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[C. Breezy]

Obama makes first foreign visit

Barack Obama has arrived in the Canadian capital Ottawa on his first foreign trip as president, for talks with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.




President Obama was greeted by Canada's Governor General


Trade, the global economy and the war in Afghanistan are the main issues to be discussed during the six-hour visit.
As America's biggest trade partner, Canada is worried about the "Buy American" measures in the $787bn (£546m) stimulus plan.
Canadian troops are due to pull out of the Nato force in Afghanistan in 2011.
President Obama was met by Canadian Governor General Michaelle Jean and an escort of Royal Canadian Mounted Police at Ottawa's airport.
With America expanding its forces in Afghanistan by 17,000, Mr Obama would like Canada to reconsider its current commitment to pulling out its combat troops in two years' time.
"But," says the BBC's North America editor Justin Webb, "he's not saying so publicly and he's not likely to press the issue now. On trade as well he'll be diplomatic, promising that he remains committed to free trade with America's most important commercial partner."
Trade between the North American neighbours is worth $1.5bn a day and Mr Harper is likely to seek assurances over the protectionist "Buy American" provision in the huge stimulus package signed into law by President Obama.
Under the provision public works funded by the fund must use only iron, steel and other goods made in the US.
Mr Obama has stressed that the United States will comply with its treaty obligations regarding international trade.


President Obama has a high approval rating north of the border

The president is very popular north of the border: 66% of Canadians wanted him to be president according to a Gallup opinion poll, but the high security surrounding his visit may mean Canadians hardly see him in person.
Environmental activists have urged President Obama to get tough with Canada about its massive oil sands operation which produces a high amount of greenhouse gases blamed for climate change.
In an interview with the Canadian broadcaster, CBC, ahead of the visit Mr Obama said he wanted to work with Canada on new technologies to capture greenhouse gases.

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[C. Breezy]

British couple, four children in cocaine bust, reports say

LONDON, England (CNN) -- A British man detained with his wife after cocaine was allegedly found in their luggage at Margarita Airport in Venezuela is wanted in the United Kingdom, police have told CNN.
The couple -- named by the British media as Paul and Laura Makin -- are alleged to have been detained by police after a search revealed 24 kilograms (52 lbs) of cocaine stashed in their bags.
They were traveling with four children who are now in the care of Venezuelan authorities.
The children are reported to include twins Libby and Lucy, aged two, seven-year-old Megan and eight-year-old Jack.
Merseyside police in the United Kingdom have confirmed a warrant for arrest was issued for 31-year-old Paul Makin after he failed to appear in Liverpool Crown Court on February 9.
He was facing charges of affray and possession of an offensive weapon in connection with an incident the previous September.
Paul Makin's grandmother is reported to have expressed shock after being told of her grandson's alleged predicament in Venezuela.
She told the Press Association: "I couldn't believe it. I didn't know he was going to Venezuela and I have no idea what's going on and if it is a mistake."
"I couldn't believe the news of this when I heard it -- that they were caught with coke," she said.
She told PA that the last she heard was that the couple were getting divorced.
The two elder children are reported to attend Mersey Park Primary School in Birkenhead, a town in the county of Merseyside.
The chair of governors, councillor Brian Kenny, told PA today: "Regardless of the rights and wrongs of the allegation my main concern is for the welfare of the four children involved and the two attending our school."
He told PA he'd spoken with the education department about contacting the Foreign Office to ensure the children's welfare.
"It is obviously a very traumatic situation for the children - the whole situation sounds really horrific," Kenny told PA.
The British Foreign Office declined to name the couple but confirmed that a man and woman had been detained at Margarita Airport on Monday, February 16 and that British authorities are providing "appropriate consular assistance."

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[C. Breezy]

World Cup tickets to go on sale

Around 3m tickets are being made available for the 2010 World Cup
Tickets for the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa are due to go on sale at 1100 GMT as Africa prepares to host the contest for the first time.

