Daily World

Protest against air raid in Turkey continues

2011-12-31T01:04:00.000-08:00

Protesters hold newspapers and banners during a demonstration in Istanbul of Turkey on Dec. 30, 2011. Turkey's Diyarbakir Specially Authorized Prosecutor's Office on Friday launched an investigation into the deadly air strike that killed 35 Kurdish villagers in southeastern Turkey, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on its website.

A protester holds a banner during a demonstration in Istanbul of Turkey on Dec. 30, 2011. Turkey's Diyarbakir Specially Authorized Prosecutor's Office on Friday launched an investigation into the deadly air strike that killed 35 Kurdish villagers in southeastern Turkey, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on its website.

A protester holds newspaper during a demonstration in Istanbul of Turkey on Dec. 30, 2011. Turkey's Diyarbakir Specially Authorized Prosecutor's Office on Friday launched an investigation into the deadly air strike that killed 35 Kurdish villagers in southeastern Turkey, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on its website.

Protesters hold banners during a demonstration in Istanbul of Turkey on Dec. 30, 2011. Turkey's Diyarbakir Specially Authorized Prosecutor's Office on Friday launched an investigation into the deadly air strike that killed 35 Kurdish villagers in southeastern Turkey, local newspaper Today's Zaman reported on its website.

(xinhua)

How to become a splendid cheerleader?

2011-12-31T00:46:00.000-08:00

How to become a splendid cheerleader?

(xinhua)

Michael Jordan engaged to model Yvette Prieto

2011-12-31T00:37:00.001-08:00

NBA basketball great Michael Jordan pauses during a ceremony where he was inducted into the North Carolina Sport Hall of Fame, during halftime of the NBA basketball game between the Toronto Raptors and Charlotte Bobcats, in Charlotte, North Carolina December 14, 2010.

Basketball legend Michael Jordan is engaged to his long-time girlfriend Yvette Prieto, his spokeswoman said on Thursday.

Jordan, 48, considered the greatest U.S. basketball player of all time, proposed to Cuban-American model Prieto, 32, over the Christmas holidays, the spokeswoman told TV station WCNC in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The couple have been dating for about three years. It will be the second marriage for Jordan, who divorced his wife Juanita in 2006 after 17 years.

Jordan spent almost 19 years with the National Basketball Association (NBA), retiring twice from the Chicago Bulls before finally quitting the game and the Washington Wizards in 2003.

He endorsed the successful line of Nike Air Jordan athletic shoes and appeared as himself in the 1996 movie "Space Jam."

Jordan is currently the majority owner of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats.

(Agencies)

Russell Brand-Katy Perry marriage over

2011-12-31T00:34:00.000-08:00

Russell Brand (L) and Katy Perry arrive for the European premiere of the film "Arthur" in London April 19, 2011.

British comedian and actor Russell Brand called it quits on his 14-month marriage to "Teenage Dream" singer Katy Perry on Friday, filing for divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences.

Brand, 36, star of the movie "Get Him to the Greek", and U.S. pop star Perry, 27, met in 2008 and married on October, 2010 in a lavish wedding in India.

The irreverent, former drug addict and the perky Christian-raised singer of international hits like "California Gurls" and "Firework" seemed an unlikely match, but they quickly became one of the most high-profile couples in the entertainment industry.

In recent weeks however, celebrity media reported that their marriage was in trouble.

They spent the Christmas holidays apart, with Brand being photographed in England, and Perry spotted in Hawaii -- both without their wedding rings.

"Sadly, Katy and I are ending our marriage. I'll always adore her and I know we'll remain friends," Brand said in a statement on Friday, after filing divorce papers in Los Angeles Superior Court. No separation date was given.

Perry's representatives did not return calls for comment on Friday.

Brand, who starred in the 2011 box-office flop "Arthur", dismissed rumors earlier this month that the couple were planning to split.

"I am married to Katy perpetually. Until death do us part was the pledge. I am still alive," the comedian told U.S. talk show host Ellen DeGeneres in a December 2 interview.

Perry, who first tried a career as a gospel music singer, transformed herself from what music critics thought might be a one hit wonder with the single "I Kissed a Girl" in 2008 to become one of the world's biggest pop stars.

Her "California Dreams Tour 2011," played up her carefully cultivated bubblegum pop image with sex appeal. But she told Reuters in an interview earlier this year she was able to stay away from the wild, party life with the help of honest people around her, including Brand, himself a recovering drug addict who is now clean and sober.

Brand rose quickly through the ranks of Hollywood.

His antics include being forced to resign as a BBC radio host in 2008 after making lewd, prank phone calls before appearing in break-out role as a music pop star in the film "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and repeating the character for "Get Him to the Greek."

(Agencies)

Italy's boot ready to kick the crisis back

2011-12-31T00:27:00.001-08:00

Italian Ambassador to China
Attilio Massimo Iannucci. Photo: Courtesy of the Italian embassy in Beijing

As Italians emerge from the current holiday season, they know that 2012 will be a trying year - one that will possibly define the future of the country beyond the current generation.

This comes as no surprise to Italians because 2011 has already tested them beyond expectations. 2011 was supposed to be a year of celebration as the nation feted the 150th anniversary of the reunification of the Italian peninsula, with a ceremony marked by the presence of high-level officials from around the world, including Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping.

But with the crisis from Greece, Ireland and Portugal spilling over into the bigger European economies such as Spain and Italy, the structural problem of public debt within the eurozone provided international financial speculators with painful leverage.

To prove its commitment to the economic benchmark of the times - budgetary discipline - Italy changed government and passed three austerity budgets, each one more severe than the other. The last one, just approved by the Italian Parliament, in a case of the government feeling the pain of the common man, even elicited public tears from a cabinet welfare minister.

Yet, despite the gloom of the current economic outlook, Italians know that the fundamentals of the economy are strong: a small budget deficit, low debt of the private sector, a strong manufacturing sector (second in Europe only to Germany, the fifth in the world), a solid financial condition of households, the soundness of banks, and limited foreign debt.

While Italy has been thankfully endowed with unsurpassed beauty, its land is remarkably poor in natural resources. Its greatest asset is human capital, which over a span of 3,000 years - almost at a par with China - has made the Italian peninsula a beacon of civilization and ideas, a source of bewildered admiration from foreign visitors.

Italians are not only an inventive, creative and resourceful people. They also remain a thrifty and industrious one. SMEs' niche specializations and high-quality products (Italy's "pocket multinationals" as they are called) guarantee the country's prominence in world exports. It is no small feat that in the middle of the severest world recession since 1929, the country is still achieving one of the largest foreign trade surpluses in manufactured products.

Italians remain frugal and wary of private debt. The household total net wealth is high by international standards, estimated at 178 percent of the size of the GDP. In the real estate market - as in China also Italy's favorite investment - prices are stable, thus preserving families' net worth.

True to the legacy of a people that has produced 19 Nobel Price laureates, Italy's educational performances appear in line with the OECD countries. The scientific productivity of Italian researchers ranks at the top in Europe, a source of technological innovation for Italian firms of any size and sector with the country banking on a booming green economy.

At times of crisis it is reasonable to take stock of one's own assets. While taking comfort in the fundamentals of its own economy and unique culture and creativity, Italy will remain in 2012 actively engaged in the international arena where since 1945 it has been a provider of peace and security also outside of its immediate reaches in Europe and the Mediterranean.

History has often put Italy in the position of being "Europe's comeback kid." We have been there before and while we do not necessarily relish this situation - far from it - we know that we can overcome one more time the challenges ahead in the upcoming Year of the Dragon.

The author is the Italian ambassador to China.

DPRK's Kim Jong Un becomes top military commander

2011-12-31T00:21:00.000-08:00

This file photo released on Dec. 26, 2011 by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s official news agency Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows Kim Jong Un (front), vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) arrives at the Kumsusan Memorial Palace to pay respect to his father the late leader Kim Jong Il in Pyongyang, the DPRK, on Dec. 24, 2011. Kim Jong Un has become the top military commander of the DPRK, KCNA reported Saturday.

Kim Jong Un has become the top military commander of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the official KCNA news agency reported Saturday.

A meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) on Friday proclaimed that Kim assumed the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army according to a will made by his late father Kim Jong Il on Oct. 8, said the KCNA.

At the meeting, the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee adopted a document entitled "On Effecting a Great Surge in Building a Thriving Nation True to the Behests of the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il," which says the army and people of the DPRK will carry forward and accomplish the cause of building a thriving socialist nation and the revolutionary cause of Juche under the leadership of Kim Jong Un, said the KCNA.

The document underlines the need to hold Kim Jong Un, the youngest son of Kim Jong Il, as "the only center of unity, cohesion and leadership of the WPK" and devotedly defend him politically and ideologically.

It calls upon all party members, the military and people to "turn sorrow into thousand-fold strength and courage" and struggle to "win a great fresh victory in the Juche revolution under the leadership of Kim Jong Un," according to the KCNA.

Kim Jong Un was named vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of the WPK last year. Kim Jong Il, who was the country's top military commander, died on Dec. 17.

Friday's meeting discussed the joint calls of the WPK Central Committee and the Central Military Commission on marking the centenary of the birth of Kim Jong Un's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, the KCNA added.

(Xinhua)

Mark Cavendish wins UCI Road World Championship

2011-09-26T04:16:00.001-07:00

Contestants compete during the men's elite at UCI Road World Championships

in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Sept. 25, 2011. Mark Cavendish of Britain won

the gold. Matthew Harley Goss of Australia and Andre Greipel of Germany won

the silver and the bronze respectively.

Gold medalist Mark Cavendish (C) of Britain, silver medalist Matthew Harley

Goss (L) of Australia and bronze medalist Andre Greipel of Germany pose for

photos during the awarding ceremony of men's elite at UCI Road World

Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Sept. 25, 2011.

Gold medalist Mark Cavendish (C) of Britain, silver medalist Matthew Harley

Goss (L) of Australia and bronze medalist Andre Greipel of Germany pose for

photos during the awarding ceremony of men's elite at UCI Road World

Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Sept. 25, 2011.

(Xinhua)

U.S. rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly remembered with star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

2011-09-09T02:24:00.001-07:00

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 7-- U.S. rock star Buddy Holly has posthumously received the 2,447th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Wednesday, when the singer would have celebrated his 75th birthday.

The singer-songwriter's widow, Maria Elena Santiago, accepted the honor on his behalf at an event held in front of the Capitol Records building on Vine Street.

She was joined by Phil Everly, of the Everly Brothers, Peter Asher of Peter and Gordon and actor Gary Busey, who played Holly in the 1978 biographical drama "The Buddy Holly Story."

Born Charles Hardin Holley in Lubbock, Texas, on Sept. 7, 1936, Holly signed a contract with Decca Records in 1956, recording demos and singles in Nashville, Tennessee, under the name Buddy Holly and the Three Tunes.

He shot to stardom after he and a revised band lineup, now dubbed the Crickets, recorded "That'll be the Day" in 1957. Of the Top 40 Hits worldwide, Holly had 27 in the ensuing 18 months before his death in February 1959, when the private plane he was traveling on went down in Iowa en route to Moorhead, Minnesota for a performance.

Holly's legacy inspired and influenced contemporary and later musicians, notably The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and Eric Clapton, and exerted a profound influence on popular music. He was also among the first group of singers to be inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

In 2004, Holly was ranked by "Rolling Stone" as the 13th among "The Fifty Greatest Artists of All Time."

(Xinhua)

Typhoon kills 20 in Japan

2011-09-05T01:30:00.000-07:00

An aerial view shows a flooded residential area caused by the strong tropical storm Talas in Kiho town, Mie prefecture, in western Japan September 4, 2011.

TOKYO - Typhoon Talas dumped record amounts of rain Sunday in western and central Japan, killing at least 20 people and stranding thousands more as it turned towns into lakes, washed away cars and triggered mudslides that obliterated houses. At least 50 people were missing, local media reported.

Evacuation orders and advisories were issued to 460,000 people in the region, which is hundreds of miles (kilometers) from the country's tsunami-ravaged northeastern coast.

At least 3,600 people were stranded by flooded rivers, landslides and collapsed bridges that were hampering rescue efforts, Kyodo News agency reported.

Public broadcaster NHK showed a bridge swept away after intense rain caused a river to swell with brown torrents. People holding umbrellas waded through knee-deep water in city streets and residential areas.

The typhoon dumped record amounts of rain in some areas, and more was expected. It was the country's worst storm since one in 2004 that left 98 people either dead or missing, the Yomiuri newspaper said. By Sunday, Talas had been downgraded to a tropical storm.

Ten people were killed and 32 were missing in Wakayama prefecture alone, police said. One landslide there buried three homes; a woman was killed and four people were missing, but a 14-year-old girl was rescued from the debris.

In nearby Nara prefecture, seven people were reported missing after their homes were swept down a river, NHK said. A 73-year-old man died in Nara when his house collapsed in a landslide, police said.

The storm damaged Nijojo castle in the ancient city of Kyoto, tearing a large piece of plaster from the gate wall. The castle, a popular tourist destination, is designated an important cultural treasure.

An aerial view shows houses submerged in flood water caused by the strong tropical storm Talas in Kiho town, Mie prefecture, in western Japan September 4, 2011.

The center of the season's 12th typhoon crossed the southern island of Shikoku and the central part of the main island of Honshu overnight Saturday. It was moving slowly north across the Sea of Japan off the country's west coast, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Because of the storm's slow speed, the agency warned that heavy rains and strong winds were likely to continue. With the ground already soaked, fears of additional mudslides were growing, and the agency issued landslide warnings in nearly all of the country's prefectures.

(Agencies)

2011-09-05T01:28:00.000-07:00

Workers take photographs of a United Express plane after it skidded off the runway at the Ottawa International Airport Sept 4, 2011. The Embraer ERJ 145 plane carrying 44 passengers from Chicago skidded off the runway while landing in Ottawa, although there appeared to be no injuries, a fire department official said on Sunday.

TORONTO - A United Express regional jet carrying 44 passengers from Chicago skidded off the runway while landing in Ottawa on Sunday afternoon, but no one was apparently injured, authorities said.

All the passengers and crew members from United Express Flight 3363 left the plane and were taken to the airport terminal on a city bus, said Marc Messier, a spokesman for Ottawa Fire Services.

"When we arrived, they were pretty much all off the plane," he said, adding that none of the passengers immediately requested medical attention.

Emergency crews sprayed foam on a large amount of fuel that had leaked from the plane, an Embraer ERJ 145, he said.

A Reuters photographer at the airport said the plane, still surrounded by emergency vehicles, was sitting off the runway and appeared to have a damaged right wing.

Trans States Airlines, the operating carrier of the flight, said in a statement that it "cannot speculate as to the cause of the incident," but would provide more information as it becomes available.

The company also said it would be involved in the investigation, which is being led by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.

United Express flights are operated by various regional carriers working with United Continental Holdings.

(Reuters)

Hundreds of thousands march across Israel for affordable housing

2011-09-03T23:44:00.001-07:00

Some 40,000 Israelis take part in a rally asking for lower living costs at Jerusalem's Paris Square, Sept. 3, 2011. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the street on Saturday night across the country in demand for affordable housing, education and medical care.

JERUSALEM, Sept. 3 -- Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the street on Saturday night across the country in demand for affordable housing, education and medical care.

Over 400,000 people took part in the rally, which was one of the biggest demonstration in Israel, according to local media, as the quantity of protestors kept growing from several thousands to about half a million.

The Israeli police estimated some 250,000 people marched in Tel Aviv. Another 40,000 protestors protested near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Jerusalem, expressing dissatisfaction over the high cost of living.

Marches took place in several other cities including Eilat, Nahariya, Hadera, Herzliya, which witnessed several thousands of participators respectively.

"Tonight we make history again. From now on the government knows that at any given moment Israelis can return to the streets and must therefore deliver the goods," one of the original organizers, chairman of the Student Union Itzik Shmuli, was quoted by Ynet as saying.

The protesters, many of whom were young Israelis disgruntled with growing inability to buy or rent a home, held a "tent protest" in the streets of Tel Aviv and several other major cities in July.

Prime Minister Netanyahu outlined emergency measures geared at alleviating the housing distress in the same month.

However, the plan failed to subdue public outrage over soaring prices, with protest leaders vowing to step up actions.

A woman shouts slogans as some 40,000 Israelis take part in a rally asking for lower living costs at Jerusalem's Paris Square, Sept. 3, 2011. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis took to the street on Saturday night across the country in demand for affordable housing, education and medical care.

Back to past: Mercedes Benz vintage car show kicks off in Berlin

2011-08-28T17:40:00.000-07:00

People look at a W154 Mercedes Benz racing car at a vintage car show marking the German car maker's 125 anniversary at the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, August 27, 2011

Mechanics push a W196 old timer racing car at a Mercedes Benz vintage car show marking the German car maker's 125 anniversary at the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, August 27, 2011.

A man looks at a Mercedes Benz old timer at a Mercedes Benz vintage car show marking the German car maker's 125 anniversary at the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, August 27, 2011.

Mechanics push a W125 old timer racing car at a Mercedes Benz vintage car show marking the German car maker's 125 anniversary at the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, August 27, 2011.

Men look at old timer cars at a Mercedes Benz vintage car show marking the German car maker's 125 anniversary at the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, August 27, 2011.

Mechanics work on the engine of a W125 racing car at a Mercedes Benz vintage car show marking the German car maker's 125 anniversary at the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, August 27, 2011.

Mechanics push a W196 old timer racing car at a Mercedes Benz vintage car show marking the German car maker's 125 anniversary at the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, August 27, 2011.

Mechanics push old timer racing cars at a Mercedes Benz vintage car show marking the German car maker's 125 anniversary at the former Tempelhof airport in Berlin, August 27, 2011.

(Reuters)

Miss Universe 2011 contestants gather at samba dance class

2011-08-27T03:29:00.000-07:00

Miss Universe 2011 contestants attend a samba dance class at Rosas de Ouro samba school in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Aug. 26, 2011. The beauty contest will be held on September 12.

2Miss Universe 2011 contestants attend a samba dance class at Rosas de Ouro samba school in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Aug. 26, 2011. The beauty contest will be held on September 12.

Miss Universe 2011 contestants attend a samba dance class at Rosas de Ouro samba school in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Aug. 26, 2011. The beauty contest will be held on September 12.

Samba dancers perform for Miss Universe 2011 contestants during a samba dance class at Rosas de Ouro samba school in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Aug. 26, 2011. The beauty contest will be held on September 12.

(Rahel Patrasso)

Libyan rebels in final push to flush out Gaddafi's forces in Tripoli

2011-08-26T01:44:00.000-07:00

Libyan rebel fighter fire their weapons during a fight for the final push to flush out Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Abu Salim district in Tripoli August 25, 2011. Libyan rebels stormed Tripoli's Abu Salim district, one of the main holdouts of forces loyal to Gaddafi in the capital, after NATO air strikes on a building in the area on Thursday.

Libyan rebel fighters detain a mercenary during a fight for the final push to flush out Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Abu Salim district in Tripoli August 25, 2011. Libyan rebels stormed Tripoli's Abu Salim district, one of the main holdouts of forces loyal to Gaddafi in the capital, after NATO air strikes on a building in the area on Thursday.

An injured Libyan rebel fighter flashes the victory sign during a fight for the final push to flush out Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Abu Salim district in Tripoli August 25, 2011. Libyan rebels stormed Tripoli's Abu Salim district, one of the main holdouts of forces loyal to Gaddafi in the capital, after NATO air strikes on a building in the area on Thursday.

Libyan rebel fighters fire their weapons during a fight for the final push to flush out Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Abu Salim district in Tripoli August 25, 2011. Gaddafi taunted his Libyan enemies and their Western backers as rebel forces battled pockets of loyalists across Tripoli in an ever more urgent quest to find and silence the fugitive strongman.

