A quantum physicist, a would-be secret agent and Kate Middleton's former boss are among the candidates in the new series of The Apprentice. An ex-Army lieutenant, a housewife, two car salesmen and three single mothers are also among the hopefuls. The third series of the hit show is returning with 16 candidates battling it out for a £100,000-a-year job with Amstrad tycoon Sir Alan Sugar. The series has transferred from BBC Two to BBC One and kicks off on March 28. Among the eight male contenders is Rory Laing, 27, who previously ran an upmarket catering firm supplying public school-educated bar staff for Henley Regatta and Cowes Week. His employees included Prince William's girlfriend, Kate Middleton. He said of Kate in 2004: "I pay her only £5.25 an hour. But she's pretty, so she takes plenty in tips." More than 10,000 hopefuls applied for the show. Challenges in the new series include selling British produce at a French farmers' market, designing accessories for dogs and selling sweets at London Zoo. Each week an apprentice will hear Sir Alan's famous catchphrase: "You're fired." The two teams will live together in a multi-million-pound mansion in Notting Hill, west London. BBC One controller Peter Fincham said: "The Apprentice returned in style last week with an incredibly successful Comic Relief special and I'm delighted that BBC One is the new home for one of the most compelling formats of recent years and the redoubtable Sir Alan Sugar." Sir Alan criticised the candidates who appeared in the last series - saying some were only interested in fame. He made the surprise choice of Michelle Dewberry as his apprentice, only for her to quit her £100,000 job. The former supermarket checkout girl has since written her autobiography and appeared on a BBC celebrity hairdressing show. She also had a well-publicised affair with fellow candidate Syed Ahmed but the couple split after she lost their unborn baby. Launching the new series, Sir Alan said: "I came on record last year saying I was somewhat disappointed with the calibre of the contestants we had in the second series, to be frank with you. Part and parcel of me agreeing to do a third series was that the calibre needed to be looked at very carefully before we ended up with some sort of Big Brother on wheels."
Heather Mills has been praised by the judges following her debut performance on US TV show Dancing With The Stars. The estranged wife of Sir Paul McCartney scored 18 out of 30 for her foxtrot with dance partner Jonathan Roberts. She is the first contestant with an artificial leg to take part in the contest, for which the judges praised her, but they said she needed to concentrate more on her upper body movement. Choreographer Carrie Ann Inaba said: "You've got to watch your arms. When you're worried about your leg and your weight on your leg, your shoulders get really tense." Bruno Tonioli told 38-year-old Mills, who was shown taking a tumble during training: "You've got more guts than Rambo." Mills, dressed in a flowing sequinned pink and yellow dress with pink elbow-length gloves which she admitted made her feel like an ice-cream sundae, said: "I'm just glad I didn't fall over." Six couples scored more points than Mills and Roberts but four others scored less. Achy Breaky Heart singer Billy Ray Cyrus fared worst, scoring only 13, with Tonioli saying he looked like a "crazy bear in a swamp".
Eurovision entrants Scooch have been accused of duping the public after it emerged they had backing singers hidden off stage when they performed their winning song. The four-piece band won BBC One's Making Your Mind Up contest on Saturday to become the UK's entry with Flying The Flag (For You). Every act was allowed backing singers - but Scooch chose to put theirs out of sight. They did not break Eurovision rules but viewers believed only the band were singing. Rival performer Brian Harvey told the Daily Mirror: "The public have been conned." Harvey also suggested the band might have been miming, but the BBC insisted: "All acts were singing live." A BBC spokeswoman said: "Scooch won fair and square in a vote by the British public. "They and any other band are allowed, within Eurovision rules, to have backing vocalists out of vision. Most of the artists had backing vocalists but no one else chose to have them off stage." The show was marred by a gaffe in which presenter Sir Terry Wogan announced the wrong winner - telling French singer Cyndi that she had triumphed in the public vote. Later he apologised to her but said: "I'm not taking the blame for this."
Convicted Terrorists Given UK Passports
An al Qaeda terrorist who plotted to blow-up a train under the Thames and flood the London Underground managed to obtain two British passports. Dhiren Barot, who is serving at least 40 years, had also planned to pack limousines with explosives and detonate them in underground car parks. He has seven passports in his true identity as well as two under fraudulent names. A second terrorist who also got two passports under a false name is Salaheddine Benyaich, serving 18 years in Morocco for terror offences. Home Office officials say the pair's passports were on top of 10,000 given to bogus applicants last year alone. They were issued before the men were sentenced on terror charges, they said. Shadow home secretary David Davis said: "This is a shocking admission which betrays chaos at the heart of the passport system." A spokesman for Tony Blair said: "Each and every one of these is being followed up to ensure that those responsible are caught." Home Office minister Joan Ryan said the Identity and Passport Service (IPS) received 16,500 fraudulent applications between October 2005 to September last year. In a written ministerial statement, she said "almost half" of those were stopped by existing safeguards but the remainder went undetected. She said: "Our current estimate is therefore that the level of undetected fraud is about 0.5%, equivalent to 10,000 applications against the planned 6.6 million passports issued per year." From May, first-time adult applications will be forced to attend passport offices for face-to-face interviews. Ms Ryan said: "Although precise figures are difficult to obtain, it appears that the level of attempted fraud is increasing and getting more sophisticated."
Tory Escapes Jail For Pimping Woman
A Tory councillor who sold a woman with learning difficulties for sex has been given a 12-month suspended jail sentence. Alan Burkitt, of West Bromwich, in the West Midlands, advertised the woman on the internet to help pay his mortgage. More than 20 men paid for her services at his home while he sat in the room next door. Prosecutor Stuart Clarkson told Wolverhampton Crown Court the woman had mild learning disabilities and an IQ of 52. He said men paid her £50 for intercourse and over several months she earned around £1,300. Burkitt, of Beaconview Road, claimed the woman, who cannot be named, consented to the work. He also claimed he advertised himself on the same website, but did not attract much interest. The 47-year-old represents Charlemont with Grove Vale ward for Sandwell Council. He pleaded guilty to causing or inciting prostitution.
Blair hopeful after pleading for Afghan help
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Prime Minister Tony Blair voiced hope on Friday that other European Union countries would provide more troops for Afghanistan, but he announced no breakthrough after pleading with fellow leaders at an EU summit. Britain said last month it would send an extra 1,400 troops to Afghanistan because most NATO allies have refused to send more soldiers or agree to deploy existing units to tackle Taliban insurgents (Advertisement) in their southern and eastern strongholds. Blair told parliament on Wednesday another battle group of about 800 soldiers was needed in Afghanistan and said he would talk to other European NATO allies at the Brussels summit about taking more of the strain. Blair said after the two-day meeting he had discussed Afghanistan on the sidelines with leaders he did not identify. "There are some reasonably optimistic signs that certainly some colleagues recognise the importance of the collective effort in Afghanistan, because it's of huge importance to the security of European countries, as well as to the wider world," he told a news conference. "I've tried to impress upon people the need to make the maximum collective effort and I think it is understood that what is happening in Afghanistan is of fundamental importance to all of us." Blair's spokesman said not only military support was needed. "While different people will play different roles, the important thing is that everybody does play their role so that we can do not only the fighting that is necessary but also the reconstruction that is necessary," he said. Britain recently announced it would increase its forces in Afghanistan from 5,500 to about 7,700 this year while reducing its military presence in Iraq and Bosnia. NATO this week began a spring offensive against the Taliban, launching its biggest attacks since the 2001 war. The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has nearly quadrupled within the last three years, largely as a result of U.S. and British reinforcements, and the transfer of U.S. troops from a separate U.S.-led coalition to ISAF. The force now stands at 35,000 troops, of which nearly 23,000 are either American or British. Allies such as France and Italy have declined to send more troops, pointing to existing commitments in Africa, Lebanon, the Balkans and elsewhere. Some countries have also imposed restrictions on what their troops can do and where they go.
EU challenges world with climate change plan
France's President Jacques Chirac (L), German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Poland's President Lech Kaczynski (R) pose for a family photo during a two-day EU leaders summit in Brussels, March 8, 2007. European Union leaders are on the brink of striking an agreement on Friday to set a binding pan-European target for renewable energy sources as part of an ambitious strategy to fight climate change.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union leaders resolved on Friday to slash greenhouse gas emissions and switch to renewable fuels, challenging the world to follow its lead in fighting climate change. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the bloc's "ambitious and credible" decisions, including a binding target for renewable sources to make up a fifth of EU energy use by 2020, put it in the vanguard (Advertisement) of the battle against global warming. "We can avoid what could well be a human calamity," she said after chairing a two-day summit, stressing the 27-nation EU had opened an area of cooperation unthinkable a couple of years ago. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso told reporters: "We can say to the rest of the world, Europe is taking the lead. You should join us fighting climate change." The EU package set targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming, developing renewable energy sources, boosting energy efficiency and using biofuels. In a move that will affect all of the bloc's 490 million citizens, the leaders called for energy-saving lighting to be required in homes, offices and streets by the end of the decade. Barroso argues Europe can gain a "first mover" economic advantage by investing in green technology but businesses are concerned they could foot a huge bill and lose competitiveness to dirtier but cheaper foreign rivals. The deal laid down Europe-wide goals for cutting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and developing renewable sources but national targets will require the consent of member states, presaging years of wrangling between Brussels and governments. Merkel scored a diplomatic victory by securing agreement to set a legally binding target for renewable fuels such as solar, wind and hydro-electric power -- the most contentious issue. Leaders accepted the 20 percent target for renewable sources in return for flexibility on each country's contribution. The United Nations, which has coordinated global efforts to tackle climate change, applauded the plan. "In the face of rising greenhouse gas emissions, committing to a substantial decrease for the next decade is ambitious," deputy U.N. spokeswoman Marie Okabe said. "But ambition and leadership are just what is needed to respond to climate change, one of the greatest challenges facing humankind." "GROUNDBREAKING" "These are a set of groundbreaking, bold, ambitious targets for the European Union," Prime Minister Tony Blair said. "They require an immense amount of work for Europe to secure this but ... it gives Europe a very clear leadership position on this crucial issue facing the world," he told reporters. By pledging to respect national energy mixes and potentials, the summit statement satisfied countries reliant on nuclear energy, such as France, or coal, such as Poland, and small countries with few energy resources, such as Cyprus and Malta. The leaders committed to a target of reducing EU greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020 and offered to go to 30 percent if major nations such as the United States, Russia, China and India follow suit. The statement also set a 10 percent target for biofuels in transport by 2020 to be implemented in a cost-efficient way. But they did not endorse the executive European Commission's proposal to force big utility groups to sell or spin off their generation businesses and distribution grids. Instead they agreed on the need for "effective separation of supply and production activities from network operations" but made no reference to breaking up energy giants such as Germany's E.ON and RWE and Gaz de France and EDF. Renewables now account for less than 7 percent of the EU energy mix and the bloc is falling short of its existing targets both for renewable energy and cutting carbon dioxide emissions. French President Jacques Chirac insisted at his last formal EU summit that the bloc recognise that nuclear power, which provides 70 percent of France's electricity, must also play a role in Europe's drive to cut greenhouse gas emissions. But several EU states are fundamentally opposed to atomic power or, like Germany, in the process of phasing it out. Poland won a commitment to "a spirit of solidarity amongst member states" -- code for western Europe helping former Soviet bloc states if Russia cuts off energy supplies. Several other new ex-communist member states in central Europe were among the most reluctant to accept the renewables target, fearing huge costs from the green energy revolution. As chair of the Group of Eight industrialised powers, Merkel wants the EU to set the environmental agenda. The summit outcome will form the basis of the EU's position in international talks to replace the U.N. Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012. Environmentalists, often critical of EU efforts, hailed the agreement as a breakthrough.
Father gets life for murder of "two little angels"
Friday March 9, 05:03 PM
LONDON (Reuters) - A father who murdered his two young children at their home in north Wales was jailed for life on Friday and told he must serve at least 35 years. Unemployed Perry Samuel, 35, suffocated his children Caitlin, 5, and Aiden, 3, described by their family as "two little angels". They were found dead in the bath at the family home in the village of Bodelwyddan, near the resort of (Advertisement) Rhyl, last November. A post mortem found they had been asphyxiated. Samuel pleaded guilty to murder at Mould Crown Court. The children's mother, Sarah Graham, said Caitlin and Aiden would always live on in their family's hearts. "No prison sentence will ever be long enough to excuse taking away the lives of my beautiful babies or to justify the living nightmare that this man has put me and my family through," she said in a statement released by police. "Nothing can excuse what he did. "We would like to thank the police for their help and sensitive handling of this case, and the local community for giving us their support to ensure that Caitlin and Aiden will never be forgotten by anyone who loved or knew them. "Caitlin and Aiden will always live on in our hearts. At the time of the killings, police said it was an isolated incident that had horrified the local community.
