Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Tehran summit to promote nuke-free world

Tehran summit to promote 'nuke-free world' (plus 99 more items)

Link to Rebel Newsflash

Tehran summit to promote 'nuke-free world'

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 01:55 PM PDT

Tehran says its upcoming denuclearization conference aims to send the message that nuclear weapons have no place in the world — particularly in the Middle East.

"We would continue to send this very strong message from the capital of Iran, Tehran, the center of the Middle East, that nuclear weapons do not have a place at all in this very sensitive part of the world," Mohammad Mehdi Akhoundzadeh, Iran's deputy foreign minister, told Press TV ahead of the international conference on nuclear disarmament scheduled for April 17th and 18th.

The False Teachings of Church Christianity

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 01:28 PM PDT

Christ told his people to repent and forsake their sinful ways (Mat 9:13). He did not command them to form a religion in his name or to build a multi-million dollar church while the poor slept on the stoop."

WORSHIP OF THE SUN NOT THE SON

(left, Jesus making the 666 hand sign)

Christ warned that in the time leading up to his return, the masses would be exploited with false teachings in His name (Mat 24). The same condemnations He made of the hypocritical Pharisees in Matthew 23 can be directed toward modern Christian churches for teachings that are contrary to the scriptures (Mar 7:7, 2Jn 1:9).

Iran urges UN to pursue US threats

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 01:28 PM PDT

An Iranian lawmaker says the United Nations must look into US President Barack Obama's threat to launch a nuclear attack on the Islamic Republic.

"The United Nations must pursue the US threats against Iran and the United Nations Human Rights Council must condemn the threats," Zohreh Elahian, a Member of the Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission said on Wednesday.

Pope Benedict XVI urged to step down

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 01:17 PM PDT

A US priest has urged Pope Benedict XVI to step down amid scandals of child sexual abuses by former clergies that has engulfed the Roman Catholic Church.

An ardent critic of sexual abuses committed by Catholic priests, the Rev. James Scahill of the parish of St. Michael's Church in Massachusetts used his last weekend's sermon to call on the 82-year old Pontiff to resign for the good of the Catholic Church.

Dimona Is Not Israel's Lifeline: On Zim and Gadot

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 01:12 PM PDT

Zim Asia

It is difficult to read the newspapers without finding a reference to nuclear weapons and their dangers. It is difficult to understand the journalists' fastidiousness on the point, unless these articles are implanted by the indefatigable conspirators and their masters in yet another attempt to distract and frighten the masses from the real issues. Today, I was informed by a faithful reader of yet another new nuclear technology "recently discovered by a non-nuclear country and highly lethal;" actually one of my Chemical Physics professors at the Tel Aviv University developed it for Dimona at least thirty years ago. Why do we see this obsession? Nuclear weapons are almost useless. They are very expensive toys that can be used only in an improbable Armageddon scenario.

Richard Falk: I Believe that Hamas should be Treated as a Political Actor

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:56 PM PDT

Richard Falk I was denied entry and expelled at Ben Gurion Airport when I tried to enter Israel for the purpose of carrying out my duties as UN Special Rapporteur. These duties consist mainly of reporting on Israeli compliance with human rights obligations in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and include duties of compliance with respect to international humanitarian law. Israeli authorities confined me for more than 15 hours in a detention cell with five other detainees before putting me on a plane. I was given no explanation beyond that my expulsion order came from the Israeli Foreign Ministry that had objected to my appointment from the outset.

NYC to hold Helen Keller exhibition

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:50 PM PDT

The American Foundation for the Blind is set to exhibit personal belongings of the deaf-blind writer, lecturer and political activist Helen Keller.

Helen Keller: A Daring Adventure, to be held from May 7 to July 30, will showcase 61 of Keller's personal items, 31 of which have never been on public display.

US drone strike kills 4 in Pakistan

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:45 PM PDT

Another strike by US-operated drones has killed at least 4 people and injured several others in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region.

Media reports say a US drone fired two missiles at a car in the area on Wednesday.

Iceland volcano eruption affect 700

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:34 PM PDT

A volcano has erupted in southern Iceland partially melting a glacier and emitting white steam and black smoke into the air on Wednesday.

The Icelandic Civil Defense Authority has instructed 700 people to vacate the area which is in danger of being flooded due to melting ice from Eyjafjallajokull glacier, Icelandic state radio reported.

Iran to hold WMD-aftermath exhibition

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:21 PM PDT

Iran is to hold an exhibition on the disastrous consequences of the use of chemical weapons against Iran and nuclear weapons against Japan.

"The exhibition is scheduled to be held simultaneously with Tehran's international conference on nuclear disarmament," Mehr news agency quoted Abbas Khamehyar, an official with the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans' Affairs, as saying on Wednesday.

'US covering up nuclear violations'

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:14 PM PDT

A senior Iranian lawmaker says the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington is intended to cover up US infringements of international nuclear treaties.

"There are more than 10,000 nuclear weapons in the United States. This is an obvious infringement," ISNA quoted Alaeddin Boroujerdi, the chairman of the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, as saying on Wednesday.

Too much bread causes heart disease

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:08 PM PDT

Women who eat lots of high glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates are more vulnerable to developing cardiovascular diseases in the long run, a new study says.

GI is an indicator of how quickly a food raises blood sugar levels. Low GI foods such as beans, lentils and nuts, hence, release sugar into the bloodstream more slowly, making the individual feel 'fuller' for a longer time.

