Vida Guerra Pics

Vida Guerra "Hacked Pics"... click title for link...Adult Eyes Only

If you are looking for the Vida Guerra Pics...http://cyouincourt007.blogspot.com/2005/04/vida-guerra-pics.html

Iran says it will resume activities related to uranium enrichment next week

TEHRAN, Iran (AP): Iran will likely resume some nuclear activities related to uranium enrichment next week, Iran's top nuclear negotiator was quoted by the state-run news agency as saying Saturday.
Hasan Rowhani said it was unlikely the Islamic Republic will resume actual uranium enrichment injecting uranium gas into centrifuges, but that it expects to restart activities at its uranium conversion facility in Isfahan, the official Islamic Republic News Agency reported.

Good Luck Chumps...I stated from the get go...I will be DJing a party until like 3 or 4 am...and at about that time when I drove home and scoped out your crib you guys were gone....u guys suck...don't even waste your time and ask me to go next time...wtf? how do you leave without the dam Captain..good luck fishing Chumps

Alleged Zarqawi Tape Threatens New Attacks

Purported Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi Tape Posted on Internet Threatens More Attacks Against U.S.

CAIRO, Egypt Apr 29, 2005 — An audiotape purportedly by America's most-wanted insurgent in Iraq, Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, posted Friday on the Internet threatens more attacks against U.S. forces and urges followers to be wary of any American attempts at dialogue. The authenticity of the 18-minute tape, posted on a Web site known for carrying messages from Islamic militant groups, could not be determined. The voice on the tape sounded similar to previous audiotapes attributed to the Jordanian-born militant who leads an al-Qaida affiliate in Iraq."After conducting a technical analysis, we assess with high confidence that the voice is that of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi," said a U.S. intelligence official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Kids, blogs and too much info

Children reveal more online than parents know

Marcy's 13-year-old daughter has a knack for switching computer screens or shutting the laptop when mom walks in the room. Like in many families, the two often argue about whether mom has the right to see what her daughter is doing online. The conversation is never really resolved.But a few months ago, Marcy's need to keep up with her daughter's Internet travels took on a new urgency when she found an unfinished message on the screen urging a friend to check out her daughter's picture on a special Web page her daughter had set up....

Mother charged in stabbing deaths of children

Police: Autopsies show children fought back
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Illinois (AP) -- The mother of a 9-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl who were fatally stabbed more than 200 times each inside their suburban Chicago home was charged Friday with two counts of first-degree murder, authorities said.
Tonya Vasilev, 34,a heavy bandage covering her left wrist,appeared in court Friday afternoon and answered the judge's questions in a soft, shaking voice. The judge appointed a public defender to represent her and ordered her held without bail.Investigators believe she was at home Wednesday night when Christian and Gracie Vasilev were killed. The children's father and a friend who had been living with the family discovered the bloody scene when they arrived home that evening.

Police chief settles with couple behind critical websites

CALGARY - Calgary's police chief has reached a settlement with a couple who were involved with websites that accused him of being a "rotten apple" running a "corrupt" administration.Under an out of court deal announced Friday, Police Chief Jack Beaton will get both an apology and $5,000 toward his legal costs after Janette Vahey and Rene Fisher admitted to uploading the websites to the internet.

Woman who vanished days before her wedding is found alive

ALBUQUERQUE (AP) — A 32-year-old woman who vanished just days before her wedding was found alive early Saturday in New Mexico after calling her fiance from a pay phone and saying she had been kidnapped, authorities said.

Jennifer Wilbanks had been missing since Tues., when her fiance reported that she went for her nightly run and didn't come home.Jennifer Wilbanks was safe and in police custody more than 1,420 miles from her home in Duluth, Ga., said Kathy Mabry of the Albuquerque Police Department.The bride-to-be had been missing since Tuesday, when her fiance reported she went for her nightly run and didn't come home, according to Duluth police.

She took off to Mexico to escape "the pressure" of the wedding and ...

North Korea Missile Threat

The head of America's military intelligence says that North Korea has mastered the technology for arming its missiles with nuclear warheads.While Vice-Admiral Lowell Jacoby, the defense intelligence agency chief, told the Senate on Thursday that North Korea was judged to have the "capability" to top its missiles with nuclear warheads he stopped well short of saying it had done so.Even so, his assessment if correct could involve a threat to Japan and even the western US, and goes further than anything officials have previously declared publicly.President George Bush later admitted he was worried about the progress North Korea had made on its nuclear program under its leader, Kim Jong-il."There is concern about his capacity to deliver," Mr Bush said. "We don't know if he can or not, but I think it's best when dealing with a tyrant like Kim Jong-il to assume that he can."Intelligence agency officials meanwhile, sought to play down Admiral Jacoby's testimony by saying he had misspoken.They said the assessment by intelligence agencies of North Korea's nuclear missile capability had not changed.

Youths charged with arson in huge Ontario fire

COBOURG, ONT. - Police have charged a 16-year-old and a 12-year-old with arson in a plastics factory fire earlier this week that forced the evacuation of part of a southern Ontario town and caused millions of dollars in damages.A 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old male each face one charge of arson endangering life in the fire on Monday.Crews from at least four fire departments battled the fire for hours before getting it under control. The town declared a state of emergency and hundreds of people fled homes, businesses and schools, fearing toxic chemicals.

Putin warns Iran on nuclear arms

Russian leader defends Syria missile deal during Israel visit.
JERUSALEM (AP) -- On the first official visit by a Russian or Soviet leader to Israel, Vladimir Putin soothed his hosts by aiming sharp words at Iran over its nuclear program, but he sparred with his Israeli counterpart over a Syrian missile deal the Israelis see as a threat.Reaching into history in a landmark visit meant to boost improving relations after decades of Soviet-era discord, Putin said Russia and Israel are linked by the Holocaust and the millions of Soviet citizens who died in World War II, as well as Israel's large population of Russian-speaking immigrants.Putin also scored points with Israeli leaders by warning Iran not to seek nuclear weapons."It's necessary for our Iranian partners to reject the creation of nuclear cycle technology," referring to enriching uranium, "and not to hinder placing all its nuclear programs under complete international control," Putin said.

Report: NASA Delay's Shuttle Launch Until Mid July

NASA will reportedly delay the launch of the first space shuttle flight since the 2003 Columbia disaster from May until mid-July, amid ongoing concerns over fuel tank debris.Nasa initially set the launch date for May 15, the first possible date in a 20 day launch window. But officials postponed it last week to May 22 before deciding to push it back even further, to mid July.

Pentagon releases photos of fallen U.S. troops

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Under pressure from advocates of open government and a former CNN journalist, the Pentagon has released nearly 300 photos of U.S. troops killed in Iraq, Afghanistan and other conflicts.
The release appears to pre-empt a court ruling that would have decided if the Pentagon could prevent their release to the public.
For years, the Pentagon has not allowed images of fallen soldiers to be released or their caskets to be photographed by media. Defense officials said their policy was implemented out of respect for the families of those killed.Critics of the policy said the photos are public records and that by not allowing the images to be shown, the military is preventing people from seeing the human cost of war.

Jury Returns Death Sentence in GI Killings

Jury Returns Death Sentence Against 101st Airborne Soldier Who Attacked Own Troops
A military jury sentenced a soldier to death Thursday for a grenade and rifle attack on his own comrades during the opening days of the Iraq invasion, a barrage that killed two officers and that prosecutors said was driven by religious extremism.Sgt. Hasan Akbar, who gave a brief, barely audible apology hours earlier, stood at attention between his lawyers as the verdict was delivered. He showed no emotion.

Russian victory festivities open old wounds in Europe

60th anniversary of Nazis' defeat is hit by boycotts and bitterness
As President Vladimir Putin gears up for the biggest spectacular of his five-year rule, Moscow and its former satellites in eastern Europe are mired in rancour and recrimination about the chapter of history they are about to commemorate.Most central and east European leaders are due to join President George Bush, Tony Blair, the German chancellor, Gerhard Schröder, and more than 50 heads of state and government in Moscow next month when Mr Putin will preside over lavish ceremonies to mark Russia's finest hour,the defeat of Nazi Germany 60 years ago.

Cruise ship of the skies ready for business

Airbus A380

Toulouse:The world's biggest airliner, the Airbus double-decker A380, successfully completed its first test flight on Wednesday in one of the most eagerly awaited debuts since the supersonic Concorde took off in 1969.The A380, which is designed to carry 555 passengers but has room for more than 800, touched down almost four hours after soaring smoothly into the French skies from Airbus headquarters near Toulouse in southern France.Link

Will largest jet fly financially? Link

AIR AMERICA SHOOTS OFF AN APOLOGY

Air America and talker Randi Rhodes apologized yesterday for a "bad taste" comedy bit in which President Bush was shot.
The Secret Sevice said yesterday it was looking into the incident to see if it constituted a threat to the president.Rhodes opened her Monday afternoon radio show with an announcer blasting the president for his Social Security plan:"A spoiled child [Bush] is telling us our Social Security isn't safe anymore, so he's gonna fix it for us. Well, here's your answer, you ungrateful whelp: [sound of three shotgun blasts]."The AAARP — the American Association of Armed Retired People [sound of rifle being cocked]. Just try it, you little bastard." ...

