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World News Headlines

News Headlines - BBC

Six million facing new tax bills Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:22:04 GMT
HM Revenue and Customs says some 1.4 million people each owe about £1,500 in tax, while 4.3 million will get an average rebate of £418.
Overnight curfew after NZ quake Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:56:26 GMT
Police declare an overnight curfew in Christchurch, New Zealand, after a powerful earthquake causes considerable damage but no fatalities.
Burned body found on golf course Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:41:07 GMT
A badly burned body is found in undergrowth between the 17th and 18th holes of an East Sussex golf course.
Blair pelted with eggs in Dublin Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:16:50 GMT
Shoes, eggs and plastic bottles are thrown at Tony Blair as he arrives at a book-shop in Dublin to sign copies of his memoirs.
Tory defects over schools scheme Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:56:22 GMT
A Tory councillor defects to Labour over cuts to the government's schools building programme, saying she was "ashamed to be a Conservative".
Balls seeks phone hack statement Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:46:31 GMT
Labour leadership hopeful Ed Balls says the home secretary should make a statement about claims of phone tapping by the News of the World.
Protests over French Roma policy Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:15:39 GMT
Thousands attend rallies in Paris and other French cities to protest at the government's policy of deporting Roma people.
Chile miners advised to exercise Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:34:47 GMT
Scientists from the US space agency Nasa advise the trapped Chilean miners to exercise and regulate their day and night sleep patterns.
Nine die in New Zealand air crash Sat, 04 Sep 2010 07:05:04 GMT
Nine people, including four tourists, are killed when a light aircraft crashes after taking off from Fox Glacier in New Zealand, say reports.
Karzai sets up Taliban talks body Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:27:44 GMT
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has formed a committee to seek peace talks with the Taliban, his office says.
Police chief raps Moat coverage Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:40:04 GMT
Chief Constable Peter Fahy says it was "not right" that TV broadcasters covered the last hours of gunman Raoul Moat on a live rolling basis.
Spud U Like? Gardener chipper over his super-spud Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:12:36 GMT
An amateur gardener grows what he believes to be the largest potato in the world.
Robbie Williams turns on Blackpool lights Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:44:56 GMT
Thousands of people watch Robbie Williams switch on Blackpool's illuminations.
Dawson facing spell on sidelines Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:35:23 GMT
England and Tottenham defender Michael Dawson will miss the game with Switzerland after being ruled out for at least six weeks.
Live text - US Open day six Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:57:43 GMT
Roger Federer, Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova and Novak Djokovic are among the players in action on day six of the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
England boss happy with Mushtaq Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:58:52 GMT
England coach Andy Flower says he is satisfied with spin bowling coach Mushtaq Ahmed's role within the team despite previous links with illegal bookmakers.
Pakistan trio keen to see row end Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:27:20 GMT
A lawyer for the three Pakistan players at the centre of allegations of corruption says they are keen for a "timely and satisfactory outcome" to the affair.
Chandhok impressed by Korea track Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:09:28 GMT
Hispania Racing's Karun Chandhok gives the Korean Grand Prix venue the thumbs-up after being the first F1 driver to drive it.
Officers could face crash charges Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:07:53 GMT
Two police officers who crashed a sports car seized from a suspected drink-driver could face prosecution.
Funeral for festival death star Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:55:51 GMT
The funeral is held of singer Charles Haddon from Northamptonshire who died in a fall in Belgium.
Council could cut over 1,000 jobs Sat, 04 Sep 2010 05:02:42 GMT
One of Scotland's largest councils - North Lanarkshire - warns that it may have to cut more than 1,000 jobs.
Father and son die in bike crash Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:05:27 GMT
A father and his 15-year-old son are killed in a motorbike accident outside Galashiels in the Scottish Borders.
Name released after city death Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:56:01 GMT
Police release the name of a man who was found dead at his apartment in Armagh city on Friday.
Irish citizen dies in plane crash Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:40:57 GMT
A 26-year-old man from the Irish Republic is among nine people killed in a plane crash in New Zealand.
