earth. “Alexander Gerst captured this time-lapse of a dancing aurora just 10 days into his Horizons mission aboard the International Space Station,” the ESA said. But Gerst’s real work is running experiments in orbit. He’s even working with a floating robotic head called CIMON, short for Crew Interactive Mobile Companion. The machine is powered by IBM Watson and will help guide Gerst through experiments while recording his every move. Gerst is expected to land back on Earth in December 2018, according to NASA. Business Insider Emails & Alerts Site highlights each day to your inbox. Email Address Join Follow Business Insider Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. ||||| Jul 27, 2018 Total Lunar Eclipse What this lunar eclipse looks like Jul 2018 The animation shows approximately what the eclipse looks like from the night side of earth. BETA: This is a temporary animation, it would look different in real life. We hope to fix that issue soon. Stages in eclipse ImageAnimation This animation requires Flash to be installed. We hope to offer it without needing Flash soon. Click the 'play' button to view the animation. The pause button can also be used to temporarily suspend the animation. The animation shows where this penumbral solar eclipse is visible during the night (dark “wave” slowly moving across the Earth's surface). The night (dark) areas in the animation are approximately those that can see the moon, and therefore also the eclipse. Legend Intense red shading: Observers within this area can see the eclipse from beginning to end. Red shading left/west of intense shading: Observers within this area can see the eclipse until moonset/sunrise. Red shading right/east of intense shading: Observers within this area can see the eclipse after moonrise/sunset. No coloring: Eclipse is not visible at all Note: Actual eclipse visibility depends on weather conditions Where to see the eclipse Continents seeing at least some parts of the eclipse: West in Asia East in Australia Parts of Africa East in North America East in South America Indian Ocean Total eclipse visible in... Locations near the shadow's path: Partial eclipse visible in... When the eclipse happens worldwide Lunar eclipses look approximately the same all over the world and happen at the same time. The times displayed might be a minute or two off actual times. Advertising Event UTC Time Time in Washington DC* Visible in Washington DC Penumbral Eclipse begins Jul 27 at 5:17 PM Jul 27 at 1:17 PM No, under horizon Partial Eclipse begins Jul 27 at 6:26 PM Jul 27 at 2:26 PM No, under horizon Full Eclipse begins Jul 27 at 7:32 PM Jul 27 at 3:32 PM No, under horizon Maximum Eclipse Jul 27 at 8:22 PM Jul 27 at 4:22 PM No, under horizon Full Eclipse ends Jul 27 at 9:13 PM Jul 27 at 5:13 PM No, under horizon Partial Eclipse ends Jul 27 at 10:19 PM Jul 27 at 6:19 PM No, under horizon Penumbral Eclipse ends Jul 27 at 11:28 PM Jul 27 at 7:28 PM No, under horizon * The Moon is under the horizon during this eclipse, so it is not possible to view it in Washington DC. Eclipses during year 2018 ||||| A sequence of the Blood Moon lunar eclipse photos were taken over Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, July 27, 2018. While lunar eclipses occur sporadically throughout the year, this particular one was the longest occurring eclipse in the 21st century. This was only feasible because the moon was near it’s farthest point from Earth and orbiting slowly, essentially making it take longer to travel through the Earth’s shadow. The Earth was also near its farthest point from the sun, making Earth’s shadow appear larger. The next total lunar eclipse will be Jan. 21, 2019 and will be visible to North America. (U.S. Air Force Illustration by Staff Sgt. Kristin High) ||||| 1 of 21 Curiosity and awe have greeted a complete lunar eclipse, the longest one of this century and visible in much of the world. The so-called "blood moon", when it turns a deep red, was visible at different times in Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America when the sun, Earth and moon lined up perfectly, casting Earth's shadow on the moon. The total eclipse lasted 1 hour and 43 minutes, with the entire event lasting closer to four hours. In a special treat, Mars is also at its closest approach to Earth this week since 2003, making it appear bigger and brighter. | Observation from Chelsea, Victoria, Australia at 06:07am AEST (UTC+10). On Friday–Saturday —depending on observer's timezone— a total lunar eclipse occurred as the Moon was in the shadow of the Earth. As normal during such an eclipse, the Moon became faint and turned completely red as bluer light was by the Earth's atmosphere. Totality of 1 hour and 43 minutes was the longest in the 21st century. People were able to observe the eclipse from Australia, Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America. A volunteer named José Jiménez uploaded a photo of the incident today from in , Catalonia, Spain, featuring the Moon, Mars, and the on the same photo. German astronaut took photos of the Moon from the International Space Station and uploaded them to on the same day. According to timeanddate.com, the timeline of the eclipse was as follows. Event Time (UTC)July 27 Start penumbral eclipse 17:14:47 Start partial eclipse 18:24:27 Start full eclipse 19:30:15 Maximum eclipse 20:21:44 End full eclipse 21:13:11 End partial eclipse 22:19:00 End penumbral eclipse 23:28:38 Mars was also visible near the Moon; coming this week, reported , closer to Earth than at any time since 2003. Panoramica Luna de Sangre, Marte y la Via Lactea (42842944115).jpg|An observation from Alt Empordà in Girona, Catalonia, Spain, featuring the Moon, Mars and Milky Way, uploaded on July 31, 2018. Imzage taken at 23:31, on July 27, 2018. Visibility Lunar Eclipse 2018-07-27.png|Visibility map of the eclipse. Watch Today full moon eclipse full video live 28th - full moon eclipse video from India - red moon.webm|India. ImageNA.svg| Alexander Gerst - Lunar Eclipse 2018 - photo 2.jpeg|International Space Station. Alexander Gerst - Lunar Eclipse 2018 - 43637755162 0aa8cd69c9 o.jpg|International Space Station. SAM 0613 (28791930147).jpg|Location unknown. Includes Mars. 04:44, July 28, 2018 File:SAM 0649 (42777978065).jpg|Location unknown. Includes Mars. 05:13, July 28, 2018 End of blood moon over Brastad old cemetery.jpg|Sweden. 22:36, July 27, 2018. Lunar Eclipse 3310.jpg|Observation from Austria, 22:15, July 27, 2018. Eclipse de Luna de sangre desde Planetario de Madrid 03.jpg|Madrid, Spain. 23:29, July 27, 2018. 2017 Total Lunar Eclipse (43663340212).jpg|Switzerland. 20:25, July 27, 2018. Eclipse de lune 2018 (29816524528).jpg|A series of images from Télescope Celestron NexStar 8 SE, File:The Moon Before Eclipse in 20180727, Fuzhou 01.jpg |
Police arrested a man after the plane landed Police arrested the man soon after the Boeing 737 landed at Gando military base in Spain's Canary Islands. The hijacker seized the jet shortly after take-off from Mauritania's capital, Nouakchott. Police said he was armed with two handguns. The hijacker's motive was not known but officials in Spain and Mauritania said he had demanded to be flown to France. In-flight ordeal Seventy-one passengers - mostly Spaniards and Mauritanians - and eight crew were on the plane, reports from Spain said. All were released after the flight landed safely at the military strip near Las Palmas city's international airport. Twenty-one passengers were injured in the incident, including a pregnant woman who was treated for severe shock. "It has been liberated," the Associated Press news agency quoted foreign ministry spokesman Manuel Cacho as saying. "The hijacker has been detained." The plane took off from the north-west African nation in the late afternoon. It tried to land at Dakhla, in Western Sahara, but Moroccan authorities refused permission, security officials said. The plane was due to land in the northern Mauritanian port city of Nouadhibou, although it is not clear whether that was its final destination. ||||| By Borja Suarez LAS PALMAS, Spain (Reuters) - Passengers overpowered a suspected armed hijacker who had commandeered a Mauritanian plane on Thursday when he was knocked off his feet during a hard landing, a source close to the Mauritanian presidency said. The Air Mauritania Boeing 737 was on an internal flight in Mauritania when the hijacker, armed with pistols, demanded to be flown to France, officials said. The pilot landed in Spain's Canary Islands instead, where Spanish police arrested the man. "When the pilot landed he deliberately braked very hard. The man fell to the ground and was jumped on by passengers. He fired two bullets but there are no serious injuries," the Mauritanian source told Reuters. A spokeswoman for the Spanish emergency services said 20 people suffered minor cuts and bruises but added she knew of nobody being injured by gunfire, as one emergency services source had reported earlier. Spain's Interior Ministry said security forces arrested the hijacker and freed all 71 passengers and eight crew after the plane touched down at Gando airport on the island of Gran Canaria. Media reported the hijacker was North African. Air Mauritania's Director General Mohamed Ould El Moctar said the crew told him nobody was hurt and that the hijacker had acted alone. "The lone hijacker was armed with two pistols but it is not clear whether these were real or not," he told Al Jazeera television. Continued... ||||| Story Highlights • Passenger plane hijacked from Mauritania in West Africa • Plane lands at airport in Canary Islands, territory of Spain • One person arrested, government reports • Earlier reports say gunfire occurs Adjust font size: LAS PALMAS, Spain (Reuters) -- The hijacking of an Air Mauritania plane Thursday ended in the Canary Islands, a Spanish government official told RNE national radio. An Air Mauritania Boeing 737 passenger plane with 71 passengers and eight crew members aboard was hijacked after takeoff from the airport in Nouakchott, Mauritania's capital, Mauritanian officials said. A single suspect was arrested, Spanish media said. Emergency services earlier said several people had been wounded by gunfire. No further details were immediately available. "Fortunately the hijacking incident has ended favorably," Jose Segura, a government representative in the Canary Islands, told RNE. Earlier, a police officer at Nouakchott airport said the plane had been hijacked on a flight to the northern Mauritania port town of Nouadhibou and had flown instead to Dakhla in Western Sahara to take on fuel. The Canary Islands, off the northwest coast of Africa, are a territory of Spain. Copyright 2007 Reuters. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. | A hijacked Air Mauritania Boeing 737 passenger plane has landed on Spain's Canary Islands after making a fuel stop in Western Sahara, officials in Mauritania said today. It was hijacked after the takeoff from the Nouakchott airport. While on the plane, the man demanded it to be flown to France to seek asylum. The 71 passengers and eight person crew were let out when the hijacker landed the plane in Las Palmas. Several people were wounded by a gun and the suspect was arrested. Reports say that it is unconfirmed as to what the man's motive was. Mauritanian police are still investigating. |
Residents of the small community of Oltedal in western Norway were gathering to mourn the tragic deaths of a young local couple over the weekend. They apparently were asphyxiated in a bus while attending a rock music festival. The weekend trip to a rock music festival turned fatal for a group from the small community of Oltedal. Police investigators launched a thorough probe of the double-deck bus where 10 persons were found unconscious on Saturday. Two died. PHOTO: ANDERS MARTINSEN Terje Brueland, age 32 and Anita Wathne, age 31, had traveled to Kvinesdal on Norway's southwest coast to attend the Norwegian Rock Festival. They were staying with a group of friends from Oltedal on board the bus, which had been converted into a mobile home of sorts. At around 2pm Saturday afternoon, some others came to check on those staying on the bus and found a tragic scene. Brueland and Wathne were dead, and eight others unconscious. Police suspect all 10 were poisoned by carbon monoxide gas emitted from a generator that supplied electricity to the bus. "We can't be certain until we have an autopsy report," said Cathrine Andresen of Stavanger University Hospital, where several of the victims were taken. Andresen told Aftenposten that survivors were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning and were responding. Five of the victims were treated at the hospital in Stavanger, while two others were sent to Ullevål University Hospital in Oslo. Three were reported as being in serious but stable condition. Two were released from hospital on Sunday. The generator reportedly was placed in a locked compartment on the bus. Without ventilation, odorless fumes from the generator could seep into the bus with no one noticing, reported Kristiansand newspaper Fædrelandsvennen. The dead couple from Oltedal in Gjesdal township, Rogaland County, left three children. Relatives and friends were taking care of them. "They have a large family around them, aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins," one local resident told Aftenposten. ||||| Remember Me RAUNCHY "Wasteland Discotheque" ABORTED "Strychnine.213" NACHTMYSTIUM "Assassins: Black Meddle Part 1" GRAND MAGUS "Iron Will" WITHERED "Folie Circulaire" Last Updated: July 17, 2008 4:15 AM MOTÖRHEAD Observes One Minute Of Silence For NORWAY ROCK FESTIVAL Victims - July 14, 2008 MOTÖRHEAD kicked off its performance Saturday night (July 12) at the Norway Rock Festival by observing one minute of silence for the two people who were found dead in a bus on the festival camp earlier in the day. Fan-filmed video footage of this extraordinary gesture can be viewed below. The victims were found in and near a bus at the Norway Rock Festival in Kvinesdal village, 270 miles (430 kilometers) southwest of Oslo, Agder Police District chief Asbjorn Enoksen said. Preliminary hospital reports indicated carbon monoxide poisoning could have been a cause, according to The Associated Press. The three-day festival ending Saturday drew crowds of 5,000-6,000 people each day for music acts including ALICE COOPER, HELLOWEEN and SOILWORK. kicked off its performance Saturday night (July 12) at theby observing one minute of silence for the two people who were found dead in a bus on the festival camp earlier in the day. Fan-filmed video footage of this extraordinary gesture can be viewed below.The victims were found in and near a bus at thein Kvinesdal village, 270 miles (430 kilometers) southwest of Oslo, Agder Police District chiefsaid.Preliminary hospital reports indicated carbon monoxide poisoning could have been a cause, according toThe three-day festival ending Saturday drew crowds of 5,000-6,000 people each day for music acts includingand To report any abusive, obscene, defamatory, racist, homophobic or threatening comments, or anything that may violate any applicable laws, please send an e-mail to bmouth@bellatlantic.net with pertinent details. Anyone posting such material will be immediately and permanently banned. IP addresses are recorded to aid us in enforcing these conditions. COMMENT | cool posted by : 7/14/2008 9:51:48 AM That was cool! but there are always some bozos that have to be heard. If you want to be heard go join a band and have people pay to hear you. Don't take advantage of a moment of silence to yell whoooo! What kind of life do people have that they must feel the need to do this? COMMENT | ..... posted by : 7/14/2008 9:55:48 AM When Lemmy says shut the f*ck up! All should listen. Hail Motorhead! \,,/ COMMENT | as always posted by : Blindgreed1 7/14/2008 11:11:16 AM Lemmy is a class act. COMMENT | Lemmy is GOD! posted by : 7/14/2008 11:13:58 AM class act Lem is. COMMENT | posted by : Lord of Noise 7/14/2008 11:19:49 AM That was real good of them. Shows they care. COMMENT | posted by : TheEagle 7/14/2008 11:29:30 AM Class act, as always. COMMENT | Lemmy , Phi , Mikkey are all class acts in my book posted by : RiotAct666 7/14/2008 11:44:00 AM Kudos to them. COMMENT | Phil* posted by : RiotAct666 7/14/2008 11:44:18 AM . COMMENT | posted by : 7/14/2008 4:02:13 PM You know, this kind of honesty and respect are just some of the traits that make Lemmy a turly class act. Lemmy has made his eternal mark by his over 30 year career, always faithful to himself, his fans and anyone who supports him. Lemmy deserves everything good in his life, this homage is just a one glimpse to his good persona and soul. After this any anti-Nazi zealots can stuff their stupid prejudiced attitudes deep into their asses! Lemmy is a real gentleman and can collect as many Third Reich items and wear as many Schutzstafeln caps as he pleases!!! It's not about the material that surrounds us, it's all about the spirit. Lemmy = one of the gods of rock COMMENT | If it was my remembrance... posted by : 7/14/2008 4:59:56 PM I would've wanted a minute of noise! Funny how Lemmy does this when he doesn't believe in anything, but God bless him anyways. COMMENT | posted by : 7/14/2008 5:11:19 PM Lemmy believes in nobility, respect, and anti facsism. bless him COMMENT | Nice One Lemmy posted by : 7/14/2008 5:18:12 PM the woohoo boy should have his face pummelled COMMENT | that sucks posted by : Kissfan77 7/14/2008 5:29:44 PM but at least they went out in rock style! COMMENT | That was... posted by : RustyShackleford 7/14/2008 10:43:12 PM GAY! COMMENT | stupid posted by : puthimdownyafrig 7/15/2008 11:50:21 PM a minute of silence is pointless, at a metal concert it's retarded BLABBERMOUTH.NET is run and operated independently of Roadrunner Records. The accuracy of the information contained herein is neither confirmed nor guaranteed by Roadrunner Records, and the views and opinions of authors expressed on these pages do not necessarily state or reflect those of Roadrunner Records or its employees. Latest News | News Archive | CD Reviews | DVD Reviews | Contact | Submit News | | Advertise | Wireless | Privacy Policy | | Vest-Agder, Norway, county containing Kvinesdal. Motörhead in 2005. The band paid tribute to the victims before their performance at Norway Rock Festival. Further details have emerged on the deaths of two people at the annual Norway Rock Festival in Kvinesdal. Eight other people were rescued unconscious from a bus at the site. Meanwhile, it has been reported that British heavy metal band Motörhead opened their performance at the festival with a minute's silence for the deceased. The names of those killed have now been released. They are Terje Brueland, 32, and Anita Wathne, 31. As reported earlier, they were an unmarried couple and left behind three children. It is believed that the accident occurred due to carbon monoxide poisoning. The police investigation has uncovered that the double-decker bus had been converted into a motorhome. Electricity was supplied by way of a generator, which was placed inside a locked compartment on the vehicle. Police believe that fumes from the generator leaked inside without anyone noticing, as carbon monoxide is odourless and colourless. The problem was discovered at 2 p.m. Saturday by friends who had gone to the bus to check up on those inside. Five of the eight survivors were taken to hospital in Stavanger and two to Oslo's Ullevål University Hospital. Three remain in serious but stable condition, while two have been released. The two killed in the bus came from Oltedal in Rogaland County, where they are reported to have a large family who are looking after their children along with friends. The festival lasted three days and drew crowds of 5-6,000 people. |
Missile successfully launches from Vandenberg VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration test assembly launched from North Vandenberg April 1 at 1:01 a.m. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez) Download HiRes Printable story E-mail story 30th Space Wing Public Affairs 4/2/2008 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration, or NNSA, test assembly launched from North Vandenberg today at 1:01 a.m. The launch tested the weapon system's reliability and accuracy. What makes this launch different is that it is also the certification flight for the new Developmental Joint Test Assembly on board the MK-21 re-entry vehicle. "In order to comply with 30th Space Wing safety requirements, a component of the flight termination system on the missile had to be redesigned and certified," said Lt. Col. Lesa Toler, the 576th Flight Test Squadron commander, and the mission director for this operational test launch. "Safety is our number one concern when conducting test launches." The missile's single unarmed re-entry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to its pre-determined target at the Reagan Test Site located in the Marshall Islands. The data collected will be used by the entire ICBM community, including the United States Strategic Command planners and the Program Office at Hill AFB, Utah, and the NNSA/Department of Energy laboratories: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories and Sandia National Laboratories. "Minuteman III flight testing is critical because it's the only way to obtain data on weapon system reliability, accuracy, and performance from first stage ignition to RV impact," Colonel Toler said. The 576th FLTS worked tirelessly to prepare the launch facility and launch control center, as well as the test missile to ensure a successful launch, she said. "A huge thank you to everyone involved in the preparation and execution of this mission," said Colonel Toler. "We met our test objectives but ultimately proved our nation's nuclear ICBM force is reliable and will continue to play a vital role in deterrence and security of the United States." "An outstanding display of teamwork ensured 100-percent mission success," said Col. Michael Fortney, 30th SW vice commander, and the spacelift commander for the test launch. "We constantly focus on flawless execution of our launch, range and expeditionary missions. I am extremely proud of the collaboration between the 30th SW and the 576th FLTS." ||||| Missile successfully launches from Vandenberg VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration test assembly launched from North Vandenberg April 1 at 1:01 a.m. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez) Download HiRes Printable story E-mail story 30th Space Wing Public Affairs 4/2/2008 - VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- A Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile configured with a National Nuclear Security Administration, or NNSA, test assembly launched from North Vandenberg today at 1:01 a.m. The launch tested the weapon system's reliability and accuracy. What makes this launch different is that it is also the certification flight for the new Developmental Joint Test Assembly on board the MK-21 re-entry vehicle. "In order to comply with 30th Space Wing safety requirements, a component of the flight termination system on the missile had to be redesigned and certified," said Lt. Col. Lesa Toler, the 576th Flight Test Squadron commander, and the mission director for this operational test launch. "Safety is our number one concern when conducting test launches." The missile's single unarmed re-entry vehicle traveled approximately 4,200 miles to its pre-determined target at the Reagan Test Site located in the Marshall Islands. The data collected will be used by the entire ICBM community, including the United States Strategic Command planners and the Program Office at Hill AFB, Utah, and the NNSA/Department of Energy laboratories: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories and Sandia National Laboratories. "Minuteman III flight testing is critical because it's the only way to obtain data on weapon system reliability, accuracy, and performance from first stage ignition to RV impact," Colonel Toler said. The 576th FLTS worked tirelessly to prepare the launch facility and launch control center, as well as the test missile to ensure a successful launch, she said. "A huge thank you to everyone involved in the preparation and execution of this mission," said Colonel Toler. "We met our test objectives but ultimately proved our nation's nuclear ICBM force is reliable and will continue to play a vital role in deterrence and security of the United States." "An outstanding display of teamwork ensured 100-percent mission success," said Col. Michael Fortney, 30th SW vice commander, and the spacelift commander for the test launch. "We constantly focus on flawless execution of our launch, range and expeditionary missions. I am extremely proud of the collaboration between the 30th SW and the 576th FLTS." ||||| Wednesday, April 2, 2008 Reported by: Joe Vignolo VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE If you were awaken this morning to what sounded like a jet flying overhead, it was actually just a missile! An unarmed Minuteman III ballistic missile launched a little after 1:00 a.m. Wednesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base. It traveled 4,200 miles to it's target at the Reagan Test Site (RTS) in the Marshall Islands. The launch is part of a test to determine the accuracy and reliability of the nation's nuclear weapons system's. ||||| Wednesday, April 2, 2008 Reported by: Joe Vignolo VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE If you were awaken this morning to what sounded like a jet flying overhead, it was actually just a missile! An unarmed Minuteman III ballistic missile launched a little after 1:00 a.m. Wednesday from Vandenberg Air Force Base. It traveled 4,200 miles to it's target at the Reagan Test Site (RTS) in the Marshall Islands. The launch is part of a test to determine the accuracy and reliability of the nation's nuclear weapons system's. | right At 08:01 GMT (01:01 local time) this morning, the United States Air Force launched a missile on a test mission from Launch Facility 09 at in California. Due to a large number of delays, this is the first time that a Minuteman missile has conducted an operational test in over a year. The missile flew 6,759 kilometres (4,200 miles) downrange on a trajectory, to the test site in the Marshall Islands. The reached has not yet been released, however typical Minuteman launches reach between 1,000 and 1,300km. The mission, which was designated GT-196GM, or "Glory Trip 196GM", was conducted to test the missile's operational capabilities. The missile flew with a single MK.21 re-entry vehicle, which would be used to carry a nuclear warhead if the missile were launched in hostile circumstances. The next operational test of a Minuteman III is scheduled for early August. |
Radical Islamic Group Banned in Britain Photo: AP The British government has banned an Islamic group under the country's counter-terrorism laws. Islam4UK had planned to stage a march through the British town Wootton Bassett to honor Muslims killed in Afghanistan. Britain's home secretary has announced that from Thursday it will be a criminal offense to be part of the radical Islamic Group Islam4UK or its "parent" organization, al-Muhajiroun. Home Secretary Alan Johnson said the group has already been banned under two different aliases and had tried to escape the ban by changing its name. He said the move was needed in order to "tackle terrorism." But Islam4UK leader Anjem Choudary told VOA the ban, made under the Terrorism Act 2000, is unfair because the group is not involved in violent activity. "We are an ideological and political movement. We do not engage in any military activities or any violence," he said. Islam4UK was originally founded in the 1980s under the name al-Muhajiroun. The tiny Islamic group has since won much publicity in Britain by threatening to carry out controversial demonstrations. Last week, the group announced plans for a march through Wooton Basset, a small market town where British soldiers killed in Afghanistan are honored, but the demonstration was called off on Sunday. Choudary says by banning his group, the British government is undermining freedom of speech in Britain and discriminating against Muslims. "If one looks at the Terrorism Act and the list of proscribed organizations, you will find that the majority of them in fact are Muslim based and they are involved in one way or another either in working to implement the Sharia or to liberate Muslim land," he said. Dr. Chris Allen is an Islam specialist and author based in Britain. He says the Terrorism Act does largely target Muslim groups, but this is because the legislation emerged as a result of terror attacks in the United States and Britain carried out by extremist Muslims. "The legislation which has come in has been on the back of looking at sort of Islam as a 'problem' - I use the word problem in speech - so yes, it has had a focus on Muslims but I think that it's in response to the legislation that was largely driven by the acts of a handful of unrepresentative Muslims," he said. He says the majority of Muslims in Britain do not support extremist groups like Islam4UK, but he says many may see the ban as an unfair target against Muslims. "And I think that could increase some support for groups such as Islam4UK, so I do think it's a very fine line that the government are actually currently walking," he said. According to the Home Office, 15 people have been convicted of criminal offenses related to banned groups since 2001. A total of 45 groups are listed on the Home Office Web site as banned under the Terrorism Act. ||||| Islam4UK planned to march through Wootton Bassett where war dead are honoured [GALLO/GETTY] Islam4UK planned to march through Wootton Bassett where war dead are honoured [GALLO/GETTY] Alan Johnson, the home secretary, said on Tuesday that the new order would make it illegal to join Islam4UK, also known as al Muhajiroun. An Islamist group that planned to march through an English town known for honouring dead British soldiers is to be banned by the British government under counter terrorism laws. "I have ... laid an order which will proscribe Al Muhajiroun, Islam4UK, and a number of the other names the organisation goes by," he said. "Proscription is a tough but necessary power to tackle terrorism and is not a course we take lightly. We are clear that an organisation should not be able to circumvent proscription by simply changing its name." 'Dictatorship' Anjem Choudary, Islam4UK's leader, told the BBC the move was a "failure of the concept of democracy and freedom". "What the people will see is if you don't agree with the government and you want to expose their foreign policy, then freedom quickly dissipates and turns into dictatorship," he said. Choudary provoked debate earlier this year by suggesting his group would march through Wootton Bassett, where soldiers' bodies are honoured. He said the group's action would highlight Afghan civilian deaths at the hands of Nato-led forces. But politicians described the proposed march as distasteful and many called for the group to be banned. The order, which comes into effect on Thursday, will also ban the group under the names Call to Submission, Islam4UK, Islamic Path, and London School of Sharia, the Press Association reported. | Islam4UK, an Islamist group that was intending to march through a British town known for honouring fallen troops, is to be banned by the government today under counterterrorism laws. "I have ... laid an order which will proscribe Al-Muhajiroun, Islam4UK, and a number of the other names the organisation goes by," said the home secretary, Alan Johnson. Johnson said that the group had tried to escape the ban by changing its name, and said that the move was needed in order to "tackle terrorism." But Islam4UK leader Anjem Choudary said that the ban, made under the Terrorism Act 2000, is unfair because the group is not involved in violent activity. "We are an ideological and political movement. We do not engage in any military activities or any violence," he said to VOA News. Islam4UK was originally founded in the 1980s under the name al-Muhajiroun. The tiny Islamic group has since won much publicity in Britain by threatening to carry out controversial demonstrations. Last week, the group announced plans for a march through Wooton Basset, a small market town where British soldiers killed in Afghanistan are honored, but the demonstration was called off earlier today. According to the UK Home Office, fifteen people have been convicted of criminal offenses related to banned groups since 2001. A total of 45 groups are listed on the Home Office Web site as banned under the Terrorism Act. |
Mr Shinawatra and his wife Potjaman have had their British visas revoked The British government has revoked the visas of the former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife. An e-mail sent to airlines from the British embassy in Bangkok told them not to allow the couple to board flights to Britain. Mr Thaksin was deposed in a military coup in 2006, and travelled to Britain. He has since been convicted by a Thai court on corruption charges and sentenced in absentia to two years. His wife faces three years for tax evasion. A Thai foreign ministry official told the Reuters news agency: "The foreign ministry has checked the reports with British authorities and they have confirmed that the visas were revoked." But Mr Shinawatra's spokesman, Phongthep Thepkanjana, said: "I spoke with Thaksin's secretary and he said that Thaksin still had not been notified by the British government." The Home Office and the British Embassy in Bangkok said they would not comment on individual cases. Mr Thaksin is thought to be travelling in East Asia - a week ago he made a telephone address to more than 60,000 supporters packed into a Bangkok sports stadium. Multiple charges For much of the past two years Mr Thaksin and his family have lived in the UK. He has not only invested in expensive properties here but also bought Manchester City Football Club, which he sold in August. Following the withdrawal of their visas Mr Thaksin and his wife will now be forced to find a new home. The cases against Thaksin include corruption charges related to the purchase of state land by his wife, abuses of power over government money, concealing assets and tax evasion. The former leader retains a lot of support in rural areas of Thailand, but also has many detractors who would like nothing more than to see him in jail. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| ASYLUM SETBACK UK cancels visas of Thaksin, wife The British Embassy has revoked entry visas of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman. The cancellation, which was decided while the couple were outside England, has been notified to airlines yesterday. The decision was made by the United Kingdom Border Agency, and the notification email was signed by Bangkok-based Immigration Liaison Manager Andy Gray. The email read: "Dear All, The United Kingdom Border Agency has revoked the UK visas held by the following Thai nations: Thaksin Shinawatra. Thai Passport Number D215863 Potjaman Shinawatra. Thai Passport Number D206635 The UK visas contained in the passports of the individuals listed above are no longer valid for travel. Airlines are advised not to carry these passengers to the UK" *** end ***** The embassy would not comment on the report. Contacted embassy officials said they "cannot comment on policy matters." It was a big political blow for Thaksin, who was believed to be on his way from China to the Philippines yesterday. It was understood that the cancellation had to do with the recent court rulings that found Pojaman guilty of tax evasion and Thaksin guilty of breaking the conflict of interest law in the Ratchadapisek land purchase scandal. Their children's British visas are still valid. A senior People Power Party politician who has been in China this week answered The Nation's phone contact but replied to the inquiry about Thaksin's visa situation with only "I don't know. I don't know." Thaksin has always described England as a "democratically mature" country as compared to Thailand. But he always denied having applied for asylum although he said England would be the country where he wanted to live in exile. Last Saturday, in a controversial long-distance phone-in from Hong Kong, Thaksin accused his political opponents of breaking his family apart. In the same address, he also begged for royal pardon or a popular show of force to bring him back to Thailand. "Nobody can bring me back to Thailand, except royal kindness of HM the King or the power of the people," Thaksin said. He also claimed that many countries have offered him "honorary citizenship", "which made me a bit sad because I could do many things for anybody else in the world, but nothing now for my country." The statement triggered a major controversy in Thailand, with Thaksin being accused of trying to drag HM the King into politics. The UK visa move, however, gave Thaksin's statement a whole new perspective, making him sound more like someone desperate to find refuge rather than trying to provoke a political reaction. It is not immediately known, however, whether Thaksin was aware of the impending visa cancellation before he left England the last time. A source familiar with the UK legal and diplomatic thinking said the cancellation could have been based on "the different statuses" of Thaksin between the time he was issued the visa and now. The Supreme Court only found Thaksin guilty in the Ratchadapisek land case late last month, weeks after he fled Thailand during the Beijing Olympics. He fled with his wife, who only days earlier had been found guilty of tax evasion. England has been under the world community's watchful eyes when Thaksin is concerned. Diplomatic observers have said a decision whether or not to give Thaksin asylum would generate strong ramifications on England's relations with Thailand, as well as London's reputations when democracy, foreign relations and legal principles are concerned. ||||| Thaksin and Northeastern MPs to meet in Philippines A number of MPs from the Isaan Patana faction will take their vacation in the Philippines this weekend and may meet with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, MP Paijit Srivarakarn said on Friday. Paijit said he was uncertain if Thaksin would fly in to meet the MPs although the former prime minister had reportedly made telephone calls for the meeting arrangement. The Nation | Thaksin Shinawatra from 2005 An email circulated to airlines yesterday revealed that the UK government has revoked the visas of Thai ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife. Both have been convicted and sentenced to jail terms in Thailand. The email instructs airlines not to facilitate travel for the couple to return to the UK. Reports indicate that the deposed and convicted ex-PM is currently in China with plans to travel to the Philippines this weekend. The whereabouts of his wife are not currently known. Thaksin and his wife, Potjaman Shinawatra, have spent much of the past two years living in exile in the UK after jumping bail on charges against them in Thailand. The visa revocation, issued by Immigration Liaison Manager Andy Gray of the UK embassy in Bangkok, will come as a harsh blow to Thaksin, who had expressed a strong interest in remaining in England as an exile, asserting that charges back home were politically motivated. Lawyers involved in the successful prosecution of Thaksin were known to be in the process of drawing up extradition papers to submit to the UK's Home Office; with his chosen country of refuge now in doubt it may become more difficult to have him returned to Thailand to serve his two year sentence for corruption. In an email to Wikinews the UK Home Office declined to comment on the extradition, specifying it was policy not to discuss individual cases. Extradition would have been covered under a treaty drawn up in 1911 between the two countries and the onus would have been on Thailand to prove that the conviction ties up with similar UK laws. Claims by Thaksin that such a request would have been politically motivated would be considered by the court under the UK's Extradition Act. The Home Office also confirmed that Thaksin's diplomatic passport would not have exempted him from such proceedings. Potjaman, Thaksin's wife, escaped prosecution in the corruption case over a Bangkok land deal, however she already faces a three year sentence for tax evasion. Visas for the couple's children were unaffected by the action, they remain free to travel to and from the UK. Despite his self-imposed exile, the ex-PM who was deposed by a bloodless coup in 2006 has remained in the news and public consciousness in Thailand. Several high-profile court cases alleging corruption and malfeasance during his time as premier and leader of the now-banned Thai Rak Thai (lit: ''Thais love Thais'') political party remain outstanding. Last Saturday, he gave a telephone address to pro-government protesters rallying at the country's national stadium in Bangkok. Members of the current government, which is accused of being a proxy for Thaksin, managed to amass tens of thousands of red-shirted supporters to listen to the address. The rally has been condemned by the Law Society of Thailand as contempt of court, and their statement on the November 1 phone-in warned that media repeating its content could be added to the defendants in any legal proceedings. During the phone-in Thaksin said, "Nobody can bring me back to Thailand, except royal kindness of HM the King or the power of the people"; this can be construed as an appeal for a royal pardon, or for his supporters to be more vocal. |
Iran continues to expand its ability to enrich uranium, but is operating far below capacity and cooperating more fully in clearing up questions about its efforts, a U.N. report said Thursday. According to the report by the International Atomic Energy Agency, Iran operates 1,968 centrifuges for producing enriched uranium that could ultimately be used to make nuclear weapons or generate electricity, a 50% increase over the number it had on line in April. However, the uranium has been enriched to only 3.7%, far less than the 90% estimated to be necessary for weapons-grade material. In theory, about 3,000 centrifuges operating at full capacity for a year could produce enough material to make one bomb. Iran says it has mastered the technology and that a plant in the city of Natanz has the capacity to operate 50,000 centrifuges. Experts doubt these claims. Iran insists that its nuclear program is meant to meet its civilian energy needs. Advertisement But U.S. and European officials suspect that Iran’s network of nuclear facilities masks a clandestine effort to obtain technology that could be used in the making of an atomic bomb. They have threatened to impose a fourth round of sanctions on Tehran when the United Nations Security Council takes up the issue again, probably next month. The International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, distributed copies of its report ahead of a Sept. 10 meeting of the organization’s 35-member board. The findings reflect an Aug. 21 agency agreement with Tehran that Iranian officials began publicizing several days ago. That accord said that there were “no other remaining issues and ambiguities regarding Iran’s past nuclear program and activities.” “The work plan is a significant step forward,” the IAEA report says of last week’s agreement. The report warns, however, that Iran needs “to continue to build confidence about the scope and nature of its present and future nuclear program.” Advertisement Iran shrugged off that caution and took the diplomatic offensive Thursday, highlighting its cooperation with the IAEA in apparent hopes of staving off further sanctions. “The report emphasized once again that there exists no sign or evidence indicating diversion of Iran’s nuclear activities and that all Iran’s nuclear materials have been audited,” Ali Asghar Soltanieh, Iran’s representative to the IAEA, told Tehran’s Fars News Agency. Assertions by Iranians and the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency that there were “no other remaining issues or ambiguities” outraged some nonproliferation experts, who said the IAEA was ceding too much to Iran. “The idea of ‘closing files’ violates fundamental safeguards principles,” arms control experts David Albright and Jacqueline Shire, of the Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security, wrote in a criticism published this week. Advertisement “The agreement does not specify that Iran would provide the IAEA access to key people, facilities, and documents that are needed to verify Iranian answers to the IAEA’s questions.” Most Western nonproliferation experts also said the latest agreement contained little that could dissuade key policymakers in Washington, London, Paris and Berlin from pushing forward with another round of Security Council sanctions. Independent experts said Iran’s latest agreement with the IAEA, which gives inspectors access to more nuclear sites and information, fell well short of the West’s demand that Tehran halt the production of the concentrated uranium that could potentially be used for a bomb. That concern was echoed Thursday by Bush administration officials. Advertisement Tom Casey, a State Department spokesman, said that although the report “may offer some new details or some new insight into how Iran’s program is developing, the fact of the matter is that they have not met any of their international obligations in this regard.” Casey said the fact that the nuclear program continued to move forward “shows that the Iranian regime is continuing on a path of defiance of the international community.” But the latest IAEA report could complicate U.S. efforts to pressure Iran. It says that Tehran “has been providing the agency with access to declared nuclear materials, and has provided the required nuclear material accountancy reports in connection with declared nuclear material and facilities.” Many of the transparency issues reportedly resolved in last week’s agreement should have been untangled years ago, experts said. And the IAEA report cautions that the agency has been “unable to verify certain aspects relevant to the scope and nature” of Iran’s nuclear program. Advertisement “The agreement still does not address the fundamental problem: that Iran is pursuing an enrichment technology and capability that could put it within reach of making nuclear bomb material,” said Daryl Kimball, executive director of the Arms Control Assn., an advocacy group in Washington. “Iran’s design here is quite clearly to deflect criticism and pressure and to claim that progress is being made.” Though Tehran has found few friends within the Security Council, which has voted unanimously to impose sanctions against Iran, the body’s penalties so far have been relatively painless, watered down from American demands under pressure from the Chinese and Russians. Iran fears that the next round of sanctions could bite and has explicitly stepped up its cooperation with the IAEA to stave off the Security Council’s wrath. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned that they will reduce their collaboration with inspectors in the event of more sanctions. The “report and the measures taken make the intervention of any other international organization, including the Security Council, irrelevant and unjustified,” Soltanieh said in an interview with state-controlled Iranian television. Advertisement -- daragahi@latimes.com Times staff writer Paul Richter in Washington contributed to this report. ||||| PARIS, Aug. 30 -- The United Nations nuclear watchdog agency gave an upbeat assessment of Iranian cooperation with international inspectors in a new report Thursday that could make it more difficult for the United States to win tougher U.N. sanctions against Iran. The report by the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna also concluded that while Iran continues to enrich uranium in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions, its fuel enrichment plant has produced "well below the expected quantity for a facility of this design." The quality of the uranium also was lower than expected, the IAEA said. The report praised Iran for taking "a significant step forward" by agreeing to a new work plan and timelines for resolving numerous questions about the history of its nuclear program. Separately, U.N. officials said that Iran had slowed construction of a new plutonium-fuel reactor in Arak. Iran claims that its nuclear program is entirely peaceful and intended to generate electricity, while the United States and numerous other Western countries contend it is secretly aimed at developing nuclear weapons. The report suggests that if Iran adheres to the program and timelines, the agency could resolve its remaining questions about the nature of the country's nuclear program by the end of the year and close the file. "For the first time in a couple of years, we have been able to agree with the Iranians on a working arrangement, on how to resolve the outstanding issues," the U.N. agency's deputy director, Olli Heinonen, told reporters in Vienna. "What Iran is now facing is actually a litmus test" on whether it will deliver what it has promised, because its failure to do so in the past triggered Security Council action, Heinonen said. If the IAEA concludes that Iran has not engaged in a covert program to develop nuclear weapons, it could raise new questions about the quality of U.S. intelligence in the Middle East. The United States made the case for going to war against Iraq based on claims that Saddam Hussein had programs to develop nuclear technologies and other weapons of mass destruction, but U.S. forces found no evidence of such programs after invading the country. Longtime observers of Iran's program were struck by the report's revelations of slow progress of uranium enrichment. Iran appears to be running well behind its own self-imposed schedule for building new centrifuge machines, and its existing machines are operating well below capacity. Based on IAEA figures, Iran is producing low-enriched uranium at a rate of about 31 pounds a month, compared with an expected rate of nearly 200 pounds a month, according to an analysis by the Institute for Science and International Security, a Washington-based research group. The low output suggests that Iran is either experiencing technical difficulties or has perhaps decided to slow production to "forestall negative reactions that would lend support for further sanctions," the institute said in a report released Thursday. Low-enriched uranium is used for making nuclear power and cannot be converted for weapons use unless it undergoes further processing. A senior Iranian official, Mohammad Saeedi, deputy secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, welcomed the IAEA report, telling the state-run news agency IRNA that it "put an end to all U.S. baseless allegations" about his country's nuclear program and "once again endorsed the authenticity of the statements of the Islamic Republic of Iran." But the report also gave ammunition to Iran's critics, who noted that the country has not stopped its uranium enrichment, as demanded by the U.N. Security Council. It imposed two rounds of limited sanctions against Iran in December and March. The United States is pushing for tougher sanctions, and some U.S. hard-liners advocate possible military actions if Iran does not halt enrichment. They also cite the belligerence of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, his threats against Israel, and U.S. claims that Iran is supplying militants in Iraq with weapons, money and training to fight U.S. forces. "For the most part, Iran has made only promises," U.S. Ambassador to the IAEA Gregory L. Schulte said in a statement Thursday. The report "indicates that Iran has not suspended its enrichment related activities, which is a violation of U.S. Security Council resolutions." Such a step is necessary "for the international community to gain confidence that Iran's nuclear activities are exclusively for peaceful purposes." France said that it would continue pursuing sanctions as long as Iran continued enriching uranium, and a statement by the British Foreign Office said that it also lacked confidence in Iran's nuclear intentions. The IAEA report, which covers developments in the agency's dealings with Iran since May, will be discussed at a meeting of the agency's 35-member board on Sept. 10 in Vienna. The document lists "outstanding issues" that need to be resolved for the agency to assess the nature of Iran's nuclear program, including alleged links between Iran's uranium enrichment, high-explosives testing and the design of a missile capable of flying above the atmosphere and then reentering it. Some U.S. officials have cited the links as evidence that Iran's nuclear program has a weapons goal. The report cites several contentious issues that have been resolved recently through a renewed dialogue with Iran and the work program that Iranian and U.N. officials agreed to in a series of meetings in July and August. Warrick reported from Washington. ||||| VIENNA, Austria – A report released Thursday showing a slow but steady expansion of Iran’s nuclear technology has exposed a new divide between the U.N. arms inspectors and the United States and its allies over how to contain Tehran’s atomic program. The International Atomic Energy Agency said in its report that Tehran was being unusually cooperative in agreeing to answer questions about an array of suspicious nuclear activities that have led many nations to believe it is concealing an effort to make nuclear arms. The report added that although Tehran’s uranium enrichment effort is growing, the output is far less than what experts had expected. “This is the first time Iran is ready to discuss all the outstanding issues which triggered the crisis in confidence,” said Mohamed ElBaradei, the IAEA director general. “It’s a significant step.” But the Bush administration and its allies, which have won sanctions against Iran in the Security Council in an effort to stop uranium enrichment, saw the new report as more evidence of defiance. “There is no partial credit here,” State Department spokesman Tom Casey said. “Iran has refused to comply with its international obligations, and, as a result of that, the international community is going to continue to ratchet up the pressure.” In Paris, Pascale Andreani, the French Foreign Ministry spokesman, said that as long as Iran does not give a clear decision about suspending its enrichment activities, France will work with others to tighten the sanctions. ElBaradei stopped short of calling for a delay in the U.S.-led strategy to impose new sanctions. “I’m clear at this stage you need to give Iran a chance to prove its stated goodwill. Sanctions alone, I know for sure, are not going to lead to a durable solution.” The report released Thursday, a quarterly update of Iran’s nuclear activity, said it is operating nearly 2,000 centrifuges, the machines that enrich uranium, at its vast underground facility at Natanz, an increase of several hundred machines from three months ago. More than 650 centrifuges are being tested or are under construction, the agency said. That number is far short of Iran’s projection that by now it would be running 3,000 centrifuges. The IAEA also reported that uranium being processed by the working centrifuges at Natanz is “well below the expected quantity for a facility of this design.” In addition, the agency reported that uranium was enriched to a lower level than the Iranians had claimed. David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and International Security, a group in Washington that tracks nuclear proliferation, said his calculations, based on the report’s data, suggested that Iran was operating its centrifuges at as little as 10 percent of their potential. “That’s very low – and we don’t know why,” he said. ||||| Iran-IAEA-Saeedi A senior Iranian nuclear official said here Thursday the UN nuclear watchdog in its latest report has dismissed all the unfounded allegations made by the US against Iran. Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) for International Affairs Mohammad Saeedi made the remark in reaction to the latest report presented by the IAEA Director-General Mohamed ElBaradei to the agency's Board of Governors on Thursday. "In this new report, the IAEA put an end to all US baseless allegations on Iran's separation activities and reprocessing plutonium and once again endorsed the authenticity of the statements of the Islamic Republic of Iran," Saeedi told IRNA. He added, "The US, at a time, deceived the world with respect to Iran's peaceful nuclear activities by claiming that Tehran has conducted separation activities and reprocessing plutonium. "But today the IAEA, based on its firm assessment regarding the settlement of plutonium case in Iran, gave a negative response to the most important US claim and invalidated their claims. "We thank the agency for its professional approach to the case and hope this path would be continued in the future," the official said. He assured that outstanding issues on Iran's peaceful nuclear case will come to a clear and acceptable result based on a logical timetable and a reasonable path, which will be returning to the negotiation table and settlement of issues through talks. "ElBaradei's report contains important topics about Iran's peaceful nuclear activities including an eye-catching progress in settlement of the outstanding issues between Iran and the IAEA." The member of Iran's nuclear negotiating team added, "Successful drawing of a modality (action plan) on resolving the outstanding issues was among important events in Iran-IAEA cooperation in the past two months. This modality clearly defined the duties of Iran and the agency in settling the issues." Saeedi stressed, "The agreement reached between Iran and the IAEA will be effective for all sides." "ElBaradei's report," he said," pointed to the latest developments in Iran's peaceful nuclear activities in Natanz site and successful inspection by IAEA of the Arak heavy water research project which shows that all these activities have been conducted under the agency's supervision. Saeedi stressed that the IAEA inspectors are carrying out their regular visits to Iran's nuclear sites. Following an initiative by the SNSC Secretary Ali Larijani on settlement of the outstanding issues, officials of Iran and the IAEA resumed talks on July 11. They drew a modality on August 21 after three rounds of talks held between the sides in Tehran and Vienna. Iran and the IAEA have recently reached an agreement about ways to settle unsolved issues. Fruitful inspection of Arak heavy water research project, acceptance of five more inspectors, issuance of unlimited one-year visa for 14 inspectors and staff of the IAEA and the agency's announcement of the settlement of the plutonium case were among key points of the agreement. 2327/1414 ---> Iran-IAEA-Saeedi | On August 27, Iran published public information report about its nuclear program, thus unveiling a part of outstanding issues still in discussion with (IAEA). In this document, Tehran provide clarifications about plutonium experiments and shows signs of cooperation in clearing up questions about its efforts to acquire nuclear technology. The IAEA issued a new report on August 30, and distributed copies of its report ahead of a September 10 meeting of the organization's 35-member board. This report also reflects findings about a work plan concluded on August 21. The United Nations nuclear watchdog report praised Iran for agreeing to a new work plan and planning to resolve numerous questions about its nuclear program. Mohamed ElBaradei, the IAEA director general, said in reaction to these reports: "This is the first time Iran is ready to discuss all the outstanding issues which triggered the crisis in confidence. It's a significant step." The assessment of Iran nuclear cooperation could make it more difficult for the United States and its allies to win tougher U.N. sanctions against Iran. In Iran, the Deputy Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) for International Affairs, Mohammad Saeedi, said that the IAEA report « put an end to all US baseless allegations on Iran's separation activities and reprocessing plutonium.» |
Author Michael Crichton Has 'Died Unexpectedly' Copyright 2008 Fredrick M. Brown / Getty Images Prolific novelist and "ER" creator Michael Crichton has passed away. He was 66. Perhaps best known for being the author of Jurassic Park and its sequel The Lost World, which were turned into a hugely successful movie franchise, his numerous books have sold over 150 million copies worldwide. In what his family calls an unexpected death, it was revealed that he was waging a private battle against cancer. "While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us -- and entertained us all while doing so -- his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes," his family tells ET. "He did this with a wry sense of humor that those who were privileged to know him personally will never forget." ||||| Analysis The mayor is dependent on the central government for most of their funds, so how much power do they really have? ||||| Michael Crichton won awards including an Emmy Best-selling author Michael Crichton has died in Los Angeles aged 66 after a "courageous and private battle against cancer", his family has said. He penned Jurassic Park, as well as books like Congo and Disclosure, all of which were adapted into films. His books have sold more than 150m copies. He also created the long-running US hospital TV drama ER. "He will be profoundly missed by those whose lives he touched," his family said in a statement. A private funeral service is expected. Crichton is survived by his wife, Sherri, and daughter, Taylor. Michael's talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of Jurassic Park Steven Spielberg The family's statement paid tribute to a "devoted husband, loving father and generous friend". It added: "Through his books, Michael Crichton served as an inspiration to students of all ages, challenged scientists in many fields, and illuminated the mysteries of the world in a way we could all understand." 'Gentle soul' "Michael's talent out-scaled even his own dinosaurs of Jurassic Park," said filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who directed the blockbuster film version of that novel. "He was the greatest at blending science with big theatrical concepts, which is what gave credibility to dinosaurs again walking the Earth. CRICHTON'S BEST-KNOWN NOVELS Odds On (1966) The Andromeda Strain (1969) The Great Train Robbery (1975) Congo (1980) Jurassic Park (1990) Disclosure (1994) The Lost World (1995) - pictured Timeline (1999) State of Fear (2004) Next (2006) "Michael was a gentle soul who reserved his flamboyant side for his novels. There is no-one in the wings that will ever take his place," he added. A new Crichton novel had been scheduled to come out in the US next month. Publisher HarperCollins said the book would now be postponed indefinitely. A Harvard Medical School graduate, Chicago-born Crichton became the toast of Hollywood when his 1971 novel The Andromeda Strain was turned into a film. Many of his novels and screenplays were adapted for cinema. The most successful were Jurassic Park, which burst onto the screen in 1993, and its sequel The Lost World. ER has won a host of Emmys since it began in 1994, and helped launch the career of George Clooney. Crichton's 2004 bestseller State of Fear caused controversy when it cast doubt on the dangers of global warming. Environmentalists said his novel was marring efforts to pass legislation to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version | American author and producer Michael Crichton has died in Los Angeles, California at the age of 66, according to a statement released by his family. According to ''Entertainment Tonight'', Crichton died after a long and quiet battle with cancer. His family said that his death was "unexpected". "While the world knew him as a great storyteller that challenged our preconceived notions about the world around us — and entertained us all while doing so — his wife Sherri, daughter Taylor, family and friends knew Michael Crichton as a devoted husband, loving father and generous friend who inspired each of us to strive to see the wonders of our world through new eyes," said a statement by his family. Crichton, who was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1942, was most famous for the writing of his ''Jurassic Park'' novels. He also published ''The Andromeda Strain'', ''Congo'', ''Rising Sun'', ''Timeline'', ''Eaters of the Dead'', all of which became major motion pictures. He also created, and was an active executive producer of the hit television show ''ER''. |
