Sunday, 27 February 2011

Facebook helps in catching thief


Press Trust Of India
Houston, February 27, 2011
First Published: 09:32 IST(27/2/2011)
Last Updated: 10:00 IST(27/2/2011)

After making a name in catching up friends online, Facebook has now helped in apprehending a thief at a shopping mall near Massachusetts. Swansea Police said that 25-year-old Daniel Boyce has been charged with stealing money from the Regal Cinemas at the Swansea Mall. The surveillance camera caught the youth stealing money from the register when it was left unattended.

The theatre clerk, however, helped police find the suspect. He was able to match the surveillance photos with the alleged ones he found on Facebook account of the thief.

Police were then able to find Boyce and arrest him.

He was arraigned on Friday morning and held on $ 1,000 cash bail. If convicted he could face up to two-and-a-half years in prison.

Fine Gael In Pole Position After Ireland Vote


12:42am UK, Sunday February 27, 2011

The first results have started to come in as counting continues in Ireland's general election, with opposition leader Enda Kenny on course to be the country's new leader.

Enda Kenny

Enda Kenny after casting his vote

The chief of the Fine Gael party looks set to lead the next government, possibly in coalition with Labour.

Early results showed ruling Fianna Fail looked set for a humiliating defeat, which would make it the first eurozone government to be brought down by the debt crisis.

Mr Kenny was elected on the first count in Co Mayo with 17,472 votes, making him the biggest vote-getter in the country.

An exit poll for state broadcaster RTE indicated his main opposition party would win 36.1% of first preference votes under Ireland's system of proportional representation.

Launching a fierce attack on the outgoing government earlier, Mr Kenny said his first priority was to tell the world that Ireland would be on a new track under Fine Gael, whose focus is to create jobs.

"I intend to send out a clear message around the world that this country has given my party a massive endorsement to provide stable and strong government with a clear agenda," he said.

"That's absolutely critical."

Outgoing premier Brian Cowen said he accepted "full responsibility" for decisions
taken in government, while Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin said he believed that Fine Gael had managed to secure support from floating voters.

The Labour Party, Fine Gael's traditional partner in government, is expected to secure 20.5% of the vote, which would be its best ever electoral performance.

Labour had early reason to celebrate, with the first declared seat going to the party's finance spokeswoman Joan Burton in Dublin West.

TEST IRELAND Irish Taoiseach To Announce New Cabinet After Five Ministers Resign

Brian Cowen said he accepted 'full responsibility' for decisions in government

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore was also elected on the first count in Dun Laoghaire with 11,468 votes.

"This is the first election in the history of the state that the Labour Party is going to emerge as the second largest," Mr Gilmore said.

It is the Republic's first election since it accepted a multi-billion pound bailout from the International Monetry Fund (IMF) and the European Union.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has clung on in Dublin and, after securing his seat, he said: "The Government has taken a hammering at the polls.

"I will do everything I can to rebuild the party and to be responsible opposition in the Dail."

There are more than 550 candidates running in 43 constituencies for 165 of the 166 seats, as the parliamentary speaker Seamus Kirk is automatically returned.

Enda Kenny

Enda Kenny cast his vote in Castlebar, Co Mayo

Gerry Adams also secured his Sinn Fein seat in Louth on the first count with more than 15,000 votes.

The ruling Fianna Fail party is tipped to win just 15.1% of first preference votes - its worst-ever result.

Across the country polling officers reported bigger numbers casting ballots during Friday, with the strong interest continuing until close at 10pm.

Around three million people - 70% of the electorate - are believed to have voted.

Polling stations opened at 7am on Friday with party leaders voting early in their constituencies.

Voting on islands off the west coast took place over the latter part of the week, with the Aran Islands off Galway taking to the polls on Thursday.

They saw a turnout around the mid-70% mark.

Hot Spots: Unrest Continues In Arab World

9:38pm UK, Saturday February 26, 2011

Katie Cassidy, Sky News Online

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi appears determined to cling to power in Libya despite the growing opposition to his 40-year rule.


