One of Gaddafi sons killed in NATO attack

Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi survived a NATO airstrike in Tripoli late Saturday night that killed his youngest son and three of the ruler?s grandchildren, a Libyan government spokesman confirmed early Sunday. ?Tonight and only a short time ago, the Western crusader aggression against the Libyan nation continued and proved again that it has no moral foundation, no legal foundation and no political foundation,? said Moussa Ibrahim, the government spokesman.

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Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/main-headlines/one-gaddafi-sons-killed-nato-attack

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At least 50 dead in Syria protests

Human rights group said at least 50 people killed across Syria on Friday. According to CNN, at least 16 were killed in the southern city of Daraa . Dozens were wounded. A resident of the nearby Tafa village said

A group of residents marched toward the western entrance of the city, about 3 kilometers from the city center, and then security forces opened fire, killing 14 and wounding 38. A second group of protesters who tried to slip through from Daraa's northern entrance were met with gunfire from a security checkpoint, resulting in two more deaths, said a witness.

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Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/main-headlines/least-24-dead-syria-protests

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VKS patrols with police slated for restart soon

PHILIPSBURG--Voluntary Corps of St. Maarten VKS patrols with the police are to be reactivated in an effort to put "more blue on the roads" to stem rising crime, said Deputy Prime Minister Theo Heyliger on Tuesday. This will put some fifteen to twenty VKS officers back on patrol in the coming weeks.

Police Chief Peter de Witte is compiling a list of VKSers who had served in patrols with the police in the past, for review by government. Many VKSers who were working with the police have gone back to their regular jobs within government, government-owned companies and the private sector.

To tap into this source of trained manpower, Heyliger said the Council of Ministers would look into making VKSers working for government available to the police for the next six months and would request government-owned companies to do the same.

This move will help the Police Force "get up to speed" as it continues massive recruitment, he said, adding that discussions had been held recently with Justice Minister Roland Duncan and De Witte about the restarting of the patrols.

Discussions centred on the Soualiga Patrol and VKS patrols on the Great Bay beach promenade and in Philipsburg that were very visible in past years. He added "some of these things have dropped out" and needed to be restarted.

Minister Duncan has been asked to look into police working more in the tourist areas and districts, but limited personnel continues to be an issue, Heyliger said.

Calling crime the "greatest threat to society and the economy," he said, "We need to put our hand on this right now and start getting after all of the positions, whether it is small or even large crimes."

The move to restart the VKS patrols comes also from the backlash of the three recent robberies/attacks committed against Carnival Corporation cruise ship passengers that began with cruise line officials labelling the country's crime situation as being "commonplace."

Heyliger said that losing one cruise ship would be "a tremendous blow" to the economy, as would losing a major airline charter or regular airline service. The crime situation "cannot be handled delicately any more, but harshly."

Carnival Corporation Vice President, Caribbean Relations Gordon Buck addressed the two crime incidents involving cruise passengers from Carnival Victory that occurred on April 16 in an e-mail to St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies CEO Mark Mingo.

Buck stated in his e-mail: "Mark, I am sure that you understand that criminal activity at St. Maarten is unfortunately becoming commonplace and in conversation with Michele Paige of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, we feel it prudent to open discussion addressing our concerns with Deputy Prime Minister Theo Heyliger."

Mingo had said, "This is no longer minor matter regarding sporadic occurrence of crime against cruise passengers. If left unaddressed, the country stands to lose its major source of income."

"A reduction in revenues would eventually lead to the Harbour defaulting on its financial obligations to service its loans. Similarly, other businesses in Philipsburg and elsewhere would be faced with the same dilemma," according to Mingo.

Speaking about Justice Minister Roland Duncan's controversial gun policy, Heyliger said it had been up to the Lt. Governor in the past to give an applicant a gun based on how the person was viewed.

"Finally, you have a policy in place," which means that an applicant has "to go through certain regulations," he said, adding that it was not likely that a person selling drugs would apply for a gun. The request most likely would be from "a law-abiding citizen."

As for the ability of residents who own guns to protect themselves and their homes, the laws still have to be reviewed, Heyliger said. As it stands, a licensed gun-holder could be found at fault if he or she shot someone breaking into his/her home. Duncan also is reviewing these laws.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/16252-vks-patrols-with-police-slated-for-restart-soon.html

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Three Injured, Three Arrested as Israeli army attacks non-violent protest

Palestine, (Pal Telegraph) - Two children and a youth were injured, three Israeli activists arrested on Friday as� Israeli troops attacked the weekly anti-wall protests taking place in Bil’in, Nil’in, al-Nabi Salleh, central West Bank, as well as al-Ma’ssara village in the south. This week protesters welcomed the National Unity deal signed by Palestinian factions in Cairo on Wednesday.

Source: http://www.paltelegraph.com/palestine/west-bank/9036-three-injured-three-arrested-as-israeli-army-attacks-non-violent-protest.html

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Island?s first historical and cultural map ready for use

PHILIPSBURG--The finalised Geographic Information System (GIS) Cultural-Historical Map of St. Maarten was presented to Acting Secretary General for Education and Culture Claudette Forsythe-Labega on Monday morning by archaeologist Jay Haviser, Amsterdam city archaeologist Jerzy Gawronski, and Bureau Monument and Archaeology (BMA) representatives Bas van Sprew and Sander Ijzerman.

Forsythe-Labega received the map on behalf of Education and Culture Minister Rhoda Arrindell. She said the minister was "excited" about the map, as it was "an important acquisition" for the ministry as well as the island in general.

She added that the map would "aid the Culture Policy" as an awareness tool. The island's population is diverse and with tourism as its main economic pillar, highlighting cultural and historical sites is important.

Haviser said the map was "an educational and strategic planning tool" for all parties involved: government, private sector and non-governmental organisations.

Gawronski explained during the presentation in Dr. A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall that the map had been built on framework of the 1910-1916 Werbata Map of the island with inlay of the prehistoric sites and later archaeological ones. It maps tangible (buildings, ruins) and intangible (cultural references) sites. The latter are based on anthropologist Sanny Ensing's research during the past year.

The map lists 88 tangible sites, 10 intangible sites and the 464 Werbata sites. Of the Werbata sites, 353 are historical line elements (roads and rock walls), 92 building clusters (houses, plantation ruins), and 19 beaches/bays, as these are important in collaboration for locating prehistoric sites and marine archaeology, BMA Senior Advisor Strategy and Policy Bas van Sprew explained.