Kidnapped Britons "safe and secure"
Friday March 9, 06:44 PM
MEKELE, Ethiopia (Reuters) - Five Europeans and eight locals kidnapped by gunmen in remote north Ethiopia are in good condition despite more than a week's captivity, the government and a local community leader said on Friday. But Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin could not confirm a report by a local leader that the captives had been seized by Afar separatist rebels and taken across the border to (Advertisement) neighbouring Eritrea. "Last evening, I heard that they are safe and secure. They are in good condition," Seyoum told reporters near the area in the desolate Afar region where the group was abducted eight days ago. The identity of the kidnappers was still unclear, he said. "They will be freed alive very soon ... Right now, I cannot say we are doing this or that, but we are doing something," he also told Ethiopian weekly the Sub-Saharan Informer which was published on Friday. Ismael Ali Gardo, of the Afar Pastoralists Development Association (APDA), said word of the captives came from nomadic herders close to the Eritrean settlement of Weima. "There are unharmed and safe," Ismael, who returned from Afar to Addis Ababa on Friday, told Reuters. Britain said it had received signals the group was "okay", but that their location remained unclear. Diplomats were cagey on media reports SAS special forces were in the area for a rescue mission if other methods failed. As well as eight Ethiopian translators, drivers and guides, the hostages include three British men, one Italian-British woman, and a French woman. The expatriate hostages are all linked to the British embassy in Ethiopia. They were seized in the night during a tour of Afar, one of the world's harshest terrains, where temperatures touch 50 degrees Celsius and bandits stalk camel trains in the desert. AFAR REBELS Eritrea denies the captives are in its territory. "This event ... is taking place inside Ethiopia," its Information Minister Ali Abdu told Reuters. "Ethiopia's government is manipulating this unfortunate event." The two Horn of Africa rivals have bitter ties stemming from a 1998-2000 border war that killed some 70,000 people. Ismael said the kidnappers were from the Afar Revolutionary Democratic Unity Front (ARDUF), a group that sprung up in the 1990s to seek more autonomy for the parched region straddling Ethiopia, Eritrea and Djibouti. "They will not want to harm them," Ismael said. He said his information came from the reliable, traditional method of communication known as "Dagu", under which pastoralists who meet in the desert greet and swap news. Seyoum cited Afar elders in communication with the captors for his information. "Our hearts go out to the kidnapped (people)," he added on a visit to the northern town of Mekele where British officials and journalists are waiting. Witnesses at the scene of the kidnap in the village of Hamad-Ile say the 30 or so abductors spoke the Afar language, but also wore Eritrean military uniforms. They said the assailants first targeted local government officials, stealing taxes collected from salt traders, and destroying one of their cars. They later seized the Europeans after tossing a grenade at their two vehicles. Phones, bags and other belongings remained in the cars. Among myriad theories over motives, one gaining credence among locals is that the kidnap was somehow linked to keeping the Afar people's monopoly on the salt trade against outsiders.
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One in ten people are "secret smokers" and do not tell loved ones about their habit, a poll has found. Smokers are more likely to lie to their parents, the survey said, with over half keeping their habit secret from mum and dad. And over a third let their wider family believe they have never smoked or have given up while they sneak away for a crafty fag. Perhaps more worrying is the 30 per cent of secret smokers who lie to their own doctor about their habit. Angela Chalmers, a pharmacist at Boots, which commissioned the research, said: "Not many people realise that those one or two crafty cigarettes a day can still cause long-term damage to your health." Ruth Bosworth, director of services at Quit, a charity that runs a smoking helpline, said: "In July this year, the whole of the UK will become smoke-free and this will be an excellent opportunity for secret smokers to stop smoking for good."
Dodge plans to demonise the Mazda MX-5
Dodge has the Mazda MX-5 firmly in its sights with the concept Dodge Demon, unveiled at the Geneva Show. DaimlerChrysler openly admits to using the popular Japanese roadster as a benchmark when creating the new concept. For the record, Dodge used the Demon name in the early seventies, but nothing with that title has emerged from the Dodge stable since then. Dimensionally, the Demon is a fraction shorter than the MX-5, though slightly wider, taller and of course heavier. It has been built from the ground up and uses no existing platform. Under the bonnet is the current 2.4-litre, four-cylinder 'World Engine' that delivers 172 horsepower and 165lb.ft of torque to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. It's possible though that a variety of engines could be used in the Demon (if it makes it into the showroom), including the 1.8 or even the 2-litre World Engine. A 300bhp engine, possibly the unit that powers the Caliber SRT-4, has also been mentioned. The idea behind the concept was to create a compact, nimble roadster with lots of design attitude. Dodge wanted to strike a balance of classic sports car proportion and simplicity, blended with modern design and performance. "While the iconic Dodge Viper is a dream car for many, the Dodge Demon is designed to be an attainable dream car," said Jae Chung - Dodge Demon Principal Exterior Designer, Chrysler Group. "The exterior design is simple yet bold, featuring an energetic combination of curves and intersecting planes." The rear of the body is divided into three levels with two chamfered outboard planes, dominated by long, tapering trapezoidal tail lamps. The lights sport translucent red inset lenses that surround LED back-up lamps. Up front, the signature Dodge crosshair grille is stuffed into an aggressive, menacing, trapezoidal opening that thrusts forward. Featuring an open-spoke design, the wheels are pushed to the corners of the body for a dramatic stance. The 19-inch brushed aluminium wheels are set into asymmetrical openings that actually don't work so well in real life. "In the manner of timeless British sports cars, the interior of the Dodge Demon is purposely functional, not frivolous," said Dan Zimmermann - Dodge Demon Principal Interior Designer. "Everything relating to the driving experience is emphasised, while that which is not is made visually secondary." The Dodge Demon concept is an affordable sports car that merges brand cues of bold design and powerful performance with an open-air "fun-to-drive" attitude. We expect a version with few changes to the concept car to make it into production. Given the concept's unveiling in Europe, it's hoped that the new car will be tuned for European driving tastes.
Panda looks for a new leg
Friday March 9,
Scientists in northern China are seeking an artificial limb for a female panda which has lost one of her front legs in a fight. In December, a resident of Dajiangou village in Shaanxi province found a group of pandas fighting. A two or three-year-old female that rescuers named "Niu Niu", meaning girl, was taken to an animal rescue centre and saved, but lost two-thirds of her front left leg. "Two thirds of its front leg is missing, which brings her much inconvenience to its foraging for food, walking and mating," said Ma Qingyi, a veterinarian with the centre. Staff are appealing to the world's experts for suggestions and hoped to receive a plan for a "meticulously scientific" fake limb as soon as possible. China has gone to great lengths to protect the giant panda, which is regarded a national treasure and found only in nature reserves in the country's Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces.
CBB Race Arrests - Police Decision
Friday March 9, 05:45 PM No arrests will be made relating to the Big Brother racism row, Herts police have confirmed. The Crown Prosecution Service has decided that what occurred was "clearly offensive" but "not criminal". The row sparked a diplomatic incident following the treatment of the Channel 4 show's eventual winner Shilpa Shetty. Hertfordshire Police said: "Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, it was felt that it would not be in the public interest to effect arrests or to pursue (Advertisement) footage through the courts." Detective Inspector Jeeta Aulak, who ran the inquiry, said: "The investigation was balanced, considering all complaints received. "During inquiries, we liaised with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the Commission for Racial Equality (CRE). This was to ensure that all issues were considered and responded to. "The CRE were happy with our response and investigation." Assistant Chief Constable Simon Parr said: "Our investigation has now concluded and a file has been handed across to the CPS. "In the absence of complaint from any of the housemates regarding behaviour - including behaviour that was not broadcast - the CPS has concluded that whilst what occurred was clearly offensive, it was not criminal." On hearing the decision Jade Goody said: "I'm pleased with the decision, perhaps we can now all move on."
Tory sacked over Army racism row
A Tory frontbencher has been forced to stand down after suggesting racism was part and parcel of Army life for ethnic minority soldiers. In an interview, MP and Homeland Security spokesman Patrick Mercer said it was commonplace for troops to be given a hard time over their ethnicity, the colour of their hair, or because they were overweight. He said: "If someone is slow on the assault course, you'd get people shouting: 'Come on you fat bastard, come on you ginger bastard, come on you black bastard'." Mr Mercer, a former colonel in the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters, said he had known many soldiers from ethnic minority backgrounds who used racism as an excuse for poor performance. Tory leader David Cameron said: "The comments made by Patrick Mercer are completely unacceptable and I regret that they were made. "We should not tolerate racism in the Army or in any walk of life. Patrick Mercer is no longer a shadow minister." After his forced resignation, Mr Mercer said: "The offence I have obviously caused is deeply regretted ... and I can only apologise if I have embarrassed in any way those fine men whom I commanded. I have no hesitation in resigning my frontbench appointment."
Arrest over pot smoking tots
Two teenagers have been arrested in Watauga, Texas, after police found a video of them teaching two toddlers how to smoke cannabis. The film shows a man placing a marijuana cigarette into a two-year-old's mouth and calling him and a five-year-old boy seen smoking on his own, "potheads". The video tape was discovered when Fort Worth police launched an investigation into Demetris McCoy, 17, and Vanswan Polty, 18, in connection with a burglary. The little boys were also asked if they "have the munchies". Watauga Police Chief, Bruce Ure, said he had never come across a similar situation in his career. "Twenty-six years in the business I've never seen anything quite like this at all," he said. Both men have been arrested on felony charges of injury to a child and were held in jail. The children have been placed in foster care, child protective services said. McCoy's grandmother, Shirley Russell said she was disappointed by her grandson's behaviour but that he had learned from his mistake. She said: "I think really it has taught him a lesson, a very big lesson."
Most Feared Crime Boss Jailed
A multi-millionaire crime boss, known as the British Godfather, has been jailed for seven years for laundering money. Terry Adams ran a £100m "A-team" empire built up over decades through crimes like extortion, drug dealing and murder. The 52-year-old was jailed after admitting conspiring to conceal hundreds of thousands of pounds in criminal property. He was ordered to pay £750,000 compensation for the £1m he laundered - or face another four years in jail. The (Advertisement) Old Bailey heard the notorious criminal had made so much money from crime he was able to retire at the age of 35. Adams, whose brothers Tommy and Patsy helped him run the Mafia-like organisation, spent years cleaning up the money with the help of a jeweller who was later murdered by a contract killer. He changed his plea last month on the eve of his trial following legal argument which allowed his wife Ruth, who has suffered a life-threatening illness, to go free. Police have described the Adams family, who by the late 1990s were known as Britain's organised crime kings, as "worse than the Krays". They are said to have been involved in loan sharking, protection rackets, money laundering and ecstasy. The family name is said to have been so feared that other criminals would pay hundreds of thousands of pounds to "hire" it - the right to tell others that they were working on behalf of the Adamses. Tommy Adams was jailed for seven-and-a-half years in 1998 for a cannabis-smuggling plot, while Patsy, who now lives in Spain, was given a seven-year sentence for armed robbery in the 1970s. Despite their huge wealth - Terry Adams lived in a £2m house in Mill Hill, north London - the brothers have virtually no tax or employment history, nor any bank accounts in their names.
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And Mills Divorce: Round 2
Thursday March 1
Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills are back in court for the latest round in their divorce battle. The former Beatle looked relaxed as he arrived at the High Court in London - his wife looked serious and ignored the waiting media. According to The Sun, Mills stormed out yesterday after the first day of the hearing went badly for her. The paper says she was livid after Mr Justice Bennett threw out many of the lurid claims made against her estranged husband in a leaked document.
The judge is deciding which of the allegations against Sir Paul will be allowed. Mills was reported to have been led out of court by a rear entrance, while Sir Paul emerged smiling 20 minutes later. She is said to have rejected a £25m offer put forward by Sir Paul three weeks ago.
Mills was accompanied to the hearing by her solicitor, Anthony Julius, who won £17m for Princess Diana in her divorce from Prince Charles. The five-hour court appearance was held in private - no names were pinned up outside and the case was identified only by its number. Mills has accused Sir Paul of being violent during their four-year marriage - a claim he vehemently denies.
Iraq braces for bloodshed as Saddam verdict looms
BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraq has braced itself for a violent backlash from Saddam Hussein's diehard supporters if, as expected, the ousted leader is sentenced to death on Sunday for crimes against humanity. Late Saturday, on the eve of the verdict, police commandos killed more than 50 Al-Qaeda militants in a firefight on the southern outskirts of the capital, in a sign of the ferocity owould be enforced on verdict day in Baghdad and in the flashpoint provinces of Diyala and Salaheddin -- including in the deposed dictator's hometown of Tikrit. "We hope the sentence matches what this man deserves for what he has done against the Iraqi people. The Iraqi people will express happiness in the way they find appropriate," Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said. "We call upon the Iraqi people to be calm, to be disciplined and to express themselves in ways that take into consideration the security challenge and the need to protect the lives of the citizens," he added. Maliki's aide Bassam Ridha said: "We have to ensure the safety of Iraqi people from loyalists of Saddam, as Sunday is a historic day. "We have ordered an indefinite curfew starting 6:00 am (0300 GMT) tomorrow. It will be a total curfew... for pedestrians as well as vehicles," he added. Officials said Baghdad international airport would be barred to all civilian flights and that all military leave was cancelled in expectation of an angry response to the verdict from hardline Saddam supporters. "The prime minister hopes the dictator gets what he deserves," Maliki's political adviser Hussein al-Senaid said, while insisting on the independence of a tribunal much criticized for its closeness to government. "Of course as part of the Iraqi government, we hope that he gets the maximum penalty for the crimes committed by him on the people of Iraq. We are looking forward to this historic moment. Iraq deserves justice," Ridha said. Saddam and seven former regime officials have been accused of ordering the village of Dujail destroyed and 148 of its inhabitants executed in revenge for a failed attempt on the Iraqi leader's life in 1982. Members of Maliki's Dawa Party, a Shiite group, had attempted to kill the Sunni president, who then unleashed his fury on the community. Now, more than three and a half years since Saddam was overthrown by a US-led invasion force, Iraq's two main confessional groups are once more at war and scores of Iraqis are being killed every day in vicious sectarian attacks. "All military personnel are on alert. Leave has been cancelled and we are on alert for any possible emergency. Those on leave should report to their units," said defence ministry spokesman Major General Ibrahim Shaker. An interior ministry spokesman said police commandos killed 53 suspected Al-Qaeda militants in a fierce gunbattle on the southern outskirts of Baghdad. "This afternoon we received intelligence reports that gunmen were endangering the security of the region," said Brigadier General Abdel Karim Khalaf, referring to the Baghdad suburb of Tuwaitha. "They are Al-Qaeda. The National Police had a severe fight with them and as a result of these clashes, they killed 53 terrorists, arrested 16, burned 40 cars and seized many weapons," he said. A US military spokeswoman confirmed the report, adding that four members of the Iraqi security services were also killed and nine wounded. Meanwhile, a car bomb exploded in the Sadr City suburb of mainly Shiite east Baghdad, a security official said, as violence in and around the Iraqi capital killed at least eight people in a other gun and bomb attacks Saturday. Five members of Iraqi President Jalal Talabani's security detail were killed in a roadside bomb attack Friday in northern Iraq, a source from his party said. Talabani was out of the country at the time. Shiite militiamen -- long-term enemies of Saddam -- were the main suspects in a rocket attack Saturday which wounded four Russians and killed an Iraqi colleague working for the Basra Electricity Company. The four "received light wounds as the result of a mortar shell explosion," the foreign ministry in Moscow said. Police said one Iraqi worker was killed.
