The petrol bomber and the grinning protesters: Police release new footage of student riots in bid to catch offenders

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 8:52 PM on 13th January 2011

Dramatic footage of a thug clutching a petrol bomb during the student fees protests was included in film footage released today in a bid to catch perpetrators of the violence.

Another rioter is shown attacking the Royal convoy, while others hurl a fence at riot police.

Others are shown grinning and dancing as they wreak havoc around the capital.

Hooded thug: A rioter runs across Parliament Square throwing a Molotov cocktail during the tuition fees protest on December 9

Whooping and dancing this image shows the crowd passing fence poles above their heads which were later used in the ensuing trouble

The footage, released by the Met Police, comes just 24 hours after sixth-former Edward Woollard was jailed for two years and eight months for hurling a fire extinguisher from the roof of Tory Party HQ during the first protest on November 10.

A grinning protester smiles for the cameras. She is one of many demonstrators being hunted by police

The thug who threw the Molotov cocktail on December 9 was today slammed for putting other people's lives 'in clear danger'.

It happened on the same night that the Royal convoy taking Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall through the West End was attacked, leaving the Royal couple visibly shaken.

It was the last of the four main protests held in the capital over plans to raise university tuition fees to £9,000 a year.

Detective Chief Superintendent Matthew Horne of the Metropolitan Police said: 'The right to peaceful protest is fundamental.

'The MPS polices thousands of public events each year and makes significant efforts to engage with organizers to ensure the safety of everyone.

'What we have released today is the unlawful side of protest.

'An individual throws what appears to be a petrol bomb, putting others in clear danger.

'Another young man is seen committing acts of suspected violent disorder in Parliament Square, attempting to cause damage to shops and attacking the Royal Convoy'.

The Royal convoy is attacked as it takes Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall through the West End

Shock: The Royal couple looked frightened when their Rolls Royce was attacked

Damage: A rioter kicks in the windows of Topshop in Oxford Street, central London

Suspect: Detectives are hunting the man in the tracksuit top following the public disorder in central London on December 9

Mugshots: The Met Police are appealing for information about the protesters shown here

Det Ch Supt Horne added: 'We saw, this week, a young man with no criminal history sentenced to a substantial term of imprisonment for throwing a fire extinguisher off the roof of Millbank Tower.

'This clearly could have resulted in catastrophic injury to those below him. His actions and their consequences have also had a massive impact on his family. I would urge those intent on committing violence and damage to reflect upon this.'

Nurse 'punched dying patient who walked with a Zimmer frame'

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 2:39 PM on 13th January 2011

Enlarge

Emma Trubody was allegedly heard to have asked a patient with mental and physical disabilities why he kept urinating on the floor and then hit him later that day

A nurse punched a frail patient who walked with the aid of a Zimmer frame and was in the last stages of life, a hearing was told.

Emma Trubody, 36, is said to have thumped the 46-year-old man who began to cry before telling him his 'crocodile tears' would not help.

The patient, who has not been named, was suffering from kidney and liver failure. He died six weeks later.

Ms Trubody was working as a staff nurse at the Royal Blackburn Hospital in Lancashire when she hit the patient on the arm, the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard.

Patient A, who had a number of physical and mental difficulties, was being treated at the hospital when the incident occurred on September 6, 2008.

Earlier that day, Ms Trubody is alleged to have asked him: 'Why do you keep p***ing on the floor?'

Pauline Cullen, a matron at the hospital, told the hearing: 'The gentleman was dying.

'It was clear from his medical notes he was dying because of the liver and kidney failure he had.'

Mrs Cullen was the first senior manager to receive a complaint about Ms Trubody's behaviour.

'At the time of the incident patient A had quite a number of physical ailments,' she said.

'His blood results were causing confusion and psychosis. He was being seen by a general consultant and had been admitted by a nursing home following a relapse of his schizophrenia.'

Mrs Cullen said that the day after the incident she went into work so she could inform patient A's family of what had happened and to speak to the police.

An internal investigation was carried out and when Ms Trubody was interviewed she claimed she had merely been 'mirroring' the patient's actions when she hit him.

Mrs Cullen said the nurse should have used 'verbal de-escalation' techniques to defuse the situation.

She said: 'My response to that situation would have been: 'Come on Patient A, let's go and have a brew.

'He had never had to be restrained, so I believe he could have been verbally de-escalated.'

During the interview Ms Trubody told her bosses: 'On the way out of the room he said he was fed up of being picked on and I said that his crocodile tears wouldn't work with me. He went back to his room, swearing all the way.'

Ms Trubody also claimed she used the word 'peeing' instead of 'p***ing'.

The panel heard Patient A and his family decided not to press charges against Ms Trubody and opted to rely on the Trust's disciplinary procedures instead.

Patient A died six weeks after the incident. Ms Trubody, from Rossendale, Lancashire, could be banned from working as a nurse if the NMC decided her fitness to practise is impaired.

The hearing, which is expected to last until Friday, continues.

The patient, who has since died, was being treated at the Royal Blackburn Hospital when the alleged incident happened

Mrs Cullen told the panel the day after the incident, September 7, she went into work so she could inform patient A's family of what had happened and to speak to the police.

An internal investigation was carried out and when Ms Trubody was interviewed she claimed she had merely been 'mirroring' the patient's actions when she hit him.

Mrs Cullen said the nurse should have used 'verbal de-escalation' techniques to diffuse the situation.

She said: 'My response to that situation would have been: 'Come on Patient A, lets go and have a brew.

'He had never had to be restrained, so I believe he could have been verbally de-escalated.'

During the interview Ms Trubody told her bosses: 'On the way out of the room he said he was fed up of being picked on and I said that his crocodile tears wouldn't work with me. He went back to his room, swearing all the way.'

Ms Trubody also claimed she used the word 'peeing' instead of 'p***ing'.

The panel heard Patient A and his family decided not to press charges against Ms Trubody and opted to rely on the Trust's disciplinary procedures instead.

Patient A died six weeks after the incident. Ms Trubody, from Rossendale, Lancashire, could be banned from working as a nurse if the NMC decided her fitness to practise is impaired.

The hearing, which is expected to last

Heidi the cross-eyed opossum is a Facebook hit

Overweight animal at Leipzig zoo has inspired a YouTube song and has nearly 180,000 Facebook fans

• Emine Sinmaz
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 13 January 2011 19.57 GMT
• Article history



Heidi the cross-eyed opossum at Leipzig zoo has become an unlikely internet sensation. Photograph: Sebastian Willnow/AP

Cross-eyed and overweight, Heidi the opossum is, perhaps, the unlikeliest of stars, but that is exactly what she has become – an internet sensation.

She shot to fame after a report was published on her home, Leipzig zoo in Germany. She has since inspired a YouTube song and attracted nearly 180,000 Facebook fans, making her more popular than the chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, who has a mere 65,000.

Heidi's poor vision – thanks to her bulging eyes – has struck a chord with the public, but zookeepers say it does not cause many problems. As opossums are nocturnal they rely heavily on their sense of smell to find their way around. She experiences no discomfort and has no problem interacting with other opossums.

Heidi is currently on a high-fibre, low-calorie diet, as her weight problem could be behind her condition.

Heidi and her sister Naira, who arrived at the zoo last May after being abandoned in North Carolina, are acclimatising before appearing in public in the zoo's tropical experience attraction in July.