The Werbata maps were the first topographic maps made of Aruba, Cura�ao, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten in the early 1900s. They were compiled by Johannes Vallentin Dominicus Werbata. No map of Saba was made.

The then in-progress GIS map was shared with the cultural, heritage and other linked organisations in February. This exercise was part of fine-tuning the map to include as many as possible of the island's historical and cultural sites.

The map was developed in collaboration with BMA, Foundation Netherlands Antilles Anthropology and Memory Management NAAM, St. Maarten Archaeological and Research Centre Simarc and local NGOs such as St. Maarten Monument Foundation.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15369-islands-first-historical-and-cultural-map-ready-for-use-.html

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William: ?We need to go back to the polls?

PHILIPSBURG--The petition to force government to resign and bring about new elections launched by social activist Eldridge van Putten more than a month ago, but not yet submitted to Parliament, is "on the mark," says National Alliance (NA) leader/Member of Parliament (MP) William Marlin.

Referring to the petition on the Lloyd Richardson Show on Voice of St. Maarten Radio Network on Sunday morning, and what he deemed the lack of cohesion in government, Marlin said, "The petition was on the mark in the sense that we need to go back to the polls. We need fresh elections. We need to give a new mandate to elected persons that will work in solving the problems in this country and moving the country forward."

Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams has "contradicted" agreements on the budget made with CFT by Finance Minister Shigemoto, while Deputy Prime Minister Theo Heyliger is "hardly in the country" and is only heard from when he gives news about some new project, Marlin said.

He added that it sounded good to blame the state of affairs of the six-month-old country on the NA and to say that country status had been rushed. However, the island had been trying to become a country under the former Democratic Party (DP) leadership, but the Dutch government would not agree and it was only after NA took the reins of government in June 2009 that the process towards country status had pushed forward, he said.

"It is clear now that managing this product ? country St. Maarten ? if you do it with the politics of yesteryear, playing games, hiding agendas, looking out, there is no sense of direction. There is no cohesiveness. There is no family that sits around the table and says, 'Guys, this is what we have to spend, these are our problems, how are we going to solve them, how are we going to confront them?'

"Everybody goes their own way: the Prime Minister heading to the North Pole and the Deputy Prime Minister heading to the South Pole and the other ministers scattering all around the equator and in other time zones. There is no sense of direction and it is to the detriment of the people of St. Maarten, because at the end of the day it is the people who will suffer," Marlin said.

Based on Article 59 of the Constitution, Parliament may be dissolved by national ordinance. "A resolution for dissolution shall also include an order for new elections for the dissolved Parliament and for the reconvening of the newly elected Parliament within three months. The dissolution shall take effect on the day on which the newly elected Parliament convenes."

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15761-william-we-need-to-go-back-to-the-polls-.html

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Fire-fighters march through Philipsburg

PHILIPSBURG--Fire-fighters held their 25th annual Fireman's Day Parade to honour their hard work and dedication to the community of St. Maarten on Friday.

The parade started in front of the Government Administration Building in Philipsburg around 5:00pm. A marching band of 16 fire-fighters marched through the Philipsburg shopping district in their ceremonial uniforms.

New fire rescue vehicles ? a ladder truck, crane truck, pump truck and a dump truck ? were displayed in the centre of town during the parade.

The parade was brought to a momentary halt to salute Governor Eugene Holiday and ended with a commemoration ceremony at the old fire station.

Among the dignitaries present at the ceremony were Governor Eugene Holiday, Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams, Fire Chief Winston Salomon and Disaster Management Section Head Paul Martens.

All of the speakers at the ceremony stressed their appreciation for the fire-fighters' service to the community and gave insight into new initiatives to cooperate with other islands. �������

Wescot-Williams said, "I am beyond grateful for all the hard work of the fire-fighters and I must commend them for everything they do for St. Maarten. 25 years of exceptional service, and somehow, each year, you continue to grow better and stronger. "

Salomon said, "We are striving to bring more comprehensive training programmes for the fire-fighters so that we can continue strengthening our Fire Department. Unity between the Dutch-speaking islands of the Caribbean will ensure a stronger, more prepared force of first responders."

Martens said, "There are plans in the works to expand our disaster management cooperation efforts beyond the Dutch islands in the Caribbean. We are now venturing into establishing harmony with the English-speaking islands as well. We have to be prepared to help each other in the case of a tsunami or earthquake."

After the commemoration ceremony, fire-fighters, government officials, Members of Parliament and other dignitaries socialised together in the old fire station.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15516-fire-fighters-march-through-philipsburg.html

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At least 50 dead in Syria protests

Human rights group said at least 50 people killed across Syria on Friday. According to CNN, at least 16 were killed in the southern city of Daraa . Dozens were wounded. A resident of the nearby Tafa village said

A group of residents marched toward the western entrance of the city, about 3 kilometers from the city center, and then security forces opened fire, killing 14 and wounding 38. A second group of protesters who tried to slip through from Daraa's northern entrance were met with gunfire from a security checkpoint, resulting in two more deaths, said a witness.

� 2011 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/main-headlines/least-24-dead-syria-protests

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Egypt starts to build wind power stations

Egypt, one of the windiest areas and the leading country in the Middle East in wind power is set to begin constructing, in May, two of four wind power stations in the Gulf of Suez. Total expected output at the completion of the project is 1000 MW or 250 MW per station.

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Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/main-headlines/egypt-starts-build-wind-power-stations

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St. Maarten Carnival season officially open

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten's 2011 Carnival season kicked off last night when local bands led revellers from Milton Peters College in South Reward to the Festival Village in Philipsburg, where Culture Minister Rhoda Arrindell officially opened the gates to the village.

The jump-up, which started promptly at 8:00pm, saw hundreds come out in support of the island's premier cultural event, which will feature a number of local and international talents on stage and on the road until May 2.

As expected, the village was buzzing with many Carnival-lovers getting reacquainted with their regular booths and enjoying the must-have chicken leg and Johnny cake. With a strong police presence, the jump-up ran smoothly without interference.

Bands and revellers rounded off at the Festival Village near midnight. The Culture Minister was assisted by this year's and last year's Carnival contest winners in opening the gates with the symbolic key.

