BEIRUT (Reuters) - The leader of Lebanon's pro-Western majority in parliament said on Thursday the country was in direct confrontation with Syria and Iran, which back the Hezbollah opposition group in its conflict with the Beirut government.
Saad al-Hariri, said Syria and Iran and "their local tools" were seeking to "impose a terror, security and political siege" on Lebanon. "If our fate is confrontation, then we are for it," he said. The speech, including rare criticism of Iran, reflected increased tension between the coalition and the opposition, which appeared far from resolving Lebanon's worst political conflict since the 1975-90 civil war.
The crisis has deepened divisions between followers of rival sectarian leaders, led to the worst street violence since the civil war, paralyzed government and left Lebanon without a president. Hariri said Lebanon faced dangers which "put the country in direct, open confrontation with the Syrian-Iranian project" and he called supporters to a rally on Thursday next week to mark the third anniversary of his father's assassination.
Former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri was killed by a truck bomb on February 14, 2005. Hariri and his allies have accused Syria of the killing and subsequent assassinations of anti-Syrian figures. Damascus denies the allegations.
The governing coalition accuses the opposition of seeking to restore Syrian influence brought to an end by international pressure after the Hariri assassination. Syria was forced to end its 29-year military presence in Lebanon. Lebanon has been without a president since November when the term of close Syria ally Emile Lahoud ended. Members of parliament have been called to a presidential election in parliament on Monday. However, the vote appeared to be heading for a 14th delay in the absence of a deal between the sides. "There are no presidential elections on Monday. The conditions are not at all ripe," said former President Amin Gemayel, one of the governing coalition's main Christian leaders. The rivals have agreed on army chief General Michel Suleiman as the candidate for the presidency. The vote has been held up by a dispute over the make-up of a new government. Only Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a leading opposition figure, can officially postpone the election.
Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa arrived in Beirut on Thursday to resume efforts to mediate a deal under an Arab states' initiative. His previous missions have failed to produce a breakthrough. Tension has been aggravated since Moussa's last visit by the killing of seven activists affiliated to the Shi'ite Muslim opposition groups Hezbollah and Amal. Three officers and eight soldiers have been arrested over the January 27 killings. Political analysts say the shootings have thrown into doubt Suleiman's candidacy for the presidency, further complicating the search for an to a crisis that erupted in November 2006 when opposition ministers quit the government. The opposition wants veto power in the cabinet or an equal three-way split of seats with the governing coalition and the president. The coalition has rejected the demands. Some analysts say the crisis could drag on for months or even until parliamentary elections scheduled for next year.
By Tom Perry , Additional reporting by Yara Bayoumy and Laila Bassam; editing by Andrew Dobbie
Thursday, February 07, 2008
How come U.N. wasn´t there when Israel pulled out?
Seven Palestinians were wounded Wednesday night in three IAF strikes in the Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources reported.
The air strikes came after two young children, aged twelve and two, were lightly wounded when a Kassam rocket landed near a playground in Kibbutz Be'eri, in the western Negev. Moments later, a Sderot home was damaged when it was hit by a rocket fired from Gaza. Another rocket fired in Wednesday evening's attack landed in an open area. Earlier, six Kassams were fired into Israel, all landing in open areas. Also Wednesday, the IAF struck a rocket launching cell in Gaza, the army said.
Government spokesman Mark Regev said that Israel would keep hitting back at the rocket launching squads. "These rockets are being fired indiscriminately into civilian population centers. We are obliged as a government to take the necessary steps to protect our people and we will continue to do so," said Regev. "Those extremists shooting rockets are a legitimate target and we will act surgically to strike against hardcore terrorist cells."
Vice Premier Haim Ramon echoed similar sentiments. "We need to understand there is a war in the south," Ramon told Israel Radio. "The war against Hamas has to be fought on all fronts."
On Wednesday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the terrorists' rocket fire, but urged Israel to let supplies into Gaza. "These rockets that are being fired at Israel must stop. It's pointless," he said at a news conference with Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik. "At the same time, Israel should not use these rockets as a pretext for collective punishment on Palestinians in Gaza. Israel must always allow humanitarian supplies and other needs to be provided to Gaza."
