Report:South Sudan Humanitarian Problems Worsening
March 11, 2010
Report:South Sudan Humanitarian Problems Worsening:JUBA: Semi autonomous south Sudan, wracked by inter-tribal fighting and hunger, will face a worsening humanitarian situation this year, a Norwegian aid agency report said on Thursday.
After many delays, Sudan will hold its first multi-party elections in 24 years in April, a key element of a 2005 peace deal that ended more than 20 years of conflict between north and south.
But on Jan. 9, 2011, only months after the polls, the south is due to hold a referendum on independence which most analysts believe will create a new African state.
The Norwegian Refugee Council said the international community must ensure the north-south peace deal is successfully implemented, but must also help strengthen the struggling south Sudan government to avoid more bloodshed if the south becomes independent.
“Displacement and humanitarian needs will continue to increase dramatically in 2010 due to intra-southern conflicts,” the report said.
“Emergency response capacities must be immediately boosted both where intra-southern conflicts are combined with deteriorating food security as well as in areas historically most vulnerable to renewed north-south fighting,” it said.
Progress in implementing the 2005 accord has been slow; the north has been accused of lacking political will to implement its provisions, while the south lacks the capacity to do so.
The lack of agreement on key issues including the long-delayed demarcation of the north-south border and how oil revenues will be shared after the referendum could lead to a renewal of armed conflict, the report said.
The Refugee Council said that as well as trying to help north and south Sudan overcome obstacles to the peace deal, the international community should tackle separate south-south tribal conflict.
“Failing to address intra-south causes of conflict would render a successful CPA (peace deal) process largely meaningless with regard to the current humanitarian situation in the south,” the report said.
Analysts say that as many as 2,500 people died last year in fighting in the south between pastoralists of different ethnic groups, whose historical rivalry has been exacerbated by the war that led many of the south’s communities to take up arms.
While some 187,000 people were displaced in 2008, more than 390,000 people fled their homes last year, mostly because of the inter-tribal fighting heightened by food shortages and the political neglect of minority ethnic groups, the report said.
It urged donors to help strengthen the semi-autonomous government of south Sudan, whose inability to resolve conflicts between ethnic groups played a significant role in last year’s fighting.
The NRC said 80 percent of the south’s health and education services were provided by international aid agencies, which was unsustainable. The government’s weakness could increase tensions in the unstable region, it added.
“There are concerns that the lack of a common enemy among southern groups could further destabilise south Sudan in a post -referendum/independence future,” it said.
Some 2 million people died and 4 million were displaced by the north-south war, one of Africa’s worst. Peace between the north and south is seen as crucial to peace and economic development in east Africa.
TV:Head Of Egypt’s Al-Azhar Dies In Saudi Arabia
March 10, 2010
TV:Head Of Egypt’s Al-Azhar Dies In Saudi Arabia:DUBAI: Egyptian religious leader Sheikh Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, the head of al Azhar, has died on a visit to Saudi Arabia, Al Jazeera television reported on Wednesday, quoting its correspondent.
Al-Azhar, one of the most prominent seats of Sunni Islamic learning in the Muslim world, has schools, universities and other educational institutions across Egypt.
Turkish Quake Death Toll Rises To 41
March 8, 2010
Turkish Quake Death Toll Rises To 41:KOVANCILAR: A strong earthquake killed 41 villagers in eastern Turkey early on Monday, local officials said, as rescuers worked to free survivors trapped under the rubble.
The quake woke residents from their sleep when it struck at 4:32 am local time (0232 GMT), centred on the sparsely populated area of Basyurt in Elazig province. The quake had a magnitude of 6.0 and was followed by 30 minor aftershocks. -
“There was a lot of fear and panic among the people. It lasted about a minute. We felt it very strongly and everyone tried to get out onto the street,” Nursel Sengezer, a Dogan News Agency correspondent in Elazig.
Hospital workers and relatives ferried casualties from cars and ambulances into the state hospital in the nearby town of Kovancilar as concerned locals looked on.