More cuts in councillors proposed Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:50:44 GMT
More plans to reduce the number of councillors in Wales are put forward to create what ministers say would be greater fairness for voters.

World News Headlines - BBC

Protests over French Roma policy Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:15:39 GMT
Thousands attend rallies in Paris and other French cities to protest at the government's policy of deporting Roma people.
Overnight curfew after NZ quake Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:56:26 GMT
Police declare an overnight curfew in Christchurch, New Zealand, after a powerful earthquake causes considerable damage but no fatalities.
Karzai sets up Taliban talks body Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:27:44 GMT
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has formed a committee to seek peace talks with the Taliban, his office says.
Chile miners advised to exercise Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:34:47 GMT
Scientists from the US space agency Nasa advise the trapped Chilean miners to exercise and regulate their day and night sleep patterns.
Blair pelted with eggs in Dublin Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:16:50 GMT
Eggs and shoes are thrown at the former Prime Minister Tony Blair as he attends a book signing in Dublin.
South Korea FM offers to resign Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:37:06 GMT
The South Korean Foreign Minister, Yu Myung-hwan, offers to resign after it was revealed that his daughter was offered a job in his ministry.
Netherlands coalition talks fail Sat, 04 Sep 2010 04:14:29 GMT
Talks to form a coalition government in the Netherlands collapse as the leader of the far-right Freedom Party Geert Wilders walks out.
Tennessee mosque fire 'was arson' Sat, 04 Sep 2010 00:17:27 GMT
A fire that damaged construction equipment at the site of a Tennessee Islamic centre was arson, investigators say.
Nine die in New Zealand air crash Sat, 04 Sep 2010 07:05:04 GMT
Nine people, including four foreigners, are killed when a light aircraft crashes after taking off from Fox Glacier in New Zealand, say reports.
BP blowout preventer 'removed' Sat, 04 Sep 2010 06:55:07 GMT
BP replaces the blowout preventer that failed to stem the leaking Gulf of Mexico oil well and says it has paid $8bn (£5.2bn) in damage costs.
Earl downgraded to tropical storm Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:51:52 GMT
A weakened Hurricane Earl is downgraded to a tropical storm as it continues up the US east coast towards Canada.
Reading Arabic 'hard for brain' Fri, 03 Sep 2010 23:56:38 GMT
Reading Arabic 'hard for brain'
School in gay kookaburra song row Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:13:54 GMT
An Australian head teacher is under fire after removing the word gay from the famous song Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree.
US sees 54,000 jobs go in August Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:05:17 GMT
The US economy shed another 54,000 jobs in August, the third month in a row that jobs have been lost, official figures show.
Plans for solar 'close encounter' Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:44:59 GMT
Nasa is aiming to get closer to the Sun than ever before, with plans to plunge a car-sized unmanned spacecraft into the star's outer atmosphere.
Castro addresses rally in Havana Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:04:58 GMT
Fidel Castro addresses a rally for the first time since handing the Cuban presidency to his brother Raul in 2006.
Colombian troops storm rebel camp Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:46:54 GMT
Colombian troops storm an ELN guerrilla camp near the Venezuelan border, killing 11 rebels, a day after 14 policemen were killed in an ambush in the south.
Mozambique police fire at rioters Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:23:54 GMT
Police in Mozambique's capital fire rubber bullets on the third day of riots, as the violence spreads to the central city of Chimoio.
UN calls special food price talks Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:40:42 GMT
The United Nations' food agency calls a special meeting of policy makers to discuss the recent rapid rises in food prices.
Japan imposes new Iran sanctions Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:35:52 GMT
Japan imposes new sanctions on Iran over its nuclear programme but maintains its oil import schedule.
China warships end Burma visit Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:01:57 GMT
The first visit of Chinese warships to Burma ends as top Burmese leader Than Shwe prepares to visit Beijing, highlighting the two country's close ties.
Six men jailed for Portugal abuse Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:04:24 GMT
Six Portuguese men are sentenced to up to 18 years in jail after being found guilty of multiple charges of sexual abuse at a state-run children's home.
Irish delay EU-Israel data deal Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:12:05 GMT
Dublin delays a deal to allow transfers of EU citizens' data to Israel, which is accused of forging passports.
