World Verve RSS

Avalanches hit Indian Kashmir; 3 soldiers killed

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:09:25 UT

US, NKorea nuclear envoys set to meet Associated Press (image) Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 09:11�p.m., Wednesday, February 22, 2012 BEIJING (AP) — U.S. and North Korea envoys reopen nuclear talks Thursday, seeking ways for Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear programs in return for much-needed aid.The countries were on the verge of a deal to have Washington provide food if Pyongyang suspends its uranium enrichment program when the agreement was upended by the death of the country's longtime leader Kim Jong Il on Dec. 17."Today is, as we say, 'Game day.' We will have an opportunity to meet with First Vice Foreign Minister Kim and his team," U.S. envoy Glyn Davies said before the start of morning talks with Kim Kye Gwan at the North Korean Embassy in Beijing.The two will hold a second session Thursday afternoon at the U.S. Embassy.Davies said it was a good sign that North Korea had agreed to re-enter talks so soon after the death of Kim Jong Il as the country transfers power to his young son, Kim Jong Un, and a coterie of advisers.He said a key point was to see if North Korea was willing to fulfill obligations made in a joint statement in September 2005, which committed North Korea to abandoning its nuclear program in exchange for aid and pledges that Washington wouldn't seek the regime's ouster.State Department spokesman Mark Toner said in Washington that the United States was "cautiously optimistic" about the talks.The talks in Beijing, the third round since July, ostensibly are aimed at restarting wider six-nation disarmament negotiations that also involve China, Japan, Russia and South Korea. Pyongyang walked away from those talks in 2009 and later exploded its second nuclear device.The six-nation talks, once restarted, would be aimed at dismantling North Korea's remaining nuclear programs in exchange for what would likely involve even greater donations of aid.Toner said food assistance would be discussed in the talks, but that the United States has some concerns it wants North Korea to address. He did not say what those concerns were, but analysts have said North Korea must agree to have U.N. watchdogs monitor any freeze of its uranium enrichment. Otherwise it could backtrack — as it has done with previous agreements.Worries about North Korea's nuclear capability took on renewed urgency in November 2010 when the country disclosed a uranium enrichment facility that could give it a second route to manufacture nuclear weapons, in addition to its existing plutonium-based program.As the envoys began their talks, North Korea's state media criticized next month's Nuclear Security Summit in Seoul, which is expected to draw dozens of world leaders, including President Barack Obama, to discuss nuclear terrorism and safety."It is illogical to discuss the 'nuclear security' issue in South Korea, the U.S. nuclear advance base and a hotbed of nuclear war," the North's official Korean Central News Agency said in a commentary Thursday.The North said it is "worse still" to hold the summit during joint U.S.-South Korean military drills scheduled for the next few months, which the commentary called "rehearsals for a nuclear war against the North."Seoul and Washington say the annual drills are defensive in nature. [...] North Korea's First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan, center, walks out of the terminal with Guan Huabing, front left, Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang, at Pyongyang airport in North Korea, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. Kim, North Korea's top nuclear envoy, left Pyongyang for Beijing ahead of important nuclear talks with the United States later this week. North Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan, right, arrives at Beijing's Capital International Airport, China, Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012. North Korea's top nuclear envoy arrived in Beijing ahead of important nuclear talks[...]