Search On For Man Who Attempted To Abduct 11-Year-Old

Man Allegedly Tried To Force Girl Into Car

Miami Dade BOLO
Miami,Fl: Miami-Dade police are on the lookout for a man who attempted to abduct an 11-year-old last Wednesday.The girl told police that she was walking alone on the sidewalk in the area of 200 Street and Southwest 117 Avenue when the man drove past her and stopped his car, blocking her path.According to a police news release, the man grabbed the girl's arm and told her in Spanish to get in the car.The victim was able to run away from the man, who then fled in a green, four-door Honda Civic.

Japan Rail Accident Death Toll Rises

Japanese inspectors are scouring the wreckage of a commuter train for a data recorder amid speculation the train may have been traveling too fast when it derailed three days ago, killing 103 people in the country's worst rail accident in 40 years. People are still trapped in the flattened front carriage of the West Japan Railway Co. train and rescuers haven't determined if they are alive, said fire department official Norio Tamari, indicating the toll may rise.
The train was being driven by a 23-year-old who had 11 months experience and passengers said on the day of the crash he was speeding to make up for a delay at a station. Speeding and an aging automatic train operation system probably led to the accident, Nobuyuki Sato, a transport policy specialist, said.

Maria Sharapova,one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People"

Army Limiting Tactics of Interrogation

The Army is preparing to issue a new interrogations manual that expressly bars the harsh techniques disclosed in the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal, and incorporates safeguards devised to prevent such misconduct at military prison camps in the future, Army officials said.

Heat's Wade one of ‘50 Most Beautiful’

Dwayne Wade Dunk...Sharapova, Beckham also on People magazine list

MIAMI - True story: When the Miami Heat held a private, game-show theme event for season-ticket holders, Dwyane Wade — to his utter disbelief — wasn’t selected as one of the team’s five sexiest players.Wade took plenty of heat from teammates for that snub. Now, he’s getting the last laugh.
Wade, the Miami Heat’s standout second-year guard, is among those listed in People magazine’s annual “50 Most Beautiful People” issue, which hits newsstands Friday.

The Miami Heat Lead 2-0 in their playoff series against the New Jersey Nets.Game 3 tips off Thursday night at Continental Arena.

Top Mexican official resigns

MEXICO CITY - Mexico's attorney general has stepped down, in an apparent attempt to free President Vicente Fox's government from a controversial legal battle with a popular leftist mayor.
Rafael Macedo de la Concha led a campaign that stripped Mexico City Mayor Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of immunity so he could stand trial on charges that he defied court orders in a land dispute.
If Lopez Obrador is found guilty, he could be blocked from running in next year's presidential election.

Sentencing delayed for millennium bomb plot

SEATTLE, Washington (AP) : The sentencing of an Algerian who plotted to blow up part of the Los Angeles airport on the eve of the millennium was postponed Wednesday by a federal judge to give the defendant more time to help the government in its terrorism investigations.

After hearing 2 1/2 hours of arguments and testimony about Ahmed Ressam's level of cooperation with federal investigators, U.S. District Judge John Coughenour decided to delay the hearing until July 28.

Terror threat to U.S. called 'significant'

WASHINGTON (CNN) : The fight against international terrorism remains "formidable" for the United States and its allies, with 651 significant attacks taking 1,900 lives worldwide last year, according to two U.S. government reports released.
The National Counterterrorism Center released statistics on global terrorism simultaneously with the State Department's annual terrorism report.

The State Department report said "international terrorism continued to pose a significant threat to the United States and its partners in 2004."
And the preliminary NCTC report said there were 651 terrorist attacks in 2004 classified as "significant," with 1,907 people killed.

US Military Officials Say Zarqawi Managed Escape in February

U.S. military officials say wanted terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi recently escaped capture by U.S. troops in Iraq, but he left behind several key pieces of intelligence.
A covert military unit tasked with finding the leader of Iraq's insurgency says Zarqawi jumped from a moving vehicle near a checkpoint on February 20, not far from the western city of Ramadi.

Survivor Pulled From Japan Train Wreck

22 Hours Later, Rescuers Pull Survivor From Japan Train Wreck That Killed at Least 81

AMAGASAKI, Japan:At least he was alive. Hours after Japan's worst train crash in decades, rescue teams found Hiroki Hayashi in an open space in the wreckage with his legs badly hurt, but he was still conscious.
Workers, however, faced a major hurdle: they couldn't get the 19-year-old college student out. Rescuers could pass him water and put him on an intravenous drip, but he was pinned down by slabs of metal and the bodies of victims.

Ships break through Newfoundland blockade

ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND - Two ships broke through a blockade made up of more than 30 crab vessels on Tuesday afternoon, escaping a flotilla that has disrupted traffic in Newfoundland's St. John's Harbour since Monday morning.A third vessel, the Maesk Placentia, also tried but failed to get past the crab boats. It got through the Narrows – the famously thin entrance to St. John's Harbour – but then took a sharp turn.Fishing boats chased it and appeared to prevent it from leaving the area.

Proposed Florida Law Would Enforce a Minimum 25 Year Sentence for Sex Offenders

In the southeastern state of Florida, lawmakers have approved tough new legislation to enforce minimum 25-year sentences on sex offenders and monitor them for life. Florida governor Jeb Bush is expected to sign it into law.
Every state in the United States has some form of sex offender registry, which tracks the whereabouts of people who have been convicted and released. There are an estimated 380,000 registered sex offenders in the U.S. But thousands of them have disappeared, possible endangering communities.

Governor Bush signs 'force with force' bill

TALLAHASSEE,Florida: With a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association at his side, Gov. Jeb Bush signed a bill Tuesday intended to make it clear that people have a right to defend themselves on the street, meeting ``force with force'' without fear of being prosecuted.The measure, which passed the Legislature overwhelmingly earlier this year, says that people who are under attack don't have to retreat before responding.

Amber Alert:Police believe girl, 12, abducted by male baby sitter, 25

Wanted in connection to a missing Florida girl:PaulinoPerez-Suspected of taking Margarita Aguilar Lopez

BRADENTON :Police issued an Amber Alert Tuesday for a 12-year-old girl who they say was abducted by a 25-year-old co-worker of her brothers.Margarita Aguilar Lopez was last seen Monday night at a Bradenton motel, where she was staying with two brothers who had left her in the care of Antonio Paulino Perez.

Shot out to our buddy Eddie...and his pimping ride...

Chicago mob sweep

CHICAGO – Fourteen reputed mob figures were charged Monday with murders and other crimes spanning four decades, in what authorities called the most sweeping organized-crime bust in Chicago's rich gangland history."Monday the Outfit takes a hit," U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald said, referring to the Chicago branch of the La Cosa Nostra.Perhaps the most notorious slayings covered in Monday's indictment were of brothers Anthony and Michael Spilotro, who were beaten and buried in an Indiana cornfield in 1986, apparently for skimming mob profits in Las Vegas. The double-murder was later depicted in the movie "Casino."

Several Still Trapped in Japan Train Wreck, 59 Dead

TOKYO- Rescue workers toiled through the night trying to extract several people still trapped in the wreckage of a Japanese commuter train as the death toll rose to 59 in the country's worst rail accident in more than 40 years.Investigations into the cause of the accident were focusing on the speed the crowded train was traveling when it jumped the tracks near the western city of Osaka and smashed into an apartment building shortly after rush hour.

Alleged Afghan Drug Kingpin Arrested

Federal authorities said on Monday they had arrested a top heroin kingpin from Afghanistan who they say provided weapons and manpower to the former Taliban regime.Bashir Noorzai, whom U.S. President George W. Bush has identified as one of the world's most-wanted drug traffickers, is accused of conspiring to import more than $50 million worth of heroin into the United States and Europe, said David Kelley, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, at a news conference.

Wanted:Charles Phillips

Wanted:Charles Phillips
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL Police believe a registered sexual predator removed his tracking bracelet and fled from his home Monday morning.Charles Phillips has a violent past. He is 5'10" and 250 pounds. Phillips was last seen wearing an orange colored t-shirt and tan sweat pants.Call First Coast Crime Stoppers, at 1-866-845-TIPS. You will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward up to $1,000.

Update:Charles Michael Phillips Captured in New York...

Flashback....5 yr old handcuffed in Florida

I originally posted this story on Friday March 18th,2005 but only until recently has it received major attention.Click on title for link to video.
A US lawyer plans legal action against Florida police who handcuffed an unruly five-year-old girl after she acted up in her kindergarten class.A video camera, which was rolling on March 14 as part of a classroom self-improvement exercise, captured images of the girl tearing papers off a bulletin board, climbing on a table and punching an assistant principal before police were called to the Fairmount Park Elementary School in St Petersberg, Florida.Then it shows the child appearing to calm down before three officers approach, pin her arms behind her back and put on handcuffs as she screams, "No!"Largo lawyer John Trevena, who provided the tape to the media after obtaining it from police, says the officers went too far."The image itself will be seared into people's minds when you have three police officers bending a child over a table and forcibly handcuffing her," said Trevena, who represents the girl's mother, Inga Akins."It's incomprehensible ... There was no need for that."