Peter Walschburger, a biological psychologist at the Free University of Berlin, has analysed the unprecedented attention the opossum has attracted.

He said: "It triggers a reaction in our unconsciousness when we see these creatures that make us think of children."

Hotel worker 'has confessed' to Mauritius honeymoon murder

Avinash Treebhoowoon reported to have admitted that he killed Irish teacher Michaela McAreavey

• Henry McDonald, Ireland correspondent and Chris Martial in Port Louis
• guardian.co.uk, Thursday 13 January 2011 19.27 GMT
• Article history



Avinash Treebhoowoon is reported to have confessed to the murder of Michaela McAreavey in Mauritius. Photograph: Reuters

A hotel worker in Mauritius was tonight said by the country's police commissioner to have confessed to the murder of an Irish teacher while she was on honeymoon.

Avinash Treebhoowoon, 29, who appeared in court yesterday along with two others, is reported to have admitted that he killed Michaela McAreavey, the daughter of the All-Ireland Gaelic football winner Mickey Harte.

Earlier, a lawyer for Raj Theekoy, who is charged with conspiracy to murder, claimed his client had spoken to police and implicated the other two men.

Sandip Moneea, 41, also appeared in court yesterday accused of the murder.

All three were remanded in police custody for a week and will return to court next Wednesday, when they are expected either to be formally charged or released.

At the initial hearing in Mauritius, Treebhoowoon had explained to the court that he was taken by detectives on Tuesday evening for questioning. He alleged that he had been struck by police officers who were seeking to extract a confession from him.

Detectives on the island have said they are examining the DNA from skin tissue taken from the murdered woman's fingers.

Convicted murders in Mauritius can receive a prison sentence of up to 47 years.

McAreavey's new husband, John, found her body in the bath of the honeymoon suite at the luxury Legends hotel on Monday.

Today, two of the three accused were taken back to the hotel for a 30-minute reconstruction of the events surrounding the killing.

McAreavey's body is expected to arrive in Northern Ireland from Mauritius tomorrow.

Her husband, a Down Gaelic footballer, is on the flight taking her body back to Belfast via London. Members of his family and the Harte family are accompanying him.

In a statement last night, McAreavey said he had been left heartbroken and totally devastated.

"I love my wife, very, very much and my world revolved around her. I can't describe in words how lost I feel as Michaela is not just the light of my life — she is my life," he said.

It is understood her family hope to hold her funeral on Monday, in the same County Tyrone church where she was married on 30 December.

Michaela McAreavey daughter of Mickey Harte speaking on the Late Late show

2010 ties 2005 for warmest year on record

Earth in 2010 experienced temperatures higher than 20th century average for 34th year in a row.

Middle East Online

Global warming contributed to the devastating floods in Pakistan WASHINGTON - Last year tied with 2005 as the warmest year on record for global surface temperature, US government scientists said in a report on Wednesday that offered the latest data on climate change. The Earth in 2010 experienced temperatures higher than the 20th century average for the 34th year in a row, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. Overall, 2010 and 2005 were 1.12 degrees Fahrenheit (0.62 Celsius) above the 20th century average when taking a combination of land and water surface temperatures across the world, it said. Those two years were also the highest in temperature since record-keeping began in 1880. Last year was the wettest on record, NOAA said citing Global Historical Climatology Network which made the calculation based on global average precipitation, even though regional precipitation patterns varied widely. When it came to hurricanes and storms, the Pacific Ocean saw the fewest number of hurricanes and named storms, three and seven respectively, since the 1960s. But the Atlantic Ocean told a different story, with 12 hurricanes and 19 named storms, which include tropical storms and depressions, marking the second highest number of hurricanes on record and third highest for storms. The analysis also tracked weather changes that contributed to massive floods in Pakistan and a heat wave in Russia, saying an "unusually strong jet stream" from June to August was to blame. "The jet stream remained locked in place for weeks, bringing an unprecedented two-month heat wave to Russia and contributing to devastating floods in Pakistan at the end of July," it said. In the United States alone, 2010 marked the 14th year in a row with higher annual average temperatures when compared to the long term average since 1895. Record snowfalls at the start of the year in the northeast including Washington and Philadelphia were part of a winter pattern driven by El Nino and the Arctic Oscillation, NOAA said. A separate report by Canada's Environment Ministry said that last year was the warmest in Canada since it began keeping meteorological records 63 years ago. Canada's second warmest year was 1998, when temperatures were 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2.5 degrees Celsius) higher than normal, the ministry said, adding that its records went back to 1948. International studies published on Sunday warned that global warming could wipe out three-quarters of Europe's alpine glaciers by 2100 and hike sea levels by four meters (13 feet) by the year 3000 through melting the West Antarctic icesheet.

Lebanon faces protracted government crisis

Analysts: Lebanese cabinet collapse thrown Lebanon into its worst political turmoil since 2008.

Middle East Online

By Natacha Yazbeck - BEIRUT

Experts fail to see an exit from the crisis Lebanon faces yet another protracted crisis that could degenerate into civil unrest after the powerful Hezbollah forced the collapse of the government, analysts warn. "We've entered into a politically drawn-out period where ... it's probably going to take many months to form a new government," said Paul Salem, head of the Beirut-based Carnegie Middle East Centre. "I don't think we have the makings of deliberate Hezbollah military action in Beirut, but we might soon be running the risk of unpredictable events on the street ... which could get out of hand," Salem said. In a sweep led by the Iranian-backed Hezbollah, 11 ministers withdrew from Prime Minister Saad Hariri's government Wednesday evening, providing the minimum number of resignations to automatically dissolve the 30-member cabinet. The move was linked to a long-running dispute over the UN-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), which is reportedly set to indict high-ranking Hezbollah operatives in the 2005 assassination of ex-premier Rafiq Hariri, Saad's father. The Shiite militant group has warned any such accusation would have grave repercussions in Lebanon and has been pressing the Western-backed Hariri to disavow the tribunal, which it says is a US-Israeli ploy. Energy Minister Gebran Bassil, a Christian ally of Hezbollah who announced the resignations Wednesday, said the next government would be formed under "totally different circumstances," without elaborating. Analysts say Wednesday's move could signal the beginning of complete overhaul of who formally has the upper hand over Lebanon's frail state institutions. It could also be aimed at ensuring there is no government to make arrests when the STL issues its indictments, experts say. "When the indictment comes out, the opposition (Hezbollah and its allies) would have to be in control of state institutions to prevent any ... arrest of suspects," said Amal Saad-Ghorayeb, research advisor at the Doha Institute's Arab Centre for Research and Policy Studies. "It has no choice but to be in control of government (or government vacuum), otherwise all hell would break loose," Saad-Ghorayeb, who authored a book on Hezbollah, said. "We'd be facing a scenario of civil war, as with what happened in May 2008. So the opposition has to guarantee that security remains in their hands specifically in order to avoid war." Wednesday's cabinet collapse has thrown Lebanon into its worst political turmoil since 2008, when an 18-month government crisis culminated in deadly street fighting and the closure of the Beirut airport. And while they continue to downplay the likelihood of violence in the immediate future, experts fail to see a viable exit from the growing crisis. "Given the current polarisations in the country, things could spiral out of control with no prior notice," said Sahar Atrache, a Middle East analyst with the International Crisis Group. "The problem in Lebanon, however, is that things go gradually from one escalation to another," Atrache said. "Right now we are facing political movement. What perhaps comes next is movement in the streets, and the possibility of violence is always there. "But I wouldn't go so far as to talk about civil war." President Michel Sleiman should now hold consultations with Lebanon's 128 MPs on naming a new prime minister, who must be a Sunni Muslim. While Hariri is the country's most popular Sunni leader, it remains to be seen whether he will be reappointed given the animosity between his camp and Hezbollah. Analysts said the appointment of a new premier hinges in part on the reshuffling of parliamentary alliances, with Druze leader Walid Jumblatt holding 11 crucial votes in parliament. Hariri's coalition holds 60 seats while the rival Hezbollah-led camp comes a close second with 57 seats. Once Hariri's staunchest anti-Syrian ally, Jumblatt in 2009 announced he had repositioned himself closer to Hezbollah. Today, his MPs could determine whether a future government secures parliament's vote of confidence. "If Hariri refuses Hezbollah's demands, he will definitely not be named prime minister," said Saad-Ghorayeb.