Festivities continue tonight with the Senior Carnival Queen Pageant and Youth Extravaganza, followed by the International R&B/Reggae Concert on Wednesday night, Calypso finals Thursday night, Jouvert Jump-Up on Friday and Latin Night that evening, and a spectacular of local and visiting Carnival troupes Saturday and Sunday.

The "One Love" Soca Xplosion Concert will be held on Monday night and Carnival closes with a jump-up on Tuesday evening followed by the burning of King Momo at 12:00 midnight.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/16207--st-maarten-carnival-season-officially-open.html

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Island?s first historical and cultural map ready for use

PHILIPSBURG--The finalised Geographic Information System (GIS) Cultural-Historical Map of St. Maarten was presented to Acting Secretary General for Education and Culture Claudette Forsythe-Labega on Monday morning by archaeologist Jay Haviser, Amsterdam city archaeologist Jerzy Gawronski, and Bureau Monument and Archaeology (BMA) representatives Bas van Sprew and Sander Ijzerman.

Forsythe-Labega received the map on behalf of Education and Culture Minister Rhoda Arrindell. She said the minister was "excited" about the map, as it was "an important acquisition" for the ministry as well as the island in general.

She added that the map would "aid the Culture Policy" as an awareness tool. The island's population is diverse and with tourism as its main economic pillar, highlighting cultural and historical sites is important.

Haviser said the map was "an educational and strategic planning tool" for all parties involved: government, private sector and non-governmental organisations.

Gawronski explained during the presentation in Dr. A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall that the map had been built on framework of the 1910-1916 Werbata Map of the island with inlay of the prehistoric sites and later archaeological ones. It maps tangible (buildings, ruins) and intangible (cultural references) sites. The latter are based on anthropologist Sanny Ensing's research during the past year.

The map lists 88 tangible sites, 10 intangible sites and the 464 Werbata sites. Of the Werbata sites, 353 are historical line elements (roads and rock walls), 92 building clusters (houses, plantation ruins), and 19 beaches/bays, as these are important in collaboration for locating prehistoric sites and marine archaeology, BMA Senior Advisor Strategy and Policy Bas van Sprew explained.

The Werbata maps were the first topographic maps made of Aruba, Cura�ao, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten in the early 1900s. They were compiled by Johannes Vallentin Dominicus Werbata. No map of Saba was made.

The then in-progress GIS map was shared with the cultural, heritage and other linked organisations in February. This exercise was part of fine-tuning the map to include as many as possible of the island's historical and cultural sites.

The map was developed in collaboration with BMA, Foundation Netherlands Antilles Anthropology and Memory Management NAAM, St. Maarten Archaeological and Research Centre Simarc and local NGOs such as St. Maarten Monument Foundation.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15369-islands-first-historical-and-cultural-map-ready-for-use-.html

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Face bombast with reason British official tells Falklands

?IN the face of bombast you can show reason and humanity? was the message a Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) official carried to the Falklands this week.

Source: http://en.mercopress.com/2011/04/29/face-bombast-with-reason-british-official-tells-falklands?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=main&utm_campaign=rss

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Rain fails to dampen spirits at 2nd Enviro-Symposium

MARIGOT--Organisers overcame adversity by managing to bring some 6-700 school children from both sides of the island to Thursday's 2nd Enviro- Symposium despite an early cloudburst of heavy rain that threatened to cancel the event.

Even after the rain had stopped large pools of standing water remained under foot in the main exhibition tent at the Sandy Ground Cultural Center. It was not the best of conditions but the many parties of school children with teachers arriving and leaving throughout the morning were unfazed by the inconvenience of the water.

The lion's share of attendees was taken up by bus loads of school children, however, members of the public defying the weather were also seen perusing the stands. The theme of the event this year was The Forest. Among the 30 odd exhibitors were several newcomers. Lecturers for the event included two ladies from Conservatoire du Littoral who came over from France especially.

One of the dignitaries present was President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell who took a keen interest in the symposium.

Opening remarks were made by Vice-President Pierre Aliotti, President of Sint Maarten Pride Foundation Jadira Veen, Romeo Chilin from Green Spaces, and two representatives from the Conservatoire. Nicole Piper also gave a presentation on sorting.

Event coordinator Nicole Piper called the symposium a success despite the weather.

"When you have rain, and you still get a high level of attendance, you know it's been a success," she declared to this newspaper.

Fortunately the lectures and power point presentations took place as scheduled with the designated speakers, however, Piper was forced to cancel the trade expo because of flooded stands. Students were also put in one room instead of two rooms as originally planned.

"Most of the materials would have been lost so it made sense to conserve those materials, and re-schedule for another time," Piper explained. "These were the businesses who were selling eco-friendly products. The more people that buy these products the better chance we have of preserving the environment."

Asked if she would consider a new venue next year given the growth of the event, she said; "The advantage of the Cultural Center here is that you have rooms already adapted for what we want to do. On the other hand we now know what impact the rain has. The Omnisports Hall is one consideration but we have a year to think about that."

The event closed with Pride Foundation presenting T-shirts as tokens of appreciation to Vice-President Pierre Aliotti, Romeo Chilin, Romain Renoux from R�serve Naturelle, and Nicole Piper for extending the invitation to the Dutch side.

"I considered the symposium a success in the sense the kids learnt something," remarked Jadira Veen afterwards. "It's an educational forum for them and they enjoyed it. We would also like to commend the President of Parliament for being present. She showed interest in this environmental forum and that sets a good example for the Dutch side students."

"It's wonderful the Collectivit� invites the Dutch side to this kind of educational event. It's a great partnership that fosters cooperation and friendship."

Piper gave a big thank you to Sint Maarten Pride Foundation for its involvement in the event, and for bringing the Dutch side schools. She also thanked her superiors and dedicated helpers, in particular Ricardo Bethel, Cleo Harrigan, and Romeo Chilin who cooperated with all the pre-media radio broadcasts.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15911-rain-fails-to-dampen-spirits-at-2nd-enviro-symposium-.html

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Govt fires Roorda as Finance Dept Head

PHILIPSBURG--Finance Department Head Bastiaan "Bas" Roorda has been fired by the Council of Ministers with just about two years left on his contract. His service was terminated via a ministerial decision taken on Thursday.

Roorda confirmed his termination when contacted by The Daily Herald, but declined to state the grounds given by the ministers. However, he said he would look further into his situation and his options on Monday, preferring to "let things calm down" during the weekend.

