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Article 1: Gordon Brown became Prime Minister in 2007
In the latest developments in discussions between the Liberal Democrats and the two largest parties, Gordon Brown has announced his resignation as Labour Party leader and Prime Minister.
Gordon Brown made his statement at 5.00 pm local time in front of 10 Downing Street, London, following a meeting he had yesterday with Nick Clegg, the leader of the Liberal Democratic Party.
He stated that a strong and stable "progressive alliance" of the Labour and Liberal parties would be in the best interest of the country and made his resignation as a means to forward this, saying that he would set in motion the process needed for a new leader of the Labour Party to be selected and that a new leader will be in place in the autumn by the time of the next Labour Party Conference.
However, unlike a Conservative-Liberal alliance, a Labour-Liberal one would not command a majority in Parliament. For the "progressive alliance" to have its majority, it would therefore need to bring in MPs from the smaller parties, something that both the Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru have stated they would be amenable to.
The current move follows the return of a in the United Kingdom general election on Thursday. The Liberal Democratic Party, who hold the balance of power, have been in negotiations with the Conservative Party.
fr:Royaume-Uni : Gordon Brown compte quitter la tête du parti travailliste Article 2: Location of Helmand Province in Afghanistan.
On Monday, the Ministry of Defence announced that two UK troops died in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, as the result of two isolated occurrences yesterday. Small arms fire killed one soldier, who came from the 1st Battalion Scots Guards, in the .
The other individual, a Royal Marine serving in 40 Commando, was in the when the explosion of an improvised explosive device (IED) occurred. The families of the deceased have now been notified.
Including these new deaths, the total number of UK military deaths in Afghanistan rose to 327. The UK has been active in Afghanistan since October 2001.
Announcing the casualties, Task Force Helmand spokesman Lieutenant Colonel David Southall said of the first soldier, "Commanding his men, he was killed in action by small arms fire whilst providing security to the Afghan people."
"He gave his life whilst seeking to improve the lives of ordinary Afghans. His sacrifice will not be forgotten," Southall said of the marine's death.
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Article 1: Map of Arkansas highlighting Washington County.svg|Washington County, Arkansas, where the tornado touched down|thumb|left
Three are dead after a tornado hit Cincinnati, a small town in Arkansas, about three miles from Oklahoma’s border. Around 6:00 local time, on Friday, the system, fed by warm winter air, caused several injuries, damaging the power grid.
Josh Howerton, the county’s sheriff’s dispatcher, stated that the storm touched down near the town’s center. "Lots of injuries" were reported. A tornado warning for Cincinnati and nearby towns was issued by the Tulsa weather center nine minutes before the storm struck.
"Any time you have a significant change in air mass there is going to be unsettled weather marking the two different air masses," said Joe Sellers, a meteorologist from the in Oklahoma. Article 2: The suspect fled to Tsuen Wan Riviera Park after killing his mother and sister.
A 15-year-old boy from , Hong Kong murdered his mother and sister with a chopper in the early hours of Thursday morning. Police records show that the teenager had no record of drug abuse or mental illness, and was known by neighbours to be a well behaved, polite boy. The only clue to the motivation of the murder was when he told police "the world would be better with fewer people" during interrogation.
The teenager attacked his mother, 42, and 12-year-old sister in their flat while his father was working at the family-owned restaurant situated across the road. After killing them, he fled the scene and called police at approximately 3:30 a.m. HKT (1930 , July 21) from a telephone booth in a nearby park. As he was waiting for the police to arrive, he cut a wound in his own hand. When police found him, he was wearing black gloves and was covered in bloodstains, and carrying the chopper in his rucksack. They escorted him back to the family home and discovered his mother and sister's bodies which were inflicted with extensive knife wounds to their necks and abdomens. The boy's father temporarily shut down his restaurant as a result of the murder, and visited his son in hospital while he was receiving treatment for his hand laceration.
The boy, who studies at Po Leung Kuk Lee Shing Pik College, ranked first in class in Primary Six, and was known to be well behaved, friendly and hard-working. His principal, his father, an employee at the family's restaurant and a neighbour were said to be shocked at the news of the murders. The local newspaper vendor described him as "polite". There have been no record of any arguments among the family members; however, graffiti which is believed to have been written by the teenager was found on the walls of the block of flats where the boy lives. The graffiti includes foul language, including "shit" and "bitch", as well as "I love you" and "Happy birthday (little sister)". A psychiatrist told Hong Kong newspaper that he may have committed the murder as a result of incubated mental illness that his family were not aware he was suffering from, or that he may have experienced a huge setback or terrible experience.
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Article 1: The oil rig Deepwater Horizon sank yesterday after an explosion Tuesday night that left eleven people missing.
The oil rig Deepwater Horizon ablaze Wednesday.
According to an officer from the , the rig sank sometime in the morning. The rig had caught fire after an explosion of unknown origin occurred two days ago. 115 of the 126 workers on board the time of the explosion have been rescued after evacuating in lifeboats, either by the Coast Guard or from other ships in the area.
The remaining eleven have not been located, although Coast Guard officials have expressed optimism that they are still alive.
The environmental impacts of the explosion and subsequent sinking of the rig are unclear. While up to 13,000 gallons of crude oil per hour has been released from the rig, until now, the effects have been considered minimal, as it had been burned off in the fire. That does have the potential to change, though, according to David Rainey, vice president of the lessor of the rig, BP. The rig, built in 2001 by Transocean.
The rig was located roughly 50 miles southeast of the coast of Louisiana, and was under lease to BP since 2007. It was completing the construction of a new oil well, and was constructing a layer of cement in the well to reinforce it. This is considered dangerous, as it has the potential to produce an uncontrolled release of case, called a blowout. While the cause of the explosion has yet to be determined, a blowout is considered a possibility.
One survivor of the explosion, who declined to give his name, told the The New York Times that he was lying in bed when the explosion happened. "It caught me by surprise. I’ve been in offshore 25 years, and I’ve never seen anything like that," he recalled.
Stanley Murray, the father of another survivor named Chad, an electrician, said: "My son had just walked off the drill floor." However, Murray said that a neighbor did not make it in time, adding that his son told him that the missing eleven workers could not have made it out alive. "The eleven that’s sic missing, they won’t find them," Murray said. Article 2: Map showing Baltimore
A fire in a two-story house killed six people — three children and three adults — in , Maryland early this morning. The fire also spread to three adjacent houses.
According to a Baltimore Fire Department official, Kevin Cartwright, the fire was reported just before 5 am local time (1000 UTC). Firefighters arrived on the scene and entered the building to extinguish the flames, however gusty winds of 30–40 miles per hour fueled the fire and forced them to exit.
Cartwright said that once the fire was extinguished, firefighters reentered the building and found five bodies. Further searches revealed a sixth body. Cartwright was unsure of the victims' ages or identities, but neighbors revealed that the occupants were an elderly husband and wife, their granddaughter and their three great-grandchildren. A neighbor, Karen Lane, identified the couple as Richard and Eleanor Satterfield and the granddaughter as Tiara.
Investigators are trying to determine what caused the fire. The cause of death is suspected to be smoke inhalation, however the Coroner's Office has not disclosed the official cause of death. It is also unclear whether the house had smoke detectors.
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Article 1: Two women walk by the body of a dead man, in the streets of the Port-au-Prince neighborhood of Bel-Air.
As reported the United Nations, January 12 Haiti earthquake left exactly 222,570 deaths, 1,300,000 refugees in harbours, 766,000 displaced people, 310,000 injured and 869 disappeared. The report also mentioned economic loss suffered by the country, that reached 7.754 billion dollars, leaving 71 percent of the Haitians in extreme poverty.
The document was diffused in Santo Domingo de Guzmán, between the preparatives of a conference about the reconstruction of Haiti, that will take place next March 11 in New York.
Haitian Government representatives have asked to donors an additional help of 350 million dollars for the Haiti reconstruction, the most poor country in the Americas.
The damages report was prepared by the Haitian Government with the support of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Interamerican Development Bank, the World Bank, the United Nations and the European Union. Article 2: Protest against US Church.jpg|thumb|left|A protest in India against the planned September 11 Qur'an burning.
The leader of a Gainesville, Florida church announced yesterday that the church had canceled its plan to burn copies of the Qur'an tomorrow but later stated that he had reconsidered his decision. Earlier yesterday, Pastor Terry Jones said that the Park51, a mosque and community center to be located a few hundred meters away from the site of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
In a press conference on Thursday, Jones announced that "we have agreed to cancel our event on Saturday and on Saturday I have agreed to meet with the Imam." However, Rauf has denied that he struck a deal with the pastor, saying that he was surprised by the announcement of a deal.
On Thursday night, Jones insisted that he had struck a deal with Rauf, saying that he had been "clearly, clearly lied to". Jones also said that he is having second thoughts of his earlier statement on Thursday afternoon.
"I am glad that Pastor Jones has decided not to burn any Qur'ans. However, I have not spoken to Pastor Jones," Rauf said on Thursday. He followed up, stating that "We are not going to toy with our religion or any other. Nor are we here to barter. We are here to extend our hand to build peace and harmony."
The developer of the New York City mosque in question also denied that a deal had been reached with Jones, stating that "The Muslim community center called Park51 in lower Manhattan is not being moved. The project will proceed as planned."
On Wednesday, Jones had announced his intention to go ahead with the September 11 Qur'an burning. He also said that he has support from churches around the United States, and that people from around the country have been mailing him Qur'ans to burn. The pastor also said that he has received over 100 death threats and has taken to carrying a gun on his hip for self-defense. In the past, the Dove World Outreach Center has declared that "Islam is of the devil" and that the religion is "evil" as it does not teach that Jesus was the son of God. Even though the church announced that it would continue with the plan, Jones could run into trouble as the Gainesville fire department has denied the church a permit to burn the Qur'ans.
A 17th century Qur'an in the Victoria and Albert Museum
Many prominent figures have condemned the Qur'an burning. Yesterday morning, US president Barack Obama responded, "... what he's proposing to do is completely contrary to our values as Americans," and warned, "This is a recruitment bonanza for Al Qaeda." In his interview recorded on Wednesday for Good Morning America, Obama stated that "this stunt that he is talking about pulling could greatly endanger our young men and women in uniform who are in Iraq, who are in Afghanistan", adding, "This could increase the recruitment of individuals who'd be willing to blow themselves up in American cities, or European cities."
, NATO commander in Afghanistan, said on Wednesday that the plan would endanger US troops worldwide. In response to the general's comments, Jones had told the press that "we understand the general's concerns, we are taking those into consideration. We feel it's maybe the right time for America to stand up. How long are we going to bow down? How long are we going to be controlled by the terrorists, by radical Islam? ... As of right now, we are not convinced that backing down is the right thing."
Other prominent people from around the globe condemned the plan earlier this week, including the head of the US State Department, Eric Holder pitched in, calling the book burning "idiotic and dangerous."
Republican Tea Party activist and former Alaska governor also chimed in, saying that burning the Qur'an would be an "insensitive and an unnecessary provocation — much like building a mosque at ground zero." She also said that people have the constitutional right to burn the book, and that "I would hope that Pastor Terry Jones and his supporters will consider the ramifications of their planned book-burning event. It will feed the fire of caustic rhetoric and appear as nothing more than mean-spirited religious intolerance. Don't feed that fire."
Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper condemned the plan, saying that his God was a tolerant God, and suggesting that freedom of religion comes from a tolerant spirit.
A coalition of religious leaders from different religions including Islam, Christianity and Judaism met in Washington to condemn "International Burn a Koran Day". People took to the streets in the Muslim-majority countries of Afghanistan and Pakistan in protest. In Indonesia, the country with the world's largest Muslim population, thousands of protesters gathered around the U.S. Embassy in on Monday.
Due to the increase in tension caused by this activity, INTERPOL released an alert warning of attacks and asking member nations to contact the international police agency if they receive information on public safety hazards.
Despite the criticism, legal commentators say that Jones and his church have the constitutional right to burn the book, which is considered by Muslims to be the word of God. "The First Amendment, as it's been interpreted, would probably not win if it were put up to a vote. It is very hard to explain to people why this sort of conduct should be permitted," said Stephen Gillers, a law professor at New York University.
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Article 1: A senior Hamas commander was "assassinated in Dubai" by Israel on January 20, according to the Palestinan group. Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, the 50-year-old founder of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, according to a statement, "died a martyr on 20 January, in suspicious circumstances". No further details were given. Hamas has stated that it will "retaliate for this Zionist crime at the appropriate moment", and is calling for a joint enquiry into the death.
Mabhouh, exiled to Syria since 1989, was behind the abduction and murder that year of two Israeli soldiers, Avi Sasportas and Ilan Sadon, and founded the paramilitary wing of Hamas named after a Syrian religious leader who waged war against the British in the 1930s. Mabhouh also masterminded several other attacks, to the point that Israeli authorities demolished his home in the Gaza strip. Mabhouh spent several periods in Israeli custody. After his most recent release, "he spent his life being hounded by the Zionist occupier until he succeeded in leaving the Gaza Strip", according to Hamas.
This is not the first alleged killing by Israel of Hamas members. In 2004, the founder of Hamas was killed in an Israeli gunship attack, and, later that year, a senior Hamas member was assassinated when two missiles hit his car. Article 2: Argentine admiral and member of the Emilio Eduardo Massera has died at the age of 85.
Massera died after suffering from an episode of . He was one of the three men to rule Argentina from 1976 to 1983. Some human rights groups said that up to 30,000 people were killed during hi military rule.
As Commander of the Navy Massera, along with General Orlando Ramón Agosti toppled the then Argentine President . The three ran the country under military rule for 7 years.
Massera ran the torture centre at the navy mechanical school in Buenos Aires. There he oversaw the death of thousands of political prisoners. In 1985 at the trial of the junta leaders, Massera was sentenced to life in prison on charges of murder, torture and robbery. He only served five years of his sentence after he was released under an .
However, in 1998 he was placed under . He was charged with the stealing of babies born to political prisoners, a crime not protected under amnesty law. He had his life sentence reinstated in 2007, but due to a stroke he suffered in 2002, he was deemed too ill to face prosecution.
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Article 1: Border Mexico USA.jpg|thumb|250px|left|San Diego, United States (left) - Tijuana, Mexico (right) border.
At 8:50 AM local time (15:50 UTC) a man attempting to enter the United States at the Tijuana – San Diego section of the US – Mexican border, tried to escape U.S. customs officers, after he could not provide official documentation. According to Lieutenant Kevin Rooney of the San Diego police department, "the agent referred the driver to a secondary inspection and he the driver quickly accelerated away."
The acceleration caused him to crash into a pickup truck. It is thought he was trying to force the other vehicle out of the way. When customs officers surrounded the vehicle, the driver went into reverse, which led to two officers opening fire on the vehicle. The man was shot only once and the wound was not life threatening.
Police officials believe the driver tried to flee because the vehicle was reported to have been stolen from Colorado. Article 2: North west Pakistan
According to Pakistani officials, thirty-five suspects have been arrested as part of their investigation into the bombing in north-west Pakistan that killed three American soldiers and four Pakistanis on Wednesday. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the bomb and threatened more attacks.
According to a senior official in the North-West Frontier Province, the police made thirty arrests. Five were made by the paramilitary Frontier Corps. Naeem Khan, a police official, said that a suicide car bombing is more plausible than a remote-detonating device. He said, “We are questioning them in an effort to trace those who orchestrated the suicide attack."
"We have recovered the engine of the car we suspect was used in the bombing. We have also found some limbs which we suspect are of the bomber. We have sent these limbs for DNA tests," he added.
District police officer Mumtaz Zareen stated that militants had exploded the bomb as the soldiers' convoy passed the school in the Swat, Pakistan|Swat Valley, a well-known former stronghold of the Taliban.
A statement from the U.S. embassy in Islamabad said the American military personnel were part of an ongoing training program with paramilitary troops in the north-west.
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Article 1: Photo of .
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Photo of General Petraeus, who is on right.
The Quran, also known as the Koran, burning is set on the day that Islamic terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York. The book burning will be in a Gainesville, Florida church called the Dove World Outreach Center. Pastor Terry Jones has declared September 11 "International Burn a Quran Day".
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File photo of Professor Hawking.
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* Article 2: Mark Zuckerberg - South by Southwest 2008 - 5.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
Last month, Paul D. Ceglia filed suit against Facebook, the world's largest social network, claiming that he rightfully owns 84 percent of the company. The lawsuit, filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, bases its claims on a 2003 contract between Ceglia and Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The contract reportedly states that Zuckerberg would give Ceglia 50 percent ownership in the company in exchange for designing a website "similar to a live functioning yearbook with the working title of 'The Face Book'," and paying a US$1000 fee. Ceglia would also get an extra percentage point every day after January 1, 2004 until the work was completed.
Earlier this month, Judge Thomas Brown issued a temporary restraining order that prevents transfer of Facebook's assets in light of the ongoing lawsuit. According to Victor P. Goldberg, who teaches at Columbia University's Law School, the lawsuit may get tripped up by the , which is six years in New York. PC World says that one problem with Ceglia's claim is that the contract was purportedly signed in 2003, while Zuckerberg didn't register the domain name thefacebook.com until January 2004.
This is not the first time Ceglia has appeared in court. In 2009, New York's Attorney General Andrew Cuomo accused Ceglia of fraud. The state claims that Ceglia took more than $200,000 from customers of a wood-pellet fuel company, and failed to deliver any products or refunds; this case is still ongoing. A Facebook spokesman has stated that they believe this suit is completely frivolous and will fight it vigorously.
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Article 1: Part of a major 2007 report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which claimed that the glaciers in the were likely to melt within thirty years, has been found to have not been based on scientific data.
The IPCC, a United Nations panel, admitted that the original claim was "poorly substantiated" and that "well-established standards of evidence were not applied properly" in the preparation of this section of the report. "The chair, vice-chairs, and co-chairs of the IPCC regrets the poor application of IPCC procedures", read a statement released by the panel. News reports have suggested that the claim originated in a 1999 article in the popular science magazine , and was picked up by the IPCC when it was quoted in a 2005 report by the World Wildlife Fund.
Glaciers and glacial lakes in the Bhutan-Himalaya
Ministry of Environment and Forests (India)|Environment and Forests, had criticized the estimate when the report was initially released. After the announcement, Ramesh reiterated his criticism and told : "The health of the glaciers is a cause of grave concern, but the IPCC's alarmist position that they would melt by 2035 was not based on an iota of scientific evidence."
According to Karakoram mountain range.
Michael Zemp, of the told CNN that, "There are simply no observations available to make these sorts of statements."
"The other thing is that the report says the glaciers are receding faster than anywhere else in the world. We simply do not have the glacier change measurements. The Himalayas are among those regions with the fewest available data", Zemp added.
Nevertheless, the IPCC maintains that the melting of the glaciers is a concern to the region, which is home to over one billion people. It stands by its overall conclusion that "mass losses from glaciers and reductions in snow cover over recent decades are projected to accelerate throughout the 21st century, reducing water availability, hydropower potential, and changing seasonality of flows in regions supplied by meltwater from major mountain ranges."
The IPCC had recently come under fire during the Climatic Research Unit hacking incident|e-mails, hacked from the , reportedly showed that some scientists were attempting to suppress findings by other climatologists that did not agree with their own findings. Article 2: The NBC comedy series Parks and Recreation will experience a shake-up in its cast as Paul Schneider, a regular cast member with the critically acclaimed series, will depart at the end of this season.
Officials with the show have also announced this month that Rob Lowe will make an extended guest appearance on the series, and Adam Scott will join as a regular cast member.
Michael Schur, who co-created Parks and Recreation along with The Office creator Greg Daniels, said Schneider is expected to make guest appearances in the third season.
Schneider plays Mark Brendanawicz, a jaded city planner who started in the first season as a love interest for the show's protagonist Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler), the deputy director of a small town Indiana town. Currently, Schneider's character is dating Rashida Jones's character, Ann Perkins.
Schneider is leaving the show to focus on his movie career, following the success of such independent films as Bright Star. Schur added when the character was originally conceived, it was anticipated he would appear infrequently in Parks and Recreation, switching between his city planner job and work in the private sector.
"It's not something you usually do on TV shows but we thought it was a good way to illustrate both the positive and negative aspects of working for a government," Schur told the Los Angeles Times. "It was one of the first things we talked about with him."
Schur added, "He's going to remain in the world of the show in a way that not only allows but hopefully demands that he'll reenter it. He's not going to be killed in some weird accident."
Rob Lowe (2003).jpg|thumb|left|200px|Actor Rob Lowe is to make a string of guest appearances in Parks and Recreation, starting in May with the final two episodes of the current season.
Lowe and Scott are expected to join the show in May, during the final two episodes of the season. Schur has indicated they will both play characters coming in from outside Pawnee to help the town deal with budget problems.
Lowe, fresh off his departure from the ABC drama series Brothers & Sisters, will continue a string of guest appearances into the third season.
Adam Scott would leave his regular role on the Starz comedy series Party Down to join the permanent cast of Parks and Recreation.
"Adam is one of the funniest and most versatile performers around," Schur told Variety magazine. "When we designed the character he is going to play, we used him as the dream scenario of who we could get."
Parks and Recreation received mixed to negative reviews during its first season, with detractors claiming it was too similar to The Office, and that Leslie Knope too closely resembled that show's protagonist Michael Scott), played by Steve Carell.
But The second season, despite lagging in the Nielsen ratings, has been a critical success, with several commentators declaring it a major improvement over the first season and one of the best comedies currently on television.
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Article 1: Funerals and prayers for nine activists, who died in Israel's , were held in Istanbul on Thursday.
Tens of thousands attended the funeral of the nine Turkish nationals, including one teen of dual U.S.-Turkish citizenship. The coffins were draped in Turkish and Palestinian flags. There was widespread anger from those attending. Released activists arrived to their home countries yesterday and today.
The Turkish President Abdullah Gül said that Turkey would act calmly and said;
The youngest of the nine activists killed, a 19-year-old high school student Furkan Dogan, was shot in the head and chest. He was born in Troy New York, but moved to Turkey when he was two. He will be buried in his family's hometown of in central Turkey on Friday. A United States State Department spokesman said it would probe the death of the Turkish-American killed, but said the FBI were not involved "at this point."
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that soldiers were acting in self-defence. He said the activists were not peace activists but "violent supporters of terrorism". Israel has stated that of the 7 soldiers wounded during the assault, 2 were shot with weapons wrestled from Israeli forces. But Swedish activist Mattias Gardell scoffed at such statements, replying, "the Israelis started shooting first. We had no weapons, the Israelis had weapons".
Abdullah Gül said Israel committed "one of the biggest mistakes ever in its history," and the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called Israel's actions "a historic mistake." The leader of the Islamic charity IHH spoke to the crowd, saying, "The whole world supports us. We will shake the foundations of Zionism".
The activists had attempted to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza. The Irish ship MV Rachel Corrie arriving some time this weekend, will be the next ship to challenge the blockade. Article 2: Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims Paul the octopus, who correctly guessed the outcomes of eight matches of the World Cup, is a sign of decay of Western culture.
Ahmadinejad said in a speech at a youth festival in Tehran, "Those who believe in this type of thing cannot be the leaders of the global nations that aspire, like Iran, to human perfection, basing themselves in the love of all sacred values."
"We are after constructing Iran, but this does not mean viewing the matter from nationalist angle and singling out the Iranian race. Today the name of Iran is synonymous with prestige, justice seeking, monotheism, anti-despotism, and the entire blessed values that are dear for the world nations," he continued.
An Irish journalist, Rory Fitzgerald, wrote a satirical piece in response to the president's remarks. "A visibly shaken Paul spoke out earlier today saying: 'As an octopus, I can claim some objectivity in my view of human affairs,' " Fitzgerald wrote.
Paul correctly predicted the outcome of Germany's seven matches and picked Spain over the Netherlands for the World Cup final. The mollusk currently lives in a tank at the Oberhausen Sea Life Centre in Germany.
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Article 1: A simulated event in the CMS detector
The Large Hadron Collider—the world's largest science experiment—shattered records Tuesday by successfully colliding particle beams at a combined energy of 7 teraelectronvolts (TeV). This marks a milestone in the collider's progress, and will usher in the beginning of up to two years of intensive investigations.
In just a few hours, detectors along the LHC's 17-mile tube recorded 500,000 collision events. Two beams of protons were sent in opposite directions, each with an energy of 3.5 TeV, guided by thousands of large electromagnets.
Guido Tonelli, a spokesman for one of the detectors, said "Major discoveries will happen only when we are able to collect billions of events and identify among them the very rare events that could present a new state of matter or new particles."
The LHC will eventually shut down for about a year to prepare for 14-TeV collisions. Scientists will ultimately sift through information on billions of collision events, in hope that the results will lead to a "new era in science".
de:CERN: Urknall-Simulation mit sieben Tera-Elektronenvolt Article 2: Shaw wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation from 1993 to 1994
Former professional wrestler World Wrestling Federation (WWF), now World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), as Bastion Booger. The cause of death was announced as a heart attack.
During the course of Shaw's wrestling career he had several gimmicks including Makhan Singh, Friar Ferguson, and Norman the Lunatic, although Shaw is most famously remembered for his gimmick of the Bastion Booger, an overweight man with bad hygiene. After working for local wrestling promotions and , Shaw joined the WWF. Bastion Booger was one of his gimmicks while wrestling for the WWF.
In an interview with wrestling journalist in 1998, Shaw said "I think the Booger character would have worked if it got over as a heel, but my heart wasn't into it. I didn't like the character. I didn't like the outfit. Don't get me wrong. I was happy to be in the WWF. It was something I wanted to do my whole career. I made a good living there."
After leaving the WWF, Shaw retired from active wrestling. Thereafter he ran his own wrestling school. He made an appearance on on December 10, 2007 to take part in the show's fifteenth anniversary.
Shaw is survived by his wife and two children.
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Article 1: File photo of Camp Delta, Guantanamo Bay, in 2005
Human rights groups have criticized United States President Barack Obama's decision to halt the transfer of detainees to Yemen from the prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Mr. Obama suspended the repatriation of Yemeni detainees Tuesday because of what he called an "unsettled" security situation in Yemen. "It was always our intent to transfer detainees to other countries only under conditions that provide assurances that our security is being protected," Obama said.
Some lawmakers had expressed concern that freed inmates could join Yemen-based al-Qaeda militants plotting attacks on the United States. The Times has also reported claims that former detainees have joined al-Qaeda on returning to Yemen.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) claimed U.S. authorities had cleared the release of about 35 Yemeni detainees at Guantanamo. Ben Wizner, ACLU staff attorney, said that "the decision to halt all transfers of detainees to Yemen will prolong a shameful chapter in American history without making Americans any safer." He called the actions "unwise and unjust".
Human Rights Watch says it appreciates that Yemen poses a "very difficult problem" for the Obama administration. But, it says continuing to hold Yemenis at Guantanamo without charge "only increases resentment against the United States and hands al-Qaida a recruiting tool."
The Center for Constitutional Rights called the decision "unconscionable". "We know from the military's own records that most of the detainees at Guantanamo have no link to terrorism," the group said.
Mitch McConnell, Republican Party minority leader in the U.S. Senate, backed the move. "Given the determined nature of the threat from al-Qaeda, it made little sense to transfer detainees from the secure facility at Guantanamo back to Yemen, where previously transferred detainees have escaped from prison and returned to al-Qaeda," he said.
President Obama reiterated his pledge to shut down the Guantanamo prison, saying its existence helps al-Qaeda to recruit members and damages U.S. national security interests. Obama had said one year ago that he wanted to close the prison by 22 January this year, but recently admitted that this target would not be met. Guantanamo currently holds 198 prisoners, about half of them from Yemen.
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Up to 31 women are suing indecent assault|indecent assaults, and six counts of against seven separate victims. They were among sixteen, all female, who testified at his five-week trial, which also saw acquittals over three rapes, three indecent assaults, and nine misconduct charges.
One woman, whose complaint against Mitchell triggered the three-year probe that convicted him, says she has decided to sue because he was cleared of raping her. She alleges rape, sexual assault, , and a breach of human rights, claiming the policeman raped her at Pigrim Street's police station in 2006, the culmination of four years using her as a sex slave. Now a mother-of-four and a PhD student, she "does not accept the not guilty verdict. I want justice and I will prove his guilt." It is alleged he tracked her on the police database.
Mitchell claimed at trial the alleged victims were all liars, involved in a joint conspiracy to frame him and driven by a single woman. He described her motivation as "self-preservation" but refused to elaborate on this in open court.
It has since emerged that Mitchell was considered emotionless by other officers during the probe, earning the nickname 'PC Cucumber'. "We are making claims for damages for sexual assault, false imprisonment and breach of human rights," said Lindsey Houghton of lawyers Irwin Mitchell. "Mitchell was in a position of trust and authority. He abused that position, taking advantage of vulnerable young women in the most horrific way... we hope to be able to provide our clients with some comfort as they try to get their lives back." As well as the sixteen in court, fourteen more were willing to give evidence against him.
Inquiry leader Detective Chief Inspector Chris Sharman said he had "never seen anything like it in interviews. He showed no emotion whatsoever." Sharman was accused at trial by Mitchell's defence lawyer of offering the rapist a chance to resign in exchange for dropping the case, citing a secret recording between the two. The prosecution disputed this assessment of their conversation. An unnamed colleague who knew Mitchell said "It does not get any worse than being a police officer with a rape conviction in prison, but he never flinched."
Glasgow-born Mitchell's convictions cover 1999 through 2004. He previously served in the Army, as which time he appeared before court in Scotland over sex charges, but was cleared in 1997 before Edinburgh High Court; he lied about this on his police application.
pound sterling|pounds.
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Article 1: File photo of Sebastian Vettel (2010)
Suzuka Circuit
Red Bull drivers Mark Webber made a one-two finish from the front line of the starting grid of the 2010 Japanese Grand Prix at , Japan.
crashed early in a free practice damaging his suspension, but was able to participate in a qualifying session using a spare car. Though Hamilton posted the third fastest time, he lost 5 places on the starting grid for a gearbox change.
After Renault F1|Renault car and retired from the race, it was Ferrari, to follow his floodlit win at Singapore
Team McLaren|McLaren) passed his teammate Hamilton after the latter lost his third gear. They finished fourth and fifth.
Michael Schumacher came sixth for Mercedes factory team.
Two Saubers of Nick Heidfeld, a Williams of Scuderia Toro Rosso|Toro Rosso of closed the top ten drivers in the finishing lap with the leader.
The situation in the season standings tightens as both Alonso and Vettel are now 14 points behind Mark Webber, and the two McLaren drivers are following on their heels. Constructor championship standings are more clearly owned by Red Bull, as McLaren is 45 points behind and Ferrari is 92 points behind. Article 2: File photo of Fernando Alonso (2010)
Korean International Circuit
Ferrari driver FIA Yeongam, South Korea. With two races to go, Alonso now leads the drivers' championship, closely followed by Lewis Hamilton.
As China, heavy rain hit Yeongam on Sunday afternoon and the race was red-flagged for about half an hour, before conditions improved. Both Red Bull drivers failed to finish despite starting first and second from the grid before and after race restarted. Webber ran wide and hit a wall, hitting Mercedes GP|Mercedes, and ’s engine blew up during his spurt to the finish line leading the race.
Fernando Alonso 2010 Japan 3rd qualify.jpg|thumb|right|Fernando Alonso driving at the previous GP Hamilton changed places twice with Alonso behind Vettel, but finished second for McLaren. Alonso's teammamte Michael Schumacher drove his best race in this season for Mercedes overtaking Renault F1|Renault after the restart following the red flag. Schumacher finished fourth and Kubica fifth.
Force India on 6th place after his teammate, Kamui Kobayashi's Sauber}.
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Article 1: Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's mug shot
Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab pleaded 'not guilty' to charges of attempting to blow up Northwest Airlines Flight 253 before a court in the United States today. The charges stem from an attempt to bomb a passenger jet as it neared the city of Detroit.
The charges include 289 counts of attempted murder, attempted use of a weapon of mass destruction, willful attempt to destroy and wreck an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, willfully placing a destructive device in, upon and in proximity to an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, and two counts of possession of a firearm/destructive in furtherance of a crime of violence. If convicted Abdulmutallab faces life in prison.
US Attorney Barbara L. McQuade, said that "The attempted murder of 289 innocent people merits the most serious charges available, and that's what we have charged in this indictment,".
Northwest Flight 253 departed Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam, the Netherlands on December 25 bound for Metro Airport in Detroit, Michigan. During the flight, Abdulmutallab allegedly attempted to use plastic explosives which consisted of of Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) and Triacetone triperoxide (TATP) along with other ingredients concealed in his undergarments to bring down the aircraft. The device apparently failed, resulting only in flames coming from his seat and loud popping sounds.
Passenger Jasper Schuringa, along with others, restrained Abdulmutallab for the rest of the flight after which he was taken into custody by federal agents. The incident caused rapid changes in airport security around the world, and also in US intelligence services. Article 2: Maffra sit atop the 2010 Gippsland Football League (officially Gippsland League, GL) ladder after convincing wins over Sale and Morwell respectively. The Gippsland League is the only major Australian rules football competition in the Victorian
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Article 1: File photo of UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown.
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown is now at the centre of controversy when, on Thursday, a live microphone caught him describing a voter he had talked to as being a "bigoted woman".
The incident occurred after Brown, encouraged by his advisors to interact with ordinary people more often before next week's parliamentary elections, went for a walkabout in the town of , located near Manchester. There, he spoke with Gillian Duffy, aged 65, who challenged him on topics such as health and education, before asking about immigration: "All those Eastern Europeans what are coming in, where are they flocking from?" she asked him.
Brown responded by saying that "a million people come from Europe, but a million people, British people, have gone into Europe." The prime minister, upon finishing the discussion, said it was "very nice to meet you" and returned to his car.
Unbeknownst to him, however, the Sky News microphone attached to his lapel was still turned on and picked up the conversation that followed inside the vehicle: "That was a disaster ... they should never have put me with that woman," Brown said. "Whose idea was that? It’s just ridiculous." When an aide asked what Duffy had said, Brown responded: "Everything, she was just a bigoted woman that said she used to be Labour ... I don't know why Sue an aide brought her up towards me."
The PM, upon being informed what had happened, returned to Duffy's home to personally apologise. "Sometimes you do make mistakes and you use wrong words, and once you’ve used that word and you’ve made a mistake, you should withdraw it and say profound apologies, and that’s what I’ve done," he said. During an interview with the BBC, Brown is seen with his head in hands as the comments were replayed.
Duffy, speaking to reporters immediately after having talked with the PM, described Brown as being "very nice", but later said she was "very upset" when informed what Brown had said off-camera. "Why has he come out with words like that? He's supposed to be leading the country and he's calling an ordinary woman who's come up and asked questions that most people would ask him," she said in an interview with the BBC.
"... It's going to be tax, tax, tax for another twenty years to get out of this national debt, and he's calling me a bigot," later adding: "I want to know why — them sic comments I made there — why I was called a bigot."
A spokesman for Brown said: "Mr Brown has apologised to Mrs Duffy personally by phone. He does not think that she is bigoted. He was letting off steam in the car after a difficult conversation. But this is exactly the sort of conversation that is important in an election campaign and which he will continue to have with voters."
Some political analysts have said the gaffe may hurt Labour's chances in the upcoming elections; the party had managed to narrow the Conservatives' lead in recent opinion polls.
The Conservatives responded to the incident — dubbed by some media outlets as "Bigotgate" — with Shadow chancellor George Osborne saying that "general elections ... do reveal the truth about people."
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, meanwhile said: "You should always try to answer the questions as best you can. He has been recorded saying what he has said and will have to answer for that."
Andrew Russell, a politics lecturer for , commented on the situation. "A politician in a stronger position could recover from this. What we know is that Gordon Brown is not in that position." Article 2: __NOTOC__
Flag of WHO.svg|thumb|left|200px|Flag of the World Health Organization.
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a program of the United Nations and a global authority on human health. In an interview with Wikinews, the WHO tells about the current H1N1 pandemic.
The organization's 93rd update as of March 26, 2010 states 213 countries, territories, and other communities have laboratory-confirmed cases and there have been at least 16,931 confirmed deaths, including 4,653 deaths in Europe and 7,673 in the Americas.
Wikinews reporter Mike Morales talks with Karen Mah, a media relations representative for the WHO, and asks her several questions.
As of 21 March 2010, worldwide more than 213 countries and overseas territories or communities have reported laboratory confirmed cases of pandemic influenza H1N1 2009, including over 16,931 deaths. This number is a large underestimation of total deaths with total figures unavailable until a year or two after the pandemic is declared over.
'How does the WHO feel the media coverage has been and does the WHO suggest any changes to coverage and if so, what kind?'
WHO does not have any comment with regards to media coverage nor is it in our purview to suggest changes to coverage. The pandemic is a global event and media coverage can't be characterized with any generalities.
'Which areas around the world are most affected by the pandemic and why?'
Current disease activity and epidemiological activity indicates we are seeing the highest levels of activities occurring in Southeast Asia, West Africa, and in the tropical zone of the Americas. After a period of sustained pandemic influenza transmission in Thailand over the past two months, overall activity now appears to be decreasing. In West Africa, limited data suggests that active transmission of pandemic influenza virus persists without clear evidence of a peak in activity. In Central America and in the tropical zone of South America, an increasing trend of respiratory disease activity associated with circulation of pandemic influenza virus has been reported since early March 2010 in an increasing number of countries.
The H1N1 virus.
'What advice does the WHO recommend to any areas affected by H1N1? What does the WHO recommend to governments' health authorities of countries affected?'
This is a very far-reaching question and answer and paraphrasing the pandemic preparedness guidelines is too simplistic. I will refer you to this page URL below to see the whole spectrum of guidance for countries ranging from response, surveillance, reduction of spread, travel, hygiene etc. From a WHO perspective, we have to offer the broadest range of guidance to cover developing, mid-level and developed countries.