Brig. General, cleric killed in Iraq

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 11:32 AM PDT

Unidentified armed men have killed a Muslim cleric outside a mosque in a predominantly Sunni neighborhood of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.

"Militants on Wednesday killed Sheikh Ghazi Juburi in a shooting outside al-Rahman mosque in the Sunni dominated neighborhood of al-Adhamiya in the northern part of Baghdad. The clergyman had finished the morning prayers," a local police source told Voices of Iraq news agency.

Iran wants fuel swap if West builds trust

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 11:23 AM PDT

The head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) says Tehran would accept a nuclear fuel swap, should the West manage to win back its trust.

The US-proposed UN-backed deal requires Iran to send most of its low-enriched uranium abroad for further processing and conversion into fuel rods for Tehran's research reactor.

Settlers deface mosque in West Bank

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 11:19 AM PDT

Jewish settlers have desecrated a mosque in the flashpoint West Bank town of Nablus and set afire two vehicles outside the Muslim worship house.

Unknown vandals forcibly entered the Bilal Ben-Rabah Mosque in the village of Hawara overnight Wednesday and sprayed graffiti, including a Jewish Star of David alongside the name of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) written in Hebrew on the mosque walls.

Poland to set date for early election

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 11:05 AM PDT

Polish lawmakers have met to set a date for an early presidential election following the death of President Lech Kaczynski in a plane crash on Saturday.

On Wednesday, the Parliamentarians said in a document that June 13 and June 20 were "two possible dates" for the election.

No way out for ousted Kyrgyz president

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 10:46 AM PDT

Ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev is running out of options as the new interim government in Bishkek seeks to put him on trial.

Kyrgyzstan's interim leader Roza Otunbayeva said on Tuesday that Bakiyev should stand trial over the recent deadly political unrest.

Financial reform tops Obama agenda

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 10:22 AM PDT

US President Barack Obama is to ask congressional leaders to push for a financial reform as the Republicans argue such an overhaul would escalade the crisis.

The US president is going to ask both Democratic and Republican leaders at a meeting on Wednesday, to gear up for the nation's financial overhaul as appear to be Obama's priority after the sweeping healthcare reform.

25 killed in bus collision in Zimbabwe

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 10:17 AM PDT

A bus traveling on a freeway in northwest Zimbabwe crashed into a truck killing 25 people and injuring dozens Tuesday night, state radio reported on Wednesday.

Most victims, reportedly Zambian en route to South African, were burnt to death as the result of the crash.

S. Arabia advocates dialogue on Iran

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 09:58 AM PDT

Saudi Arabia has insisted on guaranteeing Iran's rights to nuclear energy, as the US continues its all-out efforts to drum up support for fresh sanctions on Iran.

"The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomes the international endeavors to find a peaceful solution to this crisis through dialogue in such a way as to guarantee the right of Iran and other states in the region to the peaceful use of nuclear energy in accordance with the procedural safeguards, and under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency," said Head of Saudi Arabia's delegation to the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz in a statement on Tuesday.

Captive Spaniard rescued in Congo

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 09:46 AM PDT

Congolese commandos have rescued a Spanish doctor from a group of kidnappers after almost two weeks in captivity, an army spokesman says.

"Our special forces have liberated the doctor and he is now safe in army hands. Our commandos are bringing back the Spanish doctor now," Reuters quoted Colonel Leon Kasonga as saying on Tuesday.

Hundreds die in strong China quake

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 09:32 AM PDT

At least 400 people have been killed and thousands of others have been injured following a strong earthquake in China's northwestern Qinghai Province.

The 6.9-magnitude quake was centered in a mountainous area 240 km (150 miles) outside the autonomous region of Tibet.

Karadzic faces first genocide witness

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 09:27 AM PDT

Former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic has faced the first of some 410 witnesses prosecutors intend to call during his war crimes trial at The Hague.

After a six-week delay, Karadzic's trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia resumed on Tuesday.

Public distrust weighs heavily on polls as leaders brace for a debate

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 09:06 AM PDT

Sparks may fly at a historic televised debate on Thursday, when the trio of main rivals in the now bitterly-fought election campaign would bend over backwards to defuse public distrust in their leader's plans.

As a new Populous poll for The Times showed public disenchantment with the campaign is growing, David Cameron, Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg prepare themselves for a make or break televised debate, to be held in Manchester tomorrow night.

Japan islanders reject US base

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 08:18 AM PDT

Three mayors from a Japanese island, slated to host a US military base, are to write a letter to President Barack Obama expressing their refusal to the plan.

The move is to protest against the Japanese government's decision to relocate the Futenma US Marine Corps Air Station in Okinawa to the Tokunoshima Island.

Tehran-Kandahar flights commence

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 08:15 AM PDT

The first flight from Tehran to Kandahar has landed, signaling in a new wave of opportunities for cultural and economic exchange between Iran and Afghanistan.

Aseman airline's first direct flight from the Iranian capital, Tehran, to Kandahar, in neighboring Afghanistan, lifted off on Tuesday.

25% of Iraqis live below poverty line

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 07:53 AM PDT

Statistics newly released by the Iraqi government have shown that almost 25 percent of citizens in the war shattered country live below the poverty line.

The Iraqi government's statistics show that out of a population of 31 million, about 7 million Iraqis earn the equivalent of 65 dollars per month or less.

