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Mighty Pak Army claims famous victory in Bajaur
Today's Headlines
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Page 1: WoT Operations
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Page 6: Politix
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-Lurid Crime Tales-
US charges Stanford with massive Ponzi scheme
Regulators on Friday accused billionaire Allen Stanford, his college roommate and three of their companies of carrying out a "massive Ponzi scheme".
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Heh word is lotsa Bolibougeerwaszeeee got caught up in this. $3 billion (American) from Vz.

One there born every damn day, that's 365 a year minimum.
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 6:22 Comments || Top||

#2  Are they going to charge Congress for the Social Security ponzi scheme? Or was that the reason the Donks sneaked in the 'managed' [aka government universal] healthcare into the Porkout Act of 2009, so that they'll administrate the elderly out of life sustaining care and into shorter life expectancy, in order to avoid future prosecution?
Posted by: Procopius2k || 03/01/2009 9:15 Comments || Top||

#3  And in other news.... The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that a fund of hedge funds run by Vice President Joseph Biden’s son and his brother, James, through New York-based Paradigm Global Advisers was marketed exclusively by companies controlled by Stanford. Muckety



Posted by: Besoeker || 03/01/2009 11:50 Comments || Top||

#4  Betya! Bidens sons "dodgy" dealings will be alot less interesting to the press than Palins daughters having sex.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 03/01/2009 12:05 Comments || Top||


-Obits-
Paul Harvey dead at 90
CHICAGO – Paul Harvey, the news commentator and talk-radio pioneer whose staccato style made him one of the nation's most familiar voices, died Saturday in Arizona, according to ABC Radio Networks. He was 90.

Harvey died surrounded by family at a hospital in Phoenix, where he had a winter home, said Louis Adams, a spokesman for ABC Radio Networks, where Harvey worked for more than 50 years. No cause of death was immediately available.

Harvey had been forced off the air for several months in 2001 because of a virus that weakened a vocal cord. But he returned to work in Chicago and was still active as he passed his 90th birthday. His death comes less than a year after that of his wife and longtime producer, Lynne.

"My father and mother created from thin air what one day became radio and television news," Paul Harvey Jr. said in a statement. "So in the past year, an industry has lost its godparents and today millions have lost a friend."

Known for his resonant voice and trademark delivery of "The Rest of the Story," Harvey had been heard nationally since 1951, when he began his "News and Comment" for ABC Radio Networks. He became a heartland icon, delivering news and commentary with a distinctive Midwestern flavor. "Stand by for news!" he told his listeners. He was credited with inventing or popularizing terms such as "skyjacker," "Reaganomics" and "guesstimate."

"Paul Harvey was one of the most gifted and beloved broadcasters in our nation's history," ABC Radio Networks President Jim Robinson said in a statement. "We will miss our dear friend tremendously and are grateful for the many years we were so fortunate to have known him."

In 2005, Harvey was one of 14 notables chosen as recipients of the presidential Medal of Freedom. He also was an inductee in the Radio Hall of Fame, as was Lynne. Former President George W. Bush remembered Harvey as a "friendly and familiar voice in the lives of millions of Americans. His commentary entertained, enlightened, and informed," Bush said in a statement. "Laura and I are pleased to have known this fine man, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family."

Harvey composed his twice-daily news commentaries from a downtown Chicago office near Lake Michigan. Rising at 3:30 each morning, he ate a bowl of oatmeal, then combed the news wires and spoke with editors across the country in search of succinct tales of American life for his program.

At the peak of his career, Harvey reached more than 24 million listeners on more than 1,200 radio stations and charged $30,000 to give a speech. His syndicated column was carried by 300 newspapers. His fans identified with his plainspoken political commentary, but critics called him an out-of-touch conservative. He was an early supporter of the late Sen. Joseph McCarthy and a longtime backer of the Vietnam War.

Perhaps Harvey's most famous broadcast came in 1970, when he abandoned that stance, announcing his opposition to President Nixon's expansion of the war and urging him to get out completely. "Mr. President, I love you ... but you're wrong," Harvey said, shocking his faithful listeners and drawing a barrage of letters and phone calls, including one from the White House.

In 1976, Harvey began broadcasting his anecdotal descriptions of the lives of famous people. "The Rest of the Story" started chronologically, with the person's identity revealed at the end. The stories were an attempt to capture "the heartbeats behind the headlines." Much of the research and writing was done by his son, Paul Jr. Harvey also blended news with advertising, a line he said he crossed only for products he trusted. In 2000, at age 82, he signed a new 10-year contract with ABC Radio Networks.

Harvey was born Paul Harvey Aurandt in Tulsa, Okla. His father, a police officer, was killed when he was a toddler. A high school teacher took note of his distinctive voice and launched him on a broadcast career.

While working at St. Louis radio station KXOK, he met Washington University graduate student Lynne Cooper. He proposed on their first date (she said "no") and always called her "Angel." They were married in 1940 and had a son, Paul Jr. They worked closely together on his shows, and he often credited his success to her influence. She was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1997, seven years after her husband was. She died in May 2008.
Posted by: tu3031 || 03/01/2009 01:33 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  And that's . . . the end of the story.
Posted by: gorb || 03/01/2009 4:33 Comments || Top||

#2  :(
Page 4?
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 6:23 Comments || Top||

#3  We'll be "standying by" to meet you in the bye and bye Paul.

*Anyone here a member of the KXOK Johnny Rabbit Army back in the day?

Posted by: Besoeker || 03/01/2009 8:06 Comments || Top||

#4  Besoeker:

No. But I did march around the breakfast table with Don McNeil.
Posted by: Jack is Back! || 03/01/2009 11:23 Comments || Top||

#5  RIP Mr. Harvey.
Posted by: Whineper Prince aka Broadhead6 || 03/01/2009 14:13 Comments || Top||


Africa Subsaharan
Mugabe urges followers to respect new govt
President Robert Mugabe told followers yesterday at his lavish birthday party to respect the new power-sharing government but vowed to press on with seizures of white farms. The extravagant celebrations were held against a backdrop of economic ruin and came weeks after the veteran leader joined a unity government with long-time rival Morgan Tsvangirai.

"Under this arrangement I want it known, as some of you were thinking we are no longer in power, we have an inclusive government with the president at the top, followed by the two vice-presidents, then the Prime Minister Tsvangirai and two deputy prime ministers. "This is a result of the vote in which we did not do well. Let us not complain too much about it. Let's accept things as they are," said Mugabe, who turned 85 on February 21.