Mauritius honeymoon murder:

hotel worker 'confessed' to Michaela McAreavey killing

One of the hotel workers charged with murdering Michaela McAreavey on her honeymoon in Mauritius has confessed to the brutal killing, police have claimed.

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Suspect Avinash Treebhoowoon who police say has confessed to killing Michaela McAreavey on her honeymoon in Mauritius. Photo: AFP/GETTY IMAGES

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(L-R) Avinash Treebhoowoon, Raj Theekay and Sandip Monnea. They are accused of murdering Michaela McAreavey on her honeymoon in Mauritius. Photo: AP

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Michaela McAreavey pictured in 2006 with her father Mickey Harte Photo: ALAN LEWIS

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Legends Hotel in Mauritius where the body of Michaela Harte was discovered Photo: REUTERS

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Michaela Harte was a prominent identity in Ireland. Photo: PA

By Andrew Hough 11:00AM GMT 13 Jan 2011

Avinash Treebhoowoon, 29, allegedly admitted to officers that he killed the daughter of one of Ireland's best-known sporting figures in a panic after she caught him rummaging through her belongings.

The cleaner, from Plaine des Roches, had allegedly entered her luxury hotel room to steal jewellery and money after claiming to have found the door to room 1025 ajar.

Hotel records, however, are said to show that someone gained access using a false electronic key card at 3.42pm on Monday, two minutes before she then entered the room.

The Daily Telegraph can disclose that Treebhoowoon, who claimed in court that he was beaten by police, is to lead detectives in a “reconstruction” of the incident at the hotel later on Thursday.

Detectives have also charged two other hotel workers over the death that has shocked Ireland where Mrs McAreavey’s family are considered national celebrities. Gaelic football is the most popular sport in Ireland.

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The teacher, 28, had returned to the room to collect biscuits for afternoon tea she was due to share with her husband at a restaurant in the popular Indian Ocean island hotel.

The former beauty queen, whose father Mickey Harte is Gaelic football's most high profile team managers, was then strangled after first trying to fight off her attackers.

Her body was dumped face up in the room’s bath with the running water, which police believe was a desperate attempt to cover up her death as a drowning suicide.

A post mortem concluded she died as a result of "asphyxia due to compression of the neck". Several bruises were also found on her head.

Skin tissue was found underneath her fingernails, indicating Mrs McAreavey, from Dungannon, Co Tyrone, had “fought for her life”. It is thought that one of her attackers may have been cut in the face as a result of the fight.

While police have ruled her widower John McAreavey, 30, out as a suspect, witnesses have allegedly told detectives that the pair had a disagreement the night before she died.

The Daily Telegraph can also disclose that witnesses claim to have seen the accountant and prominent footballer ask a hotel employee to find a priest. It is not known why he made such a request.

Sandip Moneea, a 41 year-old floor supervisor of Petit Raffray, denies murder while Raj Theekoy, 33, a cleaner from Ramnarain, Cottage, has denied conspiracy to murder. Detectives privately believe that more arrests could occur.

All three workers were employed at the five-star Legends Hotel, a popular honeymoon resort in the village of Grande Gaube, on the country’s north coast. Theekoy is said to have made a statement to police.

“Avinash confessed that he was in the room during this terrible incident,” a police spokeswoman told The Daily Telegraph.

“He was in the room to commit larceny and steal her belongings.

“Unfortunately at the same time Michaela entered the room. Avinash confessed that he then assaulted her.”

The spokeswoman confirmed that witnesses had reported seeing the pair argue on Sunday night and that Mr McAreavey had asked for a priest.

She declined to say why but added that detectives had cleared him of any involvement after interviewing him at length.

Dhun Iswar Rampersad, the Mauritius police chief, later told reporters that Theekoy had admitted to hearing noises from the room and to having seen someone coming out of the room a few minutes later "in a strange state".

He alleged that after police questioned Treebhoowoon he "confessed to police that a few minutes before the victim came in (he was) in the room stealing purses full of money and jewellery that were on the table”.

Mrs McAreavey’s family have arrived on the island to collect her body, which will be repatriated back to Ireland as early as Thursday night.

Brendan McMahon, Dublin's ambassador to South Africa, has also arrived on the island to give consular assistance. Her widower had earlier issued an emotional statement paying tribute to his bride of less than a fortnight.

"I appreciate all the prayers and messages of support. I pray that God gives us the strength and faith that Michaela has, to cope with our horrific loss," he said in a statement.

"She is a gift from god and I now have an angel."

“My beautiful wife, my best friend, my rock Michaela, has been taken from me and I still can't take it in.”

He added: "Our hopes, our dreams and our future together are gone. I love my wife very, very much and my world revolved around her.

“I can't describe in words how lost I feel as Michaela is not just the light of my life – she is my life."

Paul Jones, the CEO of the group that owns Legends Hotel, offered his condolences to the families.

"We are a responsible company devoted to providing a quality service up to international standards,” he said in a statement.

“I've been working in the tourism sector in Mauritius for 35 years and this is the first time I've been faced by a tragedy on this scale.

"The police are conducting an inquiry and we await the results of the investigation."

The three alleged killers appeared in Mapou District Court on Wednesday charged over her murder.

They are due back in court next week. They have yet to enter pleas. A trial could occur within six months.

Harte tragedy: Michaela McAreavey's remains begin the long journey home to Ireland

Thursday, 13 January 2011

Balloons with the couple's names giving directions to St Malachy's Church outside Ballygwley where they recently got married

The remains of honeymoon murder victim Michaela McAreavey is being flown back to Co Tyrone from Mauritius.

Her widower John and her brother Mark were on the island as her coffin was taken from the hospital mortuary to the airport, where it will be flown to the London on the first stage of her journey back home. It will then be flown on to Belfast.

It is expected the funeral of Mrs McAreavey - the daughter of Mickey Harte, the celebrated manager of Ireland's all-conquering Tyrone Gaelic football team - will take place close to her Co Tyrone home early next week, in the same church where she wed only weeks ago.

The repatriation is taking place as police continue their investigation into the murder in the luxury Legends Hotel on Monday.