Attack on market near mosque and continued attacks on Police in Iraq

At least 16 people have been killed in twin bombings in a market near a mosque in a Shia area of Baghdad, police say.Some 50 more were wounded in the explosions near the Ahl al-Beit mosque in Shula, in the north of the Iraqi capital at about 2040 (1640 GMT).The blasts came hours after a similar double bombing on a police academy in Tikrit in northern Iraq, which killed at least six people and wounded 33.The market was hit by the first blast from a roadside bomb shortly after nightfall when the area was busy with people enjoying the relative cool after a hot day...

Border Hawk hunts illegals

PALOMINAS, Ariz. -- With a 10-foot wingspan, the ability to reach speeds of 65 mph, onboard cameras and heat-seeking devices, the Border Hawk could become the newest weapon in the government's effort to shut down illegal aliens and drug smugglers.
That's what Chuck Floyd, a retired U.S. Army officer who lives in Maryland and visited last week with the Minuteman Project volunteers here, thinks about a drone airplane being tested in a dusty desert field just north of the Mexican border

Agencies Move to Enforce Immigration Laws

SANTA ANA, Calif. Apr 24, 2005 — Frustrated by illegal immigrant criminals who slip their grasp, a growing number of state and county police agencies nationwide are moving to join a federal program that enlists local officers to enforce immigration laws.
The federal government has already granted that authority in Florida and Alabama, and the program is under consideration in Connecticut, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
It's also in the works in Southern California one of the nation's most ethnically diverse regions where it would reverse a long-standing local police policy of avoiding questions about immigration status during criminal investigations.

Frist: Judges deserve ‘respect, not retaliation’

WASHINGTON - Majority Leader Bill Frist said Sunday it was not “radical” to ask senators to vote on judicial nominees as he hardened his effort to strip Democrats of their power to stall President Bush’s picks for the federal court.
Frist, speaking at an event organized by Christian groups trying to rally churchgoers to support an end to judicial filibusters, also said judges deserve “respect, not retaliation,” no matter how they rule.

Thousands remember Gallipoli

SYDNEY, Australia (CNN) Thousands of people have turned out in Australia for Anzac Day services marking the 90th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings, a vicious World War I campaign in which hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives.
Record crowds attended dawn services around the country remembering the sacrifices made by Australian and New Zealand troops, who under British command fought a nine-month battle against the Turkish forces on the Gallipoli peninsula in northwestern Turkey in 1915.

JibJabs Latest Creation

The folks who brought us "This Land" and "Good to be in D.C" have got a new one.To see jibjabs latest release click on title.It is not anything like their previous goodies and I'll leave it at that.

Finger in chili a `scam,' police say

Anna Ayala faces charges of grand larceny after claiming she found portion of a human finger in bowl of chili at Wendys Restaurant in San Jose, Calif.She's also accused of grand larceny for allegedly bilking a woman out of $11,000 by selling her a mobile home Ayala didn't own.(AP Photo)

Report: Japanese PM to Offer Apology

Japanese Prime Minister to Offer Apology for WWII Invasion, Colonization, Kyodo News Reports

JAKARTA, Indonesia: Japan's prime minister planned to express "deep remorse" over Japan's past aggression against Asian neighbors in a speech Friday at the Asia-Africa summit in Jakarta a move apparently aimed at defusing growing tensions with China."In the past Japan through its colonial rule and aggression caused tremendous damage and suffering for the people of many countries, particularly those of Asian nations," Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said in an advance copy of a speech."Japan squarely faces these facts of history in a spirit of humility," the speech said.

Pelosi pressed for trip records

House Republicans yesterday called on Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to provide documentation to prove that a Washington lobbyist firm did not pay for a trip she and other Democrats took to Puerto Rico in 2001."We feel that such lingering questions undermine the integrity of the institution and we hope [the matter] will be cleared up as soon as possible," wrote Republican Reps. Patrick T. McHenry of North Carolina and Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia.

Measures Needed To Protect Kids

Congress gets Lunsford legislation
WASHINGTON (CNN):Members of Congress on Thursday were introduced to legislation that would require states to keep closer tabs on convicted sex offenders not behind bars.The legislation would be called the Jessica Lunsford Act in honor of the Homosassa, Florida, girl who was allegedly abducted and slain by a convicted sex offender."Jessica Lunsford's murder is a horrifying example of the need for stricter laws regulating sex offenders," said the bill's sponsor, Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, a Florida Republican... Link
Coroner: Jessica Marrie Lunsford Burried Alive
A nine year old girl was raped, bound and buried alive, kneeling and clutching a purple stuffed dolphin, state prosecutors said.
Jessica Lunsford’s body was found on March 19 buried about 150 yards from her house in Homosassa, about 60 miles north of Tampa, Florida Link
Last Saturday, the body of another Florida girl, 13-year-old Sarah Michelle Lunde, was found in a pond.

-Thank You all for participating in the Lunsford Petition and for your help in getting this issue national attention.Continue to press the issue until measures like stricter sentences are enacted to protect children.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner engaged
Hollywood actor Ben Affleck and his girlfriend of nine months, Alias star Jennifer Garner, are engaged to be married.Affleck is said to have popped the question at Garner's 33rd birthday party in California last weekend.

Michael Jackson Case Update

For the grand finale in state's case against Michael Jackson, prosecutor Tom Sneddon hopes to present a shocking story of ...Click on title for link to info...Reader Discretion is advised... for adult eyes only...

OFFICER WHO LET LEWIS ESCAPE FINE IS REPRIMANDED

LATEST: A police officer who let former child star EMMANUEL LEWIS escape a speeding ticket in Georgia will now be reprimanded.Former WEBSTER star Lewis was clocked driving at 70 miles per hour in a 45 miles-per-hour zone last week (ends15APR05), while he was towing a trailer loaded with a sports utility vehicle.

Saudi forces, militants clash in Mecca

JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- Islamic militants clashed with Saudi security forces in Islam's holiest city Mecca and the nearby port city of Jeddah in gunbattles that killed two militants and two policemen Thursday, a day Saudis were going to the polls in the latest round of municipal elections.It was the latest fighting in Saudi Arabia's two-year-long crackdown on al Qaeda-linked militants opposed to the kingdom's ruling family, a campaign that authorities have said they were winning with the killings of several high-level suspects over the past month.

Officer's Gun Falls From Pants, Shoots Man In Other Bathroom Stall

SAN ANTONIO -- This is a story they'll be telling around the San Antonio Police Department for a long time.A police spokesman said an off-duty officer was at a San Antonio auto auction house Wednesday when nature called.Officer Craig Clancy strolled to the appropriate facility and was lowering his trousers when his pistol fell from his waistband. When Clancy fumbled for the falling firearm, it went off twice. One of the bullets nicked a bit of floor tile into the leg of a man who was washing his hands nearby. That man was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Campaign aims to recycle "E waste"

SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- When Earth Day dawned in 1970, optimistic environmentalists predicted emerging technologies would help reduce the nation's reliance on coal, oil, insecticides and other pollutants.But 35 years later, a big part of the problem appears to be technology itself.Tons of computers, monitors, televisions and other electronic gizmos that contain hazardous chemicals, or "e-waste," may be poisoning people and ground water...

Spain puts 24 on trial over support for 9/11 attackers

Europe's biggest court case against Islamist extremists opens in Madrid today with 24 suspected members of al-Qa'ida accused of plotting on Spanish soil the terror attacks in the United States of 11 September 2001.The chief suspect is the Syrian-born Imad Eddin Barakat Yarkas, known as Abu Dahdah. He is accused of masterminding the provision of logistical cover for the suicide pilots who launched one of the attacks on the twin towers in New York in 2001.The trial is the culmination of eight years of investigation by Spain's crusading Judge Baltazar Garzon. Islamist militants leading quiet lives as businessmen, labourers and waiters were found to have operated in Spain for years, allegedly recruiting men for terrorist training in Afghanistan, preaching holy war and laundering money for al-Qa'ida.

Ecuador's former president offered asylum in Brazil

Gutierrez ousted after street protests
QUITO, Ecuador (CNN) -- Brazil's ambassador said Thursday his country has granted asylum to Lucio Gutierrez, the ousted president of Ecuador, and was negotiating with Ecuador to arrange for his safe passage out of the country.The ambassador made the statement in an interview with Radio Colombiano.Gutierrez sought asylum Wednesday from the Brazilian Embassy in Quito.Ecuadorian lawmakers removed Gutierrez from office Wednesday and replaced him with Vice President Alfredo Palacio, following days of intensifying street protests.