Shaken Saddam sentenced to hang
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - An Iraqi court sentenced a shaken but defiant Saddam Hussein to hang on Sunday for crimes against humanity, sparking joy for Shi'ites he oppressed and resentment among his fellow Sunnis across Iraq's violent sectarian divide.
As mortar rounds crashed on warring Baghdad neighbourhoods and police reported sporadic clashes despite a curfew on the capital, Shi'ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki called for unity after the ousted leader was handed "the punishment he deserves". The United States, which set up the court after its invasion toppled Saddam in 2003, called it "a good day for the Iraqi people". U.S. officials again dismissed charges the verdict was timed to aid President George W. Bush's Republicans at elections on Tuesday that have been dominated by dismay at Iraq's turmoil. Defence lawyers, who said they saw little hope from an appeal in the coming months, dismissed it as "victor's justice". Saddam, 69, initially refused to stand when brought in to hear the verdict from Kurdish chief judge Raouf Abdul Rahman, at a quickfire, 45-minute hearing. When he did, shakily, with clear emotion, he yelled the defiant Arab battle cry "Allahu Akbar!" (God is Greatest) and "Long live Iraq" as the judgement was read. CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY "The court has decided to sentence Saddam Hussein al-Majid to be hanged until he is dead for crimes against humanity," Abdul Rahman said, ignoring Saddam's earlier bombastic plea that he should face a military firing squad, not the hangman's noose. The judge, who earlier ejected former U.S. attorney general Ramsey Clark from the defence panel after he called the court a "mockery of justice", threw out a court guard for chewing gum and laughing as he stood by the fallen strongman in the dock. Bearded and tieless in a black suit, and clutching a Koran, Saddam called for "forgiveness" for "aggressors" and "traitors". A lengthy written verdict is expected later in the week. The former leader has been sentenced to death before, in absentia for trying to assassinate Iraq's then leader in 1959. He has been held by U.S. troops at Baghdad airport for three years and any execution, possibly next year, is likely to happen behind prison walls, like those of other criminals this year. Before then, however, he will continue to stand trial for genocide against the Kurds. He is due back in court on Tuesday. His half-brother, Barzan al-Tikriti, and former judge Awad al-Bander were also sentenced to death for killing, torturing and deporting hundreds of people from the Shi'ite town of Dujail after Shi'ite gunmen tried to kill Saddam there in 1982. Former vice president Taha Yassin Ramadan received a life term. Three Baath party officials were jailed for 15 years and an eighth, minor defendant was acquitted for lack of evidence. Saddam admitted ordering the execution of 148 men, calling it justified in wartime against allies of Shi'ite Iran. International human rights groups, which had called for the case to be heard abroad, said the killing of three defence lawyers, the resignation of a judge over political interference and flaws in evidence meant that it fell short of a fair trial. But U.S. and Iraqi officials hailed the year-long process as proof of the independence of Iraq's judiciary and a new landmark in the development of international war crimes law since Nazi leaders were tried, and some hanged, at Nuremberg 60 years ago. The European Union urged Iraq not to execute Saddam. DANCING FOR JOY In Shi'ite towns and in parts of Baghdad, people poured into the streets after the televised hearing, dancing and yelling for joy at the fate of the man who oppressed them for three decades. "The court has delivered justice for my son, who was killed by Saddam," housewife Um Hussain said in the Shi'ite holy city of Najaf as crowds chanted "Death to Saddam! Die you Baathists!" In Saddam's Sunni home town of Tikrit, dozens of men and boys waved his portrait and chanted the old Baath party slogan "Saddam, Saddam! I give my life and blood for you, Saddam!" But hundreds of killings a week have left many distracted and indifferent to the leader who long boasted he kept sectarian passions in check -- celebratory gunfire in Baghdad was minimal compared to that heard when Saddam's sons were killed in 2003. In the northern city of Mosul, where Arabs and Kurds are vying for control, 30-year-old Bahjat, who declined to give his full name out of fear, said: "They have condemned Saddam for the killings that happened when he was president. But who will judge the leaders for the killings that happen every day now?" The U.S. ambassador, Zalmay Khalilzad, said "closing the book on Saddam and his regime" was a chance for Iraqis to unite. In an interview with Reuters, he also urged Iraqi leaders to abandon sectarian hostilities and take tough decisions if they wanted to maintain U.S. support.
President George W. Bush and Andrew Natsios,
Presidential Special Envoy for Sudan,
meet with the press in the Oval Office Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2006. "The situation in Darfur is on our minds," said the President. "The people who have suffered there need to know that the United States will work with others to help solve the problem." White House photo by Kimberlee Hewitt
President George W. Bush is the 43rd President of the United States and
was sworn in for a second term on January 20, 2005.
Biography of President George W. Bush
George W. Bush is the 43rd President of the United States. He was sworn into office on January 20, 2001, re-elected on November 2, 2004, and sworn in for a second term on January 20, 2005. Prior to his Presidency, President Bush served for 6 years as the 46th Governor of the State of Texas, where he earned a reputation for bipartisanship and as a compassionate conservative who shaped public policy based on the principles of limited government, personal responsibility, strong families, and local control. President Bush was born on July 6, 1946, in New Haven, Connecticut, and grew up in Midland and Houston, Texas. He received a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University in 1968, and then served as an F-102 fighter pilot in the Texas Air National Guard. President Bush received a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1975. Following graduation, he moved back to Midland and began a career in the energy business. After working on his father’s successful 1988 Presidential campaign, President Bush assembled the group of partners who purchased the Texas Rangers baseball franchise in 1989. On November 8, 1994, President Bush was elected Governor of Texas. He became the first Governor in Texas history to be elected to consecutive 4-year terms when he was re-elected on November 3, 1998. Since becoming President of the United States in 2001, President Bush has worked with the Congress to create an ownership society and build a future of security, prosperity, and opportunity for all Americans. He signed into law tax relief that helps workers keep more of their hard-earned money, as well as the most comprehensive education reforms in a generation, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This legislation is ushering in a new era of accountability, flexibility, local control, and more choices for parents, affirming our Nation’s fundamental belief in the promise of every child. President Bush has also worked to improve healthcare and modernize Medicare, providing the first-ever prescription drug benefit for seniors; increase homeownership, especially among minorities; conserve our environment; and increase military strength, pay, and benefits. Because President Bush believes the strength of America lies in the hearts and souls of our citizens, he has supported programs that encourage individuals to help their neighbors in need. On the morning of September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked our Nation. Since then, President Bush has taken unprecedented steps to protect our homeland and create a world free from terror. He is grateful for the service and sacrifice of our brave men and women in uniform and their families. The President is confident that by helping build free and prosperous societies, our Nation and our friends and allies will succeed in making America more secure and the world more peaceful. President Bush is married to Laura Welch Bush, a former teacher and librarian, and they have twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna. The Bush family also includes two dogs, Barney and Miss Beazley, and a cat, Willie.
Iraq war backers desert campaigning Bush
GREELEY, United States (AFP) - President George W. Bush, facing bitter criticism from some of the Iraq war's chief backers just days before key US elections, vowed that the United States is "not going to run" from the fighting. Bush's defiant message came in the middle of a frantic 10-state blitz aimed at energizing members of his Republican Party ahead of the November 7 congressional elections that will shape the rest of his presidency. "A lot of our fellow citizens are justifiably concernedabout Iraq. But what the enemy doesn't understand about this administration and millions of Americans is, we're not going to run," he told cheering supporters. "Iraq is vital to our security. Iraq is the central front in this war on terror. But I've been listening for the Democrats' plan for success. There's national silence. They have no plan for victory," Bush charged. As Bush mocked opposition Democrats for seeking US troop withdrawals from Iraq, one heckler shouted "Get out of Iraq!" before being led out of the rally. Protesters outside brandished signs saying "Bush lied!" and "You Can't Go to College in a Bodybag." A new poll provided the latest sign that the unpopular war, which has claimed the lives of more than 2,800 US soldiers, could cost his party control of the US Congress. The Newsweek magazine survey found that 54 percent of likely voters would choose their local Democratic candidate, versus 38 percent who would vote for the Republican candidate. It also showed Bush's approval rating slipping to 35 percent. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 seats in the Senate are up for grabs. Democrats need to post a net gain of 15 House seats and six Senate seats to capture the US Congress. With Iraq topping US voter concerns, Bush faced brutal new criticisms of his handling of the war from former supporters along with fresh calls for him to fire Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Vanity Fair magazine reported that some of the top public supporters of the March 2003 invasion of Iraq were now sharply critical of the way the war was waged, even branding the Bush administration "incompetent." Former top Pentagon adviser Richard Perle told the magazine that "the decisions did not get made that should have been. They didn't get made in a timely fashion, and the differences were argued out endlessly." Former White House speech writer David Frum -- credited with creating the "Axis of Evil" phrase Bush used in the 2002 state of the union speech -- also ripped the handling of the war. "The insurgency has proven it can kill anyone who cooperates," Frum told the magazine, "and the United States and its friends have failed to prove that it can protect them." Former Pentagon insider Kenneth Adelman, who argued in 2002 that liberating Iraq would be a "cakewalk," told Vanity Fair that the Bush national security team "turned out to be among the most incompetent teams in the post-war era." "Not only did each of them, individually, have enormous flaws, but together they were deadly, dysfunctional," Adelman told the magazine. Separately, four independent US newspapers covering the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines were to publish an editorial on the eve of the election calling for Rumsfeld's resignation. "Regardless of which party wins November 7, the time has come, Mr. President, to face the hard, bruising truth: Donald Rumsfeld must go," read the editorial, posted on the Army Times website. The same editorial is to run in the Air Force Times, the Navy Times and the Marine Corps Times. The Democrats, buoyed by the polls, muted predictions of victory and worked to keep their supporters energized and attract swing voters. "You do not make predictions about this kind of stuff. My prediction is, however, that the American people want real change in this country. They want a new direction. My prediction is we'll give them one," Democratic National Committee chief Howard Dean told CNN television. The Rothenberg Political Report, an analytical firm in Washington, predicted Friday that Democrats will most likely win from five to seven Senate seats and gain 34 to 40 seats in the House of Representatives. Bush took a short break from campaigning late Saturday to celebrate first lady Laura Bush's 60th birthday at the couple's ranch in Crawford, Texas.
Bush attacks Democrats on Iraq
GREELEY, Colo. (Reuters) - President George W. Bush vowed on Saturday to stick with the war in Iraq and Democrats said they would fight for a new course in the conflict in the final weekend of campaigning before Tuesday elections in which control of the U.S. Congress is at stake. "I understand the consequences of retreat," Bush told thousands of Republican loyalists at a rally. "That's why we'll support our troops, that's why we'll fight in Iraq, and that's why we'll win in Iraq."
He was unfazed by a heckler at the rally for Colorado Republican Rep. Marilyn Musgrave's re-election bid. "Get out of Iraq," the heckler shouted from a perch on a tractor before he was hustled out. Democrats, feeling good about their chances of seizing the Republican-led House of Representatives and possibly the Senate as well, said it was time for a change. "We will fight for a new direction in Iraq to change the president's failed course so that our troops can finally come home," said House Democratic candidate Lois Murphy of Pennsylvania in her party's weekly radio address. The unpopular Iraq war has been the leading factor in the election campaign and there are alarm bells ringing for Republican candidates. A Newsweek poll released on Saturday said 54 percent of likely voters would vote for Democratic candidates and 38 percent for the Republicans. Bush's approval rating was 35 percent in the poll, which was taken on Thursday and Friday and has a margin of error of 3 percentage points. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report said Republicans would be lucky to limit their losses in the House to 20 to 25 seats and four or five seats in the Senate. Democrats need 15 seats to command the House and six in the Senate.