To leave a message of condolence to the Harte family please click here

Three hotel workers have appeared in court charged in connection with the murder of the 27-year-old teacher, whose body was found by her husband in her hotel room. She had been strangled.

The Mauritius Police Force said the two men charged with the murder were Avinash Treebhoowoon, 29, a room attendant from Plaine des Roches, and Sandip Moneea, 41, a floor supervisor from Petit Raffray. Room attendant Raj Theekoy, 33, from Ramnarain Cottage, faces the conspiracy charge.

Irish Ambassador in South Africa Brendan McMahon, who is on the holiday island, said his immediate aim was to get Mrs McAreavey's remains and family members home as soon as possible.

"We are certainly very hopeful this will happen (on Thursday) evening," he told RTE. "We hope and pray there will be not any last minute hitches."

Mr McAreavey, who had been on his own on the island until relatives arrived, said in a statement: "My beautiful wife, my best friend, my rock Michaela, has been taken from me and I still can't take it in. Our hopes, our dreams and our future together are gone. I love my wife very, very much and my world revolved around her."

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308 golfers set for first test at Asian Tour qualifying school

2011-01-13 02:19:21 GMT2011-01-13 10:19:21(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A total of 308 golfers from over 30 countries and regions will be aiming to cross the first hurdle at the Asian Tour qualifying school when the first stage takes place over three venues in Hua Hin, Thailand from Wednesday.

The Imperial Lakeview Golf Club will host 130 players where the top-26 finishers after four rounds will qualify for the all-important final stage from Jan. 19 to 22 while 122 will feature at the Majestic Creek Golf Resort with 24 tickets available for the final stage. A total of 56 players will challenge for 11 final stage tickets at the Springfield Royal Country Club.

Currently, a total of 117 players are already exempted into the final stage presented by the Sports Authority of Thailand to be held at Imperial Lakeview and Springfield Royal. The top-40 finishers will earn playing rights for the 2011 season.

A provisional schedule with a minimum 25 tournaments has been announced for the Asian Tour in 2011.

Players who compete in the qualifying school will also be eligible for memberships on the Asian Development Tour, the region's secondary circuit, where a minimum of five tournaments will be staged in the new season.

In total, this year's field of 425 hopefuls exceed last year's turnout of 376 players and they will be aiming to emulate the feats of past qualifying school graduates such as Thai hero Thongchai Jaidee, a three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion and Asia's No. 1 Noh Seung-yul of South Korea.

Sweden's Rikard Karlberg, who finished third on the Order of Merit last season with two victories, also earned his card in 2010 through qualifying school.

Other graduates who have become Tour champions include South Korea's Charlie Wi, India's Shiv Kapur and Arjun Atwal, England's Simon Dyson, Japan's Tetsuji Hiratsuka, Malaysia's Ben Leong, Australian Scott Hend and more recently last year Siddikur of Bangladesh and South African Peter Karmis.

FIFA: Egypt retreats to 10th place of world ranking

2011-01-13 02:28:44 GMT2011-01-13 10:28:44(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

CAIRO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Egypt ranked the 10th place in the January edition of the FIFA world rankings released on Wednesday, the highest among all African and Arab teams.

The Pharaohs, who occupied the ninth place last month, scored 1,036 points in the latest ranking and was overtaken by the Croatian team.

Changing of ranks between the two teams is the only difference among the top 20 teams compared with the December edition.

World champion Spain ended in first, followed by the Netherlands, while Germany ranked the third.

Algeria ranked second at the Arab level, while Ghana obtained the same position in Africa.

Ahmed's brace sink China as hosts Qatar get crucial victory

2011-01-13 02:29:41 GMT2011-01-13 10:29:41(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

DOHA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Striker Yusef Ahmed's first half brace help hosts Qatar get much-needed three points over China to avoid early exit at the second round game of Group A here on Wednesday.

Ahmed, a substitute in Qatar's defeat to Uzbekistan in the curtain-raiser, proved coach Bruno Metsu's trust with fantastic performance. The lively hitman took a nice touch before firing an unstoppable out-spinning volley from the edge of the box in the 27th minute to break the deadlock, and drove home with a nice low shot to beat keeper Zeng Cheng.

China now sit at the second place together with Qatar, and Uzbekistan is on top of Group A with two straight wins. While Kuwait is at the bottom with two defeats.

China coach Gao Hongbo made three changes to the starting eleven from the first group game agaisnt Kuwait. Striker Gao Lin, midfielder Yu Tao and keeper Zeng Cheng were among the starting list. Metsu also made three changes as his Chinese counterpart, he sent on Ahmed, Mohamed El Sayed and Kasola.

Gao's decisions seemed to be wrong as keeper Zeng Cheng reacted slowly to the two goals and Gao Lin was replaced by Yang Xu on 42 minutes. Without injured play maker Fabio Cesar, Metsu's tactics proved to be right as Ahmed was shinning upfront.

The hosts pushed up with fierce attacks since the beginning of the game, and China produced threats by sharp counter-attacking. Deng Zhuoxiang, Gao Lin and Zhao Peng had three great chances in the first half, but ended in bad finishing.

China brought on Shalke 04 midfielder Hao Junmin and Zhou Haibin to strengthen the attacking power, but their opponents created more threats. Sebasitan Soria could have made it 3-0 in the 65 minute, only to find his bullet shot hit the crossbar.

Ronalidiho receives hero's welcome from 20,000 Flamengo fans

2011-01-13 02:30:25 GMT2011-01-13 10:30:25(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Brazilian striker Ronaldinho got a hero's welcome as 20,000 fans greeted him at a ceremony in the Flamengo stadium here on Wednesday.

Early in the morning, fans started gathering at the Flamengo stadium. Dressed in the team's red and black shirt, with many wearing Ronaldinho masks, fans waited for hours to witness the player go up on the stage that had been set up for the ceremony.

Holding hands with Flamengo's president Patricia Amorim, Ronaldinho arrived on the stage, surrounded by bodyguards, after passing the grandstand with great difficulty.

"Ronaldinho is ours!" said Flamengo president Patricia Amorim.

After 10 year's football in Europe, The FIFA Player of the Year 2004 and 2005 finally retuned to his homland.

"Thank you for caring. I want to say that I hope to repay it all. Nation, I'm closed to you. Now I'm Mengao (the nickname of Flamengo fan)" Ronaldinho said.

The 30-year old star signed for the Brazilian football club on Monday. It is reported that Flamengo paid AC Milan three million euros and Ronaldinho will earn more than 600,000 dollors a month. The striker will play for Flamengo until June 2014.

According to Rio's police, there were at least 20,000 fans on site.

Flamengo won the Brazilian championship in 2009, but it was very close to relegation last year.

Buffon to play comeback match against Catania

2011-01-13 10:31:13(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

ROME, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Italian Serie A side Juventus announced on Wednesday that goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon will make his first appearance of the season against Catania in the Italian Cup on Thursday.

Due to back injury, Buffon has been out of action since the World Cup in South Africa last June.

Juventus now ranked the sixth in the Italian first division soccer league and have conceded seven goals in losing their last two league games.