The United Nations has called for urgent action to stem the violence and is considering sanctions as Barack Obama froze the US assets of the Gaddafi family.

Some 1,000 people are now believed to have been killed during the unrest as the regime seeks to stamp out dissent.

Sky News has met the family of an 11-year-old Libyan girl killed by Gaddafi's forces during clashes in the eastern town of Al Bayda.

The Foreign Office has warned any British citizens still in Libya to try to get on board the last Government-chartered flight due to leave Tripoli later today.

Frigate HMS Cumberland docked in Malta overnight with 68 Britons who had travelled from Libya's second city of Benghazi.

Explore the unrest spreading in the Middle East

Unrest in other parts of the Arab world is also continuing.

:: Tunisia

Three people have been killed in clashes between Tunisian security forces and youths rioting in central Tunis, an Interior Ministry official said on Saturday.

The rally in the country's capital Tunis appeared to be the biggest since an uprising there forced Zine al Abidine Ben Ali from office on January 14.

Soldiers fired shots into the air in an attempt to disperse the tens of thousands of people demanding changes to the interim government.

The protesters want the now prime minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, former ally of Ben Ali, removed from his position.

:: Yemen

Reports said four people were dead and 40 others injured after police shot at protesters on Friday night.

Thousands of anti-government demonstrators again took to the streets in the capital Sanaa and the port city of Aden.

They continue to call for an end to president Ali Abdullah Saleh's 32-year rule.

Up to 21 people have now been killed in the country this month due to the political unrest.

Young boy at protests in Yemeni capital Sanaa

Anti-government protests were held after Friday prayers in Yemen's capital Sanaa

:: Bahrain

A prominent Shi'ite opposition leader was on his way back to Bahrain after months of voluntary exile in London.

Hassan Mushaima was returning to join the protest movement that has been centred at the Pearl roundabout in the capital Manama.

Bahrain's foreign minister said Mr Mushaima, who was among 25 people charged over an alleged plot to overthrow the country's Sunni rulers, has been pardoned.

As a result, he has been allowed to return home to join a national dialogue between protesters and the government.

Thousands of demonstrators were left alone by security forces in Manama on Friday in one of the biggest demonstrations since unrest erupted 10 days earlier.

:: Iraq

Two teenagers who took part in anti-government protests on Friday have died, according to reports.

Thousands of people marched on government buildings and clashed with security forces in cities across the country.

The "Day of Rage" was organised to voice anger over corruption, unemployment and failing public services from the Shi'ite-dominated government.

Elsewhere, another four people were killed in an attack by militants on Iraq's largest oil refinery.

Explosives were set off at the site in Beiji, located 155 miles north of Baghdad, sparking a fire that forced authorities to shut down production.

It took 50 fire trucks up to five hours to bring the blaze under control.

The damaged part of the refinery usually produces around 150,000 barrels per day.

:: Egypt

As the country continues to rebuild following the fall of former president Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's constitutional amendment committee has proposed reducing the presidential term to four years and a maximum of two terms.

The current presidential term is six years without any limit on the number of terms. The constitutional amendments are to be put to a national referendum

Mubarak had held the position since 1981.

New Zealand earthquake death toll reaches 145


2011-02-26 09:53:28 GMT2011-02-26 17:53:28(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

WELLINGTON, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- The confirmed death toll from the New Zealand Christchurch earthquake rose to 145 on Saturday evening, while the number of missing people remains at more than 200.

Superintendent Dave Cliff said at a media briefing on Saturday evening that more deaths have been confirmed on Saturday afternoon and a temporary mortuary had been set up at Burnham military camp to identify bodies.

Thirty family liaison teams have been contacting families in New Zealand and overseas.

Officials said Christchurch central city will be closed for months, and in the meantime patrols would monitor the area round the clock.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said that of the 1,000 buildings within the city's four avenues, just 600 were safe to enter.

Between 200 and 250 buildings had been issued with a red sticker, meaning they are unsafe to enter. Some may be in danger of imminent collapse.

