Muslim protesters brand war heroes 'murderers' as homecoming parade turns violent

A group of extremist Muslims prompted violent clashes at a homecoming parade for British troops today after they heckled soldiers and called them 'murderers'.

Members of the Muslim Against the Crusade group clashed with far right protesters as they shouted 'murderers, murderers, murderers' and 'British troops go to hell' as members of the 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment paraded down the streets of Barking, Essex.

The chants were drowned out by a large mob on the opposite side of the street who retaliated with jeers of 'Traitors' to the Muslim protesters.

King orders separation of conjoined Iraqi twins

JEDDAH: A pair of Siamese twins from the Iraqi city of Najaf will be airlifted to King Abdul Aziz Medical City in Riyadh shortly to undergo an operation to separate them on the directives of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah.

Health Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, who is also head of the medical team conducting the surgery, commended the king for his humanitarian gesture, adding that the king has shown kindness to many conjoined twins from across the world. The twins, named Zainab and Ruqiya, were born two weeks ago and are conjoined in the hip area, said the minister. They also have deformities in their heads, have separate upper and lower parts, and share pelvises.

The girls’ father, Naseer Muhammad Hassan, thanked King Abdullah for his generosity. “We have been worried about the girls’ condition,” said Hassan, adding that he is confident in the ability of Saudi doctors to separate them.

King Abdul Aziz Medical City has so far conducted 27 successful surgeries to separate Siamese twins from 16 different countries. Earlier this year, a 70-strong team led by the minister successfully separated two conjoined Jordanian twins at KAMC.

Three-month-old Jordanian twins Mohammed and Amjad, who were joined at the abdomen and chest and shared a liver, a gall bladder and intestines, were separated after six hours of surgery. Other twins have been from Sudan, Yemen, Egypt, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Iraq, Oman, Cameroon and Syria. A number of Saudi conjoined twins have also been separated at the hospital. Al-Rabeeah, meanwhile, announced on Tuesday that the Health Services Council has completed a study on the allowances given to medical personnel, including doctors, in cooperation with the ministries of finance and civil affairs. “We give top priority to the rights and interests of medical staff,” the minister said.

He said efforts are under way to establish a factory for plasma derivatives in association with other GCC countries. The factory aims to make use of blood derivatives to treat various diseases. Saudi Arabia has been depending on donations for its blood requirements ever since it halted blood imports in 1986.

According to Dr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, director general of medical laboratories and blood banks, there are 252 blood banks across the Kingdom. These banks collected 416,000 bags of blood last year alone. About 40 percent of this blood came from voluntary donors. About 25,000 donors have been registered with Al-Omar’s department.

Premier Wu refuses to say whether VW interested in Taiwan

Whether failure to include cars on 'early harvest' list would change VW's mind remains unknown

Premier Wu Den-yih confirmed yesterday that one of the world's biggest carmakers was interested in investing in Taiwan, but he wouldn't confirm or deny whether the company was Volkswagen.

Media reported that the German car giant had contacted Wu twice last week and was interested in setting up a factory at the Changbin Industrial Park in Central Taiwan's Changhua County.

Wu told reporters that as long as the case had not been finalized yet, he was unable to name the corporation involved. However, he described it as "one of the biggest companies in the world." If the company invested in Changhua, it would be convenient to find suppliers of parts, he added.

Wu ascribed interest from foreign and overseas Taiwanese corporations to invest in Taiwan to the imminent signing of the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement with China.

Taiwan is a democratic country where the rule of law prevails and where information technology and the quality of management have all reached high levels, Wu said. Its proximity to major Asia Pacific markets and ports would make Taiwan attractive to more foreign investors, he added.

The government wants to sign the ECFA with China later this month or early July. It was not known whether the failure to include cars on the ECFA "early harvest" list of tariff concessions negotiated last Sunday would likely change the potential automotive investor's mind.

