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Jul 16, 2010

NASA - Schrödinger Impact Basin

Schrödinger impact basin

NASA - Apollo-Soyuz: An Orbital Partnership Begins

HTML clipboard But by the mid-70s things had changed. The U.S. had "won" the race to the Moon, with six Apollo landings between 1969 and 1972. Both nations had launched space stations, the Russian Salyut and American Skylab. With the Space Shuttle still a few years off and the diplomatic chill thawing, the time was right for a joint mission.

NASA - Giant Antenna Propped up and Ready for Joint Replacement

NASA's Deep Space Network communications site in Goldstone, Calif.

As the sun sets on July 8, 2010, workers prepare to pour new epoxy grout for the hydrostatic bearing assembly of the giant "Mars antenna" at NASA's Deep Space Network communications site in Goldstone, Calif. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

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YAHOO, Top Stories

FT.com / US / Economy & Fed - US Senate passes financial reform

FT.com / Europe - EU to appeal WTO ruling on aircraft subsidies

FT.com / Asia-Pacific - China offers vote of confidence in euro

Italian PM faces confidence vote

BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has won a confidence vote from the Senate as his approval rating falls dangerously low. The vote was on an unpopular 25 billion euro austerity package to get Italy's budget back in the black.
The survival of Berlusconi's government has been threatened by a corruption scandal and an open rift with his coalition partner Gianfranco Fini.
In Rome there were many disapproving voices.
Gianni Bozzi, Rome resident, said, "I hope this government will fall, I stand on the other side and I hope the vote will be against the survival of this government. I think this government should fall because there is too much talking and not enough doing."
It didn't fall as Berlusconi still commands a large majority in parliament.
Using the confidence vote to pass legislation also forces internal dissenters into line.
The austerity budget which includes pay cuts in the public sector and drastic reduction to regional funding is a trend across Europe.

Indian, Pakistani FMs end talks without breakthrough

Uganda police arrests 17 suspects of multiple bomb attacks in capital

Too early to sing praises of U.S. financial overhaul bill

 

People attend a press conference after a key vote on Wall Street accountability legislation on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., capital of the United States, July 15, 2010. The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to end debate on the historic financial overhaul, setting the stage for final approval of the landmark legislation. (Xinhua/Zhang Jun)
BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. senate on Thursday passed an ambitious financial overhaul bill, touted as the most comprehensive since the 1930s Great Depression and meant to prevent a rerun of the current devastating financial crisis.
The 2,300-page bill touches almost very corner of the ever-growing financial services industry, setting up strict rules on financial activities and establishing new measures to protect consumers.
U.S. Democratic Senator Christopher Todd claimed the bill would make sure "we never ever again go through what this nation has been through."

Hamas rebuffs Israel's plan to isolate Gaza

Chinese president meets German Chancellor

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Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Beijing, China, July 16, 2010. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)BEIJING, July 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao said Friday the frequent high-level meetings between China and Germany demonstrate the strength of the bilateral relationship.
Hu made the remarks when meeting with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Hu said he had met with Merkel three times since April, including a meeting at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.
"Your visit, very shortly after our three meetings, fully demonstrates the sound momentum of bilateral relations," said Hu.

Police lowers death toll of a hotel fire in northern Iraq to 29

 

 View of the fire-damaged Soma Hotel in the Iraqi northern city of Sulaimaniyah July 16, 2010. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq, July 16 (Xinhua) -- An officer from local police forces has lowered the death toll from a fire at a hotel Friday in Iraq's northern Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah back to 29, adding 21 others were also wounded.
Only 29 were dead and 21 others were wounded, a local police officer told Xinhua on condition of anonymity. The latest casualties have been confirmed by an official from the health office of Sulaimaniyah.

Britain Unveils Prototype of New Unmanned Aircraft Taranis (photo) - Pravda.Ru

Britain’s Ministry of Defense Unveiled £ 14 Million Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle-UK Ministry of Defense unleashed Taranis its first ever high-tech unmanned combat air system vehicle, which will be flown in 2011. This represents the first funded UCAV program of UK Ministry of Defense.

Britain’s Ministry of Defense Unveiled £ 14 Million Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle-UK Ministry of Defense unleashed Taranis its first ever high-tech unmanned combat air system vehicle, which will be flown in 2011. This represents the first funded UCAV program of UK Ministry of Defense.

