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President of China lunches with Brazilian President

{{date|November 13, 2004}} {{Brazil}} {{w|Hu Jintao|Hu Jintao}}, the {{w|President of the People's Republic of China|President}} of the [[People's Republic of China]] had lunch today with the {{w|President of Brazil|President}} of [[Brazil]], {{w|Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva|Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva}}, at the ''Granja do Torto'', the President's country residence in the {{w|Brazilian Federal District|Brazilian Federal District}}. Lunch was a traditional Brazilian {{w|barbecue|barbecue}} with different kinds of meat. Some Brazilian ministers were present at the event: {{w|Antonio Palocci|Antonio Palocci}} (Economy), {{w|pt:Eduardo Campos|Eduardo Campos}} ({{w|Ministry of Science and Technology (Brazil)|Science and Technology}}), {{w|João Roberto Rodrigues|Roberto Rodrigues}} (Agriculture), {{w|Luiz Fernando Furlan|Luiz Fernando Furlan}} (Development), {{w|Celso Amorim|Celso Amorim}} ({{w|Ministry of External Relations (Brazil)|Exterior Relations}}), {{w|Dilma Rousseff|Dilma Rousseff}} (Mines and Energy). Also present were {{w|pt:Roger Agnelli|Roger Agnelli}} ({{w|Vale (mining company)|Vale do Rio Doce}} company president) and Eduardo Dutra ({{w|Petrobras|Petrobras}}, government oil company, president). This meeting is part of a new {{w|political economy|political economy}} agreement between Brazil and China where Brazil has recognized mainland China's {{w|socialist market economy|market economy}} status, and China has promised to buy more {{w|economy of Brazil|Brazilian products}}. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|Workers' Party (Brazil)|Brazilian Workers's Party}} *{{source | url = http://br.news.yahoo.com/041113/25/p0en.html | title = Presidente da China almoça churrasco com Lula | author = {{w|Agência Estado}} | pub = Yahoo! Notícias | date = November 13, 2004 | lang = pt | brokenURL = true | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20051030032711/http://br.news.yahoo.com/041113/25/p0en.html | archivedescription = archived on archive.org, 2005-10-30 }} *{{source |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-102429439.html |title=Chinese president treated to typical Brazilian barbecue |author={{w|Associated Press}} |pub=HighBeam Research |date=November 13, 2004 | brokenURL = true | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20160421214654/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-102429439.html | archivedescription = archived on archive.org, 2016-04-21}} *{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/americas/4008499.stm |title=Brazil backs China on trade bid |author= |pub=BBC News |date=November 12, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-05/24/content_333379.htm |title=Brazil sees market economy in China |author= |pub=China Daily |date=May 24, 2004}} == External links == * [http://www.brasil.gov.br/ Brazilian government website] {{pt}} * [http://www.embchina.org.br/por/ China embassy in Brazil (in Portuguese and Chinese)] {{publish}} {{archived}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:South America]] [[Category:Asia]] [[Category:Brazil]] [[Category:China]] [[Category:India]] [[Category:Hu Jintao]] [[Category:Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] [[Category:Dilma Rousseff]] [[Category:Petrobras]]

Hu Jintao, the President of the People's Republic of China had lunch today with the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, at the Granja do Torto, the President's country residence in the Brazilian Federal District. Lunch was a traditional Brazilian barbecue with different kinds of meat. Some Brazilian ministers were present at the event: Antonio Palocci (Economy), Eduardo Campos (Science and Technology), Roberto Rodrigues (Agriculture), Luiz Fernando Furlan (Development), Celso Amorim (Exterior Relations), Dilma Rousseff (Mines and Energy). Also present were Roger Agnelli (Vale do Rio Doce company president) and Eduardo Dutra (Petrobras, government oil company, president). This meeting is part of a new political economy agreement between Brazil and China where Brazil has recognized mainland China's market economy status, and China has promised to buy more Brazilian products.

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Palestinians to elect new president on January 9

[[File:Mahmoud abbas.jpg|frame|left|Mahmoud Abbas]] {{Palestine}}{{byline|date=November 14, 2004|location=[[w:Ramallah|RAMALLAH]]}} Acting president {{w|Rawhi Fattuh|Rawhi Fattuh}} has announced today that [[Palestine|Palestinian]] elections will be held on January 9. Futtuh, head of the {{w|Palestinian National Authority|Palestinian parliament}}, was sworn in hours after the death of {{w|Yasser Arafat|Yasser Arafat}} on Thursday, and Palestinian Basic Law dictates that he may only serve up to two months before elections are held. New leadership could prove to be the key to revitalizing the peace process in the {{w|Middle East|Middle East}}, as both [[Israel]] and the [[United States]] had refused to work with Arafat. The ''{{w|Haaretz|Haaretz}}'' had initially reported that former prime minister {{w|Mahmoud Abbas|Mahmoud Abbas}} was selected by the {{w|Fatah|Fatah}} central committee as their candidate for president, but Abbas has denied this, saying, "the matter is still being discussed." There have also been conflicting reports on whether or not jailed Palestinian leader {{w|Marwan Barghouti|Marwan Barghouti}} will run. Barghouti is currently serving five life sentences in Israel for attacks against Israelis. Nonetheless, he remains a popular figure among Palestinians for his role in the Palestinian uprising, and could potentially win the election if he decided to run. A win by Barghouti could put Israel in an awkward spot; however an Israeli official said this week that he would not be freed, and a landslide win by Barghouti would signify to them that the Palestinians were not yet ready for peace. == Sources == {{wikipedia|Palestinian presidential election, 2005}} *{{source|url=http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6805746 |title=Palestinians Set Jan. 9 Election to Replace Arafat |author= |pub=Reuters |date=November 14, 2004 | brokenURL = true}} *{{source|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=501491 |title=Abbas: I am not candidate for PA chairman |author=Arnon Regular, Aluf Benn and Nathan Guttman |pub=Haaretz |date=November 14, 2004 | brokenURL = true}} *{{source|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2004/nov/14/world/fg-mideast14 |title=Vote for Successor to Arafat Planned |author=Laura King |pub=Los Angeles Times |date=November 14, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/general/102802/barghouti_to_run_for_palestinian_leader/ |title=Barghouti to Run for Palestinian Leader |author=Ravi Nessman for ''[[w:Associated Press|Associated Press]]'' |pub=redOrbit |date=November 13, 2004 | brokenURL = true | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20120624051833/http://www.redorbit.com/news/general/102802/barghouti_to_run_for_palestinian_leader/ | archivedescription = archived on archive.org}} <!-- Note: The redOrbit source above was previously the source below. However, the source is offline. Ravi Nessman is an Associated Press correspondent based in Jerusalem. The redOrbit source is by Associated Press with the same title and date, so I'm assuming the article is the same. ~~~~ *{{source|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4613488,00.html |title=Barghouti to Run for Palestinian Leader |author=Ravi Nessman |pub=The Guardian |date=November 13, 2004}} {{Source offline}} --> {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Palestine]] [[Category:Elections]] [[Category:Mahmoud Abbas]] [[Category:Yasser Arafat]] [[Category:Fatah]] [[Category:Middle East]] [[Category:Palestinian National Authority]]

Mahmoud Abbas Acting president Rawhi Fattuh has announced today that Palestinian elections will be held on January 9. Futtuh, head of the Palestinian parliament, was sworn in hours after the death of Yasser Arafat on Thursday, and Palestinian Basic Law dictates that he may only serve up to two months before elections are held. New leadership could prove to be the key to revitalizing the peace process in the Middle East, as both Israel and the United States had refused to work with Arafat. The Haaretz had initially reported that former prime minister Mahmoud Abbas was selected by the Fatah central committee as their candidate for president, but Abbas has denied this, saying, "the matter is still being discussed." There have also been conflicting reports on whether or not jailed Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti will run. Barghouti is currently serving five life sentences in Israel for attacks against Israelis. Nonetheless, he remains a popular figure among Palestinians for his role in the Palestinian uprising, and could potentially win the election if he decided to run. A win by Barghouti could put Israel in an awkward spot; however an Israeli official said this week that he would not be freed, and a landslide win by Barghouti would signify to them that the Palestinians were not yet ready for peace.

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Brazilian delegation returns from Arafat funeral

{{date|November 13, 2004}} {{Palestine}}The delegation representing [[Brazil]] at the funeral of [[w:Yasser Arafat|Yasser Arafat]] returned today, November 13, 2004. The chief-minister of Civil House [[w:José Dirceu|José Dirceu]] was a member of the delegation. Unfortunately they arrived too late for the funeral and the delegation watched only part of the funeral activities. [[w:Brazilian Communist Party|PCdoB]] (Brazilian [[w:communist|communist]] political party) Deputy Jamil Murad, member of the delegation, said there was a "deep mourning" feeling. Jamil Murad had visited Yasser Arafat in April 2004, along with nine other Brazilian deputies. According to Jamil Murad: "Yasser Arafat was a [[Palestine|Palestinian]] leader who became a world projection leader". He said Arafat had written him a letter thanking the Brazilian people for their support of the Palestinian cause and saying that he, Arafat, considered [[w:President of Brazil|President]] [[w:Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva|Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] a great world leader. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://www.radiobras.gov.br/materia_i_2004.php?materia=207159 |title=Comitiva brasileira nos funerais de Arafat reforçou apoio à causa palestina |author=Juliana Cézar Nunes |pub=Radiobras |date=November 13, 2004}} {{pt}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Palestine]] [[Category:Brazil]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Middle East]] [[Category:Yasser Arafat]]

The delegation representing Brazil at the funeral of Yasser Arafat returned today, November 13, 2004. The chief-minister of Civil House José Dirceu was a member of the delegation. Unfortunately they arrived too late for the funeral and the delegation watched only part of the funeral activities. PCdoB (Brazilian communist political party) Deputy Jamil Murad, member of the delegation, said there was a "deep mourning" feeling. Jamil Murad had visited Yasser Arafat in April 2004, along with nine other Brazilian deputies. According to Jamil Murad: "Yasser Arafat was a Palestinian leader who became a world projection leader". He said Arafat had written him a letter thanking the Brazilian people for their support of the Palestinian cause and saying that he, Arafat, considered President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva a great world leader.

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Hearing begins over David Hookes death

{{Crime and law}}{{byline|date=November 15, 2004|location=[[Melbourne|MELBOURNE]], [[Victoria, Australia|Victoria]]}} A hearing started today over the death of [[Australia]]n {{w|cricket|cricket}} coach {{w|David Hookes|David Hookes}}. Hookes died after an incident outside a hotel in [[Melbourne|Melbourne]], Australia on the 19th of January. Bouncer {{w|Zdravko Micevic|Zdravko Micevic}}, 22, is charged with manslaughter. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200411/s1243549.htm |title=Hearing begins over Hookes death |author= |pub=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 15, 2004 | brokenURL = true | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20051107132950/http://www.abc.net.au:80/news/newsitems/200411/s1243549.htm | archivedescription = archived on archive.org}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Australia]] [[Category:Cricket]] [[Category:Crime and law]] [[Category:Oceania]]

A hearing started today over the death of Australian cricket coach David Hookes. Hookes died after an incident outside a hotel in Melbourne, Australia on the 19th of January. Bouncer Zdravko Micevic, 22, is charged with manslaughter.

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Iran close to decision on nuclear program

{{date|November 13, 2004}} {{Iran nuclear program}}[[Iran]]ian representatives say negotiations with [[Europe]] on {{w|nuclear program of Iran|its nuclear program}} are in the final stages. {{w|Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Iran)|Iran's foreign minister}}, [[Kamal Kharazi]], told state television Saturday Iranian negotiators have given their final response to a [[European Union]] proposal to suspend Iran's {{w|uranium}} enrichment program. He said it is now up to the Europeans to decide whether or not to accept their decision. Iran and the European Union's big three powers &mdash; [[United Kingdom|Britain]], [[Germany]], and [[France]] &mdash; have been negotiating a deal under which {{w|Tehran}} would agree to freeze sensitive nuclear work to avoid possible {{w|United Nations Security Council|U.N. Security Council}} sanctions. [[United States|U.S.]] {{w|United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State}} {{w|Colin Powell}}, says that Iran's nuclear program is intended to make {{w|nuclear weapon|nuclear weapons}}. Iran authorities have insisted that their nuclear ambitions are limited to generating electricity from atomic energy plants, not making bombs. Critics of the position of the United States point to [[Israel]]'s nuclear program. Israel maintains a policy of nuclear ambiguity, but is widely believed to possess at least 82 nuclear weapons. The program has not been condemned by the United States. {{haveyoursay}} == Sister links == * {{pedia|Israel and weapons of mass destruction}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|Nuclear program of Iran}} *{{source|url=https://www.indymedia.ie/article/67540?condense_comments=true |title=Powell: Intelligence suggests Iran trying to adapt missiles for nukes |pub=Independent Media Center |author={{w|CNN}} |date=November 18, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Iran]] [[Category:Kamal Kharazi]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Nuclear proliferation]] [[Category:Colin Powell]] [[Category:Nuclear power]] [[Category:Nuclear weapons]]

Iranian representatives say negotiations with Europe on its nuclear program are in the final stages. Iran's foreign minister, Kamal Kharazi, told state television Saturday Iranian negotiators have given their final response to a European Union proposal to suspend Iran's enrichment program. He said it is now up to the Europeans to decide whether or not to accept their decision. Iran and the European Union's big three powers — Britain, Germany, and France — have been negotiating a deal under which United Nations Security Council|U.N. Security Council sanctions. U.S. Secretary of State nuclear weapon|nuclear weapons. Iran authorities have insisted that their nuclear ambitions are limited to generating electricity from atomic energy plants, not making bombs. Critics of the position of the United States point to Israel's nuclear program. Israel maintains a policy of nuclear ambiguity, but is widely believed to possess at least 82 nuclear weapons. The program has not been condemned by the United States.

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Iran Agrees to Suspend Uranium Conversion

{{Iran nuclear program}}{{byline|date=November 15, 2004|location={{w|Tehran|TEHRAN}}}} {{w|Hassan Rowhani}}, head of the {{w|Supreme National Security Council}} for [[Iran]], announced Monday that the country would temporarily suspend conversion of {{w|uranium}} as of November 22. "Iran is planning to suspend uranium conversion activities from November 22," Rowhani said during a news conference. Uranium is a chemical element which can be used in {{w|nuclear weapon|nuclear weapons}} and {{w|nuclear power|nuclear power plants}}. The process of conversion modifies the uranium oxydes into {{w|uranium hexafluoride}}. The purpose of such a conversion process is usually an intermediate step in the production of {{w|nuclear fuel}}. Uranium hexafluoride cannot itself be used in a nuclear weapon, but can be {{w|uranium enrichment|enriched}} into weapons-grade uranium, or it can be converted into {{w|plutonium}} in a {{w|nuclear reactor technology|nuclear reactor}}. Iran has claimed to be using its nuclear program for only peaceful nuclear energy, rather than for nuclear weapons, but there are concerns in the [[European Union]] and the [[United States|USA]] as to whether they are being truthful. {{haveyoursay}} == Related news == {{wikipedia|Nuclear program of Iran}} *{{wikinews|title=Iran close to decision on nuclear program|date=November 13, 2004}} == External links == *[http://www.nrc.gov/materials/fuel-cycle-fac/ur-conversion.html Uranium Conversion] {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Iran]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Nuclear proliferation]] [[Category:Nuclear weapons]] [[Category:Nuclear power]]

Supreme National Security Council for Iran, announced Monday that the country would temporarily suspend conversion of as of November 22. "Iran is planning to suspend uranium conversion activities from November 22," Rowhani said during a news conference. Uranium is a chemical element which can be used in nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants. The process of conversion modifies the uranium oxydes into nuclear fuel. Uranium hexafluoride cannot itself be used in a nuclear weapon, but can be enriched into weapons-grade uranium, or it can be converted into nuclear reactor technology|nuclear reactor. Iran has claimed to be using its nuclear program for only peaceful nuclear energy, rather than for nuclear weapons, but there are concerns in the European Union and the USA as to whether they are being truthful.

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Brazilian soccer player's mother has been kidnapped

{{Brazil}}{{byline|date=November 15, 2004|location={{w|Praia Grande|PRAIA GRANDE}}, [[Brazil]]}} Miss Marina Souza, aged 43, was kidnapped last Saturday, November 6, in Praia Grande, {{w|São Paulo|São Paulo}}, during a barbecue with her relatives. She is the mother of Robson de Souza, known as {{w|Robinho|Robinho}} (Little Robin), a Brazilian {{w|soccer|soccer}} player for the {{w|Santos FC|Santos Football Club}}. Since the incident, Robson De Souza ('Robinho') has made few public appearances and stopped playing soccer, troubling his team Santos. "I hope this all finishes well and that I can go back to playing football again," he was quoted by ''{{w|Reuters|Reuters}}'' on November 9. Robinho is considered one of the best Brazilian forward players at the present time and he is an important player for Santos. The authorities are cautious to release any information concerning the case, as this could jeopardize both the investigations and Ms. Souza's life. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|Robinho}} *{{source|url=http://br.news.yahoo.com/041114/4/p0wn.html |title= Robinho desfalca o Santos contra o Goiás |author= |pub=Yahoo! Notícias |date=November 14, 2004 |lang=pt |pubtarget=Yahoo! News | brokenURL = true | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20051030033258/http://br.news.yahoo.com/041114/4/p0wn.html | archivedescription = archived on archive.org, 2005-10-30}} *{{source|url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_10-11-2004_pg2_14 |title=Robinho asks for his family to be left in peace |author=[[Reuters]] |pub=Daily Times (Pakistan) |date=November 10, 2004 | brokenURL = true}} *{{source|url=http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=6736580 |title=Mother of Brazilian forward Robinho kidnapped |author= |pub=Reuters |date=November 7, 2004 | brokenURL = true}} *{{source|url=http://elmundodeporte.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2004/11/07/futbol/1099836771.html |title=Secuestran a la madre de Robinho, objetivo del Madrid |author= |pub=El Mundo |pubtarget=El Mundo (Spain) |date=November 7, 2004 |lang=es | brokenURL = true | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20041109010123/http://elmundodeporte.elmundo.es/elmundodeporte/2004/11/07/futbol/1099836771.html | archivedescription = archived on archive.org}} {{publish}} {{archived}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:South America]] [[Category:Brazil]] [[Category:Football (soccer)]] [[Category:Crime and law]] [[Category:Missing persons]]

Miss Marina Souza, aged 43, was kidnapped last Saturday, November 6, in Praia Grande, São Paulo, during a barbecue with her relatives. She is the mother of Robson de Souza, known as Robinho (Little Robin), a Brazilian soccer player for the Santos Football Club. Since the incident, Robson De Souza ('Robinho') has made few public appearances and stopped playing soccer, troubling his team Santos. "I hope this all finishes well and that I can go back to playing football again," he was quoted by Reuters on November 9. Robinho is considered one of the best Brazilian forward players at the present time and he is an important player for Santos. The authorities are cautious to release any information concerning the case, as this could jeopardize both the investigations and Ms. Souza's life.

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Colin Powell Resigns as U.S. Secretary of State, Rice Likely Successor

{{United States infobox}}[[File:Gross-Powell.jpg|thumb|left|Colin Powell]] {{byline|date=November 16, 2004|location=[[United States|UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]]}} {{w|United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State}} [[Colin Powell]] submitted his long-expected resignation as of Monday, November 15, and his resignation was accepted by {{w|President of the United States|President}} [[George W. Bush]]. His resignation letter was sent to the President on Friday. Powell has said that it was always his intention to serve only one term. The ''{{w|San Gabriel Valley Tribune}}'' said that Powell often had disputes with {{w|Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush Administration}} officials holding what the newspaper termed "more hawkish" views. On Tuesday, President Bush announced his nomination of {{w|National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor}} Dr. [[Condoleezza Rice]] as Powell's successor. ''{{w|Reuters}}'' cited senior Bush administration officials as saying that her deputy, {{w|Stephen Hadley}}, will succeed her in her role as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs if she is confirmed as Secretary of State. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/16/rice.powell/index.html |title=Bush picks Rice to succeed Powell |author=John King, Andrea Koppel, Suzanne Malveaux and Elise Labott |pub=CNN |date=November 17, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://64.233.179.104/search?q=cache:SP23t3DCltYJ:www.sgvtribune.com/+conflict+%22more+hawkish%22+powell&hl=en |title=Rice slated to replace Powell as Secretary of State |author= |pub=San Gabriel Valley Tribune |date=November 16, 2004}} {{Source offline}} *{{source|url=http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=6818357 |title=Secretary of State Powell Quits Bush Cabinet |author= |pub=Reuters |date=November 15, 2004}} {{Source offline}} *{{source|url=http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N15265826.htm |title=Rice replacing Powell; Hadley to head NSC-officials |author= |pub=Reuters |date=November 15, 2004}} {{Source offline}} *{{source|url=http://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/38190.htm |title=On-the-Record Briefing |author=Colin L. Powell |pub=United States Department of State |date=November 15, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://2001-2009.state.gov/secretary/former/powell/remarks/38225.htm |title=Secretary Powell's Letter of Resignation |author=Colin L. Powell |pub=United States Department of State |date=November 12, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Condoleezza Rice]] [[Category:Colin Powell]] [[Category:North America]] [[Category:George W. Bush]]

Colin Powell Secretary of State Colin Powell submitted his long-expected resignation as of Monday, November 15, and his resignation was accepted by President George W. Bush. His resignation letter was sent to the President on Friday. Powell has said that it was always his intention to serve only one term. The Presidency of George W. Bush|Bush Administration officials holding what the newspaper termed "more hawkish" views. On Tuesday, President Bush announced his nomination of National Security Advisor Dr. Condoleezza Rice as Powell's successor. Stephen Hadley, will succeed her in her role as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs if she is confirmed as Secretary of State.

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High-speed train derailment in central Queensland (Australia)

{{Disasters and accidents}}{{byline|date=November 15, 2004|location=[[Australia|AUSTRALIA]]}} 128 people have been injured, 5 seriously so, in a high-speed train derailment in central [[Queensland]]. Police said the {{w|tilting train|tilt train}} came off the tracks near {{w|Bundaberg}} (about 400 {{w|kilometers|kilometers}} north of {{w|Brisbane}}) at 12.06am {{w|AEST}}. Queensland Transport Minister {{w|Paul Lucas (politician)|Paul Lucas}} visited the site, and reported that the {{w|black box}} recording device on board the train would be sent back to Brisbane for analysis, in order to determine the cause of the accident. {{w|Premiers of Queensland|Premier}} {{w|Peter Beattie}} and {{w|Queensland Rail}} CEO Bob Scheuber said that there were no current plans to halt other tilt train services. "That will depend entirely on the investigators, they've not made any recommendations yet &mdash; some of them are still arriving. If they recommend that that is the course of action, then of course it would be suspended," Mr Beattie was quoted as saying. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|Cairns Tilt Train derailment}} *{{source|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200411/s1244312.htm |title=Five seriously injured in Tilt Train derailment |author= |pub=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=November 16, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Queensland-train-derailment-injures-128s/2004/11/16/1100384525293.html |title=Queensland train derailment injures 128 |author={{w|Australian Associated Press|AAP}} |pub=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=November 16, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Queensland]] [[Category:Australia]] [[Category:Disasters and accidents]] [[Category:Oceania]]

128 people have been injured, 5 seriously so, in a high-speed train derailment in central Queensland. Police said the tilt train came off the tracks near kilometers|kilometers north of AEST. Queensland Transport Minister Paul Lucas visited the site, and reported that the recording device on board the train would be sent back to Brisbane for analysis, in order to determine the cause of the accident. Premier Queensland Rail CEO Bob Scheuber said that there were no current plans to halt other tilt train services. "That will depend entirely on the investigators, they've not made any recommendations yet — some of them are still arriving. If they recommend that that is the course of action, then of course it would be suspended," Mr Beattie was quoted as saying.

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Saddam Hussein profited roughly 1B by taking funds from UN program

{{Iraq}}{{byline|date=November 17, 2004|location=[[Washington, D.C.|WASHINGTON]]}} Investigators said that [[w:Saddam Hussein|Saddam Hussein]] diverted money from the [[w:Oil-for-Food Programme|Oil-for-Food Program]] to pay millions of dollars to families of [[w:suicide attack|suicide bomber]]s from the [[w:West Bank|West Bank]] and [[Gaza Strip]] who carried out attacks on [[Israel]]i civilians. [[w:Paul Volcker|Paul Volcker]], a former [[United States|American]] official investigating the diverted funds scandal, has taken some heat from advocates demanding that he haul [[United Nations]] personnel before the [[w:United States Congress|US Congress]]. His reason for not subjecting them to this degree of open scrutiny is that it would have the perverse effect of pushing them into refusing to cooperate with the investigation at all. He plans to release documentary evidence early next year, when his investigation is complete. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|Oil-for-Food Programme#GAO investigation}} *{{source|url=http://www.redorbit.com/news/general/104076/house_panel_questions_role_of_french_bank/ |title=House Panel Questions Role of French Bank |author=Ken Guggenheim for ''[[w:Associated Press|Associated Press]]'' |pub=redOrbit |date=November 18, 2004}} <!-- Source was previously the one below, but it is offline *{{source|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OIL_FOR_FOOD_INVESTIGATION?SITE=TXODE&SECTION=HOME |title=House Panel Questions Role of French Bank |author=Ken Guggenheim |pub=Associated Press |date=November 18, 2004}} {{Source offline}} --> {{publish}} {{archived}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Iraq]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:West Bank]]

Investigators said that Saddam Hussein diverted money from the Oil-for-Food Program to pay millions of dollars to families of suicide bombers from the West Bank and Gaza Strip who carried out attacks on Israeli civilians. Paul Volcker, a former American official investigating the diverted funds scandal, has taken some heat from advocates demanding that he haul United Nations personnel before the US Congress. His reason for not subjecting them to this degree of open scrutiny is that it would have the perverse effect of pushing them into refusing to cooperate with the investigation at all. He plans to release documentary evidence early next year, when his investigation is complete.

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Latin American Drug dealer Beira-Mar's lawyers arrested

{{Brazil}} {{byline|date=November 15, 2004|location=[[w:Rio de Janeiro|RIO DE JANEIRO]], [[Brazil]]}} Two lawyers of accused drug dealer Luiz Fernando da Costa (also known as Fernando Beira-Mar) were arrested Sunday November 14 in a restaurant located at Rio de Janeiro city in Brazil. They have been accused of bribing Brazilian federal police officers. Luiz Fernando da Costa, known as Fernando Beira-Mar or Fernandinho Beira-Mar, is one of the biggest drug dealers of [[w:Latin America|Latin America]] according to police. Beira-Mar was arrested by the [[w:National Army of Colombia|Colombian army]] at April 20-21, 2001, in a [[w:Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia|FARC]] camp located at a forest near [[Colombia]] and [[Venezuela]] and then transferred to Brazil where he is been in prison until now. According to officers the lawyers had offered [[w:Brazilian real|R$]]200,000 ([[w:United States dollar|US$]]71,658.9) to police officers asking them to release Marcos José Monteiro Carneiro, another man accused of being a drug dealer. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://br.news.yahoo.com/041114/25/p10j.html |title=Advogados de Beira-Mar são presos em flagrante |author=Agência Estado |pub= |date=November 14, 2004}} {{Source offline}} {{pt}} *{{source|url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/mundo/ult94u23513.shtml |title=Exército colombiano captura Fernandinho Beira-Mar |author=Reuters |pub=Agência Folha |date=April 21, 2004}} {{pt}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Brazil]] [[Category:South America]] [[Category:Crime and law]]

Two lawyers of accused drug dealer Luiz Fernando da Costa (also known as Fernando Beira-Mar) were arrested Sunday November 14 in a restaurant located at Rio de Janeiro city in Brazil. They have been accused of bribing Brazilian federal police officers. Luiz Fernando da Costa, known as Fernando Beira-Mar or Fernandinho Beira-Mar, is one of the biggest drug dealers of Latin America according to police. Beira-Mar was arrested by the Colombian army at April 20-21, 2001, in a FARC camp located at a forest near Colombia and Venezuela and then transferred to Brazil where he is been in prison until now. According to officers the lawyers had offered R$200,000 (US$71,658.9) to police officers asking them to release Marcos José Monteiro Carneiro, another man accused of being a drug dealer.

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Pope John Paul II meets Iraq's Ambassador

{{Vatican City}}{{byline|date=November 15, 2004|location=[[Vatican City|VATICAN]]}} [[w:Pope John Paul II|Pope John Paul II]] has received Mr. [[w:Albert Edward Ismail Yelda|Albert Edward Ismail Yelda]], [[Iraq]]'s ambassador today. During the meeting the Pope has expressed wishes for the reconstruction of Iraq, as a democratic state, with tolerance to minorities: ''"Iraq is currently in the throes of the difficult process of transition from a totalitarian regime to the formation of a democratic State in which the dignity of each person is respected and all citizens enjoy equal rights. Authentic democracy is possible "only in a State ruled by law", and requires that "the necessary conditions be present for the advancement both of the individual through education and formation in true ideals, and ... through the creation of structures of participation and shared responsibility" (...) ''"The struggle to overcome the challenges brought about by poverty, unemployment and violence is also currently faced by Iraq. May your government work untiringly to settle disputes and conflicts through dialogue and negotiation, having recourse to military force only as a last resort. Accordingly, it is essential that the State, with the assistance of the International Community, promote mutual understanding and tolerance among its various ethnic and religious groups. This will enable the people of the region to create an environment that is not only committed to justice and peace but is also capable of sustaining the necessary economic growth and development integral for the well-being of your citizens and the country itself."'' {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://212.77.1.245/news_services/bulletin/news/15656.php?index=15656&po_date=15.11.2004&lang=en |title=LE LETTERE CREDENZIALI DELL’AMBASCIATORE DELLA REPUBBLICA DELL’IRAQ PRESSO LA SANTA SEDE |author= |pub= |date=November 15, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:The Vatican]] [[Category:Iraq]] [[Category:Pope John Paul II]]

Pope John Paul II has received Mr. Albert Edward Ismail Yelda, Iraq's ambassador today. During the meeting the Pope has expressed wishes for the reconstruction of Iraq, as a democratic state, with tolerance to minorities: "Iraq is currently in the throes of the difficult process of transition from a totalitarian regime to the formation of a democratic State in which the dignity of each person is respected and all citizens enjoy equal rights. Authentic democracy is possible "only in a State ruled by law", and requires that "the necessary conditions be present for the advancement both of the individual through education and formation in true ideals, and ... through the creation of structures of participation and shared responsibility" (...) "The struggle to overcome the challenges brought about by poverty, unemployment and violence is also currently faced by Iraq. May your government work untiringly to settle disputes and conflicts through dialogue and negotiation, having recourse to military force only as a last resort. Accordingly, it is essential that the State, with the assistance of the International Community, promote mutual understanding and tolerance among its various ethnic and religious groups. This will enable the people of the region to create an environment that is not only committed to justice and peace but is also capable of sustaining the necessary economic growth and development integral for the well-being of your citizens and the country itself."

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Big Linux Beta 3 released

[[File:Biglinux1.png|thumb|Big Linux screenshot]] {{byline|date=November 15, 2004|location=[[w:Sao Paulo|SAO PAULO]]}} Big Linux 2.0 Beta 3 has been released. Big Linux is a [[w:Live CD|Live Compact Disc]] [[Brazil]]ian [[w:Linux|Linux]] distribution, based on [[w:Knoppix|Knoppix]]. A [[w:Linux distribution|Linux distribution]] is a software set with the Linux operating system and [[w:GNU|GNU]] software. The source code of Linux and GNU software is freely available and can be legally distributed among users. Big Linux is a ''Live'' Compact Disc version of Linux, which means it may run directly from the CD or optionally be installed on the hard disk. According to its developers, Big Linux aims to be easy to use and comes with many programs that are used by home users and offices. Some included programs are: [[w:KDE|KDE]], [[w:Java (programming language)|Java]], [[w:XMMS|XMMS]], [[w:Kaffeine|Kaffeine]], [[w:xine|xine]], [[w:Kopete|Kopete]], YES, [[w:XChat|XChat]], [[w:Fullt|Fullt]], [[w:aMSN|aMSN]], the Windows runtime environments [[w:Wine (software)|Wine]] and [[w:Cedega|Cedega]], the peer-to-peer applications [[w:xMule|xMule]], [[w:BitTorrent|BitTorrent]] and Apollon, [[w:OpenOffice.org|OpenOffice.org]], [[w:GIMP|GIMP]] and [[w:AbiWord|AbiWord]], the email clients [[w:Kmail|Kmail]] and [[w:Mozilla Thunderbird|Thunderbird]], and the internet browsers [[w:Mozilla|Mozilla]] and the [[w:proprietary software|proprietary]] [[w:Opera (web browser)|Opera]] browser. Some features of version 2.0 beta 3 are: 3 versions of the Linux kernel -- 2.4.25 (for those who use [[w:Softmodem|Winmodems]]), 2.4.27 (stable) and 2.6.8 (performance) --, automatic detection of printers, higher boot speed, complete system of network and servers and an automatic hardware detection mechanism. The graphical environment (known as [[w:X Window System|X11]]) can have several configurations separated by kernel. In this way, the user can have an accelerated graphical environment configuration and an unaccelerated graphical environment configuration at the same time. If there is some trouble with the accelerated graphical environment configuration, this allows the user to switch to the unaccelerated one. Big Linux can be downloaded without charge at [http://biglinux.codigolivre.org.br/modules.php?name=Downloads Big Linux downloads]. This distribution is primarily intended for Brazilian users, although anyone can use it. == Sources == {{wikipedia|pt:Big Linux}} * [http://biglinux.codigolivre.org.br/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3 Big Linux] {{Source offline}} {{pt}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Brazil]] [[Category:Computing]] [[Category:Science and technology]] [[Category:FLOSS]] [[Category:Linux]] [[Category:Software]]

Big Linux screenshot Big Linux 2.0 Beta 3 has been released. Big Linux is a Live Compact Disc Brazilian Linux distribution, based on Knoppix. A Linux distribution is a software set with the Linux operating system and GNU software. The source code of Linux and GNU software is freely available and can be legally distributed among users. Big Linux is a Live Compact Disc version of Linux, which means it may run directly from the CD or optionally be installed on the hard disk. According to its developers, Big Linux aims to be easy to use and comes with many programs that are used by home users and offices. Some included programs are: KDE, Java, XMMS, Kaffeine, xine, Kopete, YES, XChat, Fullt, aMSN, the Windows runtime environments Wine and Cedega, the peer-to-peer applications xMule, BitTorrent and Apollon, OpenOffice.org, GIMP and AbiWord, the email clients Kmail and Thunderbird, and the internet browsers Mozilla and the proprietary Opera browser. Some features of version 2.0 beta 3 are: 3 versions of the Linux kernel -- 2.4.25 (for those who use Winmodems), 2.4.27 (stable) and 2.6.8 (performance) --, automatic detection of printers, higher boot speed, complete system of network and servers and an automatic hardware detection mechanism. The graphical environment (known as X11) can have several configurations separated by kernel. In this way, the user can have an accelerated graphical environment configuration and an unaccelerated graphical environment configuration at the same time. If there is some trouble with the accelerated graphical environment configuration, this allows the user to switch to the unaccelerated one. Big Linux can be downloaded without charge at Big Linux downloads. This distribution is primarily intended for Brazilian users, although anyone can use it.