Libyan rebel fighters stand guard over an injured detainee during a fight for the final push to flush out Muammar Gaddafi's forces in Abu Salim district in Tripoli August 25, 2011. Libyan rebels stormed Tripoli's Abu Salim district, one of the main holdouts of forces loyal to Gaddafi in the capital, after NATO air strikes on a building in the area on Thursday.

(Reuters)

Assad rejects Western calls to quit

2011-08-23T05:11:00.001-07:00

A supporter of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad protests in the al-Fanar district of Beirut on Sunday, as the UN mission began its first full day in Damascus to assess humanitarian needs in the wake of the crackdown.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday dismissed "worthless" recent demands by Western nations that he step down, warning that any outside interference in the country would be met with severe consequences.

"Such remarks should not be made about a president who was chosen by the Syrian people and who was not put in office by the West, a president who was not made in the US," Assad said during an interview with the country's state television, according to SANA News Agency.

"As for the threat of military action ... any action against Syria will have greater consequences (on those who carry it out), greater than they can tolerate," he warned.

Assad pledged that Syrian local elections would be held in December, before parliamentary polls in February after a new law on political parties comes into effect this week, arguing that security has to be restored before a political solution can occur.

The opposition has dismissed Assad's promised political reforms and many opposition figures have rejected his call for national dialogue, saying no discussions can be had while security forces continue to kill protesters.

UN rights chief Navi Pillay told the Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva on Monday that an estimated 2,200 people have been killed since the start of the protests.

The remark made by Assad was the first response from Damascus to a coordinated move by Western power to pressure the Syrian government into stopping its crackdown.

US President Barack Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton issued a statement Thursday urging Assad to step down and let Syrians chart their own future.

The Obama administration also broadened its sanctions against Damascus, freezing any Syrian government assets in the US and banning the import of Syrian petroleum products.

In Brussels, diplomats also said that EU governments have "as good as" wrapped up a key deal to ban imports of crude oil from Syria.

However, no country has proposed the kind of action against Syria that NATO forces have carried out in support of Libyan rebels seeking to topple Muammar Gaddafi.

"The Western countries are much more cautious in responding to the Syrian crisis because Syria's geo-political influence is incomparable to that of Libya," said Li Weijian, director of the Research Center of West Asian and African Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies.

"Syria borders Israel and Iraq and the West sees it as a major ally of Iran. So any reckless decisions made by Western nations might lead to further tension and turmoil," he told the Global Times.

AFP

Libyan rebels control Tripoli, Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam detained

2011-08-22T03:02:00.000-07:00

Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's most prominent son, Saif al-Islam, speaks during an interview with Reuters in Tripoli in March 10, 2011 file photograph. Libya's rebels have captured Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saif Al-Islam, the head of the rebel National Transitional Council told Al Jazeera television on August 21,2011. "We have confirmed information that our guys have captured Saif Al-Islam," Mustapha Abd El Jalil said. "We have given instructions to treat him well so that he can face trial."

BENGHAZI/TRIPOLI, Aug. 21-- Libyan rebel forces have controlled Tripoli except Bab Al-Aziziyah and are clearing up the remnants of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces, National Transitional Council's senior official Abdullah Almayhop said.

Rebel soldiers were seen waving opposition flag in the downtown Green Square, where most of the government departments are located.

Almayhop said that Gaddafi's eldest son Mohammed has surrendered to the rebels.

Mustafa Abdul Jalil, the head of Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC), said in an TV interview earlier Sunday night that Saif al-Islam, Gaddafi's second son, had been captured and was under custody in a safe place.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor's office confirmed that Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam has been detained. The ICC issued arrest warrants on June 27 for Gaddafi, his son Saif al- Islam and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi, charged with crimes against humanity.

Jalil said that Gaddafi's guards in Tripoli had surrendered to the opposition troops.

Meanwhile, Gaddafi said in an Audio speech on Sunday that all the tribes and people should march to Tripoli to "purify" the city, according to the State TV.

"The west will not protect you," he said, "Tripoli will be destroyed."

He urged all the imams of mosques to guide people to protect the capital.

The spokesman for Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's government Moussa Ibrahim said on Sunday that 1,300 people had been killed in the fighting in Tripoli since noon Sunday.

He said at a press conference in Tripoli that 5,000 people were wounded in the battle and the NATO should be held responsible for the bloodshed.

He said that the country needs Gaddafi and people should be encouraged to fight for him.

Opposition convoy entered the western district of Tripoli on early Sunday evening with almost no sign of resistance, Al-Jazeera TV channel reported.

Residents of the city began to stream into streets to welcome the opposition troops, despite Gaddafi's call to urge people to take up arms to guard his rule.

Thousands of people flock into the streets in Benghazi, ready to celebrate for the collapse of Gaddafi's rule.

(Reuters)

DPRK top leader Kim Jong Il sets foot on Russia

2011-08-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

A train, transporting North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, arrives at Khasan Station after crossing the border between North Korea and Russia, near Russia's far eastern city of Vladivostok August 20, 2011.

Kim Jong Il, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) and chairman of the National Defense Commission (NDC) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) passed through Khasan, the border railway station of Russia in the morning of Aug. 20, the official news agency KCNA reported.

According to the KCNA, the unofficial visit by Kim Jong Il to Siberia and the Far East Region of the Russian Federation at the invitation of Dmitri Anatoliyevich Medvedev, president of the Russian Federation, is another event in "achieving world peace and security and the human cause of independence" and will mark a historic occasion in "boosting the DPRK-Russia friendship given steady continuity generation after generation and putting strong impetus to the drive of all the servicepersons and people to build a thriving socialist nation".

Kim was greeted at Khasan Railway Station by Viktor Ishayev, presidential envoy to the Far East Region of the Russian Federation, Sergey Darikin, governor of Maritime Territory, and other senior Russian officials at the railway station. The officials warmly welcomed Kim, saying President Medvedev who paid deep attention to the Russia-DPRK friendship dispatched them to greet him and the current visit of Kim to Russia will mark a historic occasion in putting the Russia-DPRK friendly and cooperative relations onto a fresher and higher stage, said the report.
Kim said that he was very pleased to see the achievements made by the Russian people and appreciated the greeting of the senior officials of Russia, the report added.

It is reported that he is accompanied by Kim Yong Chun, member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and minister of the People's Armed Forces, Kang Sok Ju, member of the Political Bureau of the WPK Central Committee and vice-premier of the Cabinet other senior officials.

Kim made his last visit to Russia in 2002.

(Reuters)

Libyan rebels seize crucial western oil refinery

2011-08-20T19:20:00.000-07:00

A Libyan rebel rests as he takes cover from mortar shelling in an unfinished mosque on the outskirts of the western city of Sabratha on Wednesday.

Libyan rebels took control of an oil refinery in the western town of Zawiyah and blocked the main highway north to the capital Thursday, further isolating Muammar Gaddafi's Tripoli stronghold.

Rebel advances in recent days have cut Gaddafi's forces off from their main resupply routes following a months-long stalemate.

Small groups of rebel fighters occupied the inside of the Zawiyah refinery complex, about 50 kilometers west of Tripoli along the highway linking Tripoli to Tunisia, with no sign of the pro-Gaddafi forces that had battled for the plant.

"The battle (for the refinery) lasted for two days but the main battle was last night. We took control last night," said Saleh Omran, 31, a rebel fighter from Zawiyah who spoke to Reuters inside the refinery complex.

He said rebel forces battled about 150 Gaddafi troops, who later fled the seaside refinery on Zodiac boats.

Doctors at a hospital a few kilometers south of Zawiyah said nine people were killed and at least 45 injured in fighting around the town and at the refinery on Wednesday, most of them rebels, and said pro-Gaddafi forces had hit a house near the hospital with Grad rockets.

Rebels also controlled the town of Garyan, which sits about 80 kilometers south of Tripoli on the main highway, a Reuters reporter there said, adding that rebels had placed a T-34 tank and an anti-aircraft gun taken from Gaddafi forces in the main square.

A spokesman for Gaddafi played down recent rebel gains and said the government remained in control of the country.

"This is a crisis that will last a few days and then it will be – God willing – overcome," said Mussa Ibrahim in remarks carried by JANA news agency Thursday. "We will push ahead and until we liberate the whole country."
Separately, former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin met Libyan rebels and envoys loyal to Gaddafi in Tunisia for talks aimed at ending the conflict, a French newspaper reported Thursday.

Villepin is the second French figure outside the government to seek a solution to the Libyan conflict, after celebrity philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy.

(Reuters)

Squirrel monkeys turn to football stars

2011-08-19T01:11:00.001-07:00

Squirrel monkeys play with ball at London Zoo, Aug. 18, 2011.

A squirrel monkey plays with ball at London Zoo, Aug. 18, 2011.

(AFP)

Libyan PM calls for dialogue to solve the Libyan crisis

2011-08-19T01:11:00.000-07:00

Libya's Prime Minister Baghdadi Mahmudi speaks during a news conference in Tripoli May 26, 2011.

TRIPOLI, Aug. 18 -- Libyan Prime Minister Baghdadi Ali Mahmudi on Thursday called for dialogue to solve the Libyan crisis, saying that peaceful means is the necessary choice.

Speaking at a press conference after a cabinet meeting, Mahmudi said: "The Libyan crisis cannot be solved through military means, but through dialogue and consultative means," according to the state-run news agency.

"NATO should immediately stop the bombardment over the Libyan people, thus creating conditions for dialogue and consultation," he said.

"We are not on the weak side, though we proposed dialogue... that is because peaceful means is our choice. We hope the international community cooperate for a satisfactory solution," Mahmudi stressed.

He also said that "Various contacts are underway which is aimed at launching dialogue for a peaceful solution."

(Xinhua)

Mila Kunis in panties on GQ

2011-08-16T02:35:00.001-07:00

Mila Kunis poses in her panties for the cover of the upcoming August 2011 issue of GQ Magazine.

Mila Kunis poses for the cover of the upcoming August 2011 issue of GQ Magazine.

Mila Kunis poses for the cover of the upcoming August 2011 issue of GQ Magazine.

(mtime.com)

Texas Gov. Perry announces presidential bid

2011-08-14T02:18:00.000-07:00

Texas Gov. Rick Perry (2ndL) waves to the audience with his family after announcing he will run for the Republican presidential nomination in Charleston, South Carolina.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 13 -- Texas Governor Rick Perry on Saturday announced he is to run for the office of U.S. president in an appearance in early-voting state South Carolina.

Speaking in front of a conservative crowd in Charleston, Perry touted his economic achievements in Texas, which has a net gain of more than one million new jobs in the decade he has led the state. Perry succeeded George W. Bush after the latter won the White House.

The three-term Republican governor also directed criticism at President Barack Obama, casting him as a failure of leadership who has diminished the standing of the United States as well as its economic prospects. He promised to cut spending, limit the size of the federal government and repeal the healthcare reform, Obama's signature achievement, if he is to be elected into the White House.

Perry's announcement came hours before results are due from an important test poll between GOP candidates in Iowa, stealing the show from participants in the Iowa Straw Poll such as Representative Michele Bachmann and Tim Pawlenty. Mitt Romney, the presumed front-runner of the GOP field, didn't enter the Iowa contest.

The announcement by Perry has been anticipated for weeks, if not months, as the wave of conservatism grasps the Republican party. Even before the announcement, polls have placed the unapologetic conservative as one of the front runners among the Republican candidates, posing direct threat to Romney, whose conservative credentials are undermined by the healthcare reform in Massachusetts when he was governor there.

Perry's policies and style are also in stark contrast with Obama. He is a gun-enthusiast, and presided over a low-tax, low-service, low-regulation model for the Lone Star State. A recent poll suggests Obama has a slight edge over him in voter support.

Texas Governor Rick Perry speaks during the 2011 Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana June 18, 2011.

(Reuters)

"Cowboys and Aliens" premieres in London

2011-08-12T20:00:00.002-07:00

British actor Daniel Craig (L-R) and U.S. actors Olivia Wilde and Harrison Ford pose for photographs as they arrive for the British premiere of "Cowboys and Aliens" at the O2 Arena in London August 11, 2011.

U.S. actress Olivia Wilde poses for photographs as she arrives for the British premiere of "Cowboys and Aliens" at the O2 Arena in London August 11, 2011.

British actor Daniel Craig (L) and U.S. actress Olivia Wilde pose for photographs as they arrive for the British premiere of "Cowboys and Aliens" at the O2 Arena in London August 11, 2011.

4 killed, 30 injured in train derail in Poland: report

2011-08-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

A picture taken on August 12, 2011 shows people walking near damaged and derailed carriages of an inter-city train between Warsaw and Katowice after the train jumped the tracks for reasons that were not immediately clear, in Baby, near Piotrkow Trybunalski, central Poland. Four passengers were killed and at least 30 injured in the accident. "We have four deaths," Justyna Sochacka, spokeswoman for helicopter emergency medics, told AFP. Police said at least 30 people were seriously injured. All were being transported to local hospitals for treatment.

WARSAW, Aug. 12 -- Four people were killed and 30 injured after a train derailed in central Poland on Friday, local media reported.

The train, which belongs to the PKP state rail company Intercity, was traveling from Warsaw to the southern city of Katowice when it derailed Friday afternoon in the vicinity of Piotrkow Trybunalski in central Poland.

One of the four derailed carriages fell out of the rails and overturned. About 280 passengers were believed to be on board the train, Polish PKP railways spokesman Lukasz Kurpiewski told TVN24.

A rescue operation carried out by medical emergency services, police and fire brigades is underway, according to the police.

(AFP)

Giant tortoises in Amsterdam

2011-08-10T21:03:00.000-07:00

Two Aldabra giant tortoises mate at the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam August 10, 2011.

Two Aldabra giant tortoises mate at the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam August 10, 2011

A zookeeper lures an Aldabra giant tortoise onto a scale at the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam August 10, 2011. The tortoises are weighed every two years to check their health.

Two Aldabra giant tortoises mate at the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam August 10, 2011.

A zookeeper lures an Aldabra giant tortoise onto a scale at the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam August 10, 2011. The tortoises are weighed every two years to check their health.

A zookeeper lures two Aldabra giant tortoises onto a scale at the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam August 10, 2011. The tortoises are weighed every two years to check their health.

An Aldabra giant tortoise is weighed at the Artis Zoo in Amsterdam August 10, 2011.

(Reuters)

London mayor visits Clapham Junction after riots

2011-08-10T03:12:00.000-07:00

London Mayor Boris Johnson speaks to people in Clapham Junction, in south London August 9, 2011.

London Mayor Boris Johnson carries a broom in Clapham Junction, in south London August 9, 2011.

A man puts a hand on the shoulder of London Mayor Boris Johnson as he carries a broom in Clapham Junction, in south London August 9, 2011.

London Mayor Boris Johnson waves as he arrives in Clapham Junction, in south London August 9, 2011.

(Reuters)

London riots claim first fatality after man dies in hospital

2011-08-10T02:41:00.000-07:00

A man passes a burned out vehicle in Peckham, suburb of London, UK, early August 9, 2011. British Prime Minister David Cameron on Tuesday vowed to do "whatever is necessary" to restore order to the streets of Britain troubled by rioting for more than three days.

LONDON, Aug. 9 -- Riots which rocked the British capital since Saturday and swept across the country claimed its first toll on Tuesday, after a man shot in a car during the unrest died in hospital in London.

Police said the 26-year-old man was discovered in a car Monday night in Croydon, a south London suburb, as the rioting broke out in the area. He had suffered from multiple gun shot wounds.

Hundreds of people, including police officers have so far been injured, as the rioting quickly spread from London to other major British cities.

The three days of unrest began Saturday when a peaceful protest led by relatives of 29-year-old Mark Duggan, who was shot dead on Thursday night in a police raid in the Tottenham area of north London, turned violent.

In London, hooded young people ransacked shops, burned cars and buildings, and attacked police officers with stones, bottles and fireworks.

By Tuesday, the rioting had spread to other cities including Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.

At least 500 people were arrested and 100 charged over rioting and looting, with British Prime Minister promising more if the violence continued.

Address the press Tuesday noon after cutting short of his holiday in Italy earlier in the day, Cameron described the "sickening scenes" caused by the rioters as "criminality pure and simple."

The Prime Minister, who chaired a meeting of the national disaster management committee, the Cobra Committee, at his Downing Street office, also said he would recalled the Parliament from its summer recess on Thursday, so that he could make a statement regarding the rioting.

All leave for police were cancelled, according to Cameron, who pledged to bring in reinforcements from around the country. Ten thousand extra police officers would be deployed in London, bringing the total number to 16,000.

(Xinhua)

Aftermath of London riot

2011-08-07T17:44:00.000-07:00

A police officer removes identification from a police car set alight and burned during riots in Tottenham, north London, August 7, 2011. Rioters throwing petrol bombs battled police in a economically deprived district of London overnight, setting patrol cars, buildings and a double-decker bus on fire in some of the worst disorder seen in the capital for recent years.

Firemen dowse down buildings set alight during riots in Tottenham, north London, August 7, 2011.

A police officer cordons off shops set alight and burned during riots in Tottenham, north London, August 7, 2011. Rioters throwing petrol bombs battled police in a economically deprived district of London overnight, setting patrol cars, buildings and a double-decker bus on fire in some of the worst disorder seen in the capital for recent years.

A child looks into the remains of a police car set alight and burned during riots in Tottenham, north London, August 7, 2011.

(Xinhua)

Historic protest turnout stuns Israel

2011-08-07T17:36:00.000-07:00

More than 250,000 Israelis take part in a massive rally to protest against high cost of living, in Tel Aviv, Israel, Aug. 6, 2011.

JERUSALEM, Aug. 7 -- In what appears to be a record- breaking turnout, a conservatively-estimated 300,000 Israelis from all walks of life packed city squares across the country Saturday night, calling for "social justice," a blanket term covering demands for reforms in housing, taxes, healthcare, childcare, and education.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday morning announced the partial makeup of the social-economic committee tasked with responding to the protesters' demands, only three weeks after a Facebook protest page over the high cost of housing in the center of the country exploded into tent camps from the northern Galilee down to the Red Sea port of Eilat.

Netanyahu, in remarks at the weekly Sunday morning cabinet session, enumerated "a change in priorities, aimed at easing the economic burden on the citizens of Israel," including "a change in tax payments; third, expanded access to social services; fourth, increasing competition and efficiency in the marketing of goods and services, aimed at lowering prices. Fifth, steps to implement the housing program that we have already set forth."

Netanyahu added that the steps would be taken with "fiscal responsibly, vis a vis the national budget," and "with responsibility in a period of economic uncertainty," according to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz called the public turnout " impressive" in an interview with Army radio, adding that Israel's cost of living, in his opinion, was "unjustifiable and unreasonable."

Prof. Manuel Trajtenberg, formerly the head of the National Economic Council, will head the 17-member committee, which will include two outside observers.

Trajtenberg told Netanyahu that he accepted the role "with great excitement, since before us is a rare opportunity to bring about a real change in our dear country. On the other hand, with heavy apprehension over the immense responsibility involved in this mission, and from the size of the expectations and the risks. "

PMO Director-General Eyal Gabbai told Israel Radio Sunday morning that the group would present its recommendations to the government within a month.

Protest leaders hailed the size of the turnout.

"There have always been demonstrations and rallies to protest the past, yet this is the first time hundreds of thousands of people are gathering time and again to tell our leaders: We demand change," National Student Union leader Itzik Shmuli told the crowds in Tel Aviv.

However, Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan, who sits on the panel, suggested to Israel radio on Sunday that "The protest cannot dictate every government decision. Not everyone who is leading it is a professional. The government has to produce solutions, and it will be put to the test. To those concerned about the price of housing, there is a message here: there will be much more significant construction of residential housing that will bring about a lowering of prices."

Pundits had a field day analyzing the significance of the unprecedented wave of public support.