Obama praises new BP cap, but urges caution

President Barack Obama makes a statement on the capping of the BP well in the Gulf, Friday, July 16, 2010, in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington,  (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)


Gaza aid ship unloads at Egyptian port


Workers load supplies on to a cargo ship at the Lavrio port, southeast of Athens, Greece, on Friday.
Workers load supplies on to a cargo ship at the Lavrio port, southeast of Athens, Greece, on Friday.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • NEW: A Libyan-backed ship carrying aid for Gaza unloads at the Egyptian port of Al Arish
  • The ship's captain is awaiting final approval to unload aid
  • The ship attempted to break an Israeli naval blockade of Gaza, but was diverted
  • Israeli soldiers killed nine activists aboard another aid ship in May
(CNN) -- A Libyan-backed ship carrying humanitarian goods for Gaza docked Thursday at Al Arish in northern Egypt and unloaded tons of aid from the Gadhafi Foundation, a charity headed by the son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.
The vessel reached Egypt after sailing from Greece on Saturday with 2,000 tons of aid. It was the latest ship attempting to breach an Israeli naval blockade of the Palestinian territory of Gaza whose captain was persuaded to dock elsewhere instead.
The aid includes food, medicine, and construction materials to be taken from the port to the Gaza border about 25 miles (42 km) away.

Philippines tropical storm death toll rises - CNN.com

Typhoon Conson strikes China - CNN.com

Senate passes financial-reform bill

ASSOCIATED PRESS CLOSE: Sen. Christopher J. Dodd looks on as Sen. Harry Reid proclaims victory for the financial-reform bill on Capitol Hill on Thursday after winning over three Republicans.
ASSOCIATED PRESS CLOSE: Sen. Christopher J. Dodd looks on as Sen. Harry Reid proclaims victory for the financial-reform bill on Capitol Hill on Thursday after winning over three Republicans.

NBC, CBS reject ad against ground zero mosque

STANDING THEIR GROUND: Protesters object to proposed construction of a mosque near ground zero. Three separate plans to build mosques in the city are being met with anger. (Associated Press)
STANDING THEIR GROUND: Protesters object to proposed construction of a mosque near ground zero. Three separate plans to build mosques in the city are being met with anger. (Associated Press)

Parents seek lessons with conservative slant

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOGRAPHS Tim Fairfield wears period clothing as he talks to children about the merits of free enterprise on the first night of a Vacation Liberty School in Georgetown, Ky., on Monday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOGRAPHS Tim Fairfield wears period clothing as he talks to children about the merits of free enterprise on the first night of a Vacation Liberty School in Georgetown, Ky., on Monday. "If we're going to take our country back, we've got to remember where we came from - not only as adults, but we need to teach our children," said Mr. Fairfield, one of the teachers.

Minor earthquake rattles the D.C. area - Washington Times

PRUDEN: With a whine and whimper, a presidency splits a seam

Bikinis in Moscow: Europe wilts in heat wave

People have rest in Kolomenskoye park in Moscow, Russia, Thursday, July 15, 2010. A heat wave hit central Russia, breaking temperature records going higher than 30 C (86 F) for at least two weeks. (AP Photo/Mikhail Metzel)
People have rest in Kolomenskoye park in Moscow, Thursday, July 15, 2010. A heat wave hit central

U.S. shifts control of last prison to Iraq

Associated Press Iraqi Minister of Justice Dara Noureddin speaks after the ceremony transferring the last U.S.-controlled prison to Iraqi authorities on Thursday in Baghdad. The shift marked a milestone in Iraq's push for complete sovereignty.

Associated Press Iraqi Minister of Justice Dara Noureddin speaks after the ceremony transferring the last U.S.-controlled prison to Iraqi authorities on Thursday in Baghdad. The shift marked a milestone in Iraq's push for complete sovereignty.

Vatican toughens rules on sexual abuse of children

Venezuelans charged in case of 'false' tweets

Gambia plotters get death penalty

Mandela turns 92 as S Africa basks in glory


South Africa's former President Nelson Mandela waves as he arrives to attend the World Cup match recently at Soccer City stadium in Soweto. Picture: AFP

US gives up last Iraqi prison

 

Detainees seen at the US detention facility at Camp Cropper in Baghdad, Iraq in this file photo. Picture: AP

Some 1,000 crime cases brim World Cup

Russia identifies killer of activist

Sudan expels two Darfur aid chiefs after Beshir charge

Sudan expels two Darfur aid chiefs after Beshir charge | The Brunei Times

Russia expects Iran nuke explanation

Abducted Iranian denies giving info

North Iraq hotel fire kills 29, half foreigners

Sunni group claims Iran mosque blast that killed 27

This picture released by Iran's official Islamic Republic News Agency shows the scene of the bomb blast in the city of Zahedan, 940 miles southeast of Tehran Thursday, July 15, 2010. (AP Photo/Islamic Republic News Agency, IRNA)