Japan royal heir suggests easier load for emperor

Swedish palace: crown princess about to give birth

Philippines' Arroyo pleads not guilty to fraud

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 00:49:00 UT

Philippines' Arroyo pleads not guilty to fraud Associated Press (image) Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 09:41�p.m., Wednesday, February 22, 2012 MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Former Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo pleaded not guilty to an electoral fraud charge Thursday at the opening of a landmark trial that is seen as a key test of her reformist successor's campaign to stamp out corruption.Arroyo, president from 2001 to 2010, is accused of rigging the results of senatorial polls in 2007 to favor her candidates. The electoral sabotage charge is the first of several criminal cases being prepared against her."Not guilty," she told the court in a soft voice and with a stoic expression after her defense team waived a full reading of charge details. If convicted, she could face life in prison.The stakes are high for both Arroyo and President Benigno Aquino III. Aquino risks losing public support if she is acquitted and his rallying cry of "no corruption, no poverty" may fizzle out as just another failed attempt to fix the graft and poor governance that have hounded the nation for decades.Arroyo's acquittal would vindicate a former leader who has portrayed her prosecution as a political vendetta to destroy her reputation and mask Aquino's failure to improve the lives of Filipinos, a third of whom lives on $1 a day."Despite the continuous and massive vilification campaign against me and my family, I have always said that I will dispute all charges in the proper forum," Arroyo said in a statement, adding she wants to clear her name.She promised to respect the law and said she expects the same from the country's leaders.The electoral fraud case against the former president centers on a notoriously corrupt southern Philippine region where all 12 of Arroyo's Senate candidates swept all the votes and no opposition candidate won.According to the charges, there are witnesses who said Arroyo gave instruction to rig the vote in collusion with a powerful political clan leader, Andal Ampatuan Sr. Ampatuan is on trial facing murder charges in connection with the 2009 politically motivated massacre of 57 people, including 32 journalists and opponents. He has pleaded not guilty.Arroyo's husband, Miguel "Mike" Arroyo, said that his wife "feels the case is an injustice.""There is no case here," he added.He said his wife is frustrated, and still suffering from spine and back pain that he said requires medical treatment abroad. After her appearance, which lasted about 10 minutes, Arroyo was escorted under tight security from the courtroom to a military hospital where she is detained while being treated for the spine ailment.Court spokeswoman Felda Domingo said the trial is historic because "the votes of the people were sabotaged and the accused is a former president."Aquino has promised to root out corruption and said that no one should be allowed to evade justice."There are no exceptions in our campaign against corruption," he said in a speech Tuesday. "It shouldn't matter if you are a former president or in the lower ranks of public service. If you are dishonest, then you must be held to account."Arroyo's arrest in November struck chord among many Filipinos hungry for accountability following her presidency, which was overshadowed by scandals, coup attempts and botched congressional hearings into corruption allegations involving Arroyo's officials and family members.Apart from the electoral fraud charge, Arroyo is facing a second criminal case in a separate court over an overpriced deal with a Chinese telecommunications giant that allegedly involved huge kickbacks. Two more cases are being filed against her — for the alleged plunder of lottery funds and the alleged diversion of $17 million in state funds to boost her 2004 election.___Associated Press writer Jim Gomez[...]

Australian PM calls party leadership ballot

New Canadian operator for Niagara Falls tour boats

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 23:15:12 UT

New Canadian operator for Niagara Falls tour boats NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario (AP) — A new company has been chosen to operate the tour boats that have ferried sightseers to the base of Niagara Falls from the Canadian shore for more than 100 years.The Niagara Parks Commission on Wednesday said Hornblower Canada, Co. has been awarded the land lease for the tours that have been run by the Maid of the Mist Steamboat Co. since they began.The company's American counterpart, the Maid of the Mist Corp., still holds a separate contract to launch tours from the New York shoreline.It is not immediately known how the American operations will be affected by the change on the Canadian side, which takes effect in 2014. American lawmakers and tourism officials have noted the Maid of the Mist boats are stored on the Canadian side because it has more space.In choosing Hornblower, Canadian parks officials were swayed by the promise of higher revenues, including a guaranteed minimum of $67 million in the first five years. The parks commission, an arm of the Ontario government that controls the land and buildings around the Canadian falls, expects more than $500 million in revenue over the 30-year life of the contract, an increase of more than $300 million compared to previous agreements, the commission said.The contract with New York's Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, based on factors including gross revenues, gift shop sales and passenger counts, brought in about $1.5 million last year, the office has said.The Niagara Parks Commission had approved a 25-year contract with the Maid of the Mist Steamship Co. in 2008. But the lack of competition for the deal drew criticism, so the commission called for bids from competing boat tour operators for the first time."It not only marks the beginning of a new era for all of us, but it continues to build on what Niagara and Niagara Parks is all about, building memories and creating experiences that will last a lifetime," said Niagara Parks Commission Chairwoman Janice Thomson.A call to the Maid of the Mist Steamboat Co. wasn't immediately returned.Hornblower Canada's San Francisco-based parent company operates the ferries to Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay and the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York Harbor."We look forward to becoming part of the community and working with the NPC to create a positive and memorable experience for the millions of visitors to Niagara Falls," Terry MacRae, chairman and chief executive of Hornblower, said in a statement. "We will work with the NPC to ensure a smooth transition and will be sharing more information in the coming months."The company said it plans to build new vessels with more viewing space and will increase prices but keep them affordable. Current rides cost about $16 for adults and $10 for children.The Maid of the Mist tours attract more than 2 million passengers yearly. They bring in a regular celebrity clientele that has included Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana and former President Jimmy Carter.Hundreds of riders at a time don blue plastic ponchos to protect them from the drenching mist as captains maneuver the boats through swirling whitewater to within 300 feet of the walls of water crashing down from 170 feet above.___On the net: http://hornblower.com/Niagara/ [...]