Al Gore does not Curb His Enthusiasm for Larry David's ex, affair revealed

Al Gore and Larry David have something in common: Laurie David.

Star magazine unearthed the news of an alleged long-term affair between the Gore and David, both Green movement advocates.

It was announced earlier this month that Al Gore and his wife of 40 years, Tipper Gore, were to divorce.

Star claims that the former Vice President was having an affair with HBO star of "Curb Your Enthusiasm" Larry David's ex-wife for the past two years.

“Al and Laurie went from friends to lovers," claims a Star source. "It couldn’t be avoided".

Both Laurie David and Al Gore worked together on Al's 2006 Oscar-winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth".

Aruban, Peruvian authorities will 'help each other' in murder probe

(CNN) -- Aruban and Peruvian authorities have agreed to "help each other" in the murder investigation of Stephany Flores -- in which Joran Van der Sloot is the prime suspect, an Aruban government spokesman said Tuesday.

Investigators hope the cooperation will lead to new information about the disappearance of Alabama teenager Natalee Holloway in 2005 in Aruba. Van der Sloot is also a suspect in that case.

Following a phone meeting with Peruvian Judge Carlos Morales on Tuesday morning, Aruban government spokesman Taco Stein said Peruvian authorities have agreed to allow Aruban investigators into Peru to interview van der Sloot once a formal request has been made.

Stein did not indicate when the request would take place or when Aruban investigators are expected to arrive in Peru, but described the meeting as a "positive start" to information sharing that many Arubans hope will shed more light on the Holloway case.

Israel 'blocks' Jordan nuclear bid, King Abdullah says

King Abdullah has accused Israel of trying to block Jordan from developing a peaceful nuclear programme.

He said Israel had been pressuring states like France and South Korea not to sell Jordan nuclear technology.

Israel, believed to be the only country in the Middle East that has nuclear weapons, has denied the accusation.

High oil prices are pushing countries to consider nuclear energy, but the spread of the technology increases the risk of proliferation, analysts say.

'Underhanded'

In a lengthy interview in The Wall Street Journal, King Abdullah strongly criticised Israel for what he said were its efforts to persuade potential suppliers to abandon plans to sell Jordan nuclear power generating reactors, something Israel denies.

He said Israel's "underhanded" actions have helped bring Jordan-Israeli relations to their lowest point since a 1994 peace agreement.

"There are countries, Israel in particular, that are more worried about us being economically independent than the issue of nuclear energy," King Abdullah said. "There are many such reactors in the world and a lot more coming, so [the Israelis must] go mind their own business".

Jordan, with US backing, is determined to develop nuclear power to escape from its near total dependence upon imported oil.

It hopes that nuclear energy will provide up to 30% of its power needs by 2030.

The desert kingdom recently short-listed a French-Japanese consortium, as well a Canadian and a Russian company, to build its first nuclear plant, due to be operational by 2019.

The Obama administration, while supportive of Jordan's nuclear ambitions, is worried that the spread of nuclear power could open the door to the proliferation of nuclear weapons, the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus reports.

So Washington wants to secure a nuclear agreement with Jordan under which the country would surrender its right to manufacture its own uranium fuel, our correspondent says.

That could prove a major sticking point between these two long-time allies, he adds.

India among worst ranked countries in tackling human trafficking

India has been ranked as a “Tier II Watch List” country – only one level better than worst-performing Tier III countries such as Saudi Arabia and Zimbabwe – in the 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIP) compiled by the State Department.

Given the definition of Tier II Watch List in the TIP, this implies that India ranks among those countries whose governments “do not fully comply with the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards, but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards”.

Additionally, one of the three following conditions was found in India: first, that the absolute number of victims of severe forms of trafficking was very significant or was significantly increasing; second, that there was a failure to provide evidence of increasing efforts to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons from the previous year; or, third, that the determination that India was making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with minimum standards was based on commitments by India itself, to take additional future steps over the next year.