Obama urges N Korea to resume talks

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 07:51 AM PDT

US President Barack Obama has urged North Korea to return to the suspended six-nation talks aimed at dismantling Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program.

"I think it's fair to say that North Korea has chosen a path of severe isolation that has been extraordinarily damaging to its people," Obama told a news conference at the end of a summit on nuclear security.

Thai PM faces tougher opposition

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 07:48 AM PDT

Red shirts in Thailand are to continue their protests and join forces against the ruling government as the South Asian country's political crisis shows no signs of calming.

The "red shirts," Thailand's anti-government protesters, said on Wednesday they would assemble en masse at a single site in Bangkok commercial center, preparing for a "final battle" with authorities.

China the Job Killer

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 07:25 AM PDT

China has apparently decided to let its currency start rising again. There are two objectives. Domestically, a stronger renminbi will help counter inflationary pressure and dampen the excessive growth that is fueling it. Internationally, appreciation will start curbing China's huge current account surplus and thus counter the pressures that are building in the United States and elsewhere to retaliate against China's massive currency undervaluation by installing new barriers against its exports. The overriding issue is whether China will move quickly enough and substantially enough to achieve these goals.

Ex-Northern Rock senior official fined and banned

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 07:01 AM PDT

Former Northern Rock deputy chief executive was fined and banned from all activities by the City Watchdog following his alleged role in "misreporting "mortgage arrears figures.

David Baker was fined £504,000 by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and banned from "performing any function in relation to any regulated activity".

FSA revealed that it was fully aware at the beginning of 2007 that nearly 1,917 loans had been removed from the mortgage arrears figures; however, Mr.Baker seemed to have ridden roughshod over the case and never relayed information needed.

Spain Closes 2002 Investigation into Gaza Massacre

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 06:15 AM PDT

Yesterday, Spain's Supreme Court upheld the Spanish National Court's decision to close a judicial investigation into Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip in 2002. The incident in question resulted in the death of Shaykh Salah Shehada, a leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement [Hamas], as well as 14 civilians including many children, and injuring 150 others.

The Supreme Court rejected appeal requests submitted by two Arab solidarity unions asserting that Israel had carried out their own "authentic" administrative and judicial investigation into the bombing.

Illegal whale meat traced to Japan

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 05:53 AM PDT

DNA studies track back illegal whale meat sold in the US and Korea to Japanese whaling companies, a trade that violates global rules over the protected species.

Scientists using genetic fingerprinting have found proof that whale meat captured under Japan's controversial scientific whaling program has been sold in the US and Korea.

South Pars gas production rises 28%

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 05:48 AM PDT

Extraction of natural gas from Iran's giant South Pars gas field has increased by 28 percent during the past Iranian calendar year that ended on March 20.

Mohammad-Reza Joulaei, an official with South Pars Gas Complex Company, said on Tuesday that the field produced 67 billion cubic meters (bcm) of sour gas and 59 bcm of sweet gas during the period — up 28 percent form the previous year.

Iran's Armed Forces ready for threats

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 05:43 AM PDT

Amid threats of a nuclear strike on Iran, a senior commander says no power has the capability to launch an aggression on the Islamic Republic.

The statement comes as Iran lodges a complaint with the United Nations over what US President Barack Obama called, reserving the right to launch a nuclear attack on Iran under the pretext that the country is developing an atomic bomb.

Job prospects still dim, no growth in 2011

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 05:43 AM PDT

Hopes for a better job perspective grew dim after a leading research center in Ireland found that the downward unemployment rate would remain solid through next year despite modest economic recovery.
A study by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) showed that the unemployment rate will continue to sink next year to 13%, largely because of vast departure of people from the country between 2009 and 2011.
The report comes as some experts have painted a brighter future for a slumbering economy already battered by recession, predicting that the economy will boost by 2.5%.

Mrs. Obama in Mexico after Haiti visit

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 05:35 AM PDT

US First Lady Michelle Obama has arrived in Mexico after making a surprise detour to quake-stricken Haiti as part of her first solo trip abroad.

In an unannounced visit, Obama spent several hours in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, to view the devastation left by a catastrophic earthquake three months ago.

Medvedev warns of Kyrgyz civil war

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 05:25 AM PDT

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says Kyrgyzstan is on the verge of what he described as a possible civil war and threatens to become a "second Afghanistan."

"As I understand it, Kyrgyzstan is on the verge of civil war," Medvedev said in a speech delivered at a US think tank in Washington on Tuesday.

Armagh County on alert after a suspect device found

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 04:42 AM PDT

The Police Service of Northern Ireland said that a suspicious device planted in a car close to a police station in Newtownhamilton , County Armagh forced residents to evacuate the area .
According to police officials, army technical officers are now dealing with the suspicious device apparently left in a silver Peugeot car very close to a police post.
The latest development comes as the Real IRA claimed responsibility for Monday bombing near to MI5 regional headquarters in Belfast. It also happened hours after the policing and justice powers transferred from London to Stormont.

Labour MP`s won legal aid in cash for influence scandal

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 04:34 AM PDT

Three Labour politicians accused of appropriating government funds have won an application for legal aid. Court officials announced.
Jim Devine, David Chaytor and Elliot Morley are charged with stealing £60,000 in allowances through rent claims, false mortgage applications and invoices for services, and they are due to stand trial later this year.
The three MP`s whose implication in the Expense Scandal drew public outcry following several similar cases in which a number of influential politicians abused their power in return for cash , have reportedly employed some of the country's prominent lawyers to fight for their cases . It is highly likely that the barristers would charge a stupendous amount of money an hour.