EU report says Nicaragua vote lacked transparency

Puerto Rico to open historic building for weddings

UN chief sending humanitarian official to Syria

Researchers find flaw in faster-than-light clocks

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:58:12 UT

Researchers find flaw in faster-than-light clocks Associated Press (image) Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 05:21�p.m., Wednesday, February 22, 2012 GENEVA (AP) — Researchers have found a flaw in the technical setup of an experiment that startled the science world last year by appearing to show particles traveling faster than light.The problem may have affected measurements that clocked subatomic neutrino particles breaking what Nobel Prize-winning physicist Albert Einstein considered the ultimate speed barrier.Two separate issues were identified with the GPS system that was used to time the arrival of neutrinos at an underground lab in Italy, James Gillies, spokesman for the European Organization for Nuclear Research, or CERN, said Wednesday.One could have caused the speed to be overestimated, the other could have caused it to be underestimated, he said."The bottom line is that we will not know until more measurements are done later this year," Gillies told The Associated Press.The results of the experiment were received with great skepticism by scientists when they were published last September because they seemed to contradict Einstein's theory that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light. That rule is fundamental to modern physics, and breaking it is seen as a step into the realms of science fiction where time travel and warp speed engines exist.Even researchers involved in the experiment cautioned at the time that the measurements would need to be independently verified by other scientists before a genuine finding could be declared.The experiment involved neutrinos being fired from CERN's site on the Swiss-French border to a vast underground laboratory 454 miles (730 kilometers) away at Gran Sasso in Italy.Researchers found that the neutrinos appeared to arrive 60 nanoseconds sooner than if they had been traveling at light's speed of 186,282 miles per second (299,792 kilometers per second).The experiment's margin of error allowed for just 10 nanoseconds. A nanosecond is one-billionth of a second.___Online:CERN site for neutrino project: http://bit.ly/nd9sm1 [...]