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key spent Saturday in the city, meeting search and rescue workers and victims' families.

He said the earthquake might be New Zealand's single most tragic event, and called on New Zealanders to stop and remember those who lost their lives, along with the hundreds who are mourning family and friends.

Key said the government would release an economic support package for Christchurch people on Monday.

Beijing embraces third snowfall this year

2011-02-26 07:18:57 GMT2011-02-26 15:18:57(Beijing Time) Xinhua English

A sanitation worker cleans snow at Old Summer Palace in Beijing, capital of China, on Feb. 26, 2011. Beijing witnessed a snowfall Saturday morning. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

A sanitation worker cleans snow at Old Summer Palace in Beijing, capital of China, on Feb. 26, 2011. Beijing witnessed a snowfall Saturday morning. (Xinhua/Weng Xinyang)

Photo taken on Feb. 26, 2011 shows snow covered Wumen gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing, capital of China. Beijing witnessed a snowfall Saturday morning. (Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

People clean snow at the Forbidden City in Beijing, capital of China, on Feb. 26, 2011. Beijing witnessed a snowfall Saturday morning.(Xinhua/Shen Bohan)

A photographer shoots a snow-covered statue in Beijing, capital of China, on Feb. 26, 2011. Beijing witnessed a snowfall Saturday morning. (Xinhua/He Junchang)

A pedestrian walks in snow in Beijing, China, early on Feb. 26, 2011. Beijing witnessed a snowfall Saturday. (Xinhua/Fan Jiashan)

BEIJING, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- Moderate snow fell in Beijing Saturday morning, bringing some relief to the droughty Chinese capital in the past winter.

The snow, with an average precipitation of 2.7 mm in the entire region of the municipality and 1.9 mm in the downtown area, began at around 2 a.m Saturday. Snowfall would go on and off over the weekend, resulting in the longest snowy weather of this winter in Beijing, a spokesman with the city's weather bureau said Saturday.

Precipitation in some suburban areas reached 10.2 mm, the heaviest the city had seen so far this winter, he added.

The highest temperature in daytime would be pulled down eight degrees Celsius to reach two or three degrees Celsius, and the lowest temperature would drop to four degrees below zero during the weekend, said the spokesman.

This is the third snow Beijing has embraced this year, with the first one falling on Feb. 9, the latest first snow for the city in 60 years.

The moderate precipitation would help alleviate drought in Beijing, as the city had not seen any precipitation for 108 days before the first snow two weeks ago, said Guo Jinlan, chief weatherman of the bureau.

Snowfall together with strong winds also helped dissipate the haze that had shrouded the city for four days and greatly improved air quality, according to the municipal bureau of environmental protection.

Heavy fog had enveloped Beijing earlier this week. With the visibility of around one kilometer, the city's air pollution had been measured as the most hazardous level this year.

Largest crowds since Vietnam War march in Wisconsin

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MADISON, Wisconsin | Sun Feb 27, 2011 12:03am EST

MADISON, Wisconsin (Reuters) - A crowd estimated at more than 70,000 people on Saturday waved American flags, sang the national anthem and called for the defeat of a Wisconsin plan to curb public sector unions that has galvanized opposition from the American labor movement.

In one of the biggest rallies at the state Capitol since the Vietnam War, union members and their supporters braved frigid temperatures and a light snowfall to show their displeasure.

The mood was upbeat despite the setback their cause suffered earlier this week when the state Assembly approved the Republican-backed restrictions on union collective bargaining rights over fierce Democratic objections.

"I'm deeply honored to be here with you," said Peter Yarrow, a veteran of many social protests during his 50-year folk music career and a founding member of the group Peter, Paul and Mary. "If you persist, you will prevail."

What began two weeks ago as a Republican effort in one small U.S. state to balance the budget has turned into a confrontation with unions that could be the biggest since then President Ronald Reagan fired striking air traffic controllers nearly 30 years ago.

Republicans still must push the measure through the state Senate, which has been unable to muster a quorum for a vote because of a Democratic boycott.