Mexico's drug violence kills 23,000

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 04:33 AM PDT

Almost 23,000 people have been killed in drug-related violence in Mexico, since a US-backed crackdown on cartels began more than three years ago.

The government report of 22,743 deaths since late 2006 was given to lawmakers as debates over the controversial use of the army in street battles against drug lords continued, Interior Minister Fernando Gomez Montt confirmed on Tuesday.

300 dead in China quake: State media

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 04:29 AM PDT

The death toll in a strong earthquake that has hit a mountainous area in China's western Qinghai province has increased to around 300, state media reports.

A further 8,000 people have been injured in the 7.1-magnitude earthquake that rocked the remote northwestern Chinese province of Qinghai on Wednesday morning.

David Cameron to showcase Tory`s visions for the future

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 04:28 AM PDT

In a sharp contrast to the Labour party's flagship reforms showcased by his contender Gordon Brown, the Tory leader David Cameron will pledge today to give back power to people, insisting that the conservative's election manifesto empowers voters to run schools, control local services and veto council tax rises.
As the battle over creation of a visionary future for Britain intensifies, the Tory leader David Cameron will sketch out his party's views in a 130-page blueprint, billed as a "people's manifesto".
Mr. Cameron is expected to say that Britons will be their own boss under a "work for yourself" scheme to create more jobs and small businesses. Among other pledges, he would also introduce an initiative, allowing voters to sack their own erring members of parliament. Proposals for public sector, vetoing council tax rises and running schools are among main planks of the Tory's vision for the future.

US:No breakthrough on Iran sanctions

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 04:23 AM PDT

As US President Barack Obama ratchets up calls for imposing sanctions against Iran, he acknowledges that it will be difficult to reach consensus on the issue.

"Sanctions aren't a magic wand," Obama said at a press conference in Washington after wrapping up a two-day nuclear security summit.

The Real IRA responsible for Belfast attack

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 04:22 AM PDT

The Real IRA claimed responsibility for the bombing earlier this morning near to MI5 headquarters.
The explosion comes as the policing and justice powers in Northern Ireland had transferred from London to Belfastafter 38 years of Whitehall control.
Irish Republicans who are striving to slough off the British rule were apparently angry over the timing of the devolution of the justice powers.

Iran draws $12.5bn investment in oil

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 04:17 AM PDT

More than 12.5 billion dollars has been invested in Iran's oil and gas industry during the past Iranian year (ended March 21), says a senior Iranian energy official.

Head of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) Seifollah Jashnsaz said on Tuesday that the amount of investment, a 25 percent increase compared to the previous year, breaks the previously held record of ten years ago.

Ban urges more nuclear talks

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 04:11 AM PDT

Following on from the US president's nuclear security summit, the UN has called for a series of talks on preventing terrorists from acquiring nuclear material.

Addressing reporters after a Washington nuclear summit, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warned that even one terrorist attack could inflict mass casualties "and change our world forever."

English becoming a second language in UK

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 04:10 AM PDT

British students with English as their first language are being squeezed out of place in schools as a result of Labour`s inefficient policies on immigration.
According to sources, the number of pupils with English as their first language has doubled since 1997, now finding themselves in the minority in more than 1,500 schools across the UK.
The statistics released under a Freedom of Information request, found that in 1997 there were 866 schools where more than 50 per cent of students spoke a language other than English as their mother tongue.

Britain's largest rail workers union on strike

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 03:34 AM PDT

Scottish rail workers are set to stage a three-day strike today after negotiations between Britain's largest rail workers union, the RMT and the ScotRail reached a standstill.
The dispute apparently revolves around the Scotland's major train service plan to employ ticket examiners instead of conductors on the new Airdrie to Bathgate line.
Meanwhile, the RTM whose planned walkout would be launched on Monday 0001 BST, brushed aside the proposed safety measures, claiming that conductors and guards are capable of thwarting any threats, and the plan will "jeopardize passenger safety."

Drug Legalization in the White Republic

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 03:34 AM PDT

stilhorn I'd do it. I'd push the button.

If there were a button that would instantly and painlessly annihilate alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and all other addictive recreational drugs, I would push it, simply because nothing has done more damage to the people I love, including my race as a whole.

Tories widened their advantage over the Labour party

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 03:30 AM PDT

The Tories chances of gaining a legislative majority boosted by 4% in the latest poll conducted by The Independent newspaper , but the party still is a tad too far from gaining an overwhelming majority of seats in the May 6 general election.
The survey of no less than 13 national polls in recent week found that the Conservative party led by David Cameron has extended its lead over the Labour party to 39 per cent, up one point on the previous week.
However, the Labour party's percentages of votes have remained steady, at 30 per cent, the Liberal Democrat's ratings dipped slightly, down to 19 per cent.

Bomb explodes near MI5 headquarters in Northern Ireland

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 03:23 AM PDT

A bomb in a hijacked taxi went off today close to MI5 headquarters in Northern Ireland.
The explosion happened early this morning behind a British army barracks located in Holywood, County Down, Police said.
Meanwhile, a police spokesman said: "the taxi driver got out of the car and shouted "it` a bomb, it's a bomb!" and we were evacuating the area when it exploded."