Blair in 'radical Islam' warning Fri, 03 Sep 2010 23:41:31 GMT
Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair tells the BBC that radical Islam is the greatest threat facing the world.
Clinton warns on Mid-East talks Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:22:35 GMT
The US secretary of state warns the current round of Mid-East peace talks may be "the last chance for a very long time".

World News Headlines - Associated Press

Possible talks with Afghan insurgents draw closer Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:09:44 GMT
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN 2010-09-04T16:09:44Z
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- In a further step toward reconciling with insurgents, President Hamid Karzai said Saturday he will soon name the members of a council tasked with pursuing peace talks with rebels willing to break with al-Qaida and recognize the government in Kabul....
Shoes, eggs hurled at ex-Brit PM Blair in Dublin Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:09:10 GMT
By JOHN HEANEY 2010-09-04T16:09:10Z
DUBLIN (AP) -- Protesters hurled shoes and eggs Saturday at Tony Blair who held the first public signing of his memoir amid high security in Ireland's capital. Hundreds more people lined up to have their books autographed - evidence that the divisions left by Blair's decade as British leader have yet to heal....
Buildings collapse, 2 injured in powerful NZ quake Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:12:14 GMT
By ROB GRIFFITH 2010-09-04T14:12:14Z
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) -- Chimneys and walls crumbled to the ground, roads cracked in half and residents were knocked off their feet as a powerful magnitude-7.1 earthquake rocked New Zealand's South Island early Saturday. The prime minister said it was a miracle no one was killed....
Thousands protest French crackdown on Gypsies Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:14:38 GMT
By JAMEY KEATEN 2010-09-04T16:14:38Z
PARIS (AP) -- Thousands of people marched in Paris and around France on Saturday to protest expulsions of Gypsies and other new security measures adopted by President Nicolas Sarkozy's government....
Many Pakistanis still waiting for flood aid Sat, 04 Sep 2010 15:17:51 GMT
By RAVI NESSMAN 2010-09-04T15:17:51Z
DAIRA DINPANAH, Pakistan (AP) -- Abdul Rehman and his family live under a tree next to a pile of rubble on a newly created island where his house used to be....
Judge orders alleged kingpin 'La Barbie' held Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:58:21 GMT
By 2010-09-04T13:58:21Z
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- A judge has ordered a U.S.-born suspected drug lord known as "La Barbie" held for 40 days pending an investigation into organized crime and other possible charges, authorities announced Saturday....
9 killed in New Zealand skydiving plane crash Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:33:44 GMT
By 2010-09-04T12:33:44Z
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- A light aircraft carrying skydivers crashed in flames Saturday near a popular tourist spot in New Zealand's Southern Alps, killing nine people including four foreign tourists, police said....
Afghans continue pulling money from troubled bank Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:35:44 GMT
By RAHIM FAIEZ 2010-09-04T12:35:44Z
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Nervous Afghans pulled more deposits out of the nation's largest bank on Saturday, despite assurances from government leaders that their money was safe....
US military chief seeks Turkish support over Iran Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:51:09 GMT
By SUZAN FRASER 2010-09-04T10:51:09Z
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- The United States' top military officer stressed on Saturday the need for Turkey to help enforce United Nations sanctions against Iran aimed at deterring the Islamic Republic from obtaining a nuclear bomb....
Death toll rises to 65 in attack on Pakistanis Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:17:42 GMT
By ABDUL SATTAR 2010-09-04T10:17:42Z
QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) -- The death toll from a Pakistani Taliban suicide attack on a Shiite Muslim procession rose from 43 to 65 overnight as critically wounded people died in hospitals, police said Saturday....

UK News Headlines - BBC

Six million facing new tax bills Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:22:04 GMT
HM Revenue and Customs says some 1.4 million people each owe about £1,500 in tax, while 4.3 million will get an average rebate of £418.
Blair pelted with eggs in Dublin Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:16:50 GMT
Eggs and shoes are thrown at the former Prime Minister Tony Blair as he attends a book signing in Dublin.