In terms of the definition of trafficking under the TVPA, a person may be a trafficking victim “regardless of whether they once consented, participated in a crime as a direct result of being trafficked, were transported into the exploitative situation, or were simply born into a state of servitude”.

The TIP adds that at the heart of this phenomenon are the myriad forms of enslavement including forced labour, sex trafficking, bonded labour debt bondage among migrant labourers, involuntary domestic servitude, forced child labour, child soldiers and child sex trafficking.

While most of South Asia ranks along with India as a Tier II Watch List country, Pakistan is notably ranked as Tier II – one level better than India. Thus while Pakistan’s government did not fully comply with the TVPA’s minimum standards, it was making significant efforts to bring itself into compliance with those standards – with none of the three additional conditions found in the case of India applicable to Pakistan.

Most developed countries, but even some developing countries such as Colombia and Nigeria, were ranked as Tier I countries in the TIP, that is countries whose governments fully complied with the TVPA’s minimum standards.

Kenya arrests 3 politicians under hate-speech law

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyan police on Tuesday arrested three top politicians for hate speech they allegedly made during rallies against a draft constitution, days after a separate rally turned deadly when grenade attacks killed six people.

Authorities arrested an assistant government minister and two members of parliament who police say made hate speech as they campaigned separately against the draft constitution in rallies across the country.

Assistant Minister for Roads Wilfred Michage and lawmakers Fred Kapondi and Joshua Kutuny were arrested Tuesday morningPolice Commissioner Mathew Iteere said the three, who were not available for comment after their arrest, may be charged in court Wednesday.

Iteere did not say what the men said or at which rallies they made the comments. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission, which gave their names to police, told local media they started their investigations last week, before Sunday's blast.

Iteere also warned Kenyans against inciting violence and spreading lies during the campaign for and against the constitution. Kenya votes on the draft constitution on Aug. 4.

"If you know if you are attending those meetings and you know your utterances border on hate speech then you will be arrested and charged in court," Iteere said.

Human rights groups and observers say hate speech fueled Kenya's 2007-08 postelection violence that killed over 1,000 people, leading the government to pass an anti-hate speech law.

But fears have risen in Kenya that campaigns for and against the draft constitution may polarize Kenyans and spark another round of violence.

Attackers on Sunday threw three grenades into a crowd of thousands protesting against the constitution in a downtown Nairobi park. The blasts killed six people and wounded more than 100.

Iteere said he hopes a $6,250 reward for information on the attacks will speed up the investigation.

Ethiopia: JU graduates 1690 students, gives two honorary degrees

Jimma University has bestowed honorary doctorate degrees on Artist Ali Birra and Awura Amba Leader and philosopher Zumra Nuru

Jimma University has graduated 1690 first round graduates on June 12/2010 colorfully. On the occasion Dr. Kaba Urgessa has stated that the graduates of Jimma University have already imbibed enough knowledge and practical problem solving skills and attitudes in line with the Community Based Education Philosophy the university pursues.

Therefore, Dr. Kaba Urgessa has explained that he is confident that the graduates will play a pivotal role in tackling the societal problems in the fields they have graduated through working along the community at grassroots level in their professional career that they will take sooner.

Moreover, the president has stated in his report that out of 1690 graduates 100 of them are graduates in postgraduate studies program in various fields of health, business and economics, and natural sciences. Again, the president stated that Jimma University has graduated students in four disciplines at undergraduate level such as sport sciences, Oromo folklore governance and development studies and educational planning and management and in health care and hospital administration at MSc level for the first time in the history of the university in collaboration with Yale University School of Public Health.

Furthermore, the guest of honor of the graduation ceremony, His Excellency Dr.Tewodros Adehanom federal minister of health on his part has given directives to the graduates to work hard to solve the societal problems and be instrumental in the democratization and national multifarious development effort the country is undertaking to attain middle income country level in the foreseeable future. He further, stated that we are fighting against backwardness, disease and ignorance using educated human power. Therefore, the government has established twenty universities to produce educated task force to facilitate a national development all over the federal regions.