News Africa Deadly stampede in Mali mosque The deadly stampede happened as pilgrims circled around the ancient mosque [AFP] At least 26 people have been crushed to death and many more injured in a stampede at the main mosque in Mali's northwestern city of Timbuktu, officials and witnesses said. "There were 26 killed and 40 wounded," Oumar Sangare, the interior ministry spokesman, told the Reuters news agency by telephone on Friday. Mohamed Bandjougou, one of the witnesses, said: "People were circling the mosque, a ritual at each Mouloud (the observance of the birthday of the Prophet Mohammed) and there was a huge crowd build up." Ali Kounta, another resident, said: "I lost my sister. She was 16 and had gone to pray." Thousands of pilgrims come to Timbuktu for the prophet's birthday and an official said the accident might have been caused by obstacles resulting from renovation work on the 14th-century mosque made largely from mud. "The mosque is being renovated, financed by the Aga Khan, and the work is carried out by South African specialists," an official at Timbuktu town hall told AFP, asking not to be named. "Because of these renovations, the passage on the north side of the mosque is closed off. On that side, to get through, the faithful found an improvised alleyway. "But the alley couldn't take the number of people using it. So there was a stampede. Somebody shouted 'someone has died' and panic took over." Two other officials said rescue services had "very quickly" helped the "many injured". "We're in mourning. What happened is a real drama. We accept the will of God. He gives us life, he takes it away," said the mosque's imam, who gave his name as Asseyuti. Timbuktu was famous for being an intellectual and religious centre during the 15th and 16th centuries, helping to spread Islam throughout Africa. It remains synonymous in Europe with the idea of an exotic faraway land, but the town's historic buildings require constant renovation. Source: Agencies Topics in this article People Mohamed Bandjougou Ali Kounta Country Mali City Timbuktu ||||| BAMAKO, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- A stampede has left 24 people dead including children and at least 20 others injured, some seriously, in Timbuktoo in northwest Mali. Sources from this holy town told Xinhua on Friday that the incident originated from an old lady who collapsed in one of the town's streets at the fall of darkness the previous day. She collapsed not far from a public place where a crowd had gathered to listen to the Maouloud sermon, a religious activity to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohamed. The passers-by decided to run and save the poor lady and this precipitated the movement of the crowd. "The people then started running towards all directions certainly thinking that it was a rebel attack. You know that in such a situation, everybody becomes unconscious. The people ran into all directions and those who fell were unfortunately trampled on," said Ha-dara, a well-known figure in Timbuktoo. The town was in shock on Friday morning following the tragedy. A hospital source said the toll rose to 24 from 15 confirmed dead earlier in the day, adding some of the injured were in critical condition and needed to be urgently evacuated to the capital Bamako. "We cannot rule out the fact that the number of those injured will increase because some of them are still hiding in their homes instead of coming to the hospital," local officials said. "The injured people have been arriving this morning," another hospital source told Xinhua, but did not wish to be named as they were waiting for official communication from the regional authorities. In Bamako, everybody is trying to get information about their family members. "I have managed to speak to my family and they all seem to be alive. But they are naturally shocked by this tragedy which took away lives of some of the people they knew," said Alhamady Cisse, a press correspondent in the Malian capital. Timbuktoo, the City of 333 Saints, is always crowded during the Maouloud festival, when thousands of pilgrims, some natives of the region and others foreigners, come to celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohamed in a big religious ceremony. A few years back, several heads of state including Moummar Gaddafi of Libya came to celebrate Maouloud in the town. ||||| By Tiemoko Diallo BAMAKO (Reuters) - Twenty-six people were crushed to death in a stampede near a mosque in Mali's desert city of Timbuktu, a government spokesman said on Friday. The incident occurred on Thursday night during the Muslim festival of Maouloud. "There were 26 killed and 40 wounded," Interior Ministry spokesman Oumar Sangare told Reuters by phone. Local police earlier had said 15 died and 41 were injured. Imam Abdramane ben Essayouti said the stampede occurred as crowds heading to pray at the Djingareyber mosque -- one of the most recognisable buildings in Timbuktu -- encountered roads barricaded by construction work. "People took to narrow alleys, there was jostling, and the tragedy occurred," he said. Mali's President Amadou Toumani Toure was en route to Timbuktu from the capital Bamako, according to a statement from his office. | According to a government official, at least 26 people were killed in a stampede on Thursday at a historic mosque in the northwestern city of Timbuktu, Mali. "There were 26 killed and 40 wounded," Oumar Sangare, the Internal Ministry spokesman, told Reuters. However, other news agency reports put the death toll as low as fifteen. An official, who requested to remain anonymous, said the accident could have begun as a result of renovation work on the Djingareyber mosque—which is made primarily of mud, and was built in the fourteenth century. Construction work blocked off some of the roads, and that could have been a factor in the incident. "The mosque is being renovated, financed by the Aga Khan, and the work is carried out by South African specialists," the official told the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency. "Because of these renovations, the passage on the north side of the mosque is closed off. On that side, to get through, the faithful found an improvised alleyway. But the alley couldn't take the number of people using it. So there was a stampede. Somebody shouted 'someone has died' and panic took over," the same official went on to say. Others have remarked that rescue services responded "very quickly" to the stampede, and helped the "many injured." The Xinhua news agency reports the stampede started when an elderly woman fell in one of the town streets near the city's main mosque, where a sermon was being conducted in front of a large crowd; a passersby then rushed to assist the woman, apparently disrupting the crowd's movement and causing the stampede. "People were circling the mosque, a ritual at each Mouloud the observance of the Prophet Mohammed's birthday and there was a huge crowd build up," commented Mohamed Bandjougou, one of the witnesses to the event, to AFP by telephone. "There were at least fifteen dead. The bodies were taken to the morgue." Authorities warned the number of injured may actually be higher than reported, saying that "we cannot rule out the fact that the number of those injured will increase because some of them are still hiding in their homes instead of coming to the hospital." A hospital source commented that some of the people hurt were in critical condition, and needed to be evacuated to the capital, Bamako, as soon as possible. The mosque's imam, who gave his name as Asseyuti, commented on the incident. "We're in mourning. What happened is a real trauma. We accept the will of God. He gives us life, he takes it away," he said. According to an official statement, Malian president Amandou Toumani Toure is traveling to Timbuktu from Bamako in light of the stampede. |
Glasgow 2014: The Gambia confirms Games withdrawal The Queen's Baton Relay will no longer go to The Gambia Gambian officials have confirmed that the country will not be competing in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Last week, the west African nation branded the 54-member grouping, which includes the UK and most of its former colonies, a "neo-colonial institution". At the time it was unclear whether it would still be competing in the Games. However, Games organisers have confirmed The Gambia's withdrawal and said alternative plans would be made for the baton relay. A spokesman for Glasgow 2014 said: "All Commonwealth nations and territories are entitled to compete in the Commonwealth Games. "Glasgow 2014 has received confirmation from the Commonwealth Games Federation of the formal withdrawal of The Gambia from the Commonwealth. "It is our understanding, therefore, that The Gambia does not intend to enter a team and compete in next year's Games." The spokesman said the Queen's Baton Relay, which visits all nations and territories of the Commonwealth, would no longer go to The Gambia. "This planning is now under development in collaboration with the Commonwealth Games Federation and we will provide further information in the near future," he said. ||||| The Gambia withdraw from Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games | The Gambia will no longer be participating in the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, taking the number of competing nations and territories to 70. Confirmation of the move comes just days after the west African nation announced its departure from the Commonwealth, saying it will 'never be a member of any neo-colonial institution'. Part of the route for the Queen's Baton Relay, set to get under way this week at a ceremony in London, will now be redrawn. Withdrawal: The Gambia has withdrawn from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games A Glasgow 2014 spokesman said: 'All Commonwealth nations and territories are entitled to compete in the Commonwealth Games. 'Glasgow 2014 has received confirmation from the Commonwealth Games Federation of the formal withdrawal of The Gambia from the Commonwealth. 'It is our understanding, therefore, that The Gambia does not intend to enter a team and compete in next year's Games.' The baton relay, which was due to travel to 71 nations and territories in the Commonwealth during its 248-day journey, will no longer visit The Gambia. The spokesman said: 'The Queen's Baton Relay visits all nations and territories of the Commonwealth. The west African nation said they didn't want to be part of any 'neo-colonial institution' 'As Gambia has formally withdrawn from the Commonwealth, alternative plans will now be made and the Glasgow 2014 Queen's Baton Relay will not visit The Gambia. 'This planning is now under development in collaboration with the Commonwealth Games Federation and we will provide further information in the near future.' On Wednesday, the Foreign Office said The Gambia's decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth was something to 'very much regret'. It was not clear what triggered the decision to leave the association largely made up of former British colonies. Though a popular destination for British tourists, the country has been criticised in the past by the UK for human rights abuses. ||||| By Nick Butler October 3 - A statement by Gambian President Yahya Jammeh announcing his country's immediate withdrawal from the Commonwealth has resulted in confusion including in relation to its participation at Glasgow 2014. Yahya Jammeh has long been one of Africa's most controversial rulers and appears to have been the sole instigator of Gambia's decision to withdraw from the Commonwealth Gambia's Minister of Youth and Sports Sheriff Gomez holds the Queen's Baton when it visited Banjul in 2010 before the New Delhi Commonwealth Games Matthew Pinsent, the four time Olympic gold medal winning rower and former International Olympic Committee member, was among those disappointed with Gambia's withdrawal Jammeh announced the move in a statement on Gambian state television in which the Commonwealth, a group of countries that were mostly territories of the British Empire, was branded a "neo-colonial institution.""The general public is hereby informed that the Government of the Gambia has left the Commonwealth of Nations with immediate effect," his statement said."[The] Government has withdrawn its membership of the British Commonwealth and decided that the Gambia will never be a member of any neo-colonial institution and will never be a party to any institution that represents an extension of colonialism."No further explanation was given for the decision.However, as the Gambian Parliament appears not to have been consulted, the announcement appears a solo crusade which sheds revealing light on the autocratic complexion of the country's politics.The British High Commissioner in Banjul nor the Commonwealth Secretary was warned either.Article 10.3 of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Constitution states: "Countries must be full members of the Commonwealth, as accepted by the Commonwealth Secretariat."But a CGF spokesman said that they would continue as normal until they were officially advised by the Commonwealth Secretariat that Gambia were no longer members."The CGF is aware of reports that the President of the Gambia has declared his intention to withdraw his country from the Commonwealth of Nations, but as yet we have not received any official advice on the matter," he told insidethegames."As a result, the CGF continues to work with key partners, including the Gambia National Olympic Committee, on preparations for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland."So long as the Gambia is a member of the Commonwealth at the time of the Games, it will be eligible to compete in them."Glasgow 2014 took a similar view to the CGF and repeated the assertion that "the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games are open to all members of the Commonwealth"."Until we are advised otherwise by the Commonwealth Games Federation, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games will have 71 participating nations and territories," they told insidethegames.However, as well as limiting the likelihood of Gambia participating next year in Glasgow, it could also force a change in the route of the Queen's Baton Relay.The Relay is set to visit Gambia on New Year's Eve as its first visit on African soil before departing for Sierra Leone on January 1.President Jammeh first came to power in 1994 and over the subsequent two decades has been involved in a string of controversies.He has repeatedly claimed of his ability to cure AIDS and other illnesses and is often pilloried for rights abuses and the repression of journalists.Just last week he was reported as ranking homosexuality alongside obsession with power and greed as "more deadly than all natural disasters put together".In 2012 he came under attack from Amnesty International and others for sending nine prisoners to the firing squad and promising many more would go the same way.This year the European Union set out a 17-point checklist of demands for reforms, which included calls for Gambia to abolish the death penalty and to re-open newspapers and radio stations closed down by the authorities, all of which was angrily dismissed.The Gambian Government also rejected a proposal by the Commonwealth last year to create commissions in Banjul to protect human rights, media rights and fight against corruption, and a British Foreign Ministry official told French news agency AFP that this was what led to Jammeh's announcement.However, there appeared no warning and in July the UK Deputy High Commissioner George Sherriff even reported a "very useful and interesting meeting with the President of the Gambian Olympic Committee and his team to discuss Gambia's preparations for the Commonwealth Games.""The Committee are very well prepared and I look forward to the Gambia participating and taking an active role in the Games", he said at the time."I discussed with the President and the committee the forthcoming Queens Baton Relay and the British High Commission looks forward to working closely together in the future."The small West African state has competed in every Commonwealth Games since 1970, bar Edinburgh 1986, when there was an African-led boycott, and sent athletes to Delhi in 2010 to participate in athletics, boxing and wrestling.They won their only ever medal, Sheikh Faye, a bronze in the men's high jump, on their Games debut, also in Edinburgh in 1970. | Following Gambia's sudden withdrawal last week from the , the country confirmed today they have withdrawn from the -hosted Commonwealth Games scheduled to take place next year. This leaves 70 countries and territories competing in the Games. Countries that competed in the 2010 Commonwealth Games The country's president withdrew from the 54-nation Commonwealth with a statement on television Thursday saying, "The general public is hereby informed that the Government of the Gambia has left the Commonwealth of Nations with immediate effect ... The Government has withdrawn its membership of the British Commonwealth and decided that the Gambia will never be a member of any neo-colonial institution and will never be a party to any institution that represents an extension of colonialism." Yesterday, a spokesperson for the 2014 Games said, "All Commonwealth nations and territories are entitled to compete in the Commonwealth Games. Glasgow 2014 has received confirmation from the Commonwealth Games Federation of the formal withdrawal of The Gambia from the Commonwealth. It is our understanding, therefore, that The Gambia does not intend to enter a team and compete in next year's Games." Being a member of the Commonwealth is a requirement for participation in the Games, and organizers could not formally withdraw Gambia from the Games until they received confirmation from the . The organizers are planning to modify the to remove Gambia. The relay traditionally involves the baton travelling to all participating countries. Having participated at every Commonwealth Games since 1970 except the boycotted , the nation has only won one medal, a bronze at the . == Sources == * * * * * |
Photo: PA Mr Brown visited Moorfields in London, one of the world’s best-known eye hospitals, after surgeons found two small tears in his retina. The disclosure comes just two weeks after Labour Party chiefs were angry with the BBC because Andrew Marr, the presenter, questioned the Prime Minister about his health, including his eyesight, during an interview. Mr Marr asked Mr Brown if he has been taking prescription drugs after rumours spread on the internet that he was dependant on painkillers or antidepressants. Mr Brown talked on the programme about losing the sight in one eye following a boyhood rugby. “I then had exactly the same thing happen in my second eye. I had the same retinal detachment. I had the same fear that therefore I might lose my sight in that eye,” he admitted. In a carefully-worded statement, No 10 said today: “This summer Mr Brown had his annual eye check-up which was fine. Later he had his retina checked. “After examinations, surgeons found that the retina had two minor tears. However, as there has been no further deterioration, and no change in his eye sight, they decided against further operations. Yesterday [Friday] Mr Brown visited Moorfields Hospital as part of regular checks on his eyes and this check was also fine. “Mr Brown wants to thank the doctors and staff of the NHS particularly Moorfields Hospital. Were there to be any change, he would of course make a further statement.” After the Andrew Marr Show late last month, senior Labour officials accused the BBC of smearing the Prime Minister. However, the BBC defended the tactics and a spokesman said: “Andrew was asking a legitimate question about the health of the leader of the country.” The spokesman refused to be drawn on whether Mr Marr and Barney Jones, the editor of the programme, had consulted executives at the BBC before deciding to ask Mr Brown whether he was taking prescription medication. Later Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, said it was “absolutely ridiculous” to suggest the Mr Brown had a problem with pill use, and he blamed politically motivated bloggers for raising the possibility. “We have seen out there on the internet, the blogosphere, all these extreme right-wing people trying to put these smears and rumours about, all completely groundless,” Lord Mandelson told GMTV. The BBC received more than 100 complaints about Mr Marr’s line of questioning on the day the show was broadcast. ||||| Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Eyesight tests have found Gordon Brown has two minor tears in his right retina but he will not be undergoing further operations, Downing Street has said. A spokesman said Mr Brown had an eye check in the summer which was fine, and later had his retina examined. Surgeons found it had two minor tears, but there had been no further deterioration in his sight. Another check-up on Friday found no change. The prime minister lost the sight in his left eye in a teenage accident. "Yesterday Mr Brown visited Moorfields Hospital as part of regular checks on his eyes and this check was also fine," Downing Street said. TV interviews "Mr Brown wants to thank the doctors and staff of the NHS particularly Moorfields Hospital. Were there to be any change, he would of course make a further statement." A spokesman said the details of the tests had been released in the interests of "transparency". There has been absolutely no deterioration in my eyesight Gordon Brown Q&A: Retinal tears explained BBC political correspondent Terry Stiastny said the Downing Street statement covered an issue it might not have expected people to ask about in the past. Our correspondent said No 10 appeared to be aware it might have faced accusations of not being open about Mr Brown's recent hospital visit. The statement comes after speculation over the prime minister's health. In a US TV interview last month he was forced to deny suggestions he was slowly going blind. He was asked by NBC anchor Brian Williams if his other eye was now failing, but insisted: "My sight is not at all deteriorating." Rugby injury A few days later, ahead of the Labour conference, Mr Brown was asked the same question by the BBC's Andrew Marr, and again denied there was a problem. Mr Brown was diagnosed with a detached retina at the age of 16 - the result of a rugby injury. He eventually lost the sight in the eye and retained just 30% of his vision in the right eye. On the Andrew Marr show, he recalled: "I had to have a very big operation to deal with that and every year, of course, I have to check - as I did only a few days ago - that my eyesight is good. "There has been absolutely no deterioration in my eyesight. I think people should be absolutely clear that although I had problems with my eyes and it has been very difficult over the years, I think people understand that you can do a job and you can work hard. "I think it would be a terrible indictment of a political system if people thought because you had this medical condition, you couldn't do a job." Retinal surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital, James Bainbridge, said tears very rarely cause serious problems but can in some cases lead to sight-threatening retinal detachments. Modern techniques can help prevent detachments and when they do happen, they can be treated with "very good results", he said. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| The Andrew Marr Show, interview with Gordon Brown, BBC One, 27 September 2009 Complaint We received complaints about Andrew Marr's interview with the Prime Minister, during which he asked: "If you were an American President, we would know all about your medical history. You were asked in the States about your eyesight and I think the reason you were asked is because people were wondering whether that would be a reason for standing down at some point. Let me ask you about something else that everybody has been talking about out there in the Westminster village. A lot of people in this country use prescription painkillers and pills to help them get through - are you one of those people?" The BBC's response We felt that with a general election looming and with former and current cabinet ministers warning of electoral defeat unless the party turned round its current position, a robust interview centred on the economy and the Prime Minister's leadership was appropriate. The former Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, suggested this month that health might be a reason for the Prime Minister to stand down and within the context of a long interview about policy it was reasonable also to ask Mr Brown about his health. The issue of his health and whether it affects his ability to perform the onerous job of leading the party and the country was pertinent, and has been raised with other Prime Ministers in the past. Barney Jones Editor, The Andrew Marr Show | Gordon Brown. The British government has said that eyesight tests reveal Prime Minister Gordon Brown has two minor tears in the retina of his right eye. Prime Minister Brown went to the Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, England. A series of eyesight tests revealed that there were two small tears in his right retina, but no other deterioration in his eyesight. Downing Street in Westminster has said that despite these results, Mr. Brown will not be undergoing any further operations. They commented: "This summer Mr Brown had his annual eye check-up which was fine. Later he had his retina checked. After examinations, surgeons found that the retina had two minor tears. However, as there has been no further deterioration, and no change in his eyesight, they decided against further operations. Yesterday Friday Mr. Brown visited Moorfields Hospital as part of regular checks on his eyes and this check was also fine. Mr. Brown wants to thank the doctors and staff of the NHS particularly Moorfields Hospital. Were there to be any change, he would of course make a further statement." Gordon is already blind in his left eye after a rugby-related accident during his teenage years. The announce made earlier this week comes roughly two weeks after he made an appearance on The Andrew Marr Show on BBC One as a guest on September 27, 2009. He was given some medical questions from Andrew Marr about his health, including if his eyes were OK, and if he took prescription painkillers, while on the air. As a result, the BBC received several hundred complaints from viewers. Editor ''Barney Jones'' made an apology. In a statement he said: "We felt that with a general election looming and with former and current cabinet ministers warning of electoral defeat unless the party turned round its current position, a robust interview centred on the economy and the Prime Minister's leadership was appropriate. "The former Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, suggested this month that health might be a reason for the Prime Minister to stand down and within the context of a long interview about policy it was reasonable also to ask Mr Brown about his health. The issue of his health and whether it affects his ability to perform the onerous job of leading the party and the country was pertinent, and has been raised with other Prime Ministers in the past." |
Chelsea's UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie with Valencia remains firmly in the balance after a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge. Valencia took the lead into half-time after David Silva's wonder goal on 30 minutes, but Didier Drogba headed the equaliser after the break from Ashley Cole's long ball forward. Jose Mourinho's men will now need at least one goal in the second leg in Spain next week if they are to advance to meet the winners of Liverpool's tie with PSV Eindhoven in the semi-finals. Both sides had early sightings of goal with David Villa sending a shot sailing way wide, while a clever burst forward from Cole almost produced a chance for Drogba, but the left-back's cross was just out of the Ivorian's reach. Salomon Kalou was inches from opening the scoring on ten minutes when his turn-and-shot from the edge of the area rattled the Valencia crossbar. Andrei Shevchenko was clattered off the ball in the build up to the chance and Chelsea may have had strong claims for a penalty. Villa was looking lively in the early stages and some neat interplay just outside Chelsea's box led to the Spanish international striker firing off target. Silva should have scored mid-way through the half when he stuck out a leg to divert Joaquin's mis-hit shot back towards goal, but thankfully for Petr Cech the ball rolled wide of the Czech international's right-hand post. Moments later former Chelsea defender Asier Del Horno had to be kept out by a diving Cech after some tidy close control on the edge of the area allowed him to direct an effort towards the top corner. Following an excellent build-up, Frank Lampard's left-footed effort was wayward before the majority of the Stamford Bridge crowd was stunned into silence by a moment of magic from Silva. The Valencia forward picked up a loose ball on the left-hand side and unleashed an unstoppable drive from fully 30 yards which left Cech with no chance of making the save. Chelsea looked for a quick response and Drogba's free-kick from distance was on target, but straight at Santiago Canizares in the Valencia goal. Lampard and Michael Ballack both headed wide before half-time, and just following the restart the German international's ball to the back post found Kalou, but the young striker failed to make the desired contact with the ball. Drogba dragged Chelsea level on 53 minutes as he took advantage of some static Valencia defending to latch onto Cole's long ball up field and head over Canizares for his 30th goal of the season. Another Lampard long-ranger went wide on the hour as Chelsea began to control the game, with Valencia happy to sit back and let The Blues attack. Jose Mourinho introduced two new attacking threats on 74 minutes, with Joe Cole returning to action after four months out and Shaun Wright-Phillips also brought on. Ricardo Carvalho climbed highest at the back post to meet Lampard's free-kick, but could not direct his header downwards, and with less than 10 minutes remaining John Terry felt he should have been awarded a penalty under heavy contact from Raul Albiol in the box. Valencia substitute Miguel Angulo shot over from 25 yards, while at the other end Canizares had to be bailed out by his defence just before the end after flapping unsuccessfully at a corner. Carvalho's side-footed effort was cleared away but only as far as Shevchenko, whose brilliantly executed bicycle kick was heading in until the ball deflected off Miguel's outstretched leg and over the top for a corner. The 1-1 draw means Chelsea must score at least once in Spain next week to have any chance of advancing to the Champions League semi-finals. ||||| Liverpool all-but guaranteed their place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals with a superb 3-0 win over PSV Eindhoven in Holland. Captain Steven Gerrard again proved to be the catalyst for The Reds as he became the club's all-time leading scorer in the European Cup with 15 goals, surpassing Ian Rush's record with a fine header in this quarter-final, first leg tie. Both John Arne Riise and Peter Crouch joined their skipper on the scoresheet after the break as Rafa Benitez's side dominated possession and dictated the course of the tie throughout the 90 minutes at Philips Stadion. PSV coach Ronald Koeman had been hailed as a tormentor of English sides - having been the only other manager along with Jose Mourinho to beat Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool in the past 18 months - but his side showed little endeavour in a stale performance in Eindhoven. On this evidence, the Dutch club scoring four goals at Anfield to win the tie seems as likely as Steve McClaren receiving a knighthood. Mika Vayrynen threatened early on for PSV as he fired a shot over the bar after a one-two with Jefferson Farfan, but Liverpool were largely untroubled in a comfortable opening for the English side. On 16 minutes The Reds had their first sight at goal when Riise - deployed in front of Fabio Aurelio on the left wing - saw a volley deflected wide, and from the resultant corner Liverpool almost took the lead. Gerrard's set-piece was met by a strong header from Jamie Carragher - setting a record for the most European Cup appearances for the club - but PSV keeper Heurelho Gomes was equal to the task and produced a fine diving stop. Peter Crouch, hat-trick hero from Saturday's win over Arsenal, also sent a shot over the bar whilst PSV saw left-back Carlos Salcido fail to trouble Reina from range. Benitez's men were almost undone when Vayryen's shot from a cross from former Red Jan Kromkamp was inadvertently deflected over the bar by Carragher - with Philip Cocu heading just wide from the corner - but just four minutes later Gerrard claimed an important away goal. Dirk Kuyt was forced to duck out of the way as the skipper came charging into the box to meet Steve Finnan's cross, and Gomes could not repeat his earlier heroics as Gerrard powered a header past the keeper and into the left-hand side of the goal. The goal could have drawn PSV out of their defensive shell, but the game remained a tight affair and Liverpool entered half-time with a one-goal lead that their efforts had merited. PSV's hopes of finding an equaliser suffered a blow when Farfan failed to reappear after the break, with Chinese international Xiang Sun taking his place, and Liverpool retained the momentum as Xabi Alonso threatened twice in the first two minutes of the half. The sense that the tie was very much there for the taking was given further credence when Liverpool claimed their second after a poor clearance from under-pressure defender Timmy Simons. Riise was lurking on the edge of the box and needed no second invitation to chest the ball down and unleash a trademark thunderous drive that flew past the despairing Gomes to give Liverpool a formidable advantage in Holland. The Norwegian international could have had another when Gomes only just managed to recover after dropping a routine cross, whilst the ever-inventive Alonso tried his luck from substantially further out as his floating 45 yard effort drifted wide. In what was rapidly becoming a rather facile outing for Liverpool, Crouch added a telling third when he rose highest to meet Finnan's cross and placed a fine header past Gomes, who was now past despairing and into the realms of distraught. Koeman's side had a brief flicker of hope when Reina's fingertips diverted a cross into the path of Salcido, but the Mexican's rushed shot flew well wide in a moment that epitomised PSV's poor performance. Liverpool's almost perfect night suffered a blow when Fabio Aurelio had to be stretchered off due to injury, with Mark Gonzalez taking his place, and Crouch also earned a rapturous reception when Jermaine Pennant was afforded a run-out. Chilean winger Gonzalez aimed two long-range efforts at goal as Liverpool played out the final ten minutes with ease, although substitute Csaba Feher did call Reina into action at his near post. In injury time, Kuyt also picked up a yellow card which rules him out of what should be a routine second leg at Anfield. After three games against PSV this season Liverpool are yet to lose, and unless that trend is reversed in emphatic fashion in two weeks, the men from Merseyside could now be on track for a semi-final meeting with Premiership rivals Chelsea. PSV Eindhoven v Liverpool player ratings. ||||| Daniel van Buyten became the most unlikely of heroes as his brace, the second in injury time, ensured Bayern Munich twice came from behind to secure a 2-2 draw from what was the most exhilarating of UEFA Champions League games against Milan. The former Manchester City defender produced two close range finishes more befitting of a striker, the second in the 92nd minute, to give Bayern advantage at the half way stage of a now beautifully poised quarter-final. A refereeing decision of staggering ineptitude had looked to have handed Milan a crucial lead to take to Germany, as Kaka's hotly disputed penalty put them in control at 2-1. As Kaka made inroads down the left flank in the 82nd minute, with the game level at 1-1, Bayern defender Lucio jockeyed his man before finding the perfect challenge in nicking the ball off Milan's playmaker, for what everyone in the stadium must have believed was a corner. Russian referee Yuri Baskakov disagreed and from the resulting spot-kick, Kaka composed himself before calmly slotting in his seventh goal of a hugely impressive European campaign. Just minutes earlier, in the 78th, van Buyten had been reeling away in delight after levelling out Andrea Pirlo's first half opener. A remarkable 14 European Cup winners took to the field for what on paper was a contest of epic proportions, and while there was plenty of intrigue, on this showing, both sides must improve considerably if that number is to be added to. When two European heavyweights meet the early sparring which normally ensues is characterised by a respectful reserve and so it transpired in Giuseppe Meazza for long spells in the first half, only for Milan to find an opener five minutes before the break. Prior to Pirlo's goal, both sides were neat and organised but is was Milan that conjured the best two opportunities, as Michael Rensing in Bayern's goal twice made a mockery of his president Franz Beckenbauer's accusation that he lacked the stature to replace the suspended legend Oliver Kahn. Gone were the histrionics of Bayern's blond Bavarian as a younger, more agile model, produced a stunning instinctive stop to parry Massimo Ambrosini's close range header from a corner over his crossbar. Prior to Ambrosini's failure to register and in just the second minute, Clarence Seedorf stretched every last sinew but just failed to connect with Pirlo's devilish delivery from the right. It was, though, far from a vintage Italian masterclass as Bayern's pragmatic approach and intelligence in possession soon had the natives restless. Indeed, Bayern may even have taken the lead when Andrea Ottl let fly from distance and Dida did just did enough to parry the ball over, when there seemed little genuine danger for a goalkeeper of the Brazilian's ability. If Dida was less than assured, at the other end, Rensing was excelling as Alberto Gilardino's incredulity was plastered all his face, when he failed to convert Massimo Oddo's cross on the stretch from no more than four yards - denied by a save of stupendous proportions. Oddo's forward forays on the overlap were a consistent cause of consternation for Bayern and it was from the full-back's fine cross that Pirlo etched his name on the scoresheet. A deep ball from the right saw the Italian schemer evade Bayern's stagnant back four and with a perfectly looping header catch out a surprised Rensing and perhaps, the Kaiser's words were vindicated. Just before the interval and the peripheral Kaka, who improved in the second half, cried penalty but on closer inspection the challenge of his compatriot Lucio was timed to perfection in the area. History would later repeat itself, albeit with a critical twist. It was Kaka that should have doubled his side's advantage when he missed his kick from six yards, when a goal looked the inevitable conclusion to Ambrosini's perfect delivery. Bayern's exertions in the second 45 minutes were much like the first in that they had plenty of graft but precious little craft, as their efforts in the attacking third lacked any real verve or cutting edge. That did not, though, stop them from twice registering with goals Milan will feel could have been avoided with greater assurance at the back. Van Buyten's first of a remarkable evening saw the big Belgian show a predator's instinct in converting substitute Claudio Pizarro's knock down, after he had out-muscled Oddo at the far post. He must, though, have thought his efforts were in vain when Bayern fell to a piece of ludicrous officiating, but with a trademark resolve, the German giants played to the last, and were rewarded when van Buyten slammed home a fine half volley from the tightest of angles to secure a late, late draw. Milan v Bayern Munich player ratings | The first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals were played out on Tuesday and Wednesday. Of the three English teams remaining in the competition, only one was able to earn themselves a win in the first leg, that being Liverpool. Draws occurred in the Chelsea/Valencia and Milan/Bayern games, while Manchester United lost on the road in Rome. |
There were no histrionics from John Sweeney this time but a second look at Scientology underlined the insidious aspects of the controversial organisation. As Sweeney delved into L Ron Hubbard's mysterious pseudoreligion and found himself hounded and harassed, the group's continued denial that it is a cult seemed laughable. This is a so-called church, yet so much of its treatment of non-believers smacks of paranoia, notably the revelation that Sweeney’s 2007 ‘exploding tomato’ impression was encouraged. Flashbacks to his previous investigation were overused and there was no scene capable of reaching the infamy of his red-faced screaming fit. But with former ‘church’ spokesman Mike Rinder at Sweeney’s side, the lengths to which the religion of the stars will go to discredit its critics – including dividing families - became horribly clear. We met Amy Scobee, who saw details of her sex life leaked after she left and criticised Scientology while Rinder and Sweeney were consistently followed by taciturn cameramen. Thankfully, there was exemplary investigative journalism on show, with the BBC man unbowed by closed avenues of inquiry or alleged surveillance. This superb documentary proved that you can reveal the startling aggression behind a group that preaches spiritual growth and the so-called Way to Happiness without becoming an unlikely YouTube star in the process. You say: The comments below have not been moderated. Highly amusing how many scientologist supporters posing as â~ordinaryâTMpeople have posted on here. Posting on here in an attempt to sway opinion in such an obvious fashion, proves the point of the documentary rather than contradicts it IâTMm afraid guys. Also, David Stone, perhaps youâTMll be able to answer this one? Has scientology reached any developing countries yet? Sally, Just over there, 29/9/2010 18:27 Report abuse Posting on here in an attempt to sway opinion in such an obvious fashion, proves the point of the documentary rather than contradicts it IâTMm afraid guys. Also, David Stone, perhaps youâTMll be able to answer this one? Has scientology reached any developing countries yet? Report abuse David Stone implores us to watch the Scientology reply? http://www.freedommag.org/special-reports/bbc/panorama-desperate-lies.html?link=coverimage Have fun. I've never seen anything so hilariously cut together. L Ron, Zeno's Paradise, 29/9/2010 15:07 Report abuse http://www.freedommag.org/special-reports/bbc/panorama-desperate-lies.html?link=coverimage Have fun. I've never seen anything so hilariously cut together. Report abuse cult cult cult cult cult.new world order the chosen few will be safe in there bunkers while the rest of us fry.the illuminati moves in all ways scientology is a big recriuting office for the new world order and there plans for global enslavement. eric palmer, cheltenham england, 29/9/2010 13:18 Report abuse View all comments (27) 1 2 3 Name: Town: I agree to the House Rules Remember me ? We welcome your opinions. This is a public forum. Libellous and abusive comments are not allowed. For information about privacy and cookies please read our Privacy Policy Terms. Comment ||||| Sponsored Three years ago, while making a Panorama programme about scientology, I made the mistake of exploding in front of the sect’s own cameras. The embarrassing clip of film became an internet hit. Now I’ve gone back for more. The sequence of events — I hope they make sense, but we are now in scientology-world — began like this. I am in scientology’s Psychiatry: An Industry of Death museum on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Monsters drill into brains; sparks flash inside a skull; electrodes clamp temples; an infant screams. The message: psychiatry is evil. Black-clad devotees of the Church of Scientology’s holy order, the Sea Org, are filming my every move. Tommy Davis, a Tom Cruise lookalike, and stone-faced Mike Rinder, head of scientology’s secret ||||| Scientology leader David Miscavige accused of snooping in secret celeb confessional files Marcou/Getty, Matthews/AP Scientology leader David Miscavige (l.) is being accused of gossiping about Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson after snooping in her confidential confessional file. The Church of Scientology is bringing down the hammer on a renegade member who alleges leader David Miscavige loves to gossip about his star parishioners. Former high-ranking member Amy Scobee claims in her just-out book, "Scientology: Abuse at the Top," that Miscavige and other officials "snooped" in confidential confessional files - a charge vehemently denied by the church, whose believers include Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes, John Travolta, Kelly Preston and Kirstie Alley. Scobee writes that she was in the office of top exec Marc Yager when Miscavige called to brief him on "the latest" about "a female celebrity connected with Michael Jackson." "Yager kept saying, 'No way, really? That's completely out of control!' ... [They were] giggling like little elementary school kids." "According to a source, Scobee is referring to Jackson's former wife Lisa Marie Presley. In her book, she also alleges: Miscavige "is known to pride himself on having memorized the sexual irregularities of practically every staff member" at one church facility - sometimes teasing them about their kinks in front of others. Officials privately grilled church members who work for celeb Scientologists to check whether the celebs were "deviating" from "Scientology's moral code." Miscavige once dressed his dog, Jellie, in an officer's uniform to make the point that Jellie could do a better job than staffers - who were required to salute the beagle. Church execs panicked when a robber stole a briefcase containing sensitive information about a well-known church official who'd video¬≠taped "himself having sex with several other men." A homeless man finally turned in the briefcase. Church spokesman Tommy Davis brands all of Scobee's claims as "fiction." He insists Miscavige's purported dish session "never happened. Nobody in the church has ever violated the priest-penitent privilege. ... [Confessional files] are held in the strictest confidence." Davis says the church is "preparing a lawsuit" against Scobee, based on the "disgusting allegations" in her self-published book. Scobee was "expelled" after she admitted to "five affairs outside of wedlock" - a violation of her ecclesiastical vows - including one with "a penitent she was supposed to be ministering to," Davis claimed. Scobee, who is still married to that "penitent," argues that Davis "didn't see what I saw. I wanted to leave. They tried to get me to stay. If confessionals are never violated, what's Tommy doing talking about my sex life? " Scobee has already been put on notice by Cruise's lawyer, Bert Fields, for a "defamatory" claim that Miscavige's wife once told her the actor had a "drug history." Davis adds that he's "fed up" with the airtime disgruntled defectors have been getting, especially in a recent Anderson Cooper investigation on CNN. "[Our members] are going to Haiti, spending millions to charter planes to fly in supplies and doctors and nurses," says Davis. "All the while Anderson Cooper is in his designer T-shirts, just standing around, while we're helping people for real." ||||| April 12, 2010 12:18 p.m. EST Anne Lu - AHN Entertainment Contributor Los Angeles, CA, United States (AHN) - Tom Cruise’s lawyer has sent a missive to former Church of Scientology staff member Amy Scobee, warning her of defamation if her forthcoming tell-all book gets published. Scobee’s “Abuse at the Top” got the “Mission: Impossible” star seething. Scobee, who held several executive positions within the upper levels of the church before leaving it, is set to release the tome, which is expected to divulge her 27 years of first hand experience inside the religion. But Cruise’s lawyer, Bertram Fields, has fired off a letter that warns her of defamation if the book gets published. Their camp particularly took offense at claims that Cruise and David Miscavige, the leader of the church, have a “drug history” together; that the Hollywood “Top Gun” was given an ultimatum to choose between Scientology and Nicole Kidman; that his finances are handled by the church; and that Cruise’s household staff is selected and paid money by Scientology. Former top Scientology official, Marty Rathbun, is taking Scobee’s side, saying she should be allowed to speak the truth. Rathbun, who left the corporate church to practice his beliefs independently, claims Scobee has first hand knowledge on the information she will divulge. He added that defamation is a well-known modus operandi the church corporation aggressively employs against their critics. Both Scobee and Rahtbun appeared on CNN last month for Anderson Cooper’s 360 investigation report on the illegal activities inside the church. | ''Wikinews'' interviewed author about her book ''Scientology - Abuse at the Top'', and asked her about her experiences working as an executive within the organization. Scobee joined the organization at age 14, and worked at Scientology's international management headquarters for several years before leaving in 2005. She served as a Scientology executive in multiple high-ranking positions, working out of the international headquarters of Scientology known as "", located in Gilman Hot Springs near , California. |
In the 24-year history of Miami tournament, Nikolay Davydenko has become the first Russian reaching the semifinals. And it was only the beginning. Davydenko won the second Series trophy in career by defeating Spain’s Rafael Nadal in straight sets to win the men's singles final of the Open at the Crandon Park Tennis Center on April 6, 2008 in Key Biscayne, Florida. Although by far not the favorite of the final battel (same as in the previous standoff against Andy Roddick, by the way), the Russian prevailed both on serve and return, crashing the charismatic Nadal 6-4 6-2 in Miami.It was for the first time that Davydenko defeated Nadal in the final. The victory appears even more worthy given the resolve of the world number two to win the first tournament since Stuttgart of past July. But the hard surface isn’t the favorite for the Spaniard. Nadal said he didn’t play well and, really, he was making more errors than usual.Equal to Nadal in playing from the baseline, Davydenko was aggressive from the very beginning and obviously dominated in the second set to confirm his position amid the tennis elite. Dvydenko said he became more confident in Miami, as he beat very good players there, and would be playing different, much faster tennis in future.In the women’s section of the Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Serena Williams of the U.S. won her final match against Serbian Jelena Jankovic Saturday and got the Sony Ericsson Open trophy for the fifth time. ||||| By Piers Newbery Davydenko has now won Masters Series titles in Miami and Paris Russia's Nikolay Davydenko claimed the second Masters Series title of his career with victory over Rafael Nadal at the Sony Ericsson Open in Florida. The 26-year-old went into the match as the underdog but dominated both on serve and return as he won 6-4 6-2. Davydenko broke twice in each set to win in one hour 30 minutes, adding the title to his 2006 Paris Masters crown. "Second time to win Masters Series, it's like for me something important," said Davydenko. "Fighting every match, you know, beat Nadal in the final, first time in my career. "My tennis was so good today. I think it's the best tennis of the hard-court season. "Here Nadal was favourite, and also in semi-final Roddick was the favorite. Just to beat two guys in two sets is like amazing for me." In the future I play something maybe different, maybe much better, much faster Nikolay Davydenko Nadal said: "I think he played at a good level. He played a good match, but I didn't play well today. "So when you don't play at 100% at this level against top players, it's tough to win, especially on a hard surface. So I congratulate him more because he played better than me. "He played more aggressive, with more good feelings, forehand, backhand volley, drop shot." Nadal had been looking to win his first tournament since Stuttgart last July. That fact had clearly been a motivation all week for Nadal, who had looked supremely focused on his way through the draw. And having won both previous encounters between the pair, the world number two went into the match as the favourite. But after they swapped early breaks, Davydenko went ahead again in game seven and confidently served out on his second set point. Nadal, 21, was making more errors than usual as he faced one of the few players capable of matching his energy and consistency from the baseline. 606: DEBATE Who would have thought that tennis could be rescued by Nikolay Davydenko? BBC Radio 5 Live's Jonathan Overend Davydenko kept up the pressure with another break at the start of the second set, and when he extended that advantage to 4-1 it was all but over. Nadal suffered a heartbreaking five-set defeat by Roger Federer in the final three years ago but the end came considerably quicker this time. By the closing stages, Davydenko was totally dominant on serve and even coming into the net to finish off some points. The world number four put Nadal out of his misery on the second match point for a win that solidifies his position among the game's elite. "Maybe I feel more confident because I beat very good guys here," Davydenko added. "And in the future I start coming and I play something maybe different, maybe much better, much faster. "For me it's good I won here, and we'll see how good I can prepare for the clay-court season." Three-time French Open champion Nadal was happy enough with his efforts as he prepares to get back to his favourite surface in the forthcoming European clay-court season. "I played a very good tournament," he said. "I won against very good players. "I played at my best level against Berdych, against Blake, against Mathieu. So for that reason I won against these top players. "Today I didn't play my best. He played well and I lost." Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? | A file photo of Rafael NadalA file photo of Nikolay DavydenkoNikolay Davydenko, from Russia beat Rafael Nadal in the Sony Ericsson Open, which takes place in Florida. Davyenko commented on his performance after the match. He said that his "tennis was so good today. I think it's the best tennis of the hard-court season." He continued, "Here Nadal was favourite, and also in semi-final Roddick was the favorite. Just to beat two guys in two sets is like amazing for me." Nadal also commented on his performance. "I think he Davydenko played at a good level. He played a good match, but I didn't play well today." He continued, "So when you don't play at 100% at this level against top players, it's tough to win, especially on a hard surface. So I congratulate him more because he played better than me." |
Linda Smith is survived by her partner Warren Lakin The writer and broadcaster was a staple of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and BBC Radio, whose listeners voted her "Wittiest Person" in 2002. She made frequent appearances on Just A Minute and I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, as well as the TV shows Have I Got News For You, Room 101 and Mock the Week. Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer said her passing was "a terrible loss". Comedian Jeremy Hardy pays tribute "Linda was a Radio 4 giant," he added. "She generated an energy and warmth in every programme she ever did that made her fellow comedians and millions of listeners love her." News Quiz regular Jeremy Hardy paid an emotional tribute, calling her "the wittiest and brightest person working on TV or radio panel games". Her many TV credits include Have I Got News For You "Even when she was very ill, she had her friends laughing and feeling uplifted despite our sadness. "I am so lucky to have had such a wonderful friend." Ms Smith, who is survived by her partner Warren Lakin, died on Monday. Mr Hardy told Radio 4 she had been ill for some time from ovarian cancer. A special tribute edition of the News Quiz will be broadcast on Friday at 1830 GMT, presented by her fellow panellist Andy Hamilton. ||||| By Jeremy Hardy Radio 4 comedian and writer Linda Smith's TV appearances included Room 101 and QI Jeremy Hardy, who worked with Linda Smith on BBC Radio 4 shows such as the News Quiz, pays tribute to the late comic. Linda was diagnosed with ovarian cancer three and a half years ago but she really didn't want people to know. She was a very proud woman and she hated the cancer. It annoyed her because she loved life. She wanted to live. I think she thought that by talking about the cancer she was giving it a platform that she didn't think it deserved. She was a very proud and dignified woman who didn't want to be thought of as a patient or a victim. 'Battled' She battled very bravely right up to the end. She didn't want to go, she had so much life in her. Linda was fantastic to work with. I can honestly say that if you knew she was going to be on the News Quiz, you knew it was going to be great. She'd make you raise your game and if you weren't on form you could just enjoy listening to Linda. The quirky English expressions she used were the most wonderful daft ways the English express themselves. Jeremy Hardy Her mind was extraordinary. She had a record in her mind of everything she'd ever read or every film she'd seen. She could quote you Shakespeare or the Bible. She could quote Martin Scorsese or Billy Wilder films. Linda had the most wonderful, exact terminology. The quirky English expressions she used were the most wonderful daft ways the English express themselves. She sort of flirted with the listener in a way. When she started there was a degree of snobbery about her voice. She had a very flat, south-east London, suburban working class, Kentish drone and some people thought: 'What on earth is happening to Radio 4?' But she won the hearts of the nation and yet she was so savage. She detested things she thought were fraudulent or pompous or vain. She hated Tony Blair and the Iraq war and yet could express it in such a dismissive, disdainful but glorious, articulate way. 'Wonderful' She lived in Sheffield for many years and I think she acquired a very Yorkshire way of expressing herself. She was our greatest living Englishwoman. She reminds me of Alan Bennett in that wonderful Yorkshire terminology, the exactitude. Her partner Warren Lakin was Jewish and had a great influence on her. She had a very Jewish way of expressing herself in her humour and inflexion. She absorbed everything and then could replay it. Away from the microphone she was still hilarious. Even at the very end, she'd make a very wry joke. 'Cared passionately' Having a cup of tea with Linda, you'd think this is a cup of tea I am going to enjoy. She was always funny but not in a knockabout way, she cared passionately about things and people. She was very loving and very aesthetic. She loved all beautiful things including gardening, theatre and films. She was so funny. She had such a wicked sense of humour. It just came effortlessly. She didn't even try. Humour was just in there, trying to get out all the time. Jeremy Hardy was speaking to BBC Radio 4's PM programme. ||||| Linda Smith: Witty commentator on modern life Her roots, in Erith, south-east London, were working-class, but she stubbornly refused to fit any stereotype, her deadpan diatribes about everyday irritations resonating with millions. She studied English and Drama at Sheffield University and joined a professional touring theatre company in 1983, where she met her partner, Warren Lakin. Turning to stand-up comedy, she won the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year in 1987. Throughout the 1990s, she made the annual pilgrimage to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, performing her own show and collaborating with others. And the mid-90s saw the start of her prolific career on BBC radio, as a regular panellist on the former Radio Five's weekly news satire programme, The Treatment. Linda Smith appeared with Paul Merton on BBC Two's Room 101 She was the first woman team captain and regular on the network's News Quiz and a frequent panel guest on two long-running Radio 4 favourites, Just a Minute and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. Linda Smith also presented Home Truths and Pick of the Week and in 2002 was voted Wittiest Person in a poll of Radio 4 listeners. She also won a following on television through several appearances on Have I Got News For You, along with Room 101, Q.I., Mock the Week, They Think It's All Over and Call My Bluff, while she contributed her own take on current affairs as a panellist on Question Time. Dedicated humanist She still managed to find time for a 35-date national tour in 2004, performing her show, Wrap Up Warm, to sell-out audiences. Linda Smith blended the topical with the personal, the political with the surreal and silly. She had a wealth of subjects to grumble about: motorway service stations, the trains, inane daytime television commercials for sun awnings or loans, all delivered in a downbeat fashion that belied a penetrating insight to social trends. Linda Smith moved effortlessly from stand-up to radio and TV In this connection, she recently said: "With fundamentalism on the rise, the rational voice of humanism needs to be heard." Radio 4 Controller Mark Damazer said Linda Smith was a Radio 4 giant. "She was incredibly funny, but also generated energy and warmth in every programme she ever did", he said. | It was reported by the ''BBC News'' service that Linda Smith, regular panelist on BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz, stand up comedian, satirist and writer, passed away from chronic ovarian cancer on Monday, February 27, 2006. Ms. Smith died age 48 and is survived by her partner, Warren Lakin. Ms. Smith gained fame from her many roles on BBC television and radio. During her career she built strong friendships with a number of colleagues. Amongst these is her colleague and friend Jeremy Hardy who responded to the news of her passing saying, "She was our greatest living Englishwoman. She reminds me of Alan Bennett in that wonderful Yorkshire terminology, the exactitude." Mr. Hardy has written a full tribute to Ms. Smith for the BBC website. A tribute edition of The News Quiz, presented by her fellow panelist Andy Hamilton, will be aired on Friday, March 3, 2006 on BBC Radio 4 at 6:30 p.m. (GMT), repeated the following Saturday at 12:30 - after this the show will be available for one week using BBC's Listen Again service. |