But he also stressed that his controversial land reforms policy launched nearly 10 years ago and involving the seizure of farms from whites for redistribution to landless blacks, would not be forsaken. "There are farms which have been designated in accordance with our land acquisition laws and offer letters given to the new farmers, let not the original owners of the farm refuse to vacate those farms," Mugabe told thousands gathered to celebrate his 85th birthday.

An offer letter is the document given to successful applicants who have applied to take over farmland.

"We are not going to listen to the excuse that some farms went to the SADC (Southern African Development Community) tribunal. That's nonsense. We have our own courts here," he said.

Mugabe lost the simultaneous first-round presidential poll but won a later run-off unopposed after Tsvangirai pulled out citing violence against his supporters. The veteran president, who has ruled Zimbabwe non-stop since independence in 1980, blamed former colonial power Britain for his party's poll defeat. "They (British) imposed sanctions which resulted in some basic commodities being unavailable so that the people would be disgruntled with the party.

"Some of you thought about your tummies and children and sold out the country," he blasted.

Mugabe supporters raised more than 250,000 US dollars (200,000 euros) for Saturday's celebrations which included a birthday cake weighing 85 kilogrammes (187 pounds). The party was held north of the capital Harare in the town of Chinhoyi in Mugabe's home province of Mashonaland West. Crowds arrived in lorries, singing songs in praise of Mugabe, while banners proclaimed him a "great leader who never lets his people down."

Mugabe's old foe and current prime minister Tsvangirai, who has been rallying the donor community for five billion dollars in aid and investment, was not at the celebrations despite initial reports he would attend. The country desperately needs money to rebuild schools, hospitals and sewers after a decade of economic collapse compounded by country's long political travails.

Several members of Mugabe's ZANU-PF party have farms in Mashonaland West and conditions are considerably better than the rest of the shattered country with a university and one of the best-equipped state hospitals.

Zimbabwe's healthcare system has fallen apart with over 83,000 people affected by a cholera epidemic that has killed more than 3,800.

The country is also battling severe food shortages amid hyperinflation which has rendered the Zimbabwean dollar useless. The World Food Programme reported last month that the number of people without food was estimated at 6.9 million -- more than half the population.
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Well, it should be respected at least as much as the old government.
Posted by: gorb || 03/01/2009 4:34 Comments || Top||

#2  shouldn't he respect it before telling others too
?
Posted by: rabid whitetail || 03/01/2009 17:38 Comments || Top||


Mugabe says Zimbabwe land seizures will continue
Saturday land seizures from white farmers would continue and vowed to press ahead with plans for locals to take majority stakes in foreign companies operating in Zimbabwe.

Mugabe, Zimbabwe's sole ruler for nearly three decades, is holding on to power despite economic and political turmoil that have forced him into a unity government with the opposition. "There is no going back on the land reforms. Farms will not be returned back to former [white] farmers. That work will continue, but those farms have to be used properly.

"Again I want to say, the farmers who owned these farms, which now have been designated and offered to new owners, must respect that law. They must vacate those farms, they must vacate those farms, they must vacate those farms."

Thousands of Zanu-PF supporters in party regalia turned up for Mugabe's 85th birthday rally at a sports field at Chinhoyi University about 100km west of Harare.

Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai was not at the venue, despite earlier indications he would attend the rally. Mugabe's spokesperson George Charamba said Tsvangirai had opted out of the event after realising it was organised by Mugabe's Zanu-PF party. "People should not read this as a snub. He [Tsvangirai] excused himself," Charamba told Reuters.

Mugabe told the crowd the Southern African Development Community (SADC) tribunal, which last year ruled in favour of a group of white farmers whose farms had been targeted for seizure, had no right to rule on the land seizures.
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Beatings will continue until morale improves.
Posted by: Redneck Jim || 03/01/2009 12:37 Comments || Top||


Winnie Mandela set for shock comeback - PM?
Posted by: || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Sponsored by Michelin?
Posted by: tu3031 || 03/01/2009 1:42 Comments || Top||

#2  Ever noticed that when conservatives are run out of office for scandalous/illegal behavior they rarely try to come back? The lefties always come back since shame is not in the vocabulary.
Posted by: HammerHead || 03/01/2009 9:09 Comments || Top||

#3  Lulz, tu should be bannified for something.
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 11:25 Comments || Top||

#4  "Our moral standards are derived from history and from what one does in society. Winnie is a grassroots person. She does a lot of community work - more than any of us," he said.

Well bless my sjambok (pronounced SHAM-buk), this must surely be the age of the Community Organizer?

Posted by: Besoeker || 03/01/2009 11:39 Comments || Top||

#5  Did she ever serve time for murdering that kid?
Posted by: 3dc || 03/01/2009 23:19 Comments || Top||


Mugabe vows to seize more farms
Posted by: || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Take notes, barack...
Posted by: M. Murcek || 03/01/2009 0:45 Comments || Top||

#2  Looks like he already did.
Posted by: DMFD || 03/01/2009 12:34 Comments || Top||


Bangladesh
Army reins in its anger
Army officials yesterday said they are in profound grief over the massacre of army officers and their family members by rebel BDR jawans at Pilkhana but being members of a disciplined force they have to control their emotions.

"It was a carnage. So it is natural that there will be pent-up anger among us. But, being members of a disciplined force, we can control our emotion," said Director of Military Intelligence Brig Gen Mahmud Hossain at a press briefing at the army headquarters in Dhaka cantonment.

He said the crisis was solved politically following the prime minister's directives although they made all preparations to carry out military operations at the BDR headquarters.

Mahmud said of the 63 bodies retrieved so far, the identity of 47 could be confirmed as of 8:00pm yesterday. He also said 31 army officers managed to survive the carnage while 72 army officers are still missing.

The director of Military Intelligence said certainly all BDR members did not take part in the mutiny but those involved in it need to be identified through investigation. "I cannot say what should be the process of trial. But whatever it is, we demand a speedy trial," he said.

Whatever might be the reason behind the mutiny, the BDR jawans should not have expressed their anger through such brutal killings.

Lt Col Salam and Maj Istiaque, who survived the massacre, at the press conference narrated the brutalities committed by the BDR jawans. Replying to a query, Salam said a group of jawans were involved in the killings and some of them were very aggressive.

