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Sunday, September 28, 2008

Four people have been arrested on terrorism charges in Islington, London, England, after a suspected petrol bombing on the house of Martin Rynja, owner of book publishing company Gibson Square.

His company recently sparked controversy after buying the rights to publish The Jewel of Medina, a work of fiction by Sherry Jones depicting the Muslim prophet Muhammad and his child bride, Aisha.

The bombing, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, led to the evacuation of the £2.5 million property in Lonsdale Square. Three men, aged 22, 30 and 40, were arrested at 2:25am BST by armed officers, two in Lonsdale Square, and one after being stopped near Angel tube station.

Police comments suggested that the trio had been under surveillance, and that they had advance knowledge of the plot and simply waited for the arsonists to strike, before arresting them.

On Saturday, a woman was arrested for obstructing police during their searches of four addresses – two in Walthamstow, and two in Ilford and Forest Gate.

Speaking earlier this month, Mr Rynja said that “The Jewel of Medina has become an important barometer of our time. As an independent publishing company, we feel strongly that we should not be afraid of the consequences of debate.” Ms Jones commented that she did not intend for her novel to be offensive to Islam. She noted that she “[has] deliberately and consciously written respectfully about Islam and Muhammad.” She “envisaged that [her] book would be a bridge builder” between Islam and the western world.

Thursday, March 16, 2006

Anti-war demonstrators in Sydney, Australia on Thursday dubbed U.S. Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice a “war criminal” and “murderer.” Two protesters were evicted and five people were arrested during protests against the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.

Dr Rice, on a three-day trip to Australia, said she understood why people found it hard to be positive about Iraq when all they saw on their television screens was violence.

Soon after Rice began her speech at the University of Sydney’s Conservatorium of Music, two protesters shouted from the rear of the auditorium, “Condoleezza Rice, you are a war criminal,” and “Iraqi blood is on your hands and you cannot wash that blood away.” Standing with their palms towards her, the young man and woman repeated their accusation until security intervened to remove them from the hall.

About 15 minutes into Rice’s address, a third protester appeared at a balcony door, interrupting her speech as she referred to freedom. “What kind of freedom are you talking about? You are a murderer,” said the demonstrator before he was quietly escorted from the hall. “I’m very glad to see that democracy is well and alive here at the university,” she said.

In her speech, Rice sought to justify the U.S. occupation of Iraq, describing Iraqis as now more free. One student asked about abuses committed by U.S. forces at the Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. She said the abuses had made her “sick to her stomach.” However, she defended Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where human rights groups say detainees are held in inhumane conditions and in detention flouting international laws.

Before Rice began her speech, about 50 protesters were gathered at the front gates of the Conservatorium. The group were confronted by police on horseback and by police dogs. Police used the horses to charge into the group of activists and push them back, as a police helicopter hovered.

A police spokeswoman said the group was blocking pedestrian access to the building and that police had spent more than 20 minutes warning them to move. The police then moved in and pushed the crowd back 20 metres. Police say five people have been charged with “hindering police in the execution of their duties.”

The “Stop the War Coalition” says Rice is a “war criminal” and is not welcome in Australia. The group’s spokeswoman, Anna Samson, says the protest is one of many planned in the lead-up to the third anniversary of the invasion and occupation of Iraq on March 20.

Paddy Gibson, from the University of Sydney’s Student’s Council, says the protest is in opposition to the Iraq war, and to the use of the University of Sydney’s campus to host Rice, “the most powerful woman in the world,” who they say is a war criminal. “They’re saying, ‘… you’ve got Sydney Uni’s support to stand up and peddle your murderous hate speeches,’ which is what we see it,” he said.

“You’ve got 180,000 people killed, as we said, for no other reason than strategic control of the region’s oil resources. And the anti-Muslim racism that’s been whipped up to justify this war is being felt by Sydney University students,” said Mr Gibson.

Saturday, June 7, 2008

The Daily Star, a tabloid newspaper in the United Kingdom, has paid an undisclosed amount of libel damages to Ozzy Osbourne stemming from an inaccurate representation of his appearance at the Brit Awards.

Osbourne, famous for both his solo rock career and fronting the heavy metal band Black Sabbath, was hosting the show alongside wife Sharon and children Jack and Kelly. In an ensuing Star article titled “Ozzy Freak Show”, the 59-year old was portrayed as suffering from health problems that rendered his ability to host the show questionable.

