5:50 PM
Howie Mandel and Ellen's Fan Art
Written By Unknown on Monday, May 21, 2012 | 5:50 PM
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Ellen Show
4:50 PM
Man gets 5 to life in death of girlfriend's child
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - A 33-year-old Salt Lake City man has been sentenced to five years to life in prison after prosecutors say he fatally punched his girlfriend's 2-year-old daughter after she interrupted his cellphone video game.
A judge sentenced Juan Aguilar-Rivera Monday in Salt Lake City's 3rd District Court. The man's attorney says Aguilar-Rivera maintains his innocence, even though he had pleaded guilty to child abuse homicide in a plea bargain with prosecutors.
Authorities say Aguilar-Rivera was babysitting Dania Rosiles July 5, 2011, when police responded to a call that the toddler was not breathing.
Rosiles died of injuries that included hemorrhaging in her brain and abdominal injuries consistent with being hit.
Prosecutors say Aguilar-Rivera told police he'd punched the girl, but said in court he didn't know what happened to her.
Authorities say Aguilar-Rivera was babysitting Dania Rosiles July 5, 2011, when police responded to a call that the toddler was not breathing.
Rosiles died of injuries that included hemorrhaging in her brain and abdominal injuries consistent with being hit.
Prosecutors say Aguilar-Rivera told police he'd punched the girl, but said in court he didn't know what happened to her.
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Breaking News
4:49 PM
Exclusive: TSA displays confiscated items from SL International Airport
TSA confiscasted and abandoned items.
TSA confiscasted and abandoned items.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - The majority of the flying public would never try to go through security at Salt Lake International Airport with a four blade fighting knife in their carry-on luggage. But a few months ago someone tried to do just that. In fact, passengers still try to take all kinds of dangerous and banned items on their flights.
On Monday, ABC 4 was given an exclusive look at what TSA agents have been collecting over the past few months. Some of it was unbelievable.
A hammer, knives, gun powder, ammunition, toy and paintball guns, the nose cone of a military projectile and the top of a laser guided bomb. That is a partial list of the the collection of confiscated or abandoned items from Salt Lake International Airport. TSA Security Director Vera Adams says it's a real show and tell of weaponry, bad decisions and forgetfulness.
While some of the items - like emergency flares - make you scratch your head, there is also a very serious side to the problem. Adams says, "We have actually found "ten real firearms at the airport."
And that's just since the beginning of the year. Anyone caught with a real gun can get a $7,500 fine plus, criminal penalties.
Despite being prosecuted or just losing something you own, Adams says its seems people just continue to try to bring dangerous weapons on their flights. "In some respects the further we get from 9-11 the more memories fade and they tend to forget what they are not supposed to not bring in their carry on," said Adams.
Adams says showing off all the confiscated items is just another attempt to get the message out to would-be passengers about what they can and can't bring on a plane.
TSA confiscasted and abandoned items.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - The majority of the flying public would never try to go through security at Salt Lake International Airport with a four blade fighting knife in their carry-on luggage. But a few months ago someone tried to do just that. In fact, passengers still try to take all kinds of dangerous and banned items on their flights.
A hammer, knives, gun powder, ammunition, toy and paintball guns, the nose cone of a military projectile and the top of a laser guided bomb. That is a partial list of the the collection of confiscated or abandoned items from Salt Lake International Airport. TSA Security Director Vera Adams says it's a real show and tell of weaponry, bad decisions and forgetfulness.
While some of the items - like emergency flares - make you scratch your head, there is also a very serious side to the problem. Adams says, "We have actually found "ten real firearms at the airport."
And that's just since the beginning of the year. Anyone caught with a real gun can get a $7,500 fine plus, criminal penalties.
Despite being prosecuted or just losing something you own, Adams says its seems people just continue to try to bring dangerous weapons on their flights. "In some respects the further we get from 9-11 the more memories fade and they tend to forget what they are not supposed to not bring in their carry on," said Adams.
Adams says showing off all the confiscated items is just another attempt to get the message out to would-be passengers about what they can and can't bring on a plane.
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Breaking News
4:47 PM
DEA agents nab 56 pounds of meth in Utah
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) - U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency officers intercepted 56 pounds of methamphetamine in Utah on Monday.
DEA agents said the meth was considered to be 97%-100% pure, with a wholesale value of $600,000. Once the meth is cut, DEA agents said the street value would have gone up to $18 million.
The Dea says the drugs were intercepted at homes in Salt Lake County, and was most likely manufactured in labs in Mexico, specifically suspected to belong to a Sinaloa drug cartel.