He also urged the media to broadcast or publish reports more objectively.
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  we need more anger at killling muslims not reigning it in
Posted by: rabid whitetail || 03/01/2009 2:01 Comments || Top||

#2  Awesome RW. That's damn insightful.
Do you know Mr. Gromgoru (?)
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 6:24 Comments || Top||

#3  I'm sure there will be a purge of the Bangladesh military. Anyone suspected of having too close a ties to militant groups will find themselves on the street. The thought that this is being orchestrated from Phakestan isn't terribly surprising, since they've never given up hope of retaking Bangladesh. Getting rid of Phakestan would go a long way toward reducing the militancy in India and the surrounding area.
Posted by: Old Patriot || 03/01/2009 16:28 Comments || Top||

#4  LOL - they should try and retake Pakistain first
Posted by: Frank G || 03/01/2009 16:47 Comments || Top||

#5  don't know grom personally just as a fellow commenter, you don't have too agree with me but don't bitch when you are facing Mecca 5 times daily for your prayer service
Posted by: rabid whitetail || 03/01/2009 17:37 Comments || Top||

#6  LOL. Kook much?
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 19:55 Comments || Top||

#7  we need more anger at killing muslims not reigning it in

Be patient, it's coming. Pay no attention to .5MT (Half Empty) he was an abused child.
Posted by: Trader_DFW || 03/01/2009 21:10 Comments || Top||

#8  he was an abused child.

Clearly I'm slow today. I can't find the sense in that statement.
Posted by: trailing wife || 03/01/2009 23:16 Comments || Top||


BDR deserters given 24 hours to rejoin
Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) members who are absent from their workplaces without any leave or permission following the mutiny were asked to report to the BDR headquarters or the nearest sector headquarters or battalion headquarters or police stations by 24 hours.
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Stench spreads all around
The relatives and family members of slain army officers had to apply alternative ways to identify the decomposed body of their near and dear ones, retrieved from three mass graves discovered at BDR headquarters yesterday, three days after the mutiny.

Six of the bodies were identified as BDR DG Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed's wife Naznin Shakil Shiplu, Maj Mosharraf, Maj Hossain Sohel Shahnewaz, Maj Syed Mohammad Idris Iqbal, Maj Mahbub and Maj Mokbul.

The rest bodies were kept at Dhaka Medical College Hospital's (DMCH) morgue where tissues of the bodies were colleted for DNA test. They could only identify six out of 10 bodies after recognising them by their various spots and other marks.

Witnesses said the new three mass graves were discovered in a vegetable garden, western side of the garage set up for 13 battalion of BDR and about 50 metres away from Friday's mass grave found near the mortuary of BDR Hospital.

Four bodies were retrieved from two mass graves each while two others, including the body of the DG's wife from another grave. Hands, legs and eyes of at least five bodies were tied with ropes in the graves while the body of the DG's wife was found wrapped up with a window cover of her residence.

Abdur Rashid, deputy director of Fire Service and Civil Defence, said "After seeing flies which were flying around the graves and smelling stink, we dug soil and found the bodies."

Kamrunnahar Lipi, wife of deceased Maj Mosharraf, his mother, sister and brother could not identify the decomposed body of their dear ones even after one and half an hour efforts.

Maj Mosharraf's wife Lipi along with her four-year-old child was also held hostage inside Pilkhana and rescued on Thursday.

Maj Gen Shakil Ahmed wife's body was identified by her relatives after they recognised her short hair and the window cover.

Meanwhile, family members of slain Maj Syed Mohammad Idris Iqbal identified his body after recognising his feet at DMCH morgue after five hours of their frantic efforts while the body of Maj Hossain Sohel Shahnewaj was recognised with his teeth and a spot of the appendicitis operation.
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


BDR chief to get command structure restored first
Newly appointed BDR Director General Brig Gen Moinul Hossain yesterday said their immediate task would be to 'regain the command structure' of the paramilitary force. "Steps are being taken to restore morale and discipline among the ranks," he told reporters after a meeting of the six-member probe body that began investigation yesterday into the bloody mutiny at the BDR headquarters at Pilkhana.

Initiatives have already been taken to boost confidence of the paramilitary force but it will take some time, he said.

The DG of BDR also assured that all the country's borders are secure.

Moinul, also a member of the committee, said they would question everyone suspected of perpetrating the carnage and also the survivors as part of investigation. Besides, the BDR men detained while trying to flee the BDR headquarters and the residents around it would also be questioned, he added.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Sahara Khatun, who leads the probe body, yesterday hoped that they would be able to submit report within a week. After the meeting, the committee members visited the BDR headquarters and asked police officials to preserve all evidence for proper investigation.

The committee yesterday discussed the details to get to the bottom of the mutiny. It will sit again today at the home minister's office.
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Rohingyas to be taken back if they claim to be Bengali
The Myanmar government has said it will take back ethnic Rohingyas who have fled to neighbouring countries. But it will only do so if they identify themselves as Bengali, as it refuses to recognise the Rohingyas as one of its official minorities.

Tens of thousands of Rohingyas have left Myanmar (former Burma) in recent years and washed up in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.

In December, the Thai military began dragging boats of Rohingya asylum seekers to sea and setting them adrift. The policy has provoked widespread condemnation.
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Around 50 officers still missing
Three days into the end of mutiny at BDR headquarters, rescuers could not yet trace some 50 army officers. They however discovered three more mass graves in the compound yesterday and recovered 10 bodies including that of the slain BDR chief Major General Shakil Ahmed's wife Naznin Shakil.

As of last night, the body count was 72. Of those confirmed dead, 59 are army officials deputed to the paramilitary force. So far, 29 officers are found to have survived the bloodthirsty revolt by border guards.

Meanwhile, the authorities could not yet say exactly how many army officers were at the headquarters when the mutiny erupted in darbar hall at around 9:00am.

According to rescuers and army information centre at Pilkhana, the people who could provide the information have died or been missing. Rescuers said the registry book that is supposed to contain the number does not show anything about attendance at Wednesday's programme.

Besides, it has become difficult to check back with 12 sectors and 46 battalions across the country as they are at present lacking officers who could cooperate with the capital.

"It seems there might have been 138 army officers and 30 BDR officers at the Darbar Hall Wednesday," said a rescuer. As 29 army officers have come out alive and 59 have been found dead, it leaves 50 on the missing list.

Colonel Gulzar Uddin Ahmed, who earned fame for his robust role as a Rab official in drives against militants, especially those of Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh, is among those still missing. He joined BDR in Sylhet early this month.