Obama says polarized nation needs healing

2011-01-13 02:33:06 GMT2011-01-13 10:33:06(Beijing Time) SINA.com

President Barack Obama joins the audience in applauding Daniel Hernandez, an intern for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords who helped her after she was shot, during a memorial service in Tucson, Ariz., Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011, for the victims of a shooting rampage that that killed six people and left 14 injured. AP photo

President Barack Obama joins the audience in applauding Daniel Hernandez, an intern for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords who helped her after she was shot, during a memorial service in Tucson, Ariz., Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2011, for the victims of a shooting rampage that that killed six people and left 14 injured. AP photo

TUCSON, Ariz. – Summoning the soul of a nation, President Barack Obama on Wednesday implored Americans to honor those slain and injured in the Arizona shootings by becoming better people, telling a polarized citizenry that it is time to talk with each other "in a way that heals, not in a way wounds." Following a hospital bedside visit with Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the target of the assassination, he said: "She knows we're here, and she knows we love her."

In a memorably dramatic moment, the president said that Giffords, who on Saturday was shot point-blank in the head, had opened her eyes for the first time shortly after his hospital visit. First lady Michelle Obama held hands with Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, as the news brought soaring cheers throughout the arena.

Speaking at a memorial at the University of Arizona, Obama bluntly conceded that there is no way to know what triggered the shooting rampage that left six people dead, 13 others wounded and the nation shaken. He tried instead to leave indelible memories of the people who were gunned down and to rally the country to use the moment as a reflection on the nation's behavior and compassion.

"I believe we can be better," Obama said to a capacity crowd in the university's basketball arena — and to countless others watching around the country. "Those who died here, those who saved lives here — they help me believe. We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."

In crafting his comments, Obama clearly sought a turning point in the raw debate that has defined national politics. After offering personal accounts of every person who died, he challenged anyone listening to think of how to honor their memories, and he was not shy about offering direction. He admonished against any instinct to point blame or to drift into political pettiness or to latch onto simple explanations that may have no merit.

"At a time when our discourse has become so sharply polarized — at a time when we are far too eager to lay the blame for all that ails the world at the feet of those who think differently than we do — it's important for us to pause for a moment and make sure that we are talking with each other in a way that heals, not a way that wounds," the president said.

The shooting happened as Giffords, a three-term Democrat who represents southern Arizona, was holding a community outreach event in a Tucson shopping center parking lot Saturday. A gunman shot her in the head and worked his way down the line of people waiting to talk with her, law enforcement officials said. The attack ended when bystanders tackled the man, Jared Lee Loughner, 22, who is in custody.

Obama's speech, by turns somber and hopeful, at times took on the tone of an exuberant pep rally as he heralded the men who wrestled the gunman to the ground, the woman who grabbed the shooter's ammunition, the doctors and nurses who treated the injured, the intern who rushed to Giffords' aid. The crowd erupted in multiple standing ovations as each was singled out for praise.

The president recalled how federal Judge John Roll was on his way from attending Mass when he stopped to say hello to Giffords and was gunned down; Dorothy Morris, shielded by her husband, but killed nonetheless, and Phyllis Schneck, a Republican who took a shine to Giffords, a Democrat, and wanted to know her better.

Obama spoke to a crowd of more than 14,000 in an arena and thousands more listened on from an overflow area in the football stadium. About a mile away, at University Medical Center, Giffords lay fighting for her life. Other victims also remained there hospitalized.

(Agencies)

Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy arrested

2011-01-13 02:35:20 GMT2011-01-13 10:35:20(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

LONDON, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- Manchester City striker Craig Bellamy has been arrested on suspicion of assault, a police source said on Wednesday.

The Wales soccer star, currently on loan at Championship side Cardiff City, was bailed on Wednesday after speaking with officers.

He was arrested after the alleged assault in central Cardiff on Sunday. Two men, aged 20 and 26, were suffered facial injuries.

"A 31-year-old man has today been arrested on suspicion of assault and has been bailed pending further enquiries," a police statement said.

A Cardiff spokesman said:" We are aware of the reported incident involving one of our players last weekend and feel it would be inappropriate to comment while an ongoing police investigation is under way."

Confucius statue erected on Tian'anmen Square

2011-01-13 00:38:07 GMT2011-01-13 08:38:07(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

A bronze 7.9-metre-tall Confucius statue is unveiled in front of the renovated National Museum of China at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Photo：www.icpress.cn

People pose for photos in front of a bronze 7.9-metre-tall Confucius statue in front of the renovated National Museum of China at Tiananmen Square in Beijing.Photo：www.icpress.cn

People walk pass a bronze 7.9-metre-tall Confucius statue in front of the renovated National Museum of China at Tiananmen Square in Beijing.Photo：www.icpress.cn

People stare at a bronze 7.9-metre-tall Confucius statue in front of the renovated National Museum of China at Tiananmen Square in Beijing.Photo：www.icpress.cn

A bronze 7.9-metre-tall Confucius statue is unveiled in front of the renovated National Museum of China at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Photo：www.icpress.cn

A bronze 7.9-metre-tall Confucius statue is unveiled in front of the renovated National Museum of China at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Photo：www.icpress.cn

BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A bronze statue of Confucius has been unveiled near the Tian'anmen Square in central Beijing.

The statue, at the north gate of the China National Museum, which overlooks the Chang' an Avenue, is 9.5 meters tall, including the stone base. The statue shows the scholar, born more than 2,500 years ago, putting his palms together in front of his chest and looking into the distance.

"Confucius was seen as a saint by many dynasties in Chinese history," said Lu Zhangshen, curator of the museum, at a ceremony to unveil the statue on Tuesday.

"He is the symbol of traditional Chinese culture, with a far-reaching impact across the globe," he said.

The statue was built by Wu Weishan, 48, president of the Sculpture Institute of the Chinese Academy of Arts, and a member of Royal British Society of Sculptors. It took him about a year to finish the statue.

Wu has been making statues of famous historical persons since 1990. He started making statues of Confucius in 1994.

"In our social transformation period, we needed a cultural monument to pass down our traditional culture, which was represented by Confucius," said the long-haired artist.

Confucius, of the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC to 476 BC), guided people for thousands of years in many aspects of Chinese life, from raising children to ruling empires.

However, the reputation of the ancient scholar dropped sharply after Confucianism began to be seen as a symbol of outdated and backward feudal culture. Temples dedicated to the philosopher were torn down, and tombs of his descendants were destroyed.

Fifty-eight-year-old Kong Lingshao, a 76th-generation descendant of Confucius, had just finished primary school when the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) started. He remembered how the Red Guards pulled down statues of Confucius from the temples and dragged them through the streets, and criticized the philosopher at public meetings.

"As a descendant, I don't have words to express the humiliation I felt," Kong Lingshao said.

However, he noted that, after several years, the Chinese nation had finally begun to reflect on how to treat its traditional culture.

"In Confucianism, there were flaws, but who is flawless?" Kong asked, adding that tolerance and seeking harmony without uniformity were important beliefs under Confucianism.

Confucius has been regaining popularity in recent years. In 2007, a female lecturer attracted nationwide attention with her televised lecture series about the Analects of Confucius.

Then, last September, the Nishan Forum on World Civilization was held in Qufu, where domestic and overseas scholars drew upon the wisdom of the ancient sages, Confucius and Jesus.

By the end of 2010, China had set up more than 320 Confucius Institutes in 96 countries around the globe.

Wednesday was sunny in Beijing, and good for sightseeing. Several passers-by stopped to take photos of the statue.