The drugs were transported in tubular bags hidden in the upholstery in vehicle ceilings.
DEA agents said the meth was considered to be 97%-100% pure, with a wholesale value of $600,000. Once the meth is cut, DEA agents said the street value would have gone up to $18 million.
The drugs were transported in tubular bags hidden in the upholstery in vehicle ceilings.
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Breaking News
4:46 PM
FBI investigates bomb threat at Utah cyber center
BLUFFDALE, Utah (AP) - The FBI is investigating a bomb threat that halted construction of a National Security Agency data center at Utah's Camp Williams.
FBI spokeswoman Debbie Dujanovic Bertram tells The Associated Press that agents are searching the site for anything suspicious.
The Deseret News of Salt Lake City reported that authorities are using bomb-sniffing dogs.
![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_teS5RVoAwtfEyAK7iGpNn500p_jz-X_VnjgNzzzkVVC4a8j4l2g1zqlOmaOY7Hq1L5j-kIN2ludM6cLSfccUoysuqYkOtYrZ7AwlktHP52jyib-RCffXgYmmWXzzEwrgu1ex39iQsAyScHgiuQ1IaevB6UnRkRig=s0-d)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is in charge of the project, tells the AP it evacuated the construction site around 11:30 a.m. Monday.
The NSA broke ground on the $1.2 billion cyber security center in January.
Camp Williams is about 25 miles south of Salt Lake City.
FBI spokeswoman Debbie Dujanovic Bertram tells The Associated Press that agents are searching the site for anything suspicious.
The Deseret News of Salt Lake City reported that authorities are using bomb-sniffing dogs.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is in charge of the project, tells the AP it evacuated the construction site around 11:30 a.m. Monday.
The NSA broke ground on the $1.2 billion cyber security center in January.
Camp Williams is about 25 miles south of Salt Lake City.
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Breaking News
4:24 PM
Galaxy Public School scandal, where Gita Rana Founder Principal, and her school family is teaching that the National Flower of Nepal as lotus, animal as tiger and bird as peacock. Will any Nepalese around the world accept it? What the guardians and the concerned govt. authorities watching for so many years until the issue came in media? Please watch this.
Galaxy Public School Scandal
Galaxy Public School scandal, where Gita Rana Founder Principal, and her school family is teaching that the National Flower of Nepal as lotus, animal as tiger and bird as peacock. Will any Nepalese around the world accept it? What the guardians and the concerned govt. authorities watching for so many years until the issue came in media? Please watch this.
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Nepali News
4:13 PM
Bangladeshi voice and text chat, live tv, mp3 song, bangladesh travel, forum ,guest book, live cricket, user profile, education , immigration and more!! We offer you the very best in Text and Voicechat. Shopnil is packed with Fun, entertainment and Love, it’s a place to meet new people, so come forth and reveal the beauty amongst our fellow Bangladeshi’s from all around the world today and we can assure you that your each visit to Shopnil will be a memorable one!
Hindi Movie AAN.wmv Watch Online
Bangladeshi voice and text chat, live tv, mp3 song, bangladesh travel, forum ,guest book, live cricket, user profile, education , immigration and more!! We offer you the very best in Text and Voicechat. Shopnil is packed with Fun, entertainment and Love, it’s a place to meet new people, so come forth and reveal the beauty amongst our fellow Bangladeshi’s from all around the world today and we can assure you that your each visit to Shopnil will be a memorable one!
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Hindi Movies
3:25 PM
Watch Bollywood Action Movie - Zameen - 2003. Produced by N.R. Pachisia, Directed by Rohit Shetty. Starring - Ajay Devgan, Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, Mukesh Tiwari, Pankaj Dheer, Mohan Joshi, Amrita Arora, Eijaz Khan, Music Director : Himesh Reshammiya.
Synopsis: Ajay Devgan, Abhishek Bachchan and Bipasha Basu starrer 'Zameen' is a patriotic film that attempts to realistically portray the problem of terrorism that is widespread in India. It also showcases how duty is of prime importance to the Indian soldiers who keep aside their strained personal equations to work jointly for the country.
Hindi Movie Zameen
Watch Bollywood Action Movie - Zameen - 2003. Produced by N.R. Pachisia, Directed by Rohit Shetty. Starring - Ajay Devgan, Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, Mukesh Tiwari, Pankaj Dheer, Mohan Joshi, Amrita Arora, Eijaz Khan, Music Director : Himesh Reshammiya.