Russia warns against 'hasty conclusions' over Iran

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:12:36 UT

Russia warns against 'hasty conclusions' over Iran Associated Press (image) Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 05:53�p.m., Wednesday, February 22, 2012 VIENNA (AP) — Russia said Wednesday the world should not draw "hasty conclusions" over Iran's most recent rebuff of U.N. attempts to investigate allegations the Islamic Republic hid secret work on atomic arms, but the U.S. and its allies accused Tehran of nuclear defiance.Under international pressure to show restraint, Israel, which has warned repeatedly that it may strike Iran's nuclear facilities, pointedly urged major world powers to mind their own business, saying it alone would decide what to do to protect the Jewish state's security.France said Iran's continued stonewalling of the International Atomic Energy Agency "is contrary to the intentions" expressed by Tehran in its recent offer to restart talks over its nuclear activities.In Washington, White House spokesman Jay Carney said while world powers have not yet reached a decision on those talks, Iran's refusal to cooperate with the investigation "suggests that they have not changed their behavior when it comes to abiding by their international obligations."The IAEA's acknowledgment of renewed failure came early Wednesday at the conclusion of the second trip in less then a month aimed at investigating suspicions of covert Iranian nuclear weapons work.The IAEA team had hoped to speak with key Iranian scientists suspected of working on the alleged weapons program, break down opposition to their plans to inspect documents related to nuclear work and secure commitments from Iranian authorities to allow future visits.But mission head Herman Nackaerts acknowledged his team "could not find a way forward" in negotiations with Iranian officials. A separate IAEA communique clearly — if indirectly — blamed Tehran for the lack of progress."We engaged in a constructive spirit, but no agreement was reached," it quoted IAEA chief Yukiya Amano as saying.Iran continued sounding a hard line, with supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei telling the nation's nuclear scientists to forge ahead with the atomic program."Sanctions and political pressures won't have any effect. When a nation decides to resist, when it believes in its domestic power and its own capability, nothing can stop it," Khamenei told the scientists, adding: "I pray for you."As on the previous visit that ended in early February, Iran did not grant requests by the IAEA mission to visit Parchin — a military site thought to be used for explosives testing related to nuclear detonations, the statement saidThe statement also said that no agreement was reached on how to begin "clarification of unresolved issues in connection with Iran's nuclear program, particularly those relating to possible military dimensions."The Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security said Wednesday it had new indications of hidden weapons work by Iran.ISIS said that a cache of telexes to Western high-tech companies from the Physics Research Center in Tehran shows that from about 1990 to 1993, the center sought to purchase equipment and materials that could have been used in weapons research and development.Tehran has acknowledged that the Physics Research Center in Tehran conducted nuclear-related research, but said the center's work was limited to efforts to prepare Iran's military and civilian population for dealing with a nuclear strike.Iran insists it is using nuclear energy only to generate power, and Khamenei proclaimed Wednesday that possession of atomic arms is a sin as well as "useless, harmful and dangerous." Iran [...]

Italian winter fashion opts for dark

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:05:30 UT

Italian winter fashion opts for dark Associated Press (image) Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 03:08�p.m., Wednesday, February 22, 2012 MILAN (AP) — After several weeks of snow and subfreezing temperatures in Italy, the chill is out of the air — at least weather-wise — and Italian designers are looking at the bright side of things as they begin the latest round of preview showings for fall-winter 2012-2013.The tightly-packed fashion week calendar boasts 70 shows and as many events, including showroom presentations, store openings and "aperitivi," the Italian version of a cocktail party. All the top billed names were scheduled to introduce their winter collections, from Armani to Fendi, from Gucci, Prada and Versace.The Italian Fashion Chamber has set up a press center in the shadow of the Duomo, or cathedral, in downtown to Milan to accommodate some expected 15,000 fashionistas in town for the shows and has mounted a show tent in front of one of Milan's favorite monuments, the Sforzesco Castle, where several of the shows will be held."We're hoping for a triple-A season, with no downgrading," said Mario Boselli, president of the fashion chamber said at a press conference ahead of the shows in a quip reflecting Italy's downgrading by ratings agencies as the nation struggles to avoid financial disaster.The designing duo Dolce&Gabbana, who never miss an opportunity to celebrate, are throwing a mega party over the weekend. On Friday, Vogue America's Anna Wintour and Miuccia Prada will co-host a preview presentation of the exhibit entitled "Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada: On Fashion" to open at the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute in New York in May.On Wednesday the first day of the 7-day preview showings, both Gucci and Ferretti presented a woman who keeps her feet firmly on the ground while letting her feminine fantasy fly.___GUCCIThe latest Gucci woman is an enigma. In the same wisp of a body she combines rigor and romance to create a sense of demure discipline.One thing is sure — the lady is dark, as underlined by the chiaroscuro lighting effects at the Wednesday afternoon show which opened Milan fashion week for fall-winter 2012-1213."This is a modern-day romanticism, a dramatic sensuality, a dark glamour, with subtle games of provocative intellect," is how creative director Frida Giannini defined her latest collection in the show notes.Throughout the collection Gucci mixes pieces with military accents with ultra feminine styles complete with sequins and slits.The basic silhouette has a tiny waist and straight skirt with uneven hemline, long in the back, shorter in the front with subtle draping.On a strictly dark background, Gucci brightens up the look with tapestry textiles, floral prints and embroidery. Velvet and silk or brocades and leather combine to create an extra opulent effect, not to mention the over the top-feathered creations.Military attire is relegated to the officers club. Crocodile riding boots and oversized coats combine with demure velvet skirts and embroidered see-through equestrian pants.Night is dreamy and feminine with long dresses in wrinkled tulle or velvet, embroidered with hand-sewn floral patterns.The new stirrup bag, roomy as well as classy, has a revisited metallic spur closure. Gucci offers a more structured version of the saddle bag for evening in de rigeur black crocodile. Footwear is either flat and masculine or slipper-like with a sharp high heel.___FERRETTIThe look is definitely all about feminine chic — starting with the models, who with their demurely pulled back hair, parted in the mi[...]