If the plan is approved in Wisconsin, a number of other states where Republicans swept to victory in the 2010 elections could follow. Already, other legislatures including Ohio, Indiana, Iowa, Idaho, Tennessee, and Kansas are working on union curbs.

Unlike previous protests, the rally on Saturday brought out thousands of union workers not directly affected by the bill, including the state's firefighters, exempted along with police from the Republican proposal. Dozens of private sector unions were represented as well at the event.

No "Tea Party" supporters of the proposal championed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker were spotted on Saturday. They staged a smaller rally of their own in Madison a week ago.

PARTY ATMOSPHERE

The rally felt more like a party than a protest.

"This is one of the largest sustained protests we have seen in Madison since the Vietnam War. And to my knowledge there were absolutely no problems," Madison Police spokesman Joel DeSpain said.

Scott Sumer, a teacher from Rockford, Illinois, just south of the Wisconsin state line, said he hoped the sustained and broad-based opposition to the Wisconsin bill would discourage lawmakers in other states from considering similar measures.

"Other governors are going to see this and think, 'I don't want to go there.'" Sumer said. "The tenacity of this movement and civility here are impressive."

Demonstrators chanted "Hey hey, ho ho, Scott Walker has got to go," as they stood directly under the office window of the state's new governor, who introduced the controversial measure as part of a budget deficit cutting bill that is moving in the Wisconsin legislature.

The stakes are high for labor because more than a third of U.S. public employees such as teachers, police and civil service workers belong to unions while only 6.9 percent of private sector workers are unionized. Unions are the biggest single source of funding for the Democratic party.

Some of the demonstrators carried signs, others pushed baby carriages, and others walked with their dogs by their sides.

The overwhelming anti-Walker sentiment of the demonstration was telegraphed in many ways, including a sign that read: "Scott Walker for President ... of Libya."

U.S. labor groups also staged rallies across the country to show solidarity with Wisconsin in fighting the proposal they see as trying to break the union movement.

BETTER WEATHER

Wearing thick outerwear and her 10-month-old son strapped to her belly, Tamarine Cornelius, 36, carried a sign that read "If Wisconsin is gonna become Mississippi than I am gonna want better weather."

"I understand that there are tough times ahead, things are going to be difficult no matter what. I think most people understand that," said Cornelius, who works for the non-profit Wisconsin Council on Children and Families.

People in the state capital of Madison, which is home to unionized state government agencies and the University of Wisconsin, are overwhelmingly opposed to the governor's plan. But Republicans said they believe there is a silent majority who voted Walker into office, and support the efforts.

Republicans appeared defiant in the face of the union protests. In Phoenix, potential Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty, a former governor of Minnesota, a neighbor of Wisconsin, drew applause from "Tea Party" activists when he blasted President Barack Obama for supporting the Wisconsin unions.

"It says in the Constitution: 'In order to form a more perfect Union.' ... Mr. President, that does not mean coddling out of control public employee unions," he told some 2,000 partisans gathered for a conference.

The Wisconsin changes sought by Walker would make state workers contribute more to health insurance and pensions, end government collection of union dues, let workers opt out of unions and require unions to hold recertification votes every year. Collective bargaining would be allowed only on wage increases up to the rate of inflation.

(Reporting by James Kelleher, David Bailey and Stefanie Carano in Madison; Additional reporting by Tim Gaynor in Phoenix; Editing by Greg McCune)

Malaysia set for Asia's first Legoland next year

27 February 2011 - 05H00


A scale model of the Legoland Malaysia theme park on display in sourthern state of Johor Bahru. Asia's first Legoland theme park is on track to open next year in southern Malaysia, its builder said, as the region goes all out to lure tourists with a series of big ticket attractions.
A scale model of the Legoland Malaysia theme park on display in sourthern state of Johor Bahru. Asia's first Legoland theme park is on track to open next year in southern Malaysia, its builder said, as the region goes all out to lure tourists with a series of big ticket attractions.
A Lego replica of a local mosque in Malaysia for the Legoland Malaysia theme park at the model building centre in sourthern state of Johor Bahru.
A Lego replica of a local mosque in Malaysia for the Legoland Malaysia theme park at the model building centre in sourthern state of Johor Bahru.
Lego model builder Ahmad Syauqi, 24, makes a bottle for the Legoland Malaysia theme park at the model building centre in sourthern state of Johor Bahru.
Lego model builder Ahmad Syauqi, 24, makes a bottle for the Legoland Malaysia theme park at the model building centre in sourthern state of Johor Bahru.