"But the chances of this thing going bigger -- far bigger -- still exist, and there are quite a few veteran Republican strategists ... who are bracing themselves for that distinct possibility," report author Charlie Cook said on his Web site. PAPERS SAY RUMSFELD MUST GO Bush has sought to boost Republican turnout by defending the Iraq war and accusing Democrats of lacking a plan to win it. Making the war a central theme is a political gamble given deep American unease about it. He has had the sprawling U.S. military community largely behind him in the war. But several newspapers widely read by U.S. military personnel called for the resignation of U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld over Iraq, rejecting Bush's stated plan to retain Rumsfeld for the remaining two years of his presidency. "Rumsfeld has lost credibility with the uniformed leadership, with the troops, with Congress and with the public at large. His strategy has failed, and his ability to lead is compromised," the Army Times, Navy Times, Air Force Times and Marine Corps Times said in an editorial to be published on Monday. The newspapers are published by the Military Times Media Group, a subsidiary of Gannett Co. Inc., which also publishes USA Today. White House spokesman Tony Snow called the editorial "a shabby piece of work," and said Bush's reaction "was just to shrug it off." Snow said the editorial gave a "false impression" it was the sentiment of military personnel rather than of editorial writers for the Gannett newspaper chain. Democrats quickly seized on the editorial.
"The American people deserve a new direction from a secretary of defence who won't listen to his generals on the ground and a White House that won't listen to reason," said Illinois Democratic Rep. Rahm Emanuel, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney told a campaign rally in Laramie, Wyoming, on Saturday that a Democratic congressional majority would mean higher taxes. "If the Democrats take control, American families would face an immense tax increase, and the economy would sustain a major hit," he said.
Iraq's leader: I hope Saddam gets what he deserves
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Iraq is bracing for judges to give their verdict -- and a possible death sentence -- to Saddam Hussein at the end of his war crimes trial on Sunday. Stiff curfews will be imposed on Baghdad and two provinces from 6 a.m. as officials try to prevent any violent reaction to the trial. All people and vehicles will be banned from the streets of the capital and Salaheddin and Diyala provinces, and Baghdad International Airport will also be shut down until further notice, the Iraqi prime minister's office told CNN. (Watch as Baghdad residents stock up, get ready -- 3:20) Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said he wanted the trial to deliver justice to the former president. "I hope the verdict will be what this man deserves for what he committed against the Iraqi people," he said during a meeting with tribal leaders Saturday. "Therefore the Iraqi people will express their joy in the way they see appropriate; we will call on them in an address tomorrow to remain calm and show constraint and express this joy in an appropriate manner that suit this nations' challenges." Hussein and seven other defendants will file into the courtroom in Baghdad on Sunday to receive their sentences from a five-judge panel. Hussein's verdict and sentence -- which could be death by hanging for crimes against humanity -- is expected to be announced last. The defendants are on trial for crimes stemming from a brutal crackdown against citizens in the town of Dujail after an attempt on Hussein's life in 1982. People were jailed and tortured, and the government is suspected of ordering the execution of 148 people. On Friday, attorneys for Hussein and other defendants sent a letter to the presiding judge asking that the verdicts and sentencing be postponed 60 days. The letter accuses the court of trying to politicize the proceedings by announcing a verdict before Tuesday's U.S. midterm elections. More violence in Baghdad In the hours before the curfew came into effect, continued violence hit in and around the capital. Eleven civilians and an Iraqi reporter were killed on Saturday, and 27 bodies were found in Baghdad, police told CNN. Six people were killed and 20 wounded when two mortar rounds landed on a crowded area near Abu Hanifa mosque in the Adhamiya Sunni neighborhood in northern Baghdad, police said. Two people died and five were wounded when gunmen opened fire on civilians in the Hiteen neighborhood of western Baghdad, and two civilians died and five were wounded in a car bomb near Sadr City. South of Baghdad, in the Babil province town of Mahmoudiya, a civilian was killed and three others were wounded in a car bombing. Also, police said they found 27 bullet-riddled bodies in various Baghdad neighborhoods over the past 24 hours or so. Gunmen shot and killed a reporter in a Sunni neighborhood in northern Baghdad, sources told CNN. Ahmed al-Rasheed, a reporter with al-Sharqiya, an Iraqi satellite TV channel, was killed in Adhamiya around 6:30 p.m. Friday, according to an official with the Iraqi Journalistic Freedoms Observatory and a station spokesman. The al-Sharqiya official said the reporter was in his car when he was killed. Al-Rasheed, 29, started working at the station in September. He previously worked with al-Diyar TV. Rocket fired at military base A rocket launched by "rogue elements of militias" missed a coalition military base in the southern Iraqi city of Basra Saturday, British military spokesman, Maj. Charlie Burbridge said, quoting Iraqi policemen on the scene. Four Russian specialists were reportedly wounded in the attack and are scheduled to return to Moscow Sunday, the Russian Foreign Ministry said, according to Russia's Interfax news agency. In an earlier report, Burbridge said two Russians and an Iraqi colleague working for an electricity company were killed as a result of indirect fire that was intended to hit the base in northern Basra. Interfax did not mention the Iraqi colleague in their report. Coalition forces have experienced a gradual increase in the number of rocket attacks -- up from 12 per month to 16, Burbridge said. Sadr City raided U.S. and Iraqi forces raided Baghdad's Sadr City and arrested three suspected members of an illegal armed group blamed for murdering and kidnapping Iraqi citizens and security forces Saturday, the U.S. military said. The raid sparked a gun battle involving rocket-propelled grenades from "hostile elements" as the troops were leaving the area with the cell's leader and two of its members. "Iraqi forces returned fire at clearly identified targets to neutralize the threat and continued their return to base," the military said. There were no reports of Iraqi forces of coalition casualties, but the military did not say if any militants or civilians had been wounded. The raid comes shortly after U.S. forces cordoned off the city and launched a massive hunt for a missing U.S. soldier believed to be held captive there. The Iraq government later ordered the removal of the military checkpoints around the densely populated Shiite area, a stronghold of the Mehdi Army loyal to Shiite Muslim cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. The recent hostilities in Sadr City and the surrounding areas involving the militia are thought to be due to sectarian strife. U.S. and Iraqi forces raided western Baghdad's Jihad district and arrested nine suspected members of an illegal armed group blamed for building car and roadside bombs used in attacks on Iraqi citizens and security forces Friday, the U.S. military said Saturday. The military said two of the suspects also helped train other militants to build car and roadside bombs. There were no reports of Iraqi or coalition casualties, but the military did not say whether any militants or civilians had been killed or wounded.
Bush gives Laura jewellery for 60th birthday WACO, Texas -
President George W. Bush gave his wife, Laura, the timeless gift of jewellery -- a triple strand, amber-colored citrine necklace -- for her 60th birthday on Saturday. The first couple will celebrate with friends at Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas, with a dinner of enchiladas, tamales, guacamole, rice and beans and birthday cake, White House spokesman Tony Snow said. Bush, in the midst of a 10-state campaign swing for Republicans heading into Tuesday's congressional elections, will also celebrate their 29th wedding anniversary on Sunday before heading off to rallies in Nebraska and Kansas. There was no word yet on whether the first lady would get another gift for the anniversary.
Laura Bush Laura Bush is actively involved in issues of national and global concern, with a particular emphasis on education, health care, and human rights. In March 2005, Mrs. Bush made an historic trip to Afghanistan, witnessing firsthand the inspirational progress achieved by the Afghan people after the fall of the Taliban regime. She visited the Women's Teacher Training Institute in Kabul, which is training women to lead classrooms that girls were once forbidden to enter. She also met with President Hamid Karzai and expressed America's continued support for Afghanistan's new democracy, which ensures equal rights for women and men. Mrs. Bush's involvement in Afghanistan began in 2001, when she became the first wife of a president ever to deliver the president's weekly radio address. She used the opportunity to call attention to the plight of women suffering under the Taliban. Mrs. Bush is Honorary Ambassador for the United Nations Literacy Decade, serving as an international spokesperson for efforts to educate people throughout the world, especially women and girls. As the leader of President Bush's Helping America's Youth initiative, Mrs. Bush is listening to the concerns of young people, parents, and community leaders throughout the country and drawing attention to programs that help children avoid risky behaviors like drug and alcohol use, early sexual activity, and violence. She's highlighting the need of every child to have a caring adult role model in his or her life - whether that adult is a parent, grandparent, teacher, coach, or mentor. One of Mrs. Bush's first priorities in the White House was to convene the Summit on Early Childhood Cognitive Development. Prominent scholars and educators shared research on the best ways for parents and caregivers to prepare children for lifelong learning. Because children also need excellent teachers, Mrs. Bush works with teacher recruitment programs like Teach For America, The New Teacher Project, and Troops to Teachers. Laura Bush is passionate about the importance and pleasures of reading, and she joined with the Library of Congress to launch the first National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., in September 2001. The 2004 National Book Festival drew 85,000 book-lovers from across the nation. In honor of her mother, a breast cancer survivor, Mrs. Bush supports education campaigns for breast cancer and heart disease. She is a partner with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in publicizing The Heart Truth, which is that heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in America. Mrs. Bush educates women about their risks and emphasizes the importance of healthy eating, exercise, and preventive screenings. A hiking and camping enthusiast, Mrs. Bush helped to start Preserve America, a national initiative to protect our cultural and natural heritage. She highlights preservation efforts across the country and encourages Americans to get involved in preserving main streets, parks, and community heritage treasures. Laura Bush was born on November 4, 1946, in Midland, Texas, to Harold and Jenna Welch. Inspired by her second grade teacher, she earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Southern Methodist University in 1968. She taught in public schools in Dallas and Houston. In 1973, she earned a master of library science degree from the University of Texas and worked as a public school librarian. In 1977, she met and married George Walker Bush. They are the parents of twin daughters, Barbara and Jenna, who are named for their grandmothers.
'No leadership challenge for Brown' Gordon Brown is unlikely to face a challenge to succeed Tony Blair when he steps down as Prime Minister, a Cabinet Minister acknowledged. Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said it was now widely accepted within the Labour Party that the Chancellor was the "natural successor" to Mr Blair. He cast doubt on the ability of any other would-be candidate to get the necessary nominations from Labour MPs to force a contest. "You require around 44 nominations from members of the Parliamentary Labour Party. You can't force people to nominate somebody just to contrive a contest," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. "Nobody can contrive an artificial contest or somehow try to frog-march somebody on to the ballot paper." His comments reflect a growing belief at Westminster that Mr Brown will not face a challenge from within the Cabinet from a heavyweight candidate such as Home Secretary John Reid or Education Secretary Alan Johnson. There is also a question mark over the ability of the left-wing Campaign Group hopeful, John McDonnell, to get sufficient nominations from MPs. It marks a sea change in the mood within the party after the turmoil of the summer when many Blairites - furious at the attempt by some supporters of Mr Brown to oust the Prime Minister - were determined to put up an alternative candidate. However, Mr Hain - who intends to stand for the deputy leadership when John Prescott goes - said there was now a general acceptance that Mr Brown, along with Mr Blair, was the "outstanding" politician of their generation. "Everybody understands that. They've been the twin architects of Labour's extraordinary success these last 14 years or so - I think that's the reason why people see him, as I do, as the natural successor to Tony," he said. Another senior Labour figure, former Home Secretary Charles Clarke, said he expected that Mr Brown would be the next Labour leader. "I think he has great qualities, I think he would be a very good Prime Minister," he told BBC1's Question Time. But Mr Clarke, who previously denounced Mr Brown as a "control freak" with psychological issues he needed to address, said he still had to prove that he was the right person for the job.
Hilton Hotel Chain suppended 75 workers, some of whom have worked for the Hilton Chain for 20
years. The workers say it is because they dared to join a union that is fighting for fairer working
conditions. They say the condions are making it difficult to live with the high cost of rents and
medical expenses and other living costs in the USA.. exclusive live footage coming soon to the USA
Weekly News of their daily protests outside the LAX Hilton. Cick here for more details.... also see
Hotel Workers Rising also see civils rights
Dar Williams concert at Cabaret Volaire 36 Blair Street Edinburgh left the crowd wanting more..
Cabaret Voltaire is housed in the ancient subterranean caverns that undepun the bustling streets of
Edinburgh's Cowgate District, right in the heart of Scotland's capital city. Open seven nights a week,
Cabaret Voltaire is a thriving, twin-roomed venue that hosts some of the best-known club events in
the capital. It caters for all genres of dance music, ranging from the acclaimed house night
Ultragroove, to the exclusive Scotish spin-off of award-winning eclectric Leeds club SugarBeat. On
Tuesday the 25th April 2006 cabaret Voltaire is proudly presenting Dar Williams who has a long
career of philanthropy and social and political activism. On the track "Echoes" from her new album
"My Better Self," Dar Williams gives voice to the notion that everything we do in our lives, especially
the good things and even the small things, resonates all over the world, "every time you love just a
little, Take one step closer solving the riddle, It echoes all over the world, everytime you open to
kindness, make one connection used to divide us, it echoes all over the world."
"This isn't false modesty, but I am really just this kid from Liverpool. I was very, very lucky, and I worked very hard, so that's brought money and fame," said Paul McCartney in a 1989 interview for Rolling Stone magazine.
Sir Paul McCartney arrives with his wife Heather Mills McCartney at a screening for the film "Concert For George," in this file photo from Sept. 24, 2003, at Burbank Studios in Burbank, Calif.