In nearby villages, people lit fires overnight to keep warm after rushing out of their houses in panic before dawn.
The Elazig Crisis Centre said 41 people were killed and 50 injured, 10 of them seriously, NTV said.
The quake toppled the minarets of three mosques in villages in the area, said Elazig Governor Muammer Erol.
“The number of people injured is not clear. Ambulances keep on going back and forth. Rescue work is continuing. Our gendarmerie and civil defence teams are at work,” Erol said.
Gendarmerie officers and police directed operations on the outskirts of affected villages, where crowds had gathered.
A Red Crescent team has reached the area and set up a crisis centre, while rescuers worked to search for survivors still trapped under rubble.
Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Cicek and three other ministers were travelling to the quake zone, state-run Anatolian news agency reported.
Turkey is criss-crossed with faultlines and frequently suffers earthquakes. A large earthquake measuring 7.4 killed some 18,000 people in August 1999.
Wisconsin Unemployment,wisconsin Unemployment Claim
March 7, 2010
Wisconsin Unemployment,wisconsin Unemployment Claim:Most bankruptcy lawyers keep tissues in their conference rooms. Many clients cry when they talk about filing their bankruptcy case. Sensitive attorneys are ready for this – we have tissues ready.
People who are thinking of filing bankruptcy cases tell me that they are ashamed.
We can understand why our clients feel many emotions. For example, people who file bankruptcy cases might reasonably feel:
- sorrow
- embarrassment
- regret
- anger
- disappointment
- upset
- remorse
But remember Tom Hanks – playing the role of the baseball manager in “A League of their Own. I do. In that movie, the women playing baseball in a professional baseball league during World War II are crying. And Tom Hanks says – I’ll never forget it – “There’s no crying in baseball.”
I say – “There’s no shame in bankruptcy.” Bankruptcy is part of our social contract. It is the ultimate safety net. It is a part of our civilization that an honest debtor should get a fresh start. Nobody should be so poor that they become permanently enslaved to their creditors.
Houston Dome Project
March 6, 2010
Houston Dome Project:The fourth-largest city in the United States and the largest city in Texas, Houston is vulnerable to killer hurricanes, extreme heat and other natural disasters. And the problem is only getting worse as the city is forced to spend a fortune in a losing battle against nature. Hence why a team of engineers decided that the most viable solution for the moment is to “move the city indoors”.
The Houston Dome is supposed to protect the city from category-5 hurricanes
The Houston Dome surface area will stretch over 21 million sq ft, which will make it the biggest structure with the largest roof in the world. The dome’s panels will be 15 ft across, with over 147,000 to cover the city of Houston. The only problem would be that using glass or plexiglass would make the whole structure extremely heavy.
What if people in Houston want to actually feel the rain or the sun – you know, the way it feels naturally. What about feeling the warm Houston breeze on my face or picking flowers in a field (or the backyard)? Would the kids and I still be able to do that under a giant geodesic dome? True, there would be entrances and exits, but I wonder how many people would really travel to the other side of town every single day just to get that taste of “outside” air.
Honey I Shrunk The Kids
March 6, 2010
Honey I Shrunk The Kids:Honey, I shrunk the Kids: According to the Australian website What’s Playing, Walt Disney may revive the “Honey, I shrunk the Kids” franchise.
“It will not be a sequel to the other films – if only because Mr. Moranis has retired, “a crew member of the original film told the site. “Not sure how far it is along, but it is in the works.”
Honey, I shrunk the Kids is a 1989 comedy film. The directorial debut of Joe Johnston and released through Walt Disney Pictures and Silver Screen Partners III, the film tells the story of a professor who accidentally shrinks his kids and his neighbor’s kids to 1 / 4 of an inch with his electro-magnetic shrink ray and sends them out into the backyard with the trash.
Melinda Dennehy Photos, Londonderry High School
March 6, 2010
Melinda Dennehy Photos, Londonderry High School:New Hampshire high school teacher Dennehy missed the orientation session when they explained that sending your naked photos to a student is sort of a bad idea.