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/guidance/national_authorities/en/index.html
'What does the WHO recommend for those individuals affected by H1N1? How does H1N1 affect someone who is infected?'
Since the H1N1 pandemic virus is now the dominant influenza virus circulating worldwide, most cases of influenza-like illness are likely pandemic influenza.
Typical symptoms to watch for include fever, cough, headache, body aches, sore throat and runny nose.
WHO advises health care providers to treat people with influenza-like illness based on their symptoms and the progress of their illness, and not to wait for laboratory confirmation of pandemic influenza. The pandemic H1N1 virus has already spread worldwide.
Regarding laboratory testing of cases, public health authorities and WHO partners continue to do selective testing of samples from patients with influenza-like illness to characterize outbreaks, monitor the virus and identify disease trends.
neuraminidase.
For patients with symptoms of severe illness that are probably due to pandemic influenza, WHO recommends that treatment with oseltamivir should start immediately, no matter when the illness started and without waiting for laboratory results to confirm infection.
For patients at higher risk for serious disease from pandemic influenza, including pregnant women, children under age 5 and those with certain underlying medical conditions, WHO recommends treatment with either oseltamivir or zanamivir as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms, and without waiting for the results of laboratory tests.
Otherwise healthy people who are not from a higher risk group but who have persistent or rapidly worsening symptoms should be treated with antivirals. These symptoms include difficulty breathing or a high fever that lasts beyond three days.
'How does H1N1 affect someone who is infected?'
Pandemic H1N1 virus is spread from person to person in the same way that seasonal influenza viruses are spread. It is transmitted as easily as the normal seasonal flu and can be passed to other people by exposure to infected droplets expelled by coughing or sneezing that can be inhaled, or that can contaminate hands or surfaces.
Signs of the pandemic influenza are flu-like, including diarrhoea.
The majority of people with pandemic influenza experience mild illness and recover fully without treatment. However, people should seek medical care if they experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, or if a fever, and especially high fever, continues more than three days. For parents with a young child who is ill, seek medical care if a child has fast or labored breathing, continuing fever or convulsions (seizures).
Supportive care at home with plenty of rest, drinking plenty of fluids and using a pain reliever for aches and pains is adequate for recovery in most cases. A non- pain reliever should be used for children or adolescents under age 18.
The public should be made aware that there are specific groups of people who appear to be at higher risk of more complicated or severe illness which include:
*pregnant women;
*infants, and young children particularly under age 2;
*people of any age with certain chronic health conditions (including lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease or some neurological conditions);
*people with severely compromised immune systems.
Currently, people age 65 or older are the least likely to be infected with the pandemic influenza, but those who do get sick are also at high risk of developing serious complications, just as they are from seasonal flu.
'Is it known when the virus will become less virulent and cease becoming a major threat to health and of so when?'
It is impossible to predict when the pandemic H1N1 virus will become less virulent.
Diagram showing antigenic shift.
'Is there a significant risk of H1N1 mutating and becoming more deadly?'
Influenza viruses constantly change through a process called . All influenza viruses undergo this process but there is no way to predict if, when and how the pandemic H1N1 virus will shift.
'Are the current anti-flu vaccines effective and how sufficient is the current supply? Can you explain how these anti-virus vaccine work and any possible side effects?'
The current H1N1 vaccines are effective and supply is sufficient. The safety profile of H1N1 vaccines is very good. Outcomes of studies completed to date indicate that pandemic vaccines have a similar safety record as seasonal influenza vaccines. Pandemic influenza vaccines underwent the same production and testing methods as seasonal vaccines.
The safety tracking of the vaccine for adverse events after its distribution and use worldwide has likely been the most thorough and sensitive in history.
Influenza vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body. These antibodies provide protection against infection with the viruses that are in the vaccine.
Possible side effects can depend on the type of vaccine, how it is administered and the age of the recipient.
There are two main types of vaccines: one is manufactured with inactivated viruses, the other uses live viruses.
Inactivated vaccines, administered by injection, commonly cause local reactions such as soreness, swelling and redness at the injection site, and less often can cause fever, muscle- or joint- aches or headache. These symptoms are generally mild, do not need medical attention, and last 1 to 2 days. Fever, aches and headaches can occur more frequently in children compared to elderly people.
Rarely, such influenza vaccines can cause allergic reactions such as hives, rapid swelling of deeper skin layers and tissues, asthma or a severe multisystem allergic reaction due to hypersensitivity to certain vaccine components.
Live vaccines are given via a nasal spray, and can commonly cause runny nose, nasal congestion, cough, and can less frequently cause sore throat, low grade fever, irritability and head- and muscle- aches. Wheezing and vomiting episodes have been described in children receiving live influenza vaccines.
'What action has the WHO taken, if any, to insure vaccines are available?'
During the first stages of the pandemic in 2009, the Director-General highlighted the need to make vaccine and medicines available to countries who would be unable to access them on their own. As the WHO pandemic vaccine donation programme was first established, all countries were surveyed by WHO, and 95 identified as having no access to pandemic vaccines, and therefore eligible for donations.
Based on the pledges of donated vaccine, a plan was prepared for a two phase approach to supply sufficient vaccines for 10% of the population in these countries; an initial supply to cover health workers and other essential workers, equivalent to 2% of the population, and a second supply of 8% for other priority groups. The sequencing of supply was based on assessments of vulnerability to the pandemic, and readiness to utilize vaccines.
To date, 25 countries have received donated H1N1 vaccine totaling more than 10 million doses, along with ancillary supplies. Another 15 to 20 countries will be receiving their vaccine shipments in the upcoming few weeks.
The 25 countries who have received shipments are: Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, Cambodia, Fiji, Kiribati, Kosovo, Laos PDR, Maldives, Mongolia, Nauru, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Togo, Tonga, Vanuatu, Cuba, Honduras, El Salvador, Kenya, Samoa, Tokelau, Cook Islands, Pakistan, and Philippines
'Last November, the WHO stated the H1N1 virus is world's most dominant virus. Is this still true?'
On February 18th, WHO concluded a four-day meeting to look at vaccine strains for seasonal influenza vaccine for the 2010 and 2011 season. This is part of the routine work that WHO does twice yearly to determine vaccine strains to be included in upcoming northern and southern hemisphere seasonal influenza vaccines.
During the scientific discussions which ended on the 18th of February, it was confirmed that the overwhelming number of influenza viruses that were isolated around the world were the pandemic H1N1 virus. The experts believe that based on this information that this virus will continue to be one of the dominant viruses in wide circulation in the coming fall and winter season.
'Is there anything that the WHO believes to be very important for the public to know about the H1N1?'
*The overall impact of the pandemic has been moderate and most people experienced mild symptoms or illness. However, some groups are more vulnerable and have a higher risk of complications or severe illness, for example pregnant women, infants, young children and people with chronic diseases.
*Many of the severe cases have been due to viral pneumonia, which is harder to treat than the bacterial pneumonia normally associated with seasonal influenza. Many of these patients have required intensive care, which has led to intensive care units being frequently overwhelmed at the peak of the outbreak.
*Most of the deaths caused by the pandemic influenza disease occurred among younger people than is the case during seasonal influenza outbreaks, including among those who were previously healthy.
*To protect people from infection and avoid related severe outcomes, the H1N1 vaccine is an important public health tool as long as the pandemic H1N1 virus is circulating and causing illness.
*Since September 2009, more than 75 Member States and territories have implemented immunization programmes, and 290 million doses of the pandemic (H1N1) 2009 vaccine have been administered.
'Thank you for your time.'
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Article 1: The (disputed) sea line between North and South Korea.
North Korea and South Korea have exchanged fire near the disputed sea-border between the countries. There are no reports of casualties.
North Korea fired approximately thirty artillery shells into the water on their side of the border, near South Korea's Baengnyeong Island at 0900 local time (0000 UTC). The South retaliated with around 100 shots.
According to the North, it took place as part of an annual drill. The Korean Central News Agency said that the exercise "will go on in the same waters in the future".
South Korea maintains that it responded by firing at the North's shells. Later reports from the South said that North Korea fired more shells in the general direction of the disputed border some hours after the initial exchange.
This latest incident comes after North Korea declared a 'no-sail' zone off its coastal waters yesterday. It is not the first skirmish around the Military Demarcation Line – the most recent was in November 2009, when a North Korean vessel took "considerable damage" after allegedly crossing the border.
fr:Échanges de tirs entre la Corée du Nord et la Corée du Sud en mer Jaune Article 2: RailbirdJAM2
US professional pool player Volkswagen crossed three lanes of traffic into the concrete retaining wall, then bounced back across five more lanes of traffic into another retaining wall.
It is believed that Crane suffered from an undiagnosed medical condition. News of the crash was broken by .
Crane was a former world champion of both 8-ball pool. A self-taught player, for 21 years he was the only person in pool history to shoot a perfect score in the finals of a major tournament.
Fellow pool players including Johnny Archer, and paid tribute to Crane.
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Article 1: File photo of a U-Haul truck.U-Haul truck with Arizona state license plates was found abandoned.
The truck reportedly smelled of gasoline according to the toll booth operator. Officials reported that the police department's bomb squad investigated the vehicle. There was no report of a bomb, says Reuters.
Police say witnesses reported seeing a man fleeing from the vehicle on Wednesday night.
This comes just days after the bomb scare in Times Square. Article 2: The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a probe into a security breach that allowed hackers to retrieve 114,000 iPad users on the network.
The FBI announced the investigation Friday, which will determine exactly what allowed a group of hackers using the name "Goatse Security" to access the data. The security breach was first announced by the Gawker on Wednesday. The FBI has since asked Gawker Media LLC, the owners of the site, to retain all information relating to the incident. The company was also involved in another recent case with Apple Inc., which included the . Gawker said that it does not believe it is the main target of this FBI investigation.
Editors at Gawker were able to verify the information the hackers sent to them, and did not post full e-mail addresses or any other identifying information in its initial story of the incident. Gawker said that it did not pay Goatse Security for the data. One of the hackers later wrote that they did not reveal the addresses to anyone else and had already deleted them.
The hackers were able to obtain the data after discovering a program on AT&T's website that provides the e-mail address of a user when that user's identification number is given. The hackers essentially guessed and then saved the numbers for the 114,000 users. They did not tell AT&T of the security hole.
A spokesperson for AT&T said Wednesday that the company "was informed by a business customer on Monday of the potential exposure of their iPad ICC-IDs the identification numbers", and had disabled the e-mail-providing program by Tuesday. AT&T also said that no other information was stolen other than the e-mails addresses of their customers, and that "there is no evidence that any other customer information was shared." The company says it will notify all of the iPad users whose information was compromised.
Many of the users involved are high-ranking government or corporate officials, including White House Chief of Staff, and Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York City. Others include employees of Google and the .
Apple has not commented about the breach.
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Article 1: RailbirdJAM2
US professional pool player Volkswagen crossed three lanes of traffic into the concrete retaining wall, then bounced back across five more lanes of traffic into another retaining wall.
It is believed that Crane suffered from an undiagnosed medical condition. News of the crash was broken by .
Crane was a former world champion of both 8-ball pool. A self-taught player, for 21 years he was the only person in pool history to shoot a perfect score in the finals of a major tournament.
Fellow pool players including Johnny Archer, and paid tribute to Crane. Article 2: Cat:Published
Cat:Science and technology
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Article 1: thumb
Afghan border police shot dead seven civilians yesterday, near the border with Pakistan after mistaking them for Taliban rebels, according to police officials. The seven men were collecting wood after dark in the southern Afghanistan town of , a common route for Taliban rebels.
The police thought they were going to be ambushed, so opened fire from 400 yards away, not realising that they were unarmed until the bodies were recovered, according to the local commander of the police, Abdul Raziq. He said six officers had been detained for questioning and an investigation opened, and that the police had checked with local residents that the bodies were not that of rebels.
This takes place amid widespread anger about civilian deaths in general, with over two thousand killed last year in fighting. Although United Nations figures show that the majority fell victim to Taliban attack, many Afghans blame the foreign troops, saying that if they were not in the country, the attacks would not take place. The president of Afghanistan, , has warned that civilian killings undermine the military effort as well as his administration. Article 2: 60 people are reported to have died, with several hundred more injured, after a train in Congo derailed.
The incident happened Monday night, according to the railroad company, Chemin de Fer Congo-Ocean. The incident is believed to have occurred as the train rounded a curve in a remote part of the Congo, around from . Four railcars are reported to have fallen into a ravine.
The city of Pointe-Noire (station pictured) is on the Congolese coast
A spokesperson for the government, Bienvenue Okiemy, said that "excess speed" had been the cause of the derailment.
Officials said 60 bodies have been recovered, and a further 450 people are being treated for injuries at a hospital in Pointe-Noire. Okiemy commented that the death toll could still rise, "because searches and operations to lift wagons which fell into a ravine are still ongoing."
A railroad official said that "the material damage was also very severe", adding that "all steps have been taken to organise relief."
The incident is the third major train crash on the line in two decades. In 1991, a passenger train collided with a freighter, killing around 100 people, and in 2001, another collision killed around 50 people.
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Article 1: File photo of Lord Goldsmith in 2007
Lord Peter Goldsmith, the Attorney General for England and Wales before and during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, has told the Iraq Inquiry that he changed his mind about the legality of the invasion about one month before military action began.
During his six hour session of questioning, Goldsmith said that he changed his mind about whether a further United Nations resolution was needed to ensure that the invasion was legal. His testimony comes only a day after former foreign office legal advisor Michael Wood told the inquiry that his own advice, that a further resolution was required, was ignored in favour of Goldsmith's. Goldsmith's account was under scrutiny because he had consistently said that it would be "safer" if a further resolution were obtained—since it would have put the "matter beyond doubt and nobody could have challenged the legality"—before changing his mind and giving the "green light" only a month before the invasion. He said that he had "good reasons" for "ultimately reaching a different view", and called his previous advice "too cautious". He based his support of the war's legality on a series of UN resolutions dating back to the end of the Gulf War.
Until February 2002, he believed that a new resolution would be required, but he said today that—after discussions with US and UK diplomats—he realised that United Nations Security Council Resolution 1441 "revived" the authority of the United Kingdom to use force, as outlined in previous resolutions. One of these was United Nations Security Council Resolution 678, which was passed in November 1990. It authorized "Member States co-operating with the Government of Kuwait ... to use all necessary means to uphold and implement resolution 660 (1990) and all subsequent relevant resolutions and to restore international peace and security in the area" against Iraq if Saddam Hussein failed to give up his weapons of mass destruction. However, there has been debate about whether "all means necessary" included military force.
He admitted that he had told then prime minister Tony Blair, as far back as 2002, that any justification for war other than a UN resolution (such as regime change or self defence) would be invalid. Goldsmith said, "I don't think it the advice was terribly welcome." However, he added, "The prime minister made it clear that he accepted that it was for me to reach a judgement and he had to accept it." Goldsmith agreed that he ignored the advice of other legal advisors, including Michael Wood (who spoke before the inquiry yesterday) and Elizabeth Wilmshurst (who resigned in protest days before the invasion), who both said that invading Iraq without a new UN resolution would amount to the "crime of aggression". Goldsmith claimed to have "paid great attention to what their views were," but added, "Ultimately I disagreed with the views they took."
He said that an "unequivocal" opinion was needed before the invasion, and that this was what he gave in March, having been unsure about the war's legality previously. He denied changing his mind only days before the invasion, as some have claimed, saying that he had advised the government that the war would be legal as far back as February, and that his advice was "consistent". He also called claims that he was pressured into changing his opinion "nonsense". He said that he "was ready to answer questions" and intended to debate the issue with the cabinet, but was told that they would read his advice before moving on to different issues. He said that the debate did not in fact take place – he told the inquiry that he believes cabinet ministers considered it to be "a slightly sterile exercise".
In his testimony, Goldsmith also criticised Jack Straw's response to Wood's advice, saying that, while ministers could "challenge" legal advice, Straw "appeared to be rebuking a senior legal adviser for expressing his own legal view" in a recently declassified letter. He was also concerned that the cabinet ignored, or was unaware of, the caveats included in his March advice on the war's legality, in which he said that "the safest legal course" would be to get a new resolution, despite a "reasonable case" being available based on existing resolutions. His advice warned the government that he was not "confident" that the case based on existing resolutions would stand up in court. Goldsmith also requested the declassification of documents relating to the war's legal status, which are available to the Iraq inquiry, but not to the public. Sir John Chilcot, the chair of the inquiry, said that Goldsmith's "frustration is shared." Article 2: The Bank of England has decided to keep the interest rates for the United Kingdom at 0.5%. A meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), of the Bank of England, was responsible for causing the figure to remain at what are the lowest interest rates for the country on record. They have remained at 0.5% since March 2009. The course of quantitative easing, a form of monetary policy used to stimulate an economy when the interbank interest rate is either at or close to zero, will also be remaining at approximately £200 billion (US$304 billion, €228 billion) in the UK.
Mervyn King, the current Governor of the Bank of England, is also currently the leader of the MPC. He noted that it will take a great amount of time for the economy of the UK to recover. The British Chambers of Commerce, a trade organisation representing British business abroad, have also stated that reconstruction is still currently "fragile".
David Kern, the chief economist of the BCC, commented: "We expected and support the MPC's decision to continue with a holding approach. But, it should consider new techniques aimed at improving the effectiveness of the quantitative easing programme." He also commented that "given the dangers still facing the economy, it is important that the MPC perseveres with an expansionary strategy. Threats of a double-dip recession remain more serious in the near future than risks of higher inflation."
The United Kingdom emerged from the financial crisis of 2008-09 in the fourth quarter of 2009. According to the BBC, recent official statistics revealed the country's economy grew by 0.4% in the final three months of last year.
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Article 1: The AIRES Boeing 737 involved in the accident.
At least one person died and five more are injured after a Boeing 737 crashed onto the runway at 1:49 a.m. local time today on , Colombia. The jet, carrying 131 people, broke into three pieces.
The flight departed Bogotá around midnight and, according to Colombian Air Force Colonel David Barrero, officials are investigating reports the aircraft experienced a lightning strike. Of the 125 passengers and six crewmembers, it is believed the only fatality was 65-year-old Amar Fernandez de Barreto. Thaindian claims that up to 114 were injured.
San Andres Island's airport has closed its 7,545-foot (2,300-meter) runway until the wreckage can be removed. "It was a miracle and we have to give thanks to God," said Pedro Gallardo, governor of the resort destination island with around 78,000 inhabitants, adding it was lucky there were not more casualties.
National police director Orlando Paez in an interview with The Star said a group of police officers awaiting the plane for their own flight back to the mainland assisted with rescue efforts. Barrero commented that "the skill of the pilot kept the plane from colliding with the airport." The landing occurred during a storm.
A press release from the US National Transportation Safety Board, seen by Wikinews prior to its public release, identified the flight as number 8250. The NTSB is sending a team of four investigators, as well as technical advisers from Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration, to assist the Colombia Civil Aviation Authority in their investigation. Article 2: A 1976 model Cessna 402
A small twin-engined crashed into a lake in the Bahamas shortly after take off Tuesday, killing all eight Bahamian occupants.
The Cessna crashed into Lake Killarney, located near the Royal Bahamas Police Force.
It is reported that several bodies were recovered from the lake and a person was pulled out alive, but later died of a broken neck. It is reported that the plane, which departed the airport at about 12:30 p.m. local time, was travelling to in the southern Bahamas. According to police, an investigation is in progress to specify the cause of the crash.
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Article 1: Banner of flotilla stopped in May
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) throughout Europe and the United States are currently assembling a flotilla of up to 20 ships, which will set sail for the Gaza strip in the coming months in an attempt break the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory. Israeli-Swedish activist Dror Feiler said that the goal of the new flotilla is to double the size of the previous one, and for it to include more than a thousand people. "The Israeli Army can stop 12 to 50 ships if it wants," Feiler said. "Nonetheless there are so many ships since so many people want to get together to stop the siege, which is a collective punishment on the people of Gaza and is unacceptable."
The Israel Defense Force is monitoring the actions of the planned flotilla, according to a report in the on Tuesday. The Israeli army is calling this new fleet of ships "the mother of all flotillas." A wide range of scenarios is being prepared for which include the possibility that due to the larger number of ships reported to be part of the flotilla, the Israeli navy may need to intercept it before the ships get close to Israel's shoreline. Officials say that Israel will warn ship operators that their crew may be detained and the vessel held until impound fees are paid, claiming the backing of international maritime treaties.
"The legal approach proved effective as a deterrent, and we're prepared to see it through as a punishment. If we are to pay a price for defending the blockade, the other side will pay a price for challenging it," a senior Israeli government official. The official declined to be named.
A European campaigner against the blockade, Anwar Ghabi, told Arabic news agency Quds Press that the new flotilla will be backed by hundreds of NGOs, including several human rights groups.
The first flotilla to challenge the blockade was stopped by Israeli naval commandos in May this year. Nine activists were killed, and several dozen activists and seven Israeli commandos were wounded after Israeli troops clashed with activists. Harsh international and domestic criticism followed. Subsequent aid ships were seized or diverted to Egypt. Article 2: Campbell claims being in court was "a big inconvenience." Supermodel testified for prosecutors on Thursday in a war crimes case against former Liberian president Charles Taylor.
Taylor allegedly gave an uncut to Campbell in 1997 when they met for dinner in South Africa, according to Professor David Crane of Syracuse University.
Crane told Voice of America, "The testimony itself is important because the prosecution wants to show that Charles Taylor has the mindset or what we call the to use the blood diamonds that were mined by Sierra Leoneans chained to pits in the Kailahun and Kenema area. And, he was using them for various reasons: to buy guns, to use cash to deposit, and also to buy influence."
Taylor denies he possessed any uncut diamonds.
Campbell said in her testimony, "When I was sleeping I had a knock on my door. I opened my door and two men were there and gave me a pouch and said, 'A gift for you.'" She said the men gave her "very small, dirty looking stones."
She continued, "At breakfast I told Miss Mia Farrow and Miss Carole White what had happened and one of the two said, well that's obviously Charles Taylor, and I said, yes I guess it was."
Campbell was not sure Taylor sent her the blood diamonds and she claimed she assumed it was the accused and continued stating it was unlikely anyone else gave her the gift.
The Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague, The Netherlands ruled that no one may sketch, take photographs, or make videos of Campbell, due to her high profile. Photographers were barred from taking photos of Campbell entering or leaving the courthouse, but her testimony was recorded as usual.
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Article 1: Indonesian authorities said earlier today that they have uncovered a plot by rebels to assassinate several senior government officials, among them president .
File photo of president Yudhoyono.National police chief Islam|Islamic state during the August 17 independence day ceremony. "They were confident that all state officials and dignitaries would be there. Killing all the state officials would have accelerated the transition from a democracy to a state controlled by Islamic Shariah law," he said.
Danuri added that the attacks also included a plan to attack foreigners and hotels in the capital — somewhat similar to the 2008 Mumbai attacks that killed 174 after rebels attacked tourist spots like hotels and a train station.
"Their plan was also to launch attacks in Jakarta against foreigners — especially Americans — and attack and control hotels within certain communities, imitating what happened in Mumbai," the police chief said. "If we had not detected them and their military training had been successful, then they would have assassinated foreigners."
The plot was revealed in part due to several anti-terror raids near the capital, which saw twenty people arrested. Many of those now in custody were reportedly trained at a camp in Jemaah Islamiyah group called al-Qaeda in Aceh.
This is reportedly the second alleged plot to assassinate the Indonesian president in a year; last August, security forces said they had evidence suggesting rebels would blow up a car by Yudhonoyo's motorcade. The last large rebel attack was in last July, when suicide bombers targeted hotels in the capital. Article 2: Thirteen C-17 Globemaster III aircraft fly over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia during low level tactical training Dec. 20, 2005. The C-17 involved in the crash was practicing for an air show.
A Air Force, crashed on Wednesday near
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Article 1: 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. Article 2: Bret Michaels in 2008
Singer brain haemorrhage. The Poison singer was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital on Friday with complaints of a severe headache.
His publicist released a statement saying that "Bret is a fighter and we are hopeful that once all is complete, the slurred speech, blurred vision and dizziness etc will be eliminated and all functions will return to normal." He added that Michaels is conscious.
Michaels reached fame in the 1980s along with the glam rock band Poison. The group released such songs as "Talk Dirty to Me". They are still recording and releasing music after 25 years. Michaels also recently recorded a song with teen singer .
The singer can currently be seen on US television on reality show The Sharon Osborne said "I'm thinking of you and wishing you a speedy recovery", while former Professional wrestler asked fans to keep Michaels in their prayers. The show's host Donald Trump also sent Michaels his well wishes.
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Article 1: Shakemap of the earthquake.
An earthquake occurred on Wednesday evening in Southern California with a magnitude of 5.4. According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time (2353 UTC). At least two dozen smaller aftershocks, none greater than a magnitude of 3.6, have struck the same area since the quake.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 14 kilometers (8.7 miles), and the epicenter was located 20 kilometers Northwest of Anza, California|Anza; 33 kilometers Northeast of ; and 94 kilometers to the northeast of San Diego.
There were no initial reports of any major damage. San Diego skyscrapers are reported to have swayed as a result of the earthquake.
Wikinews reporter Mike Morales, who was in the area at the time of the tremor, reported: "I remember it happened around five o'clock. It was nothing much, just a little rolling feeling."
According to Kate Hutton of the , this earthquake was caused by an earlier quake in April with a magnitude of 7.2. Hutton says that "changes in the fault line" from April's quake, caused today's quake to occur. The April quake was centered in the southern Imperial Valley south of Mexicali, Mexico near the Colorado River. Article 2: Location of the esrthquake
A magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck western Mexico today at 11:53 a.m. (17:53 UTC) local time , according to the Gulf of California, 105 km (65 miles) south of Los Mochis, , with a depth of just over five and a half miles.
The earthquake caused residents of Sinaloa to panic and run into the street. The USGS initially reported the quake as a 6.9, but later revised it to 6.7.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6.2 mi) according to the USGS and lasted about one minute according to local resident Alberto Montoya Rodriguez. There was no damage or injuries reported as a result of the quake, however schools were let out for the day.
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Article 1: File photo of Governor Walter Burns
File photo of Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi at James Madison University.
US state of New Jersey, complained on Article 2: A federal judge in San Francisco has ruled that California's Proposition 8, which bans same-sex marriage in the state, violates the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
"Plaintiffs challenge Proposition 8 under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment," wrote U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker. "Each challenge is independently meritorious, as Proposition 8 both unconstitutionally burdens the exercise of the fundamental right to marry and creates an irrational classification on the basis of sexual orientation."
US judge Vaughn R Walker
Proposition 8, which was passed by California voters by referendum in November 2008, banned same-sex marriage in the state, which had been legal after a California Supreme Court ruling on May 15, 2008. The proposition's passage did not reverse the marriages of thousands of same-sex couples who had gotten married in the state in the interval.
The case, Perry et al. v. Schwarzenegger et al., was heard by Chief Judge Walker. Anticipating a defeat, the pro-Proposition 8 coalition of "defendant-intervenors" filed this morning a "motion for stay pending appeal", asking the court for its ruling to not take effect unless the decision is upheld by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals; both sides in the case say an appeal is inevitable.
Speaking for LGBT rights group , Jennifer C. Pizer said, "In holding that Prop 8 cannot stand because it violates the equal protection and due process rights of California’s lesbian and gay couples, this decision adds to the growing consensus in courts and legislatures across the country that there are no good reasons for excluding same-sex couples from marriage." Courtenay Semel, an actress and LGBT activist, told Wikinews "today marks another day in history! A big win for equal marriage. It's about time that progress is being made towards equality for all."
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Article 1: US stock markets saw an unusually turbulent day yesterday, with the (DJIA) losing almost a thousand points in thirty minutes, although later recovered somewhat to end the day with a smaller loss.
The DJIA had its worst fall since 1987, a drop of 9% or 998.50 points, before going back up a bit to close with a loss of 3.30% or 347.80 points to a level of 10,520. The Standard & Poor's 500 index dropped 3.24% or 37.75 points.
According to some reports, the quick loss happened because a trader mistyped an order to sell a large amount of stock, causing the stock price to go down enough to trigger orders to sell elsewhere in the market. (By the following day this theory had been abandoned.) Other reports suggested that the biggest markets "slowed" their executions when it became clear that computerized errors were occurring; as a result, the vast majority of buy orders were briefly withdrawn, allowing the free-fall to continue for several minutes.
Stock for the company fell almost 37% during the sell-off, about 75 minutes to the closing bell. An investigation started into whether any erroneous trades happened.
Procter & Gamble spokeswoman Jennifer Chelune spoke about the incident: "We don't know what caused it. We know that that was an electronic trade ... and we're looking into it with Nasdaq and the other major electronic exchanges."
The Reuters news agency reports that, at their height, the losses cause equity values to lose $1 trillion.
Some stocks saw extreme, but short, changes; for instance, consulting firm saw its shares plummet from about $42 to four cents, although it later rebounded to close the day at $41.09.
Meanwhile, oil prices also dropped to lows not reached since February. Benchmark crude was down $2.86 to $77.11 in New York.
"The potential for giant high-speed computers to generate false trades and create market chaos reared its head again today," said Delaware senator U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission|Securities and Exchange Commission — simply must be carefully reviewed and placed within a meaningful regulatory framework soon." Kaufman, along with senator from Virginia, called on Congress to investigate the cause of the mass sell-offs.
Nasdaq, meanwhile, says that all trades of stocks at prices 60% higher or lower than the preceding price at or around 2.40 PM "or immediately prior" are to be cancelled; it noted that it coordinated its move with the other exchanges.
Chief investment officer at Fort Pitt Capital Group Charlie Smith said: "I think the machines just took over. There's not a lot of human interaction. We've known that automated trading can run away from you, and I think that's what we saw happen today."
In the past three days, the DJIA has lost 631 points, or 5.7%, mainly over concerns about Greece's ailing, debt-burdened economy. Peter Boockvar an equity strategist for Miller Tabak, commented: "The market is now realizing that Greece is going to go through a depression over the next couple of years. Europe is a major trading partner of ours, and this threatens the entire global growth story." Article 2: At least fifteen people have been killed and a further fifty injured after gunmen attacked the central bank in Iraq's capital of Baghdad earlier today.
The attack began when several suicide bombers detonated their vests near the bank; then, gunmen clashed with police as they tried to storm the building. According to officials, most of the dead were bank employees.
Some anonymous hospital sources conflicted with official reports, saying that the number of killed was as high as 26, with sixty wounded.
Major General Qassim al-Moussawi, an Iraqi military spokesman, attributed the attack to al-Qaeda. He added, however, that no money was taken from the building, which contains large sums of US and Iraq money and gold deposits.
The attack occurred a day before the new Iraqi parliament was due to convene for the first time.
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Article 1: Demonstrators braved pelting rain to wave flags, and raise banners and placards in protest against the President's tour.
The president of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, was met with a 250-strong protest today, during his visit to Birmingham, England. The protest was held outside the International Convention Centre (ICC) venue in the British city, where the president addressed supporters of his and leading figures of the Pakistani community. Al Jazeera reported that two shoes were thrown at Zardari as he delivered his address, by a man who reportedly managed to break through police barriers to make a personal protest against the President.
Pakistan is experiencing the worst flooding in eighty years and it has been reported that the floods have now hit 14 million people. The president has faced criticism for continuing his tour during the crisis and though the messages of the protesters were many and varied, shown by placards ranging from "Save Pakistan from American terror and Zardari" to "Stop killing innocent Christians, repeal blasphemy law 295 B and 295 A", Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher said "the one thing they all agree on is that he should not be here."
Inside the ICC, speaking to a group of supporters, Mr Zardari said the trip had been crucial in raising more than £20 million in aid from Britain and France and for resolving the diplomatic rift between Pakistan and Britain, caused by British Prime Minister David Cameron's comments about alleged Pakistani terror links. David Cameron said on July 28 that "we cannot tolerate in any sense the idea that this country is allowed to look both ways and...promote the export of terror". The Pakistani President has said that his European tour is essential to mend the diplomatic rift these comments have caused.
The President's son has also defended the tour, saying "He's doing the best he can and what he thinks is best to help the people of Pakistan." He added that "his personal presence in Pakistan would not be able to raise this much money."
The said the President "struggled at times to be heard above the chanting of hundreds of supporters." The chanting from the protesters arrayed outside the ICC could also be heard from where the President gave his speech. Many were calling for the Prime Minister's resignation.
According to the the President's trip has been kept as cheap as possible, with Mr Zardari staying in the "cheapest five-star hotel in Central London" while he met with Mr Cameron. But at today's protest many held placards decrying the fact that while money was urgently needed in Pakistan the President was taking a tour that would cost the country. Two examples of such placards were: "Thousands dying president is holidaying" and "while Pakistan floods Zadradi enjoys".
A protester holds a sign reading: "We Reject Mushrraf Policy on Kashmir" and "We Demand Pakistan National Stand on Kashmir." On the left can be seen the ICC, where the President gave his address.
The demonstration was held in the shadow of the Hyatt Regency Hotel where Mr Zardari has been staying. It is one of the most expensive hotels in Birmingham but the raised bridge that links directly to the ICC does provide the best security for the President.
Mohammed Khalil, a local official from the Tehreek-e-Insaf party, told the AFP that "He should be there organising for his own people. Instead he's here with so many people. The government is paying all the expense for that. That money should be spent on the people of Pakistan, not on himself." However the President's son said millions had been raised from Britain and France because of the tour, and that the President would return once worldwide attention had died down.
The protest itself carried on for many hours, from before 2:00 in the afternoon until 4:25, when it ended with a prayer ceremony. The protest reflected the prominence of the Islamic faith in Pakistani culture, with a tarpaulin stretched on the ground to allow for Muslim prayer. National feeling was strong, shown by the numerous Pakistani flags being flown, and the presence of the closing religious ceremony and Islamic prayer mirrors the close-knit relationship nationalist and religious feeling have in Pakistan. Article 2: South Korean President Henrik Hansson Globaljuggler
Tensions continue to rise between North Korea and South Korea following the shelling of South Korea's Yeonpyeong Island by the Lee Myung-Bak put the military on its highest alert.
On his website, the President warned North Korea that "indiscriminate attack on civilians can never be tolerated" and promised "enormous retaliation" if North Korea should attack again. The state-controlled North Korean Central News Agency issued its own statement, threatening more strikes if South Korean naval forces cross the maritime border by "even 0.001 millimetre".
World leaders have been quick to condemn the North Korean shelling. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon issued a statement in which he called the attacks "one of the gravest incidents since the end of the Korean War", but expressing his hope that differences be resolved by non-military means. The United States, which currently has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, called on the North to end the shelling, and affirmed its policy of defense of South Korea. The Chinese foreign ministry also issued a statement, saying that the country had "taken note of relevant reports" and expressed its hope that both sides return stability to the region. South Korea's defense minister Kim Tae-Young has resigned amid criticism of his handling of the situation. When asked about the shelling on the Glenn Beck Show, former U.S. Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin remarked that "Obviously, we gotta stand with our North Korean allies" — a gaffe quickly corrected by Beck.
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Article 1: England with Worcestershire in red.One person has been killed and another person has been seriously injured as the result of a road traffic accident in Worcestershire, England. The vehicle, a Vauxhall Astra, had two occupents. One of them was a man who was believed to have been aged around 20. The other occupant of the vehicle was an 18-year-old woman. Currently, neither of them have been publically identified.
The vehicle collided with a tree on the A4023 road in Redditch at around 2200 GMT on Sunday; West Mercia Police were subsequently called to the scene of the accident. The driver suffered from serious injuries and was later pronounced dead at the scene of the collision.
The passenger had to be taken to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch. She suffered from leg and arm injuries, as well as a serious injury to her head. Inside the hospital, her condition has been considered as serious, although her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. Article 2: A photograph of the wreckage of flight BA 38 following the aircraft's evacuation.
The United Kingdom's Air Accidents Investigation Board (AAIB) yesterday blamed a release of ice in the fuel system of a British Airways passenger jet as the cause of a crash two years ago at London's Heathrow Airport. Flight 38 from China was attempting to land when both engines lost almost all power – a condition called "rollback".
The exact phenomenon had never been previously identified, but it not only affected the British Airways jet two years ago but also a Delta Airlines jet above the United States later the same year. Both were Boeing 777 aircraft. That incident prompted the AAIB to collaborate with the US National Transportation Safety Board.
BA 38 was approximately 43 seconds from touchdown when it experienced a dual engine rollback that was beyond the control of the flight crew. Captain Peter Burkill and co-pilot John Coward were later hailed as heroes for performing a successful crash landing 330 metres from the runway. The plane avoided nearby buildings and a road, leaving the landing gear deployed to act as shock absorbers.
The jet slid 372 metres after the crash, but all 136 passengers evacuated alive. 36 passengers and twelve crewmembers were injured, mostly suffering whiplash and one incurring a broken leg. The report concluded there was no time to alert the cabin crew or passengers to the situation developing in the cockpit.
A photograph showing ice buildup on the component in question, during testing.
The engine rollback was caused by ice forming in the fuel system; the ice came from water molecules existing as impurities in the fuel, and lined the fuel system. When extra fuel was pumped through to supply the engines for landing manoeuvres, the ice was dislodged.
It is believed to have then settled on a component called the fuel-oil heat exchanger, a dual-purpose component that runs oil pipes through the fuel system. The idea is to cool down hot oil and keep fuel warm to prevent freezing. As the result of previous safety recommendations from both the UK and US investigators Boeing and engine company Rolls-Royce have worked to redesign the part.
Every component of the aircraft complied with all relevant airworthiness standards, and the fuel also complied with the standards applying to it. Although ice problems have been known since the 1950s, sudden release problems were unheard of before the crash. The testing conducted as part of the investigation is thought to be unique and the aircraft experienced unusually low temperatures during the flight.
A total of eighteen safety recommendations have been issued, of which nine came from an interim report and nine are new. Some of these apply to aircraft "crashworthiness" – the ability to withstand impact forces.