Among them was 60-year-old Sun Qiqing, a retired official from the cultural bureau of Wuqi in northwest China' s Shaanxi Province, a small city where the Long March ends. Sun' s hometown was Tai' an in Shandong, about 80 kilometers away from Qufu, the hometown of Confucius.

"I saw news of the unveiling ceremony and came to take some photos," he said.

He noted that Confucius was an icon of Chinese culture. "His main thought was harmony," he said, adding that building such a statue showed China's attempt to improve social harmony in its peaceful era.

Manuel Pavon Belizon from Spain believed that Confucius was the "top representation" of Chinese culture. Having lived in China for five years, he loves Chinese culture. He found that some of Confucius' ideas, like forgiveness, were similar to some beliefs in Christianity.

He said the statue is "a combination of tradition and modernity." "Its bronze color was like the color of ancient cauldrons he saw in museums, he added.

China now top Taiwan tourist source

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011

TAIPEI (Kyodo) China displaced Japan as the largest of source of visitors to Taiwan in 2010, with the number of travelers from the country rising 68 percent from the previous year to 1,630,735, according to government data released Tuesday.

Japanese travelers to Taiwan totaled 1,080,153 in 2010, the Taiwanese Ministry of Transportation and Communications said.

The number of Chinese visitors to Taiwan for both tourism and business purposes has risen dramatically since the ban on visitors from China was partially lifted in July 2008 after improvement in bilateral ties.

In 2009, the number of Chinese visitors to Taiwan shot up to 970,000, three times the figure the previous year.

'Boring cars' worst of Toyota problems

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011

By SHARON SILKE CARTY

The Associated Press

DETROIT — It would be easy to think Toyota's biggest problem is its damaged reputation caused by sudden acceleration recalls, millions in government fines and massive lawsuits and settlements. But what's hurting the company most is an aging lineup of boring cars.

Over the past decade, Toyota and its U.S. dealers had it easy. Cutting edge design wasn't required because the cars sold themselves on reputation. Everyone knew Toyotas held their value, were safe and got drivers from point A to point B with little drama. Then came the recalls, which called all of that into question.

Ending the year on a low note, Camry sales fell 10 percent in December from a year earlier. Corolla sales plunged 35 percent. Unless things turn around quickly, Camry is in danger of losing its 10-year crown as the nation's top-selling car this year to the Honda Accord.

Boring cars are "probably the worst problem for them," said Jessica Caldwell, director of pricing and industry analysis for Edmunds.com. "They always had their (safety) reputation to fall back on, but now that's not the case."

CEO Akio Toyoda acknowledged that Toyota is at a design crossroads. He has told dealers several times that he's working to improve Toyota's exterior styling, pushing designers to come up with something more exciting. The company is "intent on making Toyota cars better looking," he told reporters Monday during his first-ever visit to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

After becoming the world's largest automaker in 2007, Toyota reversed course and resumed giving executives in Japan the final say on design decisions for the U.S. market. Some question whether that change left Toyota at a disadvantage as Hyundai, Ford and General Motors moved more quickly to tailor new designs specifically for U.S. car buyers.

Mike Jackson, CEO of Autonation, the country's largest car dealer network, said that in the past, sedans sold based primarily on their quality, reliability and resale values. Automakers believed "the styling should be conservative enough to not put people off," he said. "I don't think that's the future. Now you have to differentiate yourself."

Company insiders dispute the notion that Toyota is facing anything approaching a design crisis.

"Styling is subjective," said Bob Carter, vice president and general manager of the Toyota division. Outsiders may say Toyota cars are boring, but that's the downside of being so popular, he said. "When you see so many of them on the road, they start to look familiar."

The first peek at the next generation of Camry won't come until the New York Auto Show in April. They'll be in showrooms this fall. Early reviews of the next Corolla model were not enthusiastic when it was unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show in November. People at the show couldn't tell it from the 2010 Corolla unless they read a sticker Toyota put on the newer model.

Toyota is focusing most of its attention at the Detroit show on an expanded Prius lineup. The centerpiece is a Prius MPV, a minivanlike car. It's also showing a five-seater that is smaller than the current Prius sedan. It eventually will be sold in the U.S., although the timing is still unclear. And it's bringing a plug-in electric Prius to compete with the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt. The minivan goes on sale this summer, and the plug-in will be on sale this spring.

But even if the Prius debuts are hits at the auto show, hybrids aren't the company's bread and butter. They were outsold 4-to-1 by the Camry and Corolla in 2010, when Toyota was the only automaker to sell fewer cars and trucks than in 2009. Even after piling on incentives, it lost 2 percentage points of market share and slipped behind Ford as the runnerup to GM in sales.

Working in Toyota's favor is that about 60 percent of its customer base have owned Toyotas in the past and are loyal to the brand. "The recall crisis is hurting them, but it's not like they are in dire straits," said David Whiston, an auto analyst with Morningstar investment research firm. "But they may never get back to that halo status they had a few years ago."

Toyoda said the company is recommitting to focusing on consumers and on styling, but they need to move fast if they want to keep up with the competition. "Their big mantra before the recalls flurry was that their customers liked predictability and reliability, and they gave them that more than any other manufacturer," said Peter DeLorenzo, editor of auto blog AutoExtremist. "But the game has changed."

Holocaust survivor believes in fate

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011

Diplomat Sugihara granted him visa that enabled him to flee Nazis

By SEANA K. MAGEE

Kyodo News

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Holocaust survivor Samuil Manski believes strongly in fate, having been in the right place at the right time after fleeing Europe with a visa granted by a Japanese diplomat before ending up in Boston.

Twist of fate: Holocaust survivor Samuil Manski holds a certificate of the Japanese government's gratitude for years of spreading the story of Chiune Sugihara, a wartime Japanese diplomat in Lithuania who granted lifesaving visas to Jews, at his home in Massachusetts. KYODO PHOTO

"How can you not believe in fate?" asked Manski, 90, during a recent interview. "I don't fight fate."

He vividly recalls what happened almost 70 years ago and hopes the world will not forget what he endured.

For almost 1 1/2 years he journeyed away from his native Poland, living in Lithuania, traversing the Soviet Union, entering Japan and winding up in Massachusetts, living with his father.

A lifesaving piece of paper issued by Chiune Sugihara, at the time Japan's deputy consul general in Lithuania, is what gave him that chance.

Manski, his mother, brother, sister and three relatives were among upward of 6,000 Jews granted visas by the diplomat, reportedly in defiance of Tokyo's orders.

"At that time he (Sugihara) had to be in that particular place and I had to be in that particular place at the same time and the conditions were ripe for something like this," Manski said. "To me it matters that I am here. . . . It is a part of fate."

The Nazi-Soviet nonaggression pact meant his eastern hometown of Lida fell under Soviet control.

"The fact that Lida was occupied by the Russians rather than by the Germans saved my life," he wrote in "With God's Help," a book he penned at the urging of his family and which was published in 1990.

The Polish native never saw a Nazi, but they later killed his grandmother, grandfather and other relatives after he fled.

"When you get an opportunity, you take it," Manski recalled of his New Year's Eve escape into neighboring Lithuania in 1939.

Because of work with the Soviet military, he knew when to cross the border. Fearing he could be shot for desertion, he got a doctor's note after feigning illness by smoking and standing near a fireplace.

