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UN Security Council resolution calls for immediate ceasefire in Gaza

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:06:00 -0500

The UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for immediate ceasefire in Gaza and durable truce between Israel and Hamas after three days of intense negotiations.

The resolution passed on Thursday night by a 14-0 vote, with the United States abstaining, FOX News reported.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the US agrees with the principles of the cease-fire resolution but wants to see the outcome of an Egyptian effort to bring the Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiating table.

The cease-fire resolution spearheaded by Egypt and France must be “not just applauded, but supported,” Rice said.

Despite the breakthrough in the United Nations, the two-week-old war in the Gaza Strip raged on, and early Friday, an Israeli airstrike flattened a five-story building in northern Gaza, one of more than 30 targets struck before dawn by Israeli warplanes.

Hamas security officials said the strike killed at least seven people, including an infant.

Israel launched its offensive on December 27 in response to cross-border rocket attacks by the Islamic group Hamas, which the United States and Israel consider a terrorist organization and whose charter calls for the descrution of the state of Israel.

The United States, Israel’s closest ally, and Arab nations that have close ties to Hamas negotiated the text of the UN resolution that was passed on Thursday, but it will be up to Israel and Hamas to decide to stop their military activities.

The conflict has left hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza increasingly desperate for food, water, fuel and medical assistance, and the situation was expected to worsen as humanitarian efforts fall victim to the fighting. (ANI)

NYPD training for new threats in wake of Mumbai terror attacks

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:05:00 -0500

After studying the Mumbai terror attacks, the New York Police Department (NYPD) is looking for ways to disrupt cell phone calls and other forms of electronic communication among terrorists in the event of another terror attack in New York.

New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly is scheduled to discuss this and other “lessons learned” in testimony before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, FOX News reported.

Kelly stressed the need for law enforcement to be able to disrupt cell phone calls and other communications during an attack, pointing to threats posed by the media when they disclose law enforcement tactics during live coverage that can get passed back to the attackers.

Kelly said that in the Mumbai attack, the terrorists’ handlers used cell phones and other portable communications devices to order the killing of hostages and to adjust other tactics while the attacks were underway.

It’s not clear from his testimony whether the NYPD has the means to disrupt electronic communications for a small group of terrorists without shutting down cell phone service to a large part of Manhattan.

Kelly’s testimony also warns that although New York has adopted the most robust counter-terrorism programs, but police still “cannot fully protect New York’s harbor” given the vast amount of un inspected cargo that enters the ports of New York and New Jersey each day.

As a result, Kelly says he has continued to highlight the “urgent need” for better port and maritime security, FOX News reported.

“We are mindful that the attackers approached Mumbai from the water,” his statement reads.

The 36,000-member NYPD, the nation’s largest city police force, has already changed some procedures and conducted new drills in response to vulnerabilities identified by a three-member NYPD counter-terrorism team that visited Mumbai three days after the attack in India’s financial center ended. (ANI)

Extra troops, cops being called in to safeguard Obama''s swearing-in

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:05:00 -0500

American military and law enforcement officials have decided to add more soldiers and cops than previously planned to safeguard President-elect Barack Obama''s Inauguration Day.

Sources have revealed that an additional 3,000 troops and 2,000 cops will be deployed to safeguard Obama’s swearing-in on January 20.

The addition of extra force will bring the tally to 7,000 soldiers and 10,000 police, they reveal.

A law enforcement source has revealed that "they are just panic-stricken" over crowd estimates ranging up to four million.

The joint security and transportation plan disclosed by authorities shows that "access into Washington, D.C. will be limited" on January 20.

All four bridges over the Potomac River from Virginia into D.C. will be closed to traffic, except for buses and authorized vehicles, and boat traffic on the river will be banned.

While hotels and private residences in the city are charging huge amount of money from the Inauguration Day attendees, a decision as to where the additional security forces are going to sleep has yet to be taken.

"They don''t know where they''re going to house the troops yet," the New York Daily News quoted a security official as saying. (ANI)

Wills, Harry become patrons of their late friend''s charity

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:04:00 -0500

Britain’s Prince William spoke of the importance of keeping his late mother Princess Diana''s memory alive as he and Prince Harry paid an emotional tribute to a late friend by becoming patrons of a charity established in his memory.

William, 26, and Harry, 24, attended the launch of the Henry van Straubenzee fund, which will help equip schools in Uganda with much-needed facilities.

Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris in 1997 a, while Henry lost his life, aged 18, in a car smash where he also was a passenger.