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Article 1: Lolol Church after 2010 Chile earthquakes.jpg|thumb|left|The Lolol church, one of the 66 churches in the O'Higgins Region. The photo shows the severe structural damage that suffered the church after the earthquakes.
Mario Pardo, a geophysicist at the University of Chile, has ruled out that a "seismic swarm" exists in the coastal town of Pichilemu, about 259 kilometers from Santiago. As of last Thursday, almost 70 seisms have been registered in that zone.
Pichilemu was the epicentre of a 6.9 moment magnitude earthquake last Thursday that resulted in two aftershocks of magnitude greater than six.
"These are aftershocks associated to that earthquake. They are not more than a technicality: a seismic swarm doesn't correspond to an aftershock sequence that will last in some time", he explained.
The seismologist, in an interview with Cooperativa Radio, explained that the situation in Pichilemu occurs generally in areas where the aftershocks "can't be differentiated from a main seism, where they have very similar magnitudes, and when they take some time to disappear".
Adobe houses and historic buildings sustained the most damaged in the region: in fact, Monsignor Alejandro Goic said that only 2 of the 66 traditional catholic buildings in the region were not damaged. Damages to Catholic churches solely in the O'Higgins Region were estimated at almost 20 billion Chilean pesos (US$ 38 million). "It's stratospheric, a number that surpasses us absolutely," Goic said. Article 2: People camping in La Cruz Hill.jpg|thumb|left|"It catched my mother in Pichilemu. She got dressed in case of she having to flee to the La Cruz Hill," Bárbara Ponce said. In the picture, people staying in the La Cruz Hill after the March 11 earthquake.
USGS' location map for the 08:19 UTC aftershock.
Four strong aftershocks have occurred on today's early morning in Chile. The fourth and strongest quake had a 5.6 magnitude in the Richter scale. No damage was reported.
The first shaking took place at 00:37 local time (03:37 UTC), which according to the University of Chile Seismological Service had a 4.7 magnitude in the Richter scale. It occurred 64 kilometers west of Navidad, O'Higgins Region at a depth of 31 kilometers, University of Chile reported. It was felt in cities such as Rancagua (O'Higgins Region).
The second tremor took place at 02:21 local time (05:21 UTC), 18 kilometers southwest of Rancagua, O'Higgins Region at a depth of 90.8 kilometers. It had a magnitude of 4.1.
At 04:31 local time (07:31 UTC), the third movement occurred. With a magnitude of 4.3, it occurred 34 kilometers northwest of Talca, , near Lolol at a depth of 65.1 kilometers.
The fourth shake took place at 05:19 local time (08:19 UTC). According to the University of Chile, it had a magnitude of 5.6, and occurred 32 kilometers south of Pichilemu, O'Higgins Region at a depth of 41.9 kilometers. According to ONEMI, there were no casualties nor damage provoked by the aftershock. This movement was felt across the Valparaíso, Santiago Metropolitan, O'Higgins, Maule, and Bío Bío Regions, in cities such as Viña del Mar, Santiago Centro, San Fernando, Constitución, Chile|Constitución, Cauquenes, and Concepción. Chile's National System of Tsunami Alerts ruled out the possibility of a tsunami, according to .
"In Rancagua, it all was really shake-y," said Daniela Banda Sandoval, a Facebook user who commented on Pichilemu's Facebook page. "It was felt very strongly here in Santa Cruz, in addition of being noisy, it was as strong as the February earthquake!," Agustín Toro Reyes said. "At least we are sure now the Ricardo Arjona|Arjona... drift away from Chile!," Ro Fernandez said on Pichilemu's page, referring to ONEMI's late response after the February 27 earthquake and Ricardo Arjona's announcement to visit Chile. Arjona was one of the last artists to perform on the 2010 Viña del Mar International Festival before the February earthquake.
The , however, reported that the earthquake had a magnitude of 5.4, and that it occurred at a depth of 35 kilometers, 60 kilometers northwest of Curicó, Maule Region.
A further aftershock occurred at 06:57 local time (09:57 UTC), which was of a lesser magnitude.
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Article 1: Speaking Thursday in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House, United States President Barack Obama presented new proposals for financial reform.
Barack Obama Speech "Volcker Rule" 2010-01-21.ogv|thumb|320px|left|thumbtime=30|President Obama delivers his remarks with Vice President Joe Biden at his side on January 21, 2010. (View larger version)
"While the financial system is far stronger today than it was a year one year ago, it is still operating under the exact same rules that led to its near collapse," said President Barack Obama. "My resolve to reform the system is only strengthened when I see a return to old practices at some of the very firms fighting reform; and when I see record profits at some of the very firms claiming that they cannot lend more to small business, cannot keep credit card rates low, and cannot refund taxpayers for the bailout. It is exactly this kind of irresponsibility that makes clear reform is necessary."
Obama's two key proposals were to limit the types of operations that a bank may undertake and to limit the size of the largest financial firms.
Under the proposals banks would be prevented from owning or investing in hedge fund or a private equity fund. Nor would they be allowed to sponsor such funds. To limit size of financial institutions, further consolidation of the financial sector by restricting growth in the market share of their liabilities.
Obama called the restrictions on banking operations the "Volcker Rule" in reference to Paul Volcker, the chair of the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board. These activities are "unrelated to serving their customers," Obama said.
According to Obama, the current "economic crisis began as a financial crisis, when banks and financial institutions took huge, reckless risks in pursuit of quick profits and massive bonuses. When the dust settled, and this binge of irresponsibility was over, several of the world's oldest and largest financial institutions had collapsed, or were on the verge of doing so. Markets plummeted, credit dried up, and jobs were vanishing by the hundreds of thousands each month. We were on the precipice of a second Great Depression."
The President said his administration is seeking to protect consumers and close loopholes that allowed financial products such as credit default swaps without oversight. The goal would be to strengthen capital and liquidity requirements to make the financial system more stable. Another goal of Obama's reforms would be to ensure that the failure of one firm could not take the entire economy.
"We've come through a terrible crisis. The American people have paid a very high price. We simply cannot return to business as usual. That's why we're going to ensure that Wall Street pays back the American people for the bailout. That's why we're going to rein in the excess and abuse that nearly brought down our financial system," Obama said in closing.
Before any of the proposals can go into effect, they will have to be passed into law by both houses of the United States Congress. Article 2: Congressman Massa in 2009
New York Representative Congressman from New York's
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Article 1: US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters in Washington, D.C.
The United States announced the arrest of eleven people accused of acting as spies for Russia, breaking up what the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) called a "long term, deep cover" spy ring within the US.
Those arrested were, according to the US government, members of a spy ring that had existed for several years, involving Russian agents adopting civilian identities. All are charged with acting as unlawful agents for Russia, which carries a sentence of a prison term up to five years. Nine were charged with , a crime that carries a prison term of up to twenty years.
According to the US government, the suspects had been trained by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service to obtain information about US military policies, including those concerned with nuclear weapons, as well as intelligence about leadership at the CIA and the White House.
The FBI said that to obtain those objectives, the suspects were instructed to live as American citizens under false names, some as married couples. Some suspects were able to achieve ties with prominent US citizens, including a scientist working with nuclear weapons and a New York financier who had ties to officials within the US government.
Communication with Russian authorities was allegedly via several disparate methods, including unique wireless internet connections or pictures posted on the Internet with hidden messages, as well as more traditional methods such as burying messages or swapping bags between agents.
The Russian Foreign Ministry told the AFP that they are investigating the allegations, but say that "there are a lot of contradictions." No further comment has been made.
Names in quotes are cover names, while those not in quotes are real names of the alleged agents. Couples are on the same bullet, while those living alone are separate. Locations are where the suspects were arrested.
* "Richard and Cynthia Murphy" (Montclair, New Jersey)
* Vicky Paleaz (Yonkers, New York)
* "Juan Lazaro" (Yonkers, New York)
* Anna Chapman (Manhattan, New York City)
* Mikhail Zemenko (Arlington, Virginia)
* "Michael Zottoli" and "Patricia Mills" (Arlington, Virginia)
* "Donald Howard Heathfield" and "Tracy Lee Ann Foley" (Boston, Massachusetts)
* "Christopher R. Metsos" (Larnaca, Cyprus)
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 27.
*
* Article 2: A leaking ammonia line halted attempts to repair a cooling system on the International Space Station (pictured above).
A faulty Extra-vehicular activity|spacewalk.
During the spacewalk, Tracy Caldwell Dyson were to repair a faulty cooling system, which failed on July 31. The faulty cooling unit was to be swapped with a new one that was previously in storage to solve the problem; however, an ammonia leak in the final line to be disconnected from the unit halted attempts for a repair.
Upon discovering the problem, the astronauts were instructed to reconnect the line and install a positioning device to maintain the proper pressure on the line.
Upon completing the spacewalk, Wheelock and Dyson spent additional time in the spacesuit|spacesuits.
NASA officials are analyzing possible solutions to the issue to attempt during a planned spacewalk Wednesday. Wednesday's spacewalk was previously intended to be second in the series to repair the cooling system by reattaching fluid and electrical lines.
Before Saturday's spacewalk, NASA officials projected that up to three spacewalks may be needed to repair the cooling system.
Most of the space station's non-critical scientific components have been temporarily shut-down in order to reduce heat generation with only one cooling loop available to the station.
NASA reports that the station's crew, three Russians and three Americans, are not in any danger; however, it is in the best interests of the crew to restore systems to nominal condition as soon as possible.
The eight-hour spacewalk is reportedly the longest ISS-based spacewalk, and the sixth longest in the history of .
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Article 1: Bill Clinton @ Hillary Rally.jpg|thumb|left|220px|File photo of Bill Clinton in 2008.
Former US President Bill Clinton left New York Presbyterian Hospital on Friday after undergoing an hour-long operation to insert two stents into one of his coronary arteries the previous day. Clinton has had previous heart troubles. For instance, in 2004, the former president underwent quadruple bypass surgery in order to restore blood flow to four blocked arteries.
Dr. Allen Schwartz, the chief of cardiology at the hospital, publicly stated that there was "no evidence of a heart attack or of damage to Clinton's heart," and that what occurred was "not a result of either his lifestyle or diet, both of which have been excellent."
According to a statement from a personal assistant to Clinton, he is currently convalescing at his home in Chappaqua, New York.
Those close to the family subsequently speculated that Clinton's "punishing schedule" could possibly have caused these problems. Some of his recent work has included being a United Nations special envoy to Haiti, having previously visited the country twice since the 2010 Haiti earthquake, which struck the island nation on January 12 2010.
Clinton is now said to be in "good spirits" as having resumed much of his normal work. Article 2: left
The Haitian cholera outbreak has killed 292 people and infected over 4000, according to the Haitian government, although there are no new cases in the earthquake ravaged capital, . Neighboring countries, Dominican Republic and Jamaica have begun to implement measures to prevent the disease from spreading.
The Deputy Director of the (PAHO), Jon Andrus said, "health aides are in Haitian camps, educating people about proper food, water and waste treatment." He also added that "the goal is to provide 24-hours-a-day medical care."
The United Nations (UN) is calling the outbreak "extremely serious" and it would be "irresponsible to plan for anything but a considerably wider outbreak." A United Nations spokesperson also expressed concerned that the disease might become more widespread. Members of CARE medical teams have been working non-stop to treat the sick, but the number of people who need treatment still remain high.
Although no cases of the disease have been reported in the Dominican Republic or Jamaica, the countries are beefing up their defenses. The Jamaican Prime Minister, , said yesterday that the coast guard have increased their high seas patrols to prevent individuals infected with the disease from fleeing to the country. He also added that "we must all ensure that we practise good hygiene, wash our hands with soap regularly, drink only boiled water or bottled water." Golding informed the cabinet that the Ministry of Health has begun to beef up operations in select towns which are still suffering from high waters due to the passage of Tropical Storm Nicole.
In the Dominican Republic health officials are present and are currently putting measures in place to prevent the disease from spreading over to the country. These include tight border control and bans on cooked or raw food from Haiti.
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Article 1: __NOEDITSECTION__
The logo of whistleblowing website, Wikileaks
Yesterday's release of more US diplomatic cables by Wikileaks covered pressure on governments, Spain's judiciary, and buying foreign assistance with detentions at Guantanamo Bay. , one of five mainstream papers partnering with Wikileaks' release of documents, examined key output from Madrid's US embassy.
The latest cables focus on US–Spain relations, particularly during the George W. Bush presidency, with serving as ambassador in Madrid. He is cited as having "personally exerted" pressure on Spain's government and judiciary; this leading to at least three investigations being dropped.
Of concern to the press is the death of in 2003. The Spanish cameraman was killed during the battle for Baghdad; the Spanish judiciary intended to prosecute three US servicemen over the fatality.
File photo of Eduardo Aguirre Jr, United States ambassador to Spain.
American use of Spanish air bases for was a second concern the US embassy in Madrid pressured the government on. Spanish prosecutors had been keen to pursue 13 CIA officers over the illegal flights.
Repeatedly, concern over Spain's independent judiciary invoking 'universal jurisdiction' appears in leaked cables. Reports at the time showed magistrates considered actions at Guantanamo Bay torture, and seemed keen to pursue ex-US government officials on grounds of "criminal responsibility".
Cable 06MADRID1914 highlights the cases of Hamed Abderrahaman Ahmed and Moroccan Lahcen Ikassrien; respectively transferred from Guantanamo Bay, to Spanish custody, in February 2004 and July 2005.
Describing conditions at the Cuban detention centre as "impossible to explain, much less justify", Hamed — better known as the "Spanish Taliban" — saw a July 2006 ruling by the country's Supreme Court annul his six-year prison sentence, granting him an immediate release. The ruling cast doubt on the reliability of evidence against Lahcen, who was released on bail.
Hamed and his family, at the time, announced their intent to sue the US government over his suffering in Guantanamo Bay.
File photo of Baltazar Garzón, former Spanish High Court judge.
Later cables illustrate how concerned the Bush administration were over possible prosecution by José Blanco Lopéz. Pronouncements by the two, and others, on "criminal responsibility" were met with a diplomatically stern response; cable 07MADRID546 states that the government of Spain was "cautioned that continued statements on this issue by senior Spanish figures would be viewed negatively."
Garzón, best-known for indicting former dictator Augusto Pinochet, seemed to still trouble US diplomats when planning high-level defence talks in March 2007. Mention is made to a possible investigation, and indictment of, Donald Rumsfeld. Spain had informed the US embassy in Madrid the judge in the case was working to dismiss it.
As recently as March last year, Garzón sought to prosecute officials from the Bush administration.
Named as potential defendants in a Reuters report, John Yoo, William Haynes II, David Addington were all being investigated by Garzón.
Come April this year, Garzón himself faced prosecution. A probe into Franco-era war crimes saw him suspended, possibly to be tried for acting contrary to an amnesty extended to Franco supporters. It is alleged he "acted without jurisdiction".
At present, the former Spanish Supreme Court judge is working at the . Reports based on El Pais' investigation around the leaked cables suggest the country's judiciary has been politicised to suit American interests.
With a price of US$85,000 cited for each former Guantanamo Bay detainee that Spain was to take, recent reports assert other countries have been offered financial incentives to help empty the camp.
Belgium, alongside Spain, was supposedly offered more influence within the European Union in exchange for cooperating with US plans.
Kuwait's interior minister is said to have refused to take any of their citizens from the camp. Describing inmates as "rotten", DPA alleges he told the US to "get rid of" detainees in an Afghan war zone.
Yemen, in exchange for agreeing to take Guantanamo detainees, is said to have asked for US$11 million for the construction of a centre to rehabilitate Muslim extremists.
So far, only a tiny fraction of the documents in Wikileaks possession have been made public. Article 2: According to the North Korean government, a US citizen, Aijali Mahli Gomes, has attempted in a North Korean prison. In April, Gomes was sentenced to eight years of hard labour for illegally attempting to cross into the reclusive country in January, though his reasons for doing so remain unclear.
In addition to the prison term, the man was also fined the equivalent of US$700,000 for a "hostile act".
"Driven by his strong guilty conscience, disappointment and despair at the US government that has not taken any measure for his freedom, he attempted to commit suicide," the North's Korean Central News Agency reported. This report did not specify where and how Gomes attempted suicide, or his state at present, only adding that Gomes "is now being given first-aid treatment at a hospital", and that Swedish diplomats at their Pyongyang embassy who handle diplomatic affairs between the US and North Korea have been made aware of Gomes' condition.
Gomes was an English teacher in South Korea before trying to cross into the North. Gomes had also attended rallies that supported human rights activist Robert Park, who crossed into the North to protest the Communist country's poor human rights record. Park was later expelled from North Korea 40 days after he entered.
North Korea's international relations remain tense after the sinking of the South Korean warship Cheonan, and this report was issued just hours before the United Nations Security Council was expected to pass a resolution censuring the explosion of the Cheonan. North Korea has denied any involvement in the sinking of the warship and has declared that any sanctions from the international community will lead to war.
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Article 1: 2009 British Grand Prix, held at Donington Park.
Shoya Tomizawa, a 19-year-old Japanese motorcycle racer from Chiba, has died after being involved in a crash at the Misano World Circuit during the San Marino Grand Prix. While on lap 12 of the race, Tomizawa fell in Turn 10, a fast right-hand corner called the Curvone, when he was forced wide and lost grip in his rear tyre. He was then hit by the motorbikes of both Alex de Angelis and Scott Redding. He was immediately attended to by the on-track medical staff and transported to a local hospital in Riccione where he later died.
Valentino Rossi, the MotoGP world champion, commented on Tomizawa's death. He said, "I found out now, when things like this happen nothing else matters. He was a lovely guy, it was a horrible accident."
Paolo Giovagnoli, the prosecutor of the Province of Rimini (in which the Misano World Circuit is located), is reported to have launched an investigation into the death that could lead to criminal charges. The race was not stopped so that Tomizawa could be treated at the track. Instead, he was quickly carried from the track on a stretcher, which was dropped when he was being carried across some gravel. Article 2: The Gap Band, has died at the age of 53. Wilson’s death was announced by his manager and publicist, Don Jackson. He died in Los Angeles on Sunday night. The cause of death was announced as a massive heart attack.
Born in Tulsa, Wilson formed funk and R&B group The Greenwood, Archer and Pine Street band with his brothers, Charlie and Ronnie. They later shortened the name to The Gap Band to make it stand out on gig posters.
The group had reached success by the time Wilson was 14. Hits by the brothers included "I Don’t Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops)", "Party Train" and "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
Wilson, who had been touring at the time of his death, returned to his hometown of Tulsa last week. He told newspaper that he would be headlining the Timeless Music Festival on August 28. Sources have said that it is likely the festival will become a tribute show to Wilson.
Funeral arrangements have remained private and have not been announced.
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Article 1: Jonathan Ross in 2005
Television presenter and BBC Radio 2 disc jockey Jonathan Ross has announced his departure from the British Broadcasting Corporation. Ross currently presents his own chat show, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, as well as presenting his own programme and The Film programme on BBC Radio 2. He has decided to leave the corporation when his contract ends in July 2010. The contract was reported to have a value of £18,000,000 over the space of three years, however this has not been confirmed by the BBC.
Ross, who has been working with the BBC since 1996, spoke to news reporters outside his house. "It's probably not a bad time for me to move on — and it's probably not a bad time for the BBC, either," he stated. "I've got six months left, I'm hoping to make the best shows of my career with them." This information emerges one day after the announcement came that another BBC talk show host, Graham Norton, had signed a deal for two years with the BBC. Rumours began to mount in the newspapers that Norton would soon take over Ross' television slot. Alan Yentob, the BBC's Creative Director, said that "you don't need to compare Graham with Jonathan Ross. No decisions have been taken with that slot."
In 2008, Ross was involved in the infamous incident involving Russell Brand and himself leaving obscene messages to actor Andrew Sachs via a voicemail service. Regarding his departure from the BBC, Jonathan said: "Although I have had a wonderful time working for the BBC, and am very proud of the shows I have made while there, over the last two weeks I have decided not to re-negotiate when my current contract comes to an end. While there, I have worked with some of the nicest and most talented people in the industry and had the opportunity to interview some of the biggest stars in the world, and am grateful to the BBC for such a marvellous experience. I would like to make it perfectly clear that no negotiations ever took place and that my decision is not financially motivated.
"As I have said before — I would happily have stayed there for any fee they cared to offer, but there were other considerations. I love making my Friday night talk show, my Saturday morning radio show and the Film Programme, and will miss them all. Working at the BBC has been a tremendous privilege, and I would like to thank everyone who has watched and listened so loyally over the last 13 years." Article 2: Charles de Gaulle during the Second World War
Nicolas Sarkozy visited the UK today to celebrate the 70th anniversary since made his war broadcast. The French president and the Prince of Wales laid wreaths at the statue of Charles de Gaulle in London.
Earlier, Mr Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni visited the BBC radio studio where the famous broadcast was made on BBC France. The broadcast at the time was said to have been listened to by a very small number of listeners. Carla Bruni and Nicolas Sarkozy unveiled a plaque and viewed a tapestry given to the BBC by France as a note of gratitude after World War II.
Nicolas Sarkozy and British PM David Cameron met with 200 veterans during a ceremony at the Légion d'honneur to six World War II veterans, three of whom were British.
In a short speech, Mr Cameron said the anniversary was a "reminder that Britain and France are not just neighbours in the geographical sense but also in the emotional sense." Mr Cameron held an hour of talks with the French president at Downing Street primarily focusing on economics, Afghanistan, and other foreign policy matters.
The visit is the first by a French president to mark Gen de Gaulle's broadcast on June 18, 1940. In the stirring radio appeal, Gen de Gaulle declared himself leader of the "Free French", spawning the French Resistance, which went on to play a crucial role in defeating the Germans.
Mr Sarkozy's last official visit to the UK was in March 2008, when he was also accompanied by his wife.
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Article 1: Thirteen C-17 Globemaster III aircraft fly over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia during low level tactical training Dec. 20, 2005. The C-17 involved in the crash was practicing for an air show.
A Air Force, crashed on Wednesday near Article 2: Muslim woman must remove her
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Article 1: The Russian government has decided to remove two of its eleven timezones, in the country's first step towards time reform, first started by president Dmitry Medvedev last November.
The affected regions were Chukotka and Kamchatka, the easternmost provinces of Russia; and Samara and Udmurtia, which are now on Moscow time. Each of these regions was moved back an hour. Kemerovo was also moved back an hour, but this did not eliminate a time zone.
The changes were implemented on Saturday night, when most of the country was due to put their country ahead for summer time; however, affected areas instead didn't change their clocks at all.
"It's possible that this could also aid the strengthening of Russia's position as a link in the global information infrastructure," Medvedev remarked earlier this month.
"Reducing of amount of time zones is very efficient for managing, for accordance of actions, for approximation of far regions to the center," commented Arkady Tishkov, who is a deputy science director of Geography Institution for the Russian Academy of Sciences. Tishkov speculated that the number of time zones could eventually be reduced to six.
Meanwhile, an online petition has been posted opposing the time change for the Samara province, and it has garnered close to 13,000 signatures. "Trips take place to many regions of the country and world where time, you understand, far from always corresponds with Moscow," the text of the petition read, adding that "in the winter, darkness will come almost at lunchtime, which isn't convenient and is psychologically quite hard."
cs:Ruská federace ruší dvě časová pásma Article 2: Two peacekeepers from Egypt, working for the joint United Nations-African Union mission in Darfur, were killed in an ambush yesterday by gunmen, reports say.
Three others were hurt when the incident happened near South Darfur. Kemal Saiki, a spokesman with the mission, commented on the incident in a statement: "Today, at about 11:30 am 14.30 UNAMID's Egyptian contingent, with three vehicles and 20 personnel, was ambushed near Katila village, 85 kilometres 53 miles south of Edd al-Fursan, South Darfur, by a group of unidentified armed men who indiscriminately opened fire, without warning, on the peacekeepers.
"The attackers fled when the convoy returned fire. The attack left two peacekeepers killed in action and three seriously wounded," Saiki added. He condemned the clash as being a "criminal act".
Nobody has, as of yet, claimed responsibility for the attack. Darfur and the surrounding region are prone to violence, caused by a civil war; with these deaths, 24 peacekeepers have been killed since UNAMID was deployed to the area two years ago.
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Article 1: Estonian forces have been in Afghanistan since 2001
An Estonian soldier has been killed in southern Afghanistan. Sgt. Herdis Sikka was on patrol with his unit in when he was killed in an explosion. His death was announced by the Estonian Defence Ministry.
20 year-old Sikka had been the driver of the armoured personnel carrier when his unit came under attack. No one else was injured in the attack. Fellow soldiers tried to administer first aid and Sikka was transported by helicopter to .
A joint statement from Prime Minister Jaak Aaviksoo and Foreign Minister Toomas Hendrick Ilves wrote a letter of condolence to Sikka's family.
With Sikka's death, the death-toll of Estonian soldiers in Afghanistan has risen to eight. Article 2: A judge in Baghdad, Iraq has cleared two men of murdering six soldiers from the United Kingdom. Hamza Hateer and Mussa Ismael al Fartusi had their case kicked out prior to trial owing to a lack of evidence; they were alleged to be involved in a June 2003 mob attack on a police station.
At today's hearing, which had been postponed by a month to allow witnesses to travel, a panel of three judges spent three and a half hours to question those who were there. Sources disagree on the number of witnesses—between nine and eleven—none of whom said they had seen the accused participate in any violence. Most of those questioned were Iraqi police.
The killings in Majar al-Kabir followed a dispute at the local market in which British soldiers had argued with Iraqis over the use of dogs to search, which the locals were upset about, according to policeman Ahmed Hassan Sayed. He said gunfire followed and the soldiers killed around ten people. "I was inside the police station with the British soldiers. They had been coming twice a week for training... I heard sounds of shooting that got closer and closer. We saw a lot of people approaching the building. I told all my employees to leave. I also told the British to leave."
Sayed went on to say in his testimony that the British soldiers had refused to leave as they felt they were in the clear since they were present for training only. The police left the station via a back window; the British remained in the courtyard while around 400 people attacked. "What I understand is that this was an act of tribal vengeance. They wanted justice for the killing of their relatives," explained Sayed. "We fled through the back window and the British stayed behind."
Although no witnesses saw either defendant engaged in violence, one stated that Hateer took a dead man's weapon; he will be tried for its theft. The pair were among eight whose arrests were anounced in February; six were released without charge.
Judge Balee Hamdi told The Guardian that in releasing the men "I built my decisions on the evidence that was before me. The evidence was not sufficient to convict them." He also said that should rebels be convicted before him "if they are here for resistance against occupiers, I will try to lessen the sentence."
A Ministry of Defence—the British organisation responsible for the country's army—spokesman responded to the news by saying that she knew that the victim's families will be "very disappointed," but, they said, "we have no choice but to respect the decision of the Iraqi judges. They will have weighed up the credibility and reliability of the evidence before reaching their verdict." They added: "However, this is not the end. Seven further arrest warrants remain outstanding and are being actively pursued by the Iraqi authorities."
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Article 1: Drivers in the Russian capital, Moscow, were given an unexpected show courtesy of a 30-by-20 foot electronic highway billboard when an explicit pornographic video was played for nearly twenty minutes in place of the paid advertisement clips that are usually shown. The incident happened near the entrance into Serpukovskiy tunnel on Sadovoe Ring Road, about 2 kilometers south of the Kremlin.
"Within three minutes we found it out, and within fifteen minutes the screen was shut off," the deputy head of the Moscow city advertising committee, Alexander Menchuk, said in a statement to Interfax. A passerby told the Associated Press that she was "so shocked that I couldn't even shoot video or take a picture of it."
The display screen's owner, the Three Stars Advertising Agency of Panno.ru, said that computer hackers attempting to execute a practical joke were likely to blame. Viktor Laptev, commercial director for the firm said, "They were either acting out of hooliganism or were from a rival company."
Although a city official has been quoted as telling local media that Moscow would increase security of data transmission in light of what happened, local police say they have yet to receive a single complaint about the incident, and thereby have not opened an investigation. Nudity on television is officially banned in Russia. Article 2: File photo of Greg Biffle
Kansas Speedway, the race track where the race was held.
Greg Biffle, who qualified fifth, won the 2010 Price Chopper 400 held on October 3, 2010 at Kansas City, Kansas|Kansas City, Kansas, United States. This became his second win of the season.
Biffle was chased by Jimmie Johnson up to the finish line, but was not able to catch him this weekend. Following the race, Johnson became the points leader after three of ten events in the .
Pole Position|Pole position winner collided with the wall earlier in the race, which prompted him to a thirty-seventh place finish.
Stewart Haas Racing team, clinched the fourth position, after leading the most laps with 76. Jeff Gordon followed Stewart in fifth, while could only manage sixth.
Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, and Denny Hamlin finished twelfth, and finished in twenty-first.
Johnson now heads the Drivers' championship with 5,503 points, eight points ahead of Denny Hamlin. Manufacturers' сhampionship standings is lead by Chevrolet with 212, thirty-seven points ahead of Toyota and 77 ahead of Ford. Once the race concluded, Johnson commented, "I know we came into Kansas second. Of course, I wanted to be leading. I could care less where the 11 Hamlin was Sunday. It's just not time to worry about that stuff. After Talladega, teams and drivers can work on a strategy of protecting or taking chances. We have to get deeper into the Chase to be concerned about who the points leader is."
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Article 1: South Korea held joint military exercises with the United States on Monday on Yeonpyeong Island, which was shelled by North Korea last month. North Korea had warned of an "unpredictable self-defensive blow" if the exercises went ahead, but the country did not retaliate, saying it was "not worth" attacking, despite "reckless provocations" from the South.
South Korean officials reported the drills, involving McDonnell Douglas F-15K fighter aircraft, lasted less than two hours.
The United Nations Security Council held an eight hour emergency meeting as tensions escalated on the Korean peninsula before the exercises began. The controversial issue divided opinion within the council; China and Russia both asked South Korea to call off the exercise over fears it could start a war on the peninsula, but the US supported its ally, saying the drills were "fully consistent with South Korea's legal right to self defence".
Officials in Pyongyang had threatened a "catastrophe" if the exercises, taking place on an island close to the border with the North, went ahead. They did not attack the South, however; state media quoted a North Korean military official as saying: "The world should properly know who is the true champion of peace and who is the real provocateur of a war." South Korea had said they would retaliate "immediately and sternly" to any attack from the North.
South Korean officials reported the drills, involving McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle|F-15K fighter aircraft, lasted less than two hours. During the drill, civilians on Yeonpyeong Island moved into air-raid shelters, which, the BBC reported, was part of the planned procedure for the exercise.
Yeonpyeong Island, which, although controlled by the South, is visible from the North, and came under attack from the North last month. Nearly 200 rounds of artillery were fired at the island in the attack; four people were killed and another 14 were injured in the attack. At the time of the attack, the South had been holding annual military exercises with the US. Troops on the island returned fire, firing nearly 80 rounds of artillery, but no damage was reported on the North Korean side. Article 2: El Salvador has been suspended from competing in all world football internationals. FIFA, the governing body in football, suspended the Salvadorian Football Association (FESFUT) over government involvement. The Salvadorian government refused to recognise local football officials that FIFA had appointed.
Last year, the head of the Salvadorian Football Association, Mauricio Funes refused to recognize the commission. FIFA considered this political interference.
The suspension affects next month's World Cup in South Africa. Despite the national team not qualifying, three referees have been selected to participate in the tournament. If the suspension is not overturned by the start of the tournament, they will not be able to participate.
A meeting of an executive commission is due to take place on June 8; should the El Salvadorian government not change its stance on the issue, the suspension will be finalised. If the government does not change its stance, El Salvador will remain suspended for the entire year until the FIFA congress meets again in June 2011.
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Article 1: Illinois state capitol building.
The Fair Map Amendment, a citizen-led initiative in Illinois to reform the state constitution's procedures on legislative redistricting, may not gather enough signatures to be presented before voters during the next election. As of last Friday, organizers have collected only 120,000 of the 279,000 votes needed to bypass the state legislature and have the issue decided on solely by the voters in the November 2 election.
The current process of redistricting, or redrawing district lines every ten years following the nationwide census, is in the hands of the state legislature, or the General Assembly. The maps are often drawn by party leaders, allowing incumbent legislators to minimize and discourage opposition in their districts and perpetuate the leading party's dominance statewide.
Election statistics indicate that incumbents are successful in their reelection 98 percent of the time, and that Democrats have dominated legislative elections since they were able to draw the redistricting map in 2001. The Democratic Party has successfully reinforced their dominance through "spoking", which involves extending districts in Chicago — a Democratic stronghold — out into the more Republican-leaning suburbs. In addition to allowing more Chicago residents to become legislators, this method severely weakens the strong Republican presence in the suburbs. Republicans, if given the chance to draw the maps, could overturn this trend by keeping key Republican-leaning suburban and downstate communities intact within their districts.
The Fair Map Amendment, supported by Republicans and good-government groups such as the League of Women Voters of Illinois, would take the redistricting process out of legislators' hands and instead give that task to an independent, nine-member commission. The amendment would apply to the redistricting of only state legislative districts, not US congressional districts. The General Assembly would still have to approve the commission's suggested map, however.
Proponents initially aimed to collect the required signatures by April 1, but their inability to do so forced them to push their deadline to last Friday. Even then, organizers were still unable to meet their goal, and they now have until May 3 to send the necessary paperwork to the Illinois Secretary of State's office. "We're not having so much trouble; it's two weeks before we have to file," says Jan Czarnik, a member of the League of Women Voters.
Czarnik suggests that the petition low number of signatures is due in part to not having "enough people circulating petitions in such a short amount of time." As Kent Redfield of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois–Springfield commented, "If you've got basically volunteers circulating petitions rather than, say, political parties, people that are normally used to doing this, you're going to have to have a larger margin of error." Another possible setback is that public opinion may not carry as much fervor as for other previously proposed amendments.
Republicans, who hold the minority in the legislature, have proposed the amendment through more conventional means — via the General Assembly — but have been unsuccessful. Legislators also have considered other ways to reform the redistricting process. A few Republican party leaders' campaign funds have donated cash to the group organizing the petition, and House Minority Leader Tom Cross has asked the governor to call a special session on legislative redistricting. Some Democrats support the amendment, including Sheila Simon, her party's candidate for Lieutenant Governor.
Other Democrats, however, strongly oppose the proposal. Senator Martin Sandoval from Chicago warns that "Hispanics will not see a proportionate and fair increase in Hispanic-majority districts," and the Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund wants assurances that minority rights will not be curtailed. Article 2: A Tennessee politician has been criticised by Islamic groups and Islamic leaders by suggesting that Islam is a and is therefore ineligible for protection under the first amendment of the United States constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.
Though Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Chattanooga earlier in the month, said he's "all about freedom of religion", he also said that "you could even argue whether that being a Muslim is actually a religion, or is it a nationality, way of life, cult or whatever you want to call it".
Lt. Gov. Ramsey had been asked about a proposed Islamic mosque and community centre that has been slated for construction in the town of , Tennessee, and also about the "threat that is invading our country from Muslims".
Ramsey's comments have been scrutinized by groups all over the country, while Ramsey's rivals for the lieutenant governor position tried to avoid the controversy.
Ibrahim Hooper, national communications director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, called Ramsey's remarks "part of an unfortunate trend in our society" and part of "a disturbing trend in our nation in which it is suggested that American Muslims should have fewer or more restricted constitutional rights than citizens of other faiths." Hooper also encouraged Ramsey to find people "who can offer him balanced and accurate information about Islam."
Ramsey's Republican rivals, U.S. Representative Zach Wamp and Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam, both tried to avoid the controversy about the cult comments. According to campaign spokesman Sam Edelen, Wamp declined to comment as he was "busy with voting". Meanwhile Bill Haslam's campaign spokesman Dave Smith stated in an e-mail that "The mayor's faith is very important to him, and he respects the right of others to practice their faith, so long as they are respectful of the communities in which they live and the laws of the land."
Later, Ramsey clarified his position by stating that he has "no problem — and I don't think anyone in this country has a problem — with peace-loving, freedom-loving Muslims that move to this country and assimilate into our society." However, Ramsey said he's concerned that "far too much of Islam has come to resemble a violent political philosophy more than peace-loving religion. It's time for American Muslims who love this country to publicly renounce violent jihadism and to drum those who seek to do America harm out of their faith community."
According to the Council on American-Islamic Relations, there are 1.2 billion Muslims in the world and 7 million in the United States. The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life has stated that there are 63,000 Muslims in Tennessee, or 1% of that state's population.
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Article 1: Three people suspected of involvement in a bomb attack on the Moscow Metro system have been killed after a confrontation with police in the city. The attacks, carried out on March 29, killed at least 40 people and wounded over 100.
According to a statement released by of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), the suspects were killed in "an attempt to detain three members of an illegal group. To our great regret, we were unable to detain them alive because they put up fierce armed resistance and were killed." One of the suspects killed in the incident was suspected by Russian authorities to have escorted the two suicide bombers to Moscow in preparation for the attack while another was suspected of escorting one of the bombers to a Metro station to carry out the attack.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev released a statement in which he said authorities had no choice but to kill the suspects, referring to them as "terrorists", adding that "there was nothing to be sorry about", having reportedly told Bortnikov "those who put up resistance have to be eliminated - you cannot show pity".
In the immediate aftermath of the March attacks, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had said the catching those involved should be viewed as a "matter of honour" but that the security forces would be heavily criticised by Russian media if they were to drag the suspects "from the bottom of the sewers".
According to Bortnikov, all those involved in the attacks have now been identified and efforts to locate further suspects in the bombings are ongoing. Article 2: The military-controlled government of Fiji has imposed restrictions on foreign media ownership and jail terms for journalists whose work violates the "public interest or order".
Australia's Foreign Minister has publically condemned the Fiji Media Decree which went into effect Monday. The decree, the full title of which is "The Media Industry Development Decree 2010", implements restrictions on foreign media ownership and jail terms for journalists whose work violates the "public interest or order". The decree also introduces a new media code and complaints authority.