The air strikes came after two young children, aged twelve and two, were lightly wounded when a Kassam rocket landed near a playground in Kibbutz Be'eri, in the western Negev. Moments later, a Sderot home was damaged when it was hit by a rocket fired from Gaza. Another rocket fired in Wednesday evening's attack landed in an open area. Earlier, six Kassams were fired into Israel, all landing in open areas. Also Wednesday, the IAF struck a rocket launching cell in Gaza, the army said.
Government spokesman Mark Regev said that Israel would keep hitting back at the rocket launching squads. "These rockets are being fired indiscriminately into civilian population centers. We are obliged as a government to take the necessary steps to protect our people and we will continue to do so," said Regev. "Those extremists shooting rockets are a legitimate target and we will act surgically to strike against hardcore terrorist cells."
Vice Premier Haim Ramon echoed similar sentiments. "We need to understand there is a war in the south," Ramon told Israel Radio. "The war against Hamas has to be fought on all fronts."
On Wednesday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the terrorists' rocket fire, but urged Israel to let supplies into Gaza. "These rockets that are being fired at Israel must stop. It's pointless," he said at a news conference with Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik. "At the same time, Israel should not use these rockets as a pretext for collective punishment on Palestinians in Gaza. Israel must always allow humanitarian supplies and other needs to be provided to Gaza."
Global-Iranian/al-Qaida-invented-"religion", where people gets a missile in their heads as thanks!
Thousands of Arab men have flocked into the Gaza Strip from Egypt in the past two weeks, offering to join in the fight against Israel, sources close to Hamas said Wednesday.
The men, who came from Egypt and several other Arab countries, entered the Gaza Strip after the border with Egypt was torn down, the sources said, adding that they had offered to join Hamas and other armed groups. Egyptian sources said the men had toured a number of training bases and security installations belonging to Hamas and other groups and expressed their desire to remain in the Gaza Strip and launch attacks against Israel. The sources said some of the men had recently fled from Iraq, where they had been carrying out attacks against US troops. The Bethlehem-based Maan news agency quoted Hamas sources as estimating the number of Arab men who had entered the Gaza Strip at 2,000. According to the sources, the Palestinian groups expressed their gratitude for the show of solidarity, but said they already had enough men to fight against Israel. Palestinian Authority security officials told The Jerusalem Post that many of the men were Muslim fundamentalists who were eager to launch terror attacks on Israel.
"Hamas has turned the Gaza Strip into an international center for global jihad," said one official. "Most of the men who entered the Gaza Strip through the breached border are now being trained in Hamas's camps and schools." Another PA security official said that according to his information, dozens of al-Qaida operatives have managed to enter the Gaza Strip in the past two weeks. He said some of them had already been recruited to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. "They brought with them tons of explosives and various types of weapons, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles," the official said. "What's happening in the Gaza Strip is very dangerous not only for Israel, but for many Palestinians as well."
He added that a number of Iranian security experts had also entered the Gaza Strip to help train members of Hamas and other armed groups. Earlier this week, PA officials told the Post that Iran and Syria were behind Monday's suicide bombing in Dimona. Hamas's representative in Teheran, Abu Osama Abdel Mu'ti, announced Wednesday that his movement was planning more suicide attacks against Israel. "The armed wing of Hamas has decided to resume Islamic-suicide operations against Israel after a one-year lull," he said. "The enemy should expect more attacks." He said the fact that Hamas suicide bombers had managed to carry out an attack in Dimona, "one of the most sensitive areas," was a major victory. "This operation shows that the Palestinian resistance groups won't succumb to the pressure from the Zionists, Americans and their allies in Ramallah," he stressed.
In another development, the family of Luai al-Aghwani, a 21- year-old man from Gaza City initially believed to be one of the Dimona suicide bombers, demanded on Wednesday to know whether he was still alive or not. Fatah's armed wing, the Aksa Martyrs Brigades, claimed shortly after the bombing that Aghwani had been one of the two suicide bombers who died in the attack. The group even released a videotape showing the would-be suicide bomber reading out his will before the attack. However, the Fatah claim later turned out to be false as Hamas took credit for the Dimona attack, saying the terrorists were from Hebron. Following the Hamas claim of responsibility, Aghwani's family, who have been sitting in mourning since Monday, said they had not ruled out the possibility that he had been arrested by the Egyptian authorities after crossing through the breached border.