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Florida's Walt Disney World launches revamped attractions

{{Infobox Culture and entertainment}}{{byline|date=November 16, 2004|location=[[Orlando|ORLANDO]], [[Florida]]}} ''[[w:ExtraTERRORestrial Alien Encounter|Alien Encounter]]'' and ''[[w:The Living Seas|The Living Seas]]'' at the [[w:Walt Disney World Resort|Walt Disney World Resort]] are to open today with a makeover. The Alien Encounter attraction at [[w:Tomorrowland|Tomorrowland]] in the [[w:Magic Kingdom|Magic Kingdom]] has been revised to include Experiment 626 from the movie ''[[w:Lilo & Stitch|Lilo & Stitch]]''. Now called ''[[w:Stitch's Great Escape!|Stitch's Great Escape!]]'', the dog-like blue creature will lash out of its tube and terrorise the audience. The Galactic Federation's [[w:Grand Councilwoman|Grand Councilwoman]], [[w:Gantu|Captain Gantu]] and [[w:Agent Pleakley|Agent Pleakley]] appear in this show, essentially a prequel to the movie. At the Living Seas, [[w:List of Finding Nemo characters#Crush|Crush]] the sea turtle from the [[w:The Walt Disney Company|Disney]]/[[w:Pixar|Pixar]] movie ''[[w:Finding Nemo|Finding Nemo]]'' will host a new exhibit called ''[[w:Turtle Talk with Crush|Turtle Talk]]'', joining smaller Nemo exhibits, a mainstay at the attraction for several months. Vegetarian shark [[w:List of Finding Nemo characters#Bruce|Bruce]] will soon become part of a shark education exhibit. According to publicity, the Turtle Talk show will run every 15 minutes, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. A sign language interpreted performance will run on Fridays at 10:30 am. Disney is holding the [http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/special/stitch/sweepstakes Stitch's Great Escape! Sweepstakes], with prizes including a five-day, four night trip for four to Walt Disney World Resort. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/moneystoryB1117STITCH.htm |title='Stitch' taps into Disney magic |author= |pub=Florida Today |date=}} {{Source offline}} *{{source|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/local/orl-bizstitch17111704nov17,0,6914840.story?coll=sfla-business-headlines |title=Disney's day of debuts |author= |pub=South Florida Sun-Sentinel |date=November, 2004}} {{Source offline}} *{{source|url=http://www.disneylandreport.com/disneynews/102004waltdisneyworldmagickingdomstitchsgreatescapeopeningdate.html |title=Stitch's Great Escape Promises Pandemonium For Walt Disney World Guests |author= |pub=The Disneyland Report |date=2004}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Culture and entertainment]] [[Category:Walt Disney World]] [[Category:North America]] [[Category:Orlando, Florida]]

Alien Encounter and The Living Seas at the Walt Disney World Resort are to open today with a makeover. The Alien Encounter attraction at Tomorrowland in the Magic Kingdom has been revised to include Experiment 626 from the movie Lilo & Stitch. Now called Stitch's Great Escape!, the dog-like blue creature will lash out of its tube and terrorise the audience. The Galactic Federation's Grand Councilwoman, Captain Gantu and Agent Pleakley appear in this show, essentially a prequel to the movie. At the Living Seas, Crush the sea turtle from the Disney/Pixar movie Finding Nemo will host a new exhibit called Turtle Talk, joining smaller Nemo exhibits, a mainstay at the attraction for several months. Vegetarian shark Bruce will soon become part of a shark education exhibit. According to publicity, the Turtle Talk show will run every 15 minutes, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. A sign language interpreted performance will run on Fridays at 10:30 am. Disney is holding the Stitch's Great Escape! Sweepstakes, with prizes including a five-day, four night trip for four to Walt Disney World Resort.

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Hari Kostov resigns as prime minister of Macedonia

{{Macedonia}}{{byline|date=November 15, 2004|location=[[w:Skopje|SKOPJE]]}} [[w:Prime Minister of the Republic of Macedonia|Prime minister]] [[w:Hari Kostov|Hari Kostov]] of [[Macedonia]] has resigned from his position as of Monday, November 15. The [[w:Assembly of the Republic of Macedonia|Macedonian parliament]] will meet on Thursday to decide whether or not to accept his resignation. The ''[[BBC]]'' quoted Kostov, who was appointed last May, to have said that "there is no will for genuine teamwork" within the coalition, and that one of the parties in the current government has been promoting [[w:political corruption|corruption]] and [[w:nepotism|nepotism]]. Kostov also claimed that the preoccupation with the rights of [[w:Albanians in the Republic of Macedonia|Albanian ethnic minority in Macedonia]] was obstructing economic modernization, according to Reuters. Kostov himself was not a member of any of the coalition's parties. Kostov's resignation was preceded by a [[w:Macedonian autonomy referendum, 2004|referendum]] organized by the Macedonian opposition, aimed against a decentralisation law which would have given the Albanian ethnic minority in Macedonia additional rights. The referendum was declared null and void due to a low turnout. According to the ''[[w:Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|NOS]]'', some now fear that [[w:2001 insurgency in the Republic of Macedonia|fights]] between [[w:National Liberation Army (Albanians of Macedonia)|Albanian guerrillas]] and the [[w:Military of the Republic of Macedonia|Macedonian army]], which came to [[w:Ohrid Agreement|a halt]] in 2001, will start again. == Sources == {{wikipedia|Macedonian autonomy referendum, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4013467.stm |title=Macedonia Prime Minister Resigns |author= |pub=BBC News |date=November 15, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=6814152 |title=Macedonian PM Quits, Says Reform Drive Not Supported |author= |pub=Reuters |date=November 15, 2004}} {{Source offline}} *{{source|url=http://www.nos.nl/archief/2005/nieuws/artikelen/2004/11/15/premiermacedonistaptop.html |title=Premier Macedonië stapt op |author= |pub=Nederlandse Omroep Stichting |date=November 15, 2004}} {{nl}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:North Macedonia]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Europe]]

Prime minister Hari Kostov of Macedonia has resigned from his position as of Monday, November 15. The Macedonian parliament will meet on Thursday to decide whether or not to accept his resignation. The BBC quoted Kostov, who was appointed last May, to have said that "there is no will for genuine teamwork" within the coalition, and that one of the parties in the current government has been promoting corruption and nepotism. Kostov also claimed that the preoccupation with the rights of Albanian ethnic minority in Macedonia was obstructing economic modernization, according to Reuters. Kostov himself was not a member of any of the coalition's parties. Kostov's resignation was preceded by a referendum organized by the Macedonian opposition, aimed against a decentralisation law which would have given the Albanian ethnic minority in Macedonia additional rights. The referendum was declared null and void due to a low turnout. According to the NOS, some now fear that fights between Albanian guerrillas and the Macedonian army, which came to a halt in 2001, will start again.

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Senator Harry Reid elected Democratic minority leader

{{United States infobox}}{{byline|date=November 16, 2004|location=[[Washington, D.C.|WASHTINGTON, D.C.]]}} [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[United States Senate|Senator]] [[Harry Reid]] has been elected the new leader of the Democratic party in the Senate. Reid, from [[Nevada]], replaces out-going leader {{w|Tom Daschle}} who lost his re-election bid in the state of [[South Dakota]]. Reid was re-elected with 61% of the vote in the {{w|United States Senate elections, 2004|November elections}}. Reid won the position as the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] party still holds majority in both houses of [[United States Congress|Congress]]. {{w|Dennis Hastert}} (R-IL) and [[Tom DeLay]] (R-TX) were re-elected by the Republicans for new terms as {{w|Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker}} and {{w|Majority Leader}} in the [[United States House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]. Senator {{w|Dick Durbin}} (D-IL) replaced Reid as the Senate Minority {{w|Whip (politics)|Whip}}. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/16/senate.democrats.ap/index.html |title=Reid selected to be Senate Minority Leader |author= |pub=CNN |date=November 16, 2004 |brokenURL=true |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041118055945/http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/16/senate.democrats.ap/index.html |archivedescription=Archived from the original on November 18, 2004 via the Internet Archive }} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Harry Reid]] [[Category:Democratic Party (United States)]] [[Category:Republican Party (United States)]] [[Category:Tom DeLay]] [[Category:North America]] [[Category:US Senate]] [[Category:US Congress]] [[Category:US House of Representatives]] [[Category:Dick Durbin]]

Democratic Senator Harry Reid has been elected the new leader of the Democratic party in the Senate. Reid, from Nevada, replaces out-going leader United States Senate elections, 2004|November elections. Reid won the position as the Republican party still holds majority in both houses of Congress. Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker and in the House of Representatives. Senator Whip (politics)|Whip.

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Majority of Dutch parliament against accentuation of anti-blasphemy article

{{Crime and law}}{{byline|date=November 16, 2004|location=[[w:The Hague|THE HAGUE]]}} The proposal from [[w:Ministry of Justice (Netherlands)|Dutch Minister of Justice]] [[w:Piet Hein Donner|Piet Hein Donner]] to strengthen the anti-blasphemy provisions of the criminal code has been rejected by a majority of the [[w:House of Representatives of the Netherlands|Tweede Kamer]], the country's parliament. Donner put forth the proposal shortly after the murder of Dutch filmmaker [[w:Theo van Gogh (film director)|Theo van Gogh]], but denied that Van Gogh's death had anything to do with the proposal. ''[[w:Nederlandse Omroep Stichting|NOS]]'' reported that Donner's own party, the [[w:Christian Democratic Appeal|Christian Democratic Appeal]] (CDA), supported his proposal. However, their two coalition partners &mdash; the [[w:People's Party for Freedom and Democracy|People's Party for Freedom and Democracy]] (''Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie'', VVD) and [[w:Democrats 66|Democrats 66]] (D66) &mdash; announced they would not back the ban. The [[w:Dutch Labour Party|Labour Party]], the largest opposition party, also refused to vote in favour. Without their support, the motion could not be passed. Consequently, ''[[w:NRC Handelsblad|NRC Handelsblad]]'' reports, Donner withdrew his proposal. Although the Dutch criminal code already makes blasphemy illegal, the law has only been enforced three times since the 1930s. The article in question states that anyone who ridicules a cleric or relic may be imprisoned for up to three months. According to Dutch broadcaster ''[[w:RTL Nederland|RTL]]'', Member of Parliament [[w:Lousewies van der Laan|Lousewies van der Laan]] (D66), will make a motion on November 17 to have the article removed entirely from the criminal code. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|Blasphemy#The Netherlands}} *{{source|url=http://www.nos.nl/nieuws/artikelen/2004/11/16/godslasteringinvragenuurtje.html |title=Kamer: Godslastering uit strafrecht |author= |pub=Nederlandse Omroep Stichting |date=November 16, 2004}} {{nl}} *{{source|url=http://www.rtl.nl/(/actueel/rtlnieuws/)/components/actueel/rtlnieuws/2004/11_november/16/binnenland/1116_artikel_godslastering_kamer_1545.xml |title=Kamermeerderheid wil af van artikel godslastering |author= |pub=RTL Nederland |date=November 16, 2004}} {{nl}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Netherlands]] [[Category:Crime and law]] [[Category:The Hague]]

The proposal from Dutch Minister of Justice Piet Hein Donner to strengthen the anti-blasphemy provisions of the criminal code has been rejected by a majority of the Tweede Kamer, the country's parliament. Donner put forth the proposal shortly after the murder of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh, but denied that Van Gogh's death had anything to do with the proposal. NOS reported that Donner's own party, the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), supported his proposal. However, their two coalition partners — the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie, VVD) and Democrats 66 (D66) — announced they would not back the ban. The Labour Party, the largest opposition party, also refused to vote in favour. Without their support, the motion could not be passed. Consequently, NRC Handelsblad reports, Donner withdrew his proposal. Although the Dutch criminal code already makes blasphemy illegal, the law has only been enforced three times since the 1930s. The article in question states that anyone who ridicules a cleric or relic may be imprisoned for up to three months. According to Dutch broadcaster RTL, Member of Parliament Lousewies van der Laan (D66), will make a motion on November 17 to have the article removed entirely from the criminal code.

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President of Brazil meets Vietnamese President

{{Brazil}}{{byline|date=November 17, 2004|location=[[w:Brasília|BRASÍLIA]], [[Brazil]]}} According to Brazilian official sources Mr. [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]], the [[w:President of Brazil|Brazilian President]] will meet with the [[w:President of Vietnam|President]] of [[Vietnam]] Mr. [[w:Trần Đức Lương|Trần Đức Lương]] today at 11:30 AM at the ''[[w:Palácio do Planalto|Palácio do Planalto]]'' (Plateau Palace), the Presidential official residence, in Brasília, Brazil. At 13:00 (1:00 PM) there will be a lunch with the Brazilian and Vietnamese Presidents and comitive. According to Brazilian official sources the Brazilian and Vietnamese Presidents will talk about economic cooperation between the two countries, mainly the production of [[w:ethanol|ethanol]]. [[United Nations]] (UN) reform and the effort by Vietnam to join the [[w:World Trade Organization|World Trade Organization]] (WTO) will be discussed as well. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://www.radiobras.gov.br/materia_i_2004.php?materia=207287 |title=Presidente do Vietnã reúne-se com o governador de São Paulo |author= |pub=Radiobrás |date=November 16, 2004}} {{pt}} *{{source|url=http://www.pt.org.br/ |title=Lula recebe amanhã presidente do Vietnã |author= |pub=Workers' Party (Brazil) |date=November 16, 2004}} {{Source offline}} {{pt}} *{{source|url=http://www.radiobras.gov.br/internacional/materia.phtml?materia=207443&idioma=IG |title=Brazil and Vietnam hold forum to expand trade relations |author= |pub=Radiobrás |date=2004}} {{Source offline}} {{publish}} {{archived}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Brazil]] [[Category:Vietnam]] [[Category:Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] [[Category:Asia]] [[Category:South America]] [[Category:Brasília]]

According to Brazilian official sources Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the Brazilian President will meet with the President of Vietnam Mr. Trần Đức Lương today at 11:30 AM at the Palácio do Planalto (Plateau Palace), the Presidential official residence, in Brasília, Brazil. At 13:00 (1:00 PM) there will be a lunch with the Brazilian and Vietnamese Presidents and comitive. According to Brazilian official sources the Brazilian and Vietnamese Presidents will talk about economic cooperation between the two countries, mainly the production of ethanol. United Nations (UN) reform and the effort by Vietnam to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) will be discussed as well.

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Brazilian President meets President of South Korea

{{Brazil}}[[File:Lula mohyun.jpg|thumb|left|President Lula and President Roh Moo-hyun. (J. Freitas/ABr)]] {{date|November 16, 2004}} [[Brasília|BRASÍLIA]], [[Brazil]] &ndash; Mr. [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]], the {{w|President of Brazil}}, met with the {{w|President of South Korea|President}} of the [[South Korea|Republic of Korea]] Mr. {{w|Roh Moo-hyun}} at 5:30 PM at the ''Palacio do Planalto'' (Plateau Palace), the Presidential official residence, in Brasilia, Brasil. At 8:00 PM there was a dinner with Brazilian and South Korean Presidents and comitive. At the dinner Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said South Korea is a strategic partner in [[Asia]] and he also said that business between Brazil and Korea in 2004 will be {{w|United States dollar|US$}}3 billion. Mr. Lula said Brazil supports Korea in their effort to join the {{w|Inter-American Development Bank}} (IDB). According to official sources Brazil and South Korea also discussed energy and natural resources cooperation agreements. They signed the ''Broad Relationship of Cooperation for Common Prosperity in the XXI Century'' agreement which covers natural resources, science, information technology and technology in general. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://www.radiobras.gov.br/internacional/materia.phtml?materia=207670&q=1&idioma=IG |title=Lula considers South Korea a strategic partner in Asia |author= |pub=Radiobrás |date=November 14, 2004}} {{Source offline}} *{{source|url=http://www.radiobras.gov.br/internacional/materia.phtml?materia=207440&idioma=IG |title=Brazil and South Korea sign a series of agreements |author= |pub=Radiobrás |date=November 16, 2004}} {{Source offline}} *{{source|url=http://www.radiobras.gov.br |title=Lula convida coreanos a participar de projetos de parceria público-privada |author= |pub=Radiobrás |date=November 16, 2004}} {{Source offline}} *{{source|url=http://www.radiobras.gov.br |title=Brasil e Coréia firmam acordo na área de energia e recursos minerais |author= |pub=Radiobrás |date=November 16, 2004}} {{Source offline}} *{{source|url=http://www.radiobras.gov.br |title=Brasil quer intensificar relações comerciais com Coréia do Sul |author= |pub=Radiobrás |date=November 16, 2004}} {{Source offline}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Brazil]] [[Category:South Korea]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] [[Category:Korean Peninsula]] [[Category:Asia]] [[Category:South America]] [[Category:Brasília]]

President Lula and President Roh Moo-hyun. (J. Freitas/ABr) BRASÍLIA, Brazil – Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the President of South Korea|President of the Republic of Korea Mr. at 5:30 PM at the Palacio do Planalto (Plateau Palace), the Presidential official residence, in Brasilia, Brasil. At 8:00 PM there was a dinner with Brazilian and South Korean Presidents and comitive. At the dinner Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said South Korea is a strategic partner in Asia and he also said that business between Brazil and Korea in 2004 will be US$3 billion. Mr. Lula said Brazil supports Korea in their effort to join the (IDB). According to official sources Brazil and South Korea also discussed energy and natural resources cooperation agreements. They signed the Broad Relationship of Cooperation for Common Prosperity in the XXI Century agreement which covers natural resources, science, information technology and technology in general.

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Firefox 1.0 Internet Browser released by Mozilla Foundation

{{date|November 16, 2004}} Mozilla {{w|Mozilla Firefox|Firefox}} 1.0, a free {{w|FLOSS|open-source}} {{w|Web browser|web browser}}, has been released on November 9, 2004 by the {{w|Mozilla|Mozilla}} Foundation. Some major characteristics of the browser are: pop-up blocking, tabbed browsing, integrated RSS news reader, themes, online fraud protection, extendable with add-ons and multi-platform (it works on {{w|Microsoft Windows|Windows}}, {{w|Linux|Linux}} and {{w|Mac OS X|Mac OS X}}). As of November 16, 2004, there are Firefox versions in the following languages: Norwegian, Polish, Finnish, Italian, Japanese, Greek, Korean, Spanish, Russian, Slovenian, Czech, English, Romanian, German, Hebrew, French, Hungarian, Swedish and Catalan. Other languages should appear later. Firefox has grown rapidly in popularity, with a Preview Release of the 1.0 version surpassing 10 million downloads in days. The browser has received critical acclaim by some magazines and is seen by many as a real competitor to {{w|Microsoft|Microsoft}}'s {{w|Internet Explorer|Internet Explorer}}, which currently holds over 90% market share. Here's what some reviewers have said about Firefox: * "Move over, Internet Explorer. Feature-studded and secure, Mozilla Firefox 1.0 is a safer, better choice for Internet browsing." [http://reviews.cnet.com/Mozilla_Firefox_1_0/4505-9241_7-31117280.html?part=editchoice&subj=Mozilla CNet] * "All told, Firefox is clean and fast. If you want a browser that respects your PC intelligence and helps you get things done, Firefox is a good place to start." [http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1622102,00.asp PC Magazine] * "Despite its small flaws, Firefox is an excellent browser that is within a [sic] two years of unseating Microsoft IE from its throne." [http://netforbeginners.about.com/od/understandyourbrowser/fr/firefox08.htm PCWorld] The software's website can be found at [http://www.getfirefox.com GetFirefox.com]. ==Sources== *{{source|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/TECH/internet/11/16/tec.us.firefoxbro.ap/index.html |title=Firefox takes torch from Microsoft browser |author= |pub=CNN |date=November 16, 2004 | brokenURL = true | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20041209223649/http://www.cnn.com:80/2004/TECH/internet/11/16/tec.us.firefoxbro.ap/index.html | archivedescription = archived on archive.org, 2004-12-09}} *{{source|url=http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/11/02/HNielosing_1.html |title=Internet Explorer loses market share |author=Joris Evers |pub=InfoWorld |date=November 2, 2004 | brokenURL = true | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20041121084945/https://www.infoworld.com/article/04/11/02/HNielosing_1.html | archivedescription = archived on archive.org, 2004-11-12}} *{{source |url=http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1706694,00.asp |title=Internet Explorer Takes Another Market-Share Hit |author=Matthew Hicks |pub=eWeek |date=November 1, 2004 | brokenURL = true}} ==External links== *[http://www.mozilla.org/press/mozilla-2004-11-09.html Mozilla (Developers website)] {{publish}} {{archive}} [[Category:Science and technology]] [[Category:Mozilla]] [[Category:Internet]] [[Category:Mozilla Firefox]] [[Category:FLOSS]]

Mozilla Firefox 1.0, a free open-source web browser, has been released on November 9, 2004 by the Mozilla Foundation. Some major characteristics of the browser are: pop-up blocking, tabbed browsing, integrated RSS news reader, themes, online fraud protection, extendable with add-ons and multi-platform (it works on Windows, Linux and Mac OS X). As of November 16, 2004, there are Firefox versions in the following languages: Norwegian, Polish, Finnish, Italian, Japanese, Greek, Korean, Spanish, Russian, Slovenian, Czech, English, Romanian, German, Hebrew, French, Hungarian, Swedish and Catalan. Other languages should appear later. Firefox has grown rapidly in popularity, with a Preview Release of the 1.0 version surpassing 10 million downloads in days. The browser has received critical acclaim by some magazines and is seen by many as a real competitor to Microsoft's Internet Explorer, which currently holds over 90% market share. Here's what some reviewers have said about Firefox: * "Move over, Internet Explorer. Feature-studded and secure, Mozilla Firefox 1.0 is a safer, better choice for Internet browsing." CNet * "All told, Firefox is clean and fast. If you want a browser that respects your PC intelligence and helps you get things done, Firefox is a good place to start." PC Magazine * "Despite its small flaws, Firefox is an excellent browser that is within a sic two years of unseating Microsoft IE from its throne." PCWorld The software's website can be found at GetFirefox.com.

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British white paper on public health

{{United Kingdom}}{{byline|date=November 17, 2004|location=[[England|ENGLAND]]}} [[United Kingdom|UK]] [[w:Secretary of State for Health|Health Secretary]] [[w:John Reid (politician)|John Reid]] has proposed widespread legislative and health care changes in a new white paper on public health released Tuesday. Titled "Choosing Health", the paper details government plans to restrict smoking in public places, limit '[[w:junk food|junk food]]' advertisements to children, make available "lifestyle trainers", campaign against [[w:sexually transmitted disease|sexually transmitted diseases]] and [[w:tobacco|tobacco]], and improve [[w:Food labeling regulations|food labelling]]. The white paper comes after extensive public comment that involved 150,000 people. Smoking would be restricted in enclosed public spaces, restaurants, workplaces, and some pubs. The ban would be enacted gradually, affecting government and [[w:National Health Service|NHS]] buildings in 2006, enclosed public places in 2007, and private property in 2008. Permanent exemption would be granted to pubs that do not serve prepared food -- though not at the bar -- as well as private clubs, a decision that has provoked some to call the measure incomplete. Up to 90% of pubs are expected to be affected. The [[Scotland|Scottish]] executive proposed a complete ban on smoking in enclosed public places last week, and [[Ireland]] has already banned smoking in pubs and restaurants. Food advertisements targeted to children would be banned until 9pm, under the White Paper's proposals. The restriction is a measure to tackle rising rates of [[w:childhood obesity|childhood obesity]]. The government also intends to develop voluntary standards on food and drink advertisements to children with industry, only threatening legislation if an acceptable standard is not reached by 2007. Additionally, low income families would receive vouchers for fresh fruit, vegetables, milk, and infant formula. School lunches would also be held to stricter nutritional standards. Reid has warned that unless childhood obesity is tackled, "we face the prospect of children having shorter life expectancy than their parents". Food labelling would also be improved, with a "traffic light" system implemented. Packaged food would be evaluated based on its fat, sugar, and salt content. The paper is unusual for suggesting a more holistic approach to health care, offering for the first time "lifestyle trainers." The National Health Service would be funding with an additional [[w:pound sterling|£]]1bn to make people's overall lives healthier, which is expected to save £30bn in preventable illness. The paper additionally makes mention of reducing accidents, which affected 2.7m people last year and is a leading cause of child death, curb binge drinking, and reduce substance abuse among youths. The paper has been criticized by many parties. The [[w:Conservative Party (UK)|Tory]] [[w:Shadow government|Shadow Health Secretary]] has criticized the [[w:Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] government's comprehensiveness and creation of a "new [[w:nanny state|nanny state]] approach". He has additionally described it as "gimmicks". The [[w:Liberal Democrats|Liberal Democrats]] have accused the government of not being comprehensive enough. It has also been criticized by the [[w:British Medical Association|British Medical Association]] as being implemented too slowly, saying "When lives need saving, doctors act immediately". Mr. Reid has argued against the nanny state label, saying "In a free society, men and women ultimately have the right within the law to choose their own lifestyle, even when it may damage their own health. But people do not have the right to damage the health of others, or to impose an intolerable degree of inconvenience or nuisance on others ... This is a sensible solution which balances the protection of the majority with the personal freedom of the minority in England". The full white paper "Choosing Health" can be read [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4016925.stm here]. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|John Reid (politician)#Secretary of State for Health|John Reid as Secretary of State for Health}} *{{source|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/health_medical/story.jsp?story=583679 |title=Reid's smoking ban attacked by both sides |author=Jeremy Laurance & Rachel Stevenson |pub=The Independent |date=November 17, 2004}} {{Source offline}} *{{source|url=http://society.guardian.co.uk/publichealth/story/0,11098,1353128,00.html |title=Reid offers blueprint for fitness |author=James Meikle, Sarah Boseley and Felicity Lawrence |pub=The Guardian |date=November 17, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/11/17/nhealt17.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/11/17/ixhome.html |title=Nine out of 10 pubs face smoking ban |author=George Jones and Celia Hall |pub=The Daily Telegraph (UK) |date=November 17, 2004}} {{Source offline}} *{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4014597.stm |title=Smoking ban proposed for England |author= |pub=BBC News Online |date=November 16, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4016925.stm |title=The White Paper in full |author=[[w:Department of Health (United Kingdom)|Department of Health]] |pub=BBC News Online |date=November 16, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/11/16/europe/web.uksmoke.html |title=Britain cracks down on public smoking |author=[[w:Associated Press|Associated Press]] |pub=International Herald Tribune |date=November 16, 2004}} {{Source offline}} *{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4015571.stm |title=Measures to cut obesity revealed |author= |pub=BBC News Online |date=November 16, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archived}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:United Kingdom]] [[Category:Health]] [[Category:Obesity]] [[Category:Tobacco]] [[Category:Scottish Government]] [[Category:National Health Service]]

UK Health Secretary John Reid has proposed widespread legislative and health care changes in a new white paper on public health released Tuesday. Titled "Choosing Health", the paper details government plans to restrict smoking in public places, limit 'junk food' advertisements to children, make available "lifestyle trainers", campaign against sexually transmitted diseases and tobacco, and improve food labelling. The white paper comes after extensive public comment that involved 150,000 people. Smoking would be restricted in enclosed public spaces, restaurants, workplaces, and some pubs. The ban would be enacted gradually, affecting government and NHS buildings in 2006, enclosed public places in 2007, and private property in 2008. Permanent exemption would be granted to pubs that do not serve prepared food -- though not at the bar -- as well as private clubs, a decision that has provoked some to call the measure incomplete. Up to 90% of pubs are expected to be affected. The Scottish executive proposed a complete ban on smoking in enclosed public places last week, and Ireland has already banned smoking in pubs and restaurants. Food advertisements targeted to children would be banned until 9pm, under the White Paper's proposals. The restriction is a measure to tackle rising rates of childhood obesity. The government also intends to develop voluntary standards on food and drink advertisements to children with industry, only threatening legislation if an acceptable standard is not reached by 2007. Additionally, low income families would receive vouchers for fresh fruit, vegetables, milk, and infant formula. School lunches would also be held to stricter nutritional standards. Reid has warned that unless childhood obesity is tackled, "we face the prospect of children having shorter life expectancy than their parents". Food labelling would also be improved, with a "traffic light" system implemented. Packaged food would be evaluated based on its fat, sugar, and salt content. The paper is unusual for suggesting a more holistic approach to health care, offering for the first time "lifestyle trainers." The National Health Service would be funding with an additional £1bn to make people's overall lives healthier, which is expected to save £30bn in preventable illness. The paper additionally makes mention of reducing accidents, which affected 2.7m people last year and is a leading cause of child death, curb binge drinking, and reduce substance abuse among youths. The paper has been criticized by many parties. The Tory Shadow Health Secretary has criticized the Labour government's comprehensiveness and creation of a "new nanny state approach". He has additionally described it as "gimmicks". The Liberal Democrats have accused the government of not being comprehensive enough. It has also been criticized by the British Medical Association as being implemented too slowly, saying "When lives need saving, doctors act immediately". Mr. Reid has argued against the nanny state label, saying "In a free society, men and women ultimately have the right within the law to choose their own lifestyle, even when it may damage their own health. But people do not have the right to damage the health of others, or to impose an intolerable degree of inconvenience or nuisance on others ... This is a sensible solution which balances the protection of the majority with the personal freedom of the minority in England". The full white paper "Choosing Health" can be read here.

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British-Iraqi careworker Margaret Hassan reportedly killed

{{Iraq}}{{byline|date=November 16, 2004|location=[[w:Baghdad|BAGHDAD]]}} The [[United Kingdom|British]]-[[Iraq]]i careworker [[w:Margaret Hassan|Margaret Hassan]], who was kidnapped in Iraq over a month ago, may have been killed by her kidnappers, according to the husband of the 59-year-old. He was informed by the [[w:Foreign and Commonwealth Office|British Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] after analysis of a videotape showing the execution of a blindfolded woman. ''[[w:Al Jazeera|Al Jazeera]]'' was also said to have received the tape days ago, but after delaying to confirm Hassan's identity, ultimately decided not to broadcast it. The international organization [[w:CARE (relief agency)|CARE]] was shocked by the news. Hassan led the CARE-department in Iraq for years. Since her kidnapping on October 19, 2004, has appeared on several tapes pleading for her life. She made a personal request addressed to [[w:Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]] [[w:Tony Blair|Tony Blair]] to remove British troops from Iraq to meet her kidnappers demands. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|Margaret Hassan}} *Spits (November 17, 2004) - (using: ANP/ANF/AP) {{publish}} {{archived}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Iraq]] [[Category:United Kingdom]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Tony Blair]] [[Category:Al Jazeera]]

The British-Iraqi careworker Margaret Hassan, who was kidnapped in Iraq over a month ago, may have been killed by her kidnappers, according to the husband of the 59-year-old. He was informed by the British Ministry of Foreign Affairs after analysis of a videotape showing the execution of a blindfolded woman. Al Jazeera was also said to have received the tape days ago, but after delaying to confirm Hassan's identity, ultimately decided not to broadcast it. The international organization CARE was shocked by the news. Hassan led the CARE-department in Iraq for years. Since her kidnapping on October 19, 2004, has appeared on several tapes pleading for her life. She made a personal request addressed to Prime Minister Tony Blair to remove British troops from Iraq to meet her kidnappers demands.

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Russian Tatars not allowed to use Latin alphabet

{{Russia}}{{date|November 16, 2004}} {{w|Moscow|MOSCOW}} &mdash; [[Russia]]'s highest court has judged that {{w|Tatars}} living in the federal state of {{w|Tatarstan}} may not apply the {{w|Latin alphabet}} to their language without permission from the federal government in Moscow. The Tatars had instituted legal proceedings because their {{w|Turkic languages|Turkic language}} differs greatly from {{w|Russian language|Russian}}, the ''[[BBC News|BBC]]'' reports. The law banning all alphabets but {{w|Cyrillic alphabet|Cyrillic}} has been one in a long range of regulations and restrictions, claimed by officials to be designed to protect Russia's linguistic heritage. The Russian federal government has been cited to consider the use of a non-Cyrillic alphabet by federal states a 'separatist tendency'. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4016571.stm |title=Russia court sticks to letter law |author= |pub=BBC News |date=November 16, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Russia]] [[Category:Europe]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]]

MOSCOW — Russia's highest court has judged that Tatarstan may not apply the Turkic languages|Turkic language differs greatly from Russian, the BBC reports. The law banning all alphabets but Cyrillic has been one in a long range of regulations and restrictions, claimed by officials to be designed to protect Russia's linguistic heritage. The Russian federal government has been cited to consider the use of a non-Cyrillic alphabet by federal states a 'separatist tendency'.

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Japan to reduce aid to China

{{Japan}}{{byline|date=November 17, 2004|location=[[Japan|JAPAN]]}} [[w:Diet of Japan|Japan's Diet]] has proposed to reduce economic assistance given to [[China]]. Economic aid is currently given in the form of grants and technical assistance under the [[w:Official development assistance|Official development assistance]] (ODA) program. ODA contributes to the development of the economies of states harmed by Japan during [[w:World War II|World War II]], an approach pursued not only as restitution but to improve regional stability and to secure scarce [[w:natural resources|natural resource]] trade. Assistance to mainland China will total [[w:United States dollar|$]]8.9bn this year, making Japan an unusual second to the [[United States]] in aid. This is down 30% from 1997, and is the fourth year-on-year decline as of 2003. Loans to China total $30bn to date. The ODA has been a key feature in [[w:People's Republic of China – Japan relations|Sino-Japanese economic and diplomatic relations]]. It was begun in the 1980s as China "opened up" to foreign investment. It is in part restitution for damage inflicted on China and atrocities such as the [[w:Nanking Massacre|Rape of Nanking]], seen in Chinese culture in much the same way as [[w:The Holocaust|The Holocaust]] is in Western culture. China is increasingly being seen as a competitor, however. Popular opinion in Japan is also increasingly resentful of what is perceived as [[w:anti-Japanese sentiment|anti-Japanese sentiment]] in China. Some feel that China should be grateful for ODA funds and that it is not. China has also been criticized by [[w:Minister for Foreign Affairs (Japan)|Japanese Foreign Minister]] [[w:Nobutaka Machimura|Nobutaka Machimura]] for not being sufficiently cooperative with regards to [[w:list of environmental issues|environmental issues]], which necessarily affect its eastern neighbor Japan. The People's Republic of China's Communist leaders have also been criticized for violating [[w:human rights]] and effecting a military build-up. Some argue that economic aid should be tied to compliance on relevant standards. Through the ODA, Japan enjoys the support of many developing nations in UN votes. When China did not [[w:reform of the United Nations Security Council#Japan|react]] favorably to Japan's intention to seek permanent [[w:United Nations Security Council|UN Security Council]] membership, ''[[w:The Japan Times|The Japan Times]]'' criticized the aid as a "complete waste". ''[[w:Asia Times Online|Asia Times Online]]'' predicts "it is inevitable that funds flowing to China are set for further downsizing." Total Japanese expenditures on ODA have reached $221bn distributed to 185 nations. Currently, the biggest recipient of Japan's ODA aid is [[India]]. Japan may soon be outspent in aid to China by [[France]], [[Germany]] and [[Italy]]. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|People's Republic of China – Japan relations#Bilateral structural change (the late 1990s to 2004)}} *{{source|url=http://atimes.com/atimes/Japan/FK18Dh02.html |title=Japan loses yen to aid China |author=Phar Kim Beng |pub=Asia Times Online |date=November 18, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.japantimes.com/cgi-bin/geted.pl5?eo20041025kh.htm |title=ODA looks wasted on China |author=Kiroku Hanai |pub=The Japan Times |date=October 25, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archived}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:China]] [[Category:Japan]] [[Category:International aid]] [[Category:Economy and business]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Asia]]

Japan's Diet has proposed to reduce economic assistance given to China. Economic aid is currently given in the form of grants and technical assistance under the Official development assistance (ODA) program. ODA contributes to the development of the economies of states harmed by Japan during World War II, an approach pursued not only as restitution but to improve regional stability and to secure scarce natural resource trade. Assistance to mainland China will total $8.9bn this year, making Japan an unusual second to the United States in aid. This is down 30% from 1997, and is the fourth year-on-year decline as of 2003. Loans to China total $30bn to date. The ODA has been a key feature in Sino-Japanese economic and diplomatic relations. It was begun in the 1980s as China "opened up" to foreign investment. It is in part restitution for damage inflicted on China and atrocities such as the Rape of Nanking, seen in Chinese culture in much the same way as The Holocaust is in Western culture. China is increasingly being seen as a competitor, however. Popular opinion in Japan is also increasingly resentful of what is perceived as anti-Japanese sentiment in China. Some feel that China should be grateful for ODA funds and that it is not. China has also been criticized by Japanese Foreign Minister Nobutaka Machimura for not being sufficiently cooperative with regards to environmental issues, which necessarily affect its eastern neighbor Japan. The People's Republic of China's Communist leaders have also been criticized for violating w:human rights and effecting a military build-up. Some argue that economic aid should be tied to compliance on relevant standards. Through the ODA, Japan enjoys the support of many developing nations in UN votes. When China did not react favorably to Japan's intention to seek permanent UN Security Council membership, The Japan Times criticized the aid as a "complete waste". Asia Times Online predicts "it is inevitable that funds flowing to China are set for further downsizing." Total Japanese expenditures on ODA have reached $221bn distributed to 185 nations. Currently, the biggest recipient of Japan's ODA aid is India. Japan may soon be outspent in aid to China by France, Germany and Italy.