Various news, media and press coroporations, including News Limited have been handed a sanction by the military controlled government, under to sell or close 90% of their Fijian branches. The mandate also extends to imprisoning journalist who are deemed against "public order".
“For the first time we have a legislation that is all encompassing (the media journalists and consumers), it’s actually empowering the people of Fiji in ensuring that their views are heard,” said Sharron Smith-Johns.
Smith said these actions are another example of the Pacific nation's military rulers disregarding the civil rights of its people, and would likely result in financial and economic backlash.
"We worry very much that this arbitrary move sends a very bad signal as far as future investment in Fiji is concerned, let alone the very bad signal it sends in terms of freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and democratic rights," he said.
Four years after ousting the former democratically elected Qarase government, the sanction entitled 'The Media Industry Development Decree 2010' follows strings of intimidation of reporters by soldiers, deportation of foreign new media executives and censorship of "negative" stories about the current military administration. Attorney-General of Fiji claims that foreign media outlets are "purveyors of negativity", an argument that the entire administration defends.
Chairman of News Limited, John Hartigan has criticised former Prime Ministers John Howard and Kevin Rudd of Australia, for not pressuring the military leaders of Fiji into holding elections. Fiji is currently suspended from the Commonwealth for the same reasons.
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Article 1: Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has declared that the National Army is on maximum alert along the Colombian border, after he broke relations with that country on Thursday. The declaration comes in the wake of the Colombian Secretary of State's claim before the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia|FARC has a "consolidated," "active" and "growing" presence in Venezuela, with some 1500 guerrilla fighters in 87 camps.
Venezuela's Secretary of Defense Carlos Mata told the media that his forces have been mobilised since Thursday morning, and are awaiting the orders of their Commander in Chief, the President.
Chávez announced the breaking of diplomatic ties on behalf of the Venezuelan government after Colombia released documents allegedly showing the active presence of FARC on Venezuelan territory at the Washington headquarters of the OAS, demanding a special inquiry to investigate the matter. Relations between the two countries had previously been strained, after the Venezuelan government voiced its opposition to new US military bases being set up in Colombia.
The Colombian ambassador has been given 72 hours to vacate his offices in Caracas. Article 2: Algerian media has reported that the Algerian army has killed ten al-Qaeda rebels in an eastern area of the country. However, the Associated Press have only reported the number as eight. The rebels were killed in what is considered a stronghold of al-Qaeda's North African wing.
According to reports, seven insurgents were killed in the , around 100 km from the capital city of Algiers, over the weekend. A further three rebels were reportedly killed on Thursday although circumstances are less known.
The Algerian security authorities said that troops launched an operation at dawn on Saturday after villagers reported insurgents in the area searching for food. They added that the killings started with a helicopter bombardment on the suspected area.
Al-Qaeda is well known in Algeria for kidnappings and bomb attacks. Over the past couple of years, violence has become a rarer occurrence.
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Article 1: Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams in 2007
The Church of England's ruling body, the General Synod, yesterday rejected a compromise deal on the divisive issue of women bishops. An amendment to satisfy traditionalists was jointly proposed by its two most senior clerics, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, and the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu. Despite getting a majority of support across the Synod as a whole, it was rejected after narrowly being defeated in the vote of the House of Clergy.
The amendment would have allowed male "complementary bishops" to cater to parishes, which objected to having a female bishop in their diocese. The bishops would supposedly have "co-ordinate" powers, but some campaigners supporting women bishops said the plans would result in an unfair "two-track" system.
"I do not believe this will deliver, and it is certainly not good news for women clergy," said Christine Allsopp, Archdeacon of , of the proposed amendment.
Many traditionalists have strongly opposed the ordination of female bishops, and threatened to leave the Church over the issue. The situation has been worsened by offers from Pope Benedict for disaffected Anglicans to join the Roman Catholic Church instead.
Earlier Dr Sentamu had claimed that Dr Williams was facing "spin and propaganda", and called for it to end. Dr Williams insisted that the vote should not be considered a test of the Synod's "loyalty" to the two Archbishops, but the rejection is widely seen as a blow to their authority.
The Synod is due to continue its debate on women bishops over the next few days. Article 2: A 17th century Qur'an in the Victoria and Albert Museum
A Gainesville, Florida church named the Qur'an. The church urges people to send them copies of the book for burning at a bonfire event to be held on church property this coming September 11. The date marks the ninth anniversary of the 2001 September 11 attacks on the United States. The church's motive is an act "in remembrance of the fallen victims of 9/11 and to stand against the evil of Islam," according to its page wall on Facebook. The church is receiving condemnation as the book of Qur'an, often spelled Koran in Western usage, is the central religious text of Islam.
A group of religious leaders in Indonesia, represented by Catholic, Protestant persuasions, publicly condemned the church leaders, Pastors Terry and Sylvia Jones. Describing the plan as an " action," they seek to meet with the United States ambassador in hopes of putting an end to an action that "puts other religions in contempt" of the event.
A local news outlet in Gainesville, , published an August 3 letter to the editor written by New York resident Kirsten Tedesco. The author, who identifies as Christian, wrote of Dove World church, "Your message of hate and bigotry is another twisting of a Christian faith based on love and compassion for all people."
Two days later, the Alligator news staff published an editorial pointing out that city mayor "hasn't wasted any time coming out in protest of the church's plans." Noting the press coverage this has already generated, the editorial urged that the event be ignored. Describing the church group as people who have gone beyond being a "fringe" element, the editorial closed by suggesting, "… but we do have high hopes that a lack of attention will make them move to a place that feeds the fire – hopefully somewhere far away from Gainesville."
In a comment to the editorial, made by a reader going by the screen name Abaddon, the user's post wryly observes, "I suppose I get no points for pointing out the irony in publishing an article in a newspaper about how something 'deserves no attention', but there it is anyway."
The church, which is non-denominational, is promoting the event on its official website and other online media. A church pastor, Wayne Sapp, has posted two videos on YouTube titled, International Burn a Koran Day. The first was posted two weeks ago. Part 2 of the video came a week later. The first video has been labeled by the YouTube community as, "... being potentially offensive or inappropriate." In the Part 2 video, Sapp says the church has received "several hundred emails" and "some comments in the YouTube community" to which the second video is in response. In doing so, Sapp ridicules all but one of the persons he responds to by the deliberate and incorrect pronunciation of the screen names of those to whom the rebuttal is directed.
On Facebook, so far the church has at current count nearly 3,600 People who Like This. On that forum, the church invites other religious groups to join in standing "against the evil of Islam. Islam is of the devil!"
"Islam is of the devil" is the title of a book written by senior pastor of the church Terry Jones. "Islam and Sharia law was responsible for 9/11, we will burn Qur'ans because we think it's time for Christians, for churches, for politicians to stand up and say no; Islam and Sharia law is not welcome in the U.S." he said. The book title is being marketed as a slogan that appears on hats, shirts, and coffee mugs that can be purchased at a dot.com website with an address bearing the book's title.
The in the United States has already issued a statement urging the church to cancel the event as this would offend and hurt the international Muslim community.
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Article 1: Yellow arrow indicates traffic going southbound on Route 59 and turning onto the ramp to enter Interstate 88. Green arrow indicates traffic going northbound on Route 59. Red dot indicates the probable site of the collision.
A motorist was injured during a collision that resulted in a rollover in the city of Naperville, Illinois, United States. The accident occurred at about 8:15 am (13:15 Illinois Route 59 and Interstate 88.
Naperville police reported that Pavitra Durgam, a 26-year-old from Chicago, was traveling southbound on Route 59 and tried to turn left onto the ramp to Interstate 88. In doing so, she cut in front of a car heading north on Route 59. The other, currently unidentified driver swerved to avoid her, hit a curb, and collided with her car anyway.
Northbound traffic on Route 59 north of Diehl Road, including the entrance into eastbound Interstate 88, was blocked as crews cleaned up the area of the collision. The unidentified motorist complained of back pain and was thus sent to nearby Edward Hospital. Durgam received a citation for failing to yield to oncoming traffic as she turned. Article 2: Freedom Flotilla banner.
Between nine and nineteen Israeli Defense Force commandos
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Article 1: An 8.8 magnitude earthquake was recorded in Chile on Saturday, killing at least 214 people and causing significant structural damage. The earthquake was felt in Chillan, Talca, Concepcion, and the capital Santiago. Sea level recording triggered tsunami warnings for Chile, Peru, and Ecuador. The earthquake, which started at 06.34.14 UTC, was felt as far as Argentina.
This earthquake occurred at the boundary between the Nazca and South American tectonic plates. The two plates are converging at a rate of 80 millimeters per year.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has announced that a tsunami warning is in effect for much of the Pacific Rim, including parts of Oceania and Central America.
According to the BBC, "large waves" have struck Chile's Juan Fernández Islands, reaching halfway into one inhabited area. Three people are missing local media says. Reuters reported the Tsunami hit Tahiti at 16.50 UTC, where the BBC reports that the first waves were "smaller," measuring only 36 centimeters.
According to the AFP, part of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia was hit by a 13 foot wave. No casualties have been reported.
The New Zealand Herald reported New Zealand evacuated coastal areas at 8:00 AM local time (18.00 UTC). Waves of 20 centimeters or less were reported at the Chatham Islands (400 miles from the New Zealand mainland) at 19.05 UTC. The Ministry of Civil Defense told the BBC that "the greatest wave heights will occur between six and 12 hours after the initial arrivals."
Coastal waters in Hilo, Hawaii were reported as "visibly receding" at 11:30 AM local time (21.30 UTC) by Hawaii News Now.
According to MSNBC, a 5 1/2 foot wave reportedly made land fall on Hilo Bay, Hawaii a short while after 12:00 P.M. local time (22.00 UTC).
bg:Земетресение в Чили причинява Цунами в Тихия Океан
de:Schweres Erdbeben vor der Küste Chiles – Notstand ausgerufen
es:Sismo de 8,8 grados sacude a Chile
eo:Ĉilio: Tertremo kun magnitudo de 8,8 Mw, necerta la nombro de mortintoj
fr:Un séisme fait au moins 214 morts au Chili
it:Cile: sisma di magnitudo 8,8, incerto il numero dei morti
ja:南米チリでM8以上の地震 太平洋沿岸は津波に警戒を
no:Kraftig jordskjelv rammer Chile
Terremoto de 8,8 graus mata pelo menos 78 no Chile Article 2: Paniahue people in a court.jpg|thumb|left|Some people in Paniahue, Santa Cruz, have stayed in this court during the weather front.
Low temperatures, heavy rain, and strong wind hit Chile on Sunday afternoon amidst several aftershocks from the 2010 Pichilemu earthquake, affecting areas from the Coquimbo to Bío Bío regions.
National Emergencies Office (Radio Cooperativa that the "weather front has provoked rainfalls, winds and even a thunderstorm in , with some partial power outages in some towns in the Santiago Metropolitan Region."
The rain lasted till Tuesday, and no rain was expected on Wednesday. A man has died in Pichilemu, O'Higgins Region after the car he was driving collided with a tree, because the road was extremely muddy. Some power outages have been also experienced in Pichilemu on Sunday afternoon and night, and telephone networks were shutdown for several hours in the area. In Santa Cruz, Paniahue people affected by the earthquake have been moved to several refuges, including the town's gymnasium.
Several areas experienced damage. In Constitución, a town severely affected by the February 27 earthquake, 100 km/h winds destroyed the ceilings of houses and caused many power outages. A bridge was destroyed in Tanahuillín according to the mayor of Santa Juana, Angel Castro. It was the only bridge connecting a rural region to the local post office, schools, and local businesses. Five homes were destroyed in the region around Vegas Itata Coelemu by a waterspout; 145 people in the area were affected.
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Article 1: Justin Mentell in 2007.
Actor Justin Mentell, known for his role in US television drama Boston Legal, has died as the result of a road traffic accident aged 27.
Iowa County Sheriff's Department, who confirmed the death, stated that Mentell was driving without wearing a seatbelt when he crashed his 4 X 4 vehicle into two trees placed on an embankment. He was killed in the collision at 0300 local time.
One of the roles that Justin Mentell played was Garrett Wells in Boston Legal in 2005 and in 2006. William Shatner, who also appeared in the programme, paid tribute to the actor on his Twitter page on Wednesday. He wrote: "I'm deeply saddened to hear about Justin Mentell. There’s no telling how far up the ladder he may have climbed. My sympathies to his family."
One of the other appearences that Mentell made was in 2009 film G-Force, where he played the role of Terrell.
fr:Nécrologie : décès de l'acteur Justin Mentell dans un accident de la route Article 2: The late BBC Foreign Correspondent, Brian Hanrahan
The veteran BBC Foreign Affairs correspondent cancer.
During his career with the BBC, Hanrahan had travelled almost the whole of the world, covering such news events as the assassination of the Indian Prime Minister, fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the massacre by Chinese troops in Tienanmen Square, Beijing, and the coming to power of Mikhail Gorbachev and the subsequent rise of the "" era in Russia.
But it is for his coverage of the aircraft carrier, watching Harrier Jump Jets taking off and landing, that he "counted them all out, and I counted them all back."
In 2001, Hanrahan travelled to the United States to anchor a series of special programmes concerning the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre.
Hanrahan also covered some of the more sombre events in recent British history, providing commentary and coverage with BBC News of the deaths and subsequent funerals of both Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon|Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.
Commenting upon the news, BBC Director General said: "Brian was a journalist of unimpeachable integrity and outstanding judgement, but his personal kindness and humanity also came through. That is why audiences and everyone who knew him here will miss him very much."
The Deputy Director General of Journalism at the BBC, , described Hanrahan as "one of the BBC's greatest journalists", adding: "His work covering the Falklands War produced some of the most memorable war reporting of the last 50 years. His great craft of using words sparingly but powerfully is a lasting memory for me. A beautiful writer, a beautiful man, whose passion for the BBC and for high standards in journalism inspired us all. All Brian's friends and colleagues across BBC News offer their sympathies to his family today and salute one of the giants of broadcast journalism."
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Article 1: Jean-Marie Dore has been sworn in as the prime minister of the Guinean transitional government, who has been charged with ending military rule in the country and organising elections.
"Democratic elections are indeed the required path for our country to attain stability," Dore said at the inauguration ceremony today. He asked for General Sekouba Konate, the president of the interim government, to "reorganise and restructure the military with the support of the international community."
According to the BBC, the interim government's plan is to launch an election with half a year.
"I am committed to leading Guinea toward free, credible and transparent elections, which is a necessary passage for the country," he said in a speech.
Dore's was appointed less than two months when the Guinean junta leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, was badly injured in an attempted assassination, reportedly by one of his former aides.
Camara, who sustained gunshot injuries to the head, agreed to remain in neighbouring Burkina Faso, while he recovers from his wounds. President Konate, who was the defence minister under Camara, assumed control after Camara's incapacitation. Camara agreed to allow Konate to select a civilian prime minister.
fr:Guinée : réunion sur le chronogramme de la transition Article 2: A train in China has derailed after hitting damaged tracks as it traveled between Shanghai and , a tourist destination in southeast China.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Railways, the accident occurred at around 0210 local time (1810 ) when the train hit a section of track that had been damaged by a mudslide. The derailment killed at least nineteen, and an additional 71 people were injured. Eleven of the injured have been seriously wounded.
The rescue operation cleared the tracks of both the derailed train and around 8,000 cubic meters of debris from the mudslide. An estimated 2,000 people took part in the rescue effort.
The accident has closed the line on which it occurred between Shanghai and the city of . Limited southbound traffic is expected to resume at around 2000 local time (1200 UTC), with full operation possibly restored by midnight (1600 UTC).
cs:V Číně vykolejil vlak, nejméně 19 lidí zemřelo
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Article 1: In a ruling issued Tuesday a United States federal judge dismissed a lawsuit which attempted to stop the U.S. government from selecting Anwar al-Awlaki for targeted killing.
Anwar al-Awlaki sitting on couch, lightened.jpg|thumb|left|Anwar al-Awlaki in 2008
United States federal judge for the United States Department of Justice, and held that various civil rights organizations in addition to Awlaki's father did not have the authority or jurisdiction to start the lawsuit in the first place.
Awlaki's father was supported in the case by two civil rights organizations, the American Civil Liberties Union. In the lawsuit these organizations argued before the court that targeted killing of an individual who does not present an imminent threat of life to citizens is not permitted by international law or by the Article 2: US Representative Democrat from Pennsylvania, says that he was offered a job in the Obama administration if he would drop out of a Senate
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Article 1: A map highlighting Tuguegarao City
Fifteen people were killed and twelve were injured after an eight hour hotel fire in Tuguegarao City, Northern Philippines, however police and firefighters managed to save many guests. Reports suggest the deceased sought cover in bathrooms where they were burnt beyond recognition.
After entering the building firefighters were left in tears after finding the charred bodies of guests on the upper floors. "It's so close to Christmas, we wept when we saw their bodies," said fire investigator Daniel Abana. Nine of the deaths were confirmed to be nursing students from a nearby university. The students were in the city to take nursing exams. Nursing college instructor, Romeo Opido, told authorities that 36 nursing students from nearby provinces were at the hotel. Tuguegarao City counselor said, "It is very unfortunate that this happened just when they were about to take their exams."
The other deaths were the hotel owner's and their family, including three children. The cause of the fire is still undetermined although it is known that the fire started on the ground floor and was energized by car tires and other combustible materials. It is also believed that paint cans were still in the building following a recent make over.
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Four earthquakes hit in quick succession the Moro Gulf, Mindanao area in the Philippines according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) early on Saturday. The first one, magnitude 7.3, took place on Friday at 22:08:11 UTC (Saturday 06:08:11 AM local time), at a depth of 604.5 kilometers (375.6 miles). The epicenter of this earthquake was located 102 kilometers southwest of , Mindanao; and 915 kilometers south-southeast of the capital city Manila, USGS reported.
The second earthquake reached a magnitude 5.4, and occurred on Friday 22:19:35 UTC (Saturday 06:19:35 AM local time) at a depth of 594.8 kilometers (369.6 miles). The epicenter was located 95 kilometers west-southwest of Cotabato.
The third earthquake, magnitude 7.6, took place on Friday at 22:51:11 UTC (Saturday 06:51:11 AM local time) at a depth of 576.3 kilometers (358.1 miles). Its epicenter was reported to be located 115 kilometers southwest of Cotabato; and 945 kilometers (580 miles) south-southeast of Manila.
The fourth and last earthquake, magnitude 7.4, occurred on Friday at 23:15:08 UTC (Saturday 07:15:08 AM local time) at a depth of 616.7 kilometers (383.2 miles); its epicenter was located 121 kilometers (75 miles) southwest of Cotabato; and 910 kilometers (566 miles) south-southeast of Manila.
No damage has been reported, reported Rona Faeldin of the Philippines Coast Guard to CNN.
The Hawaii-based has released notices in response to each of the four quakes, stating that no destructive force tsunami has been generated by the deep quakes.
The quake was reported felt in cities such as , and officials "were still determining if there were casualties or damages", Xinhua reported. A resident in the area, Yolly Andrias told Xinhua that "they were still sleeping when the strong quake awoke them."
An 8.0 earthquake struck the region in 1976, generating a tsunami which devastated 700 kilometers of coastline in the Sulu Archipelago and southern Mindanao island. The region includes faults in the Sulu Trench in the Sulu Sea and the Cotabato Trench, a subduction zone crossing the Celebes Sea and the Moro Gulf.
ru:Землетрясение на Филиппинах
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Article 1: England with East Sussex in red.
The bodies of two children were found this morning in a car in Heathfield, East Sussex, in the United Kingdom. A 43-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of the murders.
The boy and girl were both less than five years old, and were discovered at 11:46 this morning (GMT) when Sussex police officers forced their way into the vehicle, which was parked on Mill Close in Heathfield. The woman, who has yet to be identified, had visited Heathfield police station earlier this morning to report "an incident", and was later arrested on suspicion of murder. The police say that they have identified the bodies. The identities will be revealed when the post mortem examinations take place, which is scheduled for next Thursday.
The woman was taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital, and has not yet been interviewed by the police. She is believed to be from Surrey but have connections with the Heathfield area. Mill Close, the road on which the incident occurred, has been closed, according to a police spokeswoman, who said, "An investigation is now under way and the area around the scene is cordoned off." Chief Inspector Julia Pope, Wealden district policing commander, said, "This is a very tragic incident, but I would like to reassure people that it is fully contained and there is no threat to anyone in the area. We will move to restore normality and access to Mill Close as quickly as possible." A spokesman for the South East Coast Ambulance Service said, "We sent an ambulance and two response cars but sadly two young children were pronounced dead at the scene." Article 2: Main entrance Angel Stadium. Yesterday, the Oakland Athletics defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 10 to 4 at an Angels' home game.
All of the A's starting line up got at least one hit. The Angels first hit was in the second inning by new designated hitter Hideki Matsui.
A's player Daric Barton reportedly twisted his right knee. This happened after Matsui's hit. Barton tripped on grass attempting to catch Matsui's hit ball. Manager Bob Geren remarked, "Someone in the dugout said, 'He twisted his knee,' and when I ran out there, I could hear fans watching the replay and giving that real ugly 'Ooo.' Right then, I knew it must have looked ugly. But he said he was fine."
Mark Saxon, an ESPN sports writer, reports if the Angels lose today's game, they will be in for their worst season start since 1961, the team's first year. The A's are at a four wins, one loss, only losing their first game, whereas the Angels have a four game losing streak.
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Article 1: The vice president of the United States, Joe Biden, said yesterday that he expects the United Nations to implement new sanctions against Iran by early next month.
Biden said that "I believe you will see a sanction regime coming out by the end of this month, beginning of next month", adding that said that China, which had previously been opposed to sanctions against Iran, would take part in the latest round. UN diplomats are presently engaged in the process of developing the new sanctions, which will be the fourth resolution against Iran's nuclear program.
According to Biden, the latest sanctions would mark the first time the world was unified in its opposition to Iran's nuclear program. He noted that "tveryone from the Israeli prime minister straight through to the British prime minister to the president of Russia, everyone agrees the next step we should take is the UN sanction route." The Obama administration, leading the effort for further sanctions against Iran, is confident China will be in support of such actions, despite being a close trading partner with Iran.
Biden also said that Israel has pledged not to take military action against Iran in the near future, and would instead wait to see what effect sanctions have on Iran. He commented: "They're Israel not going to do that." Iran and Israel have long been at odds, and Israel has not ruled out launching a preemptive strike against Iran before it develops nuclear weapons. Numerous Western countries have claimed that developing nuclear weapons is the ultimate goal of Iran's nuclear program, although Tehran claims that the program is for civilian purposes only. Article 2: Cessna310JC-FRYZ.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A similar Ahunt
A electrical pylon in Northern California shortly after taking off Wednesday. All three of the plane's passengers were killed. The plane's wing struck a house which caught fire, along with parked cars. No injuries on the ground were reported.
The crash occurred at 7:55 am local time (15:55 UTC). The Palo Alto Airport of Santa Clara County|Palo Alto Airport and was en route to Hawthorne Municipal Airport in Hawthorne, California.
The persons killed were employees of Tesla Motors, later identified as Doug Bourn, Andrew Ingram, and Brian Finn, all involved with electronics at the company. Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk, released a statement saying, in part, "Tesla is a small, tightly-knit company, and this is a tragic day for us."
The plane was registered to Air Unique Incorporated, in Santa Clara, California, which is owned by another Tesla employee Doug Bourn.
fr:Un accident d'avion fait trois morts en Californie
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Article 1: The Japanese company Nipro has voluntarily recalled two million needles in the US used for withdrawing blood and medicine injections, health officials said today.
The affected items are Huber needles, manufactured in Japan and distributed by Exelint International Corporation. The needles are intended to access ports placed under chronically ill patients' skin, for frequent access to veins.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), inspections of Nipro facilities last October revealed problems with the needles, which could allow parts of silicone in the port to be dislodged. 60%–72% of tested needles had that problem. In a conference call with reporters, FDA officials remarked that they were concerned the silicone could enter the bloodstream of a patient, although, to date, no harm from this has been reported.
"There are more than 2 million units impacted by this recall in distribution nationwide. Recalled needles were manufactured from January 2007 to August 2009," read a statement on the FDA's website. "... Hospitals, clinics and patients who have needles from these lists should immediately stop using these affected products and return any unused products to Exelint International Corporation."
"At this time, the FDA has not received any adverse event reports related to silicone foreign bodies released in patients from Huber needle coring ... However, because it may be very difficult for clinicians to associate adverse patient outcomes with the use of defective Huber needles, there may be under-reporting of events," the statement continued.
Exelint has not yet issued a public statement about the report from the FDA. Article 2: American historian Howard Zinn, best known for his work A People's History of the United States, died Wednesday, January 27, of a heart attack while traveling to Santa Monica, California. He was 87.
Howard Zinn.jpg|thumb|left|Howard Zinn in 2004
Born in 1922 to a Jewish family in Brooklyn, New York, Zinn served in the Army during World War II as a pilot. After the war ended, he took his medals and papers, put them in a folder, and wrote on top "Never again," becoming an anti-war activist for the rest of his life. He attended Columbia University, where he received a doctorate in history and wrote his dissertation on New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia's congressional career.
Zinn worked for Spelman College from 1956 to 1963, where he encouraged his students during the civil rights movement to request books from the segregated public libraries. He was a critic of Spelman's non-participation in the movement, and as a result was fired. He then became a professor of political science at Boston University from 1964 to 1988.
While a professor in Boston, Zinn wrote his major work A People's History of the United States, published in 1980. The work took a revisionist view of history, telling the story of American history through the eyes of women, Native Americans and workers, as well as accusing Christopher Columbus of committing genocide during his travels.
A People's History of the United States was praised by some and criticized by others, though Zinn noted that his book was not meant to be an objective history of the United States. Zinn also wrote more than 20 other books, including You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train, his autobiography. He is survived by two children and five grandchildren.
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Article 1: Gaddafi at last year's African Union summit, where he became president.
File photo of Mutharika, who is taking the presidency.
Muammar Gaddafi, leader of Libya, has not been able to win his bid to stay as chairman of the African Union, losing out to Malawian president , who was backed by several eastern and southern states.
Gaddafi used his final speech to highlight the need for political unity between African states. Libya has been chairing the African Union for the last year, and the job of chair was due to go to a southern African representative. However, Gaddafi wished to retain the presidency, which was backed by Tunisia, and had allegedly won over other countries by paying their membership fees.
The African Union summit, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, involved a speech to the African leaders by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who called for the countries to strive for national union in Sudan, where the southern part of the country may secede from the north. In addition, the Secretary General highlighted the various achievements of the African Union. He said that they had "seen a sharp decrease in malaria and measles deaths across the continent, virtual gains in primary school enrolment and marked improvement in child health", stating that "we must build on these successes and help spread them around the world".
The three-day summit involves topics such as the state of affairs in Somalia, and a Senegalese proposal to resettle Haiti earthquake victims.
de:Der Staatspräsident Malawis, Mutharika, ist neuer Präsident der Afrikanischen Union
fr:Bingu wa Mutharika est élu nouveau président de l'Union africaine Article 2: Wallstrom is the current envoy on sexual violence in conflict
A top United Nations official has called the Democratic Republic of the Congo the "rape capital of the world". The UN's special representative on sexual violence in conflict, , said that the UN Security Council needs to "punish the perpetrators in DR Congo".
Data collected by the UN shows that 200,000 cases of sexual assault have been reported in the last 14 years, 8,000 of which occurred last year and 1,244 of which occurred in the first three months of 2010. The UN's mission has been trying to combat the problem by escorting women when they go to market and working closely with the local officials.
Wallstrom released a statement after returning from a visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She said: "Women have no rights, if those who violate their rights go unpunished. If women continue to suffer sexual violence, it is not because the law is inadequate to protect them, but because it is inadequately enforced.
The South Kivu, an eastern province in DR Congo, 60% of the women raped were raped by armed men. More than half were raped in their own home, and more civilians are committing the attacks than ever before.
Despite the country's war ending in 2003, DR Congo is still plagued with militia violence.
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Article 1: A car bomb has exploded outside an army base in Northern Ireland that is the headquarters for MI5 domestic security services. The attack has been claimed by dissidents from the Real Irish Republican Army, a more radical splinter group of the IRA.
According to police, Real IRA members hijacked a vehicle from a taxi driver in Belfast; Al Jazeera reports it was commandeered at gunpoint. A bomb was planted in the car, which was then driven to the rear of the Palace Barracks.
The explosion comes several hours before the Northern Ireland Assembly was scheduled to appoint its first justice minister, and only minutes after the Belfast power-sharing administration regained control over justice and policing in the province for the first time in nearly four decades.
An Ulster Unionist member of the Belfast Policing Board, Basil McCrea, commented on the explosion, saying: "It's obviously people trying to make a statement about the transfer of policing and justice powers. We are going to have to expect more of this over the next period of time ... There will be people who will try to disrupt the process," as quoted by the BBC.
He commented that he believed the incident was a "one-off" occurrence, and said he tried to reassure concerned locals in the area.
Police said IRA dissidents held a Belfast taxi driver at gunpoint in his home and used his vehicle to carry the bomb to the rear of Palace Barracks. Witnesses report hearing an explosion shortly after midnight local time; Al Jazeera puts the precise time of the detonation at 00.24 local time (23.24 UTC). One man was hospitalised following the bombing, although there are no reports of deaths.
According to a local journalist, security has cordoned off the area near the explosion. Article 2: 160px
According to reports, at least eight people, including three United States military personnel and four schoolgirls, were killed earlier today by a roadside bomb near a girls' school in north-western Pakistan. Another 62 were injured. The incident occurred in a village in the Lower Dir district, near Swat Valley.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the US troops were travelling to the area in a convoy to attend the opening ceremony of the school for girls when the explosion occurred.
In a statement, the US embassy in Pakistan commented that "three Americans were killed and two injured in a terrorist bomb explosion at about 11:20am today in the Lower Dir district of Pakistan’s federally-administered tribal areas.
"The Americans were US military personnel in Pakistan to conduct training at the invitation of the Pakistan Frontier Corps. They were in Lower Dir to attend the inauguration ceremony of a school for girls that had recently been renovated with US humanitarian assistance," it added.
Mohammed Wakeel, the chief doctor at the local hospital, confirmed that some of the dead were schoolgirls, saying: "We have four dead bodies in the hospital. They are schoolgirls aged ten to fifteen. We have received 65 injured; most of them are girls."
Rema Bibi, a sixth-grader, was in the school when the explosion happened. She recalled her experiences, stating that "We were all busy with classwork when the a part of the roof collapsed," as quoted by the Los Angeles Times.
The Taliban, meanwhile, claimed responsibility for the attack. "We claim responsibility for the blast," said a Taliban spokesman, Azam Tariq.
The US does not officially have stationed troops in Pakistan, although there a few personnel are there. Their duties are primarily to train and advise Pakistani security forces over tactics against local rebel groups.
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Article 1: Lines was arrested in the province of
A man from New Zealand has gone on trial in Cambodia over allegedly having sex with two young girls. 53-year-old Michael John Lines was arrested at a hotel in the province of in March. Lines holds dual citizenship from New Zealand and Australia.
The trial took place behind closed doors and lasted a day. Lines was tried on charges of procuring an underage child for sex. Judge Duch Kimsan said he will announce his decision in the near future.
In the past few years Cambodian police and the courts have begun to crack down on foreigners who travel to Cambodia seeking sex with young girls from poor areas. Article 2: Amid recent rumors and news on the progress to find the Higgs boson, a dispute has arisen as to who should get credit for the discovery and the resulting Nobel Prize in Physics.
2010 J.J. Sakurai Prize Winners - Kibble, Guralnik, Hagen, Englert, and Brout (Peter Higgs was not present)
Six people, across three different teams, are credited with this discovery: François Englert of the Peter Higgs of G. S. Guralnik at C. R. Hagen of the T.W.B. Kibble|Tom Kibble at .
Three papers written in 1964 explained what is now known as the "Englert-Brout-Higgs-Guralnik-Hagen-Kibble mechanism" (or Higgs boson for short). The mechanism is the key element of the electroweak theory that forms part of the Standard model of particle physics. The papers that introduce this mechanism were published in in 1964 and were each recognized as milestone papers by PRL’s 50th anniversary celebration.
"There are six people who developed the mechanism in quick succession and who hold a legitimate claim to credit for it," says particle physicist University of Oxford, UK. Because the Swedish Royal Academy of Science can award Nobel prizes to no more than three people, this puts six men aiming for half as many Nobel medals, should the particle be found. The Nobel committee can award the prize to groups and associations.
Fermilab's Large Hadron Collider at John Ellis (physicist)|John Ellis, a particle physicist based at CERN, acknowledges: "Let's face it, a is at stake."
The issue over credit and authorship was highlighted late July in France when the American and British team of Guralnik, Hagen, and Kibble were omitted from the conference overview web site. Several groups threatened to boycott and raised the issue in discussions of the theory behind the on-going search for the particle. One of the meeting's organizers, Gregorio Bernardi at the Laboratory of Nuclear and High Energy Physics in Paris, admits that the committee was surprised by the strength of objections leveled at the web advertisement and the committee. "People took this very seriously, which we didn't expect," he says.
Physicist Tom Ferbel said the snub by the French conference organizers was "insulting" and "chilling", noting that the Sakurai Prize|J. J. Sakurai Prize for Theoretical Particle Physics to all six physicists for this theory. "I do fear," he said, "that the myopic views of the organizers could definitely impact the decisions of the Swedish Academy."
The conference organizers acknowledged that their choice was controversial by inviting a special talk on the tangled history of the mechanism, providing a forum for disgruntled conference participants to debate the matter. However, although the meeting ultimately ran smoothly, it seems likely that arguments over this issue will become more heated now that the Higgs particle is perceived to be within reach. As John Ellis states, "I'm just glad that I'm not on the Nobel committee deciding who to throw out of the lifeboat."
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Article 1: Stephen Elop in 2008
The Finnish communications corporation Nokia announced that its Head will change on September 21. The previous chief executive Stephen Elop will take the position. It is the first time a non-Finn becomes Nokia president and chief executive.
The change follows Nokia's fall in world markets. It includes a decrease in Nokia's American market share to less than ten percent after failed negotiations with a number of leading American phone providers. An analyst at a market analyst company Canalys, Pete Cunningham, said, "Despite holding 38 percent market share of the smartphone market, Nokia’s failure to compete with the Android (operating system)|Android devices, combined with its lack of progress in gaining significant traction in the United States, has led to press and investor dissatisfaction."
Some commenters suggested that Nokia chose Mr. Elop partly because he is a Canadian, following criticism of American candidates by the Finnish press. However a Nokia spokesman rejected this, saying, "Nationality was not a selection criteria."
Stephen Elop was president and CEO of the graphics and web-development software house prior to its acquisition by Adobe in 2005. He then joined Microsoft as President of Microsoft's Business Division in January, 2008. Commenting on his new role he said, "Nokia has a unique global position as well as a great brand upon which we can build. The Nokia slogan clearly states our key mission: Connecting People, which will acquire new dimensions as we build our portfolio of products, solutions and services."
In the announcement the Chairman of the Nokia Board of Directors stressed an expected shift of focus from hardware to software. "His strong software background and proven record in change management will be valuable assets as we press harder to complete the transformation of the company. We believe that Stephen will be able to drive both innovation and efficient execution of the company strategy in order to deliver increased value to our shareholders".
Nokia stated in an official blog post, "Nokia is transitioning from a hardware manufacturer of mobile devices to a software and solutions business. ...Stephen’s background in the software industry is one of his key strengths." Article 2: Whiteshark-TGoss1.jpg|thumb|left|Based on Ransom's injuries, it is thought that he was attacked by a Terry Goss
A nineteen-year-old California teenager, Lucas Ransom, was killed on Friday when he was attacked by a Santa Barbara Police Department|Santa Barbara Sheriff's Department stated that they believed the shark was between 14 and 20 feet (4.3 and 6.1 meters) long.
The pair had been in the water for about 45 minutes when a shark appeared and pulled Ransom under the waves, Garcia added. There was no warning. The shark appeared to be about 18 to 20 feet long. Ransom looked at his friend a couple of feet away and said "Help me, dude," before getting lost in the waves, Garcia said. Ransom's parents confirmed that the shark tore his leg from his pelvis and Garcia attempted to revive Ransom with chest compressions, but he died from loss of blood. Witnesses told officials that the teenagers were about 100 yards (90 meters) from the shore when the shark attacked. Firefighters from the pronounced Ransom dead at the scene. "He was a great guy and great friend," Garcia said.
Officials immediately closed local beaches after the attacks and they will remain closed for at least three days. Wildlife officials are still trying to determine what type of shark was involved, but based on the boy's injuries it is thought to have been a seal. Shark attacks are extremely rare on the west coast of the United States.
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Article 1: A suicide car bomb exploded yesterday outside a government forensic center in Baghdad, Iraq. According to government sources, at least eighteen people died in the incident while 80 were injured.
The suicide bomber attempted to drive through a police checkpoint and demolish the walls of the forensic center, located in the Kerrada district. The building was badly hit by the explosion. Fire engines and ambulances rushed to the scene, with rescue workers searching the rubble for bodies.
An eyewitness, Hassan al-Saidi, stated: "I've heard many explosions in the past, but nothing like this." He claimed that he saw five demolished vehicles and at least a dozen people injured by shrapnel.
Iraqi military spokesperson Major General Qassim Atta said the forensics center had been targeted twice in the past.
The latest incident came one day after an attack on three separate Iraqi hotels claimed 36 lives. Major General Qassim al-Moussawi, who is the security operations spokesman, had earlier claimed that security had been tightened after the hotel blasts and a committee had been formed to probe into the attack. "Because we are at war, we expect such terrorist attacks ... Al Qaeda is still able to mount such attacks occasionally where there are weaknesses in our security measures," said Moussawi, before Tuesday's blast.