Malaysia makes first military deployment to Afghanistan

Grand affair at birthday banquet


(From Left) HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah, HRH Crown Prince Hj Al-Muhtadee Billah, His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Saleha, HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah, HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Hjh Zariah, HRH Prince Hj Jefri Bolkiah, HRH Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Norhayati. Picture: BT/Yusri Adanan

Satellite spots brightest super nova in the heavens

WASHINGTON
Friday, July 16, 2010
THE brightest explosion of a star ever seen temporarily blinded a satellite set up to watch such events, astronomers said on on Wednesday.
The gamma-ray burst and explosion of X-rays that followed came from a star that died five billion years ago, far beyond our own Milky Way galaxy, Nasa and British scientists said. It took this long for the radiation to reach the Swift orbiting observatory.
The bright X-ray burst blinded Swift on June 21, and the observatory's software ignored it as if it were an anomaly, the astronomers said.
"The intensity of these X-rays was unexpected and unprecedented," Neil Gehrels, Swift's principal investigator at Nasa's Goddard Space Flight Centre in Maryland.
Gehrels said the burst, named GRB 100621A, is the brightest X-ray source that Swift has detected since it started looking for them in 2005.
"Just when we were beginning to think that we had seen everything that gamma-ray bursts could throw at us, this burst came along to challenge our assumptions about how powerful their X-ray emissions can be," Gehrels said.
"The burst was so bright when it first erupted that our data-analysis software shut down," said Phil Evans of Britain's University of Leicester, who discovered the burst when he was going through some recorded data from Swift.
"So many photons were bombarding the detector each second that it just couldn't count them quickly enough. It was like trying to use a rain gauge and a bucket to measure the flow rate of a tsunami." When a star explodes, radiation travels at the speed of light in all directions. Gamma rays reach Earth first, followed by X-rays. This particular one was 140 times brighter than the brightest continuous X-ray source in the sky — a nearby neutron star. Reuters

Monarch establishes Monetary Authority of Brunei Darussalam | The Brunei Times



His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam flashes a smile during the birthday celebrations at the THSMOAS in the capital. Picture: BT/Rudolf Portillo

His Majesty's birthday banquet, Brunei




Fireworks display at Istana Nurul Iman light up the sky after His Majesty's birthday banquet. Picture: BT/Saifulizam

150-Strong Medical Team Provides First Aid At Taman , Brunei

Brunei News

    • Malay Indian conman rips off 40 firms

    Brunei News.Net A Malay Indian man, claiming to have connections with high-profile figures in India, has allegedly conned over 40 local companies with offers of contracts for large-scale government projects.
    • Improve civil service: Brunei Sultan

    General Sources IMPROVING the public service, accelerating national housing projects and strengthening religious education were among the main issues addressed in His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei ...
    • Kulczyk Oil Ventures Spuds Second Brunei Exploration Well

    General Sources On Friday July 16, 2010, 2:30 am EDT CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - 07/16/10) - Kulczyk Oil Ventures (WARSAW: KOV) announces that Lempuyang-1, the second onshore exploration well to be drilled in ...

Cook Islands, General News

Telecom OIA awaits ombudsman’s view
Snoppy looking for a home
Hundreds heading to Mangaia
Airvo already proving its worth
Atiu kai fundraiser to help with hostel
Super Fund reports a ‘fantastic’ year
Canada Day celebrations all go
Allpress gives keynote address
Mobility vehicle heading to Raro from Thames
Taking steps to safeguard culture
Locals undergo trauma training
Telecom OIA awaits ombudsman’s view
Snoppy looking for a home
Hundreds heading to Mangaia
Airvo already proving its worth
Atiu kai fundraiser to help with hostel
Super Fund reports a ‘fantastic’ year
Canada Day celebrations all go
Allpress gives keynote address
Mobility vehicle heading to Raro from Thames
Taking steps to safeguard culture
Locals undergo trauma training
Regional body starts work in Cooks
Ivaiti lists misconduct claims
CI Tours sending group to Mangaia
Youth back in prison
Childhood development vital
Tangi faces July 15 run-off
CIT upbeat despite smaller budget
Tourism job applicants put through exhaustive process
Technology researchers strengthen relationship
Cooks fisheries officers complete course
Panthers repel first challenge
Aroa and funds pour in for Aratoa
Calling Canadians
Obesity affects reproductive health
Early childhood educators gather
Run-off delay
Phone credit for all Aitutaki customers
‘Blackout’ possible today in Raro
Three more quit CI Tourism
Conference explores sexual issues
PND studied
Fire destroys tennis gear
Region’s media has new voice
Warm welcome for Sydney flight
Teen found unconscious
Southern Cross to chase eclipse
New party to announce reps this week
George and Glassie staying with CIP
Rotary names first woman president
Te Vaerua garage sale a success
Dame’s gift of memories given to the Cook Islands
Tourism’s sole NZ rep latest to quit
Short responds to Sholan’s implications
Beattie defends ‘impersonal’ complaint
Tourism awards 2011 set to go
Rotary confusion apology
SeaWeb signs on
Power loans expected to grow
Panthers ready to take on Warriors