Before being promoted as additional DG of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), he was in led the intelligence wing of the elite crime busters, and conducted some major investigations. He was in charge of the operation that netted JMB operations commander Siddiqul Islam alias Bangla Bhai.

Gulzar's family drew a blank in their search for him among the bodies retrieved so far. In the last three days, his sister Dilruba Khatun and some other relatives have visited Mitford Hospital, Dhaka Medical Hospital morgue and the sewers coming off BDR headquarters for their beloved Gulzar.

A shattered Dilruba yesterday said, "Several times we were told that his body had been found. But that didn't turn out true. None of the bodies recovered is my brother's. It pains me to think of how a man of his stature still remains untraced. He had discharged some very important responsibilities for the state. They should at least let us know if he is dead."

It was soon after the madness set in Wednesday that Gulzar's friends at Rab heard from him last. In his first call at around 9:00am, he sought help for him and the other officers under attack. His last call came at around 10:00am. He said that he was "done" and told his friends to take care of his family.

Meanwhile, rescuers said that besides ransacking the houses and properties of the army officers at Pilkhana, the mutineers vandalised the offices at BDR headquarters including that of the DG. It appears they fired at will inside these offices.
This article starring:
Siddiqul Islam
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Govt firm on quick trial, exemplary punishment
The government is committed to ensuring quick trial and exemplary punishment of those who were involved in killings, plunder and murder of women and children in the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) mutiny, a senior minister said yesterday.

"There will be quick trial and exemplary punishment... the government is committed to implementing that," LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam told a press briefing at PID conference room last night. This was the first official reaction since the mutiny began at the BDR headquarters in Pilkhana on Wednesday.

The minister said each of the culprits would be trapped and brought to justice. To ensure their punishment, new law would be enacted, if need be, Ashraf added.

He said the government does not have detailed information as many documents have been damaged at the BDR headquarters and those are yet to be recovered.

"The accurate information is not coming. We don't have accurate information about exactly how many personnel were there, how many came for parade and how many attended darbar on February 25," said Ashraf.

"We can't accurately give you information about dead bodies right now. We can't say how many bodies have been recovered so far. Because new graves are being unearthed and bodies are being recovered. But we have the number of bodies sent for post-mortem."

The minister however said the government is trying to retrieve the information. "The government's information has to be accurate. The government cannot speculate."

He said the nation is now in a period of transition. Terming the Pilkhana incident an unfortunate one, he said the nation never thought of it. But it happened on February 25 when the new government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was working hard to implement its pledges made to the people.

"The whole nation is shattered, regretful and angry for this. We strongly condemn and protest such heinous incidents," said the LGRD minister, adding those who are involved would be brought to book.

A probe body has been formed headed by the home minister. The committee will submit a primary report on the basis of which further investigations will be launched to find out all the culprits. "Wherever they hide, they will be traced out. No-one will be spared."

The minister said such atrocities would not have taken place had there been proper trial of Bangabandhu murder case, four national leaders murder case and other killing cases. "If we could exemplary punish the culprits of those killing cases, this incident would not take place," he regretted.

But Ashraf assured that the government will create an example by trying and punishing the culprits of BDR mutiny and the atrocities that followed. "This case will not be delayed like the ones in the past."

On the premier's general amnesty, he said it is not for those who were involved in killings and plunder. "The general amnesty is for the bystander BDR personnel," he added.

He said the whole nation is mourning for what happened in the BDR mutiny.

The government will hold briefing every day to give official information regarding the incident, Ashraf told the journalists.
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Britain
Just 5 days to save the Vulcan
The world’s last flying Vulcan bomber, once Britain’s most potent nuclear deterrent, will be grounded for ever if campaigners cannot raise £500,000 in the next five days.

A dramatic 11th-hour effort has been launched to ensure the historic delta-winged jet, which was on 24-hour standby during the Cold War, can remain in the skies.

Vulcan XH558, which was built in 1960 and is now based at a wartime airfield at Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire, flew for the first time in 15 years in 2007 following a £7million restoration. The money was raised by the Vulcan To The Sky Trust, but funds to maintain the aircraft are now running dry.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 03/01/2009 18:27 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  FailSafer Them Now!

vulcans

Dammner, all the Vees were so damn gorgeous.
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 20:01 Comments || Top||

#2  Thunderball!
Posted by: Frank G || 03/01/2009 20:14 Comments || Top||

#3  Frank, it pains me... but I saw that first run, with my sister!
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 20:18 Comments || Top||

#4  SPOCK???

Gut Nuthin.
Posted by: JosephMendiola || 03/01/2009 20:26 Comments || Top||

#5  JOE! you talking about my sister? You musta met.
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 20:28 Comments || Top||

#6  raise £500,000 in the next five days

Hmmm, that's about $700,000 USD. So for like a million bucks and one of those rooski nukes off Ukrainian eBay, we could bomb North Korea our own selves. Just sayin'...
Posted by: SteveS || 03/01/2009 21:09 Comments || Top||

#7  I always thought the Victor was a better looking bird
Posted by: Cheaderhead || 03/01/2009 22:09 Comments || Top||


Animal terrorist group foiled by informant dressed as a beagle
Posted by: || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Luzl.... 1st para:

ONE November night in 2005 a Jaguar saloon carrying two animal rights activists and their getaway driver turned into an estate of executive homes in Surrey. Their target: a comfortable, mock-Tudor house behind a screen of trees.

Ima coming back as a NewFie wit brains!
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 6:28 Comments || Top||


Caribbean-Latin America
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez nationalises rice processing
VENEZUELAN President Hugo Chavez on Saturday ordered the army to take control of all rice processing plants in the South American nation in a spat over prices.

"I have ordered the immediate intervention in all those sectors of agro-industry, intervention by the revolutionary government," Mr Chavez said before ordering soldiers to take control of rice processing plants.

Major rice processors in Venezuela include privately owned U.S. food giant Cargill and Venezuela's main food company Polar.

Mr Chavez's socialist Government imposes price controls on basic products and frequently accuses private companies of hoarding food.

Mr Chavez, who has nationalised large swathes of the Venezuelan economy, did not explain whether the government intervention would be a temporary measure of a long-term expropriation.

Venezuela grows enough rice for domestic consumption and exports a small amount.
Posted by: tipper || 03/01/2009 00:09 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  This ought to work about as well as Mugabe's policies in Zimbabwe. From exporter to importer... /s
Posted by: tipover || 03/01/2009 2:51 Comments || Top||

#2  Ruh oh... didn't see this one. I figured it would be Polar.