TORONTO -- On a misty Thursday night at BMO Field, the fog of Toronto FC's 12-game winless streak finally lifted as the Reds managed a 2-1 upset against the New York Red Bulls. After Maurice Edu's strike in the 18th minute put Toronto ahead, the Reds capitalized on an own goal by New York defender Chris Leitch that proved to be the difference in the game. Dane Richards pulled a goal back with 15 minutes to play as both teams played a man down, but much to the delight of the BMO crowd the Reds held out to the end. The victory was Toronto's first since July 4, and it moved Toronto off the bottom of the overall MLS table. The Reds are now tied at 24 points with Real Salt Lake, but TFC holds a head-to-head advantage over the Utah club. Neither side generated much of an attack in the opening minutes, as both clubs saw a corner kick opportunity fail to produce a scoring chance. Carl Robinson's direct free kick in the 11th minute curved tantalizingly towards the scrum in front of the net, but the ball found the head of a New York defender and was sent safely away. It took 18 minutes to produce the game's first shot, but it was a productive one for Toronto FC. A caution to New York's Dema Kovalenko gave TFC possession in the Red Bulls end, Marvell Wynne took the ball on the right side and passed it up to a charging Edu. The rookie midfielder got behind his defender just inside of the penalty area, then sent a well-placed strike past a diving Ronald Waterreus into the left side of the net to give Toronto the lead. It was Edu's fourth goal of the season, and his first since July 7. That particular tally holds a significant place in Reds history, as it was the last goal scored by the club before its MLS-record 824-minute scoreless streak. New York came back with their first shot of the match a few minutes later off of a direct free kick from Clint Mathis. Forward Jozy Altidore managed to collect Mathis' kick, but the resulting shot went over the net. Toronto goalkeeper Kenny Stamatopoulos was shaken up on the play after taking a knock in front of the net, but remained in the game. Despite a number of set-piece opportunities, the Red Bulls mustered just one shot on goal in the first half and went into halftime trailing 1-0. It was a bad omen for New York, who entered the match with 1-6-1 record for the season when behind after 45 minutes. As for Toronto, the club played one of their stronger defensive halves of the season, but the Reds had to be feeling some deja vu. It was the third consecutive match where TFC had taken a 1-0 lead into halftime, but in the previous two games, Toronto allowed a combined six second-half goals that resulted in a pair of losses. It looked as if history might repeat itself for a third time, as New York accumulated three shots in the first 10 minutes of the second half. But rather than sit back and go into a defensive shell, the Reds came out looking to extend their lead. In the 52nd minute, striker Collin Samuel made a strong run up the right side before starting a one-touch passing series between three Reds players that ended on the foot of midfielder Gabe Gala. The 17-year-old Canadian, making his first MLS start, managed a shot but was easily stopped by New York 'keeper Ronald Waterreus. Toronto got another advantage in the 64th minute when Wynne was sent flying after being tripped by a sliding Joe Vide. It was Vide's second caution of the game and the Red Bulls midfielder was sent off. It didn't take long for the Reds to capitalize with the extra man. After Carl Robinson missed a direct free kick awarded after the red card, Toronto regained possession. Wynne charged down the right side, and sent a crossing pass into the goal area towards striker Jeff Cunningham at the back post. Leitch tried to clear the pass, but instead sent the ball into his own net. It was the first own goal in Toronto FC's short history. The Red Bulls regained even footing after TFC defender Andrew Boyens was sent off in the 68th minute, and finally converted a goal on their 12th set-piece of the match. Dave van den Bergh's corner kick was expertly placed into the goal area, where midfielder Dane Richards was there to head the ball into the left side past a diving Stamatopoulos. It was the second goal of the season for the young Jamaican and his first since May 5. Now down just a goal, the Red Bulls pressed but couldn't generate a significant scoring chance. The flashiest attempt came in the 87th minute when midfielder Francis Doe tried a bicycle kick from just outside the goal area, but it was easily handled by Stamatopoulos. Still, there were a couple of brief moments of pause for the TFC fans over the final seconds. Richards again got free in the right corner and tried to find Altidore in front of goal, but Stamatopoulos kicked the pass away. Then Angel ran completely free on the left side and was able to dribble right at the goalpost, but put his shot into the outside netting. Toronto FC will get little time to celebrate their win as the club will make its first-ever trip to Dick's Sporting Goods Park to face the Colorado Rapids on Sunday. It will be Toronto's third match in nine days, and the Reds are 0-1-1 this season when playing their third match in a span of nine days or less. New York now has just one win in their last eight games, and missed yet another chance to secure a playoff spot. The club can still clinch if Los Angeles and Columbus both lose this weekend, but if that fails to happen, New York will have to wait until Oct. 13 against Kansas City to try and control their own fate. The Red Bulls have five goals in two games against K.C. but only has a point to show from it after a 3-2 loss on June 2 and a 3-3 draw on June 16. Mark Polishuk is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs. ||||| The page you requested generated an error or cannot be found. Please browse through our Site Map to find what you are looking for and please report any website problems to our Technical Team. TSN.ca Site Map | Toronto FC ended their 12 game winless streak with a 2-1 victory over Red Bull New York in a tense affair that saw both sides go down to 10 men in the 2nd half. After Maurice Edu's goal in the 18th minute put Toronto ahead for the 3rd straight game, the Reds scored on an own goal by New York defender Chris Leitch that proved to be the winner in the game for Toronto. Dane Richards pulled a goal back with 15 minutes to play. Both New York's Joe Vide and Toronto's Andrew Boyens were sent off 3 minute. Chicago Fire has clinched a tie with Toronto FC after their draw with Chivas USA last weekend. Toronto go on the road to face Colorado Rapids on Sunday and Los Angeles Galaxy on October 13 and will finish off the regular season against New England Revolution on October 20. |
Three foreign journalists covering the World Cup in South Africa have been robbed at gunpoint, police say. One of them saw two robbers as they broke into their lodgings near Johannesburg in the early morning. "One of the suspects pointed a gun at the journalist and told him to lie down," police spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi said. The reporters, two from Portugal and the other from Spain, were not injured but passports and equipment were taken. Col Mulaudzi said the police had good leads and hoped to make an arrest soon, the South Africa Press Association reports. Continue reading the main story I was the only one to wake up when the robbers came into the room Journalist Antonio Fimoes How dangerous is South Africa? "I was the only one to wake up when the robbers came into the room," Portuguese journalist Antonio Fimoes told AFP news agency. "One of them had a pistol and pointed it at my head and told me to shut up while the other one rummaged through our things," he said. "They got away with some money, passports, photographic material and clothing." Police said the lodge where the journalists were staying would have to "jack up" its security. About 350,000 people are expected to visit South Africa for the World Cup, which is being held in Africa for the first time. The tournament starts on Friday. South Africa has mobilised thousands of specially trained police to deal with fans' safety. ||||| Spanish and Portuguese journalists robbed at gunpoint Wednesday, June 09, 2010 Reads: 1369 Comments: 2 6114 Two Portuguese and one Spanish journalists were robbed at gunpoint in their lodge in Magaliesburg on Wednesday morning. The journalists, who are in South Africa to cover the World Cup that begins Friday, are staying in a three-bedroom chalet at the Nutbush Boma lodge. In the early hours of the morning the two robbers broke into the chalet and pointed a gun at the one journalist who was awake and ordered him to lie down. The robbers thereafter removed their passports, clothes, laptops, cameras and other items of value. Mercifully two of the journalists slept through the whole thing. Police say they have good leads and are hoping to make an early arrest. They also believe that the lodge should strengthen its security. Fortunately no-one was physically harmed by the attack. | Location of Gauteng within South Africa Three foreign journalists in South Africa have been robbed at gunpoint while they slept in their chalet in , . The reporters were in South Africa to cover the , a football competition which starts on June 11. Police spokesman Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed that two gunmen broke into the journalists' lodgings during the early hours of the morning. One of the journalists woke during the break-in and was forced to lie on the floor by one of the suspects. Laptops and cameras were stolen, along with the reporters' passports. The reported that two of the journalists were Portuguese and another was from Spain. None of the journalists were harmed during the incident. Thousands of police officers have been organised for the World Cup. Around 350,000 fans are due to visit South Africa during the tournament. |
New Bin Laden video praises hijacker on 9/11 anniversary (UPDATE 2) WASHINGTON -- Al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden praises one of the September 11 hijackers in a video released Tuesday, the sixth anniversary of the traumatic attacks, reports said. IntelCenter, a US-based organization that monitors Islamic militant websites, told AFP that it had a copy of the video, which CNN said had appeared on the Internet. The video appears to only show a still image of Bin Laden with a voice identified as his praising hijacker Walid al-Shehri, who was aboard American Airlines Flight 11 which crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, the CNN website reported. IntelCenter said the video had not been officially released by al-Qaeda's media arm, As-Sahab, and that it lasted just over 47 minutes. "We believe that the new Bin Laden video is an audiotape with a still picture," IntelCenter head Ben Venzke told Agence France-Presse, adding that his organization was still checking if the video contained moving images. IntelCenter said the video is titled: "The Wills of the Heroes of the Raids on New York and Washington, The Will of the Martyr [As We See Him] Abu Mus'ab Walid al-Shehri, With a Forward by Sheikh Osama bin Laden." The organization, which declined to reveal how it obtained the video, was still analyzing the content. Bin Laden appeared in a video on Friday, his first since October 2004, when he threatened new attacks against the United States just days before the US presidential election. As-Sahab had said Monday that it would release a second video of the group's leader. CNN said the video released Tuesday appeared to be purely a eulogy of Shehri, who like Bin Laden hails from Saudi Arabia. There is also no indication of when it was recorded, the US news network said. In the September 11 attacks, al-Qaeda slammed two jets into the World Trade Center towers in New York, one crashed into the US Defense Department headquarters in Washington and another crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after a passenger uprising. Almost 3,000 people were killed in the worst attack on America since Pearl Harbor. ||||| (CNN) -- A new video purportedly featuring an introduction from al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was released Tuesday -- the sixth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington. This frame grab was taken by IntelCenter, a U.S. government contractor monitoring al Qaeda messaging. Although CNN could not independently confirm the authenticity of the video, it did feature the logo of As-Sahab Media, the company that traditionally handles al Qaeda communications to the public. The 47-minute videotape was obtained by terrorism expert Laura Mansfield before it was to appear on several Islamist Web sites known for carrying statements from al Qaeda and other radical groups. In the 14-minute introduction to the video, a voice identified as bin Laden praises 9/11 hijacker Waleed al-Shehri, from Saudi Arabia, who sat in seat 2B on American Airlines Flight 11, which crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center. The voice speaking in Arabic is heard over a still picture of bin Laden and contains English subtitles. The balance of the recording is a video will read by al-Shehri, with 9/11 symbols in the background. He is the seventh of the 19 hijackers to appear in such a will since the terrorist attacks. The voice and picture in the video sound and appear similar to a bin Laden video released late last week. Timeline: bin Laden's video messages » There is no indication that any part of the video was recorded recently. The only element tying it to somewhat-current events is in the introduction and the mention of the death of al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who was killed during a U.S. raid in June 2006. For several weeks, radical Islamist Web sites have been announcing that there would be "good news soon from Sheikh Osama bin Laden." E-mail to a friend CNN's Octavia Nasr contributed to this report. All About Osama bin Laden • Al Qaeda ||||| 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. | A second, 47 minute video that allegedly shows al-Qaeda's leader Osama bin Laden has aired on the Internet, the six-year anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Reports are saying that the video only shows an image of bin Laden, much like the ones in the previous tape, but that his voice can be heard praising Waleed al-Shehri, a 9/11 hijacker who was aboard one of the planes that hit the World Trade Center in New York City, American Airlines Flight 11, in a "eulogy" with the title being ''The Wills of the Heroes of the Raids on New York and Washington.'' The tapes authenticity has yet to be verified. The first videotape of bin Laden was released on September 7 and on Monday, As-Sahab, an Islamic media agency, stated that a new video would be released soon. |
Chandrayaan 1 sent back images of Earth earlier this month India's first unmanned lunar spacecraft, Chandrayaan 1, has placed a probe on the surface of the Moon. The probe, painted with the Indian flag, touched down at 2034 (1504 GMT), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said. It will perform various experiments, including measuring the composition of the Moon's atmosphere. The mission is regarded as a major step for India as it seeks to keep pace with other space-faring nations in Asia. The BBC's Sanjoy Majumder in Delhi says the success of the mission has been hailed in India where many see it as another sign of the country's emergence as a global power. Video journey Earlier this week Chandrayaan 1 began orbiting the Moon some three weeks after it was launched from a space centre in southern India. CHANDRAYAAN 1 1 - Chandrayaan Energetic Neutral Analyzer (CENA) 2 - Moon Impact Probe (MIP) 3 - Radiation Dose Monitor (RADOM) 4 - Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC) 5 - Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) 6 - Chandrayaan 1 X-ray Spectrometer (C1XS) 7 - Solar Panel India sets its sights on the Moon In Pictures: India Moon mission The dropping of the Moon Impact Probe (MIP), weighing about 30kg, concludes the first phase of the mission. "During its descent from Chandrayaan 1, an onboard video camera transmitted lunar pictures to the ISRO command centre," spokesman S Satish said, AFP news agency reports. In the days to come, the probe will measure the composition of the Moon's ultra-tenuous atmosphere, or exosphere. For the next two years, Chandrayaan 1 will map a three-dimensional atlas of the Moon and also check for the presence of water-ice with the help of instruments built by India and other countries including the US, Britain and Germany. The chairman of India's space programme, Madhavan Nair, has described the mission as 95% successful so far and has announced a second lunar mission to be launched by 2012. "We have now successfully put our national flag on the lunar surface," he told a news conference. Mr Nair has also said India is considering sending a satellite to Mars. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| MUMBAI: If things go as planned, the Indian tricolour will mark its presence on the moon tonight (around 8.30pm IST) after having flown 3,86,000km from the earth. The timing of this proud moment has been specially designed to coincide with Children's Day. ( ) The United States, the former Soviet Union and the European Space Agency comprising 17 countries already have their flags on the moon. The Indian tricolour is painted on all sides of the 29-kg Moon Impact Probe which is attached to the main orbiting spacecraft, Chandrayaan-1, which was launched on October 22. The inclusion of the MIP as part of the Chandrayaan mission came at the suggestion of former President A P J Abdul Kalam, a former rocket scientist, during the International Lunar Exploration Working Group conference held at Udaipur in November 2004. The Indian tricolour has been hoisted on Mount Everest and Antarctica. And now it will be on the moon though it will not be hoisted. The flight of the MIP on Friday is expected to be a forerunner to the second Indian moon mission, Chandrayaan-2, which will carry a Russian rover and alander slated for lift-off between 2010 and 2012. The crash landing of MIP will help in assessing future soft-landing technologies. Chandrayaan project director Mylaswamy Annadurai explained to TOI on Friday that at about 8 pm on Friday, a command will be flashed to the MIP from Isro's telemetry, tracking and command network (Istrac) at Bangalore for it to detach from the orbiter. "The MIP will separate and with its three instruments, zoom towards the lunar south pole at a velocity of 1.5km per second," he said. "At Istrac's mission control room, we will immediately come to know that the MIP has separated from the orbiter. The MIP's flight path will first take it over the Malapert crater for about nine seconds and then crashland near the Shackleton Crater about 25 minutes after its detachment from the orbiter. Malapert Crater is not far from the Shackleton crater," he added. Annadurai said that after this, the orbiter will fly in the opposite side and thus data will not be immediately available. "The downloading of data from the MIP to the orbiting Chandrayaan and then to the ground station will start once the spacecraft comes over the north pole of the moon. It will take a couple of hours for the data from the MIP to be downloaded and processed," Annadurai said. He said that once the MIP crashlands on the moon, its own survivability and that of the three instruments will be in question. The probe uses solid propellants. "India's physical presence on the moon with the tricolour will be assured," he said. ||||| NEW DELHI, November 13 (RIA Novosti) - India's first lunar probe entered its final polar orbit around the Moon late on Wednesday and has now begun remote sensing of the surface, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said on Thursday. Chandrayaan-1, meaning "Moon Craft" in ancient Sanskrit, was launched on an Indian-built PSLV-C11 rocket on October 22. The next step in a two-year mission will be the release of the Moon Impact Probe, which will take photographs of the Earth's largest satellite and analyze the composition of its thin atmosphere before landing on the lunar surface. Researchers hope the probe will uncover signs of Helium 3, an isotope that may fuel energy generation from nuclear fusion in the future, the ISRO said. The 1,304-kg spacecraft is equipped with 10 scientific instruments to study the Moon from a 100-km orbit. Five of the instruments were built in India, while the other five were the result of cooperation with Europe and the United States. The remote-sensing satellite will create a detailed three-dimensional map of the Moon's surface and investigate its chemical composition. The primary goal is the discovery of water, along with magnesium, aluminum, silicon and titanium, and the radioactive elements radon, uranium and thorium. The ISRO said all of the unmanned spacecraft's systems were functioning normally after entering lunar orbit and the instruments would be activated sequentially in the near future. "The analysis of the data received from the spacecraft will take time. The first results can be expected in several weeks," the organization said. ||||| News Chandrayaan-1 enters operational lunar orbit NDTV Correspondent ( Bangalore ) Twenty-one days after launch, Chandrayaan-1, India's maiden moon craft has it seems finally reached its home orbit. It is now in an almost 102 kilometre from the moon. The satellite's onboard engine was fired for 58 seconds on Wednesday at about 6.30 pm. ISRO officials say preliminary indications are that it has reached its designated orbit. Among its first tasks in the next few days will be to release the probe that carries the Indian national flag on to the lunar surface. After that it will begin its scientific exploration which will last two years, which includes mapping the lunar resources, preparing a three dimensional atlas of the moon and searching for water on the lunar poles. Rate The Story : Email | Print | Read Comments | Post Comments Countdown ADVERTISEMENT ||||| India's Chandrayaan spacecraft is set to eject a television-sized probe that will crash onto the lunar surface on Friday. The probe will make observations as it descends, testing systems needed to land future robotic spacecraft on the Moon. Chandrayaan, which launched on 22 October, has been travelling on an elongated path around the Moon since it went into orbit there on Saturday. But engine firings on Tuesday and Wednesday should move the craft into a circular orbit that brings it just 100 km from the surface. After letting the spacecraft circle the Moon for two days, mission planners will release the 29-kilogram Moon Impact Probe (MIP) on Friday evening India time. Scheduled to hit the surface near the south pole, it is not designed to survive the impact. The probe, which was built by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will take 20 minutes to descend to the surface. During that time, it will film the surface with an onboard video camera, says T K Alex, director of ISRO's Satellite Centre (ISAC) in Bangalore. Soft landings An altimeter will measure the probe's height as it nosedives, helping to test technologies needed to make 'soft' landings on the Moon. India's next lunar mission, scheduled for 2010, involves not only an orbiter but also a Russian-built lander that will study samples of lunar soil. "I think the main purpose [of the Moon Impact Probe] is preparations for future soft landings," says Christian Erd, mission project manager at the European Space Agency in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. "It is a demonstration of the separation mechanism and getting to the surface." The probe will also carry a mass spectrometer that will measure traces of gas and dust floating above the Moon. Signals from all three onboard instruments will be relayed back to the spacecraft and from there to ground stations on Earth. Dust plume "It is a sort of mini-satellite, equipped with its own instruments, batteries, and telemetry," says Rajagopal Sreedharan, head of the space physics laboratory at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), which built the six Indian instruments onboard Chandrayaan. MIP will strike the surface near the lunar south pole, a region that shows hints of water ice in the soil. Parts of the terrain there also receive near-constant sunlight, providing prime spots to set up future solar power stations. "We are impacting the Moon's south pole because of the huge amount of interest in the region," he told New Scientist. When the probe hits the surface, it is expected to kick up a huge amount of dust that will be analysed by instruments on the Chandrayaan orbiter. If you would like to reuse any content from New Scientist, either in print or online, please contact the syndication department first for permission. New Scientist does not own rights to photos, but there are a variety of licensing options available for use of articles and graphics we own the copyright to. ||||| Moon Impact Probe(MIP) The impact probe weighing 29 kg will ride piggyback on the top deck of the main orbiter and will be released at a predetermined time after the orbiter reaches the final 100km orbit to impact at a pre-selected location. During the descent phase it is in spin-stabilized configuration. The total flight time from release to impact on Moon will be close to twenty minutes. Major Objectives: Design, development and demonstration of technologies required for impacting a probe at a desired location on the moon. Qualify technologies required for future soft landing missions. Exploration of the moon from close range. Payload Configuration Details There will be three major payloads in the Moon Impact Probe Radar Altimeter - for measurement of altitude of the Moon Impact Probe above the lunar surface and qualify technologies for future landing missions. The operating frequency band is 4.3 GHz ± 100 MHz Video Imaging System - for acquiring images of the surface of moon from the descending probe. The video imaging system consists of analog CCD camera along with a video decoder Mass Spectrometer - A state-of-the-art Quadrupole mass spectrometer with a mass resolution of 0.5 amu and sensitive to partial pressure of the order of 10-15 torr for measuring the constituents of tenuous lunar atmosphere during descent. The dimension of the impact probe is 375 mm x 375 mm x 470 mm MIP Structure with all its subsystems Impact Probe Mission Profile ||||| By Paul Rincon Science reporter, BBC News India sets sights on Moon India is counting down to the launch of its first mission to the Moon. On Wednesday, the unmanned Chandrayaan 1 spacecraft will blast off from a launch pad in Andhra Pradesh to embark on a two-year mission of exploration. The robotic probe will orbit the Moon, compiling a 3-D atlas of the lunar surface and mapping the distribution of elements and minerals. The launch is regarded as a major step for India as it seeks to keep pace with other space-faring nations in Asia. An Indian-built launcher carrying the one-and-a-half-tonne satellite is due to blast off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at about 0650 local time (0050 GMT) on Wednesday. Competitive mission "Everything is going perfectly as planned," the centre's associate director MYS Prasad told the AFP news agency, after the official countdown began in the early hours of Monday. One key objective will be to search for surface or sub-surface water-ice on the Moon, especially at the poles. Another will be to detect Helium 3, an isotope which is rare on Earth, but is sought to power nuclear fusion and could be a valuable source of energy in future. Powered by a single solar panel generating about 700 Watts, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) probe carries five Indian-built instruments and six that are foreign-built. The mission is expected to cost 3.8bn rupees (£45m; $78m). CHANDRAYAAN 1 1 - Chandrayaan Energetic Neutral Analyzer (CENA) 2 - Moon Impact Probe (MIP) 3 - Radiation Dose Monitor (RADOM) 4 - Terrain Mapping Camera (TMC) 5 - Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) 6 - Chandrayaan 1 X-ray Spectrometer (C1XS) 7 - Solar Panel The Indian experiments include a 30kg probe that will be released from the mothership to slam into the lunar surface. The Moon Impact Probe (MIP) will record video footage on the way down and measure the composition of the Moon's tenuous atmosphere. "Chandrayaan has a very competitive set of instruments... it will certainly do good science," said Barry Kellett, project scientist on the C1XS instrument, which was built at the Rutherford-Appleton Laboratory in the UK. C1XS will map the abundance of different elements in the lunar crust to help answer key questions about the origin and evolution of Earth's only natural satellite. Researchers say the relative abundances of magnesium and iron in lunar rocks could help confirm whether the Moon was once covered by a molten, magma ocean. "The iron should have sunk [in the magma ocean], whereas the magnesium should have floated," Mr Kellett told BBC News. "The ratio of magnesium to iron for the whole Moon tells you to what extent the Moon melted and what it did after it formed." The instrument will look for more unusual elements on the Moon's surface, such as titanium. This metallic element has been found in lunar meteorites, but scientists know little about its distribution in the lunar crust. Chandrayaan will also investigate the differences between the Moon's near side and its far side. The far side is both more heavily cratered and different in composition to the one facing Earth. On Wednesday, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket will loft Chandrayaan into an elliptical "transfer orbit" around Earth. The probe will later carry out a series of engine burns to set it on a lunar trajectory. The spacecraft coasts for about five-and-a-half days before firing the engine to slow its velocity such that it is captured by the Moon's gravity. Chandrayaan will slip into a near-circular orbit at an altitude of 1,000km. After a number of health checks, the probe will drop its altitude until it is orbiting just 100km above the lunar surface. India, China, Japan and South Korea all have eyes on a share of the commercial satellite launch business and see their space programmes as an important symbol of international stature and economic development. Last month, China became only the third country in the world to independently carry out a spacewalk. But the Indian government's space efforts have not been welcomed by all. Some critics regard the space programme as a waste of resources in a country where millions still lack basic services. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Advertisement Paul.Rincon-INTERNET@bbc.co.uk Are you in India? Will you be watching the launch of the moon probe? How important do you believe the mission is for India? Send us your comments using the form below. In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. Name Your E-mail address Town & Country Phone number (optional): Comments The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? ||||| NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- India launched its first lunar mission on Wednesday, with hopes of achieving high-resolution images of the moon's topography and diving into the international space race. The spacecraft carrying India's first lunar probe, Chandrayaan-1, lifts off in Sriharikota on Wednesday. The unmanned lunar orbiter Chandrayaan-1, or "moon craft" in ancient Sanskrit, came at 6:20 a.m. Wednesday (8:50 p.m. ET) from the Sriharikota space center in southern India. The two-year mission seeks high-resolution imaging of the moon's surface, especially the permanently shadowed polar regions, according to the Indian Space Research Organization. It will also search for evidence of water or ice and attempt to identify the chemical breakdown of certain lunar rocks, the group said. Despite the numerous missions to the moon over the past 50 years, "we really don't have a good map of the moon," said Miles O'Brien, CNN chief technology and environment correspondent. "The goal is to come up with a very intricate, three-dimensional map of the moon." The Chandrayaan-1 is carrying payloads from the United States, European Union countries Germany, Britain, Sweden and Bulgaria, and India plans to share the data from the mission with other programs, including NASA. Watch the launch of India's first lunar mission » ISRO said on its Web site that the mission would lay the groundwork for future lunar missions and "probe the physical characteristics of the lunar surface in greater depth than previous missions by other nations." "It will also give us a deeper understanding about the planet Earth itself or its origins," a statement on the Web site said. "Earlier missions did not come out with a full understanding of the moon and that is the reason scientists are still interested. This will lay the foundation for bigger missions and also open up new possibilities of international networking and support for planetary programs." Until now, India's space launches have been more practical, with weather warning satellites and communiations systems, The Associated Press cited former NASA associated administrator Scott Pace as saying. To date, only the U.S. Russia, the European Space Agency, Japan and China have sent missions to the moon, according to AP. Critics of the mission have questioned its $80 million price tag, saying the money should have been spent by the government to improve education and fight poverty. But, "there are scientists that would argue that there are plenty of things we don't know about the moon ... and India might have the know-how" to find answers, said CNN's Sara Sidner in New Delhi. The United States and the Soviet Union dominated the field of lunar exploration from the late 1950s. The United States is preparing for its own mission slated for next spring -- the first U.S. lunar mission in more than a decade, according to NASA. Soviet spacecraft were the first to fly by, land on and orbit the moon. Luna 1, launched on January 2, 1959, and sped by the moon two days later. Luna 2 was launched on an impact mission on September 12, 1959, striking the surface two days later. Luna 9 launched on January 31, 1966, becoming the first craft to successfully land on the moon and send back data, touching down on the surface on January 31, 1966, and transmitting until February 3, 1967, when its batteries ran out. Luna 10 was launched March 31, 1966, entered lunar orbit on April 3, and operated for 56 days. But the United States' Apollo missions were the first manned missions to reach the moon, culminating with six missions that set down on the surface. The first, Apollo 11, left earth on July 16, 1969, and landed astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin on the lunar surface on July 20 while command module pilot Michael Collins orbited above. The astronauts returned safely to earth on July 24. Most recently India's fellow Asian nations, China and Japan, put lunar orbiters in place. Japan launched the Kaguya orbiter in October 2007, followed by China's launch of the Chang'e mission a few weeks later. Watch what is shaping up to be a new space race » "Each nation is doing its own thing to drive its research technology for the well-being of that nation," AP quoted Charles Vick, a space analyst for the Washington think tank GlobalSecurity.org, as saying. Copyright 2008 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report. All About India • NASA ||||| Oct. 22: India's maiden lunar mission Chandrayaan-1 takes off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, about 60 miles north of Chennai, Ind NEW DELHI India launched its first mission to the moon Wednesday, rocketing a satellite up into the pale dawn sky in a two-year mission to redraw maps of the lunar surface. Clapping and cheering scientists tracked the ascent on computer screens after they lost sight of Chandrayaan-1 from the Sriharikota space center in southern India. Chandrayaan means "Moon Craft" in ancient Sanskrit. Indian Space Research Organization chairman G. Madhavan Nair said the mission is to "unravel the mystery of the moon." "We have started our journey to the moon and the first leg has gone perfectly well," he said. • Click here to visit FOXNews.com's Space Center. Chief among the mission's goals is mapping not only the surface of the moon, but what lies beneath. If successful, India will join what's shaping up as a 21st-century space race with Chinese and Japanese crafts already in orbit around the moon. To date only the U.S., Russia, the European Space Agency, Japan and China have sent missions to the moon. As India's economy has boomed in recent years, it has sought to convert its newfound wealth — built on the nation's high-tech sector — into political and military clout. It is hoping that the moon mission — coming just months after finalizing a deal with the United States that recognizes India as a nuclear power — will further enhance its status. Until now, India's space launches have mainly carried weather warning satellites and communication systems, said former NASA associate administrator Scott Pace, director of space policy at the George Washington University. "You're seeing India lifting its sights," Pace said. India is also collaborating closely with other countries on the mission. Of the 11 instruments carried by the satellite, five are Indian, three are from the European Space Agency, two from the U.S. —including radar that can search for ice under lunar poles — and one from Bulgaria. Beyond 3-D mapping the moon and scanning for mineral deposits, the $80 million mission will test systems for a future moon landing, the Indian space agency said. India plans to follow this mission with landing a rover on the moon in 2011 and eventually a manned space program, though this has not been authorized yet. While much of the technology involved in reaching the moon has not changed since the Soviet Union and the U.S. did it more than four decades ago, analysts say new mapping equipment allows the exploration of new areas, including below the surface. India plans to use the 3,080-pound lunar probe to create a high-resolution map of the lunar surface and the minerals below. Two of the mapping instruments are a joint project with NASA. In the last year, Asian nations have taken the lead in moon exploration. In October 2007, Japan sent up the Kaguya spacecraft. A month later, China's Chang'e-1 entered lunar orbit. Those missions took high-resolution pictures of the moon, but are not as comprehensive as Chandrayaan-1 will be or NASA's half-a-billion-dollar Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter scheduled to be launched next year, Pace said. "Compared to China, we are better off in many areas," Indian Space Research Organization chairman G. Madhavan Nair said in an interview with India's Outlook magazine this week, citing India's advanced communication satellites and launch abilities. India lags behind only because it has chosen not to focus on the more expensive manned space missions, he said. "But given the funds and necessary approvals we can easily catch up with our neighbor in this area." The most comprehensive maps of the moon were made about 40 years ago during the Apollo era, he said. "We don't really have really good modern maps of the moon with modern instruments," Pace said. "The quality of the Martian maps, I would make a general argument, is superior to what we have of the moon." NASA has put probes on Mars' frigid polar region, but not on the rugged poles of the moon. Yet the moon's south pole is where NASA is considering setting up an eventual human-staffed lunar outpost, Pace said. The moon's south pole is "certainly more rugged than where Neil Armstrong landed. It's more interesting. It's more dangerous," Pace said. "We need better maps." Beijing in 2003 became the first Asian country to put its own astronauts into space. It followed that last month with its first spacewalk. More ominously, last year China also blasted an old satellite into oblivion with a land-based anti-satellite missile, the first such test ever conducted by any nation, including the United States and Russia. The Indian mission is not all about rivalry and prestige. Analysts say India stands to reap valuable rewards from the technology it develops and, according to Pace, it already shows increased confidence in difficult engineering and quality control. "Each nation is doing its own thing to drive its research technology for the well-being of that nation," said Charles Vick, a space analyst for the Washington think tank GlobalSecurity.org. "Traditionally, for every dollar put into space research, we get that much more back," he said. The $80 million mission will test systems for a future moon landing, with plans to land a rover on the moon in 2011 and eventually a manned space program, though this has not been authorized yet. And the Indian space agency was already dreaming of more. "Space is the frontier for mankind in the future. If we want to go beyond the moon, we have to go there first," said Indian space agency spokesman S. Satish. | At 8:34 pm Indian time Friday night (1504 UTC), India became the fourth country to land its flag on the Moon. The unmanned lunar orbiter Chandrayaan-1 ejected its Moon Impact Probe (MIP), which hurtled across the surface of the Moon at 1.5 kilometres per second (3000 miles per hour), and successfully crash landed near the Moon's south pole. Besides carrying three important scientific instruments, the lunar probe also carried the image of the Indian national flag, painted on all sides. India's tricolour is marked on all sides of the Moon Impact Probe Chandrayaan-1 (meaning 'Moon craft' in Sanskrit) reached its target lunar orbit on Wednesday. The orbiter will remain in a circular orbit 102 kilometres above the Moon's surface for two years. Its instruments will be gradually commissioned over the next few days. With this landing, India became both the fourth country to place a flag on the Moon and the fifth group to send a spacecraft to the Moon. The other countries which have sent spacecraft to the Moon are the United States, the former Soviet Union, Japan, and China, along with the European Space Agency (ESA), a consortium of 17 countries. Japan and China currently each have scientific satellites orbiting the Moon, though China has not yet put a spacecraft on the moon's surface. The MIP has a mass of 29 kg, is about the size of a microwave oven, and was designed and assembled in India. After the orbiter ejected it, the probe took about 25 minutes to reach the Moon's surface. On-board digital cameras made a high resolution movie of the surface during descent, and scientists also conducted measurements with the probe's mass spectrometer and radar altimeter. Data was beamed back to India via the orbiter, and it is currently being processed and analysed. The Moon's south pole Data from the altimeter experiments will be used to refine the instrument in order to control the soft landing of a future probe. Plans are already being prepared for the Chandrayaan-2 to be launched by 2012. India's first lunar mission was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on the Andhra Pradesh coast on October 22. The launch vehicle was an Indian designed and built rocket that had been previously proven by carrying scientific and commercial payloads to earth orbit, including weather and communications satellites. The cost of this mission is estimated at 340 crore (3.4 billion) rupees (US$78 million). The mission carries five scientific instruments built by India's technology sector, and six developed cooperatively with foreign nations. Goals for the orbiter include making a detailed map of the Moon's chemical make-up and mineral resources, as well as a three-dimensional digital map of the entire surface. The mission will examine the surface for sources of water, and take comparison photos of the light side and dark sides of the surface. |
Defiant Mugabe vows to hold Zimbabwe run-off (AFP) – Jun 24, 2008 HARARE (AFP) — Zimbabwe's leader Robert Mugabe defied global criticism on Tuesday by vowing to press on with a presidential run-off vote marred by deadly violence, even as his rival remained holed up in an embassy. "Other people can say what they want, but the elections are ours and we are a sovereign state," he told a rally in Banket, north of Harare, in his first public comments about his opponent's withdrawal from the run-off. "We will proceed with our election." He accused the opposition MDC party leader Morgan Tsvangirai -- who said that violence has made a free and fair vote impossible -- of seeking to withdraw because he was scared of losing. "The MDC leader saw this wave of political hurricane coming his way. He is frightened, frightened of the people," Mugabe said. "We hear that he has sought refuge at the Dutch embassy. Seeking refuge, what for? Nobody wants to harm him." Tsvangirai has been detained several times while trying to campaign for the second-round vote after he failed to clinch an absolute majority in the March 29 polls, in which Mugabe lost control of parliament. The MDC hand-delivered a letter to the electoral commission on Tuesday confirming his withdrawal, but Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa told AFP it was too late to do so. He said that if Tsvangirai had wanted to pull out he should have done so 21 days before the first round of voting on March 29. Tsvangirai's letter said the 21-day rule applies only to the first-round vote and not a run-off and pointed out that under Zimbabwean law a run-off should be scheduled within 21 days of the first round -- which did not occur. The government's insistence on pushing ahead with the vote sets up a possible default victory for Mugabe, who has ruled the country since independence from Britain in 1980. International calls to postpone the vote have intensified, with UN chief Ban Ki-moon warning that holding the election "would only deepen the divisions within the country and produce results that cannot be credible." Tsvangirai announced over the weekend he was pulling out of the election because of rising violence, saying he could not ask supporters to risk their lives by voting. His letter to the electoral commission on Tuesday said 86 people had been killed, 10,000 homes destroyed and 200,000 people displaced in the violence, which Mugabe's critics have blamed on his supporters. Tsvangirai took refuge in the Dutch mission on Sunday night after announcing he would not challenge Mugabe in the run-off. He told AFP by telephone he would leave when he was "satisfied that it's safe to do so." "My hosts have said I can stay for as long as I don't feel it's safe to leave... probably within the next two days," he added. The UN Security Council has condemned the violence in the country, while Britain, France and the United States all branded Mugabe's regime "illegitimate". Zimbabwe's ambassador to the United Nations, Boniface Chidyausiku, said the UN chief's comments on the election were "out of order." "For him (Ban) to grandstand in New York and suggest that we should postpone the election is out of order as far as we are concerned," he said on South African radio. Mugabe, 84, is accused by critics of leading the once model economy to ruin and trampling on human rights. The country has the world's highest inflation rate and is experiencing major food shortages. He has pledged the opposition will never come to power in his lifetime and vowed to fight to prevent it. Regional criticism has grown, with the ruling party in neighbouring South Africa, the continental powerhouse, issuing its harshest criticism to date of Mugabe's government. The African National Congress said it was "deeply dismayed by the actions of the government of Zimbabwe which is riding roughshod over the hard-won democratic rights of the people of that country." Southern African leaders meanwhile planned an emergency meeting for Wednesday on the crisis, the Tanzanian presidency said. Mugabe earlier accused former colonial ruler Britain and its allies of lying to the world to justify intervention. On Tuesday he blamed the MDC for violence. "There have been fights, yes, here and there but practically every case of arson has been committed by the MDC. But people have not been interested in knowing the cases committed by the MDC," he said. "We have countries even here in Africa where hundreds, thousands of people have died during an election but those elections have gone on." Copyright © 2013 AFP. All rights reserved. More » ||||| Opposition withdrawal from Zimbabwe election ‘deeply distressing’ development, Says Secretary-General, expressing strong support for postponement of run-off The following statement was issued Sunday, 22 June, by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: The Secretary-General deeply regrets that, despite the repeated appeals of the international community, the Government of Zimbabwe has failed to put in place the conditions necessary for free and fair run-off elections. The circumstances that led to the withdrawal of opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai today from the presidential elections represents a deeply distressing development that does not bode well for the future of democracy in Zimbabwe. The campaign of violence and intimidation that has marred this election has done a great disservice to the people of the country and must end immediately. The Secretary-General has discussed the situation with various leaders, including those of the African Union and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). He strongly supports the statement of the Chairman of SADC that conditions do not exist for a run-off election to be held at this time and that they should be postponed. The United Nations is prepared to work urgently with SADC and the African Union to help resolve this political impasse. His envoy, Assistant Secretary-General Haile Menkerios, remains in the region to assist. * *** * | Robert Mugabe, the current head of state in Zimbabwe has said that the scheduled elections will take place in Zimbabwe, despite the fact that there have been calls from many influential organisations, including the United Nations, to cancel the elections due to the fact that the opposition candidate has pulled out. "The election will take place on Friday in accordance with our laws and constitution," said a spokesperson for the Mugabe regime, talking to ''AFP''. Ban Ki-moon, secretary general of the United Nations yesterday called for the election to be postponed. He said that he "strongly supports the statement of the Chairman of SADC (Southern African Development Community) that conditions do not exist for a run-off election to be held at this time and that they should be postponed." He also said that he was disappointed that a free and fair election could not take place. |
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. ||||| BERLIN, March 30 -- A U.S. Army sergeant pleaded guilty to murder Monday in the deaths of four Iraqi prisoners in 2007, telling a military court that the slayings were "in the best interest of my soldiers." Sgt. 1st Class Joseph P. Mayo, 27, was sentenced to 35 years in prison and became the fourth soldier convicted in the deaths of four Iraqi men in Baghdad in the spring of 2007. The prisoners were each shot in the back of the head while handcuffed and blindfolded, then dumped into a canal, according to testimony at the U.S. Army's Rose Barracks courthouse in Vilseck, Germany. The Iraqis had been arrested on suspicion of attacking U.S. military patrols in Baghdad after they were found in possession of rifles and ammunition. Frustrated by a lack of evidence to keep them in detention, however, members of Mayo's infantry unit took the prisoners to a remote area and executed them, according to testimony and evidence presented in the case. "I really believed I was protecting my soldiers," Mayo told the court Monday. "I take full responsibility for my actions. Now I have to pay for my mistake." He pleaded guilty to premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder. A medic in the unit, Sgt. Michael P. Leahy Jr., 28, was convicted last month and sentenced to life in prison, with the possibility of parole, after he confessed to killing one of the prisoners and shooting another. Master Sgt. John E. Hatley, 40, is scheduled to face court-martial next month on murder charges for shooting one of the prisoners. In his testimony Monday, Mayo said Hatley suggested that the soldiers take matters into their own hands rather than free the Iraqis. "He said we should take care of them. I agreed." Two other soldiers, Spec. Steven A. Ribordy, 26, and Spec. Belmor Ramos, 24, pleaded guilty last year to being accessories to the murders. Charges against two other members of the unit have since been dropped. The soldiers were members of the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in Iraq. Their unit is now part of the 172nd Infantry Brigade based in Grafenwoehr, Germany. Ribordy testified last month at a related court-martial that one of the Iraqis initially survived a shot to the back of the head and was "still breathing and gurgling on the ground." He said Hatley then shot the prisoner again, this time fatally and in the chest. Ribordy also testified that he was told by Leahy to destroy photographs he had taken of the Iraqis after they were arrested. Army investigators have been unable to identify the Iraqis or find the bodies, which were dumped in a waterway in southwest Baghdad. | A United States Army sergeant has decided to plead guilty to the murders of four Iraqi civilians. Sgt. First Class Joseph P. Mayo, 27, is the fourth serviceman convicted over the killings, which occurred in March or April 2007. The Iraqis were arrested in Baghdad under suspicion of attacks upon patrols by the army in the city. This was due to the rifles and ammunition in their possession, However, there was not enough evidence to hold the men. Instead, Mayo and a group of his soldiers took the men to a remote area and executed them. The bodies, which were never recovered, were dumped in a waterway near Baghdad and the victims were never identified. Last year Spc. Steven A. Ribordy, 26, and Spc. Belmor Ramos, 24, pleaded guilty to being accessories to the four murders while medic Sgt. Michael Leahy, 28, was convicted of murdering one man and shooting another in the incident. Charges against two other soldiers have been dropped, and charges are still pending against Master Sgt. John E. Hatley, 40, who Mayo testified had the idea of executing the prisoners. "He said we should take care of them. I agreed," said Mayo. At Ribordy's trial last month, where he confessed to his role, he also implicated Hatley, saying one victim was "still breathing and gurgling on the ground" after a shot to the head, so Hatley killed him by shooting him in the chest. Leahy had Ribordy destroy any pictures of the men before the murders. The court martial was held in Grafenwoehr, Germany, as the soldier's unit - the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division in Iraq - is now based there as part of the 172nd Infantry Brigade. "I really believed I was protecting my soldiers," Mayo said in court on Monday. "I take full responsibility for my actions. Now I have to pay for my mistake." |
HEIDELBERG, Germany — A U.S. Army Europe noncommissioned officer was sentenced Friday to two years in prison for sodomy of a minor and child pornography possession. Staff Sgt. Christopher Barberi, 38, was also given a bad-conduct discharge for the sexual abuse of a young girl from the time she was 11 until her 15th birthday. The seven-member court-martial panel found Barberi guilty July 2. According to the girl’s testimony, Barberi had persuaded her to perform oral sex on him by showing her a video and telling her, "That’s what little girls do … ." When she grew older and began to understand that his actions were wrong, she testified, he eventually stopped making her have oral sex with him. But he became physically abusive and controlling, she said, until she decided to report him in 2006. The child pornography conviction arose from nude pictures of the girl stored on a computer disc at Barberi’s quarters that investigators had seized, along with pornographic stories involving sex with children. Barberi never took the stand nor did he directly address the panel before sentencing. Instead, his lawyer, David Court, read a statement in which Barberi asked that his sentence not affect his family’s economic well-being, even though he was in the midst of a divorce. "I love the Army. I want to stay in the Army," Court read. "I don’t want my family to be a welfare family." The statement also mentioned that he’d been a good soldier, during two enlistments, as evidenced by coins he’d received from, among others, former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. It said he’d served for 18 years. It also said he had developed heat stroke during the first Gulf War and was "the kind of person who couldn’t go outside if it was over 80 degrees and the humidity was over 80 percent" yet had still declined a medical discharge. The sentence seemed to be a blow to the prosecution. Maj. Jacqueline Tubbs, a prosecutor in the case, noted in her sentencing argument that Barberi’s statement contained no apology for what he’d done. Court objected, and the judge told the jury that apologies were not required in such statements and that they should not be influenced by their absence. Tubbs asked the jury to impose the maximum allowable punishment of 30 years’ confinement. Court called that request "ridiculous," saying that Barberi’s crimes were not the most heinous of their type and that he was not a threat to society. Court said his client’s required registration as a sex offender would have a punitive effect in that whenever a child was molested, Barberi would be questioned by police. Court also told the jury that deterrence, one of the stated goals of jurisprudence, isn’t an especially valid concept. "Others are only going to be deterred if they think they’re going to get caught," he said. "Nobody thinks he’s going to get caught." ||||| American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have for seven years now been fighting insurgents in distant lands. Arguments about the course of the wars in Washington and in the media matter little to the men and women who put on the gear and head into the fight every day. They laugh at the absurdity around them, but when their environment turns deadly, they turn deadly serious. They are the personification of the common man made uncommon by their commitment to one another and to the task at hand. Their story is a study in how the Texan and the Tennessean learn to work with the boys from Chicago and Cincinnati, and distill into unity and fierceness, carrying on an American tradition that found its voice in Lexington and Concord. Cindy Fisher spent time with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion on Okinawa, Japan, who were ambushed in the Jazeera Desert in western Iraq. They lost a Marine. The insurgents who ambushed them never saw another morning. Thomas Ruyle caught up with the National Guard’s 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, leaving Fort Bragg, N.C., for another deployment to Iraq. What sustains them is the strength of their families, who understand the gravity of the situation and accept it with sadness but determination. Kent Harris talked with the proud members of 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment who endured a withering attack at Wanat, Afghanistan. They lost nine good men in the deadliest single battle for American soldiers since the U.S. invasion. And the storm clouds will only increase in the days ahead. Yet these soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors take their orders and move out. In this section, Stars and Stripes, the newspaper covering U.S. servicemembers around the world, looks at the deeds that have earned medals of valor for the servicemembers. Those included stand as surrogates for the thousands of others so recognized. Stripes focused on the highest honors given for valor in a war zone, irrespective of rank. This section pays tribute to the war-fighter. It is up to us to remember the deeds of those who have been in the arena, faces covered in dust and sweat and blood, while we go about our daily lives. This publication captures but a glimpse of the deeds U.S. servicemembers have performed in distant lands. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, as Winston Churchill famously said. This is indeed their "finest hour." ||||| Defense rests in sexual abuse trial at Heidelberg By Nancy Montgomery, Stars and Stripes European edition, Thursday, July 3, 2008 ||||| NCO on trial in Germany is accused of having sex with a minor By Nancy Montgomery, Stars and Stripes European edition, Wednesday, July 2, 2008 | Seal of the United States Department of the Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Barberi, a U.S. Army Europe non-commissioned officer, was sentenced Friday for sodomy of a minor and possession of pornographic photos of the girl following conviction on 2 July. He was sentenced to two years in prison. Barberi allegedly committed statutory rape of the young girl from the time she was 11 until she was 15, but could not be charged for his rape of the girl when she was 11 due to a statute of limitations. If the statute had not applied then Barberi would have faced a life sentence. Prior to the sentence, he was given a bad-conduct discharge from the United States Army. The young girl said she tried to end the relationship several times, but was pressured to resume it until her 15th birthday. The girl said that Barberi told her "That's what little girls do." The girl reported the sexual abuse in late 2006; at first to her mother; then later to law enforcement. She said it was because "It got too much for me to handle." During this case the defense brought forward a 30-year-old woman as a witness, who testified that the young girl was lying. Prosecutor Maj. Jacqueline Tubbs cross examined the woman, and got her to admit she had lied a to CID investigator. That statement regarded the young girl's comments to the woman: "What she said was, 'You know he did this to you, too'", Tubbs said. The witness was also a relative of the alleged victim. |
Prime Minister Stephen Harper introduced plans Friday to amend the Criminal Code to clamp down on drivers who are high on drugs, calling drug-impaired driving "just as socially unacceptable" as getting behind the wheel when drunk. The changes will give police new powers to apprehend and test drivers suspected of being impaired by drugs, increase penalties and promote awareness of the problem, Harper said. Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks during the 19th annual Project Red Ribbon campaign, sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving. The federal government will soon introduce legislation to tackle drug-impaired driving. (Nathan Denette/Canadian Press) "Just as a drunk driver does, a drug-impaired driver presents a danger to himself and others," Harper said in Kitchener, Ont. The prime minister cited a multi-vehicle accident caused by a motorist under the influence of marijuana in Perth, Ont., in 1999 that killed five people. "We can act to prevent more such incidents from occurring," he said. Harper also cited his "personal connection to the tragedy" of impaired-driving deaths alongside Tory Senator Marjorie LeBreton, who lost her daughter and grandson to an impaired driver 10 years ago. "It's an emotional day, but it's a rewarding day as well," LeBreton said. "As a society, we need to ensure that impairment and driving are separated." Harper also said light sentences given to drunk drivers were "in some cases, a joke." No surefire test Police have been asking for this type of power for years. But unlike breathalyzer tests, which can determine a driver's blood-alcohol level, there has been no surefire scientific test to determine what drug a driver may have used. "If we see someone driving erratically, we really have a high hill to climb to prove it's from drug-impaired driving," Sgt. Brian Bowman of the Toronto Police traffic service told CBC News Friday. "We almost need the smoke to waft out of the car or have the pills fall out on to the road." Bowman said drug recognition evaluation — a series of tests that looks for families of drugs — will help Canadian police notice the signs and symptoms of drug impairment in drivers who have been pulled over, then testify against them. The evaluation has "proven itself in the States to the point where hopefully, our courts will be ready for it," he said. Harper acknowledged there are "technological challenges" in terms of testing for certain kinds of drugs, but added "there are ways to strengthen the legislation to get convictions in clear cases" of driving under the influence of drugs. Harper joined law enforcement officials and members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving in Canada in tying a red ribbon on the aerial of a vehicle as part of the group's annual campaign targeting impaired driving during the holiday season. ||||| Viral Inequality This single mother whose four children all have disabilities had to cut off PSW supports amid the pandemic. She says families like hers are in desperate need of help Some have termed COVID-19 ‘the great equalizer’ because it can indiscriminately infect anyone. But the impact it has on people and families is far from equal. The Star’s Viral Inequality series looks at how people from various walks of life have seen their lives change and, in some cases, how they’ve slipped through the safety net of government support. | Stephen Harper, along with MADD Canada, has proposed to amend the Criminal Code to make driving while under the influence of drugs as unacceptable as drunk driving. Harper was at a news conference in Kitchener today during the 19th annual Project Red Ribbon campaign, sponsored by Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). "Just as a drunk driver does, a drug-impaired driver presents a danger to himself and others," Harper said. "We can act to prevent more such incidents from occurring." The PM also spoke of his personal connection to Tory Senator Marjorie LeBreton, who lost her daughter and grandson to an impaired driver 10 years ago. The family of David Ryder, one of five teens who were killed near Ottawa in a multi-car crash caused by a driver high on marijuana in 1999, accompanied Harper at the conference today. Police will be able to determine what drug a driver may have consumed. When police find a drugged driver, they will go to a police station and bring the driver to a specially trained police officer that can determine what drugs they were on. According to MADD, the problem has been eliminated in the United States with the introduction of a series of tests that looks for families of drugs. Harper with MADD Canada tied a red ribbon on the aerial of a vehicle as part of MADD's annual campaign targeting impaired driving during the holiday season. The bill will be proposed next week in the House of Commons. |