The article claimed that he had collapsed twice before the show began, prompting the show’s organisers to enter emergency talks debating whether Osbourne was fit to continue as planned or instead should be withdrawn and hospitalised. It also reported that the singer had used an electric buggy to move around behind the scenes and had been designated a place to sit in case he felt tired. All of these allegations were found to be false.

At the settlement in London’s High Court, at which the Osbournes were not present, Kate Wilson, representing Express Newspapers, apologised for the article and accepted that it should never have been published. Express Newspapers owns the Daily Star.

Osbourne says that the money will go to his wife’s charity, the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program.

Saturday, July 8, 2006

Two goals from Bastian Schweinsteiger and his assist on a Petit own goal won bronze for Germany in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Saturday.

The excitement began in the second half when the hosts who had captain Michael Ballack missing through injury got three goals in 20 minutes from the right boot of the 21-year-old Bayern Munich left midfielder.

Schweinsteiger was dropped by coach Jurgen Klinsmann from his semi-final line up against Italy, a game Germany lost while Schweinsteiger was on the field late in extra time, won the third-place playoff game on his own with two individual efforts from 30 yards.

Twice Schweinsteiger cut in from the left and fired right-footed at the net; twice he beat Ricardo. The first beat the Portuguese with pace over his head; the second swerved away to the keeper’s left.

An own goal from a free kick 30 yards out from the left side of the penalty box netted what proved to be the game-winning goal. Driven low across goal it connected with Petit’s knee and Ricardo could not stop it going in.

Portugal were strong in possession but lacked punch in attack; unable to convert 57 per cent possession into goals. Pauleta had two clear chances from 15 yards but both times hit tame shots that did not trouble Oliver Kahn.

Kahn, FIFA player of the tournament at the 2002 World Cup, captained the side on his first appearance for Germany at the 2006 World Cup. After substitutions the host nation had used all outfield players in the squad in the competition.

Portugal were to get a consolation goal with help of substitute Luis Figo, who made his 127th and final cap for the Port shirts.

The veteran right winger almost immediately provided the precise distribution needed to unlock the German defence. A cross from the ring wing on 75 minutes found fellow substitute Nuno Gomes at the far post, who dived in for the consolation goal.

Ronaldo jeers

In the match the Portuguese left winger Christiano Ronaldo was booed and jeered each time he got the ball by a section of the 52’000 crowd.

During the tournament the player had gained a reputation for being a showman but a bad sportsman guilty foul simulation (diving). The allegations made by players and media were denied by Ronaldo and his coach Luiz Felipe Scholari.

However it seemed to affect his performance. By the end of the match Ronaldo’s famous multiple step-overs were gone although he remained dangerous with three out of four shots on target.

FIFA Young Player of the Tournament

German striker Lukas Podolski before the match was named by FIFA as Young Player of the Tournament. He scored three goals during Germany’s run to the bronze.

Oliver Kahn retires

Oliver Kahn, 37, captained the German team for the occasion and stated after the game that he would retire from international football. Kahn was popular with the German fans in the arena and cheered by the Stuttgart crowd for almost every touch.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Peter Costello, Australian treasurer and the man most likely to succeed Prime Minister John Howard as Liberal party leader has thrown his support behind a nuclear power industry in Australia.

Mr Costello said that when nuclear power generation becomes economically viable, Australia should pursue its use. “If it becomes commercial, we should have it. That is, there’s no in-principle objection to nuclear energy” Mr Costello said.

Mr Costello said that nuclear energy was clean and safe, provided waste was dealt with. “Nuclear energy is an efficient form of energy. Provided you deal properly with the waste, then it’s safe,”

“It has much less greenhouse emissions than coal.” Mr Costello said.

Long time environmentalist and Labor party member for Kingsford Smith, Peter Garrett said that the government were only discussing nuclear energy to cover up its inaction on climate change.

“When really, when you look seriously at what is going on here, Australia needs to make a decision about why we are not addressing climate change and find those necessary alternatives that will make up the energy mix” he said.

Mr Garrett said that it was a “farce” that PM Howard leaves the US and suddenly becomes pro-nuclear. “It’s more than hypocritical, it’s a farce for the Prime Minister to come back from America and suddenly become born again for nukes” he said.

Federal Environment Minister, Ian Campbell rejected Mr Garrett’s claims that the government has ignored climate change and renewable energy, but said that nuclear power needed to be considered. He denied that the debate on nuclear power is a cover-up.