Tory defects over schools scheme Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:56:22 GMT
A Tory councillor defects to Labour over cuts to the government's schools building programme, saying she was "ashamed to be a Conservative".
Balls seeks phone hack statement Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:46:31 GMT
Labour leadership hopeful Ed Balls says the home secretary should make a statement about claims of phone tapping by the News of the World.
Burnt body found on golf course Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:57:20 GMT
A badly-burnt body is found in undergrowth between the 17th and 18th holes of an East Sussex golf course.
Briton killed in NZ plane crash Sat, 04 Sep 2010 07:05:04 GMT
Nine people, including one Briton, are killed when a light aircraft crashes after taking off from Fox Glacier in New Zealand, say reports.
Police chief raps Moat coverage Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:40:04 GMT
Chief Constable Peter Fahy says it was "not right" that TV broadcasters covered the last hours of gunman Raoul Moat on a live rolling basis.
Afghan violence 'will get worse' Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:53:26 GMT
Violence in Afghanistan will get worse before it gets better, the UK's most senior military commander in the country tells the BBC.
Taxpayers 'should not fund Pope' Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:33:15 GMT
Some 77% of Britons think taxpayers should not help pay for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to Scotland and England, a survey suggests.
Bank customers in 'dire poverty' Fri, 03 Sep 2010 23:02:20 GMT
Banks are accused of leaving some customers in "dire poverty" after taking money out of their accounts without permission.
Pakistan trio keen to see row end Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:27:20 GMT
A lawyer for the three Pakistan players at the centre of allegations of corruption says they are keen for a "timely and satisfactory outcome" to the affair.
Council could cut over 1,000 jobs Sat, 04 Sep 2010 05:02:42 GMT
One of Scotland's largest councils - North Lanarkshire - warns that it may have to cut more than 1,000 jobs.
Industry fears over cheaper coins Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:12:04 GMT
Vending machine companies warn cheaper "steel" 5p and 10p coins being considered by the Treasury could cost the industry millions of pounds.
Funeral for festival death singer Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:55:51 GMT
The funeral is held of singer Charles Haddon from Northamptonshire who died in a fall in Belgium.
Father and son die in bike crash Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:05:27 GMT
A father and his 15-year-old son are killed in a motorbike accident outside Galashiels in the Scottish Borders.
Spud u like: Gardener chipper over his super-spud Sat, 04 Sep 2010 13:12:36 GMT
An amateur gardener grows what he believes to be the largest potato in the world.
Yoko marks Lennon's birthday with Liverpool trip Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:42:51 GMT
Yoko Ono makes an "emotional" visit to John Lennon's former school and childhood home in Liverpool.
Name released after city death Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:56:01 GMT
Police release the name of a man who was found dead at his apartment in Armagh city on Friday.
Irish citizen dies in plane crash Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:40:57 GMT
A 26-year-old man from the Irish Republic is among nine people killed in a plane crash in New Zealand.
More cuts in councillors proposed Sat, 04 Sep 2010 14:50:44 GMT
More plans to reduce the number of councillors in Wales are put forward to create what ministers say would be greater fairness for voters.
Village £550,000 broadband quote Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:20:37 GMT
Villagers told by BT it will cost £550,000 for a broadband connection receive an estimate from another company of £50,000.
Murder inquiry over man's death Sat, 04 Sep 2010 12:03:57 GMT
Police say they are treating the death of a man in Glasgow's east end as murder, following a post mortem examination.
Man saved after lighthouse plunge Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:38:10 GMT
A man is rescued after he reportedly fell from a lighthouse and plunged into the sea off the coast of Dumfries and Galloway.
Officers could face crash charges Sat, 04 Sep 2010 11:07:53 GMT
Two police officers who crashed a sports car seized from a suspected drink-driver could face prosecution.
Girl hurt in barbecue explosion Sat, 04 Sep 2010 09:30:26 GMT
A 13-year-old girl and her uncle suffer serious burns when a gas cylinder explodes during her birthday barbecue in Wiltshire.

