TELEGRAPH - Russia bans Americans in retaliation over Magnitsky Act, Apr 13, 2013

"The US Treasury on Friday named 18 Russians who are subject to visa bans and asset freezes in the US, including 16 people connected to the case of Mr Magnitsky, who died in jail in 2009 after exposing a $230m (£149m) tax fraud, which pointed the finger at a string of Russian officials. Mr Magnitsky was a former employee of London-based fund manager, William Browder, founder of Hermitage Capital Management, who in 1996 moved from the UK to Russia to invest in newly privatised countries in Eastern Europe only to discover large-scale financial fraud. Russia on Saturday took revenge for the ban against its own citizens, accusing the US of "outright blackmail" and branding a law passed by America at the end of last year - the Magnitsky Act - "absurd"."
info@als-alexander.org or interalex1@yahoo.com

U.S. says agrees with China on peaceful North Korea solution, Apr 13, 2013

 "BEIJING (Reuters) - The United States said on Saturday that China had agreed to work together to rid North Korea of its nuclear capability by peaceful means, but Beijing made no specific commitment in public to pressure its long-time ally to change its ways.Related StoriesThree killed in Syrian army gas attack - monitoring groupFour Italian journalists kidnapped in Syria freed -ItalyTunisia publishes images of suspects in secular leader's killingExclusive-G20 to consider cutting debt to well below 90 percent of GDP-documentKerry, Lew to next meet top Chinese officials in July    ... Read more... "
info@als-alexander.org or interalex1@yahoo.com

NASA's Wallops Island facility in Virginia prepares for the spotlight with rocket launch, Apr 13, 2013

 "WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. - On one of Virginia's small barrier islands, a NASA facility that operates in relative obscurity outside scientific circles is preparing to be thrust into the spotlight. On Wednesday, Orbital Sciences Corp. plans to conduct the first test launch of its Antares rocket under a NASA program in which private companies deliver supplies to the International Space Station. If all goes as planned, the unmanned rocket's practice payload will be vaulted into orbit from Wallops Island before burning up in the atmosphere on its return to Earth several months later."
info@als-alexander.org or interalex1@yahoo.com

HOSNI MUBARAK waves to supporters at retrial, case ends abruptly as Egyptian judge recuses himself, Apr 13, 2013

 "CAIRO - Hosni Mubarak waved to his supporters from inside a defendant's cage on Saturday after being wheeled into a Cairo courtroom for the first session of his retrial on charges of complicity in the killing of demonstrators during the 2011 revolt that led to his ouster. The procedural session ended quickly when the judge recused himself, referring the case to an appeals court for a replacement. Mubarak grinned slightly as he sat upright on a hospital gurney inside the defendants' cage made of iron bars and wire mesh. His once powerful two sons, Alaa and Gamal, and former interior minister, Habib el-Adly, who are currently imprisoned in separate cases, were in the cage alongside him."
info@als-alexander.org or interalex1@yahoo.com

S. Korean star PSY hopes new tune brings Gangnam-style peace with North, Apr 13, 2013

 "SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean rapper PSY says he hopes North Koreans will enjoy his new single even as tensions remain high on the Korean Peninsula. PSY released his latest single, “Gentleman,” in 119 countries on Friday, hoping to replicate the success of “Gangnam Style,” the smash YouTube hit that made him an international star almost overnight last year. The choreography for “Gentleman” — including the “arrogant dance,” as PSY called it — was unveiled at a concert in Seoul on Saturday before more than 50,000 fans. The music video has been uploaded onto YouTube. You can watch it here. PSY, whose real name is Park Jae-sang, said Saturday that he regretted the current tensions between the two Koreas. The situation has been grabbing global headlines, with North Korea becoming increasingly belligerent with war rumblings, leaving its neighbours wary of a possible missile test by Pyongyang."
info@als-alexander.org or interalex1@yahoo.com

CHINA, United States to work together to calm down North Korea, Apr 13, 2013

 "Beijing (CNN) -- Following a day of talks, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese leaders said their two nations would work together to press North Korea to tone down its provocations, amid soaring regional tensions. Speaking to reporters in Beijing, Kerry said both the United States and China are calling on North Korea to refrain from any provocative steps -- including any missile launches. But, he said, both nations want to focus on a peaceful solution, not "threat for threat or confrontational language. There's been enough of that." No option was left off the table in his talks with Chinese leaders, he said. Among those he met with Saturday were Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and State Councilor Yang."
info@als-alexander.org or interalex1@yahoo.com