Around 3m tickets will be available for the 64 matches, which start next June.
In the first sales phase, applications for tickets will be followed by a random selection draw in April.
Some 450,000 cheaper tickets are being reserved for South African residents of which 120,000 will be issued free to stadium construction workers.
'Worth it'
Overall prices will range from $20 (£14) for a category four ticket reserved for South Africans to $900 for a category one ticket for the final.
"I'm really going to watch... It's a little bit expensive but, you know, I think it's worth it," one man in Johannesburg told the BBC's Network Africa programme.
Although the tournament does not begin for 475 days, there is already huge excitement about the competition in Africa, says BBC southern Africa correspondent Peter Biles in Johannesburg.
Ever since South Africa was awarded the football World Cup, questions have been asked about whether the country is capable of staging a successful tournament, says our correspondent.
This week, about 400 builders working on the construction of Mbombela stadium in Nelspruit were dismissed for going on strike.
Similar disputes have previously broken out at stadiums in Durban and Cape Town, but World Cup organisers say they are confident those projects will be completed by on time.
Ten stadiums in nine cities will play host to the tournament.
Airports are also being upgraded, policing will be improved and a media campaign is encouraging South Africans to think positively about the tournament.
At least 400,000 visitors are expected in South Africa next year.
Fifa has said it hopes every single match will be sold out.
The draw for the 32 teams that qualify for the World Cup will be held in Cape Town in December 2009.

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[unartig]

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

In a bold step forward for the science of crocodile avoidance, wildlife managers in Florida have launched an experiment to see if they can keep crocodiles from entering to residential neighborhoods by taping magnets to their heads

A crocodile, sans head-magnet

.The method attempts to disrupt the crocodiles' 'homing' ability
They got the idea from researchers at Mexico's Crocodile Museum in Chiapas, who reported in a biology newsletter they had some success with the method

'We said, "Hey, we might as well give this a try,"' said Lindsey Hord, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's crocodile response coordinator.
The Mexican researchers say they have successfully used the technique to permanently relocate 20 of the reptiles since 2004.
Crocodiles are notoriously territorial, and when biologists move them away from urban areas to new homes in the wild, they often head straight back to the place where they were captured.
Scientists believe they rely in part on the Earth's magnetic fields to navigate, and that taping magnets to both sides of their heads disorients them.
'They're just taped on temporarily,' Hord noted.
'We just put the magnets on when they're captured and since they don't know where we take them, they're lost. The hope would be that they stay where we take them to.'
Hord and his co-workers have tried it on two crocodiles since launching the experiment in January, affixing 'a common old laboratory magnet' to both sides of the animals' heads.
One got run over by a car and died, but the other has yet to return, Hord said.
Crocodiles which return to their old haunts twice after being moved on are sent to zoos or otherwise placed in captivity, something biologists hope to avoid if the magnet experiment works.
'This one is by no means a really well-developed scientific study with a control group. I's just something we thought we would try,' Hord cautioned

[unartig]

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

David Beckham was greeted by hordes of hysterical fans in Milan yesterday – all over a new pair of football boots
The former England captain attracted hundreds of adoring followers to an Adidas store where he unveiled the new Predator PowerSwerve DB boot.
Excited admirers jostled to get a glimpse of the 33-year-old star, who wore an AC Milan training top to the event and smiled throughout.


Milan has well and truly got a case of Beckham mania



Beckham chatted to some supporters as he squeezed through the gathered crowd – but it was all a little too much for one female fan who collapsed outside the store amid the excitement.
She was treated on the pavement, while others had to be attended to by paramedics after fainting

Beckham, who is on loan at AC Milan from US side LA Galaxy, was overwhelmed by the reaction.
"It's fantastic. I did not expect so many people. Since I've arrived, it's been wonderful," he said.
"When I arrived, they told me that I was coming to Milan for publicity. Instead I came and I love playing in this team.
"Being in a club like this and the experience is so positive, not only inside but also outside."
Beckham has publicly stated that he wants to stay in the Italian fashion capital and discussions are ongoing with Galaxy and Milan representatives about turning his loan move into a multi-million pound transfer.
Not everyone was being greeted by hordes of swooning fans yesterday, however.
Paris Hilton, in Japan to promote clothing brand Samantha Thavasa, looked rather underwhelmed as she arrived at Tokyo – seemingly to be met by just three young female admirers.


Paris Hilton had a rather less overwhelming greeting in Tokyo

[C. Breezy]

Man Utd win 4-1 on penalties

Manchester United celebrate winning the Carling Cup


Manchester United completed phase two of their attempt to win an historic quintuple as they beat Spurs on penalties in the Carling Cup final.