Sir Paul McCartney: A man on the run
By KATIE NICHOLL and EMILY MADDICK, Mail on Sunday Last updated at 11:53am on 14th May 2006
Sir Paul McCartney's four-year marriage to Heather Mills appears to be on the brink of collapse after the ex-Beatle returned to Britain, but not to his wife's side. A flustered spokesman for Sir Paul added to the air of crisis surrounding the couple by telling The Mail on Sunday: "I don't think they are with each other. "I know he is back in the UK but whether they are together now or whether they have seen each other I don't know...I don't think they are. No one is saying anything and I am finding it pretty difficult to get any information. They could be together but they could not be." It is believed that the couple have spent the past fortnight apart, during which time Heather has been recovering from a painful operation to her amputated leg. Sir Paul came back to Britain on Friday night from a solo visit to the South of France - but returned alone to his East Sussex farmhouse in Peasmarsh. He was then picked up by helicopter shortly before 11am yesterday and, according to aides, flown to an unknown destination. Observers said the McCartney spokesman's failure to stamp on speculation - in fact he fuelled it - was an unmistakable sign of crisis. If the couple separate, Heather will be entitled to a substantial chunk of Sir Paul's £825million fortune. Friends of the 63-year-old musician revealed that he looked into the possibility of a pre-nuptial agreement shortly before his wedding in June 2002 but then abandoned the idea. Sir Paul and Heather, 38, have always claimed they were too much in love to pursue the idea of such a deal. According to a source, Sir Paul's former publicist Geoff Baker did look into a pre-nuptial agreement. However, the source added: "Geoff discovered it wouldn't be legal in this country." It is not known how Sir Paul's vast fortune will be divided should the couple divorce. The source said: "If they do divorce, this is going to cost Paul a fortune. He doesn't have anything in place to protect his assets and estates, which was something that always worried the kids." A leading divorce lawyer said: "She is not entitled to his Beatles and Wings fortune but he has enjoyed huge success in the four years they have been together. "His earnings are in the region of £25million a year at the moment. So she can expect half of £100million. But because he is worth so much more she is also entitled to a certain standard of living. She would also receive a huge maintenance payment for their daughter. She will be entitled to in the region of £200million." According to friends of Sir Paul, he has been 'pushed to the limit' by a series of rows with Heather, the latest just before his solo trip to France. They said he decided to flee the marital home last week as a 'warning shot'. "Anyone who knows Paul knows that this was a deliberate move to tell Heather, "Don't push me too far"," one friend said. "Paul is not antagonistic by nature but his decision to holiday alone to a well-known spot in the South of France where he knew he would be photographed is a warning shot to Heather. "They have always had a tempestuous relationship and there have been lots of rows but nothing on a scale like this. The main problem is that Heather cannot cope with Paul's fame, the fact that he is loved and revered the world over while she is so hated. "This has been a huge and dividing issue in their relationship since they married. This is very much about Heather and her public image. She's always giving Paul grief about it and always has. Now she's pushed him a step too far." While the couple have always argued, their row a fortnight ago has been on a far greater scale and the two are refusing to see each other. In an astonishing account that suggests the marriage was doomed from the start, close friends of the singer said they predicted the relationship would not last. One said: "They are just too different. They are different ages, different people from different cultures with different sensitivities." Following the wedding, Sir Paul's public image changed dramatically. He became a father for the fourth time, dyed his hair from flecked grey to a youthful chestnut and vowed that he would never smoke marijuana again. He began living a jet-set lifestyle, to the surprise of his friends, and Heather Mills - the woman appropriately nicknamed 'HM' by McCartney's aides and advisers - was at the centre of it all. Last night, as she continued to recuperate from her operation, a family friend said: "Paul is one of the most loyal and caring men. It is inconceivable that he would not be with his wife while she was ill. "But perhaps this argument was a step too far and he's finally retaliating
Paul McCartney says he has no grudge against wife, despite acrimonious divorce
Paul McCartney bears no grudge against his estranged second wife
LONDON (AP) - Paul McCartney said Saturday he bears no grudge against his estranged second wife, despite acrimonious divorce proceedings that have seen lurid allegations about their marriage reported across the world. The former Beatle said the break up, seized on in Britain as the most high-profile split since Prince Charles and Diana parted ways a decade ago, had left him saddened, but determined to act with dignity. McCartney, 64, and Heather Mills McCartney, 38, an anti-landmine campaigner, announced their separation in May and began divorce proceedings in July. They have a three-year-old daughter, Beatrice. "There are certain things in life that are personal, and I think a relationship with a partner is intensely personal, and I prefer to keep it that way," McCartney told British Broadcasting Corp. radio in an interview broadcast Saturday. "When you are going through difficulties, I think the thing to do for the sake of all the people concerned is to keep a certain dignity and remember that it is a private affair, and that way, you will probably get through it better," he said. McCartney said keeping details of the divorce private would "put less noses out of joint, and I think it is a more dignified way to go about it." He was interviewed Friday, following the premiere of his classical composition Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart) at London's Royal Albert Hall, the BBC said. He said the work was inspired by the death of his first wife, Linda, from breast cancer in 1998. Mills McCartney last month said she would take legal action against a number of British newspapers who published disparaging claims about her husband, alleged to have been contained in divorce court papers drawn up on her behalf. Her law firm, Mishcon de Reya, said she would sue British tabloid The Sun, and newspapers Daily Mail and Evening Standard. McCartney's lawyers said he would vigorously defend himself against the allegations that he had physically abused his second wife. "Life goes on, I do not hold grudges against anyone, I don't blame anyone for the sadnesses that have happened to me. I am sad about them because it would stupid to be otherwise," McCartney said. "I think life goes on, and it is what you make of it, so I am pretty optimistic."
Heather’s divorce petition Heather’s divorce petition Highlights of the leaked court documents filed by Heather Mills, which claim abuse by her husband Sir Paul McCartney Paragraph 10.1 The petitioner has been physically violent towards the respondent. 10.3 In breach of his promises to the respondent made when she agreed to marry him, the petitioner continued to use illegal drugs, and to consume alcohol to excess, throughout the marriage, thereby causing the respondent distress. 11.5 In Long Island in August 2003 the respondent asked the petitioner if he had been smoking marijuana. He became very angry, yelled at her, grabbed her neck and started choking her. 11.18 The petitioner often told the respondent when she was pregnant that he did not want her to breastfeed their child, making on occasion the comment 'they are my breasts' and on another occasion, 'I don't want a mouthful of breast milk'.
11.19 On 19 November 2005, the petitioner required the respondent to defer an essential and once-cancelled operation on her leg for two months because it would have interfered with his holiday plans. 11.27 The difficulties in the marriage came to a head at the end of April 2006: On Tuesday 25 April 2006, following an operation on the respondent's amputated leg, an argument occurred during which the petitioner poured the balance of a bottle of red wine over the respondent's head and then threw what remained in his wine glass at the respondent. The petitioner then reached to grab the respondent's wine glass, and broke the bowl of the glass from the stem. He then lunged at the respondent with the broken, sharp stem of the wine glass, which cut and pierced the respondent's arm just below the elbow, and it began to bleed profusely. He... manhandled the respondent, flung her into her wheelchair and wheeled it outside, screaming at her to apologise for 'winding him up'. The respondent still bears the scar of the assault
Heather McCartney in nude photo shoot on her husband's estate (via sundaymirror.co.uk) – Heather Mills recently did and erotic shoot at the lodge on her estranged husband Paul McCartney's estate. The 38-year-old former model did the shots for a PETA campaign but may not release them since is probably not a good time for her to be showing off her nudity...
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills reunite for daughter's… (via sundaymirror.co.uk) – Sir Paul McCartney and Heather Mills had a secret reunion yesterday - for their daughter's birthday party. Despite their ferocious divorce battle, the pair "chatted and looked happy" at a party for little Beatrice.
Linda McCartney to give evidence from beyond the grave (via dailymail.co.uk) – 'Dynamite' marriage tapes to be revealed
votes Vote! Paul McCartney Has Private Wife's Tapes Barred From Public (via exposay.com) – Paul McCartney isn't going to sit back and watch his estranged wife try to tear him down. The legendary singer recently took some necessary legal action to prevent tapes of his first wife
Linda's audio diary from being made public on Thursday.The former Beatle's first wife died of cancer in 1998 but during their 29-year marriage recorded 15 tapes
Rod Stewart Says McCartney "Is Not A Wife Beater" (via exposay.com) – When you've got endless media attention on your messy divorce scandal, then you know you must simply put up a strong fight and stand your ground. Rod
Stewart recently urged Paul McCartney to go ahead and battle it out in court with his estranged wife Heather Mills. The aging rocker, who is twice divorced himself, stood by the former Beatle and said,,,,
Heather Mills Intends To Sue British Newspapers Over False… (via exposay.com) – The game is on and there's no telling who's going to go down first.Heather Mills is apparently not ready to make nice and is planning to sue three British newspapers over "false, damaging and immensely upsetting" statements in stories regarding her divorce from Paul McCartney.
Heather McCartney to sue British papers (via news.yahoo.com) – Heather Mills McCartney's lawyers said Tuesday she is suing two newspapers over "false, damaging and immensely upsetting" stories surrounding her divorce from Paul McCartney.
Riddle of missing pages in McCartney divorce leak FIVE crucial documents were withheld from the leaked divorce dossier of Lady McCartney which alleged that her estranged husband violently attacked her. The missing pages apparently cast her in a bad light in her response to Sir Paul McCartney’s petition to the High Court seeking a divorce on the ground of her “unreasonable behaviour”. Lady McCartney, 38 — the former model Heather Mills — was described by friends yesterday as appalled at the suggestion that she was behind the leak to newspapers of claims about the former Beatle. “Heather is in floods of tears,” a friend said. “I absolutely believe she was not responsible for any of this.” The five pages omitted from the documents leaked to newspapers allegedly relate specifically to her response to allegations made by Sir Paul in his statement to the High Court, which is bound by strict rules of confidentiality. One source close to the case, limbering up to be one of the most bitter in recent history, said: “I think you will find that there was something in those pages that was derogatory about Heather.” Both sides denied speculation yesterday that Sir Paul, 64, might apply for their child, Beatrice Milly, 2, to be given residence with him
McCartney divorce case lawyers set for another battle royal
THE divorce lawyers for the Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales, have been hired by Sir Paul McCartney and his estranged wife in what is shaping up to be one of the most expensive and high- profile partings since the collapse of the royal marriage. Anthony Julius, who was the Princess’s lawyer and became a close friend in the 1996 divorce that saw her receive a £17 million settlement, will represent Lady McCartney, the former model Heather Mills. Fiona Shackleton, who acted for the Prince of Wales, will be in Sir Paul’s corner. Nicholas Mostyn, QC, whose successes have earned him the nickname Mr Payout, is also on Sir Paul’s legal team. Sir Paul, 64, is a much richer man than the Prince of Wales, with personal wealth estimated at £825 million. The couple did not sign a pre-nuptial agreement before their wedding in 2002. The legal costs alone will make a sizeable dent in Sir Paul’s fortune. Mr Julius, 50, a senior consultant with Mishcon de Reya, charges a reputed £500 an hour.
Ms Shackleton, 50, a partner in Payne Hicks Beach, who is known as the “Steel Magnolia” because of her sharp negotiating skills, is thought to charge a similar rate. A spokesman for Mishcon de Reya said: “We can confirm that we have been instructed by Heather Mills to act in her divorce proceedings. Her team is being led by Anthony Julius. He is a fantastic lawyer.” At one point the Princess considered dropping Mr Julius because of the size of his fees but when the settlement was concluded she presented him with a silver blotter from Asprey’s with a handwritten note which said: “Thank you for giving me back my wings.” When the McCartneys announced three months ago that their four-year marriage was coming to an end they put out a joint statement saying it was an amicable parting. But it is turning into an increasingly bitter public war of words. On Monday, Lady McCartney, 38, was locked out of their £7 million home in St John’s Wood, North London, with their two-year-old daughter, Beatrice. The event was recorded by a conveniently positioned newspaper photographer, prompting the accusation from the McCartney camp that his wife had stage-managed it to generate sympathy. It had been widely reported that Sir Paul had changed the locks on the three-storey Regency house that has been his home for almost 40 years. When Lady McCartney could not get in, having claimed it was a pre-arranged visit, one of her security guards attempted to scale the garden wall. Police were called by Sir Paul’s staff and four officers arrived in a patrol car. A friend of the former Beatle said: “It’s a bit odd that there were photographers there to capture the thing.” Lady McCartney has recruited Phil Hall, a former Editor of the News of the World, to handle her publicity. The late Princess often tipped off the media in advance of her visits during her divorce. IN HIS CORNER Fiona Shackleton was educated at Beneden School where she was told she did not have the “brains” to be a doctor. Secured a Third in law at Exeter University. Joined Farrers in 1984, became a partner within two years. “Steel Magnolia” came to attention of Prince of Wales after handling Duke of York’s marital break-up. She famously argued that Maya Flick, wife of Friedrich Flick, the Mercedes-Benz tycoon, could not be expected to live on a settlement of £9 million. IN HER CORNER Anthony Julius secured a First in English at Jesus College, Cambridge, before studying law. He joined Mishcon de Reya and acted as a media lawyer representing Robert Maxwell. He met the Princess of Wales when he represented her against a newspaper which published photographs of her in a gym. His other clients include Stephen Fry. He has four children and is married for a second time to a freelance journalist. He chaired the memorial trust set up in the name of the late Princess.