Huggy burnt thru about 2 billion during the election.... I fear dollar reserves getting kinda low. PDvSA contractors being slow paid.
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 6:31 Comments || Top||

#3  Maybe he plans to print the currency on rice paper so when it becomes worthless you can still eat it!
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 03/01/2009 7:41 Comments || Top||

#4  ditto with tipover's comment. Hoogo will take a working system, grind it into failure, and be a huge rice importer in a year or two. At least his supporters will have his delicious bolivarian revolution to fill their empty stomachs
Posted by: Frank G || 03/01/2009 8:09 Comments || Top||

#5  Everyone (who hasn't left the country) is equally starving*!

*May not apply to those who have the difficult and strenuous job of more and more fixing of the economy!
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 03/01/2009 8:12 Comments || Top||

#6  Hoogo will take a working system, grind it into failure, and be a huge rice importer in a year or two.

Good thing he's embracing the Chinese then, I suppose.
Posted by: lotp || 03/01/2009 8:20 Comments || Top||

#7  Take THAT *#+#! Cargill, you evil, greedy off$hore American company. Barry wills it!
Posted by: Besoeker || 03/01/2009 8:27 Comments || Top||

#8  At least his supporters will have his delicious bolivarian revolution to fill their empty stomachs

And Bolivian coco leafs to chew to keep the mind off the hunger.
Posted by: Procopius2k || 03/01/2009 9:20 Comments || Top||

#9  Hey, it worked so well for Chairman Mao...Venezuela really needs to take a great leap forward into the future...
Posted by: gromky || 03/01/2009 9:43 Comments || Top||

#10  What's Spanish for Kulak?

I assume thatany farmer that protests will be sent to the Venezuela equivalent of Siberia; or just shot.
Posted by: AlanC || 03/01/2009 10:41 Comments || Top||

#11  I see a 5-year plan for rice production in the making. Hilarity and starvation ensues
Posted by: Frank G || 03/01/2009 10:52 Comments || Top||

#12  What's Spanish for Kulak?

'peasant' ...
Posted by: Steve White || 03/01/2009 10:57 Comments || Top||

#13  Uncle Ben could not be reached for comment.
Posted by: no mo uro || 03/01/2009 12:06 Comments || Top||

#14  Q: What's the difference between the Chavez and the Obama administrations?
A: A ten year head start.
Posted by: DMFD || 03/01/2009 12:50 Comments || Top||


China-Japan-Koreas
U.S. and China Revive Military Talks
Posted by: tipper || 03/01/2009 00:16 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Intresting.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 03/01/2009 2:11 Comments || Top||

#2  Chinese air bases in Arkansas possibly?
Posted by: Besoeker || 03/01/2009 8:58 Comments || Top||

#3  Common enemy, etc.
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 10:01 Comments || Top||

#4  Given the tone of the article, makes me wonder whether the Chinese are going to play the Taiwan card on Bambi, expecting him to cut the Taiwanese off from further military purchases.
Posted by: Steve White || 03/01/2009 11:00 Comments || Top||

#5  The Chicoms do face genuine security challenges, but my gut tells me that they see weakness in the new Administration, and opportunities to make inroads, just like it was done under the Clinton Administration.

We are suckers and the Chicoms know this. Wonder what the Chicoms are doing in the port facilities that Hutchinson Wampoa administers at both ends of the Panama Canal?
Posted by: Alaska Paul || 03/01/2009 15:21 Comments || Top||

#6  AIG, Paper Bonds, Dead Tibettens, ...
Posted by: newc || 03/01/2009 17:27 Comments || Top||

#7  I'm with AP - Bambi's gonna get rolled...
Posted by: Raj || 03/01/2009 19:14 Comments || Top||


Europe
Italy: Immigrants begin street patrols in Padua
(AKI) - Immigrants in the northern city of Padua were due late on Friday to begin street patrols, offering their own response to a recent wave of violent crime including rapes allegedly committed by immigrants against Italian women. The patrols are the initiative of Egyptian-born journalist Ahmed Mohamed and the first ones were due to set off from the headquarters of local La9 TV station and head for Padova's high-immigrant Stanga district.

Friday's patrol was due to be led by representatives from the local Romanian, Bulgarian and Moroccan associations. Many of the rapes and other violent crimes against women that have recently shocked Italy have allegedly been committed by Romanians and Moroccans.

"It should be known that foreigners want the government to show zero tolerance to illegal immigrants and those who commit crimes - they damage the reputation of those of us who live respectably," Mohamed told Adnkronos International (AKI). "We are among immigrants who want more security and more of a sense of identity. We don't just want rights but also a sense of duty towards our host country," he added.

"Security must be guaranteed to all and crime does not have a particular skin colour. For this reason we want more safety on the streets and more legality," Mohamed concluded.

In an tough emergency security decree issued last Friday, the conservative Italian government authorised unarmed patrols of 'concerned citizens'. The controversial measure has stoked fears among the opposition that it will encourage gangs of vigilantes to roam Italy's streets.

The emergency decree also provides for a mandatory life sentence for the rape of minors or attacks where the victim is murdered. It allows illegal immigrants to be kept in preventative custody for up to six months instead of two months previously.
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I'd advise critics to google "Peels nine principles of policing"
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 03/01/2009 18:17 Comments || Top||

#2  I'd advise critics to google "Peels nine principles of policing"
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 03/01/2009 18:17 Comments || Top||

#3  I'd advise critics to google "Peels nine principles of policing"
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 03/01/2009 18:17 Comments || Top||

#4  I'd advise critics to google Peels nine principles of policing
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 03/01/2009 18:17 Comments || Top||

#5  I'd advise critics to google Peels nine principles of policing
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 03/01/2009 18:18 Comments || Top||

#6  I'd advise critics to google "Peels nine principles of policing"

As the link button is no longer working properly.
Posted by: Bright Pebbles || 03/01/2009 18:18 Comments || Top||

#7  I dunno, BP - the link button seemed to work 5 times at least. ;-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut || 03/01/2009 18:49 Comments || Top||

#8  Slips BP some popcorn while he hides under deh Futon.

:)
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 20:05 Comments || Top||


Home Front: Politix
Sebelius Accepts Nomination to HHS Secretary
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius this afternoon accepted President Obama's request to become his Health and Human Services secretary, stepping into a central role in the new administration's ambitious effort to overhaul the nation's health care system. Sebelius's nomination comes just days before the White House is scheduled to convene a summit on health reform, an early step in the president's ambitious plan to vastly expand the government's grip reach of the nation's health care system. A formal announcement of her nomination will come on Monday.