The attack is the latest of a series of bombings at ministry offices and other secure centers. It comes few weeks before March 7, the day of Iraq's general elections.
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* Article 2: Banner of flotilla stopped in May
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) throughout Europe and the United States are currently assembling a flotilla of up to 20 ships, which will set sail for the Gaza strip in the coming months in an attempt break the Israeli blockade of the Palestinian territory. Israeli-Swedish activist Dror Feiler said that the goal of the new flotilla is to double the size of the previous one, and for it to include more than a thousand people. "The Israeli Army can stop 12 to 50 ships if it wants," Feiler said. "Nonetheless there are so many ships since so many people want to get together to stop the siege, which is a collective punishment on the people of Gaza and is unacceptable."
The Israel Defense Force is monitoring the actions of the planned flotilla, according to a report in the on Tuesday. The Israeli army is calling this new fleet of ships "the mother of all flotillas." A wide range of scenarios is being prepared for which include the possibility that due to the larger number of ships reported to be part of the flotilla, the Israeli navy may need to intercept it before the ships get close to Israel's shoreline. Officials say that Israel will warn ship operators that their crew may be detained and the vessel held until impound fees are paid, claiming the backing of international maritime treaties.
"The legal approach proved effective as a deterrent, and we're prepared to see it through as a punishment. If we are to pay a price for defending the blockade, the other side will pay a price for challenging it," a senior Israeli government official. The official declined to be named.
A European campaigner against the blockade, Anwar Ghabi, told Arabic news agency Quds Press that the new flotilla will be backed by hundreds of NGOs, including several human rights groups.
The first flotilla to challenge the blockade was stopped by Israeli naval commandos in May this year. Nine activists were killed, and several dozen activists and seven Israeli commandos were wounded after Israeli troops clashed with activists. Harsh international and domestic criticism followed. Subsequent aid ships were seized or diverted to Egypt.
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Article 1: Wikinews reporter Mike Morales interviews fellow Wikinews contributor Peter Coti, who is on the scene at a north eastern storm in the United States in New Jersey. Coti tells Wikinews what happened in the area of Ridgewood, New Jersey and provided pictures of the damage and area.
Well on the morning of Saturday it was a normal storm. Bit windier then a normal one though. Then at 4:30 EST (local time) power went out because of a downed tree. I went to church. When I got home it was like war of the worlds.
'How so?'
Wind gusts up to 90MPH ~145 km/h. And trees falling all over. And White, Red and blue explosions of transformers. All around town.
'Do you know which areas are affected?'
All of ridgewoo NJ sic, Ridgewood, New Jersey. Actually according to many people Bergan County was affected; ALL of it and southern parts of New York.
'Besides trees, what other damage occurred?'
Well, signs are on 45 degree angles, but trees are blocking roads and there are powerlines in half.
'Are there any damages to buildings?'
Not that I have seen. The major problem is the trees. They are blocking main roads.
'Do you know of any injuries to people?'
Yes, I know of at least 3 deaths and 5 injuries.
'Are there any details of these deaths and injuries?'
I know a tree fell on someone's car.
'How long until power is restored?'
They say in 2 days. I want to add the fact transformers lit the sky up for miles. Some for a few seconds, some for 30 seconds. Also power is back for businesses.
'How are emergency services responding?'
Well I have been told that every volunteer and cop is on duty. Also all police resources are being used from undercover cars to bikes. Anything with a siren really.
'How are the telephone services and other forms of communication working?'
There are no phone lines working. Wireless phones are the only way to communicate and... router. Article 2: Dr. Samphire was in Ecuador to study the howler monkey
A coroner has ruled that a conservationist shot dead in Ecuador was unlawfully killed. Dr. Ben Samphire was studying a rare species of howler monkey when he was shot dead in February last year. The 31-year-old, who was born in Zambia but lived in the United Kingdom, had been in Ecuador less than a month when he was killed.
The inquest heard that Deputy Gwent coroner Wendy James recorded a verdict of unlawful killing caused by a shotgun wound to the back. James said that "After being in Ecuador a matter of weeks Ben was shot in the back, sustaining fatal injuries. The motive for this attack has not been communicated by the Ecuador police”.
Detective sergeant Wendy Keepin told the inquest that the Gwent police are working with the Foreign Office to locate the killer. She said "They have told us they have been making inquiries to locate the offender. The village he is located in is in a forest and they believe he has gone to ground. They are struggling to locate him."
The motive of the killing is still disputed. Early reports speculated that he had been mistaken for an intruder and shot dead by the landowner.
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Article 1: Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez has declared that the National Army is on maximum alert along the Colombian border, after he broke relations with that country on Thursday. The declaration comes in the wake of the Colombian Secretary of State's claim before the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia|FARC has a "consolidated," "active" and "growing" presence in Venezuela, with some 1500 guerrilla fighters in 87 camps.
Venezuela's Secretary of Defense Carlos Mata told the media that his forces have been mobilised since Thursday morning, and are awaiting the orders of their Commander in Chief, the President.
Chávez announced the breaking of diplomatic ties on behalf of the Venezuelan government after Colombia released documents allegedly showing the active presence of FARC on Venezuelan territory at the Washington headquarters of the OAS, demanding a special inquiry to investigate the matter. Relations between the two countries had previously been strained, after the Venezuelan government voiced its opposition to new US military bases being set up in Colombia.
The Colombian ambassador has been given 72 hours to vacate his offices in Caracas. Article 2: The Android Robot
Sales of running the Android operating system have tripled since the beginning of 2010, according to figures released yesterday. Market analysts said that "around one in every eight handsets sold in the UK between April and June 2010 on a contract is Android-powered, compared to one in 33 on average between January and March."
Last week, Samsung Galaxy S|Galaxy S. Other Android-powered devices include the Sony Ericsson X10 and the .
Smartphones currently represent 73.5% of the market. GfK analyst Megan Baldock said to : "The figures suggest an increasing number of consumers are now asking for Android handsets by name."
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Article 1: Jenson Button Bahrain 2010 cropped.jpg|thumb|left|Jenson Button driving for McLaren during a practice session in Bahrain.
McLaren driver Jenson Button won the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday and took a ten point lead in the driver's championship in the 2010 Formula One. Teammate Lewis Hamilton finished second in the race, followed by Nico Rosberg for Mercedes.
"It was a tricky race out there and again we called it right," Button commented. "It was not just about being quick, it's about reading the conditions."
Ferrari's Fernando Alonso initially took the lead. He was penalized for starting before the race commenced and given a drive through penalty. He finished fourth as he entered the pit lane four times. Alonso initially took a lead in his Ferrari, but was later penalized for beginning before the race commenced. Rosberg's teammate, Michael Schumacher finished tenth in the race.
Admitting that his performance was disappointing, Schumacher said that the race was one of the "frustrating" ones. "There were some good emotions but there were too many bad. Quite honestly the whole weekend did not work out for myself," he added.
Felipe Massa of Ferrari slipped to sixth from the top position in the driver's championship after a ninth-placed finish. Renault's Robert Kubica was fifth while his teammate Vitaly Petrov finished seventh.
Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull who had taken the pole in qualifying to the main race changed to wet tires and then reversed his decision and finished sixth as a result of this. Mark Webber of Red Bull adopted a similar strategy and finished eighth.
After four races this season, Button is at the top of the driver's championship with 60 points, followed by Rosberg who has 50 points. Hamilton and Alonso are third with 49 points each.
McLaren now leads constructors' standings, with 109 points. They are followed by Ferrari with 90, Mercedes with 78, and Red Bull with 73.
hu:Taroltak a britek a Formula–1 Kínai Nagydíjon Article 2: File photo of Carl Edwards
Phoenix International Raceway , the race track where the race was held.
Carl Edwards, who qualified on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series 2010 Kobalt Tools 500 held on Sunday at Avondale, Arizona|Avondale, Arizona, United States. This became his first Sprint Cup win of the season. Throughout the course of the race there were five cautions and fourteen lead changes among five different drivers.
With 47 laps remaining in the 312 lap race, pit stop because of a possible shortage of fuel. Joey Logano|Logano in third. Jimmie Johnson, from the Kevin Harvick followed Johnson in sixth, while could only manage seventh.
Kurt Busch, and rounded out the top ten finishers in the race. Hamlin, the current Drivers' championship leader, led 190 laps and finished twelfth. Following the race, Hamlin commented, "It’s pretty disappointing. We were in a good position there heading into next week. We just have to outrace them next week. We had a good car today and it didn’t work out strategy wise. We did what we had to do today we just didn’t have it at the end. It’s frustrating. We had a car that could win and that is something we’ve never had here. We’ll just go there next week and try to win the race. I don’t know if we were trying to be smart or conservative there are really short." "I was sitting pretty," Hamlin continued. "I have to leave Phoenix in Phoenix. I can’t control it. I did everything I could do today and it didn’t work out. It could have been a lot worse. We could have lost the points lead and we didn’t. We’ve had the best car in this Chase and might not win it. The full-court press will be on next week."
Going into the final race of the season, Hamlin remained the Drivers' championship leader with 6462 points, fifteen points ahead of Johnson in second, and 46 ahead of Harvick in third. This is the closest that the championship has been since the Chase format was introduced. The Manufacturers' сhampionship standings are led by Chevrolet with 255, 42 points ahead of Toyota and 88 ahead of Ford. Johnson commented, "We had to work whatever magic we could at the end and now we have a points race heading to Miami. I know what my mindset is. I hope the pressure of being on Denny’s heels wears on him this week. One race winner take all, it’s going to be a hell of a show."
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Article 1: On Tuesday, the "Bloody Sunday Inquiry" published its report into 1972 British Army killing of fourteen civil rights activists in Northern Ireland.
The Saville Inquiry, a twelve-year-long public inquiry into the fatal shooting, published their 5,000-page report; stating, the deaths were "unjustified".
The events of "Bloody Sunday" in 1972 saw soldiers open fire on civilians during a civil rights march. Family members and supporters of the victims reacted positively to the report, as they gathering outside the Guildhall in .
"What happened on Bloody Sunday was both unjustified and unjustifiable. It was wrong", British Prime Minister David Cameron told the House of Commons. He also said, "the Government is ultimately responsible for the conduct of the armed forces, and for that, on behalf of the Government, indeed on behalf of our country, I am deeply sorry", and that "there is no doubt. There's nothing equivocal, there are no ambiguities".
Cameron said the Saville report states that those killed did not pose a threat and some of those killed and injured were clearly fleeing or going to help those injured or dying. Some of the key findings were;
* "The firing by soldiers of 1 Para caused the deaths of 13 people and injury to a similar number, none of whom was posing a threat of causing death or serious injury";
* "Despite the contrary evidence given by soldiers, we have concluded that none of them fired in response to attacks or threatened attacks by nail or petrol bombers";
* Accounts by soldiers were rejected and some had "knowingly put forward false accounts";
* The paratroopers shot first and later members of the official IRA fired a number of shots but this “did not provide an explanation for why soldiers targeted and hit people”;
* Northern Ireland's Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness of , was "probably armed with a sub-machine gun" on the day, but did not engage in "any activity that provided any of the soldiers with any justification for opening fire".
Twenty-seven civil rights activists were shot by the Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|Parachute Regiment (of which "1 Para" was identified as the regiment mainly responsible) during an illegal Bogside area of Derry in 1972. The NICRA was an organisation, formed in early 1967, which campaigned against discrimination of the Roman Catholic minority in Northern Ireland and had five key demands: "gerrymandering, housing discrimination, public authority discrimination and the abolition of the B Specials police reserve.
In the aftermath of Bloody Sunday, an inquiry by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Widgery, justified British army actions on the day and claimed that many of the activists were armed with guns and nail bombs. Social Democratic and Labour Party (Mark Durkan said, "the families have waited a long time for justice and for a long time the reputations and innocence of their loved ones have been smeared by the findings of Widgery".
The shootings lead to the strengthening of Irish republicans' anti-British army arguments in the Nationalist community and provided the The Troubles.
The 12-year inquiry is the longest-running and most expensive public inquiry in British judicial history, costing around £200 million. Around 2,500 people gave testimony, including 505 civilians, nine experts and forensic scientists, 49 journalists, 245 military personnel, 35 paramilitaries or former paramilitaries, 39 politicians and civil servants, seven priests and 33 officers. Evidence included 160 volumes of data with an estimated 30 million words, 13 volumes of photographs, 121 audio tapes and 10 video tapes.
The victims included Patrick Doherty (32), Hugh Gilmour (17), Jackie Duddy (17), John Young (17), Kevin McElhinney (17), Michael Kelly (17), Gerald Donaghey (17), William Nash (19), Michael McDaid (20), Jim Wray (22), William McKinney (27) and Bernard "Barney" McGuigan (41). John Johnston (59) died four months later.
ta:1972 ”இரத்த ஞாயிறு” படுகொலைகள் தொடர்பில் பிரித்தானியப் பிரதமர் மன்னிப்புக் கேட்டார் Article 2: Gloucestershire Constabulary also lied about the state he found the pair in.
Driver, who admitted perverting the course of justice, has already resigned from his position as a constable. In February last year he discovered Steven Hathaway and another man apparently asleep in 999 (emergency telephone number)|999 emergency number.
Two different police officers were on-scene by 1:50 a.m. and they were able to rouse one of the men; Hathaway's pulse could not be found. Nineteen minutes later an ambulance joined the scene, but its crew too were unable to revive Hathaway and a paramedic declared him dead at 2:35 a.m. on February 19.
Following the emergency call a control room requested police officers assist; five were present in nearby Stow Police Station and heard this, amongst them Driver. According to three officers, Driver said he had already seen and tried to wake the men but left them there when he could not. These officers reported this and Driver was placed on restricted duties pending a misconduct investigation. The launched an investigation.
A post mortem would later reveal Hathaway, 25, had consumed alcohol, steroids and opiates. A contributing factor was identified in the cold weather. Driver gave a statement saying he spoke to both men, helped Hathaway to his feet and watched the duo walk away. Later, he confessed to inventing this and a notebook entry saying the same thing. He would also claim a sergeant forced him to make claims regarding the night's events; the sergeant in question denies this.
Driver also lied by claiming he had not been trained in how to respond to drunken, incapacitated people when the force was able to demonstrate he had, and by saying he had not examined the electronic police log's entry on the death. In reality, log records show he examined it repeatedly later the same morning. In light of this evidence, the decided to charge him and he was suspended. He resigned upon admitting the offences.
"This police officer owed a duty of care to the public and failed to exercise it when he found two young men unconscious on a very cold night," said IPCC Commissioner Rebecca Marsh. "He compounded this by repeatedly lying about the events of that night and offered a false account of his actions." In sentencing Driver for what was described as "panic borne of stupidity", Judge Alistair McCreath told him "this young man may have been beyond help, but what you did was to create a risk of death or real harm."
Gloucestershire Constabulary's Assistant Chief Constable Kevin Lambert apologised to Hathaway's family outside the court and said force procedure had been reviewed in light of the death. Marsh praised the actions of the trio of officers who reported Driver's actions.
Driver was sentenced to twelve months in prison.
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Article 1: A Long Island, New York teen has been found guilty of murdering an Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero. The teen, 19-year-old Jeffrey Conroy, faces eight to 25 years in prison. The case exposed racial tensions in Long Island and received national media attention.
Lucero was stabbed in Patchogue on the night of November 8, 2008. He was approached by a group of people and beaten, then stabbed by Conroy.
Conroy was also convicted of three other counts of gang assault for other racially charged beatings on Long Island. He was not convicted with murder, but rather manslaughter as a hate crime.
A report commissioned by Suffolk County said that Latino immigrants "are regularly taunted, spit upon and pelted with apples, full soda cans, beer bottles and other projectiles". There have also been reports of persons being hit with baseball bats and shot by air-soft guns. Article 2: left
A Virginia man and Afghan national, Awais Younis, was arrested and charged on December 6 for making threatening communications and is currently being subjected to a mental evaluation which was ordered by a Judge during a hearing on December 9. Younis allegedly revealed his plans on the social networking site Facebook and is scheduled for a second hearing on December 21. The unsealed court documents came to the attention of news media today.
Federal authorities said that Younis told the FBI's witness on Facebook how to construct a pipe bomb and "what type of shrapnel would cause the greatest amount of damage". The FBI arrested Younis after an informant alerted them about his plans.
According to an FBI statement Younis said that he could hide a pipe bomb under a sewer head in Georgetown and place pipe bombs under the third and fifth metro cars, which contain "the highest number of commuters on them", without being noticed. However, spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, Peter Carr, assured the public that there is no danger, "The public should be reassured that activities prior to his Younis' arrest were carefully monitored and that there is no threat against Metrorail or the general public in the Washington, D.C., area"
Younis is also known as Sundullah Ghilzai and Mohhanmed Khan and is either 25 or 26 years old.
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Article 1: Walter Frederick Morrison in the 1950s, with his invention that he originally identified as the "Pluto Platter".
Inventor Walter Frederick Morrison has died of the age of 90. He was famous for being the inventor of the flying disc, more commonly identified as the frisbee. Kay McIff, a Utah House Representative and Morrison's son announced that he had died in the city of Monroe in Utah, United States. Morrison, whose son Walt said that "old age caught up" with him, had been suffering from cancer.
In the year 1957, he sold the rights to the product, which he called the "Pluto Platter", to California company Wham-O, who sold the product with this name. Then, the company noticed that consumers were colloquially calling the flying disc a "Frisbie", which is the name of a well known pie. Wham-O changed the name of the product to Frisbee to prevent copyright infringement. Over 200 million frisbees have now been sold around the world.
On the official Wham-O website, a statement was released which said: "As Frisbee discs keep flying though the air, bringing smiles to faces, Fred's spirit lives on. Smooth flights, Fred." The company continued to pay tribute to Fred, as he was called. "He was a nice guy. He helped a lot of people. He was an entrepreneur. He was always looking for something to do," Wham-O commented.
Kay McIff, a lawyer who represented Morrison in a court case involving royalties, said about the Frisbee: "That simple little toy has permeated every continent in every country, as many homes have Frisbees as any other device ever invented. How would you get through your youth without learning to throw a Frisbee?" Article 2: Areni Church
What is believed to be the world's oldest leather shoe, over 5,500 year old, has been found in a cave in Armenia by a team of archaeologists.
The Ötzi the Iceman, making it the oldest piece of leather footwear in the world, and the oldest footwear yet found in Europe. Researchers published details in the journal .
The leather shoe was found in a cave dubbed Areni-1, near the village of Vayots Dzor Province|Vayots Dzor province of Armenia, on the Iranian and Turkish borders. "I was amazed to find that even the shoe-laces were preserved," recalled Diana Zardaryan, the Armenian PhD student who made the discovery.
According to researchers, the shoe, made of cow-hide, consists of only one leather piece and was probably customised to the wearer's foot. It was relatively small, measuring the corresponding to European size 37 or US size 7 women, however, it could have been worn by a man.
It was kept in excellent condition by a thick layer of sheep excrement, which acted as a seal, helping it survive the millennia. The shoe contained grass, although the archaeologists were uncertain as to whether this was to used to maintain the shape of the shoe and/or prepare it for storage.
"We thought initially that the shoe and other objects were about 600-700 years old because they were in such good condition," said co-author Dr. Ron Pinhasi from the University of Oxford|Oxford and in California that we realised that the shoe was a few hundred years older than the shoes worn by ".
The shoe and the cave will continue to be researched. "We do not know yet what the shoe or other objects were doing in the cave or what the purpose of the cave was", said Pinhasi, "We know that there are children's graves at the back of the cave but so little is known about this period that we cannot say with any certainty why all these different objects were found together".
Currently, the oldest known footwear are sandals made from sagebrush bark, found in , Oregon in the United States. These shoes were discovered in 1938, and have been dated to about 10,000 years before present.
Discoveries within the cave move early bronze-age cultural activity in Armenia back by about 800 years. Additional discoveries yielded an extensive array of artifacts dating to between 6,200 and 5,900 years ago.
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Article 1: Three suicide bombers in the Iraqi city of Baquba, the capital of the Diyala Governorate, killed at least 29 people earlier today, according to reports, although the Associated Press puts the number at 32.
According to Captain Ghalib al-Karkhi, the explosions targeted the provincial headquarters, a hospital, and the Iraqi army.
One of the explosions occurred at the headquarters of police, the second near a police checkpoint; a third bomb blew up at the Baquba general hospital. A fourth bomb was later detonated by officials without incident about two hundred metres away from the hospital.
Fakhri al-Obaidi, thespokesman of the Diyala provincial council in Baquba, commented on the incidents. "These attacks aim to terrify people from going to polling stations. But I am sure that people will insist on voting," as quoted by the Associated Press.
Mahmoud Fadil, aged 50, was a witness to one of the bombings. "I saw others covered with blood lying on the ground and some crying because of wounds caused by shrapnel and the huge blast," he said, noting that the blast was strong enough to lift him up into the air.
The attacks come several days before Iraqi parliamentary elections are due on March 7. The explosions were the deadliest bombings in the country since February 1, when a suicide bomber in Baghdad killed 54 people. Article 2: Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiling iPhone 4
Pre-orders of the recently announced Apple and
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Article 1: The vice president of the United States, Joe Biden, said yesterday that he expects the United Nations to implement new sanctions against Iran by early next month.
Biden said that "I believe you will see a sanction regime coming out by the end of this month, beginning of next month", adding that said that China, which had previously been opposed to sanctions against Iran, would take part in the latest round. UN diplomats are presently engaged in the process of developing the new sanctions, which will be the fourth resolution against Iran's nuclear program.
According to Biden, the latest sanctions would mark the first time the world was unified in its opposition to Iran's nuclear program. He noted that "tveryone from the Israeli prime minister straight through to the British prime minister to the president of Russia, everyone agrees the next step we should take is the UN sanction route." The Obama administration, leading the effort for further sanctions against Iran, is confident China will be in support of such actions, despite being a close trading partner with Iran.
Biden also said that Israel has pledged not to take military action against Iran in the near future, and would instead wait to see what effect sanctions have on Iran. He commented: "They're Israel not going to do that." Iran and Israel have long been at odds, and Israel has not ruled out launching a preemptive strike against Iran before it develops nuclear weapons. Numerous Western countries have claimed that developing nuclear weapons is the ultimate goal of Iran's nuclear program, although Tehran claims that the program is for civilian purposes only. Article 2: At least fifteen people have been killed as the result of a landslide which occurred in Indonesia on Tuesday. According to BBC News Online, at least sixteen were killed. It is thought that up to seventy people were killed as a result of the landslide, which occurred in a village near to the city of Bandung.
At one point, villagers attempted to dig out surviving victims from the rocks and mud by using their bare hands, as rescue efforts were suspended temporarily due to heavy rain, before recommencing after lifting equipment arrived. At least sixteen dead bodies have been recovered by Wednesday. Roughly five hundred people are contributing to the search and rescue.
Priyadi Kardono, spokesperson for the Disaster Management Agency, stated: "We've found fifteen bodies so far and estimate that there are up to 70 people still missing." He also commented that fifteen other people had been injured, of which two have been hospitalised.
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Article 1: The Seattle Central Library, designed by Rem Koolhaas
Dutch architect Venice Biennale of Architecture|Venice Biennale, on August 28th. The decision was taken by the Board of the Biennale, upon the proposal of the Director of this year's exhibition, Japan|Japanese architect Kazuyo Sejima, who won this year's is the Biennale's first female director.
Rem Koolhaas is renown as one of the founders of the Nederlands Dans Theater|Netherlands Dance Theatre at The Hague, the Nexus Housing at Fukuoka in Japan, the Seattle Public Library. One of his most recent projects is the China Central Television (CCTV) headquarters building in Beijing.
The Board also awarded a special Golden Lion in memory of the Japanese architect, bahrain|Kingdom of Bahrain. Located in Venetian Arsenal|Arsenal and Giardini, the Biennale will be open until November 21. Article 2: King Baudouin Stadium, Forrester Research, said in an interview that "at a time where we're asking if digital is a replacement for the Bertrand Perron
Every September, the Apple iPod Nano 5th generation, bringing a video camera and a large range of colours to the Nano for the first time. But as Apple again prepares to unveil a redesigned product, the company has released their quarterly sales figures—and revealed that they have sold only 9m iPods for the quarter to June—the lowest number of sales since 2006, leading industry anylists to ponder whether the world's most successful music device is in decline.
Such a drop in sales is not a problem for Apple, since the iPad are selling in high numbers. But the number of people buying digital music players are concerning the music industry. Charles Arthur, technology editor of iTunes music store, Napster or from newer competitors such as Amazon."
Mark Mulligan, a music and digital media analyst at CD, as the CD was for vinyl, we should be starting to see a hockey-stick growth in download sales. Instead, we're seeing a curve resembling that of a niche technology." Alex Jacob, a spokesperson for the , which represents the worldwide music industry, agreed that there had been a fall in digital sales of music. "The digital download market is still growing," they said. "But the percentage is less than a few years ago, though it's now coming from a higher base." Figures released earlier this year, Arthur wrote, "show that while CD sales fell by 12.7%, losing $1.6bn (£1bn)in value, digital downloads only grew by 9.2%, gaining less than $400m in value."
Expectations that CDs would, in time, become extinct, replaced by digital downloads, have not come to light, Jacob confirmed. "Across the board, in terms of growth, digital isn't making up for the fall in CD sales, though it is in certain countries, including the UK," he said. Anylising the situation, Arthur suggested that "as iPod sales slow, digital music sales, which have been yoked to the device, are likely to slow too. The iPod has been the key driver: the IFPI's figures show no appreciable digital download sales until 2004, the year Apple launched its iTunes music store internationally (it launched it in the US in April 2003). Since then, international digital music sales have climbed steadily, exactly in line with the total sales of iPods and iPhones."
Nick Farrell, a Steve Jobs, CEO of Apple, saying that they had considered him the "industry's saviour", and by having this mindset had forgotten "that the iPod is only for those who want their music on the run. What they should have been doing is working out how to get high quality music onto other formats, perhaps even HiFi before the iPlod fad died out."
When Jobs negotiated a deal with record labels to ensure every track was sold for 99 cents, they considered this unimportant—the iPod was not a major source of revenue for the company. However, near the end of 2004, there was a boom in sales of the iPod, and the iTunes store suddenly began raking in more and more money. The record companies were irritated, now wanting to charge different amounts for old and new songs, and popular and less popular songs. "But there was no alternative outlet with which to threaten Apple, which gained an effective monopoly over the digital music player market, achieving a share of more than 70%" wrote Arthur. Some did attempt to challenge the iTunes store, but still none have succeeded. "Apple is now the largest single retailer of music in the US by volume, with a 25% share."
The iTunes store now sells television shows and films, and the company has recently launced e-book store. The is hugely successful, with Apple earning $410m in two years soley from Apps, sales of which they get 30%. In two years, 5bn apps have been downloaded—while in seven years, 10bn songs have been purchased. Mulligan thinks that there is a reason for this—the quality of apps simply does not match up to a piece of music. "You can download a song from iTunes to your iPhone or iPad, but at the moment music in that form doesn't play to the strengths of the device. Just playing a track isn't enough."
The most recent incarnation of the iPod Nano. While digital music sales have been decreasing, the iTunes store now sells television shows and films, and the company has recently launced e-book store. The Matthieu Riegler
Adam Liversage, a spokesperson of the Spotify may be a culprit in the fall in music sales. Revenues from such companies added up to $800m in 2009. Arthur feels that "again, it doesn't make up for the fall in CD sales, but increasingly it looks like nothing ever will; that the record business's richest years are behind it. Yet there are still rays of hope. If Apple – and every other mobile phone maker – are moving to an app-based economy, where you pay to download games or timetables, why shouldn't recording artists do the same?"
Well, apparently they are. British singer Nine Inch Nails, led by online piracy—"apps tend to be tied to a particular handset or buyer, making them more difficult to pirate than a CD", he says—and in the music industry, piracy is a very big problem. In 2008, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry estimated that 95% of downloads were illegitimate. If musicians can increase sales and decrease piracy, Robert says, it can only be a good thing.
"It's early days for apps in the music business, but we are seeing labels and artists experimenting with it," Jacob said. "You could see that apps could have a premium offering, or behind-the-scenes footage, or special offers on tickets. But I think it's a bit premature to predict the death of the album." Robert concluded by saying that it could be "premature to predict the death of the iPod just yet too – but it's unlikely that even Steve Jobs will be able to produce anything that will revive it. And that means that little more than five years after the music industry thought it had found a saviour in the little device, it is having to look around again for a new stepping stone to growth – if, that is, one exists."
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Article 1: Apple may introduce a new iPod Touch (first generation pictured) next week.
Apple Inc. will hold a music-centered event in San Francisco, California on September 1. It has been widely speculated that the company will introduce an updated line of Apple TV.
The company e-mailed invitations for the event to various media organizations on Wednesday. The message included a picture of a guitar and the time of the event. Apple did not release any information about what products would be involved.
Apple has released new iPods through previous similar events in September in anticipation of the holiday shopping season. This year, Apple may unveil a new iPhone 4 design. It will likely also update the music store and software.
Speculation about a new Apple TV is mixed. While many blogs are reporting that a refresh of the device will be announced, analysts say that it is unlikely to happen during next Wednesday's event. According to Reuters, sources are saying that Apple is negotiating with major television networks, including ABC and NBC, in order to provide shows for purchase on iTunes. However, they also reported that the deal has not been completed, and none of the companies involved have commented on the rumors.
It has also been rumored that Apple will introduce a new online music service. In 2009, Apple took over a company that allowed users to stream music online rather than download individual songs. Apple has not confirmed the rumors.
Last September's media event saw the return of Apple CEO Steve Jobs after he took a break to undergo a Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, previously used by Apple in April for the unveiling of the . Article 2: Algerian media has reported that the Algerian army has killed ten al-Qaeda rebels in an eastern area of the country. However, the Associated Press have only reported the number as eight. The rebels were killed in what is considered a stronghold of al-Qaeda's North African wing.
According to reports, seven insurgents were killed in the , around 100 km from the capital city of Algiers, over the weekend. A further three rebels were reportedly killed on Thursday although circumstances are less known.
The Algerian security authorities said that troops launched an operation at dawn on Saturday after villagers reported insurgents in the area searching for food. They added that the killings started with a helicopter bombardment on the suspected area.
Al-Qaeda is well known in Algeria for kidnappings and bomb attacks. Over the past couple of years, violence has become a rarer occurrence.
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Article 1: In the early hours of Thursday July 15, Argentina's senate approved legislation that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, making it the first country in Latin America and the tenth country in the world to do so.
The law, which also allows same-sex couples to adopt, was voted on at 0400 local time (0800 UTC), after 14 hours of debate, and passed with 33 votes in favor to 27 opposed with three abstentions. Since the lower house of Argentina's government has already approved the bill and President is in favor of the bill, it is expected to enter into law in only a few days, once it is published in Argentina's official bulletin.
The legislation, backed by President Fernandez's government, was the subject of a campaign by the Roman Catholic Church and other religious groups, which held rallies against it, including a march on Argentina's Congress, and encouraged citizens to protest the bill. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, as part of his opposition to the bill, said that "children need to have the right to be raised and educated by a father and a mother."
Members of Senate were divided in their views of the bill. One senator, Daniel Filmus, said that "society has grown up. We aren't the same as we were before."
Argentina will become the tenth country in the world to legalize same-sex marriages, after the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, and Iceland. Elsewhere in Latin America, same-sex civil unions have been legalized in Uruguay and in parts of Mexico and Brazil. Mexico City legalized same-sex marriage in 2009. Article 2: Location of Aksu County (pink) and Aksu Prefecture (yellow) within Xinjiang autonomous region of China.
Seven people were killed and fourteen injured after a man detonated explosives in a crowd Friday around 10:30 local time in Aksu, , China. Most of the victims of the blast were ethnic minorities.
The man allegedly drove a three-wheeled vehicle armed with explosives into a crowd. The man suspected of detonating the bomb was detained, after sustaining injuries from the blast. His name is still unknown to authorities, although they do know he is a member of the Uighur ethnic group.
"The suspect is a Uighur. Most of the victims are Uighurs too," said government spokesperson Hou Hanmin.
Hou stated that police believe the attack was intentional.
In response to the bombing, martial law has been declared in Aksu City.
ko:신장 위구르 폭탄테러, 21명 사상
tr:Sincan Uygur Özerk Bölgesi'nde patlama: 7 ölü
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Article 1: PakistanBalochistan.png|thumb|left|Map of Balochistan, the largest province of Pakistan.
One Frontier Constabulary official died and several other people were injured on Monday when a remote-controlled bomb was detonated at Panjgur, in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) later claimed responsibility for the attack.
Witnesses say the bomb was planted in a motorbike parked on Hospital Road in the town. When town security vehicles were passing, the bomb exploded. A security official, identified as Head Constable Mohammad Rafique, was killed. Ten others were severely injured; according to witnesses, this included six civilians. The victims were immediately rushed to hospital.
The blast was so powerful that the sound could be heard in a significant area of the town. Three of the injured were Frontier Corps (FC) officials. Some victims are said to be in a critical condition.
Frightened shopkeepers soon shut down after the incident. Police soon arrived in the area to take control of the situation.
Doda Baloch, spokesman for the BLF, called journalists to say that they had executed the attack with a remote-controlled motorcycle bomb. He claimed the attack killed eight from the security forces, including an officer.
An investigation into this explosion is underway, said Panjgur police. Article 2: The United States military has arrested an intelligence analyst who may have been responsible for leaking classified combat video and documents to the whistle-blower website Wikileaks.
Version of "Collateral murder" footage. (Full audio transcript) Other video clips available by Wikileaks.|alt=Military helicopter video footage of civilian humans and vehicle being destroyed by airstrike
The man arrested has been identified by Wired magazine as an enlisted soldier, Bradley Manning of the United States Army's 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. Manning, a 22-year-old specialist from Potomac, Maryland, is said to have been detained for two weeks on base in Kuwait awaiting trial. The United States military confirmed an arrest and said it "takes the management of classified information very seriously."
The footage was acquired from an undisclosed source in 2009 by Wikileaks. Wikileaks says the "Collateral murder" footage shows the "murder of Iraqi civilians and two Reuters journalists."
Freedom of Information Act in 2007, as two of its news staff, Namir Noor-Eldeen, had died in the attack.
In addition to the video of the Baghdad attack, Manning is suspected of having leaked other classified information, including footage of the Granai attack and a classified Army document evaluating Wikileaks as a security threat, which the site posted in March. Wikileaks is preparing to release a video of the Granai attack in Afghanistan, which killed around 100 civilians.
A summary of the Pentagon investigation into the Granai airstrike, including a video, was due to be released in 2009.
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Article 1: Two people in Kenya died earlier today after a five-storeyed building under construction in the town of Kiambu collapsed. Four others were said to have been injured.
The incident occurred in the middle of the night, at 02:30 local time (23:30 UTC), on Sunday morning. The building was only a few metres from another building that collapsed in October of last year, killing thirty people.
The building is reported to have been condemned last year, when the authorities deemed it substandard. Preparations to demolish the building started yesterday, in accordance with a court order that required the building to be destroyed within thirty days.
One of the casualties from the accident was Maina Irungu, aged seventeen; the other hasn't been identified. People wounded by the collapse were taken to the Kiambu District Hospital. The victims were all people who lived in houses near the collapsed building. Rescue operations are still ongoing, being conducted by the Red Cross, police, and military. Officials also ordered evacuation of two buildings in the vicinity when cracks were spotted on them, according to Capital FM Kenya.
This story in itself is reflective of a major infrastructure problem in Kenya, according to the BBC, China says it will give a US$7 million (£4.4m, €4.9m) grant to help fund infrastructure development projects in Kenya. Article 2: Chelsea Clinton, the only daughter of former US president William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton and current US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, wed long-time boyfriend and investment banker Rhinebeck, New York|Rhinebeck, New York amidst a flurry of secrecy and speculation surrounding the event.
Not much was known about the wedding, and those involved in the event did not say anything to the media. An estimated 500 guests were at the ceremony, which took place at Astor Courts, a large John Jacob Astor IV over 100 years ago. The secluded mansion is situated on 50 acres (20.2 hectares) of land in the small town of Rhinebeck. A was established over the estate.
The guest list was the subject of much speculation, but notable figures John Major reportedly did not attend the festivities. Steve Bing, Kobe Bryant were rumored to have been seen at the wedding.
The marriage ceremony was led by Rabbi James Ponet and the Reverend William Shillady. Mezvinsky, who is Jewish, wore a yarmulke. Clinton is a Leo Marks. Chelsea Clinton wore a strapless dress designed by Women's Wear Daily at Wang's New York showroom earlier last week, and Wang was reportedly seen in Rhinebeck as well.
The town of Rhinebeck was the subject of much public interest on Saturday. Photographers, journalists, and ordinary citizens lined the streets to get a peek at the celebrities attending the wedding. Many stores had signs saying something similar to "Congratulations Marc & Chelsea." Residents temporarily displaced by the wedding were even given bottles of wine for the inconvenience.
30-year-old Chelsea Clinton and 32-year-old Marc Mezvinsky first met in Washington, D.C. while teenagers, and both later attended G3 Capital as an investment banker, while Clinton recently earned her master's degree in public health at Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky and , friends of the Clinton family.
Although thought to cost several million dollars, a Clinton family friend claimed that the event would carry a price tag of less than 1 million.
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Article 1: Star Wars movie , died Saturday at his home in Los Angeles, California aged 87; this followed a three-and-a-half year battle with lung cancer. The announcement of his death was made Monday, by his god-daughter, Adriana Santini.
His previous credits, working as a photographer and musician, included A fine madness and Eyes of Laura Mars, the latter of these being the inspiration for the creator of the Star Wars movies, , to offer him the director's role for The Empire Strikes Back — something which he initially refused, only to be later persuaded because Lucas felt his attention to the development of characters was important. Lucas later admitted he hadn't wanted to direct the sequel himself. Speaking of the director, Lucas said: "He knew everything a Hollywood director is supposed to know. ... but was not Hollywood."