Labour party set the agenda

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 03:17 AM PDT

The contours of the Labour Party's flagship agenda will emerge in detail as Gordon Brown prepares to set out his party's manifesto, admittedly more akin to Blairite programs back in 1997 with focus on family rights and anti-social behavior.
Facing the Tories' head start in the bitterly-fought race to reclaim No.10, The Labour Party leader Gordon Brown will announce the party's general election manifesto in Birmingham , vowing that the Labour would draw up a string of legislations under which, every individual then could apply for the orders against nuisance neighbors.
He will also promise that, if reelected, his government would guarantee that any complaint of anti-social behavior would be answered and dealt with within 24 hours.

Israel's Infiltration Prevention Bill

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 03:08 AM PDT

steve lendman International law protects refugees and asylum seekers, Article I of the 1951 UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees calling them:

"A person who owning to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of their nationality, and is unable to or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail him/herself of the protection of that country."

Youth stabbed seven people in Drogheda

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 03:07 AM PDT

A stabbing allegedly carried out by a youth in Drogheda near the Irish border left seven people injured and two in a critical condition in a local hospital.
Witnesses said couple of onlookers called police after commotion broke out outside a pub on Laurance Street in the town of Drogheda.
Following the disturbance, a 17-year-old boy who was allegedly involved in the spar, fled the scene and ran to West Street, where he confronted a group of men. The youth is believed to have attacked people there with a knife, inflicting serious injuries to a man that is now in critical condition.

Mandelson associate under investigation for bribery

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 03:00 AM PDT

The Guardian newspaper disclosed on Friday that the US and the UK departments of justice are probing into the alleged bribery by an affluent associate and Labour supporter who has been working with Lord Peter Mandelson .
According to the Guardian report, an investigation is under way with a look into Victor Dahdaleh , a wealthy Canadian businessman alleged money laundering and using UK banking havens to make covert payments to officials in Bahrain.
The revelation came as US prosecutors have been investigating into suspicious contracts by Alcoa Inc – a metal giant company which is the world's third largest producer of aluminum, for which Victor works as an agent and is suspected of bribing government officials in the Persian Gulf state of Bahrain in exchange for businesses, which by some accounts have pumped an estimated $65m a year into his affiliated organization.

Brown: I don't fear rejection anymore

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 02:43 AM PDT

Gordon Brown said in an interview with The Times newspaper that the Conservatives attacks on his personality would not be taken too lightly and that criticism has affected his struggle to be re elected as the prime minister.
Speaking to The Times correspondent, the Prime Minister Gordon Brown brushed aside speculations that he fears lest he could not extend his mandate at No.10, and said: "I am not going into this election fearing rejection. I mean, if people decide not to vote for us, I will accept that. I have to accept it, so I will accept it. I do not think I am motivated by the fear of rejection."
Speaking of harsh criticism targeting his personality, Mr. Brown said : "People are pretty cruel sometimes," and "I think it does affect you when people say, 'Oh, this guy's got a ... weird smile,' and 'This guy's got something wrong about the way he speaks' ." He claims, however, that he has learnt to cope with personal criticism. "I don't get hurt any more."

British oil worker slain in Ethiopia

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 02:36 AM PDT

A British oil worker was shot dead in Ethiopia's volatile region of Ogadeni on Friday. The Foreign Office announced.
According to the Foreign Office the shooting happened on April 5 near Danod town and a full investigation is under way by Ethiopian officials.
The British employer is reported to have worked for IMC Geophysics International Ltd, accompany which cooperates with oil form company Petronas in Ethiopia.

7.1-magnitude earthquake hits China

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 02:32 AM PDT

At least 69 people have been killed as a series of strong earthquakes strike a remote mountainous area in the western Qinghai province in China.

A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck an area in southern Qinghai, near Tibet, on Wednesday morning and was followed by at least three tremors in the same region, some with magnitudes as high as 5.8.

Married couples to benefit from Tory's tax break scheme

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 02:13 AM PDT

In an apparent move to burnish conservative party family-friendly credentials ahead of the general election, the Tory leader will announce his plans to cut taxes for married couples under a scheme which is estimated to cost around £550m. The tax break proposal funded by a levy on banks will benefit only a third of 12.3 million married couples in Britain.
According to George Osborne, the Shadow Chancellor , the tax cut, also available to those in civil partnerships, will help people on lower incomes the most and is "modern and progressive".
It is understood that under the Tory proposals, one partner of an eligible couple would be able to transfer £750 in tax allowance to the other to reduce his or her income tax bill. The maximum benefit would be worth up to £150 a year for low and middle-income couples where the main earner brings home between £7,300 and £42,500.

Toyota halts Lexus GX 460 sales

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 02:01 AM PDT

Embattled Japanese carmaker Toyota has temporary suspended the sales of one of the models of its 2010 Lexus cars following a safety warning by a US magazine.

The influential non-profit magazine, Consumer Reports, has issued a report about the safety risk of Lexus GX 460.

UK government drug user scheme decried as "waste of money"

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 01:56 AM PDT

The Committee of Public Accounts questioned the UK government handling of its £1.2bn-a-year scheme . This came after it disclosed in a report that a quarter of all problem drug users are hardcore offenders for whom drug treatment has proved ineffective.
The Committee members are appointed by the House of Commons to examine the accounts showing the appropriation of the sums granted by Parliament. The report says the Home Office appears to be in dark about the impacts of its costly drug user program, claiming that UK government has failed to employ a proper assessment process to deal with almost 330,000 cases of problem drug users in England.
It also questioned whether or not the strategy is literally curbing the cost drug-related crimes.