The News Behind the News - Sign of the Times

Yellowstone Hot Spot Shreds Ancient Pacific Ocean Sat, 04 Sep 2010 08:52:27 -0500
If you thought the geysers and overblown threat of a supervolcanic eruption in Yellowstone National Park were dramatic, you ain't seen nothing: deep beneath Earth's surface, the hot spot that feeds the park has torn an entire tectonic plate in half. The revelation comes from a new study in the journal Geophysical Research Letters that peered into the mantle beneath the Pacific Northwest to see what happens when ancient ocean crust from the Pacific Ocean runs headlong into a churning plume of ultra-hot mantle material. Geologically speaking, the Pacific Northwest is a peculiar place. Hot spots usually sit way out on their own in the middle of a tectonic plate (think Hawaii or the Galapagos). Not Yellowstone -- it pokes its way to the surface just a few hundred miles from the edge of the North America plate, where a giant trench sends the Juan de Fuca tectonic plate sliding underneath Washington, Oregon, and northern California.
Mexican politicians killed in plane crash Sat, 04 Sep 2010 06:34:00 -0500
Two Mexican politicians and at least three other died when their small plane crashed in southern Mexico, according to police. Guillermo Zavaleta and Juan Huerta, both members of Mexican President Felipe Calderon's National Action Party, died in the crash in Huatulco in the state of Oaxaca. The Cessna plane crash occurred midmorning some 500 metres from Huatulco airport, Oaxaca state Police Chief Javier Rueda told journalists. Oaxaca Attorney General Maria de la Luz Candelaria said the plane had taken off from the state of Mexico, near the capital, and crash shortly before landing without making an emergency call to the control tower.
Pat Robertson: Fueling The Mosque Arson Sat, 04 Sep 2010 05:36:07 -0500
The planned relocation of a 30 year old Mosque in Murfreesboro, Tennessee has run into official difficulty, as well as arson and vandalism, after the 700 Club descended on the town. Having already obtained approval to build from the Rutherford County Commissioners, new concerns have been manufactured over the alleged increased traffic that may be caused by the Mosque. Anti-Muslim activists and the 700Club suggest that these concerns may be effective as a means of delaying, or possibly derailing, the plans. During the August 19 episode of the 700 Club a segment over nine minutes long was dedicated to raising fear over the relocation of the mosque. The segment entitled 'Mega-Mosque Nation,' which begins at the 17 minute mark, and ends after the 26 minute mark of the broadcast, includes, among other things, footage of local officials being pressured into investigating alleged dangers proposed by the Mosque. After explaining that every religion in the area is treated completely equally, Rutherford County Mayor, Ernest Burgess, is bombarded with accusations by 700Club staff that 'The Islamic Brotherhood' will infiltrate this Mosque with the intention of spreading 'radical Islam.' While Mayor Burgess was unfazed by the unfounded accusations and remains committed to the equal rights and freedoms of all individuals, County Commissioners have agreed to re-open the case based on the allegations featured in the 700Club episode.
Groups Hand-Deliver 180,000 Letters to FDA Sat, 04 Sep 2010 04:31:02 -0500
U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently received more than 180,000 hand-delivered letters from citizens concerned about proposed FDA action on antibiotic use in animals. These concerned citizens represent people who see a connection between the use of antibiotics in animal agriculture and an increase in human resistance to the same life-saving drugs. The letters were delivered on the eve of the Aug. 27 cut-off date for public comment on the issue. A broad coalition of organizations encouraging new FDA regulatory guidelines collected and delivered the letters. The groups include the Center for Food Safety; Center for Science in the Public Interest; CREDO Action; FamilyFarmed.org; Farm Aid; Food & Water Watch; Food Democracy Now!; The Humane Society of the United States; Organic Consumers Association; and Union of Concerned Scientists. A press release from the Center for Food Safety describes these organizations as "committed to saving antibiotics as pillars of public health in the United States." 