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CRS analyses al Qaeda statements

{{United States infobox}}{{byline|date=November 17, 2004|location=[[w:Washington, D.C.|WASHINGTON]]}} A report by the [[United States]] [[w:Federal government of the United States|government]]'s [[w:Congressional Research Service|Congressional Research Service]] (CRS) analysing [[w:al-Qaeda|al-Qaeda]] statements was made public Tuesday. The report examines methods used, ideas presented, and audience intended in al-Qaeda public statements, and how they have changed over time. The CRS is an auxiliary research office for the [[w:United States Congress|United States Congress]], and does not make its unclassified reports public. The full report is available at the website of the [[w:Secrecy News|Secrecy News]] project run by the [[w:Federation of American Scientists|Federation of American Scientists]]. Released November 16th, 2004, it is titled "Al Qaeda: Statements and Evolving Ideology". {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://www.fas.org/sgp/news/secrecy/2004/11/111704.html |title=Secrecy News |author= |pub=FAS Project on Government Secrecy |date=November 17, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.fas.org/irp/crs/RS21973.pdf |title=Al Qaeda: Statements and Evolving Ideology |author=Christopher M. Blanchard |pub=Congressional Research Service |date=November 16, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archived}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Al-Qaeda]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:North America]]

A report by the United States government's Congressional Research Service (CRS) analysing al-Qaeda statements was made public Tuesday. The report examines methods used, ideas presented, and audience intended in al-Qaeda public statements, and how they have changed over time. The CRS is an auxiliary research office for the United States Congress, and does not make its unclassified reports public. The full report is available at the website of the Secrecy News project run by the Federation of American Scientists. Released November 16th, 2004, it is titled "Al Qaeda: Statements and Evolving Ideology".

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Barroso names new European Union Commissioners

{{European Union}}{{byline|date=November 18, 2004|location=[[w:Brussels|BRUSSELS]]}} The head of the [[w:European Commission|European Commission]], [[w:José Manuel Barroso|José Manuel Barroso]], has revised his choice of 25 [[w:European Commissioner|Commissioners]] after he was forced to withdraw his last list of candidates. Controversy was sparked by his choice of conservative [[Italy|Italian]] [[w:Rocco Buttiglione|Rocco Buttiglione]] for the [[w:European Commissioner for Justice, Freedom & Security|Justice Commissioner]] position, who made several statements regarding [[w:homosexuality|homosexuality]] and women that members of the [[w:European Parliament|European Parliament]] objected to. His new line-up, according to the ''[[w:BBC|BBC]]'', is mostly identical to his previous one; only two previous candidates (the Italian Buttiglione and the [[Latvia]]n [[w:Ingrīda Ūdre|Ingrīda Ūdre]]) have been replaced. The European Parliament voted in favour the Commissioners on November 18th, giving [[w:Barroso Commission|Barroso and his staff]] the green light to start their official five-year term starting on Monday. While the [[w:European Green Party|Greens]], [[w:Euroscepticism|Eurosceptics]] and the [[w:Party of the European Left|Communist Party]] voted against, the Commission secured the approval of the Parliament's biggest parties - the [[w:Party of European Socialists|Socialists]], the [[w:Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe|Liberals]] and the [[w:European People's Party|European People's Party]]. The vote ended with 449 in favour, 149 against and 82 abstentions, ''[[w:CNN|CNN]]'' reports. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|Barroso Commission}} *{{source|url=http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/11/18/eu.commission.ap/index.html |title=New European Commission approved |author= |pub=CNN |date=November 18, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4020691.stm |title=EU's Barroso names Commissioners |author= |pub=BBC News Online |date=November 17, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archived}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:European Union]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Brussels]] [[Category:Belgium]] [[Category:Europe]] [[Category:European Parliament]] [[Category:European Commission]]

The head of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, has revised his choice of 25 Commissioners after he was forced to withdraw his last list of candidates. Controversy was sparked by his choice of conservative Italian Rocco Buttiglione for the Justice Commissioner position, who made several statements regarding homosexuality and women that members of the European Parliament objected to. His new line-up, according to the BBC, is mostly identical to his previous one; only two previous candidates (the Italian Buttiglione and the Latvian Ingrīda Ūdre) have been replaced. The European Parliament voted in favour the Commissioners on November 18th, giving Barroso and his staff the green light to start their official five-year term starting on Monday. While the Greens, Eurosceptics and the Communist Party voted against, the Commission secured the approval of the Parliament's biggest parties - the Socialists, the Liberals and the European People's Party. The vote ended with 449 in favour, 149 against and 82 abstentions, CNN reports.

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Sharon considered temporary Israeli coup in 1967

{{Israel}}{{byline|date=November 17, 2004|location=[[w:Tel Aviv|TEL AVIV]]}} [[w:Prime Minister of Israel|Prime Minister]] [[w:Ariel Sharon|Ariel Sharon]] considered a temporary [[w:coup d'état|coup d'état]] of the [[w:Politics of Israel|Israeli government]] with other members of the [[w:Israel Defense Forces|Israeli military]] shortly before the 1967 [[w:Six-Day War|Arab-Israeli War]], it has been revealed. Days leading up to the '67 Arab-Israeli War featured a build-up of [[Egypt]]ian, [[Syria]]n, and [[Iraq]]i forces on the border that was perceived by many as a threat to the very existence of [[Israel]]. Military advisors pressured for a preemptive strike, which was felt necessary to offset Israeli numerical inferiority. Then-Prime Minister [[w:Levi Eshkol|Levi Eshkol]] was under intense pressure from his cabinet and military on the decision to pursue diplomacy or war. Many pro-war officials considered war inevitable and a delay only harmful to Israel. Ariel Sharon was a [[w:Major General#Israel|Major General]] in the Israeli military during the war. On May 28th, he advised the [[w:Chief of General Staff (Israel)|Chief of Staff]] [[w:Yitzhak Rabin|Yitzhak Rabin]] that the cabinet could be detained and a coup declared. Sharon and others felt that the civilian government was unable to reach a necessary decision. The military would make the decision the government would not, and begin war in the government's best interests. He explains: "We often asked whether in the State of Israel there could arise a situation in which the army takes control. And I always said it was impossible, that this couldn't happen in the State of Israel." "And then, after the meeting on May 28, I said to the chief of staff and others who were present, that there had arisen a situation in which this could happen, and that it would also be well accepted - that is to say, to seize control not in the framework of wanting to govern, but in the framework of making a decision, the fundamental decision, and that [the] army can make it without the government." "I don't remember if he agreed or not, but I think he also viewed it in this way." Sharon stressed that no definite plan existed. However, he defended giving it serious consideration, saying: "They [the civilian government] would have accepted it with a sense of relief. That was my feeling." Prime Minister Eshkol later decided in favor of war on June 5th. Ariel Sharon served as a commander of the [[w:Southern Command (Israel)|Southern Division]]. His comments may be found in full in ''Ma'arachot'', a publication by the [[w:Ministry of Defense (Israel)|Israeli defense ministry]]. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/egypt/1476849/Sharon-considered-1967-coup-to-force-war-with-Egypt.html |title=Sharon considered 1967 coup to force war with Egypt |author=Inigo Gilmore |pub=The Daily Telegraph (UK) |date=November 17, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/pages/ShArt.jhtml?itemNo=502026 |title=On eve of '67 War, Sharon proposed Israel start fighting without cabinet okay |author=Amir Oren |pub=Haaretz |date=November 16, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archived}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Israel]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Israel Defense Forces]] [[Category:Middle East]] [[Category:Ariel Sharon]] [[Category:Yitzhak Rabin]]

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon considered a temporary coup d'état of the Israeli government with other members of the Israeli military shortly before the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, it has been revealed. Days leading up to the '67 Arab-Israeli War featured a build-up of Egyptian, Syrian, and Iraqi forces on the border that was perceived by many as a threat to the very existence of Israel. Military advisors pressured for a preemptive strike, which was felt necessary to offset Israeli numerical inferiority. Then-Prime Minister Levi Eshkol was under intense pressure from his cabinet and military on the decision to pursue diplomacy or war. Many pro-war officials considered war inevitable and a delay only harmful to Israel. Ariel Sharon was a Major General in the Israeli military during the war. On May 28th, he advised the Chief of Staff Yitzhak Rabin that the cabinet could be detained and a coup declared. Sharon and others felt that the civilian government was unable to reach a necessary decision. The military would make the decision the government would not, and begin war in the government's best interests. He explains: "We often asked whether in the State of Israel there could arise a situation in which the army takes control. And I always said it was impossible, that this couldn't happen in the State of Israel." "And then, after the meeting on May 28, I said to the chief of staff and others who were present, that there had arisen a situation in which this could happen, and that it would also be well accepted - that is to say, to seize control not in the framework of wanting to govern, but in the framework of making a decision, the fundamental decision, and that the army can make it without the government." "I don't remember if he agreed or not, but I think he also viewed it in this way." Sharon stressed that no definite plan existed. However, he defended giving it serious consideration, saying: "They the civilian government would have accepted it with a sense of relief. That was my feeling." Prime Minister Eshkol later decided in favor of war on June 5th. Ariel Sharon served as a commander of the Southern Division. His comments may be found in full in Ma'arachot, a publication by the Israeli defense ministry.

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Kmart to buy Sears for US$11 billion

{{date|November 17, 2004}} Discount retailer [[w:Kmart|Kmart Corp.]] announced Wednesday morning it will buy department store operator [[w:Sears|Sears, Roebuck & Co.]]. The deal is to cost $11.5bn and will lead to the creation of the third-largest U.S. retailer, after [[w:Wal-Mart|Wal-Mart]] and [[w:Home Depot|Home Depot]], and replacing [[w:Target Stores|Target]] at number three. The new company, which is to be called [[w:Sears Holdings|Sears Holdings]] and be based near [[w:Chicago|Chicago]], will have $55 billion in annual revenue and nearly 3,500 retail stores. Edward Lampert, the chairman of Kmart, will become the chairman of the new company, while Alan Lacy, current chairman and chief executive of Sears will be the new chief executive. Sears CEO Alan Lacy, speaking about the deal, promised up to $500 million a year in savings within three years from improved efficient, greater purchasing power and possible store closures. The stores will retain their current names. The purchase will allow the two stores to sell each other's brands, including Craftsman Tools, Kenmore, and [[w:Lands' End|Lands' End]] from Sears, and [[w:Martha Stewart|Martha Stewart]] and Joe Boxer brands from Kmart. The move is considered a boon for Sears, which until recently has confined itself to malls, and can now sell its products in the many Kmart locations. Shares of both companies soared after the announcement, Sears was up 22 percent on Wednesday, whilst Kmart gained 15 percent. ==Sources== *[http://www.forbes.com/business/services/feeds/ap/2004/11/17/ap1662284.html Forbes Magazine] *[http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=6842124 Reuters] *[http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,1353466,00.html The Guardian] *[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4019355.stm BBC News] *[http://money.cnn.com/2004/11/17/news/fortune500/sears_kmart/index.htm?cnn=yes CNN Money] ==External links== *[http://www.kmart.com Kmart] *[http://www.sears.com Sears] {{publish}} {{archive}} [[Category:North America]] [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Economy and business]] [[Category:Illinois]] [[Category:Wal-Mart]]

Discount retailer Kmart Corp. announced Wednesday morning it will buy department store operator Sears, Roebuck & Co.. The deal is to cost $11.5bn and will lead to the creation of the third-largest U.S. retailer, after Wal-Mart and Home Depot, and replacing Target at number three. The new company, which is to be called Sears Holdings and be based near Chicago, will have $55 billion in annual revenue and nearly 3,500 retail stores. Edward Lampert, the chairman of Kmart, will become the chairman of the new company, while Alan Lacy, current chairman and chief executive of Sears will be the new chief executive. Sears CEO Alan Lacy, speaking about the deal, promised up to $500 million a year in savings within three years from improved efficient, greater purchasing power and possible store closures. The stores will retain their current names. The purchase will allow the two stores to sell each other's brands, including Craftsman Tools, Kenmore, and Lands' End from Sears, and Martha Stewart and Joe Boxer brands from Kmart. The move is considered a boon for Sears, which until recently has confined itself to malls, and can now sell its products in the many Kmart locations. Shares of both companies soared after the announcement, Sears was up 22 percent on Wednesday, whilst Kmart gained 15 percent.

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Sainsbury's posts first ever loss

{{date|November 17, 2004}} [[w:J_Sainsbury|Sainsbury's]], the UK [[w:Supermarket|supermarket]] chain, announced on Wednesday that it had made its first ever loss. For the six months to 9 October, it reported a pre-tax loss of £39m ($72m), compared with a profit of £323m the previous year. Excluding £168m of exceptional items, such as the clearance of surplus merchandise, Sainsbury's made a pre-tax profit of £131m for the first half of its financial year. The company had made a profits warning earlier in the year. The company's shares actually rose slightly on the news. This is due to the absence of any surprises - shareholders were expecting results in line with these. Sainsbury's chief executive [[w:Justin King|Justin King]] admitted the firm had been failing to properly stock its shelves after struggling with faulty distribution systems. This problem however is only one of a series of problems that has plagued Sainsbury's in recent years. Once the UK's largest supermarket chain, Sainsbury's has been overtaken by both [[w:Tesco|Tesco]] and [[w:ASDA|Asda]] in recent years. ==Sources== #BBC News [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4018407.stm "Sainsbury's makes first ever loss"] #Ireland On-Line [http://212.2.162.45/news/story.asp?j=124421910&p=yz44zz6y6&n=124422670 "Sainsburys reports first ever loss"] ==External links== #[[w:Supermarkets_in_the_United_Kingdom|Supermarkets in the UK]] #[http://www.sainsbury.co.uk/ Sainsbury's] {{publish}} {{archived}} [[Category:United Kingdom]] [[Category:Economy and business]]

Sainsbury's, the UK supermarket chain, announced on Wednesday that it had made its first ever loss. For the six months to 9 October, it reported a pre-tax loss of £39m ($72m), compared with a profit of £323m the previous year. Excluding £168m of exceptional items, such as the clearance of surplus merchandise, Sainsbury's made a pre-tax profit of £131m for the first half of its financial year. The company had made a profits warning earlier in the year. The company's shares actually rose slightly on the news. This is due to the absence of any surprises - shareholders were expecting results in line with these. Sainsbury's chief executive Justin King admitted the firm had been failing to properly stock its shelves after struggling with faulty distribution systems. This problem however is only one of a series of problems that has plagued Sainsbury's in recent years. Once the UK's largest supermarket chain, Sainsbury's has been overtaken by both Tesco and Asda in recent years.

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Chinese submarine enters Japanese waters

{{date|November 18, 2004}} Tenuous relations between [[Japan]] and the [[People's Republic of China]] were strained last week when a Chinese nuclear-powered [[w:submarine|submarine]] entered Japanese territorial waters southwest of [[w:Okinawa|Okinawa]]. The intrusion occurred on 10 November, Japanese time (UTC+9). The submarine was quickly spotted by Japan's [[w:Japan Self-Defence Forces|Self-Defence Forces]] and was tracked by [[w:helicopter|helicopter]] as it wandered in Japanese waters for two hours before moving north-west. [[w:International law|International law]] requires a tracked submarine to surface and identify its [[w:nationality|nationality]] in times of peace; the submarine did not do so. Many Japanese officials in the Defence Agency considered the intrusion an act of provocation and "showing off," as the submarine in question was a particularly noisy model. It continued traveling very slowly after being spotted, and remained in shallow waters. The intrustion caused Japanese Self-Defense Forces to go on alert for the second time since the Second World War. The submarine in question is believed to be a Type 09-1 Han Class [[w:Attack submarine|attack submarine]]. It is a nuclear-powered submarine designed in the 1950s and first built in the 1974. This class of submarine is thought to suffer numerous defects, including radiation leakage, noise, and an inability to fire missiles while submerged. Only two of five submarines are thought to be operational. China has recently begun an active modernization of its [[w:People's Liberation Army Navy|navy]]. On 17 November, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Daiwei met with the Japanese [[w:ambassador|ambassador]] to China Anami Koreshige in [[w:Beijing|Beijing]] and offered an apology for the incident, stating that the submarine was on a training mission and the intrusion was due to a "technical error" and was "regrettable." Japan's Defence Agency is studying whether "technical errors" is a feasible explanation for the incident. Japanese [[w:Prime Minster of Japan|Prime Minister]] [[w:Junichiro Koizumi|Koizumi Junichiro]] has publicly stated he wishes to speak with Chinese [[w:President of the People's Republic of China|President]] [[w:Hu Jintao|Hu Jintao]] about this and other matters of Sino-Japanese contention at the upcoming annual [[w:Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation|Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation]] summit in [[w:Chile|Chile]] later this month. Despite the increasingly close economic ties between the two nations, distrust has long exisited between Japan and China. Many Chinese people still resent the Japanese invasion and [[w:Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)|occupation of China]] during [[w:World War II|World War II]] and Japan's refusal to formally apologise. Japan, on the other hand, sees China as a potential competitor and an increasing threat to its national security. [[w:Constitution of Japan|Japan's Constitution]] forbids the nation from exercising military strength in matters other than that of [[w:self-defence|self-defence]], but Japan's ruling party, the [[w:Liberal Democratic Party (Japan)|Liberal Democratic Party]] or LDP, has recently proposed constitutional amendments to give the military more offensive capabilities, among other things. {{haveyoursay}} == Related news == *{{wikinews|title=Japan to reduce aid to China|date=November 17, 2004}} == Sources == * [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20041117a1.htm Beijing says tech glitch led to sub intrusion]. ''The Japan Times,'' November 17, 2004. * [http://www.japantimes.com/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20041118a2.htm Constitutional changes eyed to let female on throne, legalize military]. ''The Japan Times,'' November 17, 2004. * [http://www.sfexaminer.com/article/index.cfm/i/111704b_asia Friction growing between Japan, China]. ''Associated Press'' via ''San Francisco Examiner,'' November 17, 2004. * [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20041113a4.htm Chinese submarine intrusion considered an act of provocation]. ''The Japan Times,'' November 13, 2004. * [http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20041112a4.htm Japan continues tracking mystery sub]. ''The Japan Times,'' November 12, 2004. * [http://globalsecurity.org/military/world/china/type-91.htm Type 09-1 Han Class (Including report of incident)]. ''GlobalSecurity.org''. ---- {{reviewed}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:China]] [[Category:Japan]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Hu Jintao]] [[Category:Submarines]] [[Category:Military]]

Tenuous relations between Japan and the People's Republic of China were strained last week when a Chinese nuclear-powered submarine entered Japanese territorial waters southwest of Okinawa. The intrusion occurred on 10 November, Japanese time (UTC+9). The submarine was quickly spotted by Japan's Self-Defence Forces and was tracked by helicopter as it wandered in Japanese waters for two hours before moving north-west. International law requires a tracked submarine to surface and identify its nationality in times of peace; the submarine did not do so. Many Japanese officials in the Defence Agency considered the intrusion an act of provocation and "showing off," as the submarine in question was a particularly noisy model. It continued traveling very slowly after being spotted, and remained in shallow waters. The intrustion caused Japanese Self-Defense Forces to go on alert for the second time since the Second World War. The submarine in question is believed to be a Type 09-1 Han Class attack submarine. It is a nuclear-powered submarine designed in the 1950s and first built in the 1974. This class of submarine is thought to suffer numerous defects, including radiation leakage, noise, and an inability to fire missiles while submerged. Only two of five submarines are thought to be operational. China has recently begun an active modernization of its navy. On 17 November, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Daiwei met with the Japanese ambassador to China Anami Koreshige in Beijing and offered an apology for the incident, stating that the submarine was on a training mission and the intrusion was due to a "technical error" and was "regrettable." Japan's Defence Agency is studying whether "technical errors" is a feasible explanation for the incident. Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro has publicly stated he wishes to speak with Chinese President Hu Jintao about this and other matters of Sino-Japanese contention at the upcoming annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Chile later this month. Despite the increasingly close economic ties between the two nations, distrust has long exisited between Japan and China. Many Chinese people still resent the Japanese invasion and occupation of China during World War II and Japan's refusal to formally apologise. Japan, on the other hand, sees China as a potential competitor and an increasing threat to its national security. Japan's Constitution forbids the nation from exercising military strength in matters other than that of self-defence, but Japan's ruling party, the Liberal Democratic Party or LDP, has recently proposed constitutional amendments to give the military more offensive capabilities, among other things. ----

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Speculation arises as North Korean media drops Kim Jong Il's title

{{date|November 18, 2004}} On Wednesday [[North Korea]]'s official media dropped [[Kim Jong Il]]'s honourific title "Dear leader", reported Japan's Radiopress. It was only days after the Russian news agency {{w|Itar-Tass}} reported that portraits of Kim Jong Il have recently been removed from public display in North Korea. According to Radiopress, a Japanese news agency that monitors North Korea's radio broadcasts, the North's Korean Central Broadcasting Station, as well as the Korean Central News Agency and other North Korean media, have stopped using the term "Dear leader" when referring to Kim Jong Il, the country's supreme leader. Now the media in North Korea only use the official titles "General Secretary of the {{w|Workers' Party of Korea}}", " the Chairman of the DPRK National Defense Commission" and/or "Supreme Commander of the {{w|Korean People's Army}}" when referring to Kim. Earlier Itar-Tass also reported that according to an unnamed foreign diplomat in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Il's portraits have recently been taken down from public display secretly and without explanation. However, the portraits of Kim's father, {{w|Kim Il Sung}}, still remain, according to the same report. This report has been confirmed by some expatriates living in the country. This recent development in North Korea has given rise to speculation among analysts, some of whom suspected that these may be a sign that Kim is losing power, or that a power struggle is going on among the top leaders of the totalitarian state. But most observers believe that the portraits were taken down by the order of Kim Jong Il himself, who might be trying to downsize his own personality cult. "We believe the change was made at his will to soften his image as a leader of a {{w|personality cult}}, although it is hard to determine what his real intentions are," said Shinya Kato, the editor of Radiopress. [[South Korea]]n officials are not yet speculating on the matter, saying the portrait removals "may be for various reasons." North Korea is one of the few {{w|Stalinism|Stalinist}} states that still exist today, and the political control in the country remains tight. In recent years North Korea underwent several minor reforms that did not appear to significantly improve quality of life. It has also remained largely mysterious and secretive to the outside world, as few foreign correspondents are allowed to visit and stay in the country. == Sources == #[http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=1463372&PageNum=0 Kim's portraits removed upon instruction from North Korean government], ''Itar-Tass'', November 17, 2004 #James Brooke, [http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/18/international/asia/18korea.html Monitors of North Korean News Note Dip in Reverence for Kim], ''The New York Times'', November 18, 2004 #[http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/11/17/kim.cult.ap/ Mystery as Kim title, posters go], ''CNN'', November 18, 2004 #[http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200411/16/200411162230463539900090309031.html Kim Jong-il portraits reportedly disappear], ''JoongAng Daily'', November 18, 2004 #[http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200411/200411180014.html North Korean Media Drop Kim Jong-il's 'Dear Leader' Title], ''The Chosun Ilbo'', November 18, 2004 #[http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2004/11/18/200411180031.asp Seoul denies speculation over N.K. leader's status]. ''Korea Herald,'' November 17, 2004 {{reviewed}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:North Korea]] [[Category:Kim Jong-il]] [[Category:Korean Peninsula]] [[Category:Asia]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Korean Central News Agency]] {{publish}}

On Wednesday North Korea's official media dropped Kim Jong Il's honourific title "Dear leader", reported Japan's Radiopress. It was only days after the Russian news agency reported that portraits of Kim Jong Il have recently been removed from public display in North Korea. According to Radiopress, a Japanese news agency that monitors North Korea's radio broadcasts, the North's Korean Central Broadcasting Station, as well as the Korean Central News Agency and other North Korean media, have stopped using the term "Dear leader" when referring to Kim Jong Il, the country's supreme leader. Now the media in North Korea only use the official titles "General Secretary of the Korean People's Army" when referring to Kim. Earlier Itar-Tass also reported that according to an unnamed foreign diplomat in Pyongyang, Kim Jong Il's portraits have recently been taken down from public display secretly and without explanation. However, the portraits of Kim's father, , still remain, according to the same report. This report has been confirmed by some expatriates living in the country. This recent development in North Korea has given rise to speculation among analysts, some of whom suspected that these may be a sign that Kim is losing power, or that a power struggle is going on among the top leaders of the totalitarian state. But most observers believe that the portraits were taken down by the order of Kim Jong Il himself, who might be trying to downsize his own personality cult. "We believe the change was made at his will to soften his image as a leader of a , although it is hard to determine what his real intentions are," said Shinya Kato, the editor of Radiopress. South Korean officials are not yet speculating on the matter, saying the portrait removals "may be for various reasons." North Korea is one of the few Stalinist states that still exist today, and the political control in the country remains tight. In recent years North Korea underwent several minor reforms that did not appear to significantly improve quality of life. It has also remained largely mysterious and secretive to the outside world, as few foreign correspondents are allowed to visit and stay in the country.

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South American 2004 World Cup Qualifiers (11th)

{{date|November 17, 2004}} The '''South American 2004 World Cup Qualifiers''' were decided today in the Eleveth Round of play. ==Results== *'''Argentina 3 x Venezuela 2''' - place: Buenos Aires (Argentina) *'''Colombia 1 x Bolivia 0''' - place: Barranquilla (Colombia) *'''Ecuador 1 x Brasil 0''' - place: Quito (Ecuador) *'''Uruguay 1 x Paraguay 0''' - place: Montevideo (Uruguay) *'''Peru 2 x Chile 1''' - place: Lima (Peru) ==Standings== '''Rank Points Country''' #22 Argentina #20 Brasil #16 Paraguay #16 Ecuador #14 Uruguay #13 Colombia #13 Chile #13 Venezuela #13 Peru #10 Bolivia ==Sources== * FIFA [http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com/splash.html "Matches and Results"] * Diario Deportivo Ole [http://www.ole.clarin.com/jsp/v3/pagina.jsp?pagId=870509 Toda la Eliminatoria sudamericana]. ''[http://www.ole.com.ar]'', 18 November 2004 {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:South America]] [[Category:Football (soccer)]] [[Category:Published]]

The 'South American 2004 World Cup Qualifiers' were decided today in the Eleveth Round of play.

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Israeli army kills three Egyptians in border incident

{{date|November 18, 2004}} [[Image:Gz-map.png|thumb|right|The Gaza Strip]] GAZA - The [[w:Israeli Defense Force|Israeli Army]] is believed to have killed three [[w:Egypt|Egyptian]] soldiers in a border incident. The shootings occurred near the [[w:Philadelphi Route|Philadelphi Route]] on the [[w:Gaza|Gaza]]-[[w:Egypt|Egypt]] border. Both nations patrol the area intensively for [[w:arms smuggling|arms smuggling]] into Gaza. An Israeli tank apparently mistook Egyptian troops for smugglers. Foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regev has apologized for the incident, saying: "If Egyptians were hit then we regret it. This was not our intention. We want good co-operative relations with Egypt ... and if Egyptians were hurt then our thoughts go out to them and their families and the Egyptian people." Israel has said it is investigating the shootings "at the most senior level." Egypt has said little so far. ==Sources== #[http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=IZX52ZUC24RQACRBAEZSFFA?type=topNews&storyID=6849002 Report: Israeli Tank Kills 3 Egyptian Troops]. ''[[w:Reuters|Reuters]]'', 18 November 2004 #[http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/story.jsp?story=584045 Israelis gun down Egyptian soldiers in border blunder]. ''[[w:Associated Press|Associated Press]]'' via ''[[w:Telegraph UK|Telegraph UK]]'', 18 November 2004. #[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4021461.stm Israeli forces kill Egypt troops]. ''[[w:BBC Online|BBC Online]]'', 18 November 2004 #[http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/503304.html IDF tank mistakenly kills 3 Egyptian troops near Rafah]. ''[[w:Haaretz|Haaretz]]'', 18 November 2004 {{reviewed}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:November 18, 2004]] [[Category:Middle East]] [[Category:Israel]] [[Category:Egypt]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] {{publish}}

The Gaza Strip GAZA - The Israeli Army is believed to have killed three Egyptian soldiers in a border incident. The shootings occurred near the Philadelphi Route on the Gaza-Egypt border. Both nations patrol the area intensively for arms smuggling into Gaza. An Israeli tank apparently mistook Egyptian troops for smugglers. Foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regev has apologized for the incident, saying: "If Egyptians were hit then we regret it. This was not our intention. We want good co-operative relations with Egypt ... and if Egyptians were hurt then our thoughts go out to them and their families and the Egyptian people." Israel has said it is investigating the shootings "at the most senior level." Egypt has said little so far.

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New Band Aid music video is launched

{{date|November 18, 2004}} In the [[United Kingdom]], the [[w:music video|music video]] for this [[w:Christmas|Christmas']] remake of the charity single ''[[w:Do They Know It's Christmas?|Do They Know It's Christmas?]]'' was launched simultaneously today (Thursday) on several UK and [[Ireland|Irish]] television channels including [[w:BBC One|BBC One]], [[w:BBC Two|BBC Two]], [[w:RTE 1|RTE 1]], [[w:ITV1|ITV1]], [[w:Channel 4|Channel 4]], and [[w:Sky One|Sky One]]. The debut was made at 17:55 GMT. The song was originally recorded in 1984 by several of the biggest artists of the time including [[w:Bono|Bono]], [[Bob Geldof]], [[w:Paul McCartney|Paul McCartney]] and [[w:George Michael|George Michael]]. This year, in celebration of 20 years since the first single, the song has been remade by over 50 of today's best selling artists, including [[w:Coldplay|Coldplay]] frontman [[w:Chris Martin|Chris Martin]], [[w:Robbie Williams|Robbie Williams]], [[w:Bono|Bono]], [[w:Justin Hawkins|Justin Hawkins]] of [[w:The Darkness|The Darkness]] and [[w:Dido|Dido]]. The song, which is in aid of charity, is already tipped to be the Christmas No. 1 in the UK and Ireland. The song will also be launched as a charity mobile phone [[w:ringtone|ringtone]] to raise funds for [[Sudan]]'s troubled [[w:Darfur|Darfur]] region. Mycokemusic.com said it was going to put the track on its website from Thursday with all profits to be donated to charity. The single will be available to buy in shops from the 29 November. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|Band Aid (band)|Band Aid}} * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/4021819.stm BBC News] * [http://www.rte.ie/arts/2004/1118/bandaid.html RTE News] * [http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertainment/story.asp?j=102401900&p=yxz4xz48x Ireland On-Line] * [http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3775873 The Scotsman] * [http://www.itv.com/news/index_454866.html ITV] * [http://www.sky.com/showbiz/article/0,,50000-1160529,00.html Sky News] {{publish}} {{archived}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:United Kingdom]] [[Category:Culture and entertainment]] [[Category:Bob Geldof]] [[Category:Music videos]] [[Category:George Michael]] [[Category:Coldplay]]

In the United Kingdom, the music video for this Christmas' remake of the charity single Do They Know It's Christmas? was launched simultaneously today (Thursday) on several UK and Irish television channels including BBC One, BBC Two, RTE 1, ITV1, Channel 4, and Sky One. The debut was made at 17:55 GMT. The song was originally recorded in 1984 by several of the biggest artists of the time including Bono, Bob Geldof, Paul McCartney and George Michael. This year, in celebration of 20 years since the first single, the song has been remade by over 50 of today's best selling artists, including Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, Robbie Williams, Bono, Justin Hawkins of The Darkness and Dido. The song, which is in aid of charity, is already tipped to be the Christmas No. 1 in the UK and Ireland. The song will also be launched as a charity mobile phone ringtone to raise funds for Sudan's troubled Darfur region. Mycokemusic.com said it was going to put the track on its website from Thursday with all profits to be donated to charity. The single will be available to buy in shops from the 29 November.

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New Beta Version of MSN Search Service from Microsoft released

{{Microsoft}}{{byline|date=November 11, 2004|location={{w|Redmond, Washington|REDMOND}}, [[Washington|Washington]]}} [[Microsoft|Microsoft]] has released the new MSN Search service. According to Microsoft press release, the new MSN Search offers the largest, up to date selection of information and a new class of search tools, reducing time and effort required by users to find information. Some major characteristics of the new MSN Search service include: up to date information, direct answers, direct actions, content specific searching, Search Near Me feature (results tailored geographically), Search Builder (the user can customize search results by defining search criteria). The global beta version of MSN Search is available [http://beta.search.msn.com here]. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|MSN Search}} *{{source-pr|url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/Nov04/11-11SearchBetaLaunchPR.asp |title=Microsoft Launches Beta Version of New MSN Search Service |pub=Microsoft |date=November 11, 2004 | brokenURL = true | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20050404173403/http://www.microsoft.com:80/presspass/press/2004/nov04/11-11SearchBetaLaunchPR.asp | archivedescription = archived on archive.org, 2005-04-04}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Science and technology]] [[Category:Internet]] [[Category:Microsoft]] [[Category:Washington]] [[Category:North America]]

Microsoft has released the new MSN Search service. According to Microsoft press release, the new MSN Search offers the largest, up to date selection of information and a new class of search tools, reducing time and effort required by users to find information. Some major characteristics of the new MSN Search service include: up to date information, direct answers, direct actions, content specific searching, Search Near Me feature (results tailored geographically), Search Builder (the user can customize search results by defining search criteria). The global beta version of MSN Search is available here.