China, US lock horns on currency

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 01:55 AM PDT

China has continued to resist pressures from the US to raise the value of its currency, yuan, against the US dollar, amid speculations of a trade war.

The Chinese president has told President Barack Obama that the value of the yuan will neither balance Sino-US trade, nor solve America's unemployment problem.

Brazil strengthening trade with Iran

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 01:49 AM PDT

Brazil's Finance Minister Guido Mantega says his country plans to finance exports of food to Iran in a bid to increase economic interaction with Tehran.

"Brazil is financing Iranians' purchase of food," Mantega told reporters in Brasilia on Tuesday.

Markets volatility rattles business leader's nerves

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 01:42 AM PDT

Growing uncertainty clouding the outcome of May 6 General Election in Britain spooked financial markets. the Sterling fell against the dollar and euro , jangling investor's nerves who believe the country will tumble into further economic turmoil if a hung government ascends to power.
Amidst initial moves on the election campaign which formally kicked off on Tuesday, statistics presage turbulent weeks of market volatility, showing the Pound depreciated notably against the dollar with 10 per cent this year and the euro appreciated 0.2 per cent against the Pound to 88.35p.
The figures cast a harsh spotlight on the problem facing main rival parties as to whether or not they could put forward a clear and proper fiscal plan ahead of the General Election to be held on May 6.

Denmark: National Socialist leader Jonni Hansen found not guilty of spreading racist propaganda

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:47 AM PDT


	Jonni Hansen - DNSB - Not guilty

Tuesday April 13: A court in the Danish city of Roskilde found Jonni Hansen, leader of Denmark's National Socialist Movement (DNSB) not guilty of spreading racist propaganda in the cities of Gladsaxe and Bagsvaerd as well as on the party's web page.

The National Socialist leader was indicted for having printed and distributed alleged racist propaganda contained in flyers which were distributed in living areas.

Nations commit to secure nuclear material

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:27 AM PDT

Forty seven nations attending a nuclear security summit in Washington have committed themselves to securing all vulnerable nuclear materials over the next four years.

The leaders of the 47 nations attending the Nuclear Security Summit signed a 3-page, 12-point communiqué late on Tuesday, pledging to maintain effective security of nuclear material they possess and prevent it from falling into the hands of terrorists.

Nations to secure nuclear material

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:27 AM PDT

Forty seven nations attending a nuclear security summit in Washington have committed themselves to securing all vulnerable nuclear materials over the next four years.

The leaders of the 47 nations attending the Nuclear Security Summit signed a 3-page, 12-point communiqué late on Tuesday, pledging to maintain effective security of nuclear material they possess and prevent it from falling into the hands of terrorists.

Pakistani jets kill dozens of civilians

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:23 AM PDT

Scores of civilians were reportedly among 71 people killed in a weekend strike by Pakistani jets in a tribal region of Khyber.

Pakistani army jets bombed a house in the area on Saturday morning.

Drone attack kills 13 in Pakistan

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:18 AM PDT

Another strike by a US drone aircraft has killed at least 13 civilians and injured several others in Pakistan's tribal region.

The incident took place about 20 kilometers west of North Waziristan's main town Miran Shah on Monday.

Vatican alchemy on the eve of the German trial of Bishop Williamson

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:12 AM PDT

The German trial, in absentia, of Catholic Bishop Richard Williamson, who resides in England, is scheduled to take place soon. Against this backdrop the Corpus Hermeticum that informs the Vatican has played its "Jew"-baiting card shortly after having played its "Jew"-worshiping card. Each "card" represents a symbolic supporting pillar of the Kabbalistic temple.

From the Right Wing Pillar of Severity

Monsignor Giacomo Babini, the Bishop Emeritus of Grossetto, was quoted by the Italian Roman Catholic website Pontifex as saying he believed a "Zionist attack" was behind the criticism of Pope Benedcit XVI amidst the child molestation scandal, given that it was "powerful and refined" in nature.

'NATO supported Jundallah'

Posted: 14 Apr 2010 12:09 AM PDT

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has sent a letter to the UN chief, condemning NATO intelligence forces' support of the leader of the Jundallah terrorist group.

"You are certainly familiar with the name of Abdolmalek Rigi, a terrorist and gang leader who had used Afghanistan and Pakistan as safe havens over the past years to infiltrate into Iran's southeast borders for conducting armed robberies and terrorist acts," ISNA quoted Ahmadinejad as saying in his letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday.

In Rio, flood death toll rises to 246

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 11:51 PM PDT

The death toll from floods and landslides in and around Rio de Janeiro has climbed to 246 and rescuers continue their work as another 200 people are still missing.

Rescue workers dug out more bodies on Tuesday from the city's knocked off hillside slum which was most affected by last week's downpour.

'Ratify START treaty now'

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 11:14 PM PDT

Days after Russia and the US signed a landmark pact on slashing nuclear warheads, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called on US lawmakers to "now ratify" the treaty.

"If there is no ratification that means we have returned to the Soviet times when such treaties were not ratified," the Russian president said on Tuesday.

Ratify START treaty now, Russia says

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 11:14 PM PDT

Days after Russia and the US signed a landmark pact on slashing nuclear warheads, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called on US lawmakers to "now ratify" the treaty.