He also gained recognition after being nominated for an Emmy, for the 1976 TV Movie Raid on Entebbe, an award which he didn't win, but which thrust him into the spotlight.
As a director, Kershner went on to be the driving force behind James Bond, directing Robocop 2 in 1990.
Kershner was not limited to behind the scenes work; he acted in two films, The Last Temptation of Christ, in which he played Zebedee; and, starred as a film director in On Deadly Ground. Article 2: Hormones that control puberty. According to a new study, US girls are reaching puberty earlier than in the past 10-30 years.
According to a new study, US girls are reaching puberty earlier than ever, a trend that raises some health concerns. The study, which was conducted in New York's Cincinnati metropolitan area, and the area, showed that by age eight, 27% of girls had begun puberty and showed breast development. By age seven, 15% of girls were developing breasts.
There were differences among races. By age 7, 10.4% of white girls had reached puberty, up from 5% in a 1997 study. In contrast, 23.4% of African-Americans and 14.9% of Hispanics had reached puberty. Also, at age 8, 18.3% of whites, 42.9% of blacks and 30.9% of Hispanics had reached puberty.
Girls who reach puberty earlier have a higher chance of engaging in early sexual activity. The study examined 1,239 girls aged between six and eight.
Though the study did not address why US girls were reaching breast development earlier, it found that heavier girls reached puberty earlier. Marcia Herman-Giddens of the bisphenol A (BPA) and that could disrupt growth hormones. The chemical industry says that these chemicals are safe and are harmless to humans.
Herman-Giddens also said that it can be confusing to hit puberty at a young age. Girls reaching puberty at a younger age are more likely to attempt suicide. Also, earlier puberty can cause low self-esteem and depression and at adulthood, girls who reached puberty earlier are more likely to have endometrial cancer.
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Article 1: An artist's rendition of the Boeing X-51A Waverider
The experimental Boeing X-51A Waverider managed to break a hypersonic flight record Wednesday during a test flight.
The United States Air Force (USAF) said that the scramjet was able to fly for 200 seconds, achieving a top speed of around Mach 5 and setting a new record for what the Air Force called "the longest supersonic combustion ramjet-powered hypersonic flight." The previous record of twelve seconds was set by the hydrocarbon fuel, was hailed by US government officials as a success. Despite an unknown failure which caused the X-51 to lose acceleration, an X-51 program manager said that the USAF was "ecstatic" about the event's accomplishments.
The X-51 is 14 feet (4.2 metres) long and has no real wings, allowing it to withstand the Pacific Time Zone|PDT (1700 Edwards Air Force Base in California. It was carried by a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress to a height of 50,000 feet (15,240 metres) and then released over the Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center Sea Range. The X-51 was then propelled by a solid rocket booster to Mach 4.8.
After about 200 seconds in flight, Boeing said that "something then occurred that caused the vehicle to lose acceleration. At that point, the X-51A was terminated as planned." Although it was expected to fly for about 300 seconds and reach Mach 6, the scramjet only managed Mach 5 at a height of about 70,000 feet (21,336 metres), possibly due to an engine blowout. The aircraft landed in the ocean as planned, and there are no plans to retrieve it.
This test is the first of four planned flights for the X-51 program, with the other three planned for this coming fall. Previously, the X-51 had flown twice, but was attached to the B-52 both times. Article 2: Timothy Geithner Treasury.jpg|thumb|left|File photo of United States Secretary of the Treasury .
The (G20) of the world's leading developed and developing countries' finance ministers agreed on Saturday to pursue a plan that would avoid dangerous currency devaluations and would also would attempt to reduce trade imbalances. The plan was introduced by the United States, and the G20 meeting was held in South Korea.
The plan was announced amid rising worries of a "currency war" that would lead to devalued currencies in order to get an export advantage and would damage the global economy. "Our cooperation is essential. We are all committed to play our part in achieving strong, sustainable and balanced growth in a collaborative and coordinated way," a statement released by the G20 said.
On the topic of trade imbalances, the G-20 stated that "excessive imbalances" would be "assessed against indicative guidelines to be agreed." This statement was weaker than a commitment proposed by United States Treasury Secretary Gross Domestic Product|GDP for the next few years. This proposal was met with strong opposition from export-based economies such as Japan, whose Finance Minister argued that specific targets were "unrealistic", but approved of unspecific "guidelines". He added: "There are many perspectives on the current account issue. Every country has a different situation when it comes to surpluses and deficits. So we need to study this carefully."
The United States said that they will continue to push for numerical targets and specific time frames at next month's South Korean summit, where the heads of state of the G20 will convene. "If the world is going to be able to grow at a strong, sustainable pace in the future . . . then we need to work to achieve more balance in the pattern of global growth as we recover from the crisis," US Treasury Secretary Geithner declared. The finance ministers also set China on the track to floating its currency more, and overhauling the (IMF) to give more representation to developing powers such as China and India.
The G20 was created in 1999, includes both developed and developing countries, and represents 85% of the world's economy. The G20's heads of state will meet in Seoul, South Korea, next month.
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Article 1: Wikinews reporter Mike Morales interviews fellow Wikinews contributor Peter Coti, who is on the scene at a north eastern storm in the United States in New Jersey. Coti tells Wikinews what happened in the area of Ridgewood, New Jersey and provided pictures of the damage and area.
Well on the morning of Saturday it was a normal storm. Bit windier then a normal one though. Then at 4:30 EST (local time) power went out because of a downed tree. I went to church. When I got home it was like war of the worlds.
'How so?'
Wind gusts up to 90MPH ~145 km/h. And trees falling all over. And White, Red and blue explosions of transformers. All around town.
'Do you know which areas are affected?'
All of ridgewoo NJ sic, Ridgewood, New Jersey. Actually according to many people Bergan County was affected; ALL of it and southern parts of New York.
'Besides trees, what other damage occurred?'
Well, signs are on 45 degree angles, but trees are blocking roads and there are powerlines in half.
'Are there any damages to buildings?'
Not that I have seen. The major problem is the trees. They are blocking main roads.
'Do you know of any injuries to people?'
Yes, I know of at least 3 deaths and 5 injuries.
'Are there any details of these deaths and injuries?'
I know a tree fell on someone's car.
'How long until power is restored?'
They say in 2 days. I want to add the fact transformers lit the sky up for miles. Some for a few seconds, some for 30 seconds. Also power is back for businesses.
'How are emergency services responding?'
Well I have been told that every volunteer and cop is on duty. Also all police resources are being used from undercover cars to bikes. Anything with a siren really.
'How are the telephone services and other forms of communication working?'
There are no phone lines working. Wireless phones are the only way to communicate and... router. Article 2: Shakemap of the earthquake.
An earthquake occurred on Wednesday evening in Southern California with a magnitude of 5.4. According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time (2353 UTC). At least two dozen smaller aftershocks, none greater than a magnitude of 3.6, have struck the same area since the quake.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 14 kilometers (8.7 miles), and the epicenter was located 20 kilometers Northwest of Anza, California|Anza; 33 kilometers Northeast of ; and 94 kilometers to the northeast of San Diego.
There were no initial reports of any major damage. San Diego skyscrapers are reported to have swayed as a result of the earthquake.
Wikinews reporter Mike Morales, who was in the area at the time of the tremor, reported: "I remember it happened around five o'clock. It was nothing much, just a little rolling feeling."
According to Kate Hutton of the , this earthquake was caused by an earlier quake in April with a magnitude of 7.2. Hutton says that "changes in the fault line" from April's quake, caused today's quake to occur. The April quake was centered in the southern Imperial Valley south of Mexicali, Mexico near the Colorado River.
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Article 1: The explosion of an oil pipeline in in central Mexico has killed at least 27 individuals and injured 56 others. Twelve of the dead are children. Over 100 homes were damaged and at least 30 of them were destroyed. The explosion had an estimated blast radius of three miles.
Describing exploding gas tanks that flew through the air, Carlos Hipolito, who fled the scene with approximately 60 relatives, described the incident to Milenio Television as a "catastrophe". Living ten blocks from where the explosion occurred, 58-year-old Jose Luis Chavez explained that he had heard a minimum of two loud explosions and witnessed flames rising over 10 meters (30 feet) into the air.
It is thought that at the Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) Puebla|Puebla state interior secretary, stated: "They lost control because of the high pressure with which the fuel exits the pipeline."
Pemex has explained that the theft of oil from the pipelines causes them to lose hundreds of millions of dollars every year. , the head of the company, stated that the pipeline section near to the location of the blast was tapped illegally on 60 occasions. He also reported that across Mexico, 550 cases of illegal tapping had occurred.
Expressing his condolences to the families of those that had died because of this incident, Mexican president Felipe Calderon stated that the federal government is to launch an investigation to try to establish the identities of the offenders and apprehend them. Article 2: A National Wildlife Federation, Doug Inkley, has criticised what he described as America's "addiction to oil". Inkley stated it is ultimately responsible for the Deepwater Horizon disaster earlier this year.
Doug Inkley, a senior scientist working for the Deepwater Horizon disaster six months ago.
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Article 1: Southland Thursday evening
High Desert (California)|High Desert of Palmdale, California|Palmdale in the Antelope Valley region of the Los Angeles County this afternoon. Mandatory evacuation orders have been set in place, affecting 2,000 homes.
The fire is one of three that ignited yesterday in the San Gabriel Mountains. The first was a 30-Lancaster, California|Lancaster in the Fairmont area. It was contained and suppressed by mid-afternoon, but the other two fires ignited while firefighters were battling the first. The second fire, the "Briggs Fire", began shortly after 2:00 pm near 8334 Soledad Canyon Road and Briggs Road, south of the freeway. It burned 500 acres south of the 14 Freeway, but the Station Fire. The third fire, the "Crown Fire", broke out at around the same time as the Briggs Fire on the northern side of the 14 Freeway near Acton. The Crown fire has so far burned 13,000 acres and has been heading north into Leona Valley and Palmdale.
Over 800 firefighters are now tackling the Crown Fire on the ground, McDonnell Douglas DC-10 fixed-wing aircraft have taken to the skies to drop Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters known as "Firehawks" are making water-drops. As well as LACFD, firefighters from Los Angeles City Fire Department, National Weather Service predicts winds will reach as high as 50mph.
The fire burned down a Los Angeles County Sheriff Department communications tower, forcing Lancaster and Palmdale-based deputies to set up mobile operations bases and coordinate their efforts using cell phones and computers. Last night, the acted as a barrier to the fire.
Residents of Leona Valley, Lake Elizabeth, Ritter Ranch, Rancho Vista, Ana Verde and Palmdale received telephone calls last night alerting them of mandatory evacuations. Many of the evacuation orders were lifted this morning as the spread of the fire decreased. However, as winds picked up in the afternoon, fire embers were carried across the aqueduct and the fire is now heading towards a highly-populated area of Palmdale. Residents who were allowed back into their homes were re-evacuated to Red Cross shelters set up in local schools and parks.The fire is also threatening five high-voltage power lines that supply electricity to much of Southern California. 21 customers in the immediate vicinity have been without power since yesterday.
At 5:00 pm, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, police and fire officials held a press conference. The governor said that the fire was 20% contained and had burned 13,000 acres. It is thought that the fire began when workers in Agua Dulce caused sparks by hammering the bolts when they were removing a tire from a rim.
Crown Fire in Palmdale, Thursday night.jpg|The Crown Fire cresting over the San Gabriel Mountains on Thursday night.
LASD mobile command unit, Palmdale, for Crown Fire.jpg|The Los Angeles County Sheriff Department set up a mobile command center at the AV Mall after radio communications were disabled when the fire burned down a relay tower
Crown Fire burning mountainside.jpg|The Crown fire decends down the San Gabriel Mountains into western Palmdale Friday afternoon Article 2: Wikinews interviewed author Gold Base", located in Gilman Hot Springs near Hemet, California.
Scientology was founded by L. Ron Hubbard in 1952. Scobee joined Scientology at age 14, and after leaving in 2005 she began to speak out critically about the organization and her views on alleged abuse carried out by management leader David Miscavige against staff members.
Scientology - Abuse at the Top was published in May, and Scobee has subsequently appeared in interviews about her experiences in the Scientology organization – for media including the Panorama (TV series)|Panorama hosted by investigative journalist John Sweeney, BBC One on September 28.
Scobee's book is structured chronologically, and she recounts her experiences first joining the Scientology organization, then becoming a staff member in its elite group the Rehabilitation Project Force" (RPF), for supposed "evil on L. Ron Hubbard" or negative thoughts about the organization. These sentences often occurred after a division of management Scobee had served under experienced downward statistics related to profit margins and financial performance for the organization. In each instance she was sent to the RPF, Scobee was subsequently reinstated to an executive management role, and given supervisory responsibility over other senior Scientology officials.
The author reveals difficult emotional experiences in her book, including an incident where she was raped at age 14 by a Scientology supervisor and subsequently instructed by a "Scientology Ethics Officer" that she was in a "state of treason" and to keep the matter quiet and not report it to the police. Scobee describes difficult experiences she endured as part of her punishment served in Scientology's RPF, including being sent to the RPF at age 16, and subsequently being slapped across the face for refusing to climb into a garbage can and clean it out.
Within Scientology management and the Sea Org, Scobee rose to serve in the Watchdog Committee (WDC) – the highest ecclesiastical body in the organization. After leaving the organization, Scobee was declared a "intelligence agency the attempted to enforce organization regulations preventing her from ever speaking to her family including her mother again.
Prior to her book's publication, Scobee was threatened with legal action, in a letter from a lawyer Tommy Davis (Scientology)|Tommy Davis stated the organization was also preparing a lawsuit against her related to the publication of her book. Further news about such threatened lawsuits have not been forthcoming following these statements from Tom Cruise's lawyer and Scientology's spokesman.
After Scobee began to speak out critically about Scientology to the St. Petersburg Times, the Scientology Freedom Magazine issued a publication in which it referred to her repeatedly as "The Adulteress". Though Scobee had thought that statements she made during Scientology counseling sessions called "Auditing" were to be kept confidential under priest-penitent religious privilege, reported that "intimate details of her sex life" were forwarded by Scientology, to the St. Petersburg Times. BBC News reported that during an interview for the Panorama program, Scobee was photographed by agents for Scientology along with journalist John Sweeney. These photographs were then sent by Scientology UK lawyers from the firm Carter-Ruck to the BBC, in an attempt to show "bias" of journalist Sweeney towards Scobee in his interviewing.
Scientology - Abuse at the Top received a favorable reception from reviews and media coverage. Today Tonight, The Drew Marshall Show, Panorama (TV series)|Panorama.
Amy Scobee in 2007
'Amy Scobee': I was 14 years old. My parents had recently divorced and my mother took custody of me and my older brother. The three of us moved 30 miles north to the Seattle area and my mother started working as a draftsman at a company near by. My brother and I would go to school during the day and spend the evenings with our mom. We’d visit my father on the weekends. I was beginning to get used to this routine when suddenly my mother was no longer spending the evenings with us. Instead, she began attending classes after work at the local Church of Scientology.
One day I was home alone and the phone rang. It was a staff member from the church named Brett. I told him that my mom wasn’t home. He said that he was actually calling to talk to me. He said that he heard I was a very nice person and that I should come into the church to do an introductory service myself. I remember becoming very curious about this. I recall thinking, "Even though I’m just a kid, these guys are interested in me!" That somehow made me feel recognized and important.
I told my mother about the invitation and asked if I could go in with her to meet Brett, to which she agreed. Brett was a very handsome man, posted as the Public Registrar, responsible for signing new people up for service and collecting their money. He interviewed me and said that he could tell I had a lot of potential and would go very far in life, but that I needed to learn several tools to be able to do so successfully. I really wanted to find out all about this. Brett called my mother into his office and had her pay for my first course so I could get started immediately. And so, I enrolled on my first course – the "Communications Course", on 17 May 1978.
' Do you still see positive benefits out of some aspects of Scientology methodology? How so? What courses, programs, do you consider beneficial?
'AS': There are some things that I consider to be basic truths, such as that one is a spiritual being, but that's not unique to Scientology. I honestly no longer consider the methodology to be beneficial since I have seen the results of its application in broken families and broken individuals. I do have many friends who still very much believe in the technology, but consider the organization has turned criminal. To me, people should be free to believe in what they'd like. It's when the practices begin to hurt people is where I object.
' Why did you decide to join the elite Scientology group, the ?
'AS': I thought that it sounded like an exciting adventure where I could help "salvage the planet" on a much larger scale than just in my home town. The "Sea Organization" (also Sea Org or SO for short) is defined on the official Church of Scientology web site as follows:
"The Sea Org was established in 1967 and once operated from a number of ships. It was set up to help L. Ron Hubbard with research of earlier civilizations and supervise Church organizations around the world. The first Sea Org members formulated a one-billion-year pledge to symbolize their commitment to the religion as immortal spiritual beings. It is signed by all members today. The Sea Organization is also entrusted to minister the advanced services of Scientology. The Sea Organization retains its name in celebration of the fact that Mr. Hubbard’s life was frequently connected to the sea. Although today the majority of Sea Organization members are based on land, in keeping with the tradition of the order’s inception, they still wear maritime-style uniforms and have ranks and ratings. Sea Org members work long hours and live communally with housing, meals, uniforms, medical and dental care provided by the Church. They participate in Scientology training and auditing during a portion of each day, but otherwise dedicate themselves to furthering the objectives of Scientology through their particular functions."
Amy Scobee in 2007
It was September, 1979. Word arrived that an expansion event was being held in the Seattle church for all local Scientologists by officers of the Sea Org. Attendance was mandatory. My mother and I went to the event together. As people arrived, we were all ushered in and seated in a large hall.
Before the event began, surveys were passed out for the audience to fill in, asking detailed questions about our individual qualifications, such as whether or not we had ever taken LSD, ever been institutionalized, if we had a criminal record, had huge personal debts and so forth. My answer to every one of these questions was, "No". The surveys were collected up and the event began.
The speaker came out and briefed us on the strategy to make Scientology a household word internationally and how it was vital for everyone to immediately get on the bandwagon to help make this a reality. He had a large map of the world behind him and pointed out the small red dots as current church locations, which appeared minuscule compared to the size of the planet. Then, in the middle of the event, the speaker read out a list of people who were to report immediately to a room in the back for a private briefing. My name was on the list. I felt my heart pounding as I couldn’t figure out how they knew my name. I had forgotten all about filling out the survey prior to the event.
My mom’s name wasn’t on the list, so I had to go to the special briefing without her. I reported to the back, along with about twenty others from the audience. The main event speaker (named Don) came to the back room, along with three other people in full dress Sea Org uniform (navy caps, gold lanyards, white gloves, dirks tied around their waist – the works). He informed us that we were the select few who were qualified and that we were all to join the elite team of the Sea Org – right now!
Don said that while he moved on to the next city to get many more people on board, two SO members were staying behind in Seattle to get all of us packed and sent off to the Sea Org. He handed out Sea Org contracts, had us all stand up, raise our right hands and repeat the code of a Sea Org member after him. This is called the "swearing in ceremony". We all then signed the contract, pledging to work full time for the next billion years.
I had no clue what I was doing. I wondered why my mom’s name wasn’t called and what she would think. I didn’t dare question the Sea Org Officers. Everyone was following orders and I thought I had better as well. I did ask what type of work we’d be doing and the response was, "Our mission is to get ethics in on this planet and the universe. You’re joining the elite of the elite, responsible for handling the suppressive psychiatrists that exist in the here and now and those who implant beings between lives so as to make planetary clearing an actuality". I was speechless.
The intermission was over, everyone was reseated and those in the back re-joined the rest of the audience for the remainder of the event. The speaker came back up and announced the names of those who had just joined the Sea Org. Immediate standing ovation! Loud cheers! We were going to be heroes!
My mom flipped out, "No way—don’t they realize that you’re still a minor? They have no parental consent. You’re only in 9th grade and now you’ll never get a proper education. How could they do this without discussing it with me first? It’s out of the question!"
I went back to the recruiter and said I couldn’t go as it wasn’t coordinated with my mom.
Like lions jumping on prey, the SO officers were all over my mom to handle her "counter-intention towards Scientology expansion".
Finally, after being promised that I would absolutely continue my schooling to obtain a high school diploma, have three weeks off a year to come home to visit and be able to maintain routine communication with the family (all of which turned out to be a blatant lie), my mother signed a parental consent form, giving her approval for me to join the Sea Org – effective once I turned 16, which was only a few weeks away.
The recruiters had me list out things to handle before reporting for duty. My main concern was telling my dad, who knew nothing about Scientology. They said what I needed was a cover story, so tell him that I got a great offer and I’ll be going away to become a model in Paris. My mother and I went to visit my dad and that’s what we told him. He was so proud of me! I thought I was going to be sick.
Within a few weeks of signing my Sea Org contract, I was booked on a flight to Los Angeles. This was the first time I had been away from home and the first airplane I had ever been on. I arrived in Hollywood, California on 31 October 1979.
' Why did you choose to write a book about your experiences?
'AS': I felt it was very important to not only thoroughly review what I had just gone through for my 27 years as a staff member for Scientology, but to make that experience known to others so they can learn what goes on behind the scenes. The beginning services in Scientology seem very sensible and helpful. It's like the bait and once you nibble on it, they get a hook into you and it's NOT easy to free yourself once you're hooked. Making the information known will hopefully enlighten people so they can see just how controlling and demanding and abusive the organization is – and stay clear of it themselves.
' Can you explain your choice of the book's title - what it means and refers to?
The title of my book is SCIENTOLOGY – ABUSE AT THE TOP. At the lower echelons of the organization, the parishioners are "schmoozed" and treated with all kinds of smiles and compassion. That's because they pay for service and promote the "religion" to others so as to expand their ranks. So the organization needs to keep them happy and therefore the "internal laundry" of what goes on behind the scenes is kept entirely hidden away. The TOP of Scientology is the Sea Organization. My book describes the physical, mental/emotional abuse that occurs day-in and day-out in the Scientology's Sea Organization – from their Rehabilitation Project Force (which is nothing short of a slave-labor camp, to which I was assigned four times for several years), to the physical assault & battery committed on the top executives by their current leader, David Miscavige (which I personally witnessed on at least a dozen occasions). Somehow the Scientology organizations are free from outside inspection because they are a "religion" and therefore allowed to practice their religious beliefs in any way they see fit. This is dangerous and the information about how far this has gone needs to be exposed, as it is extreme.
' You left Scientology in 2005, why did you decide to publish the book, five years later?
'AS': When I left in March 2005 after being a full-time, live-in staff member for a quarter century, I had a total of $150 to my name. I had no outside job skills, never cooked and I barely knew how to drive. I had no clue what I would be doing to make a living in the "outside world". It was not unlike being dropped on another planet and having to figure out how to survive from scratch.
After I became stable and saved up some money, I began writing. As I wrote, I realized how important it was to get my story out. This "religion" promotes how their purpose is to create a sane world without criminality, etc. and the more I was OUT of their grip, the more I realized just how insane and criminal they really are. I learned about the Universal Declarations for Human Rights and saw how many points I personally knew were violated by the Scientology organization with their members. I learned about laws of the land (which I had been entirely ignorant of while a staff member) and realized some of the acts that I witnessed were actual violations of the LAW.
But what set me on the past to exposing the abuse within Scientology the most was when my mother was forced to disconnect from me, per Scientology's "disconnection" policy where members are to cut all ties with anyone not in good standing with their "church". This was a very emotionally traumatic situation. In my view, no religion worthy of the title should have a right to stand between loved ones.
' Quite early on in the book's first chapter, you recount an incident of being raped at age 14, by a 35-year-old married man who was your Scientology supervisor. You describe how your "Scientology Ethics Officer" found out, said you were in a "state of treason", and that the incident was kept quiet and not reported to the police by Scientology officials. How difficult was it to include this in the book? For what reason did you choose to include this? Why didn't you tell your parents about this?
'AS': To me, it was very important to include this information in my book because it gives the reader an idea of how Scientology operates. One of the worst crimes you can commit as a Scientologist is bringing about "bad public relations" for them. Things that happen internally are KEPT internal with the "we handle our own" doctrine. Unfortunately, this was a CRIME for which that person could have been arrested. Instead, it was "handled" by the local staff (swept under the carpet) and forgotten about. I didn't tell my parents because I was ashamed and afraid.
' After describing your arrival at the Scientology "Flag Land Base" in Florida at age 16, you recall how you met and became intimate with a 26-year-old man named David Paul, who later became your husband. For this act, you were subjected to a "security check" process on the Scientology device, the Rehabilitation Project Force" (RPF) of Scientology. Is 16 a relatively young age to be sentenced to the Rehabilitation Project Force in Scientology? Did you know other individuals on this program that were younger than you, or around the same age?
'AS': Yes, 16 is a young age to be sentenced to the Rehabilitation Project Force. I should have been attending school as per the agreement with my mother when she gave parental consent for me to join the Sea Organization – but I factually never saw one day of school after I joined. There were other teen-agers on the RPF at the same time, but I believe I was the youngest.
Scientologists working in the organization's "Los Angeles, California
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Article 1: England with Worcestershire in red.One person has been killed and another person has been seriously injured as the result of a road traffic accident in Worcestershire, England. The vehicle, a Vauxhall Astra, had two occupents. One of them was a man who was believed to have been aged around 20. The other occupant of the vehicle was an 18-year-old woman. Currently, neither of them have been publically identified.
The vehicle collided with a tree on the A4023 road in Redditch at around 2200 GMT on Sunday; West Mercia Police were subsequently called to the scene of the accident. The driver suffered from serious injuries and was later pronounced dead at the scene of the collision.
The passenger had to be taken to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch. She suffered from leg and arm injuries, as well as a serious injury to her head. Inside the hospital, her condition has been considered as serious, although her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. Article 2: Saadanius hijazensis, a new species of fossil primate closely related to Old World monkeys and apes.
Researchers have unearthed a new fossil Ape|apes and Old World monkeys, collectively known as catarrhine primates. Paleontologist Iyad Zalmout of the Saadanius|Saadanius hijazensis near Saudi Arabia; the discovery gives new insights into .
The specimen, a partial skull, dates to the Arabian peninsula|Arabian peninsula had not yet split away from the African continent, forming the Paleoanthropology|Paleoanthropologists have traditionally dated the divergence to between 25 and 23 million years ago, based on early fossils of the two groups. Genetic studies, however, date it to between 30 to 35 million years ago.
Although Saadanius shares some features with living catarrhine primates, such as a bony ear tube, called an Basal (phylogenetics)|basal catarrhines, from which Old World monkeys and apes did not evolve. These basal features include a longer face and the lack of a .
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Article 1: Map showing which states require parental notification.
A Cook County, Illinois Circuit Court judge has lifted a temporary restraining order on a law that requires a girl's parents to be notified before she has an abortion. In a complicated ruling, however, the judge also issued an order banning state officials from enforcing the law pending an appeal.
The law, which was passed by the Illinois legislature in 1995, has never been enforced due to appeals. Last November, the Illinois medical disciplinary board allowed the law to be enforced, but hours later Judge Daniel A. Riley granted a temporary restraining order filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Illinois.
When Judge Riley issued another ruling yesterday, he said the ACLU lawsuit was flawed, finding the law itself to be constitutional. He added, however, that "the law in question is a rather unfortunate piece of legislation" that is inherently discriminatory against pregnant minors.
ACLU lawyers plan to file an appeal, which Judge Riley will rule on with a new restraining order in place. They argue that the law is an invasion of privacy and dangerous to minors who live in an abusive environment. The Illinois Attorney General's office is defending the law, saying that parents should be able to give their children advice on complicated matters. Article 2: Three alleged al-Qaeda members have been arrested in Norway and Germany for suspected involvement in a bomb plot. Norway's Police Security service said that they were arrested for "preparing terror activities." The three men had been watched both by Norway and the United States for over a year, and officials said that peroxide bombs were planned to be used.
It was unclear if the men, of which one had Norwegian citizenship, with the other two possessing permanent residence permits, had selected a target. One of the suspects was of Uyghur origin, another is Iraqi-Kurdish, and the third is from Uzbekistan.
Two of the suspects were arrested in Oslo while the other one was captured in Germany in collaboration with authorities there.
Norwegian and United States officials say that this bombing plot is linked to last year's failed New York subway bombing scheme and another failed plot to bomb Manchester, England. These failed schemes also involved peroxide bombs.
Norway's Police Security Service released a statement that said "it is important to emphasize that those groups in Norway that may constitute a threat to national security are small and primarily involved in support activities to foreign countries. We would therefore like to stress that today's apprehensions will not result in a different assessment of the current threat situation in Norway, and that the threat level will still be considered low."
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Article 1: The Russian embassy in Minsk, Belarus has been attacked by . Unknown assailants threw two of the explosives into the embassy premises. No one was injured but a car was destroyed. After the attack security was tightened around the Belarussian embassy in Moscow.
The released a statement on the event stating that "we view this incident as an outrageous act in which there is a clear desire by certain forces to interfere with the normal work of the embassy and to bring distrust and tensions to bilateral relations."
This is not the first time the embassy has come under attack. In 2007, a grenade was thrown at the building while then Vladimir Putin was visiting.
Belarussian–Russian relations have been tense in recent months, as in June, Russia shut off Belarus's gas supply over unpaid bills. Article 2: On Thursday evening, a bus crash in Jordan killed two British women and four Iraqis and injured 28 people, including the Iraqi minister of science and technology Raed Fahmy.
Officials say the bus was returning from the Dead Sea to the Jordanian capital of Amman, when it overturned on a steep turn near the Dead Sea. The two women killed were employees of the United Nations Development Program.
Police say four Iraqis, including Fahmy, remain hospitalized. Fahmy, who is said to have broken his shoulder, is being treated at the King Hussein Medical Center in Amman.
The British Embassy in Amman refused to give any more details about the crash or its victims.
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Article 1: The president of Niger, Tandja Mamadou, has been captured and imprisoned by a group of Nigerien soldiers under the name of "Supreme Council for the Restoration of Democracy" after an attack on the presidential palace late Thursday. Tandja Mamadou from 2007.
The Nigerien embassy in London has issued a statement saying that both the president and ministers in his company were "safe and well," although officials said that the company was most likely imprisoned in military barracks outside of Niamy.
According to an announcement by the representative of the group responsible for the coup, a Nigerien Army colonel, the country's constitution has been suspended and all government institutions have been dissolved. It is not clear who the leader of the coup is, although several military sources said that Major Adamou Harouna of the Nigerien Army was responsible.
The coup apparently took place during a cabinet meeting in the capitol building, and was preceded by a several-hour long gun battle in the capital, Niamy. The battle began at about 13:00 local time (12:00 UTC), ending about four hours later, with both foot soldiers and tanks involved, although no significant deployment of the military was reported. The morning after the battle, the streets were relatively quiet, and the only significant military presence is heavy artillery around the presidential palace.
The battle led to at least ten deaths, four of which were soldiers. The identities of those killed have not been released. Additionally, a curfew has been imposed, and the military has closed Niger's borders. Despite the crisis, the government has yet to release an official statement as to its status.
The actions of the military prompted condemnations of the coup from both the African Union and the nation of France, both of which called for negotiations to resolve the situation. The West African group of countries Ecowas has already dispatched a delegation to talk to the group responsible for the coup.
The coup came after an extended political crisis in which President Tandja has dissolved both the National Assembly and Niger's High Court, as well as extending his presidential term by three years, and removing all further limits on his term. These actions have led to increasing pressure against him and the government, culminating with a thousands-strong demonstration against the government last week.
de:Militärputsch in Niger
es:Soldados ejecutan un golpe de estado en Níger
fr:Coup d'État au Niger
pl:Zamach stanu w Nigrze
fi:Nigerissä sotilasvallankaappaus presidentti Tandjaa vastaan
ta:நைஜரில் இராணுவப் புரட்சியை அடுத்து அதிபர் கைது Article 2: Taliban launched an attack on a NATO base in Afghanistan, which was repelled soon afterwards.
Taliban forces launched an attack on a NATO base in Afghanistan on June 30. The attack was subsequently repelled, with eight Taliban fighters killed. The raid, the third such attack in five weeks, was carried out with a car bomb and rocket-propelled grenades. A Taliban spokesperson said that there were six initial suicide attackers, and a total of eight were killed in the initial attack and the gun battle that followed.
A German Army official, Brigadier General Josef Blotz, said that the Taliban "were not able to breach the perimeter. They were fought off by a combination of Afghan and coalition security forces." The attack occurred at an air base in the eastern part of Afghanistan, near the city of . The base is home to both Afghan and international troops.
According to commentators, attacks such as this have become increasingly utilized by the Taliban; all three of the largest bases in Afghanistan have been attacked in recent months. They generally result in higher levels of casualties when compared with other forms of attacks.
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Article 1: US bank has been accused of fraud by the American regulator Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
According to the SEC, Goldman Sachs failed to inform investors of a conflict of interest in the banks' marketing of sub-prime mortgage investments, which were being sold at a time of uncertainty in the US housing market. The SEC says that a Goldman subsidiary, , had been involved in the selection of securities included in the mortgage investments. It had not been disclosed to investors that Paulson had bet that the value of the investments would fall, benefiting Paulson but not those who bought the investments.
The securities, which were combined into a package called Abacus that was sold to investors, lost over $1 billion during the collapse of the US housing industry. According to the SEC, Goldman, Paulson, and the creator of Abacus, a vice-president of Goldman Sachs named Fabrice Tourre, all knew that the housing market was going to collapse, but continued to sell Abacus despite the risks.
Tourre had been in command of selecting the investments within Abacus, and then was the person responsible for selling it to investors. He had told those who invested in Abacus that its components had been selected by an independent party, ACA Management.
In all, 99% of the investments within Abacus were downgraded, and investors lost upwards of a billion US dollars.
The SEC alleged that "Goldman Sachs arranged a transaction at Paulson's request in which Paulson heavily influenced the selection of the portfolio to suit its economic interests." In a short response from Goldman, the bank said that "The SEC's charges are completely unfounded in law and fact and we will vigorously contest them and defend the firm and its reputation." Article 2: At around noon yesterday, a Heli-Express helicopter heading towards Macau crashed into the sea near Hong Kong's with thirteen on board. They were only slightly injured.
Witnesses say the aircraft let out a loud 'bang', with no flames, then slowly descended to the sea. After a while, it sank completely. Shipping was unaffected. The Cable TV as saying that the rotorcraft performed an emergency landing on water after experiencing mechanical problems. The Ming Pao news agency also reported mechanical problems.
Marine police, fire services, the Civil Aviation Department, and the Marine Department immediately sent rescue ships to the scene, which is between Hong Kong Island and the Queen Mary Hospital for treatment.
The involved helicopter is an .
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Article 1: File photo of Camp Delta, Guantanamo Bay, in 2005
Human rights groups have criticized United States President Barack Obama's decision to halt the transfer of detainees to Yemen from the prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Mr. Obama suspended the repatriation of Yemeni detainees Tuesday because of what he called an "unsettled" security situation in Yemen. "It was always our intent to transfer detainees to other countries only under conditions that provide assurances that our security is being protected," Obama said.
Some lawmakers had expressed concern that freed inmates could join Yemen-based al-Qaeda militants plotting attacks on the United States. The Times has also reported claims that former detainees have joined al-Qaeda on returning to Yemen.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) claimed U.S. authorities had cleared the release of about 35 Yemeni detainees at Guantanamo. Ben Wizner, ACLU staff attorney, said that "the decision to halt all transfers of detainees to Yemen will prolong a shameful chapter in American history without making Americans any safer." He called the actions "unwise and unjust".
Human Rights Watch says it appreciates that Yemen poses a "very difficult problem" for the Obama administration. But, it says continuing to hold Yemenis at Guantanamo without charge "only increases resentment against the United States and hands al-Qaida a recruiting tool."
The Center for Constitutional Rights called the decision "unconscionable". "We know from the military's own records that most of the detainees at Guantanamo have no link to terrorism," the group said.
Mitch McConnell, Republican Party minority leader in the U.S. Senate, backed the move. "Given the determined nature of the threat from al-Qaeda, it made little sense to transfer detainees from the secure facility at Guantanamo back to Yemen, where previously transferred detainees have escaped from prison and returned to al-Qaeda," he said.
President Obama reiterated his pledge to shut down the Guantanamo prison, saying its existence helps al-Qaeda to recruit members and damages U.S. national security interests. Obama had said one year ago that he wanted to close the prison by 22 January this year, but recently admitted that this target would not be met. Guantanamo currently holds 198 prisoners, about half of them from Yemen.
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* Article 2: According to a BBC report, funds raised for famine relief aid in Ethiopia, such as those raised by the Live Aid benefit concert pictured here, were "siphoned off" by rebels to buy weapons.
An investigation by the BBC has revealed that millions of dollars in famine relief aid money, including the money raised from the charity supergroup Band Aid and the Live Aid concert held by Bob Geldof, was "siphoned off" by Ethiopian rebels to buy weapons. One rebel said that at least US$ 95 million (£63 million) from — Western governments and private charities — was diverted into rebel coffers.
This was also noted in a declassified Central Intelligence Agency assessment of the famine situation titled Ethiopia: Political and Security Impact of the Drought, in which the report states, "Some funds that insurgent organizations are raising for relief operations, as a result of increased world publicity, are almost certainly being diverted for military purposes."
During the 1984–1985 famine, Ethiopia was fighting Eritrean and Tigray rebels in those two northern provinces, although Eritrea has since gained its independence. Since the countryside was out of the government's control, aid was brought in from neighboring Sudan. Some aid came in the form of food, while other aid came as cash which would be used by the aid agencies to buy grain from Ethiopian farmers.
Rebels would disguise themselves as traders and merchants to get their hands on the currency. "I was given clothes to make me look like a Muslim merchant. This was a trick for the NGOs," said Gebremedhin Araya, a senior member of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).
One such aid worker that brought the grain was Max Peberdy, who worked for the charity Christian Aid. Peberdy is seen in a photo with Araya buying grain.