Source: Jerusalem post
The men, who came from Egypt and several other Arab countries, entered the Gaza Strip after the border with Egypt was torn down, the sources said, adding that they had offered to join Hamas and other armed groups. Egyptian sources said the men had toured a number of training bases and security installations belonging to Hamas and other groups and expressed their desire to remain in the Gaza Strip and launch attacks against Israel. The sources said some of the men had recently fled from Iraq, where they had been carrying out attacks against US troops. The Bethlehem-based Maan news agency quoted Hamas sources as estimating the number of Arab men who had entered the Gaza Strip at 2,000. According to the sources, the Palestinian groups expressed their gratitude for the show of solidarity, but said they already had enough men to fight against Israel. Palestinian Authority security officials told The Jerusalem Post that many of the men were Muslim fundamentalists who were eager to launch terror attacks on Israel.
"Hamas has turned the Gaza Strip into an international center for global jihad," said one official. "Most of the men who entered the Gaza Strip through the breached border are now being trained in Hamas's camps and schools." Another PA security official said that according to his information, dozens of al-Qaida operatives have managed to enter the Gaza Strip in the past two weeks. He said some of them had already been recruited to Hamas and Islamic Jihad. "They brought with them tons of explosives and various types of weapons, including anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles," the official said. "What's happening in the Gaza Strip is very dangerous not only for Israel, but for many Palestinians as well."
He added that a number of Iranian security experts had also entered the Gaza Strip to help train members of Hamas and other armed groups. Earlier this week, PA officials told the Post that Iran and Syria were behind Monday's suicide bombing in Dimona. Hamas's representative in Teheran, Abu Osama Abdel Mu'ti, announced Wednesday that his movement was planning more suicide attacks against Israel. "The armed wing of Hamas has decided to resume Islamic-suicide operations against Israel after a one-year lull," he said. "The enemy should expect more attacks." He said the fact that Hamas suicide bombers had managed to carry out an attack in Dimona, "one of the most sensitive areas," was a major victory. "This operation shows that the Palestinian resistance groups won't succumb to the pressure from the Zionists, Americans and their allies in Ramallah," he stressed.
In another development, the family of Luai al-Aghwani, a 21- year-old man from Gaza City initially believed to be one of the Dimona suicide bombers, demanded on Wednesday to know whether he was still alive or not. Fatah's armed wing, the Aksa Martyrs Brigades, claimed shortly after the bombing that Aghwani had been one of the two suicide bombers who died in the attack. The group even released a videotape showing the would-be suicide bomber reading out his will before the attack. However, the Fatah claim later turned out to be false as Hamas took credit for the Dimona attack, saying the terrorists were from Hebron. Following the Hamas claim of responsibility, Aghwani's family, who have been sitting in mourning since Monday, said they had not ruled out the possibility that he had been arrested by the Egyptian authorities after crossing through the breached border.
Source: Jerusalem post
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
ISLAMABAD (Reuters)
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistani Taliban fighters announced a ceasefire on Wednesday after months of clashes with security forces and suicide attacks across the northwest of the country.
Military spokesmen were not immediately available for comment but security officials in South Waziristan said there have been contacts with militants in tribal strongholds of the Pakistani Taliban. "The government has shown leniency over the past four or five days," Maulvi Omar, a spokesman for Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or the Taliban Movement of Pakistan, told Reuters by telephone. "That's why we are declaring a ceasefire."
Omar said the decision to call a ceasefire was taken at a shura, or council meeting, chaired by Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban and a prime suspect in the assassination of pro-Western opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in late December. Nearly 300 people have died in militant-related violence since the start of the year, including six killed on Monday when a suicide bomber rammed his motorcycle into a military bus near army headquarters in Rawalpindi, the garrison town next door to the capital, Islamabad. Growing insecurity has raised fears about nuclear-armed Pakistan's stability as it heads towards an election on February 18 that was delayed after Bhutto's assassination. The Waziristan region is regarded as a sanctuary for al Qaeda and Taliban militants who fled there after U.S.-led forces ousted them from Afghanistan in late 2001. Pakistani troops have been trying for years, with varying degrees of success, to clear these areas of militants, who also attack Western and Afghan government troops across the border.