"If there is no ratification that means we have returned to the Soviet times when such treaties were not ratified," the Russian president said on Tuesday.

Russia says no to 'harsh' Iran sanctions

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 10:59 PM PDT

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has declared that Moscow will not support the imposition of "unduly harsh" sanctions on Iran.

Speaking at a think tank in Washington on Tuesday, Medvedev said potential UN Security Council sanctions against Iran "certainly must not punish the people," Reuters reported.

Ousted Kyrgyz president ready for exile

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 10:48 PM PDT

The political crisis in Kyrgyzstan appears to be coming to an end with the ousted president offering to resign.

Kurmanbek Bakiyev says he is ready to step down if the interim government guarantees his security. He has also proposed talks with the new authorities.

Turkey, Brazil reject Iran sanctions

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 10:35 PM PDT

The leaders of Turkey and Brazil have informed the US president that they are still opposed to imposing sanctions on Iran.

In a meeting with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the 47-nation Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC on Tuesday, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva of Brazil and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey opposed the US calls for sanctions to be imposed on Iran.

Pro-Kurdish politician attacked in Turkey

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 10:00 PM PDT

The former chairman of Turkey's defunct Democratic Society Party (DTP), Ahmet Turk, has been attacked in the northern city of Samsun.

According to a report published by Today's Zaman, Turk was punched in the face by an assailant after he read a press statement outside a courtroom in Samsun on Tuesday.

Christine Blower: The Nutjob Ruining British Education

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 10:00 PM PDT

TurnerSchools

On 3 April, the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) announced that it was joining the National Union of Teachers (NUT) to recommend boycotting KS2 SATs. I'd better explain all these acronyms—or IBEATAs.

This alphabet soup signifies that Britain's largest teaching unions have urged their members not to administer the forthcoming tests for literacy and numeracy (Standard Assessment Tests) for Key Stage 2 pupils (those aged around 11). They feel that SATs "humiliate" pupils, encourage teachers to concentrate on English and maths, and that SATs are used to compile the league tables which rank schools by educational prowess. That there should be qualitative differences between schools and that parents should make hurtful choices based on these differences is an especial affront to the appropriately-named Christine Blower, NUT General Secretary.

Obama Loses an Opportunity

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 09:53 PM PDT

Benjamin Netanyahu has done it again. The Israeli prime minister has dug his head this time deeper into the sand on the eve of the international conference on nuclear security held in Washington, for fear that Turkey, Egypt and others would raise the issue of Israel's unmonitored nuclear arsenal.

Typically, this extremist right-wing Israeli government took two missteps in an attempt to divert international attention over the absence of Netanyahu from the 47-nation conference initiated by President Obama. Israel was only represented by a cabinet minister at this largest assemblage of several heads of state in the U.S. capitol in 60 years as when President Theodore Roosevelt helped launch the United Nations.

Ahmadinejad sends letter to Obama

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 09:49 PM PDT

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says that he has sent a letter to US President Barack Obama, the contents of which will be made public in the near future.

Ahmadinejad made the announcement in an interview televised live on Channel One of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting on Tuesday night.

The Media's Role in Cultural Decline

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 08:59 PM PDT

Journalist The media can no longer divorce itself from the process of cultural decline. There are numerous factors involved in turning a culture to dust. All of them are slow, subtle and thus easy to deny.

For years, our media set – newspaper, telly, radio, advertising, websites and PR – have denied they have any role either way in this process. It's a silly and self-defeating denial, because not only is it palpably false, it is akin to being a soccer manager and saying goals make no difference to a game. If the media didn't have an effect, they wouldn't be able to sell spots and spaces to the advertising business; and if those ads didn't have an influence, ad agencies wouldn't have any clients.

The Gang of Czech Jews around the Collapses of 9-11

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 07:12 PM PDT

Anders Björkman's article about the collapse of the World Trade Center entitled, "Discussion of 'What Did and Did Not Cause Collapse of World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York' by Bazant, Le, Greening and Benson" is scheduled for publication in the July 2010 issue of the Journal of Engineering Mechanics.

China 'always' favors diplomacy on Iran

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 06:42 PM PDT

China says it will always favor "dialogue" for resolving the dispute over Iran's nuclear program because sanctions will not help solve the issue.

"China always believes that dialogue and negotiation are the best way out for the issue. Pressure and sanctions cannot fundamentally solve it," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said on Tuesday.

Mossad Operation Threatened against Reporter

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 05:34 PM PDT

Israeli journalist who went into hiding after writing a series of reports showing lawbreaking approved by Israeli army commanders faces a lengthy jail term for espionage if caught, as Israeli security services warned at the weekend they would 'remove the gloves' to track him down.

The Shin Bet, Israel's secret police, said it was treating Uri Blau, a reporter with the liberal Haaretz daily newspaper who has gone underground in London, as a "fugitive felon" and that a warrant for his arrest had been issued.

The U.N. Partition Plan and Arab 'Catastrophe'

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 05:24 PM PDT

In 1947, Great Britain, unable to reconcile its conflicting obligations to both Jews and Arabs, requested that the United Nations take up the question of Palestine. In May, the U.N. Special Committee on Palestine (UNSCOP) was created by a General Assembly resolution. UNSCOP's purpose was to investigate the situation in Palestine and "submit such proposals as it may consider appropriate for the solution of the problem of Palestine".