Araya said that only some of the sacks were filled with grain; the rest were filled with sand. The transaction was overseen by a member of the Relief Society of Tigray (REST), the humanitarian wing of the TPLF. The money was then given to TPLF leaders, including chairman Meles Zenawi, who has been Prime Minister of Ethiopia since 1991. Zenawi has not commented on the allegations.
Peberdy disputes the claims that he was duped, saying, "As far as we were concerned and as far as we were told by REST, the people we were dealing with were merchants." He added, "It's 25 years since this happened, and in the 25 years it's the first time anybody has claimed such a thing."
Meles Zenawi, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia since 1991 and chairman of the TPLF since 1985.
However, an exiled TPLF commander who lives in the Netherlands, Aregawi Berhe, is backing Araya's story. He said the group got their hands on over US$100 million (£66 million) of which 95% went to buy weapons and build up a hardliner Marxist party inside the rebel movement. The remaining five percent would go to famine victims. Berhe told the BBC that the group would put on a "drama" to get the money. Berhe said, "The aid workers were fooled."
In response to the allegations, the charity Christian Aid issued a statement saying, "There are allegations in the story which are against all of Christian Aid's principles and our initial investigations do not correspond to the BBC's version of events."
Nick Guttmann, who is director of emergency relief operations for the group, says the "story has to be put into context". "We were working in a major conflict, there was a massive famine and people on all sides were suffering," Guttmann said, adding, "Both the rebels and the government were using innocent civilians to further their own political ends."
Bob Geldof, the Irish rock star who help organized Live Aid, said, "We are talking about a disgruntled, exiled general. The essence of the report also is not just about Live Aid. It's that all monies going into Tigray — that would be Oxfam, Save the Children, UNICEF and Christian Aid — somehow, we were all duped and gulled. And that's simply not the case. It just didn't happen."
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Article 1: A United States federal court judge and Florida state court judge are enmeshed in a conflict against each other regarding a wrongful death lawsuit involving Scientology.
Scientology Clearwater headquarters.JPG|thumb|left|Scientology building in Clearwater, Florida (2009)
A federal judge for the Steven Douglas Merryday, ordered Pinellas County Senior Circuit Judge Robert E. Beach not to intervene regarding appearance of an attorney in a federal court case involving Scientology. Lawyer Kennan Dandar is representing the estate of Kyle Thomas Brennan in a wrongful death claim against the Scientology organization.
The suit asserts that members of the Scientology organization, including the father of Brennan, removed access to the deceased's anti-depression medication, and provided him with means to utilize a loaded gun. Brennan had been staying with his father for a week prior to his death. Police in Clearwater, Florida investigated the 2007 death of Brennan, and determined it was a David Miscavige – Denise Gentile, and her husband Gerald Gentile.
Attorney Dandar had previously represented the estate of dehydration|dehydrated state, where her condition was such that she did not have the energy to fend off cockroaches from biting her skin.
Scientology management settled the McPherson wrongful death case in 2004; lawyers representing the organization stated the settlement included a confidential arrangement with Dandar to never again represent clients in lawsuits against Scientology entities. The settlement included an agreement that both sides would never speak again about the case; California lawyer David Miscavige as a party to the wrongful death lawsuit.
Scientology legal representatives requested Judge Beach to see to it that Dandar abide by the secret settlement agreement, and Beach subsequently issued an order in June 2009 that Dandar be removed from the Brennan wrongful death case. Dandar faced sanctions from Judge Beach including suspension of Dandar's license to practice law, a US$130,000 judgement to be given to the Scientology organization, and a fine of $1,000 per day. Judge Beach ruled that all money from the sanctions imposed against Dandar – were to go directly to the Scientology organization. The Tampa Tribune noted that Judge Breach made his ruling, "in an inexplicably closed hearing from which Beach tossed a St. Petersburg Times reporter".
Faced with these possible sanctions, Dandar filed an "involuntary" motion to withdraw from the Brennan wrongful death case in federal court, but Judge Merryday denied this request. Dandar stated to , "I'm stuck in the middle of two courts."
D. Wallace Pope, a lawyer for the Scientology organization, stated that he wished to show evidence regarding the settlement in the McPherson wrongful death case. However, Judge Merryday emphasized his main issue was determining whether or not Dandar was being penalized for obeying the federal court's order denying his request to be withdrawn from the Brennan wrongful death case. Judge Merryday stated he would prevent the Scientology organization along with Judge Beach from punishing Dandar for representing his client in US federal court. Merryday stated Beach had attempted to usurp control outside of his jurisdiction, thereby "aggressively" interferring with the US federal court process through imposing sanctions on Dandar.
Merryday has served as a US federal judge based in Tampa, Florida since 1992. The noted that Judge Merryday, "has presided over some of the region's most noteworthy cases." Judge Merryday's court order creating an injunction against Beach was 29-pages long, and criticized the "stunning severity" of Beach's sanctions imposed on Dandar. Merryday explained that the federal court needed to "act in defense of the (federal) court's jurisdiction", due to Beach's actions. Referencing Judge Beach, Merryday wrote in his court order, "A judge should not undertake, directly or indirectly, overtly or through a surrogate, to compel an act by another judge, especially in a different jurisdiction."
Judge Merryday stated to Scientology lawyers, "have forced my hand on this issue." Merryday stated to Scientology lawyer, Robert Potter, "I don't like being put in this position. When people start to squeeze, other people can squeeze back." Potter asked him to seal the proceedings from public view, and Judge Merryday responded, "I'm not going to be entering any seals unless I see a lawful reason, and I can't even see the beginning of a reason". Merryday stated he would not allow his court to be influenced by "some circuit judge somewhere who appears for all I can tell to have sealed something for some unknown reason".
Judge Beach responded to Judge Merryday's Judicial disqualification|recuse himself from acting as a judge on the Scientology case related to Dandar. Beach's motion argued that he was denied due process because he was not given notice by Merryday of the hearing which occurred before Merryday issued his ruling. In addition, Beach asserted Merryday did not have power to issue the ruling restricting him from sanctioning Dandar, because Beach was not a party to the Brennan wrongful death case, and Merryday lacked authority to restrict powers of a judge from outside his federal court jurisdiction. In response, Judge Merryday has scheduled a hearing for October 12 in federal court to hear state court judge Beach.
Martin Errorl Rice is an attorney in St. Petersburg, Florida who represented Beach in the motion before the US federal court. Rice stated his client's motivation in requesting the ruling by Judge Merryday be rescinded was to allow Beach to recuse from the Scientology case. Rice told the St. Petersburg Times that his client's conflict with the US federal court has "cast kind of a cloud" over Beach's position in the Scientology case.
constitutional law professor Michael Allen analyzed the clash between the US judge and Florida judge for The Tampa Tribune. Allen observed that it was "very, very rare" for a US federal judge to order a state judge. He noted that a 1793 federal law contravenes such orders – except in "extraordinarily narrow" cases where the federal judges are permitted to create rulings in order to safeguard the jurisdiction of their federal court proceedings. Article 2: Sharron angle kdwn debate infobox.JPG|thumb|Sharron Angle in 2010
An influential Nevada politician from the Republican Party has stated she opposes United States Senate|Senate in that state due to Angle's "extreme" stance against abortion, and will vote against the candidate in the upcoming general election in November. Sharron Angle is against abortion in all cases, including incidents of incest.
Lieutenant Governor of Nevada. She has served as a member of the Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic United States Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Sharron Angle was asked by the moderator Thursday in a debate with Reid if she would support any US federal tax revenue going towards funding for abortion; she responded with a curt, "No."
Angle's campaign did not respond to queries from the Associated Press about Wagner's statements. Sharron Angle has invited controversy in the past due to her views on. In an article about "Tea Party extremism" in Nevada, The Washington Post reported that Senator Harry Reid's first negative campaign advertisement about Angle criticized the candidate for, "... supporting a Scientology-backed prisoner rehabilitation program."
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Article 1: Over 1,700 women from more than 40 nations marched through , Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) yesterday, to protest sexual violence against their gender. The United Nations calls the nation the "rape capital of the world" and estimates 15,000 rapes were committed last year in the DRC. One local activist said "They the women have had enough, enough, enough, enough. Enough of the civil war, of the rape, of nobody paying attention to what's happening to them."
Both rebel groups and government troops are accused of rape, with march organisers hoping to draw international attention to rape as a weapon in war. Eastern Congo is worse affected, and aid groups have suggested the actual figure may be higher as victims are unlikely to come forward. The UN states mass rapes have occurred in the area for at least 15 years. Some rape victims left hospital to participate in the march.
The third "World March of Women" followed several days of talks aimed at changing the social acceptance of violence, especially against women, in the Congo. Peace and development were also on the agenda for women from nations including Togo, South Africa, Pakistan, and Brazil. Some men also joined the discussions.
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* Article 2: A jury in Northumbria Police's Police Constable Stephen Mitchell faced five counts of rape, six of misconduct in public office. He is guilty of two rapes, three indecent assaults and six counts of misconduct, with most of the sex charge convictions coming yesterday.
In all the case involved 16 women aged from 17 to 48, all of whom were arrested on drugs charges or shoplifting thefts between 1999 and 2006; the prosecution said Mitchell picked his victims based on vulnerability. The prosecution claimed Mitchell used blackmail to demand sex in exchange for favours; Mitchell described a conspiracy to frame him involving "...a very small-knit community in Newcastle city centre's criminal fraternity." Mitchell's defence dismissed the claims as driven by one woman motivated by "self-preservation;" he refused to explain this further in open court.
It was alleged he told one woman who wanted a female officer present when searched said "I am the law. I can do anything. I don't need a woman here," and later attacked her in his patrol car. The woman had been arrested for possession of drugs and was 37.
"Each victim was vulnerable, whether because of drug abuse, health problems, domestic circumstances or a combination of these factors. The defendant took advantage of their vulnerabilities, usually providing or offering favours, but then requesting, or in some cases requiring by force, sexual favours in return," was how prosecutor Paul Sloan QC explained the circumstances early in the trial.
Testimony in October included that of one lesbian, now 32, who in June 1999 was interviewed by the officer in Newcastle's Pilgrim Street police station, and claimed he groped her and "that was the beginning of hell for me". She told the court from behind a screen how he undid his trousers, saying that in arranging for her to be bailed he had helped her and he expected this reciprocated. "I was gay and had never had sex with a male," but she claimed she was grabbed by the hair and forced, with a warning her girlfriend would be contacted if she made allegations. She had been arrested for cheque fraud.
She said the next month she was arrested again and he made a similar demand. Her testimony stated that he blackmailed her for four years, receiving regular sex after driving her into the country, culminating in a 2003 handcuffed rape at her home. She told the court he gave her drug money, as well as a lighter and foil to take heroin, after discovering she was in rehab. She says she pretended to take the drug but disposed of it, leaving rehab and beginning to study in 2002 in the belief the man had been evaded.
However, "my world just crumbled before me" when he arrived at her door and stole her spare keys, she said. She claimed he regularly visited her house when she was away and once left a knife embedded in her pillow. She testified her fear made her sleep beneath her bed. Her testimony stated the policeman used what he said was video evidence of her committing fraud at a Post Office and in 2003 said he was going to hand the tape over.
She said when he arrived "he was furious, he said I had disrespected him by not being in touch. I was trying to calm him down but he handcuffed me and said he was arresting me for fraud at the post office. He threw me over the settee, I couldn’t move with the handcuffs on, I was petrified. He said this is what you’ve wanted for a long time and he raped me." She moved to shortly after.
Detective Constable Cath Easton of Northumbria Police's Professional Standards Unit said she visited one woman in June last year during the investigation. Although stating she had no problems with police treatment, Easton testified the woman called the following day. "She was crying, she was hysterical," Easton told the court.
"It took her a while to get her words out, but she was saying 'how do I know I can trust you? How do I know he has not sent you to test us?' She was frightened and she told us she was frightened. She was in a real state... She was absolutely terrified that he knew I had contacted her."
The alleged victim was assured the investigation was genuine and later called again, claiming Mitchell forced her to perform a sex act following the former heroin addict's arrest six years previously. Another woman told the court Mitchell raped her whilst in uniform in the woman's flat, hands cuffed behind her, and blackmailed her for years demanding sexual favours.
One woman, 25 at the time, said while in Newcastle's Pilgrim Street police station following her arrest for a minor offence she was grabbed and kissed by the policeman. "He put his hands on my shoulders and kissed me, it was a passionate kiss. The door was open and I was shocked, anyone could have walked past or seen him or anything." She told the court this occurred in the fingerprint room.
"After I was photographed he told me he was finishing his shift, which I took to be a hint," the witness, another former heroin addict who said she was drunk at the time, continued. "Then when I came out of the station PC Mitchell pulled up in a car and offered to take me home, it seemed the safest way of getting home was with a police officer." She had no complaint about him during the journey but said she resisted another kiss upon arrival at her house.
The woman, who says she has not used drugs for nine years, stated that he arrived at her house the following day and gave her a second lift. “He said he had a wife and kids but that he would like to see me again. Obviously it was never going to happen but he was saying he wanted some kind of relationship where he was seeing me on a regular basis, I would imagine for sex or something like that. He said we would have to be discreet because he had a wife but I was not interested and eventually he accepted my ‘no’."
She said he gave her money, suggested they get a private room and was "very persuasive". Her mother also gave evidence to say Mitchell had called her to discuss the daughter's drug-addict boyfriend. "You want to stop her going with him, he's trouble, he's a bad lad," she claimed Mitchell said, adding her daughter told her the officer "was pestering her, she said he wanted to take her out." The boyfriend also gave evidence, saying he had known the officer during former heroin addiction and giving a description of him.
One young mother met Mitchell when released from prison in 2001 after a theft sentence. Days later, he had given her heroin and felt she "owed him" according to testimony, receiving sex in return. She failed to attend Gateshead Magistrates' Court in December the following year and he arrested her, she told the court. She wept, claiming he raped her in his vehicle. "I could not get out of the car, the doors were locked," she told the trial.
"He said he wanted to have sex and that it would be the last time. I was shouting for him to let me out of the car, just screaming and shouting at him to let me go. He said if I told anybody, nobody would believe me because I was just a dirty junkie and I would never get my children back," she said, describing him telling her he would plant drugs at her home and prevent access to her children if she made claims against him.
In November a woman in her fifties, who has four children and was 48 during her alleged attack, testified Mitchell raped her in a room used for reading reports at Pilgrim Street following her July 2006 theft arrest. "No one's going to believe a thief," he is claimed to have told her. "I said if you just let me go I'm not going to say anything; I'm not going to tell anyone. No one will ever know this has happened. I just wanted to be away." She says she explained she was ill and taking cancer medication although "he did not seem bothered."
Outside the police station following the alleged attack, "...there was two young lasses coming along. I will always remember one had a red Berghaus coat on. They seemed to know PC Mitchell and he did not seem to know whether to stay with me or talk to them and I just walked straight across the road. I was in total shock. I got on the bus home and I was trying to keep from crying and I had a pain in my throat."
She said her life had been severely affected; "I was always thinking about it and crying for no reason. I just used to burst into tears for no reason and I’m not a crying person. I’m normally bubbly and happy and I really just let myself go. I never ever went with my partner again and from that day to this I have never slept with another man." She triggered the probe that resulted in Mitchell's prosecution by reporting him when, she says, he began arriving at her house.
She told Sloan she had not immediately contacted police because "I thought no-one would believe me. I was a shoplifter and he was a police officer. I still would never have been here to this day if he had not kept coming back to the house. If he had not done that it would have been a secret till the day I died."
Mitchell, who has been a policeman since leaving the military in 1991, stated in the dock this month that the women had discussed their "host of rumours" amongst themselves and they were similar for this reason. "I think it has been demonstrated that people have been talking about this on a number of occasions... I know these people are not always truthful." "But you are?" responded prosecution QC Paul Sloan. "Yes, these people will grab any opportunity they can," according to the officer. "They are lying," he later added.
In an attempt to disprove this defence the prosecution produced a sex tape in which Mitchell uses similar phrases to his partner as the women alleged he had said to them. "So it just so happens the words used are exactly the words you used in the video?" Sloan inquired. PC Mitchell desribed this as coincidence and rejected claims he had used such words to any of the women. He also said supplying heroin to one addict was far too risky for him; "I know police monitor drug dealers’ homes and it would be a massive risk to take my vehicle to the address of a drug dealer. I don't want people to be on drugs. If I could help them I would."
Mitchell, 42, divorced in 2005, admitted meeting a woman he had met on duty for sex in 2006, having admitted the same at an internal misconduct hearing in September 2007. He told the court that if interviewing woman it was in his interests as an officer to be friendly, but insisted this was all.
Defended by Toby Hedworth QC, Mitchell said his father's murder meant he could not possibly have committed one rape in Burdon, near Sunderland, on August 31, 2001 as he had returned to his original home city of Glasgow following his father's murder. He was accused of raping the woman in a parked car in a field.
"Have you ever been with her in the fields in the Burdon area of Sunderland?" asked Hedworth. "No, I haven’t. My dad was attacked on July 30, 2001 by somebody and subsequently died on August 10, 2001." Hedworth: "Had your father in fact been murdered?" Mitchell: "Yes. And from the 9th to the 16th of August I was in Glasgow," he explained. Hedworth took him through denials of every charge, which he said there was "no truth whatsoever" in.
The defence also produced a recording secretly recorded by Mitchell with Detective Chief Inspector Chris Sharman, who headed the rape investigation. Hedworth told the court Mitchell is warned on the tape, made in March, that if he is charged he would "probably be front page of the national newspapers and they are horrible" but the team would "stop digging" if he stepped down.
Hedworth likened the offer to a Monopoly "get out of jail free card" and claimed despite a warning his client was "running the risk of going to jail and going on the sex offender register", Mitchell chose to fight the allegations - a fact which demonstrated innocence. "What it means is: ‘Resign and this will go away’." The prosecution denied Northumbria Police were seeking to offer their colleague an alternative to investigation, stating the allegation - made during Hedworth's closing speech - was untrue and the recording did not indicate an offer to drop the probe.
The jury began deliberations on Wednesday. After three days, on Friday they cleared Mitchell of three rapes, two indecent assaults and two counts of misconduct in a public office. Following this, trial judge Mr Justice Wilkie said he would accept majority verdicts on the remaining charges, instead of unanimous verdicts. The jury departed for the weekend, returning on Tuesday to convict him of six misconduct charges and clear him of the same number; another indecent assault charge also produced an acquital.
Yesterday, the verdicts were delivered on the remaining charges. The remaining seven misconduct charges were acquitals, as did the other indecent assaults. Two charges of rape and three of indecent assault produced guilty verdicts.
At least one of the misconduct charges he was convicted of was unrelated to indecent assault or rape; it concerned a drug-addicted woman caught with non-prescriped (valium) when her friend was arrested for shoplifting in 2003. Her testimony was that he stroked her leg and tried to kiss her in Pilgrim Street, returned the drugs upon her release, obtained her number and met her several times to give her drugs. She says although he asked to go at night to a hotel she refused, and ultimately she began ignoring his calls while he ceased supplying drugs.
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Article 1: Toyota Motor Corporation, the Japanese automobile maker, posted an overall 8.7% drop in sales in the United States for last month. This comes after recent safety recalls of its vehicles, as well as congressional investigations over Toyota's safety standards.
The model that had the highest drop in sales was the Camry sedan, with a 20% decline, figures released yesterday indicate.
Toyota sold a total 100,027 vehicles in the US in February, a number somewhat higher than what economic analysts predicted; they estimated a decline of ten percent.
Bob Carter, the vice president of the group's Toyota division, commented on the figures. "I'm surprised that we sold as many vehicles as we did," he said in a conference call, as quoted by Ninemsn. "We did see a drop in our first-time Toyota buyers. But we haven't seen any major outflows of Toyota buyers to other brands."
"Clearly we have some work to do. We stubbed our toe in terms of our image. There's nothing I can come up with in terms of an incentive program to make that go away. It's something we're going to work on with all consumers," the vice president added. Toyota said it would have zero per cent financing for most of its models, as well as free scheduled maintenance.
"In March, we’ll be getting back to the business of sales," said Carter.
Meanwhile, Toyota stock increased by 2.3% at the Tokyo stock exchange to 3,390 yen in morning trading. Article 2: Interstate 65 road sign
At least eleven people have died in a crash between a van and a tractor-trailer on Interstate 65 south of Munfordville, Kentucky. The collision occurred around 5:16 a.m. CDT (1016 UTC) yesterday morning near the 63-mile marker.
According to officials the tractor-trailer crossed the median and struck the 18 passenger van head-on. The truck then hit a rock wall and burst into flames. The driver of the truck is reported to have died along with ten passengers in the van. The family in the van were Mennonites from Kentucky on their way to a wedding in Iowa.
Officials said that one infant was killed but two other children in the van aged four and five that were in child restraint seats survived with minor injuries. Northbound Interstate 65 was to be closed until at least 4 p.m. CDT (2100 UTC) according to the Kentucky Department of Transportation.
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Article 1: Dominican Republic earthquake location.
USGS reported that an earthquake struck the Dominican Republic region with a magnitude of 8.0. It was registered on last Friday at 01:38:55 a.m. (05:38:55 UTC) at the epicenter, which was located 102 km from Higüey, La Altagracia, Dominican Republic. However, it was later reported as a magnitude 3.4 earthquake by the Puerto Rico Seismic Network. The report caught the attention of the news media until the USGS reported it was 3.2.
The depth of the aftershock was located , and no damage or injuries were reported. It has been reported as a Haiti aftershock.
The Haiti earthquake reached magnitude 7.0 Mw, with an epicentre near the town of Léogâne, almost west of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. More than 100 aftershocks have been registered since that earthquake. The United Nations reported that the earthquake has caused more than 225,000 deaths, a number which is expected to rise.
Another earthquake of magnitude 5.3 hit the Kermadec Islands region. The epicenter was located 1,138 kilometers from Nuku'alofa, Tonga and had a depth of . It took place at 13:35:34 (01:35:34 UTC) at the epicenter. No tsunami warnings have been issued by NOAA for this earthquake.
A Japan earthquake took place in the Ryukyu Islands at 11:19:58 at epicenter (02:19:58 UTC). It reached a magnitude of 5.1, had a depth of 35 kilometers and the epicenter was located 80 kilometers from Naha, Okinawa. Article 2: Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard.JPG|250px|thumb|left|Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia, and Julia Gillard, current Prime Minister, at a press conference.
In the wake of a special Kirribilli House, that allegedly occurred the night before the special caucus vote and Gillard's apparent breaking of the agreement.
During the question portion of Gillard's recent address to The National Press Club, veteran journalist asked if a deal had been made between Rudd and Gillard during the negotiations in the PM suite prior to the announcement of the leadership spill.
"Can I ask you is it true that Mr Rudd told you that night that he was working towards an October election," asked Oakes.
"Is it true that Mr Rudd indicated to you that if closer to the election polling showed that he as an impediment to the reelection of the government and that if that leading Labor figures ... agreed he would voluntarily stand aside."
Claims were further made that Rudd then contacted his supporters to inform them of what he thought was a deal, while Gillard did the same. However, in that time Gillard learned that she had gained the numbers in the caucus to challenge Rudd, and proceeded to tell him that she would indeed be challenging his position.
Gillard refused to answer to the claims stating out of respect she would not speak publicly about the events of that night.
"It's not my intention to canvass any of the matters that were discussed in that room." She went on to say, "I intend to respect that confidence for the rest of my life."
If the claims were to be true, the only other notable time where an event such as this occurred was in 1989 where former Prime Minister, Paul Keating for the 1990 election. This never happened and a similar caucus vote took place.
A spokesperson for Kevin Rudd, said he had no comment to make regarding the claims.
category:Politics and conflicts
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Article 1: File photo of Keith Allison
NBA small forward Miami Heat," after spending six years as the star player for the NBA teams tried to lure the free agent to their rosters. LeBron had met with representatives from the Cavaliers, Heat, Article 2: Wikinews has obtained new details from police investigating the murder of a convicted sex offender in his prison cell. 44-year-old Robert Coello was, apparently, kicked to death in his cell at Her Majesty's Prison (HMP) Grendon, , England.
File photo of HMP Grendon.
Prison staff found Coello lying in a pool of blood on the first of this month; he was rushed to hospital, but died later that day. He was serving a minimum sentence of seven years for sixteen sex offences against a child, including four rapes. The death is thought to be the first in the history of Grendon, a prison that was set up in 1962 as a therapeutic experiment. It is generally held to be one of Britain's safest, responsible for holding and treating up to 235 inmates with antisocial personality disorders. Prisoners at the facility must show a "genuine desire" to change their ways.
Immediately after the murder, concern was raised that budget cuts may have played a factor. Colin Moses, chairman of the Prison Officers' Association, was quoted as saying "...staff there Grendon are concerned about the kind of people who are now being put into Grendon. They are taking a much more unsuitable kind of prisoner." Calling for an investigation, he said; "we don't want any kind of shoddy cover-up. We want to know what effect these massive budget cuts will have so we do not have a similar tragedy again."
The prison service denied any problems at the time, stating "there has been no change to the type of prisoner held there in recent months, and no change to the vetting process." Wikinews tried to identify if two men arrested within days of the attack – a 25-year-old for murder and a 28-year-old for assisting an offender – arrived at the prison recently, and if they remained there; Ministry of Justice (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Justice.
Police also said they could not release the names, or convictions, of the men arrested. Spokesman Pierre du Bois, citing Crown Prosecution Service has yet to press charges.
The Telegraph reports it is believed one of the men arrested for murder is serving a sentence for a prior murder conviction.
A post-mortem has been performed, Wikinews has learned, but the police are not commenting on the results pending the written report from the pathologist who conducted it. Whilst the method by which the suspects gained access to the deceased's cell remains under investigation, police are not investigating if prison officers assisted inmates in gaining access to Mr Coello, stating that "the authorities at HMP Grendon are co-operating fully with our investigation." An attempt to identify what activities were occurring in the prison at the time was referred to the Ministry of Justice.
In response to further enquiries, du Bois said today, "we just don't know," when police will receive the written post mortem report from the pathologist, adding, "in the meantime our enquiries continue and both the subjects are in prison after all, which makes things easier."
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Article 1: Presidents Barack Obama and Dmitry Medvedev sign the New START Treaty during a ceremony at Prague Castle, in the Czech capital.
U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev have signed a treaty to reduce their countries' nuclear stockpiles by 25 to 30 percent over seven years.
In the Spanish Hall, an ornate chamber within the Czech capital's , the two countries, which own more than 90 percent of the world's nuclear weapons, agreed to downsize their arsenals.
Presidents Obama and Medvedev sat in front of U.S. and Russian flags and signed their countries' first major nuclear arms reduction accord in almost two decades.
The new ten-year pact, which is called the "", requires the U.S. and Russia to cut their inventory of nuclear warheads to about 1,500 each in the next seven years. Both countries are estimated to have well over 2,000 warheads now.
The agreement also slashes by more than half the number of missiles, submarines and bombers that carry the weapons.
The pact replaces the 1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START I), which was signed by U.S. President Mikhail Gorbachev in the final days of the START II treaty and the 2002 Moscow Treaty also known as SORT.
Obama said the treaty is a big step forward for world security. "Today is an important milestone for nuclear security and nonproliferation and for U.S.-Russia relations," he said.
Medvedev said because of this treaty, the entire world community has won. The Russian leader said the year-long negotiations were tough, but hard work on both sides brought success.
"That enabled us to do something that just a couple of months ago looked like 'mission impossible.' Within a short span of time we prepared a full-fledged treaty and signed it," he said.
Obama says, in addition, that the treaty paves the way for future arms reduction talks with Russia, mainly on short-range nuclear weapons. "This treaty will set the stage for further cuts, and going forward, we hope to pursue further discussions with Russia on reducing both our strategic and tactical weapons, including non-deployed weapons," he said.
Tom Collina, research director at the Arms Control Association, says the new treaty is significant in reducing the threat from U.S. and Russian nuclear weapons, but more significant because it could lead to further cuts.
"We think we can even go to deeper reductions, and we hope they sign a new treaty after this one relatively soon. But this treaty is a great step forward, it is very important, and it puts U.S. and Russian arms control back on a firm footing, and, again, sets us up for deeper cuts," he said.
The signing of the "New START" treaty is one of several arms control developments taking place in several weeks.
Earlier in the week, President Obama announced a major shift in U.S. nuclear policy. He said for the first time that preventing nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism is at the top of the U.S. nuclear agenda. The threat of destruction by Russian warheads is now considered a secondary menace.
Under Obama's nuclear posture review, the U.S. pledges not to use nuclear weapons on non-nuclear countries that abide by their nonproliferation obligations.
Ronald Reagan, says the president's nuclear posture review is based on a false and dangerous premise. "The idea that he can, by reducing America's nuclear arsenal, contribute to the universal abandonment of nuclear weaponry. It will not happen. It will not happen on his watch. It will not happen ever," he said.
Obama also plans to hold a conference on nuclear security next week in Washington, D.C..
In their hour-and-a-half meeting before the ceremony, President Obama urged Medvedev to support new U.N. sanctions against Iran for its refusal to stop enriching uranium. The Russian leader said the issue is not whether to impose sanctions, but what kind of sanctions.
"Smart sanctions should be able to motivate certain parties to behave properly, and I am confident that our teams that will be engaged in consultations will continue discussing this issue," he said.
Obama said, "We are working together at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty|NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty)." He added, "My expectation is that we are going to be able to secure strong, tough sanctions on Iran this spring."
The nuclear treaty is almost certain to be approved in the Sergei Lavrov has said Russia reserves the right to drop out of the pact if it believes U.S. missile defense plans for Europe threaten its security.
Many experts agree passage in the Republican Party (United States)|Republican votes. Republicans in the Senate have expressed concerns that too many restrictions have been placed on America's nuclear arsenal.
However, Obama is confident the treaty will be ratified when asked during a press conference following the signing. Obama stated, "And so I'm actually quite confident that Democrats and Republicans in the United States Senate, having reviewed this, will see that the United States has preserved its core national security interests, that it is maintaining a safe and secure and effective nuclear deterrent, but that we are beginning to once again move forward, leaving the Cold War behind, to address new challenges in new ways."
Obama also noted, "That both in Russia and the United States, it’s going to be posed on the Internet, appropriate to a 21st century treaty. And so people not only within government but also the general public will be able to review, in an open and transparent fashion, what it is that we’ve agreed to." Copies of the treaty and it's protocol have been posted on the State Department's website. Article 2: The Pakistan Navy has announced the firing of test missiles from ships, submarines, and aircraft during operations in the Arabian Sea.
Pakistani officials said that the tests were a display of commitment to the protection of Pakistan and sent "a message of deterrence to anyone harbouring nefarious designs against Pakistan". The statement, released shortly after the operation, also said that the tests were designed to measure the "lethality, precision and efficacy" of the weapons.
Pakistan's Naval Chief, Admiral Noman Bashir, was a witness to the event, and said that he was pleased with the tests, saying that he was satisfied with the state of the Pakistani Navy. He also commended the performance of the Navy personnel involved with the tests.
The maneuvers included tests of newly acquired missiles of a Chinese design, and came just a month after India tested a missile of similar design to some of the Pakistani weapons. India's test involved a missile capable of carrying nuclear weapons, although it was unclear if Pakistan's test included weapons capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.
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Article 1: File photo of Nelson Mandela, whose great-granddaughter just died in a car crash
The great-granddaughter of former South Africa President Nelson Mandela has died in a car crash following a concert to open the World Cup.
The Nelson Mandela Foundation released a statement which said that thirteen-year-old Zenani Mandela, who celebrated her birthday on June 9, died in a single vehicle accident and that no one else was injured. The statement continued: "The family has asked for privacy as they mourn this tragedy."
The driver of the vehicle of which Zenani Mandela was a passenger has been arrested and charged with drunk driving. He may also face culpable homicide charges, according to police.
South Africa has a poor road safety record and ranks ninth in the world for traffic fatalities. Traffic safety is feared to be a threat of injury to supporters to the World Cup. Article 2: Logo of Skilled Healthcare A California jury in a Humboldt County courthouse ordered nursing home operator Skilled Healthcare (SH) to pay $671 million (about €531 million) in a lawsuit from patients of SH's 22 California facilities and their families. The jury found that SH failed to properly staff its facilities to comply with California state law.
The jury has not heard the case for statutory damages. The remaining $58 million (about €46 million) was in .
After the verdict was issued, Skilled Healthcare stocks plunged over 75% to a record low.
An official statement from SH says it "strongly disagrees" with the jury's verdict. SH plans on filing an appeal to the decision. The company could possibly face bankruptcy because of this verdict.
One of the lawyers for the nearly 32,000 plaintiffs, Timothy Needham, claimed that inadequate staffing levels put SH's patients at risk. He said, "The company knows that this lack of staffing causes a higher risk of problems for patients. Call lights don't get answered, persons don't get proper hygiene, persons don't get their medications on time or the care they need."
This lawsuit does not apply to SH's facilities in Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, and Texas.
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Article 1: Beckham during his time as England captain
British footballer FIFA women's Under 17s World Cup final and to launch a football festival for children. The stars arrival is also speculated to help England's bid for the .
Beckham's safety has come into question while he is visiting the island. Trinidad and Tobago have one of the highest murder and kidnap rates in the world. Beckham, who is reported to have a 125m fortune, could be a high target for a ransom kidnap. Upon his arrival, there were a numerous amount of police on scene as well as Beckham's own personal security team.
Along with Sepp Blatter, Beckham watched the women's Under 17s World Cup final which saw South Korea defeat Japan to win the cup. The football festival he will host on Monday has gained criticism from officals. The host of the festival is the Marvin Lee Stadium; Lee was the captain of the Landon Donovan, a current teammate of Beckham.
Critism was also brought up over the choice of Beckham to host the festival. Trinidadian footballer Brian Lara. newspaper said "If we are talking about inspiring youths, then why do we have to turn to Beckham when we already have someone from here who has achieved everything in the game." Article 2: At least three hundred students gathered outside the gates of Cardiff University.
Mass-walkouts took place today in cities throughout the United Kingdom, as students campaigned against rising tuition fees and government cuts.
Protests took place for the second time in as many weeks in places such as Aberystwyth, Cambridge, Southampton, Liverpool, and Brighton. Events included a 'study-in' at the Edinburgh Liberal Democrat headquarters, a 10am protest in attended by thousands, and a 'dress in red' march in Manchester.
In Cardiff, at least a hundred students rallied outside the main gates of National Union of Students executive committee. Occupations of university buildings have also begun in Birmingham, Plymouth, and the Royal Holloway.
In London, students are infuriated by what they say is 's decision to ban anti-cut related meetings from their campus earlier this month. One student described it as "undemocratic and scandalous" as, according to the students, they were forced out of their booked room by security guards, and prevented from partaking on any on-campus meetings -- but South Bank University maintains that it was a "misunderstanding" due to a double-booked room. Dr. Phil Cardew, Pro Vice-Chancellor of LSBU, maintained that "freedom of speech lies at the very heart of the higher education community whether it is academic, political or social debate", and that "the students were encouraged to continue their discussions in the Students Union".
A police van was vandalised in Trafalgar Square.
Not all the demonstrations were peaceful. Central London saw two officers injured as the police attempted to hold back the protesters, a police van attacked and vandalised, and three arrests were made. Police, keen to make sure that the 30 Millbank occupation was not repeated, were out in force, clashing with students in Cambridge, where two arrests were made, and protesters of up to a thousand, according to protest organisers, as dusk approached.
The group that organised the protests, the "National Campaign Against Fees And Cuts" (NCAFAC), told students in the run-up to the protests to not "be afraid of blocking traffic if you have enough people". On their blog, they stated that "they would like to see university students planning to march around their campus, bursting into lecture theatres and spreading the word", a move that would breach many University codes of conduct. When contacted by Wikinews, the group did not respond to requests for clarification.
Universities are facing more than £900m ($1.4bn) cuts in the next three years. This protest comes as, earlier this month, 50,000 students and lecturers took to the streets in a National Union of Students organised rally, which culminated in the violent occupation of the Conservative Party campaign headquarters at 30 Millbank. In Westminster, a student suspected of throwing a fire extinguisher off the headquarters' roof pleaded guilty in court today, under the charge of violent disorder, and will appear in Southwark Crown Court at a later date for sentencing, the maximum of which is five years imprisonment. Some protesters involved in the 30 Millbank occupation led an 'energising meeting' in Cardiff yesterday, prior to today's demonstration.
Many students do not understand the reasoning behind the cuts. The Trotskyist student group, Cardiff University Socialist Students, wonder why, compared to the "£120 billion the government throws away every year on evaded, avoided and uncollected taxes", the "few billion" required to pay tuition fees is "tiny". The group also advocates cutting the Trident nuclear deterrent in order to pay for fees, and wonder why the vice-chancellor of the university was awarded a 4% pay rise (to £275k p.a.) compared to last year, whilst during the economic recession.
Last week, three hundred sixth-formers marched in Finchley, Margaret Thatcher's old constituency, throwing shirts at the local Tory headquarters, echoing the phrase "They ripped the shirts of our backs". Lower income college students are hit badly by the budget cuts, as plans to abolish Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA), the up-to £30 a week subsidy for 16-19 year-old full-time students with household incomes of £30,810 or less.
The protests were primarily organised on the popular social networking site, Facebook. One Facebook user said earlier this week that the protests were "a perfect opportunity for students to show how disappointed we are with Nick Clegg", who was advised by security officers earlier to desist from cycling from his home in Putney to Downing Street over fears that he could be pounced upon by angry students en route.
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Article 1: An Anglican bishop in Nigeria was abducted by armed men earlier today, according to officials.
The incident occurred in Benin City, located in Edo state, where Reverend Peter Imasue was reportedly ambushed on his way home from a church. Official reports say that kidnappers trailed Imasue from Matthew Cathedral to his home, then forced their way into the premises of the residence, and locked the gateman in his security outpost. Imasue was then dragged into a vehicle. It was not immediately known where he was taken.