Florida man puts car ‘out of its misery’ with pistol

Arrested after firing 5 rounds into hood, he says jail time worth it

MIAMI - Fed up with his troublesome car, a Florida man fired five rounds from a semi-automatic pistol into the hood of the 1994 Chrysler LeBaron.“I’m putting my car out of its misery,” 64-year-old John McGivney said after the incident outside an apartment building in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, according to a police report that listed the car as “deceased.”

Caught On Tape: Elephants Loose In Seoul

Animals Smash Into Restaurant

SEOUL, South Korea -- Six elephants rampaged through Seoul on Wednesday after escaping from an amusement park. Police said a careless zookeeper enabled the elephants to escape.Two of the elephants broke into a restaurant by smashing through the windows.Another charged into an alley and hit a 52 year old woman.Gamekeepers surrounded one of the elephants in the middle of a street before that one could cause any damage.Click title for link to video.

Mary Carey Arrested

LAKEWOOD, Wash. Pornographic film star Mary Carey, who ran for California governor in a recall election in 2003, has been arrested in a raid on a new strip club in a Tacoma, Wash., suburb. Carey, whose real name is Mary Cook, was among those arrested at the new strip club.Five people, including Carey, were taken into custody, while 11 others were given citations. The busts were made at Club Paradise in a Tacoma suburb.All 16 were accused of violating the local adult cabaret ordinance, some by getting too close to customers and others,including Carey,by illegally touching themselves in a sexual manner. No accusations were made of prostitution or other sex acts.

Singer Toby Keith Tracked Down By FBI

LOS ANGELES Even when you know you're squeaky-clean, it's still a bit unnerving to be tracked down by FBI agents.A contingent of FBI agents from the Nashville and Memphis offices tracked down Toby Keith last week, backstage at the 2005 CMT Music Awards.The good news? The purpose of the manhunt was to present Keith with a commendation, honoring the singer for his patriotism and service to the armed forces through his USO trips to Iraq and other overseas outposts. And he'll do it again next month. His appearance at the Academy of Country Music Awards will be via satellite, beamed in from the Middle East.Keith's next album, "Honkytonk University," lands in stores May 17, and his "Honkytonk U" tour kicks off June 10 in Charlotte, N.C.

Vietnam vet calls spitting in Fonda's face ‘a debt of honor'

Kansas City police arrested a 54-year-old man Tuesday night after he allegedly spit tobacco juice into the face of Jane Fonda at a book signing event on The Country Club Plaza.Michael A. Smith, a Vietnam veteran from Kansas City, was charged with disorderly conduct, a city charge.Reached by telephone this morning, Smith called Fonda a “traitor” and said her protests of the Vietnam War were unforgivable.

Giant Antarctic Iceberg Hits Ice Glacier

Antarctic Iceberg Hits Glacier, Smashes Off 3-Mile Block, in 'More of a Nudge Than a Collision'
WELLINGTON, New Zealand Apr 20, 2005 — The world's biggest iceberg has hit the end of an Antarctic glacier, snapping off a block about 3 miles square, a New Zealand scientist said Wednesday.The giant iceberg, known as B15A, had run into the tip of the Drygalski Ice Tongue...

Reports reveal Zarqawi nuclear threat

Recurrent intelligence reports say al Qaeda terrorist Abu Musab Zarqawi has obtained a nuclear device or is preparing a radiological explosive or dirty bomb for an attack, according to U.S. officials, who also say analysts are unable to gauge the reliability of the information's sources.The classified reports have been distributed to U.S. intelligence agencies for several consecutive months and say Zarqawi, al Qaeda's leader in Iraq, has stored the nuclear device or dirty bomb in Afghanistan...

Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar Still Missing

Gricar search persists
The Bellefonte Police Department continued to search for Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar yesterday as officers canvassed the Lewisburg area on foot.The State Police helicopter unit also checked the edge of the Susquehanna River, and a search team looked for the missing district attorney by boat.The police had no other new developments or information after the search yesterday, and Gricar is still considered a missing person, Bellefonte Police Chief Duane Dixon said Monday.
Only days before his disappearance, Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar had announced the prosecution of what the State Attorney General's Office called the "largest heroin operation that we have ever seen in Centre County." The Monday morning following his disappearance, Gricar missed a scheduled hearing for a drug case. Link
Thanks for the Info...

Senate rejects amnesty measure

The Senate yesterday turned back a proposed amnesty for up to 1 million illegal immigrant agricultural workers and their families, though it gained support of more than half the chamber. In the first major vote on immigration policy in almost a decade, the Senate fell seven votes shy of the 60 required to proceed with the amendment, which would have offered the illegal immigrants a three-step path to citizenship.

Argentine Ex Officer Convicted In Spain

'Dirty War' Trial First of Its Kind
MADRID, April 19 -- A Spanish court on Tuesday sentenced a former Argentine naval officer to 640 years in prison for crimes against humanity, convicting him of throwing political prisoners from airplanes during Argentina's so-called dirty war against dissidents.Adolfo Scilingo, 58, was tried for genocide in Spain's first such case under laws allowing the prosecution of crimes committed in another country. The three-judge High Court ruled that "crimes against humanity" was the correct legal term.

Report: Private Screeners Do a Better Job

Congressional Investigation Finds Private Airport Screeners Outperform Government Workers

WASHINGTON: A congressional investigation found airport screeners employed by private companies do a better job detecting dangerous objects than government screeners, according to a House member who has seen the classified report.The Government Accountability Office found statistically significant evidence that passenger screeners, who work at five airports under a pilot program, perform better than their federal counterparts at some 450 airports, Rep. John Mica, R-Fla. and chairman of the House aviation subcommittee, said on Tuesday.

Michael Jackson Case Update

When it comes to this Michael Jackson case I have thought he'd be convicted one day and changed my mind the next. Today it seems the prosecution is making a killing(according to the MSM) but then you here elsewhere the defense is shredding the witnesses on cross examination.To find out the latest on the Jackson case click Here .
RightInTexas

Afghan Woman Gives Birth Aboard Blackhawk Chopper

SALERNO, Afghanistan -- An Afghan mother of 12 has given birth aboard a Blackhawk helicopter that was transporting the woman to a field hospital.Lt. Cmdr. David Barber said he received a call for medical evacuation because a midwife could not help the woman, who had been in labor for 18 hours.Barber said his chopper flew through mountainous passes to reach the patient. Once aboard the helicopter, the woman's husband gave his permission for examination and treatment. A healthy baby girl was born prior to reaching the hospital as the aircraft was doing about 120 knots, 100 feet off the ground.
Mother and child are doing fine.

Runners sprint out of the starting line during the predawn hours to start the 26.2-mile race in the inaugural Iraq/Boston Marathon held at Tallil Air Base, Iraq.U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Lek Mateo.

Troops, Afghans Gather for School Opening

The Gardez Provincial Reconstruction Team and Coalition leaders join Afghan villagers, and the provincial governor, for a grand opening ceremony for the Sadet Khail School.

AHMAD ABA, Afghanistan, April 19, 2005 — A bright spring sun shone off the metal roof of the Sadet Khail School creating a brilliant light among a sea of sand and rocks.Eventually locals hope the school will become a beacon, drawing students from surrounding villages there to further their education.Several hundred people gathered at the school on April 16 for a grand opening ceremony, including the provincial governor, Coalition leaders and dozens of students.The new school replaces a cramped three-room building that was previously used as a school to teach grades one through six. It is more than twice as big as the old school and will teach grades one through nine - about 550 students in all - said Ahmad Gul Ahmadi, the new school’s headmaster.

American troops in Iraq today fought off an insurgent improvised-explosive-device assault.

In other news, a detainee who was being held at Camp Bucca apparently died of natural causes. U.S. Army soldiers patrolling Baqubah encountered insurgents who detonated an IED and unleashed small-arms fire. The Americans returned fire and wounded one attacker. The injured insurgent was taken to a coalition base for medical treatment. No U.S. soldiers were wounded in the attack.

An Iraqi army unit discovered a weapons cache in the Baghdad's Salman Pak area on April 18. The stockpile included mortars, rockets and two cars outfitted to serve as vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices. The Iraqi security forces-led mission involved elements from the Iraqi army, police and public order brigades. Task Force Baghdad officials said the find will help thwart insurgents’ plans to intimidate the local populace and attack Iraqi security forces and coalition troops.

Oklahoma City marks decade since bombing

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (AP) -- With 168 moments of silence, victims of the worst act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history were remembered Tuesday at the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

Some 1,600 people inside the First United Methodist Church fell silent at 9:02 a.m. (10:02 a.m. ET), the moment the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was destroyed exactly 10 years ago.

Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger(on left), seen here with the late Pope John Paul II(right), is now known as Pope Benedict XVI.

New Pope Selected:Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger

Bells Chime, White Smoke Pours From Chimney, Signaling Pope Elected on Second Day of Conclave...
Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger will become the next Pope.He takes the name of Benedict XVI.