Police say that the 41 year old English teacher sent four sexy shots of herself to a 15 year old male student at Londonderry High School. The student, it seems, thought that was pretty nifty. Police say he forwarded the images to his friends.
According to police documents, the pictures were sent two months ago. Investigators say they obtained a copy of one of the photos and co-workers identified Melinda Dennehy.
The teen told police that Melinda Dennehy had “continuously sent him text messages,” some of which were sexually explicit. He also claimed that she “kissed him twice on two separate occasions” in a classroom at school.
Melinda Dennehy, of Hampstead, turned herself in to Londonderry police Friday. She is charged with one felony count of indecent exposure. Hampstead is 30 miles northwest from Concord.
The mother of two has since been freed on bail, but was ordered to stay away from anyone under 16. Police do not know of any other victims.
Melinda Dennehy will be arraigned in Derry District Court April 30.
Marine col. James Sabow,Marine Colonel James Sabow
March 5, 2010
Marine col. James Sabow,Marine Colonel James Sabow : james sabow, col. james sabow, jpatrickbedell, colonel james sabow, john patrick bedell .
Marine Col. James Sabow, States Marine Colonel James E. Sabow was murdered sometime between 0835 and 0900 on January 22, 1991. The murder occurred in the backyard of his home on the El Toro MCAS during the height of Desert Storm. Security on the base was much tighter than usual, yet, somehow the assailant or assailants managed to carry out the homicide. The Department of Defense (DoD), despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, has maintained that Colonel Sabow committed suicide.
Colonel Sabow flew more than 200 missions in Vietnam. he had a reputation of being a no-nonsense, by the book officer. One would think if there was the slightest possibility he was murdered that the DoD would take every means possible to find the truth. It has been doing quite the opposite for more than sixteen years.
In 2003 Congressman Duncan Hunter then Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, was apprised of the suspicious nature of Colonel Sabow’s death by congressional consultant Dr. Anthony Battista, also a close friend of the Congressman. The Congressman amended the Defense Authorization bill for 2004 to include instruction to the DoD for a reinvestigation of the Sabow death.
A meeting occurred on the matter March 12, 2004 at Hunter’s office in the Rayburn Building in Washington. This meeting was attended byCongressman Hunter, Vicki Middleton (Hunter’s office manager), Charles Abell (Chief Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense), three assistants to mr. Abell, Dr. J. David Sabow (brother of theColonel) and several of Dr. Sabow’s associates. It was decided:
A meeting occurred on the matter March 12, 2004 at Hunter’s office in the Rayburn Building in Washington. This meeting was attended byCongressman Hunter, Vicki Middleton (Hunter’s office manager), Charles Abell (Chief Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense), three assistants to mr. Abell, Dr. J. David Sabow (brother of theColonel) and several of Dr. Sabow’s associates. It was decided:
1) The analysis of the evidence, both physical and photographic would be performed by forensic scientists at Iowa State University. these scientists would be retained by the Department of Defense. mr. Abell assured both Congressman Hunter and Dr. Sabow that this would be done within days of the meeting. 2) mr. Hunter would expect clear proof of the nature of theColonel’s death, homicide or suicide. 3) All consultants that Dr. Sabow had retained during the years since the Colonel ’s death would participate in the new investigation. 4) Dr. Sabow, a forensic neurologist, would be an active participant in the investigation.
For reasons that are not clear the scientists at Iowa State University backed out after originally agreeing to take the case. The DoD then selected Dr. Jon Nordby of Seattle, Washington to do the analysis without permission from eitherCongressman Hunter or Dr. Sabow. Dr. Nordby, whose Ph.D. is in Philosophy (he has had no formal scientific training), produced a massive (80+ pages) report (meixatech.com/SABOWREPORT-NORDBY.pdf) in December of 2004. The document was made up almost entirely of pseudo-scientific gibberish. It is apparent that Dr. Nordby also ignored items 3 and 4 of the agreement in that he did not consult with other experts in a meaningful way (if at all) nor did he utilize Dr. Sabow’s expertise. in fact, he devoted a portion of his report severely criticizing Dr. Sabow. The Nordby report could never pass formal scientific peer review nor has there been any effort made to subject it to peer review.