The Beatles set up record label Apple Corps in 1968 Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the families of George Harrison and John Lennon control the Apple Corps label. They claimed the US firm broke a deal aimed at ensuring there would not be two Apples in the music industry. But Mr Justice Anthony Mann ruled that the computer company used the Apple logo in association with its store, not the music, and so was not in breach. The ruling means iPods and iTunes will still be able to carry the Apple name and logo. With great respect to the trial judge, we consider he has reached the wrong conclusion Neil Aspinall Apple Corps Mr Justice Mann ruled iTunes was "a form of electronic shop" and not involved in creating music. "I conclude that the use of the apple logo ... does not suggest a relevant connection with the creative work," he wrote in his judgment. "I think that the use of the apple logo is a fair and reasonable use of the mark in connection with the service, which does not go further and unfairly or unreasonably suggest an additional association with the creative works themselves." Apple Corps must pay its rival's legal bill, estimated at £2m, but the judge refused an interim payment of £1.5m pending further hearings. Exclusive rights The record label said the rise of iTunes broke an agreement the two sides hammered out in 1991 after their last dispute. That deal gave the record label exclusive rights to use the apple trademark for the record business, Geoffrey Vos QC, representing Apple Corps, told the court. Apple Computer, whose products helped launch the personal computer industry, was founded in 1976 and its logo is an apple with a section removed from the side. We have always loved The Beatles, and hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store Steve Jobs Apple Computer Apple Corps manager Neil Aspinall said: "With great respect to the trial judge, we consider he has reached the wrong conclusion. "We felt that during the course of the trial we clearly demonstrated just how extensively Apple Computer had broken the agreement. "We will accordingly be filing an appeal and putting the case again to the Court of Appeal." Apple Computer chief executive Steve Jobs said: "We are glad to put this disagreement behind us. "We have always loved The Beatles, and hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store." The launch of the iPod, a portable digital music player, in 2001, and its iTunes music store two years later, prompted the latest battle. Court download About three million songs are downloaded from the service every day. Tracks by The Beatles have not been licensed for downloading and are not available on the service. Mr Vos demonstrated how to use iTunes during the hearing - downloading Chic's 1978 disco hit Le Freak in the courtroom. He pointed out to Mr Justice Mann how many times the Apple logo appeared on the computer screen as he went through the process. ||||| Apple vs Apple Beatles recording company Apple Corporation has failed to persuade the English High Court that Apple Computer's iTunes Music Service is a violation of a 1991 deal struck by the two companies to define their respective business domains. This morning, Mr Justice Anthony Mann ruled that the apple logo governed by the agreement had been applied to ITMS and not to the music sold through the online store. As such, Apple Comp. had not breached the terms of the deal. He denied Apple's Corp.'s request for an injunction blocking the operation of ITMS. The two Apples came to court in March. During the hearing, Apple Corp. advocate Geoffrey Vos QC admitted the fight was about logos, not music per se: "Apple Computer can go into the recorded music business in any way they want," he said. "What they cannot do is use Apple [trade]marks to do it." Speaking for Apple Comp., Anthony Grabiner QC said his client had demonstrated ITMS to Apple Corp. officials months before the online store was launched to the public. Apple Corp. had not complained at the time, he said. Apple Comp. argued that it uses its logo in conjunction with the service not with the content, a line of reasoning with which Mr Justice Mann clearly concurs. Grabiner demoed the service in court to demonstrate that claim. Apple Corp.'s response to the ruling is not yet known, but it remains open to the company to appeal against the verdict. ® ||||| Apple vs Apple Apple Corporation has confirmed it will appeal against today's English High Court verdict favouring Apple Computer. The Beatles-owned company clearly doesn't agree with Apple Comp. CEO Steve Jobs that the "disagreement" should now be "put behind" the two companies. Mr Justice Anthony Mann this morning ruled that Apple Comp. had not violated the terms of a 1991 trademark usage deal by selling digital music downloads through the iTunes Music Store. The online shop, he said, was a service permitted by Section 4.3 of the 1991 agreement reached by both Apples: "The parties acknowledge that certain goods and services within the Apple Computer Field of Use are capable of delivering content within the Apple Corps Field of Use. In such case, even though Apple Corps shall have the exclusive right to use or authorise others to use the Apple Corps Marks on or in connection with content within subsection 1.3(i) or (ii), Apple Computer shall have the exclusive right to use or authorise others to use the Apple Computer Marks on or in connection with goods or services within subsection 1.2 (such as software, hardware or broadcasting services) used to reproduce, run, play or otherwise deliver such content provided it shall not use or authorise others to use the Apple Computer Marks on or in connection with physical media delivering pre-recorded content within subsection 1.3(i) or (ii) (such as a compact disc of the Rolling Stones music)." (our italics) However, in a statement, Apple Corps. manager Neil Aspinall said: "With great respect to the trial judge, we consider he has reached the wrong conclusion... We will accordingly be filing an appeal," Macworld UK reports. Apple Comp., by contrast, welcomed the verdict. "We are glad to put this disagreement behind us," said Jobs in a statement. "We have always loved the Beatles, and hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store." ® | The Beatles' label Apple Corps lost its court case against Apple Computer today in the High Court. Apple Corps argued that the iTunes Music Store was a breach of the 1991 settlement reached between the two parties. The 1991 agreement was that Apple Computer would not sell music branded with an apple. Mr Justice Anthony Mann agreed with Apple Computer's defence that, while the iTunes Music Store is branded, the music it sells is not - "I conclude that the use of the Apple logo ... does not suggest a relevant connection with the creative work." During the case Apple Corps showed the court just how many times the Apple Computer logo appeared during a typical download. The song purchased during the demonstration was Le Freak by Chic. After the case closed Apple Computer CEO Steve Jobs extended an invitation to the record label, "we have always loved the Beatles, and hopefully we can now work together to get them on the iTunes Music Store". Apple Corps have decided to take the case to the Court of Appeal. Speaking for Apple Corps, manager Neil Aspinall said, "with great respect to the trial judge, we consider he has reached the wrong conclusion." |
Porsche has been hit hard by the global recession Porsche has seen its nine-month unit sales slump by more than a quarter after demand for its cars was hit by the worldwide recession. Global sales at the German carmaker declined 28% to 53,635 vehicles between August 2008 and the end of April, compared with a year earlier. On a financial basis, its sales fell 15% to 4.6bn euros ($6.4bn; £3.9bn). The figures do not include those of Volkswagen (VW), in which Porsche increased its stake to 51% in January. Porsche had planned to further increase its stake in VW to 75%, to gain a controlling interest, but talks with VW broke down in May amid reports Porsche could not raise the required funds. Share option Porsche will have to decide later whether it meets a Friday deadline that gives it the option to buy a further 20% of VW shares. In the first nine months of the ongoing fiscal year, the Porsche subgroup could not avoid the downward trend that has overtaken the worldwide automobile industry Porsche See Porsche's share pirce Check VW's shares While most analysts expect Porsche will make a payment to extend the option period, there has been some speculation in the markets as to whether it can afford to do so. If it doesn't extend its option, the banks who own these shares could sell them on the stock market. Shares in VW ended down 3% on Friday, while Porsche lost 1.4%. Separately, Porsche is also continuing talks with the Gulf state of Qatar over a possible investment by the Qatar Investment Authority, the country's state run sovereign wealth fund, in the firm. Reports have suggested that the Qatar government wishes to buy a 25% stake in Porsche. Worldwide dip On a model-by-model basis, Porsche's nine-month decline in sales was most pronounced for its Boxster and Cayman models, which fell a combined 47%. Sales of its core 911 model shed 18%, while those of its Cayenne four-wheel drive vehicle were down 25%. Porsche said it had experienced falling demand across the world, but that the decline was most extensive in the US and Canada. "In the first nine months of the ongoing fiscal year, the Porsche subgroup could not avoid the downward trend that has overtaken the worldwide automobile industry," said Porsche. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| (Adds detail and comment.) FRANKFURT (Dow Jones)--Porsche Automobil Holding SE (PAH3.XE) Friday said August-to-April sales fell 28% year-on-year to 53,635 vehicles, illustrating the problem luxury car makers face as consumers shy away from big-ticket purchases due to the economic slump. The Stuttgart-based car maker reported revenue in the first nine months of its fiscal year fell 15% year-on-year to EUR4.64 billion. The revenue drop was less severe than the sales fall because the high-margin 911 model accounted for a larger portion of sales, leading to a better model mix. However, unit sales for the 911 model were also down 18% ... | File photo of a Porsche 911, Modell 997.On Friday, German automobile manufacturer Porsche reported that its August-April sales saw a drop of 28%, to 53,635 vehicles, after demand for luxury vehicles plunged as a result of the ongoing global financial crisis. The firm also reported the revenue in the first three quarters of its fiscal year, which was at 4.64 billion euros after having fallen 15%. The overall decrease in revenues was due, in large part, to the decrease in sales of the company's 911 model, which accounts for a significant portion of sales. The 911 unit sales were lower by 18% for the year. "In the first nine months of the ongoing fiscal year, the Porsche subgroup could not avoid the downward trend that has overtaken the worldwide automobile industry," the automaker said. "This is certainly no surprise, but the fact that there is no reference to earnings any more in the outlook could be seen as a negative sign," said an analyst for Sal. Oppenheim, Christian Breitsprecher, noting that the forecast "remains very unspecific". |
Earthquake Summary Felt Reports Damage reported at Rancagua. A small tsunami was recorded with wave heights (peak-to-peak) of 16 cm at Valparaiso and 29 cm at San Antonio. Tectonic Summary The Chile earthquakes of March 11, 2010, 14:39 UTC and 14:55 UTC, occurred in the region of the plate boundary between the Nazca and South America plates, in the aftershock region of the great Chile earthquake of February 27, 2010. The March 11 earthquakes almost certainly occurred as the result of the change of regional stress caused by the February 27 earthquake. Preliminary analyses of their locations and seismic-wave radiation patterns, however, imply that the March 11 shocks occurred as the result of normal faulting within the subducting Nazca plate or the overriding South America plate, unlike the February 27 earthquake, which occurred as thrust faulting on the interface between the two plates. At present, the focal depths of the shocks are not known with sufficient precision to confidently determine within which of the Nazca or South America plate the earthquakes occurred. Earthquake Information for Chile Earthquake Information for South America ||||| LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- Three strong aftershocks rocked Chile Thursday, forcing officials to curtail inauguration ceremonies for the new president. The aftershocks followed Chile's worst earthquake in nearly 50 years, a magnitude 8.8 temblor on Feb. 27 that ravaged portions of the central and southern sections of the Andean country. Aftershock hits Chile ahead of inauguration Chile is hit by strong aftershocks and its navy issues a tsunami warning just before the country's new president Sebastian Pinera is sworn in. Video courtesy of Reuters. The largest of Thursday's aftershocks was a 6.9-magnitude temblor that struck at 11:39 a.m. local time (9:39 a.m. Eastern), according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter was 95 miles southwest of Santiago, the capital. See related story: Anatomy of an aftershock. The aftershocks hit just minutes before the swearing-in of Sebastian Piñera in the port city of Valparaiso. Piñera, an economist and billionaire, earlier this year became the first conservative president to be democratically elected in Chile since Augusto Pinochet stepped down in 1990. Piñera succeeds Michelle Bachelet, who in 2006 beat Piñera in Chile's presidential election. Piñera was eventually sworn in as president at 12:17 p.m. local time Thursday, according to media reports. The aftershocks reportedly prompted the Chilean navy to issue a tsunami alert for its coastal areas and residents were urged to move to higher ground, according to a report from the Associated Press. Office buildings and schools in areas where the earthquake was felt were evacuated, and an inauguration luncheon for Piñera was cancelled, though he was able to greet his guests, The Wall Street Journal reported. "Yes, we felt it ... but we're fine," said Salvador Arenas, a senior analyst at LarrainVial in Santiago, following the aftershocks. The securities brokerage and investment bank has about $8 billion in assets under administration. No injuries or serious damages have been reported, according to media reports. Chilean stocks were little changed in the wake of the latest aftershocks. Chile's IPSA equity index finished up 2 points at 3,816.32. There, shares of pulp and paper manufacturer Empresas CMPC rose 1.3%, forestry products giant Copec shares rose 0.7% and Lan Airlines /quotes/comstock/13*!lfl/quotes/nls/lfl (LFL 18.31, +0.25, +1.38%) shares fell 0.5%. The IPSA index has slipped 0.3% since the late February earthquake left more than 800 dead and at least 2 million people displaced. Chile's pulp and paper industry was hard hit as activity related to the sector is concentrated in the northern portion of the country, where the devastating earthquake struck. Copper prices rose after reports of Thursday's aftershocks in Chile, the world's largest producer of copper. Copper for May closed up 0.4% at $3.38 a pound on the New York Mercantile Exchange. But the gains were limited after Chilean mining giant Codelco said it found no damages to its Andina and El Teniente operations, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report. Both locations were temporarily shut down after the February quake. Read more about copper prices. Reuters Arenas at LarrainVial said the equity market has shown resilience since the massive earthquake, with construction companies among some of the standout gainers. But over the next few weeks and months, "the reaction of the new president to this crisis is going to be very important to the confidence in the markets," said Arenas, adding that he'll closely watch for what steps the Piñera administration makes toward rebuilding damaged infrastructure and facilities. Incoming Finance Minister Felipe Larrain reportedly said on Thursday that the Feb. 27 earthquake created $20 billion to $30 billion in damages to infrastructure. Chile's currency finished Thursday's session at 517.40 pesos per U.S. dollar, stronger than its finish at 518.30 pesos on Wednesday. Carla Mozee is a reporter for MarketWatch, based in Los Angeles. | Sebastián Piñera A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Chile on Thursday, just 21 minutes before the country's new president, Sebastián Piñera, was due to be sworn in. This earthquake comes several days after a heavy 8.8 magnitude earthquake shook the country, the strongest one in almost half a century. According to the US Geological Survey, the quake's epicentre was 135 kilometres (85 miles) south of Valparaiso, where the presidential inauguration took place, and 145 kilometres (90 miles) southwest of capital Santiago. Later, it was reported that the epicenter was offshore Pichilemu, a coastal town in the O'Higgins Region. The Miami Herald reports that the temblor was among seven aftershocks. There were no reports of damage, injuries, or deaths, although some residents rushed outside after the tremors. According to reports by the Associated Press, the Chilean navy called for a tsunami alert and encouraged residents living along shorelines to move to higher ground; however, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center commented that "a destructive Pacific-wide tsunami is not expected." |
Click here for terms and conditions All prices carried by BBC News Online enjoy indicative status only. The BBC accepts no responsibility for their accuracy or for any use to which they may be put. All share prices and market indexes delayed at least 15 minutes, NYSE 20 minutes. ||||| Dow Jones FTSE 100 FTSE 250 Futures on the Dow had earlier been suspended in pre-market trading after falling by a maximum of 550 points. Fears over the state of the global economy and the continued trouble in credit markets weighed heavily on traders’ minds, following on from heavy falls in Europe and Asia. The sell-off was exacerbated after the recent thaw in global money markets appeared to be coming to a halt, as concerns over a global slowdown re-emerged. On the equity markets, big sell-offs came from financials, with worries growing that the US Treasury’s $125bn capital injection in to America’s leading nine banks may not be enough to reawaken the credit markets. Shares in Morgan Stanley traded down 7.66pc while those in Goldman Sachs were 7.8pc lower. Pressure is growing for Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson to utilise the remaining $125bn he has allocated to invest in the rest of the country’s banking infrastructure quickly. It's carnage," David Buik, of BGC Partners said. "Confidence is shot to rippons. We need action now. It is a catastrophe that we have got to recession, but we have got to learn to live with it, and that means saving the markets." However, the sharp falls on Wall Street were eclipsed by falls in London and across Europe.The index of 100 leading shares tumbled 292 points, or 7pc to 3,794 as official figures confirmed Britain is on course for its first recession since the early 1990s. "This is once-in-a-lifetime stuff, we're all sat under our desks with tin hats on,'' said Neil Mellor, a currency strategist at Bank of New York told Bloomberg. The Treasury did back today’s deal by PNC to acquire National City for $5.2bn – with the help of a $7.7bn capital injection – but this is the first such deal among a highly fragmented regional banking market made up of more than 8,400 institutions. Shares in General Motors were also under pressure, as investors became fearful about the company’s continued liquidity as a deal with rival Chrysler appears to be as far away as ever. But it was not just the Dow which came under pressure, with the broader S&P500 index down 4.7pc and the Nasdaq off 4.16pc. “There’s a lot of panic out there today,” Scott Fullman, director of derivatives investment strategy for WJB Capital Group told the Associated Press. “People have been saying that we’re in a recession. This is the realisation.” Overnight some Asian markets tumbled to five-year lows, as economic indicators brought back ugly reminders of the Asian Financial Crisis a decade ago. Tokyo's Nikkei 225 average led the slump closing down 811.9 or 9.6pc at 7,649.08, its lowest level since May 2003. It has lost half its value this year, much of that this month as the economy was reported to have officially contracted. South Korea's Kospi index, which has been in freefall all week, fell another 10.6pc or 110.96 points at 938.75, breaking the psychologically important 1,000 barrier for the first time in three years. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index fell 486.87 points, 3.5pc, to 13,273.62. There is now a real fear that the New York Stock Exchange may have to use its circuit-breakers to halt trading, should the continued falls get out of hands. The NYSE’s circuit-breakers were last triggered on October 27, 1997 during a wide-scale market plunge triggered by the Asian financial crisis. In unprecedented action, trading was halted twice back then as the sell-off steamrolled through NYSE circuit breakers, first when the Dow was down 350 points and later as it fell 550 points. They were adopted under measures taken after the 1987 crash, aimed to slow the market's downdrafts. If the Dow falls by more than 1,100 points before 2pm, trading will be halted for an hour. There are a series of higher levels of breakers which will be imposed should the market fall harder, a situation which would have seemed unthinkable only six weeks ago. ||||| Login Enter your details below to login Email address Password Keep me logged in information Keeps you logged in for a rolling 15 days or until you logout Forgot your password? | Stock markets around the world have fallen dramatically today. This is following the ongoing events in the financial world and related statements by several United Kingdom politicians, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Stock markets worldwide fell dramatically today The British FTSE 100 index was one the indices that today suffered from large falls. It fell by 5.00% to slip below the four thousand mark, at 3,883.36 points. Two of the major United States indices saw falls of over two per cent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 252.01 points (2.90%) to 8,439.24 by 17:30 UTC, while the Nasdaq Composite index experienced a 2.30% drop. South American markets performed particularly badly today. By 17:30 UTC, the Argentinean MERVAL index had fallen by almost six per cent to 906.160 points, while the Brazilian Bovespa fell by 6.89% (2,328.45 points) to a value of 31,490.04. David Buik of BGC Partners commented on today's falls. "It's carnage," he said. "Confidence is shot to ribbons. We need action now. It is a catastrophe that we have got to recession, but we have got to learn to live with it, and that means saving the markets." ===Market data=== } |
Woman accused of causing death of fiance in pub incident A 41-year-old woman from Bath appeared in court today charged with causing the death of her fiance. Caroline Broad, of Hatfield Close, Twerton, pleaded not guilty to a charge of death by dangerous driving, and an alternative charge of death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit, when she appeared at Bristol Crown Court. Her fiancee Christopher Phillips, known locally as Bob, died after apparently being run over outside the Full Moon pub. The case continues. For a full report on the opening day's proceedings, see this week's Bath Chronicle ||||| Mr Phillips had been drinking with Ms Broad for many hours before his death A Bath woman who ran over her fiance while over the drink-drive limit has been found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. Caroline Broad, 41, of Twerton, drove a car which hit Christopher Phillips, 40, outside the Full Moon pub in the city. Bristol Crown Court heard the couple had been drinking on the day of the incident and that Broad was three-and-a-half times over the legal limit. Broad, of Padfield Terrace, will be sentenced on Wednesday. A witness had told police she saw Mr Phillips slide off the bonnet of the car before the vehicle was driven on to him. 'Selfish actions' Broad, who had denied the charge, told police she could not remember the car moving forward. Mr Phillips, who was known to friends as Bobs, died a few hours later in hospital from multiple crush injuries to his body. Det Sgt Peter Knight, of Avon and Somerset Police, said: "The events of Sunday 17 August 2008 are yet another example of how the selfish and wholly unnecessary actions of a drunken driver can lead to tragic or nasty circumstances." He added Broad had "refused to admit her wrongdoing or face up to the reality of what happened that night". She and Mr Phillips had lived together for eight years and ran a tiling company together. | A woman has been found guilty of killing her fiancé after she ran him over while three times over the drink drive limit. Caroline Broad, 41, killed her partner of eight years Christopher Phillips, 40, when she ran him over in the car park of the Full Moon Pub in Twerton, Bath, England on August 17, 2008. Broad has been jailed for three years. Twerton, Bath in Somerset Witness reports say that Ms. Broad was in the car and saw Mr. Phillips slide off the bonnet and then the car continue to drive over him. The couple had been drinking together at the pub for several hours before the incident. Broad denies any wrong doing and says she can't remember the car going forward. Detective Sergeant Peter Knight released a statement saying that "The events of Sunday August 17, 2008 are yet another example of how the selfish and wholly unnecessary actions of a drunken driver can lead to tragic or nasty circumstances". He also thanked the Twerton community for their help during the investigation. Ms. Broad and Mr. Phillips had been in a relationship for eight years and ran a tiling business together. |
The 11-year-old was hit by one of three shots fired Reaction to the shooting An 11-year-old boy has died after being shot in the neck in the Croxteth area of Liverpool. The incident happened at about 1930 BST on Wednesday in the car park of the Fir Tree public house on Fir Tree Drive. A witness said the victim was one of three boys walking across the car park when a teenager on a BMX bicycle fired three shots, one of which hit the boy. Merseyside Police have appealed directly to local gangs for information about the killing. Officers have sealed off the scene, including a neighbouring parade of shops, and no-one has yet been arrested in connection with the shooting. 'Ripped apart' Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Simon Byrne appealed to the local community to help catch the killer. He said: "Someone out there knows who put the gun in his hand and I want your help to get the community to turn that gunman in. "This is quite an awful crime, quite senseless, and the community holds the clue to solving this crime quickly. "You can only imagine the heartache of the family that's been ripped apart. "We urge anybody, particularly in the criminal fraternity, that this is quite an awful and senseless crime and please turn in who is responsible quickly. "There is no hiding place and no time for silence." The eyewitness, who did not want to be named but was drinking outside the pub, said a youth aged about 14 or 15, wearing a hoodie, rode up to the car park and fired three shots from a distance of about 30 metres. One shot missed the boys and another hit a car, while the other bullet entered the victim's neck. People came from the pub to help the victim, whose mother was also called to the scene. A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said: "We treated an 11-year-old with serious gunshot wounds." He added the boy, who had been returning from football training on playing fields close to the pub, was taken to Alder Hey hospital where he was pronounced dead. 'Gangs of youths' Councillor Rose Bailey, who lives nearby and is a member of the local police authority, appealed for people with information to come forward. She added: "It sends shockwaves through the community of Croxteth and really it must be devastating. "To think your young son is out playing football and then to get a call to say he's been shot, I really don't know as a parent how you would handle that." The area around the pub was made a "designated area" by police last year, meaning officers could disperse groups and move people away from the area. The decision was made in response to concerns raised by local residents about youths gathering outside the pub and local shops. At the time, Neighbourhood Inspector Louise Harrison said: "The designated area has been introduced in response to concerns about gangs of youths who hang around the local area behaving in an anti-social way." E-mail this to a friend Printable version Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? ||||| We've noticed you're adblocking. We rely on advertising to help fund our award-winning journalism. We urge you to turn off your ad blocker for The Telegraph website so that you can continue to access our quality content in the future. Thank you for your support. | An 11-year-old boy has died after being shot in the car park of the Fir Tree pub in the Croxteth area of Liverpool, shortly after 1930 BST. An eyewitness, who had been drinking outside the pub at the time, said the boy was one of three playing football in the car park when a teenager, believed to be male, on a BMX bicycle fired three shots at the group from approximately 30 metres away, one hitting the victim in the neck. The other shots missed the boys, one hitting a car. The boy's mother was called to the scene as people came out of the pub to help him. Other witnesses have suggested the incident may be gang-related. A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said: "We treated an 11-year-old with serious gunshot wounds." He added the boy was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital, but police later confirmed he had died. Officers have sealed off the scene, including a neighbouring street of shops. There have currently been no arrests in connection with the shooting. In an appeal to the local community to help catch the killer, Merseyside Police Assistant Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: "Someone out there knows who put the gun in his hand and I want your help to get the community to turn that gunman in tonight. This is quite an awful crime, quite senseless, and the community holds the clue to solving this crime quickly. You can only imagine the heartache of the family that's been ripped apart." Local councillor Rose Bailey, who lives nearby, also appealed for people with information to come forward, saying: "It sends shockwaves through the community of Croxteth and really it must be devastating. To think your young son is out playing football and then to get a call to say he's been shot, I really don't know as a parent how you would handle that." The area around the pub was made a "designated area" by police last year, meaning officers could disperse groups and move people away from the area. The incident is another in a growing list of shootings of minors, many gang-related, in the UK's major cities in 2007. |
Would you like to receive information from your local NPR member station? (see NPR's privacy policy ) May we contact you with information about NPR programming? (see NPR's privacy policy ) ||||| NPR People Nina Totenberg is National Public Radio's award-winning legal affairs correspondent. Her reports air regularly on NPR's critically acclaimed newsmagazines All Things Considered, Morning Edition, and Weekend Edition. Totenberg's coverage of the Supreme Court and legal affairs has won her widespread recognition. Newsweek says, "The mainstays [of NPR] are Morning Edition and All Things Considered. But the creme de la creme is Nina Totenberg." She is also a regular panelist on Inside Washington, a weekly syndicated public affairs television program produced in the nation's capital. In 1991, her ground-breaking report about University of Oklahoma Law Professor Anita Hill's allegations of sexual harassment by Judge Clarence Thomas led the Senate Judiciary Committee to re-open Thomas's Supreme Court confirmation hearings to consider Hill's charges. NPR received the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award for its gavel-to-gavel coverage -- anchored by Totenberg -- of both the original hearings and the inquiry into Anita Hill's allegations, and for Totenberg's reports and exclusive interview with Hill. That same coverage earned Totenberg additional awards, among them: the Long Island University George Polk Award for excellence in journalism; the Sigma Delta Chi Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for investigative reporting; and the prestigious Joan S. Barone Award for excellence in Washington-based national affairs/public policy reporting, which also acknowledged her coverage of Justice Thurgood Marshall's retirement. Totenberg was named Broadcaster of the Year and honored with the 1998 Sol Taishoff Award for Excellence in Broadcasting from the National Press Foundation. She is the first radio journalist to receive the award. She is also the recipient of the American Judicature Society's first-ever award honoring a career body of work in the field of journalism and the law. In 1988, Totenberg won the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Silver Baton for her coverage of Supreme Court nominations. The jurors of the award stated, "Ms. Totenberg broke the story of Judge (Douglas) Ginsburg's use of marijuana, raising issues of changing social values and credibility with careful perspective under deadline pressure." Totenberg has been honored seven times by the American Bar Association for continued excellence in legal reporting and has received a number of honorary degrees. On a lighter note, in 1992 and 1988 Esquire magazine named her one of the "Women We Love". A frequent contributor to major newspapers and periodicals, she has published articles in The New York Times Magazine, The Harvard Law Review, The Christian Science Monitor, Parade Magazine, New York Magazine, and others. Before joining NPR in 1975, Totenberg served as Washington editor of New Times Magazine, and before that she was the legal affairs correspondent for the National Observer. ||||| The Associated Press FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2005 The 5-4 ruling - assailed by dissenting Justice Sandra Day O'Connor as handing "disproportionate influence and power" to the well-heeled in America - was a defeat for some Connecticut residents whose homes are scheduled for destruction to make room for an office complex. They had argued that cities have no right to take their land except for projects with a clear public use, such as roads or schools, or to revitalize blighted areas. As a result, cities now have wide power to bulldoze residences for projects such as shopping malls and hotel complexes in order to generate tax revenue. Writing for the court, Justice John Paul Stevens said local officials, not federal judges, know best in deciding whether a development project will benefit the community. States are within their rights to pass additional laws restricting condemnations if residents are overly burdened, he said. "The city has carefully formulated an economic development that it believes will provide appreciable benefits to the community, including - but by no means limited to - new jobs and increased tax revenue," Stevens wrote in an opinion joined by Justices Anthony Kennedy, David Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer. "It is not for the courts to oversee the choice of the boundary line nor to sit in review on the size of a particular project area," Stevens wrote. O'Connor, who has often been a key swing vote at the court, issued a stinging dissent, arguing that cities should not have unlimited authority to uproot families, even if they are provided compensation, simply to accommodate wealthy developers. "Any property may now be taken for the benefit of another private party, but the fallout from this decision will not be random," she wrote. "The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms." New London, Connecticut, residents involved in the lawsuit expressed dismay and pledged to keep fighting. "It's a little shocking to believe you can lose your home in this country," said a resident, Bill Von Winkle, who said he would refuse to leave his home, even if bulldozers showed up. "I won't be going anywhere. Not my house. This is definitely not the last word." Scott Bullock, an attorney for the Institute for Justice representing the families, added: "A narrow majority of the court simply got the law wrong today and our Constitution and country will suffer as a result." WASHINGTON A divided U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday that local governments may seize people's homes and businesses against their will for private development in a decision anxiously awaited in communities where economic growth often is at war with individual property rights.The 5-4 ruling - assailed by dissenting Justice Sandra Day O'Connor as handing "disproportionate influence and power" to the well-heeled in America - was a defeat for some Connecticut residents whose homes are scheduled for destruction to make room for an office complex. They had argued that cities have no right to take their land except for projects with a clear public use, such as roads or schools, or to revitalize blighted areas.As a result, cities now have wide power to bulldoze residences for projects such as shopping malls and hotel complexes in order to generate tax revenue.Writing for the court, Justice John Paul Stevens said local officials, not federal judges, know best in deciding whether a development project will benefit the community. States are within their rights to pass additional laws restricting condemnations if residents are overly burdened, he said."The city has carefully formulated an economic development that it believes will provide appreciable benefits to the community, including - but by no means limited to - new jobs and increased tax revenue," Stevens wrote in an opinion joined by Justices Anthony Kennedy, David Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer."It is not for the courts to oversee the choice of the boundary line nor to sit in review on the size of a particular project area," Stevens wrote.O'Connor, who has often been a key swing vote at the court, issued a stinging dissent, arguing that cities should not have unlimited authority to uproot families, even if they are provided compensation, simply to accommodate wealthy developers."Any property may now be taken for the benefit of another private party, but the fallout from this decision will not be random," she wrote. "The beneficiaries are likely to be those citizens with disproportionate influence and power in the political process, including large corporations and development firms."New London, Connecticut, residents involved in the lawsuit expressed dismay and pledged to keep fighting."It's a little shocking to believe you can lose your home in this country," said a resident, Bill Von Winkle, who said he would refuse to leave his home, even if bulldozers showed up. "I won't be going anywhere. Not my house. This is definitely not the last word."Scott Bullock, an attorney for the Institute for Justice representing the families, added: "A narrow majority of the court simply got the law wrong today and our Constitution and country will suffer as a result." ||||| 404 We're sorry but the page you requested could not be found.Please try again from the home page or contact us ||||| Today's Print Ads (Select Business) A & P Liquors A Kitchen & Bath By James,llc A-1 Seamless Gutters Ace Security Adams Garden Of Eden All Time Manufacturing Co American Realty In Arrow Paper Party Stores Atlantic Financial Serv. Backus Hospital Bayview Health Care Ctr Benchmark Assisted Living Blind & Shade Company Bokoff Kaplan Travel Brooks Pharmacy Bucky's Garden LLC C L & P Cardinal Honda Charter Oak Federal Credit Union Citizens Bank Classified House Ads Colchester Mill Fabrics Conn. Center For Massage Therapy Cotter & Greenfield P.c. Creative Design Builders Crystal Mall CT School Of Bartending Custom Pubs Day Group Pages Diamond Mortgage Group Diversified Real Estate LLC Don Mallon Chevrolet Cadillac Drake Petroleum Company, Inc Eastern CT Cardiology Econn Concert Ballet Edible Arrangements Elizabeth And Harriet Elizabeth Arden Spas Inc Falveys Jeep Of New London Flagg Rv Foxwoods Gaccione David P Esq Garbati Groton Cinema Groton City Highway Dept Groton Inn & Suites Groton Senior Citizens Gutter Helmet Heritage Properties Hoelck's Florist Hollidee-cohen Optical Htd Aerospace Inc Hutter Chiropractic Illiano's Trattoria Jaypro Sports Jeffcoat Jgs Services Inc K & M Productions Llc. Kentco Development Lawrence & Memorial Hospital Ledyard Mayor Lisbon Theaters Inc Locomotion Video Lux Bond & Green M.j. Holdings, LLC Madison Art Cinemas Madison Art Cinemas Major Electric Supply Mallove's Marquee Cinemas Marvel Home Decorating Masterson Anne Linton Matta Metrocast Michael Jordan Steak House Middletown Auto Sales Mirage Salon Of Mystic Mohegan Sun Monarch Realty Mystic Market Mystic Seaport Museum Mystic Shoreline Investment LLC Neurological Group New England Merchants Corp New London Country Club Niantic Cinema Corp Niantic Law LLC Nigrellis Jewelry Norwich Discount Oil Olde Mist.vllg.merch.assn Olde Mistick Village Cinema Paid Pages Performance Realty Group Piacenza Primary Care For Women Prudential- Niantic Putnam Savings Bank Ray Willis Toys & Bikes Real Estate Service Of CT Inc Regal Entertainment Group Remax Champions RI Harvesting Ridley Lowell Business & Tech. Russ Antiques & Auctions Saybrook Country Barn Shoprite Co/wakefern Food Siding Store Inc Smith Insurance Sms Associates,llc St. Vincent's Medical Center Sterling Superior Service Systems Built Homes, LLC Tier One Development Town Fair Tire Centers, Inc TVCCA Uconn , Coll..contin. Studies Uconn Human Develp & Family Studies United Builders Supply United Data Destruction Ups Vanguard Tours & Cruises Verizon Wireless Vreeland Marketing Washington Trust Co Weichert Real Estate Wilford Samson Dds William Raveis William Raveis Yankee Silversmith | Seal of the United States Supreme Court. In a major decision, the Supreme Court of the United States has expanded the right of government to seize private property for public good by allowing the city of , Connecticut to invoke and seize homeowners' property for economic development reasons. In a closely-divided decision, 5–4, the court determined that the city's economic development plan constituted a "public use", and therefore qualified under the U.S. Constitution's fifth amendment's Eminent Domain clause. Justice John Paul Stevens wrote the majority decision, and was joined by Justices , Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and . "Promoting economic development is a traditional and long accepted function of government," Stevens wrote, and justified the decision further by saying municipal authorities are better positioned to make decisions regarding a community's best interests than judges. The U.S. Supreme Court bench, 2005 Writing the dissenting opinion, Justice rejected the economic justification as a public use, pointing out that wealthy individuals are more capable of defending themselves and so are less at risk. But the greatest issue was the likelihood of abuse of eminent domain: "The specter of condemnation hangs over all property. Nothing is to prevent the state from replacing any with a , any home with a shopping mall or any farm with a factory." A separate dissent was also included written by Justice Clarence Thomas. |
ZANU-PF Says Zimbabwe Gov't Will Operate Without MDC Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF party says government business will continue despite the MDC party's decision to stop working with its unity government partner. Zimbabwe's PM Morgan Tsvangirai during a press conference in Harare (File) The state-run Sunday Mail newspaper quotes Information Minister George Charamba as saying a cabinet meeting will go ahead as scheduled on Tuesday and that binding decisions will be made. On Friday, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said the MDC was "disengaging" from ZANU-PF, though he stopped short of withdrawing from the government. The prime minister called ZANU-PF a dishonest and unreliable partner and said the party has ignored last year's power-sharing deal. Charamba was dismissive of the MDC's protest, saying President Robert Mugabe has been too busy with ceremonial duties to react. Tensions between ZANU-PF and the MDC have been constant since the unity government was formed early this year. Regional leaders pressured the parties to share power after last year's disputed and violence-plagued elections. The latest crisis was sparked by the re-detention of Roy Bennett, a white farmer who the MDC has nominated to be deputy minister of agriculture. Bennett is awaiting trial on terrorism charges, and already spent a month in prison earlier this year before being released on bail. The MDC says he is innocent. Mr. Tsvangirai said Friday that if the political crisis escalates further, the only solution would be to hold new elections under international supervision. The state-run Sunday Mail newspaper quotes Information Minister George Charamba as saying a cabinet meeting will go ahead as scheduled on Tuesday and that binding decisions will be made.On Friday, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai said the MDC was "disengaging" from ZANU-PF, though he stopped short of withdrawing from the government.The prime minister called ZANU-PF a dishonest and unreliable partner and said the party has ignored last year's power-sharing deal.Charamba was dismissive of the MDC's protest, saying President Robert Mugabe has been too busy with ceremonial duties to react.Tensions between ZANU-PF and the MDC have been constant since the unity government was formed early this year.Regional leaders pressured the parties to share power after last year's disputed and violence-plagued elections.The latest crisis was sparked by the re-detention of Roy Bennett, a white farmer who the MDC has nominated to be deputy minister of agriculture.Bennett is awaiting trial on terrorism charges, and already spent a month in prison earlier this year before being released on bail. The MDC says he is innocent.Mr. Tsvangirai said Friday that if the political crisis escalates further, the only solution would be to hold new elections under international supervision. E-mail Print Digg Yahoo Buzz Facebook del.icio.us StumbleUpon ||||| Mugabe spokesman dismisses unity boycott HARARE — A spokesman for Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has called Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's boycott of ties within the fragile unity government "needless excitement," state media said on Sunday. "The MDC-T has disengaged from nothing," George Charamba told the Sunday Mail, referring to Tsvangirai's party. "It?s sound and fury signifying nothing. The MDC-T president knows that. It?s a poor protest." He said Mugabe would react to the move in due time. "As for this needless excitement from the MDC-T, I suppose the president will find time when the right time comes," Charamba said. Charamba said government will continue with or without Tsvangirai's Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). Tsvangirai shelved cooperation with Mugabe's camp on Friday, accusing his partner of being "dishonest and unreliable", eight months after the unity government formed to pull Zimbabwe out of crisis. A weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Mugabe will go ahead this week despite Tsvangirai's pulling back, said Charamba. "As you will certainly see on Tuesday, cabinet will be held. The agenda for the meeting has been circulated and decisions that are binding will be taken. Remember, cabinet does not function through a quorum," he said. Tsvangirai's snub was sparked by the renewed detention of one of his top aides, Roy Bennett, on terrorism charges. Bennett was later released on bail. The prime minister said he will only resume cooperation when outstanding issues are resolved that include disputes over key posts and a crackdown against his supporters. An MDC spokesman has said the party was disengaging only from cooperation with Mugabe's party and not government in general -- though it was unclear how since the two parties share power. The MDC leader and his long-time rival agreed to the unity government nearly a year after disputed polls which saw Mugabe handed the presidency in a one-man run-off and plunged the country into deeper economic and political crisis. Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More » | Zimbabwe's ZANU-PF party has said that government business will continue despite the opposition party's decision to stop working with its unity government partner. A spokesman for president Robert Mugabe dismissed the boycott by the leader of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) Morgan Tsvangirai as "needless excitement". Morgan Tsvangirai (2009) Tsvangirai and his party had pulled out of the coalition government on Friday, saying that Mugabe had been "dishonest and unreliable". Spokesman George Charamba said to the Sunday Mail newspaper that "the MDC-T has disengaged from nothing. It's sound and fury signifying nothing. The MDC-T president knows that. It's a poor protest," he said. Charamba said that Mugabe has been too busy with ceremonial duties to react to Tsvangirai's boycott. "I suppose the president will find time when the right time comes," he said. The Sunday Mail quoted Charamba as saying that a cabinet meeting will go ahead as scheduled on Tuesday and that binding decisions will be made despite the MDC boycott. "As you will certainly see on Tuesday, cabinet will be held. The agenda for the meeting has been circulated and decisions that are binding will be taken. Remember, cabinet does not function through a quorum." Tensions between Mugabe's ZANU-PF party and the MDC have been constant since the unity government was formed early this year. Regional leaders pressured the parties to share power after last year's disputed and violence-plagued elections. The latest crisis was sparked by the re-detention of Roy Bennett, a white farmer who the MDC has nominated to be deputy minister of agriculture. Bennett is awaiting trial on terrorism charges, and already spent a month in prison earlier this year before being released on bail. The MDC has said that he is innocent. Tsvangirai said on Friday that if the political crisis escalates further, the only solution would be to hold new elections under international supervision. |
1 of 14. Georgia's presidential candidate Levan Gachechiladze speaks to media in Tbilisi January 5, 2008. Georgian leader Mikhail Saakashvili won the former Soviet republic's presidential election outright, an exit poll showed, but the opposition said the vote was rigged and called for mass protests on Sunday. TBILISI | TBILISI (Reuters) - Georgian leader Mikhail Saakashvili was on Monday celebrating Orthodox Christmas and victory in a presidential election his opponents called rigged. The central election commission said late on Sunday Saakaashvili had won 52.8 percent of votes cast on Saturday, almost twice as many as his nearest challenger, 43-year-old wine producer Levan Gachechiladze, with 27 percent. The two political rivals both later joined a Christmas eve service in a Tbilisi cathedral. Saakashvili called the elections after tens of thousands of people joined protests in November to demand an early poll, four years after the peaceful revolution that swept him to power. He said the weekend vote had been "in many ways a triumph for democracy". "I took a huge political risk and gamble to go into this election," he told the BBC. "They (the voters) carried out the verdict not only on the events (of November) but also the reforms that preceded the events and that's why we needed a fresh mandate to continue the reforms." At a rally on Sunday attended by up to 7,000 people, Gachechiladze called on supporters to protest against the election result daily from January 8, after the Christmas holiday. "Mikhail Saakashvili, you cannot defeat the Georgian people," Gachechiladze, his fist clenched, told protesters. Western monitors said there had been voting violations but the result was a true expression of Georgians' will. By gaining more than half of the ballots Saakashvili won outright, without having to contest a second-round run-off. Votes from overseas polling stations remained to be counted but were too few to change the overall result. INFLUENCE Georgia lies on the route of a major pipeline carrying oil from the Caspian Sea to Europe and is the scene of a tussle for regional influence between Russia and the United States. Saakashvili shocked Western allies in November by ordering police to fire tear gas and rubber bullets at protesters. The election result represents a huge drop in popularity for the 40-year-old, who enjoyed the support of about 90 percent of voters when elected to his first term. His critics say his reforms -- lauded by the West -- have failed to help the poor, and call him an autocrat who pays only lip service to democratic freedoms. The opposition however broadly supports his pro-Western stance. The OSCE report said the election was the first truly competitive contest in Georgia since it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Past elections have either been completely one-sided or deemed unfair. But observers also said there were serious shortcomings, with the campaign skewed in Saakashvili's favor. Saakashvili has steered Georgia towards NATO membership, angering former colonial master Russia. Russia, which backs two separatist regions of Georgia, condemned the election as unfair. "The presidential race has been marked by widespread use of 'administrative resources', blatant pressure on the opposition candidates, stringent restriction of access to financial and media resources," Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a statement. (Writing by James Kilner, editing by Andrew Roche) ||||| By MISHA DZHINDZHIKHASHVILI, Associated Press Writer Sun Jan 6, 6:51 PM ET TBILISI, Georgia - Mikhail Saakashvili won a second term as Georgia's president Sunday in an election that thousands of opposition protesters denounced as fraudulent, threatening instability in this former Soviet republic once considered a beacon of reform. For the pro-Western Saakashvili, the prospect of unrest is an ironic echo of the mass demonstrations that swept him into office four years ago as a champion of democracy fighting rigged elections. An observer mission from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe gave the election a mixed assessment, calling it a significant step for democracy while pointing to an array of violations. Russia, which vies with the West for influence in Georgia, sharply criticized the vote. Saakashvili nearly 53 percent of Saturday's vote narrowly clearing the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff election said Central Elections Commission head Levan Tarkhnishvili. His main challenger, Levan Gachechiladze, had 27 percent. Saakashvili's narrow aversion of a runoff underlined Georgia's deep divisions. His democratic credentials have been in question since police violently dispersed anti-government demonstrations in November and Saakashvili imposed a state of emergency that shut down an independent television station. He defused the political crisis by calling the early presidential election, cutting short his own five-year term, clearly confident of winning a new mandate. The OSCE'S criticism of the election puts Saakashvili under pressure to dispel doubts about his democratic intentions that could torpedo his efforts to bring Georgia into both NATO and the European Union. Rep. Alcee Hastings, a Florida Democrat heading the OSCE mission, said it was unfair to be too critical of the election, describing it as only a step on Georgia's road to democracy. "These people are just 16 years away from a level of repression that most Western countries theorize about and they lived," he said by telephone early Monday. "They didn't have a perfect election. They took a step." Russia, which imposed an economic blockade on Georgia after repeated disputes with Saakashvili, was quick to criticize. "The election campaign can hardly be called 'free and fair'," the Russian Foreign Ministry said Sunday. Moscow regards Georgia as part of its historical sphere of influence and resents Western aid to Georgia's military and the use of Georgia as a transit country for Caspian oil headed for Turkey. Opposition leaders said the campaign was held under unfair conditions and claimed there were widespread violations during the vote. Addressing about 5,000 protesters on a snowy Tbilisi square, Gachechiladze claimed he came first in the vote and called for a second round. He cited a tally by his supporters who served on election commissions across the country. "Saakashvili lost, and it cannot happen that Georgia will not defend its freedom, that we won't win," said Gachechiladze, 43, a businessman and lawmaker. Gachechiladze said the opposition will contest the election results in court. He called for another protest Tuesday. On Monday, Georgians will be celebrating Orthodox Christmas, raising the possibility that tensions will ease before the opposition returns to the streets. Nino Burdzhanadze, the parliament speaker who served as acting president during the campaign, expressed confidence that the opposition would not muster enough support for mass protests. "I think there will be no serious support for opposition rallies after a few days," she said. She conceded there were some violations, but said her government welcomed the criticism from foreign observers and will seek to correct the mistakes in future elections. As a whole the elections were free and fair and democratic," Burdzhanadze told The Associated Press. "You should take into account that Georgia is a new democracy." After a slow vote count, the announcement of the final results took the country by surprise on Orthodox Christmas Eve. Live television coverage showed Saakashvili and Gachechiladze attending a midnight ceremony in a Tbilisi church shortly after the announcement. They stood near each other with their wives. During his four years in office, Saakashvili, 40, has cracked down on organized crime and corruption, modernized the police force and the army, restored steady supplies of electricity and gas, and improved roads. The result has been annual economic growth of about 10 percent and a steady rise in foreign investment. But he has been accused of being intolerant of dissent, and in the final days of the campaign, he made a point of reaching out to his opponents. The OSCE report cited a blurring of government activities and Saakashvili's campaign, including the distribution of vouchers for utilities and medical supplies. "The president has not behaved like a mature democrat and many feel that he bought votes with promises and benefits," Swedish observer Birgitta Ohlsson was quoted by the newspaper Dagens Nyheter as saying. "We regard this with anxiety." The observers' report said there were cases of multiple voting, and that ballot counting was very slow in most polling stations they visited while basic procedures were often not followed. ___ Associated Press writers Maria Danilova and Lynn Berry in Tbilisi and Jim Heintz in Moscow contributed to this report. ||||| TBILISI, Georgia Georgia’s pro-Western president narrowly won re-election over the weekend, according to official results released Sunday, but the main opposition candidate contested the outcome. With returns from what election officials called nearly all precincts in Saturday’s vote counted, President Mikheil Saakashvili had received 52.8 percent, according to the Central Election Commission, a slim majority that would allow him to avoid a runoff. The main opposition candidate, Levan Gachechiladze, received 27 percent. But the outcome was not as clean as the government had hoped for when Mr. Saakashvili called early elections in November and declared a state of emergency to deal with anti-government protests. On Sunday, Mr. Gachechiladze said that fraud had tainted the results, and by late in the day he had not conceded. Mr. Gachechiladze said a second round of voting should be held and called for street protests. He told a rally of several thousand supporters in Tbilisi on Sunday that, “We have won despite pressure, despite intimidation, despite televised terror exerted against us.” ||||| Election results in Saturday's Georgian presidential election continue to trickle in, with the interim count giving incumbent President Mikhail Saakashvili a narrow victory. International observers say the election was Georgia's first genuinely competitive presidential contest, which enabled Georgians to express their political choice. But as VOA Correspondent Peter Fedynsky reports from Tbilisi, the opposition is crying foul. OSCE Monitoring Form Hundreds of international election observers descended on Georgia from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the Council of Europe and the European Parliament. The OSCE coordinator, U.S. Congressman Alcee Hastings says he has never seen so many monitors in the hundreds of elections he has observed. Speaking on behalf of the observer mission, Congressman Hastings said the Georgian presidential vote was, in essence, consistent with most OSCE and Council of Europe standards for democratic elections. "Democracy took a triumphant step because of the demonstrative competitiveness of this campaign," said Alcee Hastings. "I perceive this election as a viable expression of free choice of the Georgian people, but the future holds immense challenges." Congressman Hastings and other monitors noted allegations of intimidation against public sector employees, diversion of state resources and media coverage in favor of the incumbent, vote buying, and other violations. Portuguese Parliamentarian Joao Suarez in Tbilisi, 05 Jan 2008 The observer delegation also noted a high degree of mistrust and polarization in Georgian society. The monitors issued a call to both sides, asking all political players to respect the legitimacy of the election and the government to institute immediate electoral reforms in time for upcoming parliamentary elections. Journalists asked if the violations would impact the final election result, but Congressman Hastings said it would be inappropriate to comment, because the vote count was still in progress during the Sunday afternoon news conference. That count was less than 50 percent complete more than 24 hours after polls closed, prompting opposition complaints of deliberate foot-dragging by election officials. In the absence of a final tally, exit polls from the previous night indicating a victory by President Saakashvili gave his supporters grounds to celebrate victory, and opponents a reason to protest what they believe to be a stolen election. At least 5,000 opposition members gathered in downtown Tbilisi to protest an election for which there was yet no official result. Among them was Tamaz Khachidze, a regional political coordinator, who said there was too great a disparity between the exit polls and estimates by the opposition. Khachidze told VOA an opposition representative was present during vote counts in all electoral precincts. According to the activist, opposition candidates won 63 percent of the vote, give or take a few percent. Exit polls gave Mr. Saakashvili 54 percent, which is enough to win the election without facing a runoff. The polls show Levan Gachechiladze in second place with 28 percent. In remarks to VOA, Mr. Gachechiladze categorically rejected the conclusion by international observers that Sunday's election was democratic. He says the finding will further divide Georgia into two opposite poles. "What the observers are doing right now, they are making two poluses [poles]," said Levan Gachechiladze. "One is the Saakashvili polus, and the second is all of Georgia. And it is not good for Georgian democracy. It will allow Saakashvili to continue his authoritarian regime, and maybe we [will] get a dictator very soon." Mr. Saakashvili called the January 5 presidential election after riot police in early November used force to put down mass protests against his government. The Georgian leader said the early vote would give his country a chance to heal wounds caused by the November events. But deep mistrust is evident on all sides of Georgian society, which celebrates Christmas on Monday. More opposition protests are expected the day after. | Mikheil Saakashvili narrowly won the presidential election with 52.8% of the vote. Election officials have declared Mikheil Saakashvili the winner of the Georgian presidential election, which occurred earlier than usual due to anti-government protests in November 2007. He garnered 52.8% of the vote, while the leading opposition candidate Levan Gachechiladze came in second with 27% of the vote. The election had been a controversial one, with opposition leaders claiming it was unfair and that Saakashvili had rigged the vote in his favor. Allegations of intimidation, media bias, and vote buying were widespread. In a report, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) called the election "consistent with most O.S.C.E. and Council of Europe commitments and standards for democratic elections", but also noted violations, including people apparently voting more than once at certain polling stations and some ballot boxes not being properly sealed. Giorgi Kandelaki, a spokesman for the Justice Ministry, responded by saying there were "very few violations that could be regarded as serious". After exit polls showed Saakashvili in the lead on Saturday, he declared an early victory, which prompted thousands of protesters to gather in Tbilisi. Gachechiladze spoke at the rally, saying, "We have won despite pressure, despite intimidation, despite televised terror exerted against us." He said that the opposition will contest the results in court and scheduled another rally on January 8, since Georgia celebrates Christmas on Monday. Alcee Hastings, United States Congressman and coordinator of OSCE, called for the protesters to regard the election as legitimate and for the government to institute electoral reforms in time for upcoming parliamentary elections. "I perceive this election as a viable expression of free choice of the Georgian people, but the future holds immense challenges," Hastings said. |