Final interview: Colvin describes deaths in Syria

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:48:09 UT

Final interview: Colvin describes deaths in Syria Associated Press (image) Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 01:50�p.m., Wednesday, February 22, 2012 LONDON (AP) — This is the text of American war reporter Marie Colvin's final interview, given to BBC television from the Syrian city of Homs the night before she was killed Wednesday. She was staying in a house in the neighborhood of Baba Amr. Reprinted with the permission of the BBC.Marie Colvin: It's absolutely sickening. Just today shelling started at 6:30 in the morning. I counted 14 shells hitting this civilian area of Baba Amr within 30 seconds. There's a small clinic, you can't really call it a clinic. It's an apartment that has been turned into a clinic. You have plasma bags hanging from coathangers.There was just a constant stream of civilians. I watched a little baby die today. Absolutely horrific. A two-year-old had been hit, they stripped it and found the shrapnel had gone into the left chest. The doctor just said, 'I can't do anything.' His little tummy just kept heaving until he died. That is happening over and over and over.No one here can understand how the international community can let this happen, particularly when we have an example of Srebrenica — shelling of a city, lots of investigations by the United Nations after that massacre, lots of vows to never let it happen again. There are 28,000 people in Baba Amr, in homes as I am, besieged. They are here because they can't get out. The Syrians will not let them out, and are shelling all the civilian areas.Obviously there is Free Syrian Army here, they are very lightly armed. Kalashnikovs, and I've seen a few RPGs. They are essentially playing a defensive role. In fact people are terrified they will leave. There's just shells, rockets and tank fire pouring into civilian areas of this city, and it's just unrelenting.BBC: Is it your sense this is in effect a 'scorched earth' policy on the part of the regime?Marie Colvin: I don't see what else it can be. There are no Free Syrian Army targets. They are scurrying from building to building. They control to a certain degree the perimeter. Today there was a foray by the Syrian Army, about seven tanks, about 30 foot soldiers. They did manage to keep them out, at huge cost.But mostly what's happening is just shells, rockets coming in, just hitting any building. The top floor of the building I'm in was hit last week. The building next to me was just completely obliterated. All the streets I've been on, I have not seen one military target. There simply aren't any. And the wounded and dead I have seen, I would say, are about 80 percent civilians and of course Free Syrian Army fighters. It is shelling with impunity and merciless disregard for the civilians, who simply cannot escape. [...]

List of dead, missing from Concordia cruise ship

	eeds-Arts
	eeds-Business
	eeds-Economy
	eeds-Electronics
	eeds-Entertainment
	eeds-Finance
	eeds-Games
	eeds-Government
	eeds-Green
	eeds-Health
	eeds-Medical
	eeds-Nature
	eeds-News
	eeds-Pets
	eeds-Politics
	eeds-Recreation
	eeds-Science
	eeds-Shopping
	eeds-Society
	eeds-Sports
	eeds-World

Feed Search:

Subscribe

Feedage.com
Niche sites

Feed Search:

World Verve RSS

Subscribe

Feedage.com Niche sites

Feedage.com
Niche sites