Sebelius, the 60-year-old daughter of a former Ohio governor, served as state Insurance Commissioner before winning the 2002 governor's race. She is halfway through a second term. She is known for reaching across the aisle in her Republican-dominated state, and in her first gubernatorial bid, she chose a former Republican businessman as her running mate.

Raised Roman Catholic in Ohio, Sebelius has endured fierce and often personal criticism from anti-abortion activists largely because she vetoed a bill that would have required doctors who perform late-term abortions to report a reason for the procedure. The archbishop of Kansas City asked Sebelius to stop taking the sacrament of Communion after the veto.
Posted by: Steve White || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  Let me be the first Kansan to show her the door. I think she'll be a great addition to the Obama adminstration as she pays her taxes. As far as universal health care, I'm happy she'll head it (she's no hard charger). As a governor she was mostly a seat warmer until last year when she veto'd a $1 billion powerplant for Holcomb KS. So don't let the door hit you on the way out, Katy.
Posted by: whitecollar redneck || 03/01/2009 7:44 Comments || Top||

#2  Oh yeah, one more thing..... Carpet bagger.
Posted by: whitecollar redneck || 03/01/2009 7:46 Comments || Top||

#3  No cookies for U!
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 10:03 Comments || Top||

#4  Also hi thar WR! Whre you been?
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 10:04 Comments || Top||

#5  The power plant is back on the table in Topeka and Katy couldn't stop it this time around. Also her popularity is nile and she had no chance to become a Senator. Unfortunatly now that she is Obama she will be able to stop the power plant with federal regs. The states are losing their federalist rights, and that ain't good.
Posted by: bman || 03/01/2009 10:58 Comments || Top||

#6  Catholic League is warming up in the bull pen. This is not a no-hitter just yet.
Posted by: Jack is Back! || 03/01/2009 11:27 Comments || Top||

#7  Katy couldn't stop it? WTF?

Oh never minde..... Katy is a person...
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 11:29 Comments || Top||

#8  And here son is an entrepreneur.
Posted by: DMFD || 03/01/2009 12:37 Comments || Top||

#9  Jack is Back is back!

Always wanted to write that...
Posted by: badanov || 03/01/2009 12:40 Comments || Top||

#10  I haven't had anything to say, .5M.
Posted by: whitecollar redneck || 03/01/2009 19:04 Comments || Top||

#11  Hell that's never stopped me WCR.
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 20:08 Comments || Top||


India-Pakistan
Gujarat riots: missing persons to be declared dead
With the expiry of the stipulated seven-year time, authorities are set to declare 228 persons missing in the 2002 post-Godhra riots dead. The move will take the death toll in the communal carnage to 1,180 from 952.

“We have prepared a list of missing people and sent it to the Revenue department, which would declare the missing persons dead,” Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Balwant Singh told PTI. Details will be sent to the district collectorates for the subsequent process.

Ahmedabad Collector Harit Shukla said the final list of missing people is awaited from the police.

“Once we have the list, we will start the process of declaring them as dead, inform the civic authorities to prepare their death certificate and subsequently, compensation claims will be processed,” he added.

In the aftermath of large-scale communal carnage, 413 people had disappeared; 185 people were found later while 228 are missing. The 228 missing people also includes 24 children and 27 women.
Posted by: john frum || 03/01/2009 12:09 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Is the Obama administration ignoring India?
India's non-inclusion in United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's [Images] first overseas trip to Asia has elicited diametrically opposite views from two South Asia experts. While one argues that China's inclusion in Clinton's itinerary is a clear indication that for the Obama [Images] administration, New Delhi [Images] is not in the same league as Beijing [Images], the other contends that her itineraries are not illustrative of the priorities that the administration attaches to particular countries.

Besides China, Clinton's trip to Asia included visits to Japan [Images], Indonesia and South Korea.

Stephen P Cohen, who heads the South Asia Programme at the Brookings Institution, told rediff.com, "I think this administration is not quite sure about their map of Asia and India doesn't seem to be part of it."

"There are a lot of signs, which are quite, I won't say alarming, but, interesting," he said, and added, "The way in which they have put India in the National Security Council under China. The same guy who is in charge of matters concerning China also looks at Indian issues, even though he is from East Asia, not South Asia."

Jeff Baden, a specialist on China, heads the Asia Division in the NSC. So far, no one has been appointed as the director for South Asian affairs in the White House.

Cohen acknowledged that including India on Clinton's trip to Asia would have had a significant symbolic value. "It is really impressive that India doesn't seem to figure at all in the American foreign policy," he said. "They certainly don't seem to have taken any special interest in India, as compared with the Bush administration," he added.

Cohen pointed out that so far, "Nobody has raised the issue of the Indo-US nuclear deal with India. It sort of has simply vanished from the screen. So we'll see what happens. But I am not encouraged by the first couple of weeks."

When reminded that the administration's Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, had also visited India during his trip to South Asia, Cohen retorted, "He went there because of Afghanistan and Pakistan (to include India in any regional agreement), not because of India."

Dismissing the argument that America's relations with India were on track and didn't need immediate attention, he said, "You can make that argument but they (the Obama administration) are worried about their immediate priorities. India doesn't seem to be able to help them out in Afghanistan or Iraq and certainly not in the case of Pakistan."

"India is not making trouble, but I think that's the way it's going to be -- that India is unable to help America in the short-term, in its short-term strategic objectives," he analysed.

Cohen added that Clinton visiting China and not India clearly proved "China's growing power -- and so much for Chindia! India was overblown by the advocates and now it's going to be undersold."

"The Chindia metaphor didn't correspond to reality," he argued, adding that, "In terms of economy, military power etc, China is miles ahead of India."

However, former assistant secretary of state for South Asian affairs in the Clinton administration, Karl F Inderfurth, who was a foreign policy adviser on South Asia to the Obama campaign, disagreed with Cohen's views. He stressed that absolutely nothing should be read into the fact that India was not included in Clinton's Asia itinerary.

Inderfurth, who is currently a professor of international relations at George Washington University, told rediff.com, "You can only do so much at one time, and this trip has a certain coherence and consistency to it."

When queried if India's exclusion in Clinton's itinerary meant that it had been relegated to the second tier in Asia for the Obama administration, Inderfurth asserted, "Absolutely not."