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Longhorn for 2006, according to Gates

{{Microsoft}}{{byline|date=November 16, 2004|location=[[w:Copenhagen|COPENHAGEN]]}} At Microsoft IT Forum 2004 Copenhagen technological conference [[w:Bill Gates|Bill Gates]], founder and current Chairman and Chief Software Architect of [[w:Microsoft|Microsoft]], has said the future operating system of Microsoft called [[w:Windows Longhorn|Longhorn]] will be released in 2006. There had been fears that Longhorn would not ship until 2007 or later. Microsoft has responded by cutting features from Longhorn, notably [[w:WinFS|WinFS]]. Features planned for Longhorn include a new 3D graphic user interface, a more sophisticated replacement for [[w:MS-DOS|MS-DOS]], and execute for processor [[w:NX bit|NX]], or No Execute, security features that prevents some [[w:malware|malicious code]] from being run. This is expected to be the first Microsoft release since [[w:Windows XP|Windows XP]] in October of 2001. There has, however, been some speculation of a "Windows XP Reloaded" in the interim. Longhorn is currently in Alpha as a preview-release to [[w:Microsoft Developer Network|Microsoft Developer Network]] (MSDN) subscribers. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://software.silicon.com/os/0,39024651,39123578,00.htm |title=Microsoft reveals latest on Longhorn release |author=Ina Fried and Margaret Kane |pub=silicon.com |date=August 31, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.microsoft.com/billgates/speeches/2004/11-16ITForum.asp |title=Remarks by Bill Gates, Chairman and Chief Software Architect, Microsoft Corporation - IT Forum 2004 |author=Bill Gates |pub=Microsoft |date=November 16, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.microsoft.com/europe/msitforum/ |title=Forum announce |author= |pub=Microsoft |date=2004}} {{Source offline}} {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Denmark]] [[Category:Science and technology]] [[Category:Bill Gates]] [[Category:Microsoft]] [[Category:Computing]]

At Microsoft IT Forum 2004 Copenhagen technological conference Bill Gates, founder and current Chairman and Chief Software Architect of Microsoft, has said the future operating system of Microsoft called Longhorn will be released in 2006. There had been fears that Longhorn would not ship until 2007 or later. Microsoft has responded by cutting features from Longhorn, notably WinFS. Features planned for Longhorn include a new 3D graphic user interface, a more sophisticated replacement for MS-DOS, and execute for processor NX, or No Execute, security features that prevents some malicious code from being run. This is expected to be the first Microsoft release since Windows XP in October of 2001. There has, however, been some speculation of a "Windows XP Reloaded" in the interim. Longhorn is currently in Alpha as a preview-release to Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) subscribers.

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US reporter convicted for not revealing source

{{byline|date=November 18, 2004|location=[[Rhode Island|RHODE ISLAND]]}} Television reporter [[w:Jim Taricani|Jim Taricani]] was [[w:Conviction|convicted]] of [[w:Criminal contempt|criminal contempt]] Thursday for not revealing to authorities the source of a video that he had received and reported on. The video had been sealed to prevent the public from seeing it. [[w:US District Court|US District Court]] Judge Ernest Torres convicted Taricani, a reporter for WJAR-TV News in [[w:Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]], [[w:Rhode Island|Rhode Island]]. The video in question showed the city's mayor, Vincent Cianci, taking a [[w:United States dollar|$]]1000 bribe. The official was subsequently convicted for corruption. During Cianci's trial, the court had ordered the video to be sealed. It was subsequently released to reporter Jim Taricani. Torres opined that the leak had been designed to prevent a fair trial and, as the video was sealed, the person who leaked it had broken the law. Taricani's refusal to identify the leaker had been the basis for his conviction of [[w:civil contempt|civil contempt]] on March 16. A USD $1000 fine was to be issued every day until Taricani revealed his source. He has paid all fines, and was reimbursed by WJAR-TV News for all expenses. Torres suspended the fine, calling it ineffective. Taricani defended his action, saying: "I made a promise to my source, which I intend to keep." Prosecutions for not revealing sources are becoming an increasingly common occurrence. Eight journalists have been convicted in recent months. Speaking in an interview Wednesday, he said, "I'm proud to be a part of this effort with other reporters who are facing this same thing." [[w:Sentencing|Sentencing]] is to take place December 9th. Torres has said Taricani will receive no more than six months due to ill health. == Sources == *{{source|url=http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&e=2&u=/ap/mum_reporter |title=Reporter Convicted for Protecting Source |author=Michael Mello |pub=Associated Press |date=November 18, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://spj.org/pressNotes.asp?ref=8642 |title=SPJ PressNotes for Thursday, November 18, 2004 |author= |pub=Society of Professional Journalists |date=November 18, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://spj.org/pressNotes_list.asp |date=SPJ PressNotes for Wednesday, November 10, 2004 |author= |pub=Society of Professional Journalists |date=November 10, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/20041104-1415-providencemayor-reporter.html |title=TV reporter threatened with criminal contempt for refusing to divulge source of videotape |author=Elizabeth Zuckerman for ''[[w:Associated Press|Associated Press]]'' |pub=SignOnSanDiego.com |date=November 4, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://spj.org/pressNotes_list.asp |title=SPJ PressNotes for Wednesday, June 23, 2004 |author= |pub=Society of Professional Journalists |date=June 23, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archived}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:United States]] [[Category:North America]] [[Category:Crime and law]] [[Category:Contempt of court]] [[Category:Right to a fair trial]]

Television reporter Jim Taricani was convicted of criminal contempt Thursday for not revealing to authorities the source of a video that he had received and reported on. The video had been sealed to prevent the public from seeing it. US District Court Judge Ernest Torres convicted Taricani, a reporter for WJAR-TV News in Providence, Rhode Island. The video in question showed the city's mayor, Vincent Cianci, taking a $1000 bribe. The official was subsequently convicted for corruption. During Cianci's trial, the court had ordered the video to be sealed. It was subsequently released to reporter Jim Taricani. Torres opined that the leak had been designed to prevent a fair trial and, as the video was sealed, the person who leaked it had broken the law. Taricani's refusal to identify the leaker had been the basis for his conviction of civil contempt on March 16. A USD $1000 fine was to be issued every day until Taricani revealed his source. He has paid all fines, and was reimbursed by WJAR-TV News for all expenses. Torres suspended the fine, calling it ineffective. Taricani defended his action, saying: "I made a promise to my source, which I intend to keep." Prosecutions for not revealing sources are becoming an increasingly common occurrence. Eight journalists have been convicted in recent months. Speaking in an interview Wednesday, he said, "I'm proud to be a part of this effort with other reporters who are facing this same thing." Sentencing is to take place December 9th. Torres has said Taricani will receive no more than six months due to ill health.

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Brazilian Landless Workers Movement invades city hall

{{Brazil}}{{byline|date=November 17, 2004|location=[[w:Pará|PARÁ]], [[Brazil]]}} According to local State Road Police, about 250 members of the Brazilian [[w:Landless Workers' Movement|Landless Workers' Movement]] called MST (Movimento dos Sem Terra, in Portuguese) blocked the PA-391 highway for about three hours and later invaded the City hall of [[w:Santa Bárbara do Pará|Santa Bárbara do Pará]], located at {{km to mi|50|abbr=yes}} from [[w:Belém|Belém]], [[w:Pará|Pará]]. MST said they wanted to be received by the mayor Marise Andréa Barbosa Colares ([[w:Brazilian Social Democratic Party|PSDB]]). She was not available and the MST was received by the mayor-elect Ismael Rasp Rock ([[w:Brazilian Democratic Movement Party|PMDB]]). There was not an agreement, and the MST has camped in front of the city hall. A new meeting is expected in coming days with the participation of the Incra (National Institute of Colonization and the Agrarian Reformation), a government institute. MST demands the city hall issue a Certificate of Agreement regarding the dispossession of an area in Santa Bárbara do Pará which belongs to the Dendê do Pará S.A, a company of Pará, that according to Incra passes for dispossession process. In accordance with information passed for the cabinet of the superintendent, the document was required in September, but the city hall had not issued it. This certificate requires the city hall to assume a series of responsibilities after installing housing in the area of the city, as well as providing education and medical assistance to those settled. The MST is a [[w:Marxism|Marxist]]-[[w:Maoism|Maoist]] inspired movement of agricultural workers in Brazil. According to MST, in 2003 there were about 632 MST camps in Brazil. MST say they fight for the [[w:Agrarian reform|Agrarian Reformation]] in Brazil. Some Brazilians have already protested against MST tactics, saying they are against the law and they are violent. Currently, MST receives help from the [[w:cabinet of Brazil|Brazilian government]] and donations from international organizations. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|Landless Workers' Movement#Violence and vandalism}} *{{source|url=http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/brasil/ult96u65755.shtml |title=MST invade prefeitura no interior do PA |author= |pub=Agência Folha |date=November 17, 2004}} {{pt}} *{{source|url=http://www.radiobras.gov.br/materia_i_2004.php?materia=206971 |title=Rossetto says MST is not justified in stepping up invasions in November |author=Nelson Motta (reporter) and David Silberstein (translator) |pub=Agência Brasil |date=November 11, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.mst.org.br/biblioteca/acampam/acamp2003.htm |title= |author= |pub=Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra |date=2003}} {{Source offline}} {{pt}} == External links == * [http://www.mst.org.br/mst/home.php MST Official webpage] {{pt}} * [http://www.mstbrazil.org/ MST International webpage] {{publish}} {{archived}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:MST in Brazil]] [[Category:Brazil]] [[Category:South America]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]]

According to local State Road Police, about 250 members of the Brazilian Landless Workers' Movement called MST (Movimento dos Sem Terra, in Portuguese) blocked the PA-391 highway for about three hours and later invaded the City hall of Santa Bárbara do Pará, located at from Belém, Pará. MST said they wanted to be received by the mayor Marise Andréa Barbosa Colares (PSDB). She was not available and the MST was received by the mayor-elect Ismael Rasp Rock (PMDB). There was not an agreement, and the MST has camped in front of the city hall. A new meeting is expected in coming days with the participation of the Incra (National Institute of Colonization and the Agrarian Reformation), a government institute. MST demands the city hall issue a Certificate of Agreement regarding the dispossession of an area in Santa Bárbara do Pará which belongs to the Dendê do Pará S.A, a company of Pará, that according to Incra passes for dispossession process. In accordance with information passed for the cabinet of the superintendent, the document was required in September, but the city hall had not issued it. This certificate requires the city hall to assume a series of responsibilities after installing housing in the area of the city, as well as providing education and medical assistance to those settled. The MST is a Marxist-Maoist inspired movement of agricultural workers in Brazil. According to MST, in 2003 there were about 632 MST camps in Brazil. MST say they fight for the Agrarian Reformation in Brazil. Some Brazilians have already protested against MST tactics, saying they are against the law and they are violent. Currently, MST receives help from the Brazilian government and donations from international organizations.

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Knight to leave Nike top job

{{date|November 18, 2004}} [[Reuters]] has reported that {{w|Phil_Knight|Philip Knight}}, co-founder of shoe giant [[Nike, Inc.]] will step down as the company's CEO and President on December 28. He will be replaced by {{w|William Perez}}, current CEO of {{w|S. C. Johnson & Son|S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.}} While industry experts consider this to be a good move as the company looks to expand beyond its core market, analyst Jamelah Reddy expressed surprise that an individual from outside the company was brought in rather than tapping one of Nike's co-presidents. Reddy said Knight was "leaving big shoes to fill." The move is a blow to activist organizations which have targeted the company for its use of sweatshop labor and other practices. For example, the progressive anti-consumerism magazine ''{{w|Adbusters}}'' recently introduced their "Black-Spot Sneaker" which they promote as being "for just one thing: kicking Phil Knight's ass". Nike spokesman Kirk Stewart said Perez was chosen for his experience in dealing with international markets and brand-building, an important skill as Nike continues expansion internationally. Nike's international sales now surpass domestic sales, reports Bloomberg. According to [[ESPN]], Knight was responsible for Nike's endorsement contract with {{w|Michael Jordan}}, signed in 1984 when he was still a rookie with the {{w|Chicago Bulls}}. Jordan said of Knight, "To me, Phil Knight will always be recognized as a sports marketing visionary — he will always be a part of Nike. I learned so much about the industry from him and will always admire his drive and creativity." Knight, who according to ''{{w|Forbes}}'' gave no reason for his departure, intends to retain his position as the chairman of Nike's board of directors. He will also hold on to his 28% voting share in the corporation, as well as his 92% share of the non-voting stock. ==Sources== #Michael Kahn, [http://olympics.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=businessNews&storyID=6860554 Nike co-founder Knight steps down as CEO], ''Reuters'', November 18, 2004. #Anne M. Peterson, [http://www.forbes.com/work/feeds/ap/2004/11/18/ap1665881.html Knight Steps Down as Nike CEO, President], ''Associated Press'', November 18, 2004. #Darren Rovell, [http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/sportsbusiness/news/story?id=1926045 Big Nikes to fill: Knight stepping down as CEO], ''ESPN'', November 18, 2004. #Andria Cheng & Greg Wiles, [http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000006&sid=aoe0qbIA3x24&refer=home Nike Chief Phil Knight Resigns; Board Appoints Perez], ''Bloomberg'', November 18, 2004. [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Economy and business]] [[Category:North America]] [[Category:Oregon]] [[Category:Nike, Inc.]] [[Category:Sports]] {{publish}} {{reviewed}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}}

Reuters has reported that Philip Knight, co-founder of shoe giant Nike, Inc. will step down as the company's CEO and President on December 28. He will be replaced by S. C. Johnson & Son|S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. While industry experts consider this to be a good move as the company looks to expand beyond its core market, analyst Jamelah Reddy expressed surprise that an individual from outside the company was brought in rather than tapping one of Nike's co-presidents. Reddy said Knight was "leaving big shoes to fill." The move is a blow to activist organizations which have targeted the company for its use of sweatshop labor and other practices. For example, the progressive anti-consumerism magazine recently introduced their "Black-Spot Sneaker" which they promote as being "for just one thing: kicking Phil Knight's ass". Nike spokesman Kirk Stewart said Perez was chosen for his experience in dealing with international markets and brand-building, an important skill as Nike continues expansion internationally. Nike's international sales now surpass domestic sales, reports Bloomberg. According to ESPN, Knight was responsible for Nike's endorsement contract with Chicago Bulls. Jordan said of Knight, "To me, Phil Knight will always be recognized as a sports marketing visionary — he will always be a part of Nike. I learned so much about the industry from him and will always admire his drive and creativity." Knight, who according to gave no reason for his departure, intends to retain his position as the chairman of Nike's board of directors. He will also hold on to his 28% voting share in the corporation, as well as his 92% share of the non-voting stock.

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Sudanese parties sign peace pledge

[[Image:Darfur map.png|right|300px|frame|A map of [[Sudan]] with the [[Darfur|Darfur region]] accentuated]] {{byline|date=November 19, 2004|location={{w|Nairobi|NAIROBI}}}} Representatives of both the [[Sudan|Sudanese]] government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement ({{w|SPLM}}) signed a peace pledge today in the {{w|Kenya|Kenyan}} capital {{w|Nairobi}}, under the watchful eye of {{w|United Nations}} {{w|ambassador|ambassadors}}. According to the [[BBC]], the document concluded with a memorandum saying that "prompt completion of the peace process is essential for all the people of Sudan". The actual peace treaty should, according to the pledge, be signed no later than December 31st 2004. While the pledge focuses mainly on the fights between the rebels in the {{w|South Sudan|south}} and the Khartoum-based government in the north, there is also attention for the ongoing crisis in east Sudan ([[Darfur]]). Several aid agencies have criticized the UN for taking a weak stand against the Sudanese government. The {{w|United Nations Security Council|Security Council}} has already signed two resolutions threatening economic sanctions against Sudan if the government does not disarm its troops in Darfur, but, so the BBC reports, the violence is continuing. The civil war in Darfur was sparked in 2003, when insurgents started attacking government buildings. The Arab government in {{w|Khartoum}} subsequently sent troops to the region, which have been reported to mass-violate human rights of the black Africans living in Darfur. == Related news == * January 9, 2005: [[Peace agreement signed in Sudan]] == Sources == *''BBC'', November 29, 2004: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4024477.stm UN backs south Sudan peace pledge] www.cnn.com {{archive}} [[Category:November 29, 2004]] [[Category:Sudan]] [[Category:Civil war]] [[Category:Published]] [[Category:Darfur]] [[Category:Africa]] [[Category:South Sudan]] [[Category:Nairobi]]

A map of Sudan with the Darfur region accentuated Representatives of both the Sudanese government and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (Kenya|Kenyan capital United Nations ambassadors. According to the BBC, the document concluded with a memorandum saying that "prompt completion of the peace process is essential for all the people of Sudan". The actual peace treaty should, according to the pledge, be signed no later than December 31st 2004. While the pledge focuses mainly on the fights between the rebels in the south and the Khartoum-based government in the north, there is also attention for the ongoing crisis in east Sudan (Darfur). Several aid agencies have criticized the UN for taking a weak stand against the Sudanese government. The Security Council has already signed two resolutions threatening economic sanctions against Sudan if the government does not disarm its troops in Darfur, but, so the BBC reports, the violence is continuing. The civil war in Darfur was sparked in 2003, when insurgents started attacking government buildings. The Arab government in subsequently sent troops to the region, which have been reported to mass-violate human rights of the black Africans living in Darfur. www.cnn.com

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Beheaded bodies found as fighting continues in Mosul

{{byline|date=November 19, 2004|location=MOSUL, Iraq}} [[United States|U.S.]] soldiers fighting in [[w:Mosul|Mosul]], [[Iraq]] discovered up to twelve [[w:Beheading|beheaded]] bodies in the western part of the city, the [[w:New York Times|New York Times]] has reported. The bodies are believed to be those of [[w:Iraqi National Guard|Iraqi soldiers]] killed for assisting [[w:United States Army|U.S. forces]] in eliminating [[w:Iraqi resistance|local resistance]]; however, no identification has been made. The bodies were found after a Jordanian named Abu Musab al-Zarqawi made an Internet posting in which he claimed that two Iraqi National Guard officers had been publicly decapitated in Mosul. A local businessman, Senan Shukri, claims to have witnessed the executions, stating that all onlookers had been warned that if they moved or otherwise disturbed the bodies they, too, would be beheaded. According to Lt. Col. Erik Kurilla of the 24th [[w:Infantry Regiment|Infantry Regiment]], high-ranking officials in the [[w:Iraqi National Guard|Iraqi National Guard]] have been notified of the claimed beheadings; he states, however, that they have been unable to determine if any of their [[w:officer|officers]] were missing, pointing out that many were on leave and thus difficult to track down in any circumstance. The bodies have not yet been removed by U.S. troops for fear that they might trigger [[w:Booby traps|booby-trapped]] explosives. == Sources == *{{source|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/19/international/middleeast/20iraqcnd.html |title=Beheaded Bodies Found in Mosul; U.S. Storms Baghdad Mosque |author=Richard A Oppel, Jr. |pub=New York Times |date=November 19, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archive}} [[Category:Iraq War]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Missing persons]] [[Category:Mosul]] [[Category:Iraq]]

U.S. soldiers fighting in Mosul, Iraq discovered up to twelve beheaded bodies in the western part of the city, the New York Times has reported. The bodies are believed to be those of Iraqi soldiers killed for assisting U.S. forces in eliminating local resistance; however, no identification has been made. The bodies were found after a Jordanian named Abu Musab al-Zarqawi made an Internet posting in which he claimed that two Iraqi National Guard officers had been publicly decapitated in Mosul. A local businessman, Senan Shukri, claims to have witnessed the executions, stating that all onlookers had been warned that if they moved or otherwise disturbed the bodies they, too, would be beheaded. According to Lt. Col. Erik Kurilla of the 24th Infantry Regiment, high-ranking officials in the Iraqi National Guard have been notified of the claimed beheadings; he states, however, that they have been unable to determine if any of their officers were missing, pointing out that many were on leave and thus difficult to track down in any circumstance. The bodies have not yet been removed by U.S. troops for fear that they might trigger booby-trapped explosives.

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Brazilian Landless Workers Movement (MST) invades in Bahia

{{byline|date=November 19, 2004|location=Bahia, Brazil}} About 250 people from the [[w:Landless Workers' Movement|MST]] (Movimento dos Sem Terra, in Portuguese) or Brazilian Landless Workers Movement has invaded a 223 [[w:hectare|hectares]] farm in the city of [[w:Ubaitaba|Ubaitaba]], [[w:Bahia|Bahia]]. According to Agência Folha, Fernando Rodrigues da Silva, 34 members of the movement says they want to press the Brazilian government institute called Incra (National Institute of Colonization and the Agrarian Reformation) to look after their cause. Raul Pinto Farias, owner of the farm has said he will demand the expulsion of MST out of his property before the Court of Law. The MST is a [[w:Marxist|Marxist]]-[[w:Maoist|Maoist]] inspired movement of landless peasants in Brazil. According to MST, in 2003 [http://www.mst.org.br/biblioteca/acampam/acamp2003.htm there were about 632 MST camps in Brazil]. MST is a large organization with many settlements throughout Brazilian countryside, especially in the Brazilian Northeast. Their main visible tactic is invading lands around the country. MST says they fight for agrarian reformation and justice in Brazil. Some Brazilians have already protested against MST tatics, saying they are against the law and are violent. Currently, MST funds itself by selling produce grown on its agricultural cooperatives and from donations from international organizations. Also the movement receives funds by selling [http://store.gxonlinestore.org/strongroots.html videos of their invasions]. ==Sources== #Agência Folha [http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/brasil/ult96u65801.shtml "Sem-terra invadem fazenda na Bahia" (in Portuguese)], November 19, 2004. #Radiobras [http://www.radiobras.gov.br/materia_i_2004.php?materia=206971&editoria= "Rossetto says MST is not justified in stepping up invasions in November"], November 11, 2004. {{archive}} [[Category:MST in Brazil]] [[Category:Brazil]] [[Category:Published]] [[Category:South America]]

About 250 people from the MST (Movimento dos Sem Terra, in Portuguese) or Brazilian Landless Workers Movement has invaded a 223 hectares farm in the city of Ubaitaba, Bahia. According to Agência Folha, Fernando Rodrigues da Silva, 34 members of the movement says they want to press the Brazilian government institute called Incra (National Institute of Colonization and the Agrarian Reformation) to look after their cause. Raul Pinto Farias, owner of the farm has said he will demand the expulsion of MST out of his property before the Court of Law. The MST is a Marxist-Maoist inspired movement of landless peasants in Brazil. According to MST, in 2003 there were about 632 MST camps in Brazil. MST is a large organization with many settlements throughout Brazilian countryside, especially in the Brazilian Northeast. Their main visible tactic is invading lands around the country. MST says they fight for agrarian reformation and justice in Brazil. Some Brazilians have already protested against MST tatics, saying they are against the law and are violent. Currently, MST funds itself by selling produce grown on its agricultural cooperatives and from donations from international organizations. Also the movement receives funds by selling videos of their invasions.

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Spanish tourist fatally shot in Rio de Janeiro

{{byline|date=November 19, 2004|location=RIO DE JANEIRO}}' - Juan Carlos Concero, aged 34, a [[w:Spain|Spanish]] tourist, was shot in the head during an assault in [[w:Rio de Janeiro|Rio de Janeiro]] today. He was carried to Souza Aguiar Hospital where he was in a [[w:coma|coma]], breathing with the help of life support machines. Hours later doctors pronounced him braindead. The Brazilian police offices in charge of the case announced the arrest of three man suspected of shooting Concero. ==Source== #Agência Folha [http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/cotidiano/ult95u102092.shtml "Espanhol é baleado na zona sul do Rio"] {{reviewed}} {{archive}} [[Category:Brazil]] [[Category:November 19, 2004]] [[Category:South America]] [[Category:Rio de Janeiro]] {{publish}}

' - Juan Carlos Concero, aged 34, a Spanish tourist, was shot in the head during an assault in Rio de Janeiro today. He was carried to Souza Aguiar Hospital where he was in a coma, breathing with the help of life support machines. Hours later doctors pronounced him braindead. The Brazilian police offices in charge of the case announced the arrest of three man suspected of shooting Concero.

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19 Burmese political prisoners released; more to come

{{byline|date=November 20, 2004|location=YANGON, Myanmar}} Nineteen Burmese political prisoners, including pro-democracy leader Min Ko Naing, have been freed by [[w:Burma|Burma]]'s military junta after it declared their imprisonments invalid, the Associated Press reports. The releases came after the current regime under Soe Win dissolved the National Intelligence Bureau run by Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, who was ousted last month. The Burmese state-run television and radio network claimed that the NIB had wrongly charged 3,937 prisoners. Min Ko Naing had been imprisoned since 1988 after leading pro-democracy protests that were quickly crushed by the ruling regime. In total, three senior members of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy were released. Aung San Suu Kyi herself has been under house arrest since May 2003 following a violent confrontation between loyalists and her dissidents. At least one NLD member expressed optimism about the new development. 77-year-old Ohn Maung, an NLD member freed on Friday after being imprisoned since 1998, told [[w:Reuters|Reuters]] "It was a pleasant surprise for all of us." He added, "I did not have to sign any undertaking and I expect most of the NLD members will also be released like me." [[w:UN|UN]] Secretary-General [[Kofi Annan]] released a statement in which he said that he is "encouraged by reports that a number of people detained for political activities are included among [the prisoners released]." He also called for the release of all remaining political opponents and dissidents, either from prison or from house arrest. According to witnesses outside Yangon's Insein Prison, altogether approximately 200 prisoners--most serving terms for minor criminal offenses--were released Friday. Although Burma's military regime changed the country's name to [[w:Myanmar|Myanmar]] in 1989--a change recognized by the United Nations--many national governments and a large portion of the Burmese population still use the name "Burma" because they do not recognize the legitimacy of the junta that instituted the change. == Sources == #[http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/11/20/myanmar.prisoners/ Myanmar key student leader freed], ''The Associated Press'', November 20, 2004. #Aung Hla Tun, [http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=6870249 Myanmar Frees Prominent Political Prisoners], ''Reuters'', November 20, 2004. #[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4027667.stm UN hails Burma inmates' release], ''BBC'', November 20, 2004. {{reviewed}} {{archive}} [[Category:November 20, 2004]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Published]] [[Category:United Nations]] [[Category:Kofi Annan]]

Nineteen Burmese political prisoners, including pro-democracy leader Min Ko Naing, have been freed by Burma's military junta after it declared their imprisonments invalid, the Associated Press reports. The releases came after the current regime under Soe Win dissolved the National Intelligence Bureau run by Prime Minister General Khin Nyunt, who was ousted last month. The Burmese state-run television and radio network claimed that the NIB had wrongly charged 3,937 prisoners. Min Ko Naing had been imprisoned since 1988 after leading pro-democracy protests that were quickly crushed by the ruling regime. In total, three senior members of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy were released. Aung San Suu Kyi herself has been under house arrest since May 2003 following a violent confrontation between loyalists and her dissidents. At least one NLD member expressed optimism about the new development. 77-year-old Ohn Maung, an NLD member freed on Friday after being imprisoned since 1998, told Reuters "It was a pleasant surprise for all of us." He added, "I did not have to sign any undertaking and I expect most of the NLD members will also be released like me." UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan released a statement in which he said that he is "encouraged by reports that a number of people detained for political activities are included among the prisoners released." He also called for the release of all remaining political opponents and dissidents, either from prison or from house arrest. According to witnesses outside Yangon's Insein Prison, altogether approximately 200 prisoners--most serving terms for minor criminal offenses--were released Friday. Although Burma's military regime changed the country's name to Myanmar in 1989--a change recognized by the United Nations--many national governments and a large portion of the Burmese population still use the name "Burma" because they do not recognize the legitimacy of the junta that instituted the change.

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Brazilian economist Celso Furtado dies

[[Image:CFurtado4.jpg|thumb|Celso Furtado(ABr/Marcello Casal Jr)]] {{Byline|date=November 20, 2004|location=RIO DE JANEIRO}} The Brazilian Economist [[w:Celso Furtado|Celso Furtado]], aged 84, has died today between 11 and 11:30 am, in his apartament in [[w:Rio de Janeiro|Rio de Janeiro]]. According to ABr (Government Brazilian news Agency) Celso Furtado was victim of a heart attack. He will be buried tomorrow at São João Batista cemetery, Rio de Janeiro at 12:00. ==Sources== #ABr [http://www.radiobras.gov.br/materia_i_2004.php?materia=207904&q=1&editoria= "Morte do economista Celso Furtado foi causada por infarto"] #ABr [http://www.radiobras.gov.br/materia_i_2004.php?materia=207918&q=1&editoria= "PT destaca em nota que morte de Furtado deixa o país mais pobre" ] #ABr [http://www.radiobras.gov.br/materia_i_2004.php?materia=207913&q=1&editoria= "Lula decreta luto oficial pela morte de Celso Furtado"] {{reviewed}} {{archive}} [[Category:Brazil]] [[Category:November 20, 2004]] [[Category:Obituaries]] [[Category:Published]] [[Category:Health]]

Celso Furtado(ABr/Marcello Casal Jr) The Brazilian Economist Celso Furtado, aged 84, has died today between 11 and 11:30 am, in his apartament in Rio de Janeiro. According to ABr (Government Brazilian news Agency) Celso Furtado was victim of a heart attack. He will be buried tomorrow at São João Batista cemetery, Rio de Janeiro at 12:00.

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Four NBA players suspended indefinitely for brawl

{{date|November 20, 2004}} Four [[w:National Basketball Association|National Basketball Association]] players have been suspended indefinitely for their actions during a brawl at the end of the Friday, November 19th game between the [[w:Detroit Pistons|Detroit Pistons]] and the [[w:Indiana Pacers|Indiana Pacers]]. [[w:Ron Artest|Ron Artest]], [[w:Jermaine O'Neal|Jermaine O'Neal]] and [[w:Stephen Jackson|Stephen Jackson]] of the Pacers and [[w:Ben Wallace|Ben Wallace]] of the Pistons learned of the length of their suspensions on Sunday. Ron Artest has been suspended for the rest of the season, Stephen Jackson for 30 games, Jermaine O'Neal for 25, and Ben Wallace for 6. Pacers guard Anthony Johnson received a 5 game suspension. In addition, Reggie Miller from Indiana, and Detroit Pistons Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman were each suspended one game for leaving their bench. The brawl began with 45.9 seconds left in the game, as Ben Wallace shoved Ron Artest after a particularly hard foul by Artest. That was settled quickly, but a fan then threw a cup at Artest as the referees were handling the aftermath of the fight, and Artest went into the stands, and began throwing punches. Jackson then joined in and began to throw punches as well. Due to the brawl the game was called, and ended with 45.9 seconds left. The Pacers were ruled the winner. Artest has had a history of suspensions before this incident. Last season he was suspended twice, once for leaving the bench during a fight, and once for elbowing Portland player [[w:Derek Anderson|Derek Anderson]]. He was suspended 5 times during the 2002-2003 season. == Sources == *{{source|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/basketball/nba/11/20/players.suspended.ap/ |title=Ugly brawl leads to four indefinite suspensions |author= |pub=CNN |date=}} *{{source|url=http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=sportsNews&storyID=6875173 |title=NBA Suspends Four Players for Part in Brawl |author= |pub=Reuters |date=}} *{{source|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpYTg2ZTBwBF9TAzk1ODYxOTQ4BHNlYwN0bQ--?slug=ap-pacers-pistonsbrawl&prov=ap&type=lgns |title=NBA suspends Artest for rest of season; eight players get shorter bans |author= |pub=Yahoo Sports |date=}} {{publish}} {{archive}} [[Category:North America]] [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Sports]] [[Category:Basketball]] [[Category:Indiana]]

Four National Basketball Association players have been suspended indefinitely for their actions during a brawl at the end of the Friday, November 19th game between the Detroit Pistons and the Indiana Pacers. Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal and Stephen Jackson of the Pacers and Ben Wallace of the Pistons learned of the length of their suspensions on Sunday. Ron Artest has been suspended for the rest of the season, Stephen Jackson for 30 games, Jermaine O'Neal for 25, and Ben Wallace for 6. Pacers guard Anthony Johnson received a 5 game suspension. In addition, Reggie Miller from Indiana, and Detroit Pistons Chauncey Billups, Elden Campbell and Derrick Coleman were each suspended one game for leaving their bench. The brawl began with 45.9 seconds left in the game, as Ben Wallace shoved Ron Artest after a particularly hard foul by Artest. That was settled quickly, but a fan then threw a cup at Artest as the referees were handling the aftermath of the fight, and Artest went into the stands, and began throwing punches. Jackson then joined in and began to throw punches as well. Due to the brawl the game was called, and ended with 45.9 seconds left. The Pacers were ruled the winner. Artest has had a history of suspensions before this incident. Last season he was suspended twice, once for leaving the bench during a fight, and once for elbowing Portland player Derek Anderson. He was suspended 5 times during the 2002-2003 season.

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US Exchange rate a concern for Europeans

{{date|November 21, 2004}} [[Europe]]an finance ministers at the {{w|G-20}} meeting which opened Saturday, November 20th, are expected to discuss the current exchange rate of the {{w|euro}} vs. the [[United States dollar|dollar]]. The euro is currently trading high against the dollar, so that it takes around $1.34 (as of December 4, 2004) to buy one euro. This has the effect of making exports from Europe to the USA more expensive, increasing the likelihood that [[US]] consumers will buy from a non-{{w|EU}} country. The exchange rate is set by the currency markets, although it is heavily influenced by the {{w|current account}} status (ie. the balance of trade between countries). Some European leaders want the United States to take action to increase the value of its exchange rate. The US though is seen as not wanting to do this, for two reasons: # A low dollar relative the euro means that all exports from the US to Europe are cheaper for Europeans to buy, increasing the likelihood that Europeans will buy US items and thus helping the US economy # Many actions which governments have done in the past to bolster unnaturally their currency have been fought by the market, and the market won. The most famous example is George Soros' "breaking of the Bank of England" One side-issue that this discussion might evoke is that of the exchange rate between the dollar and the {{w|Chinese yuan}}, which is fixed by [[China]]. Studies of this exchange rate using the concept of {{w|purchasing power parity}} (ensuring that a dollar traded to Chinese yuan will still buy roughly the same amount in China) show that the Chinese yuan has been around 50% undervalued for the past two years. This makes things from China on average 50% cheaper for a US consumer than they should be. US officials have throughout 2004 repeatedly called for China to end this practice. Normally it would end itself, i.e. even with a fixed exchange rate this process could only go on for so long before the entire Chinese market becomes valued differently. But since the Chinese central bank has been constantly lending money to the United States government (via the purchasing of US treasury bonds), that effect is mitigated. {{haveyoursay}} == References == # [http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/041120/germany_finance_ministers_1.html] [[w:Yahoo|Yahoo]] # [http://www.economist.com/markets/Bigmac/Index.cfm] [[w:The Economist|The Economist]] # [http://www.xe.com XE] {{publish}} {{archived}} [[Category:Europe]] [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Economy and business]] [[Category:China]] [[Category:Asia]] [[Category:North America]] [[Category:United States dollar]] [[Category:Euro]] [[Category:Currency]]

European finance ministers at the euro vs. the dollar. The euro is currently trading high against the dollar, so that it takes around $1.34 (as of December 4, 2004) to buy one euro. This has the effect of making exports from Europe to the USA more expensive, increasing the likelihood that US consumers will buy from a non-current account status (ie. the balance of trade between countries). Some European leaders want the United States to take action to increase the value of its exchange rate. The US though is seen as not wanting to do this, for two reasons: # A low dollar relative the euro means that all exports from the US to Europe are cheaper for Europeans to buy, increasing the likelihood that Europeans will buy US items and thus helping the US economy # Many actions which governments have done in the past to bolster unnaturally their currency have been fought by the market, and the market won. The most famous example is George Soros' "breaking of the Bank of England" One side-issue that this discussion might evoke is that of the exchange rate between the dollar and the purchasing power parity (ensuring that a dollar traded to Chinese yuan will still buy roughly the same amount in China) show that the Chinese yuan has been around 50% undervalued for the past two years. This makes things from China on average 50% cheaper for a US consumer than they should be. US officials have throughout 2004 repeatedly called for China to end this practice. Normally it would end itself, i.e. even with a fixed exchange rate this process could only go on for so long before the entire Chinese market becomes valued differently. But since the Chinese central bank has been constantly lending money to the United States government (via the purchasing of US treasury bonds), that effect is mitigated.