Finance Minister Hiro Shigemoto, when contacted about the dismissal, confirmed that Roorda had been dismissed, but did not give any details about why the decision had been taken.

With the island's budget issues weighting heavily on government's agenda, indications are that Roorda's termination is somehow linked to that and his dealings with the CFT.

As word of the dismissal spread, there was some speculation in the community that Roorda's termination had to do with his providing information to investigators related to a probe at St. Maarten Tourist Bureau last year that resulted in two senior staff members being suspended from duty. They later returned to their jobs after a civil case.

Prosecutor Bart den Hartigh confirmed that Roorda had been questioned by detectives working on the Tourist Bureau case, but declined to provide any details concerning the nature of the questioning and the information provided by Roorda.

He said the investigations in the Tourist Bureau case were still ongoing, but given the workload at the Prosecutor's Office it was not expected that this case would be handled in court any time soon.

According to information received by this newspaper, the filing of the case was not linked to Roorda's firing.

Roorda was hired as interim Head of Finance in December 2009, by then-commissioner of finance Xavier Blackman, who had described him as a financial "heavyweight."

His appointment drew some criticism from the Netherlands at the time, because he had been involved in a legal dispute with the municipality of Valkenswaard near Eindhoven for the most part of 2009 over structures on his property constructed without the proper building permits.

The incident ignited a political firestorm for Roorda, whose VVD faction was accused of "vriendjespolitiek" (friendship politics) and unethical practices by political opponents.

At the time of the political upheaval concerning his home, he was the VVD faction leader in Valkenswaard.

The VVD party has been extremely vocal about financial reform on the islands.

Roorda was the director of his own company, Tall Tree Technology B.V., a consultancy firm that provides general financial expertise, at the time he was hired by the government.

He holds an MBA in Accounting from Institute van Ishoven and has been the financial manager of several private companies in the Netherlands, including R&S Renewable Energy Systems (financial services industry) and Zetek Power Products (renewable and environment industry).

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15517-govt-fires-roorda-as-finance-dept-head.html

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Roorda to seek reinstatement

PHILIPSBURG--Dismissed Finance Department Head Bastiaan "Bas" Roorda plans to seek reinstatement to his post. He was relieved of his post on Thursday with just about two years left on his contract via a ministerial decision which he says he will be challenging.

Roorda told The Daily Herald on Monday that a letter seeking reinstatement was being prepared by his attorney and would be sent out possibly by today, Tuesday.

He said the reason given by the Council of Ministers for his termination was that he had violated the law about giving government information to a third party. He said the letter was brief and no specifics were given to substantiate the claims of violation.

To date, there has been no official statement from the Council of Ministers, in particular Finance Minister Hiro Shigemoto, about the dismissal of Roorda.

This newspaper has learnt that the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT has been instructed by government to remove Roorda from all correspondence being sent to the government. CFT and government are in talks about the 2011 budget, which is considered unbalanced by CFT.

Indications last week were that Roorda's termination was somehow linked to dealings with CFT. Neither he nor Shigemoto had confirmed this on Friday and there continued to be no clarity about the reasons.

Roorda was hired as ad-interim Head of Finance in December 2009 by then-Finance Commission Xavier Blackman. He was the director of his own company Tall Tree Technology B.V., a consultancy firm that provides general financial expertise, at the time he was hired by government.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15588-roorda-to-seek-reinstatement.html

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US economy still slow says Fed; polls show Americans gloomy but optimistic

The US economy is not fully recovered from its deep recession, with housing still weighing on growth, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said on Friday in a speech spelling out ways the US central bank has studied lower income communities.

Source: http://en.mercopress.com/2011/04/29/us-economy-still-slow-says-fed-polls-show-americans-gloomy-but-optimistic?utm_source=feed&utm_medium=rss&utm_content=main&utm_campaign=rss

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Syrian troops control southern town as report says 400 killed in revolt

The Syrian army continued to impose its control Tuesday on the southern town of Daraa as a rights group appealed for UN intervention in a bloody crackdown it said has killed 400 people since mid-March.

On its part, Britain said it was working with its partners to send a "strong signal" to Damascus while France and Italy denounced the "unacceptable" situation in Syria.

"Syrian security forces fired on unarmed protesters killing 400 people at least since the revolution was launched in March," the Syrian Human Rights Organisation (Swasiah) said in a statement.

� 2011 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/main-headlines/syrian-troops-control-southern-town-report-says-400-killed-revolt

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Explosion hits Egypt-Israel Gas line

Cairo, (Pal Telegraph) - An unknown armed men Wednesday caused an explosion in the natural gas terminal that supplies both Israel and Jordan with gas and is located west of al-Arish city in Sinai.�

Source: http://www.paltelegraph.com/world/middle-east/77-middle-east/9026-explosion-hits-egypt-israel-gas-line.html

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Roorda?s lawyer to file for witness hearing

PHILIPSBURG--The controversy surrounding the termination of the contract of now former Head of Finance Bastiaan "Bas" Roorda continues with his attorney Maarten Le Poole preparing to file today, Tuesday, for a witness hearing.

Le Poole told The Daily Herald that the letter he had sent to government on behalf of Roorda seeking his reinstatement had Monday as the deadline to provide clear answers about why the contract had been terminated.

"In the letter to Roorda, it was stated that it had to do with breach of confidentiality and then today [Monday-Ed.] there is an article saying it was because of insubordination. It makes no sense anymore," Le Poole said.

His aim with the witness hearing is to get to the bottom of why Roorda was fired, because the state of affairs now is "one big mess."

At the hearing, if granted, Le Poole wants to talk to all of the people who were present in the March 28 Council of Ministers meeting in which Roorda was interviewed and the people responsible for drafting the letter.

The attorney said several people had stated that the dismissal had nothing to do with Roorda filing a complaint with the Prosecutor's Office about possible embezzlement at St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, but the reasons are yet to be given.

Speaking about his client, Le Poole said, "Roorda is confused about the whole situation."

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15798-roordas-lawyer-to-file-for-witness-hearing-.html

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?Gypsy taxi? killings, rapes, and robberies are solved

PHILIPSBURG--Three murders, two violent robberies and one rape committed by the "gypsy taxi bandits" between February 26 and March 4 have been solved thanks to cooperation between local police, the Prosecutor's Office, the Police Forces of Aruba, Bonaire, Cura�ao, the Kingdom Cooperation Team RST, Royal Marechaussees, and Gendarmes stationed on the French side.