Why Sir Paul's 'genius' could save him millions
With Sir Paul McCartney separating from his wife, Heather, all eyes are now on the potential divorce settlement. But one expert says the former Beatle's "genius" could vastly reduce the sum he has to pay out. Why? High Court judges' reputation for being aloof and out of touch with the real world used to be typified by the test of whether or not they had heard of the Beatles. If the potential divorce settlement between Sir Paul McCartney and his now estranged wife, Heather, ever reaches court, the musician had perhaps better hope the sitting judge is aware of that particular popular beat combo. As one half of the chief song-writing team behind the Beatles - the most successful pop group ever - Sir Paul has amassed an estimated fortune of £825m. The artist could now be liable to hand over a huge chunk of his wealth in any divorce settlement. Although the couple have only separated - and not petitioned for divorce - speculation is already rife. WHO, WHAT, WHY? A feature to the BBC News Magazine - aiming to answer some of the questions behind the headlines How much is a divorce worth? Many of Thursday's newspapers suggest Lady McCartney could receive about £200m. The Sun quotes a family law expert saying she may walk away with £400m - about half her husband's wealth - although the Daily Mirror forecasts a "£50m quickie divorce". When it comes to dividing up assets in a divorce, each case is taken on its merits. But the principle of equality - a 50/50 share - in long marriages was established in 2002 (coincidentally, the year Sir Paul re-married). Divorce lawyer Alan Kaufman strongly doubts the principle would apply in this case because the marriage has been relatively short (four years) and Sir Paul's assets were built up beforehand. The question of short marriages will arise next week with a House of Lords judgement on the £20m divorce involving City fund manager Alan Miller. Sir Paul's wealth is put at £825m Mr Miller is contesting his ex-wife's claim for a quarter of his fortune after this marriage of two years and nine months broke down. Mr Kaufman expects Melissa Miller to retain the £5m awarded to her in the case, which would clear the way for an equivalent £200m settlement for Lady McCartney. But intriguingly, Sir Paul's widely acknowledged creative genius may form the crux of any further legal argument, says Mr Kaufman. "In the big money cases, especially where there are long marriages, the courts have upheld that instead of going 50/50, if there was a special contribution from one half and that was built up by a uniquely creative element, or genius, the other half would get less than 50%." The principle was recently upheld in the case of advertising big shot Sir Martin Sorrell, who divorced after almost 33 years of marriage. SEE YOU IN COURT...
MAYBE NOT Mr Kaufman expects Lady McCartney to settle for £50m to £100m But he warns vast majority of divorce settlements never reach court Last year, Mr Sorrell, who heads WPP, one of the world's biggest communications companies, found himself in the High Court hoping to block his ex-wife Sandra's claim for 50% of the family's wealth. In the end, Ms Sorrell walked away with only 40% after the judge noted the "true explanation" for her husband's wealth was his "spark or force or seed of genius, call it what one will". To Mr Kaufman, Sir Paul "has a very special position and his lawyers will be arguing very, very strongly he should be treated differently from most other husbands because here we have a man who incredibly has built up massive wealth because frankly he is a genius". So what is "genius"? "It's always going to be a big argument," says Mr Kaufman. "When you see it, you know it." Reports about Sir Paul McCartney's £825m wealth have centred on the fact he is, according to the Sunday Times, Britain's second richest "music millionaire", ahead of Lord Lloyd Webber (£700m), Sir Cameron Mackintosh (£400m) and Simon Fuller (£300m) in the top five. But few will have heard of the man at the top of the list - Clive Calder, worth an estimated £1.3bn. Mr Calder is the South African-born founder of the independent label Zomba Records, which claimed Billy Ocean as its first big UK act. He is credited with discovering Britney Spears after she auditioned at his studios. In 2002 he sold Zomba for $1.8bn to German-based Bertelsmann.
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She should only be entitled to half the wealth created during the 4 years she was 'married' to Paul. For the child, I sure will Paul will be very generous and create a trust fund etc and pay for all the big expenses of bringing up their child. Susan Bird, Sarasota, Florida, USA
I just can't imagine this divorce is going to become nasty. Although I have heard one rumour that Paul is calling for the separation because of Heather's nagging, I feel that they will separate with a peaceful negotiation, and do what is right in terms of splitting their wealth. Heather, Wolverhampton I'm a genius - it's just nobody has discovered me yet! Phil, In the event of her having custody of their child then she should be granted an amount for the child. However she should receive nothing for herself - she is perfectly capable of earning and, as his fortune was amassed in respect of work done outside of their marriage (as in before she was even born), she has no right whatsoever to his money as she in no way contributed to his earning it. Caroline, London I think that it very sad that they are splitting up. However, I do not think that Paul ever got over the death of his first wife Linda. As regards to the money, I feel that it should be relative to the number of years they were married. Also, he does have a child but I am sure that Paul would make sure that it was well provided for. Jim Balmer, Hillsborough NC USA
I don't think Macca is a genius - Mozart was a genius. What he is is one of the greatest composers of popular song of the 20th century, who wrote the glorious soundtrack to my, and millions of others, lives. I'm just sad on a personal level for him and his young child. Perhaps he married to quickly after Linda. I hope he finds happiness eventually. I suppose, after all - money 'cant buy you love'. david schulten, Ljubljana, Slovenia If the McCarntneys are intent on saying that Ms Mills never married him for the money, then why can't she just walk out of the marriage, only taking the money she brought into the marriage. I'm sure Paul will may decent maintenance for their daughter, so what does else does Heather Mills need. Pat Martin, Sheffield
Very sorry but not really surprised to hear about the split. That said, they deserve some space (fat chance) as both Sir Paul and Heather, despite their enviable lifestyles, have had more than their fair share of tragedy. Graeme Egerton, Isle of Wight
Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi despot who faces death AFP via Yahoo! NewsTue, 26 Dec 2006 7:25 AM PST
For 24 years he brooked no dissent, brutally crushing anyone who challenged his despotic rule. Now defrocked Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein faces execution within 30 days for crimes against humanity.
Saddam Hussein to Be Hanged Within 30 Days After Appeal Denied Bloomberg.comTue, 26 Dec 2006 1:22 PM PST
Dec. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein is set to be hanged within the next 30 days after losing a court appeal of his death sentence, an Iraqi judge said.
Saddam Hussein Will Be Executed Within 30 Days, AFP Reports Bloomberg.comTue, 26 Dec 2006 8:51 AM PST
Dec. 26 (Bloomberg) -- Saddam Hussein's appeal against his death sentence failed and the former Iraqi dictator will be executed within 30 days, Agence France-Presse reported, citing the appeals court judge.
Iraqi appeals court mandates hanging for Saddam Hussein Los Angeles TimesTue, 26 Dec 2006 8:32 AM PST Iraq's highest appeals court today upheld Saddam Hussein's death sentence and said he must be hanged within 30 days for the killing of 148 Shiites in the central city of Dujail.
Saddam Hussein Execution Expected Within Month Crosswalk.comTue, 26 Dec 2006 9:59 AM PST
(CNSNews.com) - Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi dictator who the United States deposed in its 2003 invasion of Iraq, could be executed at any time during the next 30 days, following the rejection of his appeal on a conviction of crimes against humanity.
Iraqi appeals court upholds death sentence for Saddam Hussein Boston HeraldTue, 26 Dec 2006 7:08 AM PST BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's highest court rejected Saddam Hussein's appeal Tuesday and said the former dictator must be hanged within 30 days for his role in the 1982 slayings of 148 Shiite Muslims...
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Buoyed by oil and gas riches, Russia has become so confident that it has become impervious to the criticism that once might have modified its behavior.
Bush in Texas to rethink Iraq course AP via Yahoo! NewsTue, 26 Dec 2006 7:47 PM PST
President Bush went to his ranch Tuesday to rethink U.S. involvement in Iraq as his spokesman hailed a Baghdad court's decision upholding the death sentence for former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
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A 12-year Republican lock on Congress came to an abrupt end in 2006, as voters punished US President George W. Bush for the quagmire in Iraq.
White House Applauds Ruling Upholding Saddam Death Sentence Fox NewsTue, 26 Dec 2006 1:53 PM PST
Press office says ruling to hang former Iraqi leader within 30 days marks 'important milestone' in efforts to turn Iraq toward rule of law.
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Saddam Hussein refuses to sell out Iraq.
Transcript published of meeting in prison between Saddam Hussein and Donald Rumsfeld.(Translated from Arabic by Muhammad Abu Nasr)-The Egyptian magazine al-Usbu‘ on Monday, 2 May 2005, published what it said was the text of a con-versation between Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on his latest trip to Baghdad during which he visited the imprisoned Iraqi leader. Al-Usbu‘ reports that informed political sources had disclosed the details of the meeting.See www.usaweeklynews.com Saddam Hussein-page or www.saddamhusseinworld.com for the full minutes of the meeting
Court considering Saddam death sentence-
Wed Dec 27, 6:35 AM ET BAGHDAD, Iraq - President Jalal Talabani might not be required to approve an appeals court decision upholding Saddam Hussein's death sentence and is awaiting a court's ruling on the question, a presidential spokesman said Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT "Some people believe there is no need for his approval," said Hiwa Osman, Talabani's media adviser. "We still have to hear from the court as to how the procedure can be carried out." Earlier, Osman had said the president's approval was not required and that the court's decision was final. If Talabani's approval is not required, Saddam would lose his last legal means of avoiding execution. Iraqi officials had said prior to the appeals court ruling on Tuesday that any decision to impose the death penalty must be ratified by Talabani and Iraq's two vice presidents. But lawyers were debating whether an Iraqi High Tribunal provision mandating imposition of the death penalty could take precedence over a law in the constitution that requires the president to approve death sentences. Osman said the presidency respected the ruling of the appeals court, which on Tuesday rejected Saddam's appeal and said the former dictator must be hanged within 30 days for ordering the killing of scores of Shiite Muslims in 1982
President Bush, along with his dog Barney, steps from Air Force One after landing Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2006, in Waco, Texas. The president will spend the week at his nearby ranch in Crawford. (AP Photo/Duane A. Laverty)
By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer Tue Dec 26, 6:51 PM ET CRAWFORD, Texas -President Bush went to his ranch Tuesday to rethink U.S. involvement in Iraq as his spokesman hailed a Baghdad court's decision upholding the death sentence for former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. ADVERTISEMENT Saddam, who was deposed by the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, is to be hanged within 30 days. "Today marks an important milestone in the Iraqi people's efforts to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law," deputy White House press secretary Scott Stanzel told reporters aboard Air Force One to Texas, where Bush was to meet this week with his national security team. Iraq's highest appeals court on Tuesday upheld the Nov. 5 sentence against Saddam for ordering the killing of 148 Shiites in Dujail in 1982, following an attempt on his life. Chief Judge Aref Shahin said the sentence must be implemented within 30 days, and could be carried out as early as Wednesday. "Saddam Hussein has received due process and legal rights that he denied the Iraqi people for so long, so this is an important day for the Iraqi people," Stanzel said. At the Pentagon, officials said Secretary Robert Gates isn't likely to offer a single solution but, rather, a broad set of recommendations for changing the course in Iraq. A senior Defense Department official, who spoke only on condition of anonymity because Gates' advice to Bush is secret, said the recommendations "would involve many aspects of how we can do things differently." Bush, saddled with low approval ratings for his handling of Iraq, will host a National Security Council meeting on Thursday at the ranch, but is not expected to make any final decision on what he says will be a new way forward in Iraq. Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Defense Secretary Robert Gates and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley will attend the meeting. Stanzel said there could be other National Security Council meetings before the president makes up his mind and delivers a speech to announce his decisions. The speech is expected before the State of the Union address on Jan. 23. Bush is under mounting pressure to change U.S. involvement in Iraq where violence continued to escalate this month. On Tuesday, the U.S. military reported that seven more American soldiers had died, pushing the U.S. military death toll for the month to 90. With five days remaining in the month, December is already the second deadliest month for the U.S. military this year, behind the 105 soldiers killed in October. The latest deaths also brought the number of U.S. military members killed since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003 to at least 2,978 — five more than the number killed in the Sept. 11 attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Stanzel said Bush continues to question advisers and think through the consequences of various U.S. actions. "Our forces, coalition forces in Iraq are continuing to take the fight to the enemy, and the president will announce a new way forward when he's comfortable" with his decision, he said. When the president arrived in Texas, about 50 well-wishers, squinting in the sunshine, welcomed him as he walked down the steps of the plane with Mrs. Bush and her mother, Jenna Welch. The president spent the Christmas holiday with his family at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland. Mrs. Bush gave the president a new blue suit, biking shoes and country singer Sam Moore's CD titled "Overnight Sensational." He gave her amber-colored citrine earrings to match the triple-strand citrine necklace he gave her for her birthday. As part of a family gift name drawing, the Bushes donated mosquito nets in the name of former President George H.W. Bush through Malarianomore.org, a mission set up to urge individuals, organizations and institutions to protect families from malaria. Associated Press writer Lolita C. Baldor in Washington contributed to this report. Saddam, who was deposed by the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, is to be hanged within 30 days. "Today marks an important milestone in the Iraqi people's efforts to replace the rule of a tyrant with the rule of law," deputy White House press secretary Scott Stanzel told reporters aboard Air Force One to Texas, where Bush was to meet this week with his national security team.