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Brazilian Landless Workers Movement (MST) attacked in Minas Gerais

{{date|November 21, 2004}} Seven unknown men armed with guns invaded the ''Terra Prometida'' camp, in [[w:Felisburgo|Felisburgo]] city, [[w:Minas Gerais|Minas Gerais]], Brazil, and killed five members of the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement movement ([[w:Landless Workers' Movement|MST]]). The ''Terra Prometida'' camp had been invaded by the MST in May 2002 and there were about 200 MST families living there at the time of the attack. According to the Brazilian newspaper Agência Folha, police said 13 of the members of the MST movement were injured and five died. Four of them are still hospitalized. Two of them, Joaquim Batista da Silva and his son (a 12-year-old child), are in the Felisburgo Municipal Hospital. The other two, Valdemar Barbosa Lima and José Maroto Lima, are in the Santa Rosária Hospital in [[w:Teófilo Otoni|Teófilo Otoni]] city. According to MST camp leaders the gunfighters set fire to MST tents and started shooting. The police are investigating the case. The [[w:Partido_dos_Trabalhadores|Workers Party (PT)]] has demanded the gunfighters' arrest and punishment. The MST is an ideologically diverse movement of agricultural workers in Brazil officially founded in 1984. MST is for the equitable redistribution of Brazilian farmland. According to MST, in 2003 there were about [http://www.mst.org.br/biblioteca/acampam/acamp2003.htm 632 MST camps in Brazil]. MST is a large organization with many bases throughout Brazilian cities. Their most visible tactic has been the occupation of mostly privately-held plantations and landholdings, sometimes armed with carving knifes and scythes. Currently, MST receives help from the Brazilian government and donations from international organizations. The movement also receives funds by selling [http://store.gxonlinestore.org/strongroots.html videos of their invasions]. Overall, a recent report on labor standards in Brazil has shown that conditions for laborers are poor [http://www.icftu.org/displaydocument.asp?Index=991220916&Language=EN]. ==Sources== # Keite Camacho,[http://www.radiobras.gov.br/materia_i_2004.php?materia=207957&q=1 Cinco sem-terras foram assassinados em MG; quatro estão internados], ''ABr'', November 21, 2004. # [http://www1.folha.uol.com.br/folha/brasil/ult96u65817.shtml Invasão em acampamento do MST mata 5 e fere 13 em MG],''Agência Folha'' November 20, 2004. #Mylena Fiori, [http://www.radiobras.gov.br/materia_i_2004.php?materia=207964&q=1&editoria= PT exige punição dos assassinos de sem terra], ''ABr'', November 21, 2004. #[http://www.pt.org.br/ Workers Party]. #[http://www.mstbrazil.org/ the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement] English-language page #[http://www.mst.org.br/home.html MST Official webpage (in Portuguese)]. #[http://www.mstbrazil.org/index.html MST International webpage]. #Alexandre Mansur & Gerson Camarotti, [http://revistaepoca.globo.com/Epoca/0,6993,EPT564366-1653-1,00.html MST – Os filhos querem revolução], ''Época magazine'', July 7, 2003. {{archive}} {{publish}} [[Category:MST in Brazil]] [[Category:Brazil]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]]

Seven unknown men armed with guns invaded the Terra Prometida camp, in Felisburgo city, Minas Gerais, Brazil, and killed five members of the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement movement (MST). The Terra Prometida camp had been invaded by the MST in May 2002 and there were about 200 MST families living there at the time of the attack. According to the Brazilian newspaper Agência Folha, police said 13 of the members of the MST movement were injured and five died. Four of them are still hospitalized. Two of them, Joaquim Batista da Silva and his son (a 12-year-old child), are in the Felisburgo Municipal Hospital. The other two, Valdemar Barbosa Lima and José Maroto Lima, are in the Santa Rosária Hospital in Teófilo Otoni city. According to MST camp leaders the gunfighters set fire to MST tents and started shooting. The police are investigating the case. The Workers Party (PT) has demanded the gunfighters' arrest and punishment. The MST is an ideologically diverse movement of agricultural workers in Brazil officially founded in 1984. MST is for the equitable redistribution of Brazilian farmland. According to MST, in 2003 there were about 632 MST camps in Brazil. MST is a large organization with many bases throughout Brazilian cities. Their most visible tactic has been the occupation of mostly privately-held plantations and landholdings, sometimes armed with carving knifes and scythes. Currently, MST receives help from the Brazilian government and donations from international organizations. The movement also receives funds by selling videos of their invasions. Overall, a recent report on labor standards in Brazil has shown that conditions for laborers are poor .

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Bulk of Iraqi debt to Paris Club to be forgiven

{{Byline|date=November 21, 2004|location=PARIS}} The nineteen member nations of the [[w:Paris Club|Paris Club]] have agreed to forgive 80 percent of [[w:Iraq|Iraq]]'s debt, reports the [[w:Reuters|Reuters news service]]. The plan will reduce Iraq's total debt to the member nations to $7.8 billion, from the original $38.9 billion, over a period of four years. The three-phase plan approved by the creditors calls for an immediate cancellation of 30 percent of Iraq's current debt, which will be followed by another 30 percent in 2005 upon approval of an economic program for the nation by the [[w:International Monetary Fund|International Monetary Fund]] and 20 percent in 2008 after an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program. [[w:Adel Abdul Mahdi|Adel Abdul Mahdi]], Iraq's Finance Minister, said that the deal was "historic". He also expressed optimism that other creditor nations, including neighbors in the Middle East as well as several Eastern European nations, may follow the West's lead in forgiving Iraqi debt. However, [[w:Bulgaria|Bulgaria]] and [[w:Romania|Romania]] have announced that they intend to recoup as much as possible of the debt owed them by Iraq, claiming that the inflow of cash from Iraq is essential to their respective economies. They have, however, indicated their willingness to discuss rescheduling of payments on the debt. [[w:Dimitar Tsonev|Dimitar Tsonev]], spokesman for the Bulgarian government, told the Sofia News Agency that the requests from Western leaders to reduce Iraq's debt were not the first such requests he had received. [[w:Romania|Romania]] has said it would like to take a flexible approach to the debt repayments, one which is in line with its economic potential. The plan is the culmination of a trans-Atlantic struggle over the amount of Iraqi debt to be forgiven, the United States pushing for a 90 to 95 percent reduction while France argued for much less. == Sources == #Paul Carrell and Glenn Somerville, [http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=625027&section=news Paris Club drops 80 pct of Iraq debt it owed], ''Reuters'', November 21, 2004. #Michael Winfrey, [http://www.reuters.com/financeNewsArticle.jhtml?type=bondsNews&storyID=6887068 Bulgaria, Romania still pursuing Iraqi debt], ''Reuters'', November 22, 2004. #[http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=41800 Bulgaria Rules out Iraqi Debt Waiver], ''Sofia News Agency'', November 22, 2004. {{reviewed}} {{archive}} [[Category:November 21, 2004]] [[Category:Iraq]] [[Category:France]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Published]] [[Category:International Monetary Fund]]

The nineteen member nations of the Paris Club have agreed to forgive 80 percent of Iraq's debt, reports the Reuters news service. The plan will reduce Iraq's total debt to the member nations to $7.8 billion, from the original $38.9 billion, over a period of four years. The three-phase plan approved by the creditors calls for an immediate cancellation of 30 percent of Iraq's current debt, which will be followed by another 30 percent in 2005 upon approval of an economic program for the nation by the International Monetary Fund and 20 percent in 2008 after an evaluation of the effectiveness of the program. Adel Abdul Mahdi, Iraq's Finance Minister, said that the deal was "historic". He also expressed optimism that other creditor nations, including neighbors in the Middle East as well as several Eastern European nations, may follow the West's lead in forgiving Iraqi debt. However, Bulgaria and Romania have announced that they intend to recoup as much as possible of the debt owed them by Iraq, claiming that the inflow of cash from Iraq is essential to their respective economies. They have, however, indicated their willingness to discuss rescheduling of payments on the debt. Dimitar Tsonev, spokesman for the Bulgarian government, told the Sofia News Agency that the requests from Western leaders to reduce Iraq's debt were not the first such requests he had received. Romania has said it would like to take a flexible approach to the debt repayments, one which is in line with its economic potential. The plan is the culmination of a trans-Atlantic struggle over the amount of Iraqi debt to be forgiven, the United States pushing for a 90 to 95 percent reduction while France argued for much less.

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President of Brazil meets President of Russia

{{byline|date=November 22, 2004|location=BRASILIA, Brazil}} The president of [[Brazil]], Mr. [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]], met with the president of [[Russia]], Mr. [[Vladimir Putin]], at about 12:00 in {{w|Brasilia}}. The main discussion topics were the end of the embargo on the exportation of Brazilian meats, from animals such as bovines and pigs, to Russia and the interest of the Russian government in conquering the support of Brazil to enter the [[World Trade Organization]]. Lula said Brazil will support Russia to enter the World Trade Organization, but Russia did not agree with the end of the embargo of Brazilian meat. Russia has forbidden the entrance of Brazilian meat in their country because there was a suspection of Brazilian cattle contamination by aftosa fever. Brazilian authorities said there is no danger and the cattle's health has been monitored. By another agreement Brazil will teach the Russians techniques of soccer and the Russians go to repass techniques of athletism and swimming. ==Sources== #Edla Lula,[http://www.radiobras.gov.br/internacional/materia.phtml?materia=208021&q=1&idioma=IG Russia seeks Brazilian support for WTO membership], ''ABr'', November 22, 2004. #Ellis Regina, [http://www.radiobras.gov.br/internacional/materia.phtml?materia=208068&q=1&idioma=IG President Putin visits Brazilian Congress], ''ABr'', November 22, 2004. {{reviewed}} {{archive}} [[Category:Brazil]] [[Category:Russia]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Vladimir Putin]] [[Category:Europe]] [[Category:South America]] [[Category:World Trade Organization]] [[Category:Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] [[Category:Brasília]] {{publish}}

The president of Brazil, Mr. Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, met with the president of Russia, Mr. Vladimir Putin, at about 12:00 in . The main discussion topics were the end of the embargo on the exportation of Brazilian meats, from animals such as bovines and pigs, to Russia and the interest of the Russian government in conquering the support of Brazil to enter the World Trade Organization. Lula said Brazil will support Russia to enter the World Trade Organization, but Russia did not agree with the end of the embargo of Brazilian meat. Russia has forbidden the entrance of Brazilian meat in their country because there was a suspection of Brazilian cattle contamination by aftosa fever. Brazilian authorities said there is no danger and the cattle's health has been monitored. By another agreement Brazil will teach the Russians techniques of soccer and the Russians go to repass techniques of athletism and swimming.

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Activists protest against School of the Americas

{{byline|date=November 22, 2004|location=[[w:Fort Benning|FORT BENNING]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]}} According to the ''[[w:Associated Press|Associated Press]]'', around 16,000 protesters demonstrated outside a Fort Benning, Georgia, military school this weekend, demanding it be closed in connection with accused human rights violations. [[w:Indymedia|Indymedia]] reports 20 people were arrested in acts of nonviolent civil disobedience. Among the crowd were celebrity-actors [[w:Martin Sheen|Martin Sheen]] and [[w:Susan Sarandon|Susan Sarandon]]; Sarandon narrated the 1997 documentary ''School of Assassins'' about the school's history. Indymedia web site quotes Elizabeth Nadeau, a 27-year-old student, as saying "Prison will not deter us. We will be here until we close the school and change the foreign policy that it represents." In 1946 the military Latin American Training Center U.S. Ground Forces was established in Panama; in 1949 it became the U.S. Army Caribbean Training Center and during 1963 the training center expanded and became the U.S. Army School of the Americas (USARSA or SOA). The SOA mission was to counter the influence of [[w:Communism|Communism]] in the region, and to assist Latin-American nations in fighting armed Communist movements. In 1984 the school was moved to Fort Benning, near Columbus. At the end of 2000, the SOA was closed as its reason of existence as an anti-Communist school was rendered unnecessary. In 2001, the [[w:Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation|Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation]] was opened in the same location. WHINSEC offers training to Latin American military and civilian forces in combat, counter-narcotics, and counter-insurgency techniques, with training completed mainly in the Spanish language. Activists claim that both SOA (in the past, during 80's) and WHINSEC (at present day) trained militias in tactics of violence that are/were used against political dissidents in their native countries. They accuse SOA graduates of been responsible of death squads, drug deals, murders, rape and torture. They say the school is responsible by these acts and that many techniques of torture its graduated students have used in their countries had been learned at the military American school. A list of allegeds SOA graduated students's crimes can be seen at the Virtual Truth Commission, an anti-SOA webpage. Pro-SOA say the school was important in the maintenance of the security in the Latin America and United States during [[w:Cold War|Cold War]]. A list of death victims by communist groups between 1935-1972 only in Brazil can be seen at the Ternuma (Terrorism never), a Brazilian alleged anti-terrorism webpage. Also, the US Department of Defense maintains a list of significant terrorist incidents between 1961-2003, among them are several crimes committed by communist groups. The UK version of IndyMedia distributes a copy in English of the Manual of the Urban Guerrilla which details techniques of urban terrorism for communism, written by Carlos Marighella, a communism fighter. The [[Cuba]]n dictator [[w:Fidel Castro|Fidel Castro]] advocated armed revolutionary struggle in Latin America. The [[w:USSR|USSR]] or Soviet Union gave trainning, military and economic help through Cuba to various communists groups in American continent. The protest at Fort Benning which involved a mock funeral procession is an annual event organized by the School of Americas Watch (SOAW) to commemorate the first assassination attributed to school's graduates, the November 16 1989, killing of six [[w:El Salvador|Salvadoran]] Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and her teenage daughter, at the [[w:University of Central America|University of Central America]] (UCA). Of the 27 soldiers cited for that killing by a 1993 [[w:United Nations|UN]] [[w:Truth Commission|Truth Commission]], 19 were SOA graduates. SOAW lists 11 former Latin American dictators as graduates of the School. USA deny they supported dictators and they protest against Fidel Castro, the long-time dictator of Cuba, who has received support, military and economic help from USSR for a long time. SOA officials say thousands of soldiers have been trained and about 300 of them have been accused of human rights violations. "The connections that critics make between the school and the crimes allegedly committed by its graduates are tenuous at best", says Joe Leuer - who worked at SOA. Pro-military activists planned a concurrent gathering called "God Bless Fort Benning Celebration," to honor the soldiers and history of the military base where WHINSEC is located. "If they have 10,000, then we have 10,001," organizer Miriam Tidwell told Associated Press. Unverified reports of this counter-demonstration put attendance figures between 10,000 and 15,000. WHINSEC operates with an annual budget of approximately [[w:United States dollar|$]]8 million, the school curriculum now includes a mandated 8 hours of training in human rights which includes "human rights, rule of law, due process, civilian control of the military, and the role of the military in a democratic society." {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation}} *{{source|url=http://www.benning.army.mil/whinsec/index.asp|title=Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation Home Page|author=Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation|pub=Official website|date=viewed December 7, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cold.war/episodes/18/spotlight/|title=School of the Americas: Cold War training camp remains focus of controversy|author=Bruce Kennedy|pub=CNN|date=viewed December 6, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.ccmep.org/2004_articles/civil%20liberties/112304_soa.htm |title=16,000 Protest U.S.-Run School of the Americas|author=Elliott Minor|pub=Associated Press|date=November 23, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.tnimc.org/feature/display/3680/index.php|title=Presente! 16,000 Protesters Gather to Close the School of Americas|author=Chris Lugo|pub=Indymedia|date=November 22, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=55047|title=Ft. Benning Fields Protest Rally|author=Associated Press|pub=Associated Press|date=November 19, 2004}} == External links == * [http://www.geocities.com/~virtualtruth/soa_atro.htm Virtual Truth Commission], an anti-SOA webpage. * [http://www.ternuma.com.br/nossosherois.htm Ternuma (Terrorism never)] * [http://www.soaw.org School of the Americas Watch] * [http://www.soaw.org/new/article.php?id=840 11 Latin American Dictators], School of the Americas Watch. * Centre for International Policy, [http://www.ciponline.org/facts/soa.htm Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (Former School of the Americas) Fort Benning, Georgia] * [http://carlisle-www.army.mil/usamhi/usarsa/main.htm US Army School of the Americas Official website archived December 20, 2000] * [http://www.benning.army.mil/whinsec/uploadedFiles/InstituteCharter.pdf Charter], Fort Benning. * US Department of Defense [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ho/pubs/fs/5902.htm list] of significant terrorist incidents between 1961-2003. * [http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2002/04/26821.html Manual of the Urban Guerrilla] {{publish}} {{archived}} [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Fidel Castro]] [[Category:Soviet Union]] [[Category:Associated Press]]

According to the Associated Press, around 16,000 protesters demonstrated outside a Fort Benning, Georgia, military school this weekend, demanding it be closed in connection with accused human rights violations. Indymedia reports 20 people were arrested in acts of nonviolent civil disobedience. Among the crowd were celebrity-actors Martin Sheen and Susan Sarandon; Sarandon narrated the 1997 documentary School of Assassins about the school's history. Indymedia web site quotes Elizabeth Nadeau, a 27-year-old student, as saying "Prison will not deter us. We will be here until we close the school and change the foreign policy that it represents." In 1946 the military Latin American Training Center U.S. Ground Forces was established in Panama; in 1949 it became the U.S. Army Caribbean Training Center and during 1963 the training center expanded and became the U.S. Army School of the Americas (USARSA or SOA). The SOA mission was to counter the influence of Communism in the region, and to assist Latin-American nations in fighting armed Communist movements. In 1984 the school was moved to Fort Benning, near Columbus. At the end of 2000, the SOA was closed as its reason of existence as an anti-Communist school was rendered unnecessary. In 2001, the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation was opened in the same location. WHINSEC offers training to Latin American military and civilian forces in combat, counter-narcotics, and counter-insurgency techniques, with training completed mainly in the Spanish language. Activists claim that both SOA (in the past, during 80's) and WHINSEC (at present day) trained militias in tactics of violence that are/were used against political dissidents in their native countries. They accuse SOA graduates of been responsible of death squads, drug deals, murders, rape and torture. They say the school is responsible by these acts and that many techniques of torture its graduated students have used in their countries had been learned at the military American school. A list of allegeds SOA graduated students's crimes can be seen at the Virtual Truth Commission, an anti-SOA webpage. Pro-SOA say the school was important in the maintenance of the security in the Latin America and United States during Cold War. A list of death victims by communist groups between 1935-1972 only in Brazil can be seen at the Ternuma (Terrorism never), a Brazilian alleged anti-terrorism webpage. Also, the US Department of Defense maintains a list of significant terrorist incidents between 1961-2003, among them are several crimes committed by communist groups. The UK version of IndyMedia distributes a copy in English of the Manual of the Urban Guerrilla which details techniques of urban terrorism for communism, written by Carlos Marighella, a communism fighter. The Cuban dictator Fidel Castro advocated armed revolutionary struggle in Latin America. The USSR or Soviet Union gave trainning, military and economic help through Cuba to various communists groups in American continent. The protest at Fort Benning which involved a mock funeral procession is an annual event organized by the School of Americas Watch (SOAW) to commemorate the first assassination attributed to school's graduates, the November 16 1989, killing of six Salvadoran Jesuit priests, their housekeeper, and her teenage daughter, at the University of Central America (UCA). Of the 27 soldiers cited for that killing by a 1993 UN Truth Commission, 19 were SOA graduates. SOAW lists 11 former Latin American dictators as graduates of the School. USA deny they supported dictators and they protest against Fidel Castro, the long-time dictator of Cuba, who has received support, military and economic help from USSR for a long time. SOA officials say thousands of soldiers have been trained and about 300 of them have been accused of human rights violations. "The connections that critics make between the school and the crimes allegedly committed by its graduates are tenuous at best", says Joe Leuer - who worked at SOA. Pro-military activists planned a concurrent gathering called "God Bless Fort Benning Celebration," to honor the soldiers and history of the military base where WHINSEC is located. "If they have 10,000, then we have 10,001," organizer Miriam Tidwell told Associated Press. Unverified reports of this counter-demonstration put attendance figures between 10,000 and 15,000. WHINSEC operates with an annual budget of approximately $8 million, the school curriculum now includes a mandated 8 hours of training in human rights which includes "human rights, rule of law, due process, civilian control of the military, and the role of the military in a democratic society."

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Dan Rather resigns as anchor, to stay on as correspondent

{{date|November 22, 2004}} {{w|Dan Rather}} has announced that he will retire on March 9th, 2005 as anchor of [[CBS News|CBS]] Evening News. He will continue to be a correspondent for both of the [[60 Minutes]] shows. It is reported that Rather's leaving has nothing to do with a report in 2004 regarding US President Bush's National Guard service that was widely reported to be factually false. A CBS panel is looking into that report. Others believe that Rather is stepping down due to this report and investigation. Howard Kurtz, a reporter for the {{w|Washington Post}}, states that "It's pretty clear that Dan Rather faced a very unpalatable choice... His contract had at least two more years to run. [Should he] step down now before the outside investigative report, commissioned by CBS News expected in the next few weeks about his botching -- and the network's botching -- of that story about President Bush's National Guard service? Rather [decided] today that it would be better for him to step down on his own terms." Dan Rather, 74, has been the anchor for ''CBS Evening News'' for 24 years, succeeding {{w|Walter Cronkite}}. Rather is the third most watched anchor on United States television. {{haveyoursay}} === Sources === All links dated November 23, 2004. * Dan Collins, [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/23/entertainment/main657295.shtml "Dan Rather Stepping Down"], ''[[CBS News]]''. ** Blogs: [http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/weblogs/pressthink/2004/11/23/rather_exit.html Jay Rosen], [http://fafblog.blogspot.com/2004_11_21_fafblog_archive.html#110124449536796183 Medium Lobster], [http://www.celluloid-wisdom.com/pw/index.php?/weblog/entry/breaking_and_so_in_march_of_2005_ill_be_as_gone_as_the_last_drops_of_water_/ Jeff Goldstein], [http://nomoremister.blogspot.com/2004/11/dan-rather-stepping-down-for-as-long.html Steve M.], [http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/003150.php Captain Ed], [http://xnerg.blogspot.com/2004/11/whats-frequency-dan-dan-rather-has.html Skippy], [http://www.rantingprofs.com/rantingprofs/2004/11/goodness_gracio.html Cori Dauber], [http://polipundit.com/index.php?p=5390 DJ Drummond], [http://www.thespoonsexperience.com/archives/003381.php#003381 Christopher Kanis], [http://www.hayekcenter.org/prestopunditarchive/005063.html Greg Ransom], [http://jimtreacher.com/archives/001218.html Jim Treacher], [http://www.indepundit.com/archive2/2004/11/rather_to_quit.html Smash], [http://politicalwire.com/archives/2004/11/23/rather_will_step_down.html Taegan Goddard], [http://obsidianwings.blogs.com/obsidian_wings/2004/11/rather_stepping.html Edward], [http://www.crosswalk.com/news/weblogs/kmc/?adate=11/23/2004#1298268 Kevin McCullough] * [[Associated Press|The Associated Press]], [http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=277721 "Rather to Resign 'CBS Evening News' Post"], ''[[ABC News (US)]]''. [http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=276583 Earlier article]. ** Blogs: [http://www.laobserved.com/archive/002759.html Kevin Roderick], [http://www.damianpenny.com/archived/003535.html Damian Penny], [http://vodkapundit.com/archives/007203.php Will Collier], [http://andrewsullivan.com/index.php?dish_inc=archives/2004_11_21_dish_archive.html#110123650892732204 Andrew Sullivan], [http://www.rogerlsimon.com/mt-archives/2004/11/best_proof_of_t.php Roger L. Simon], [http://www.pejmanesque.com/archives/008579.html Pejman Yousefzadeh], [http://instapundit.com/archives/019404.php Glenn Reynolds], [http://www.pandagon.net/mtarchives/004051.html Jesse Taylor], [http://yglesias.typepad.com/matthew/2004/11/whats_the_frequ.html Matthew Yglesias], [http://www.qando.net/details.aspx?Entry=500 Jon Henke], [http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=13701 Charles Johnson], [http://ace.mu.nu/archives/056097.php Ace] * {{w|Jacques Steinberg}}, [http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/23/business/media/23WIRE-RATHER.html?oref=login&hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1101238985-e6lWmfH9C5uDQ9nC6Po5tQ "Rather to Step Down in March After 24 Years as CBS Anchor"], ''[[New York Times]]'' (registration). ** Blogs: [http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/weblogs/pressthink/2004/11/23/rather_exit.html Jay Rosen], [http://powerlineblog.com/archives/008698.php Hindrocket], [http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=13703 Charles Johnson], [http://rittenhouse.blogspot.com/2004/11/rathers-departure-coincidence-or-spite_23.html James Martin Capozzola]. * [http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,139391,00.html "Dan Rather to Step Down as CBS Anchor"], ''{{w|Fox News}}''. ** Blogs: [http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/003150.php Captain Ed], [http://www.indcjournal.com/archives/001326.php Bill at INDCJournal], [http://powerlineblog.com/archives/008698.php Hindrocket] * [http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/TV/11/23/rather/index.html "Dan Rather to leave anchor desk in March"], ''{{w|CNN}}''. ** Blogs: [http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/8197 James Joyner], [http://andrewsullivan.com/index.php?dish_inc=archives/2004_11_21_dish_archive.html#110123816818061158 Andrew Sullivan] * [[The Associated Press]], [http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041123/NEWS08/41123015/-1/NEWS "CBS's Rather Will Step Down"], ''{{w|Toledo Blade}}''. * [[The Associated Press]], [http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/tv/aptv_story.asp?category=1401&slug=TV%20Rather%20Chronology "A Chronology of Dan Rather's Career"], ''{{w|Seattle Post Intelligencer}}''. * [http://www.theiowachannel.com/politics/3944761/detail.html "Iowans Sad, Happy that Dan Rather Will Step Down"], ''{{w|Iowa Channel.com}}''. * Jonathan L. Schwartz, [http://www.forbes.com/work/2004/11/23/1123autofacescan04.html "Viacom's CBS Network Loses Top Anchor To Retirement"], ''{{w|Forbes}}''. * [http://www.wnct.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WNCT/MGArticle/NCT_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031779317915&path= "Dan Rather Stepping Down"], ''{{w|WNCT}}''. * [http://news.google.com/news?ned=tus&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=dan+rather&btnG=Search+News More articles on Dan Rather] at {{w|Google News}}. * [http://www.technorati.com/cosmos/search.html?rank=links&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fstories%2F2004%2F11%2F23%2Fentertainment%2Fmain657295.shtml More blog commentary on Dan Rather's resignation] at {{w|Technorati}}. * [http://groups.google.com/groups?scoring=d&q=dan-rather Usenet discussions of Dan Rather] at {{w|Google Groups}}. * [http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news/?c=news_photos&p=dan+rather Photos of Dan Rather] at {{w|Yahoo! News}}. {{reviewed}} {{archive}} {{publish}} [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Culture and entertainment]] [[Category:Journalism]] [[Category:60 Minutes]] [[Category:CBS]] [[Category:CBS News]] [[Category:North America]]

has announced that he will retire on March 9th, 2005 as anchor of CBS Evening News. He will continue to be a correspondent for both of the 60 Minutes shows. It is reported that Rather's leaving has nothing to do with a report in 2004 regarding US President Bush's National Guard service that was widely reported to be factually false. A CBS panel is looking into that report. Others believe that Rather is stepping down due to this report and investigation. Howard Kurtz, a reporter for the , states that "It's pretty clear that Dan Rather faced a very unpalatable choice... His contract had at least two more years to run. Should he step down now before the outside investigative report, commissioned by CBS News expected in the next few weeks about his botching -- and the network's botching -- of that story about President Bush's National Guard service? Rather decided today that it would be better for him to step down on his own terms." Dan Rather, 74, has been the anchor for CBS Evening News for 24 years, succeeding . Rather is the third most watched anchor on United States television.

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Ukrainian opposition leader calls for police and army to join revolution

{{Ukraine}}[[File:Map of Ukraine political simple city Kiew.png|thumb|left|Ukraine crisis]] {{byline|date=November 29, 2004|location=[[Kiev|KIEV]]}} {{w|President of Ukraine|President}} {{w|Leonid Kuchma|Leonid D. Kuchma}} Monday proposed holding a new election to end the political crisis threatening to tear the country apart, according to ''{{w|The New York Times}}''. Mr. Kuchma's remarks, which came as [[Ukraine]]'s Supreme Court heard complaints of {{w|electoral fraud}} involving perhaps millions of ballots in the {{w|Ukrainian presidential election, 2004|November 21 presidential election}}, represented the collapse of what had been the government's united position that {{w|Prime Minister of Ukraine|Prime Minister}} [[Viktor Yanukovych|Viktor F. Yanukovych]] won the election. Amid protests of up to 200,000 over Ukraine's disputed presidential election, officially declared loser [[Viktor Yushchenko]] has called on the army and police to join a revolution against the government. This comes after Yushchenko was symbolically sworn-in by deputies this weekend<!-- day? -->. Western election observers have expressed doubts over the vote's credibility. Viktor Yushchenko is a banker seen as pro-Western. His opposition is the incumbent Mr Yanukovych, who is seen as pro-{{w|Moscow}}, a sensitive issue in a former territory of the {{w|Soviet Union}}. ''[[The Daily Telegraph (UK)|The Daily Telegraph]]'' quotes Yushchenko as saying to deputies: "Ukraine is on the threshold of a civil conflict. We have two choices: either the answer will be given by the {{w|Ukrainian parliament|parliament}}, or the streets will give an answer." {{haveyoursay}} == Related news == *{{wikinews|title=Ukraine election results delayed by court|date=November 25, 2004}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|Orange Revolution}} *{{source|url=http://nytimes.com/2004/11/29/international/europe/29cnd-ukra.html?hp&ex=1101790800&en=93f5ca7f542c1962&ei=5094&partner=wikipedia |title=Departing Ukrainian President Would Support New Election |author=Steven Lee Myers |pub=The New York Times |date=November 29, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml;sessionid=IPCARNCMT0FRRQFIQMGSM5WAVCBQWJVC?xml=/news/2004/11/24/wukra24.xml&sSheet=/news/2004/11/24/ixnewstop.html |title=Revolution in Ukraine |author=Julius Strauss |pub=The Daily Telegraph (United Kingdom) |date=November 25, 2004}} {{Source offline}} {{publish}} {{archive}} [[Category:Elections]] [[Category:Ukraine]] [[Category:Europe]] [[Category:Kyiv]] [[Category:Viktor Yushchenko]] [[Category:Viktor Yanukovych]] [[Category:Leonid Kuchma]]

Ukraine crisis President Leonid D. Kuchma Monday proposed holding a new election to end the political crisis threatening to tear the country apart, according to . Mr. Kuchma's remarks, which came as Ukraine's Supreme Court heard complaints of Ukrainian presidential election, 2004|November 21 presidential election, represented the collapse of what had been the government's united position that Prime Minister Viktor F. Yanukovych won the election. Amid protests of up to 200,000 over Ukraine's disputed presidential election, officially declared loser Viktor Yushchenko has called on the army and police to join a revolution against the government. This comes after Yushchenko was symbolically sworn-in by deputies this weekend. Western election observers have expressed doubts over the vote's credibility. Viktor Yushchenko is a banker seen as pro-Western. His opposition is the incumbent Mr Yanukovych, who is seen as pro-Soviet Union. The Daily Telegraph quotes Yushchenko as saying to deputies: "Ukraine is on the threshold of a civil conflict. We have two choices: either the answer will be given by the parliament, or the streets will give an answer."