Minutemen pronounce border vigil a success

PALOMINAS, Ariz. -- Minuteman Project organizers yesterday declared victory after shutting down a 20-mile stretch of the Arizona border to illegal aliens, but promised to rally "tens of thousands" of new volunteers for a blockade this fall on the U.S.-Mexico border from California to Texas."We did in our first 10 days what the federal government and Congress couldn't do over the past 10 years," Minuteman founder James T. Gilchrist told a cheering crowd of 100 volunteers gathered at a meeting in the organization's guarded base camp mess hall.Nearly 800 Minuteman volunteers have been on duty at one time or another since the border vigil formally began April 1 to protest what organizers described as lax immigration policies of Congress and the White House...

What is an American?

As you probably missed it in the rush of the news last week, but there was actually a report that someone in Middle East had published in a newspaper a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American. So a Pakistani-American engineer wrote the following to let everyone know what an American is, so they would know when they found one.An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek.An American may also be a Canadian, Mexican, African,Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani, or Afghan. ...Click title for Link

8 suspected Taliban killed in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghan soldiers conducting a sweep in a mountain area south of the capital exchanged fire with suspected Taliban rebels, killing eight and capturing 16 in some of the heaviest fighting in months, officials said Tuesday.Mohammed Zahir Azimi, a spokesman for the Afghan defense ministry, said U.S. warplanes joined in the battle Monday in the mountains of southern Zabul province. A spokesman in the Zabul governor's office, Ali Khail, said Chechens and Arabs were among those killed and captured.

EU officials on defensive over holiday hospitality

José Manuel Barroso, European Commission president, was yesterday forced on to the defensive after it emerged he had accepted a holiday on the yacht of a Greek shipping and banking tycoon.Peter Mandelson, the EU trade commissioner, also faced questions about a New Year's holiday in the Caribbean, which he tacked on to an official visit.Both men said there had been no conflict of interest and insisted they had a right to a private life.But the revelations, which were published in the German newspaper Die Welt yesterday, cast light on the lack of any official register showing the receipt of hos-pitality by commissioners.

Iran bans al-Jazeera after riots

Iran has suspended operations by the al-Jazeera television network, accusing it of inflaming violent protests by the country's Arab minority.
Three people have died in ethnic clashes in Iran's south-west Khuzestan province over the past few days.The riots are thought to have been sparked by alleged plans - which the government denies - to change the area's ethnic makeup.Al-Jazeera described the action as "surprising and unjustified".It said it would maintain its "editorial policy of airing the full range of opinions and covering current affairs in Iran objectively and fairly".

Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Introduction : Mining uranium

Uranium is the basic raw material of both civilian and military nuclear programs.It is extracted from either open cast pits or by underground mining. Although uranium occurs naturally all over the world, only a small fraction is found in concentrated ores.When certain atoms of uranium are split in a chain reaction, energy is released. This process is called nuclear fission...Click on title for link.

Wake Up Parents, Our Schools Are On Terrorist Target Lists

Salem, Oregon - Way out in remote Oregon...similar to the remoteness of Beslan, Northern Ossetia, Russia...schools in the Salem-Keizer School District are on a terrorist hit list. Found in Iraq, the Oregon school threat may be startling for pacifist Oregonians who hear this news, but this is how our enemy functions.Still opposed to the Patriot Act?...So...you're still opposed to having armed guards in your local elementary school?...So...you're anti-war and oppose having American military forces fighting terrorism in Iraq.Perhaps you really prefer living in la-la land, oblivious to the serious terrorist threats to American society and American children.Click title for link.I remember the story that went public about laptops found in Iraq containing such information but then later it was retracted,however this is still a good piece to read.

Delegation headed by Raúl Castro begins visit to China

BEIJING, April 18 (PL)—Raúl Castro Ruz, first vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, and second secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC), has been officially received here with the honors of a head of state...click title for link.

Fidel Castro is worth over 500 million dollars while in 2003 the Cuban people received a food rationing of 1 pound of chicken per month.The links between Castro,Hugo Chavez and China should raise concerns and questions.Spain is of no help in the matter as they have been selling arms and military vehicles to Venezuela.Just what is going on when China and Cuba are allegedly gathering troops and weapons in Venezuela.Everything boils down to war strategies...Consider the pending Chinese invasion of Taiwan.What will the U.S. do? Will Americans support losing our soldiers to defend Taiwan? Certainly China has prepared to deal with US battleships and carriers responding to help Taiwan.Are we prepared to lose a Navy Carrier or Battleship and all aboard it? In my opinion World War III began on September 11...The Taiwan situation and China's major military buildup along with their blatant disregard of U.S. intervention makes me wonder what the ultimate strategy is.We should hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

Terrorism Analysis: Sleeper cells in America and EMP Attacks

Sleeper cells in America
'Atomic Iran' explains terrorist threats to U.S. homeland

Until the moment American Airlines Flight 11 slammed into the north tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46:40 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, few people in the United States worried that there might be lethal terrorist sleeper cells living among them. By 9:03:11 a.m., when United Airlines Flight 175 slammed into the south tower of the World Trade Center, most people who watched the tragedy unfold on television realized that they were witnessing a terrorist attack, not an airplane accident.If the mad mullahs can pull it off, the sight of a nuclear cloud roiling over New York or Washington, D.C., would dwarf the glee they derived from our misery over the 9-11 attacks. Link

Unready For This Attack
Recently a Senate Judiciary subcommittee of which I am chairman held a hearing on a major threat to the American people, one that could come not only from terrorist organizations such as al Qaeda but from rogue nations such as Iran and North Korea.An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack on the American homeland, said one of the distinguished scientists who testified at the hearing, is one of only a few ways that the United States could be defeated by its enemies -- terrorist or otherwise. And it is probably the easiest. A single Scud missile, carrying a single nuclear weapon, detonated at the appropriate altitude, would interact with the Earth's atmosphere, producing an electromagnetic pulse radiating down to the surface at the speed of light. Depending on the location and size of the blast, the effect would be to knock out already stressed power grids and other electrical systems across much or even all of the continental United States, for months if not years. Link

China, Japan Make Little Progress on Troubled Relations

A visit by Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura to Beijing did not achieve a breakthrough in easing tensions with China, although Chinese officials say that Tokyo has taken steps in the right direction. This comes as Chinese officials describe the two countries' relationship as being the worst since 1972.Click title for link.
As Capt. Picard would say..."shields up, red alert"....the situation is not getting any better.China is continuing to position missiles and other military equipment and manpower in preparation to takeover Taiwan...more info to come.

Flashback...China buys U.S. satellite data to target Taiwan

China's military is covertly buying U.S. commercial satellite photographs of Taiwan that U.S. intelligence officials say will be used to target the island with the mainland's growing arsenal of cruise and ballistic missiles. Satellite photographs of most of the island are being purchased by China through a South Korean company, U.S. intelligence officials say.The purchase of high-resolution satellite photographs is a new development indicating that China's military is increasing the accuracy of its ballistic missiles targeted at Taiwan and is developing a new land-attack cruise missile, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Disclosure of the missile-targeting reports comes amid recent signs of a thaw in relations between China and Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province. Link

Flashback...Retired U.S. Army Medical Service Corps Major comes out of Retirement To Help Tsunami Victims

We often report stories of our U.S. military and the work they do here at home and while deployed to places such as Iraq, Afghanistan and even the areas ravaged by the recent tsunami....
In January,Bob Holdorf, the retired Army Medical Service Corps major put on his medical cap again for a trip aboard the U.S. Navy Hospital Ship Mercy to serve as the onboard hospital administrator.Although work is familiar, what he saw in Indonesia was not. The USNS Mercy was sent to help with Operation Unified Assistance. It was off the coast of Indonesia from February through mid-March, just a few miles from the epicenter of the earthquake that had caused the tsunami.In an e-mail, Holdorf described what he saw:
"The USNS Mercy arrived in Indonesia six weeks after the tidal wave swamped the city of Banda Aceh. We arrived just as the USS Abraham Lincoln was finishing its work of sending in water and food across Aceh province..."Click title for the rest.

Samples of pandemic flu virus found in 3 foreign warehouses of shipper

Some samples of a potentially deadly flu virus, sent by mistake to thousands of laboratories from October through March, were found last week in FedEx warehouses in Lebanon, Mexico and Chile...WHO alerted health authorities last week that samples of the H2N2 flu virus, the strain that caused the pandemic of 1957 that killed at least 1 million people, were included in kits used to test laboratories' proficiency in identifying unlabeled viruses. The kits were sent to about 5,000 labs in 19 countries.Many samples remain in circulation and exactly how this happened is still unclear.Serious questions and answers should result from this incident, considering the danger if such items were to fall into the wrong hands.

Survivors of Nazi camps remember

FUERSTENBERG, Germany (AP) Hundreds of survivors of Nazi concentration camps gathered in Germany on Sunday for ceremonies marking the liberation of three of the most notorious camps in the Third Reich's vast system: Ravensbrueck, Bergen-Belsen, and Sachsenhausen.
Ravensbrueck, some 100 kilometers (60 miles) north of Berlin near the town of Fuerstenberg, gained infamy as the Nazis' camp for women prisoners, though some men were also held there.While most simply struggled for their own survival, Pierette Pierrot, a French resistance fighter captured in 1944 had an even greater problem -- she was pregnant when apprehended.Today 88, she remembers she was only able to hide her pregnancy from the SS with her baggy prison clothes and the help of others."There was a lot of friendship between all of the prisoners and a lot of help, and only through that could I keep my child," Pierrot said in French...