Meanwhile, her older sister, Atlantis, is waiting on official approval - following the post-Focused Inspection recommendation - to have an EVA repair to an unstitched piece of OMS Pod blanket (see newsflash), the only TPS issue with the orbiter, while EVA-1 has seen the successful move of the Columbus module on to the ISS. Shuttle orbiter Endeavour has rolled over to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in preparation for her STS-123 mission, due to launch in just over a month's time. **The most comprehensive collection of Shuttle, Ares, Orion and ISS related presentations and mission documentation, plus expansive daily processing documentation and updates are available to download on L2 ** **Click here for sample of L2 menu and content** **STS-122 Special: 29 Flight Readiness Review (FRR) Presentations, Baselines and Mission Overviews. **Click here for FRR overview articles: Article 1 - Article 2 ** Payload Presentations and vast amounts of live, uploaded images and presentations, movies (several) - already 3400 megabytes strong** **STS-122 MMT Level LIVE now active. STS-123 L2 Special Build-up in full swing (MOD FRR Presentations and Processing). **LIVE updates on Atlantis STS-122 FLIGHT DAY SPECIFIC** **LIVE news updates on Endeavour STS-123 Processing** STS-122 ECO related news content (all exclusives): *Scrub 1* - *MMT Debate* - *Scrub 2* - *Hale Memo* - *Forward Plan* - *Culprit Found* - *Tanking Test* - *Repair Options* - *MAF Plan* - *PRCB Debate* - *Plan Approved* - *Repair Schedule* - *Launch Date* - *New Issue* - *Hale Rallying Call* - *PRCB Launch Dates* - *New Connector Installed* - *Positive Test Results* - *Manifest Impacts* - *Optimism with forward plan* - *Flight Rationale* - *Repairs Finalizing* - *Root Cause Confirmed* STS-122: Hose related news content (all exclusives): *Issue found/fleet to be checked (December)* - *Atlantis found to have problem* - *Managers discuss forward plan* - *Use of pole to aid retract* - *Successful Retraction* STS-122 Newsflashes: OPO meeting at midday Tuesday to clear the OMS Pod to re-enter as-is. New article shortly. STS-122 TPS Latest: Flight Day 4's Focused Inspection on the blanket shows that it has unstitched from the Pod's structure in a similar fashion to STS-117's incident - again with Atlantis - on the opposite side of the vehicle. Had it been just the outer layer, it would have reduced the need for an EVA repair. Should a spacewalk be called, it would likely be incorporated into one of the upcoming EVAs, with the 'pushing back and pinning down with staples' of the blanket a task that would take around couple of hours. The official decision on whether to repair or leave as-is will likely be taken today or tomorrow. 'RH OMS Blanket focused inspection was performed Sunday to confirm the blanket is raised,' noted information on Monday morning. 'The current recommendation is to only do a staple repair as was done on a previous flight, but only if the analysis team deems it necessary.' *Click here to read the articles on the STS-117 OMS Pod issue* Regardless, this is still one of the cleanest missions to date, with every other element of the vehicle examined during Flight Day 2 Inspections and Flight Day 3 RPM imagery evaluations cleared - or in the process of being cleared - for re-entry. 'TPS damage noted on the RH Inboard Elevon was cleared by analysis,' added documentation. 'TPS damage noted at five locations around windows #3 and #4. Two of the five locations are being looked at closer.' ET Umbilical Well imagery - downloaded last night following an issue with a hard drive - showed ET-125 performed well. The images, acquired by L2, do show a couple of area of interest, as per usual for the ETs, but overall, ET-125 suffered very little foam liberation. Atlantis herself is performing extremely well, with only a few minor issues reported, ranging from a thermostat failure that will be replaced once the orbiter is back inside her OPF (Orbiter Processing Facility), to the rebooting of a problemative GPC (General Purpose Computer) number 3. 'Drain Line Heater Anomaly - this problem is a non issue for this mission and is a confirmed thermostat failure which will require R&R upon return to KSC,' noted documentation on Monday morning. 'Space-to-Space Orbiter Radio (SSOR) lost lock on string 1. String 2 continues to perform nominally. Troubleshooting on SSOR string 2 is expected later in the mission but no earlier than FD-08. 'GPC#3 dropped when brought up for rendezvous; suspect bad mode switch on Panel O6. GPC#4 was used instead for the rendezvous.' (GPC#3 is being rebooted, following a data dump, noted shuttle deputy manager John Shannon). EVA-1 (Follow every second on our interactive live event pages): Back on orbit, the first spacewalk of the mission has begun, with the delayed EVA-1, moved back 24 hours due to an illness to spacewalker Hans Schlegel. He has been replaced for the EVA by Stanley Love. EVA-1 is scheduled to begin at 09:35 EST. The unberth and installation of the Columbus module is planned for 14:10 EST. At the start of the EVA, the spacewalkers will set-up the installation of the PDGF (Power Data Grapple Fixture) by translating to the payload bay, disconnecting the LTA heater cables from the Columbus module (starts the thermal clock), before removing the Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM) seal covers, and releasing the PDGF from the sidewall carrier. The spacewalkers will then install the PDGF on the Columbus module in preparation for the grapple by the SSRMS (Space Station Arm). Once the crew has completed the PDGF install, they translate up to P1 and begin the prep work to remove the NTA (Nitrogen Tank Assembly). As a result of clearance issues with the removal of the Columbus Module out of the payload bay, the KU dish is stowed prior to the start of EVA-1. The KU dish is then deployed on FD06 after the SSRMS releases the Columbus Module. The module has now been moved from Atlantis payload bay and installed into its position on the International Space Station. Endeavour/STS-123: Endeavour, only recently cleared to rollover due to a HEPA filter contamination issue, has now arrived inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), following an on time departure from her OPF. 'Final power down for rollover was completed Friday. Vent doors 8 & 9 were opened Friday for orbiter positive pressure tests. The -Y star tracker door was cycled open then closed Friday for inspections and sampling,' noted Monday morning processing information. Boroscope of the FWD purge circuit ducting (FRCS cavity) is complete, no debris was found, duct reconfigure is also complete. Orbiter Structural Leak test was completed successfully on Sunday morning. Orbiter/OTS transporter ops occurred Saturday, with roll over first motion planned for approximately 0700 this morning.' STS-123 will be a four EVA mission, with the allowance for a fifth contingency spacewalk. Interestingly, NASA managers will discuss the possibility of adding the T-RAD (Tile Repair) demonstration to this mission. Thanks to the successful debut of the SSPTS (Station-Shuttle Power Transfer System) modification on Endeavour during STS-118, NASA managers were able to extend the mission duration for STS-123, allowing for four baselined EVAs, utilized to carry out 'get aheads' from STS-124. Further changes to the mission allowed for the addition of over 4,000lbs of payload to the payload bay sidewalls. 'Assuming full SSPTS capability and ISS power availability, the ISS Program requested to extend the mission duration in order to accommodate additional tasks that were originally scheduled to occur after STS-123 undocked from ISS, including: ISS rack transfers. ELM-PS activation and reconfiguration. SPDM activation and checkout. Prepare JEM-PM system racks for removal from ELM-PS. 'Extends the STS-123 mission by two days, from 13+1+2 to 15+1+2, in order to pull activities from the 1J/A stage back into the 1 J/A mission to take advantage of the SSPTS capability. It also adds five new sidewall payloads (SSRMS Yaw Joint, DCSU, BCDU, Misse 6, RIGEX) to the manifest,' added presentations on the mission. 'RIGEX - Rigidizable Inflatable Get-Away-Special Experiment: The RIGEX system is a self-contained, automated experiment intended to collect data on space inflated and rigidized structures. 'The experiment consists of three inflatable tubes that transition from structurally stiff to flexible at a transition temperature of 125 degrees C. RIGEX will fly inside the DoD?s Canister for All Payload Ejections (CAPE) attached to the cargo bay sidewall, but does not deploy. 'MISSE 6 - Materials International Space Station Experiment: The objective of MISSE is to expose materials to the space environment for long durations (12-18 months). 'The MISSE flight hardware consists of a pair of trays with test specimens mounted inside a reusable Passive Experiment Carrier (PEC) and attached to an ISS WIF. The PEC is a suitcase-like container that transports experiments (test specimens) via the Space Shuttle to and from the ISS. 'Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) Yaw Joint: ISS spare prepositioned to protect against a future failure of an existing SSRMS Yaw Joint. 'Direct Current Switching Unit (DCSU): ISS spare prepositioned to protect against future failure of an existing DCSU - provides primary and secondary power distribution on ISS. 'Battery Charge Discharge Unit (BCDU): ISS spare prepositioned to protect against a future failure of an existing BCDU controls the charging and discharging of the power channel batteries on ISS.' ||||| Spacewalkers work to install robot arm fixture BY WILLIAM HARWOOD STORY WRITTEN FOR CBS NEWS "SPACE PLACE" & USED WITH PERMISSION Posted: February 11, 2008 Two hours into today's spacewalk, astronauts Rex Walheim and Stan Love have finished setting up tools and equipment and are preparing to install a grapple fixture on the side of the Columbus research module in Atlantis' cargo bay. "Welcome to spacewalking, buddy," Walheim, veteran of two previous spacewalks, told Love, making his first, as the excursion began. "Wow," Love marveled at the view of Southeast Asia 210 miles below. "Pretty slick." "It's awesome." Love, anchored to the end of the space station's robot arm, released the grapple fixture from its mounting point on the side of the cargo bay and plans to bring it to the European lab module where Walheim is removing the first of two panels to permit the fixture's attachment. The power and data grapple fixture, or PDGF, will be attached with four expandable fasteners. Once it's in place, a second debris shield will be removed so two electrical cables can be connected to provide power from the robot arm to heaters in the Columbus module. The heaters will keep systems in Columbus from getting too cold during the slow move up to the space station. Once bolted to the Harmony module, Columbus will be plugged into normal station power. After the two debris shields are re-installed, the astronauts will remove eight covers protecting the common berthing mechanism hardware on Columbus that will help attach the module to the station. Love then will get off the robot arm and stow the foot restraint. At that point, Walheim and Love will be done with Columbia preparations. After returning to the Quest airlock module to swap out tools, they will make their way up to the station's main solar power truss to set up tools and hardware needed for the planned changeout of a nitrogen tank during a second spacewalk Wednesday. Robot arm operators Leland Melvin and Dan Tani, meanwhile, will press ahead with moving Columbus up to the Harmony module's right-side port so motorized bolts can pull the lab into place. That work is scheduled for late this afternoon. While the astronauts were busy in orbit, engineers rolled the shuttle Endeavour from its processing hangar into the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center today for attachment to an external tank and two solid-fuel rocket boosters. If all goes well, Endeavour will be hauled to launch pad 39A next week. Liftoff on the next space station assembly mission is targeted for 2:28 a.m. on March 11. ||||| Station arm pulls Columbus module from cargo bay BY WILLIAM HARWOOD STORY WRITTEN FOR CBS NEWS "SPACE PLACE" & USED WITH PERMISSION Posted: February 11, 2008 Atlantis astronaut Leland Melvin, a former college football star drafted by the Detroit Lions, used the international space station's robot arm today to carefully pull the European Space Agency's Columbus research module out of the shuttle's cargo bay. Working with careful deliberation, Melvin, assisted by outgoing station astronaut Dan Tani and his replacement, Leopold Eyharts, slowly inched the 28,200-pound module out of the cargo bay at 2:56 p.m. using a grapple fixture that was attached to the bus-size laboratory earlier today by spacewalkers Rex Walheim and Stan Love. It was the first step in a carefully choreographed sequence of maneuvers to move the module to the front of the station for attachment to the right side of the Harmony connecting module. "Columbus has started its trip to the new world," Tani quipped as the Canadian-built robot arm slowly pulled the module free. "All right," one of the spacewalkers replied. The 22.5-foot-long Columbus will add some 2,600 cubic feet of volume to the station after it is pulled into place by motorized bolts. Built by EADS Space Transportation, Columbus was launched with four European science racks and one European storage rack in place. NASA later will install five racks of its own. The European Space Agency has spent about $2 billion building Columbus, the experiments that will fly in it and the ground control infrastructure necessary to operate them. "The laboratory modules are why we're doing it," NASA Administrator Mike Griffin said last week. "On the space station, it's really two things. It's a place to learn how to live and work in space, which we need to do, and for a long period of time before we go to Mars. It's also a place to do the research we would like to do in a better way than we've been able to do it in the more confined places we've flown in before. "So now, more than a fourth of our laboratory capacity on the station as a whole is going up on this flight. It puts the Europeans into human spaceflight in a visible and permanent way. As you say, it makes the station a truly international collaboration, just every thing about it is good." While Melvin and Tani worked to move Columbus into place for attachment to Harmony, Walheim and Love took a moment to recharge their spacesuit oxygen supplies before moving up to the station's main solar power truss. They plan to set up tools and make preparations to replace a nitrogen tank during a spacewalk Wednesday. The tank was used to pressurize the station's ammonia cooling system and a replacement was launched aboard Atlantis. ||||| Astronauts told to wrap up spacewalk BY WILLIAM HARWOOD STORY WRITTEN FOR CBS NEWS "SPACE PLACE" & USED WITH PERMISSION Posted: February 11, 2008 Running a bit behind schedule, astronauts Rex Walheim and Stan Love were told to defer a few minor tasks to a spacewalk Wednesday and to begin wrapping up a successful spacewalk while crewmate Leland Melvin, operating the space station's robot arm, continued moving the new Columbus module toward its home on the international lab complex. Commander Steve Frick radioed congratulations to Walheim and Love, saying "man, you guys have done an amazing job. We're looking out our window here at Columbus about halfway there. I can't believe how much work you've gotten done on a tough EVA. This has just gone awesome. Can't wait to see you guys back inside." Walheim and Love attached a grapple fixture to the Columbus module, hooked up electrical cables and removed protective covers over the lab's docking mechanism, clearing the way for Melvin to pull the bus-sized module out of the shuttle's cargo bay. After recharging their spacesuit oxygen supplies in the Quest airlock module, the flight plan called for the spacewalkers to make preparations for replacing a nitrogen tank used to pressurize the station's ammonia coolant system. The actual swap out is planned for a second spacewalk Wednesday. But because they were a bit behind schedule, flight controllers asked them to defer disconnecting electrical cables and two ammonia flex hoses. That work will be carried out later this week. Walheim did, however, press ahead with work to unfasten bolts on the tank assembly. Love, making his first spacewalk, was asked to loiter at the airlock a few moments after recharging his oxygen supply, giving him a chance to marvel at the view. "Columbus is on the move!" he exclaimed. "I was not expecting to be watching th e install from this perspective." A few minutes later, he alerted flight controllers to what appeared to be a debris impact on an astronaut handrail around the Quest airlock module's outer hatch. "Looks to me like a little impact crater," he said. "It is right where everybody grabs on the way out of the airlock." In recent months, flight controllers have been concerned about unseen sharp edges on the station believed to be responsible for causing small tears in the protective covering on spacesuit gloves. Love was asked to take pictures of the damage, but it's not yet known whether the presumed crater he reported could be responsible for any such glove damage. ||||| Columbus module attached to space station BY WILLIAM HARWOOD STORY WRITTEN FOR CBS NEWS "SPACE PLACE" & USED WITH PERMISSION Posted: February 11, 2008 The European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory module was successfully removed from the shuttle Atlantis' cargo bay today and bolted to its permanent home on the front right side of the international space station to accomplish the primary goal of the year's first shuttle mission. "Columbus is touching the station for the first time," French astronaut Leopold Eyharts radioed at 4:29 p.m. as the station's robot arm, operated by shuttle astronaut Leland Melvin, moved Columbus into position for bolting. "All right!" someone exclaimed. "Good job, guys!" A few minutes later, motorized bolts in the common berthing mechanism engaged to pull Columbus firmly into place on the right-side port of the Harmony connecting module. "Houston and Munich, the European Columbus laboraory module is now part of the ISS," Eyharts radioed at 4:44 p.m. "Beautiful work," astronaut Chris Cassidy called from mission control in Houston. "We see a good A bolting and that finishes our CBM (common berthing mechanism) procedure," Eyharts concluded. "We see the same on the ground, Leo," Cassidy agreed. "Nice job to all involved." After leak checks and preparations inside Harmony, the astronauts plan to open hatches to the new module Tuesday to begin activating the laboratory and its complex systems. Astroantus Rex Walheim and Stan Love, meanwhile, are in the final stages of stowing tethers and tools before repressurizing the Quest airlock module to end an extended spacewalk. | CGI image of the ISS after the installation of ''Columbus'' A spacewalk was conducted today by astronauts Rex Walheim and Stan Love, members of the STS-122 Space Shuttle crew, to install the new Columbus module onto the International Space Station. The spacewalk, or extra-vehicular activity (EVA), began at 14:13 UTC, with the astronauts leaving the ''Quest'' airlock of the Space Station, and starting work to install an attachment point on top of the ''Columbus'' module, to allow it to be moved by the Station's robotic arm. This was completed at 19:00, about an hour later than planned, owing to the installation taking longer than expected. ''Columbus'' was lifted out of the payload bay of ''Atlantis'' at 19:55 UTC, by the Space Station's robotic arm, Canadarm2. Astronaut Dan Tani, controlling Canadarm2 from aboard the ISS remarked "Columbus has started its trip to the new world". At 21:29, ''Columbus'' soft-docked with the Space Station's ''Harmony'' node, and the module finished bolting itself in place by 21:44. Meanwhile, the astronauts performed some tasks to prepare for the next spacewalk, which is currently scheduled for Wednesday. They loosened bolts holding a nitrogen tank in place on the port truss segment of the Station, ahead of its replacement. It was originally planned that they would also disconnect pipes and electrical connections, however these objectives were delayed to Wednesday's spacewalk, due to time constraints. The EVA finished at 22:12 UTC, having lasted seven hours and fifty-eight minutes This marks the 102nd spacewalk as part of the International Space Station programme, and the first of three planned for the STS-122 Shuttle mission. It was originally planned that German astronaut Hans Schlegel would perform the EVA instead of Stan Love, however he was unable to do so due to an undisclosed medical problem. |
Rescuers continued searching for survivors though the night after a powerful aftershock brought two apartment blocks crashing down in the stricken city of L'Aquila, killing one person and causing panic among rescue workers and survivors of Monday's deadly earthquake. Chunks of masonry fell from other damaged buildings, including parts of the basilica, and the tremor - measured by the US Geological Survey at magnitude 5.6 - was felt as far away as Rome. Within minutes the city resounded again to the scream of sirens as police and rescue workers rushed to the scene. Meanwhile, rescue workers were preparing to carry out what one called a "surgical operation" on a collapsed building in the centre of L'Aquila in the hope of saving the lives of four missing students as the overall death toll reached at least 235. Sergio Basti, the Rome fire brigade engineer leading the attempt, said his team aimed to demolish the residence where the students were trapped "bit by bit from the top, like scraping toppings from a pizza". The students' residence has been a focus of the rescue operation since early on Monday, shortly after the earthquake that devastated the city and several of the surrounding towns and villages. The operation was decided on after rescue workers fixed the location of the four students inside the shattered building. But Basti warned: "We do not know whether they are dead or alive." He said relatives of the four young people who were sleeping in the residence when the earthquake struck had been briefed on what was going to happen. The relatives had spent much of the day waiting anxiously, and sometimes tearfully, outside the building among reporters, police and firefighters. Two of the missing were brought out alive from the residence early on Tuesday. Yesterday morning, a third student was found dead. It was the prelude to a day in which the death toll in and around L'Aquila surged higher and the balance shifted perceptibly away from the hope of finding more survivors and towards a more exigent calculation of the risks facing the rescuers. Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister, told a press conference in L'Aquila that the search for the living would go on for another 48 hours. But it was clear that in some places the chances of finding survivors alive had already been written off. Next to the Piazzale Paoli park where a block of flats had collapsed outwards under the force of the shockwaves, an earth mover was vigorously gouging through the rubble in a way that suggested the rescuers no longer feared disturbing survivors. The "surgical operation" at the students' residence was decided on after the fourth aftershock since midnight threatened to bring it crashing down. A rescue worker was attached to a crane and lifted above the four-storey building to make an inspection. Afterwards, a member of the team said the residence had been further weakened by the aftershocks and was being kept up by just one of its concrete pillars. Even before they struck, huge concrete slabs that had once been floors were hanging menacingly over the rubble below in which the rescuers were searching. What chances remained of discovering survivors depended on increasingly delicate probing. A few hundred metres from the students' residence, on the other side of a severely cracked bridge, four Spanish rescue workers were taking a break after working through the night. None of them had slept since the previous morning. They had just emerged from a nearby house after penetrating to the basement. "We are waiting for a special instrument that can pick up vibrations," said Angelina Molina of the Málaga-based voluntary group GEA, as she took a long drag on her cigarette. "It can pick up even the slightest vibration, even that caused by someone scratching his or her nail on a wall," added her colleague Gabriel Leo. The periodic wail of sirens and occasional clatter of a helicopter notwithstanding, L'Aquila was like a ghost town yesterday. Berlusconi said: "Other tremors are possible and the message to the population is not to go back home." By then, however, a few had already dared to do so. Donatella di Sibio, a 33-year-old shop worker, could not bring herself to leave her parrot behind. "The staircase has partly collapsed. It's dangerous," she agreed as the parrot sat contentedly on its perch in a cage at her feet. Di Sibio had even brought out some parrot food, along with a handful of specially treasured possessions that her mother had stuffed in a plastic bag. "That was my grandmother," she said, pointing to a sepia photograph sticking out from the bag. "I've lived there all my life," said Di Sibio, looking at the 18th century building in which she and her parents shared a flat. "We'd just got it done up. We spent a lot of money on restoring it. The work finished last month. And now it's wrecked." ||||| Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Advertisement A powerful aftershock has hit central Italy, nearly two days after a major earthquake caused severe damage. The 5.5-magnitude tremor brought down masonry from already damaged buildings and was felt as far away as Rome. Rescuers are continuing into the night their search for victims trapped in the rubble from Monday's earthquake. Hope remains that more people will be found alive, as Italian media reported that a woman had been found 42 hours after the quake. The woman, named Eleonora, was said to be conscious throughout the operation to rescue her from the debris of a building close to the historic centre of the city of L'Aquila. Earlier Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the operation would continue for a further 48 hours and involve 7,000 rescuers. Rescuers said they needed to get results quickly to prevent further problems for those affected. "We're a bit tired," Fabrizio Curcio, director of the civil protection emergency bureau told AFP news agency. "But frankly, fatigue is not a major concern... We're running on adrenaline. There's still a long road ahead of us." More than 200 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured. One-hundred-and-fifty people have been pulled alive from the rubble. The head of the Italian Red Cross, Francesco Rocha, said 20,000 people were homeless and it could be months or even years before they were all back in their own homes. More than 10,000 buildings have been destroyed - mostly in L'Aquila. As rescue efforts continued: A 98-year-old woman was pulled out alive in L'Aquila after being trapped for 30 hours, local media report. She spent the time crocheting Four students have been located in a collapsed university hall of residence, but remain trapped under large chunks of masonry, the Associated Press reports. It is not known whether they are alive or dead A 23-year-old student was pulled alive with the help of specialist cavers from the rubble of a four-storey building in L'Aquila more than 22 hours after the quake struck L'Aquila and the surrounding area were without water Serious risks Latest from Dominic Hughes in Fossa, a village near L'Aquila Successes are becoming rarer. At two o'clock this morning a woman was rescued by a team of expert cavers after a long and painstaking operation to remove huge slabs of concrete. But with every passing hour the likelihood of finding survivors is reduced. Apart from the search for survivors the most urgent task is to find some kind of accommodation for thousands of people who are now unable to return to their damaged homes. Earlier Mr Berlusconi, appearing at a news conference in L'Aquila, thanked all involved in the rescue effort. "There have been serious risks for the lives of those who are carrying out the rescue operation so far, inside buildings that have been damaged and, following another tremor, could easily collapse," he said. "So therefore this is a very dangerous situation for the rescuers." He said that starting from Wednesday specialists would start checking individual buildings. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Mr Berlusconi has refused foreign aid, saying Italians were "proud people" and had sufficient resources to deal with the crisis. But AFP news agency quoted him as saying he could accept funds from Washington to help restore historical buildings. Between 3,000 and 10,000 buildings are thought to have been damaged in L'Aquila, making the 13th-Century city of 70,000 uninhabitable for some time. Are you affected? Are you in L'Aquila, Onna or Castelnuovo? Are you involved in rescue or relief operations? You can send us your comments about your experiences using the form below: You can send pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk ,text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can click here to upload . Click here to see terms and conditions At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Name Your E-mail address Town & Country Phone number (optional): Comments ||||| Backgrounder: Chronology of major earthquakes since 2008 ・A strong aftershock was felt in Italy's Abruzzo region on Tuesday. ・The death toll rose to more than 200 as rescue operations entered into the second day. ・"Already 150 people have been extracted and saved from the ruins," Berlusconi said. ROME, April 7 (Xinhua) -- A strong aftershock with a magnitude of 5.5 to 5.7 on the MMS scale was felt in Italy's Abruzzo region as rescue operations entered into the second day on Tuesday. While death toll rose to more than 200. A view of Santa Maria Paganica church, damaged after an earthquake in the Abruzzo capital L'Aquila April 7, 2009. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>> Italian Primier Silvio Berlusconi called for national solidarity "to face the situation by ourselves." Local media confirmed that the aftershock in the evening damaged an ancient-time church and many houses partly damaged by Monday's main earthquake totally destroyed. Earlier in the day, Berlusconi said the danger is not over yet. "There can be other small earthquakes in coming days, so it is better that people do not return home," he told local residents. "The victims so far are 207," Berlusconi told a press conference earlier in the day in L'Aquila when visiting the towns hit by Monday's earthquake. "Of these victims, 190 have been identified while other 17 remain unidentified, 15 people are missing and there are more than1,000 injured, 100 of which are in serious conditions," he said. "Civil protection men are working hard and for the next 48 hours rescuers will search for other survivors," said Berlusconi. "More than 7,000 men are at work," he said. "These people risk their lives and I want to congratulate myself with them, they are doing an extraordinary job considering the frequent ground movements complicate rescuing operations." "Already 150 people have been extracted and saved from the ruins," he added. "In this hard moment we must all react with facts and actions. Rescue teams are saving everyone, no one will be left alone and this is the most important thing," he said. At the press briefing, Berlusconi also said "there are no problems regarding financial aid. The government has already activated the natural calamities' fund to face housing reconstruction and survivors' needs. "We must do all we can to guarantee a rapid help to those that are still under the ruins of the buildings. Rescue efforts are constant and must never cease, our men are using optic fiber video-cameras to search underground," he said. Talking about the progress of rescue work, Berlusconi said "1,000 firemen and 4,000 rescuers are being employed" in the areas hit by the earthquake. People rest outdoors after an earthquake caused the collapse of St. Salvatore Hospital in Aquila April 6, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>> He also said "the first' new town', envisaged in the national housing plan, will soon be constructed near L'Aquila" to host families that have lost their houses in the tremor. There will be a great contribution from the private building sector as well, he added. Regarding entrepreneurs who have lost their job, the premier said the "government will include in the unemployment benefits' reform financial help for Abruzzo's businessmen whose economic activities have been destroyed." The problem of listing damaged cultural monuments will be faced in a second moment. "People come first, this is our slogan," said Berlusconi. "Only then we will think of reconstructing Abruzzo's national heritage." In the other developments, rescuers on Tuesday officially called a halt to the rescue operation in Onna, the small town nearL'Aquila which was worst hit in Monday's earthquake. Forty people died from a population of 350 in the town, which is situated 10 kilometers from the Abruzzo capital of L'Aquila. Firemen said they would now concentrate on removing rubble and securing buildings in the remains of Onna, where plaster continued to crumble as aftershocks continued on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, the civil protection department said inspections of homes and public buildings damaged in Monday's earthquake will begin on Wednesday and residents will be allowed back to their homes if they are found to be safe. Natale Mazzei of the department's emergency office said over 200 teams of experts would be conducting the inspections. Also on Tuesday, Vincenzo Ferrini, head of earth science at Rome's La Sapienza University, said Rome is largely protected from earthquakes with their epicenter in the neighboring region of Abruzzo thanks to its bedrock of sedimentary tuff rock. A rescuer holds a painting retrieved from the damaged Santa Maria Church in the old city of L'Aquila, Italy, on April 7, 2009. Rescuers were trying to save artifacts from buildings devastated in a strong quake that claimed 235 lives so far in central Italy.(Xinhua/Wu Wei) Photo Gallery>>> "In and around Rome the ground is less favorable to the transfer of seismic waves because the area rests on volcanic tuff and not on calcareous rock," he said. "We can be relatively unworried," he said. However, had the earthquake's epicenter been 50 km rather than 100 km from Rome, Ferrini said the damage to the capital would have been significantly greater, although "not completely destructive." "Cupolas could have fallen and there could have been damage to the Colosseum," he said. Ferrini said that aftershocks from Monday's main quake 100 kilometers away in Abruzzo would likely continue to make themselves felt in Rome. "For that reason we need to watch out for falling cornices and plaster, which has happened in rare cases in the last few hours," he said. Several buildings in Rome were evacuated as a precaution on Tuesday after a strong aftershock registering 4.7 on the MMS scale was felt in the capital. Monday's main earthquake, which registered 6.2 on the MMS scale, was clearly felt in Rome. Three people cover themselves with a blanket as they take a rest in L'aquila, Italy, early April 7, 2009. (Xinhua/Wu Wei) Photo Gallery>>> PM: Italy quake toll climbs to 207, rescue goes on ROME, April 7 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in Monday's strong earthquake that hit central Italy has risen to 207 with 15 still missing, Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said Tuesday. Of some 1,500 injured, 100 are in serious condition, Berlusconi told a news conference at the epicenter L'Aquila. Full story A rescuer carries two paintings retrieved from the damaged Santa Maria Church in the old city of L'Aquila, Italy, on April 7, 2009. Rescuers were trying to save artifacts from buildings devastated in a strong quake that claimed 235 lives so far in central Italy. (Xinhua/Wu Wei) Photo Gallery>>> [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] | An aftershock with a magnitude of 5.6 shook Central Italy on Tuesday, nearly 48 hours after a major 6.3 quake hit the country. Earlier in the day, another aftershock of 4.2 was also reported. The death toll from the quakes has now surpassed 200 with thousands of others injured. At least one person was killed in the aftershock. The aftershock caused two apartment blocks to collapse in the city of L'Aquila, and slabs of masonry fell from other damaged buildings. Local media reported that an old church and many houses were also damaged. The shaking was felt as far away as Rome. Francessco Rocha, the head of the Italian Red Cross, estimated that 20,000 people had lost their homes, and it may be many months before they can return to them. "The victims so far are 207," said the premier of Italy, Silvio Berlusconi, at a press conference. "Of these victims, 190 have been identified while other 17 remain unidentified, 15 people are missing and there are more than 1,000 injured, 100 of which are in serious conditions," said Rocha. "Civil protection men are working hard and for the next 48 hours rescuers will search for other survivors," added Berlusconi. "More than 7,000 men are at work. These people risk their lives and I want to congratulate myself with them, they are doing an extraordinary job considering the frequent ground movements complicate rescuing operations. Already 150 people have been extracted and saved from the ruins." The 6.3-magnitude quake on April 6 is the deadliest quake to strike Italy since November 23, 1980. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in a magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck Southern Italy in the Irpinia region. At least 10,000 were injured in that earthquake, with over 300,000 being left homeless. |
In one of the wildest and most chaotic Formula One qualifying sessions in recent memory, Ferrari driver Felipe Massa was struck in the helmet by a flying piece of debris and then he crashed hard into the tire wall. Massa was seen waving to the crowd afterwards, but he was seriously injured and is officially out of Sunday's race. Meanwhile, almost overshadowed by everyone's concern for the popular Brazilian driver Massa, Renault's Fernando Alonso grabbed his first pole of the 2009 season, just fractions of a second ahead of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel. Mark Webber, also with Red Bull, will start from the 3rd spot. Adding to the incredible chaos, towards the end of the 3rd knockout session of qualifying, all official timing mysteriously failed, leaving everyone involved, drivers, teams, F1 officials, the Speed TV announcers and fans, in a guessing game trying to figure out who exactly would be sitting on pole. The Massa accident happens in the wake of the tragic fatal incident last week, when 18 year old F2 driver Henry Surtees was killed by a flying wheel that also struck the driver in the helmet. Naturally, the main concern at the track for everyone involved is the condition of Felipe, who apparently was temporarily knocked unconscious by debris that flew off the Brawn race car driven by fellow Brazilian Rubens Barrichello. Rubens was very concerned with Massa's condition after the race, "He was very agitated," said Barrichello according to a quote obtained by Britain's Daily Telegraph. "He had a cut in his head, which could have been from the part of my car that was on the track. He was talking, was conscious, but they have to analyze the cut (in hospital). He was moving his arms and legs, they had to make him sleep because he was agitated..." The Massa incident occurred during the end of the second knockout qualifying session. Speed TV had a very scary replay that was even scarier when shown in super slow motion. Felipe was approaching the notorious 4th turn at the Hungaroring, when the piece of debris, which appeared to be a large metal suspension spring, flew up off the track, striking Massa in the helmet. The Ferrari driver was thought to be temporarily knocked out, as his car then careened off track. Luckily only seconds later, Felipe appeared to regain consciousness, as he applied the brakes to the car, slowing the car down somewhat before the Ferrari struck the tire barriers at high speed. One shudders to think what may have happened if Massa was not able to recover enough to use the brakes. According to reports from after the qualifying session, the cut on his face was near Massa's eye, and that area on his face was noticeably swollen. But the good news is reports from the hospital indicate Felipe is stable, however, it has been confirmed by the Ferrari team that he will not be racing in Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix. As if the wild scene surrounding Massa's accident was not dramatic enough, as the final knockout session expired, so did all the official timing, leaving a wild scene in the pits, with drivers exchanging their times among each other, trying to determine who had the best time! Alonso seemed pretty confident that he had the pole, as he pulled right into the pole winner's parking space, and then ran around asking all the other drivers, including this year's points leader, Jenson Button, Red Bull drivers Vettel and Webber, Lewis Hamilton and even Bernie Ecclestone, asking them all what they thought the various team's timings showed! Eventually, it was determined that Fernando did indeed secure the surprise pole, with the two Red Bulls close behind. Lurking just behind the Red Bulls in the 4th spot is the KERS enabled McLaren of Lewis Hamilton, who landed his best grid position of the year. Williams driver Nico Rosberg also has his best grid start of the year in 5th, as does Hamilton team mate Heikki Kovalainen in the 6th spot. Meanwhile, both Brawn cars continue to struggle, with Jenson Button managing 8th and Barrichello way back in 13th. Massa's Ferrari team mate Kimi Raikkonen will start in 7th, ahead of Button. Williams driver Kaz Nakajima rounds out the top 9. With a huge sigh of relief that Felipe is OK, there is the absolutely chilling realization that this incident comes just on the heels of the Henry Surtees tragedy. Another reminder of the inherent dangers of open wheel motorsports, despite all the safety built in to today's race cars, the driver's head is still exposed to the dangers of flying debris or even a flying race car itself. But with Massa considered safe for the moment, thoughts turn to what will unfold in Sunday's race. Once again, the start will be crucial, without doubt, Alonso, Vettel and Webber will have one eye in their mirrors looking for the 2 KERS McLaren slingshots driven by Hamilton and Kovalainen. If the leaders can hold them off, especially by the first turn and for the rest of the first lap or two, the Renault and the Red Bulls should consider a podium finish very likely. If not, McLaren may be able to unveil yet another surprise in Hungary. Lewis should be considered the bigger threat of the two, he is known for his daring starts, and his car is only 2/10's behind Fernando. This race will be a blast to watch, plenty of drama on tap for Sunday, I cannot wait to watch this one! UPDATE 7/29/09 2:29 PM: AP Report- Massa has successful surgery on fractured skull: Felipe Massa completed successful surgery after fracturing his skull in a high-speed crash Saturday at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Italian team says the 28-year-old Brazilian driver will remain in intensive care, although it does not know how long he will stay under observation. He was conscious and in stable condition when he arrived at AEK hospital by helicopter with a concussion..... Starting Grid for the 2009 Hungarian Grand Prix: 1. Fernando Alonso Spain Renault-Renault 1:21.569 2. Sebastian Vettel Germany Red Bull-Renault 1:21.607 3. Mark Webber Australia Red Bull-Renault 1:21.74 4. Lewis Hamilton Britain McLaren-Mercedes 1:21.839 5. Nico Rosberg Germany Williams-Toyota 1:21.890 6. Heikki Kovalainen Finland McLaren-Mercedes 1:22.095 7. Kimi Raikkonen Finland Ferrari-Ferrari 1:22.468 8. Jenson Button Britain Brawn-Mercedes 1:22.511 9. Kazuki Nakajima Japan Williams-Toyota 1:22.835 10. Felipe Massa Brazil Ferrari-Ferrari no time Q3 11. Sebastien Buemi Switzerland Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:21.002s 12. Jarno Trulli Italy Toyota-Toyota 1m 21.082 13. Rubens Barrichello Brazil Brawn-Mercedes 1:21.222 14. Timo Glock Germany Toyota-Toyota 1m 21.242s 15 Nelson Piquet Jr Brazil Renault-Renault 1:21.389 16. Nick Heidfeld Germany BMW Sauber 1:21.738 17. Giancarlo Fisichella Italy Force India-Mercedes 1:21.807 18. Adrian Sutil Germany Force India-Mercedes 1:21.868 19. Robert Kubica Poland BMW Sauber 1:21.901 20. Jaime Alguersuari Spain Toro Rosso-Ferrari 1:22.359 ||||| Henry Surtees, son of 1964 Formula 1 champion John Surtees, has been killed in a horror crash during a Formula 2 race at Brands Hatch. Fotogalerie Vergrößern Henry Surtees († 18) F1 legend's son dies in horror crash in Brands Hatch Foto: 1 von 9 Henry died hours after the horrific accident from severe head injuries. On lap nine Jack Clarke lost control of his car on the Westfield Bend crashing into the barriers and sending parts of his car flying into the air. His back-left wheel flew off and hit Surtees in the head who was in the car just behind. He was going too fast to get out of the way. The 18-year-old lost consciousness and on the next corner his out-of-control car crashed into the tyre wall. The other drivers intially drove on as the race continued. ‘Eurosport’ was broadcasting the event live and their commentators suspected that something bad had happened: “I fear that he got the tyre in his head. It is a very very dangerous situation,” said one. The young driver's visor was totally smashed by the tyre. Rescuers rushed to the scene as the safety car took to the circuit and Surtees was airlifted to the Royal London hospital. But despite the quick response it was too late. It is a tragic loss for his dad John Surtees, (75), who became an F1 legend after winning the world championship for Ferrari. The teenager had a bright racing career ahead of him. Just one day before the tragic accident occurred he achieved his first Formula 2 podium finish. ||||| FORMULA ONE newcomer Jaime Alguersuari is paying an emotional tribute to his pal Henry Surtees, who was tragically killed on a race track. The Spaniard, 19, had the message 'Ciao Henry' on his helmet as he made his Grand Prix bow during practice in Hungary yesterday. Surtees, 18, the son of Formula One and motorbike legend John, died after being struck by a loose tyre while racing in F2 at Brands Hatch last Sunday. Alguersuari was a team-mate of Surtees in F3 last year. The Toro Rosso driver said: "This weekend was going to be perhaps the best of my life. "But now there is a shadow. My prayers go out to his family and for everyone involved in motorsport. "Henry was a big friend. I spent a day at Alton Towers with him and we had good fun but he was also a very talented driver - very strong. "I never expected something like this to happen. It is a sad day and sad season for everyone in motorsport. "I will try to do my best in the future and for the Surtees family this weekend." Inexperienced Alguersuari had been branded a danger by other drivers having been given his Grand Prix break after just two straight line aero tests. But he hit back at his critics after coming through his baptism with flying colours on the searingly-hot Hungaroring track in Budapest. The Barcelona-born driver said: "I don't think I'm a danger. But I don't care what other people said. "I know what my expectations are and what my target is. I didn't make any mistakes and I hope I don't in the race. "At the end my target is to drive the car and limit mistakes. Then we will talk about times and speed. "I just did not want to go into a barrier and end my weekend early." Alguersuari finished bottom of the time-sheets after racking up 82 laps. Advertisement The rookie's only blemish came when he stalled at the top of the pit lane and he was just 0.8secs off the pace set by team-mate Sebastien Buemi. While Alguersuari is just starting out in F1, Rubens Barrichello is beginning to think about retirement. The Brazilian, 37, has made 276 GP starts over 17 years. The Brawn driver said: "Ninety five per cent of my feelings are to keep on. But five per cent tells me 'Why do you need it?' "It's something that's on my mind, even though it's only five per cent. But next year is too far away for me to decide anything." | File photo of Fernando Alonso (2009) Hungaroring Renault driver Fernando Alonso takes pole in a qualification session on Saturday for tomorrow's 2009 ING Magyar Nagydij at Hungaroring, Budapest, Hungary. Two Red Bull cars also with Renault engines are right on the back of the Spaniard. McLaren-Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Heikki Kovalainen are split by Nico Rosberg's Williams 5th on the starting grid. Kimi Raikkonen qualified 7th for Ferrari. Felipe Massa (2008) His teammate Felipe Massa was taken out of the track by a medical helicopter after a violent crash straight into the wall of tyres. A Ferrari spokesman says Brazilian driver "will remain in intensive care, although the team does not know how long he will stay under observation. He was conscious and in stable condition when he arrived at AEK hospital by helicopter with a concussion." Later Massa underwent a successful surgery on fractured skull. It was said Massa was knocked unconscious after debris striked his helmet. On Sunday July 19, Formula Two driver Henry Surtees, 18 year old son of 1964 Formula One champion John Surtees, died in hospital after suffering severe head injuries. During the race at Brands Hatch Jack Clarke crashed his car into the wall and sent one of its wheels across the circuit. The wheel impacted precisely with the head of Surtees. The F1 rookie driver Jaime Alguersuari, who was a team-mate of Surtees at the British F3 season finale at Donington Park last year, and now will drive a Toro Rosso in a race for the first time, wrote the words of tribute to his friend saying "Ciao Henry" on his helmet. Championship leader Jenson Button will start from 8th place for Brawn; his worst qualifying of the 2009 season. |
Days of torrential rain in southern India have left vast tracts of land devastated and displaced million of people, officials said Monday as the death toll from flooding rose to 222. In Karnataka, the worst-hit of two Indian states, 172 people have been reported dead and more than 50,000 are staying in relief camps, according to government spokesman R.V. Jagdish. Hundreds of thousands more have sought shelter in the homes of friends and relatives. Meanwhile, in neighboring Andhra Pradesh, state chief minister K. Rosaiah said 50 people have been reported dead and around 1.5 million have been displaced and were sheltering in 100 relief camps. “We have never experience anything like this before. It is the worst flooding in 100 years,” reported Ambrose Christy, south zonal manager for anti-poverty group Caritas India. “The situation could become even more severe as the rains get worst. If the Krishna River bursts its banks, millions more will be forced from their homes and a huge area of land will be underwater.” With scores of villages in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka submerged by the floods, whole villages have already been forced to seek shelter in crowded government-run relief camps. Caritas Internationalis, a confederation of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service groups, estimated that over 2.5 million people have been forced from their homes due to heavy rains and flooding in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. World Vision, meanwhile, reported that the South India floods have destroyed crops and impacted some 20 million people, with scores of villages cut off. “What is needed is a massive coordinated response involving the federal and central governments, and local and international NGOs to make sure food aid gets through," commented Dr. Jayakumar Christian, National Director for World Vision India. World Vision is hoping to raise $2 million to ramp up its response to meet the immediate needs of 100,000 flood survivors who have been driven from their homes into relief camps. "Rates of malnourishment are already extremely high in India. Almost half of all under-fives are malnourished and these droughts and floods are pushing families to the very edge,” Christian stated. According to the World Vision leader, the organization is witnessing its development work and efforts to combat poverty set back by years. "India is now entering a period of severe food vulnerability," he reported. ||||| The floods in southern India are said to be the worst in 100 years [AFP] The worst floods to hit southern India in a century have made 2.5 million people homeless and left 250 dead. At least five million people are crammed in temporary government shelters after heavy rains last week triggered flooding that swamped millions of acres of cropland. "These are the worst floods in 100 years," said Dharmana Prasada Rao, Andhra Pradesh's minister for revenue and relief. In video Relief officials used helicopters and boats to drop off rations and plastic sheets to hundreds of marooned villagers in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the worst-hit states. Officials and relief agencies said flood victims – including about 2.5 million people from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh who have lost their homes - were now sheltered in over 1,200 temporary camps. On Monday, rescue workers used about 300,000 sandbags to fortify weakening embankments of the Krishna river that flows close to Vijayawada, a city of about a million people in Andhra Pradesh and an important trading centre. More than 50,000 people were trapped by floodwaters near the city, according to The Times of India, with many villages along the bank under 2m of water. Rescue workers had earlier moved more than 200,000 people living close to the river and an alert was raised in about 100 villages situated along it. Officials said vast areas of agricultural land, including sugarcane and paddy fields, were under water. Media reports quoted officials as saying that billion of dollars were needed for relief and reconstruction. | Two and a half million people have been displaced and over 250 people were killed following the heaviest flooding to hit southern India in a hundred years. Karnataka was the state most heavily affected by the floods. R.V. Jagdish, a government spokesman, said that 172 deaths from the rains in the state were reported, and fifty thousand people are living in relief camps. The neighbouring state of Andhra Pradesh reported at least fifty flood-related deaths. 1.5 million people residing in 100 relief camps across that state, chief minister K. Rosaiah said. Relief crews dispatched boats and helicopters to send rations to large numbers of villagers left stranded after torrential rains. No less than five million people have been sent to temporary government shelter areas following the heavy rains, which had flooded millions of acres of cropland. Ambrose Christy, the south zonal manager for anti-poverty group Caritas India, said that “we have never experience anything like this before. It is the worst flooding in 100 years. The situation could become even more severe as the rains get worst. If the Krishna River bursts its banks, millions more will be forced from their homes and a huge area of land will be underwater.” |