Nahum Barnea, a veteran political analyst for the Yedioth Aharonot daily, wrote Sunday that "The general feeling is that the government is cut off from the citizen's hardships, doesn't provide services at an adequate level and resorts to injustice in the division of burden and privileges. Netanyahu and his ministers won't be able to overlook this public cry. Not because they are convinced it is just, but because it represents a force that threatens their continued rule."

Barnea's colleague, Sima Kadmon, believed the protest in Tel Aviv was the "biggest display of dissatisfaction in Israeli history. They were not anarchists, not leftists, but the people of Israel. You would have seen an entire apathetic nation, switched off, hopeless - that has come alive."

Communications Minister Moshe Kahlon took the opposite tack, saying that the protest was a backhanded compliment to the prime minister.

"If anything, this demonstration is a demonstration of trust in Netanyahu - though that may sound upside-down: 'Sir, we demand of you, we insist, you know how to, you are capable of fixing this,'" Kahlon said, and pointed out the seeming lack of public support for the opposition party, Kadima.

"This doesn't feel like an anti-government protest," Amir Mizroch, editor of Israel Hayom's English Newsletter Edition wrote on his personal blog.

"The people here want the government to fix things, to get to work. If it doesn't, then it should go. That's democracy. That's the middle class way," according to Mizroch.

Netanyahu has so far refused to meet with protest movement leaders, claiming that they represent a political left-wing agenda that aimed at toppling the government.

The New Israel Fund, which largely supports left-of-center issues, was an early financial backer of the protests, and in recent days sent an urgent email request to donors to continue funding their activities.

"None of us knows for sure what this movement will achieve, but we do know that the government is hoping that the protests will just fizzle out. We can't let that happen. The people in the streets want to keep the pressure on. They're coming to us for help," a copy of the letter obtained by Xinhua read.

While organizers said the protests were apolitical, the nation- shaking events are taking place in the final three days before the Jewish national day of mourning and fasting, Tisha B'av, which falls on Tuesday.

The 24-hour fast commemorates the fall of the First and Second Jewish Commonwealth and the beginning of Jewish exile, as well as many other historical tragedies that befell the Jewish people.

In hopes of averting similar polarizing infighting in the protesters' disparate social messages and demands, religious groups at the Tel Aviv rally handed out traditional Jewish blessings among the tent-dwellers, according to Israel National Radio.

"In these tents, there shall be no division. In this dwelling, all of the People of Israel are invited. Every man, woman and child is invited to participate in this protest. This place carries a blessing of love and peace," the message read.

Group leaders said, "The 'Blessing of the Tent' is our means of delivering a message that the protest belongs to everyone and is above politics."

(Xinhua)

Finnish new treatment reduces breast cancer deaths by one third

2010-01-29T02:00:00.000-08:00

HELSINKI, Jan. 28 -- Finnish cancer researchers have had an important breakthrough in the treatment of breast cancer, according to Finnish media reports on Thursday.

The new treatment developed in Finland reduces the renewal risk of aggressive breast cancer and the consequent deaths by as much as a third.

In the treatment the Finnish researchers targeted a protein called HER2. HER2 is a growth factor protein, which transmits growth signals to breast cancer cells. The protein is the cause of the so-called HER-positive breast cancer. This cancer type is often difficult and aggressive and it has a strong tendency to send metastases to other parts of the body. About 15 percent of all the breast cancer patients suffer from this aggressive type.

If the renewal risk of the cancer is significant, cytostatic treatment is commenced after the operation. This lowers the risk of renewal of the cancer by 40 percent among patients under the age of 50. The risk of dying of the illness is cut down by 30 percent. For the HER-positive breast cancer patients, the Finnish researchers also gave trastuzumab in connection with their cytostatic treatment. Trastuzumab blocks the effects of the growth factor protein HER2 by binding to it.

Previously similar treatments have been experimented with elsewhere in regimens that have lasted for a year and a half. What is distinctive to the Finnish regimen is its shortness. The treatment only lasts for nine weeks.

"The new treatment form, trastuzumab, is one of the greatest advances in the past 15-20 years in the field of breast cancer research," said Petri Bono, chief physician at the Department of Medical Oncology, Helsinki University Hospital.

The Finnish study's results were astoundingly good. Five years after contracting the illness, 92.5 percent of the patients were still alive without the re-emergence of the cancer. The risks of renewal of the cancer or deaths caused by it were reduced by a third.

Encouraged by the results, a large-scale international follow- up research program has been launched.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women. Around 1.3 million women around the globe contract the illness each year. Around 4,100 Finnish women will contract breast cancer each year.

Apartment collapse kills 9 in Belgium

2010-01-29T01:57:00.000-08:00

An aerial view shows the area where a house collapsed in Liege Jan. 28, 2010. The death toll from a collapsed apartment block in eastern Belgium rose to nine on Thursday and was expected to increase when the stalled search resumes later in the day.

Rescue teams intervene at the scene of a collapsed house in downtown Liege Jan. 28, 2010. The death toll from a collapsed apartment block in eastern Belgium rose to nine on Thursday and was expected to increase when the stalled search resumes later in the day.
(Reuters)

"Catcher" author Salinger dies at 91

2010-01-29T01:54:00.000-08:00

"The Catcher in the Rye" author J.D. Salinger died of natural cause aged 91 at his home in New Hampshire, U.S. media reported Friday.

A copy of J.D. Salinger's "The Catcher in the Rye" IS seen at a bookstore in Washington, DC., January. 28, 2010. Salinger has died at 91, his agent said Thursday, raising tantalizing questions over whether the legendary writer might have left behind a hoard of unpublished works.

The American post-war literary classic "The Catcher in the Ray," published in 1951, featuring the teenage hero Holden Caulfield, resonated with adolescent and young adult readers.

Generations of young people read the novel and embraced Caulfield, the phony-hating personification of teenage angst, as a proxy for their own experiences.

"Catcher" has been translated into the world's major languages and sold more than 65 million copies. It is routinely listed among the best novels of the 20th century.

Besides "Catcher," the U.S. author published only a few books and collections of short stories, including "9 Stories," "Franny and Zooey," "Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters" and "Seymour: - An Introduction."

Copies of "The Catcher in the Rye" by author J.D. Salinger are seen at a bookstore in Washington, DC., January. 28, 2010.
(AFP)

Stars shine at Sundance Film Festival

2010-01-27T01:26:00.000-08:00

Actresses Naomi Watts (R) and Kerry Washington (L) arrive with Samuel L. Jackson for the premiere of the film "Mother And Child" during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 25, 2010.

Cast member Kevin Kline arrives for the premiere of the film "The Extra Man" at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 25, 2010.

Actress and cast member Katie Holmes arrives for the premiere of the film "The Extra Man" at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 25, 2010.

Director Rodrigo Garcia (R) arrives with the cast for the premiere of the film "Mother And Child" during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 25, 2010.

Actresses Naomi Watts (R) and Kerry Washington arrive for the premiere of the film "Mother And Child" during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 25, 2010.

Comedian Joan Rivers (C) arrives with co-directors Annie Sundberg (R) and Ricki Stern for the premiere of the documentary "Joan Rivers - A Piece Of Work" during the 2010 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 25, 2010.

Actress and cast member Katie Holmes talks during an interview as she arrives for the premiere of the film "The Extra Man" at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah January 25, 2010.
(Reuters)

NASA ends efforts to free rover from Martian sand

2010-01-27T01:22:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26 -- NASA on Tuesday declared an end to Mars Exploration Rover Spirit's roving career after efforts during the past several months to free it from a sand trap have been unsuccessful.

The venerable robot's primary task in the next few weeks will be to position itself to combat the severe Martian winter, according to the U.S. space agency. If Spirit survives, it will continue conducting significant new science from its final location. The rover's mission could continue for several months to years.

"Spirit is not dead; it has just entered another phase of its long life," said Doug McCuistion, director of the Mars Exploration Program at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "We told the world last year that attempts to set the beloved robot free may not be successful. It looks like Spirit's current location on Mars will be its final resting place."

Ten months ago, as Spirit was driving south beside the western edge of a low plateau called Home Plate, its wheels broke through a crusty surface and churned into soft sand hidden underneath.

After Spirit became embedded, the rover team crafted plans for trying to get the six-wheeled vehicle free using its five functioning wheels -- the sixth wheel quit working in 2006, limiting Spirit's mobility. The planning included experiments with a test rover in a sandbox at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, plus analysis, modeling and reviews. In November, another wheel quit working, making a difficult situation even worse.

Recent drives have yielded the best results since Spirit became embedded. However, the coming winter mandates a change in strategy. It is mid-autumn at the solar-powered robot's home on Mars. Winter will begin in May. Solar energy is declining and expected to become insufficient to power further driving by mid-February. The rover team plans to use those remaining potential drives for improving the rover's tilt. Spirit currently tilts slightly toward the south. The winter sun stays in the northern sky, so decreasing the southward tilt would boost the amount of sunshine on the rover 's solar panels.

At its current angle, Spirit probably would not have enough power to keep communicating with Earth through the Martian winter. Even a few degrees of improvement in tilt might make enough difference to enable communication every few days.

However, even in a stationary state, Spirit continues scientific research, NASA said.

"There's a class of science we can do only with a stationary vehicle that we had put off during the years of driving," said Steve Squyres, a researcher at Cornell University and principal investigator for Spirit and Opportunity. "Degraded mobility does not mean the mission ends abruptly. Instead, it lets us transition to stationary science."

One stationary experiment Spirit has begun studies tiny wobbles in the rotation of Mars to gain insight about the planet's core. This requires months of radio-tracking the motion of a point on the surface of Mars to calculate long-term motion with an accuracy of a few inches.

Tools on Spirit's robotic arm can study variations in the composition of nearby soil, which has been affected by water. Stationary science also includes watching how wind moves soil particles and monitoring the Martian atmosphere.

Spirit and Opportunity landed on Mars in January 2004. They have been exploring for six years, far surpassing their original 90-day mission. Opportunity currently is driving toward a large crater called Endeavor and continues to make scientific discoveries. It has driven approximately 12 miles and returned more than 133,000 images.
(Xinhua)

18 killed, 80 injured in Baghdad suicide bombing

2010-01-27T01:19:00.000-08:00

BAGHDAD, Jan. 26 -- At least 18 people were killed and some 80 others injured when a suicide minibus bomber struck the government forensics building in central Baghdad on Tuesday, an Interior Ministry source said.

U.S. soldiers secure the site of a bomb attack in central Baghdad January 26, 2010. A suicide blast killed at least 17 people at an Interior Ministry office in Baghdad on Tuesday.

"Our reports said that the toll rose to 18 killed, including five policemen, and some 80 others wounded by the suicide bombing carried out by a KIA minibus," the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

Earlier, the source put the toll at five killed and 20 injured.

The attack took place at about 10:45 a.m. (0745 GMT) when a suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden minibus into the building of the Interior Ministry's forensic department close to the Taharriyat Square in Karrada district, the source said.

The department's building collapsed soon after the powerful blast as dozens of the department's workers were inside, he said.

A U.S. soldier stands guard near a crater made by a bomb attack in central Baghdad January 26, 2010. A suicide blast killed at least 18 people at an Interior Ministry office in Baghdad on Tuesday.

The blast also destroyed several nearby buildings and shops, along with many civilian cars.

Iraqi security forces cordoned off the scene and blocked several main streets leading to the site, while ambulances and civilian cars were transporting dozens of victims to Baghdad hospitals.

The blast came a day after the three suicide car bombings targeted major Baghdad hotels that killed at least 36 people and wounded some 70 others.

Sporadic attacks continue in Baghdad as part of recent security deterioration which shaped a setback to the efforts of the Iraqi government to restore normalcy in the country ahead of the country 's national polls slated on March 7.
(Reuters)

Man rescued from rubble 2 weeks after Haiti quake

2010-01-27T01:15:00.000-08:00

Rico Dibrivell, 35, is attended by a U.S. military rescue team member after being freed from the rubble of a building in Port-au-Prince January 26, 2010.

Jan. 27 -- A man in his 30s was saved from a crumbled building in Port-au-Prince, the capital city of Haiti, Tuesday, two weeks after a devastating earthquake hit the Caribbean nation.

Rico Dibrivell, 35, is attended by a U.S. military rescue team member after being freed from the rubble of a building in Port-au-Prince January 26, 2010.

Ricot Duprevil was discovered and pulled out alive by the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division's Delta Company during a rubble-clearing mission in the center of the city.

Rico Dibrivell, 35, is attended by a U.S. military rescue team member after being freed from the rubble of a building in Port-au-Prince January 26, 2010.

He was in stable condition at a medical facility where he was being treated for a broken leg.

It is not yet clear if he became trapped in the initial quake or during one of the many aftershocks since then.

Rico Dibrivell, 35, is attended by a U.S. military rescue team member after being freed from the rubble of a building in Port-au-Prince January 26, 2010.

"We don't know if he was there from the beginning or in one of the aftershocks he may have gone under," said, Andrew Pourak, a U.S. Army specialist.

"He got sent to the hospital, he's going to make it," Pourak said.

Rico Dibrivell, 35, is attended by a U.S. military rescue team member after being freed from the rubble of a building in Port-au-Prince January 26, 2010.

Rico Dibrivell, 35, is attended by a U.S. military rescue team member after being freed from the rubble of a building in Port-au-Prince January 26, 2010.
(Reuters)

UCF professor's vaccine could be lethal weapon against malaria, cholera

2010-01-27T01:09:00.000-08:00

Mankind may finally have a weapon to fight two of the world's deadliest diseases. A University of Central Florida biomedical researcher has developed what promises to be the first low-cost dual vaccine against malaria and cholera.

There is no FDA approved vaccine to prevent malaria, a mosquito-borne illness that kills more than 1 million people annually. Only one vaccine exists to fight cholera, a diarrheal illness that is common in developing countries and can be fatal. The lone vaccine is too expensive to prevent outbreaks in developing countries after floods, and children lose immunity within three years of getting the current vaccine.

"I'm very encouraged because our technique works well and provides an affordable way to get vaccines to people who need them most and can least afford them," said lead scientist Henry Daniell.

Daniell's team genetically engineered tobacco and lettuce plants to produce the vaccine. Researchers gave mice freeze-dried plant cells (orally or by injection) containing the vaccine. They then challenged the mice with either the cholera toxin or malarial parasite. The malaria parasite studies were completed in fellow UCF professor Debopam Chakrabarti's lab.

Untreated rodents contracted diseases quickly, but the mice who received the plant-grown vaccines showed long-lasting immunity for more than 300 days (equivalent to 50 human years).

Results from the National Institutes of Health-funded research are published in this month's Plant Biotechnology, the top-ranked journal in the field.

Clinical trials are needed, and Daniell is hopeful that the results with mice will translate to humans. It could be yet another example of plants delivering life-saving medicines.

The dual vaccine follows a string of other "green" vaccines developed in Daniell's lab. He's created vaccines against anthrax and black plague that generated a congratulatory call from the top U.S. homeland security official and was featured on the Discovery Channel. He's also successfully grown insulin in plants to find what could be a long-lasting cure for diabetes. Daniell's team continues to research these vaccines and is looking for investors to help fund clinical trials.

Producing vaccines in plants is less expensive than traditional methods because it requires less labor and technology, Daniell said.

"We're talking about producing mass quantities for pennies on the dollar," he said. "And distribution to mass populations would be easy because it could be made into a simple pill, like a vitamin, which many people routinely take now. There is no need for expensive purification, cold storage, transportation or sterile delivery via injections."

For Daniell, his research is more than his day job. His passion to find vaccines for the world's top 10 diseases as defined by the World Health Organization comes from growing up in India. He watched many of his childhood friends contract malaria, cholera and other diseases.

Daniell, a father of two, joined UCF's Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences in the College of Medicine in 1998. His research led to the formation of the university's first biotechnology company. Daniell also became only the 14th American in the last 222 years to be elected the Italian National Academy of Sciences. In 2007 he was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences.

"I'm not done yet," he said. "I still have more diseases to attack."
Source: University of Central Florida

Paris Spring Summer 2010 fashion show

2010-01-27T01:01:00.000-08:00

A model presents a creation by French designer Stephane Rolland as part of his Haute-Couture Spring Summer 2010 fashion show in Paris January 26, 2010.

A model presents a creation by Italian designer Giorgio Armani as part of his Haute-Couture Spring Summer 2010 fashion show in Paris January 25, 2010.

A model presents a creation by German designer Karl Lagerfeld as part of his Haute-Couture Spring Summer 2010 fashion show for French fashion house Chanel in Paris January 26, 2010.

A model presents a creation by French designer Stephane Rolland as part of his Haute-Couture Spring Summer 2010 fashion show in Paris January 26, 2010.

French designer Stephane Rolland appears at the end of his Haute-Couture Spring Summer 2010 fashion show in Paris January 26, 2010.

A model presents a creation by French designer Stephane Rolland as part of his Haute-Couture Spring Summer 2010 fashion show in Paris January 26, 2010.
(Reuters)

New species found in Ecuador: Glass frog with transparent body

2010-01-26T03:19:00.000-08:00

Rain Frog

A new species, this as yet unnamed rain frog looks toward an uncertain future.

The frog is one of 30 unknown species found in Ecuador's highland forests by a team of U.S. and Ecuadorian researchers, the nonprofit, Arizona-based Reptile & Amphibian Ecology International announced January 14, 2010. As Central and South America’s increasingly isolated "islands" of mountaintop forest fall to the ax, and heat up with global warming, scientists fear many such species will be lost before we ever knew they existed, the organization says.

A new species, this as yet unnamed rain frog looks toward an uncertain future.

Slug-Sucking Snake

Just 20 minutes of nighttime searching in a rare patch of coastal dry forest in Ecuador enabled scientists to spot this new species of snake—on a branch just above biologist Paul Hamilton’s head.

The slug-sucking snake is one of a small group that feasts on gastropods such as slugs and snails. Not only is the snake an unknown species, but its closest relative lives almost 350 miles (560 kilometers) away in Peru.

Slug-Sucking Snake

Tree Frog With Red Iris

A new species, announced January 2010, of rain frog crouches on a leaf in its forest home in Ecuador.

The frogs' lifestyle is so thoroughly arboreal that, instead of laying eggs in water, the frogs deposit their eggs in trees. And instead of hatching as tadpoles, the offspring emerge as miniature versions of their parents—some not much larger than pinheads.

Tree Frog With Red Iris

New Species of Stick Insect

The RAEI team uncovered four intriguing stick-insect species—including the above animal—which boast some of the animal kingdom’s best camouflage.

Scientists searching for reptiles and amphibians captured the photogenic insects on film—and later were surprised to learn they'd discovered four new species of the genus Xylospinodes.

New Species of Stick Insect.

Scaly-Eyed Gecko

The scaly-eyed gecko (Lepidoblepharis buchwaldi)—also a new species—can perch comfortably atop a pencil eraser, even as an adult.

"They crawl around in leaf litter on the forest floor, and they are so small they are very hard to find," biologist Hamilton explained. "All of these things take a lot of time to find, and if we don't get to work and put in a lot of hours we're going to miss ever seeing a lot of these little things."

The scaly-eyed gecko (Lepidoblepharis buchwaldi)—also a new species—can perch comfortably atop a pencil eraser, even as an adult.

Lungless Salamander

Like nearly half of the new species announced by RAEI in January 2010, the salamander—which is not a new species—dwells on Cerro Pata de Pájaro. The cloud forest-capped mountain straddles the Equator six miles (ten kilometers) from the Pacific Ocean.

The few square miles of forest here are home to 14 new species found nowhere else.

This lungless salamander, which breathes through its skin, is one of three similar species RAEI scientists spotted in Ecuadorian forests.

Heart of Glass

This so-called glass frog's transparent body lacks pigmentation and reveals its organs in action—including a beating heart.