The solved crimes include the death of megayacht Cheetah Moon French chef Ludovic Guillevin (37), who was found on Mullet Bay Beach on February 26, and the March 4 killings of F. Louis, who was found on Chopin Road, and E. Nova Valdez, who was found on Alexis Arnell Road.

In custody are three men born in Dominica: S.R. (20), C.A.R. (31) and J.B.S. (28). They were arrested on Thursday, April 7, and were considered at the time to be the main suspects of two violent robberies and a rape. Two other people also were arrested, but were released later for lack of evidence.

The suspects pretended to be operating a gypsy taxi to pick up potential victims. If the victims did not want to get in the car, they were sometimes forced to do so. They were ill-treated in the car and taken to a deserted place to be robbed and sometimes raped or killed.

The three men from Dominica who are in custody are said to have confessed to the crimes after questioning by Detectives. The Prosecutor's Office and the police investigation team concluded that the confessions had "enough corroboration" based on the statements of the co-suspects and on the findings at the various crime scenes. The Prosecutor's Office is therefore confident that the violent fatal crimes at Mullet Bay, Cay Hill and Cake House Road are solved.

The three suspects appeared before the investigating judge on Monday and had their detention prolonged for eight more days. They are still under full restrictions and are allowed to talk only to their attorney.

The ongoing "Regatta Investigation" had turned up similarities between the homicides and the crimes for which the men already had been arrested. It was therefore assumed by authorities in one of the possible scenarios that the cases were "interrelated and could very well have been committed by the same suspect or suspects," Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos announced during a press conference on Monday. This link was made by Senior Detectives of the Special Robbery Unit.

As rape and violent crimes were involved, the three suspects were subjected to DNA tests to which they gave consent. Further, a black SUV used by one of the suspects was impounded because it matched the vehicle described in the rape case. The car was examined by the Forensics Department and evidence was retrieved. Items seized in several house searches also will be examined by the Forensics Department.

The "Regatta Investigation" team had focused on police reports of two violent robberies and a rape. Although stolen goods were tracked down, the detectives did not know the identity of the suspects. Police were able to establish the identities and whereabouts of the three suspects and arrest them on April 7.

According to Mos, the investigation so far indicates that suspects S.R. and C.A.R. were actively involved in the violent robberies, the rape and the homicides, while a third suspect J.B.S. fenced goods taken during the robberies and knew that the other suspects had committed these crimes.

Investigation of the different roles of the suspects is still ongoing.

Police Chief Commissioner Peter de Witte said authorities had reason to believe the "gypsy taxi bandits" were responsible for more violent crimes than those to which they had already confessed. He called on anyone who had been a victim of a violent robbery or rape and had not yet filed a complaint with the police to do so.

During the press conference, Mos held up a picture of an earring of an unknown woman found in the impounded SUV and urged the owner to go to police to give her account of what had happened to help in the investigation.

Police are also calling on persons who may have information that may assist the investigation to share it. Individuals can call telephone numbers 542-2222 or 542-2721.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/16033-gypsy-taxi-killings-rapes-and-robberies-are-solved.html

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Justice Committee to review Gun Policy

PHILIPSBURG--The Justice Committee of Parliament will review Justice Minister Roland Duncan's letter on the implementation of the Gun Policy. Duncan informed Parliament over a week ago that he would implement the policy if no word is received by May 1.

Duncan's letter was one of the incoming documents approved by Parliament on Thursday morning. Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament Roy Marlin said that a discussion of the minister's decree on the issuance of gun licenses should be held as soon as possible.

President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell said that matter would be dealt with via the Justice Committee with a request for Duncan to review the implementation date. She would also send a letter to Duncan to acknowledge receipt of his letter.

As for having a Parliament meeting before the May 1 implementation date, Arrindell said this was not possible, because of the short week that's full of holidays.

Duncan had said on Radio Soualiga earlier in the week that a decision had to be taken on the renewal of licenses and on applications for new gun licenses. "I have to make a decision, because I have people pending extensions. I have people who have submitted requests, which by law I have to answer. We can't keep this pending anymore," he said.

He added that he was "not pressuring Parliament or anything like that. It is just that I need to make decisions, otherwise I would get sued. People have asked for extensions before 10-10-10. For six months, they have not had an answer. I don't think it's proper governance not to answer." The new Gun Policy is in the form of a ministerial decree.

MPs are generally of the same view: that the policy would put more guns on the streets when the country is already dealing with numerous crimes involving guns.

Under the proposed new Gun Policy, several conditions will be attached to a permit to possess a ?re-arm and ammunition. These include a test of the applicant's psychological stability, which has to be carried out by a certi?ed psychological institution, as well as a certi?cate of good conduct and a medical report.

Other requirements include a certi?cate of shooting skills, which is to be provided by police. The bearer of a license will have to take part in shooting exercises at least three times per year and will have to submit to an annual test. The results of this test will contribute to the renewal of a licence.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/16159-justice-committee-to-review-gun-policy-.html

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4th Gulf Film Festival thanks industry partners for contributing to region?s filmmakers

The Gulf Film Festival, the home of bold, contemporary and innovative cinema from the Arabian peninsula, thanked its host of business partners and industry supporters following the conclusion of its successful fourth edition last week. 

The Dubai Culture and Arts Authority

Dubai Studio City

ASDA'A Burson-Marsteller

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Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/4th-gulf-film-festival-thanks-industry-partners-contributing-region%E2%80%99s-filmmakers

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Montblanc launches luxury writing instrument to honour Europe's iconic summit

Montblanc luxury writing instruments has created ?Tribute to Mont Blanc? Collection which not only features a unique interpretation of the iconic Meisterst�ck Writing Instrument in snow white but a selection of jewellery and leather pieces for both men and women. Celebrating the natural beauty of the Mont Blanc, the collection has been crafted using different stones and materials, reflecting the snow, ice and rocky surfaces that make up Europe?s snowy summit.

Rivoli Group

BizCom

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Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/montblanc-launches-meisterst%C3%BCck-writing-instrument-honour-europes-iconic-summit

Mervyn King Oscars Niclas Alexandersson Mark Bright Robert Schumann Dorset

IMF: Jordan economy to grow by 3.3%

The IMF has projected that the Jordanian economy will grow by 3.3 percent during the current year. According to a report entitled "Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and North Africa, Afghanistan and Pakistan", the changes in the region will promote better growth.