Reporting by Zeeshan Haider; editing by Simon-Cameron Moore
Military spokesmen were not immediately available for comment but security officials in South Waziristan said there have been contacts with militants in tribal strongholds of the Pakistani Taliban. "The government has shown leniency over the past four or five days," Maulvi Omar, a spokesman for Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or the Taliban Movement of Pakistan, told Reuters by telephone. "That's why we are declaring a ceasefire."
Omar said the decision to call a ceasefire was taken at a shura, or council meeting, chaired by Baitullah Mehsud, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban and a prime suspect in the assassination of pro-Western opposition leader Benazir Bhutto in late December. Nearly 300 people have died in militant-related violence since the start of the year, including six killed on Monday when a suicide bomber rammed his motorcycle into a military bus near army headquarters in Rawalpindi, the garrison town next door to the capital, Islamabad. Growing insecurity has raised fears about nuclear-armed Pakistan's stability as it heads towards an election on February 18 that was delayed after Bhutto's assassination. The Waziristan region is regarded as a sanctuary for al Qaeda and Taliban militants who fled there after U.S.-led forces ousted them from Afghanistan in late 2001. Pakistani troops have been trying for years, with varying degrees of success, to clear these areas of militants, who also attack Western and Afghan government troops across the border.
Reporting by Zeeshan Haider; editing by Simon-Cameron Moore
Explosion in Somalia and mass grave in Iraq
BOSASSO, Somalia (Reuters) - An explosion killed at least 20 people and wounded a hundred more on Tuesday in a northern Somali port where Somali and Ethiopian immigrants begin the dangerous crossing to Yemen, a regional official said.
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces found a mass grave containing about 50 bodies, some badly decomposed and others killed more recently, during a hunt on Tuesday for al Qaeda militants north of Baghdad, police said. Police and members of a neighborhood security unit raided a house thought to be used by Sunni Islamist al Qaeda in an area near Samarra, 100 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, when they found 10 people who had been kidnapped from a nearby town.
Police said information from some of the people freed from that house led to the discovery of the grave nearby. Local families had identified some of those buried in the grave but little other information was available, police said. Three car bombs were also found in the area. The discovery of the mass grave came after Iraq's temporary new national flag was raised over the country's parliament for the first time in a ceremony trumpeted by the government as a break with the bloody past and a step towards reconciliation.
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi security forces found a mass grave containing about 50 bodies, some badly decomposed and others killed more recently, during a hunt on Tuesday for al Qaeda militants north of Baghdad, police said. Police and members of a neighborhood security unit raided a house thought to be used by Sunni Islamist al Qaeda in an area near Samarra, 100 km (60 miles) north of Baghdad, when they found 10 people who had been kidnapped from a nearby town.
Police said information from some of the people freed from that house led to the discovery of the grave nearby. Local families had identified some of those buried in the grave but little other information was available, police said. Three car bombs were also found in the area. The discovery of the mass grave came after Iraq's temporary new national flag was raised over the country's parliament for the first time in a ceremony trumpeted by the government as a break with the bloody past and a step towards reconciliation.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Meanwhile, fishermen can´t go out and lay their nets
Long-range rockets and anti-tank and anti-aircraft missiles are some of the weapons smuggled into the Gaza Strip over the last 12 days, Yuval Diskin, head of the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), told the cabinet Sunday.
Diskin also said numerous terrorists from Iran, Syria and Egypt affiliated with various organizations were smuggled into Gaza and - using training they received in Iran - would try to "upgrade" attacks against Israel. Defense officials said the IDF would need to study the new types of weaponry that were smuggled into Gaza in recent weeks and, if needed, alter its deployment around and within the Strip.