More than 150 species of glass frogs are found in rain forest trees across Central and South America, RAEI says (pictures of tropical rain forests). But many are feeling pressures like those that threaten their frog relatives worldwide.

This so-called glass frog's transparent body lacks pigmentation and reveals its organs in action—including a beating heart.

Dwarf Iguana

A male O'Shaughnessy's Dwarf Iguana (Enyalioides oshaughnessyi) can cut an imposing figure. But the animal may be helpless in the face of threats to its cloud forest home, RAEI says.

Cerro Pata de Pájaro is being deforested on all sides for the expansion of cattle grazing, RAEI says. Climate change may also heat up—and dry up—cloud forests, which could leave animals unable to adapt with nowhere to go.

A male O'Shaughnessy's Dwarf Iguana (Enyalioides oshaughnessyi) can cut an imposing figure. But the animal may be helpless in the face of threats to its cloud forest home, RAEI says.

(CCTV.com)

Swan Lake from Russia with love

2010-01-26T03:16:00.000-08:00

A scene from Swan Lake by the Kremlin Ballet Theater

Jan. 26 -- Even a few years ago, ballet in China meant just one thing, Swan Lake, and Russian companies were almost always the most popular. This has gradually changed as more renowned ballet companies from around the world grace the capital's stage.

We've seen British's Royal Ballet, romantic French ballet, contemporary German ballets and mixed American ballet. At the same time, we've realized there are dozens of Russian ballet companies touring the world every day. They boast about their Kirov/Bolshoi pedigrees and have confusing names. The result is that people are becoming more fastidious about which shows they watch.

Picky audiences have forced producers to bring high-class productions to Beijing, otherwise the tickets do not sell.

Beijing XDR Cultural & Communication Company has organized a "Spring For Ballet" festival for the past 10 years and it succeeds because it always invites the Russian National Ballet. It's not as famous as the Kirov or Bolshoi, but is working hard to rise above the second tier and their performances retain real Russian energy and passion.

"Their performances are not without flaws and curious historical details, but its well-trained dancers convey a sense of warmth and personal pride that is rarely seen in touring companies," says Zhao Hong, deputy manager of Beijing XDR Culture & Communication Company.

When the company toured the United States with Swan Lake last year, the Washington Post reviewed it "a cut above many of its rivals. The Swan Lake was the real thing."

The Russian National Ballet Theater was founded in Moscow in the late 1980s when many of the great dancers and choreographers of the Soviet Union's ballet institutions were exercising their new-found creative freedom by starting new companies dedicated not only to tradition but to new developments in dance from around the world.

The principal dancers of the company came from the top ballet companies and academies of Moscow, Riga, Kiev; and even Warsaw, in Poland. In 1994, the legendary Bolshoi principal dancer, Elena Radchenko, was selected as artistic director. She has focused on inheriting the tradition of Russian ballet and developing new talent, with a repertory of virtually all the works of Marius Petipa, including Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker.

For the 10th anniversary of "Spring For Ballet", Beijing XDR Culture & Communication Company will also invite another acclaimed Russian ballet company, the Kremlin Ballet, to this year's festival.

The Kremlin Palace used to be the second stage for the Bolshoi Theater. When Bolshoi stopped using the stage in the late 1980s, Andrei Petrov who had danced as soloist with Bolshoi since 1965, decided to found a new ballet company there. Its premiere production was a full-length ballet Macbeth in 1990.

Petrov, as the artistic director, had a clear vision of the company's development. Its repertoire would be based on the masterpieces and modern dance trends.

"We won't go out to conquer, astonish, enter into competition with the Bolshoi Theater. We simply want to create our own company which will present sound productions in which our young dancers will be able to show what they are made of," says Ekaterina Maximova, who co-founded the company with Petrov.

For "Spring For Ballet," The Kremlin Ballet brings Petrov's 2008 production Figaro, an original comic ballet with music by Rossini and Mozart.

"It's my long time dream to introduce the quick-witted barber on to the ballet stage in a comic work," the choreographer says.

(China Daily)

Low-carbo diet better than low-fat to lower blood pressure

2010-01-26T03:10:00.000-08:00

A low-carbohydrate diet may be better than a low-fat diet plus the weight-loss drug orlistat for its effect on helping lower blood pressure, a new study in Monday's Archives of Internal Medicine said.

Reseachers in U.S. picked up 146 overweight or obese adults who were randomly assigned to a low-carbohydrate diet or orlistat with a low-fat diet.

The average age of the study participants was 52 and the average body-mass index was 39 (30 and over is considered obese). Orlistat was marketed as Xenical, a prescription medication, and Alli, available over the counter.

The low-carb diet began with a carbohydrate intake of less than 20 grams of carbohydrates a day. The group taking orlistat received a 120-milligram dose of the drug three times daily and got less than 30 percent of their calories from fat.

Over 48 weeks, the low-carbohydrate group lost 9.5 percent of their body weight, while the orlistat group lost 8.5 percent. Insulin and glucose markers improved only in the low-carb group, and there was a significant drop in blood pressure in the low-carb group compared to the orlistat group. Similar reductions were seen for diastolic blood pressure.

"Weight loss was similar but substantial in both groups we studied, but blood pressure improved more in the low-carb dieters," said study author Dr. William Yancy Jr., an associate professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Center and a staff physician at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Durham, N.C.

"There are options out there. Pick a diet you think you could stick to better, and work with your physician to help you target the right intervention for you," he advised.

Yancy said the blood pressure and cholesterol drops might have been even more impressive if people had stayed on their medications, but as they lost weight and normalized these readings, the doctors took them off blood-pressure and cholesterol drugs.

Obesity is a significant inducement to many illnesses, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes and many cancers.

"There are many paths to weight loss," said registered dietitian Karen Congro, director of the Wellness for Life Program at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York City. What often makes the difference in whether or not a diet is successful, she said, is whether or not there's a counseling and support component to the plan.

These studies show that you don't necessarily need to get to your "ideal body weight" to make substantial improvements to your health, she said. Losing 5 percent to 10 percent of your body weight can make positive changes in blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose control.

"If it can make you a healthier person, then a diet is a success," said Congro.

(Agencies)

Queen Elizabeth II plans to address UN General Assembly

2010-01-26T03:07:00.000-08:00

Britain's Queen Elizabeth prepares to record her Christmas Day broadcast to the Commonwealth, in the White drawing room at Buckingham Palace in London, December 10, 2009, in this picture released December 23, 2009.

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 25 -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon Monday welcomed the announcement from Buckingham Palace that Queen Elizabeth II will visit United Nations Headquarters in New York in July.

The British monarch is slated to address the 192-member General Assembly on July 6 for the first time in over 50 years.

As Britain's head of state and 15 other UN member states, the only other time the Queen addressed the General Assembly was in 1957.

A statement issued by Ban's spokesperson said Ban warmly welcome the announcement of the upcoming visit.

"He looks forward to receiving Her Majesty personally on this historic occasion," it said.
(Reuters)

Ministerial preparatory conference on quake-ravaged Haiti ends with road map

2010-01-26T03:04:00.000-08:00

The Ministerial Preparatory Conference on Haiti is concluded on Monday afternoon in Montreal, Canada, as the Group of Friends of Haiti, major donors and regional and multilateral partners passed a statement, stressing international cooperation and coordination in rebuilding the earthquake-ravaged country in the long term, Jan. 25, 2010. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

The participants held that an initial 10-year commitment is essential as is a concerted effort to rebuild Haiti's capacity. " Sustainable development, including environmental sustainability, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction and emergency preparedness, will be a cornerstone of our joint approach."

They highlighted the following longer-term strategic objectives: strengthened democratic governance, sustained social and economic development, and enduring stability and respect for the rule of law.

The participants reached a common understanding on a road map towards Haiti's reconstruction and development.

According to such a road map, the participants will restore the operational capacity of the government of Haiti; urgently conduct post-disaster and reconstruction-focused needs assessments; urgently convene an international conference to be held in March at the United Nations, steered by the government of Haiti and supported by key donors and partners including the United States, Canada, Brazil, the European Union and France; convene technical meetings to create an action plan to guide the reconstruction and development.

Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive appreciated the support by the international community, pledging a full and long term cooperation.

At the introductory session earlier, Bellerive said that his government has been contacting extensively with various aspects of the society and is determined to rebuild a new Haiti with generous international supports.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper also delivered opening remarks, calling on the international community to be prepared for a sustained, significant effort in Haiti, working closely with the leadership of the government of Haiti.

Also attending the meeting are foreign ministers and delegates of the Group of Friends of Haiti, the neighboring Dominican Republic, and major donors and key regional and multilateral partners engaged in Haiti: the European Union, Spain and Japan.

A number of international organizations and key international financial institutions, including the Organization of American States, the Caribbean Community, the United Nations, the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Caribbean Development Bank, also are present.

In addition, non-governmental organizations, Montreal's Haitian Diaspora are also represented at the conference.

Founded in the early 1990s, the Group of Friends of Haiti is an informal association of like-minded nations that meets on the margins of the UN Security Council. Member states are Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, France, Mexico, Peru, the United States and Uruguay.

On Jan. 12, a strong earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck areas close to Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti, causing widespread loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure. Significant aftershocks followed, the strongest with a magnitude of 5.9 on Jan. 20.
(AFP)

Haiti recovers slowly from deadly quake

2010-01-24T18:44:00.000-08:00

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Jan. 23 -- Eleven days after a 7.3-magnitude quake hit Haiti's capital city Port-au-Prince, things are now beginning to return to normal, though very slowly.

People crowd a market in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 23, 2010.

The much-reported violences, robberies and the like that occurred after the quake are now much less thanks to a joint patrol by U.S. military, UN peacekeeping staff and local police, which has gradually restored social stability in the city, although foreigners are still at risk of getting mobbed by desperate people at the airport.

The logistics problem that grabbed media's headlines last week during which only around 10 percent of homeless people could receive food, are fading away from people's memory with supermarkets finally reopening last Saturday, although the reopening caused a rush of purchases by local people who have been starved for more than 10 days.

Search and rescue teams from the United Nations, different countries as well as aid organizations and international bodies are now still working hard to clear bodies and rubble and offering consultancy service to the survivors.

People who lost their homes are now being settled down in tents outside the city center.

The survivors have different stories to tell.

An injured Haitian child receiving treatment lies in a temporary hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 23, 2010.

Johnson, a university student from Wamba, a village on the outskirts of Port au Prince, was lucky enough to escape the quake as he did not take the final exam at the Episcopal University on Jan. 12 because he had to meet his best friend Pascal from afar. The quake destroyed the university and 27 of Johnson's 30 classmates who took the exam were killed by the quake.

Despite official warnings that people were extremely unlikely to have survived until last Saturday, rescuers continued work and pulled survivors out from the rubble.

An 84-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man were rescued miraculously on Friday, 10 days after the quake hit Haiti.

The aged woman named Marie Carida Roman was dug out from rubble of her home by her son and neighbors with bare hands.

Carida Roman was struggling in hospital as her body was in bad shape.

The 22-year-old man was rescued by the Israeli rescue team on Friday.

Unlike the old woman, the young man was found in stable condition at an Israeli field hospital in Port-au-Prince.

Some other survivors pulled out from collapsed buildings described how they survived by drinking their own urine during this ordeal.

The United Nations on Friday announced a new estimate of 75,000 deaths in the quake, much less than the earlier estimate of 200,000 by some other sources.

According to the UN estimate, the people who lost their homes number about 1 million, not as many as the earlier estimate of 3 million.

People scavenge in the ruins of a building in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 23, 2010.

However, there are lots of work to do as most of the buildings in the capital city are distorted and dangerous. More than 40 percent of the buildings in the city were collapsed during the quake which required a lot of work to clear them.

The U.S. army, which controls the capital city's only airport, is busy with directing the landing and taking off of airplanes. But there are still complains from organizations like Doctors without Borders whose aircraft loaded with badly needed medicines and medical treatment equipment cannot land on the airport immediately after arriving.

All eyes are now on the next step to be taken in Haiti: what kind of rebound the city can expect, what kind of rebuilding will take place, if the city will escape the contagion that may follow the collapse of sanitation infrastructure and the fate of the city's many orphans.
(Ubaldo Gonzalez)

At least 46 injured after Iran plane catches fire: report

2010-01-24T18:39:00.000-08:00

Iranian firefighters work on a burned Russian-made Iranian passenger plane after its crash landing at Mashhad airport, northeastern Iran, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010.

TEHRAN, Jan. 24 -- An Iranian passenger plane caught fire on Sunday when it was landing in Iran's northeastern city of Mashhad, injuring at least 46 people on board, the semi-official Fars news agency reported.

"The (Russian-built) Tupolev 154 plane belonging to Taban Airline went off the runaway upon landing and about one third of its rear end broke away," said Avad Erfanian, head of disaster management of Khorasan Razavi province of which Mashhad is the capital.

"There were 157 passengers and 13 crew members on board," he said, "the accident caused no death and most of the injured passengers are in good condition."

The wounded have been transferred to three hospitals in Iran's northeastern city of Mashhad, he added.

Local English-language Press TV said that the plane had departed from Iran's southeastern city of Abandan and its fuselage, one of the wings and the tail section has burned in the fire.

Iranian firefighters work on a burned Russian-made Iranian passenger plane after its crash landing at Mashhad airport, northeastern Iran, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010.

Iranian firefighters work on a burned Russian-made Iranian passenger plane after its crash landing at Mashhad airport, northeastern Iran, Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010.

A firefighter looks into the burnt body of a plane that caught fire while landing in Mashad, 924 km (574 miles) northwest of Tehran January 24, 2010.

Firefighters put out remnants of fire in a plane that caught fire while landing in Mashad, 924 km (574 miles) northwest of Tehran January 24, 2010.
(Reuters)

Amazing "Proletarisches Wandbild"

2010-01-21T23:40:00.000-08:00

People look at German artist Johan Lorbeer attached to a wall during his performance "Proletarisches Wandbild" at the Contemporary Art Center in Malaga, southern Spain, January 20, 2010.

A man gives water to German artist Johan Lorbeer (top) attached to a wall during his performance "Proletarisches Wandbild" at the Contemporary Art Center in Malaga, southern Spain, January 20, 2010.

A man looks at German artist Johan Lorbeer (R) attached to a wall during his performance "Proletarisches Wandbild" at the Contemporary Art Center in Malaga, southern Spain, January 20, 2010.
(Reuters）

Cat king lives!

2010-01-21T23:32:00.000-08:00

BEIJING, Jan. 22 -- Ask someone in China, "what's your favorite Elvis song?" and you're often met with a blank stare and a puzzled attempt at repeating his name. Its only after using his more familiar moniker "Mao Wang" (Cat King) will you get a polite yet still uncertain nod of recognition.

Elvis impersonator Jiang Zhenwei

This vague familiarity typifies the relationship between the King and the Middle Kingdom. And as fans throughout the world paid tribute to Elvis on what would have been his 75th birthday on January 8, here there was less than royal fanfare for the King of Rock and Roll, yet another indicator of how China and the West were worlds apart during the 1950s and 60's, the period of Elvis' golden reign.

But that doesn't mean there aren't those doing the good work in keeping the King alive in China and what better ambassador of such a Western cultural icon than an Elvis with Chinese characteristics.

"Chinese Elvis is the best of the West with an Eastern twist. He is charming, peace-loving, egalitarian and above all sexy, which is unusual," said Paul Hyu, a UK-based British- Chinese tribute artist who bills himself as the "Chinese Elvis."

"Most other ethnically diverse Elvi are jealous of Chinese Elvis. I can't prove this, of course, but its a hunch I get when I meet them. So far my only proof is that I won the Elvis-special edition of The Weakest Link (BBC TV) against Elvi from Canada, Norway, Germany and Malta," he added.

Hyu is a professional stage actor who has performed as his kingly persona all over the world, bridging gaps in culture with rock and roll diplomacy.

"I believe all Sino-Western relations could be improved by having Chinese Elvis present, endorsing the good stuff with a sexy shake of his pelvis and making both sides realize what we have in common is far greater than what makes us different."

Hyu is not the only Elvis gyrating for Sino-Western relations. China has her own King of Rock and Roll and he's making up for lost time.

"Historically, China just missed Elvis, it was a matter of timing," said Jiang Zhenwei, the most famous (and only) Elvis impersonator in China. Over the past six years, the 27-year-old Shanghai resident and graphic artist has performed on various nationally broadcast programs on almost every CCTV station, even catching the attention of some foreign media. However despite his e. orts, most in China are still clueless about the King.

"Some might have heard the name, but most people have no idea who he is or what he's about. I'll say "Cat King" and many think I'm talking about my pet."

The origin of this Chinese translation for Elvis draws from two sources; "Cat" referring to "Hillbilly Cat," a name Elvis was billed under early in his career and the more obvious "King of Rock and Roll." However other Chinese, especially those from Hong Kong, also cite Elvis' pelvic twists resembling the strut of a cat as inspiration for his feline nickname.

Admittedly, Jiang was unaware of the origins of Elvis' name or even his music until he was in college. While studying art at Nanjing Conservatory, a couple of his schoolmates called to his attention that "he looked just like Elvis."

"It wasn't until then I started buying his CDs and when I listened, even though I knew nothing about his music, I felt I'd heard it all before, like it was destiny."

Despite his success, Jiang is not as optimistic as his British Cat King-in-arms about Elvis finding a home in China, especially in a country steeped in Mandopop.

"Originally I wanted to bring the spirit of Elvis, something that had changed my life, to as many people as possible. But I found that in facing what passes as popular Chinese music, there doesn't seem to be any room for him."

Despite the cultural odds, Elvis' music managed to find its way into the hearts of Chinese musicians, at least those curious enough to look back to the roots of a genre that had already morphed and splintered into a full spectrum of varieties by the time Cui Jian, considered by many to be China's godfather of rock, had introduced the style the late 1980s with his politically charged album, Nothing to My Name.

"Most listening to rock and roll today got into it post-1990, with many their first tastes being heavy metal. After that, China started to fall in line with current music and not many were bothering to listen to the music of the 1950s," explained Wang Hui, lead singer of the Beijing rockabilly outfit DH & Chinese Hellcats.

Even if his was not a direct influence, Elvis is such a part of Western culture that his presence is hard to ignore.

"Because Elvis' contribution to rock and roll was so great, he indirectly influenced music and culture in China whether people know it or not," Wang added.

Elvis was not only a cultural force, but also a culmination of his era, a time when America was experiencing tremendous growth and change, the same change that is reflected in the simmering rock of China.

"Rock here is in a pre-Elvis stage. There are a lot of people doing it, but relatively not many people know about it," said Desmond McGarry, lead singer of the Beijing rock fixture Black Cat Bone, a five-piece rhythm and blues band that has performed across the country.

"One of the great contributions Elvis made to music was that he kicked that door down to let everyone know what was happening and China is still waiting for that agent," he added.

(Global Times)

NASA research finds last decade was warmest on record

2010-01-21T23:28:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON, Jan. 21 -- A new analysis of global surface temperatures by NASA scientists finds that January 2000 to December 2009 was the warmest decade on record and the past year was tied for the second warmest since 1880, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) said Thursday in a press release.

Although 2008 was the coolest year of the decade because of a strong La Nina that cooled the tropical Pacific Ocean, 2009 saw a return to a near-record global temperatures as the La Nina diminished, according to the new analysis by NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) in New York. The past year was a small fraction of a degree cooler than 2005, the warmest on record, putting 2009 in a virtual tie with a cluster of other years --1998, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2007 -- for the second warmest on record.

People walk past a globe at the venue of the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, capital of Denmark, December 19, 2009.

Looking back to 1880, when modern scientific instrumentation became available to monitor temperatures precisely, a clear warming trend is present, although there was a leveling off between the 1940s and 1970s, scientists find.