Many consumer advocates and health professionals agree that the widespread use of antibiotics in animals intended for human consumption may have contributed to a spike in human antibiotic resistance. In mid July, Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Deputy Commissioner of the FDA, testified before Congress on the issue of antimicrobial resistance. "FDA concludes that the overall weight of evidence available to date supports the conclusion that using medically important antimicrobial drugs for production purposes is not in the interest of protecting and promoting the public health," he explained. "Developing strategies for reducing antimicrobial resistance is critically important for protecting both public and animal health."
The Silent Treatment: Massive Attack Boycotts Israel Sat, 04 Sep 2010 04:04:52 -0500
The movement for a cultural boycott of Israel in response to its treatment of the Palestinians, modelled on the boycott of apartheid South Africa, could eclipse decades of disingenuous political charades in engaging western intellectuals, academics and artists. Internationally renowned figures such as Naomi Klein and Ken Loach have supported the call, and now one of Britain's most successful bands, Massive Attack, is publicly backing the boycott. "I've always felt that it's the only way forward," Robert Del Naja, the band's lead singer, tells me when we meet at the Lazarides gallery in Fitzrovia, London. Del Naja is an artist as well as musician and his face and fingers are speckled with paint. Dozens of his pictures are strewn all over the wooden floorboards, drying. "It's a system that's been applied to many countries. It's a good thing to aim for because it applies the continual pressure that's needed." Musicians have a history of rallying the public to supporting political causes. The global anti-apartheid movement got the fillip it desperately needed when musicians began supporting it. The single "Sun City" by Artists United Against Apartheid in 1985 and the 70th-birthday tribute concert for Nelson Mandela at Wembley in 1988 catapulted the cause into millions of ordinary homes.
How To Tell Who Is Influencing Whom in a Group Discussion Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:41:42 -0500
A computer model that detects who is influencing whom in a group discussion, can accurately predict who is likely to speak next One fascinating question that occupies social scientists concerns groups discussions. The problem is to determine the nature of the interaction between individuals and in particular, who influences whom. Various breakthroughs in network theory and agent-based modelling have revolutionised researchers' understanding of these processes. One approach for analysing online discussions is to look for the set of keywords that define a topic of discussion, record the various instances in which these words appear and then study the links between the sites that use them: which came first, who links to whom and so on. This data can then be used to construct a network of influence. While this has been hugely useful, it's hard to escape the sense that it fails to capture the true dynamics of influence, the way the balance of power and influence within a group shifts from moment to moment as a discussion evolves. If you've ever participated in a face to face group discussion, you'll know what I mean. (And if you haven't, where have you been?)
New Zealand: Fox Glacier Plane Crash - Nine Dead Sat, 04 Sep 2010 01:33:04 -0500
Police have confirmed that nine people - a pilot, four locals and four overseas tourists - have been killed in a skydiving plane crash in Fox Glacier this afternoon in New Zealand's worst air crash in seventeen years. Senior Sergeant Allyson Ealam of Greymouth Police Station said the four tourists were from Ireland, England, Germany and Australia. The pilot and four males who died were from Fox Glacier. The names of the deceased will be released tomorrow morning as next of kin are still being notified. The accident happened at 1.15pm today when the plane, carrying a party of skydivers and tourists, crashed at the end of the runway at Fox Glacier Airport. Police say the embassies of each overseas victim have been informed and relatives are in the process of being advised. The bodies will remain at the site of the crash until tomorrow and a police disaster victim identification team is currently en-route to Fox Glacier.
Human Unconscious is Transferred to Virtual Characters Fri, 03 Sep 2010 23:59:44 -0500
Virtual characters can behave according to actions carried out unconsciously by humans. Researchers at the University of Barcelona have created a system which measures human physiological parameters, such as respiration or heart rate, and introduces them into computer designed characters in real time. "The ultimate aim is to develop a method which allows humans to unconsciously relate with some parts of the virtual environment more intensely than with others, and that they are encouraged only by their own physiological responses to the virtual reality shown," Christoph Groenegress, co-author of the work and researcher at the University of Barcelona explained. The system, the details of which were recently published in the journal The Visual Computer, uses sensors and wireless devices to measure three physiological parameters in real time: heart rate, respiration, and the galvanic (electric) skin response. Immediately, the data is processed with a software programme that is used to control the behavior of a virtual character who is sitting in a waiting room.