Cheney is still paid by Pentagon contractor
Bush deputy gets up to $1m from firm with Iraq oil deal Robert Bryce in Austin, Texas and Julian Borger in Washington
Wednesday March 12 2003 The Guardian
Halliburton, the Texas company which has been awarded the Pentagon's contract to put out potential oil-field fires in Iraq and which is bidding for postwar construction contracts, is still making annual payments to its former chief executive, the vice-president Dick Cheney. The payments, which appear on Mr Cheney's 2001 financial disclosure statement, are in the form of "deferred compensation" of up to $1m (£600,000) a year. When he left Halliburton in 2000 to become George Bush's running mate, he opted not to receive his leaving payment in a lump sum but instead have it paid to him over five years, possibly for tax reasons. An aide to the vice president said yesterday: "This is money that Mr Cheney was owed by the corporation as part of his salary for the time he was employed by Halliburton and which was a fixed amount paid to him over time." The aide said the payment was even insured so that it would not be affected even if Halliburton went bankrupt, to ensure there was no conflict of interest. "Also, the vice president has nothing whatsoever to do with the Pentagon bidding process," the aide added. The company would not say how much the payments are. The obligatory disclosure statement filled by all top government officials says only that they are in the range of $100,000 and $1m. Nor is it clear how they are calculated. Halliburton is one of five large US corporations - the others are the Bechtel Group, Fluor Corp, Parsons Corp, and the Louis Berger Group - invited to bid for contracts in what may turn out to be the biggest reconstruction project since the second world war. It is estimated to be worth up to $900m for the preliminary work alone, such as rebuilding Iraq's hospitals, ports, airports and schools.
The contract winners will be able to establish a presence in post-Saddam Iraq that should give them an invaluable edge in winning future contracts. The defence department contract awarded to the Halliburton subsidiary, Kellog, Brown & Root (KBR), to control oil fires if Saddam Hussein sets the well heads alight, will put the company in an excellent position to bid for huge contracts when Iraq's oil industry is rehabilitated. KBR has already benefited considerably from the "war on terror". It has so far been awarded contracts worth nearly $33m to build the detention camp at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba for al-Qaida suspects. Asked whether the payments to Mr Cheney represented a conflict of interest, Halliburton's spokeswoman, Wendy Hall, said: "We have been working as a government contractor since the 1940s. Since this time, KBR has become the premier provider of logistics and support services to all branches of the military." In the five years Mr Cheney was at the helm, Halliburton nearly doubled the amount of business it did with the government to $2.3bn. The company also more than doubled its political contributions to $1.2m, overwhelmingly to Republican candidates. Mr Cheney sold most of his Halliburton shares when he left the company, but retained stock options worth about $8m. He arranged to pay any profits to charity. ·
Robert Bryce is the author
Iraq's highest appeals court on Tuesday upheld the Nov. 5 death sentence against Saddam for ordering the killing of 148 Shiites in Dujail in 1982, following an attempt on his life. Chief Judge Aref Shahin said the sentence must be implemented within 30 days, and could be carried out as early as Wednesday.
Egyptian Magazine publishes transcript of meeting in prison between Saddam Hussein and Donald Rumsfeld.(Translated from Arabic by Muhammad Abu Nasr)-The Egyptian magazine al-Usbu‘ on Monday, 2 May 2005, published what it said was the text of a con-versation between Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on his latest trip to Baghdad during which he visited the imprisoned Iraqi leader. Al-Usbu‘ reports that informed political sources had disclosed the details of the meeting.
Al-Usbu‘ reports that the meeting took place after an escalation of Iraqi Resistance attacks against US occupation forces and their allies and stooges in Iraq. The sources indicated that the US had lost more than 1,600 men killed and wounded in the last three months, only a fraction of which they officially admitted. The available information indicates that US President George W. Bush held a meeting with his staff in which they discussed ways to stop the Resistance violence in Iraq in order to save US lives and stop the continued deterioration of relations between the US and its allies and other countries that sent forces to occupied Iraq. The US leadership arrived at a decision to offer to release the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and take him to his preferred place of exile outside Iraq in return for his appearing on television to demand that the Iraqi Resistance halt its armed operations and form a political party to take part in the political process set up by the US occupation forces in Iraq. Bush entrusted his Secretary of State, Donald Rumsfeld, with the task of going to Iraq immediately to urge the quick formation of a new Iraqi puppet “government” and to meet with the Iraqi “leaders” who have emerged from the 30 January “election” results held under the threat of US weapons in occupied Iraq. At the same time, however, Rumsfeld was to meet with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein in his American prison near Saddam International Airport west of Baghdad. The Saddam Hussein-Rumsfeld meeting reportedly lasted nearly an hour and took place in the presence of the commander of US occupation forces in Iraq. Rumsfeld followed up on his meeting by sending a report to President Bush in which he enclosed minutes of his meeting with the Iraqi President and offered outlines for how the US should deal with future developments in Iraq. He is said to have stressed the need for pursuing various ways to hold political dialogue with the Resistance and with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. In his report, al-Usbu‘ said, Rumsfeld emphasized that the situation in Iraq was increasingly dangerous. He said that the Arab Resistance looked like an organized army in the making and that it was training well and had been provided with important support in weapons and other material back up. Rumsfeld said that the number of Resistance fighters in Iraq had now reached 400,000 active fighters and that around them were more than five million people providing the Resistance with support. Rumsfeld said that what took place in al-Fallujah had a negative impact on the security situation and that the Resistance had succeeded in reaping the fruits of the “war on terror” being waged by the United States to use them for its benefit. He said that Iraqi youths were now vying with one another in volunteering to fight in the ranks of the Resistance. Rumsfeld confirmed that the names of many of the Resistance organizations that declare themselves here and there are nothing but fronts for organizations of the Arab Baath Party under the leadership currently of Izzat Ibrahim ad-Duri, the Vice President of Iraq. Rumsfeld expressed the expectation that the situation would become much more difficult in the coming period since the pace of armed operations against the US forces had greatly accelerated, and now stands at more than 200 attacks every day, making dozens of casualties in the “coalition”and puppet “national guard” ranks likely. Rumsfeld said that he had reviewed numerous American and Iraqi reports that reveal a deterioration in the security situation in Iraq and a fall in the morale level of the troops as casualties and material losses increase. Rumsfeld indicated that there have also been serious material losses in US ranks, and that the Americans are now loosing an average of at least 30 military vehicles every week, something that is continually depleting American power. Rumsfeld also disclosed that the Resistance had just recently seized stockpiles of advanced American weaponry including artillery and rocket launchers as well as anti-aircraft launchers and that the US command expressed the fear that these arms would soon have their effect in escalating the movements of violence and Resistance operations. At the end of his report, al-Usbu‘ reports, Rumsfeld urged the continuation of the dialogue with Saddam Hussein and his supporters until they can arrive at a formula for bringing about a temporary truce to facilitate a discussion of both sides’ proposals. Al-Usbu‘ obtained the minutes of the conversation between Saddam Hussein and Donald Rumsfeld from a reliable American source.
See www.usaweeklynews.com Saddam Hussein-page or www.saddamhusseinworld.com for the full minutes of the meeting
Court considering Saddam death sentence-Wed Dec 27, 6:35 AM ET BAGHDAD, Iraq - President Jalal Talabani might not be required to approve an appeals court decision upholding Saddam Hussein's death sentence and is awaiting a court's ruling on the question, a presidential spokesman said Wednesday. ADVERTISEMENT "Some people believe there is no need for his approval," said Hiwa Osman, Talabani's media adviser. "We still have to hear from the court as to how the procedure can be carried out." Earlier, Osman had said the president's approval was not required and that the court's decision was final. If Talabani's approval is not required, Saddam would lose his last legal means of avoiding execution. Iraqi officials had said prior to the appeals court ruling on Tuesday that any decision to impose the death penalty must be ratified by Talabani and Iraq's two vice presidents. But lawyers were debating whether an Iraqi High Tribunal provision mandating imposition of the death penalty could take precedence over a law in the constitution that requires the president to approve death sentences. Osman said the presidency respected the ruling of the appeals court, which on Tuesday rejected Saddam's appeal and said the former dictator must be hanged within 30 days for ordering the killing of scores of Shiite Muslims in 1982
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Crown Princess Mary of Denmark has flown into her home town of Hobart for a private family visit. Mary and her son Prince Christian were met by her husband Crown Prince Frederik on the tarmac before being whisked away to stay at her sister's home in West Hobart. The Royal Family is expected to spend at least a week with family. Onlookers at the airport were thrilled to see the princess as she touched down, who was dressed casually in jeans. "She looked gorgeous and her baby was beautiful. Just the natural, lovely Princess that she is." The couple's visit to Australia comes a month after Princess Mary announced she was pregnant. It is the first visit home since 13-month-old Christian was born. Her second child is due in May.
AWB report release
The long awaited report into the AWB kickbacks scandal will be released today after it is tabled at the start of the final two weeks of the parliamentary year.
Qantas talks continue
Talks surrounding the private equity bid for Qantas are expected to progress this week, with the market awaiting a decision from the airline's management.
Seven KKR deal
Seven's relationship with New York-based private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts could be short and sharp if KKR's other media deals are any indication.
Media partner wanted
Tony O'Reilly's Independent News and Media is looking for a new partner after failing to reach agreement with US private equity firm, Providence, for a $3.8 billion buy-out of APN News and Media.
ANZ boss to go
The ANZ chairman, Charles Goode, has taken a tough stance over next year's proposed departure of Chief Executive John McFarlane.
Ajax worker cuts
More than 180 workers at a Melbourne car components factory are expected to be stood down today, three months after an administrator was appointed.
Nuclear report
Former Telstra boss Ziggy Switkowski has told Sunday Business his report on uranium enrichment is 'meant to stimulate appropriate discussion on the validity of nuclear energy in Australia.'
Labor rejects nuclear
Federal Labor remains opposed to nuclear power generation, and is sceptical about any suggestion that Australia could quadruple the value of its uranium exports by enriching uranium oxide before it's sent overseas.
Mary, Kingaroo visit Tassie animal park
Crown Princess Mary narrowly avoided a spray of echidna urine and her year-old son Prince Christian, who's nicknamed "kingaroo", kicked a marsupial.
Welcome to the world of the royal photo opportunity.
About 60 international journalists and photographers were on Friday lured to Bonorong Wildlife Park, north of Hobart, for the Danish royals' only official appearance of their private Australian visit. The event began sedately, with Crown Prince Frederik carrying his son as rangers led the royal family towards the waiting media throng.
One-year-old Christian hesitantly patted a koala but was more curious about the media attention as thousands of camera shutters ruined any semblance of serenity in the park.Rangers also offered up blue-tongued lizards, a wombat and a range of other picturesque Aussie wildlife to the royal family.But the visit soon took a comical turn as Mary dodged a spray of echidna urine and the offending animal was quickly taken away."Very close," said the princess, who being born in Australia should know the perils of appearing with local wildlife.Rangers then returned with a small pademelon, a gentle and harmless type of wallaby, which was swiftly rewarded with a kick in the head from Christian.
Dressed stylishly in a grey cotton blouse with beige pants, the pregnant Mary fended off questions about whether she was buying blue or pink for her new baby, due in March."We don't know the colour yet," she replied."We don't want to know," chipped in Frederik.The Danish couple have spent three days unsuccessfully attempting to avoid the media spotlight during their visit to Mary's home town - the first since Christian's birth.The photo opportunity was organised in the hope that the media would respect their wish for privacy for the remainder of their Australian trip.The irony of the location was not lost on journalists, one of whom cheekily asked Frederik if he felt he was the one in a zoo."What do you think," the prince called back.The last word, however, went to Mary, as the royals' escape plan became clear."You're actually behind the fence," she told journalists, as the family made their escape and the media was left locked in the zoo for 20 minutes behind them.
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Drastic changes in media ahead: Packer
Thursday November 23, 11:18 PM
James Packer forecasts the media landscape in Australia will change dramatically in the next 15 years as technology steers the industry into a new age.The chief executive of Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd (PBL) was among four of Australia's principal media leaders, also including Fairfax chief David Kirk, ABC managing director Mark Scott, and Foxtel head Kim Williams, speaking at the Oxford Business Alumni's annual forum in Sydney
n their discussion, on the theme The Future of Australia's Media Industry, Mr Packer said today's booming mass media tools were unheard of in the early 1990s and the scene in the 2020s would be just as different."If you look back 15 years ago, there were virtually no mobile phones, no internet, no Pay TV and they were very hard to foresee," he said."I think 15 years from now the change is going to be as dramatic as it has been in the last 15 years." Mr Kirk, whose company publishes The Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian Financial Review and the Sun Herald, said the newspaper industry would live through developments in technology and thrive on the proliferation of online news."Absolutely it will survive ... but we have to make adjustments to find new products to offset some of these changes," Mr Kirk said. He said secure display advertising and steady circulation ensured newspapers were in a strong position, but quality content was more important than the medium through which it was delivered.Mr Kirk said while consumers could determine news and programming on pay TV and the internet, and even generate their own content, readers still demanded informed and quality views and news in a convenient and well presented form."There is absolutely no doubt newspapers will have to provide greater quality. We cannot dumb down the product," he said."I firmly believe there is a real demand for high class editing."People do want an easy and comprehensive way of getting their news."Mr Scott agreed that quality content would play a bigger role in consumers' choice than technology.But he said the internet generation who "don't want to be broadcast at, they want to write their own news, contribute" will be the biggest consumer force in the next 15 years."Fifteen-year-olds today ... they are the dominant media consumers," he said."They're used to having it where they want it and when they want it and want to contribute to it. "That's a big shift that all media organisations are going to have to come to terms with."He said technology helped the ABC fulfil its charter to deliver Australian content.He cited the two million ABC podcasts downloaded around the country each month which, he said, made the national broadcaster "probably" the leading provider of podcast material in the world.Twenty-five new ABC television programs next year will also be available from video on-demand download, he said.