Synopsis: Ajay Devgan, Abhishek Bachchan and Bipasha Basu starrer 'Zameen' is a patriotic film that attempts to realistically portray the problem of terrorism that is widespread in India. It also showcases how duty is of prime importance to the Indian soldiers who keep aside their strained personal equations to work jointly for the country.
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Hindi Movies
3:24 PM
Red Alert - The War Within - Bollywood Movie. Producer : T P Aggarwal, Rahul Aggarwal, Director :Anant Mahadevan, Cast : Suniel Shetty, Naseruddin Shah, Vinod Khanna, Sameera Reddy, Bhagyashree, Ayesha Dharker, Gulshan Grover, Zakir Hussain, Makrand Deshpande.
Synopsis: 'Red Alert' is based on the true-life story of Narsimha. Narsimha is a farmer who needs money to educate his children. He is a hard-working labourer but suddenly due to a sudden change in circumstances gets caught up in the Naxalite movements. Slowly, he gets involved deeper and deeper in their activities and ends up being one of them. But things suddenly go horribly wrong and he finds himself facing the naxal chief who wants his blood. He manages to escape but now he is on the run from both the police and the militants! What will Narsimah choose? His conscience or survival? Find out as the movie hurtles towards an explosive end and leaves you gaping and wondering that the psychology and wonders of humans and the complex systems that influence our minds!
Red Alert - The War Within - Bollywood Movie - Suniel Shetty, Naseruddin Shah, Vinod Khann
Red Alert - The War Within - Bollywood Movie. Producer : T P Aggarwal, Rahul Aggarwal, Director :Anant Mahadevan, Cast : Suniel Shetty, Naseruddin Shah, Vinod Khanna, Sameera Reddy, Bhagyashree, Ayesha Dharker, Gulshan Grover, Zakir Hussain, Makrand Deshpande.
Synopsis: 'Red Alert' is based on the true-life story of Narsimha. Narsimha is a farmer who needs money to educate his children. He is a hard-working labourer but suddenly due to a sudden change in circumstances gets caught up in the Naxalite movements. Slowly, he gets involved deeper and deeper in their activities and ends up being one of them. But things suddenly go horribly wrong and he finds himself facing the naxal chief who wants his blood. He manages to escape but now he is on the run from both the police and the militants! What will Narsimah choose? His conscience or survival? Find out as the movie hurtles towards an explosive end and leaves you gaping and wondering that the psychology and wonders of humans and the complex systems that influence our minds!
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Hindi Movies
3:19 PM
नेपाल बन्द अराजक बन्दै News Update May 21st, 2012
पहिचानबिनाको ११ प्रदेशको विरोधमा आदिवासी जनजाति संघर्ष समितिले आह्वान गरेको बन्दको दोस्रो दिन आज पनि देशभरको जनजीवन प्रभावित भएको छ । नेवाः स्वायत्त राज्य संघर्ष समिति, आदिवासी जनजाति महासंघ लगायतले हिजोदेखि ३ दिने नेपाल बन्द आह्वान गरेका हुन् । बन्दको कारण राजधानी सहित चितवन लगायतका स्थानमा सवारी साधन सञ्चालन भएका छैनन् भने बजार, उद्योग कलकारखाना र शिक्षण संस्था ठप्प छन् । बन्दकर्ताहरु आज विहानैदेखि विभिन्न स्थान र चोकमा भेला भएर प्रदर्शन गरिरहेका छन् । समाचार संकलनका क्रममा पुर्वी चितवनको रत्ननगर स्थित निपनी चोकमा नेपाल पत्रकार महांसघ चितवनका सचिव , प्रेस चौतारी चितवनका सल्लाहकार एवं राजधानी दैनिकका संवाददाता राधेश्याम खतिवडाको मोटरसाइकल बन्दकर्ताहरुले तोडफोड गरेका छन । ना २ प ४९४२ नम्वरको मोटसाइकल तोडफोड गर्नुका साथै बन्दकर्ताहरुले खतिवडालाइ दुव्र्यवहार समेत गरेका छन । यस्तै , बन्दकर्ताहरुले आज नारायणगढको बेलचोक र शहिदचोकमा रहेका करिब १ दर्जन पसलमा तोडफोड गरेका छन । बेलचोकमा रहेको लक्ष्मी दुग्ध भण्डारमा तोडफोडका क्रममा सञ्चालिका चन्द्रकला सापकोटा घाइते हुनु भएको छ । यस्तै आज बिहान नारायणगढमा पत्रिका बोकेको जीप तोडफोड गरेका छन । काठमाडौबाट गोरखापत्र लिएर आएको ग १ च ४२१५ नम्बरको जीप बन्दकर्ताहरुले लायन्सचोकमा तोडफोड गरेका हुन । यस्तै झापामा कान्तीपुर पत्रिका बोकेको गाडी तोडफोड भएको छ । उता नवलपरासीमा पनि सवारी साधनमा तोडफोड तथा आगजनी भएको छ । बन्दको अवज्ञा गरेको भन्दै बन्दकर्ताहरुले गैडाकोटमा मोटरसाइकल , कावासोतीमा ट्रक तोडफोड गरेका छन भने कावासोतीमा नै एउटा मोटरसाइकल जलाइदिएका छन ।
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Nepali News
3:17 PM
पत्रकारलाई छानी छानी कुट्दा प्रहरी बने मुख दर्शक ।
पावर न्युज – पत्रकारलाई छानी छानी कुट्दा प्रहरी बने मुख दर्शक । नेपाल आदिवासी जनजाति महासंघका महासचिव आङ्काजी शेर्पाले आप्नो पक्षमा समाचार नलेखे पत्रकारलाई बाँकी नराख्ने चेतावनी दिएपछि समाचार संकलनमा पुगेका पत्रकारले विरोध जनाएपछि झण्डै हात हालाहालको स्थीति सृजना भएको थियो । शेर्पाले पत्रकारविरुद्ध आपत्तीजनक अभिब्यतिm दिए लगत्तै समाचार संकलनमा उपस्थित पत्रकारले उनको भनाइको विरोध गर्दै ड्यासमा पुगेपछि कार्यक्रम सञ्चालन गरिरहेका क्लव अध्यक्ष ऋषि धमला, क्लवका उपाध्यक्ष बैकुण्ठ ढुंगानाले पत्रकारलाई सम्झाइ बुझाइ फर्काएका थिए ।
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Nepali News
3:12 PM
आप्नो पक्षमा समाचार नलेखे पत्रकारलाई पनि नछाड्ने आङ्काजीको धम्की
काठमाडौ, जेठ ७ । नेपाल आदिवासी जनजाति महासंघका महासचिव आङ्काजी शेर्पाले आप्नो पक्षमा समाचार नलेखे पत्रकारलाई पनि बाँकी नराख्ने धम्की दिएकाछन् । रिपोटर्सक्लबले राजधानीमा गरेको साक्षात्कारमा शेर्पाले प्रेसमाथि भएको आक्रमणविरुद्ध पत्रकार महासंघले र्याली निकाले बाँकी नराख्ने चेतावनी दिएपछि समाचार संकलनमा पुगेका पत्रकारले विरोध जनाएपछि झण्डै हात हालाहालको स्थीति सृजना भएको थियो । शेर्पाले पत्रकारविरुद्ध आपत्तीजनक अभिब्यतिm दिए लगत्तै समाचार संकलनमा उपस्थित पत्रकारले उनको भनाइको विरोध गर्दै ड्यासमा पुगेपछि कार्यक्रम सञ्चालन गरिरहेका क्लव अध्यक्ष ऋषि धमला, क्लवका उपाध्यक्ष बैकुण्ठ ढुंगानाले पत्रकारलाई सम्झाइ बुझाइ फर्काएका थिए ।
स्थिति असहज भएपछि पुगेको प्रहरीले जनजाति महासंघ महासचिव शेर्पासहित जनजाति नेताहरुलाई बाहिर निकालेको थियो । बाहिर निस्कंदै गर्दा शेर्पाले क्लव अध्यक्ष धमलालाई नाम किटेरै, तलाईं छाड्दिन, भन्ने अभिब्यतिm दिएका थिए । यस्तै शेर्पाको विरोध गर्ने पत्रकार खिला कार्कीलगायतको फोटो खिचेका थिए ।
शेर्पाले यसअघि नेपाल पत्रकार महासंघलाई बुझाएको ज्ञापनपत्रमा पनि जनजाति आन्दोलनमा सहयोग नगरे मिडिया बहिस्कार गर्ने र विज्ञापन समेत नदिने चेतावनी दिएका थिए । आज भने उनले, जनताले दुःख पाए भनेर ब्राम्हण समाज, पत्रकार महासंघले र्याली निकालदै छ रे, हिजो अखण्ड सुदूरपश्चिममा नबोल्ने पत्रकार पत्रकार महासंघले र्याली निकाले बाँकी राखिने छैन भन्ने अभिब्यक्ति दिएका थिए ।
आप्नो पक्षमा समाचार नलेखे पत्रकारलाई पनि नछाड्ने आङ्काजीको धम्की Nepali News May 21st 2012
काठमाडौ, जेठ ७ । नेपाल आदिवासी जनजाति महासंघका महासचिव आङ्काजी शेर्पाले आप्नो पक्षमा समाचार नलेखे पत्रकारलाई पनि बाँकी नराख्ने धम्की दिएकाछन् । रिपोटर्सक्लबले राजधानीमा गरेको साक्षात्कारमा शेर्पाले प्रेसमाथि भएको आक्रमणविरुद्ध पत्रकार महासंघले र्याली निकाले बाँकी नराख्ने चेतावनी दिएपछि समाचार संकलनमा पुगेका पत्रकारले विरोध जनाएपछि झण्डै हात हालाहालको स्थीति सृजना भएको थियो । शेर्पाले पत्रकारविरुद्ध आपत्तीजनक अभिब्यतिm दिए लगत्तै समाचार संकलनमा उपस्थित पत्रकारले उनको भनाइको विरोध गर्दै ड्यासमा पुगेपछि कार्यक्रम सञ्चालन गरिरहेका क्लव अध्यक्ष ऋषि धमला, क्लवका उपाध्यक्ष बैकुण्ठ ढुंगानाले पत्रकारलाई सम्झाइ बुझाइ फर्काएका थिए ।