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Internal emails expose Boeing-Air Force contract discussions

{{date|November 24, 2004}} [[Image:KC135 refueling.jpg|thumb|Aging KC135 tankers, shown here refueling an F16, were to be replaced by Boeing's 767 tanker.]] Emails exchanged among {{w|United States Air Force|United States Air Force}} officials regarding a USD$23 billion dollar deal with aircraft manufacturer {{w|Boeing|Boeing}} have been entered into the public record. {{w|Senator|Senator}} {{w|John McCain|John McCain}} ({{w|United States Republican Party|R}}-[[Arizona|AZ]]) entered them into the {{w|Congressional Record|Congressional Record}} during a speech last week against the now-cancelled deal to lease 100 {{w|Aerial refueling|mid-air tanker}} aircraft from Boeing. Congressional lawmakers rejected the proposal in October, although industry experts say the deal had been killed by the {{w|Pentagon|Pentagon}} because of reports stating that the deal had favored Boeing. Senator McCain has been the deal's most vocal critic. The original negotiations with Boeing were over a {{w|no-bid contract|no-bid contract}}. Such contracts are often justified by the speed they offer, eliminating a preliminary bid and selection round that may last months. However, no-bid contracts are only open to the company selected by the procuring agency. This leaves no-bid contracts open to accusations of {{w|conflict of interest|conflicts of interest}} among the procurement personnel. Such accusations have previously been leveled against Vice President {{w|Dick Cheney|Dick Cheney}} for a no-bid contract to {{w|Halliburton|Halliburton}}, and are now being made against senior Air Force officials for choosing Boeing to replace its tanker fleet. In the released emails, Air Force officials responsible for the awarding of contracts appear biased against Boeing's main competitor, {{w|Airbus|Airbus}} and its {{w|Chief executive officer|CEO}} {{w|Ralph Crosby|Ralph Crosby}}. {{w|Airbus|Airbus}} is owned by European Aeronautic Defense & Space Company (EADS). Airbus manufacturers a number of passenger and military aircraft and has gained market share in passenger aircraft over Boeing in recent years. The following is a sequential email exchange regarding Airbus as recorded in the ''Congressional Record'': :Special Asst. to the Secretary and Director of Air Force Communications Bill Bodie: "We don't have to turn the other cheek, you know. I'm ready to tell the truth about Airbus's boom, footprint, and financial shortcoming. But maybe we should sleep on it." :Secretary of the Air Force James Roche: "No, Sir, save it and blow him away. He admits that they were not technically qualified! And, we keep their record of bribes as our trump card! Jim." :Civilian Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Darleen Druyun: "I read with disgust the article on Airbus tankers from the new EADS CEO of North America. What BS . . . should not have been surprised at the slime . . . his day of reckoning will come hopefully." :Secretary of the Air Force James Roche: "Oy. I agree. I had hoped you would have stayed and tortured him slowly over the next few years until EADS got rid of him! Jim." An email from Burkhardt & Associates to James Roche advises the Secretary to release fiscal numbers favorable to Boeing, apparently regardless of the facts: "I'd distribute a one page memo saying the per plane cost of the lease will not be greater than x and have x be less than the last lease Boeing did for some commercial entity--or that x is y dollars less than the cost of a new tanker," it said. An additional email by Roche provides a stark contrast to his criticism of Airbus, as he talks to Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Marvin Sambur about Boeing, saying, "I love Ya, Big Guy. Give it to the Blue Eyed Arabs of the North (the expression we used for Boeing)." [http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0504/051304cdpm2.htm GovExec.com] quotes a "Senate aide" as saying: "The House language [of the spending bill] ignores an analysis of alternatives called for in last year's authorizing language and by Pentagon Acquisition Director Michael Wynne and the DSB. It precludes such an analysis and predetermines the outcome in favor of the Boeing 767 before the study is even initiated." The activist organization the [http://www.pogo.org/p/contracts/ca-020509-bailout.html Project on Government Oversight] has called it "a textbook case of favoritism to a single defense contractor." Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Marvin Sambur defended the Air Force's exclusive consideration of Boeing, saying, "This was not a competitive bid process. The Air Force was ordered by Congress to work with Boeing on the new tanker program." Boeing had previously hired Civilian Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for Acquisition {{w|Darleen Druyun|Darleen Druyun}}. This caused a controversy over conflict of interest and led to felony charges against Boeing Chief Financial Officer Michael Sears for illegally hiring her. Former military personnel are often hired by defense contractors to lobby for contracts. Days after Sen. McCain's remarks, the Air Force said the tanker replacement contract would be revived as an {{w|open bid|open bid}}. Deputy Defense Secretary {{w|Paul Wolfowitz|Wolfowitz}} published an open-article in the ''Congressional Record'', saying: "After we have selected an appropriate alternative, we intend to require competition." ==Sources== * {{source|author=|url=http://www.fas.org/sgp/congress/2004/s111904.html|title=Investigation Into Air Force Leasing of Boeing Aerial Refueling Tankers|pub=Congressional Record|date=November 19, 2004}} *{{source|author=|url=http://www.fas.org/sgp/congress/2004/s112004.html|title=BOEING 767 TANKER LEASE|pub=Congressional Record|date=November 20, 2004}} * {{source|author=|date=|url=http://www.komotv.com/boeing/story.asp?ID=33422|title=Lawmakers Pull Plug On Boeing 767 Tanker Lease Deal|pub=KOMO 1000 News|October 8, 2004| brokenURL = true}} * {{source|url=http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0504/051304cdpm2.htm|title=Air Force tanker lease deal approved at lower price|pub=Government Executive|date=13 May 2004|author=Amy Klamper| brokenURL = true}} * {{source|author=|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/kc-767.htm|title=KC-767 Common Widebody Tanker & Transport|pub=GlobalSecurity.org|date=25 May, 2004}} *{{source | url = http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/199821_sears16.html | title = Guilty plea in Boeing hiring scandal | author = Charles Pope | pub = Seattle Post-Intelligencer | date = November 16, 2004 }} *{{source | url = http://www.komotv.com/boeing/story.asp?ID=34087 | title = Pentagon Says It Will Open Tanker Deal To Competition | author = | pub = KOMO 1000 News | date = November 22, 2004 | brokenURL = true }} *{{source | url = http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/2004/tr20041123-secdef1641.html | title = Defense Department Operational Update Briefing | author = | pub = Federal News Service | date = November 23, 2004 | brokenURL = true }} {{publish}} {{archive}} [[Category:North America]] [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Transport]] [[Category:Aviation]] [[Category:Boeing]] [[Category:United States Air Force]]

Aging KC135 tankers, shown here refueling an F16, were to be replaced by Boeing's 767 tanker. Emails exchanged among United States Air Force officials regarding a USD$23 billion dollar deal with aircraft manufacturer Boeing have been entered into the public record. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) entered them into the Congressional Record during a speech last week against the now-cancelled deal to lease 100 mid-air tanker aircraft from Boeing. Congressional lawmakers rejected the proposal in October, although industry experts say the deal had been killed by the Pentagon because of reports stating that the deal had favored Boeing. Senator McCain has been the deal's most vocal critic. The original negotiations with Boeing were over a no-bid contract. Such contracts are often justified by the speed they offer, eliminating a preliminary bid and selection round that may last months. However, no-bid contracts are only open to the company selected by the procuring agency. This leaves no-bid contracts open to accusations of conflicts of interest among the procurement personnel. Such accusations have previously been leveled against Vice President Dick Cheney for a no-bid contract to Halliburton, and are now being made against senior Air Force officials for choosing Boeing to replace its tanker fleet. In the released emails, Air Force officials responsible for the awarding of contracts appear biased against Boeing's main competitor, Airbus and its CEO Ralph Crosby. Airbus is owned by European Aeronautic Defense & Space Company (EADS). Airbus manufacturers a number of passenger and military aircraft and has gained market share in passenger aircraft over Boeing in recent years. The following is a sequential email exchange regarding Airbus as recorded in the Congressional Record: :Special Asst. to the Secretary and Director of Air Force Communications Bill Bodie: "We don't have to turn the other cheek, you know. I'm ready to tell the truth about Airbus's boom, footprint, and financial shortcoming. But maybe we should sleep on it." :Secretary of the Air Force James Roche: "No, Sir, save it and blow him away. He admits that they were not technically qualified! And, we keep their record of bribes as our trump card! Jim." :Civilian Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Darleen Druyun: "I read with disgust the article on Airbus tankers from the new EADS CEO of North America. What BS . . . should not have been surprised at the slime . . . his day of reckoning will come hopefully." :Secretary of the Air Force James Roche: "Oy. I agree. I had hoped you would have stayed and tortured him slowly over the next few years until EADS got rid of him! Jim." An email from Burkhardt & Associates to James Roche advises the Secretary to release fiscal numbers favorable to Boeing, apparently regardless of the facts: "I'd distribute a one page memo saying the per plane cost of the lease will not be greater than x and have x be less than the last lease Boeing did for some commercial entity--or that x is y dollars less than the cost of a new tanker," it said. An additional email by Roche provides a stark contrast to his criticism of Airbus, as he talks to Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Marvin Sambur about Boeing, saying, "I love Ya, Big Guy. Give it to the Blue Eyed Arabs of the North (the expression we used for Boeing)." GovExec.com quotes a "Senate aide" as saying: "The House language of the spending bill ignores an analysis of alternatives called for in last year's authorizing language and by Pentagon Acquisition Director Michael Wynne and the DSB. It precludes such an analysis and predetermines the outcome in favor of the Boeing 767 before the study is even initiated." The activist organization the Project on Government Oversight has called it "a textbook case of favoritism to a single defense contractor." Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Marvin Sambur defended the Air Force's exclusive consideration of Boeing, saying, "This was not a competitive bid process. The Air Force was ordered by Congress to work with Boeing on the new tanker program." Boeing had previously hired Civilian Deputy Undersecretary of the Air Force for Acquisition Darleen Druyun. This caused a controversy over conflict of interest and led to felony charges against Boeing Chief Financial Officer Michael Sears for illegally hiring her. Former military personnel are often hired by defense contractors to lobby for contracts. Days after Sen. McCain's remarks, the Air Force said the tanker replacement contract would be revived as an open bid. Deputy Defense Secretary Wolfowitz published an open-article in the Congressional Record, saying: "After we have selected an appropriate alternative, we intend to require competition."

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Ukraine political crisis

{{date|November 25, 2004}} {{missing image|Image:Orange revolution kyiv.jpg|thumb|Orange-clad supporters of Viktor Yushchenko gather in Independence Square in Kiev}} [[Image:Ukraine ElectionsMap Nov2004.png|thumb|Voting results by region]] == Background == In [[Ukraine]], a dead heat in the October 31 election between current Prime Minister [[Viktor Yanukovych]] and former Prime Minister [[Viktor Yushchenko]] resulted in a runoff election on November 21. The runoff was plagued with allegations of large-scale voter fraud, particularly in the oblasts (regions) of [[w:Donetsk Oblast|Donetsk]], [[w:Luhansk|Luhansk]] and [[w:Kharkiv|Kharkiv]] in eastern Ukraine where Yanukovych had the strongest support. Election observers from the [[w:Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe|Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)]] state that the election did not meet international standards and was subject to wide-scale, planned election fraud. On the other hand, some groups of international observers such as [[w:British Helsinki Human Rights Group|British Helsinki Human Rights Group]] give a quite different picture of massive violations in Western Ukraine, and pro-opposition bias of local media there: [http://www.bhhrg.org/CountryReport.asp?CountryID=22&ReportID=230 BHHRG Report](The report is discredited in this [[w:The Guardian|Guardian]] [http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1362333,00.html article ] ). The declaration of Yanukovych as the winner of the runoff by the elections commission set into play mass demonstrations and demands for a recount or outright revote from Yuschchenko supporters. The result has been widely criticised by Western media as fraudulent. *[[w:Ukrainian presidential election, 2004|Ukrainian presidential election, 2004]]- from our sister project at Wikipedia. == Timeline == * ''Sun. Nov. 21:'' Runoff elections take place. * [[Ukrainian opposition leader calls for police and army to join revolution]] * ''Thu. Nov. 25:'' [[Ukraine election results delayed by court]]. Protests continue for a fourth day, while Ukraine's highest court delays announcement of the final election results until it can resolve a dispute over the legitimacy of those results. Opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko praises the court's action. According to The Times of India outgoing President Leonid Kuchma met with pro-Russian officials who had threatened to declare regional autonomy but said after the meeting that any breakup of the Ukraine was unacceptable. * ''Sat. Nov. 27:'' [[Ukraine parliament declares election invalid]]. In a non-binding, symbolic gesture, the Ukrainian parliament votes to declare the election results invalid, as well as passing a vote of no confidence in the elections commission. * ''Tue. Nov. 30'' [[Ukrainian election negotiations break off]]. Yushchenko broke off from negotiation talk with incumbent Prime Minister Yanukovych stating that the negotiations were one-sided. ** [[Ukrainian election negotiations restarted]] * ''Wed. Dec. 1:'' [[Ukraine parliament sacks government]]. Ukraine's parliament passes a vote of no-confidence in the government of Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych. * ''Fri. Dec. 3:'' [[Ukraine Supreme Court orders new election]]. *''Sat. Dec. 4:'' [[Election reforms fail in Ukraine parliament]]. *''Sat. Dec. 11:'' [[Ukraine opposition candidate Yushchenko is suffering from a Dioxin intoxication, doctors say]]. This is reported as being the second highest level of Dioxin ever found in a human. * ''Mon. Dec. 27:'' [[Yushchenko claims victory in re-run]]. Pro-government candidate Yanukovych refuses to accept results. * ''Fri. Dec. 31:'' Yanukovych declares his resignation from his post as Prime Minister. * ''Sun. Jan. 23, 2005:'' Yushchenko sworn in as president of Ukraine ==Blogs== * [http://fistfulofeuros.net/ A Fistful of Euros] * [http://theperiscope.blogs.com/the_periscope_/ The Periscope] - particularly Victor Katolyk's running updates [http://theperiscope.blogs.com/the_periscope_/2004/11/live_from_ukrai.html#comments here] [http://theperiscope.blogs.com/the_periscope_/2004/11/victors_view_fr.html here] and [http://theperiscope.blogs.com/the_periscope_/2004/11/yushchenko_gain.html here] * [http://www.postmodernclog.com/ Postmodern Clog] * [http://www.s95451559.onlinehome.us/abdymok/ Abdymok] * [http://vkhokhl.blogspot.com/ Neeka's Backlog] * [http://www.scsuscholars.com/ SCSU Scholors] * [http://europhobia.blogspot.com/ Europhobia] * [http://www.orange-revolution.com/news.html Orange Revolution] * [http://www.orangeukraine.squarespace.com/ OrangeUkraine] * [http://tubbydev.typepad.com/ukraine_revolution/ Ukraine_Revolution] * [http://foreignnotes.blogspot.com/ Foreign Notes] * [http://tulipgirl.com/ Tulip Girl] * [http://windowglass.blogspot.com/ '' Ukraine, Russia, Europe, the US, Oh My!''] * [http://www.tsymlyakoff.com/ Tsymlyakoff's Blog] * [http://ukrainiandemocracy.serenatamusic.com/ International Support for Ukrainian Democracy] * [http://www.flickr.com/photos/66178780@N00/ Vladimir Ivshin's photos] * [http://1plus1.com.ua/video/camera.php/ Kyiv, Maidan Nezalezhnosti(Independence Square). Web-cam.] * [http://eng.maidanua.org/ Maidan] * http://hotline.net.ua/eng * [http://livejournal.com/community/2004_vybory_ua/ LJ community dedicated to 2004 elections] == Sources== * http://tulipgirl.com/ * http://www.postmodernclog.com/ ==See Also On Sister Projects== ===Wikipedia=== *[[w:Ukraine|Ukraine]] {{publish}} {{archived}} [[Category:Ukraine]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Viktor Yushchenko]] [[Category:Europe]] [[Category:Viktor Yanukovych]] [[Category:Donetsk]] [[Category:Leonid Kuchma]] [[Category:Kharkiv]]

Voting results by region The declaration of Yanukovych as the winner of the runoff by the elections commission set into play mass demonstrations and demands for a recount or outright revote from Yuschchenko supporters. The result has been widely criticised by Western media as fraudulent. *Ukrainian presidential election, 2004- from our sister project at Wikipedia.

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Ukraine election results delayed by court

{{Ukraine}}{{byline|date=November 25, 2004|location={{w|Kiev|KIEV}}}} [[Ukraine]]'s {{w|supreme court}} has banned publication of {{w|Ukrainian presidential election, 2004|election results}} due to possible {{w|election fraud}}. As the court announced its decision Ukraine's opposition leader [[Viktor Yushchenko]] spoke to thousands of his supporters telling them that "This was only the beginning". According to ''{{w|Interfax}}'', the Ukrainian Supreme Court will resume its investigation of this issue on Monday. While the decision was being made, reports were released stating that the foreign policy chief for the [[European Union]], {{w|Javier Solana}}, will visit the country in order to meet with the central figures in this crisis. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == {{wikipedia|Ukrainian presidential election, 2004}} {{source|url=http://nytimes.com/2004/11/29/international/europe/29cnd-ukra.html?hp&ex=1101790800&en=93f5ca7f542c1962&ei=5094&partner=wikipedia |title=A Silent Act of Rebellion Raises a Din in Ukraine |author=Steven Lee Myers |pub=The New York Times |date=November 29, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archive}} [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Elections]] [[Category:Ukraine]] [[Category:Kyiv]] [[Category:Europe]] [[Category:Viktor Yushchenko]] [[Category:European Union]]

Ukraine's Ukrainian presidential election, 2004|election results due to possible . As the court announced its decision Ukraine's opposition leader Viktor Yushchenko spoke to thousands of his supporters telling them that "This was only the beginning". According to Javier Solana, will visit the country in order to meet with the central figures in this crisis.

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Australia in a good position after first day of Adelaide test match

{{Sports infobox}}{{byline|date=November 26, 2004|location=[[w:Adelaide|ADELAIDE]]}} At stumps on day one, [[Australia]] has opened a commanding lead in the second cricket test against [[New Zealand]]. The laughter started soon after Australian captain [[w:Ricky Ponting|Ricky Ponting]] won the toss and elected to bat on the hard, dry pitch. Openers [[w:Justin Langer|Justin Langer]] and [[w:Matthew Hayden|Matthew Hayden]] got off to a flying start, achieving 0/19 off the first two overs. Hayden was later [[w:caught|caught]] and [[w:bowled|bowled]] by [[w:Paul Wiseman|Paul Wiseman]] for 70. Although Hayden was clearly out, he refused to walk, insisting after the incident with [[w:Craig McMillan|Craig McMillan]] in the previous test, that the field umpires called for the video replay, which quickly ruled that he was out. Ponting then came out to replace Hayden, and quickly took a fancy to the New Zealand bowlers. He eventually misjudged a spin delivery from [[w:Daniel Vettori|Daniel Vettori]] and was stumped for 68. [[w:Damien Martyn|Damien Martyn]] briefly stepped in, but was cheaply dismissed for 7, only to be replaced by [[w:Darren Lehmann|Darren Lehmann]], who is not out on 28. The best performance of the innings though, came from Justin Langer, who is currently not out on 144. Australia, at the time of writing, are 3/327, putting themselves into a commanding position for the second day's play. Australia has already won the series with their previous victory in [[w:Brisbane|Brisbane]], and this test is widely regarded merely as batting practice for [[w:Stephen Fleming|Stephen Fleming]]'s New Zealand side. Key bowler [[w:James Franklin (cricketer)|James Franklin]] is returning from injury in this game, but has had a poor start, with figures of 0/84 off of 14 overs. {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2004-05/NZ_IN_AUS/SCORECARDS/NZ_AUS_T2_26-30NOV2004.html |title=2nd Test: Australia v New Zealand at Adelaide, 26-30 Nov 2004 |author= |pub=Cricinfo |date=November 26, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archive}} [[Category:Australia]] [[Category:New Zealand]] [[Category:Cricket]] [[Category:Sports]]

At stumps on day one, Australia has opened a commanding lead in the second cricket test against New Zealand. The laughter started soon after Australian captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat on the hard, dry pitch. Openers Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden got off to a flying start, achieving 0/19 off the first two overs. Hayden was later caught and bowled by Paul Wiseman for 70. Although Hayden was clearly out, he refused to walk, insisting after the incident with Craig McMillan in the previous test, that the field umpires called for the video replay, which quickly ruled that he was out. Ponting then came out to replace Hayden, and quickly took a fancy to the New Zealand bowlers. He eventually misjudged a spin delivery from Daniel Vettori and was stumped for 68. Damien Martyn briefly stepped in, but was cheaply dismissed for 7, only to be replaced by Darren Lehmann, who is not out on 28. The best performance of the innings though, came from Justin Langer, who is currently not out on 144. Australia, at the time of writing, are 3/327, putting themselves into a commanding position for the second day's play. Australia has already won the series with their previous victory in Brisbane, and this test is widely regarded merely as batting practice for Stephen Fleming's New Zealand side. Key bowler James Franklin is returning from injury in this game, but has had a poor start, with figures of 0/84 off of 14 overs.

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170 workers trapped in Chinese mine after explosion

{{byline|date=November 28, 2004|location=[[w:Chenjiashan|CHENJIASHAN, China]]}} Around 170 workers were trapped in the [[w:China|Chinese]] [[w:Chenjiashan|Chenjiashan]] mine, early Sunday morning, November 28th, the BBC reports. Chinese state officials said that 123 workers managed to escape the facilities. Many of those who escaped the mines are suffering from [[w:carbon monoxide|carbon monoxide]] poisoning. Since the accident, there has been no contact with the 170 workers trapped inside, although the initial number of 183 people still in the complex was revised downwards. China has had a long history of mining accidents &mdash;its mines are known as being among the most dangerous in the world. Last month, more than 150 people died after a gas explosion in a mine in the [[w:Henan|Henan]] province. The official tally of 4,153 mine fatalities during the first nine months of this year is actually a 13% improvement over the same period last year, which had a total of 6,246 mine worker deaths &mdash;4,620 of them coal mines. 5,203 deaths occurred among workers in other China industries. ==References== *''BBC'', November 28, 2004: [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4049069.stm China mine blast traps 170 workers] * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/world/asia-pacific/3206645.stm China industry deaths in 2003] {{publish}} {{archive}} [[Category:November 28, 2004]] [[Category:China]] [[Category:Disasters and accidents]] [[Category:Mining]]

Around 170 workers were trapped in the Chinese Chenjiashan mine, early Sunday morning, November 28th, the BBC reports. Chinese state officials said that 123 workers managed to escape the facilities. Many of those who escaped the mines are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Since the accident, there has been no contact with the 170 workers trapped inside, although the initial number of 183 people still in the complex was revised downwards. China has had a long history of mining accidents —its mines are known as being among the most dangerous in the world. Last month, more than 150 people died after a gas explosion in a mine in the Henan province. The official tally of 4,153 mine fatalities during the first nine months of this year is actually a 13% improvement over the same period last year, which had a total of 6,246 mine worker deaths —4,620 of them coal mines. 5,203 deaths occurred among workers in other China industries.

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Ruling party ahead in Romanian elections

{{byline|date=November 29, 2004|location=BUCHAREST, Romania}} [[w:Romania|Romania]]'s ruling [[w:Social Democratic Party (Romania)|Social Democrat Party]] (PSD) has emerged ahead in yesterday's legislative and presidential elections. The voter turnout was around 57% of all eligible voters, which number 18 million people in a country of 21.7 million. However the PSD did not gain the vote majority needed to declare an outright victory, and it will now proceed to a run-off election against the centre-left opposition. Called the Truth and Justice Alliance, the main opposition is a union of candidates from the [[w:National Liberal Party (Romania)|National Liberal Party]] and the [[w:Democratic Party (Romania)|Democrat Party]]. While PSD+PUR is currently leading, the most hotly-contested election in Romania's post-Communist history may come down to the run-off, to be held on December 12. The winning presidential candidate of the run-off will not only become the country's president but will also appoint a prime minister to lead the government. In the presidential election, [[w:Adrian Năstase|Adrian Năstase]], the PSD's presidential candidate, won approximately 42% of the vote, while [[w:Traian Băsescu|Traian Băsescu]] of Truth and Justice obtained around 35%, according to exit polls. Năstase led the exit polls due to greater support in rural Romania, as well as support from the urban poor, due to his policy of boosting the economy. Năstase's PSD+PUR coalition was also supported because they are credited with saving Romania from economic collapse during their presidential and legislative term from 2000 until the present time. During his term of prime-minister of Romania, from 2000 to 2004, Năstase not only boosted the economy but ensured that Romania entered [[w:NATO|NATO]] and progressed towards its accession to the [[w:European Union|European Union]], expected to occur in 2007. In 2004, the economy is expected to grow by 8.6%, the highest rate in [[w:Europe|Europe]]. Băsescu won a majority in [[w:Bucharest|Bucharest]], Romania's capital, as well as in the wealthier cities of [[w:Transylvania|Transylvania]]. Băsescu is supported by the educated middle-class, who take a favourable view upon his policy of stamping out corruption in one of the region's most corrupt countries. Băsescu has also received a boost due to his liberalist policies and his proposal for tax reform and the introduction of a flat tax. In the legislative election, the PSD+PUR coalition obtained 40% of the vote, while the Truth and Justice alliance trailed with 35%. Because the PSD+PUR coalition did not gather the majority of the votes (50%+1), it will have to form a governing coalition with the minor parties, a process which is expected to be tedious given the fact that both of the major parties have ruled out entering into a coalition with ultra-nationalist [[w:Great Romania Party|The Greater Romania Party]], which obtained around 12% of the vote. ==Sources== #Ian Traynor, [http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,1361588,00.html Governing party leads in Romania], ''The Guardian'', November 29, 2004 #Dina Kyriakidou and Radu Marinas, [http://www.swissinfo.org/sen/swissinfo.html?siteSect=143&sid=5369724 Ruling party ahead but stung in Romania vote], ''Swissinfo'', November 28, 2004 {{publish}} {{archive}} [[Category:Romania]] [[Category:Elections]]

Romania's ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) has emerged ahead in yesterday's legislative and presidential elections. The voter turnout was around 57% of all eligible voters, which number 18 million people in a country of 21.7 million. However the PSD did not gain the vote majority needed to declare an outright victory, and it will now proceed to a run-off election against the centre-left opposition. Called the Truth and Justice Alliance, the main opposition is a union of candidates from the National Liberal Party and the Democrat Party. While PSD+PUR is currently leading, the most hotly-contested election in Romania's post-Communist history may come down to the run-off, to be held on December 12. The winning presidential candidate of the run-off will not only become the country's president but will also appoint a prime minister to lead the government. In the presidential election, Adrian Năstase, the PSD's presidential candidate, won approximately 42% of the vote, while Traian Băsescu of Truth and Justice obtained around 35%, according to exit polls. Năstase led the exit polls due to greater support in rural Romania, as well as support from the urban poor, due to his policy of boosting the economy. Năstase's PSD+PUR coalition was also supported because they are credited with saving Romania from economic collapse during their presidential and legislative term from 2000 until the present time. During his term of prime-minister of Romania, from 2000 to 2004, Năstase not only boosted the economy but ensured that Romania entered NATO and progressed towards its accession to the European Union, expected to occur in 2007. In 2004, the economy is expected to grow by 8.6%, the highest rate in Europe. Băsescu won a majority in Bucharest, Romania's capital, as well as in the wealthier cities of Transylvania. Băsescu is supported by the educated middle-class, who take a favourable view upon his policy of stamping out corruption in one of the region's most corrupt countries. Băsescu has also received a boost due to his liberalist policies and his proposal for tax reform and the introduction of a flat tax. In the legislative election, the PSD+PUR coalition obtained 40% of the vote, while the Truth and Justice alliance trailed with 35%. Because the PSD+PUR coalition did not gather the majority of the votes (50%+1), it will have to form a governing coalition with the minor parties, a process which is expected to be tedious given the fact that both of the major parties have ruled out entering into a coalition with ultra-nationalist The Greater Romania Party, which obtained around 12% of the vote.

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Researchers discover high temperature enables more efficient hydrogen generation

{{date|November 28, 2004}} A more efficient way to produce useable [[w:hydrogen|hydrogen]] has been demonstrated by researchers. It uses very high-temperature [[w:electrolysis|electrolysis]] to separate hydrogen from water, so that hydrogen may be used for [[w:energy|energy]] production. Electrolysis is one method by which laboratories and factories produce hydrogen. An electrical current is passed through water, breaking it down into hydrogen and oxygen gas, which are then collected above the water reservoir. Researchers in [[w:Salt Lake City, Utah|Salt Lake City, Utah]], at ''Ceramtech Incorporated'', in collaboration with workers at ''The Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory'' report that when water is superheated to 800 degrees Celsius, far less electricity is required to produce the same volume of hydrogen. The researchers envision that future nuclear fission plants could be used both to heat the water as part of their cooling system, and generate the needed electricity. Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of such arrangements, however. Jeremy Desterhoft, an independent consultant on nuclear energy safety, warns the "elevated levels of radiation required to sufficiently lower the atomic separation point is beyond the current capabilities of any recent cooler." He does not believe that economically viable cooling technology will be available for at least four to six more years. ==Sources== *{{source|author=|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/28/politics/28hydrogen.html|title=Hydrogen Production Method Could Bolster Fuel Supplies|pub=The New York Times|date=November 28, 2004}} *{{source|author=|url=http://www.sltrib.com/ci_2475855|title=Utah company is part of hydrogen breakthrough|pub=Salt Lake Tribune|date=November 29, 2004}} {{archive}} {{publish}} [[Category:Science and technology]] [[Category:November 28, 2004]] [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Nuclear power]] [[Category:Energy]] [[Category:Chemistry]]

A more efficient way to produce useable hydrogen has been demonstrated by researchers. It uses very high-temperature electrolysis to separate hydrogen from water, so that hydrogen may be used for energy production. Electrolysis is one method by which laboratories and factories produce hydrogen. An electrical current is passed through water, breaking it down into hydrogen and oxygen gas, which are then collected above the water reservoir. Researchers in Salt Lake City, Utah, at Ceramtech Incorporated, in collaboration with workers at The Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory report that when water is superheated to 800 degrees Celsius, far less electricity is required to produce the same volume of hydrogen. The researchers envision that future nuclear fission plants could be used both to heat the water as part of their cooling system, and generate the needed electricity. Concerns have been raised regarding the safety of such arrangements, however. Jeremy Desterhoft, an independent consultant on nuclear energy safety, warns the "elevated levels of radiation required to sufficiently lower the atomic separation point is beyond the current capabilities of any recent cooler." He does not believe that economically viable cooling technology will be available for at least four to six more years.

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World's Largest Ball of Twine Turns 50

{{byline|date=November 29, 2004|location=CAWKER CITY, KANSAS}} People in Kansas like to just go have a look at things from time to time, particularly if it is kitchy and big. Frank Stoeber died in 1974, but not before he left behind a legacy of twine. Frank started a building a ball of sisal twine (a form of hemp) in 1953, which as grown to 40 ft in diameter hence. The ball of twine's domicile is a mini-museam located in the downtown of Cawker City, Kansas, which onlookers can simple look at or add twine to. In some ways Frank's ball of twine mirrors that of the failed culture of Easter Island. On Easter Island, the people built large stone heads in some final attempt to perserve a culture that was dying from lack of trees. Similarly, Frank's large ball of twine stands an object of preservation. In case you don't make off the coast of Chili, head out to the heartland and have a look. ==Sources== *{{source|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4189959|title=Unraveling the Story Behind a Big Ball of Twine|pub=National Public Radio|date=29 November 2004|author=}} {{Publish}} {{archive}}

People in Kansas like to just go have a look at things from time to time, particularly if it is kitchy and big. Frank Stoeber died in 1974, but not before he left behind a legacy of twine. Frank started a building a ball of sisal twine (a form of hemp) in 1953, which as grown to 40 ft in diameter hence. The ball of twine's domicile is a mini-museam located in the downtown of Cawker City, Kansas, which onlookers can simple look at or add twine to. In some ways Frank's ball of twine mirrors that of the failed culture of Easter Island. On Easter Island, the people built large stone heads in some final attempt to perserve a culture that was dying from lack of trees. Similarly, Frank's large ball of twine stands an object of preservation. In case you don't make off the coast of Chili, head out to the heartland and have a look.