In the past three decades, the GISS surface temperature record shows an upward trend of about 0.36 degrees F (0.2 degrees C) per decade. In total, average global temperatures have increased by about 1.5 degrees F (0.8 degrees C) since 1880.

GISS uses publicly available data from three sources to conduct its temperature analysis. The sources are weather data from more than a thousand meteorological stations around the world, satellite observations of sea surface temperatures, and Antarctic research station measurements.

The near-record global temperatures of 2009 occurred despite an unseasonably cool December in much of North America. High air pressures from the Arctic decreased the east-west flow of the jet stream, while increasing its tendency to blow from north to south. The result was an unusual effect that caused frigid air from the Arctic to rush into North America and warmer mid-latitude air to shift toward the north. This left North America cooler than normal, while the Arctic was warmer than normal.
(Reuters)

Salt reduction could save 92,000 lives a year

2010-01-21T23:24:00.000-08:00

BEIJING, Jan. 22 -- Shaving three grams off the daily salt intake of Americans could prevent up to 66,000 strokes, 99,000 heart attacks and 92,000 deaths in the United States, while saving 24 billion U.S. dollars in health costs per year, researchers reported on Wednesday.

Shaving three grams off the daily salt intake of Americans could prevent up to 66,000 strokes, 99,000 heart attacks and 92,000 deaths in the United States.

The benefit to the U.S. population would be comparable to cutting smoking by 50 percent, significantly lowering obesity rates and giving cholesterol drugs to virtually everyone to prevent heart attacks, said Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo of the University of California, San Francisco and colleagues.

Such a goal, they said, is readily attainable.

Salt, which contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease, is widely overused in the United States, with 75 to 80 percent coming from processed food. Men typically consume 10.4 grams per day. For women, the average is 7.3 grams. Its use is rising.

A reduction of 1 gram would prevent 11,000 to 23,000 strokes, 18,000 to 35,000 heart attacks and 15,000 to 32,000 deaths from any cause, the researchers reported in New England Journal of Medicine.

Women would benefit the most.

"Even if the federal government were to bear the entire cost of a regulatory program designed to reduce salt consumption, the government would still be expected to realize cost savings for Medicare, saving $6 to $12 in health expenditures for each dollar spent on the regulatory program," the researchers wrote.

In a commentary, Dr. Lawrence Appel and Cheryl Anderson of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore said the new study may be underestimating the benefits.

They said it did not take into account how it would help children or the fact that lower salt intake may reduce the risk of stomach cancer, kidney disease, congestive heart failure and osteoporosis.

(Agencies)

Big teeth fashion show

2010-01-21T01:56:00.000-08:00

A model presents a creation from Alexandre Herchcovitch's Fall/Winter 2010/11 collection during the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in January 21, 2010.

(Reuters)

Avatar sets box office record in China,grossing 540 mln yuan

2010-01-21T01:53:00.000-08:00

Director James Cameron (L) and wife actress Suzy Amis arrive at the Fox after party after the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles, California January 17, 2010.

BEIJING, Jan. 20 -- Global hit "Avatar" had grossed about 540 million yuan (79.7 million U.S. dollars) in China since its premiere on Jan. 4 to become the most successful film in the country.

Tong Gang, director of film bureau of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT) released the figure at a symposium on the Hollywood blockbuster Tuesday.

Weng Li, spokesman of the China Film Group Corporation, the film's distributor in China, was not immediately available for further information of the box office on Wednesday.

The film broke the box office record set by '2012.' The disaster film had raked in 460 million yuan in 2009 after it premiered in China on Nov. 13.

Responding to the recent reports that Chinese cinemas are pulling the 2D version of the blockbuster from screens across the country, Zhang Hongsen, deputy director of the film bureau, said the act was a natural result of the market response, because the box office returns of 2D version had been low.

Tong said the box office for the 2D version of the blockbuster only accounted for one third of the total revenue.

"The screening of 2D version of Avatar will end on Thursday," Li Xianping, general manager of Beijing Ziguang Cinema, told Xinhua Wednesday.

She said the tickets for 2D version simply did not sell in her cinema even on weekends but the two 3D theaters had been crowded with audience.

"I believe the 3D Avatar will continue its run till Spring Festival," She said. The festival, known as Chinese Lunar New Year, falls on Feb. 14 this year.
(Reuters)

International researchers find method to date Dead Sea Scrolls

2010-01-21T01:50:00.000-08:00

File photo shows a document, thought to be an ancient text written on papyrus, is displayed at Jerusalem Magistrates Court May 6, 2009. This style of writing is primarily known from the Dead Sea scrolls and various inscriptions that occur on ossuaries and coffins.

STOCKHOLM, Jan. 20 -- A Danish archaeochemist and an international team of researchers have found a way to enable scientists to precisely date the Dead Sea Scrolls, according to reports reaching here from Copenhagen on Wednesday.

"For more than a decade we've been saying that there was no point in dating the scrolls before we found a method to remove the oil. Now we have found just such a method," Kaare Lund Rasmussen, Associate Professor and Archaeochemist of the University of Southern Denmark, was quoted as saying by the Danish newspaper Politiken online.

Treatment of the scrolls included being spread out using plant oil, which in turn made precise carbon dating of the scrolls almost impossible, said Politiken.

However, researchers have now found a chemical method to remove the oil without harming the parchment of the scrolls, and thus allowing precise carbon dating, said the report.

Carbon dating tests of the scrolls were carried out in the 1990s by the Zurich Institute of Technology and the University of Arizona, but precise dating has remained controversial. It is not yet clear when a new set of carbon dating tests will be carried out, the report added.

The Dead Sea Scrolls consisting of about 900 documents and other ancient documents were discovered between 1947 and 1956 in caves near the Qumran Wadi northwest of the Dead Sea.
(Reuters)

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

2010-01-21T01:44:00.000-08:00

Two models display creations of designer Sam Frenzel during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Autumn/Winter 2010 at the Bebelplatz in Berlin, capital of Germany, on Jan. 20, 2010.

A model displays a creation of designer Sam Frenzel during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Autumn/Winter 2010 at the Bebelplatz in Berlin, capital of Germany, on Jan. 20, 2010.

A model displays a creation of designer Sam Frenzel during the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin Autumn/Winter 2010 at the Bebelplatz in Berlin, capital of Germany, on Jan. 20, 2010.
(Xinhua)

World starts to shift focus on relief, reconstruction in Haiti

2010-01-21T01:40:00.000-08:00

BEIJING, Jan. 20 -- Countries and world organizations Wednesday started to shift the focus of quake relief in Haiti to immediate assistance for survivors and plans for reconstruction more than a week after the catastrophe.

A Haitian child queues to receive aid supplies in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 20, 2010.

The head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Wednesday called for a multilateral aid plan to rebuild the earthquake-devastated country like the U.S. "Marshall Plan" that helped rebuild Europe after World War II.

"My belief is that Haiti -- which has been incredibly hit by different things: the food and fuel prices crisis, then the hurricane, then the earthquake -- needs something that is big," said Dominique Strauss-Kahn, managing director of the Washington-based IMF.

"Not only a piecemeal approach, but something which is much bigger to deal with the reconstruction of the country -- some kind of a Marshall Plan that we need now to implement for Haiti," he said in a statement.

The IMF last Thursday promised an interest-free loan of 100 million U.S. dollars in initial emergency funds to the Haitian government to support essential activities and finance urgent imports.

The UN Development Program (UNDP) announced on Wednesday an ambitious plan to hire local Haitians for recovery efforts.

"Time is of the essence in getting early recovery after a major disaster," said UNDP Administrator Helen Clark, who visited Haiti on Sunday.

A Haitian woman queues to receive aid supplies in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 20, 2010.

By the end of the week, 1,100 Haitians will be paid about 5 U.S. dollars a day for work that includes removing rubble, doing street repairs and restoring essential infrastructure, such as electricity.

The first phase of the cash-for-work program will focus on Carrefour-Feuilles, a neighborhood just south of the nation's capital, Port-au-Prince.

The initiative will soon be extended to other earthquake-stricken locations, including Leogane and Jacmel. Once fully operational, the project will employ 220,000 people, indirectly benefiting around 1 million Haitians, according to the UNDP.

A 6.1-magnitude aftershock, the most powerful since the Jan. 12 temblor, hit Port-au-Prince at dawn on Wednesday. Although there were no reports of new casualties yet, the quake sent fresh quivers to the already traumatized Haitians.

Food has reached only around 7.5 percent of local people who are suffering from last week's 7.3-magnitude earthquake.

Haiti's Civil Defence Department estimated on Tuesday that the quake has killed 75,000 people, injured 250,000 and left 1 million homeless.

Soldiers transport goods at the harbor in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 18, 2010. A 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit the country on Jan. 12, 2010. The rescue work still continues.

Traffic paralysis, mountainous terrain, collapsed infrastructures and disrupted telecommunications services have prevented aid from quickly reaching the victims.

Doctors Without Borders has complained of obstacles in getting badly needed medical supplies to Haiti. Five of its planes have been diverted from Port-au-Prince to the neighboring Dominican Republic.

"These planes carried a total of 85 tons of medical and relief supplies," said a statement from the French-founded organization.

The U.S. aid mission said Wednesday that the main port in Haiti that had been damaged in the quake is reopening for service on Friday. A French vessel has already begun unloading aid supplies at Port-au-Prince, it said.
(Xinhua)

Fourteen injured in train-truck collision in Germany

2010-01-21T01:37:00.000-08:00

The wreckage of a train and truck are pictured following an accident near Rueningen January 20, 2010. A regional train collided with a truck at a railroad crossing south of Braunschweig in the German state of Lower Saxony on Wednesday morning a Deutsche Bahn spokesperson said.

BERLIN, Jan. 20 -- Fourteen people were injured in a train-truck collision in northwestern Germany on Wednesday, police said.

The train, carrying about 60 passengers, collided with a truck at a railroad crossing in the south of Braunschweig in the northwestern state of Lower Saxony.

Emergency services attend the scene of a train accident near Rueningen January 20, 2010. A regional train collided with a truck at a railroad crossing south of Braunschweig in the German state of Lower Saxony on Wednesday morning a Deutsche Bahn spokesperson said.

The first car of the train derailed during the collision, police spokesman Joachim Grande said.

Five of the injured were in serious condition, Grande said.

Recovery efforts were expected to take several hours because a large amount of diesel fuel leaked from the truck in the collision, local media reported.

The cause of the accident remained under investigation.
(AFP)

A/H1N1 flu death toll reaches 224 in Egypt

2010-01-18T03:16:00.000-08:00

Egyptian television crew members wear protective masks during a news conference at the American University in Cairo June 9, 2009.

CAIRO, Jan. 17 -- Egypt on Sunday reported five more death cases of influenza A/H1N1, bringing the nationwide death toll to 224, said the Health Ministry in a statement.

The dead cases came from the governorates of Gharbiya, Sohag, Port Said, Beni Suef and Giza, said the statement.

Up till now, Egypt has reported more than 15,000 cases of the novel flu, according to the Health Ministry.

Egypt confirmed its first influenza A/H1N1 death case on July 19. A 28-year-old Egyptian woman, who was back from Saudi Arabia after making Umrah (pilgrimage to Mecca at any time of the year), died of the flu virus.
(Reuters)

Situation in Haiti worsened by looting

2010-01-18T03:09:00.000-08:00

Looters fight for goods taken from a destroyed store in downtown Port-au-Prince January 17, 2010. World leaders pledged aid to rebuild a devastated Haiti, but on the streets of its wrecked capital earthquake survivors were still waiting on Sunday for the basics: food, water and medicine.

A woman raises her arms for products as people loot from a destroyed shop after Tuesday's earthquake in Port-au-Prince, January 16, 2010.

Haitian citizens receive water from United States air crewmen from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) in Port-au-Prince, January 16, 2009.

Naval Air Crewman 2nd Class Jason Harold of Goldsboro, North Carolina transfers a young Haitian earthquake victim from an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter during a medical evacuation in Port-au-Prince in this handout taken on January 16, 2010.

A boy lies injured in a makeshift hospital after the earthquake in Port-au-Prince January 17, 2010.

Haitians jostle to fill containers with water after the earthquake in downtown Port-au-Prince January 17, 2010.

Mexican rescue workers take part in a search and rescue operation in the debris of National presidential palace Port-au-Prince January 17, 2010.

Mexican rescue workers take part in a search and rescue operation in the debris of the National presidential palace Port-au-Prince January 17, 2010.

The body of a child lies amongst the rubble of a collapsed house in Port-au-Prince January 16, 2010.

A looter tries to enter a destroyed building in Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Jan. 16, 2010. The situation in Haiti is worsened by occasional looting in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake on Jan. 12.
(Xinhua/David de la Paz)

UN chief arrives in quake-hit Port-au-Prince

2010-01-18T03:05:00.000-08:00

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, right, and Edmond Mulet, the acting chief of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti, visit the collapsed U.N. headquarters in Port-au-Prince, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Jan. 17 -- The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon arrived on Sunday in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Caribbean nation Haiti, which was destroyed by a Tuesday quake that registered 7.3 on the Richter scale.

Ban came to see first hand the effects of the catastrophe, to show solidarity to Haiti's citizens and to the UN's workers, as well as to help boost the speed of aid distribution in the nation.

He began with an inspection of the UN headquarters in Port-au-Prince, which collapsed in the quake killing both Hedi Annabi, the UN's special representative in Haiti, and his deputy Luiz Carlos da Costa alongside dozens of UN staff.

Annabi, a Tunisian who led the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah), was found dead on Saturday by Chinese rescue workers in the ruins of the building.

Ban also met quake survivors, telling them that rescue teams and international aid are being accelerated.

"I am here with a message of hope, that aid is already on the way," said Ban, a South Korean, during a press conference at the National Palace, the presidential seat.

During the same conference, Haiti's Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive estimated that around 100,000 people had died due to the quake and that more than 90 percent of the nation's buildings are damaged, adding that these were estimates and not final figures.

At a separate Sunday meeting with Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, Ban proposed a special UN-backed European Union mission to Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with former Spanish colony the Dominican Republic. Spain is the current holder of the rotating, six-month EU presidency.

The UN is evaluating the opening of a so-called humanitarian corridor linking the Dominican Republic and Haiti, in order to boost the number of sources of aid, given that Port-au-Prince airport has been overwhelmed by the large number of planes arriving from across the world.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon visits the collapsed U.N. headquarters in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (2nd R) speaks with displaced Haitians in front of the Haitian National Palace during his trip to Port-au-Prince January 17, 2010.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (2nd R) speaks with displaced Haitians in front of the Haitian National Palace during his trip to Port-au-Prince January 17, 2010.
(AFP)

Cameron wins best director award for "Avatar"

2010-01-18T03:03:00.000-08:00

James Cameron wins the best director award for his visually stunning box-office sensation "Avatar" at the Golden Globe awards ceremony held in Los Angeles Sunday night, Jan 18, 2010.

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 17 -- As anticipated, James Cameron took home the best director award for his visually stunning box-office sensation "Avatar" at the Golden Globe awards ceremony held here Sunday night.

"Avatar" also won the award for best motion picture.

"... 'Avatar' I guess asks us to see ... that everything is connected, all human beings to each other and us to the Earth," Cameron said while receiving the best-picture award.

"And, you know, if you have to go four-and-a-half light years to another made-up planet to appreciate this miracle of a world that we have right here, well you know what, that's the wonder of cinema right there. That's the magic."

Speaking of film making, Cameron said: "I think this is the best job in the world, you know? It just really is. ... We all have the best jobs in the world and what we do is we make entertainment for a global audience and that's what the Golden Globes mean."

"It's such an exciting evening and just walking in through here, walking in with all you great creative amazing people," said Cameron who last accepted a Golden Globe for "Titanic".

"I look around this room and I see the faces of people that I've respected and admired for years. Some of you I know and have worked with and many of you I'd love to have the opportunity to work with."
(AFP)

Sao Paulo Fashion Week

2010-01-18T02:58:00.000-08:00

A model presents a creation from Cavalera's Fall/Winter 2010/11 collection during the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo January 17, 2010.

A model presents a creation from Osklen's Fall/Winter 2010/11 collection during the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo January 17, 2010.

Brazilian top model Alessandra Ambrosio presents a creation from Colcci's Fall/Winter 2010/11 collection during the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo January 17, 2010.

A model presents a creation from Colcci's Fall/Winter 2010/11 collection during Sao Paulo Fashion Week January 17, 2010.

A model presents a creation from Rosa Cha's Fall/Winter 2010/11 collection during the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo January 17, 2010.

A model presents a creation from Colcci's Fall/Winter 2010/11 collection during the Sao Paulo Fashion Week in Sao Paulo January 17, 2010.
(Reuters)

Stars attend 67th annual Golden Globe Awards

2010-01-18T02:52:00.000-08:00

Actor Taylor Lautner arrives at the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 17, 2010.

Spanish actress Penelope Cruz from the film "Nine" arrives at the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 17, 2010.

Actress Julianne Moore arrives at the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 17, 2010.

Actor George Clooney and girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis arrive at the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 17, 2010.

Actor Mickey Rourke arrives with model Elena Kuletskaya at the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 17, 2010.

Singer Fergie from The Black Eyed Peas and actor Josh Duhamel arrive at the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 17, 2010.

Actor Jeff Bridges from the film "Crazy Heart' and wife Susan arrive at the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 17, 2010.

British actor Steven Moyer and actress Anna Paquin from the TV drama "True Blood" arrive at the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 17, 2010.

British actor Colin Firth from the film "A Single Man" and his wife Livia Giuggioli arrive at the 67th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California January 17, 2010.
(Reuters)

More people saved from debris in Haiti, medical supplies in urgent need

2010-01-16T14:44:00.000-08:00

Foreign rescuers work on the debris at the headquarters of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti, Jan. 15, 2010. Over ten foreign rescue teams, including the Chinese International Rescue Team, have arrived in the quake-hit country.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Jan. 15 -- More people were saved from under the debris in Haiti on Friday, but lack of medications could threaten the lives of those who were severely injured, rescuers said.

As clock is ticking near the critical 72-hour mark after the 7.3-magnitude temblor on Tuesday, aid workers have revved up efforts to search for any sign of lives.

"During late Thursday night and early Friday morning, the Chilean rescue team collaborated on retrieving 23 people alive" at the Montana Hotel, said chief of the Chilean aid commission, Juan Gabriel Valdes.

Valdes said rescue efforts at that spot would continue as there were hopes of finding more people alive there.

Several senior officials who were injured when the government buildings collapsed in the quake have been brought to hospitals in neighboring Dominican Republic.

Minister of Public Works Joseph Frentz, whose left leg was broken, has been under intensive care at a Dominican Republic hospital, according to media reports.

President of the Haitian Senate, Kelly Bestien, was also taken to a hospital in Santo Domingo, after being injured when the Senate building caved in around him. He has already got a surgery in his leg and is recovering.

Most hospitals in capital Port-au-Prince are paralyzed with a lack of staff and minimum medical supplies.

A British rescuer works on the debris in Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti, Jan. 15, 2010.

There are shortages for practically everything -- drinking water, electricity, medicines, basic equipment and even fuel for ambulances, said Gu Laroche, director of the General Hospital.

Cuban aid workers have taken charge of the De la Paz Hospital, since its doctors have not appeared after the quake.

They complained of a lack of an aesthetical, serum, plaster, and orthopedic materials to conduct amputations or fix the broken bones.

The injured were dying at the hospitals, they said.

Meanwhile, many Haitians waited in a line to be treated by the Chinese doctors on the plaza in front of the building used to be the prime minister's office.

"Doctors and medicine are of great need here (..) I hope more rescue teams join us," said Hou Shike, a doctor with the Chinese rescue team.

The quake has dealt a hard blow to the small Caribbean nation. UN statistics shows that 70 percent of Haiti's population live in poverty and half of its 8.9 million people are unemployed.