स्थिति असहज भएपछि पुगेको प्रहरीले जनजाति महासंघ महासचिव शेर्पासहित जनजाति नेताहरुलाई बाहिर निकालेको थियो । बाहिर निस्कंदै गर्दा शेर्पाले क्लव अध्यक्ष धमलालाई नाम किटेरै, तलाईं छाड्दिन, भन्ने अभिब्यतिm दिएका थिए । यस्तै शेर्पाको विरोध गर्ने पत्रकार खिला कार्कीलगायतको फोटो खिचेका थिए ।
शेर्पाले यसअघि नेपाल पत्रकार महासंघलाई बुझाएको ज्ञापनपत्रमा पनि जनजाति आन्दोलनमा सहयोग नगरे मिडिया बहिस्कार गर्ने र विज्ञापन समेत नदिने चेतावनी दिएका थिए । आज भने उनले, जनताले दुःख पाए भनेर ब्राम्हण समाज, पत्रकार महासंघले र्याली निकालदै छ रे, हिजो अखण्ड सुदूरपश्चिममा नबोल्ने पत्रकार पत्रकार महासंघले र्याली निकाले बाँकी राखिने छैन भन्ने अभिब्यक्ति दिएका थिए ।
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Nepali News
3:08 PM
4 men arrested in Dodger Stadium parking lot brawl
FILE - This April 10, 2012 file photo shows Los Angeles Police mounted patrol officers Steve Cooper, left, aboard Jimbo and Roger Johnson on Ranger watching Dodger fans arrive for the home opener baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. A driver was beaten in the Dodger Stadium parking lot after a weekend game and four people were arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, police said Monday, May 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon, File) (Reed Saxon)
LOS ANGELES - Four men were arrested and a fifth was treated at a hospital following a fight in a Dodger Stadium parking lot following Sunday's game between the Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals, authorities said today.
The suspects, all in their 20s, were booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, notably fists and feet, police said. Their names were not immediately released.
The victim was treated at a hospital and released, said Officer Wendy Reyes, a Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman.
The fight, initially involving only the victim and one other man, apparently was sparked by a traffic accident in the parking lot following the Dodgers' 6-5 victory over the Cardinals, police said.
LOS ANGELES - Four men were arrested and a fifth was treated at a hospital following a fight in a Dodger Stadium parking lot following Sunday's game between the Dodgers and the St. Louis Cardinals, authorities said today.
The suspects, all in their 20s, were booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, notably fists and feet, police said. Their names were not immediately released.
The victim was treated at a hospital and released, said Officer Wendy Reyes, a Los Angeles Police Department spokeswoman.
The fight, initially involving only the victim and one other man, apparently was sparked by a traffic accident in the parking lot following the Dodgers' 6-5 victory over the Cardinals, police said.
Labels:
Daily News
3:07 PM
President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron take part in the Partners Meeting at the NATO Summit in Chicago, Monday, May 21, 2012. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
CHICAGO - President Barack Obama and leaders around the globe locked down an exit path from the war in Afghanistan, affirming Monday that they will close the largely stalemated conflict at the end of 2014, a strategy that means their troops will still be fighting and dying for another two-plus years.