US President George W Buch has taken the bame for the Republicans losing the mid-term elections. Mr Bush says as leader of the Republican party he must accept a large part of the reposponsibility for the defeat. Mr Bush says the people have spoken, and they have decided on a new direction. However, he says he is determined to achieve a bipartisan consensus on the way forward for the United States. Mr Bush says he's looking forward to working with the new Democrats house majority leadership team, and will invite them to the White House in the coming days to discuss the legislative program for the rest of this year and into 2007.
News Corporation has announced a 45 per cent jump in first quarter profits to $US843 million dollars.
What the TIMES had to say about Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein used the familiar rants, but his impotence in a country he had once ruled was a sign of how far he had fallen (David Furst)
'A final snarl, then he swaggered out'
By Courtney Kealy
Saddam Hussein is sentenced to be hanged for crimes against humanity WE KNEW he was dead even before he walked through the door. Saddam was expected to be the last of the eight defendants sentenced, but he came into the heavily guarded Iraqi High Tribunal courtroom even as the furore over the first death penalty, pronounced minutes earlier on Judge Awad Hamed al-Bandar, continued. By then it was all over. If they were going to sentence the Chief Judge of Saddam’s puppet Revolutionary Court to death, the former dictator had little chance. But there was still that moment of anticipation. Throughout the morning I had been glancing at my watch as the six earlier defendants were dealt with — Saddam and his half-brother Barzan Ibrahim al-Tikriti were last — and saw it was all going so quickly: 11.20am. 11.30am. 11.40am. A regime that ruled Iraq like a group of medieval despots for 35 years, from Baathist coup to US-led invasion, was ispatched in a series of verdicts that came swiftly and succinctly, lasting less than 40 minutes. Acquittal, three jailed for up to 15 years, life imprisonment for Taha Yassin Ramadan. And then al-Bandar, death by hanging. Saddam, death by hanging. Al-Tikriti, death by hanging. Each standing alone in the dock while being sentenced for crimes against humanity over the massacre of 148 people in Dujail in 1982 after a failed assassination attempt. After the al-Bandar verdict shortly before noon three defence lawyers jumped up, screaming and pointing to one of the guards, shouting: “He’s chewing gum and he’s smiling. He’s laughing at the verdicts.” The judge had no time for any of that. He just said: “Fine.” The guard knew he was going to be thrown out and started walking out of the court. As he left I saw his face and he had this smile that was not unprofessional, but he just couldn’t wipe it off because he knew that the others were going to get the death sentence. Then Saddam just walked in, right after the guard. We were still watching the whole earlier outburst and his entry came as a complete surprise. I turned to my left and looked through the windows of the press box at the back of the courtroom, watching his face coming right towards me. He was smirking and I said: “Oh my God, it’s Saddam.” It was one of the most historic moments I will witness, without question. The judge said: “Please stand and hear the verdict.” Saddam said: “No, I’ll sit.” The guards hoisted him to his feet. He imperiously shook one guard off his right arm, with a haughty: “Don’t bend my arm, stupid.” They reacted carefully, clearly under instructions not to manhandle him and provoke accusations of mistreatment. Chief Judge Raouf Abdel Rahman pronounced: “Death by hanging for the charge of murder, for crimes against humanity.” I looked at my watch: noon at the time the judge declared that Saddam was going to die.
New South Wales Govt in Australia ignored grenade warnings
The NSW Opposition has accused the state government of failing to act on warnings three years ago that rocket propelled grenade launchers (RPGs) were being sold illegally in Sydney. Opposition Leader Peter Debnam said he learned "from the streets of Sydney" that the Russian-made weapons, favoured by terrorists to destroy vehicles, were being offered for sale at $10,000 each. He said he had passed the information on to then police minister John Watkins and Police Commissioner Ken Moroney three years ago in the hope they might act on it. Mr Watkins subsequently changed portfolios but was restored to the police ministry by Mr Iemma after Carl Scully resigned a fortnight ago. Mr Debnam's comment followed a report by News Ltd that a Sydney underworld family may have illegally imported up to 20 of the RPGs four years ago. The RPGs were reportedly smuggled into Australia through a Middle Eastern contact and are now said to be up for sale for up to $50,000 each. The report said a crime family of Middle Eastern background in south-west Sydney had imported the weapons within the past four years, at the height of a drug turf war against a rival family. Both families had been increasing their arsenals during the bloody feud, but one family had gone one step further and obtained the RPGs, the report said. Assistant Commissioner Nick Kaldas said the matter was under investigation, but Australians were not in immediate danger. "We need to go through the investigation before we can actually say definitively whether the stuff is here or not," he told reporters. "But what I can say is no effort is being spared, and I'm very confident ... that there is no imminent threat." Mr Debnam said the launchers in the reports "are exactly the same rocket launchers" he was speaking about three years ago. "My understanding was these weapons were available three years ago. It was clearly part of a criminal gang war then," Mr Debnam told reporters. "Obviously these weapons haven't yet been used, and my understanding is they are still available." The government, he said, had failed to act on the information it was given. However, the NSW government sought to blame federal authorities, saying they were responsible if the rocket launchers have in fact been landed in Australia. "It's a concern because they're not manufactured in this country and the only way they can come are through the borders," NSW Premier Morris Iemma told reporters. "So there is certainly issues with the commonwealth ... both (federal) police and other security organisations."
Iraq prepared for bloodshed Shaken Saddam sentenced to hang
-See News 2 page for full story Granny's Groving Costume Extravaganza!
Madonna tells TV millions her adoption story
MADONNA: WHY I HAD TO ADOPT BABY DAVID
Superstar's chat show rap for critics By Ryan Parry MADONNA almost cried on TV last night as she told how she decided to adopt an African baby to save him from a life of squalor. Fighting back tears, the queen of pop denied that her bid to adopt 13-month-old Malawian boy David Banda was a publi city stunt. Madonna told critics of the adoption to go to Malawi and see the poverty that kids like David face. She told US chat show queen Oprah Winfrey: "If they saw how these children live, they would want to adopt a child. "These children live in huts, with bowls and just one thing to wear, that's their existence." An audience member who saw the interview said: "Madonna seemed very sincere and simply wanted to give David a better life. "She is very upset at all the attention the adoption has brought. "When Oprah asked her about allegations that it was a publicity stunt, you could see she was holding back tears. "But she composed herself and said, 'There is nothing I can say to them to change their minds.'" David's dad, farmer Yohane Banda, said at first that he willingly gave up his son. But in a stunning U-turn last week, he claimed not to have realised that Madonna wanted to adopt David permanently. Madonna, 48, insisted Yohane knew the adoption was permanent. She told Oprah: "He looked me in the eye and said he was happy." The star added that Yohane left David in an orphanage for a year and never visited him once. Madonna recorded the interview in London, on a video link to Oprah's studio in Chicago. The studio audience were shown photos of David playing happily with Madonna's children, Lourdes, nine, and Rocco, five, at the family's £5.7million London home. Madonna told Oprah that she first saw David in a documentary film she's funding about Malawi. A court in Malawi has given Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie custody of David for 18 months. A social worker from London will visit them twice during that time to make sure they are caring for David well enough to adopt him permanently. Malawian children's charities are challenging the adoption on the grounds that it is illegal for foreign couples to adopt kids from the country. That case has been adjourned. Malawian children's charities are challenging the adoption on the grounds that it is illegal for foreign couples to adopt kids from the country. That case has been adjourned.
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Pilates Can Aid Some With Parkinson's
By SARAH SKIDMORE
Associated Press Writer
Movements in Pilates exercises are controlled - sometimes moving the body only inches - but those small motions are making a big difference to some people with Parkinson's disease. No research has been done to prove Pilates' effectiveness in reducing Parkinson's symptoms, but a growing number of patients say they are finding some relief. 'I love it, it's great,' said Karen Smith, 62. 'It exercises muscles that otherwise don't get exercised.' Parkinson's, a degenerative disorder, inhibits a person's ability to control movement. Its most common symptoms include tremors, slowness of movement, rigidity and poor balance. Smith is part of a group that meets twice a week at the Parkinson Center of the Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. The center held a Pilates pilot program earlier this year, and after it found improvement in the participants' rigidity and balance it launched a twice-weekly class open to the public. The center already has a waiting list for its next round of classes. A few Pilates instructors elsewhere around the country also are offering classes specifically for people with the disease. 'It could be any exercise' that might help people, said Kristi Sesso, owner of the Harmony Group Pilates and Gyrotonics studio in Englewood, N.J. 'But Pilates is a great point of access.' Instructors say the basic principal of Pilates - increasing core strength and improving flexibility and balance - is extremely helpful in countering the effects of Parkinson's in some people. 'I never dreamed of trying to do Pilates or anything like that,' said Greg Moore, 59, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's 17 years ago and just started practicing Pilates. 'Now I realized how stiff and boxed up I am.' There are studies that show exercise can ease the severity of Parkinson's symptoms, said Michael S. Okun, national medical director for the National Medical Foundation. However, it needs much further research, he said. 'I tell my patients that exercise is like a drug - if they exercise religiously or stretch religiously, they do great,' Okun said. Pilates participants say the exercises aren't a strain, which makes the program more approachable for patients who don't exercise at all. Additionally, they say, it's supportive to be in a positive environment with other people with Parkinson's. Many Parkinson's patients struggle with depression and some say the exercise has helped them. 'A lot of times exercise is as much for the head as it is for the body,' said John White of Corvallis, Ore. 'To feel like you can help yourself in some way is really important.' White, a former track and wrestling coach, says Parkinson's is a 'seven-day-a-week job.' But he says he exercises religiously and it allows him to continue hiking, golfing and running. Debi LaVietes Clark, owner of Body Balance Pilates where White practices, says she is seeing an increasing number of people brought in by participants who have described how the program helps with flexibility, agility and balance. 'But what I've noticed, first and foremost, is confidence,' Clark said. 'Just because you are diagnosed with a disease doesn't mean the end of the world.'
USA WEEKLY NEWS BEING BACK DOOR LISTED INTO CHAPMANS AN AUSTRALIAN LISTED COMPANY International News Corporation Limited (INCL) which owns the USA WEEKLY NEWS and other internet and newspaper mastheads and world trading and shopping sites, are expect to have revenue of at excess of $USA million per year.This is based a conservative estimate of 1% of the USA population paying $10 a month for all the services offered, without counting for corporate advertising revenue. Chapmans Limited, a little known Australian company listed on the AUSTRALIAN STOCK EXCHANGE, has options to take up 90% OF THE INTERNATIONAL NEWS CORPORATION GROUP (INCL), which owns the USA WEEKLY NEWS, and many other valuable internet and newspaper mastheads. The major shareholders of Chapmans are pushing for the company to be moved from the Australian Stock Exchange to the London's Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Companies that have been listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) for more than three years have virtually automatic listing. Chapmans, an 80 year old venture capital company has been listed for many years on the ASX under the direction of well respected corporate director Borris Ganke of Offshore Oil fame, which was listed on the London Stock Exchange. Last year, the Mecom Group, a media company, raised £50 million by listing on AIM, based on a business plan to purchase small newspapers in Europe and no actual newspapers to start with. Chapmans aim would be to raise further capital on AIM. These funds would be used to develop Chapmans into being a major force in the world media world with a change of name to International News Corporation Limited on AIM listing. Financial consultants have stated that as a result of this restructure, the 90 million issued Chapmans shares have a potential to move towards $10 a share in the next three years, because of the strong potential of media profits in excess of $US300 million a year. In comparison, the Western Australian Newspaper Group shares, which only publishes one newspaper in Western Australia
Update on.... CLAIMS THAT THE AUSTRALIAN TAXATION OFFICE USE HEAVY HANDED TACTICS WHICH MAY BE CHALLENGED IN THE HIGH COURT..... M Eagle an Australian Certified Practicing Valuer (A.A.P.I.) employed by the Australian Valuations Office in Western Australia, has been accused of being involved with a conspiracy to defraud an Australian Taxpayer with officers of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) by producing a fraudulent self serving valuation to help the ATO fraudulently extract extra taxation which is not legally due.. ..moves are being made to have M Eagle civilly and criminally prosecuted, have his valuation license removed and have the Australian Valuations Office remove him from his position pending criminal and civil action....The individulal ATO officers are now knowlingly using wrongful and fraudulent valuations to suport an ammended taxation bill to the Australian Tax payer who is now considering suing the individual taxation officers and the valuer Mr M Eagle for damages for these wrongful actions..... stay tuned......
It is alleged that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is using heavy handed tactics to force a taxpayer into submission.... the full story will be published on the world internet if a settlement is not agreed upon with the ATO and the taxpayer....the story continues with the Australian Taxation Office making up information that really does not exist, and have gone out of their way to leave out important information in a conspiracy by the individual ATO investigators and the Australian Taxation Office to defraud the taxpayer... the way things are heading, the USA WeeklyNews are looking at funding the taxpayer to take legal action against the ATO and the individual ATO investigators for conspiracy to defraud, along with malfeasance of public officers.... the officers will also then be named on the world internet... this will depend on whether the ATO Investigators start to act honestly instead of their current dishonest way of carrying out their investigations....the USA Weekly News will keep you informed...stay tuned...
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Laura Bush