The season-ending 2010 FORMULA 1 ETIHAD AIRWAYS ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX captured the attention of the global sports audience. Casual viewers and die-hard fans alike gathered to watch a thrilling showdown from one of the most spectacular settings on the Formula One calendar and our global partners enjoyed some of the largest Formula One audiences of recent seasons. Focusing on the largest five European markets, the results were remarkable. In Spain, an average of nine million viewers watched the live coverage as La Sexta recorded 7.4 million viewers, the highest Formula One audience since Fernando Alonso last challenged for the title at the 2007 finale. Regional broadcaster TV Cataluna added over a million viewers, whilst the regional broadcaster in Alonsos home town of Asturias and TV Valencia contributed a further 400,000 viewers. German broadcaster RTL has gone three full seasons since surpassing the 10 million viewer milestone for F1 coverage; even then it was only achieved once that year. In 2010 that figure has been breached twice, first as Michael Schumacher made his comeback for Mercedes GP in Bahrain and then on Sunday when an average of 10.3 million viewers tuned in, which peaked at 12.1 million when Red Bulls Sebastian Vettel crossed the line to become the youngest-ever world champion. In Italy, Rais live average audience of 10.6 million viewers was comfortably twice as large as the corresponding event in 2009 and with a share of 50 percent it was the most watched Formula One broadcast since 2007. The BBC in the UK recorded its largest audience of the 2010 world championship with 5.3 million viewers and a share of 40 percent, although, this was somewhat lower than the 6.6 million who watched Jenson Button crowned world champion in Brazil last year. In France, TF1 attracted 4.4 million viewers and a peak of 5.6 million, a total bettered just once this season at the championship-opening 2010 FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX. ||||| Here, after all, is a young man, already dubbed ‘Baby Schumi’ by Germany’s tabloid press, winning the first of what will presumably be multiple world championships, and all at the tender age of 23. Plenty of time yet to match Schumacher's incredible haul of seven world titles. And yet, their phenomenal ability to drive racing cars apart, there is little similarity between the two men. Vettel is careful always to compliment his elder compatriot, crediting him with having been the inspiration behind his entry into the sport. But from the moment he first raced for BMW at Indianapolis in 2007, becoming F1’s youngest points scorer in the process, he has rejected the obvious link to the Red Baron. Schumacher is serious, intense and made his name as the most ruthless and aggressive driver F1 has known. Famous for his win-at-all-costs attitude, the 41 year-old returned to the sport this year after a three-year hiatus. Despite appearing to have mellowed, he nearly put former Ferrari team-mate Rubens Barrichello into a wall in Budapest. He said sorry in a prepared statement the next day. Vettel is laid-back, engaging and likes Little Britain. Picked up by Red Bull’s junior driver programme at a tender age, he has more in common with Lewis Hamilton than Schumacher. Like McLaren’s starlet — the man he has replaced as F1’s youngest champion — he was groomed, protected and arrived in F1 a ready-made race winner. Vettel can be petulant — his reaction to Webber’s purple patch in the early summer was a concern — and former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve recently called him “spoilt”. There is no point denying that he is Red Bull’s golden boy, which is why he came off badly in the intra-team battle with Mark Webber. Not much he can do about that. But he is fast maturing. After crashing into Jenson Button at Spa, McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh labelled Vettel the “crash kid”. He knuckled down and hardly put a foot wrong from then on. There are still lingering doubts over his racing ability but with such blistering qualifying pace he is nearly always leading from the front anyway. Vettel is set for multiple world championships. Just don’t call him Baby Schumi. ||||| Sebastian Vettel snatched the drivers' title from the grasp of his rivals after a brilliant drive in the Abu Dhabi night sky ended with glory for Red Bull. The race hinged on a backfiring gamble from Ferrari to bring Fernando Alonso in from fourth for an earlier than expected pit stop, but the Spaniard's hard tyres failed to come to him and he languished in the midfield behind the longer running cars before finishing a disappointing seventh. Vettel made the most of his pole position to lead into the first corner from Hamilton and a fast-starting Jenson Button, who got the jump on Alonso. But the big incident came immediately behind the leaders, Michael Schumacher spinning his Mercedes in an attempt to defend position from team-mate Nico Rosberg. Unable to put the brakes on in time, Tonio Liuzzi ploughed into Schumacher's car, his front wing and nosecone just missing the seven-time world champion's head. It marked the end of a disappointing return to Formula One for Schumacher but it could easily have ended in far worse circumstances. When racing resumed after the safety car period, Vettel was disappearing into the distance, pulling out a second a lap to Alonso by lap eight. Red Bull was the first team to blink on lap 12, Webber coming in for an early tyre change, the Australian paying the price for running his one set of soft tyres longer in qualifying. Four laps later it was Alonso's turn, Ferrari reacting to Red Bull's move and the Spaniard coming out just ahead of Webber. But the pair came out behind Vitaly Petrov and Nico Rosberg, who grabbed a quick stop behind the safety car and, with the tyres failing to come to Alonso, so his title chances disappeared into the Abu Dhabi night. Webber also struggled to make any inroads from the midfield and found himself staring at the Ferrari's gearbox for the rest of the race. In stark contrast, Button's legendary tyre management and race craft paid handsome dividends, the 2009 champion staying out and momentarily grabbing the lead of the race. A frightening collision between Schumacher and Liuzzi at the start brought out the safety car © Getty Images Enlarge But there was no denying Vettel, who once again took the lead after Button's late stop to win the title in style by taking the chequered flag from Hamilton and Button. In truth, it has to be said that Vettel is a deserved world champion and but for some technical misfortunes and unfortunate retirements could well have wrapped up the title earlier in the season. As it was, Vettel won by four points from Alonso with Webber 14 points behind in third. But McLaren's double podium means they finished second in the constructors' standings ahead of Ferrari. For Alonso, the quest for a third drivers' title must wait for 2011 and there will now be no repercussions into the rigged German Grand Prix result. Some may say that justice was done. © ESPN EMEA Ltd. Feeds: ESPNF1 Staff ||||| World Championship Career Profile Now an established race winner, Sebastian Vettel is arguably the star of the new generation of drivers. With a long-term Red Bull contract in place and the rougher edges smoothed it leaves many - himself included - expecting a regular wins and even a championship. He started his career in karting before moving to Formula BMW in 2003 taking rookie honours; he followed that up by winning 18 of the 20 events on the way to the title the following year. A move to European F3 followed in 2005 and he became BMW Sauber test and reserve driver on 2006. Vettel stayed race sharp by competing in the World Series by Renault before making his F1 debut at Indianapolis in 2007. Standing in for the injured Robert Kubica, he qualified a solid seventh and finished the race in eighth before moving to Toro Rosso for the Hungarian Grand Prix. Following a few novice mistakes, he finished a strong fourth in the wet Chinese Grand Prix. He endured a tough start to the 2008 season courtesy of numerous accidents, but Monaco brought the first reward when he finished fifth. Gaining confidence, he recorded his first victory at the rain-hit Italian Grand Prix. Having finished eighth in the championship, he moved to Red Bull Racing challenging for the championship with wins at Shanghai, Silverstone and Suzuka. Vettel remains under contract to the end of the 2011 season with Red Bull, with an option for 2012. Now with two full F1 seasons behind him, he has the experience to match his natural pace and is expected to spearhead the title aspiration of Red Bull Racing in the coming years. Strengths and Weaknesses Having shown outstanding pace in wet weather conditions, his will to win is very much a strength in his character. However, while still relatively inexperienced, this desire for success has resulted in several accidents that could have been avoided. Career High After only two full seasons in the sport, Vettel already has a number of high notes, including his first grand prix win. Driving the unfancied Toro Rosso, Vettel claimed pole position in the rain at Monza, in 2008, and went on to dominate the race in tricky conditions. His victory made him the youngest ever grand prix winner. Career Low Chasing a podium position in the 2007 Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji, a lapse of concentration saw him run into the back of second placed Mark Webber whilst running behind the safety car. Both drivers were eliminated with Webber highly critical of the then rookie driver, while Vettel returned to the Toro Rosso pit in tears. He received a ten position grid penalty for the next race for the incident. Quotes "The chequered flag is really just a stupid wooden stick and a piece of cloth. It's a small thing, but it means so much when you cross the line." "Like a ship, a car should be named after a girl as it's sexy. My original car was called Kate. But then it got smashed at the opening race in Australia. So we called this one Kate's Dirty Sister because it is more aggressive and faster." "I sort of imagine Vettel laughing to himself and telling himself jokes down long straights like this. He seems to have that demeanour about him." Martin Brundle on Vettel. Trivia Vettel is something of an anglophile and is well known for his love of British comedy and music including Monty Python, Little Britain and The Beatles. He is also partial to an English breakfast. Claire Furnell November 2009 | Under the in 's floodlights, German driver added a new Formula One record to his list as youngest winner of the championship at 23 years. On Saturday, Vettel took the title at of . Starting from pole position, the driver led the race right through except during pit stops, when reigning world champion led for a few laps. Sebastian Vettel is the youngest Formula-1 world champion at the age of 23 years Championship leader started the race 11 points ahead of . With 25 points for a win, 18 for second and 15 for third, the Spaniard only needed to finish second to secure his third world championship. With a 15-point lag behind Alonso, Sebastian Vettel was third in the championship standings; winning the championship depended on neither Alonso nor Webber finishing on the podium. A major accident between and on the first lap of the race triggered deployment of the . Alonso and Webber were among drivers who decided to make earlier than planned pit stops while racing was resricted. However, they rejoined the track behind the of , who proved extremely difficult to overtake. Both remained stuck behind Petrov for the remainder of the race, finishing 7th and 8th respectively to score 6 and 4 points. Sebastian Vettel went on to win the race ahead of the two of and , scoring 25 championship points to give a total of 256 - only 4 ahead of Alonso. Vettel had never previously led this year's contest. He had to wait until championship favorites Alonso and Webber crossed the finish line in 7th and 8th positions respectively before receiving the news by team radio. With his voice breaking among tears and laughter, Vettel thanked his team for their efforts throughout the season. He won five races from ten pole positions. Since the start of his F1 career, Vettel’s name has repeatedly entered record books. In 2007, he replaced an injured in the . Finishing 8th and collecting one championship point; this his first record was youngest driver to score a point in F1. In 2008, Vettel had the opportunity to race for a full season with , winning what remains that team's only race victory. At the , he became the youngest driver to qualify in pole position and youngest race winner. In 2009, he moved to , scoring that team’s first pole position and first race victory. He went on to finish second in the world championship. ==Sources== * * * * |
By ALISON SMITH-SQUIRE Last updated at 08:20 21 April 2008 When Catherine McGuigan began digging an extension in her cottage, she thought she had budgeted for every contingency. But she could not have prepared for what would emerge after workmen found ten skeletons buried under her dining room. And now Miss McGuigan, 42, faces a £30,000 bill to give them another resting place. Scroll down for more... Respect: Burial laws mean the skulls and skeletons have to be disposed of with respect The gruesome episode began three weeks ago when she found her five builders white as sheets and hugging mugs of tea. "It was like something out of a horror movie," said Miss McGuigan, who has a son, Cameron, ten, and lived in the cottage for 11 years. "The men said they had found what they thought was an old pipe but when they pulled it out of the ground they realised it was bone. Shocked: Catherine McGuigan outside her home "Then they looked down and there in the earth was a skull and the rest of the skeleton." Miss McGuigan, who had moved out of the cottage during the building work, called police and within minutes her cottage was cordoned off for a forensic search of the hole beneath her dining room. To her relief, the remains turned out to be over 100 years old and the police did not need to get involved. But within days of restarting work, another skeleton was found. Since then eight more have been recovered. "It's been heart-breaking and now I can hardly bear to go to the house. "Some skeletons are just a few bones but others have been dug up intact actually still in their coffins." And it is thought up to 40 more bodies could be buried at the cottage in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire – on the site of Quaker burial ground from the 1700s. And as no one else will take responsibility for the bodies, their disposal has been left to Miss McGuigan. "I am staggered that the local council wrote to me saying whilst I did not need a licence to exhume the bodies - because it is not a registered burial site - they still expected me to "show respect" for the dead," she explained. "And the Quakers have also advised I must cremate them. "It appears I could simply throw the remains away but I'm concerned there could be legal repercussions I don't know about. "Anyway, my conscience means I couldn't live with myself in the cottage if I did that." Scroll down for more... Coffins: The home is a burial site for a Quaker community in the 1700s The Ministry of Justice, the Government body that has responsibility for burial law and practice, told her it was an offence to "offer indignities to the remains of the dead" and warned of health and safety rules. Miss McGuigan has now ordered coffins from an undertaker and is looking into arrangements for a mass cremation or a burial in a nearby field. "The undertaker has quoted me £800 per body," she says. "When it was just a couple of bodies this was fine. But now I am very concerned that if, as expected, I find 40 bodies, I could be facing a bill of some £32,000." However the IT specialist plans to carry on with her £150,000 extension, which includes a gym and cinema. "It's been a very happy home and I've done too much work to stop now," she says. Research at a local library has revealed the cottage was built over an old Quaker meeting house. Because the worshippers were non-conformists they were not allowed to bury their dead in church graveyards, so they used the garden instead. And while the discovery of the burial ground might put the faint-hearted off her cottage, Miss McGuigan says her son has no such qualms. "I feared Cameron would no longer want to live here," she said. "But thankfully he thinks finding skeletons in our dining room is "cool" and quite exciting!" ||||| Gruesome discovery made at cottage A family in Potters Bar could be facing a bill for £40,000 after a gruesome discovery was made at their home. When work began on a new extension at Catherine McGuigan's house, builders accidentally stumbled across a burial ground under the dining room. At least eight skeletons have been uncovered from what was a Quaker resting place from the 1700s, and its thought there could be many more. Miss McGuigan, who had moved out of the cottage while the work was taking place, called the police who immediately cordoned off the house for a forensic search. "It was like something out of a horror movie," said Miss McGuigan, who has a son, Cameron, ten, and has lived in the cottage for 11 years. But officers decided not to take the matter further after the remains turned out to be over 100 years old. Within days of restarting the work, more skeletons was found. It is thought up to 40 more bodies could be buried at the cottage. Miss McGuigan will now have to arrange the disposal of the skeletons as no one else will take responsibility for the remains. "I am staggered that the local council wrote to me saying whilst I did not need a licence to exhume the bodies - because it is not a registered burial site - they still expected me to "show respect" for the dead," she said. Despite an undertaker quoting her a fee of £800 per body, Miss McGuigan says she still plans to carry on with her £150,000 extension. The cottage was reportedly built over an old Quaker meeting house. It is thought that because the worshippers were non-conformists they were not allowed to bury their dead in church graveyards. © Independent Television News Limited 2008. All rights reserved. ||||| A Potters Bar, England, woman says workers building an addition on her cottage have discovered 10 skeletons beneath the floor -- and they expect to find more. Catherine McGuigan said a group of five workers discovered the first of the bones while digging beneath her dining room three weeks ago, The Daily Mail reported Monday. "The men said they had found what they thought was an old pipe but when they pulled it out of the ground they realized it was bone," she said. "Then they looked down and there in the earth was a skull and the rest of the skeleton." McGuigan said more skeleton discoveries followed and the current total stands at 10. However, she said she has been told there may be as many as 40 skeletons buried under the home. Police were initially called to investigate, but the bones were found to be more than 100 years old and research performed at the local library revealed a Quaker burial ground used to exist in the space now occupied by the cottage, McGuigan said. The unclaimed bones have left McGuigan with another problem -- disposing of them. She said she has been told it could cost more than $60,000 to cremate the bones in a manner that would be satisfactory to Quakers. © 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form. POTTERS BAR, England, April 21 (UPI) -- | Catherine McGuigan, a resident in South Mimms, Hertfordshire, UK, found skeletons from over a century ago buried under her dining room. She had hired builders for an extension for her cottage, where she has lived for eleven years, and at the beginning of April they found human bones in the ground. Her cottage was built over a burial ground; from 1697 to 1820 the land was owned by the Religious Society of Friends. In the 1600s, members of the society, better known as Quakers, were persecuted for their beliefs and so were not allowed to be buried in consecrated church grounds. Instead burials, which were also sometimes for others not recognised as parishioners - such as homeless people, often took place in the countryside. The ''Daily Mail'' states in its April article that the Religious Society of Friends have advised McGuigan that she "must cremate" the bodies, however Quakers have written an open letter to the Daily Mail, informing that for Quakers, there is "no specific advice on the disposal of bodies", and that they had never expressed an opinion on how the discovered skeletons should be buried. The cremation was rumoured to cost up to £32,000 - an £800 quote for cremation of a single body multiplied by 40, however as yet only ten bodies have been discovered. The builders originally thought the bones were pieces of pipe, and McGuigan has now ordered coffins and is looking to holding a mass cremation or a burial in a nearby field. |
It's the week after spring break and instead of hitting the books, 11-year-old Matthew Antico is helping his mom, Sharon, and brother, Wesley, pack boxes. "Lots of memories on the walls, I notice," CBS News correspondent Kelly Cobiella said. "Yes, me and my friends drew all this," Matthew said. He's also saying goodbye to his childhood room. "I'm gonna have to make all new friends," Matthew said. "It stinks." The Anticos are leaving their Bradenton, Fla., home because they have to. The bank foreclosed on it in February after Sharon lost her job and fell behind on the mortgage. For the first time in her life, she and her kids are homeless. "What do you do when you have kids and you're in that situation?" Sharon Antico said. "You don't know what to do; you really don't know what to do." They're not alone. In their county of Manatee, 400 kids are homeless due to the foreclosure crisis. And the numbers are rising in other housing hot-zones across the country. Cleveland public schools have nearly 1,700 homeless students, 500 more than a year ago. Minneapolis schools have 5,600, up more than 1,000 more homeless kids than last year. Deb Bailey runs Project Heart, a group helping homeless families on Florida's west coast. "It's not even the tip of the iceberg," she said. Her group is financed in part by the Manatee School District to help kids better deal with the effects of foreclosure. "There is a period of grief, a period of anger and a period of 'why me?' and for children it is a very difficult adjustment," said Roger Dearing, Manatee School District superintendent. Matthew's mom found a family friend willing to take them in, but the tiny house is much farther from school. Project Heart helped convince the district to go miles out of its way to keep Matthew with the same kids and teacher. "Because it is monumental everything that he finds stable outside of here is in upheaval," Nick Leduc, a teacher in Matthew's school district, said. Despite that, Matthew's grades are strong, his outlook stronger. "I don't really let it get to me because me and my mom and my brother know that God's going to bless us someday," Matthew said. They would need $2,000 for their own apartment - a goal that feels as out of reach now as their old home. ||||| "The problem isn't going away anytime soon," said Andrew LePage, an analyst with DataQuick Information Systems. "We're still looking for some sign of a peak in foreclosure activity." Lenders took back 6,579 homes in the nine-county Bay Area during the first quarter, up from 1,493 a year ago and 4,573 in the fourth quarter, according to a report released by DataQuick on Tuesday. Throughout California, 47,171 homes were foreclosed on, up from 11,032 a year ago. The regional and state figures are now at their highest level in more than 15 years. It's just the newest benchmark in a housing crisis that has set one after another. The national real estate downturn reached critical levels last summer as resetting subprime loans and falling home values precipitated growing numbers of defaults and eventually an international liquidity crisis. The big jump in foreclosures will place additional pressure on home prices, which could lead to further foreclosures, economists say. Each case can have a devastating impact on a family or individual. Raul Gonzalez and his wife, Margarita Narvaez, were thrilled after buying a San Jose home two years ago. The feeling faded quickly. Gonzalez, who immigrated from Mexico in 2000, said he unwittingly used a negative-amortization loan, in which the monthly payment covered only a portion of the interest. The balance grew each month, and after the teaser rate expired, the monthly payment rose well beyond what the 33-year-old painter could afford. The main lender foreclosed on the three-bedroom home in late January and the family traded their keys for cash, moving into an apartment later that month. Suit alleges fraud The couple filed a lawsuit against the mortgage broker, Realtor and one of the lenders, asserting they were defrauded, among other claims. But the strain of the situation led to health problems, Gonzalez said, and the hit to his credit rating means they have little hope of buying another home anytime soon. "The reality is, I can't do anything," Gonzalez said in Spanish through a translator, his attorney. "Perhaps it's better to leave these problems and only rent, because I have to take care of myself." Declining home values and resetting adjustable rate mortgages are combining to drive up the rate of foreclosures, said Esmael Adibi, director of the Anderson Center for Economic Research at Chapman University in Orange. Many borrowers agreed to loans with initial teaser rates because they believed they could refinance when their payments increased, he said. Instead, declining home values erased the equity necessary to do so. The median price for resale homes in the Bay Area slid 20.4 percent year over year to $549,000 in March, with sales off 40.6 percent, DataQuick reported last week. Contra Costa has most Areas hardest hit by foreclosures experienced the biggest price declines. Contra Costa County recorded the highest number of foreclosures in the first quarter, 2,228. Bank-seized homes represented nearly half of all sales in March and prices dropped by about a third to $409,000. The largest increases were in Sonoma County, a 472.3 percent jump to 538, and Santa Clara County, a 471.6 percent increase to 926. Marin County saw the least number of foreclosures, 76, followed by Napa with 112 and San Francisco at 124. Neighborhoods defined by ZIP codes in Antioch, Richmond, Vallejo, Oakley and Suisun City continued to experience some of the highest levels of foreclosures. But some neighborhoods that previously had few, including San Francisco's Hunters Point and several in Santa Rosa and San Jose, saw an escalation in foreclosure rates. There's little reason to believe the worst is past, Adibi said. Surveys by financial services company Credit Suisse and others show the number of resetting adjustable rate mortgages will rise this spring and summer. That will bump up payments for many borrowers and may lead to missed payments and default notices in the months ahead. Threat of recession Also, many economists believe the nation has already fallen into a recession, which could lead to job losses that would further undercut owners' ability to pay their mortgages. "There's going to be added pressure," Adibi said. In another indication that foreclosures are likely to climb, mortgage defaults jumped nearly 150 percent in the region and state from January to March. Lending institutions sent Bay Area homeowners 16,398 default notices, up from 6,730 a year ago and 12,704 in the preceding quarter, DataQuick said. These notices are considered the first step in the foreclosure process. Statewide, lenders issued 113,676 default notices, up from 46,760 a year ago and 81,550 in the fourth quarter. The soaring foreclosure and default rates come in spite of calls by banking regulators and government officials for lenders to modify the loans of distressed borrowers, a request many lenders claim they've heeded. Modifications in dispute But several surveys by the California Reinvestment Coalition have found these so-called workouts are the exception, foreclosures the rule. Loan servicers often don't return calls from borrowers, renege on promised changes just before foreclosing or offer modifications that leave owners with higher monthly payments, said Kevin Stein, associate director of the San Francisco consumer advocacy organization. "Things are getting worse," he said. Dustin Hobbs, spokesman for the California Mortgage Bankers Association, a Sacramento trade group for home lenders, disputed the characterization. He said the Hope Now Alliance, a coalition of lenders, has worked out more than a million loans since last summer. "This industry is making, has made and is continuing to make an unprecedented effort to reach out to distressed buyers," he said. In a prepared statement, U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., said Congress must do more to help borrowers. "We need to clean up the industry to protect future home buyers, and to help ensure this never happens again," she said. "We must take action to restore confidence in the American Dream of home ownership." This article appeared on page A - 1 of the San Francisco Chronicle | Recently released figures have revealed that the number of foreclosures in California, United States has more than quadrupled. The figures for the first quarter of 2008 show a significant increase on previous figures. There were 47,171 foreclosures on California properties in the first quarter of 2008. The figure for the same period last year was just over 10,000. The Attorney General of Arizona released a report that showed an increase. It said that "the collective efforts of servicers and government officials to date have not translated into meaningful improvement in foreclosure prevention outcomes." The Attorney General also commented on the report: |
Printer-friendly format E-mail this story April 14, 2005, 6:52PM 2 Houston businessmen arrested in U.N. oil-for-food scandal By DAVID IVANOVICH Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle RESOURCES AP U.S. Attorney David N. Kelley announces arrests in the U.N. oil-for-food scandal. • U.S. attorney's statement: News release on indictment of David Chalmers Jr. and others in U.N. oil-for-food scandal. • The indictment: Accusations of kickbacks and fraud. • More accusations: U.S. attorney's statement on Tongsun Park. • Complaint against Park: Accused of helping Iraq. Documents require the Adobe Acrobat reader A New York grand jury has accused two Houston oilmen of paying illegal kickbacks to Saddam Hussein's regime when buying Iraqi crude under the United Nations' oil-for-food program. Federal agents arrested David B. Chalmers Jr., head of Houston-based Bayoil USA, and Bulgarian-born businesss associate Ludmil Dionissiev at their homes in Houston today, said David Kelley, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. Another Bayoil business associate, British citizen John Irving, was also indicted, and prosecutors said they will seek his extradition to the United States. Chalmers and Dionissiev appeared before Magistrate Judge Calvin Botley in chains this afternoon where details of their bonds were set. Chalmers was expected to be released either late today or early Friday after depositing a $150,000 check to secure his $500,000 bond. In court Dionissiev said he was only able to raise $50,000 in cash to secure his bond, meaning he would likely stay in custody. Neither men entered pleas before the court but outside the courthouse Chalmers' attorney, Francis Spagnoletti, said his client denies the charges and looks forward to contesting them in New York on Monday, where he and Dionissiev are scheduled to appear. Bayoil's accused of paying millions of dollars in secret surcharges to Saddam's regime in order to acquire Iraqi oil. Prosecutors say the secret payments were not made to the U.N. bank account from which food and medical supplies could be purchased for the people of Iraq. While the United Nations was overseeing the oil-for-food program and was supposed to be controlling the proceeds, Saddam's regime was allowed to chose who would purchase the oil. The buyers would then resell the crude to oil companies or traders. Saddam's regime required the recipients of its oil to pay kickbacks into secret bank accounts controlled by Baghdad. The recipients of the crude would then pass along the cost of those kickbacks to their customers. Prosecutors say from 2001 until just before the start of the war in Iraq in March 2003, Chalmers and his associates at Bayoil "paid inflated commissions to allocation-holders or oil-industry brokers — with the knowledge and understanding that some portion of these commission payments would be used to satisfy the allocation-holders' kickback obligations to the government of Iraq." The indictment also alleges that, in order to hide the cost of the illegal kickbacks, the defendants conspired with Iraqi officials to reduce the selling price of Iraqi oil. If convicted on all charges, Chalmers, Dionissiev and Irving could each face a maximum 62 years in prison. The government also hopes to force the defendants to forefeit at least $100 million worth of assets. A criminal complaint also unsealed today charged Tongsun Park, a South Korean citizen, with conspiracy to act in the United States as an unregistered government agent for the Iraqi government's effort to create the oil-for-food program. Prosecutors announced the indictments on the 10th anniversary of the U.N. Security Council vote that created the oil-for-food program. Findings of an independent investigation into the program - expected in midsummer - will likely lead to dozens of criminal prosecutions by legal authorities in various countries for bribery, sanctions busting, money laundering and fraud, officials told The Associated Press last month. On Jan. 18, an Iraqi-born American businessman accused of skimming money from the program pleaded guilty in New York to being an illegal agent of Saddam's government. Samir A. Vincent, 64, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Annandale, Va., was the first person to be charged in the Justice Department's investigation. Among those who have come under fire over the handling of the program is U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan. Investigators last month criticized Annan for not pressing to learn details of his son Kojo's employment by a Swiss company that won a contract under the oil-for-food program. Chronicle reporter Tom Fowler and the Associated Press contributed to this story. ADVERTISEMENT Return to top The newly designed Chronicle is now half-price for new subscribers! Houston Chronicle e-Edition Free 3-day sample ||||| [US News] NEW YORK - A Texas businessman, along with a Bulgarian and a British citizen, were indicted in a scheme to pay millions of dollars in kickbacks to Saddam Hussein's regime as part of the United Nations' scandal-ridden oil-for-food program, federal prosecutors said Thursday. David B. Chalmers, the businessman, and Ludmil Dionissiev, a Bulgarian citizen and permanent U.S. resident, were arrested Thursday morning at their homes in Houston. U.S. Attorney David N. Kelley said he will seek the extradition from England of a third defendant, John Irving. In an indictment unsealed Thursday in U.S. District Court, the defendants were accused of participating in a scheme to pay millions of dollars in secret kickbacks so that oil companies owned by Chalmers could continue to sell Iraqi oil under the oil-for-food program. The kickbacks involved funds otherwise intended for humanitarian relief, Kelley said in a statement. A criminal complaint also unsealed Thursday charged Tongsun Park, a South Korean citizen, with conspiracy to act in the United States as an unregistered government agent for the Iraqi government's effort to create the oil-for-food program. If convicted of the charges, Chalmers, Irving and Dionissiev each could face a maximum of 62 years in prison and a maximum fine of $1 million. The defendants could also be forced to make restitution. According to the indictment, the government seeks the forfeiture of at least $100 million in assets from the defendants. Lawyers for the defendants could not immediately be identified to obtain comment. | Two Houston residents were arrested at their homes today as a Federal indictment was unsealed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. David Chalmers Jr, a Houston oilman, and a Bulgarian citizen, Ludmil Dionissiev, a permanent U.S. resident, were taken into custody. A third man, John Irving, was also indicted. He is a British citizen whom prosecutors hope to extradite to the U.S. U.S. Attorney David N. Kelley announced that most charges focus on Chalmers. At a New York news conference, authorities accused the men of plotting to pay secret kickbacks so Chalmers’ oil companies could sell oil under cover of the Iraqi oil-for-food program. The funds were intended for humanitarian relief, not oil revenues. The three men face a maximum of 62 years in prison and fines totaling $1 million (US) if convicted. Additionally, the court could force them to make restitution. The indictment says the government seeks forfeiture of at least $100 million (US) in assets from the three. The same news story said an indictment on another case was unsealed in that court today. Tongsun Park, a South Korean, was charged with conspiracy to act as an unregistered government agent for Iraq in the United States to create the oil-for-food program. Lawyers for the defendants were not immediately available. The oil-for-food program began in December 1996 as a humanitarian effort to support the people of Iraq, and ended after the US-led invasion in 2003. Many scandals and kickbacks are documented and criminal prosecutions for bribery, sanctions busting, money laundering and fraud are expected to lead to dozens of arrests in many countries. Reporters were told that it is likely that the enforcement actions will occur in mid-summer, 2005. |
The scientific community is buzzing over thousands of emails and documents -- posted on the Internet last week after being hacked from a prominent climate-change research center -- that some say raise ethical questions about a group of scientists who contend humans are responsible for global warming. The correspondence between dozens of climate-change researchers, including many in the U.S., illustrates bitter feelings among those who believe human activities cause global warming toward rivals who argue that the link between humans and climate change remains uncertain. Some emails also refer to efforts by scientists who believe man is causing global warming to exclude contrary views from important scientific publications. "This is horrible," said Pat Michaels, a climate scientist at the Cato Institute in Washington who is mentioned negatively in the emails. "This is what everyone feared. Over the years, it has become increasingly difficult for anyone who does not view global warming as an end-of-the-world issue to publish papers. This isn't questionable practice, this is unethical." In all, more than 1,000 emails and more than 2,000 other documents were stolen Thursday from the Climate Research Unit at East Anglia University in the U.K. The identity of the hackers isn't certain, but the files were posted on a Russian file-sharing server late Thursday, and university officials confirmed over the weekend that their computer had been attacked and said the documents appeared to be genuine. "The selective publication of some stolen emails and other papers taken out of context is mischievous and cannot be considered a genuine attempt to engage with this issue in a responsible way," the university said. Most climate scientists today argue that the earth's temperature is rising, and nearly all of those agree that human activity is likely to be a prime or at least significant cause. But a vocal minority dispute one or both of those views. A partial review of the hacked material suggests there was an effort at East Anglia, which houses an important center of global climate research, to shut out dissenters and their points of view. In the emails, which date to 1996, researchers in the U.S. and the U.K. repeatedly take issue with climate research at odds with their own findings. In some cases, they discuss ways to rebut what they call "disinformation" using new articles in scientific journals or popular Web sites. The emails include discussions of apparent efforts to make sure that reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a United Nations group that monitors climate science, include their own views and exclude others. In addition, emails show that climate scientists declined to make their data available to scientists whose views they disagreed with. The IPCC couldn't be reached for comment Sunday. In one email, Benjamin Santer from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, Calif., wrote to the director of the climate-study center that he was "tempted to beat" up Mr. Michaels. Mr. Santer couldn't be reached for comment Sunday. In another, Phil Jones, the director of the East Anglia climate center, suggested to climate scientist Michael Mann of Penn State University that skeptics' research was unwelcome: We "will keep them out somehow -- even if we have to redefine what the peer-review literature is!" Neither man could be reached for comment Sunday. The emails were published less than a month before the opening of a major climate-change summit in Copenhagen. Representatives of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a large professional organization, expressed concern that the hacked emails would weaken global resolve to curb greenhouse-gas emissions. The association believes "that climate change is real, it is related to human activities, and the need to counteract its impacts is now urgent," said Ginger Pinholster, an association spokeswoman. She added that the association's journal, Science, evaluates papers solely on scientific merit. John Christy, a scientist at the University of Alabama at Huntsville attacked in the emails for asking that an IPCC report include dissenting viewpoints, said, "It's disconcerting to realize that legislative actions this nation is preparing to take, and which will cost trillions of dollars, are based upon a view of climate that has not been completely scientifically tested." Mojib Latif, a climate researcher at Germany's Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences, said he found it hard to believe that climate scientists were trying to squelch dissent. Mr. Latif, who believes in man-made global warming but who has co-authored a paper ascribing current cooling to temporary natural trends, said, "I simply can't believe that there is a kind of mafia that is trying to inhibit critical papers from being published." Associated Press —Jeffrey Ball contributed to this article. Write to Keith Johnson at keith.johnson@wsj.com Printed in The Wall Street Journal, page A3 ||||| Hackers 'expose global warming con': Sceptics claim that leaked emails reveal research centre massaged temperature data By Fiona Macrae Last updated at 6:50 PM on 21st November 2009 One of the world’s leading climate change research centres has been accused of manipulating data on global warming after thousands of private emails and documents were leaked. Hackers targeted the University of East Anglia’s Climatic Research Unit and published the files, including some personal messages, on the internet. Among the most damaging is one which appears to suggest using a ‘trick’ to massage years of temperature data to ‘hide the decline’. Hackers targeted the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit, pictured, and published sensitive emails on the internet The CRU, which plays a leading role in compiling UN reports and tracks long-term changes in temperature, has repeatedly refused to provide detailed information about the data underlying the temperature records. It is thought that this could have triggered the theft. Climate change sceptics claim that some of the leaked messages discuss ways of manipulating data that fails to comply with the establishment view that climate change is real and is being driven by man. The email suggesting ‘hiding the decline’ is purported to be from Phil Jones, the unit’s director. He denied trying to mislead, telling the TGIF digital newspaper he had no idea what he meant by the phrase. ‘That was an email from ten years ago,’ he said. ‘Can you remember the exact context of an email you wrote ten years ago?’ Another message has been interpreted as an attempt to control the publication of research carried out by sceptical scientists. One way of doing this would be by loading the panel of researchers who review papers ahead of publication with experts who are ‘on-message’. Talk of a figure being ‘shoehorned’ into a report from the UN’s International Panel of Climate Change appears in another of the documents. Although the data was stored on the university’s computer system, the email exchanges also involve experts from other institutions around the world. A spokesman for the University of East Anglia said: ‘We are aware that information from a server used for research information in one area of the university has been made available on public websites. ‘Because of the volume of this information we cannot currently confirm that all of this material is genuine. ‘This information has been obtained and published without our permission and we took immediate action to remove the server in question from operation. ‘We are undertaking a thorough internal investigation and we have involved the police in this inquiry.’ The Met Office collaborates with the East Anglia unit on a variety of research projects, including global temperature records. Spokesman Dave Britton said the two organisations had to turn down numerous Freedom of Information requests because they did not hold the copyright to the data. ‘There is a feeling we are hiding something,’ he said. ‘But we are not, we just can’t release the data.’ He said that is was unclear whether some of the documents had been tampered with, adding: ‘We are not concerned about the robustness of the science we are pushing but we are worried about it being interpreted out of context.’ ||||| But several scientists and others contacted by The New York Times confirmed that they were the authors or recipients of specific e-mail messages included in the file. The revelations are bound to inflame the public debate as hundreds of negotiators prepare to negotiate an international climate accord at meetings in Copenhagen next month, and at least one scientist speculated that the timing was not coincidental. Dr. Trenberth said Friday that he was appalled at the release of the e-mail messages. But he added that he thought the revelations might backfire against climate skeptics. He said that he thought that the messages showed “the integrity of scientists.” Still, some of the comments might lend themselves to being interpreted as sinister. In a 1999 e-mail exchange about charts showing climate patterns over the last two millenniums, Phil Jones, a longtime climate researcher at the East Anglia Climate Research Unit, said he had used a “trick” employed by another scientist, Michael Mann, to “hide the decline” in temperatures. Dr. Mann, a professor at Pennsylvania State University, confirmed in an interview that the e-mail message was real. He said the choice of words by his colleague was poor but noted that scientists often used the word “trick” to refer to a good way to solve a problem, “and not something secret.” At issue were sets of data, both employed in two studies. One data set showed long-term temperature effects on tree rings; the other, thermometer readings for the past 100 years. Through the last century, tree rings and thermometers show a consistent rise in temperature until 1960, when some tree rings, for unknown reasons, no longer show that rise, while the thermometers continue to do so until the present. Dr. Mann explained that the reliability of the tree-ring data was called into question, so they were no longer used to track temperature fluctuations. But he said dropping the use of the tree rings was never something that was hidden, and had been in the scientific literature for more than a decade. “It sounds incriminating, but when you look at what you’re talking about, there’s nothing there,” Dr. Mann said. ||||| UK climate unit's e-mails hacked The e-mail system of one of the world's leading climate research units has been breached by hackers. E-mails reportedly from the University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit (CRU), including personal exchanges, appeared on the internet on Thursday. A university spokesman confirmed the email system had been hacked and that information was taken and published without permission. An investigation was underway and the police had been informed, he added. "We are aware that information from a server used for research information in one area of the university has been made available on public websites," the spokesman stated. "Because of the volume of this information we cannot currently confirm that all of this material is genuine. "This information has been obtained and published without our permission and we took immediate action to remove the server in question from operation. "We are undertaking a thorough internal investigation and we have involved the police in this enquiry." Researchers at CRU, one of the world's leading research bodies on natural and human-induced climate change, played a key role in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report, which is considered to be the most authoritative report of its kind. 'Inside information' Graham Cluley, a computer security expert, suggested that December's key climate summit in Copenhagen, which has made headlines around the world, could have increased the university's profile as a possible target among hackers. "There are passionate opinions on both sides of the climate debate and there will be people trying to knock down the other side," Mr Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos, told BBC News. "If they feel that they can gather inside information on what the other side is up to, then they may feel that is ammunition for their counterargument." Mr Cluley added that universities were vulnerable to attacks by hackers because so many people required access to IT systems. "You do need proper security in place; you need to be careful regarding communications and make sure your systems are secure. "I trust that they will now be looking at the systems, and investigating how this happened and ensuring that something like this does not happen again." (10 Jul 07 | Technology ) (29 Mar 07 | England ) RELATED INTERNET LINKS Climatic Research Unit Sophos The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites ||||| Hundreds of private emails and documents allegedly exchanged between some of the world's leading climate scientists during the past 13 years have been stolen by hackers and leaked online, it emerged today. The computer files were apparently accessed earlier this week from servers at the University of East Anglia's Climate Research Unit, a world-renowned centre focused on the study of natural and anthropogenic climate change. Climate change sceptics who have studied the emails allege they provide "smoking gun" evidence that some of the climatologists colluded in manipulating data to support the widely held view that climate change is real, and is being largely caused by the actions of mankind. The veracity of the emails has not been confirmed and the scientists involved have declined to comment on the story, which broke on a blog called The Air Vent. The files, which in total amount to 160MbB of data, were first uploaded on to a Russian server, before being widely mirrored across the internet. The emails were accompanied by the anonymous statement: "We feel that climate science is, in the current situation, too important to be kept under wraps. We hereby release a random selection of correspondence, code and documents. Hopefully it will give some insight into the science and the people behind it." A spokesperson for the University of East Anglia said: "We are aware that information from a server used for research information in one area of the university has been made available on public websites. Because of the volume of this information we cannot currently confirm that all this material is genuine. This information has been obtained and published without our permission and we took immediate action to remove the server in question from operation. We are undertaking a thorough internal investigation and have involved the police in this inquiry." In one email, dated November 1999, one scientist wrote: "I've just completed Mike's Nature [the science journal] trick of adding in the real temps to each series for the last 20 years (ie, from 1981 onwards) and from 1961 for Keith's to hide the decline." This sentence, in particular, has been leapt upon by sceptics as evidence of manipulating data, but the credibility of the email has not been verified. The scientists who allegedly sent it declined to comment on the email. "It does look incriminating on the surface, but there are lots of single sentences that taken out of context can appear incriminating," said Bob Ward, director of policy and communications at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics. "You can't tell what they are talking about. Scientists say 'trick' not just to mean deception. They mean it as a clever way of doing something - a short cut can be a trick." In another alleged email, one of the scientists apparently refers to the death of a prominent climate change sceptic by saying "in an odd way this is cheering news". Ward said that if the emails are correct, they "might highlight behaviour that those individuals might not like to have made public." But he added, "Let's separate out [the climate scientists] reacting badly to the personal attacks [from sceptics] to the idea that their work has been carried out in an inappropriate way." The revelations did not alter the huge body of evidence from a variety of scientific fields that supports the conclusion that modern climate change is caused largely by human activity, Ward said. The emails refer largely to work on so-called paleoclimate data - reconstructing past climate scenarios using data such as ice cores and tree rings. "Climate change is based on several lines of evidence, not just paleoclimate data," he said. "At the heart of this is basic physics." Ward pointed out that the individuals named in the alleged emails had numerous publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals. "It would be very surprising if after all this time, suddenly they were found out doing something as wrong as that." Professor Michael Mann, director of Pennsylvania State University's Earth System Science Centre and a regular contributor to the popular climate science blog Real Climate, features in many of the email exchanges. He said: "I'm not going to comment on the content of illegally obtained emails. However, I will say this: both their theft and, I believe, any reproduction of the emails that were obtained on public websites, etc, constitutes serious criminal activity. I'm hoping the perpetrators and their facilitators will be tracked down and prosecuted to the fullest extent the law allows." When the Guardian asked Prof Phil Jones at UEA, who features in the correspondence, to verify whether the emails were genuine, he refused to comment. The alleged emails illustrate the persistent pressure some climatologists have been under from sceptics in recent years. There have been repeated calls, including Freedom of Information requests, for the Climate Research Unit to make public a confidential dataset of land and sea temperature recordings that is "value added" by the unit before being used by the Met Office. The emails show the frustration some climatologists have had at having to operate under such intense, often politically motivated, scrutiny. Prof Bob Watson, the chief scientific advisor at the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said, "Evidence for climate change is irrefutable. The world's leading scientists overwhelmingly agree what we're experiencing is not down to natural variation." "With this overwhelming scientific body of evidence failing to take action to tackle climate change would be the wrong thing to do – the impacts here in Britain and across the world will worsen and the economic consequences will be catastrophic." A spokesman for Greenpeace said: "If you looked through any organisation's emails from the last 10 years you'd find something that would raise a few eyebrows. Contrary to what the sceptics claim, the Royal Society, the US National Academy of Sciences, Nasa and the world's leading atmospheric scientists are not the agents of a clandestine global movement against the truth. This stuff might drive some web traffic, but so does David Icke." | University of East Anglia logo Unknown individuals gained access to a server of University of East Anglia's Climatic Research Unit (CRU). As a result, around thirteen years of email correspondence between researchers is now available worldwide. Substantial previously unpublished climate change observations are included. According to initial reports by TGIF Newspaper and the Watt's Up With That blog, hundreds of emails and documents were made available from a FTP site on a Russian server with an accompanying statement: :''"We feel that climate science is, in the current situation, too important to be kept under wraps. We hereby release a random selection of correspondence, code, and documents"'' Some journalists suppose that this event is a consequence of increased attention on CRU after it played a substantial role in the IPCC fourth assessment report (2007). The released data is a 62 megabyte zip file, containing around 160 megabytes of emails, pdfs and other documents. Some of the contents have been confirmed as genuine by the head of the University of East Anglia’s Climate Research Unit, Dr Phillip Jones. In an interview with TGIF Newspaper, he stated that a breach of security had taken place and that a large quantity of files had been "stolen". The interviewer discussed one of Dr. Jones' published e-mails: The interviewer asked Dr. Jones to explain the phrase "hide and decline", but he answered that he had no idea what he meant by using them (as they were made in the context of a discussion taking place 10 years ago), and he had not attempt to mislead: In a press release by the University of East Anglia, Dr. Jones stated that: :''"That the world is warming is based on a range of sources: not only temperature records but other indicators such as sea level rise, glacier retreat and less Arctic sea ice.'' :''"Our global temperature series tallies with those of other, completely independent, groups of scientists working for NASA and the National Climate Data Center in the United States, among others. Even if you were to ignore our findings, theirs show the same results. The facts speak for themselves; there is no need for anyone to manipulate them.'' :''"...My colleagues and I accept that some of the published emails do not read well. I regret any upset or confusion caused as a result. Some were clearly written in the heat of the moment, others use colloquialisms frequently used between close colleagues."'' One such colloquialism, "trick," is frequently used by scientists and engineers to refer to an essential or non-obvious element in the solution of a problem, as opposed to the common political usage connoting deception. Commentators argue that the published messages show the researchers' reluctance to publish scientific material, though it contains serious global warming observations. Some of the correspondence portrays the scientists as feeling under siege by skeptics’ and worried that any stray comment or data glitch could be turned against them. The East Anglia University has shut down the original server, from which the information was stolen. A university spokesman stated that data was published without permission, but did not confirm whether ''all'' of the published communication is genuine: The release of the documents comes just weeks before a major climate-change summit in Copenhagen, Denmark, meant to lay the groundwork for a new global treaty to curb greenhouse-gas emissions and fight climate change. |
Euro drops to lowest level in 10 months against dollar EURO V US DOLLAR €1 buys change % 1.3651 +0.0036 +0.26 More data on this currency pair The euro fell to its lowest level against the dollar for 10 months amid continuing concerns over Greece's debt crisis, before recovering slightly. Persistent worries over its 300bn euro ($419bn; £259bn) debt has weighed on the European single currency. The euro traded at $1.3436 in late morning, its lowest since May 2009, before strengthening to $1.3606. The pound was lower for a sixth day, down 0.3% to $1.4958 following concerns over a possible hung parliament. Investors are concerned that a hung parliament would make it difficult for any government to deal decisively with the UK's high level of debt. The euro was up 0.6% against the pound, at 90.76 pence. The UK - and eurozone members such as Greece and Spain - have borrowed heavily, making financial markets more nervous about their ability to pay. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told Austrian newspaper Kurier that European Union (EU) governments need to be more disciplined over their public finances. "Every euro spent to finance the debt cannot be used for schools, hospitals or innovation," Mr Barroso said. Mr Barroso also told Austrian newspaper Kurier that European Union (EU) governments need to be more disciplined over their public finances. Bail-out concerns A wobble such as sterling went through on Monday is not the major event. The "chartist" faction in the markets, which believes graphs have their own logic, point to the "psychological" nature of $1.50, and believe once sterling decisively breaches this it has a long way to fall before it bounces. We will see Paul Mason, Newsnight Read Paul Mason's blog in full Greece is moving ahead with efforts to trim its vast budget deficit, as it struggles to sort out its finances. But the proposed austerity measures - such as freezing public sector pay, raising taxes and changing the pension system - have provoked huge street protests. Greece has pledged to reduce its deficit from 12.7% - more than four times eurozone rules - to 8.7% during 2010. Greece's Prime Minister George Papandreou is due to visit German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Friday, in what could be a key meeting to decide what, if any, Europe-wide assistance Greece receives. She said again on Sunday that Greece had to sort out its own problems. "We have a contract which rules out the possibility of bailing out other nations," said Ms Merkel. Bookmark with: Delicious Digg reddit Facebook StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version ||||| The euro has fallen to its lowest point against the dollar in 10 months, amid the ongoing debt crisis in Greece. It traded at $1.3436 in the morning, its lowest point since May 2009. Concerns over Greece's ability to finance its debts have strained the euro for weeks. The pound also fell 0.4 per cent, trading at $1.4936, amid worries of a hung parliament and massive debt. While Greece is attempting to sort out its finances, its proposed austerity measures, such as changing pension plans and raising taxes, have incited large street protests. Greece's biggest public sector union has called for a 24-hour strike on 16 March in response to Athens' expected plans. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told Austrian newspaper Kurier that EU governments should exercise more discipline with their public finances. "Every euro spent to finance the debt cannot be used for schools, hospitals or innovation," Barroso said. | The reached a ten-month low against the US dollar earlier today over concerns about Greece's debt crisis. Euro banknotes. The euro traded at US$1.3436 in the morning, a level not seen since May of last year, although it finished the day back up at $1.3606. It was, however, up 0.6% against the British pound, at 90.76 pence. The pound also fell today, reaching a trading level of $1.4936 after a loss of 0.4%. "The spike lower this morning indicates market nervousness about the prospects of a Greek bailout - the message coming out of Europe is still confused," commented an analysts for CMC Markets, Michael Hewson, as quoted by Agence France-Presse. |
The embattled chief of the UN's climate change body has hit out at his critics and refused to resign or apologise for a damaging mistake in a landmark 2007 report on global warming. In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, said it would be hypocritical to apologise for the false claim that Himalayan glaciers could melt away by 2035, because he was not personally responsible for that part of the report. "You can't expect me to be personally responsible for every word in a 3,000 page report," he said. The IPCC issued a statement that expressed regret for the mistake, but Pachauri said a personal apology would be a "populist" step. "I don't do too many populist things, that's why I'm so unpopular with a certain section of society," he said. In a robust defence of his position and of the science of climate change, Pachauri said: • The mistake had seriously damaged the IPCC's credibility and boosted the efforts of climate sceptics. • It was an isolated mistake, down to human error and "totally out of character" for the panel. • It does not undermine the "basic truth" that human activity is causing temperatures to rise. • That he would not resign and was subject to lies about his personal income and lifestyle. Pachauri spoke as the second day of the Guardian's investigation into the emails stolen from the University of East Anglia reveals how climate scientists acted to keep research papers they did not like out of academic journals. One UEA scientist, Dr Keith Briffa, wrote to a colleague to ask him for help rejecting a paper from a journal which he edited. "Confidentially I now need a hard, and if required, extensive case for rejecting." The request apparently broke the convention that the review process should be independent and anonymous. Briffa was not able to comment because of an ongoing independent review into the stolen emails. In another email, sent in March 2003, the leading US climate scientist Prof Michael Mann suggested ostracising a journal for publishing a paper that attacked his work. "I think we have to stop considering Climate Research as a legitimate peer-reviewed journal. Perhaps we should encourage our colleagues … to no longer submit to, or cite papers in, this journal." Mann denies any attempt to "stifle legitimate sceptical views". The emails also reveal that one of the most influential data sets in climate science – the "hockey stick" graph of temperature over the past 1,000 years – was controversial not just with sceptics but among climate scientists themselves. "I know there is pressure to present a nice tidy story [in the forthcoming IPCC report], but in reality the situation is not quite so simple," wrote Briffa in September 1999. In his Guardian interview, Pachauri defended the IPCC's use of so-called "grey literature" – sources outside peer-reviewed academic journals, such as reports from campaign groups, companies and student theses. The false Himalayan glacier claim came from a report by the green group WWF. He said reports of further errors in the IPCC report linked to grey literature were spurious and the result of a "factory" of people "only there to create pinpricks and get attention". Stories that claimed errors about losses from natural disasters and Amazon destruction were false, he said. "We looked into that [Amazon claim] and we're totally satisfied that what's been stated in the report is totally valid." The IPCC is beginning work on its next climate report, and Pachauri said it would stress to authors and reviewers the importance of checking sources. "Our procedures are very clear on the use of grey literature. Whenever an author uses grey literature they need to double check the source of information is authentic and defensible. People have been using grey literature for quite some time now. Apparently in this [Himalayan glacier] case there has been a failure because authors did not follow the procedures required." To exclude such reports, he said, would give an incomplete picture. "The reality is that in several parts of the world, which will be influenced by the impacts of climate change, it's an unfortunate fact that we just don't have peer-reviewed material available." Pachauri also rebutted newspapers' claims that he lives a lavish lifestyle and wears $1,000 suits. He said: "It's ridiculous and it's a bunch of lies." His salary from the research institute that employs him is fixed in the range of 190,000 rupees (£2,600) a month, he said, while he receives only travel expenses for chairing the IPCC. He added: "There is a tailor who stitches all my suits for 2,200 rupees (£30)." The panel's report at the centre of the controversy said: "The likelihood of them [the Himalayan glaciers] disappearing by the year 2035 and perhaps sooner is very high," a statement referenced to a report by WWF, which had taken it from a magazine article. It was subsequently found to be wrong. Questions were raised about the glacier claim in an article in the US journal Science in November, and again by the BBC on 5 December, leading to allegations that Pachauri had been told by Pallava Bagla, the Indian journalist who wrote both, that it was problematic, but failed to act. But Pachauri said he had not become aware of the problem until January. "If he [Bagla] sent me an email and I didn't see it, I can only say that I'm sorry that I didn't see that email. A lot of my emails are handled by my office and I don't get to see them personally." Pachauri also said he was taking steps to strengthen the staff employed by the panel. "We're in an information society today and we have to respond adequately and professionally. We've been weak in that regard to be honest. The IPCC is starting to realise we're living in a very different world to what we had in 1988. "I think this [glacier] mistake has certainly cost us dear, there's no question about it," he said. "Everybody thought that what the IPCC brought out was the gold standard and nothing could go wrong. But look at the larger picture, don't get blinded by this one mistake. "The larger picture is solid, it's convincing and it's extremely important. How can we lose sight of what climate change is going to do to this planet? What it's already doing to this planet?" • This article was amended on 3 February 2010. In the original, a subheading included the phrase "Himalaya ice caps". This has been corrected. ||||| Glacier error 'cost us dear': UN climate panel chief LONDON — The embattled chief of the UN climate change panel admitted Wednesday that a mistake in a landmark 2007 report had damaged the body's credibility, in an interview with a British newspaper. But Rajendra Pachauri, chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), refused to apologise in the interview with the Guardian for the erroneous claim that global warming could melt Himalayan glaciers by 2035. The Nobel-winning panel has faced fierce criticism over the mistake -- which has been discredited by glaciologists and is being withdrawn -- and the controversy has given fresh ammunition to climate sceptics. "I think this (glacier) mistake has certainly cost us dear, there's no question about it," Pachauri told the newspaper. "Everybody thought that what the IPCC brought out was the gold standard and nothing could go wrong." But when pressed to give a personal apology over the error -- just the latest controversy to hit the UN panel -- the climate scientist refused. He said the IPCC had issued a statement expressing regret and he was not personally responsible for that part of the report. "You can't expect me to be personally responsible for every word of a 3,000 page report," he said, dismissing the idea of an apology as a "populist" move. The revelation of the fake glacier claim was a heavy blow to the climate change panel, as the report it came from was regarded as the scientific touchstone for faltering global climate talks. The IPCC's landmark Fourth Assessment Report in 2007 said the probability of glaciers in the Himalayas "disappearing by the year 2035 and perhaps sooner is very high." But there is no evidence the claim was published in a peer-reviewed journal, a cornerstone of scientific credibility, and reports in Britain have said the reference came from green group the WWF. Despite the damage done to the IPCC by the mistake and the negative publicity it has attracted, Pachauri called for people to move beyond the controversy. He called for people to "look at the larger picture, don't get blinded by this one mistake." "The larger picture is solid, it's convincing and it's extremely important. How can we lose sight of what climate change is going to do to this planet?" he said. The glacier error is just the latest controversy to hit the IPCC amid troubled UN climate talks, which were already severely set back after the near collapse of December's Copenhagen climate summit. The panel came under ferocious attack ahead of the Copenhagen talks over hacked email exchanges which climate sceptics say reflected attempts to skew the evidence for global warming. Copyright © 2010 AFP. All rights reserved. More » | Rajendra K. Pachauri, the chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) at a conference in Vienna, 22 June 2009. The chief of the UN climate change panel, Dr. Rajendra Pachauri, admitted on Wednesday that a mistake in a 2007 report had raised questions about the body's credibility, in an interview with ''The Guardian''. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) landmark Fourth Assessment Report in 2007 said the probability of glaciers in the Himalayas "disappearing by the year 2035 and perhaps sooner is very high." There is no evidence the claim was published in a peer-reviewed journal, thus calling into question its credibility. He refused to apologize in the interview with ''The Guardian'' for the unverified claim. "I think this (glacier) mistake has certainly cost us dear, there's no question about it," Pachauri told the newspaper. "Everybody thought that what the IPCC brought out was the gold standard and nothing could go wrong."You can't expect me to be personally responsible for every word in a 3,000 page report," he said. The IPCC issued a statement expressing regret for the mistake, but Pachauri said, "I don't do too many populist things, that's why I'm so unpopular with a certain section of society," defending his refusal for an apology. |