Gathered in Obama's hometown, the sprawling coalition of 50 NATO members and allies declared an "irreversible transition" that will put Afghan forces in the lead of the combat mission by the middle of next year.
Even in a backup role, though, the U.S. forces and all the rest will still face combat and attacks until the war's end.
In essence, the partners, led by Obama, are staying the course, sticking with a timeline long established and underscoring that there will be no second-guessing the decision to leave.
Since 2010, they have been planning to finish the war at the end of 2014, even as moves by nations such as France to pull combat troops out early has tested the strength of the coalition. The shift to have Afghan forces take the lead of the combat mission next year has also been expected. Leaders presented it as a significant turning point in the war.
It will be "the moment when throughout Afghanistan people can look out and see their own troops and police stepping up to the challenge," said the NATO chief, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
What the world is poised to leave behind is an Afghanistan still
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riddled with poverty, corruption and political instability. Yet, out of money and patience, the U.S.-led partnership said it is confident Afghanistan will be stable and prepared enough to at least be able to protect itself - and, in turn, prevent its territory from becoming a launching pad for international terrorism.
It is time, Obama said, to "responsibly bring this war to an end."
British Prime Minister David Cameron said the leaders were "making a decisive and enduring commitment to the long-term future of Afghanistan. The message to the Afghan people is that we will not desert them. And the message to the insurgency is equally clear: You cannot win on the battlefield. You should stop fighting and start talking."
The political stakes are high for the U.S. president, who will go before voters in November with tens of thousands more troops in Afghanistan than when we took office. His emphasis will remain that he is methodically winding down the war, after closing out the one in Iraq; U.S. voters desperate for better economic times have long stopped approving of the war mission.
Wary of creating a vacuum in a volatile region, the nations promised a lasting partnership with Afghanistan, meaning money, people and political capital. The United States has already cut its own deal with Afghanistan in support of that goal, including a provision that allows U.S. military trainers and special forces to remain in Afghanistan even after the war ends.
NATO said it will keep providing "long-term political and practical support" to Afghanistan after 2014, but added: "This will not be a combat mission."
The war dominated the summit, with the uneasy presence and ongoing tension with Pakistan eroding some of the choreographed unity.
Obama had no official talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, although the two chatted briefly along with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Deep conflicts remained over Pakistan's closure of key transit routes that NATO needs to support troops in Afghanistan - and to get those troops out.
Despite the size of the coalition, the war remains a United States-dominated effort.
The U.S. has 90,000 of the 130,000 foreign forces in the war. Obama has pledged to shrink that to 68,000 by the end of September but has offered no details on the withdrawal pace after that, other than to say it will be gradual. There were just over 32,000 U.S. troops there when he took office in 2009.
The fighting alliance called negotiation the key to ending the insurgency in Afghanistan, but avoided mentioning the Taliban by name. The insurgents walked away from U.S.-led talks in March, and urged the NATO nations to follow the lead of France in pledging to remove combat forces ahead of schedule.
The alliance agreed on a fundraising goal to underwrite the Afghan armed forces after the international fighting forces depart. The force of about 230,000 would cost about $4.1 billion annually - the bulk of it paid by the United States and countries that have not been part of the fighting force. U.S. and British officials said during the summit that pledges total about $1 billion a year so far and that fund-raising is on track to make up the rest.
Demonstrators launched another round of protests Monday in the final hours of the summit, and their gatherings were notably smaller than the weekend protests that drew thousands into the Chicago streets.
Chicago NATO summit: Allies on `irreversible' course to end Afghan war
CHICAGO - President Barack Obama and leaders around the globe locked down an exit path from the war in Afghanistan, affirming Monday that they will close the largely stalemated conflict at the end of 2014, a strategy that means their troops will still be fighting and dying for another two-plus years.
Gathered in Obama's hometown, the sprawling coalition of 50 NATO members and allies declared an "irreversible transition" that will put Afghan forces in the lead of the combat mission by the middle of next year.
Even in a backup role, though, the U.S. forces and all the rest will still face combat and attacks until the war's end.
In essence, the partners, led by Obama, are staying the course, sticking with a timeline long established and underscoring that there will be no second-guessing the decision to leave.
Since 2010, they have been planning to finish the war at the end of 2014, even as moves by nations such as France to pull combat troops out early has tested the strength of the coalition. The shift to have Afghan forces take the lead of the combat mission next year has also been expected. Leaders presented it as a significant turning point in the war.