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USL v. BSDi settlement agreement unsealed

{{publish}} {{byline|date=November 28, 2004|location=[[w:Sacremento, California|SACREMENTO, California]]}} The 1994 settlement agreement between [[w:UNIX Systems Laboratories|UNIX Systems Laboratories (USL)]] and Regent of [[w:University of California|University of California]] ([[w:USL v. BSDi|USL v. BSDi]]) was unsealed in November 2004 under the [[w:California Public Records Act|California Public Records Act]] (California Code § 6250-6270). The details of the settlement may have ramifications with respect to the [[w:SCO v. IBM|SCO v. IBM]] case with [[w:SCO|SCO]] believing it is the successor in interest to [[w:USL|USL]]. == Sources == * {{source|url=http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20041126130302760|title=The 1994 USL-Regents of UCal Settlement Agreement - PDF and text|author=|pub=Groklaw|date=November 26, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.computerweekly.com/articles/article.asp?liArticleID=135515&liArticleTypeID=1&liCategoryID=2&liChannelID=28&liFlavourID=1&sSearch=&nPage=1 |title=Unix lawsuit agreement raises questions for SCO |author=Robert McMillan |pub=Computer Weekly |date=December 2, 2004}} *{{source |url=http://www.macworld.co.uk/news/index.cfm?NewsID=10311&Page=1&pagePos=4 |title=SCO Unix case hits hurdles |author=Macworld staff |pub=Mac World |date=December 2, 2004 |brokenURL=true }} {{archive}} [[Category:November 28, 2004]] [[Category:Science and technology]] [[Category:United States]]

The 1994 settlement agreement between UNIX Systems Laboratories (USL) and Regent of University of California (USL v. BSDi) was unsealed in November 2004 under the California Public Records Act (California Code § 6250-6270). The details of the settlement may have ramifications with respect to the SCO v. IBM case with SCO believing it is the successor in interest to USL. *

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Lycos launches screensaver to increase spammers' bills

{{byline|date=November 29, 2004|location=HANOVER, Germany}} Internet portal and mail-provider [[w:Lycos|Lycos Europe]] has launched a program to increase spammers' bills by having thousands of voluntary users' computers repeatedly query websites from which spam originates. Such a tactic would increase the [[w:bandwidth|bandwidth]] costs for these websites. However, it also faces legal questions. [[w:Spamming|Spamming]], the mass sending of unsolicited emails, is lucrative in part because each email can be sent for nearly insignificant costs. With such low costs, a commercial spammer needs only to have a very small number of recipients buy their product to make a profit. The goal of many anti-spam proposals has been to increase the cost of spammers sending messages. Lycos' approach is to make it more expensive to maintain servers that send spam. Volunteers may download the screensaver from the [http://makelovenotspam.com/intl/index.html Lycos website for it]. The program would run on a user's computer in the background and request about three [[w:Megabyte|megabytes]] (3MBs) of data every day. The screensaver shows which spam server is being targeted by the user, where the server is located, and how many others are attacking it at that moment. Target email servers are selected from [[w:blacklist|blacklists]] from anti-spam organizations, with Lycos' own verification. Legal issues arise over whether this can be interpreted as a [[w:denial of service attack|denial of service attack]]. In such an attack, computers overwhelm a webserver with requests for data to the point where it does not have the resources to fulfill its normal function. Lycos, in explanatory material on the screensaver's dedicated website ( http://makelovenotspam.com ), claims that its technology closely monitors the screensavers' effects on targeted websites and prevents any of them from being completely shut down by information requests. Lycos Europe operates in [[w:Germany|Germany]] where, according to Joerg Heidrich of [[w:Heise Zeitschriften Verlag|Heise Zeitschriften Verlag]], less than completely shutting down a server is not clearly illegal under the penal code. It may, however, be actionable under the civil code. But Lycos may be betting that no one will file a suit, as that would require those participating in illegal spamming to reveal their identity. The website no longer allows downloads of the screensaver, and users of the screensaver cannot connect to spam sites, but are instead given the message 'Stay Tuned' {{haveyoursay}} == Sources == *{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4065751.stm|title=Freeze on anti-spam campaign|author=|pub=BBC Online|date=3 December 2004|}} *{{source|url=http://makelovenotspam.com/intl/index.html|title=Make LOVE not SPAM|author=|pub=Lycos|date=Accessed 29 November 2004|}} *{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4051553.stm|title=Screensaver tackles spam websites|author=|pub=BBC Online|date=29 November 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.siliconvalleynorth.com/home/newsGeyWBmzllk20041129.html|title=Take Part in your Very Own DDoS Attack|author=|pub=Silicon Valley North|date=November 29, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://p2pnet.net/story/3150|title=Make Love, not Spam!|author=|pub=p2pnet.net News|date=November 29, 2004}} *{{source|url=http://www.heise.de/english/newsticker/news/53697|title=Lycos users are to attack spammers|author=|pub=Heise Online|date=November 26, 2004}} {{publish}} {{archived}} [[Category:Europe]] [[Category:Spam]] [[Category:Science and technology]] [[Category:Computing]] [[Category:Crime and law]]

Internet portal and mail-provider Lycos Europe has launched a program to increase spammers' bills by having thousands of voluntary users' computers repeatedly query websites from which spam originates. Such a tactic would increase the bandwidth costs for these websites. However, it also faces legal questions. Spamming, the mass sending of unsolicited emails, is lucrative in part because each email can be sent for nearly insignificant costs. With such low costs, a commercial spammer needs only to have a very small number of recipients buy their product to make a profit. The goal of many anti-spam proposals has been to increase the cost of spammers sending messages. Lycos' approach is to make it more expensive to maintain servers that send spam. Volunteers may download the screensaver from the Lycos website for it. The program would run on a user's computer in the background and request about three megabytes (3MBs) of data every day. The screensaver shows which spam server is being targeted by the user, where the server is located, and how many others are attacking it at that moment. Target email servers are selected from blacklists from anti-spam organizations, with Lycos' own verification. Legal issues arise over whether this can be interpreted as a denial of service attack. In such an attack, computers overwhelm a webserver with requests for data to the point where it does not have the resources to fulfill its normal function. Lycos, in explanatory material on the screensaver's dedicated website ( http://makelovenotspam.com ), claims that its technology closely monitors the screensavers' effects on targeted websites and prevents any of them from being completely shut down by information requests. Lycos Europe operates in Germany where, according to Joerg Heidrich of Heise Zeitschriften Verlag, less than completely shutting down a server is not clearly illegal under the penal code. It may, however, be actionable under the civil code. But Lycos may be betting that no one will file a suit, as that would require those participating in illegal spamming to reveal their identity. The website no longer allows downloads of the screensaver, and users of the screensaver cannot connect to spam sites, but are instead given the message 'Stay Tuned'

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Valech Report released

{{byline|date=November 30, 2004|location=SANTIAGO, Chile}} The '''Valech Report''', officially titled '''The National Commission on Political Imprisonment and Torture Report''', was made public yesterday ([[w:November 29|November 29]], [[w:2004|2004]]) by Bishop Sergio Valech, the head of the eight-member panel commission into abuses committed in [[w:Chile|Chile]] between [[w:1973|1973]] and [[w:1990|1990]] by agents of [[w:Augusto Pinochet|Augusto Pinochet]]'s military regime. It was prepared by the [[w:National Commission on Political Imprisonment and Torture|National Commission on Political Imprisonment and Torture]] at the request of the president, and it is freely available to the public as a document on the [[w:Internet|Internet]]. The report was based on testimonies given to the commission by more than 35,000 people. A little over 27,000 of those testimonies were regarded as legitimate by the commission. On addressing the nation on [[w:November 28|November 28]], 2004, president [[w:Ricardo Lagos|Ricardo Lagos]] said he would propose a bill that will provide compensation to the victims. Most witnesses described behavioral, emotional and psychosocial effects. Many said they had felt — and still feel — insecure and fearful, humiliated, ashamed and guilty; depressed, anxiety-ridden and hopeless. Some persons mentioned alterations in their concentration and memory; others cited conflicts, crises and breakups within their families, as well as conjugal problems. They also mentioned the loss of reference groups and social networks. Most victims mentioned sleep disturbances and chronic insomnia, as well as behavioral inhibitions, phobias and fears. This Commission heard testimony from 3,399 women, almost all of whom said they were the object of sexual violence; 316 said they were raped. Of the latter, 229 were detained while pregnant. Because of the torture they suffered, 20 of them aborted and 15 gave birth while in prison. Thirteen women said they were made pregnant by their captors; six of those pregnancies came to term. The full report, in [[w:Spanish language|Spanish]], can be found [http://www.comisiontortura.cl/inicio/index.php here]. ==Excerpts== Excerpts from the report as translated by [[w:The Miami Herald|The Miami Herald]] [http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/10298240.htm]. :''Consciously or unconsciously, a conspiracy of silence about the torture spread slowly through the country. Political prison and torture constituted a state policy during the military regime, defined and promoted by the political authorities of the period which mobilized personnel and resources of various public organizations and issued decrees and laws that protected such repressive behavior. And this had the support, explicit sometimes but almost always implicit, of the only power that was not a member of that regime: the judiciary.'' :''[More than 18,000 of the 35,868 respondents] said they were detained between September and December 1973. During that period, torture was practiced by members of the Armed Forces and Carabineros [paramilitary police] in what became a generalized practice on a national scale.'' :''[More than 5,266 respondents] were political prisoners detained between January 1974 and August 1977, when new modalities of detention and torture were created. By June 1974, the DINA [Directorate of National Intelligence] was granted full legal recognition and its own budget.'' :''[Almost 4,000 respondents] were persons detained for political motives between August 1977 and March 1990. The final period of the repressive process was distinguished by the activities of the CNI [National Information Center.] In 3,059 cases, the detainees were kept in CNI facilities.'' :''As the citizenry rearticulated itself politically, the Investigations Department Police [police detectives] and Carabineros intervened again most actively in the tasks of coercion, detaining (for shorter periods) and torturing (with the usual methods) either on their own or placing oppositionists at the disposal of the CNI, military or civilian tribunals for processing.'' ==See also== * [[Wikipedia: Valech Report]] * [[Wikipedia: Chilean coup of 1973]] * [[Wikipedia: Rettig Report]] == Sources == *[http://www.comisiontortura.cl/inicio/index.php Document of the report in PDF format] (in Spanish) *{{source|url=http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/10298240.htm|title=Excerpts from report on torture in Chile|date=November 29, 2004|author=|pub=Miami Herald}} (Registration required) *{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4050655.stm|title=Chile torture victims win payout|pub=BBC Online|date=November 29, 2004|author=}} {{publish}} {{archive}} [[Category:Chile]] [[Category:Human rights]] [[Category:Augusto Pinochet]] [[Category:Santiago, Chile]]

The 'Valech Report', officially titled 'The National Commission on Political Imprisonment and Torture Report', was made public yesterday (November 29, 2004) by Bishop Sergio Valech, the head of the eight-member panel commission into abuses committed in Chile between 1973 and 1990 by agents of Augusto Pinochet's military regime. It was prepared by the National Commission on Political Imprisonment and Torture at the request of the president, and it is freely available to the public as a document on the Internet. The report was based on testimonies given to the commission by more than 35,000 people. A little over 27,000 of those testimonies were regarded as legitimate by the commission. On addressing the nation on November 28, 2004, president Ricardo Lagos said he would propose a bill that will provide compensation to the victims. Most witnesses described behavioral, emotional and psychosocial effects. Many said they had felt — and still feel — insecure and fearful, humiliated, ashamed and guilty; depressed, anxiety-ridden and hopeless. Some persons mentioned alterations in their concentration and memory; others cited conflicts, crises and breakups within their families, as well as conjugal problems. They also mentioned the loss of reference groups and social networks. Most victims mentioned sleep disturbances and chronic insomnia, as well as behavioral inhibitions, phobias and fears. This Commission heard testimony from 3,399 women, almost all of whom said they were the object of sexual violence; 316 said they were raped. Of the latter, 229 were detained while pregnant. Because of the torture they suffered, 20 of them aborted and 15 gave birth while in prison. Thirteen women said they were made pregnant by their captors; six of those pregnancies came to term. The full report, in Spanish, can be found here. :Consciously or unconsciously, a conspiracy of silence about the torture spread slowly through the country. Political prison and torture constituted a state policy during the military regime, defined and promoted by the political authorities of the period which mobilized personnel and resources of various public organizations and issued decrees and laws that protected such repressive behavior. And this had the support, explicit sometimes but almost always implicit, of the only power that was not a member of that regime: the judiciary. :More than 18,000 of the 35,868 respondents said they were detained between September and December 1973. During that period, torture was practiced by members of the Armed Forces and Carabineros paramilitary police in what became a generalized practice on a national scale. :More than 5,266 respondents were political prisoners detained between January 1974 and August 1977, when new modalities of detention and torture were created. By June 1974, the DINA Directorate of National Intelligence was granted full legal recognition and its own budget. :Almost 4,000 respondents were persons detained for political motives between August 1977 and March 1990. The final period of the repressive process was distinguished by the activities of the CNI National Information Center. In 3,059 cases, the detainees were kept in CNI facilities. :As the citizenry rearticulated itself politically, the Investigations Department Police police detectives and Carabineros intervened again most actively in the tasks of coercion, detaining (for shorter periods) and torturing (with the usual methods) either on their own or placing oppositionists at the disposal of the CNI, military or civilian tribunals for processing.

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Gusenbauer reelected as Austrian Social Democrat Party leader

{{date|November 30, 2004}} [[w:Gusenbauer|Alfred Gusenbauer]] has been reelected as leader of the [[Austria]]n Social Democrat Party ([[w:SP|SPOE]]) at the party's convention in [[w:Vienna|Vienna]]. Gusenbauer received 88.93% of the vote, an unexpectedly low value. In 2002, he was reelected with 99.6%. Gusenbauer leads the SPOE since 1999. Albeit the low result he has called the vote an ''"impressive display of confidence"''. Gusenbauer and other heads of the party, including influential Vienna mayor Michael Haeupl have confirmed that Gusenbauer will be the party's top candidate for the next parliamental election which will also determine the Austrian chancellor. In his keynote address Gusenbauer has issued heavy criticism at the current Austrian government which is led by chancellor [[w:Wolfgang Schssel|Wolfgang Schuessel]] and the Austrian People's Party ([[w:VP|OEVP]]). ==Sources== *[http://derstandard.at/?id=1873924 Der Standard Newspaper article], 30/November/2004 *[http://www.diepresse.at/Artikel.aspx?channel=p&ressort=i&id=454398 Die Presse Newspaper article], 30/November/2004 *[http://spoe.at/www/page_17163.html SPOE party article], 30/November/2004 {{publish}} {{archive}} [[Category:Europe]] [[Category:Austria]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]]

Alfred Gusenbauer has been reelected as leader of the Austrian Social Democrat Party (SPOE) at the party's convention in Vienna. Gusenbauer received 88.93% of the vote, an unexpectedly low value. In 2002, he was reelected with 99.6%. Gusenbauer leads the SPOE since 1999. Albeit the low result he has called the vote an "impressive display of confidence". Gusenbauer and other heads of the party, including influential Vienna mayor Michael Haeupl have confirmed that Gusenbauer will be the party's top candidate for the next parliamental election which will also determine the Austrian chancellor. In his keynote address Gusenbauer has issued heavy criticism at the current Austrian government which is led by chancellor Wolfgang Schuessel and the Austrian People's Party (OEVP).

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China and South East Asian nations to create the world's largest free trade area

{{byline|date=November 30, 2004|location=VIENTIANE, Laos}} The [[w:People's Republic of China|People's Republic of China]] has signed an agreement with [[w:ASEAN|ASEAN]] to establish the world's largest [[w:free trade|free trade]] area. [[w:Japan|Japan]], [[w:South Korea|South Korea]], [[w:New Zealand|New Zealand]], [[w:India|India]] and [[w:Australia|Australia]] are considering joining. ASEAN members include [[w:Myanmar|Myanmar]], [[w:Laos|Laos]], [[w:Thailand|Thailand]], [[w:Cambodia|Cambodia]], [[w:Vietnam|Vietnam]], [[w:Philippines|Philippines]], [[w:Malaysia|Malaysia]], [[w:Brunei Darussalam|Brunei Darussalam]], [[w:Singapore|Singapore]] and [[w:Indonesia|Indonesia]]. In the last four years China has become a major importer of oil and commodities, and a major exporter of finished goods. China has also strengthened relationships with oil suppliers in the Middle East and Africa. This pact lifts trade restrictions and removes [[w:tariffs|tariffs]] from many [[w:imports|imports]] and [[w:exports|exports]]. It also allows China to continue manipulating the value of its currency in its own interests. The [[w:Renminbi|yuan]] is currently undervalued, making Chinese-made goods artificially cheap for foreign importers. Stated in the agreement is ASEAN's intention to create a unified economy--and by implication polity--similar to the [[w:European Union|EU]]. This agreement will cement China's role as the center of the South Asian regional economy, and at the same time strengthening bonds between China and other countries in the region and ease their suspicions over a growing superpower. Japanese Prime Minister [[w:Junichiro Koizumi|Junichiro Koizumi]] and South Korean President [[w:Roh Moo-Hyun|Roh Moo-Hyun]] separately adopted accords with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, agreeing to launch the talks early next year. Both agreements aim for trade pacts within two years. Australia and New Zealand are expected to sign similar agreements with ASEAN before discussions close later Tuesday, although ASEAN remains wary of Australian Prime Minister John Howard's refusal to sign its nonaggression treaty. Howard played down these concerns but said on record that he reserves the right to preemptively act against terrorists on foreign soil if they threaten Australia. == Sources == #{{source|url=http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2004/11/30/china_forges_trade_pact_with_southeast_asia/|title=China forges trade pact with Southeast Asia|author=William Foreman|pub=Associated Press|date=November 30, 2004}} #{{source|url=http://news.ft.com/cms/s/56b24918-41ab-11d9-95ae-00000e2511c8.html|title=Asean touts China trade deal as great leap forward|author=Shawn Donnan and Amy Kazmin|pub=Financial Times|date=November 29, 2004}} #{{source|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000080&sid=aGA6kP1kjb5Q&refer=asia|title=U.S. Imposes Duties on Shrimp From China and Vietnam|author=Mark Drajem|pub=Bloomberg News|date=November 30, 2004}} {{archive}} [[Category:November 30, 2004]] [[Category:Asia]] [[Category:Economy and business]] [[Category:Published]] [[Category:Junichiro Koizumi]] [[Category:China]]

The People's Republic of China has signed an agreement with ASEAN to establish the world's largest free trade area. Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, India and Australia are considering joining. ASEAN members include Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore and Indonesia. In the last four years China has become a major importer of oil and commodities, and a major exporter of finished goods. China has also strengthened relationships with oil suppliers in the Middle East and Africa. This pact lifts trade restrictions and removes tariffs from many imports and exports. It also allows China to continue manipulating the value of its currency in its own interests. The yuan is currently undervalued, making Chinese-made goods artificially cheap for foreign importers. Stated in the agreement is ASEAN's intention to create a unified economy--and by implication polity--similar to the EU. This agreement will cement China's role as the center of the South Asian regional economy, and at the same time strengthening bonds between China and other countries in the region and ease their suspicions over a growing superpower. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and South Korean President Roh Moo-Hyun separately adopted accords with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations, agreeing to launch the talks early next year. Both agreements aim for trade pacts within two years. Australia and New Zealand are expected to sign similar agreements with ASEAN before discussions close later Tuesday, although ASEAN remains wary of Australian Prime Minister John Howard's refusal to sign its nonaggression treaty. Howard played down these concerns but said on record that he reserves the right to preemptively act against terrorists on foreign soil if they threaten Australia.

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Hopes rise for breakthrough in Northern Ireland Peace Process

{{byline|date=November 30, 2004|location=[[w:Belfast|BELFAST]]}} Hopes were rising that the impasse in the [[w:Good Friday Agreement|Good Friday Agreement]] could be broken with high level talks in Downing Street between the British Prime Minister [[w:Tony Blair|Tony Blair]] and the Democratic Unionist leader [[w: Ian Paisley|Ian Paisley]]. It is also expected that the Republican [[w:Sinn Fein|Sinn Fein]] leader [[w:Gerry Adams|Gerry Adams]] would have separate meetings with the Irish leader [[w:Bertie Ahern|Bertie Ahern]] in [[w: Dublin|Dublin]]. These meetings follow a historic meeting between Gerry Adams and Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Orde over issues of police reform and decommissioning. The current impasse concerns the key issues of decommissioning of paramilitary weapons and the 'de-militarisation' of the province. Previous efforts to achieve a compromise failed because Unionists claimed insufficiently large amounts of [[w:IRA|IRA]] weaponry had been decommissioned, and that there was insufficient evidence that the weapons had in fact been destroyed. Some Unionists are insisting on photographic evidence of the destruction of IRA weapons, a request that is bound to be resisted by more militant Republicans. Even if further decommissioning occurs, Republicans are almost certain to want a specific timetable for the removal of British Army bases in Republican leaning areas of Northern Ireland (such as [[w:South Armagh|South Armagh]]), which are much resented by some local inhabitants. If the current deadlock were broken, it would mean the reconvening of the [[w:Northern Ireland Assembly|Northern Ireland Assembly]], which was shut down in 2002 amidst accusations of spying by both Republicans and Unionists. ==Sources== * [http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Northern-Irelands-enemies-closer-to-accord/2004/11/29/1101577418036.html?oneclick=true The Age] * [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=588156 The Belfast Telegraph] {{archive}} [[Category:Northern Ireland]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Published]] [[Category:Provisional IRA]] [[Category:Gerry Adams]] [[Category:Ian Paisley]] [[Category:Bertie Ahern]] [[Category:Europe]] [[Category:Sinn Féin]]

Hopes were rising that the impasse in the Good Friday Agreement could be broken with high level talks in Downing Street between the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley. It is also expected that the Republican Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams would have separate meetings with the Irish leader Bertie Ahern in Dublin. These meetings follow a historic meeting between Gerry Adams and Northern Ireland Chief Constable Hugh Orde over issues of police reform and decommissioning. The current impasse concerns the key issues of decommissioning of paramilitary weapons and the 'de-militarisation' of the province. Previous efforts to achieve a compromise failed because Unionists claimed insufficiently large amounts of IRA weaponry had been decommissioned, and that there was insufficient evidence that the weapons had in fact been destroyed. Some Unionists are insisting on photographic evidence of the destruction of IRA weapons, a request that is bound to be resisted by more militant Republicans. Even if further decommissioning occurs, Republicans are almost certain to want a specific timetable for the removal of British Army bases in Republican leaning areas of Northern Ireland (such as South Armagh), which are much resented by some local inhabitants. If the current deadlock were broken, it would mean the reconvening of the Northern Ireland Assembly, which was shut down in 2002 amidst accusations of spying by both Republicans and Unionists.

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US president Bush visits Canada

{{date|November 30, 2004}} United States President [[w:George W. Bush|George W. Bush]] made his first official [[w:state visit|state visit]] to [[w:Canada|Canada]] this week. After the political frost between the two states surrounding the U.S.' War on Terror policy and its invasion of Iraq in 2003, the kind of relationship the neighbor states can build or rebuild is thought to be of concern to many Canadians &mdash; the majority of whom remain highly critical of the Bush administration's policies. Topics discussed included the U.S. [[w:Strategic Defense Initiative|"Star Wars"]] missile defence system, the future of [[w:North American Aerospace Defense Command|NORAD]] (North American Aerospace Defence Command), combatting of [[w:AIDS|AIDS]] and other diseases in Africa, and cracking down on illegal activities on the U.S.-Canada border. They also discussed trade issues including beef, lumber, and prescription drugs. [[Image:Protest6.jpg|thumb|Protesters march on Laurier Ave. in Ottawa]] [http://www.pgablocottawa.net/ Protesters] clashed with [[w:riot control|riot police]] in [[w:Ottawa|Ottawa]] briefly on Tuesday in a break from what has been for the most part a calm series of demonstrations. The [http://docs.indymedia.org/view/Global/FrequentlyAskedQuestionEn Indymedia] group of websites reported a [http://www.ottawa.indymedia.org/en/2004/11/33.shtml demonstration] on the 29th against the deportation of Palestinian refugees. They also report [http://ottawa.indymedia.ca/en/2004/11/84.shtml 15,000] people marched against Bush in Ottawa on the 30th and have [http://maritimes.buffaloimc.org:8080/ text ] [http://ottawa.indymedia.ca/en/2004/12/201.shtml photos,] and a [http://ottawa.indymedia.org/media/2004/11/190.mov video] of the protests. During an early afternoon news conference with Prime Minister [[Paul Martin]], Bush said he was pleased with the welcome he received Tuesday morning. "I want to thank the Canadian people who came out to wave &mdash;with all five fingers &mdash;for their hospitality," he said with a chuckle. The official 26-hour visit will take the American President to Canada's capital city, [[w:Ottawa|Ottawa]] and to [[w:Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia|Halifax]], where he will pay tribute to the hospitality shown by Canadians on [[w:September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001]], when, after the U.S. closed its airspace, more than 200 flights were diverted to Canadian airports. Thousands of Americans were sheltered in Halifax (the largest city in Canada's Atlantic provinces) as well as St. John's and Gander in Newfoundland, and other centres. == Sources == *{{source|title=CBC News Indepth: Continental Divide? |pub=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |date=December 2, 2004 |author=CBC News Online |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/continentaldivide/}} *{{source|title=Bush Grateful for 'Five-Finger' Welcome |pub=Associated Press |date=November 30, 2004 |author=Deb Riechmann |url=http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/world/10306675.htm?1c}} *{{source|title=15,000 demonstrate |pub=Independent Media Center |date=November 30, 2004 |author=IMC Ottawa |url=http://ottawa.indymedia.ca/en/2004/11/84.shtml}} *{{source|title=Palestine demo |pub=Independent Media Center |date=November 29, 2004 |author=IMC Ottawa |url=http://www.ottawa.indymedia.org/en/2004/11/33.shtml}} {{publish}} {{Archived}} [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Canada]] [[Category:United States]] [[Category:North America]] [[Category:George W. Bush]] [[Category:Paul Martin]]

United States President George W. Bush made his first official state visit to Canada this week. After the political frost between the two states surrounding the U.S.' War on Terror policy and its invasion of Iraq in 2003, the kind of relationship the neighbor states can build or rebuild is thought to be of concern to many Canadians — the majority of whom remain highly critical of the Bush administration's policies. Topics discussed included the U.S. "Star Wars" missile defence system, the future of NORAD (North American Aerospace Defence Command), combatting of AIDS and other diseases in Africa, and cracking down on illegal activities on the U.S.-Canada border. They also discussed trade issues including beef, lumber, and prescription drugs. Protesters march on Laurier Ave. in Ottawa Protesters clashed with riot police in Ottawa briefly on Tuesday in a break from what has been for the most part a calm series of demonstrations. The Indymedia group of websites reported a demonstration on the 29th against the deportation of Palestinian refugees. They also report 15,000 people marched against Bush in Ottawa on the 30th and have text photos, and a video of the protests. During an early afternoon news conference with Prime Minister Paul Martin, Bush said he was pleased with the welcome he received Tuesday morning. "I want to thank the Canadian people who came out to wave —with all five fingers —for their hospitality," he said with a chuckle. The official 26-hour visit will take the American President to Canada's capital city, Ottawa and to Halifax, where he will pay tribute to the hospitality shown by Canadians on September 11, 2001, when, after the U.S. closed its airspace, more than 200 flights were diverted to Canadian airports. Thousands of Americans were sheltered in Halifax (the largest city in Canada's Atlantic provinces) as well as St. John's and Gander in Newfoundland, and other centres.

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US Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge resigns

{{Byline|date=November 30, 2004|location=WASHINGTON, D.C.}} In a resignation statement today, [[w:United States Secretary of Homeland Security|United States Secretary of Homeland Security]] [[w:Tom Ridge|Tom Ridge]] announced that he will leave his position by February 1, 2005, unless a successor is named sooner. In his tenure as the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Ridge has been instrumental in establishing protocols aimed at thwarting terrorism, including a national warning system based on color coding that is routinely publicized nationally. In his resignation, Ridge thanked [[w:George W. Bush|President Bush]] for the opportunity to help secure the nation and expressed his sentiments that the new security systems put in place since the [[w:September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001 attacks]] had made America safer and more prepared than it had been. He cited family and personal issues as major reasons for his resignation stating that, "After more than 22 consecutive years of public service, it is time to give personal and family matters a higher priority." Several days after Ridge's announcement, [[w:United States Secretary of Health and Human Services|Secretary of Health and Human Services]] [[w:Tommy Thompson|Tommy Thompson]] announced his departure and warned that the nation remains vulnerable to potential food-borne terrorist attacks, stating, "I cannot understand why the terrorists have not attacked our food supply because it is so easy to do." ==Legacy== As the [[w:United States|United States]]'s first Secretary of Homeland Security, Ridge resigned his position as Governor of Pennsylvania in 2001 to take the position for which President Bush had nominated him. He is well-known to Americans for implementing the now-famous [[w:Homeland Security Advisory System|color-coded terror alert levels and advisories]] against various sorts of terrorism. The Department of Homeland Security is a new player in the power struggle in [[w:Washington, D.C.|Washington]]. Throughout his tenure, Ridge fought a losing battle with the [[w:Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] for jurisdiction because the Bush administration allowed the FBI to remain a part of the [[w:United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]]. ==Sources== *{{source|url=http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/nm/20041130/pl_nm/security_ridge_dc |title=Homeland Security Chief Ridge Resigns |author= |pub=Yahoo! |date=}} (not available anymore) *{{source||url=http://www.uprisingradio.org/ |title=Uprising Radio broadcast (KPFK - Los Angeles Pacifica Radio) |author= |pub=Uprising Radio |date=December 1, 2004}} {{archive}} [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:United States]] [[Category:North America]] [[Category:Published]]

In a resignation statement today, United States Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge announced that he will leave his position by February 1, 2005, unless a successor is named sooner. In his tenure as the first United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Ridge has been instrumental in establishing protocols aimed at thwarting terrorism, including a national warning system based on color coding that is routinely publicized nationally. In his resignation, Ridge thanked President Bush for the opportunity to help secure the nation and expressed his sentiments that the new security systems put in place since the September 11, 2001 attacks had made America safer and more prepared than it had been. He cited family and personal issues as major reasons for his resignation stating that, "After more than 22 consecutive years of public service, it is time to give personal and family matters a higher priority." Several days after Ridge's announcement, Secretary of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson announced his departure and warned that the nation remains vulnerable to potential food-borne terrorist attacks, stating, "I cannot understand why the terrorists have not attacked our food supply because it is so easy to do." He is well-known to Americans for implementing the now-famous color-coded terror alert levels and advisories against various sorts of terrorism. The Department of Homeland Security is a new player in the power struggle in Washington. Throughout his tenure, Ridge fought a losing battle with the FBI for jurisdiction because the Bush administration allowed the FBI to remain a part of the Department of Justice.

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Digest/29November2004

{{date|November 29, 2004}} <Br> <div style="font-size:190%;">Digest for 29 November-5 December 2004</div> < [[Digest/22November2004|22-29 November 2004]] • [[Wikinews:Digests|Index]] • [[Digest/6December2004|6-13 December 2004 >]] __NOTOC__ Articles dated 29 November to 5 December 2004 are included in the compilation below. Their status in the current proposed review policy at time of compilation is noted next to each date of articles of some length, with articles only in development being listed at bottom. ==Articles== '''[[Aljazeera says United States have used napalm in Fallujah]]'''<br /> 29 November 2004 | Review failed<br /> Fallujah, Iraq - According to Al-jazeera, an Arabic television channel based in Qatar, the United States military have used napalm in its assault on Fallujah. Civilians, it has been reported, have been killed in these latest attacks. The information has not been supported by international mainstream news agencies. '''[[Ukrainian opposition leader calls for police and army to join revolution]]'''<br /> 29 November 2004| Not participating<br /> KIEV, UKRAINE - President Leonid D. Kuchma Monday proposed holding a new election to end the political crisis threatening to tear the country apart, according to the New York Times. '''[[American teenage girl charged with murder of her own mother]]'''<br /> 29 November 2004 | Under review<br /> United States - Rachelle Waterman, (aka Rachelle Ann Monica Waterman and "smchyrocky"), a 16-year-old girl from Craig, Alaska, USA, has been charged with the first degree murder of her mother. '''[[Ruling party ahead in Romanian elections]]'''<br /> 29 November 2004 | Under review<br /> Bucharest. Romania's ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) has emerged ahead in yesterday's legislative and presidential elections. The voter turnout was around 57% of all eligible voters, which number 18 million people in a country of 21.7 million. '''[[Lycos launches screensaver to increase spammers' bills]]'''<br /> 29 November 2004 | Peer reviewed<br /> EUROPE - Internet portal and mail-provider Lycos Europe has launched a program to increase spammers' bills by having thousands of voluntary users' computers repeatedly query websites from which spam originates. Such a tactic would increase the bandwidth costs for these websites. However, it also faces legal questions. '''[[US president Bush visits Canada]]'''<br /> 30 November 2004 | Peer reviewed<br /> OTTAWA - United States President George W. Bush made his first official state visit to Canada this week. '''[[China and South East Asian nations to create the world's largest free trade area]]'''<br /> 30 November 2004 | Under review<br /> VIENTIANE, Laos - The People's Republic of China has signed an agreement with ASEAN to establish the world's largest free trade area. Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, India and Australia are considering joining. ASEAN members include Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore and Indonesia. '''[[Outgoing U.S. Congress takes parting jabs at wildlife protection]]'''<br /> 30 November 2004 | Under review<br /> Washington, DC –– In what is likely to be its final action this term, the 108th Congress nullified the effects of three recent court rulings extending key wilderness protections to wildlife refuge, national park and forest lands, according to Wilderness Watch and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Through unrelated provisions inserted in the $388 billion omnibus bill, Congressional leaders cut back wilderness safeguards in Alaska, Idaho and the Georgia seacoast. '''[[Hopes rise for breakthrough in Northern Ireland Peace Process]]'''<br /> 30 November 2004 | Under review<br /> Belfast - Hopes were rising that the impasse in the Good Friday Agreement could be broken with high level talks in Downing Street between the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley. '''[[Valech Report released]]'''<br /> 30 November, 2004 | Under review<br /> CHILE - The Valech Report, officially titled The National Commission on Political Imprisonment and Torture Report, was made public yesterday (November 29, 2004) by Bishop Sergio Valech, the head of the eight-member panel commission into abuses committed in Chile between 1973 and 1990 by agents of Augusto Pinochet's military regime. It was prepared by the National Commission on Political Imprisonment and Torture at the request of the president, and it is freely available to the public as a document on the Internet. '''[[ITMS Canada launched]]'''<br /> 1 December 2004 | Peer reviewed<br /> CANADA - Late today, Apple Computer's iTunes Music Store (iTMS) was opened to Canada. The 700,000+ songs are priced at CAD 99¢ (USD 84¢) making it the lowest price of any iTMS localization to date. '''[[Arrested Marxist leader Apablaza charged in Chile]]''' <br /> 2 December 2004 | Under review <br /> Chile – Sergio Galvarino Apablaza,aged 54, nicknamed "Comandante Salvador"(Salvador commander), has been charged by the Chilean judge Hugo Dolmestch for the following crimes: the kidnapping of Cristian Edwards(son of Agustin Edwards, owner of the newspaper El Mercurio) and the assassination of Senator Jaime Guzman Errazuriz. '''[[Ukraine and Western bias]]'''<br /> 2 December 2004 | Under review<br /> KIEV - As events unfold in Ukraine, there is a noticeable tendency in news media to see the issues as a black-and-white struggle. They portray the current election crisis as a popular revolution reacting to the gross manipulation of an election in favour of the establishment candidate Viktor Yanukovich. However a look below the surface would show these issues to be more complex than appearances would suggest. '''[[ETA bombs five gas stations in Madrid]]'''<br /> 3 December 2004 | Peer reviewed<br /> MADRID -The Basque separatist group ETA was blamed for five explosions at gas stations in the Spanish capital of Madrid on Friday. The explosions claimed no casualties, but two police officers were lightly wounded. '''[[Federally-funded abstinence programs fraught with problems: Report]]'''<br /> 3 December 2004 | Under review<br /> According to a report issued by U.S. House of Representatives Congressman Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), the majority of abstinence-only sexual education programs in schools contain incorrect or misleading information. '''[[ETA detonates explosives in Madrid]]'''<br /> 3 December 2004 | Under review<br /> Madrid - Five bombs exploded at suburban Madrid gas stations as millions of vacationing Madrileños left town for a bank holiday. '''[[Chinese film won Golden Horse Award]]'''<br /> 4 December 2004 | Under review<br /> Taichung, Taiwan - Chinese film Hoh Xil: Mountain Patrol (also known as Kekexili) beat Wang Kar-wai's 2046 to win the Best Picture Award while Hong Kong pop star Andy Lau won the Best Leading Actor Award in the 41th Golden Horse Film Festival, the most prestigious film event for Chinese-language film industry. '''[[Twin bombings hit Baghdad's Green Zone]]'''<br /> 4 December 2004 | Under review<br /> BAGHDAD - Suicide bombers detonated two car bombs outside the Iraqi al-Karkh police station near Baghdad's Green Zone on Saturday. 16 people were killed including 4 police officers and between 35 and 60 people were reportedly wounded. '''[[Napster founder Shawn Fanning introduces new file-sharing project]]'''<br /> 5 December 2004 | Under review<br /> SAN FRANCISCO - Shawn Fanning, the creator of Napster and a founder of Snocap, Inc., on Friday revealed his plans for a legal peer-to-peer file-sharing platform. Snocap has signed an agreement with Universal Music Group to make the company's entire catalogue available through the new service. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. '''[[Thai government drops origami cranes as message of peace]]'''<br /> 5 December, 2004 | Under review<br /> Thailand - Millions of origami cranes have been dropped on Thailand's three southern provinces following violence between the government and ethnic minority Muslim populations. The move has been called a "goodwill gesture" towards Muslims. '''[[Police deactivate explosive device in Andalucía, Spain]]'''<br /> 5 December 2004 | Peer reviewed<br /> Andalusia. A small explosive device was deactivated today by the Spanish police in Almería, Andalusia. '''[[United States anti-drug efforts in Latin America criticized by report]]'''<br /> 5 December, 2004 | Under review<br /> WASHINGTON - The "War on Drugs" waged by the United States has been criticized in a report released by the Washington D.C.-based human rights group Washington Office on Latin America. The report, "Drugs and Democracy in Latin America: The Impact of U.S. Policy" (Summary [http://www.wola.org/publications/ddhr_exec_sum_brief.pdf], PDF), investigated "the impact of drug control policies on human rights and democracy" and declared that present policies in the War on Drugs have failed to achieve any meaningful success. The United States government has criticized it, claiming progress is shown by street prices for drugs being near an all-time low.<br /> <br /> '''[[Firefox 1.0 Internet Browser released by Mozilla Foundation]]'''<br /><br /> [[Four NBA players suspended indefinitely for brawl]]<br /> ==In development== These articles were begun in the past week but are under development at the time of compilation. *[[US Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge resigns]] - 30 November 2004 *[[Red Cross discovers abuse in Guantánamo]] - 30 November 2004 *[[U.S. Department of Defense committee releases report critical of war on terror]] - 1 December 2004 *[[Ukraine parliament sacks government]] - 1 December 2004 *[[Kerik nominated as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security]] - 2 December 2004 *[[Ukraine Supreme Court orders new election]] - 3 December 2004 *[[Rumsfeld to Stay on as Defense Secretary]] - 3 December 2004 *[[Delta 4 Heavy rocket poised for maiden launch]] - 4 December 2004 *[[Tommy Thompson steps down as Secretary of Health and Human Services]] - 4 December 2004 *[[Humans may have contributed to 2003 European heatwave]] - 4 December 2004 {{publish}} {{archived}} [[Category:Crime and law]] [[Category:Politics and conflicts]] [[Category:Tony Blair]] [[Category:Augusto Pinochet]]