Samuel Salifu, the secretary general for the Christian Association of Nigeria, commented to the Agence France-Presse news agency that "we were told he was kidnapped yesterday. We are trying to establish what exactly happened but we understand the kidnappers are asking for 15 million naira about US$100,000."
The abduction comes amidst recent tensions between Muslims and Christians in the country, which saw fierce clashes a week ago and five hundred people dead, mainly in the city of Jos. Article 2: US officials have announced new security policies for all international flights bound for the US. The move will replace the mandatory screening of passengers from fourteen countries, implemented after the failed bombing of a flight to Detroit, Michigan last Christmas by a Nigerian man. The change comes after President Barack Obama ordered a review into the matter.
The move is intended to lower the amount of air travellers taken for extra screening, and will be based on information obtained from intelligence agencies, such as if they match a description given by officials. Formerly, additional security were done based on one's passport or nationality.
US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano commented that the plan will "utilize real-time, threat-based intelligence along with multiple, random layers of security, both seen and unseen, to more effectively mitigate evolving terrorist threats. ... Of course, after the events of December 25, I think it reminded everyone that aviation remains a target of Al-Qaeda and how important it is going to be for us to work in a variety of ways to keep improving aviation security."
"It's much more tailored to what the intelligence is telling us, what the threat is telling us, as opposed to stopping all individuals of a particular nationality or all individuals using a particular passport," commented a senior administration official who wished to remain anonymous to media. He added that the former measures were a "blunt-force instrument".
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Article 1: The Municipality of Peralillo after the Chile earthquakes.
More than 50 musicians held a concert for and donated school tools to schoolboys at Peralillo, Chile The Víctor Jara High School and the Violeta Parra School were both affected by the 2010 Chile earthquakes.
Peralillo is part of the O'Higgins Region and is located around 10 kilometers from Santa Cruz along the road to Pichilemu. It has almost 10,000 inhabitants, most of whom work in agriculture. The Víctor Jara High School and the Violeta Parra School were severely damaged by the earthquakes. The musicians gave the students musical instruments and school tools such as pencils, erasers, and rulers in addition to books for their school libraries.
Some of the artists that went to Peralillo include Juanita Parra (drummer of Los Jaivas), José Seves (Inti-Illimani), Cecilia Echenique, Alexis Venegas, Denisse (Aguaturbia) and K-Reena. Two hip-hop bands, Zaturno, and Juana Fé, performed in the centre of Peralillo on Friday morning. Article 2: Traralgon in their round six Gippsland Football League clash by four goals at the Traralgon Recreation Reserve. As a result, Traralgon sit second on the ladder on percentage.
Maffra (white shorts) now sit atop the GL ladder on percentage
Leongatha trailed by ten points at quarter time with Traralgon leading four goals and four behinds, twenty eight (4-4 (28)) to two goals and six behinds, eighteen (2-6 (18)). Their second quarter tally of ten bahinds was the difference at half time as they lead 5-16 (46) to 5-6 (36).
More inaccurate kicking in the third quarter kept Traralgon in the game as Leongatha took what was effectively a two goal lead into the final break. They lead 8-21 (69) to 8-9 (57).
Leongatha straightened up in the last quarter kicking 5-3 (33) to 3-3 (21) for the quarter. Final scores - Leongatha 13-24 (102) defeated Traralgon 11-12 (78).
The Gippsland Football League (officially Gippsland League, GL) is the only major Australian rules football competition in the Victorian Country Football League.
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Article 1: At least thirteen people were killed by armed herdsmen in Nigeria yesterday, in a village near the city of Jos, reports say.
According to witnesses, the herdsmen, who were disguised as soldiers, attacked the village of Byei, south of Jos, at dawn. Media reports say that most of the dead were women and children.
"I can confirm that thirteen people have died while six others have been critically injured," commented state information commissioner Gregory Yenlong.
A correspondent for the Al Jazeera news agency said that the military was preparing a statement about the attack, and probably will deny any involvement in it.
Violence in and around Jos, mainly between Christians and Muslims has recurred frequently in recent times, and has claimed several thousand lives. Last week 200 people were killed after clashes in villages near the city, while in January, another 300 people died in similar unrest. The violence has been blamed partially to competition for fertile land between Muslims in the north, and Christian and animist groups from the south.
According to reports, many of the victims had deep wounds from machetes, and some were burned; at least three huts were torched in the violence as well. Article 2: Stephen Elop in 2008
The Finnish communications corporation Nokia announced that its Head will change on September 21. The previous chief executive Stephen Elop will take the position. It is the first time a non-Finn becomes Nokia president and chief executive.
The change follows Nokia's fall in world markets. It includes a decrease in Nokia's American market share to less than ten percent after failed negotiations with a number of leading American phone providers. An analyst at a market analyst company Canalys, Pete Cunningham, said, "Despite holding 38 percent market share of the smartphone market, Nokia’s failure to compete with the Android (operating system)|Android devices, combined with its lack of progress in gaining significant traction in the United States, has led to press and investor dissatisfaction."
Some commenters suggested that Nokia chose Mr. Elop partly because he is a Canadian, following criticism of American candidates by the Finnish press. However a Nokia spokesman rejected this, saying, "Nationality was not a selection criteria."
Stephen Elop was president and CEO of the graphics and web-development software house prior to its acquisition by Adobe in 2005. He then joined Microsoft as President of Microsoft's Business Division in January, 2008. Commenting on his new role he said, "Nokia has a unique global position as well as a great brand upon which we can build. The Nokia slogan clearly states our key mission: Connecting People, which will acquire new dimensions as we build our portfolio of products, solutions and services."
In the announcement the Chairman of the Nokia Board of Directors stressed an expected shift of focus from hardware to software. "His strong software background and proven record in change management will be valuable assets as we press harder to complete the transformation of the company. We believe that Stephen will be able to drive both innovation and efficient execution of the company strategy in order to deliver increased value to our shareholders".
Nokia stated in an official blog post, "Nokia is transitioning from a hardware manufacturer of mobile devices to a software and solutions business. ...Stephen’s background in the software industry is one of his key strengths."
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Article 1: The logo for Super Bowl XLIV
In the National Football League, the New Orleans Saints defeated the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17, to win Super Bowl XLIV.
Class of 2010 Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith did the coin toss. The Saints won toss and elected to receive. It was the thirteenth straight time that the NFC won the Super Bowl coin toss. The Saints got the ball first inside the 25, and went three and out. The Colts' first play was a first down pass to Dallas Clark. The first penalty comes with 8:36 left in first quarter, a false start on the Colts. Their third 3rd down of the drive failed, and kicker Matt Stover's 38 yard field goal was good, giving the Colts the first score of the game, 3-0.
Courtney Roby fumbled the kick return, but the Saints recovered it. Drew Brees threw a complete pass to Reggie Bush on third down for their first 1st down of the game. The Saints only got to midfield, and after nearly being picked off the Saints punted. The punt landed at the four yard line, where the Colts started their next drive. The Colts mixed run and pass plays, including several third down conversions, and made it all the way to the end zone, where Pierre Garcon caught a nineteen-yard pass on third down for the first touchdown of the game, making the score 10-0 Colts. The 96-yard drive tied the longest drive in Super Bowl history. Another kickoff return by the Saints ended inside the 25 as the first quarter ended.
The Saints move the ball down inside the Colts’ 30 yard line when, on third down, Dwight Freeney sacked Brees. After the sack on third down, kicker Garrett Hartley kicks a 46 yard field goal making the score Colts 10, Saints 3. The Colts get the ball returned to around the 20 yard line, but went three and out. Bush fair catches the punt inside the 30 yard line. Using mainly passing plays, the Saints moved down the field all the way to the 22 until a reverse play ended up as a seven yard loss. The next play, a pass to Marques Colston, however, was a 27 yard gain down to the three yard line.
After the two minute warning, the Saints had 20 plays in the quarter to the Colts' three. They were stopped short on third down. On 4th and goal on the one yard line, the Saints went for it and Pierre Thomas was stopped short after being tackled by Gary Brackett. The Colts get the ball on the one, but are stopped short on 3rd down, and had to punt after going three and out with under a minute left. Bush returned the punt to around midfield. Another field goal by Hartley was good as the score became 10-6 at halftime.
After the halftime show featuring The Who, the Colts were to get the ball to start the second half. The Saints attempted an onside kick which, after both teams crowded around the pile, the refs ruled that the Saints got the ball. After moving down the field, a 15-yard touchdown run by Pierre Thomas, thanks to breaking several tackles, gave the Saints a 13-10 lead. The Colts got the ball back on the kickoff return on the 24 yard line. After driving down the field, the Colts finished the drive with a five yard touchdown run by Joseph Addai, giving the Colts the lead, 17-13. The Saints got the ball back and moved across midfield with five minutes left in the third quarter. Several plays later, the Saints kicked another 40+ yard field goal, this one at 47 yards, moving the Saints to within one at 17-16. Hartley became the first kicker to kick three field goals for 40 or more yards in a Super Bowl. The Colts got the ball back around the 11 yard line and began running the ball, bringing the ball to the 29 yard line as time expired, ending the third quarter.
As the fourth quarter began, the Colts moved to around midfield and were faced with a 4th and 2. They went for it, and converted on a completion to Reggie Wayne. A second third down conversion failed, and the field goal by Matt Stover was no good, keeping the score at 17-16. The Saints continued utilizing their passing game, moving down inside the 10. After a run by Thomas, Brees completed a two yard pass to Jeremy Shockey for the touchdown. The Saints went for the two point conversion and failed on an incomplete pass by Lance Moore, making the score 22-17 with 5:42 left. The Saints challenged the play, stating he had possession in the end zone, though he did lose control as he rolled in the end zone. The play was overturned and the challenge successful, making the score 24-17 in favor of the Saints.
Starting on the 30 yard line, the Colts moved to midfield through the air. A few plays later, Manning threw an interception to Tracy Porter, who returned the ball 74 yards for a touchdown, moving the Saints ahead by two touchdowns, 31-17. With less than three minutes left, the Colts had to reach the end zone twice to keep it tied. A long pass to bring it to the two minute warning was completed to Austin Collie, who nearly fumbled it. The Colts moved to inside the five yard line, but a pass interference penalty led to a ten yard loss. A pass to Addai moved them back to where they were. They were stopped on third down, and turned the ball over on downs after an incomplete pass on fourth down. Brees took a knee to run out the clock, ending the game.
fr:Super Bowl XLIV : victoire des Saints de la Nouvelle-Orléans Article 2: File photo of Tony Stewart
Auto Club Speedway, the race track where the race was held.
Tony Stewart, who qualified twenty-second, won the 2010 Pepsi Max 400 held on October 10, 2010 at Fontana, California|Fontana, California, United States. This became his second win of the season.
Stewart was chased by Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Pole position winner had a couple problems earlier in the race, which prompted him to a seventeenth place finish.
Richard Petty Motorsports team, clinched the fourth position, after leading no laps during the race. Mark Martin could only manage sixth.
Denny Hamlin, Davis Reutimann rounded out the top ten finishers in the race. Other drivers in the Chase, such as Greg Biffle finished in forty-first.
Johnson maintained the Drivers' championship lead with 5,673 points, thirty-six points ahead of Denny Hamlin. Manufacturers' сhampionship standings is lead by Chevrolet with 221, 42 points ahead of Toyota and 80 ahead of Ford. Once the race concluded, Stewart commented, "We're doing everything we can do. We're going to need some help, but we're doing everything we can do. I'm proud of these guys, and just so thankful ... they refuse to give up, they refuse to back down. We'll just keep doing what we're doing here."
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Article 1: Wikinews interviewed author Nancy Many about her book My Billion Year Contract, and asked her about life working in the elite Scientology group known as the "Sea Org". Many joined Scientology in the early 1970s, and after leaving in 1996 she later testified against the organization. Published in October, Many's book has gone on to become one of the top selling new books on Scientology at Amazon.com.
She moved to Scientology's base of operations in Clearwater, Florida, and rose to a high-ranking position within the organization. Many describes how she recruited others into the organization, and sold Scientology products to celebrities. She participated in intelligence operations as a spy working for a secret unit within Scientology, and she writes that she covertly became part of the mental-health-care community in Boston, Massachusetts.
Many recounts how Scientology executives decided to remove her from her leadership position within the organization. As laid out in the book, she was instructed to reside in a parking garage, remove herself from family, and perform hard labor. Her account highlights she was ordered to perform these tasks by Scientology officials whilst five-months pregnant. These experiences led her to later have a mental breakdown and eventually leave Scientology.
My Billion Year Contract was first published in October. Since then it has risen to the second spot among recent best selling books about Scientology on the website Amazon.com – the number one spot is held by Marc Headley's book, Blown for Good.
Catholic Online associate editor and former Archbishop of the Charismatic Episcopal Church, Randy Sly, compared My Billion Year Contract to other insider accounts by former Scientologists, including Headley's and that of Monica Pignotti. "Their books and essays, along with many others, have publicly called into question a number of Scientology beliefs, claims and practices over many years," wrote Sly.
In an article this month about the book for The Boston Phoenix, Chris Faraone wrote, "even if just some of her trials really happened ... her new memoir might still be the most shocking nonfiction work featured at this week's American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Boston." Faraone commented, "My Billion Year Contract is a horror story."
'Nancy Many': I was a college student, just starting out in the early 70’s. It was a time of turmoil, Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, The deaths of JFK, MLK and Bobby Kennedy were still close to our time period. Viet Nam was polarizing the nation and dividing families. Woodstock had happened a few years before. The culture held no real anchors – it seemed everyone was experimenting. The progam to become a counselor at my college was losing it’s funding, I had just broken up with a long term boyfriend, and every one I knew was either into drugs or Alcohol. Never big on alcohol I was growing tired of the drugs.
' When you first started getting involved in Scientology, what attracted you to it?
'NM': That they were going to make the world a better place, that they did not do drugs and lived a communal lifestyle.
Aida Thomas talks with Nancy Many in a separate interview (October 2009)
' What positive aspects did you gain from your experiences in Scientology? What benefits does Scientology have to offer people who take its courses?
'NM': I gained more self confidence, I gained an ability to work in sales. In the first course I gained the ability to quiet my mind and to just exist in the universe. I think these same benefits are there today for new people, but do I think they are worth the Price Charged, or Years of one’s life given --- No I do not. Last I checked to do all of Scientology, and make it to the top of the bridge – Operating Thetan 8, it would cost approximately $250,000. In the old days you could sign a contract for up to a Billion Years and get those services at no cost, but to my knowledge that is not the type of counseling staff are getting now. And if you did leave before your particular contract was over, you will receive what is called a “FreeLoader Bill”, a total of all the services that you received in exchange for your working for them. The current and past food and pay situation for staff members is below the illegal workers in this country.
' If you desired something that Scientology offered - and felt you gain positively from some of your experiences while inside the organization - have you sought out and found such values elsewhere, for example, spirituality or another form of a religious belief system?
'NM': After I left Scientology I did make a list of all the courses, things I learned, personal abilities I had and what I liked from it. Over the years I have been able to find much of what I liked in other philosophies written years ago by different authors. L. Ron Hubbard originally acknowledged all those learned men in the beginning of the book Science of Survival, but over the years that list has dwindled, until now it seems that L. Ron Hubbard invented all this material. What I will give him credit for is that he put it in simple, modern day English, so it was easier to grasp, but of my list of things I have found useful, I was able to find them elsewhere, and for a much less expensive price.
' You speak in the book about the psychology term cognitive dissonance, which you describe as "the feeling of uncomfortable tension, which comes from holding two conflicting thoughts at the same time. This can cause an individual to fight within their minds to somehow make it make sense." (p. 54) Do you still experience cognitive dissonance when reflecting on your experiences in Scientology? Why and how so?
'NM': I no longer experience Cognitive Dissonance when reflecting on my experiences in Scientology. I have done further study of it and find it to be a common human ailment.
"Cognitive Dissonance is a state of tension that occurs whenever a person holds two cognitions (ideas, attitudes, beliefs, opinions) that are psychologically inconsistent such as 'Smoking is a dumb thing because it could kill me' and 'I smoke two packs a day.' Dissonance produces mental discomfort, ranging from minor pangs to deep anguish; people don’t rest easy until they find a way to reduce it." (Mistakes Were Made, But Not By Me, Carol Travis.)
I experienced several levels of Cognitive Dissonance while in Scientology. They say Church on the door, but the day to day operations are not those of a church – those contrary thoughts were assuaged for years because of the Hubbard Policy – Religion 1970, wherein he stated something like we are a religion for accountant and attorneys, nothing about our daily operations will change. That plus the line that I was often given and gave to others new to the Church –it’s not a faith, it is an Applied Religious Philosophy, non-denominational in nature, you can still belong to your own church and be a Scientology.
That held my discomfort together until years later I read the Messianic Program, wherein Hubbard laid out the steps to make himself the next Messiah for planet earth.
Another cognitive dissonance was why are we attempting to destroy and take over the entire field of mental health, if we are a church, well the same answer, we aren’t really a church.
When LRH L. Ron Hubbard himself wrote to me that he wished he had never gone the "Church" route at all, it made me happy and erased the tension of the Cognitive Dissonance.
Why were the prices so high? If we were supposed to Clear the Planet, and help make the world a better place, then why did we charge so much? Very few people could afford that level of money and still survive and raise a family.
' In the book you write, "I have studied the research done on the power that groups can hold over individuals and the mindsets and peer pressures that got me to that place." (p. 92.) What types of resources did you use for this study? Can you recommend any references for others wishing to learn about this topic?
'NM': Opening Skinners Box: Great Psychological Experiments of the Twentieth Century by Lauren Slater
The Lucifer Effect: How Good People Turn Evil by Phil Zimbardo
Mistakes Were Made (But Not by Me) by Carol Tavris
' It is understandable that the act of writing down your experiences on paper could be a cathartic process but - why publicize it as a book?
'NM': As I write in my Preface the book was written almost two years ago, but the fear of publishing books on the subject of Scientology, got it no where in the area of publishing, Scientology is too frightening and scares even large publishing houses. I even got turned away by a "Print on Demand" – where I pay for it myself. They were just to frightened of repercussions on them as a company and on the staff as individuals.
But one night, an old friend who had been in Scientology for 36 years and had reached the highest most level in Scientology (Operating Thetan Level 8) arrived at my door suicidal. I knew I had to do more. For the past 10 years I had been dealing with Mentally Troubled individuals one on one, but this woman brought to my door the fact that what I was doing wasn’t even cracking the egg of mental abuse. So I took my book off the shelf and my husband and I started our own publishing company.
' Did you fear publicizing your experiences could subject you and your family to the Scientology practice of "Fair Game" ?
'NM': Of course. In my particular case they had already interrogated me to the point of psychotic meltdown, and there wasn't much more they could do to me. I hear the clicks on my phone, I’ve gotten the private investigator with the CIA past placed on my car. I’ve had people show up. But as long as I am truthful and don't make things worse than they were, nor better than they were, this is America, land of Free Speech. While working to get the book out (in those two months) I came to learn of 3 more deaths of people who experienced mental breakdowns while under the care of Scientologist, it only spurred me on.
' Have you experienced anything from Scientology after publicizing your story that you feel is retribution or a form of Fair Game?
'NM': I'm never certain if it is coincidence or not, but yes little things, not like the others that are coming out now and testifying at court cases. I also think Scientology is a little busy with just being declared a Fraud by the Government of France, Belgium has been preparing their law suit and should be coming out shortly. Here in America, the current head of Scientology and the corporation have just been served with a lawsuit on human trafficking. An eight year old boy was signed up with the Sea Org (Billion Year Contract) and he was put to work scrubbing pots and pans from that young age. I know of under aged children who signed Billion Year Contracts, they were promised their High School educations, which they never got, but those children were 13 or 14 – this is an 8 year old boy. Senator Xenophon in Australia has just stood up and asked for a government inquiry to the human abuses of Scientology. His documentation includes part of my book. Yes there are many things they can do to me, but I am tired of them Mentally and otherwise abusing people to the point of suicide.
I think they are spread a little too thin and there is nothing in my book that was not posted on the internet, either under my pseudonym “Kathryn”, or in internet posts.
In addition I was on the stand in court for one of the Lisa McPherson hearings on her death, and they had free opportunity to question me on these matters.
' Towards the end of your book you describe how you still kept in touch with a son who was still actively taking Scientology courses - and that you had friends still working in the organization. Have you experienced the Scientology practice of "Disconnection"? Have any of these people been instructed by Scientology to cease communication with you?
'NM': My son is his own person, and I am proud he makes his own decisions. We don’t discuss it other than the discussion I described in the book.
Yes I have had people Disconnect from me, and it is sad. I used to be a member of this group, so I also disconnected from others. It is so freeing to now be able to decide who is a friend and who is not – on my own with no other influences.
' During the recounting in the book of your mental breakdown, you cite your husband and family as key factors in helping and supporting you. What else, or who else - what other factors have helped you recover from your mental break after disengaging from Scientology?
'NM': The other factors that helped were that I did have a lot of friends who were not and had never been Scientologists, so I could hang with them and the subject would never come up. Thereby not "triggering" me back to Scientology language or way of life.
I also have/had a deep faith in God and an internal strength that made me pull my way out of the intermittent hell that lasted for years. I knew this was life or death. There were simply people or places I could not be around.
' Recently another book by a former member of Scientology's Sea Org was published, Blown for Good by Marc Headley. Have you read other books on Scientology? What other books about the organization (other than those produced by it) stand out for you as important in understanding its impact and the internal workings of the movement?
'NM': I love Marc Headly's book and feel very strongly that our books are so different that they (together) give a vivid and 3 dimensional view of the world of Scientology.
I have read all other books about Scientology that were not in a good light. The one that stands out for me as the best of all time is Helen O'Brien's Book entitled Dianetics In Limbo. She was an early Dianeticist and joined during the first wave of Dianetics in the early 50's. Some things have never changed and that is why that early book is such an important read.
' You worked for Scientology's intelligence division the "Guardian's Office" (GO) and then later for the current incarnation of its intelligence department, the "Office of Special Affairs" (OSA). (pp. 154-155, 289.) From your experiences working for GO and OSA, does the workings of the management of operatives by these groups differ? How so?
'NM': The largest difference in the management of operatives is who those operative are. In the GO days many were Scientologists and Private investigators rarely used. Now it is the opposite, the Church has attorneys – with whom they have privilege, and it is the Attorney's who hire the Private Investigators. Now if a PI gets caught during an operation, it can only go back as far as the Attorney, the church is protected. There is a deposition on the internet about one of the Churches attorney's who was present when the discussion of breaking into the opposing attorney’s doctor’s office was discussed – by Church Executive, lawyers and PI’s. That, to me, is no different than what the GO used to do, like break into an enemy’s doctors office and get their files.
' You recount in the book how you later felt badly about things you did while in the organization, including "stealing library books that were negative toward Scientology". (p 199) Was this type of action a common practice in the GO? OSA? Sea Org in general?
'NM': Stealing, or taking out an not returning books from libraries that put Scientology in a negative light. I know it was done for years, I would not be surprised if it is still done, but I have no proof. The libraries would though.
' How do you think Scientology management can improve the way it conducts its operations? If you were the head of the organization, what would you do differently - what would you change about Scientology practices?
'NM': If I were the head of Scientology Management at this time, I would strip it back to basics. Stop all Human Abuse and Human Rights abuses, and then have an open forum as to whether it wants to be a "Church" or wants to be a Self Help Group. Church’s ask for titheing (based on your income) a Self Help group has fixed prices for it’s counseling and services.
Scientology now has "Fixed Donations" the weirdest oxymoron I have ever heard.
RPF Los Angeles.jpg|thumb|Scientologists working in the organization's "Rehabilitation Project Force" in Los Angeles, California
' Looking back on your experiences in Scientology, you describe several instances in the book where you considered leaving the organization or at least leaving the Sea Org - most notably when you were ordered into the "Rehabilitation Project Force" while you were pregnant. (pp. 85-94.) Why did you choose to stay?
'NM': I felt I had no choice but to stay, we had no non-scientology people in our lives to give us safety and help us get on our feet. I was five months pregnant –who is going to give me a job. And we literally had no money. We had been with them as a group and only with them as a group for about a decade, you lose touch with family friends etc who are not scientologists. If we left we would be put on the “to be shunned list” and none of our public Scientologists who had jobs for us could help us, without severe consequences to them.
The people who had left before us, they become non persons and you have no idea where they went. I wanted to leave without being put on the shunning list, which we eventually were able to do, that allowed us to get help from other friends who had previously left the Sea Org, but not Scientology.
' In the appendix of the book you reference and discuss The Lucifer Effect by psychologist Philip Zimbardo. You cite how "Zimbardo isolated 7 social processes that grease the slippery slope of evil," and acknowledge, "I found myself in all of these seven steps, to a greater or lesser degree. ... In hindsight, I can see each on of these points were present in the apple barrel of Scientology that I lived through." Which of Zimbardo's steps were most applicable to your experiences in Scientology? Knowing what you know now from the knowledge in Zimbardo's book, how would you approach this differently in the future if placed in a similar situation again?
'NM': The step for me was "Mindlessly taking the first step", there was no internet back then. Books against Scientology had either been removed from the libraries or never been allowed to be printed. The first class I took when I left Scientology was called "Critical Thinking" – If I had taken that course PRIOR to Scientology, I doubt I would have mindlessly taken that first step.
Today we have the internet, which allows us free speech, and we now have a lot of free speech about Scientology – They still try to "Steal the library books of the internet", but funny, now that just makes more copies.
' Several popular culture references are made in the book to illustrate your experiences. You talk about the film Poltergeist and how your husband compared it to his experience of pulling you out of your psychosis (p. 219). You reference the film The Omen as a way to describe L. Ron Hubbard's view in a purported version of the Scientology level "OT 8" that you read on the Internet, writing, "Hubbard said that he had his next mission lined up that was to come back in a healthy body and join politics - a modern-day Damien from The Omen." (p. 202) Scientology has itself been the subject of depictions in popular culture, for example the Obie Award-winning satirical musical A Very Merry Unauthorized Children's Scientology Pageant, and the Emmy-nominated parody episode "Trapped in the Closet" by the comedy program South Park. Have you seen any parodies or depictions of Scientology in popular culture? What are your thoughts about them?
'NM': These were all great shows. I went to the "Unauthorized Children’s Scientology Pageant", with my youngest son who had been through the roughest parts of my mental collapse with me, and we just laughed and laughed. It was so great. If it’s in your town, don’t miss it.
The South Park episode was great. I kept it on my replay for months so I could watch again with friends (ex Scn or never Scn) who had missed it.
' Do you have any thoughts or advice for others either curious to find out more information about Scientology or those seeking to leave the organization?
'NM': If you are thinking about joining, stick to the internet for a while, a long while – they have their own websites, so you can see both sides.
For those seeking to leave the Sea Organization, just get up and walk out. If they touch you you have a million dollar lawsuit – but how to get the information inside to you????
' Are there any other points regarding your experiences that you would like to elaborate on or explain?
'NM': I wish the public, especially America, would not be so star struck that they ignore the Human Rights Abuses happening within our own borders, or just find it too had to believe.
A friend of mine told a famous actress my story, and she couldn’t believe it, come to find out another friend of theirs had reported the same thing and they had simply thought she was delusional.
' Nancy Many, thank you for taking the time to participate in this interview with Wikinews.
'NM': You’re Welcome.
__NOTOC__ __NOEDITSECTION__ Article 2: Ringo Starr, who is a member of The Beatles, was given his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Monday.
Ringo Starr in 2007
The event, which was also celebrating fifty years since the pavement was founded, took place during the night for the first time. Starr was the 2401st individual to have a star awarded on the walk. The event also took place outside of the Capitol Records Building.
Starr said outside of the event: "This is the start of the next 50 years of stars. I'm proud to be the first one."
According to Reuters, fellow Beatles bandmate Sir Paul McCartney was unable to attend the ceremony due to the fact that he was in England at the time, Starr said. Less than twelve months before Ringo was given his star on the Walk of Fame, Paul McCartney assisted in revealing a star for another former Beatles member, the late George Harrison.
The late John Lennon was also given a star on the pavement, which means that Paul McCartney is now the only member of the Beatles who has not yet been awarded a star. McCartney "was selected and approved for a star many years ago. We are just waiting for his people to give us a date on when he would like to do it," according to a Hollywood Chamber of Commerce source.
The event was also partly to promote "Y Not", the drummer's recently released album. During the ceremony for Ringo Starr's induction onto the walk, he commented: "It's cool to get a star at night. I don't know about you, but where I live, the stars come out at night." He referred to the other members of the Beatles as his "brothers". He also said about them: "They looked out for me, and I looked out for them. We all supported each other."
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Article 1: GMTV, the current television breakfast programme on ITV in the United Kingdom, having been a presenter on the programme for ten years. His current contract ends in April 2010, but he is expected to leave by the end of the Summer of 2010, according to the .
Initially, Shephard only presented an entertainment section of the television programme before being given a promotion to the sofa in 2005. He is the third presenter to leave GMTV within the last year, after the departures of Penny Smith.
According to a statement released from Ben Shephard's agent: "Ben's two-year contract with GMTV is up at the end of April. Earlier this year, his management made it clear that he would not be renewing it, but would be happy to stay on temporarily during this transitional period. Ben is excited about moving on after 10 incredible years and will be focusing on a number of new projects with ITV and other channels."
The One Show — a show that he presented with — was recently reported to be appearing as a presenter on GMTV in the future. Article 2: Lord Alan Sugar has starred in all six series of The Apprentice
British television programme
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Article 1: A new study by a professor at the University of Oxford has concluded that attending does not have harmful effects upon "the vast majority" of children under two years old. The research contrasts with the views of other writers in the field, who argue that pre-school children achieve the best results when cared for by their parents full-time.
Kathy Sylva, Professor of Educational Psychology at the university, has based her findings upon data from the Effective Provision of Pre-School Education Project. This has been running since 1996, tracking the development of 3,000 children to discover the effects upon their development of pre-school care and education.
Sylva told The Sunday Times that "a lot of parents worry unnecessarily about this issue but my research shows that the vast majority of children are not impaired on any measure by attending nursery under the age of two", although she admits that there is an increased risk for children from deprived background, and for boys. Those attending better-quality nurseries go on to make better relationships when they start school, she says, and urges parents to check the standards of nurseries for themselves.
Her conclusions come in the wake of a vast expansion in nursery care provision in the United Kingdom in recent years, aimed at getting mothers of young children back to work. One study states that 5% of "middle-class" parents in Britain put their children in full-time nursery care.
According to others such as the child psychologist cortisol double after one hour in day care, and raised levels can be detected for some months afterwards. Sylva agrees, though, that some children who attend nursery before they are two are slightly more aggressive at primary school – a finding in line with other research – but says that this aggression disappears by the time the child reaches eleven.
Sylva, a Professorial Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, was awarded the OBE in 2008. She is a former special advisor to the UK House of Commons and the . Article 2: In an annual report by the US-based Foreign Policy|Foreign Policy magazine, Somalia is this year's most "" on a list of 177 countries, determined by factors such as its human rights record, security, and economy.
Among the factors contributing to the report's ranking of Somalia include heavy ongoing violence, no stable government for nearly two decades, and the world's third-largest refugee community.
In second place was Chad, followed by Sudan, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Seven of the top ten slots are African countries, and the continent also contains about thirty of the sixty most "failed" countries; Asian states also comprise 30% of the top sixty, and the Middle East has about 10%.
American think tank collaborates annually with Foreign Policy magazine to produce the report. The index was first published in 2005, and countries are judged by twelve metrics, including refugee movement, economic development, history of violence, de-legitimization of the state, and others.
On the other end of the list, the least weak of the 177 countries evaluated was Norway, followed by Finland and Sweden. The US came in at number 158.
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Article 1: Emma's Imagination, a solo music act otherwise identified as Emma Gillespie, has been declared as the winner of Must Be The Music, a music talent programme broadcast on Pound sterling|£100,000 (US$155,484, €119,061, A$164,130, C$159,968).
Shortly after being declared as the winner, Scottish singer Gillespie - who defeated five other musical acts in the final - spoke to host : "I don't know what to say," she said in front of the live audience of 10,000. "Thank you so much for supporting me. I couldn't have done it without you. Thank you so much."
Texas (band)|Texas, is one of the three judges on Must Be The Music, alongside jazz-pop musician Dizzee Rascal. "I think there's going to be a lot of young people who might have sniffed at the idea of doing this sort of programme, who might see this as a different opportunity as musicians," Spiteri commented. "I think that's going to change everything."
In Must Be The Music, artists competing on the programme had to compose and perform their own music. Music tracks from the semi-finalists had become available to download, with all profits being given to the singer-songwriters. "This Day", the single from Emma's Imagination, had already achieved number 12 in both the alternative music chart and the iTunes chart by the time of the series' conclusion, according to Sky News Online. Article 2: Sir Norman Wisdom as guest of honour at a car rally in Peel, Isle of Man (2005)
Tributes are being paid following the announcement late last night that the veteran British actor and comedian Sir has died at the age of 95.
He passed away peacefully at the Abbot's Wood nursing home, , Isle of Man yesterday evening. Following a series of strokes over the last 6 months, his health had declined severely.
Sir Norman's career spanned almost seven decades, during which time he starred in 19 films, and 38 sitcoms, most as the inept character "Pitkin", the persistant thorn in the side of his boss, Mr. Grimsdale. His most well known serious role came in the television play Going Gently in 1981, for ITV, in which he played a patient in hospital suffering from terminal cancer.
Following the news, the Albanian Ambassador in the UK, Zef Mazi explained that Sir Norman's death was covered on all the news channels in Albania, where he was exceptionally popular. His material was the only Western-style comedy permitted to be shown in the Communist country. "After Charlie Chaplin, he was the biggest comedy star in Albania. I still remember his character Pitkin and his boss Mr Grimsdale," he said. "He was very popular with everyone from very young people to very old people and he made us laugh at a time, in the communist period, when there were not many reasons to laugh."
The Isle of Man's Chief Minister, Tony Brown MHK, said that he was "deeply saddened" to have heard of the death. He is quoted as having said "we were very fortunate indeed that Sir Norman chose to make the Isle of Man his home. He was a wonderful asset to the local community and made a tremendous contribution to countless Island charities and good causes."
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in her conferred role as on his 90th birthday in 2005, at the same time being made a Freeman of the Borough of Douglas.
The announcement of Sir Norman's death was confirmed by his son and family in a statement last night.
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Article 1: The oil rig Deepwater Horizon sank yesterday after an explosion Tuesday night that left eleven people missing.
The oil rig Deepwater Horizon ablaze Wednesday.
According to an officer from the , the rig sank sometime in the morning. The rig had caught fire after an explosion of unknown origin occurred two days ago. 115 of the 126 workers on board the time of the explosion have been rescued after evacuating in lifeboats, either by the Coast Guard or from other ships in the area.
The remaining eleven have not been located, although Coast Guard officials have expressed optimism that they are still alive.
The environmental impacts of the explosion and subsequent sinking of the rig are unclear. While up to 13,000 gallons of crude oil per hour has been released from the rig, until now, the effects have been considered minimal, as it had been burned off in the fire. That does have the potential to change, though, according to David Rainey, vice president of the lessor of the rig, BP. The rig, built in 2001 by Transocean.
The rig was located roughly 50 miles southeast of the coast of Louisiana, and was under lease to BP since 2007. It was completing the construction of a new oil well, and was constructing a layer of cement in the well to reinforce it. This is considered dangerous, as it has the potential to produce an uncontrolled release of case, called a blowout. While the cause of the explosion has yet to be determined, a blowout is considered a possibility.
One survivor of the explosion, who declined to give his name, told the The New York Times that he was lying in bed when the explosion happened. "It caught me by surprise. I’ve been in offshore 25 years, and I’ve never seen anything like that," he recalled.
Stanley Murray, the father of another survivor named Chad, an electrician, said: "My son had just walked off the drill floor." However, Murray said that a neighbor did not make it in time, adding that his son told him that the missing eleven workers could not have made it out alive. "The eleven that’s sic missing, they won’t find them," Murray said. Article 2: A typical US school bus
A Georgia, United States, earlier today on
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Article 1: Hillary Clinton yesterday warned North Korea of "consequences" for its role in the sinking of a South Korean warship, calling the North's actions "provocative behavior."
Clinton made her remarks after a meeting in Japan with the country's foreign minister, at the start of a trip through Asia. She said that "it is important to send a clear message to North Korea that provocative actions have consequences. We cannot allow this attack on South Korea to go unanswered by the international community."
She declined to comment on what the consequences may be, although officials from the Obama administration said that they would include intervention from the United Nations Security Council, a plan also expected to be part of South Korea's response to the incident, as well as increased naval activity around the Korean peninsula involving both the American and South Korean navies.
Clinton also said that any response would have to come from the global community at large, rather than just one or two countries. "Let me be clear: this will not, and cannot, be business as usual. There must be an international, not just a regional, but an international response." Article 2: Rod Blagojevich.
US Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has given federal prosecutors until next Friday to respond to the request of former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich and his brother Robert|foreign=suppress to delay their corruption trial.
The trial is set to begin on June 3, and many of the charges they face are based on a federal honest-services law. The Blagojevich brothers challenge the constitutionality of this law and believe the trial should be delayed until the high court is expected to decide the issue next month. The request had already been denied by District Judge Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Stevens, who handles appeals from the Seventh Circuit, had three options: reject the request for a delay of trial, grant it, or allow the federal government to respond. He chose the third.
The decision brings hope to the Blagojevich defense team. "We believe that means he sees this as not frivolous, and he's going to decide it on the merits," said Michael Ettinger, Robert's attorney. "We're somewhat cautiously hopeful he'll do the right thing."
Prosecutors added new charges, including bribery, against the brothers in case the Supreme Court finds the honest-services law unconstitutional. They believe the June 3 start date should not be held back.
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