AFP - Asia's first Legoland theme park is on track to open next year in southern Malaysia, its builder said, as the region goes all out to lure tourists with a series of big ticket attractions.

Earthmovers have flattened a vast expanse of oil palm-covered hills to make way for the 76-acre (31-hectare) Legoland Malaysia, one of the main attractions of a new city and economic zone called Iskandar Malaysia.

The park, which will offer 40 rides, shows and displays of the famous Lego toy bricks of Denmark, is just across a waterway from Singapore, which opened Southeast Asia's first Universal Studios entertainment complex in 2010.

Zainal Ashikin Muhammad, chief executive of IDR Resorts, the builder of Legoland Malaysia, said the new park will complement Universal Studios Singapore rather than compete with it for custom.

"Is there a saturation of theme parks? In this region, no. There's still a lot of growth for theme park development," he said during a recent media tour organised by Iskandar Malaysia.

European visitor attractions operator Merlin Entertainments, whose stable includes Madame Tussauds, the London Eye and SEA LIFE, has been roped in to operate Legoland Malaysia.

When completed, Legoland Malaysia will be the sixth of its kind in the world after those in Denmark, Britain, California, Florida and Germany.

Zainal said the Malaysian version will be one of three internationally branded theme parks that will operate by 2025 in the Iskandar region, in an ambitious project covering an area three times the size of Singapore.

With these theme parks, a 50-kilometre (30-mile) radius spanning Singapore and Iskandar will become like Orlando, Florida, which hosts Disneyland, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, Zainal said.

"That is what we aspire to be," Zainal told reporters.

"We have the natural resources, we have the land... This is a catalytic project."

He said the regional market is big enough for more theme parks, despite the presence of Universal Studios in Singapore, Disneyland in Hong Kong and smaller attractions by local players.

Singapore welcomed a record 11.6 million foreign visitors last year, up 20 percent from 2009, thanks largely to the lure of its two new casino resorts one of which has Universal Studios in its complex.

"Is there a saturation of theme parks? In this region, no. There's still a lot of growth for theme park development," Zainal said.

Wearing a hard hat under a hot sun, Zainal said the project has been progressing well since they broke ground in December 2009, building over an area of bushes and plant life.

Primary infrastructure, including roads, power substations and drainage systems, is about 50-60 percent complete, he said.

Construction of the main theme park will start in March, he said, adding that of the 720 million ringgit ($235 million) cost, 200 million ringgit in contracts have already been awarded.

The fabrication of the rides has begun overseas while the construction of the 15,000 Legoland model structures to be displayed at the park has started in Malaysia and abroad.

About 30 million Lego bricks will be used to build the model structures.

"Everything is in place," Zainal said. "Some rides are already here but majority will start to be shipped in July or August this year."

Siegfried Borst from Legoland Germany, who was recruited to help run the Malaysian version, told reporters it will offer the same rides and attractions available in Europe, but with an Asian touch.

The "miniland" displays will consist of Lego replicas of iconic buildings and structures in Asia, including Malaysia's Petronas Twin Towers, formerly the tallest building in the world, he said.

Because of the tropical weather, queueing areas in Legoland Malaysia will be covered, and the developer has ordered thousands of trees to be planted within the park grounds.

Borst said they are targeting at least a million visitors in the first year of operation.

"I'm pretty confident that we can live up to the standards that we have in the other Legoland parks as well," said the 20-year veteran in the theme park business.