The Fund expects that the inflation rate in the Kingdom during this year will reach about 6.1 percent. Its GDP is expected to reach about US$ 30 billion. It is expected that Jordan's imports of goods and services will reach over US$ 20 billion.

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Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/main-headlines/imf-jordan-economy-grow-33

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Ruby wears a ?hijab?

Controversial Egyptian singer/actress Ruby attended a hearing for the Egyptian Taxation Bureau, accompanied by her lawyer and mother, and surprisingly wearing sunglasses, a hijab (Islamic female headdress) and very conservative clothing.

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Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/latest-news/ruby-wears-%E2%80%98hijab%E2%80%99

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Report says Ahmadinejad stepped down and then changed his mind

Iran's president on Wednesday shunned a Cabinet meeting for the second consecutive time, apparently expressing his discontent over a recent government appointment by the country's supreme leader. Sources in Tehran claim there is a growing rift between Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The confrontation stems from Ahmadinejad's recent dismissal of the intelligence minister, Heidar Moslehi, who was then promptly reinstated by Khamenei. Sources believe Moslehi's resignation came following a dispute between him and the president's chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashai.

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Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/main-headlines/report-says-ahmadinejad-stepped-down-and-then-changed-his-mind

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Duncan says the per diem allowance issue not simple

PHILIPSBURG--Returning money to government issued as per diem allowance for travel is not as simple as a civil servant coming home early and handing over the allowance given for the remaining days, Justice Minister Roland Duncan said on Thursday.

Repayment of the per diem allowance has been a topic of discussion, because of a complaint of possible embezzlement filed by dismissed Head of Finance Bastiaan "Bas" Roorda against several staff members of St. Maarten Tourist Bureau and former Tourism Commissioner now Member of Parliament Frans Richardson.

Speaking on The Lloyd Richardson Show on the Voice of St. Maarten Radio, Duncan said if a person is booked to travel for seven days and has hotel reservations for that period, it does not mean that if the person leaves earlier, they will be reimbursed.

Using himself as an example, the minister said that often he had had to spend more than his per diem allowance when on working trips. That allowance, which is between US $300 and US $400 per day, is allocated to the traveller to cover hotel room, meals and ground transportation.

He said Roorda could not give a clear indication of how much money had been involved in the so-called embezzlement, nor had he spoken to any of the people involved to get an explanation.

Speaking to the civil servants first about any discrepancies or issues is a must under the Ordinance on Civil Servants. The ordinance gives civil servants seven days in which to be heard on any matter affecting them, Duncan said.

The minister said that Roorda, who seeking reinstatement, failed to carry out the law and didn't play his role properly, but was being hailed as a hero in some quarters of the press. "[It's the-Ed.] typical colonial thing: the metropolitan [Dutch-Ed.] is always right and the local politician [is-Ed.] dumb, stupid backward, can't do his job and he's corrupt."

Roorda's contract was terminated with a month's notice on March 31. In the letter from government, he was notified that this had to do with sharing government information with third parties.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15914-duncan-says-the-per-diem-allowance-issue-not-simple-.html

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Blood collection this Friday and Saturday

MARIGOT--The next blood collection drive organised by the Rotary, Rotaract and Association AIDONS St. Martin takes place at the Chamber of Commerce CCISM building on Rue Jean-Jacques Fayel, Concordia, this Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30.

Staff from Etablissement Fran�ais du Sang (EFS) will once again be taking the blood samples from volunteers. The hours are 2:00pm until 6:30pm on Friday and from 8:00am until 1:00p on Saturday.

Organisers urge the public to give blood to save a life, which in the future might be their own life that needs saving.

EFS decided to reduce the number of collections from three to two. The next collection will be at the end of September.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/16291-blood-collection-this-friday-and-saturday.html

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Two more brothels allowed, moves made for more controls

PHILIPSBURG--Government's tolerance policy regulating sex companies and strip-clubs has been amended to increase the number of brothels from six to eight as of February 26. This was coupled with a "long term approach" to enact legislation that would bring tighter control to the adult entertainment industry.

Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Franklin Meyers announced the amendment on Thursday in a press statement. The amendment did not affect the number of strip clubs allowed. That number remains at four.

Meyers told The Daily Herald on Friday that the decision to increase the number of allowed brothels was based on the pending licences requests for this type of business. He added that this does not mean the licences will just be handed out because government is working on legislation and a more streamlined approach to the adult entertainment industry.

The Executive Council of the former Island Territory of St. Maarten had approved the decision to approve a tolerance policy regulating sex companies and strip-clubs in 2003. It is this policy that has been amended.

Based on the amendment, the two additional brothels will be allowed 20 girls (dancers) and will be exempted from the requirement that they must have been in operation prior to August 1, 2002.

As for the introduction of new legislation for the adult entertainment industry, government will revise the Penal Code as it relates to prostitution; control and regulate the employment of prostitutes through a licensing system. The planned legislation will also impose more stringent and effective controls that would reduce abuse and provide adequate protection for the women working in this industry and to protect people from being coerced into the trade.

The to-be drafted law will seek to protect minors against sexual abuse, reduce prostitution by foreign nationals residing illegally in St. Maarten, and sever the links between prostitution and crime.

Government will also look at imposing proper zoning. Brothel locations must conform to zoning and urban renewal plans and to community/neighbourhood by-laws on the living and working environment.

According to Meyers' statement, the regulations on premises will specify the minimum size of working areas and govern safety, fire precautions and hygiene. For instance, every working area must be equipped with a panic button.

There will also be improved the medical and safety requirements.

Government will also look into regulations on the operation of brothels that govern the position and status of prostitutes, protecting their physical and mental integrity and review the quotas allowed per establishment.

A complete copy of the policy and amendments is available on the government website: www.sintmaartengov.org.

Copies can also be obtained from the Department of Records and Information Management (formerly Department of General Affairs) in the Government Administration Building.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15971-two-more-brothels-allowed-moves-made-for-more-controls-.html

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Gunman fired more than 100 times at Dutch shopping centre shooting

ALPEN AAN DEN RIJN--The gunman who shot dead six people at a shopping centre in the Dutch city of Alphen aan den Rijn fired more than 100 times, the Prosecutor's Office said Monday.