The Food and Agriculture Organization has designated Haiti as one of the world's most economically vulnerable countries.

The United Nations and its partners Friday appealed for 562 million U.S. dollars to help the quake victims, as the world body has scaled up its assistance in the wake of the disaster.

The sum of 562 million U.S. dollars is intended to assist an estimated 3 million affected people over a period of six months, with half of the funds being earmarked for emergency food aid, and the rest to be used for health, water, sanitation, nutrition, early recovery, emergency education and other needs.

According to the Haitian civil protection ministry, more than 50,000 people were estimated to have died in the quake, with the number possibly closer to 100,000.

A foreign rescuer checks a survivor in Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti, Jan. 15, 2010.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Thursday that it would take days to get the death toll, but the figure could be "very high."

Aid workers and assistance cargoes continued to arrive in Haiti on Friday, but many of the capital's 3 million people are without access to food, water, shelter and electricity.

The quake not only toppled the government buildings, but also shattered its fragile public service system, with many officials injured and more unaccounted for. This has made it hard to coordinate the distribution of the relief material.

The relief effort has also been challenged by the destruction, Ban said on Friday, citing blocked roads and limited capacity at the capital's one-runway airport.

"Although it is inevitably slower and more difficult than any of us would wish, we are mobilizing all resources as fast as we possibly can," said the UN chief.

Foreign rescuers work on the debris at the headquarters of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti, Jan. 15, 2010.

British rescuers work on the debris in Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti, Jan. 15, 2010.

Foreign rescuers work on the debris at the headquarters of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti, Jan. 15, 2010.

Foreign rescuers work on the debris at the headquarters of the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti, Jan. 15, 2010.
(Xinhua/David de la Paz)

Obama says aircraft carrier arrives in Haiti, to meet Clinton, Bush

2010-01-16T14:40:00.000-08:00

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 -- U.S. President Barack Obama Friday made comments about the devastating earthquake in Haiti for the third consecutive day, saying aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson has arrived in Haitian waters, and he is to discuss Haiti with two ex-presidents.

U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement about Haiti in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House in Washington, January 15, 2010.

Obama said the aircraft carrier brought along helicopters critical in delivering assistance, namely badly needed water, food, and other life-saving supplies to priority areas in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital.

He described the scale of destruction there as "extraordinary," and losses "heartbreaking," as many people remain unaccounted for.

The president warned of difficult days ahead for relief efforts, as communications in Haiti are down, port closed, roads damaged, and food and water scarce. He said it will take time to establish distribution points so that resources can be delivered safely and effectively.

A C-130 transport plane carrying supplies flies past the tower on board the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier enroute to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, January 15, 2010.

Obama said he managed to talk with Haitian President Rene Preval in the morning, and he pledged full support to Haiti. He praised Preval and his government for working under extraordinarily difficult conditions.

He also said he will meet with ex-presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush Saturday to discuss how to enlist help in recovery and rebuilding efforts.

It was the third consecutive day Obama made public comments about the earthquake in Haiti, calling Haitians as "neighbors...family and friends."

Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) load pallets of relief supplies onto an MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter as the ship arrives off the coast of Haiti January 15, 2010.
(Reuters)

JPMorgan Chase fourth quarter profit beats estimate

2010-01-16T14:37:00.000-08:00

A man walks into the headquarters of JPMorgan Chase in New York, the United States, Jan. 12, 2010. JPMorgan Chase & Co. easily beat analysts' expectation by reporting a profit of 3.28 billion U.S. dollars in the fourth quarter last year, according to its earnings result released on Friday.

NEW YORK, Jan. 15 -- JPMorgan Chase & Co. easily beat analysts' expectation by reporting a profit of 3.28 billion U.S. dollars in the fourth quarter last year, according to its earnings result released on Friday.

As the first major financial firm to deliver quarterly statement, the New York City-based bank said it had earned 74 cents on a per share basis during the final three months of 2009. Analysts had expected the company to report a profit of 2.46 billion dollars, or 61 cents a share.

The company's investment banking business contributed a profit of 1.9 billion dollars, largely helped by robust debt and stock underwriting fees. Debt underwriting fees jumped 58 percent to 732million dollars from one year ago, while stock underwriting fees climbed 66 percent to 549 million dollars.

A man walks past a branch of JPMorgan Chase in New York, the United States, Jan. 12, 2010. JPMorgan Chase & Co. easily beat analysts' expectation by reporting a profit of 3.28 billion U.S. dollars in the fourth quarter last year, according to its earnings result released on Friday.

For the full year, JPM earned 11.7 billion dollars, or 2.26 dollars per share on record managed revenue of 108.6 billion dollars. The bank earned 5.6 billion dollars, or 1.35 dollars per share in 2008.

However, JPM's total revenue on a managed basis was 25.24 billion dollars, lower than the 26.8 billion dollars analysts had predicted. The bank's shares fell about 2 percent to 43.80 dollars in early morning trading on Friday.
(Shen Hong)

25 killed in 3 bomb blasts in Iraq's Najaf

2010-01-15T00:35:00.004-08:00

Civil defence personnel gather around the remnants of a car bomb after a blast in Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, January 14, 2010.

BAGHDAD, Jan. 14 -- The death toll from the three explosions in Iraq's southern holy city of Najaf Thursday afternoon has risen to 25, with 72 others wounded, an Interior Ministry official said.

The serial explosions occurred around 5:30 p.m. in the old town of the Shiite holy city, some 180 km south of Iraqi capital Baghdad, the official told Xinhua. Some shops and buildings were also damaged.

One was a car bomb near a mosque. The other two were roadside bombs near a popular market, according to the source.

Iraqi policemen remove their damaged vehicle from the site of a bomb attack in Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, January 14, 2010.

Najaf is home to the mausoleum of Imam Ali, the cousin of the Prophet Mohammed. It attracts tens of thousands of pilgrims every year.

Iraqi officials have warned that violence is expected to rise ahead of the country's March 7 parliamentary election. On Tuesday, security forces arrested 25 terrorist suspects and more than 400 kg of explosives in a sweeping operation in Baghdad.

Iraqi policemen remove the remains of a car bomb from the site of a bomb attack in Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, January 14, 2010.

An Iraqi police man walks past a damaged vehicle following one of three bombing in the center of the Shiite Muslim shrine city of Najaf 150kms (95kms) south of Baghdad.
(Reuters)

Solar-powered car "Sikat" debuts in Manila

2010-01-15T00:35:00.003-08:00

Photo taken in Manila, the Philippines on Jan. 12, 2010 shows Philippine second solar-powered car called "Sikat" (means famous) is driven along the street during a road show. The car's body is made of a lightweight carbon fibre found in current F1 car models and with improved design features such as new generation sun power cells and a sleeker, more maneuverable and aerodynamic design. The road show is aimed at promoting the use of solar energy and preparing the team for the 2011 World Solar Car Challenge in Australia.

Chocolate Great Wall & Terracotta Warriors!

2010-01-15T00:35:00.002-08:00

An alignment of miniature chocolate sculpture of some 560 terracotta warriors of Emperor Qingshihuang is on display at the World Chocolate Dream Park inside the Beijing Olympic Park, in Beijing, Jan. 14, 2010. A batch of elaborate chocolate sculptures, including the miniature replicas of Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, and traditional Chinese painting of Panorama Along the Upper River During the Qingming Festival in the same size to the original, are exhibited to visitors.

Two visitors watch an alignment of miniature cholocate sculpture of some 560 terracotta warriors of Emperor Qingshihuang on display at the World Chocolate Dream Park inside the Beijing Olympic Park, in Beijing, Jan. 14, 2010. A batch of elaborate chocolate sculptures, including the miniature replicas of Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, and traditional Chinese painting of Panorama Along the Upper River During the Qingming Festival in the same size to the original, are exhibited to visitors.

Two craftsmen are engaged in building up a 12-meter-long miniature chocolate sculpture of the Great Wall, at the World Chocolate Dream Park inside the Beijing Olympic Park, in Beijing, Jan. 14, 2010. A batch of elaborate chocolate sculptures, including the miniature replicas of Great Wall, the Terracotta Warriors, and traditional Chinese painting of Panorama Along the Upper River During the Qingming Festival in the same size to the original, are exhibited to visitors.

Iranians mourn death of Tehran University professor

2010-01-15T00:35:00.001-08:00

Mourners carry the body of Tehran University professor Massoud Ali-Mohammadi in northern Tehran, capital of Iran, Jan. 14, 2010. Massoud Ali-Mohammadi, a particle physics professor in Tehran University, was killed Tuesday morning when a bomb strapped to a parked motorcycle was triggered by remote control outside his home in the Qeytariyeh neighborhood.
(STR)

Death of Pakistani Taliban chief in U.S. strike not confirmed

2010-01-15T00:35:00.000-08:00

Reports of killing of Pakistani Taliban chief in a U.S. drone attack were not confirmed yet.

A local official confirmed the attack but declined to confirm killing of the TTP chief.

TTP Spokesman has rejected killing of Hakimullah Mehsud, saying he is alive and well.

File photo of Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud.

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- The reports of the killing of Pakistani Taliban chief in a U.S. drone attack in the northwestern tribal area on Thursday were not confirmed yet.

Local TV reports said earlier that the chief of the banned outfit Tehrek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Hakimullah Mehsud and three top commanders were among 12 killed Thursday morning in a U.S. airstrike hitting a compound in Pasalkot village of North Waziristan agency near the Afghan border.

According to Peshawar-based journalist and analyst of tribal areas Mushtaq Yousafzai, Hakimullah Mehsud was in a Madrassah (religious school) adjacent to a house in Pasalkot as the local sources confided to him.

On the condition of anonymity local sources in North Waziristan said that the TTP Chief Hakimullah Mehsud has been killed in the morning drone attack that took life of 10 militants, in North Waziristan.

A local official while insisting on concealing his identity confirmed the attack but declined to confirm killing of the TTP chief.

According to local media, the targeted house was belonging to tribal man Muhammad Yaqoob that was lying adjacent to the Madrassah, which was considered as a training center of the militants.

Taliban sources also confirmed that Hakimullah Mehsud was present in the area Wednesday night. However, they said that he had left the area early Thursday morning before the missile hit the Madrassah.

Meanwhile, TTP Spokesman Tariq Azam has rejected killing of Hakimullah Mehsud, saying he is alive and well.

Hakimullah, 32, was a close aide to the previous TTP Chief Baitullah Mehsud who was killed in a drone attack in August 2009 along with his wife.

Hakimullah Mehsud has been appointed as TTP chief after a week of the killing of Baitullah.

This was the seventh attack this year that hit North Waziristan. More than 700 people have died in the U.S. drone strikes in Pakistan since August 2008.

The Pakistani officials including Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi opposes such attacks as it causes anger in local population and could damage relations of Islamabad with Washington.
(AFP )

NASA: Astronauts' urine clogs water recycling system on ISS

2010-01-13T02:55:00.004-08:00

BEIJING, Jan. 13 -- Astronauts' urine is clogging water recycling system on the International Space Station, according to British media reports Wednesday.

Flight engineer Mike Barratt (L) and Commander Gennady Padalka (R) work with cables on the docking antenna during their spacewalk from the International Space Station in this image from NASA TV June 5, 2009.

NASA engineers at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, who are investigating a problem with the system, believed the cause was a high concentration of calcium in the astronauts' urine.

The 250 million- U.S. dollar-system was set for processing urine into clean water for drinking.

However, scientists did not know whether the high calcium concentration is due to bone loss, a consequence of living in a zero-gravity environment, or other factors.

"Folks had good knowledge of the content of the urine going in, but the chemistry changes as it works through the processor are not always understood," said Julie Robinson, a scientist working on the project. "There are a lot of parameters including urine calcium and pH (acidity) that everyone is looking at."

The 100 billion-dollar-space station project involving 16 nations has been under construction 220 miles (about 354 km) above the Earth for more than a decade.

The meida reports said it was fully tested by NASA before the urine recycler was started up in November 2008.

Engineers are hoping to come up with a fix in time to fly replacement parts out on the shuttle Endeavour, which is scheduled for launch on Feb. 7 on a construction mission.

(Agencies)

2 killed, several injured in fierce wind in capital of Argentina

2010-01-13T02:55:00.003-08:00

Local residents inspect a tree blown down by fierce wind in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, Jan. 12, 2009. Two people were killed and several were injured in the fierce wind swept in Buenos Aires and its nearby area.

A tree broken off by fierce wind falls on a car in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, Jan. 12, 2009.

The billboard and ceiling of a gas station are blown down by fierce wind in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, Jan. 12, 2009.

An Electric pole and trees are broken off amid fierce wind in Buenos Aires, capital of Argentina, Jan. 12, 2009.
(Xinhua)

Three killed in Georgia shooting: CNN

2010-01-13T02:55:00.002-08:00

Policemen stand on guard at the shooting site in Cobb County near Atlanta, Georgia, where three people were killed and several others injured Tuesday afternoon in a shooting at a truck rental office.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 -- Three people were killed and several others injured Tuesday afternoon in a shooting at a truck rental office in Cobb County near Atlanta, Georgia, CNN reported.

CNN updated the death toll that it previously reported as two.

Three other people were wounded and were already taken to hospitals, according to CNN.

Condition of the surviving victims is still unknown.

The accident happened when a man walked into the truck rental office and began shooting, CNN quoted local police authorities as saying.

Cobb County police officer Joe Hernandez said that the suspect fled the scene in a pickup truck and was arrested about a mile from the rental facility.

The suspect, identified as an ex-worker at the rental facility, is now in custody, said Hernandez, adding that the suspect is believed to conduct the shooting single-handedly.

Hernandez did not give details on why this tragedy happened.
(AP)

World carmakers battle for green leadership

2010-01-13T02:55:00.001-08:00

Volvo's Electric C30 car is presented during the second press preview day of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan. 12, 2010.

by Hu Guangyao and Liu Lina

DTROIT, Jan. 12 -- The 2010 North America International Auto Show (NAIAS) at the U.S. auto city of Detroit is a lot smaller and greener as the industry adapts to a world reshaped by recession and environmental worries.

In the 39,000-square-foot showroom of the COBO Center at deep heart of Detroit, the global automotive community comes together to catch up on the latest with 60 new vehicle premieres.

Electric, hybrid and small cars have grabbed center stage at the auto show this week. Some global automotive companies unveiled new electric and hybrid cars at the auto show as car companies battle for green leadership and strive to meet stringent new fuel economy and emission requirements later this decade.

The plug-in of Toyota's Prius Hybrid concept is seen during the second press preview day of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan. 12, 2010.

Toyota Motor Corp. announced here it plans to expand the Prius into a family of vehicles with cars both smaller and larger than its flagship hybrid. The Japanese company unveiled a concept car called the FT-CH, a vehicle about 500 millimeters shorter than the Prius that is to become a model on the road within three years.

German carmaker Volkswagen AG unveiled a concept car code-named the New Compact Coupe that combines a hybrid motor with a turbocharged, 1.4-liter engine. The company believed this hybrid model will be on the road this spring.

Japanese carmaker Honda Motor Co. Ltd., also unveiled at the auto show a hybrid sports coupe, the new CR-Z which will go on sale in the U.S. market this summer.

Lexus's LF-Ch hybrid concept car is presented during the second press preview day of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan. 12, 2010.

The hybrid version of Ford Motor Co.'s Fusion sedan won car of the year at the annual Detroit show. According to Mark Fields, the president of Ford, the new Ford Fusion Hybrid Sedan will be competitive among the other all-electric vehicles.

Ford Motor Co's Alan Mulally stated positively that "the efficiencies generated by our new global C-car platform will enable us to provide Ford Focus customers with an affordable product offering quality, fuel efficiency, safety and technology beyond their expectations."

The South Korean carmaker Hyundai, which aims to extend last year's triumph in budget-conscious models, has displayed a number of small-size electric cars at the auto show this year.

A boy experiences driving the Ford's Fusion hybrid car during the second press preview day of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan. 12, 2010.

U.S. automakers GM and Chrysler also vowed to start fresh with electric vehicles but also try to boost their small-car credibility.

Meanwhile, Chinese electric carmaker Build Your Dream (BYD), bent on becoming one of the world's largest automakers, launched a series of ambitious projects that it hopes its electric cars will reach the streets before larger, well-established carmakers.

Hyundai's Blue-will hybrid concept car is presented during the second press preview day of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan. 12, 2010.

At the Detroit Auto Show, BYD stepped onto center stage with plenty of interesting product, including the world's first dual-mode plug-in hybrid. BYD's F3DM and e6 which debuted at last NAIAS in Detroit, were brought to this year's Detroit auto show again.

The Chinese electric cars have attracted thousands of visitors and reporters at the auto show. BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu told Xinhua that both vehicles could hit the American and other foreign markets by 2011.

Analysts here said the abundance of hybrid, electric and other environmentally friendly vehicles shows the auto industry believes it must meet stringent fuel economy goals through technology.

General Motors's Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept plug-in hybrid is unveiled during the second press preview day of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan. 12, 2010.
(Xinhua)

Major quake jolts Haiti, may cause severe casualties

2010-01-13T02:55:00.000-08:00

Picture taken on Jan. 12, 2010 shows the damaged Presidential Palace in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince. A major earthquake rocked Haiti on Tuesday and "catastrophic" casualties were feared although no official reports are currently available.
(Xinhua)

Genetic variant associated with aggressive form of prostate cancer: study

2010-01-11T22:08:00.001-08:00

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- Researchers at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center and colleagues have identified the first genetic variant associated with aggressive prostate cancer, proving the concept that genetic information may one day be used in combination with other factors to guide treatment decisions.

The research was reported Monday in the online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"This finding addresses one of the most important clinical questions of prostate cancer -- the ability at an early stage to distinguish between aggressive and slow-growing disease," said Jianfeng Xu, professor of epidemiology and cancer biology at the university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. "Although the genetic marker currently has limited clinical utility, we believe it has the potential to one day be used in combination with other clinical variables and genetic markers to predict which men have aggressive prostate cancer at a stage when the disease is still curable."

According to the authors, prostate cancer accounts for one-fourth of all cancer diagnoses in the United States. Autopsy studies suggest that most aging men will develop prostate lesions that, if detected clinically, would be diagnosed as cancer.

Although most men have a slow-growing form of the disease, aggressive prostate cancers are currently the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, accounting for 27,000 deaths annually.

"The current inability to accurately distinguish risk for life-threatening, aggressive prostate cancer from the overwhelming majority of slow-growing cases creates a treatment dilemma," said Xu.

While researchers, including Xu's team, have identified multiple genetic variants associated with the risk of developing prostate cancer in the first place, until now there have been no genetic factors associated with disease aggressiveness.

Based on existing evidence that some men are genetically predisposed to developing aggressive prostate cancer, the researchers hypothesized that inherited genetic variants exist that could be used as markers to identify these men at an early, curable stage of disease.

"Identifying factors that are associated with a risk of having or developing aggressive disease is urgently needed to reduce over-diagnosis and over-treatment of this common cancer," said Karim Kader, a Wake Forest Baptist urologist specializing in prostate cancer and a co-author on the paper.

The study involved the analysis of genetic information from 4,849 men with aggressive disease and 12,205 with slow-growing disease to determine if the men with aggressive disease had genetic variants in common. The analysis included participants in the Genetic Markers of Susceptibility study performed by the National Cancer Institute as well as additional study populations in the United States and Sweden.

The researchers identified a genetic variant (rs4054823) that was associated with a 25-percent higher risk of developing aggressive disease.

"A single variant with a moderate effect such as this is unlikely to be sufficient on its own at predicting risk," said Xu." But its identification is significant because it indicates that variants predisposing men to aggressive disease exist in the genome."

He said that as more variants associated with aggressive disease are identified, it is possible that doctors could test men to determine their risk of aggressive disease not only at the time of diagnosis, but early enough in their lives to target them for increased screening.