United, with the Club World Cup already won, emerged victorious from another shoot-out after an encounter low on quality finished goalless after extra-time.
Goalkeeper Ben Foster, given a Wembley opportunity as manager Sir Alex Ferguson rested Edwin van der Sar, was United's hero with a stunning save from Aaron Lennon in normal time.
Foster distinguished himself with a superb save from Jamie O'Hara's spot-kick, and when substitute David Bentley missed, Spurs' fate was sealed as Anderson confirmed United's victory.
Cristiano Ronaldo struck an upright seconds from the end of normal time as both defences dominated a final in which clear-cut opportunities were at a premium.
Ryan Giggs, Carlos Tevez, Ronaldo and Anderson were successful for United from the spot in the shoot-out, but only Vedran Corluka scored for Spurs.
Keeper Foster, 25, whose fledgling career has been dogged by injury, will have hugely impressed watching England coach Fabio Capello - who is not exactly blessed with quality keepers as he plans for next year's World Cup.
There was to be no repeat of Spurs' win against Chelsea in last year's final , with boss Harry Redknapp also denied another Wembley win after lifting the FA Cup with Portsmouth last season.

It capped an almost perfect weekend for United, with their position at the top of the Premier League strengthened after Liverpool's defeat at Middlesbrough and another piece of silverware on its way to Old Trafford.
Ferguson will now turn his attention back to winning the title once more and progressing in the Champions League and FA Cup.
This was not United at their vintage best, with too much below-par passing, but once again they showed that winning mentality when it mattered and when the pressure was at its most intense.
Ferguson kept to his promise to maintain faith with youngsters Darron Gibson, Danny Welbeck and Jonny Evans - but his hopes of calling on Wayne Rooney were dashed after the England striker was ruled out by a virus.
Spurs counterpart Redknapp was spared a selection dilemma when Jonathan Woodgate was ruled out by an Achilles tendon injury, allowing Michael Dawson to partner Ledley King in defence.
Gibson almost made a stunning early impact with a rising 25-yard drive that sailed just over the angle of post and bar with Heurelho Gomes beaten.
Keeper Gomes was called into action again after 15 minutes when he dived low at the near post to turn away Nani's effort as United dominated the opening skirmishes.
Aaron Lennon's pace offered Spurs plenty of hope, and it needed a timely intervention from Ferdinand to clear his cross after Corluka played him in with a pass inside Patrice Evra.
In an enterprising opening, Rio Ferdinand's dipping volley landed just over the bar with Gomes again struggling to make the save.
As the early life went out of the final, Spurs were able to establish a foothold and create a series of promising openings down the flanks, only to fail to find the decisive final ball.
Spurs had successfully kept Ronaldo at arm's length, while youngster Welbeck was having a tough time making an impact in the face of the physical presence of Dawson and King.
Indeed, it only took Ferguson only 10 minutes after the break to decide to remove Welbeck and introduce Anderson into midfield.
And United came within inches of breaking the deadlock on the hour when Tevez was just off target as he tried to divert Evans' shot past Gomes.
Ronaldo's frustration was plain to see when he was booked for diving by referee Chris Foy in the 66th minute as he tumbled in a collision with Spurs captain King just inside the area - a decision that was a desperately close call.

Ronaldo thought he should have had a second-half penalty

John O'Shea, who had been fortunate to escape a second yellow card for a tackle on Luka Modric that went unpunished, was replaced by Nemanja Vidic as Ferguson stiffened up United's central defence.
Ronaldo almost won the cup for United in the dying seconds of stoppage time when he cut inside and lashed in a shot that bounced off the upright with Nani unable to turn in the rebound.
It meant extra time - and the inevitable introduction of Ryan Giggs for the tiring Gibson.
Lennon had been at the heart of most of Spurs' best moments, but he had run himself to a standstill and it was no surprise when he was replaced by Bentley 10 minutes into extra-time.
As fatigue sent in among both sets of players, it was going to take a mistake or a moment of inspiration to decide the destiny of the cup in the closing stages. Modric almost provided it after 115 minutes with a run into the box that ended with Foster saving well with his legs from Darren Bent.
And Evra almost did likewise at the other end with a shot that was just over the top as Gomes could only look on.
It was the last meaningful action as a final that was high on endeavour but low on moments of genuine quality went to penalties.
Giggs gave United the perfect start in the shoot-out, and Foster set up the win with a fine save from O'Hara's spot-kick.
Tevez and Corluka exchanged successful penalties, but Bentley sent his wide after Ronaldo had slotted his away.
Anderson stepped forward to complete the formalities and United had achieved the first part of their pursuit of the five major trophies on offer to them this season.