It will be "the moment when throughout Afghanistan people can look out and see their own troops and police stepping up to the challenge," said the NATO chief, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
What the world is poised to leave behind is an Afghanistan still
Advertisement
riddled with poverty, corruption and political instability. Yet, out of money and patience, the U.S.-led partnership said it is confident Afghanistan will be stable and prepared enough to at least be able to protect itself - and, in turn, prevent its territory from becoming a launching pad for international terrorism.
It is time, Obama said, to "responsibly bring this war to an end."
British Prime Minister David Cameron said the leaders were "making a decisive and enduring commitment to the long-term future of Afghanistan. The message to the Afghan people is that we will not desert them. And the message to the insurgency is equally clear: You cannot win on the battlefield. You should stop fighting and start talking."
The political stakes are high for the U.S. president, who will go before voters in November with tens of thousands more troops in Afghanistan than when we took office. His emphasis will remain that he is methodically winding down the war, after closing out the one in Iraq; U.S. voters desperate for better economic times have long stopped approving of the war mission.
Wary of creating a vacuum in a volatile region, the nations promised a lasting partnership with Afghanistan, meaning money, people and political capital. The United States has already cut its own deal with Afghanistan in support of that goal, including a provision that allows U.S. military trainers and special forces to remain in Afghanistan even after the war ends.
NATO said it will keep providing "long-term political and practical support" to Afghanistan after 2014, but added: "This will not be a combat mission."
The war dominated the summit, with the uneasy presence and ongoing tension with Pakistan eroding some of the choreographed unity.
Obama had no official talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, although the two chatted briefly along with Afghan President Hamid Karzai. Deep conflicts remained over Pakistan's closure of key transit routes that NATO needs to support troops in Afghanistan - and to get those troops out.
Despite the size of the coalition, the war remains a United States-dominated effort.
The U.S. has 90,000 of the 130,000 foreign forces in the war. Obama has pledged to shrink that to 68,000 by the end of September but has offered no details on the withdrawal pace after that, other than to say it will be gradual. There were just over 32,000 U.S. troops there when he took office in 2009.
The fighting alliance called negotiation the key to ending the insurgency in Afghanistan, but avoided mentioning the Taliban by name. The insurgents walked away from U.S.-led talks in March, and urged the NATO nations to follow the lead of France in pledging to remove combat forces ahead of schedule.
The alliance agreed on a fundraising goal to underwrite the Afghan armed forces after the international fighting forces depart. The force of about 230,000 would cost about $4.1 billion annually - the bulk of it paid by the United States and countries that have not been part of the fighting force. U.S. and British officials said during the summit that pledges total about $1 billion a year so far and that fund-raising is on track to make up the rest.
Demonstrators launched another round of protests Monday in the final hours of the summit, and their gatherings were notably smaller than the weekend protests that drew thousands into the Chicago streets.
Labels:
Daily News
3:05 PM
Apple Reaches Out to Cupertino Neighbors Regarding 'Campus 2' Plans
Apple last week sent out a mailing to neighbors of its planned Apple Campus 2, a massive new facility on the site of an old HP campus in Cupertino that is set to host 13,000 workers. The mailing offers details on the project, solicits feedback, and asks whether neighbors will support the project either in person at public meetings or by writing letters of support.
In the mailing, Apple touts how the project will enhance the neighborhood around the campus, from both functional and aesthetic perspectives. Apple notes that the project will bring upgrades to streets and sidewalks in the area and add more than 2,000 tress will replacing acres of parking lots with green space. Apple also emphasizes the environmental side of its efforts, from a commitment to 100% renewable energy including a massive solar installation to water reclamation and improved drainage.
Apple does note that the campus will not be open to the public, although many of its planned improvements will impact neighbors. The plan has not been without some controversy, however, as some critics have spoken out against the project design, the closed campus, and the amount of traffic it will bring to the area.
Apple's timeline calls for the City of Cupertino to review and approve the campus plans later this year, with construction to begin immediately following approval and the first move-ins planned for 2015.
In the mailing, Apple touts how the project will enhance the neighborhood around the campus, from both functional and aesthetic perspectives. Apple notes that the project will bring upgrades to streets and sidewalks in the area and add more than 2,000 tress will replacing acres of parking lots with green space. Apple also emphasizes the environmental side of its efforts, from a commitment to 100% renewable energy including a massive solar installation to water reclamation and improved drainage.
Apple does note that the campus will not be open to the public, although many of its planned improvements will impact neighbors. The plan has not been without some controversy, however, as some critics have spoken out against the project design, the closed campus, and the amount of traffic it will bring to the area.