“Having lost someone so close in similar circumstances, Harry and I understand how important it is to keep their memory alive,” the Sun quoted William, as saying.

Harry added: “Henry would be so proud of his family for what they are doing in his name.”

The Princes were friends with Henry at Ludgrove School in the 1990s.

The Royals joined his family at the charity’s launch in Earls Court, West London. (ANI)

Al Qaeda’s chief of operations in Pakistan killed in US missile strike

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:59:00 -0500

Two top al Qaeda terrorists have been killed in a US missile strike on a building in northern Pakistan on New Year’s Day.

The men were high on the FBI’s “most wanted” list, identified by agency officials as Usama al-Kini — also known as Fahid Mohammed Ally Msalam, al Qaeda’s chief of operations in Pakistan — and his lieutenant, Sheikh Ahmed Salim Swedan.

Senior US officials said that the two men, both Kenyans, were believed to have been responsible for the September suicide bombing at the Marriott hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The pair was also under indictment for the 1998 bombings of US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, which killed more than 220 people and injured scores of others, according to the officials.

“These are two of the most dangerous operational figures in today’s al Qaeda,” the CNN quoted one senior official, as saying.

The officials could not confirm the particulars of the attack that killed them, but The Washington Post reported that the men were slain in a missile strike by a CIA pilotless drone aircraft.

The men were believed to have been behind numerous suicide attacks in Pakistan, including ones targeting police facilities and a Pakistani air force bus.

The officials said that the men were “involved in working with explosives” when the strike occurred.

One of the officials said al-Kini was al Qaeda’s operations director for Pakistan and believed to be behind the September 20 Marriott car bombing that killed 53 people.

The official also said al-Kini also was behind a failed attempt to kill Benazir Bhutto shortly after she returned to Pakistan from exile in October 2007. (ANI)

Marvel Comics featuring Obama with Spiderman

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:58:00 -0500

Barack Obama is being featured along with superhero Spiderman in a new children’s book by Marvel Comics, after learning that the U.S. President-elect was an avid Spidey collector as a kid.

"When we read that we thought, ''Oh my God the future Commander-in-chief is actually the future nerd-in-chief,''" the New York Daily News quoted Joe Quesada, Marvel''s top editor, as saying.

"With a geek in the White House, we just had to give him a shout back. It''s just the coolest thing ever," Quesada added.

The comic to go on sale next Wednesday will have Spiderman with Barack Obama on its cover.

According to news.com.au, it will be a six-page special story revolving around mild-mannered photographer Peter Parker, who spots two Obamas on inauguration day.

He will transform into Spiderman, and tell the real Obama from the fake.

Gus Poulakas, owner of Silver Age Comics in Queens, said that the sales stunt would be very beneficial for the industry.

"We''ll get a couple of people coming in off the street, who didn''t read a comic book in their lives, people wanting to get a piece of history," he said.

This is not the first time that comic book creators’ inclination towards the political arena has been reported, for Obama was endorsed by the title character of Image Comics'' ‘Savage Dragon’ during the presidential campaigning too.

"Let me just say if John McCain had come out and said he was a big Spider-Man or Captain America fan, we''d do it for him, too," Quesada said. (ANI)

FBI looking for over 3000 additional staff

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:58:00 -0500

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is seeking to fill thousands of posts as it embarks on the biggest recruitment drive in its 101-year history.

According to the Scotsman, the vacancies include 850 special agents, besides a further 2,100 "professional staff positions".

Jobs include intelligence analysts, fingerprint experts, language specialists and electronics technicians, presumably for help with wire-tapping and other hi-tech eavesdropping.

"Your country needs you.This is a great time to apply for a great job," the paper quoted FBI spokesman Richard Kolko, as saying.

Perks include healthcare benefits and up to five weeks'' annual holiday. However, the job description makes no mention of dark glasses, trenchcoats or trilby hats.

FBI officials said that they were on a hiring spree to counter new threats to internal security, especially from cyber crime, domestic terrorism and blue-collar criminals.

They said applicants with language skills and computer expertise would be welcome.

"We''re looking for professionals in a wide variety of fields who have a deep desire to help protect our nation from terrorists, spies, and others who wish us harm," the Scotsman quoted John Raucci, the assistant director of the FBI''s human resources division, as saying.