"We speculate that a panel of variants could be an important part of developing a screening strategy that could reduce the number of men requiring screening, thereby reducing over-diagnosis, while also identifying men at risk for developing aggressive disease at a stage when the disease is potentially curable."

Fashion Rio Show in Rio de Janeiro

2010-01-11T22:08:00.000-08:00

A model presents evening dresses of the brazilian brand Acquastudio during the fourth day of the Fashion Rio Fall/Winter 2010 event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jan. 11, 2010.

Models present evening dresses of the brazilian brand Acquastudio during the fourth day of the Fashion Rio Fall/Winter 2010 event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jan. 11, 2010.

Models present evening dresses of the brazilian brand Acquastudio during the fourth day of the Fashion Rio Fall/Winter 2010 event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jan. 11, 2010.
(Xinhua)

Israeli shelling northern Gaza kills 2 Palestinians:witnesses

2010-01-11T21:56:00.003-08:00

Palestinians carry the wounded at Kamal Adwan Hospital after an Israeli air strike in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip January 11, 2010.

GAZA, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed Monday night in an Israeli tank shelling on northern Gaza Strip town of Biet Hanoun, witnesses and local sources said.

They said Israeli tanks stationed near the borders at northern Gaza Strip and Israel shelled a group of Palestinians, adding that the shelling killed two people and wounded two others.

Gaza emergency chief Mu'aweya Hassanein told reporters that two Palestinians were killed and two others injured in an Israeli shelling on the town of Biet Hanoun, adding that they were broughtto Kamal Odwan Hospital in northern Gaza Strip.

Local sources said that the two dead are members of Izzedin al-Qassam Brigades, an armed wing of Islamic Hamas movement, adding that the militants were apparently trying to fire rockets from the area at Israel.

There has been no immediate Israeli army response on the raid. However, an Israeli army spokesman said that the army is checking out the report.

The Israeli army and Gaza militant groups escalated mutual attacks over the past ten days, where Gaza militants fired homemade rockets and mortar shells at southern Israel, and the Israeli retaliated and killed around 12 people.

Hamas movement had earlier asked Gaza militant groups for restrain to preserve the highest interests of the Palestinian people in order not to give Israel an excuse to carry out another war against the enclave it controls.

During a 22-day Israeli military operation which ended in January last year, more than 1,400 Palestinians were killed with over 5,000 injured.

Palestinians look at the body of a militant after he was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip January 11, 2010.

Palestinians carry the wounded at Kamal Adwan Hospital after an Israeli air strike in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip January 11, 2010.
(Xinhua)

First federal trial on same-sex marriage opens in San Francisco, U.S.

2010-01-11T21:56:00.002-08:00

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 11 -- The first federal trial in the United States on same-sex couples' right to marry opened Monday in a federal courtroom in San Francisco, which will decide whether the U.S. Constitution prohibits states from banning same-sex marriage.

Same-sex couples Paul Katami (L), Jeff Zarillo (2nd L), and Kris Perry (2nd R) and Sandy Stier pose for photographs before the start of their trial in San Francisco, California January 11, 2010. California's ban on same-sex marriage goes to trial on Monday in a federal case that plaintiffs hope to take all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and overturn bans throughout the nation.

The case was brought by two same-sex couples who sued the U.S. state of California, after they were denied the right to marry because of Proposition 8, a California constitutional amendment approved by voters in November 2008 that bans same-sex marriage.

In Monday's non-jury trial, lawyers representing both sides as well as the same-sex couple plaintiffs testified before Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker.

The trial is expected to last two to three weeks and is likely to be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, according to media reports.

Same-sex couple Elizabeth Chase (L) and Kate Baldridge stand outside the federal courthouse in San Francisco, California January 11, 2010.
(Reuters)

2010 NAIAS opens in Detroit

2010-01-11T21:56:00.001-08:00

DETROIT, Jan. 11 -- The 2010 North America International Auto Show opened Monday at Cobo center in downtown Detroit, the U.S. auto city, with participation of more than 60 automakers worldwide.

Visitors are attracted by an Audi A8 sedan during the media preview of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, the United States, Jan. 11, 2010.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood defended the government's loan of 80 billion U.S. dollars to bailout the domestic auto industry.

LaHood rejected criticism of the government's role. He noted that Obama's support of auto makers was unprecedented and General Motors Co. has paid the first 1 billion U.S. dollars of its 6.7 billion dollars in outstanding government loans. The government swapped about 42 billion dollars for a 61 percent majority equity stake in GM.

"GM is starting to pay the taxpayers back the money that was loaned to them. That ought to be the message that we are telling people," LaHood said.

"This industry would not see the bright future that it's seen today, with the roll out of these new products, if it hadn't been for the strong commitment, strong partnership of President Obama," he added.

He also said General Motors and Chrysler Group LLC have made huge improvements since exiting bankruptcy. "What a difference a year makes," LaHood said, adding: " Today is a new beginning, really for the automobile industry."

The major focus of the 2010 North American International Auto Show will be new high-technology electric cars -- battery, plug-inhybrid and extended-range electric vehicles. The show has created a special showcase for these products and called it Electric Avenue.

An Audi R8 is on display during the media preview of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, the United States, Jan. 11, 2010.

NAIAS announced the debut of Electric Avenue, a 37,000-square-foot feature on the main floor of the 2010 show that will showcase electric vehicles and technology of both traditional automakers and innovative entrepreneurs. The exhibit area will feature nearly20 vehicles as well as symposiums and special events on the adjacent NAIAS stage.

Japanese carmaker Toyota unveiled the FT-CH dedicated hybrid concept at the NAIAS. The FT-CH is a concept that would address Toyota's stated strategy to offer a wider variety of conventional hybrid choices to its customers, as it begins to introduce plug-in hybrids (PHVs) and battery electrics (BEVs) in model year 2012, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCHVs) in 2015 in global markets.

German automaker Volkswagen unveiled its New Compact Coupe, a two-door sporty hybrid concept car which can reach 141 mph, sprint to 60 mph from rest in 8.1 seconds and return 45 miles per gallon.

The new VW NCC Compact Coupe is unveiled during the media preview of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A., Jan 11, 2010.

China's electric carmaker BYD also displayed the e6 electric carat NAIAS. e6 is a unique purely electric vehicle, representing a new era in personal transportation. It is an environmentally friendly vehicle with zero pollution and low noise.

Tim Lee, President of GM International Operation (GMIO), told Xinhua that the government has been very supportive to the auto industry including GM and the U.S. auto industry is on its way back.

"As we are moving forward, we will repay the loans that we have taken from the government and will move forward strongly as a company. We are very confident," he said.

GM chairman and chief executive Edward Whitacre told reporters that GM will repay the balance of its 6.7 billion-dollar government loan by June and the government will make money.

Whitacare said the government bailout was well placed and they will make a lot of money. "GM is on its way back. We'll be back. The government has made a good investment," he said.

Entering its 22nd year as an international event, the NAIAS is among the most prestigious auto shows in the world and is one of the largest media events in North America.

A model presents a Maserati GranTwismo Conventible during press preview of the 2010 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) at Cobo center in Detroit, Michigan, the United States, Jan 11, 2010.
(Xinhua)

China conducts test on ground-based midcourse missile interception

2010-01-11T21:56:00.000-08:00

On January 11, 2010, China conducted a test on ground-based midcourse missile interception technology within its territory. The test has achieved the expected objective. The test is defensive in nature and is not targeted at any country.

BEIJING, Jan. 11 -- On January 11, 2010, China conducted a test on ground-based midcourse missile interception technology within its territory. The test has achieved the expected objective. The test is defensive in nature and is not targeted at any country.

Lady Gaga goes for fresh style

2010-01-10T00:01:00.001-08:00

Lady Gaga sports an avant-guarde grace style in fresh smoke-eye makeup and a delicate veil gown on the cover of 944 magazine's 2010 January issue.

Startling strawberry crab discovered off Taiwan

2010-01-10T00:01:00.000-08:00

A marine biologist has discovered a startling new crab species that resembles a large strawberry.

BEIJING, Jan. 10 -- A marine biologist has discovered a startling new crab species that resembles a large strawberry.

The unusual crustacean was found off the coast of southern Taiwan. It has a dramatic bright red shell covered with small white bumps.

Professor Ho said his team found two female crabs of the new species last June off the coast of Kenting National Park, known for its rich marine life.

A marine biologist has discovered a startling new crab species that resembles a large strawberry.

The crabs died shortly afterwards, possibly because the water in the area was polluted by a cargo ship that ran aground.

Taiwanese crab specialist Wang Chia-hsiang confirmed Professor Ho's finding.

(Source: cctv.com)

Deadly ambush weighs on top Africa soccer event

2010-01-09T23:50:00.003-08:00

LUANDA: Africa's biggest soccer tournament starts in Angola on Sunday, overshadowed by an ambush on the Togo team bus that killed three people and wounded seven, prompting Togo to pull its team out of the competition.

A video grab from Angolan TV shows players from Togo's national soccer squad comforting one another in Cabinda January 8, 2010, in this video grab obtained from Angolan TV January 9, 2010. Gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying Togo's national soccer squad to the top African tournament in Angola on Friday, killing the driver and wounding nine others, including two players, a Togo team official said. The bus had just entered the Angolan enclave of Cabinda, where separatists have waged a three-decade long war, when it came under heavy gunfire for several minutes, the official said.

The Angolan government has spent $1 billion building stadiums, roads and hotels for the competition, which brings together Africa's best national teams. The tournament, which lasts until Jan. 31, will be broadcast live round the world.

The bi-annual African Nations Cup is due to start with fireworks and champagne at a massive stadium in the capital Luanda, where the hosts play Mali in the opening match later on Sunday. But Friday's attack on the Togo team in the northern enclave of Cabinda, staged by a rebel group that the government said recently no longer existed, cast a shadow over an event supposed to show Angola was at peace after years of civil war.

The rebels of the Cabindan separatist group FLEC sprayed the Togolese bus with gunfire, killing the bus driver and wounding nine others. Two members of Togo's soccer delegation died on Saturday and one was undergoing surgery in South Africa.

A Togolese minister said the government was pulling the team out of the tournament because of "this dramatic situation". None of the other teams followed suit although some, including African champions Egypt, demanded tighter security.

Security analysts said the ambush showed how easily insurgents can grab world headlines with attacks on soft targets and embarrass countries by exposing lapses in security.

MORE SECURITY

Togolese officials named the dead men as media officer Stanislas Ocloo and assistant coach Amalete Abalo, and said reserve goalkeeper Kodjovi Obilale had been evacuated to Johannesburg where he underwent surgery.

Cabinda, the scene of FLEC attacks even after Angola's 27-year civil war ended in 2002, provides half the oil output of Angola, which rivals Nigeria as Africa's biggest producer.

It was the second militant attack on a sports team in less than a year. Last March, six policemen and a driver were killed when gunmen attacked a bus carrying Sri Lanka's cricket team in Pakistan.

Friday's assault raised questions about security for the soccer World Cup taking place in South Africa in June, but organisers of that event said it was nonsensical to draw comparisons. South Africa is the first African nation to hold the world's biggest single-sport event.

Chief World Cup organiser Danny Jordaan said the attack would have no impact on the World Cup. "It is nonsensical for South Africa to be tainted with what happens in Angola, which is not even one of our neighbouring countries," he said.

Former Togo coach Otto Pfister disagreed. "This is a real blow for Africa. It will obviously be linked directly with the World Cup," he told German sports news agency SID.

Security analysts said outsiders involved in the World Cup are unlikely to ignore the Angolan attack and will want to review South Africa's security preparations.

South African President Jacob Zuma will attend Sunday's opening ceremony despite the attack, his spokesman said.

Cabinda, wedged between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Congo, was due to host seven matches.

Bomb explodes outside Greek parliament, no injuries reported

2010-01-09T23:50:00.002-08:00

ATHENS, Jan. 9 -- A home-made time bomb exploded outside the Greek Parliament on Saturday evening in an unprecedented terrorist attack, which caused no injuries and only minor damage.

It was the first time a guerrilla group placed a bomb just 30 meters from the Parliament in the center of Athens. Fifteen minutes before the blast at around 8 p.m. local time (1800 GMT) on Saturday evening, there had been a warning call to a local newspaper.

Security personnel inspect the site after an explosion outside the Greek Parliament in Athens, capital of Greece, Jan. 9, 2009. A home-made time bomb exploded outside the Greek Parliament on Saturday evening in an unprecedented terrorist attack, which caused no injuries and only minor damage.

Police managed to evacuate the crowded Syntagma Square in front of the Parliament. Only the presidential guards standing at the nearby monument of the Unknown Soldier didn't evacuate the area.

Counterterrorist experts, who rushed to gather evidence from what was left from the explosive device and footage from surveillance cameras, estimate that the attack was meant to be mostly symbolic.

Police stand guard at the cordoned off area outside the Greek Parliament in Athens, capital of Greece, Jan. 9, 2009.

Greek far Left groups who have stepped up attacks since December 2008, after the fatal shooting of a teenager by police fire, have threatened with more attacks against political and financial targets.

Police were on alert, because on Jan. 12 the socialist new government which has promised a tough antiterrorist policy celebrates its first 100 days in office.

On Dec. 27, 2009 there had been a similar explosion that caused severe damage to the offices of a Greek insurance company on a main Athens avenue.

A guerrilla group called "Conspiracy of Nuclei of Fire-Nihilists Sect" claimed responsibility for that attack.
(Xinhua)

Japan Airlines could file for bankruptcy within days

2010-01-09T23:50:00.001-08:00

Japan Airlines' planes are seen at Haneda airport in Tokyo January 3, 2010. The main lenders to Japan Airlines plan to accept a restructuring package that would require the carrier to file for bankruptcy, sources said.
(AFP)

Cell phone usage may cut Alzheimer's risk: study

2010-01-09T23:50:00.000-08:00

BEIJING, Jan. 10 -- Long term cell phone usage may not only prevent Alzheimer's, it may even reverse some of the effects of the disease, a new study was quoted as saying by media reports Sunday.

In mice prone to an animal form of Alzheimer's disease, long-term exposure to electromagnetic radiation typical of cell phones slowed and reversed the course of the illness, according to the study conducted by researchers from the University of South Florida in the Unitd States.

The findings provide "striking evidence for both protective and disease-reversing effects" of long-term exposure to radiation at cell phone levels, researchers said.

The study also suggested that even the "normal" mice showed improved memory cognition.

But some experts cautioned that the science in the study is still very early.

Alzheimer's disease affects 1 in 10 adults over the age of 55. Previous data has shown that every 5 years after the age of 60, the odds for developing Alzheimer's disease doubles.

(Agencies)

Expo Axis on trial illumination

2010-01-09T01:36:00.000-08:00

Photo taken on Jan. 7, 2010 shows the brillant cable-membrane structure of the Expo Axis during a trial illumination in Shanghai, east China. The Expo Axis is a large, integrated commercial and traffic complex, which also serves as the main entrance to the World Expo 2010 site.

Photo taken on Jan. 7, 2010 shows the brillant cable-membrane structure of the Expo Axis against the China Pavilion during a trial illumination in Shanghai, east China. The Expo Axis is a large, integrated commercial and traffic complex, which also serves as the main entrance to the World Expo 2010 site.

Swimmers brave cold snap in Hyde Park lake

2010-01-09T01:17:00.003-08:00

Swimmers prepare to enter the freezing waters of the Serpentine in Hyde Park, central London January 8, 2010. Temperatures in parts of Britain plummeted to below minus 21 C overnight, with forecasters predicting no let up in the cold snap as widespread icy conditions continued to cause disruption on Friday.

Swimmer Julian Guy breaks the ice to make more room for other swimmers in the Serpentine in Hyde Park in central London January 8, 2010.

British Conservative MP Edward Leigh reacts as he enters the freezing waters of the Serpentine in Hyde Park, central London January 8, 2010.

Anne McAlpine (L) and Ian Studdart take a dip in the freezing waters of the Serpentine in Hyde Park, central London January 8, 2010.

A woman smiles as she climbs out of the freezing waters of the Serpentine in Hyde Park, central London January 8, 2010.

Swimmers prepare to enter the freezing water of the Serpentine in Hyde Park, central London January 8, 2010. Temperatures in parts of Britain plummeted to below minus 21 C overnight, with forecasters predicting no let up in the cold snap as widespread icy conditions continued to cause disruption on Friday.
(Agencies)

Christmas bombing suspect on U.S. bound flight pleads not guilty

2010-01-09T01:17:00.002-08:00

·The Nigerian attempted bomber in a U.S. int'l flight pleaded not guilty at a court in Detroit Friday.
·He confirmed his name, age and read the indictment against him, but remained mute to the charges.
·He admitted that he received the explosive device and training from al-Qaida's branch in Yemen.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 8 -- A Nigerian man who was accused of attempting to blow up a U.S. international flight with an explosive device pleaded not guilty at a court in Detroit, Michigan, on Friday.

During the detention hearing, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab's lawyers pleaded not guilty on behalf of him.

According to local media, the 23-year-old man confirmed his name, age and that he had read the indictment against him, but remained mute to the charges.

Arab-Americans hold signs saying 'Islam Is Against Terrorisim' as they demonstrate outside the Federal court building in Detroit, Michigan Jan. 8, 2010, during a hearing for Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the 23-year old Nigerian accused of attempting to blow up a Detroit bound jetliner.

The suspect shocked the United States by bringing the explosive to a Delta/Northwest Airlines flight from Amsterdam, the Netherlands, to Detroit and trying to set it off on Christmas Day.

He has been accused of six accounts including attempted murder and attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction.

This courtroom drawing shows accused Christmas Day Bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (L) with his defense attorney Miriam Siefer in Federal court in Detroit, Michigan. Jan. 8, 2010. A federal judge on Friday entered a not guilty plea on behalf of Abdulmutallab, the 23-year-old Nigerian accused of an attempt to blow up a Detroit-bound jetliner that has prompted a sweeping review of U.S. security procedures.

Other counts include willfully attempting to destroy and wreck an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, willing fully placing a destructive device in, upon and in proximity to an aircraft within the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, and possessing firearm/destructive in furtherance of a crime of violence.

During the investigation, the suspect admitted that he received the explosive device and training from al-Qaida's branch in Yemen, which has also claimed responsibility for the plot.

A courtroom drawing shows accused Christmas Day Bomber Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab in Federal court in Detroit, Jan.8, 2010.

Arab-Americans Haider Koussan (L) and Ali Sayed hold signs as they join a demonstration in front of the Federal court building to demonstrate against terrorism, in Detroit, Michigan Jan. 8, 2010.

A slightly charred and singed underpants with the explosive packet removed from the crotch is seen in government photos obtained exclusively by ABC News, released to Reuters, Dec. 28, 2009.

The syringe detonator is seen in government photos obtained exclusively by ABC News, released to Reuters, Dec. 28, 2009.

The package of the PETN explosive powder is seen in government photos obtained exclusively by ABC News, released to Reuters, Dec. 28, 2009.
(Reuters)

Palestinians scuffle with Jewish settlers

2010-01-09T01:17:00.001-08:00

A Palestinian tries to throw a teargas grenade back to Israeli troops during scuffles between Palestinians and Jewish settlers near the West Bank settlement of Halamish January 8, 2010. An Israeli army spokesperson said that forces arrived in the area on Friday to separate the Palestinians and settlers who were throwing stones at each other.

A Jewish settler throws a stone during scuffles with Palestinians near the West Bank settlement of Halamish January 8, 2010.

A Palestinian is detained by Israeli soldiers during scuffles between Palestinians and Jewish settlers near the West Bank settlement of Halamish January 8, 2010.

A Palestinian (2nd R), wounded during scuffles between Palestinians and Jewish settlers, is carried away near the West Bank settlement of Halamish January 8, 2010.