Apple's timeline calls for the City of Cupertino to review and approve the campus plans later this year, with construction to begin immediately following approval and the first move-ins planned for 2015.
Labels:
Breaking News
3:02 PM
MIAMI -- A former top executive at Haiti's telecommunications company has been sentenced to nine years in prison in a massive bribery case.
A judge in Miami imposed the sentence Monday on 45-year-old Jean Rene Duperval, former international relations director at state-owned Haiti Teleco.
Evidence at Duperval's trial in March showed he took almost $500,000 in bribes from two Miami businesses in exchange for lower long-distance phone contracts and other advantages with Haiti Teleco from 2003 to 2004. Testimony showed Duperval used the money mainly for personal expenses such as a home mortgage and children's education costs.
Eight Haitian officials and Miami telecommunications executives have pleaded guilty to or been convicted of corruption or money laundering in the scheme. The case was brought under the federal Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/21/2810443/ex-haiti-official-gets-9-years.html#storylink=cpy
Ex-Haiti official gets 9 years in telecom bribery
A judge in Miami imposed the sentence Monday on 45-year-old Jean Rene Duperval, former international relations director at state-owned Haiti Teleco.
Evidence at Duperval's trial in March showed he took almost $500,000 in bribes from two Miami businesses in exchange for lower long-distance phone contracts and other advantages with Haiti Teleco from 2003 to 2004. Testimony showed Duperval used the money mainly for personal expenses such as a home mortgage and children's education costs.
Eight Haitian officials and Miami telecommunications executives have pleaded guilty to or been convicted of corruption or money laundering in the scheme. The case was brought under the federal Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/05/21/2810443/ex-haiti-official-gets-9-years.html#storylink=cpy
Labels:
Breaking News
2:47 PM
Crime Patrol coming back in its 4th season attempts to bring stories of crime happening all around the country. Crimes that tell us, we need to be careful, we need to be watchful. Crimes that tell us lives could have been saved.Every crime we hear of, either warns us to be careful or scares us, it could happen to us. Every crime ignites a feeling, "It should not have happened".Would knowing the "Why" behind a crime, help in stopping a crime from happening?"I don't like the way he looks at me", "I don't like the way he/she is behaving", "I think he/she is out of his/her mind", "I think he/she has gone crazy". That gaze, that quirky smile, that persistent stare which unnerves. It is difficult to understand the intentions but the hints are there.In a house a husband and wife argue, fight. A vessel comes flying, a glass breaks. Husband is angry and the wife is upset. That hatred, that ego. The distance that keeps growing. It is difficult to comprehend the damage, but the cracks are there.Feelings... expressions. Misunderstood, unresolved callings of the heart. The cracks are there. Too wide to be missed. Yet when the heart takes over the mind, the outcome is a mindless tragedy.Crime Patrol- Dastak will attempt to look at the signs, the signals that are always there before these mindless crimes are committed. Instincts/Feelings/Signals that so often tell us that not everything is normal. May be, that signal/feeling/instinct is just not enough to believe it could result in a crime. Unfortunately after the crime is committed, those same signals come haunting.
Crime Patrol : Dastak - Episode 112 - 19th May 2012
Crime Patrol coming back in its 4th season attempts to bring stories of crime happening all around the country. Crimes that tell us, we need to be careful, we need to be watchful. Crimes that tell us lives could have been saved.Every crime we hear of, either warns us to be careful or scares us, it could happen to us. Every crime ignites a feeling, "It should not have happened".Would knowing the "Why" behind a crime, help in stopping a crime from happening?"I don't like the way he looks at me", "I don't like the way he/she is behaving", "I think he/she is out of his/her mind", "I think he/she has gone crazy". That gaze, that quirky smile, that persistent stare which unnerves. It is difficult to understand the intentions but the hints are there.In a house a husband and wife argue, fight. A vessel comes flying, a glass breaks. Husband is angry and the wife is upset. That hatred, that ego. The distance that keeps growing. It is difficult to comprehend the damage, but the cracks are there.Feelings... expressions. Misunderstood, unresolved callings of the heart. The cracks are there. Too wide to be missed. Yet when the heart takes over the mind, the outcome is a mindless tragedy.Crime Patrol- Dastak will attempt to look at the signs, the signals that are always there before these mindless crimes are committed. Instincts/Feelings/Signals that so often tell us that not everything is normal. May be, that signal/feeling/instinct is just not enough to believe it could result in a crime. Unfortunately after the crime is committed, those same signals come haunting.
Labels:
Crime Patrol