On this colorful graduation ceremony, Jimma University has bestowed an honorary doctorate degree in music; to artist Ali Mohammed Birra for his contribution to Ethiopian music in general and to the development of Oromo music and culture for more than half a century.

Ali Mohammed Birra, who is a legendry Oromo singer, is a poet, dissident and a nationalist who has been working for the development of Oromo music and fought for human right.

Besides, Artist Ali Birra, the university has conferred an honorary doctorate degree on Awura Amba leader and philosopher Zumira Nuru. The university has recognized Zumira Nuru for his contribution in founding an Awaura Amba community and for his contribution in creating betterment in the lives of the community and for his progressive thinking to bring palpable change in the life of the community at grass root level.

Jimma University encourages community development, gives recognition to individuals who have contributed to national development, and community betterment in various fields in line with its cherished innovative community based educational philosophy to bring palpable change and development in Ethiopia.

In General, Jimma University has graduated students in agriculture, natural sciences, social sciences and law and postgraduate programmes in various disciplines.

By the same token, Jimma university will graduate around 2000 students the coming Saturday on June 19/2010 students of engineering and technology, business and economics and public health and medical sciences college colorfully on the main campus.

Michael Jackson to star in new video game

Singer Michael Jackson is to be captured in a new video game, developers Ubisoft have announced.

The game, which has yet to be given a title, will rate players' ability to dance like the late pop star.

It will be one of the first titles to use motion detection technology, due to be rolled out on a number of consoles later this year.

The musician voiced a video game character called Space Michael in the game Space Channel 5 in 1999.

In 1989, he also appeared in the game Michael Jackson's Moonwalker.

The game's launch is set to coincide with the release of an album in November containing previously unreleased Jackson tracks.

It will include songs from the singer's back catalogue, including the hits Billie Jean and Beat It.

At an announcement in Los Angeles, Ubisoft's Tony Key said: "Your goal is to dance like Michael.

"Do what the guy on the screen is doing and you're there. It'll score you based on the quality of your performance".

Developers are lining up to release dance-based games, including Dance Central, which uses the Kinect system to detect players' movements, which are then translated onto the screen.

'Economic cities create jobs'

JEDDAH: Crown Prince Sultan, deputy premier and minister of defense and aviation, emphasized Tuesday the role of economic cities in attracting domestic and foreign investment and creating new job opportunities for young Saudi men and women.

Prince Sultan made the comment during his visit to King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) in Rabigh. “The launch of mega economic cities by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah came in line with his futuristic vision,” the crown prince wrote in the visitors’ register.

He said the economic cities would also activate the private sector’s role in achieving balanced development in various parts of the country. The four economic cities in Rabigh, Madinah, Hail and Jazan are expected to attract investments worth SR300 billion.

“These economic cities would act as engines of attracting global investment,” Prince Sultan said. He commended KAEC’s efforts to train Saudis. The function was attended by Makkah Gov. Prince Khaled Al-Faisal and other top officials.

Earlier, Prince Sultan was briefed on the smart services being offered by the Economic Cities Authority to investors, including consultancy services. He also watched a documentary on KAEC, which covers an area of 168 million square meters and includes a large port and industrial and residential regions.

Report: Decade of Navy personnel cuts hinders current readiness

NAPLES, Italy — The Navy’s personnel cuts over the past decade went too far and were based on faulty assumptions, possibly resulting in reduced readiness, according to a recently released Government Accountability Office report.

The Navy has reduced the number of sailors assigned to destroyers and cruisers by 16 percent since 2001. Those reductions were based on a long-held assumption that at-sea workloads were heavier than in-port workloads, but that assumption didn’t jibe with what sailors told the GAO.

But, the Navy made these cuts without undertaking certain analysis to determine how such moves would affect the readiness of ships at sea or in port, the GAO report said.