Iraqis mark anti-Kurd Anfal genocide

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 04:18 PM PDT

Iraqis plan to attend a ceremony to commemorate 106 bodies recently uncovered in a mass grave associated with the Anfal genocide Campaign in Kurdistan.

One-hundred and four children and two women had been found in the grave which was uncovered in a village in northern Iraq, a Press TV correspondent reported Tuesday.

Deepest undersea volcanic vent found

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 04:07 PM PDT

Scientists have discovered the world's deepest known volcanic vent in the Cayman Trough, a deep-sea canyon beneath the surface of the Caribbean.

The research team used a remote-controlled submarine to find the vent, which they believe might host undiscovered marine species.

Poland to end political uncertainty

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 03:47 PM PDT

Poland's acting president vows to end political ambiguity with an early election after the sudden deaths of President Lech Kaczynski and dozens of top officials.

"The election date must be set…This must be done as soon as possible to shorten the period in which Poland is in a period of uncertainty." Bronislaw Komorowski, the acting president, was quoted by TVP Info on Tuesday.

Spanking leads to aggressive behavior

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 03:34 PM PDT

Spanking children as young as three increase the risk of exhibiting aggressive behavior, such as bullying, by the time they turn five, a new study shows.

Previous studies had linked spanking, neglect, maternal use of drugs and alcohol, maternal stress and depression and the physical or psychological maltreatment of the child to aggressive behavior in the child.

Sepahan beats Al Shabab in AFC-CL

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 03:31 PM PDT

Iran's Sepahan seals a decisive win in the AFC Champions League while Mes' hopes for reaching the second round were dented after losing to the UAE's Al Ahli.

Sepahan defeated Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab 1-0 at home to take a major step in reaching the AFC Champions League's second round.

Russia yet to decide on Iran S-300 deal

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 02:59 PM PDT

A senior Russian commander says the army cannot make an independent decision regarding the delivery of S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran.

Tehran has repeatedly voiced disapproval with continued delays in the delivery of the S-300 systems from Russia, which signed an agreement with Iran in 2005 to supply the country with the defense system.

Bakiyev offers conditions to resign

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 02:57 PM PDT

The ousted Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has not ruled out the possibility of resigning in case his safety is guaranteed by the interim government.

"I believe, first and foremost, if there is a guarantee that the roaming of these armed people ends in Kyrgyzstan, that this redistribution of property and this armed free-for-all stops. Secondly, if my personal security and that of my family and my relatives is guaranteed," Bakiyev told reporters when asked about his conditions for resigning.

World sees decline in maternal deaths

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 02:47 PM PDT

Latest figures show a significant decline in the number of maternal deaths, which has seen a drop from half a million in 1980 to less than 350,000 in 2008.

Maternal mortality is defined as the number of deaths reported in women during pregnancy or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and the site of pregnancy.

Arab League slams new Israeli plot

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 02:36 PM PDT

Hundreds of Palestinians hold a rally against a new Israeli threat to expel West Bank residents after the Arab League declared full support for their resistance.

Palestinians attended the sit-in demonstration on Tuesday after the 22-member Arab organization called on them to resist any order that could cause their expulsion from their homeland.

The Boomerang Effect

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 02:27 PM PDT

In case you didn't know, in Britain the Holocaust is part of the National Curriculum. Thanks to the 'The Holocaust Educational Trust' our children are guaranteed to learn how bad the Nazis were. This is probably much easier for our kids to acknowledge than to look into the ways in which the embarrassing legacy of the British Empire reverberates throughout almost every contemporary disastrous conflict on this planet. It is deemed far easier for our kids to learn about Anne Frank than to absorb the fact that Britain is directly responsible for the robbery of Palestine and the Palestinian ordeal. Learning about Auschwitz is also far easier than accepting the devastating reality created by Britain's latest illegal wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a colossal crime which has cost more than 1.5 million innocent lives so far. Thanks to The Holocaust Educational Trust we can brush history and our current crimes aside. Learning about the bad Nazis is far easier on our children than learning about the complicity of Britain in the holocaust. I guess that toughening British immigration laws to stop Jews escaping to Britain in the 1930s is not a prominent chapter in our kids' text books.

Israeli Mossad operation threatened against whistleblowing journalist

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 02:21 PM PDT

Jonathan Cook

The Shin Bet, Israel's secret police, said it was treating Uri Blau, a reporter with the liberal Haaretz daily newspaper who has gone underground in London, as a "fugitive felon" and that a warrant for his arrest had been issued.

Options being considered are an extradition request to the British authorities or, if that fails, a secret operation by Mossad, Israel's spy agency, to smuggle him back, according to Maariv, a right-wing newspaper.

UK 'helping' Serbs cover up genocide

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 02:20 PM PDT

Former Bosnian President Ejup Ganic, who is fighting extradition from Britain to Serbia, has accused London of eagerly seeking to "rewrite history."

Ganic accused British authorities of effectively enacting the wishes of late Yugoslav president Slobodan Milosevic in altering the facts of Serbian atrocities during the Balkan war.

Israel slammed for WB expulsion plot

Posted: 13 Apr 2010 02:07 PM PDT

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Feyadh has severely condemned a new Israeli threat to force out thousands of Palestinian residents from the occupied West Bank.

"The military order that seeks to deport Palestinians and/or subject them to prosecution on the grounds of being without proper residency -- this is something that in every way is illegal," including under international law, said the caretaker prime minister, speaking at a news conference on Tuesday.

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