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[C. Breezy]

Toyota arm seeks government loan

Toyota has suffered from falling demand in the downturn



Toyota, the world's biggest carmaker, has said it is seeking a state loan to help its car financing unit.
The company said Toyota Financial Services was in talks with the government-backed Japan Bank for International Co-operation.
Local media reports said that it had applied for a 200bn-yen ($2bn; £1.45bn) loan. However, Toyota said no details had been decided.
Toyota has said it expects to report its first annual loss since 1950.
The Japan Bank for International Co-operation was set up last year to help struggling Japanese businesses.



Japan's Finance Ministry said earlier on Tuesday that it would provide an additional $5bn to the bank from its foreign exchange reserves.


'Not in danger'
Toyota Financial Services does 70% of its business in the US, where the credit crunch has made it harder to offer financing and the economic downturn has hit demand for vehicles.
General Motors' financing arm, GMAC, has been hit by losses and has received a $6bn bail-out from the US government.
Analysts said that the news did not mean that Toyota was in trouble.
"Toyota is not in danger. It's out to get the lowest price for funding that the strength of its credit can get," said Yasuaki Iwamoto, an analyst at Okasan Securities, told Reuters news agency.
"On the balance sheet, it doesn't matter if the funds are private or public."
Reports also said that Nissan was considering various types of government aid.
US carmakers General Motors and Chrysler have received $17.4bn from the US government.
Toyota ended GM's 77-year reign as the world's largest carmaker last year as its sales surpassed its US rival.

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[C. Breezy]

'More bad news' on climate change

Scientists will present the most recent data on sea level rise




More bad news on climate change is expected as more than 2,000 climate scientists gather in Copenhagen.
They will be trying to pull together the latest research on global warming ahead of political negotiations later in the year.
The scientists are concerned that the 2007 reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are already out of date.
Their data suggests greater rises in sea levels this century.
For the scientists gathering in the Danish capital, this meeting is about removing as much wriggle room as possible from the political negotiations on a new global climate treaty taking place in December.
While the IPCC reports of 2007 were praised for their recognition of the causes of global warming, the slow, consensus-based nature of the process, meant more recent data was not included.



Greater clarity
But this meeting is happening outside the IPCC, so it will have the very latest estimates, and the scientists will not need to agree every word with the political masters.
This unfettered atmosphere is likely to produce greater clarity about the scale of some very worrying trends, especially sea level rise.
The IPCC was widely criticised for stating that sea level rise this century would only amount to 59cm (23in).
The most recent data, to be presented here, will suggest a far higher figure with dramatic implications for many island nations and coastal regions.
The meeting is being organised by the University of Copenhagen. Its prorector Lykke Friis said the scientists would be presenting the latest and the clearest information, meaning political leaders would not have the excuse that they needed more research before agreeing on a deal.
As well as hearing from scientists, the meeting will also look at the social and economic impacts of the global rise in temperatures.

[محمد88]

Roger Federer and his girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec are expecting their first child this summer.

".I have some really awesome news to share with all of you," the 27-year-old Swiss told his website
"Mirka and I are excited to let you know that we will be parents this summer! Mirka is pregnant and we are so happy to be starting a family."
Federer, the world number two, is currently in Indian Wells, California, for the Masters 1000 event.
"This is a dream come true for us," he added.

We love children and we are looking forward to being parents for the first time. Mirka is feeling great and everything is going well

The couple met when they were both competitors at the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney.

[unartig]

Thursday, March 12, 2009


There was an eight per cent drop last year in the number of people in A&E with knife wounds



The number of stab wound victims admitted to hospital has fallen – and more offenders are being jailed for carrying a knife
There was an eight per cent drop last year in the number of people in A&E with knife wounds, according to NHS figures.
Meanwhile, the number of criminals jailed for knife crimes in the last three months of 2008 rose by 23 per cent on the same period in 2007, Ministry of Justice figures revealed

And the average length of sentences handed down by the courts also went up, by 38 per cent to 26 weeks.
'This sends a very important message to knife criminals and would-be knife carriers to pack it in,' said justice secretary Jack Straw.
'These figures underline our determination to tackle knife crime. And they show the tough approach is working.'
However, the number of suspended sentences given out shot up by 63 per cent, the quarterly statistics bulletin on knife crime showed