Digest for 29 November-5 December 2004 __NOTOC__ Articles dated 29 November to 5 December 2004 are included in the compilation below. Their status in the current proposed review policy at time of compilation is noted next to each date of articles of some length, with articles only in development being listed at bottom. 'Ukrainian opposition leader calls for police and army to join revolution' 29 November 2004| Not participating KIEV, UKRAINE - President Leonid D. Kuchma Monday proposed holding a new election to end the political crisis threatening to tear the country apart, according to the New York Times. 'American teenage girl charged with murder of her own mother' 29 November 2004 | Under review United States - Rachelle Waterman, (aka Rachelle Ann Monica Waterman and "smchyrocky"), a 16-year-old girl from Craig, Alaska, USA, has been charged with the first degree murder of her mother. 'Ruling party ahead in Romanian elections' 29 November 2004 | Under review Bucharest. Romania's ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) has emerged ahead in yesterday's legislative and presidential elections. The voter turnout was around 57% of all eligible voters, which number 18 million people in a country of 21.7 million. 'Lycos launches screensaver to increase spammers' bills' 29 November 2004 | Peer reviewed EUROPE - Internet portal and mail-provider Lycos Europe has launched a program to increase spammers' bills by having thousands of voluntary users' computers repeatedly query websites from which spam originates. Such a tactic would increase the bandwidth costs for these websites. However, it also faces legal questions. 'US president Bush visits Canada' 30 November 2004 | Peer reviewed OTTAWA - United States President George W. Bush made his first official state visit to Canada this week. 'China and South East Asian nations to create the world's largest free trade area' 30 November 2004 | Under review VIENTIANE, Laos - The People's Republic of China has signed an agreement with ASEAN to establish the world's largest free trade area. Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, India and Australia are considering joining. ASEAN members include Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Singapore and Indonesia. 'Outgoing U.S. Congress takes parting jabs at wildlife protection' 30 November 2004 | Under review Washington, DC –– In what is likely to be its final action this term, the 108th Congress nullified the effects of three recent court rulings extending key wilderness protections to wildlife refuge, national park and forest lands, according to Wilderness Watch and Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). Through unrelated provisions inserted in the $388 billion omnibus bill, Congressional leaders cut back wilderness safeguards in Alaska, Idaho and the Georgia seacoast. 'Hopes rise for breakthrough in Northern Ireland Peace Process' 30 November 2004 | Under review Belfast - Hopes were rising that the impasse in the Good Friday Agreement could be broken with high level talks in Downing Street between the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the Democratic Unionist leader Ian Paisley. 'Valech Report released' 30 November, 2004 | Under review CHILE - The Valech Report, officially titled The National Commission on Political Imprisonment and Torture Report, was made public yesterday (November 29, 2004) by Bishop Sergio Valech, the head of the eight-member panel commission into abuses committed in Chile between 1973 and 1990 by agents of Augusto Pinochet's military regime. It was prepared by the National Commission on Political Imprisonment and Torture at the request of the president, and it is freely available to the public as a document on the Internet. 'ITMS Canada launched' 1 December 2004 | Peer reviewed CANADA - Late today, Apple Computer's iTunes Music Store (iTMS) was opened to Canada. The 700,000+ songs are priced at CAD 99¢ (USD 84¢) making it the lowest price of any iTMS localization to date. 'Arrested Marxist leader Apablaza charged in Chile' 2 December 2004 Under review Chile – Sergio Galvarino Apablaza,aged 54, nicknamed "Comandante Salvador"(Salvador commander), has been charged by the Chilean judge Hugo Dolmestch for the following crimes: the kidnapping of Cristian Edwards(son of Agustin Edwards, owner of the newspaper El Mercurio) and the assassination of Senator Jaime Guzman Errazuriz. 'Ukraine and Western bias' 2 December 2004 | Under review KIEV - As events unfold in Ukraine, there is a noticeable tendency in news media to see the issues as a black-and-white struggle. They portray the current election crisis as a popular revolution reacting to the gross manipulation of an election in favour of the establishment candidate Viktor Yanukovich. However a look below the surface would show these issues to be more complex than appearances would suggest. 'ETA bombs five gas stations in Madrid' 3 December 2004 | Peer reviewed MADRID -The Basque separatist group ETA was blamed for five explosions at gas stations in the Spanish capital of Madrid on Friday. The explosions claimed no casualties, but two police officers were lightly wounded. 'Federally-funded abstinence programs fraught with problems: Report' 3 December 2004 | Under review According to a report issued by U.S. House of Representatives Congressman Henry A. Waxman (D-CA), the majority of abstinence-only sexual education programs in schools contain incorrect or misleading information. 'ETA detonates explosives in Madrid' 3 December 2004 | Under review Madrid - Five bombs exploded at suburban Madrid gas stations as millions of vacationing Madrileños left town for a bank holiday. 'Chinese film won Golden Horse Award' 4 December 2004 | Under review Taichung, Taiwan - Chinese film Hoh Xil: Mountain Patrol (also known as Kekexili) beat Wang Kar-wai's 2046 to win the Best Picture Award while Hong Kong pop star Andy Lau won the Best Leading Actor Award in the 41th Golden Horse Film Festival, the most prestigious film event for Chinese-language film industry. 'Twin bombings hit Baghdad's Green Zone' 4 December 2004 | Under review BAGHDAD - Suicide bombers detonated two car bombs outside the Iraqi al-Karkh police station near Baghdad's Green Zone on Saturday. 16 people were killed including 4 police officers and between 35 and 60 people were reportedly wounded. 'Napster founder Shawn Fanning introduces new file-sharing project' 5 December 2004 | Under review SAN FRANCISCO - Shawn Fanning, the creator of Napster and a founder of Snocap, Inc., on Friday revealed his plans for a legal peer-to-peer file-sharing platform. Snocap has signed an agreement with Universal Music Group to make the company's entire catalogue available through the new service. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. 'Thai government drops origami cranes as message of peace' 5 December, 2004 | Under review Thailand - Millions of origami cranes have been dropped on Thailand's three southern provinces following violence between the government and ethnic minority Muslim populations. The move has been called a "goodwill gesture" towards Muslims. 'Police deactivate explosive device in Andalucía, Spain' 5 December 2004 | Peer reviewed Andalusia. A small explosive device was deactivated today by the Spanish police in Almería, Andalusia. 'United States anti-drug efforts in Latin America criticized by report' 5 December, 2004 | Under review WASHINGTON - The "War on Drugs" waged by the United States has been criticized in a report released by the Washington D.C.-based human rights group Washington Office on Latin America. The report, "Drugs and Democracy in Latin America: The Impact of U.S. Policy" (Summary , PDF), investigated "the impact of drug control policies on human rights and democracy" and declared that present policies in the War on Drugs have failed to achieve any meaningful success. The United States government has criticized it, claiming progress is shown by street prices for drugs being near an all-time low. 'Firefox 1.0 Internet Browser released by Mozilla Foundation' Four NBA players suspended indefinitely for brawl *US Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge resigns - 30 November 2004 *Red Cross discovers abuse in Guantánamo - 30 November 2004 *U.S. Department of Defense committee releases report critical of war on terror - 1 December 2004 *Ukraine parliament sacks government - 1 December 2004 *Kerik nominated as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security - 2 December 2004 *Ukraine Supreme Court orders new election - 3 December 2004 *Rumsfeld to Stay on as Defense Secretary - 3 December 2004 *Delta 4 Heavy rocket poised for maiden launch - 4 December 2004 *Tommy Thompson steps down as Secretary of Health and Human Services - 4 December 2004 *Humans may have contributed to 2003 European heatwave - 4 December 2004

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Digest/22November2004

{{date|November 23, 2004}} <div style="font-size:190%;">Digest for 22-29 November 2004</div> < 15-22 November 2004 • [[Wikinews:Digests|Index]] • [[Digest/29November2004|29 November-5 December 2004 >]] This a collection of articles whose datelines read between 22 and 29 November. They have not necessarily gone through a peer-review process, and may not even be done. This is essentially an index right now. Click on an article's title to read it in full. '''[[Activists protest against School of the Americas]]'''<br /> ''22 November, 2004, United States''<br /> Antiwar magazines report up to 16,000 protesters demonstrated outside a United States military school this weekend, demanding it be closed in connection with accused human rights violations. '''[[Dan Rather resigns as anchor, to stay on as correspondent]]'''<br /> ''22 November, 2004, USA''<br /> [[w:Dan Rather|Dan Rather]] has announced that he will retire on March 9th, 2005 as anchor of [[w:CBS|CBS]] Evening News. He will continue to be an investigative reporter for both of the [[W:60 Minutes|60 Minutes]] shows. '''[[Indonesian police arrest four suspects wanted over Australian Embassy bombing]]'''<br /> ''24 November, 2004, [[w:Jakarta|Jakarta]], [[w:Indonesia|Indonesia]].''<br /> Associated Press and Reuters are both reporting that Indonesian police have arrested four suspects for the bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta on September 9th, which killed 10 people. '''[[Ukrainian opposition leader calls for police and army to join revolution]]'''<br /> ''24 November, 2004, Ukraine''<br /> Amid protests of up to 200,000 over [[w:Ukraine|Ukraine's]] disputed presidential election, officially declared loser [[w:Viktor Yushchenko|Viktor Yushchenko]] has called on the army and police to join a revolution against the government. '''[[Internal emails expose Boeing-Air Force contract discussions]]'''<br /> ''24 November, 2004, United States''<br /> Emails exchanged among [[w:United States Air Force |United States Air Force]] officials regarding a USD$23 billion dollar deal with aircraft manufacturer [[w:Boeing|Boeing]] have been entered into the public record. [[w:Senator|Senator]] [[w:John McCain|John McCain]] ([[w:United States Republican Party|R]]-[[w:Arizona|AZ]]) entered them into the [[w:Congressional Record|Congressional Record]] during a speech last week against the now-cancelled deal to lease 100 [[w:Aerial refueling|mid-air tanker]] aircraft from Boeing. '''[[Australia in a good position after first day of Adelaide test match]]'''<br /> ''26 November, 2004, Adelaide, South Australia''<br /> At stumps on day one, [[w:Australia|Australia]] has opened a commanding lead in the second cricket test against [[w:New Zealand|New Zealand]]. '''[[Record computer outage at UK government department]]'''<br /> ''November 27 2004, United Kingdom.'' <br /> A computer outage beginning on Monday afternoon at the [[w:Department for Work and Pensions|Department for Work and Pensions]] (DWP) has caused delays in the processing of new claims. 80% of the DWP's desktop computers were put out of action by a software update. This story is being widely reported but details are scarce. Most of the talk is about the severity of the problem and the pattern of failures associated with IT outsourcing in the government. '''[[170 workers trapped in Chinese mine after explosion]]'''<br /> ''28 November, 2004, Shaanxi province.'' <br /> Early in the morning on Sunday November 28th, 170 workers were trapped in the [[w:China|Chinese]] [[w:Chenjiashan|Chenjiashan]] mine, the BBC reports. According to Chinese state officials, 123 workers managed to escape the facilities. Many of those who escaped the mines are suffering from [[w:carbon monoxide|carbon monoxide]] poisoning. Since the accident, there has been no contact with the 170 workers trapped inside, although the initial number of 183 people still in the complex was revised downwards. '''[[Researchers discover high temperature enables more efficient hydrogen generation]]'''<br /> ''Sunday, November 28th, 2004''<br /> Researchers in Salt Lake City Utah, at ''Ceramtech Incorporated'', hand in hand with workers at ''The Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory'' stated that they had learned that through superheating the water to 800 degrees Celsius, far less electricity was required to produce the same volume of hydrogen. '''[[USL v. BSDi settlement agreement unsealed]]'''<br /> ''28 November, 2004, United States''<br /> The 1994 settlement agreement between [[w:UNIX Systems Laboratories|UNIX Systems Laboratories (USL)]] and [[w:BSDi|BSDi]] ([[w:USL v. BSDi|USL v. BSDi]]) was unsealed in [[November]] [[2004]] under the [[w:California Public Records Act|California Public Records Act]] (California Code § 6250-6270). The details of the settlement may have ramifications with respect to the [[w:SCO v. IBM|SCO v. IBM]] case with [[w:SCO|SCO]] believing it is the successor in interest to [[w:USL|USL]]. '''[[American teenage girl charged with murder of her own mother]]'''<br /> ''29 November, 2004, United States.''<br /> '''Rachelle Waterman''', (aka Rachelle Ann Monica Waterman and "smchyrocky"), a 16-year-old girl from [[w:Craig, Alaska|Craig, Alaska]], [[w:United States|USA]], has been charged with the first degree murder of her own mother. '''[[World's Largest Ball of Twine Turns 50]]'''<br /> ''29 November, 2004, Cawker City, Kansas.''<br /> People in Kansas like to just go have a look at things from time to time, particularly if it is kitchy and big. Frank Stoeber died in 1974, but not before he left behind a legacy of twine. Frank started a building a ball of sisal twine (a form of hemp) in 1953, which as grown to 40 ft in diameter hence. The ball of twine's domicile is a mini-museam located in the downtown of Cawker City, Kansas, which onlookers can simple look at or add twine to. {{publish}} {{archived}} [[Category:Science and technology]] [[Category:Crime and law]] [[Category:Ukraine]] [[Category:United States]] [[Category:Indonesia]] [[Category:China]]

Digest for 22-29 November 2004 This a collection of articles whose datelines read between 22 and 29 November. They have not necessarily gone through a peer-review process, and may not even be done. This is essentially an index right now. Click on an article's title to read it in full. 'Activists protest against School of the Americas' 22 November, 2004, United States Antiwar magazines report up to 16,000 protesters demonstrated outside a United States military school this weekend, demanding it be closed in connection with accused human rights violations. 'Dan Rather resigns as anchor, to stay on as correspondent' 22 November, 2004, USA Dan Rather has announced that he will retire on March 9th, 2005 as anchor of CBS Evening News. He will continue to be an investigative reporter for both of the 60 Minutes shows. 'Indonesian police arrest four suspects wanted over Australian Embassy bombing' 24 November, 2004, Jakarta, Indonesia. Associated Press and Reuters are both reporting that Indonesian police have arrested four suspects for the bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta on September 9th, which killed 10 people. 'Ukrainian opposition leader calls for police and army to join revolution' 24 November, 2004, Ukraine Amid protests of up to 200,000 over Ukraine's disputed presidential election, officially declared loser Viktor Yushchenko has called on the army and police to join a revolution against the government. 'Internal emails expose Boeing-Air Force contract discussions' 24 November, 2004, United States Emails exchanged among United States Air Force officials regarding a USD$23 billion dollar deal with aircraft manufacturer Boeing have been entered into the public record. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) entered them into the Congressional Record during a speech last week against the now-cancelled deal to lease 100 mid-air tanker aircraft from Boeing. 'Australia in a good position after first day of Adelaide test match' 26 November, 2004, Adelaide, South Australia At stumps on day one, Australia has opened a commanding lead in the second cricket test against New Zealand. 'Record computer outage at UK government department' November 27 2004, United Kingdom. A computer outage beginning on Monday afternoon at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has caused delays in the processing of new claims. 80% of the DWP's desktop computers were put out of action by a software update. This story is being widely reported but details are scarce. Most of the talk is about the severity of the problem and the pattern of failures associated with IT outsourcing in the government. '170 workers trapped in Chinese mine after explosion' 28 November, 2004, Shaanxi province. Early in the morning on Sunday November 28th, 170 workers were trapped in the Chinese Chenjiashan mine, the BBC reports. According to Chinese state officials, 123 workers managed to escape the facilities. Many of those who escaped the mines are suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Since the accident, there has been no contact with the 170 workers trapped inside, although the initial number of 183 people still in the complex was revised downwards. 'Researchers discover high temperature enables more efficient hydrogen generation' Sunday, November 28th, 2004 Researchers in Salt Lake City Utah, at Ceramtech Incorporated, hand in hand with workers at The Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory stated that they had learned that through superheating the water to 800 degrees Celsius, far less electricity was required to produce the same volume of hydrogen. 'USL v. BSDi settlement agreement unsealed' 28 November, 2004, United States The 1994 settlement agreement between UNIX Systems Laboratories (USL) and BSDi (USL v. BSDi) was unsealed in November 2004 under the California Public Records Act (California Code § 6250-6270). The details of the settlement may have ramifications with respect to the SCO v. IBM case with SCO believing it is the successor in interest to USL. 'American teenage girl charged with murder of her own mother' 29 November, 2004, United States. 'Rachelle Waterman', (aka Rachelle Ann Monica Waterman and "smchyrocky"), a 16-year-old girl from Craig, Alaska, USA, has been charged with the first degree murder of her own mother. 'World's Largest Ball of Twine Turns 50' 29 November, 2004, Cawker City, Kansas. People in Kansas like to just go have a look at things from time to time, particularly if it is kitchy and big. Frank Stoeber died in 1974, but not before he left behind a legacy of twine. Frank started a building a ball of sisal twine (a form of hemp) in 1953, which as grown to 40 ft in diameter hence. The ball of twine's domicile is a mini-museam located in the downtown of Cawker City, Kansas, which onlookers can simple look at or add twine to.

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1970

4726359

http://en.wikinews.org/?curid=1970

2004 Commonwealth Judo Championships

{{Sports infobox}} {{byline|date=November 13, 2004|location=[[w:Auckland|AUCKLAND]]}}This event saw an emergence of the Pacific Island nations into the Commonwealth Judo community. For many years only [[Fiji]]'s Nacanieli Takayawa was apparent on the international scene. Although not taking many medals, the efforts going into development in nations such as [[Tonga]] allowed many of their players to place 5th or 7th. [[India]] also performed well, especially their women's team. '''2004 Commonwealth Judo Championships''' ''13-14 November 2004, [[w:Auckland|Auckland]], [[New Zealand]]'' '''Mens -60&nbsp;kg''' # Chana, Navjot ([[India|IND]]) # Smith, Tom ([[England|ENG]]) # Boore, Stephen ([[Wales|WAL]]) # <li value="3">Leat, Alister ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) '''Mens -66&nbsp;kg''' # Carder, Gareth ([[England|ENG]]) # Pilley, Ben ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) # Ovtchinnikov, Anton ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) # <li value="3">Singh, Bhupinder ([[India|IND]]) '''Mens -73&nbsp;kg''' # Ewers, Craig ([[Wales|WAL]]) # Broom, Peter ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) # Reed, Tom ([[England|ENG]]) # <li value="3">Reid, Lyndsay ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) '''Mens -81&nbsp;kg''' # Cousins, Thomas ([[England|ENG]]) # [[w:Luke Preston|Preston, Luke]] ([[Wales|WAL]]) # [[w:Morgan Endicott-Davies|Endicott-Davies, Morgan]] ([[Australia|AUS]]) # <li value="3">Solanki, Vinod ([[India|IND]]) '''Mens -90&nbsp;kg''' # [[w:Peter Cousins|Cousins, Peter]] ([[England|ENG]]) # O Connor, Mark ([[Wales|WAL]]) # Dill-Russell, Ryan ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) # <li value="3">Dill-Russell, David ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) '''Mens -100&nbsp;kg''' # Kelly, Martin ([[Australia|AUS]]) # Pragnell, Andrew ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) # Koster, Jason ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) '''Mens +100&nbsp;kg''' # Takayawa, Nacanieli ([[Fiji|FIJ]]) '''Mens Open''' # [[w:Peter Cousins|Cousins, Peter]] ([[England|ENG]]) # Pragnell, Andrew ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) # Fakaosi, Epoki ([[Tonga|TGA]]) # <li value="3">O Connor, Mark ([[Wales|WAL]]) '''Women's -48&nbsp;kg''' # Archbold, Lisa ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) # Archana, ([[India|IND]]) # Chanu, Ningthoujam Gomti ([[India|IND]]) '''Women's -52&nbsp;kg''' # Chanu, Angom Anita ([[India|IND]]) # Welsh, Elizabeth ([[England|ENG]]) # Fong, Kelly ([[Australia|AUS]]) '''Women's -57&nbsp;kg''' # Johnstone, Sophie ([[England|ENG]]) # Devi, Laishram Nirupama ([[India|IND]]) # Stormont, Vicky ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) # <li value="3">Taylor, Sharon ([[Australia|AUS]]) '''Women's -63&nbsp;kg''' # Hutchins, Gemma ([[England|ENG]]) # Newham, Allison ([[Australia|AUS]]) # Kaur, Pawan Deep ([[India|IND]]) '''Women's -70&nbsp;kg''' # Holt, Michelle ([[England|ENG]]) # Williams, Joy ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) '''Women's -78&nbsp;kg''' # Wilson, Sian ([[England|ENG]]) # Bittu, ([[India|IND]]) '''Women's +78&nbsp;kg''' # Iredale, Fiona ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) # Diviya, ([[India|IND]]) '''Women's Open''' # Wilson, Sian ([[England|ENG]]) # Williams, Joy ([[New Zealand|NZL]]) # Healy, Shauna ([[Northern Ireland|NIR]]) {{haveyoursay}} == External links == * [http://www.commonwealth-judo.org http://www.commonwealth-judo.org] {{publish}} {{archive}} {{PD-Article}} [[Category:Judo]] [[Category:New Zealand]] [[Category:Oceania]] [[Category:Sports]] [[Category:Auckland]]

This event saw an emergence of the Pacific Island nations into the Commonwealth Judo community. For many years only Fiji's Nacanieli Takayawa was apparent on the international scene. Although not taking many medals, the efforts going into development in nations such as Tonga allowed many of their players to place 5th or 7th. India also performed well, especially their women's team. '2004 Commonwealth Judo Championships' 13-14 November 2004, Auckland, New Zealand 'Mens -60 kg' # Chana, Navjot (IND) # Smith, Tom (ENG) # Boore, Stephen (WAL) # Leat, Alister (NZL) 'Mens -66 kg' # Carder, Gareth (ENG) # Pilley, Ben (NZL) # Ovtchinnikov, Anton (NZL) # Singh, Bhupinder (IND) 'Mens -73 kg' # Ewers, Craig (WAL) # Broom, Peter (NZL) # Reed, Tom (ENG) # Reid, Lyndsay (NZL) 'Mens -81 kg' # Cousins, Thomas (ENG) # Preston, Luke (WAL) # Endicott-Davies, Morgan (AUS) # Solanki, Vinod (IND) 'Mens -90 kg' # Cousins, Peter (ENG) # O Connor, Mark (WAL) # Dill-Russell, Ryan (NZL) # Dill-Russell, David (NZL) 'Mens -100 kg' # Kelly, Martin (AUS) # Pragnell, Andrew (NZL) # Koster, Jason (NZL) 'Mens +100 kg' # Takayawa, Nacanieli (FIJ) 'Mens Open' # Cousins, Peter (ENG) # Pragnell, Andrew (NZL) # Fakaosi, Epoki (TGA) # O Connor, Mark (WAL) 'Women's -48 kg' # Archbold, Lisa (NZL) # Archana, (IND) # Chanu, Ningthoujam Gomti (IND) 'Women's -52 kg' # Chanu, Angom Anita (IND) # Welsh, Elizabeth (ENG) # Fong, Kelly (AUS) 'Women's -57 kg' # Johnstone, Sophie (ENG) # Devi, Laishram Nirupama (IND) # Stormont, Vicky (NZL) # Taylor, Sharon (AUS) 'Women's -63 kg' # Hutchins, Gemma (ENG) # Newham, Allison (AUS) # Kaur, Pawan Deep (IND) 'Women's -70 kg' # Holt, Michelle (ENG) # Williams, Joy (NZL) 'Women's -78 kg' # Wilson, Sian (ENG) # Bittu, (IND) 'Women's +78 kg' # Iredale, Fiona (NZL) # Diviya, (IND) 'Women's Open' # Wilson, Sian (ENG) # Williams, Joy (NZL) # Healy, Shauna (NIR)

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2004

2526338

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The Deadliest Fall

'''18 December 2004''' <div align=center>http://www.ideaexplore.net/news/041116/flu.jpg</div> Emergency hospital during 1918 influenza epidemic, Camp Funston, Kansas (source: National Museum of Health and Medicine, AFIP). A bout of the flu can be mild. In young, healthy adults, many infections pass unnoticed. But sometimes the [[w:influenza|influenza]] [[w:virus|virus]] evolves into a strain that decimates its victims. The worst known strain swept the world in the Fall of 1918, infecting 500-1000 million and killing 40-100 million, about 2-5% of people. There are several theories about where the [[w:pandemic|pandemic]] began, but the [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=340389&blobtype=pdf likeliest origin] was in Haskell County, Kansas, in the United States. People in the sparsely populated county, where farmers raised pigs, poultry, cattle, and grain, began suffering from influenza in late January 1918. Unusually for flu, it was young, healthy adults who were hardest hit. Victims fell ill suddenly, many progressing to [[w:pneumonia|pneumonia]] and dying, often within days. Within weeks, however, the [[w:epidemic|epidemic]] ended. The natural geographic isolation of this community normally might have contained the fatal flu in a sort of unintentional [[w:quarantine|quarantine]], but the [[w:World War I|First World War]] intervened. Men were uprooted from their home towns and congregated in huge numbers in army camps for training and then shipping out to other camps or to fight in Europe. The destination for men from Haskell County was Camp Funston, part of Fort Riley, Kansas, where the first influenza case was reported in early March. As soldiers moved among camps, the virus spread. Within two months, the epidemic spread to most of the army camps and most of the largest cities in the United States. As American soldiers went to France, so did the virus, spreading first from the port of Brest. The flu then spread worldwide. The pandemic reached its height in the Fall of 1918. Spain was affected early, and because Spain was not fighting in the World War, there was no wartime censorship, and news of the outbreak became widely known, leading to the flu being called the Spanish Flu in many countries. In Spain, however, it was called French Flu or the Naples Soldier. In India, about 12 million people died of flu. In some US cities, people died so quickly that morticians couldn't cope with the bodies. According to Jessie Lee Brown Foveaux, who worked in the Fort Riley laundry during the epidemic: "They were piling them up in a warehouse until they could get coffins for them." The disease started with cough, then headache. Temperature, breathing and heart rate increased rapidly. In the worst cases, pneumonia came next, the lungs filling with liquid, drowning the patients and turning them blue from lack of air. Patients bled from every orifice: mouths, noses, ears, eyes. Those who survived often suffered temporary or permanent brain damage. Several million developed [[w:encephalitis lethargica|encephalitis lethargica]], in which victims were trapped in a permanent sleeplike and rigid state, as portrayed in the 1990 movie "[[w:Awakenings|Awakenings]]." In others, normal thought processes were impaired. During negotiations to end World War I, US President [[w:Woodrow Wilson|Woodrow Wilson]] was struck with flu, and people around him noted that his mental abilities never fully recovered. The French leader [[w:George Clemenceau|George Clemenceau]] had wanted harsher punishment of Germany than Wilson had desired. Clemenceau may have convinced Wilson in his weakened state to accept such harsh terms, which may have been one of the factors causing [[w:World War II|World War II]]. Since flu is highly contagious early in the illness, even before symptoms appear, strict quarantine may be necessary to stop its spread during an epidemic. Australia kept its 1918 flu death rate relatively low by enforcing quarantines. However, in many parts of the world, public health officials hesitated to impose such measures, giving the disease time to gain a foothold. In the US city of Philadelphia, a rally of half a million people was planned in September 1918 to sell bonds to fund the war, at just the time when the flu started to infect residents. Although doctors warned the public health director to cancel the rally, he wanted to meet the city's quota to raise money for the war and refused to cancel the event. Within days after the rally, half a million city residents caught the flu. Why was the 1918 flu so deadly? The influenza virus wasn't preserved at the time of the outbreak, at least on purpose. But in the late 1990s researchers Ann Reid, Jeffery K. Taubenberger, and their colleagues extracted and [http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/96/4/1651 sequenced the genetic material] of the virus, [[w:RNA|RNA]], from tissue of victims who died in the pandemic. They used bits of lung that were preserved in formalin from victims on army bases or from victims buried in permafrost in the Alaskan village of Brevig Mission, where flu killed 85% of adults. Comparisons with known flu viruses in humans, pigs, and birds suggest that some genes of the 1918 virus came from birds or an unknown animal source. Other scientists then were able to show that the [[w:amino acid|amino acid]] sequence of [[w:hemagglutinin|hemagglutinin]] [[w:protein|protein]] from the 1918 virus had several changes from other flu viruses that may have helped it to easily bind and invade human cells, and that made the virus look different enough from earlier flu virus strains that people had no immunity. The possibility exists that another flu pandemic will sweep the world like the one in 1918. In 2004, an [[w:H5N1|H5N1]] influenza virus has killed millions of birds and at least 30 people in southeast Asia. So far this virus strain has not evolved the ability to pass directly from human to human, but that possibility becomes more likely as the [[w:bird flu|bird flu]] pandemic continues and humans remain in contact with chickens, ducks, and other birds. The virus has killed two-thirds of people reported to be infected. Dr. Tim Uyeki, an epidemiologist for the [[w:Centers for Disease Control|US Centers for Disease Control]], says, "you have the ingredients in Asia right now for a public health disaster." But since sequences of this bird flu virus are known, it may be possible to develop a [[w:vaccine|vaccine]] or set of vaccines to protect against it. At a special meeting of influenza experts on November 11th and 12th, [[w:World Health Organization|World Health Organization]] influenza program chief [[w:Klaus Stohr|Klaus Stohr]] said, "It is not only possible, but also important, that influenza pandemic vaccines be made available... and there's a shared responsibility needed to make that happen…. We have a huge window of opportunity now." ==References== {{source|url=http://www.ideaexplore.net/news/041116.html|author=Larry Baum|title=The Deadliest Fall|pub=Human News|date=16 November 2004}} {{source|url=http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=340389&blobtype=pdf |author=John Barry|title=The site of origin of the 1918 influenza pandemic and its public health implications|pub=Journal of Translational Medicine|date=20 January 2004}} {{source|url=http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/full/96/4/1651|author=Ann Reid et al|title=Origin and evolution of the 1918 "Spanish" influenza virus hemagglutinin gene|pub=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA|date=16 February 1999}} {{source|url=http://www.who.int/csr/disease/avian_influenza/en/|author=World Health Organization|title=Avian Influenza|pub=WHO website|date=2004}} {{archive}} [[Category:December 18, 2004]] [[Category:Health]] [[Category:Published]] [[Category:Genetics]] [[Category:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] [[Category:Influenza]] [[Category:Infectious disease]] [[Category:Disease]] [[Category:Vaccination]]

'18 December 2004' http://www.ideaexplore.net/news/041116/flu.jpg Emergency hospital during 1918 influenza epidemic, Camp Funston, Kansas (source: National Museum of Health and Medicine, AFIP). A bout of the flu can be mild. In young, healthy adults, many infections pass unnoticed. But sometimes the influenza virus evolves into a strain that decimates its victims. The worst known strain swept the world in the Fall of 1918, infecting 500-1000 million and killing 40-100 million, about 2-5% of people. There are several theories about where the pandemic began, but the likeliest origin was in Haskell County, Kansas, in the United States. People in the sparsely populated county, where farmers raised pigs, poultry, cattle, and grain, began suffering from influenza in late January 1918. Unusually for flu, it was young, healthy adults who were hardest hit. Victims fell ill suddenly, many progressing to pneumonia and dying, often within days. Within weeks, however, the epidemic ended. The natural geographic isolation of this community normally might have contained the fatal flu in a sort of unintentional quarantine, but the First World War intervened. Men were uprooted from their home towns and congregated in huge numbers in army camps for training and then shipping out to other camps or to fight in Europe. The destination for men from Haskell County was Camp Funston, part of Fort Riley, Kansas, where the first influenza case was reported in early March. As soldiers moved among camps, the virus spread. Within two months, the epidemic spread to most of the army camps and most of the largest cities in the United States. As American soldiers went to France, so did the virus, spreading first from the port of Brest. The flu then spread worldwide. The pandemic reached its height in the Fall of 1918. Spain was affected early, and because Spain was not fighting in the World War, there was no wartime censorship, and news of the outbreak became widely known, leading to the flu being called the Spanish Flu in many countries. In Spain, however, it was called French Flu or the Naples Soldier. In India, about 12 million people died of flu. In some US cities, people died so quickly that morticians couldn't cope with the bodies. According to Jessie Lee Brown Foveaux, who worked in the Fort Riley laundry during the epidemic: "They were piling them up in a warehouse until they could get coffins for them." The disease started with cough, then headache. Temperature, breathing and heart rate increased rapidly. In the worst cases, pneumonia came next, the lungs filling with liquid, drowning the patients and turning them blue from lack of air. Patients bled from every orifice: mouths, noses, ears, eyes. Those who survived often suffered temporary or permanent brain damage. Several million developed encephalitis lethargica, in which victims were trapped in a permanent sleeplike and rigid state, as portrayed in the 1990 movie "Awakenings." In others, normal thought processes were impaired. During negotiations to end World War I, US President Woodrow Wilson was struck with flu, and people around him noted that his mental abilities never fully recovered. The French leader George Clemenceau had wanted harsher punishment of Germany than Wilson had desired. Clemenceau may have convinced Wilson in his weakened state to accept such harsh terms, which may have been one of the factors causing World War II. Since flu is highly contagious early in the illness, even before symptoms appear, strict quarantine may be necessary to stop its spread during an epidemic. Australia kept its 1918 flu death rate relatively low by enforcing quarantines. However, in many parts of the world, public health officials hesitated to impose such measures, giving the disease time to gain a foothold. In the US city of Philadelphia, a rally of half a million people was planned in September 1918 to sell bonds to fund the war, at just the time when the flu started to infect residents. Although doctors warned the public health director to cancel the rally, he wanted to meet the city's quota to raise money for the war and refused to cancel the event. Within days after the rally, half a million city residents caught the flu. Why was the 1918 flu so deadly? The influenza virus wasn't preserved at the time of the outbreak, at least on purpose. But in the late 1990s researchers Ann Reid, Jeffery K. Taubenberger, and their colleagues extracted and sequenced the genetic material of the virus, RNA, from tissue of victims who died in the pandemic. They used bits of lung that were preserved in formalin from victims on army bases or from victims buried in permafrost in the Alaskan village of Brevig Mission, where flu killed 85% of adults. Comparisons with known flu viruses in humans, pigs, and birds suggest that some genes of the 1918 virus came from birds or an unknown animal source. Other scientists then were able to show that the amino acid sequence of hemagglutinin protein from the 1918 virus had several changes from other flu viruses that may have helped it to easily bind and invade human cells, and that made the virus look different enough from earlier flu virus strains that people had no immunity. The possibility exists that another flu pandemic will sweep the world like the one in 1918. In 2004, an H5N1 influenza virus has killed millions of birds and at least 30 people in southeast Asia. So far this virus strain has not evolved the ability to pass directly from human to human, but that possibility becomes more likely as the bird flu pandemic continues and humans remain in contact with chickens, ducks, and other birds. The virus has killed two-thirds of people reported to be infected. Dr. Tim Uyeki, an epidemiologist for the US Centers for Disease Control, says, "you have the ingredients in Asia right now for a public health disaster." But since sequences of this bird flu virus are known, it may be possible to develop a vaccine or set of vaccines to protect against it. At a special meeting of influenza experts on November 11th and 12th, World Health Organization influenza program chief Klaus Stohr said, "It is not only possible, but also important, that influenza pandemic vaccines be made available... and there's a shared responsibility needed to make that happen…. We have a huge window of opportunity now."

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