"I don't think one can judge the itineraries of secretaries of state as being definitive statements about the priority countries have in terms of foreign policy," he argued. "I believe this was a good opportunity for her to travel to Asia. Clearly, her first stop in Japan was to send a signal to those who have sometimes been of the view that Japan is sort of dropping in order of importance to the United States. This was meant to reinforce the importance of Japan as an ally of the US in Asia."

He reiterated, "There is absolutely no reason for India to feel slighted. This administration will not need to be reminded of the importance of India because Hillary Clinton knows that directly from her own experience as First Lady, as Senator and the role that President Bill Clinton [Images] had in getting this new relationship going in the right direction."

"So, I look forward to seeing her in South Asia and India many times. I know that this is one region of the world that she has been fascinated with," he said.

Inderfurth's views were echoed by US Ambassador [Images] to India David Mulford, during an interaction at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, with a few select journalists, think-tank analysts and scholars, diplomats from the subcontinent and some mid-level administration officials.

Taking strong exception to the contention that India is being ignored by the administration, Mulford said, "The new administration understands the importance of the US-India relationship."

He said, "It is quite clear to me that India will be every bit as important a priority to them as it was to the previous administration."

Mulford acknowledged, "That doesn't mean they'll handle every issue the same way. But there's no doubt about the fact that it's important to them."

He added, "You have to give some space to the Obama administration because it's a new administration. They are very challenged, they are very busy, they have got a lot of other things to do. The fact that they haven't done some things first with India may reflect the fact that they think the relationship is in such good shape that they don't have to address it immediately."

Mulford assured his audience, "I have no doubt that the relationship will be every bit as important, and I wouldn't really worry about that -- I wouldn't think it's worth speculating about really."
Posted by: john frum || 03/01/2009 09:43 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I don't think Bambi is 'ignoring' India, I think he dislikes India.

India made a turn away from socialism. It's much more capitalist then it was 20 or 30 years ago. The Hildebeast will make nice with China because she can't ignore China, especially as long as Kimmie bangs his nuclear rattle on the high chair. But she and Bambi, and the American Left in general, have a dislike for India, and so I think they'll give India a cold shoulder.
Posted by: Steve White || 03/01/2009 11:19 Comments || Top||

#2  Not politically important at home. 2% of electorate in 08 were Asian. Of that, 63% voted for Obama. The biggest block was White at 73%. Screw the ones you love. Makes sense, no?
Posted by: Jack is Back! || 03/01/2009 11:32 Comments || Top||

#3  I guess Indian goverment don't sleep night worrying about being snubed by the One.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 03/01/2009 12:02 Comments || Top||

#4  The shame of it is that India is a natural ally of the US - an intelligent, hardworking people who believe in democracy.

Oh wait, I see the problem....


Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski || 03/01/2009 15:35 Comments || Top||


Pak PM appeals for calm after political unrest
Pakistani Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani yesterday appealed for calm among the protesters ransacking public property since a court banned the top opposition leader from contesting elections.

Protesters are heeding a call from former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who leads the second largest party in Pakistan, to rise up after the Supreme Court Wednesday barred him and his brother from holding public office. Following disqualifications, the federal government imposed its rule in the province by suspending the provincial assembly for two months to dislodge the government of Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N).

Gilani "has appealed to those taking to the streets to show restraint and calm and use elected forums for expressing their views", a statement issued by his office said.

The premier "has deplored the ongoing violence and loss to public property in various parts of the country," it added. "The Prime Minister also asked the leadership of PML(N) to dissuade their political activists from giving way to their anger on the streets and creating a law and order situation."

Sharif's brother, Shahbaz, addressing a press conference in Lahore also called for calm. "I appeal to people that they should keep their protest peaceful and there should not be any violence and damage to public property," Sharif said.

Meanwhile police and protesters clashed again on Saturday in Islamabad on the main highway towards the international airport, a police official said, adding that no one was arrested.
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Reconciliation with PML (N) discussed in Aiwan-e-Sadr
A high level meeting was held here in Aiwan-e-Sadr with President Asif Ali Zardari in Chair on Saturday, Geo News reported. According to sources, during the meeting, the attendees discussed many options to tackle the prevailing political turmoil including reconciliation with PML (N). The meeting was convened by President Asif Ali Zardari to look into options for successfully overpower political crisis including extending contacts with PML (N), sources added maintaining that PML (Q) was also playing a major role in this connection but it does not want to form government with PPP. PPP will wait to come to any conclusion until PML (Q) announced to form government in Punjab, sources claimed.
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Governor-rule needed to fill constitutional vacuum: Sherry
Sherry Rehaman, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, on Saturday termed Governor-rule in Punjab as Â'indispensable' to fill constitutional vacuum developed after the ineligibility of former Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif. Federal Minister was talking to mediamen outside National Assembly here. Â"No political party or democratic element can ever turn in favour of Governor-ruleÂ" she declared but insisted, Â"Unfortunately, it could not be avoided.Â" Opposition has indulged in blame game soon after SC ruling but we are looking forward to avoid confrontations, as it will help derail democracy here, she maintained urging that the opposition had remained involved in taking oath under former President Pervez Musharraf's administration.
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistan


Iraq
End to Baghdad's 'dark era': Nightclubs reopen
I'm not sure I believe everything written here, but it's in MSNBC fergawdsakes ...
Bars in Abu Nawas Street are popular again -- even with U.S. troops

BAGHDAD - The American soldier stepped out of the Baghdad nightclub. In one hand, he clutched his weapon. In the other, a green can of Tuborg beer. He took a sip and walked over to two comrades, dressed as he was in camouflage and combat gear.

Inside the club Thursday night, U.S. soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division ogled young Iraqi women who appeared to be prostitutes gyrating to Arabic pop music. A singer crooned soulfully through scratchy speakers to the raucous, pulsating beat -- an action that Islamic extremists have deemed punishable by beheading.

Twenty minutes later, several drunk men coaxed an American soldier to dance. He awkwardly shuffled his feet, wearing night-vision equipment and a radio, joining the women and boisterous young men in an Arabic chain dance around tables covered with empty beer bottles.

For most of the past six years, U.S. troops and other Westerners in Baghdad have barricaded themselves behind blast walls and traveled the streets in armored cars, fearing attack or capture. Time spent in what Americans call the Red Zone -- all of the capital except for a protected part of central Baghdad -- invited and often brought calamity. U.S. troops do not leave their bases or outposts unless they are on duty.