- A Palestinian suicide bomber killed a woman in southern Israel on Monday, the first such attack in the country in a year, but Israeli officials said peace talks would not be derailed.
Gaza Strip - Egyptian forces and Hamas police exchanged fire across the Gaza-Egypt border Monday.
Diskin also said numerous terrorists from Iran, Syria and Egypt affiliated with various organizations were smuggled into Gaza and - using training they received in Iran - would try to "upgrade" attacks against Israel. Defense officials said the IDF would need to study the new types of weaponry that were smuggled into Gaza in recent weeks and, if needed, alter its deployment around and within the Strip.
- A Palestinian suicide bomber killed a woman in southern Israel on Monday, the first such attack in the country in a year, but Israeli officials said peace talks would not be derailed.
Gaza Strip - Egyptian forces and Hamas police exchanged fire across the Gaza-Egypt border Monday.
CHENZHOU, China ..coldest in 100 years
(Reuters) - Millions remained stranded in China on Monday ahead of the biggest holiday of the year as parts of the country suffered their coldest winter in a century. Freezing weather has killed scores of people and left travelers stranded before the Lunar New Year, or Spring Festival -- the only opportunity many people have to take a holiday all year. It has also brought China unwanted negative publicity six months before the Summer Olympics in Beijing.
President Hu Jintao chaired an emergency Politburo meeting on Sunday for the second time in a week to discuss rescue efforts. "We have to be clear-minded that the inclement weather and severe disaster will continue to plague certain regions in the south," said a statement issued after Sunday's meeting. "Relief work will continue to face challenges, posing a tough task." The China Meteorological Administration said the weather was the coldest in 100 years in central Hubei and Hunan provinces, going by the total number of consecutive days of average temperature less than 1 degree Celsius (33.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
But it expected brighter weather ahead, though fog could become a problem and temperatures at night would likely still be below freezing, slowing the thaw. "The weather over the disaster-stricken regions is likely to turn better in the next several days, but it is still necessary to remain alert for possible low temperatures, frozen rain, snow, freezing and heavy fog," said administration head Zheng Guoguang. He added the cold snap had caught the country off guard, in an area unprepared for such heavy snow. But climate change could see more extremes in weather in China, Zheng warned. Four people died after a snow-laden roof collapsed at a fuel station in the eastern city of Nanjing on Sunday, Xinhua news agency said. One person was killed in a stampede at Guangzhou railway station in the south as people rushed to board trains. Roads and railways, some of which have been blocked for days, have started to move again, and fewer flights were being cancelled, state media said, offering a glimmer of hope.
Authorities in the southern city of Guangzhou said their priority was to clear the backlog of travelers, having cajoled millions of migrant workers to stay put and skip the holiday. Elsewhere, efforts turned to restoring power and water, which some cities, such as Chenzhou in the south, have been without for more than a week, causing some to question China's ability to handle emergencies months before Beijing holds the Olympics. "Without power the only information we have been getting is by SMS from the government," said Chenzhou resident Zheng Ninghong, tending a fruit stall amid the slush. "There was one, I think, that said it would get warmer, but what we need is electricity." China has largely avoided unrest throughout the crisis, in part due to hundreds of thousands of soldiers and paramilitary police that have been deployed around the country to help with disaster relief and crowd control. Mobilizing the might of the state, China has deployed more than 300,000 troops and nearly 1.1 million militia and army reservists to get traffic moving and ensure power supplies. Pictures from Wuhan, capital of the central province of Hubei and lying at the middle reaches of the Yangtze and Han rivers, showed cars blanketed not by snow, but by ice. Riverside barriers and trees were draped in huge icicles. The China Daily quoted Li Pumin, spokesman for top planning body the National Development and Reform Commission, as saying power plants in Beijing and Shanghai had only enough coal for less than seven days. "But top economic planners said the country had reversed a sharp decline in coal reserves. There was enough coal on Saturday to generate electricity for the entire country for the next eight days," the newspaper added.