Some People Will Never Understand

I recently discovered a new comment on an old post...

"I hate american said...
I'm French, so I'll probably use a bad english, but I don't care. Listen, your country have no history, don't know anything about war or misery. But with your 400 years old you try to teach life to other countries. you are all so stupid!! and ridiculous. Your life is made with blood: your land? you stole it! your money: you made it thanks to war! so I can understand that you're a little bit jalouse (according to the fact that our president can eat a bretzell without strangle himself!)
So with my bad english:
Go f*** yourself you're bloody bastard, f***ing piece of sh**.
And especialy: VIVE LA FRANCE!"

My response...In The Loop Welcomes comments from anyone living anywhere.
I am not an expert on French or U.S. history but my knowledge empowers me to express the following...The United States of America has existed for aproximately 240 years.In this time The U.S. has freed, liberated and saved more lives than all other countries combined.If I recall correctly there are a multitude of United States Servicemen and women burried in France.Hitler had just about taken over all of Europe and if not for American and other brave soldiers the French may very well be speaking German today.
People choose to forget attacks leading up to 911 like the bombing of our embassies in Kenya and Tanzania,The U.S.S. Cole attack,the first attempt on the World Trade Center,and who can forget the Aquille Lauro attack where the victim in a wheelchair,Leon Klinghoffer was shot and tossed overboard wheelchair included.The man behind the Aquille Lauro attack Abbu Abbas was arrested in Baghdad,Iraq on April 13,2003 by U.S. Forces in Iraq.
On 911 we were attacked and thousands were killed.After we invaded Afghanistan, it is a known fact that individuals fighting against coalition forces were crossing the border into Iraq and receiving medical attention.After getting medical attention they crossed back and returned to fight coalition forces as have done individuals released from the Guantanamo Prison.Zarkawi a known terrorist received harbor in Iraq and remains a target.President George W. Bush clearly advised all those harboring,funding,supporting...terrorist will be held to answer.
The U.N. peacekeeping troops raping who? The oil for food scandal what? The only thing most people seem to understand lately is war for oil and evil americans.If this is the level of brain power you posses I will make this simple...Recall your day's as a child and the lunchroom bully.If you gave him your apple or lunch money once...then it was understood you were doomed....however if on his first attempt to intimidate you,he received a blow square accross his jaw.Then it was understood by him and the rest of the chumps in the cafeteria...you mess with me...I'm going to open a can of "whoop ass" on you.As for America...I hope the message is loud and clear...kill our citizens,support,harbor and assist those who wish to wreak havoc upon US and you will be dealt with.

Providence Detective Killed With Own Gun

Providence Detective Killed With Own Gun at Headquarters by Man He Was Questioning

A Providence detective was killed with his own gun at police headquarters Sunday by a suspect who was not handcuffed and managed to get hold of the weapon, the police chief said.The killing of James Allen, a 27-year veteran, comes after a series of attacks that have raised concerns about the security of those who work in the criminal justice system.

Update: Alleged Cop Killer Appears In Court

Esteban Carpio, 26, did not enter a plea in Providence court to a murder charge over the death of James Allen, who was questioning him on Sunday about the stabbing of an elderly woman.Police said Carpio, who was not handcuffed, got hold of Allen's gun and shot him twice, then broke a third floor window and jumped out. He was captured after a prolonged struggle a few blocks away, police said.In court, Carpio's face was badly swollen and disfigured from bruises and his hands and legs were shackled. Sheriffs wrestled his mother and another woman out of the courtroom as they screamed about police brutality. Link

Iraqi Boy, 10, Gets New Legs in America

Surgeon, Prothetics Firm Make Donations to Help Wounded Iraqi Boy Walk Again

Kent, Ohio, Ten-year-old Majid Fadhil is a long way from his home, his parents and his six siblings in Kut, Iraq, getting a very special gift — artificial legs and the ability to walk again.Majid was hurt while walking home from school in Kut, in southeastern Iraq, with a younger cousin and other friends in February 2004. The cousin stepped on something — it's not clear whether it was a roadside bomb planted by Iraqi insurgents, a stray grenade or a landmine — and triggered an explosion. His cousin was killed. Majid lost his legs just below the knees.

Bound for Iraq, with our prayers

PRIME Minister John Howard farewelled Iraq-bound troops yesterday, sending with them the prayers and support of Australians.

Members of the Al Muthanna Task Group have already begun departing for southern Iraq.Mr Howard told soldiers and their families they were greatly admired by Australians, who wished them a safe mission replacing 1400 Dutch soldiers as security for Japanese military engineers."Can I say, on behalf of the nation, thank you for what you are doing," Mr Howard told the group."We admire you, we respect your professionalism, we know that you will do good things in the name of our country."

For relief in Iraq, a soldier marathon

More than 200 troops will join Boston Marathoners in spirit Monday to run in the desert.

Monday on Patriot's Day, as 20,400 runners tackle America's oldest marathon, in Boston, 265 soldiers in southern Iraq will be joining them in spirit to run the first-ever "Iraq/Boston Marathon."

Seven Story High Wave Hits Cruise Ship

New York-Bound Cruise Ship Forced to Dock in S.C. After Being Struck by Seven-Story-High Wave

A seven-story-high wave damaged a cruise ship returning from the Bahamas over the weekend, smashing windows, flooding more than 60 cabins and injuring four passengers.The Norwegian Dawn was diverted from its route when the ship ran into rough weather on the way back to New York. The 965 foot long vessel was docked in the Charleston harbor by late Saturday afternoon for repairs, officials said.The ship was hit by a freak wave that caused two windows to break in two different cabins," Norwegian Cruise Line said in a statement. It said 62 cabins flooded and four passengers had cuts and bruises. The wave reached as high as deck 10 on the ship...

Marburg Death Toll Continues To Climb

Luanda - The death toll from the Marburg virus epidemic in Angola rose to 235 on Sunday with about 500 people under surveillance after coming in contact with the Ebola-like virus, the health ministry and the World Health Organization said. Health officials are treating a total of 257 cases of the killer Ebola-like bug that has claimed 219 lives in the northern province of Uige, the epicentre of the outbreak that was first detected in October, according to a statement from the ministry and the WHO...

Japan Foreign Minister to Hold Talks in Beijing Amid Protests

April 17 (Bloomberg) -- Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura flew to Beijing during a third weekend of antiJapan protests in China, as concern mounts that a widening rift in relations may hurt trade with Japan's biggest export market.Machimura is scheduled to hold talks this afternoon with counterpart Li Zhaoxing as both sides blame the other for attacks on Japanese diplomatic missions and businesses in Shanghai and other cities. Japan's Trade Minister Shoichi Nakagawa said the demonstrations raise concerns among international companies about investing in China. China, with Hong Kong, surpassed the U.S. last year as Japan's main trading partner for the first time. Trade with China totaled 22.2 trillion yen ($206 billion) last year, accounting for a fifth of Japan's total.

Cardinals Formally End John Paul's Reign

VATICAN CITY Apr 16, 2005 — Cardinals destroyed Pope John Paul II's ring and lead seal Saturday to formally end his reign, while the Vatican expressed confidence that jamming devices and other unprecedented precautions would keep the name of the new pope secret until it is announced to the world from a balcony overlooking St. Peter's Square.

Calgary police stir controversy with road rage campaign

CALGARY - Calgary police are trying to curb road rage with a controversial new method: instead of writing tickets, they're writing letters. In the past citizens called police to report reckless drivers ut officers could not issue tickets since they had no clue who was driving the vehicle in question.Now in response to this they are writing letters to the registered owner in an effort to address the problem.Calgary police say they won't act on anonymous complaints and won't use the letters in future investigations.

Rosa Parks, OutKast settle suit

DETROIT -- Rosa Parks and hip hop artist OutKast have settled a 1999 lawsuit in which lawyers for Parks accused the group of wrongly using the civil-rights pioneer's name in a song title.Under the settlement, OutKast and co-defendants Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Arista Records LLC and LaFace Records will work with the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development to develop educational programs "to enlighten today's youth about the significant role Rosa Parks played in making America a better place for all races," according to Rosa Parks's guardian Dennis Archer.

"Anti-Japan violence inexcusable"

The following editorial appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on Thursday:

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao's latest remark about anti-Japanese demonstrations in his country can only be interpreted as an attempt to justify these violent mass demonstrations.Wen's statement was the first of its kind to be made by a Chinese leader about the recent anti-Japanese protests in Beijing and some other major cities in China. Wen described the demonstrations as rallies against a Japanese bid to gain a permanent seat on the U.N. Security Council, saying, "Strong responses from the Asian people should make the Japanese government reflect deeply and profoundly."...