Doctors have ridiculed plans for more NHS services at evenings and weekends, saying the idea of a “Tesco NHS” is absurd and unaffordable. The British Medical Association also overwhelmingly passed a motion of no confidence in Jeremy Hunt, saying he was denigrating the NHS for ideological reasons. That drew a sharp response from the health secretary, who said the doctors’ union had failed to learn the lesson of recent NHS scandals. Mark Porter, chair of council at the BMA, told delegates at its annual representative meeting in Edinburgh: “We all want urgent care at weekends to be of the same high standard as patients can expect on weekdays. But the calls we sometimes hear for a Tesco NHS, full service, 24/7, are just ridiculous when the health service can barely afford its current model.” Sir Bruce Keogh, medical director of NHS England, is working on plans for more routine operations , clinics, and tests to take place out of hours, arguing it will be more convenient for patients and make better use of expensive equipment. But the BMA voted against the plans by a huge majority after they were described as “utter folly”. Chaand Nagpaul, of the BMA’s GP committee, said the NHS was already overstretched and without extra money the plans would mean weekday services getting worse. More staff would be needed and doctors would have be paid “premium rates” at weekends, he said. A series of studies have suggested death rates ||||| News and resources Access useful information about crime reduction, criminal justice and resettlement with the latest news updates, free downloads and our bookshop. Latest news Get the inside track on our activities, achievements and responses to government initiatives. Find out more Downloads Our free resources include reports, leaflets, policy responses and more from Nacro and other organisatons. Browse and download Publications We sell good practice guides, reports, briefings, advice sheets and more. Browse and buy ||||| British youngsters have a reputation for heavy drinking On every indicator of bad behaviour - drugs, drink, violence, promiscuity - the UK was at or near the top, said the Institute for Public Policy Research. The institute looked at the results of a number of studies of adolescents conducted in recent years. The researchers believe the country's record can be explained by a collapse in family and community life in the UK. Free time Measured against German, French and Italian youngsters, British 15-year-olds are drunk more often and involved in more fights, and a higher proportion have had sex. The institute says young Britons are marked out how they spend their free time. They are not learning how to behave - how to get on in life - as they need to Nick Pearce IPPR Send us your comments In England, 45% of 15-year-old boys spend most evenings out with their friends, and in Scotland the figure is 59%. In France just 17% of boys spend their time in the same way. On the other hand, European teenagers tend to sit down for meals with their parents far more often. Some 93% of Italian teenagers eat regularly with their families; in the UK just 64% of 15-year-olds do the same. 'Structured interaction' Nick Pearce, from IPPR, said these figures pointed to an "increasing disconnect" between children and adults. He said youngsters were learning how to behave from one another instead of from adults. "Because they don't have that structured interaction with adults, it damages their life chances," he said. "They are not learning how to behave - how to get on in life - as they need to." The researchers concluded that the lack of adult interaction has left British teenagers increasingly vulnerable to failure. Brand awareness One study looked at by the IPPR suggested 38% of British 15-year-olds in 2003 had tried cannabis - compared with 7% in Sweden and 27% in Germany. Another said that in 2003 British 15-year-olds were the third worst binge-drinkers in Europe - only Denmark and Ireland were worse. Britons are also more immersed in consumerism than American youngsters, the research claimed. This was indicated by their brand awareness and the amount of importance they attach to consumer goods and possessions. The IPPR's report is due to be published next week. ||||| Children need structured activities like drama clubs It says British adults are less likely than those in Europe to intervene when teenagers commit anti-social behaviour. The Institute for Public Policy Research blamed changes in the family, communities and the economy for the "increased risk of youth crime". Children's charity Barnardo's echoed the claims, saying youngsters have been "demonised" by the media. We don't have a culture where adults go out to pubs and bars and bring children with them Julia Margot, from the IPPR Send us your comments The report says 65% of Germans, 52% of Spanish and 50% of Italians would be willing to intervene if they saw a group of 14-year-old boys vandalising a bus shelter, compared with just 34% of Britons. The IPPR also said teenagers needed structured activities like drama and sports clubs. Julia Margot, from the IPPR, told the BBC Radio Five Live: "In Britain, as opposed to countries like Spain and Italy, adults are less likely to socialise with children in the evenings. "So we don't have this culture of children hanging out and playing out in the town square where adults are also socialising and drinking. "We don't have a culture where adults go out to pubs and bars and bring children with them, and so there is a problem about adults being less used to having children around." Youth concerns The 200-page report says that last year more than 1.5 million Britons thought about moving away from their local area due to young people hanging around. About 1.7 million admitted to avoiding going out after dark as a direct result of youths gathering. Britons were also three times more likely to cite young people "hanging around" as a problem than they were to complain about noisy neighbours. Pam Hibbert, principle policy officer for Barnardo's, said public perceptions created by the media and politicians had bred fear amongst the nation's adults. She said: "We have become fearful of all children. "We know, for example, young crime in itself has remained fairly static in the last 10 years - it is a minority that cause problems and retaliate. "The demonisation of children and young people in some sections of the media and when politicians refer to youngsters as yobs - that breeds the actual fear." 'Turning a blind eye' British adults were more likely than their other European counterparts to say that young people were predominantly responsible for anti-social behaviour, and cite "lack of discipline as the root cause of anti-social behaviour". The Britons who were unwilling to get involved claimed they feared being physically attacked or verbally abused - or that they would be the victim of subsequent reprisals. Nick Pearce, IPPR director, said: "The debate about childhood in Britain is polarised between false opposites: that either children or adults are to blame. "In closer knit communities, adults supervised their neighbours' children. "These days, adults tend to turn a blind eye or cross over on the other side of the road rather than intervene in the discipline of another person's child, often because they fear they might be attacked." A spokeswoman for YouthNet - an online charity which provides information, advice and guidance for people aged 16 to 24 through two websites - said young people's achievements were often overlooked. She said: "While young people acknowledge that a minority of their peers can be anti-social, they'd like to point out that not all young people are the same and the majority, who contribute to society, work hard and have fun without being destructive, are often overlooked because the good things they do don't make news." The report "Freedom's Orphans: Raising Youth in a Changing World" will be published next month. ||||| Girls were more likely to drink and smoke, research suggests Boys and girls had "less problematic behaviour" involving sex, drugs and drink than teenagers surveyed in 1985. However, girls in 2005 were likely to smoke and binge drink more than boys and start having sex earlier. The researchers, Bournemouth University's Professor Colin Pritchard and Richard Williams, surveyed 10 schools along England's south coast. In 2005 they repeated a 1985 survey of Year 10 and 11 secondary students and compared the results, published in the book Breaking the Cycle of Educational Alienation. The bad news is that 20 years ago boys drugged, drank, smoked, truanted, stole, vandalised and fought more than girls. Today it is very different. Professor Colin Pritchard, Bournemouth University A 30-question survey was answered by pupils aged 14 and 15 and covered truancy, vandalism, theft, fighting, drinking and drugs, the same areas as the 1985 study. Questions about sex, which were not permitted in 1985, were also included and compared with other research. In 1985, about 824 pupils responded, with 854 answering it in 2005. "The good news and, perhaps, unexpected is that the 2005 youngsters have less problematic behaviour than the 1985 cohort and even with the problematic behaviour, drugs, drink and sex, this is still a minority activity," said Prof Pritchard. "The bad news, however, is that 20 years ago boys drugged, drank, smoked, truanted, stole, vandalised and fought more than girls. "Today it is very different." He said the girls smoked and drank "significantly" more than boys. Personal relationships "They truant, steal and fight at similar rates to boys but have started under-aged sex earlier than boys - with 17% of lads in Year 11 having their first sexual intercourse (FSI) whereas 31% of Year 11 girls have had their FSI, indicating they are going with older boys," Prof Pritchard said. Children of parents who smoke were four times more likely to start smoking themselves and twice as likely to steal, get into fights and become sexually active at an early age, the research showed. Figures indicated they are also more than twice as likely to take drugs and/or binge drink. "It is not that smoking causes the student's behaviour, but it reflects something of their personal, family and social relationships," said Prof Pritchard. ||||| Failure of policy in tackling anti-social behaviour according to Nacro review A review of research by crime reduction charity Nacro into the effectiveness of anti-social behaviour measures suggests a failure of policy in cornerstone legislation intended to address the problem. According to the research, the anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) is cumbersome, costly and difficult to enforce. The review, forming part of a briefing for community safety workers called Tackling anti-social behaviour: what really works, found that the average ASBO costs more than £5,000 to enforce and takes over three months to obtain. Over one third of all ASBOs were breached within the first 9 months of issue. Instead, the report argues for a more holistic approach combining enforcement with preventative initiatives tailored to local conditions. Good practice highlighted by the report includes the use of acceptable behaviour contracts and parental control agreements, along with youth schemes providing youngsters with activities and mentoring. The report also argues that because there is no clear definition of what constitutes anti-social behaviour, confusion among local authorities over how to identify and respond to the problem is rife. What might be seen as anti-social behaviour in one setting might be regarded quite differently elsewhere. The briefing suggests that local authorities should adopt their own statutory definitions of anti-social behaviour in consultation with local people. Rachel Armitage of Nacros Crime and Social Policy Section said, The Government has identified addressing anti-social behaviour as a priority in the fight against crime. Part of the problem is that while anti-social behaviour is undesirable and unpleasant, it is not always criminal. ASBOs can work, but they undoubtedly work better if they take into account local circumstances. ASBOs can only ever prohibit behaviour. We must also realise that there are pro-active ways for communities to prevent it from arising in the first place. ASBO, Queen's speech, Anti social behaviour, Crime prevention, councils | Drinks, drugs, violence, promiscuity: British youth at the top or near the top of the bad youth list. And they frighten grown ups. A report by the Institute of Public Policy Research, to be published next week, describes British youth as among the worst in Europe. The study compares teenage English and Scots with their counterparts in other European countries. Fewer British youths ate regularly with their family, and many more spent most evenings with their friends; they were drunk more often, got involved in fights and more had sex than other European youth. More British adults than Continental adults would be reluctant to intervene should they see youths vandalising a bus shelter fearing a violent response. Many adults were fearful of leaving home after dark and a large number were thinking of moving home because of youths "hanging about". The demonisation of youth in the British media is said to have induced real fear in many adults. Many more comparisons are made in this report. ====Related reports==== A study comparing the behaviour of South of England youth in 2005 with that in 1985, concluded that youth now are better behaved than their predecessors. There were marked differences between boys and girls. ASBOs (Anti-social behaviour orders) are civil actions that can be taken against those who are likely to cause alarm, harassment, or distress to others outside their family. Research by NACRO (National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders) in 2002 concluded that they were a failure. The average ASBO costs more than £5,000 to enforce and takes over three months to obtain. Over one third of all ASBOs were breached within the first 9 months of issue. Another report published today by NACRO criticises some courts for using ASBOs inappropriately and too readily. ASBOs should be seen as the last resort for young offenders. There should be consultations with the local Youth Offending Team (YOT) and the reasons why other remedies were not suitable should be given. There were also indications that ASBOs are being used as weapons of racial discrimination, there being a disproportionate number of young black people being served with ASBOs. In some quarters, youths flaunt ASBOs as a badge of honour. |
View larger image Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gestures while speaking at his inaugural in Sacramento, Calif., Friday, Jan. 5, 2007. (AP / Rich Pedroncelli) View larger image Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks to the media outside of his official residence following a Cabinet shuffle in Ottawa Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007.(CP / Jonathan Hayward) Ottawa sends Schwarzenegger invitation to visit CTV.ca News Staff The Prime Minister's Office has sent Arnold Schwarzenegger an invitation to visit, CTV News has learned, at a time when both the California governor and Canada's Conservatives are focusing on the environment. Schwarzenegger, who drives a hydrogen-powered Hummer, has made the environment a central issue in his state. "I have also proposed that California be the first in the world to develop a low carbon fuel standard that leads us away from fossil fuels," he recently announced. The former bodybuilder and Hollywood star wants energy efficient cars, and his goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions is higher than what Prime Minister Stephen Harper has proposed. Schwarzenegger wants an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050 Harper promises a 65 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2003 levels by 2050 Opposition parties in Canada say that Schwarzenegger sets an excellent example. "Certainly 'The Terminator' isn't somebody who is satisfied with half-measures," said NDP Leader Jack Layton. "So I think it's good because we don't need half-measures right now, we need aggressive and strong action." Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said the invitation could be a sign that the Conservatives will step up their environmental plans. "I hope it means they are serious about taking the kind of actions that Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking in California on climate change," she said. Oil extracted from the Alberta tar sands might not pass California's new clean-fuel standards. But John Baird, who recently replaced embattled Rona Ambrose as the environment minister, said the government is increasingly attentive to climate change concerns. "We're concerned about the huge climate change challenges," said Baird. "The erratic weather we've had this winter is a huge wake-up call." A spokesperson from Schwarzenegger's office said he's hoping to lead a trade mission to Canada soon, but a date has yet to be finalized. With a report by CTV's Rosemary Thompson ||||| Sign-up to receive the weekly top stories, contest and promotion announcements every Tuesday Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it please check your junk folder. The next issue of Canada.com Newsletter will soon be in your inbox. | Arnold Schwarzenegger, best known for his role in ''The Terminator'' and being the Govenor of California (which earned him the nickname ''The Governator''), has been invited by the Prime Minister's Office to visit Canada. Schwarzenegger is reported to have higher expectations for reducing greenhouse gas emissions than Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "I hope it means they are serious about taking the kind of actions that Arnold Schwarzenegger is taking in California on climate change," said Green Party of Canada leader Elizabeth May. Environment minister John Baird said he and the Canadian government are concerned about the climate. "We're concerned about the huge climate change challenges," said Baird. "The erratic weather we've had this winter is a huge wake-up call." The Canadian PM and "The Governator" first met when they went to Mexico for the inauguration of Felipe Calderón, the president of Mexico. No date has been set as to when the meeting will happen. |
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. ||||| You can support quality journalism by turning off ad blocker or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to The Hindu. ||||| January 28, 2006 - 6:39AM A magnitude 7.7 earthquake has jolted a 2,000-kilometre swathe of Indonesia for two minutes, sending panicked residents fleeing to higher ground, fearful of a tsunami. There were no immediate reports of a tsunami, injuries or serious damage. The quake struck early on Saturday morning deep beneath the Banda Sea about 195 kilometres south of Ambon city in the Maluku Islands, the US Geological Survey said on its website. Hundreds of people ran from their homes in some Maluku cities and in the tiny nation of East Timor, 440 kilometres to the south, said residents contacted by telephone. "We poured into the streets in panic and ran immediately to higher places fearing a tsunami," said Salman Rumalesin, a resident of Bula, a Maluku mining town. The quake caused cracks in some buildings in Ambon as well as in the Timor Hotel in Dili, the capital of East Timor, witnesses said. "In addition to Ambon and other towns in Maluku, the quake also was felt in Sorong, Kupang, Waingapu, Makassar and Bali," Jusuf, an official at Indonesia's meteorological agency who like many Indonesians goes by one name, told the Associated Press. Kupang and Waingapu are in the East Nusa Tenggara province while Makassar is in South Sulawesi. The quake struck at 1:58 am on Saturday at a depth of 342 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey. | Map highlighting Indonesia. A major earthquake occurred at 1:58AM Saturday off the coast of Indonesia. It originated from the Banda Sea, roughly 195 kilometers from Ambon City. The earthquake measured 7.7 on the Richter Scale and occurred at a depth of about 341 kilometers said the U.S. Geological Survey. The quake sent people running for their lives as fears mounted that the quake might have caused a massive tsunami. But good news came as the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said in an e-mail advisory, "this earthquake is located outside the Pacific. No destructive tsunami threat exists in the Pacific Ocean or elsewhere based on historical earthquake and tsunami data." No deaths or major injuries have been reported as of yet. In December of 2004, a major earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 struck just off the coast of Sumatra, triggering a major tsunami, killing nearly 300,000 people and leaving millions more homeless. Earthquakes frequently take place in the area due to it being positioned on a volcanically active region referred to as the The Ring of Fire. |
Israel has resumed its targeting of Islamic Jihad The Palestinians were detained during two operations in villages close to Jenin and Nablus. An M16 assault rifle was also discovered during the Jenin raid, an Israeli army spokeswoman said. Israel is planning to remove four small Jewish settlements in the Jenin area as part of its disengagement plan. The Israeli army has recently resumed its targeting of Islamic Jihad after a truce agreed in February broke down. Under that agreement Islamic Jihad and fellow militants Hamas agreed to halt attacks on Israel in a deal brokered by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. But the truce had recently broken down with the Palestinians and Israel blaming each other for the resumption of violence in Gaza. Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings carried out in Israel during the truce. The group recently said it would suspend attack rocket attacks on Israel during the disengagement from the Gaza Strip and the four small West Bank settlements. ||||| Ismail Haniya played down the rivalry with the PA They spoke in Gaza only two days before Israel is due to start pulling settlers and troops out of the territory. The group has largely kept to a truce with Israel called in February by the Palestinian Authority's president. But it has defied Mahmoud Abbas' calls to disarm in preparation for Israel's withdrawal and the transfer of power. Palestinian security forces were deployed around the Gaza settlements on Saturday to positions not occupied since the intifada erupted nearly five years ago, in preparation for the withdrawal, Palestinian sources told AFP news agency. Click below to see a detailed map of the Israeli disengagement plan Enlarge Map Inside the settlements all was reported to be quiet on Saturday's Sabbath. On Monday those who have not yet left will be asked by Israeli soldiers to depart. If they refuse they are expected to be dragged away. A BBC correspondent says thousands of protesters have made it into the settlements to prepare for the confrontation. Saturday's gathering of Hamas leaders was the biggest in public for more than a decade. One of them, Ismail Haniya, was surrounded by four founding members of the group as he addressed reporters in a restaurant in Gaza City. "Hamas confirms it is committed to armed resistance, it is our strategic choice until the end of the occupation of our land," he said. "Our land, including Jerusalem, is still occupied, the refugees are still deported, the wall and the settlements are still eating more of our land." Defiance The Hamas leaders positioned themselves in front of their green flag and draped themselves in the group's colour, defying Palestinian Authority (PA) officials, who said on Friday that only the red, black, green and white Palestinian banner should be used to celebrate Israel's withdrawal. The PA organised a rally of fishing boats On Friday the PA organised a fishing boat rally in the harbour of Gaza City to celebrate the imminent pullout, where Mr Abbas told crowds that Palestinians were on the path to an independent state. Tensions between the PA - dominated by Mr Abbas' Fatah party - and Hamas are high in the run-up to withdrawal, for which both claim the credit. Hamas is planning to run in parliamentary elections in January. Last month clashes broke out when Palestinian security forces tried to prevent Hamas members firing rockets at Israeli settlements in Gaza. Mr Haniya played down the rivalry, but made clear Hamas intended to take part in governance after the withdrawal. "Hamas is not a replacement for anyone. It is not a power within the Palestinian Authority and it is not confronting it. But Hamas rejects the idea of allowing any party to monopolise decision-making process," the Hamas leader said. | Palestinian flag During overnight raids, Israeli soldiers arrested 10 people, allegedly members of Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian militant group. The raids were conducted during two operations near the towns of Jenin and Nablus. An M-16 rifle was also discovered during the raid near Jenin. Meanwhile, Hamas, a group friendly to Islamic Jihad, made a rare public appearance 2 days before the Israeli pull-out of settlers and troops from The Gaza Strip. They defied the Palestinian Authority by draping themselves in the colours of the group. On Friday, Palestinian Authority officials said only the Palestinian banner of red, black, green and white should be used to celebrate the withdrawal of Israel from Palestinian territory. Hamas are planning to run in the parliamentary elections to be held in January, next year. |
Excluded from ABC debate, Kucinich complains to FCC Sabrina Eaton Plain Dealer Bureau Saturday, January 05, 2008 Washington- Cleveland Congressman Dennis Kucinich filed a complaint Friday with the Federal Communications Commission after ABC News excluded him, fellow Democrat Mike Gravel and Republican Duncan Hunter from its prime- time debates on Saturday, the Associated Press reports. Kucinich says ABC is violating equal-time provisions by keeping him out of the debate and noted that ABC's parent company, Walt Disney Co., contributed to campaigns of four Democrats who were invited. "ABC should not be the first primary," Kucinich said in papers filed at the FCC. According to the AP, the Republican debate lineup is Iowa caucus winner Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. It starts at 7 p.m. EST. Shortly after that 90-minute forum, Democrats Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Bill Richardson will take the stage at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. ABC said the candidates left out of the debates failed to meet support benchmarks that were outlined to each campaign before the Iowa caucus. Kucinich did not complain about these rules ahead of time, said spokeswoman Cathie Levine, who had no further comment since she hasn't seen the FCC filing. Debate organizers said some time ago that participants would have to score at 5 percent or above in recent national or New Hampshire polls, or place in Iowa's top four. Leaders of the Republican and Democratic parties in New Hampshire objected after those criteria were announced. On Friday night, Kucinich e- mailed presidential campaign supporters a solicitation for cash he would like to use to run an ad during the debate in which he calls himself a "real Democrat" and criticizes fellow Democrats for failing to end the Iraq war and rejecting his call to impeach President Bush and Vice President Cheney. "A courageous vote is the only vote worth casting," Kucinich says in the ad. ||||| WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Kucinich for President campaign late today filed an emergency complaint with the Federal Communications Commission claiming that the ABC television network “is violating its obligation to operate in the public interest” by excluding Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich from tomorrow night’s scheduled debate in Manchester, NH. Further, the complaint charges, the televised event “is not a true presidential primary debate without including all credible candidates, but instead is effectively an endorsement of the candidates selected by ABC.” The filing also notes that ABC “is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Walt Disney, Co., whose executives have contributed heavily to other Democratic presidential primary candidates, including Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, former Senator John Edwards, and Governor Bill Richardson.” And, the filing points out, Kucinich “is the only Democratic presidential candidate who has qualified for Federal matching funds who is being excluded by ABC.” (Full FCC complaint.) “Although ABC would prefer to only report on easily described and well-known candidates, the proper enforcement of the Federal Communications Act ensures America’s voters that they will have the ability to vote for candidates with varied and new ideas and policies,” says the complaint. “ABC should not be the first primary.” The Kucinich urged that ABC reverse its decision rather than face possible FCC action. Among the so-called “criteria” established by ABC for inclusion in Saturday night’s debate is a fourth-place or better showing in Thursday’s Iowa caucuses. Kucinich effectively by-passed the Iowa caucuses because the state Democratic Party and other political and institutional interests there excluded him from two earlier debates and from Party-sponsored functions. Instead, the Kucinich campaign has focused heavily on New Hampshire. To underscore Kucinich’s standing as both a “credible” and “qualified” candidate, the emergency complaint notes that he has campaign offices in Keene, Dover, Manchester, and Concord, paid staff, hundreds of campaign volunteers, and significant financial contributions from residents of New Hampshire. “In addition, Complainant Kucinich has been the winner in national online polls conducted by Democracy for America (receiving almost 50,000 votes while the closest competitor only received 38,000), Virginia State Democratic Party (receiving 30% of the Democratic vote while the closest competitor received 27%), Independent Voters (75% of the Democratic vote out of 80,000 online voters), as well as polls by Progressive Democrats of America and the Nation. In an ABC News poll, Complainant Kucinich received the most support from 42,487 voters (garnering 35% of the vote to 22% for the next closest candidate) who were asked who won the Democratic presidential primary debate on August 19, 2007.” Also, Kucinich’s “opponents share very similar policy platforms” while Kucinich offers very different positions on issues such as the war in Iraq and health care reform. His exclusion from the debate, therefore, “is contrary to ‘the public interest to afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views of issues of public importance’.” ABC’s “arbitrary and capricious decision “causes irreparable harm to the public interest by robbing the voters of the opportunity to hear his policy platform, including his pro-peace initiatives,” says the complaint. ||||| Home Newsroom Kucinich, top-rated Democrat, excluded from Des Moines Register debate Kucinich, top-rated Democrat, excluded from Des Moines Register debate Kucinich, top-rated Democrat, excluded from Des Moines Register debate DES MOINES, IA – The highest polling Democratic Presidential candidate among the Party’s progressive, grassroots, activist base, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, has been excluded from the Des Moines Register-sponsored Presidential debate here on Thursday because his Iowa field director operates from a home office rather than a rented storefront. DES MOINES, IA – The highest polling Democratic Presidential candidate among the Party’s progressive, grassroots, activist base, Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich, has been excluded from the Des Moines Register-sponsored Presidential debate here on Thursday because his Iowa field director operates from a home office rather than a rented storefront. The Nation, Kucinich was not invited to participate in the debate because “ It was our determination that a person working out of his home did not meet our criteria for a campaign office and full-time paid staff in Iowa,” according to a statement from the newspaper’s top officials, including editor Carolyn Washburn. Despite being the top-ranked Presidential candidate in polls conducted by Democracy for America (DFA), Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), and one of the country’s leading progressive publications,Kucinich was not invited to participate in the debate because “ Dubuque , bolstered by a dozen-or-so other senior campaign staff who have traveled the state over the past several months. The dismissive reference was to Kucinich Iowa Field Director and State Coordinator Marcos Rubinstein, who coordinates campaign activities from his home office in, bolstered by a dozen-or-so other senior campaign staff who have traveled the state over the past several months. Iowa in the past few weeks promoting the top vote-getters in their on-line polls. The DFA is planning to run full-page ads featuring Kucinich, as well as second and third-place finishers John Edwards and Barack Obama; and the 90,000-member PDA has been sending emails to its Iowa members advising them that Kucinich scored first with 41% while Edwards came in a distant second at 26%. Both the DFA and PDA have been extremely active inin the past few weeks promoting the top vote-getters in their on-line polls. The DFA is planning to run full-page ads featuring Kucinich, as well as second and third-place finishers John Edwards and Barack Obama; and the 90,000-member PDA has been sending emails to itsmembers advising them that Kucinich scored first with 41% while Edwards came in a distant second at 26%. The results of those polls, and others showing Kucinich ahead of “invited” candidates – Senators Joe Biden and Chris Dodd – apparently carried no weight at the Des Moines Register, despite the fact that the newspaper and other national media have been portraying the Jan. 3 Iowa caucuses as a national political event that may determine the outcome of the Presidential race. Iowa .” “The Iowa caucuses have been portrayed as having national implications, and if the Register has decided to use hair-splitting technicalities to exclude the leading voice of the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party, then the entire process is suspect,” according to a statement from the Kucinich campaign. The Iowa Democratic Party, Iowa Public Television, and well-funded political interests have barred Kucinich from previous public appearances. “The Des Moines Register’s arbitrary and unreasonable exclusion of Congressman Kucinich is consistent with the treatment that the Congressman has received from the entrenched political and institutional interests in.” Iraq war authorization in 2002 and every war-funding measure since. He has been warning for years that the Administration’s belligerence toward Iran is unjustified, and, last week’s revelations in the National Intelligence Estimate confirm that. He is the only Democratic candidate who voted against the Patriot Act, and the only Democratic candidate who has called for the repeal of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) because of its disastrous effect on U.S. jobs. Kucinich is also the only candidate pushing for a national, not-for-profit, single-payer health insurance system that will cover all Americans. Kucinich, his campaign pointed out, is the only Democratic Presidential candidate who voted against thewar authorization in 2002 and every war-funding measure since. He has been warning for years that the Administration’s belligerence towardis unjustified, and, last week’s revelations in the National Intelligence Estimate confirm that. He is the only Democratic candidate who voted against the Patriot Act, and the only Democratic candidate who has called for the repeal of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) because of its disastrous effect onjobs. Kucinich is also the only candidate pushing for a national, not-for-profit, single-payer health insurance system that will cover all Americans. “He is also the only major candidate who has been excluded from Thursday’s debate,” said his campaign. “The Des Moines Register, Iowa Public Television, the Iowa Democratic Party, and other broadcast sponsors should be asked to explain why the leading voice in the progressive Democratic constituency has been denied a presence and a voice in this debate.” [ Back ] | Dennis Kucinich, member of the U.S. House of Representatives (D-Ohio). Late Friday, the "Kucinich for President" campaign filed an emergency complaint with the United States (FCC). They suggest tonight's Democratic debate broadcast is "violating ABC's obligation to operate in the public interest", by barring Dennis Kucinich. His campaign stressed that while his "opponents share very similar policy platforms", Kucinich has unique ideas on major issues. Excluding him "is contrary to 'the public interest to afford reasonable opportunity for the discussion of conflicting views of issues of public importance'." Filed by campaign Legal Counsel Donald J. McTigue, a scan of the complete complaint is available online as an Adobe Acrobat (PDF) file. Among the main points of Kucinich's submission are that he has hundreds of campaign volunteers, as well as a significant paid staff roster, received significant financial contributions from New Hampshire (the state to have the first primary in the country every presidential election), has won in online polls by Democracy for America, the Virginia State Democratic Party, Independent Voters, and Progressive Democrats of America and the Nation, and even winning an ABC News poll asking "who won the Democratic presidential primary debate on August 19, 2007." Kucinich did not contest the inclusion rules when they were announced, ABC spokesperson Cathie Levine said. As she hadn't seen the FCC filing at the time, she did not comment further to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Recently Kucinich was excluded from '''' debate, yet was actor and activist Sean Penn's personal pick for President. Democrat Mike Gravel and Republican were also barred from the broadcast, which starts at 7 pm EST tonight. |
Paul Schaefer, a former Nazi corporal, established the colony in 1961 Paul Schaefer, a former Nazi army corporal who founded a cult-like community in Chile, has died in jail. Schaefer, who was 88, was serving a 20-year sentence for sexually abusing children at the Colonia Dignidad, some during Chile's military dictatorship. The former Baptist preacher established the colony in southern Chile in 1961, after fleeing Germany to escape separate child abuse charges. He had close ties to Chile's elite during Gen Augusto Pinochet's rule. Schaefer denied allowing Chile's secret police to use the enclave as a centre for torturing left-wing dissidents in the 1970s and 1980s. 'State within state' While under Schaefer's control, most of the commune's residents are believed to have been held there against their will. Colonia Dignidad was taken over by the Chilean government in 2005 He had fled Chile in 1997 and was convicted of sex crimes in absentia. He was found hiding in Argentina in March 2005 and sent back for a fresh trial. A Chilean congressional report has said that Colonia Dignidad - which means Dignity Colony - operated as a "state within a state" during the Pinochet regime, thanks to Schaefer's close ties to the country's ruling elite. Chile's government took over the 13,000-hectare (32,000-acre) colony in 2005. Former members said Schaefer forced children to live separately from their parents, banning contact with the outside world. ||||| RIO DE JANEIRO — A former Nazi-era German soldier who founded a secretive German cult in southern Chile, where he sexually abused about 25 children, died of heart failure at a prison hospital early Saturday, Chilean officials said. He was 89. The former soldier, Paul Schaefer, was serving a 20-year sentence for the sexual abuse of minors, but he was also under investigation for the 1985 disappearance of Boris Weisfeiler, an American citizen who vanished while on a hiking trip. The Chilean government said officially that Mr. Weisfeiler, then 43 years old, drowned while trying to ford a river. But State Department and C.I.A. reports that were later declassified indicated that he was probably kidnapped by Chilean state security forces, who then handed him over to Mr. Schaefer’s heavily armed Colonia Dignidad religious sect based nearby. Dozens of opponents of Gen. Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship were tortured at Colonia Dignidad, according to human rights groups. One military informant said that Mr. Weisfeiler, a Russian-born Jew, was held captive there, and that he was later tortured and executed. A former nurse from the Luftwaffe, Mr. Schaefer was forced to leave Germany after he was charged with sexually abusing young boys in an orphanage he ran there. In 1961 he founded Colonia Dignidad, an anti-Semitic apocalyptic religious sect about 225 miles south of Santiago. Early last decade it still had about 300 inhabitants, and it still exists but is referred to as Villa Baviera. Mr. Schaefer ran the sect with a heavy hand, banning almost all contact with the outside world, separating women from men and children from their parents, and controlling intimate contact. While he was never a hunted Nazi, Mr. Schaefer opened Colonia Dignidad for fugitive Nazis to hide out for periods of time. After Chile’s courts began investigating Mr. Schaefer for sexual abuse charges in the late 1990s, he fled to Argentina, where he hid until he was found in 2005. After being returned to Chile, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing 25 children. Mr. Schaefer was also sentenced to three years for violating weapons control law after a huge military arsenal was found on Colonia Dignidad grounds, to seven years for homicide and to three years for torture. The disappearance of Mr. Weisfeiler, who was a mathematics professor at Pennsylvania State University, continues to be an unsolved mystery, and Mr. Schafer was never charged in the case. Sebastián Piñera, Chile’s president, said Saturday that while Mr. Schaefer now cannot be judged in court for additional crimes he was suspected of, “there is another justice that never ends, which is divine justice.” ||||| 24 Abril, 2010 - 14:01 Santiago.- Paul Schaefer, un ex cabo nazi fundador de un controvertido enclave de alemanes en Chile, falleció a los 88 años dejando tras de sí una historia de crueldad y de abusos sexuales contra niños que lo obligaron a pasar sus últimos días en prisión gravemente enfermo. Schaefer murió en el hospital de una prisión a causa de una afección cardiaca. En 2007 estuvo internado por una crisis respiratoria. También sufría hace años de una insuficiencia renal y además usaba audífonos y veía por un sólo ojo. Una historial de terror El ex enfermero del ejército de la Alemania nazi en la Segunda Guerra Mundial vivió sus últimos años en prisión condenado en varias causas por abusos sexuales a menores, posesión de armas, homicidio y violaciones a los derechos humanos durante la dictadura de Augusto Pinochet (1973-90), de la que fue colaborador. En Alemania, después de la guerra, había creado un hogar de niños y otras misiones de caridad. Schaefer llegó a Chile en 1961 y fundó a inicios de esa década el enclave Colonia Dignidad en una zona montañosa en el sur de Chile, en los alrededores de la pequeña ciudad de Parral. En ese recinto, de 13.000 hectáreas, durante décadas unos 300 colonos estuvieron sometidos a un régimen autoritario encabezado por Schaefer. Públicamente Colonia Dignidad era un sitio casi idílico donde los hombres se dedicaban al agro, las mujeres a las labores domésticas y los niños participaban de coros y grupos de baile. Investigaciones judiciales realizadas en democracia, no obstante, han determinado que Schaefer colaboró con la dictadura militar y que Dignidad también fue usado como centro de detención y tortura de opositores al régimen, quienes hasta hoy permanecen desaparecidos. En abril de 2006, cuando Schaefer ya estaba en prisión, ex colonos de Dignidad entregaron una carta que relataban su lado oscuro. "La exageración de una moral aparentemente tan estricta fue, sin embargo, el muro de protección detrás del cual Schaefer cultivó su perversión. Entre los niños, nuestros propios hijos, para quien él era la única y exclusiva autoridad, eligió sus víctimas de modo que ningún adulto tuvo conocimiento de sus abusos deshonestos", señalaba uno de los pasajes de la carta. El principio del fin Schaefer, nacido el 4 de diciembre de 1921 en Alemania, fue detenido en marzo de 2005 en Argentina, adonde huyó en 1997 cuando comenzaban a estallar las primeras denuncias de abusos a menores. Durante ocho años el ex jerarca de Dignidad fue el hombre más buscado del país. Expulsado a Chile desde Argentina, fue enjuiciado y condenado a 20 años de prisión por abusos sexuales contra 25 niños. También en 2005 fueron descubiertos tres contenedores repletos de armas, que llevaron a la justicia a condenarlo por posesión ilegal de armas. Más tarde, fue sentenciado a prisión por el homicidio del ex agente de la dictadura Miguel Angel Becerra Hidalgo y la desaparición de un dirigente de izquierda opositor al régimen de Pinochet, Juan Maino. ||||| En el hospital de una cárcel y llevándose numerosos secretos a la tumba, falleció el sábdo por un paro cardiorespiratorio a los 88 años Paul Schäfer, fundador y ex líder de Colonia Dignidad, un enclave que usó como centro de tortura y exterminio de presos políticos, durante la dictadura del general Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990). Ahí violó a decenas de niños durante años, y retuvo a cientos de personas bajo un régimen tiránico propio, que operaba como un territorio aparte dentro del país, en el que se hablaba alemán. El juez Jorge Zepeda, que investiga los delitos cometidos en Colonia Dignidad, informó de que Schäfer estaba inconsciente al morir. Se encontraba cumpliendo cuatro condenas que sumaban un total de 33 años: siete años por homicidio calificado; tres por infracción a la ley de armas; otros tres por torturas y 20 más por abusos sexuales contra menores. Uno de los abogados querellantes contra Colonia Dignidad, Hernán Fernández, sostuvo que la muerte de Schäfer debe ayudar a dar un impulso final a la investigación judicial contra sus cómplices para que haya justicia y reparación. Todavía faltan sentencias de segunda instancia y que termine el sumario por los delitos contra los colonos, incluido el de secuestro. Nacido en 1921 en Siegburg (Alemania), Schäfer, ex suboficial del Ejército nazi, emigró a Chile tras la Segunda Guerra Mundial, huyendo de acusaciones de abuso de menores. Carismático y dominante, consiguió arrastrar a otros para que emigrasen a Chile y erigiesen una misión social bautista en la zona rural del país, benefactora de los pobres. Para instalarse eligió un terreno de unas 16.000 hectáreas, situado 400 kilómetros al sur de Santiago, que se extendía hasta la frontera con Argentina, al que bautizó como Villa Baviera. Fue su imperio y paraíso particular desde 1961. Cercó el lugar e instaló un régimen tiránico, aislado del exterior, donde los emigrantes alemanes que llegaron al lugar, unas 300 personas, trabajaron durante décadas sin cobrar salario. Hombres y mujeres debían vivir separados. Como además consiguió no pagar impuestos, la Colonia prosperó con rapidez. Poco se sabía de ella, hasta que a mediados de los sesenta comenzaron las primeras fugas de colonos, dando cuenta de que Schäfer, a quien llamaban el "tío permanente", violaba a adolescentes y niños y reprimía a los colonos, muchos de los cuales veían en él a un ser superior. Los niños y sus padres sentían que era un "honor" que Schäfer eligiera a uno de los menores para dormir con él. Profundamente anticomunista y de formación nazi, Schäfer se sumó en los setenta a la represión de la dictadura. La Colonia fue uno de los campos de tortura y exterminio de la Dirección de Inteligencia Nacional (DINA), el aparato represivo de Pinochet. Las torturas que practicaban en el lugar eran las más brutales, cuentan los presos políticos supervivientes. Existen denuncias de que en un cerro al interior de la Colonia fueron masacradas más de cien personas, que permanecen desaparecidas hasta hoy. Pinochet, su esposa Lucía, el ex jefe de la DINA, Manuel Contreras, y muchos dirigentes actuales de la derecha, así como empresarios, eran visitantes asiduos de la Colonia, conocieron a Schäfer y lo defendían frente a las acusaciones. También recibió en Villa Baviera a dirigentes de la CDU alemana. Tras el fin de la dictadura, Schäfer huyó de Chile en 1996 para evitar ser encarcelado, una vez que en democracia se abrieron las investigaciones por violaciones a los derechos humanos y abusos contra menores. La policía descubrió entonces que en la Colonia había cámaras y micrófonos ocultos en árboles y postes para vigilar a los colonos, depósitos subterráneos de armas, y un archivo con miles de fichas de personajes políticos, cuyo contenido no se reveló. Detenido en Argentina, fue trasladado a Chile en 2005. Desde entonces estaba encarcelado. Schäfer se llevó a la tumba el secreto de cómo logró su influencia en altas esferas del poder, qué hizo con la fortuna que acumuló la Colonia y dónde y cómo hizo desaparecer los cuerpos de los detenidos. Colonia Dignidad sigue existiendo, pero sin el poder de antes, menos aislada del resto del país y con nuevos dirigentes. | Archive photo of . died at 88 from cardiac-respiratory arrest on early Saturday morning in a Chilean prison hospital. Schäfer was the founder and former leader of , an enclave used for torturing and exterminating political prisoners during Augusto Pinochet's dictatorship. Hr was convicted for sexually abusing 26 children for years, and retained thousands of people under his own tyrannical regime, that worked as an aside territory in the country, where people spoke the . Jorge Zepeda, magistrate who investigated the crimes made in Colonia Dignidad, reported that Schäfer was unconscious when he died. He was to stay in prison for 33 years. Hernán Fernández, one of the lawyers against Colonia Dignidad, said that Schäfer's death should help to accelerate the judiciary processes. Chilean President Sebastián Piñera said, "Paul Schäfer will be judged by the divine justice." Schäfer was born in 1921, in , Germany. He was a non-commissioned officer, who moved to Chile after the , evading accusations of sexual abuse of minors. He established an organization in a rural area of Chile, in favour of the poor people, located 400 kilometers south of Santiago, to the border of Argentina. He named this place Villa Babiera. He began his rule of this area in 1961; he established a private tyrannical regime, where almost 300 Germans worked for decades without pay. Men and women were segregated, and people who tried to escape were killed. Adults and children considered it an "honour" for Schäfer to chose to have sex with them. When Pinochet's regime ended, Schäfer escaped from Chile in 1996 to avoid being imprisoned, after he came under investigation for human rights violations and abuse to minors. He was detained in Argentina, and then extradited back to Chile in 2005. Since then he was imprisoned. Colonia Dignidad still exists, though without the power they had before, less secluded and with new leaders. |
The Nobel Peace Prize 2007 English Norwegian The Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided that the Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 is to be shared, in two equal parts, between the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Albert Arnold (Al) Gore Jr. for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change. Indications of changes in the earth's future climate must be treated with the utmost seriousness, and with the precautionary principle uppermost in our minds. Extensive climate changes may alter and threaten the living conditions of much of mankind. They may induce large-scale migration and lead to greater competition for the earth's resources. Such changes will place particularly heavy burdens on the world's most vulnerable countries. There may be increased danger of violent conflicts and wars, within and between states. Through the scientific reports it has issued over the past two decades, the IPCC has created an ever-broader informed consensus about the connection between human activities and global warming. Thousands of scientists and officials from over one hundred countries have collaborated to achieve greater certainty as to the scale of the warming. Whereas in the 1980s global warming seemed to be merely an interesting hypothesis, the 1990s produced firmer evidence in its support. In the last few years, the connections have become even clearer and the consequences still more apparent. Al Gore has for a long time been one of the world's leading environmentalist politicians. He became aware at an early stage of the climatic challenges the world is facing. His strong commitment, reflected in political activity, lectures, films and books, has strengthened the struggle against climate change. He is probably the single individual who has done most to create greater worldwide understanding of the measures that need to be adopted. By awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for 2007 to the IPCC and Al Gore, the Norwegian Nobel Committee is seeking to contribute to a sharper focus on the processes and decisions that appear to be necessary to protect the worlds future climate, and thereby to reduce the threat to the security of mankind. Action is necessary now, before climate change moves beyond mans control. Oslo, 12 October 2007 ||||| Look for popular awards and laureates in different fields, and discover the history of the Nobel Prize. Select the category or categories you would like to filter by Physics Chemistry Medicine Literature Peace Economic Sciences Select the category or categories you would like to filter by Physics Chemistry Medicine Literature Peace Economic Sciences Decrease the year by one - Choose a year you would like to search in Increase the year by one + | Al Gore The 2007 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded today to former U.S. Vice President Albert Arnold Gore Jr. and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The Nobel committee cited "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change, and to lay the foundations for the measures that are needed to counteract such change" as the reasons for awarding the prize. |
LONDON | LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Friday it would ban the export to the United States of three drugs used to carry out lethal injections and called on other European Union countries to follow suit. The British government said it was putting additional export controls on the export of pancuronium bromide, potassium chloride and sodium pentobarbital. Last year, the London-based human rights group Reprieve sued the British government to stop it from exporting another drug, sodium thiopental, a sedative legally required for U.S. lethal injections, which was in short supply in the United States. That led to Britain, which opposes the death penalty, imposing an emergency export ban on the drug. "We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and are clear that British drugs should not be used to carry out lethal injections," Business Secretary Vince Cable said in a statement. "That is why we introduced a control on sodium thiopental last year - the first of its kind in the world. And it is also why we are now controlling the export of the other drugs used in lethal injections in the U.S." In December, the Death Penalty Information Center said the United States had executed far fewer people in 2010 than in previous years, partly because of a shortage of sodium thiopental. The Department for Business said it had consulted the British suppliers of the drugs and other interested parties and concluded legitimate medical trade would not be affected. It said measures to ban exports of the drugs would go before parliament in the next few days and would take effect the following day. Cable said he was urging other European countries to follow Britain's lead in order for the control to be effective. "Since the U.S. executing states are now turning to a Danish company, Lundbeck, to kill people, we must hope that the UK can persuade our EU partners to take a similar line," Reprieve Director Clive Stafford Smith said in a statement. In February, drugs company Novartis said it had taken steps to prevent a generic version of sodium thiopental reaching the United States. ||||| LONDON, April 15 (UPI) -- Britain says it will ban export to the United States of three pharmaceutical drugs used in lethal-injection executions. U.K. Business Secretary Vince Cable said the export ban for pentobarbital, pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride would be formalized in a few days, The Guardian reported Friday. "We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and are clear that British drugs should not be used to carry out lethal injections," Cable said. "Because of the importance and urgency of the situation this is an issue on which we felt we had to take the lead." Pentobarbital is a sedative with a range of medical uses, including the treatment of epileptic seizures, and is also used to euthanize animals. Since late last year, it has been used in the United States for lethal injections because supplies of another drug, sodium thiopental, became scarce. Britain imposed export controls on sodium thiopental in November after it was discovered a small-scale wholesaler in west London had sold the drug to corrections departments in Georgia and Arizona. ||||| Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (National) The Government will introduce additional controls on the export to the US of drugs used in lethal injections and is calling on the EU to follow its lead. Measures will be put in place to stop the export to the US of three drugs - pancuronium bromide, potassium chloride and sodium pentobarbital. The move builds on the Government’s previous action in placing an emergency export control on sodium thiopental. Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and are clear that British drugs should not be used to carry out lethal injections. That is why we introduced a control on sodium thiopental last year - the first of its kind in the world. And it is also why we are now controlling the export of the other drugs used in lethal injection in the US. “Because of the importance and urgency of the situation this is an issue on which we felt we had to take the lead. But we are also urging our European partners to follow suit so that this control can work effectively across Europe. We have therefore written to the EU Commission calling on them to apply this control on an EU-wide basis." The necessary order to extend the controls will be laid before Parliament in the coming days. The Government urgently considered the case for extending export controls to cover the other drugs following a request from the campaigning group Reprieve. The group were concerned that the US may look to source these drugs from the UK. Having consulted UK suppliers of these drugs and other interested parties, the Government is satisfied that legitimate medical trade will not be hampered by the decision. Notes to editors BIS's online newsroom contains the latest press notices, speeches, as well as video and images for download. It also features an up to date list of BIS press office contacts. See http://www.bis.gov.uk/newsroom for more information | Lethal injection chamber at , California. Britain announced Thursday that it will ban the export to the US of three pharmaceutical drugs used for in executions under the death penalty. The three drugs are , and . UK Business Secretary Vince Cable said the order will be formalized within the next few days. Cable issued a statement saying, "We oppose the death penalty in all circumstances and are clear that British drugs should not be used to carry out lethal injections. That is why we introduced a control on last year—the first of its kind in the world. And it is also why we are now controlling the export of the other drugs used in lethal injections in the US." Cable said he was requesting all countries in the EU to do the same in order to effectively control the export of these drugs. Britain blocked the export of sodium thiopental in November after the human rights group sued the government to stop its exportation to the US. Sodium thiopental had been sold to the in two states, Georgia and Arizona, by a small wholesaler in London. The drug is legally used for lethal injections in the US but is in short supply there. Pentobarbital, a sedative, is used to control continuous , as well as to treat a variety of other medical conditions. After sodium thiopental became scarce in the US late last year, the US began to use pentobarbital as a substitute. The said in December that executions in the US had declined in 2010 compared to previous years, partly as a result of a sodium thiopental shortage. The UK government said in a press release: "Having consulted UK suppliers of these drugs and other interested parties, the Government is satisfied that legitimate medical trade will not be hampered by the decision." |