I was retained on this case by Dr. Sabow to analyze the gunshot residue evidence. I submitted a report (http:/meixatech.com/ SABOWREPORT-BURNETT.pdf) toCongressman Duncan Hunter in early March, 2005. my findings based on the gunshot residue and other evidence indicated that Colonel Sabow’s death was by homicide.
My report introduced enough uncertainty (if that was possible) into the Nordby report that it caused a reissue of the contract to Dr. Nordby by the DoD. I strongly disagreed with that decision. Dr. Nordby had his say and forensic scientists new to the case were needed. however, in that reissued contract, Dr. Nordby was to allow myself and another forensic scientist to view his analysis of the physical evidence in Seattle. a phone call to me from Dr. Nordby in November, 2005 indicated that he would not be open to such on-site peer review. he stated, in apparent violation of the new contract, which was never released, that our conversation would be the extent of my services. It was at this point that I realized it was now imperative that new forensic scientists be found to provide unbiased input, not only for the review of the reports from myself and Dr. Nordby, but also do their own observations and tests.
Two Officers Injured At Pentagon Shooting
March 5, 2010
Two Officers Injured At Pentagon Shooting:A shooting at the Pentagon wounded two police officers and the alleged assailant on Thursday night, a Defence Department spokesman said.
An unknown suspect fired at the two Pentagon Force Protection Agency officers at 6:40 p.m. Washington time at the Pentagon subway entrance in Arlington, Virginia, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said. The alleged shooter “was injured in return fire” from the officers, he said.
The suspect, an American citizen, “walked up very cool” as the officers guarded an entrance to the Pentagon, pulled the weapon and began shooting, Pentagon police Chief Richard Keevill said. The officers may have had no time to say anything before the gunfire started, he said.
“He drew a gun and started shooting almost immediately,” Keevill told reporters in a briefing broadcast on CNN. “The officers acted very quickly and decisively to neutralize him as a threat.”
All three were taken to a hospital, and the officers had “grazing” wounds, Keevill said. The condition of the suspect was unknown, according to a Pentagon statement. All of the entrances to the Pentagon, located across the Potomac River from Washington, were closed “for a brief time,” he said.
Keevill said a third officer was involved in the incident. He declined to give further information about that officer or the suspect.
Packages Examined
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which operates the area’s subway and bus system, said officials also investigated unattended packages outside the station and determined they didn’t pose any danger. The station and a nearby bus transit area were closed for almost 90 minutes and reopened at about 8 p.m., the transit authority said.
The department’s police force has taken on additional tasks beyond law enforcement and security since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on New York and the Pentagon, including building surveillance and counter-intelligence. A memorial on the grounds commemorates the 184 people who died when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon.
In today’s incident, the suspect reached into his pocket as he approached the Pentagon entrance as if he were reaching for a badge that’s usually required to enter the building, Keevill said. Police are still investigating the incident.
Sander Levin
March 4, 2010
Sander Levin:Rep. Sandy Levin, D-Mich., is the new chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means committee, the Associated Press and other news outlets report.
The AP says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats in a closed-door meeting Thursday that Levin would take over the chairmanship relinquished by New York Rep. Charles Rangel on Wednesday. Rangel stepped aside after he was admonished by the House ethics committee for taking trips to the Caribbean sponsored by private companies in violation of House gift rules.
Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., a liberal and controversial figure known for his barbed comments about Republicans, was the next in line of succession for the post and had become acting chairman Wednesday.
The AP said Levin told reporters that he is filling in temporarily as chairman. “I think you know my close relationship with Charlie,” Levin said. “At this point, I’m acting chairman.”
In a statement, Stark said he has chosen to remain in his role as chairman of a health subcommittee that is part of the Ways and Means panel. “We are at the cusp of achieving health care reform, and we must remain focused on moving forward,” he said.