Applicants must be US citizens and pass extensive background screening, including interviews with family, friends and former colleagues, and will be expected to uphold the agency''s motto of fidelity, bravery and integrity. (ANI)

Michelle Obama hailed as connoisseur of American designer clothes

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:57:00 -0500

US President-elect Barack Obama has yet to step into office, but his wife Michelle Obama has already been seen as the promoter of high fashion in America by fashion experts.

The would-be First Lady made a big impact with the clothes she wore throughout the campaign, leaving behind a message that clothes not only make a person stand out but also show a his/her temperament.

“My perception is that she’s already had an extremely potent effect on the business,” the New York Times quoted Hamish Bowles, the Vogue editor who was curator of ‘Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years’, a 2001 show of Kennedy’s style at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, as saying.

“Just looking at the designers she’s been drawn to, you can see she’s shown astute sartorial judgment.

“She has also made clear in her choices that thoughtful and intelligent American designers are perfectly capable of creating clothes that have an impact on the world stage,” he added.

Michelle Obama’s choice of attire is being seen as a godsend for the American designers.

“There is something timely about celebrating American fashion and American designers,” Stephanie Solomon, the fashion director of Bloomingdale’s, said.

“Mrs. Obama is, first of all, very elegant and has wonderful taste.

“But she also recognizes the value of beautiful dresses and not big prices. She dresses like taste doesn’t necessarily have to do with brand or status, but with what looks well on your body and makes you look glamorous, bottom line.

“It is very refreshing and appropriate for this period,” she added.

Steven Kolb, the executive director of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, said that American fashion liked other industries needs a big boost at the moment.

Further adding that even though trying to revive a faltering industry might be too much even for her, she was still expected to use her position as the First Lady to promote American goods. (ANI)

‘Chicken Madras’, ‘Rogan josh’ make it to UK’s ‘Healthiest Takeaway’ list

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:57:00 -0500

Indian spicy dish Chicken Madras has topped a new list of healthy takeaways.

Chicken Madras comes from southern India and the curry is quite hot owing to a fairly large amount of chilli in the recipe, reports the Scotsman.

The list, compiled by online takeaway site Just-Eat.co.uk, included rogan josh at number three.

Rogan josh is an aromatic curry dish popular in India. Rogan means clarified butter in Persian, while Josh means hot or passionate. Rogan Josh thus means meat cooked in clarified butter at intense heat.

Rogan Josh was brought to India by the Moghuls. The unrelenting heat of the Indian plains took the Moghuls frequently to Kashmir, which is where the first Indian adoption of Rogan Josh occurred.

Kebabs, pizza and Chinese takeaways also made it to the list.

A food website has compiled a top ten list of healthy takeaways. (ANI)

Teacher unveils book inspired by Obama and family

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:56:00 -0500

A Prince George''s County teacher is so inspired by Barack Obama that he has gone ahead and wrote a book of word searches and puzzles based on the President-elect and his family.

The Rev. Eugene Williams Sr., of Clinton has self-published "Words, Cross & Across: Word Searches on Barack Obama" inspired by Obama’s rhetoric and his family.

The 67-year-old author said that he got struck by the idea for the book last year when his 10th-, 11th- and 12th-grade English students at Annapolis Road Academy, in Bladensburg, failed to understand many of the words in Obama''s book "The Audacity of Hope" and Martin Luther King''s "I Have a Dream" speech.

"I see it as a family-oriented book. It''s a good way to bring families together and learn new words," The Washington Times quoted Williams as saying.

He further said that he designed the searches and charts with word meanings and usage components so that students could also learn definitions.

In fact, a large number of his words were taken from the SAT prep class he taught, but not all the words are so complex.

In fact, he deliberately used words such as "father," "nice" and "bank” to balance out "elucidate," "puissant," and "gregarious," thus making it possible for even younger children to learn from the book.

"We want parents to sit down with children as young as 2- or 3-years-old," said Williams.

For writing the 156-page book, Williams even made it a point to watch the president-elect on the Web site YouTube, to help him make better associations with Obama''s word choices.

"I teach words by association," said Williams.

The book will be available at Local bookstores, Amazon.com and his Web site, www.academicresourcesunlimited.org, and the proceeds from its sales will go to Academic Resources Unlimited Inc., a nonprofit group created by Williams.

"People are buying everything about Barack Obama," said Williams.

After the release, he sent two copies of "Words" to the Obama campaign office in Chicago - one for the President-elect and another for his wife, Michelle.

Williams said he knew the Obamas would appreciate his book because they shared the same philosophy on education.

"With an educated populace, we have a better society," said Williams. (ANI)