A Palestinian pushes an Israeli border police officer during scuffles between Palestinians and Jewish settlers near the West Bank settlement of Halamish January 8, 2010.

A Palestinian throws a stone during scuffles with Jewish settlers near the West Bank settlement of Halamish January 8, 2010.
[Agencies]

Rio de Janeiro fashion show

2010-01-09T01:17:00.000-08:00

A model wears a creation from Victor Dzenk's 2010 autumn/winter collection during the Fashion Rio Show in Rio de Janeiro January 8, 2010.

A model displays a creation from Melk Z Da's 2010 Autumn/Winter collection during the Fashion Rio Show in Rio de Janeiro January 8, 2010.

A model wears a creation from Auslander's 2010 Autumn/Winter collection during the Fashion Rio Show in Rio de Janeiro January 8, 2010.

A model presents a creation from Auslander's 2010 Autumn/Winter collection during the Fashion Rio Show in Rio de Janeiro January 8, 2010.

A model presents a creation from Auslander's 2010 Autumn/Winter collection during the Fashion Rio Show in Rio de Janeiro January 8, 2010.
[Agencies]

World's largest consumer electronics show opens in Las Vegas

2010-01-07T23:11:00.001-08:00

Microsoft Corp Chief Executive Steve Ballmer delivers his keynote speech before the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 6, 2010. Ballmer unveiled a new Hewlett-Packard Co tablet computer on Wednesday, beating Apple Inc's hotly anticipated move into the market. The show runs January 7-10.

LAS VEGAS, the United States, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- The 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicked off here on Thursday with some 2,700 exhibitors unveiling their latest technology innovations.

The world's largest technology trade show, organized by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), runs through Sunday. More than 20,000 new products will be on display at the show.

Top executives of the biggest names in technology and business will take the stage at the show with keynote addresses from Microsoft's Steve Ballmer, Ford's Alan Mulally, Intel's Paul Otellini as well as Nokia's Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo and Hisense's Zhou Houjian, who will speak as part of the CES Technology and Emerging Countries Program.

Robbie Bach, president of Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division, speaks during a presentation before the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 6, 2010. The show runs January 7-10.

Additionally, the 2010 CES will feature more than 250 sessions and 800 expert speakers as part of the CES conference program, which will cover a range of industry topics from social media to safe driving to technology policy.

Experts say perhaps the hottest topic at the show this year is 3-D television and whether consumers who enjoyed movies in the format, such as "Avatar," would pay extra for a new TV adapted for such images.

A pair of Active Shutter 3D glasses sit on top of a Panasonic 3D Blu-ray player during a news conference at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada January 6, 2010.

The CEA estimates that 2.2 million 3-D sets will be sold in 2010 and that by 2013 more than 25 percent of all televisions sold will be 3D-TVs.

Another positive surprise in the consumer electronics industry has been devices that play Blue-ray disks. The association estimates that more than 7 million of the players -- many of which have Internet connections -- were shipped in 2009, more than double that of 2008.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer shows the Hewlett-Packard slate PC during his keynote speech before the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 6, 2010. The show runs January 7-10.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer holds the Hewlett-Packard slate PC during his keynote speech before the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 6, 2010. The show runs January 7-10.

A Samsung E6 e-book is seen during a news conference before the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 6, 2010. The show runs January 7-10.

Guests stand in line to attend the keynote speech from Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer before the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas January 6, 2010. The show runs January 7-10.

A Panasonic 3D camcorder is displayed during a news conference at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada January 6, 2010.
(Reuters)

One killed, four injured in St. Louis factory shooting rampage

2010-01-07T23:11:00.000-08:00

·A man walked into a plant in St. Louis and opened fire, killing one and wounding four others.
·The gunman was a disgruntled worker who may have recently lost his job, reports say.
·Some employees ran to the building's rooftop to escape the gunfire.

A member of the St. Louis Fire Department pushes a person on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance outside ABB Inc.,Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, in St. Louis, the U.S. Police were called to the scene after a gunman with a rifle walked into the business and began shooting.

NEW YORK, Jan. 7 -- A man armed with an assault rifle and handgun walked into a plant in St. Louis, Missouri, on Thursday and opened fire, killing one person and wounding four others, authorities said.

According to reports reaching here, the shooting occurred around 6:30 a.m. local time at the ABB Power factory on the city's north side. Some employees ran to the building's rooftop to escape the gunfire while another man barricaded himself in a maintenance room.

A company supervisor told police that the gunman was a disgruntled worker who may have recently lost his job, according to reports.

Fire Department spokesman Bob Keuss identified the suspected shooter as Timothy Herndon, of Webster Groves. Mo. KMOX radio said Herndon had worked for the company for 23 years.

A two-mile perimeter was established around the plant and Interstate 70 was shut down.

The Swiss-based ABB Group makes power transmission and industrial automation equipment. The company manufactures transformers at the St. Louis site, according to its Web site. ABB has operations in roughly 100 countries, employing about 120,000 people.

Police work at the scene of a shooting after a gunman with an assault rifle walked into the ABB Power plant and began shooting Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010, in St. Louis, the U.S.
(AP)

Classical Ballet of Moscow perform "The Nutcracker" in Spain

2010-01-07T01:40:00.002-08:00

Dancers of the Classical Ballet of Moscow perform during "El Cascanueces" ("The Nutcracker") by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky at Alameda theatre in Malaga, southern Spain, January 6, 2010.

Dancers of Classical Ballet of Moscow perform during "El Cascanueces" ("The Nutcracker") by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky at Alameda theatre in Malaga, southern Spain, January 6, 2010.

Dancers of the Classical Ballet of Moscow perform during "El Cascanueces" ("The Nutcracker") by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky at Alameda theatre in Malaga, southern Spain, January 6, 2010.
(Reuters)

Oil tops $83 despite bearish inventory data

2010-01-07T01:40:00.001-08:00

Graphics shows the price of light, sweet crude oil for February delivery rose 1.41 U.S. dollars to settle at 83.18 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange on Jan. 6, 2010.

NEW YORK, Jan. 6 -- Oil refreshed its 14-month high with a settling price above 83 U.S. dollars on Wednesday as more risk-prone investors shrugged off a surprisingly bearish inventory report.

Crude futures rallied for the tenth straight session on Wednesday. Light, sweet crude for February delivery rose 1.41 dollars, or 1.7 percent, to settle at 83.18 dollars a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. In London, February Brent crude contract gained 1.3 dollars, or 1.6 percent, to settle at 81.89 dollars a barrel. Both have refreshed the highest closing price since early October 2008.

Crude dipped below 81 dollars in morning trading after the U.S. weekly inventory report turned out to surprise the market.

The U.S. Energy Department Energy Information Administration said that during the week ending on Jan. 1, crude stockpiles rose 1.3 million barrels, while analysts had made an average forecast of a 300,000-barrel drop. Gasoline supplies increased 3.7 million barrels, against the forecast for a 300,000-barrel increase.

What is more surprising is the change in distillate stocks, which include heating oil and diesel. A drop of 200,000 barrels came far lower than the anticipated decline of 1.8 million barrels.

Another weekly draw in fuel supplies was widely expected, as the cold snap continued in North America. Crude stocks had been in decline for four consecutive weeks and distillate fuel supplies had dropped for three weeks prior to this week.

Oil refreshed its 14-month high with a settling price above 83 U.S. dollars, Jan. 7, 2010.

Fuel consumption fell 1.6 percent to 18.8 million barrels a day last week, the report showed. It also showed that inventories at Cushing, Okla., the physical delivery point of NYMEX futures, continued to rise and hit a record high of 35.7 million barrels last week.

But investors returned to a buy mood as a weakening dollar prompted appetite for risk taking.

"Today's EIA release posted bearish surprises relative to consensus expectations. If oil prices in the first instance corrected lower, in the end, the sway of the USD proved to be stronger than that of fundamentals," Harry Tchilinguirian, commodity derivatives senior oil analyst at BNP Paribas, wrote in a note to clients.

Minutes from the Federal Reserve's December meeting showed that a "few members" thought that the central bank's 1.25-trillion-dollar program to buy mortgages could need to grow, rather than be phased out on March 31.

The report suggested the U.S. economic recovery still faces difficulties and U.S. treasury prices fell as the minutes underscored some traders' concerns about inflation. And the dollar fell against the euro and sterling pound, pushing commodities prices to rise.

Economic data released on Wednesday also offered support for the oil rally. The Institute for Supply Management said its services index rose to 50.1 in December from 48.7 in November. A reading above 50 signals growth.

Analysts believed that the jobless report due on Friday is what the market focuses on and an upbeat reading could send oil even higher.

Oil refreshed its 14-month high with a settling price above 83 U.S. dollars, Jan. 7, 2010.
(Reuters)

Topless Paris most watched

2010-01-07T01:40:00.000-08:00

A footage from Paris Hilton's video.

Jan. 7 -- Guess whose is the Sun Online's most watched showbiz video of 2009? It's Paris Hilton of course.

Paris Hilton's video of a saucy bath scene was originally launched in 2007. But it is so alluring that the masses couldn't help but coming back for more, and pushing it beyond a whopping 1.5 million hits.

U.S. socialite Paris Hilton poses at a party in downtown Beirut July 3, 2009.

Paris' topless scene fought off competition from footage of Madonna's shock onstage wobble. A ghostly image of late Michael Jackson wandering the corridors of his Neverland home came in at third place, while Leona Lewis' bookstore attack and actress Jessica Biel's red hot pole dance in Powder Blue landed fourth and fifth spot in the top ten countdown.

(Reuters)

Tension between Hamas, Egypt flares as border clashes erupt

2010-01-07T01:21:00.003-08:00

·Hamas demonstrators clashed with Egyptian forces at Egypt-Gaza border.
·At least seven Palestinians were injured, an Egyptian soldier was killed in the clashes.
·Israel and Egypt sealed off their borders with Gaza in June 2007.

RAFAH TOWN, Gaza Strip, Jan. 6 -- Tension between Gaza Strip ruler Islamic Hamas movement and Egypt flared on Wednesday after clashes erupted between Hamas demonstrators and Egyptian security forces at southern Gaza border with Egypt.

A wounded Palestinians is carried away during a gunbattle near the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip January 6, 2010.

Witnesses in Rafah town said dozens of Hamas demonstrators clashed with Egyptian security forces on Wednesday at the borderline area and they heard intensive gunfire at the area.

The violence erupted as Palestinian demonstrators hurled stones at the Egyptian forces guarding the borders and in return, the Egyptian soldiers opened fire to disperse the protesters.

Medics at Abu Yousef al-Najar Hospital in Rafah town said that at least seven Palestinians were injured, including six were lightly injured and another people is in serious conditions. It is unclear whether the wounded were hit by Egyptian fire or as a result of the stones thrown by their colleagues.

Egypt's Nile TV reported on Wednesday afternoon that an Egyptian soldier was killed in the clashes.

Gaza ruling Hamas movement organized the demonstration Wednesday morning near the borders against the Egyptian police who clashed in the Sinai desert city of el-Arish with members of an international aid convoy on Tuesday night.

Earlier media reports said Egyptian security forces clashed on Tuesday night in el-Arish with a pro-Palestinian convoy, led by the British MP George Galloway, which tried to deliver aid supplies into the besieged Gaza Strip.

The convoy of 198 trucks and more than 500 supporters left London a month ago, in hopes of entering Gaza from el-Arish, an Egyptian port on the Mediterranean, a few miles south of Gaza.

Hamas police and security forces immediately arrived at the area, redeployed their members there and prevented demonstrators from throwing stones at the Egyptian forces.

The witnesses said that a status of calm has dominated the borderline area after the clashes.

A Palestinian throws a stone at Egyptian soldiers during a gunbattle on the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip January 6, 2010.

Tension between Hamas and Egypt has mounted recently after several media reports said that Egypt is constructing an underground steel barrier under the borderline to prevent Palestinian smuggling through underground tunnels over the past three years.

Egypt has not officially announced that it is building a steel barrier under its borders with Gaza, however, Egyptian government officials said it is Egypt's right to defend its borders and protect its national security.

Meanwhile, Hamas movement in Gaza slammed Egypt on Wednesday following clashes on Tuesday night between the Egyptian police and the international Humanitarian convoy.

Gaza-based Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement that Egyptian police's attack on the Gaza aid convoy "is an attack on more than 40 Arab, Islamic and European countries represented by the convoy."

Several protesters and police officers were injured in the clashes on Tuesday night, said local media reports in Gaza.

The reports quoted witnesses as saying that Egyptian police threw stones at the crowd and arrested seven demonstrators.

The witnesses added that the Egyptian police fired water cannon to disperse the crowd that gathered to receive the aid trucks.

"This attack is an evidence that the issue is related to tightening the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip for more than three years," said Barhoum.

He added that the members of the convoy "came to defy the unfair blockade, and the Egyptian police's attack was made in order to prevent those people who came to express solidarity with us from defying Gaza blockade."

Israel has been imposing a tight blockade on the Hamas-run Gaza Strip since Gaza militants captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in a cross-border raid in June 2006.

Israel and Egypt sealed off their borders with Gaza in June 2007 when Islamic Hamas movement took over Gaza from security forces loyal to the Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Egypt has also kept its Rafah border crossing with Gaza largely closed.

Palestinian demonstrators on the Gaza side threw stones at the Egyptian border guards during a rally against the closure of Rafah border crossing at southern Gaza strip, Jan. 6, 2010. An Egyptian soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper on borders with the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, Egypt's Nile TV reported.

Palestinians carry a man wounded during clashes with Egyptian troops at the divided border town of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Jan. 6, 2010. At least 5 Palestinian demonstrators were wounded by the gunfire during the clashes, according to local medics.
(Khaled Omar)

Anti-whaling ship holed in Antarctic clash

2010-01-07T01:21:00.002-08:00

The damaged powerboat Ady Gil, which belongs to the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, floats near the Japanese ship Shonan Maru No. 2 after a collision between the two vessels in the Southern Ocean January 6, 2010. Anti-whaling activists accused Japanese whalers of ramming and sinking the high-tech protest boat in the frigid Southern Ocean on Wednesday, but Japan said that its ship could not avoid the collision. Picture taken January 6, 2010.

CANBERRA, Jan. 6 -- A protest ship has been holed in a collision with Japanese whalers on the high seas, Australian Associated Press reports Wednesday.

Six crew members aboard the anti-whaling stealth ship the Ady Gill were rescued, one with broken ribs, after it and the Japanese whalers' ship the Shonan Maru 2 collided in remote Antarctic waters.

The crew of the Japanese ship Shonan Maru No. 2 spray water at the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society's high-tech powerboat Ady Gil during a collision between the two vessels in the Southern Ocean January 6, 2010.

The dangerous escalation in the whale wars has sparked calls for the Australian federal government to send a ship to Antarctica to police the situation.

Vessels have long been ramming each other and using stink bombs and water cannons in the annual battle over whether hundreds of whales should be hunted.

The Ady Gill, a futuristic light-weight vessel engaged by the anti-whaling organization Sea Shepherd, had its bow sheared off in the incident and is taking on water.

The Sea Shepherd says the Ady Gill had stopped in the path of the Japanese vessel, but was trying to get out of the way when the Japanese went straight for it.
(Reuters)

Heavy snow closes airports, schools across Britain

2010-01-07T01:21:00.001-08:00

LONDON, Jan. 6 -- The bad weather that struck Scotland and northern England earlier this week rolled into the south and London in early Wednesday, causing delays and cancellations of public transport and closing thousands of schools across the country.

A man walks through the snow in Queen's Park in northwest London, January 6, 2010. Blizzards swept across central and southern England on Wednesday, bringing more road and rail chaos, forcing airlines to suspend flights and hundreds of schools to close.

Temperatures were as low as minus 13 degrees Celsius in northern Scotland, and snowfalls reached 25 cm in parts of the southern county of Hampshire, but London largely escaped the worst of the snow.

In London, the trains heading to Kent, parts of Sussex and the London suburbs from the major commuter stations of London Bridge, Charing Cross, Waterloo East and Cannon Street were all suffering from delays and cancellations.

An emergency timetable with dozens of canceled services and many re-timed ones had been in operation all day and will run for Thursday and probably Friday. Train services that usually operated past midnight were scheduled for last trains between 7 pm and 9 pm.

The overcrowded conditions on trains made many commuters unable to get off at their destinations and had to continue their journeys till the next stop, while others who got off to allow passengers to leave the train couldn't return onto the carriage.

"Just my luck, I stopped commuting like this in 1991 and just came into town today on business. Now I'm stuck in this. I wouldn't like to do it every day," a traveler told Xinhua.

Other commuters made light of the delays and crowded trains. Darren Jones, aged 21, an office worker in London who lives in Dartford said: "It's a bit like that game tetris innit? You kind of have to move people into funny shapes and sideways and everything to get them to fit in."

Janice Ackerley, living in the southeast of London, said while it was crowded and there were delays it was better than in previous heavy snowfalls. "Back in February last year we had more snow and it was much worse. Things just seemed to grind to a halt."

Passengers wait for flights after heavy snowfall closed the runway at Gatwick Airport near London January 6, 2010. Blizzards swept across central and southern England on Wednesday, bringing more road and rail chaos, forcing airlines to suspend flights and hundreds of schools to close.

Gatwick airport canceled flights for most of the day. It could reopen before 5 p.m. Airport spokesman Sean McKe said, "We hope to be open Thursday. One fear is that ice will form with the water, but we have plans for that. We have teams out working on the snow as I speak."

"We lost 438 flights and we are dealing with the backlog. The public has been very understanding, which we didn't expect, and they've been resilient."

At Heathrow Airport the runways remained open. "We have a team of 68 vehicles - snow ploughs and gritters - operating to keep the runways open," airport spokesman Stuart Butchers.

"We have had 150 cancellations out of a daily total of 1,300 flights. We expect to stay open Wednesday and all Thursday and we are not expecting any more snow until Friday.

"This is nowhere near as bad as the heavy snowfall we had in February 2008. That was a bad day for us and we had 800 cancellations."

London's subways were largely running normally. A Transport for London spokeswoman said, "Most Tube lines had a good service, with some minor delays, in both the morning and evening."

Outside London in southern England the snow was deeper and more disruptive. A total of 70 schools in the small, coastal county of Dorset, were closed.

Snow falls around The Houses of Parliament in central London January 6, 2010.

Hundreds of schools in the north of England including Plymouth Grove Primary School in central Manchester were forced to close on Wednesday because of the weather.

Head teacher Michael Cooke said: "School will be closed on Thursday. I apologize for the further inconvenience that this causes children and parents but we have been unable to clear any of the snow, or grit any of the paths.

"The school has also been unable to receive any food deliveries for the school dinners. We are making every effort to have this work completed by Friday."

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reported the snow had helped them make several arrests. A GMP spokesman said: "Officers arrested two men for trying to break into vehicles parked on driveways after following their footprints in the snow.

"Another wanted offender was put behind bars after his footprints led officers to the house where he was hiding."

A train leaves station in Hampshire, a village 40 miles west of London January 6, 2009.

An ambulance man walks away from the fire station in Hartley Wintney, in Hampshire, a village 40 miles west of London January 6, 2009.
(Reuters)

"Endeavour" arrives at launch pad

2010-01-07T01:21:00.000-08:00

The space shuttle Endeavour leaves the Vehicle Assembly Building as it rolls out to Launch Pad 39A aboard the crawler-transporter at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida January 6, 2010. The shuttle is expected to be launched on February 7 on a mission to the International Space Station.

The space shuttle Endeavour is silhouetted against an early-morning sky as it rolls out to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida January 6, 2010.

The space shuttle Endeavour is silhouetted against an early-morning sky as it rolls out to Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida January 6, 2010. The shuttle is expected to be launched on February 7 on a mission to the International Space Station.
(Reuters)