Manski, his cousin and another girl slipped into Lithuania but were caught and held until bribes won their freedom.

Once safely in the Lithuanian town of Ejszyski with relatives, they secured fake papers to remain there. As the year wore on the Soviets swallowed up the country.

So when rumors circulated that a Japanese diplomat was handing out transit visas to travel through Japan to Curacao, an island in the south Caribbean Sea, his mother jumped at the chance.

On Aug. 9, 1940, Manski received his visa. His oldest son, Chuck, now proudly displays the passport and the handwritten visa at his Chicago home.

"To this day, I am not certain why the Japanese took the trouble to issue visas to us Jewish refugees," the elder Manski wrote. "Whatever the reason, again God was with us."

With their visas, the family set off for Japan in January the following year but had to leave their 82-year-old grandmother behind.

In the dead of winter they boarded the Trans-Siberian Railway to begin the lengthy ride to Vladivostok, where they took a "cattle boat" for western Japan.

On the second day of the "rough" crossing, they landed in Tsuruga, Fukui Prefecture, on Feb. 24. "My first impression was of a fairyland, with small houses, flowers, clean streets and very polite people," he wrote after setting foot in Japan.

They then headed for Kobe to secure visas for the United States.

With time on his hands, the young man often roamed the city. What stood out was that every time he turned around "there were people behind you, showing the way to go."

He also remembered periodic rumors sparking fears the Nazis would convince their Japanese allies to send them back to Europe.

On April 30, their documents were finally approved.

Happily, the family boarded the Heian Maru, landing in Seattle on May 18. Shortly afterward they headed for Boston.

Filled with ambition, Manski plunged into his new life, taking classes to improve his English, working part time and then graduating from college.

In 1946, he married Estelle, started a family and was well on the road to becoming a successful hosiery salesman.

As life moved on and his three sons grew up, he appreciated how the visa brought him a new life. Yet, he did not think about Sugihara, whom he never met in person, until a Boston Globe reporter interviewed him by phone in the early 1990s.

"So all of a sudden a bell starts ringing in my head," the former salesman said, adding the idea to build Sugihara a memorial at Temple Emeth near Boston "began to cook."

Finally, after he collected enough money, the memorial was unveiled April 30, 2000.

Sugihara's image is etched on black marble with a passage from Samuel 17:10 describing him in English, Hebrew and Japanese as a "valiant man whose heart is like that of a lion."

On top of tirelessly working with Israeli and Japanese diplomats to keep the story alive, Manski spent time in local schools as well, often working with other younger temple members.

Despite an unbridled enthusiasm, his declining health prevented him from making more appearances. There are tentative plans, however, to link him with college students via webcasts.

For his hard work Manski was awarded a certificate of appreciation in July by Japan's consul general in Boston.

"Mr. Manski takes it as his role to relay the Sugihara story to the next generation," said Masaru Tsuji, former Boston consul general who is now in Japan.

As a lightning rod for preserving the past, Manski also seems determined to rightly honor individuals such as Sugihara.

"Without the past there can be no present and without the present there can be no future," he wrote in his book's epilogue.

Africa told ODA to double by 2012

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011

Kyodo News

Japan intends to boost its relationship with African nations this year by implementing its 2008 pledge to double their official development assistance by 2012 and supporting Japanese private-sector investment in the continent, Foreign Minister Seiji Maehara said Wednesday.

"Africa, in the process of recovering from the global economic crisis, is attracting increasing attention from Japanese companies," Maehara told representatives from 37 African nations that have diplomatic missions in Tokyo.

Specifically, the minister said Tokyo is set to extend cooperation for development of energy resources, construction of regionwide infrastructure and liberalization and expansion of trade and investment in the continent.

Maehara said he will host a ministerial meeting in Africa this year to follow up on the fourth session of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development, a forum to discuss Japan's commitment to African development held in May 2008.

Kan not a quitter, wife assures

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011

By NATSUKO FUKUE

Staff writer

Prime Minister Naoto Kan will not step down despite his low public support rate, his wife and "adviser," Nobuko, said Wednesday.

Stands by her man: Nobuko Kan, whose husband, Naoto, is the prime minister, speaks at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo on Wednesday. YOSHIAKI MIURA PHOTO

"The public opinion poll is a kind of bullying. So quitting because he was criticized? I don't want that to happen," Nobuko Kan said at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo.

"The support rate won't go below zero anyway," said the 65-year-old, who is known for her witty, blunt way of speech.

But she added that if there is any specific policy goal the prime minister would risk his life for, it would be revitalizing the social welfare system.

"It's already broken. It cannot be maintained without debt," she said, adding her husband is very keen on making the system sustainable.

Raised by her politician mother, Nobuko Kan is known for being a harsh critic of the prime minister, who is also her cousin. She recently published the book "Anata ga Sori ni Natte nani ga Kawaru no?" ("What on Earth will Change in Japan now that you have become Prime Minister?"), which questioned his ability to lead the country.

Born in 1945 in Okayama Prefecture, she grew up in a small town and lived there until she turned 18. She then moved to Tokyo to attend university, and later moved into the home of her future spouse. The two married after graduation in 1970.

Since her husband decided to run for the Lower House in 1976, she has been supporting him by knocking on the doors of voters in his electoral district and directly listening to their concerns.

She said she has been unable to do so since she moved into the Prime Minister's Official Residence, but vowed to again do so starting in February for nationwide gubernatorial, mayoral and assembly elections scheduled for April.

A tough year awaits the prime minister, with a "twisted" Diet after the Democratic Party of Japan-led ruling bloc lost its Upper House majority in the July election.

In the previous extraordinary Diet session last year, the prime minister was bombarded with tough comments from opposition forces. His wife said he needs to learn how to take the harsh criticism.

Kan to reveal new Cabinet lineup Friday

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011

DPJ leadership hit over Ozawa sideshow

By KANAKO TAKAHARA and JUN HONGO

Staff writers

Prime Minister Naoto Kan is preparing to reshuffle his Cabinet and the ruling Democratic Party of Japan's executive lineup Friday, DPJ sources said Wednesday.

Kan hopes to have the Diet convene an ordinary session on Jan. 24, but it remains uncertain if the opposition camp, which outnumbers the DPJ-led bloc in the Upper House, will accept the plan.

The focus of the Cabinet reshuffle is on Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshito Sengoku, who has played a key role in coordinating major policy issues since Kan became prime minister in June. He and transport minister Sumio Mabuchi were dealt nonbinding censure motions in the opposition-controlled Upper House last year, and the opposition has threatened to boycott Diet deliberations on the budget if the two are still in the administration.

The shakeup comes on the heels of mounting discontent among DPJ ranks toward the party leadership. At a DPJ gathering Wednesday of lawmakers of both chambers in Tokyo, party members blasted Kan and party executives for engaging in a power struggle over scandal-tainted DPJ don Ichiro Ozawa instead offocusing on policy objectives.

The criticism came ahead of Thursday's party convention in Makuhari, Chiba Prefecture, but Wednesday's gathering ended without major dispute, to Kan's relief.

"At a time when we are facing tough steering in the divided Diet, who do you think is the enemy here?" asked DPJ lawmaker Harunobu Yonenaga, a close aide to Ozawa, who faces indictment over a funds scandal. "Do you consider Ichiro Ozawa a friend or foe?"