Search under way for missing Pennsylvania District Attorney

BELLEFONTE, Pa. Authorities are searching central Pennsylvania for a prosecutor who was reported missing after he failed to return home from a drive on Friday.Police say Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar had taken the day off and was last heard from on a cell phone call at about 11:30 a-m. He said he was en route to another county.Authorities say the 59-year-old D-A didn't return home that night and hasn't called his home or office since then. And they say there's been no activity on his cell phone or credit cards.

Update: D.A. Ray Gricar Still Missing

Gricar has not been heard from since 11:30 a.m. Friday, when he called Fornicola and said he was taking a drive along state Route 192 in the Brush Valley area.The red and white Mini Cooper he was driving was found in a dirt parking lot next to an antiques market in Lewisburg Saturday evening. It was undamaged, and yielded no clues as to Gricar's whereabouts.Bellefonte Police Chief Duane Dixon said a multitude of police agencies are involved in the investigation, including the FBI, which has been asked to help local police access details about Gricar's cell phone and banking records. Link

In The Loop is closely following this story...Be sure to visit homepage for updates and develoments,like a recent polygraph exam administered on his girlfriend....which she passed.

Gary Sheffield Incident Involving Fan Under Investigation

Baseball officials opened an investigation Friday into the scuffle between Yankees right fielder Gary Sheffield and a Red Sox fan — as Sheffield toyed with the idea of pressing charges.“We're not going to rule out any possibilities at this time,” Sheffield's agent.Sheffield says he was hit in the mouth when Red Sox fan Chris House reached over the right-field wall Thursday night at Fenway Park in Boston.

Honorable mention for our buddy Mars serving in Iraq,Were Proud of You,Be Safe...Salutes from Miami To a Real Hero
Semper Fi...

Wholphin Kekaimalu, has a whale of a calf

HONOLULU — A mix of a false killer whale and bottlenose dolphin, the only such cross in captivity, has given birth to a female calf, according to officials at Sea Life Park Hawaii.The young wholphin is one-fourth false killer whale,which actually is a member of the dolphin family and three-fourths Atlantic bottlenose dolphin.Kekaimalu, whose name means "from the peaceful ocean," was born 19 years ago after a surprise coupling between a 14-foot, 2,000-pound false killer whale and a 6-foot, 400-pound dolphin.

Nicole Richie No Longer on Simple Life with Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton and Nichole Richie

Argentina Website: "Kill Bush To Save The World,Be a donor or an assassin"

I read spanish and there's pretty much no doubt as to what the proposition is on this website,but as for actual criminal intent or inciting violence I'll leave that up to the Secret Service and the readers discretion.
Examples of some of the ways suggested to kill President George W. Bush I read at Argentinan Website

Depressurazation via a compression chamber with a window so we can enjoy watching him suffer and beg...
Beat him to death
Kamikaze
Carve him,skin him,remove organs
Darts laced with STD "the crabs"
Club him to death....
These are a few examples of what I saw while glancing over the site.Title is link to site.For translation use LanguageTools but it's shotty at best...I did some translations to see results and they ranged from near ballpark to hilarious.

Website gagged as Calgary police chief wins court order

CALGARY - A website critical of Calgary's police chief and his senior managers has been shut down, after the chief used a rare legal tactic to seize a computer from a private home.
Chief Jack Beaton obtained a civil court order this month to enter the home of a civilian police employee and seize the computer...

Monaco bids farewell to Rainier

The three children of Monaco's Prince Rainier III by the U.S. actress Grace Kelly have bade farewell to their father at a funeral service attended by royalty and political leaders from around the world.Ten uniformed members of the royal guard carried Rainier's coffin through the black draped gates of the royal palace and along a short route lined by crowds to the 19th century cathedral...

Empty beer bottles sought as clues in missing girl case

RUSKIN, Florida (CNN) -- Florida police have asked volunteers who are searching for a missing 13-year-old girl to look for empty beer bottles that they say could be connected to a registered sex offender who visited the girl's home.Sarah Michelle Lunde disappeared five days ago from her home in Ruskin, Florida, which is about 10 miles south of Tampa. The girl was last seen wearing a green half-cast on her left forearm.

Update:April 16,2005-Body Found in Search for Florida Girl,Sarah Michelle Lunde 13

The authorities said on Saturday that they were "almost positive" they had found the body of a missing 13-year-old girl after recovering a corpse from a pond that appeared to match her description, down to a bright green cast on her left wrist. Link
Update:April 17,2005-Sheriff: Sex offender confesses in killing of Sarah Lunde
Man who dated Florida girl's mother charged with murder Link

More U.N. officials tied to Oil For Food Scam

They are cited but not named in U.S. charges against South Korean

UNITED NATIONS - Two high-ranking U.N. officials have been cited in a U.S. criminal complaint against a South Korean businessman who was at the center of a 1970s congressional corruption scandal and is now accused of accepting millions of dollars from Iraq related to the U.N. oil-for-food program....

Iran denies smuggling of uranium from Isfahan site

Comparison of Pakistan Nuclear Site with site in Iran Link

Miami Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez statement regarding Villaronga's death

"Father Villaronga touched the lives of thousands of people in our community, particularly those who participated in his family encounter programs. For more than 50 years, Father Villaronga dedicated his life to serving others. From his humble beginnings in Cuba to his immigration to Miami in 1963, he was a visionary. He was among the first religious leaders in our community to broadcast religious programming. Father Villaronga will be missed, but his legacy will always be remembered."-Miami Dade Mayor Carlos Alvarez.Click title for more info...I found a site with backgroud info and quotes from him en espanol so use google LaguageTools if needed... Link

Popular Catholic priest killed in car crash

The Rev. Angel Villaronga, a popular priest who hosted a show on a local Catholic radio station, died in a car accident Tuesday evening in Miami Fl.

I found out about this @ my sister's blog OurLives
"My mom told me that a priest that we knew while I was growing up died last night in a car accident. I was raised Catholic as a child. The Rev. Angel Villaronga helped my family through many hard times. He was ALWAYS there for my mom. It is sad he died because someone else took a red light, they hit his car and then another. Everyone but him walked away. The guy that ran the red light was cited a ticket and went on. The other people were not injured... "EternalLife23. My sisters hubby Larry,started his own blog... Our Lives…The Other Half .Thanks Larry for being an original In The Loop blogtrooper and for being great to my neices and nephews.

TRYST TEACHER'S SHAME

A Manhattan highschool teacher slept with her student for months and got pregnant with his child but gave him only a barely passing 65 in social studies class, according to a bombshell report obtained by The Post...The 18-year-old boy shrugged off the grade, but couldn't forgive his teacher, Rhianna Ellis, 25, for reneging on her promise to abort the pregnancy...

Democrats Gone Wild...

Breaking into Republican campaign offices,stealing laptop computers,slashing/vandalizing vehicles intended to drive people to vote(so low and dirty),crack for votes,dead voters,defacing Bush Cheney signs on people's property and on banners with nazi insignias,pie and salad dressing attacks,calls for suicide of public officials,and now implying that killing our President would be patriotic...The pattern of all these incidents and those I failed to mention is outright disturbing.I am really concerned about the stamp and other such items inciting violence or that some nutjob is going to kill somebody one of these days.

Dems Continue Delay Attack...

The Democratic National Committee is distributing a fake mug shot of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay as part of its concerted effort to drive him from office. Link

When will they get over it and get to business...all they seem to know how to do lately is delay,stall and filibuster...

Secret Service Investigating Stamps With Gun To Presidents Head

The Secret Service sent agents to investigate a college art gallery exhibit of mock postage stamps, one depicting President Bush with a gun pointed at his head.The exhibit, called "Axis of Evil: The Secret History of Sin," opened last week at Columbia College in Chicago Link

Volunteers, officers search for missing girl

Missing:Sarah Michelle Lunde

RUSKIN -- Law enforcement officers and more than 50 volunteers continue to search across southeast Hillsborough County Wednesday for 13-year-old Sarah Michelle Lunde of Ruskin.Hillsborough Sheriff David Gee said foul play is suspected in the disappearance of the girl. Mounted units will be used in the search later today.

Barbara Boxer Tells News Editors to Back Democrats in Filibuster Fight

Senator Barbara Boxer attended the opening session of the American Society of Newspaper Editors conference in Washington on Tuesday. In remarks to those newspaper editors the California liberal pleaded with the editors to "explain why a vocal minority in the Congress is essential for a democracy and why it is essential for you."... "You have a dog in that fight. Your whole basis of what you do is exercising that freedom of speech. These checks and balances are crucial for all of us. We exercise them.”

Two more Indonesian volcanoes rumble

Air Batumbo, Indonesia — Scientists warned hikers and visitors to stay away from two more Indonesian volcanoes Wednesday, a day after another volcano spewed ash on disaster-stricken Sumatra Island and forced about 25,000 people to flee.Sensors on the slopes of the two mountains Anak Krakatoa on the southern tip of Sumatra Island and Tangkuban Prahu in Java – picked up an increase in volcanic activity and a buildup of gases...