“We need to look at all of the options, not have this false debate about renewables versus coal or coal versus nuclear” he said.

“We need everything and we need to do it very well and that’s how we will secure Australia’s future.” Mr Campbell said.

The federal opposition’s environment spokesperson, Anthony Albanese said today that Mr Howard’s viewws were stuck in the past and were not in the best interests of Australia.

However, Mr Albanese said Mr Howard’s views were retrospective and not in Australia’s best interest.

“This is classic John Howard whether it be the GST, whether it be the extreme industrial relations agenda, or whether it be this nuclear fantasy which will become Australia’s nightmare – John Howard always returns to the past” Mr Albanese said.

“For John Howard to say that there hasn’t been a debate on nuclear energy would suggest that he went to sleep in the 50s and he’s just woken up.”

Mr Albanese claims that the high cost and safety concerns surrounding nuclear energy outweighed any benefits. “The problems of cost, safety, waste disposals and nuclear proliferation in the climate of terrorism are more acute today than they’ve ever been.” he said.

Monday, April 24, 2006

Investors are rushing to fund new ventures in renewable energy as Americans continue to see rising gasoline prices at the pump. The price for crude oil continues to rise to new record highs ($75 per barrel of crude oil on NYMEX as of Friday’s close). According to the results of a survey reported by the San Francisco Gate, in the 1st Quarter of 2006 investments in the clean technology sector has increased by 13% to $3.36 Billion in the US. In addition to attracting venture capital, clean technology companies are receiving a buzz from high profile investors.

Bill Gates, Founder of Microsoft, announced last week that his venture group (Cascade Investments) initiated the purchase of 25.5% ownership in Pacific Ethanol Inc. Pacific Ethanol is an ethanol production company that plans to expand operations by opening a new facility in California. Gates is not alone in high profile investments into the clean energy market, Bob Metcalfe (Founder of 3COM and Inventor of Ethernet), who acts as the managing partner of Polaris Ventures, announced the VC’s first investment into the energy market. Polaris, which manages over $3 Billion in funds, invested $6.8 million into GreenFuel Technologies Corporation of Cambridge, MA. GreenFuel Technologies is an emissions to biofuels company, that utilizes natural algae in their patented bioreactors to turn greenhouse gas emissions from power plants into rich bio fuel. Polaris’s investment into GreenFuel was part of the company’s $18 Million Series B financing round that also included a high profile venture capital investor: Draper Fisher Jurvetson. When asked about the new industry venture, Bob Metcalfe said, “Energy has got to be one of the top five problems the world faces, and it’s been frustrating to watch activists and politicians fail to solve the problem,…Now it’s time for the entrepreneurs and scientists to give it a try.”

According to the International Energy Association, demand for renewable energy fuels will more than quadruple in the next decade. The current jump in oil prices is fueling investment into this relatively new market as investors view clean technology as an emerging opportunity rather than a public relations campaign. As gasoline prices continue to rise, alternative fuels become respectively cheaper and more attractive. In his latest State of the Union Address, President Bush outlined a plan to direct new investment into ethanol production and other clean technologies. According to a poll conducted by CBS News, Americans now see gas prices as one of their top three main concerns. With pressure coming from constituents, politicians are beginning to exert pressure on new spending on renewable technology to promote energy independence. Yet another front in this debate is that of environmental concern. With global warming on the rise, and many European governments eagerly searching for a Carbon Dioxide solution, the promise of reducing these emissions by 46% (as claimed by GreenFuel’s bio reactor system) begins to resonate as a promising environmental and business opportunity.

Monday, July 11, 2011

The cleaning crew of JetBlue Airways found a stun gun in the back pocket of a seat on a Boston-Newark flight in Newark, New Jersey. The gun was reported to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, then handed over to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Transportation Security Administration, who is responsible for investigating how the weapon came aboard the aircraft despite intensive security screenings.

“Obviously it got on the plane somehow,” said FBI spokesperson Bryan Travers. “Did it get smuggled through security? Was it brought on some other way? That’s why it’s under investigation.”

The FBI have also said that the passenger that was sitting directly in front of the pocket was identified, but has not yet directly tied the passenger to the stun gun, which was described as a covert cellphone type that resembled a smartphone. A K-9 unit inspected the plane for further contraband, but found nothing. There was no indication that the gun was to be used in an attack.