Yonenaga was referring to Kan and DPJ executives pressuring Ozawa to testify at the Lower House Political Ethics Council over his political funds scandal. Kan and party executives have said he should consider resigning as a lawmaker once he is charged.

"If the DPJ really wants to increase its momentum through local elections in April, why aren't we united?" asked Hiroshi Kawaguchi, whose electoral district includes Ibaraki Prefecture, where the party lost in the prefectural assembly poll last month.

Although Kan said he will create a "412-member-Cabinet" after he won the DPJ presidential race against Ozawa in September, meaning he will call for party unity, Kawaguchi said, "Not one of the party members feels that way."

Even rookie lawmakers who voted for Kan in September voiced discontent.

"Nobody wants the party to be riddled with internal strife," said Katsuhito Yokokume, a lawmaker from Kanagawa Prefecture. "What the DPJ needs is to achieve its policy goals."

Kan meanwhile said he will continue to pursue clean and transparent politics. "I am one of those who is craving for party unity," he said.

Ozawa allies remained dissatisfied after the gathering.

"(DPJ executives) are saying Ozawa bears political responsibility while dealing with the censure motions at their convenience," Upper House member Yuko Mori said.

Ozawa and his supporters want Sengoku and Mabuchi ousted in Friday's reshuffle.

"What Kan should do is reshuffle the Cabinet with the best members," said the DPJ's Makiko Tanaka, who was ousted as foreign minister in the once-ruling Liberal Democratic Party, apparently advocating the removal of Sengoku and Mabuchi.

With Jan. 24 confirmed, also by Sengoku on Wednesday, as the date of the Diet session start, Kan hopes to convene the Lower House Political Ethics Council on Jan. 25.

Ozawa's attendance before the panel became questionable after the daily Asahi Shimbun reported Wednesday that he had decided not to give unsworn testimony before the panel, an about-face from his earlier pledge to appear.

Ozawa wants to avoid having his testimony before the panel used against him in an upcoming trial after he is indicted later this month. His lawyer has advised against it.

Party executives agreed last month on a resolution urging Ozawa to attend the ethics panel if he fails to offer his testimony on a voluntary basis. Days after the decision, he said he would stand before the panel either after the budget clears the Diet or at the beginning of the Diet session.

The Jan. 25 date implies Kan has compromised with Ozawa to prod him to testify.

Information from Kyodo added

Bus Bomber 'Looked Nervous' Before Blast

12:36am UK, Thursday January 13, 2011

Rob Cole, Sky News Online

London bus bomber Hasib Hussain was sweating profusely and looked "nervous and exhausted" shortly before he blew himself up.

Witness Anita Dybek-Echtermeyer told the inquest into the 7/7 attacks she was struck by the 18-year-old's "bad manners".

Hussain killed 13 people when he detonated a rucksack packed with homemade explosives on the No30 bus in Tavistock Square.

He had planned to join his three fellow bombers in attacking a Tube train but was forced to take the bus at King's Cross station when the Underground was closed due to the blasts.

Tucson Shooting: Funeral For Nine-Year-Old

12:37am UK, Thursday January 13, 2011

Lulu Sinclair, Sky News Online

The funeral is taking place of Christina-Taylor Green, the nine-year-old who was one of six people who died in the Tucson shooting on Saturday.

The nine-year-old was born on 9/11, the day the twin towers were attacked

The little girl was born on September 11, 2001, the day of the attack on the Twin Towers in New York.

"It does say something about our society that my daughter was born on a tragic day, and she went out on a tragic day," her father John said earlier, fighting back tears.

The dark-haired, brown-eyed third-grader was one of 50 babies born on that date featured in a book called "Faces of Hope."

She had gone to the Tucson shopping mall with a neighbour to meet congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who remains in a critical condition after being shot in the head.

We made breakfast and said goodbye, saying: 'I love you daddy.' So beautiful - we had nine beautiful years with her.

John Green, father

Christina-Taylor was recently elected to the Mesa Verde Elementary School student council and had been interested in politics from a young age, said her father, who works as a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.

"She was a good speaker. I could have easily seen her as a politician," he told his local newspaper.

Christina-Taylor, her mother Roxanna said, also enjoyed singing in a church choir and earlier last year received her first Holy Communion as a Roman Catholic.

"She was all about helping people, and being involved. It's so tragic. She went to learn and then someone with so much hatred in their heart took the lives of innocent people."

Christina-Taylor had an 11-year-old brother named Dallas, with whom she loved to go swimming, the mother added.

Her father John Green talked of the last time he saw his daughter on Saturday morning, just before she left for the political event.

Christina-Taylor with her parents and older brother Dallas

"We made breakfast and said goodbye, saying: 'I love you daddy.' So beautiful - we had nine beautiful years with her."

Politicians in Arizona have approved an emergency law to stop members of a fundamentalist Kansas church from picketing the funeral service.

Members of the Westboro Baptist Church had declared their plan to picket the service because ''God sent the shooter to deal with idolatrous America''.

But a spokesman said church members would not protest at the funeral in exchange for airtime on two radio stations.

The church founder, Fred Phelps, had declared "God hates Catholics." Christina-Taylor's family are Catholic.

Voting To Begin In Oldham East By-Election

12:25am UK, Thursday January 13, 2011

Ruth Barnett, Sky News Online

Voters will go to the polls today in a hotly contested by-election in Oldham East and Saddleworth.

The result is expected in the early hours of Friday morning

The seat became vacant when an election court ruled the then-Labour MP Phil Woolas had lied about Liberal Democrat candidate Elwyn Watkins during the General Election campaign.

Two judges declared the result void, triggering the by-election.

Based on figures from the General Election, the constituency is considered a three-way marginal between Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.

All three leaders visited to lend support to their candidates.

China's peacekeepers mark Haiti quake anniversary

01-13-2011 08:59 BJT

China's peacekeeping police in Haiti on Wednesday paid tribute to fallen colleagues and other victims of the devastating earthquake that hit the Caribbean nation one year ago.

On the first anniversary of the earthquake that killed 220,000 people in Haiti, a solemn ceremony was held by the Chinese peacekeeping force on the rubbles of Hotel Christope, where eight Chinese police officers died in the earthquake of January 12, 2010.

"Today we are in the headquarters of the MINUSTAH where four peacekeepers and four officers died from the Police Ministry, which means that was a great lost in once of our police in their work aboard," China's permanent representative of the commercial development office of China, Wang Shupin, said at the ceremony.

A Chinese peacekeeper places photos of colleagues killed in Haiti earthquake on the debris of the headquarters of United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti(MINUSTAH) at a memorial in Port au Prince, Jan 12, 2010.(Xinhua Photo)

"We are going to keep in our memory for every their names, and we are going to take them as an example to continue their work to protect the peace," Wang said.

Following Wang's speech, the Chinese peacekeepers sang the Chinese national anthem and several officers placed wreaths in the place as a sign to honor and remember their colleagues.

A long black poster was also presented at the scene: "Remember our peacekeepers with our deepest sympathies."

Diplomats and members of the Chinese community in Haiti also attended the ceremony.

Officer Gao Song, who was visibly moved, told Xinhua that the ceremony was "sad" because of the biggest loss in the history of this contingent, "but at the same time, it makes me feel proud to be here."