By John Ruwitch , Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Editing by Nick Macfie and Alex Richardson
President Hu Jintao chaired an emergency Politburo meeting on Sunday for the second time in a week to discuss rescue efforts. "We have to be clear-minded that the inclement weather and severe disaster will continue to plague certain regions in the south," said a statement issued after Sunday's meeting. "Relief work will continue to face challenges, posing a tough task." The China Meteorological Administration said the weather was the coldest in 100 years in central Hubei and Hunan provinces, going by the total number of consecutive days of average temperature less than 1 degree Celsius (33.8 degrees Fahrenheit).
But it expected brighter weather ahead, though fog could become a problem and temperatures at night would likely still be below freezing, slowing the thaw. "The weather over the disaster-stricken regions is likely to turn better in the next several days, but it is still necessary to remain alert for possible low temperatures, frozen rain, snow, freezing and heavy fog," said administration head Zheng Guoguang. He added the cold snap had caught the country off guard, in an area unprepared for such heavy snow. But climate change could see more extremes in weather in China, Zheng warned. Four people died after a snow-laden roof collapsed at a fuel station in the eastern city of Nanjing on Sunday, Xinhua news agency said. One person was killed in a stampede at Guangzhou railway station in the south as people rushed to board trains. Roads and railways, some of which have been blocked for days, have started to move again, and fewer flights were being cancelled, state media said, offering a glimmer of hope.
Authorities in the southern city of Guangzhou said their priority was to clear the backlog of travelers, having cajoled millions of migrant workers to stay put and skip the holiday. Elsewhere, efforts turned to restoring power and water, which some cities, such as Chenzhou in the south, have been without for more than a week, causing some to question China's ability to handle emergencies months before Beijing holds the Olympics. "Without power the only information we have been getting is by SMS from the government," said Chenzhou resident Zheng Ninghong, tending a fruit stall amid the slush. "There was one, I think, that said it would get warmer, but what we need is electricity." China has largely avoided unrest throughout the crisis, in part due to hundreds of thousands of soldiers and paramilitary police that have been deployed around the country to help with disaster relief and crowd control. Mobilizing the might of the state, China has deployed more than 300,000 troops and nearly 1.1 million militia and army reservists to get traffic moving and ensure power supplies. Pictures from Wuhan, capital of the central province of Hubei and lying at the middle reaches of the Yangtze and Han rivers, showed cars blanketed not by snow, but by ice. Riverside barriers and trees were draped in huge icicles. The China Daily quoted Li Pumin, spokesman for top planning body the National Development and Reform Commission, as saying power plants in Beijing and Shanghai had only enough coal for less than seven days. "But top economic planners said the country had reversed a sharp decline in coal reserves. There was enough coal on Saturday to generate electricity for the entire country for the next eight days," the newspaper added.
By John Ruwitch , Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Editing by Nick Macfie and Alex Richardson
Sunday, February 03, 2008
A Los Angeles city councilman wants a buffer zone between celebrities and paparazzi.
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A Los Angeles city councilman wants a buffer zone between celebrities and paparazzi. A proposed ordinance would require photographers to stay several feet away from celebrities to create a "personal safety zone." The zone would have to be wide enough to allow cars and people to pass safely. Councilman Dennis Zine says the paparazzi problem has become an "outrageous" danger to the public. And he says if something's not done about it, somebody's going to get seriously hurt. He said paparazzi were increasingly endangering celebrities and bystanders with their aggressive behavior and car pursuits.
Zine said he plans to introduce a motion that calls for the city attorney and LAPD to draft new restrictions on paparazzi, including an ordinance that would create a zone of clear space in order to protect public safety on streets, sidewalks and at access points to emergency care facilities and private businesses and homes. "It is a major issue we have to address. We are in a celebrity town," he said. "Celebrities have a right to live in peace and freedom." But Police Chief William J. Bratton said existing laws can deal with the paparazzi. Bratton strongly defended the LAPD decision to deploy a dozen officers to escort Spears, saying she is a resident of the city and is "certainly in great need of assistance."
He said the public should blame the paparazzi for this week's events. "They are the ones making a spectacle of themselves," Bratton said.