Three weapons found in the Ridderhof shopping mall in the commuter town had all been used by the gunman Tristan van der Vlis (24), the Prosecutor's Office said.

Questions are now being asked about why Van der Vlis was granted a gun licence, given his history of mental instability.

Dutch Gun Owners Association Director Sander Duisterhof told the AD newspaper that the police might have failed to apply the rules properly in Van der Vlis' case.

As a teenager he had been questioned by the police in connection with an air gun incident and he spent 10 days in a psychiatric institution in 2009 with severe suicidal thoughts.

Members of a gun club may apply for a licence to own weapons after being a member for a year. The licence must be renewed annually and involves a police check.

Nine people who survived Saturday's shooting remain in hospital and at least one is in a critical condition.

Two people were killed in another shooting incident in Alphen aan den Rijn just one week ago. Two others were wounded. The police suspect last week's shooting was settling a score between criminals. The two victims remain in hospital.

One man was killed in an explosion in an apartment building in early December 2010. Dozens of apartments in the building were seriously damaged. Police investigators concluded the man had committed suicide.

The city government has also been through a period of turbulence. Three city officials stepped down in rapid succession in January, including Mayor Wim de Gelder and two city executives. Their resignations came in the wake of rumours, later proven unfounded, that city officials had been involved in corruption.

Interim Mayor Bas Eenhoorn was appointed to help polish the city's damaged public image.

Alphen aan den Rijn is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. The name comes from the Roman town located near a bridge over the Old Rhine named Castellum Albanianae, which is Latin for "town on the white water."

In the first and second century Before Christ, the town became an important trade centre in the region.

Source: http://www.thedailyherald.com/islands/1-islands-news/15797-gunman-fired-more-than-100-times-at-dutch-shopping-centre-shooting.html

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US Weapons to Israel Are Disincentives to Peace

By Josh Ruebner
 
Israel may be forgiven for failing to realize the current fiscal woes of the United States. After all, U.S. military aid to Israel not only sailed unscathed through last week’s passage of the 2011 budget, but reached the record level of $3 billion.
 
The United States additionally provided Israel $415 million for procurement, research and development of joint U.S.-Israeli missile defense projects, including $205 million to fund Israel’s newly-deployed Iron Dome system. 
 
This anti-missile battery already has altered significantly the strategic balance in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict when Israel successfully shot down incoming rockets fired from the Gaza Strip earlier this month.  With the assured diplomatic backing of the United States to prevent Israel from being held accountable by the international community for its illegal blockade, Iron Dome will embolden Israel to tighten its siege and escalate its attacks on the occupied Gaza Strip by providing its citizens with additional protection against retaliatory fire.
 
U.S. funding of Iron Dome is but one example of many of how U.S. weapons transfers to Israel privilege Israeli military dominance over Palestinian freedom and create perverse economic disincentives for Israel to defy U.S. policy goals such as halting Israel’s colonization of Palestinian land, ending its collective punishment of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and negotiating in good faith a lasting peace agreement.
 
As long as U.S. weapons continue to flow, Israel will feel free to disregard the Obama Administration’s mild blandishments and half-hearted attempts to bring Israel to the negotiating table. Unfortunately this disincentive structure is set to be reinforced over the coming years.   
 
Under a Bush-era agreement, U.S. weapons transfers to Israel are scheduled to total $30 billion from 2009-2018, an annual average increase of 25 percent above previous levels.  With this 2007 Memorandum of Understanding, the United States solidified Israel’s position as the largest recipient of U.S. military aid this decade. In line with increases proposed under this arrangement, President Obama asked for a record-breaking $3.075 billion of weapons for Israel in his 2012 budget request.
 
A new online database—“How Many Weapons to Israel?”—casts doubt on whether the United States can afford, either morally, financially or politically, to continue transferring weapons to Israel at taxpayer expense without examining the ramifications of this policy.
 
From 2000-2009, the United States licensed, paid for, and delivered to Israel more than 670 million weapons and related equipment, valued at nearly $19 billion, through three main weapons transfer programs (Foreign Military Sales, Direct Commercial Sales, and Excess Defense Articles).  These weapons transfer programs accounted for nearly 80 percent of the more than $24 billion in military aid appropriated to Israel during these years. The bulk of the remaining money was spent by Israel on its own domestic arms industry, a unique exemption written into law for Israel.  All other countries receiving U.S. military aid are required to spend the whole sum within the United States.
 
Military aid to Israel ran the gamut from the patently absurd—one used food steamer valued at $2,100—to the lethal—93 F-16D fighter jets valued at a total of nearly $2.5 billion.  With nearly 500 categories of weapons transferred to Israel, the United States is pervasively, intricately, and comprehensively involved in arming its military.

These weapons transfers also make the United States deeply complicit in almost every action the Israeli military takes to entrench its illegal 43-year military occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip and the apartheid policies that undergird its government’s stance toward Palestinians.
 
From September 2000-December 2009, roughly the same period during which the United States transferred these 670 million weapons to Israel, the Israeli military killed at least 2,969 Palestinians, of whom 1,128 were children, who took no part in hostilities, according to the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem.
 
For example, Israel killed 446 unarmed Palestinians, including 149 children, with missiles fired from helicopters.  The Pentagon classifies the number, types, and value of missiles transferred to Israel; however, the United States gave Israel nearly 200 AH-64D Apache, Sikorsky CH-53, and Cobra helicopters from which at least some of these lethal missiles were fired.   It was likely one such U.S.-supplied missile from a U.S.-supplied helicopter that Israel fired in the Jabalya refugee camp in the Gaza Strip on December 29, 2008, which killed five sisters, Jawaher (age 4), Dina (age 7), Samar (age 12), Ikram (age 14), and Tahrir Baulusha (age 17) during an attack on a nearby mosque.
 
Israel’s misuse of U.S. weapons to commit human rights abuses like these against Palestinian civilians should trigger sanctions against, rather than increasing amounts of military aid to, Israel.  The Arms Export Control Act limits the use of U.S. weapons to “internal security” and “legitimate self-defense.”  Israel’s occupation of the Palestinian West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza Strip is defined by the U.S. government as a foreign military occupation, and the killing of thousands of unarmed civilians in support of a military occupation cannot be justified as legitimate without distorting the meaning of self-defense. 
 