Cook Islands, Top Stories

Toa appeal confirmed   
Debate over traditional medicine preservation
Vaka confirms Mangaia voyage
Beattie dispels flight rumours
New party from CIP fallout
Man jailed for rape
ON THE STREET
New Toa lawsuit against Triad
CIP plans injunction
John Henry picked for CIP Avatiu
Tests a success
Demos propose national seats
George fires at CIP executive
Helping keep Te Reo strong
Police investigate audit director
Call for further reform
Meyer to represent Cooks
CIP fighting defection rumours
$2.1m for illegal fishing

Sports, Cook Islands

Rugby action comes to town
Tennis players prepare for tourney
New U19 cricket league for women
Cricket umpires course a hit
Finals time at netball
U13 clash opens rugby weekend
Sports for NCEA credits
‘Historic’ netball finals clash
Rugby heavyweights meet today
Eels slip past Cowboys
Ace swimmers will be back for 2011 tri
Titikakeka Pearls reign supreme
Test and trial for under 19s
Samoa’s tennis stars ready for action
Tennis tourney off to top start
18 Optimists blessed for training
Tennis off to ace start
Basketball finals action
Women’s cricket the flavour of summer
Major boost for women’s cricket
Junior cricketers in training
Netball honours clubs and players
Slow start at Golden Oldies

Herman, Kenning triumph in Palm Grove tournament, Cook Islands

Maara Kenning.


The final round of the Palm Grove Golf Tournament last Saturday saw most of the second round leaders maintain their positions, but there were some good fight-backs during the day. In the senior men’s division, James Herman (212) extended his lead with the round of the day of 70 off the stick and win first prize, with Ned Howard (218) coming in second overall. Maara Kenning (243) extended her lead in the senior ladies’ by one stroke to gain first place ahead of Tuaine Marsters (249), with Margaret Taio not having a good day and slipping back in the field. For the intermediate men, first place went to Bruce Manuela (241) who improved his lead over second place getter Henry R Henry (245). Tai Raina and Jackie Urlich both carded the same score on the day so the placing remained the same for the intermediate ladies – first Tai Raina (275) and second Jackie Urlich (276).

No suspension for Allsworth, Cook Islands

Wilkie Rasmussen.


Wilkie Rasmussen. 10060756 Finance Minister Wilkie Rasmussen says it is premature to consider suspending director of audit Paul Allsworth following allegations of ‘criminal misconduct’ levelled by former financial secretary Sholan Ivaiti. Rasmussen, also minister for the Public Expenditure and Review Committee and Audit (PERCA), responded to CI News questions on Tuesday saying he prefers to wait and see what police will do with the complaint before considering actions such as suspension. In Ivaiti’s letter of complaint, dated June 25 and received by Rasmussen on Monday, he recommends Allsworth be suspended and a full independent investigation of his actions be undertaken.

Wristbands for travellers, Cook Islands

Travellers arriving on the first flight from Sydney will be given a green and yellow wristband (like the one below) which entitles them to special offers. Visitors will get a map which shows where the restaurants and shops offering discounts are. Outlets will track how much the wristbands are used to see if the promotion has been worthwhile. Beattie said that they will be planning a similar offer for the New Zealand market if uptake is good.

First Sydney Cook Islands flight fully booked

Carmel Beattie.