The soldiers on Abu Nawas Street said they were visiting the club to talk to the manager about security, but they were socializing publicly with Iraqis in a way that was unimaginable even a few months ago. The scene reflected the increasing sense of security in the capital and many parts of Iraq, but it was impossible to know how many U.S. soldiers in Baghdad have the opportunity or the inclination to drink a beer while on patrol, apparently in violation of rules banning alcohol consumption in combat zones.

Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Steve White || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  I call BS
Posted by: Frank G || 03/01/2009 7:57 Comments || Top||

#2  Adeeba, who like most Iraqi singers uses only her first name, returned two months ago from Bahrain

Whahaha, yep, plenty of work in Manama... if you can get past the LBFM's. Competition on stage is intense!
Posted by: Besoeker || 03/01/2009 8:43 Comments || Top||


Israel-Palestine-Jordan
Lieberman: I want to be foreign minister
Israel Beiteinu chairman Avigdor Lieberman said that while he was capable of holding every government portfolio, he would like to serve as Israel's foreign minister.

"I think I can hold every portfolio-defense, finance and Foreign Ministry. I think personally I'd like the foreign office," Lieberman was quoted as telling Newsweek in an interview published on Saturday.

Asked whether he would continue the peace process if he joined Prime Minister-designate Binyamin Netanyahu's government, Lieberman replied that while he is committed to peace, gradual steps were important.

"You can't start with Jerusalem or the evacuation of the settlements. You must start with the security and the economy. You must strengthen the Palestinian Authority," the Israel Beiteinu leader reportedly said.

Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:

#1  You must strengthen the Palestinian Authority

By nailing them to trees, preferably.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru || 03/01/2009 2:13 Comments || Top||

#2  The Lord is love an honest man, even if he's stone cold crazy.
Posted by: .5MT || 03/01/2009 6:34 Comments || Top||

#3  In fact, Lieberman wants to be foreign minister so much, he's willing to soften his original hardline stance on Iran.
Posted by: Astrid Bullen || 03/01/2009 21:24 Comments || Top||


Southeast Asia
Toxin to cancel Hong Kong speech: spokesman
Ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra has decided to cancel a speech in Hong Kong planned for next week after Thailand threatened to extradite and jail him, his spokesman said Saturday.
Posted by: Fred || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [0 views] Top|| File under:


Home Front Economy
AIG near deal on new bailout terms
American International Group Inc is close to a deal with the U.S. government that would ease the terms of its bailout, provide a further equity commitment and help it pay down debt, a person familiar with the matter said on Saturday. The revision would be the latest sign of how federal regulators are having to tweak bailout packages for financial institutions deemed too big to fail as the economy and markets worsen.

The board of the troubled insurer is due to meet on Sunday to vote on the deal, which could be announced when AIG reports its quarterly results on Monday, the source said. That would be just days after the government agreed to boost its equity stake in Citigroup Inc to as much as 36 percent in a bid to bolster another financial giant that taxpayers had already poured billions of dollars into.

The revised AIG agreement is expected to include an additional equity commitment of about $30 billion, more lenient terms on an existing preferred investment, and a lower interest rate on a $60 billion government credit line, the source said. The new equity commitment would give AIG the ability to issue preferred stock to the government at a later date, the source said.

The London Interbank Offered Rate floor on the interest rate AIG pays on the government's credit line is expected to be removed under the new terms, which would save the insurer about $1 billion a year, the source said. The company currently pays 3 percentage points above Libor.

AIG will also give the U.S. Federal Reserve ownership interests in American Life Insurance (Alico), which generates more than half of its revenue from Japan, and Hong Kong-based life insurance group American International Assurance Co (AIA) in return for reducing its debt, the source said.

The insurer had been trying to sell Alico and a part of AIA in a bid to raise money to pay back the government.

AIG may also securitize some U.S. life insurance policies and give them to the government to further reduce its debt, the source said.

Last year, AIG said it plans to sell all assets except its U.S. property and casualty business, foreign general insurance and an ownership interest in some foreign life operations, to pay back the government. While the company has announced some sales, it has been difficult for it to find buyers and get a good price for assets amid the financial crisis. Credit for deals remains difficult to arrange due to the crisis and many would-be buyers are struggling with their own problems.

Both the Federal Reserve, and AIG, once the world's largest insurer by market value, declined to comment.

A new deal would come as the insurer struggles to sell assets amid the financial crisis and prepares to post the largest quarterly loss in corporate history. AIG is expected to post a roughly $60 billion fourth-quarter loss on Monday, produced in large part by write-downs on certain tax assets and commercial mortgage backed securities, the source said. The loss -- which works out to about $460,000 per minute -- is mostly non-cash, the source said.

The revised bailout would allow the insurer to avoid a credit ratings downgrade that could have had serious ramifications on the insurer's liquidity and hurt its businesses, the source said.
Posted by: || 03/01/2009 00:00 || Comments || Link || [1 views] Top|| File under:



Who's in the News
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Meet the Mods
In no particular order...
Steve White
Seafarious
tu3031
badanov
sherry
ryuge
GolfBravoUSMC
Bright Pebbles
trailing wife
Gloria
Fred
Besoeker
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Two weeks of WOT
Sun 2009-03-01
  Mighty Pak Army claims famous victory in Bajaur
Sat 2009-02-28
  Bangla sepoy mutiny: Mass grave horror stuns nation
Fri 2009-02-27
  Paleofactions agree to form unity govt
Thu 2009-02-26
  Bangla: At least 50 feared dead in sepoy mutiny
Wed 2009-02-25
  Lanka: Troops enter last Tamil Tiger-controlled town
Tue 2009-02-24
  Mulla Omar orders halt to attacks on Pak troops
Mon 2009-02-23
  100 rounded up in Nineveh
Sun 2009-02-22
  1 European killed, 9 others wounded in Egypt blast
Sat 2009-02-21
  Handcuffed JMB man pops grenade at press meet
Fri 2009-02-20
  Tamil Tiger planes raid Colombo
Thu 2009-02-19
  MPs visit Swat to pay obeisance to Sufi Mohammad
Wed 2009-02-18
  Four killed, 18 injured in Peshawar car bombing
Tue 2009-02-17
  Surprise! Pervez Musharraf was playing 'double game' with US
Mon 2009-02-16
  Another Wazoo dronezap
Sun 2009-02-15
  Talibs: Pak will surrender in Swat

Better than the average link...



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