In addition, the Foreign Assistance Act strictly prohibits U.S. foreign assistance to any country that “engages in a consistent pattern of gross violations of internationally recognized human rights.”  The State Department’s recently released 2010 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices documents amply, if not comprehensively, Israel’s human rights abuses of Palestinians.
 
As Washington now considers raising the debt ceiling and making even more substantial cuts to the 2012 budget, the moral, financial, and political costs of arming Israel can no longer be ignored. 
 
If the Obama Administration is serious in its efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and genuine in its stated commitment to the universality of human rights, then it must utilize the significant leverage the United States wields over Israel through its military aid program.  By terminating weapons transfers to Israel at least until Israel upholds its obligations under U.S. and international law, ends its illegal military occupation of Palestinian land, and negotiates in good faith a just and lasting peace with Palestinians, the United States can create an incentive structure to achieve its frustrated policy goals.

- Josh Ruebner is the National Advocacy Director of the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, a national coalition of more than 350 organizations working to change U.S. policy toward Israel/Palestine to support human rights, international law, and equality.  He is a former Analyst in Middle East Affairs at Congressional Research Service. This article was contributed to PalestineChronicle.com. Visit: www.imeu.net.

Source: http://palestinechronicle.com/view_article_details.php?id=16819

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Nigerians to elect governors for 36 states

London, (Pal Telegraph) - Final stage of election process begins in the shadow of violence that followed the presidential poll.

Source: http://www.paltelegraph.com/world/africa/9023-nigerians-to-elect-governors-for-36-states.html

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U.S. secretly backed Syrian opposition groups, cables released by WikiLeaks show

The London-based satellite channel, Barada TV, began broadcasting in April 2009 but has ramped up operations to cover the mass protests in Syria as part of a long-standing campaign to overthrow the country?s autocratic leader, Bashar al-Assad. Human rights groups say scores of people have been killed by Assad?s security forces since the demonstrations began March 18; Syria has blamed the violence on ?armed gangs.?Barada TV is closely affiliated with the Movement for Justice and Development, a London-based network of Syrian exiles. Classified U.S. diplomatic cables show that the State Department has funneled as much as $6 million to the group since 2006 to operate the satellite channel and finance other activities inside Syria. The channel is named after the Barada River, which courses through the heart of Damascus, the Syrian capital.The U.S. money for Syrian opposition figures began flowing under President George W. Bush after he effectively froze political ties with Damascus in 2005. The financial backing has continued under President Obama, even as his administration sought to rebuild relations with Assad. In January, the White House posted an ambassador to Damascus for the first time in six years.The cables, provided by the anti-secrecy Web site WikiLeaks, show that U.S. Embassy officials in Damascus became worried in 2009 when they learned that Syrian intelligence agents were raising questions about U.S. programs. Some embassy officials suggested that the State Department reconsider its involvement, arguing that it could put the Obama administration?s rapprochement with Damascus at risk. Syrian authorities ?would undoubtedly view any U.S. funds going to illegal political groups as tantamount to supporting regime change,? read an April 2009 cable signed by the top-ranking U.S. diplomat in Damascus at the time. ?A reassessment of current U.S.-sponsored programming that supports anti-[government] factions, both inside and outside Syria, may prove productive,? the cable said. It is unclear whether the State Department is still funding Syrian opposition groups, but the cables indicate money was set aside at least through September 2010. While some of that money has also supported programs and dissidents inside Syria, The Washington Post is withholding certain names and program details at the request of the State Department, which said disclosure could endanger the recipients? personal safety.Syria, a police state, has been ruled by Assad since 2000, when he took power after his father?s death. Although the White House has condemned the killing of protesters in Syria, it has not explicitly called for his ouster.The State Department declined to comment on the authenticity of the cables or answer questions about its funding of Barada TV. Tamara Wittes, a deputy assistant secretary of state who oversees the democracy and human rights portfolio in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, said the State Department does not endorse political parties or movements.?We back a set of principles,? she said. ?There are a lot of organizations in Syria and other countries that are seeking changes from their government. That?s an agenda that we believe in and we?re going to support.?The State Department often funds programs around the world that promote democratic ideals and human rights, but it usually draws the line at giving money to political opposition groups.In February 2006, when relations with Damascus were at a nadir, the Bush administration announced that it would award $5 million in grants to ?accelerate the work of reformers in Syria.? But no dissidents inside Syria were willing to take the money, for fear it would lead to their arrest or execution for treason, according to a 2006 cable from the U.S. Embassy, which reported that ?no bona fide opposition member will be courageous enough to accept funding.? Around the same time, Syrian exiles in Europe founded the Movement for Justice and Development. The group, which is banned in Syria, openly advocates for Assad?s removal. U.S. cables describe its leaders as ?liberal, moderate Islamists? who are former members of the Muslim Brotherhood.It is unclear when the group began to receive U.S. funds, but cables show U.S. officials in 2007 raised the idea of helping to start an anti-Assad satellite channel. People involved with the group and with Barada TV, however, would not acknowledge taking money from the U.S. government.?I?m not aware of anything like that,? Malik al-Abdeh, Barada TV?s news director, said in a brief telephone interview from London.Abdeh said the channel receives money from ?independent Syrian businessmen? whom he declined to name. He also said there was no connection between Barada TV and the Movement for Justice and Development, although he confirmed that he serves on the political group?s board. The board is chaired by his brother, Anas. ?If your purpose is to smear Barada TV, I don?t want to continue this conversation,? Malik al-Abdeh said. ?That?s all I?m going to give you.?Other dissidents said that Barada TV has a growing audience in Syria but that its viewer share is tiny compared with other independent satellite news channels such as al-Jazeera and BBC Arabic. Although Barada TV broadcasts 24 hours a day, many of its programs are reruns. Some of the mainstay shows are ?Towards Change,? a panel discussion about current events, and ?First Step,? a program produced by a Syrian dissident group based in the United States. �

Source: http://www.tayyar.org/Tayyar/News/PoliticalNews/en-US/Wikileaks-US-Syria-mt-9016237033.htm

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Moody's upgrades DP World to Baa3

Moody's Investors Service has today upgraded to Baa3 from Ba1 the long-term foreign and domestic currency ratings of DP World Limited and the rating on the USD 1.5 billion sukuk issued by DP World Sukuk Limited and due 2017. All ratings have a stable outlook.

� 2011 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)

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Source: http://www1.albawaba.com/banking-finance/moodys-upgrades-dp-world-baa3

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