The new direct flight from Sydney has taken off with a bang, according to Cook Islands Tourism (CIT) chief executive Carmel Beattie.
The first direct flight from Sydney lands in Rarotonga on Sunday and is fully booked and flights all the way through July have “strong bookings, Beattie said.
She said that there has been a good reaction to the first round of media advertising in Australia, with bookings going up from 77 people in the week before advertising, to 208 in the week after.
“There was an initial rush of bookings and they have been growing steadily ever since,” she said. “What we have to do now is maintain our presence in the marketplace.”
The media campaigns were run jointly with seven tourism partners including Infinity, Qantas Vacations, and Stella. The ads promoted package deals which started at around AUD$1000 for six nights. Beattie said that they plan to continue promotional work with the four top performing tourism partners.

Cook Islands public health conference

Attendees of the 2010 Public Health Conference .  


Dr Wame Baravilala, the keynote speaker at the 10th annual Cook Islands public health conference, delivered a stark warning about diet.
“We need to stop overeating our way to an early grave,” he said at yesterday’s opening at the national auditorium.

Guam talent’s dream turns to ‘reality’ show, Guam

by Sweet One Gilliam

YOUNG Lee, a native of Guam and graduate of John F. Kennedy High School, sought out his childhood dream to be in Hollywood. His dream has finally come to reality –through a reality television show.
Lee landed a part in the new reality TV series titled “K-Town,” to be produced by rapper and actor Tyrese Gibson.
The show is set to be an Asian alternative to MTV’s Jersey Shore.
According to Wikipedia, Jersey Shore is a reality television series on MTV that follows eight housemates in real world-type style while they live, work and party at the New Jersey Shore
Lee was cast long after he boxed up his belongings from Tamuning in 2003 when he attended Pacific Union College on the West Coast.
During Lee’s Guam 2005 summer vacation, he won the Star Quest, a competition in which he performed a hip-hop dance routine.
Lee later submitted a video reel of himself as part of his audition for the K-Town pilot which he mentions was shot last weekend.
Should the pilot of “K-Town” rate in appeal to an audience who will, “love it,” (as Paris Hilton would say) and be picked up by a network that will air the show, then Lee is on the way to representing Guam in the Hills of Hollywood.

New building codes now in place, Guam

CONTRACTORS will have to comply with new building codes now that Bill 433 has been enacted as Public Law 30-159.
The legislation amends Public Law 30-25 which was signed to adopt the 2009 International Building Code and enforce it immediately.
The code includes fuel gas, international mechanical, international plumbing, international property, international maintenance, international fire, and international energy conservation.  All must be met with satisfactory results by the agencies implementing the IBC, the Department of Public Works and the Guam Fire Department.
Opposition to the law was raised by realtors and businesses and the author of the bill, Sen. Tom Ada, submitted Bill 433 to postpone the enactment of the law from June 30 to Oct. 1 of this year.
Concerns raised included the amount of money residents would have to pay in order to comply with the law, which would be thousands of dollars.
The new date gives agencies more time to complete the necessary tasks needed to implement the law and also have a public forum on the code.
faredchaWith this in mind, the law also orders public works and GFD to conduct a public forum so that residents can provide input, recommendations and concerns about the building code.  The forum shall be conducted within 45 days after the enactment of the law.

Impact of new alcohol laws assessed, Guam


ALTHOUGH the impact of the two new laws that seek to curb underage and binge drinking on Guam has yet to be
Bar owner Techie Tagorda cards a customer at Tribbu Bar and Karaoke Lounge in Harmon. Mar-Vic Cagurangan
quantified in dollar terms, bar owners are starting to feel the measures’ effect on their business operations.

Not in Harmon, says Dededo mayor, Marianas

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Dededo mayor Melissa Savares testifies on Bill 413, a measure that would authorize the construction of a new northern high school before the Guam Legislature on Wednesday. Looking on is Albert San Agustin, of Dededo. Photo by Zita Y. Taitano. WHILE supporting a proposal to build a new high school in the northern part of the island, Dededo mayor Melissa Savares yesterday opposed the proposed site in Harmon Loop.

Sultan of swagger, Guam

First troop buildup-related project kicks off, Guam

First  troop buildup-related project kicks off

NAVFAC breaks ground for maiden construction related to military expansion
THE first phase of a $4 billion project related to the military buildup kicked off during a groundbreaking ceremony on Naval b...

“We Are Guam” campaign, Southern Marianas

GVB representatives, staff of the Asan mayor’s office, volunteers and residents stand for a group photo in front of the Asan-Maina mural, the tenth to be unveiled as part of the “We Are Guam” campaign.
Photo courtesy of Paul Blas

Hotels need 3,000 guest workers, Northern Mariana

The CNMI thespians , Marianas

 
The CNMI thespians pose after staging Thornton Wilder’s “Pullman Car Hiawatha” at the Howell Theatre in Lincoln, Nebraska.