Australia v New Zealand, 1st Test, Brisbane New Zealand lose Franklin to groin injury Wisden Cricinfo staff Brett Lee faces another Test match away from the action © Getty Images James Franklin, the left-arm fast bowler, has been ruled out of the first Test against Australia with a groin injury that has upset New Zealand's preparations for the two-match series. Franklin complained about the strain in the final build-up to the match, which starts tomorrow, and his absence forced a late reshuffle with Kyle Mills coming in and Ian Butler missing out. The coach John Bracewell said Franklin would have been a certain starter and his withdrawal influenced the selection of Mills. "We want to have at least one swing bowler as Brisbane is one of the few places in Australia where you get the opportunity to swing the ball," he said. "It will be about taking the opportunity to pick up a couple of wickets with a swinging ball against a team that goes hard at the bowling." As expected Craig McMillan, a late addition to the tour as cover for Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle, will replace Hamish Marshall. Marshall scored a half-century in his only Test innings in Bangladesh, but Bracewell said McMillan was preferred because of his experience. "McMillan's selection gives us someone who is battle hardened for a Test match of such magnitude," he said. "What it really came down to was the small mental things - the fact that Craig has been there and done that. The added bonus of a few overs may help." Brett Lee's time in the dressing room has been extended after he was named 12th man. But Lee, who was used only as a substitute fielder in the India series, will be released from the 12-man squad to play for New South Wales in the ING Cup against Victoria in Melbourne on Sunday. Ricky Ponting said it was important that Lee was given the opportunity to bowl for his state. "Brett's knocking on the door and is fitter, stronger and lighter than he's ever been," Ponting said. "The more overs he has under his belt the better he's going to be." Lee will stay with the Test team for the first two days. With Shane Warne coming back after a broken finger, the bowling attack is the same one that led Australia to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. "The guys in the side deserve to be there and you can't fault for one second the work of Michael Kasprowicz in both forms of the game," Ponting said. "Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillepsie are the same." Ponting said he was confident Darren Lehmann would be mentally ready after giving evidence on Monday at the trial of a hotel bouncer charged with the manslaughter of David Hookes. "I brought it up at a team meeting and it's been a tough couple of days," he said. "But seeing Darren you'd have thought there was nothing different." Australia 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Justin Langer, 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Damien Martyn, 5 Darren Lehmann, 6 Michael Clarke, 7 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 8 Shane Warne, 9 Jason Gillespie, 10 Michael Kasprowicz, 11 Glenn McGrath. New Zealand 1 Mark Richardson, 2 Mathew Sinclair, 3 Stephen Fleming (capt), 4 Scott Styris, 5 Nathan Astle, 6 Craig McMillan, 7 Jacob Oram, 8 Brendon McCullum (wk), 9 Daniel Vettori, 10 Kyle Mills, 11 Chris Martin. © Wisden Cricinfo Ltd ||||| Losing Franklin at the last moment could prove a tough blow New Zealand swing bowler James Franklin suffered a groin injury in the final build-up to the Brisbane Test to rule him out of the match against Australia. Coach John Bracewell admitted: "He most certainly would have played." He instead settled on Kyle Mills and Chris Martin as his fast-medium pair, with Ian Butler missing out. For Australia, Darren Lehmann shrugged off a hamstring injury to take his place in the side with Brett Lee once again taking on 12th man duties. Shane Warne also returns to the team after missing the final Test in India with a broken thumb. The pair are the only changes to the team with Simon Katich and Nathan Hauritz dropping out. As expected, New Zealand opted for the experience of Craig McMillan over the youthful promise of Hamish Marshall in the middle order. Bracewell said: "There were a couple of tough decisions, mostly based around balance, the sort of strategy we want to take into the game, and experience. Lehmann has recently given evidence in the David Hookes trial "McMillan's selection gives us someone who is battle hardened for a Test match of such magnitude. "Hamish had just one Test innings in Bangladesh and, while he scored 50, was a bit out of touch in the one-day series." Bracewell said Franklin's unexpected injury was an "influencing factor" in selecting Mills for his second Test over Butler. He added: "We want to have at least one swing bowler in the match as Brisbane is one of the few places in Australia where you get the opportunity to swing the ball. "We are expecting the ball to swing and after our initial look at the wicket it looks dry and is already showing cracks along the length of the pitch which indicates that it might take turn towards the end of the match." Lehmann was put through his paces by coach John Buchanan in a fitness test at the Gabba and showed no ill affects. And he will be happy to concentrate on cricket after giving evidence at commital proceedings against a hotel bouncer charged with the manslaughter of former Australia Test batsman David Hookes. "For Darren, it will be nice to get back into the side, a side that loves him and his company," team-mate Matthew Hayden commented. "We love the colour and character he brings to the side. He doesn't take the game too seriously. Maybe we all have to take a leaf out of that book." Australia: Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (capt), Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Michael Clark, Adam Gilchrist (wkt), Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath. (12th man: Brett Lee) New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (capt), Mark Richardson, Mathew Sinclair, Scott Styris, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum (wkt), Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, Chris Martin. (12th man: Hamish Marshall) | ''November 17, Brisbane, Australia'' - The Australian cricket team has brashly talked up their chances of winning the first trans-Tasman test, which is due to begin in Brisbane tomorrow. Bowler Shane Warne has stated that he will be targeting New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, Glenn McGrath has revealed that he will be after Nathan Astle, and Australian batsman Matthew Hayden has vowed to hit New Zealand bowler Daniel Vettori out of the ground. The New Zealand team's reaction to this Australian bravado was muted. "It's just history repeating itself", said former New Zealand coach and former test player John Bracewell. "They just have a set of lines they've been using since I've been coming over here and it's exactly the same story, just a different name saying it. It's just repetitious", he went on to say. New Zealand batsman Scott Styris went further, labelling the Australians' comments as "a yawn". Australia is widely tipped to win the opening match of the two test series, especially due to New Zealand's loss of frontline players James Franklin, Darryl Tuffey and Shane Bond to injury. |
3 -night stay at Largy Coastal Self-Catering Apartments in Carnlough with 2 hour guided tour of the Gobbins Cliff Walk for £104 p.p. For £104 pp for 3 nights based on 4 sharing or £384 for 3 nights for family of 2 adults and up to 3 children ||||| Death of Republican Sinn Fein Patron Dan Keating national | miscellaneous | news report Dé Máirt Deireadh Fómhair 02, 2007 23:32 Dé Máirt Deireadh Fómhair 02, 2007 23:32 by Des Dalton - Republican Sinn Fein by Des Dalton - Republican Sinn Fein saoirse at iol dot ie 223 Parnell St Dublin 1 223 Parnell St Dublin 1 01 8729747 01 8729747 Statement from the President of RSF Ruairi O Bradaigh The death has taken place after a short illness of Republican Veteran Dan Keating of Castlemaine, Co Kerry in his 106th year. Commenting on his passing the President of Republican Sinn Féin Ruairí Ó Brádaigh said: One of the last, if not the last IRA Veteran of the Black and Tan war, he was Patron of Republican Sinn Féin to the very day of his death and an inspiration to all true Republicans. Ends. ||||| Dan Keating was born in 1902 in County Kerry Dan Keating died peacefully near his home in County Kerry. Diarmaid Fleming looks back on his life. Meeting the dapper Dan Keating, it could be difficult to reconcile the immaculately dressed man with his revolutionary past. Looking probably more like a fit 75-year-old rather than a man of 105 years of age, unless you knew his background, it could be hard to imagine the gentlemanly Dan as the last link to the revolutionary violence which gave birth to the modern Irish nation. But once the pleasantries of tea and brief discourse over the weather or Kerry's latest football victory were over, when visiting him at his home in Castlemaine near where he was born, the subject of politics was never far away. Eighty six years after the Irish War of Independence, while the mainstream republican movement had embraced compromise through power-sharing with unionists in Stormont, Dan Keating's views had changed little from the days he fought British forces in the hills and towns of Kerry. In a BBC interview in March, he said that a united Ireland remained his political goal: "You'll have no peace in Ireland until the people of the 32 counties of Ireland elect a government without interference from England." Dan Keating was born in 1902 on a small farm near in Castlemaine in County Kerry, the eldest of seven. Mr Keating said attitudes changed after the Easter Rising His uncles were militants involved in attacks on English landlords' agents during land disputes in the 19th century. But he said that in his early youth, Kerry was peaceful until the 1916 Easter Rising. Relations with the large British military garrison in Tralee were good, where a soldier from Lancashire who enjoyed music was welcomed to sing in the local pubs. When one of Dan's own cousins who was in the British Army overstayed his home leave, two uncles were arrested after beating up a visiting military policeman inquiring as to his whereabouts. But the injured soldier refused to give evidence against the two Kerrymen, saving them from certain jail and earning the respect of locals. "He didn't want any trouble," said Dan. The execution of the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising rapidly changed the atmosphere to one of hatred and war, he said. Working in a bar in Tralee, he joined the IRA youth wing, acting as an intelligence agent, and helping move weapons. He said it was a fervour of revolt and youthful excitement rather than political motivation which got him involved. "We were mad for it. It was the thing to do at the time. There was a wave and you got caught up with it. All the people you knew were involved," he said. He graduated to the IRA on turning 18, and took part in ambushes in which men from both his own and the British side died. He set up one ambush where several policemen were killed near his home, but would not be drawn on whether he himself had killed, saying he did not know in the fog of war. You had to wipe the enemy off the face of the earth "But the prospect never troubled me. You were fighting for a just cause and once you have that in the forefront, it never troubled you," he added. He said it was a war to the death for both sides. "You had to wipe the enemy off the face of the earth, that was your job to do." A truce with the British ended the War of Independence in 1921, but the treaty led to the partition of Ireland. The IRA fought on, with Dan on the losing side in the bitter Civil War against the Free State Army which followed immediately. He was to serve the first of several stretches in prison, interned in the Curragh Camp. While many IRA men left Ireland for good, unable to gain work in a land run by their civil war enemies, Dan stayed and got steady work as a barman. He remained active in the IRA in Kerry, and was part of an IRA squad which attempted to assassinate the Irish fascist leader Eoin O'Duffy on his way to a rally in Tralee in 1933. A disastrous plan by the IRA to cause sabotage in England during World War II - the S-Plan - brought Dan to England where he led the IRA in London, taking part in bombings of commercial premises and power-stations by night, while he worked as a barman in The Strand in London by day. Prison When detectives came knocking on his door, he told him the Dan Keating they were looking for had already left on a passing bus, and made it back to Ireland after giving them the slip. But more jail awaited on his return, with a second stretch in the Curragh internment camp. He left the IRA on his release, he said after a clear-out of the "old guard", and settled down with a new wife who was a regular visitor to him in prison - and who with no hint of irony he said was even more militant than himself. A non-drinker until his 50s, he took his first drink after a row with the teetotal Pioneer Total Abstinence Association He continued to fundraise and help republican causes, even storing weapons in his house despite an unsuspecting near neighbour being a senior policeman. Working in the Comet Bar in Dublin's northside, he was an active trade unionist in the bar worker's union. A non-drinker until his 50s, he took his first drink after a row with the teetotal Pioneer Total Abstinence Association whose pin he had sported as a lifelong member. At a consultation meeting called by the government to relax pub opening hours, Dan was shocked when the teetotal organisation backed plans to lengthen pub opening hours in opposition to the barworkers' union. His response was typically militant. "I took the pin off and fired it at them. I walked out of the meeting with the union leader Walter Byrne, and both of us had a glass of sherry," he said. He retired back to Castlemaine after his wife died in the the late 1970s, but continued to visit Dublin for big gaelic football and hurling matches, attending over 150 All-Ireland finals in his lifetime, most likely a record. Walking several miles a day until just weeks before his death, he attributed his long life to moderation, never smoking, a good diet and lack of stress. And his secret for living to 105? "I always kept going and never worried about things. People should live their life and not worry about things, and if they have any favourite pastimes, they should keep at them," he said. Independent and fit, he travelled on his own by bus on a two-hour journey to Cork to the premiere of Ken Loach's film, the Wind that Shakes the Barley in 2006, meeting the British director afterwards to voice his approval in declaring the film as an accurate portrayal of the fighting he was involved in himself. While he only drank an occasional Benedictine brandy, and detested swearing, his recommendation of moderation did not apply to politics. He remained an unreconstructed militant, left Sinn Fein in 1986 when it voted to end its ban on taking seats in the Irish parliament, and became a patron of the breakaway Republican Sinn Fein. Irish President He said he refused to meet Irish President Mary McAleese to receive a cheque on his 100th birthday because of her declaration of a desire to invite the Queen to Ireland during her term of office, and attacked the Sinn Fein leadership for entering into power-sharing in Stormont this year. Shortly before his death, he said he did not mind that his views were in the minority. "We are passing through a phase, the youth of Ireland - all they want is a pay packet and a good time," he said. "I don't mind because I meet a lot of people who think the very same as me and we are very happy to be a minority. "We feel that we have a duty to hand it down to future generations," he said. His passing marks the end of the last direct link to the turbulent and violent birth of the modern Irish nation, as he was the last IRA veteran of the War of Independence. The muted response to his death of Irish politicians who would not have shared his politics would probably be, for Dan Keating, a fitting epitaph. | Dan Keating, life-long Irish republican and patron of Republican Sinn Féin has died today after a short illness. He was 105 years old. Keating, born on January 2, 1902 and raised in the townland of Ballygamboon, Castlemaine, County Kerry, received his education in local schools, including the Christian Brothers' School in Tralee. Tralee was also the place where Keating did his apprenticeship. During this time he became a skillful Gaelic football player in his native Kerry. Keating joined Fianna Éireann in 1918. In 1920, during the Irish War of Independence, he joined the Boherbee B Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Kerry Brigade, Irish Republican Army. On 21 April 1921, Royal Irish Constabulary Constable Denis O’ Loughlin was shot dead in Knightly public house in Tralee. Keating, Jimmy O’Connor and Percy Hanafin were suspected of the killing, and were forced to go on the run. On 1 June Keating was involved in an ambush between Castlemaine and Milltown which claimed the lives of 5 RIC men. On 10 July, a day before the truce between the IRA and British forces, Keating’s unit was involved in a gun battle with the British Army near Castleisland. This confrontation resulted in the deaths of four British soldiers and five IRA Volunteers. Keating opposed the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty and fought on the Republican side in the Irish Civil War. He was involved in operations in counties Kerry, Limerick, and Tipperary, before his column was arrested by Free State Forces. Keating spent seven months in Portlaoise Prison and the Curragh Prison before being released in March 1923. Keating remained an IRA member for a long time after the Civil War. He was arrested several times during the thirties on various charges. Keating was active in London during the 1939/1940 IRA bombing campaign. Keating subsequently returned to Dublin and worked as a barman in several public houses. He retired and returned to his native Ballygamboon, Kerry in 1978. To his death he refused to accept a state pension because he considered the 26-county Republic of Ireland an illegitimate state which usurped the 1916 Irish Republic. In 2002 he refused the state's standard €2,500 award to centenarians from president Mary McAleese. After former IRA gun-runner George Harrison died in November 2004, Keating became patron of Republican Sinn Féin. |
The UN Security Council has voted unanimously to impose weapons-related sanctions on North Korea. The move follows a flurry of missile tests that have provoked an international outcry. The resolution demands that North Korea 'suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile program.' Advertisement It requires all UN members to prevent imports to or exports from North Korea of missiles and missile-related items as well as materials and funds that could be used in weapons of mass destruction programs. To avert a veto from China, the resolution does not mention Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, a provision used to make council documents legally binding. But Security Council members said the resolution was nonetheless mandatory because of the way it was worded. ||||| UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on Saturday to impose weapons-related sanctions on North Korea in response to its flurry of missile tests earlier this month. The resolution demands that North Korea suspend "all activities" on its ballistic missile programs. It requires all U.N. members to prevent imports from or exports to North Korea of missiles and missile-related items as well as materials that could be used in weapons of mass destruction. To avert a veto from China, the resolution does not mention Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which is used on a legally binding document. But Security Council members say the resolution is mandatory because of the way it is worded. China and Russia had originally proposed weaker language, but agreed to a tough resolution. They expressed fears that Chapter 7 would lead to military action as in Iraq. "The council has acted swiftly and robustly in response to the reckless and condemnable act of (North Korea) in launching the barrage of ballistic missiles," Japan's vice minister for foreign affairs, Shintaro Ito, told the 15-member council after the vote. Defying international warnings, North Korea launched at least six missiles on July 5 and a seventh some 12 hours later. A long-range Taepodong-2, which could theoretically hit the continental United States, fell into the Sea of Japan within a minute of the launch. North Korea, a reclusive Stalinist state, has rebuffed worldwide criticism of its missile tests and resisted pressure to return to talks on winding up its nuclear arms program, but its neighbors pressed on with diplomacy to resolve the crisis. © Copyright 2006 Reuters. Reuters content is the intellectual property of Reuters or its third-party content providers. Any copying, republication, or redistribution of Reuters content, including by caching, framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. ||||| Security Council votes for N. Korea sanctions Pyongyang vows to continue missile test launches UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously Saturday to impose limited sanctions on North Korea for its recent missile tests and demanded that the reclusive communist nation suspend its ballistic missile program. North Korea immediately rejected the resolution and vowed to continue missile launches. U.S. Ambassador John Bolton said North Korea set "a world record" for a rejection -- in just 45 minutes -- but warned that Pyongyang's failure to comply could lead to further council action. (Read the resolution) The resolution bans all U.N. member states from selling material or technology for missiles or weapons of mass destruction to North Korea -- and it bans all countries from receiving missiles, banned weapons or technology from Pyongyang. It condemns North Korea's multiple missile launches on July 5 and demands that North Korea "suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile program" and re-establish a moratorium on missile launching. It also strongly urges North Korea to return to six-party talks on its nuclear program, which have been stalled since last September. North Korea's U.N. Ambassador Pak Gil Yon, who was in the Security Council chamber for the vote, spoke afterward and accused the council of trying to isolate his country, known officially as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. "The delegation of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea resolutely condemns the attempt of some countries to misuse the Security Council for the despicable political aim to isolate and put pressure on the DPRK and totally rejects the resolution," he said. The Korean People's Army "will go on with missile launch exercises as part of its efforts to bolster deterrent for self-defense in the future, too," he said. Pak warned that North Korea will "take stronger physical actions of other forms should any other country dares take issue with the exercises and put pressure on it." Pak also told the council the six-party talks were a separate issue and made no mention of North Korea returning to them. "The DPRK remains unchanged in its will to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula in a negotiated peaceful manner just as it committed itself in the September 19 joint statement of the six-party talks," he said. "The latest missile launch exercises are quite irrelevant to the six-party talks." At the end of his speech, he immediately left the council chamber in a move considered a breach of diplomatic protocol. Agreement on the resolution culminated 10 days of difficult negotiations and was reached after a last-minute compromise between Japan, the United States and Britain -- who wanted a tough statement -- and Russia and China, who favored weaker language. In the final negotiations, the council was divided on one issue: If the resolution should be adopted under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which allows for the use of military force to make sure the resolution is obeyed. China had threatened to veto any resolution that mentioned Chapter 7 and in the final compromise proposed by Britain, with support from France and China, it was dropped. Resolution passed unanimously The resolution adopted Saturday by a 15-0 vote states that the Security Council was "acting under its special responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security." The United States, Britain, France and Japan insist that even without Chapter 7, the resolution is mandatory and all countries are required to comply -- including North Korea. Japan, which views itself as a potential target of North Korean missiles, sponsored the initial resolution, but it was put to a vote as a presidential text, with the support of all council members. "The council has acted swiftly and robustly in response to the reckless and condemnable act of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," Japan's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Shintaro Ito told the council. Before Pak spoke, Bolton said the United States looked forward "to North Korea's full, unconditional and immediate compliance with this Security Council resolution." "It sends an unequivocal, unambiguous and unanimous message to Pyongyang: suspend your ballistic missile program; stop your procurement of materials related to weapons of mass destruction, and implement your September, 2005 commitment to verifiably dismantle your nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs," he told the council. British Ambassador Emyr Jones Parry was equally tough, saying: "The requirements of this resolution are clear and the DPRK and all states concerned must now comply with these obligations." China's Ambassador Wang Guangya said his country, the North's closest ally, adopted "a responsible attitude" in opposing a Chapter 7 resolution, which would "further complicate and aggravate the situation. Russia's Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said the resolution sends "an appropriate signal" to North Korea "on the need to display restraint and to abide by its obligations regarding missiles, and at the same time it should work in favor of continuing the negotiating process in the interest of strengthening security and stability in the region." | North Korea UN Security Council Chamber New York The United Nations Security Council has unanimously voted to impose sanctions related to weapons on North Korea. The resolution demands that North Korea 'suspend all activities related to its ballistic missile program. The resolution requires all to prevent imports from or exports to North Korea of missiles and missile-related items as well as materials that could be used in However, in order to keep China from vetoing the resolution, the resolution was not passed under of the , which is used on a legally binding document. However, the resolution is considered mandatory because of the way it is worded. China and Russia proposed a resolution with weaker language, but later agreed to this tougher resolution. North Korean ambassador to UN spoke after the vote and criticized some members of the Security Council for attempting to isolate North Korea. He also vowed that North Korea will continue with its missile testings. |
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is now sitting in the hot seat, after being sworn in as president of war-torn Liberia. Guests at the ceremony had to make do with white plastic chairs. Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf becomes Africa's first elected female head of state. US Secretary of state Condoleezza Rice (l) and first lady Laura Bush (r) were among the guests at the ceremony. Two US warships were anchored just off the coast of Monrovia to show US support for Liberia - and to guarantee security, along with a host of US bodyguards. The ceremony had its lighters moment - when Ambassador at large George Wallace Jr struggled to fit the official chain of office around the new president's neck. In an hour-long speech, Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf pledged to tackle corruption and to strive to bring peace and prosperity to Liberia - a huge task. Back 1 2 3 4 5 Next E-mail this to a friend LINKS TO MORE IN PICTURES STORIES Select In pictures: Golden Globe winners In pictures: Dockers' strike In pictures: Liberian leader sworn in In pictures: Chile's election In pictures: Emir of Kuwait's funeral In pictures: Hajj stampede In Pictures: Murdered Pc's funeral Your news, your pictures ||||| MONROVIA, Liberia, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf became president of Liberia in a ceremony held outdoors Monday because the battered country had no suitable public building. A U.S. delegation headed by first lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joined the presidents of South Africa and Nigeria and other international figures for the inauguration of the first woman elected a head of state in Africa. The BBC reported that guests sat on white plastic chairs and were shielded from the sun by palm matting outside the capitol building. There was tight security in Monrovia provided by U.N. peacekeepers and Liberian police. Private vehicles were banned from the streets of the capital city and two U.S. warships were deployed off the coast. In her inaugural address, Johnson Sirleaf called for a moment of silence to remember the thousands who died in Liberia's civil war. "We know that your vote was a vote for change, a vote for peace, security and we have heard you loudly," she said. | Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has been inaugurated as Liberia's first elected female President, and also the first elected female head of state in Africa. Her Vice President, also sworn in, is Joseph Boakai. The inauguration took place in the country's capital, Monrovia and was attended by several key figures in world politics. The inauguration was attended by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, US First Lady Laura Bush, and South African President Thabo Mbeki. The inauguration was held out doors, as Liberia lacks any proper buildings for the event to have taken place in, including their capitol building which stood nearby. The BBC reports that guests sat on plastic patio chairs, and were shielded from the sun by palm matting. Johnson-Sirleaf's address said "We know that your vote was a vote for change, a vote for peace, security and we have heard you loudly." She asked for a moment of silence for the thousands who died in Liberia's civil war. Her victory was formally announced by the Liberian elections commission on 23rd November 2005 following the 2005 election. In the second round of votes, her Unity Party received 59.4% of the vote, versus the 40.6% received for George Weah's Congress for Democratic Change. Twenty one parties ran candidates in the election, with one independent also running. Voter turnout to the 2005 election was 74.9% in the first round, and 61.0% for the second. |
At the U.N. conference on Global Climate Change in Bali, the early talk has focused on whether some of the major developed countries will commit to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years. European states are pushing for steep reductions in emissions, but environmentalists accuse some others of dragging their feet. Trish Anderton reports from Bali. The European Union's climate chief, Artur Runge Metzger, says his organization wants greenhouse emissions cut by one half by the middle of the century. "We would like to see global average temperatures rise no more than an average of two degrees compared to pre-industrial levels," Metzger said. "And that would require that global emissions go down by at least 50 percent of the 1990 emissions by the year 2050." Activists stage demonstration outside venue of U.N. climate change conference in Bali, 05 Dec 2007 Greenhouse emissions are thought to be causing global warming. Metzger downplayed differences between the EU and other countries on reduction targets, saying he believes the response to the 50 percent proposal has been increasingly positive. He noted that Japan, Canada and some members of the U.S. congress have expressed support for the idea. Those same countries, however, have been targeted by environmental groups, who say they have failed in their initial statements here to come out strongly enough for significant cuts. Hans Verolme of the group WWF says Japan is being criticized for not including binding targets in its proposal for emission control discussions. "That in our view would be quite disastrous. It would delay action and it would in fact lead to dangerous climate change," Verolme said. Japan says its proposal is merely an attempt to get the conversation started, and U.N. climate change chief Yvo de Boer has also sought to downplay any differences. De Boer repeatedly points out that the Bali conference is not meant to produce a new climate-change treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol. That 1997 agreement is set to expire in 2012. "This meeting in Bali will not finalize a post-2012 climate change deal, that's much too complicated to do in 10 days, but what it can do is put in place a two-year process to work towards such a deal," De Boer said. Even the two-degree temperature rise that the European Union talks about is predicted to have serious effects on humans and the environment. The U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has predicted such a rise would increase the frequency of damaging storms, and make 30 percent of the world's species more vulnerable to extinction. Thousands of delegates from more than 180 countries are meeting here, which is due to run through December 14. ||||| Greenhouse emissions: Developed countries urged to act faster Major developed countries came under fire yesterday by developing countries participating in the 13th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Bali, for not making enough efforts and commitments to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The Convention was kicked off on December 3 by the UNFCC with high expectations that it would be instrumental to come out with what they described as the “”Bali Road Map” towards a comprehensive multilateral framework to combat climate change from an all encompassing global perspective. The G77 group of countries and China said that trying to address the climate change issue would be futile unless developed countries fulfil their commitments to reduce their emissions with deeper and effective cuts as the main polluters of the environment. They also said that an estimated US$ 200 billion would be needed by developing countries for emission reductions and in addition to that several hundreds of dollars would be needed by the developing countries for adaptation. The Africa group presented by Nigeria said that the developed countries were attempting through the Bali meetings to draw the developing countries into a negotiation towards a “comprehensive agreement”” in which the developing countries have to take on new commitments as a concession to the developed countries against what they are already mandated to make. The developed countries are to commit to a second period of emission reductions beginning from 2013 under the UN FCC and Kyoto Protocol. Climate change poses a serious threat on developing countries that in Asia fresh water availability is seemingly declining with most of its coastal areas are at the risk of being flooded. Pakistan said that the developing countries were historically not responsible for these situations and they have rights and priorities in meeting their present and future development needs. The G77 listed that lack of fulfilment of commitments during the Kyoto protocol ‘s first commitment period by Annex 1 (developed) countries in reducing emissions, lack of provision of finance and technology transfer to developing countries, Inadequacy of financial resources for adaptation and mitigation efforts and insufficient national institutional capacity in the developing countries to participate in carbon mechanisms as the most formidable challenges in addressing Climate Change. China expressed their disappointment about the progress made by the developed countries in the area of transferring technologies to developing countries. UNFCC executive Secretary Yvo de Boer said that they wanted a break through in Bali through the formal adoption of a negotiating agenda. A powerful coalition of developed countries, which is chaired by Australia and is considered a key swing player at the negotiations, is split on the crucial but contentious issue of mandatory national targets for developed countries in any post-Kyoto climate agreement after 2012. Meanwhile, on behalf of the Umbrella Group made up of developed countries, But the European Union is adamant that any new deal must contain binding commitments for all signatories to the proposed agreement. The EU has dangled the prospect of even steeper emissions cuts across Europe to fight global warming - but only if the rest of the world follows suit. The bloc urged rich nations to rally together to slash greenhouse gas output by 30 per cent by 2020. | Inside the conference centre At the U.N. conference on Global Climate change in Bali, the early talk has focused on whether some of the major developed countries will commit to cutting greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years. European states are pushing for steep reductions in emissions, but environmentalists accuse some others of dragging their feet. The European Union's climate chief, Artur Runge Metzger, says his organization wants greenhouse emissions cut by half by the middle of the century. "We would like to see global average temperatures rise no more than an average of two degrees compared to pre-industrial levels," Metzger said. "And that would require that global emissions go down by at least 50 percent of the 1990 emissions by the year 2050." Greenhouse emissions are thought to be causing global warming. Metzger downplayed differences between the EU and other countries on reduction targets, saying he believes the response to the 50 percent proposal has been increasingly positive. He noted that Japan, Canada and some members of the U.S. congress have expressed support for the idea. Those same countries, however, have been targeted by environmental groups, who say they have failed in their initial statements here to come out strongly enough for significant cuts. Hans Verolme of the group WWF says Japan is being criticized for not including binding targets in its proposal for emission control discussions. "That in our view would be quite disastrous. It would delay action and it would in fact lead to dangerous climate change," Verolme said. The Conference entrance Japan says its proposal is merely an attempt to get the conversation started, and U.N. climate change chief Yvo de Boer has also sought to downplay any differences. De Boer repeatedly points out that the Bali conference is not meant to produce a new climate-change treaty to replace the Kyoto Protocol. That 1997 agreement is set to expire in 2012. "This meeting in Bali will not finalize a post-2012 climate change deal, that's much too complicated to do in 10 days, but what it can do is put in place a two-year process to work towards such a deal," De Boer said. Even the two-degree temperature rise that the European Union talks about is predicted to have serious effects on humans and the environment. The U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has predicted such a rise would increase the frequency of damaging storms, and make 30 percent of the world's species more vulnerable to extinction. Thousands of delegates from more than 180 countries are meeting in Bali, which is due to run through December 14. |
Barot was called a "determined terrorist" by Scotland Yard Barot's surveillance Dhiren Barot, 34 and from London, had admitted conspiracy to murder. The prosecution told Woolwich Crown Court Barot intended a "memorable black day" of terror and considered using a radioactive "dirty bomb". Mr Justice Butterfield said the plot could have seen carnage on a "colossal and unprecedented scale" if successful. 'No noble cause' Barot, a former Hindu who converted to Islam, is also wanted by US authorities over charges of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction in the US and in Yemen. The judge told him: "This was no noble cause. Your plans were to bring indiscriminate carnage, bloodshed and butchery first in Washington, New York and Newark, and thereafter the UK on a colossal and unprecedented scale." Home Secretary John Reid said the case showed "the terrorist threat remains very real and serious". The prosecution conceded the police had not found any evidence that materials had been acquired to carry out the plans, but said officers had also failed to find weapons to which Barot had access. For well over two years we have been unable to show the British public the reality of the threat they faced from this man DAC Peter Clarke Scotland Yard Profile: Dhiren Barot Round-up of prosecution case Defence lawyer Ian Macdonald QC referred to the main part of the conspiracy as, in Barot's words, a "rough presentation". Mr Justice Butterfield said Barot had not achieved any of his terror goals and that, on the evidence, he had not "moved to the final stages of achieving them". But he added that this was no thanks to him. Mass damage The court heard Barot prepared meticulous plans for al-Qaeda figures on a series of synchronised attacks in the UK. "The central plan was for the construction and deployment in a basement car park underneath a building of an improvised explosive device using gas cylinders hidden in limousines," said Edmund Lawson QC, prosecuting. Mr Lawson added it was to be launched simultaneously with other attacks including a dirty bomb, an attack on trains, and the hijacking of petrol tankers to be rammed into a target. In the document, Barot had written his primary objective of the project was to "inflict mass damage and chaos". The court heard Barot's plot also included plans to detonate a bomb under the River Thames to flood the Tube network and potentially drown hundreds of commuters. Barot also planned to strike a number of US financial institutions. His plans for bombings in the US were initiated before the 11 September attacks, and Barot is not thought to have had any advance knowledge of them. Barot's plans were found on a laptop computer seized during a raid on a house in Gujrat, Pakistan, in July 2004. The Muslim convert, from Kingsbury, north-west London, was arrested by armed police the next month. Scotland Yard's anti-terrorist branch head, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke, called Barot a "determined and experienced terrorist" who attended training camps in 1995. "For well over two years we have been unable to show the British public the reality of the threat they faced from this man. Now they can see for themselves the full horror of his plan." ||||| British scientists could treat or even cure cancer using a groundbreaking technique that finds and attacks the “Achilles’ heel” of tumours, they say. Research by University College London harnesses the body’s immune system to wipe out each cancer cell in a “potentially revolutionary” way. It promises to be effective against fast-mutating types of the disease, such as lung cancer, that have so far evaded most treatments. Scientists are hopeful that it will work on all cancers. Researchers involved in the latest breakthrough warned that the work was in its early stages and trials were needed before it could be used to treat patients. Charles Swanton, from the UCL Cancer Institute, said: “I will be disappointed if we haven’t treated a patient [in a trial] within two years.” About 160,000 people die from cancer each year in the UK, accounting for almost a third of all deaths. Half are from lung, bowel, breast and prostate cancer. The research, published in the journal Science, describes a method for creating individualised cancer treatments by finding a key change common to all cells in a person’s tumour and mobilising the immune system to fight it. Peter Johnson, from Cancer Research UK, said that the work was very exciting. “[It is about] understanding at a fundamental molecular level what it is that the immune system can see in tumours, leading to effective treatments. We have big optimism about what it will delive | Today, in Woolwich Crown Court, Dhiren Barot was sentenced to life imprisonment having been found guilty of conspiracy to murder. Evidence was presented that Barot had planned, among other things, to bomb prominent buildings in Britain including the Savoy Hotel, to discharge 'dirty' bombs and to destroy a tube train under the Thames with the intention of flooding the underground system. Barot was the author of a terrorist's handbook published in Birmingham in which he upheld the IRA as an example to be followed, although he thought that their methods were a bit out of date. Barot had planned to attack buildings in the United States before 9/11, but, it was thought, he had no prior knowledge of that attack. In delivering the sentence, the judge, Mr Justice Butterfield, told Barot that he must serve at least 40 years before he would be considered for release. |
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick looks up at fans after the Falcons' loss to the Carolina Panthers in Atlanta, Georgia December 24, 2006. (Tami Chappell / Reuters) The NFL took quick action Friday following Atlanta Falcon quarterback Michael Vick's admission that he played a role in operating a dogfighting ring. The league suspended Vick indefinitely without pay. Vick acknowledged killing poorly performing pit bulls and supplying money for gambling and the oversight of an interstate dogfighting operation based out of his Virginia property, according to court documents filed this afternoon in federal court in Richmond, Va. The Atlanta Falcons quarterback, 27, pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiracy to travel across state lines for the purpose of dogfighting. The charge carries a punishment of up to five years in prison, $250,000 in fines and three years of supervised release, according to the plea agreement. In a letter responding to Vick's court statements, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote: "Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible. Your team, the NFL, and NFL fans have all been hurt by your actions. … Your plea agreement and the plea agreements of your co-defendants also demonstrate your significant involvement in illegal gambling. Even if you personally did not place bets, as you contend, your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL Player Contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player." In the letter Goodell also states that he will review the status of Vick's suspension once the legal proceedings against him have concluded. The commissioner goes on to advise Vick that the Atlanta Falcons "are now free to assert any claims or remedies available to them under the Collective Bargaining Agreement or your NFL Player Contract." According to Vick's plea agreement, "the government agrees to recommend sentencing at the low end of the applicable guideline range, provided the defendant fulfils his obligations under this plea agreement." That range, according to sources, could be from one to three years behind bars, a decision that will be made by U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson. Vick agreed that a property he'd purchased on Moonlight Road in Smithfield, Va., for $34,000 in 2001 became the headquarters for Bad News Kennels, according to a summary of facts in court documents obtained by ABC News. Purses for dogfighting matches, which took place on the property as well as in other locations, ranged from hundreds of dollars to thousands of dollars, most of which was gambling money provided by Vick, according to the documents. Vick did not, however, place side bets on any of the fights or receive any of the proceeds from purses won by Bad News Kennels. Vick admits in the documents that in April of this year, he was involved in the killing of six to eight dogs that did not perform well during "testing" sessions at the Moonlight Road property. The dogs were "killed by various methods, including hanging and drowning." In April, evidence of dogfighting, including more than 50 dogs, was discovered by federal agents during a raid on the Moonlight Road property. No decision has been made on the fate of the dogs. Under his plea, Vick agrees to testify as a witness for the federal government in future trials. Vick was originally indicted in July. Each of the three Vick co-conspirators -- Tony Taylor, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips -- have already entered guilty pleas. Billy Martin, Vick's attorney, told ESPN in a telephone interview that his client would address his guilty plea to the public, but did not say exactly when. The U.S. attorney's office said that a statement regarding the plea deals would be issued after Vick's court appearance Monday. John Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for the Humane Society of the United States, said after details of the plea were announced that the organization is hopeful that Vick will help lead prosecutors to additional dogfighting participants. "Well, we have reason to believe that there's a lot of information being shared about other dogfighting operations and we don't want this to begin and end with Bad Newz Kennels," he told ABC News. "And so we hope and expect that information's going to be provided from the Vick camp that will further those goals." Vick's future in the National Football League remains a question mark. He has already been barred from training camp and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has asked the Falcons organization to hold off on any potential team discipline until the league decides how it will respond. Outrage over the Vick charges have already cost him lucrative sponsorship contracts with Rawlings, Nike, Reebok and Upper Deck. As the details of the plea deal emerged, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution posted on its Web site Thursday night a story in which Vick's estranged biological father said that he'd tried to steer his son away from the dogfighting lifestyle. Michael Boddie told the Atlanta newspaper that Vick staged multiple dogfights in 2001 in the garage of the family's Newport News, Va., home and that his son would keep the dogs, sometimes injured, in the family's yard. ||||| COLUMBIA, S.C. - Michael Vick acknowledged in court papers Friday that he did, indeed, bankroll gambling on dogfighting and helped kill some dogs not worthy of the pit, but insisted he placed no bets of his own nor took any winnings (Click here to read Vick's complete statement as a pdf file). His lawyer said the NFL star is sorry he associated with the people involved in the first place. A “summary of facts” signed by Vick was filed along with his written plea agreement on a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge. He will appear before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson to formally plead guilty Monday and then await sentencing at a later date. Story continues below ↓ advertisement advertisement The court documents and a statement by Vick’s legal team seek to portray him as less involved in the dogfighting ring than three co-defendants who previously pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the Atlanta Falcons quarterback. “While Mr. Vick is not personally charged with or responsible for committing all of the acts alleged in the indictment, as with any conspiracy charge, he is taking full responsibility for his actions and the actions of the others involved,” the defense team said in a written statement after the plea agreement was filed. “Mr. Vick apologizes for his poor judgment in associating himself with those involved in dog fighting and realizes he should never have been involved in this conduct,” the statement said. Vick signed the plea agreement late Thursday. “Most of the Bad Newz Kennels operation and gambling monies were provided by Vick,” the summary of facts said, echoing language in plea agreements by the three co-defendants. The statement said that when the kennel’s dogs won, the gambling proceeds were generally shared by Vick’s three co-defendants — Tony Taylor, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips. “Vick did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights. Vick did not receive any of the proceeds of the purses that were won by Bad Newz Kennels,” the summary said. According to the statement, Vick also was involved with the others in killing six to eight dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions last April. The dogs were executed by drowning or hanging. “Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts” of Vick, Phillips and Peace, the statement said. In the plea agreement, the government committed to recommending a sentence on the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range of a year to 18 months. However, the conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, and the judge is not bound by any recommendation or by the guidelines. Slide show: Week in Sports Pictures Week in Sports Pictures A batter loses it, Iranian runners battle some serious wind drag, and more. Hudson has a reputation for imposing stiff sentences, according to lawyers who have appeared in his court. The judge will set a sentencing date at Monday’s hearing. “Our position has been that we are going to try to help Judge Hudson understand all the facts and Michael’s role,” Vick’s defense attorney, Billy Martin, said in telephone interview. “Michael’s role was different than others associated with this incident.” Martin said Vick will “speak to the public and explain his actions.” Though he declined to say when and where, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, a syndicated program based in Dallas, said it will have a live interview with Vick on Tuesday. The U.S. attorney’s office, which has declined to comment on the case, said it would issue a statement after the hearing. The case began in April when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick’s cousin raided a Surry County property owned by Vick and found dozens of dogs, some injured, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting. A federal indictment issued in July charged Vick, Peace, Phillips and Taylor with an interstate dogfighting conspiracy. Vick initially denied any involvement, and all four men pleaded innocent. Taylor was the first to change his plea to guilty, saying Vick financed the dogfighting ring’s gambling and operations. Peace and Phillips soon followed, alleging that Vick joined them in killing dogs that did not measure up in test fights. The sickening details outlined in the indictment and other court papers prompted a public backlash against Vick, who had been one of the NFL’s most popular players. As animal-rights groups mobilized against Vick and sponsors dropped him, Vick was barred from the Falcons training camp, but neither the NFL nor the team have taken further action. © 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | Michael Vick, of the Atlanta Falcons scrambles past Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney in the 2006 Pro Bowl. Atlanta Falcon's quarterback Michael Vick will enter federal court on Monday, but a newly published report says he will not admit to gambling or killing the dogs. However, Vick is expected to plead guilty to the charge of 'interstate commerce for the purpose of dogfighting.' A source told ESPN he did not kill any dogs, but he was present when the dogs were being killed. Vick faces a maximum of five years in jail. However, a government source told the Associated Press yesterday that prosecutors would most likely recommend a sentence of 12 to 18 months in prison. Three co-defendants in the case have already pleaded guilty and, if the case goes to trial, will likely testify against Vick. Vick's future in the NFL is still uncertain. |
Ugyen Tenzing, the country's director of disaster management, said rescuers were searching for survivors under the debris of collapsed buildings in the eastern districts of Munggar and Trashigang on Monday. A 6.1-magnitude earthquake has killed at least ten people in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, officials have said. "It's hard to determine the extent of the damage at the moment. There is still information coming in," Tenzing said. The state-run Bhutan Broadcasting Service reported that dozens had been injured. Lungthen Dorji, the governor of Trashigang district said: "Houses, and monasteries and roads have been damaged. Mobile services are clogged." Epicentre According to the US Geological Survey, the epicentre was located just inside Bhutan's border with India, 180km east of Thimpu, the capital. Strong tremors lasting up to 20 seconds were also felt in Guwahati, the capital of India's northeastern state of Assam. Cracks appeared in several buildings in the city but there was no serious damage, witnesses said. The quake was also felt in Bangladesh and Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, but there were no reports of damage in either place. Much of Bhutan, located in the mountains between China and India, is sparsely populated, reachable only by walking paths and without electricity or telephones. Most of the 600,000 population live by subsistence farming, animal husbandry and forestry. ||||| Quake Shakes Himalayas Causing Deaths, Destruction in Bhutan USGS shake map shows quake centered in sparsely populated area of Bhutan with initial assessment with 'very strong' perceived shaking at epicenter A powerful earthquake has struck the Himalayan region, causing at least five deaths and destruction in the small mountainous nation of Bhutan. The tremor - measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale - shook a wide area. The earthquake was felt as far away as Dhaka in Bangladesh and Lhasa in Tibet. Buildings cracked in Guwahati, the capital of the northeast Indian state of Assam. The epicenter of the quake was in the eastern part of the remote nation of Bhutan, between India and China. Bhutan Home Minister Minjur Dorji, speaking from the capital, Thimpu, told VOA News there are fatalities and buildings collapsed in the Monggar region. "We are anticipating that most of the houses are now down, destroyed," Dorji said. "These are not like you see in the metropolitan cities, like concrete houses. These are made of wood, mud and stone, generally two-storied houses." Monasteries and forts, which are used as government administration centers, have also been damaged. The Home Minister also says some roads have cracked or been blocked, meaning it could be some time before officials are able to reach some of the remote communities. But the Home Minister says mobile telephone service is working, enabling communications with local officials who are rendering aid. Dorji adds Bhutan's government is still gathering information about the extent of the casualties and damage and it is premature to say whether the country will request outside assistance. In the Indian state of Assam, the earthquake caused cracks in some buildings in the capital, Guwahati, sending panicked occupants into the streets. The U.S. Geological Survey says the epicenter of the quake was near the border of Bhutan and India, about 125 kilometers from Guwahati and at a shallow depth of 7.2 kilometers. The region is considered to be seismically active and last suffered a devastating 8.5 magnitude quake in 1950, blamed on a collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. That temblor killed more than 1,500 people in Assam. A powerful earthquake has struck the Himalayan region, causing at least five deaths and destruction in the small mountainous nation of Bhutan. The tremor - measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale - shook a wide area.The earthquake was felt as far away as Dhaka in Bangladesh and Lhasa in Tibet. Buildings cracked in Guwahati, the capital of the northeast Indian state of Assam. The epicenter of the quake was in the eastern part of the remote nation of Bhutan, between India and China.Bhutan Home Minister Minjur Dorji, speaking from the capital, Thimpu, told VOA News there are fatalities and buildings collapsed in the Monggar region."We are anticipating that most of the houses are now down, destroyed," Dorji said. "These are not like you see in the metropolitan cities, like concrete houses. These are made of wood, mud and stone, generally two-storied houses."Monasteries and forts, which are used as government administration centers, have also been damaged.The Home Minister also says some roads have cracked or been blocked, meaning it could be some time before officials are able to reach some of the remote communities. But the Home Minister says mobile telephone service is working, enabling communications with local officials who are rendering aid.Dorji adds Bhutan's government is still gathering information about the extent of the casualties and damage and it is premature to say whether the country will request outside assistance.In the Indian state of Assam, the earthquake caused cracks in some buildings in the capital, Guwahati, sending panicked occupants into the streets.The U.S. Geological Survey says the epicenter of the quake was near the border of Bhutan and India, about 125 kilometers from Guwahati and at a shallow depth of 7.2 kilometers.The region is considered to be seismically active and last suffered a devastating 8.5 magnitude quake in 1950, blamed on a collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. That temblor killed more than 1,500 people in Assam. E-mail Print Digg Yahoo Buzz Facebook del.icio.us StumbleUpon ||||| Versión en Español Earthquake Summary Felt Reports At least ten people killed and dozens injured in Mongar and Tashigang due to collapsed buildings. Many buildings destroyed and many roads have been damaged. Buildings cracked in Guwahati, India. Felt (IV) at Thimphu, Bhutan. Also felt at Tashigang and Tshongdue. Felt (II) at Calcutta, India. Also felt at Bidhannagar, Dispur, Kalimpong, Mussoorie, Nagaon, Nalbari, North Dum Dum, Patna, Shillong, Silchar and Tezpur. Felt at Lhasa, China. Earthquake Information for Asia | Local officials have said that an earthquake, measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale, has struck Bhutan, killing at least ten people and damaging many buildings. The US Geological Survey said that the epicentre of the tremor was located along the country's southern border with India, 180 kilometres (110 miles) east of Bhutan's capital Thimphu. Bhutanese director of disaster management Ugyen Tenzing said that rescue teams were searching the rubble of collapsed buildings for survivors. Tenzing said that "it's hard to determine the extent of the damage at the moment. There is still information coming in." "We are anticipating that most of the houses are now down, destroyed," said Bhutan Home Minister Minjur Dorji. He also added that "these are not like you see in the metropolitan cities, like concrete houses. These are made of wood, mud and stone, generally two-storied houses." The local governor, Lungthen Dorji, said, "houses, and monasteries and roads have been damaged. Mobile services are clogged." |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.