In 2008 and 2009, the Navy performed readiness inspections on 26 guided-missile cruisers and destroyers. Of those 26 inspections, six destroyers were deemed unfit for sustained combat operations.

In the previous five years, only one destroyer of the 59 inspected failed.

While the report said it couldn’t draw conclusions from such small numbers, it noted that Navy officials told GAO they believed the crew reductions had a “detrimental effect on the condition of these ships”.

Cruisers and destroyers account for around 80 of the Navy’s 287 ships and submarines, with about 25,000 sailors stationed aboard.

The GAO study didn’t reveal issues that the Navy hadn’t already known about, said Lt. Cmdr. Chris Servello, spokesman for Naval Surface Force U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Brazil edge past North Korea; Portugal draw with Ivory Coast

(CNN) -- Five-time winners Brazil opened their World Cup campaign with a nervy 2-1 victory over a spirited North Korea in Johannesburg after the Netherlands and Portugal had played out a 0-0 draw in Tuesday's other Group G match.

In a contest between the tournament's highest and lowest ranked teams, Brazil were unable to break down the Asian side in a goalless first half, but right-back Maicon settled their nerves with a ferocious strike from a tight angle.

Elano's crisp finish from a defense-splitting Robinho pass gave the South Americans a 2-0 lead but Ji Yun-nam fired past Julio Cesar to give North Korea a deserved consolation goal.

Earlier in Port Elizabeth, Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo struck the post with a 30-yard drive in the first-half of a cagey match, before Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba - playing 11 days after breaking him arm - wasted an opportunity to win the game when he dragged his shot wide in stoppage-time.

Brazil 2-1 North Korea

Brazil, seeking a record-extending fifth title, were expected to win with ease against a side making their first appearance in the tournament since 1966, but the North Koreans made life difficult for their illustrious opponents.

The first half was a story of resolute defending by the Asians in the face of wave after wave of Brazil attacks.

Brazil struggled to get behind the Korean defense and most of their shots came from outside the area with both Elano and Robinho wayward with early efforts.

On the few occasions that Brazilian players did make it to the byline, their crosses were blocked by committed and skilful pieces of defending.

The second period started in similar fashion, with Robinho and Michel Bastos both missing from range before the opening goal finally arrived in the 55th minute.

Kaka picked out the overlapping run of Maicon and the right-back slashed a swerving shot inside the goalkeeper's near post.

Brazil's second goal owed everything to a perfectly measured pass through the defense by Robinho to his former Manchester City team-mate Elano, who produced a crisp side-footed finish into the far corner.

Dunga's men were given a late scare when North Korea crafted a fine goal.

A long ball was headed into the path of Ji Yun-nam, who raced into the area and lashed a shot past Julio Cesar.

Ivory Coast 0-0 Portugal

One of the most eagerly anticipated games of the tournament featured little goalmouth action, with the exception of a moment of magic from the world's most expensive player.

After 10 minutes, Ronaldo, who hasn't scored for his country in 16 months, made space for himself with a sharp turn and curled a right-footed shot from 25 yards which had goalkeeper Boubacar Barry well-beaten but cannoned back off the post.

In truth it was the only noteworthy moment of an otherwise dull first half which featured plenty of probing from both sides but very little goalmouth incident.

Ronaldo was shown a yellow card after 20 minutes when he failed to win a free kick and was involved in a spat with Ivory Coast defender Guy Demel, who was also booked.

The Africans saw plenty of the ball but did not create their first real opening until a minute after half-time when the lively Gervinho raced down the left and fired a powerful shot, which Eduardo tipped around the post.

With the game starting to open up, Ivory Coast winger Salomon Kalou found space in the area but fired his shot straight at Eduardo before Liedson's header from Deco's cross at the other end was easily held by Barry.

Drogba entered the fray after 65 minutes but saw little of the ball until the 92nd minute when Abdelkader Keita slid him clear, only for the striker to screw his shot wastefully across the face of goal.