BP oil spill: Obama heads to court to restore block on deepwater drilling - Telegraph

Barack Obama: al-Qaeda sees Africans' lives as cheap - Telegraph

By Alex Spillius in Washington
At least 23 killed in Ugandan explosion
A man attends to an injured women after a bomb went off in a restaurant in Kampala's Kabalagala district
A senior US official suggested Mr Obama was taking a direct swipe at the ideology and motives of al-Qaeda affiliates on the continent, which US intelligence agencies say are the extremist group's most active branches.
"Al-Qaeda is a racist organisation that treats black Africans like cannon fodder and does not value human life," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Barack Obama's relationship with Europe 'not living up to its potential' - Telegraph

Obama European relationship 'not living up to its potential'
José Manuel Barroso wants the US and Europe to work closer together
Mr Barroso believes that the relationship with the White House and the EU has been affected by disagreements on how to tackle the global economic crisis, as well as climate change and trade reform.
In an interview with The Times, Mr Barroso said the US should reach out to Europe, calling on a "mutual" relationship.

BP says oil has stopped leaking in Gulf of Mexico - Telegraph

Barack Obama praises Yemen's fight against al-Qa'eda - Telegraph

Mr Obama praises Yemen terror fight
Mr Obama and Mr Saleh spoke just one day after al-Qa'eda gunmen launched attacks in Yemen Photo: AFP But despite commitments by the Yemeni government to crack down on extremism, the two leaders noted that Al-Qa'eda remained a "continuing threat" in the country on the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.
"President Obama applauded Yemen's determination to address the terrorist threat the Yemeni people face and recognized the sacrifices of Yemeni forces involved in this effort," the White House said.

Exiled islanders return to radioactive paradise - Telegraph

Whale sighted in Derwent, Tasmania


The visiting whale provides a memorable sight for passengers on the ferry Emmalisa. Picture: LEIGH WINBURN. INSET: A crew member from the MV Bob Barker snapped this picture of a whale breaching.A WHALE has been spotted swimming in the River Derwent this morning, surfacing off Macquarie Wharf.
Michael Beasley, from the Sea Shepherd vessel MV Bob Barker, said the crew saw at least two whales performing shallow breaches approximately 150m from the wharf about 11am yesterday.
At least one of the whales was out again this morning.
Did you see the whale? Send your photos to us here.

North Korean health system in crisis

By staff writers/ Mercury

July 16, 2010 8:46am

SURGERY without anaesthetics and unsterilised needles illustrate the desperate state of North Korea's healthcare system.
Food shortages have persisted since the 1990s famine and some North Koreans survive partly on grass, tree roots and bark, the rights group says.
The communist state says healthcare is free for all, but Amnesty says many witnesses have told it they have been paying for all services since the 1990s.
Doctors are usually paid in cigarettes, alcohol or food for consultations and take cash for tests or surgery.
"If you don't have money, you die," the report quotes a 20-year-old woman refugee as saying.
The report, citing World Health Organisation figures, says the North spends less on healthcare than any other country - less than $US1 per person per year. Amnesty says its report is based on interviews with more than 40 North Koreans now living overseas and with health professionals in the country.
It paints a grim portrait of hospitals lacking anaesthetics and medicines, with unsterilised needles and bloodstained sheets.
A 24-year-old defector from northeastern Hamkyong Province told Amnesty that a doctor amputated his left leg from the calf down without administering anesthesia after his left ankle was crushed by a train when he fell from one of the carriages.
"Five medical assistants held my arms and legs down to keep me from moving. I was in so much pain that I screamed and fainted from pain," said the man, identified only by his family name, Hwang. "I woke up one week later in a hospital bed."
Doctors also often work without pay and have little or no medicine to dispense, and must reuse the scant medical supplies at their disposal, the report says.
The report quotes a 56-year-old woman from the northeastern city of Musan who had her appendix removed in 2001 without anaesthesia. "I was screaming so much from the pain, I thought I was going to die. They had tied my hands and legs to prevent me from moving," she said.
Amnesty says many people bypass doctors and go to the markets to buy medicine.
Catherine Baber, Amnesty's deputy Asia-Pacific director, said the North failed to provide for the most basic health and survival needs of its people - "especially worrying as North Korea fights a tuberculosis epidemic".
Quoting WHO figures, the report estimates that 5 per cent of the population of 24 million are infected with tuberculosis. Pyongyang has begun refusing US food aid despite a 2008 UN survey showing 9 million people do not get enough to eat.