Zine said he plans to introduce a motion that calls for the city attorney and LAPD to draft new restrictions on paparazzi, including an ordinance that would create a zone of clear space in order to protect public safety on streets, sidewalks and at access points to emergency care facilities and private businesses and homes. "It is a major issue we have to address. We are in a celebrity town," he said. "Celebrities have a right to live in peace and freedom." But Police Chief William J. Bratton said existing laws can deal with the paparazzi. Bratton strongly defended the LAPD decision to deploy a dozen officers to escort Spears, saying she is a resident of the city and is "certainly in great need of assistance."
He said the public should blame the paparazzi for this week's events. "They are the ones making a spectacle of themselves," Bratton said.
Shiftwork! "The Hottie and the Nottie"!
What´s this? Shiftwork ? Who´s the pimps "pimp"?
Yeah..One checks out and one checks in...
Until the one that checked out
is ready to check in ones again.
Maybe they meet in the swing door..
like mobile fish bowls ..
with clipp cards
in the great Hollywood-In..
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Heavy snow in China and women strapped with remote-control explosives in Iraq
SHAOGUAN, China (Reuters) - Emergency crews struggled on Saturday to restore power to parts of southern China blacked out for a week by heavy snow as forecasters warned of no quick end to the worst winter weather in 50 years.
BAGHDAD - Two women described as mentally disabled and strapped with remote-control explosives — and possibly used as unwitting suicide bombers — brought carnage Friday to two pet bazaars, killing at least 99 people in the deadliest day since Washington flooded the capital with extra troops last spring.
BAGHDAD - Two women described as mentally disabled and strapped with remote-control explosives — and possibly used as unwitting suicide bombers — brought carnage Friday to two pet bazaars, killing at least 99 people in the deadliest day since Washington flooded the capital with extra troops last spring.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Suiciders killing Iraqis in Iraq
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Female suicide bombers, detonated by remote control, killed 72 people in attacks blamed on al Qaeda at two popular Baghdad pet markets on Friday, the Iraqi capital's worst bombings in six months.
Police said a female suicide bomber killed 45 people and wounded 82 at the Ghazil pet market in central Baghdad. Another blast 10 minutes earlier killed 27 people and wounded 67 at a bird market in southern Baghdad, police said. The U.S. military, which gave a lower death toll, said both attacks were caused by female suicide bombers and blamed al Qaeda. An Iraqi military official said the two women were mentally retarded and the bombs detonated by remote control. "By targeting innocent Iraqis they show their true demonic character," Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Stover, a spokesman for U.S. troops in Baghdad, said in a statement.
Police said a female suicide bomber killed 45 people and wounded 82 at the Ghazil pet market in central Baghdad. Another blast 10 minutes earlier killed 27 people and wounded 67 at a bird market in southern Baghdad, police said. The U.S. military, which gave a lower death toll, said both attacks were caused by female suicide bombers and blamed al Qaeda. An Iraqi military official said the two women were mentally retarded and the bombs detonated by remote control. "By targeting innocent Iraqis they show their true demonic character," Lieutenant-Colonel Steve Stover, a spokesman for U.S. troops in Baghdad, said in a statement.
The bear is out flying again..
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia on Friday sent 12 air force bombers to take part in naval exercises over the Arctic and North Atlantic oceans, Itar-Tass news agency quoted a spokesman for Russia's air force as saying.
"Twelve long-range aircraft took off today to participate in the concluding phase of exercises with the Russian navy attack group," the Russian air force spokesman said. He said the bomber group included two Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers, codenamed "Blackjack" by NATO, two turbo-prop Tu-95 strategic bombers, codenamed "Bear," and eight Tu-22 bombers. On Thursday Russia sent eight air force bombers to train over international Arctic waters, testing its in-flight refueling capacity and combined forces air traffic control with the navy.
Source: Reuters
"Twelve long-range aircraft took off today to participate in the concluding phase of exercises with the Russian navy attack group," the Russian air force spokesman said. He said the bomber group included two Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bombers, codenamed "Blackjack" by NATO, two turbo-prop Tu-95 strategic bombers, codenamed "Bear," and eight Tu-22 bombers. On Thursday Russia sent eight air force bombers to train over international Arctic waters, testing its in-flight refueling capacity and combined forces air traffic control with the navy.
Source: Reuters
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