Cat lovers vow to fight hunting plan

MADISON, Wis. — Although Wisconsin residents have voiced their support for a plan to legalize wild cat hunting, some legislators and cat lovers say they will continue their fight to ensure it doesn't become law.The proposal would allow licensed hunters to kill free-roaming cats, including any domestic cat that isn't under the owner's direct control or any cat without a collar.Outdoor enthusiasts approved the proposal 6,830 to 5,201...

Labs destroy pandemic flu strain at urging of WHO

GENEVA (AP) — Countries around the world were destroying vials of a nearly 50-year-old killer influenza virus Wednesday that were sent to thousands of labs as part of a routine test kit, raising fears of a global pandemic.The World Health Organization said Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Singapore had already destroyed their samples, while laboratories in Japan were doing the same. Germany said all its vials had been destroyed through exposure to extreme heat...

Miami Gas Prices

Currently the lowest regular gas price is $2.21 @ Westar 135st & n.w. 27th Ave...and the highest is $2.61 a gallon in Miami Florida.To see a list of the lowest gas prices available locally,along with name and address info click title.List updated frequently...I will look into info for other cities and where you could find cheap gas,if anyone has info or requests post a comment.I use medium grade but I get it @ one of the gas stations listed in link and the price is cheap too.

Stratellite: Robotic Broadband Airship

San Bernadino, California - Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a "Stratellite", and its makers believe it will revolutionise the broadband and wireless industry; if it ever gets off the ground.Wisconsin communications company Sanswire on Tuesday unveiled its almost-finished prototype of a hard-framed, unmanned airship designed to fly in the stratosphere 21km above the earth and send broadband and cellphone signals to an area the size of Texas.

Lebanon PM Resigns, Says Still Time for Elections

BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's pro-Syrian prime minister quit on Wednesday, abandoning efforts to form a government to lead the country to general elections, but added there was still time to hold the poll on time in May.Prime Minister Omar al-Karami said he had hit a wall in trying to form a cabinet, whose main task would be to supervise the elections which the United States and United Nations say must go ahead on time.

Laptop-controlled mine system headed for Iraq

NEW YORK (AP) -- U.S. troops in Iraq will soon be able to lace their defensive perimeters with a high-tech, multi-pronged version of one of the most effective weapons in their enemy's playbook: the remote-controlled bomb.
By June, soldiers in the Army's Stryker Brigade, which operates mainly in and around the northern city of Mosul, will be able to pick out an individual anti-personnel munition from a minefield of hundreds and explode it by pushing a computer's touch screen from many yards away.

Ex-Con Accused in Slayings Caught in Georgia

Ex-Convict Suspected in Two Murders Arrested; Authorities Nab Him After Lunch at Ga. Mall
Stephen Stanko is being held in an Augusta area jail awaiting a federal court appearance Wednesday. His arrest Tuesday came a day after authorities launched a nationwide manhunt for the convicted kidnapper and only hours after federal investigators offered a $10,000 reward for his capture.Stanko, 37, faces two counts of murder and one count of rape in South Carolina, along with a federal charge of unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, officials said...

Teens bust limo driver for wild prom ride

WINTER SPRINGS, Fla. - Ten teens hired a limo so they'd get to their prom all in one piece - but ended up helping bust their chauffeur on drunken driving charges.Patrick Curley, a senior at Winter Springs High School, used his cell phone to call home Saturday and told his parents the driver had ignored stop signs, cut off other vehicles and veered onto the wrong side of the road.Robert Curley told his son to tell the driver to pull over. When she stopped, the students grabbed the keys out of the ignition...

School principal fired for inaction

COLUMBUS, Ohio : A girl with disabilities was punched and forced to engage in videotaped sexual acts with boys in a high school auditorium as dozens of students watched, witnesses said.Authorities were investigating, and no charges had been filed in the alleged attack last month at Mifflin High School. Four boys suspected of involvement were sent home and had not returned.The principal, Regina Crenshaw, was suspended and would be fired for not calling police, school officials said. Three assistant principals were suspended.

University Dance Team Too Sexy For Elderly Alumnus

Dancers Say School Officials Encouraged Sexier Routine

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- San Jose State University officials have pulled the plug on dirty dancing.The school suspended its dance team after a confrontation between a student dancer and an elderly alumnus.Ray Silva, 74, admitted he "came unglued" after watching the dance team's performance at a basketball game last month.He said their routine to LL Cool J's "Move Somethin"' was vulgar and full of bumps and grinds.But the dancers said the team was simply giving officials what they want.

Police Tackle Suspicious Man at U.S. Capitol

WASHINGTON — Capitol Police tackled a man Monday afternoon who had been standing near the west front of the U.S. Capitol Building after he refused to move away from two bags authorities feared may contain explosives. The incident had forced police to evacuate that side of the Capitol in fear of a possible explosion.He was tackled by two policemen, dragged to an ambulance and taken away...

Large crowd attacks police during arrest

East London, South Africa...Police used stun grenades and rubber bullets to control about 1 000 residents at Diviwe township in Komga who tried to prevent the arrest of a man for assault on Sunday.A 20-year-old man died during the fray.Police spokesperson Inspector Stephen Marais said the Komga police had to call for back-up as the mob stoned and attacked them in order to prevent them from leaving with the suspect.

China media gagged over protests

A media blackout over anti-Japanese demonstrations was in effect across China on Monday despite an escalation in the number of demonstrations, and foreign media were kept away from the Japanese Embassy in Beijing after it was pelted with rocks and eggs by protesters over the weekend.

Makati guards undergo anti-terror training

Makati’s Sangguniang Pan-lungsod has passed an ordinance that will require all private security agencies and guards in Makati to undergo mandatory training on safety, security and disaster management as part of the requirement before they can be granted permits to operate in Makati. This is a good step and we hope that all cities in Metro Manila adopt a similar requirement.

Capital Murder Charge Filed In Killing Of Newton Deputy

NEWTON, Kan. A Newton man was charged Monday with capital murder in the weekend shooting death of a Harvey County sheriff's deputy.Gregory A. Moore, 46, is accused of opening fire on Deputy Kurt Ford and Hesston Police Detective Christopher Eilert when they barged into his home early Saturday.Authorities say Moore had slammed the door on the officers when they answered a call from a teenager saying her mother was being beaten.Ford, 38, was killed. Eilert was shot four times but survived.

Indiana teen threatens the State House

An Indiana teen has been arrested for apparently threatening to blow up the Indiana State House. Police in Rushville say 18-year-old Randal Robbins had two improvised explosive devices in the trunk of his car when they found him.

U.S.-Iraqi Forces Launch Big Baghdad Raid

U.S.-Iraqi Raid in Baghdad Nets Dozens of Suspects; Kidnappers of Pakistani Official Seek Ransom

Hundreds of U.S. and Iraqi forces launched their biggest Baghdad raid in recent weeks, moving on foot Monday through a central neighborhood and rounding up dozens of suspected insurgents, the military said.About 500 members of Iraq's police and army and a "couple hundred" American soldiers swept through buildings in the Rashid neighborhood, detaining 65 suspected militants...

Arena Football League player dies after suffering injury on the field

Former NFL defensive lineman Al Lucas died Sunday from a presumed spinal-cord injury sustained while trying to make a tackle for the Los Angeles Avengers during an Arena Football League game, the team said.Lucas was pronounced dead at California Hospital after attempts to revive him were unsuccessful, team physician Luga Podesta said in a statement.Lucas, 26, was injured during a kickoff return in the Avengers' 66-35 victory over the New York Dragons....

N.J. Shooting Leads to Chase,Police Standoff With Suspect Holding Hostage

Man Shoots Daughter's Grandfather, Flees With Baby and Mother; in Standoff With N.J. Police

IRVINGTON, N.J. The father of a 4-month-old girl shot and wounded the infant's grandfather Monday, fled in a car with the baby and her mother, and then was in a standoff with police after a chase across the state, authorities said.A statewide alert was issued and the car stopped in a parking lot in a neighborhood outside Phillipsburg, in western New Jersey nearly 60 miles from Irvington, where the shooting happened.

China Premier Starts Talks in India on Trade, Borders

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao begins talks in India today, seeking to settle a half-century-old border dispute and create what would be the world's biggest free-trade zone. The visit, the first by a Chinese leader in three years, may seek to resolve historic rivalries and boost commercial ties between the fastest growing major economies, home to two fifths of the world's people including half of its poor...

World's most influential named

VATICAN power-broker Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, Iraq terrorist leader Abu Mousab al-Zarqawi and a little-known school teacher have been named on Time magazine's list of the world's most influential people.They join US President George Bush and 96 others on the annual top 100 chart.The grab-bag of politicians, activists, artists and sports figures mixes heroes with the notorious and brings together rivals like Chinese leader Hu Jintao and his Taiwanese adversary Chen Shuibian... Link .....Heros and Icons... Princess Diana Title is main link for Worlds most influential info.

Zarqawi had a close call with Marines...
"He's going from brush pile to brush pile just like a wet rat," said Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, whose 1st Marine Expeditionary Force is back home at Camp Pendleton, Calif., after months of intense combat in Anbar province... Link