Texas opens inquiry into Google search rankings Fri, 03 Sep 2010 23:15:50 -0500
Google Inc.'s methods for recommending websites are being reviewed by Texas' attorney general in an investigation spurred by complaints that the company has abused its power as the Internet's dominant search engine. The antitrust inquiry disclosed by Google late Friday is just the latest sign of the intensifying scrutiny facing the company as it enters its adolescence. Since its inception in a Silicon Valley garage 12 years ago, Google has gone from a quirky startup to one of the world's most influential businesses with annual revenue approaching $30 billion. A spokesman for Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott confirmed the investigation, but declined further comment. The review appears to be focused on whether Google is manipulating its search results to stifle competition. The pecking order of those results can make or break websites because Google's search engine processes about two-thirds of the search requests in the U.S. and handles even more volume in some parts of the world.
University of Colardo students crash land a NASA satellite Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:47:19 -0500
Talk about a dream project: a group of Colorado University students were hand-picked by NASA to help them on a space mission. What was that mission? To crash the hurtling, flaming debris of an out-of-control space aircraft into the Atlantic Ocean. The satellite was one of NASA's own and known as ICESat, or Ice, Cloud and Land Elevation Satellite. For the past seven years, it had been blooping happily above the skin of the Earth, gathering data on ice sheets that could be fed into climate change models. But then, as often happens, it just stopped working and became another bit of space junk, twinkling in the sky above. Failing to restart the satellite, NASA scientists decided to outsource the task of crashing it into the ocean to some plucky Colorado University students, who competed on their off hours over the course of many long nights and holidays to earn the job.
A Round to the Pathocracy: Court throws out $926 million Rocky Flats award Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:37:08 -0500
A $926 million award to thousands of Colorado homeowners in a lawsuit involving plutonium contamination from a now-defunct nuclear weapons plant was thrown out Friday by a federal appeals court. A three-judge panel also tossed the jury verdict in the case and ruled that homeowners failed to prove their properties were damaged or that they suffered bodily injury from plutonium that blew onto their properties from Rocky Flats northwest of Denver. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver ruled that the jury reached its decision in February 2006 on faulty instructions that incorrectly stated the law. The judges wrote that under the law, the presence of plutonium on properties south of the plant, which closed in 1989 for safety and environmental reasons, at best shows only a risk - not actual damages to their health or properties. "'DNA damage and cell death' do not constitute a bodily injury in the absence of the manifestation of an actual disease or injury," the panel wrote, later adding: "Plaintiffs must necessarily establish that plutonium particles released from Rocky Flats caused a detectable level of actual damage." Decreased property values could not be counted as damage, the court ruled.
Deadly bombing at Pakistan rally Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:21:20 -0500
At least 56 people have been killed and 200 injured in a suicide attack targeting a Shia Muslim rally in Pakistan's southwest city of Quetta. Police officers said the bomber was among the 450-strong crowd and had detonated the device on reaching the main square in the city on Friday. The explosion triggering chaotic scenes, with some people set on fire as others fled or lay on the ground to avoid ongoing gunfire. The bomb appeared to target the rally being held for al-Quds day, an international event held every year by the Shia community in opposition to Israel's control of Jerusalem and to show solidarity with Palestinian Muslims. The Pakistani Taliban have claimed responsibility for a attack.
Scientists discover recipe for water in space Fri, 03 Sep 2010 19:38:46 -0500
London, England-- European scientists say they've figured out the recipe for water in space: Just add starlight. They made the discovery while examining a dying star that is 500 light-years away from Earth, using an infrared observatory launched by the European Space Agency last year. "This is a good example of how better instruments can change our picture completely," said Leen Decin of the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium, who is the lead author of the paper about the work. The story begins in 2001, when astronomers discovered an unexpected cloud of water vapor around an old star called IRC+10216. The star is known as a carbon star, not thought to make much water, so scientists initially thought the star's heat must have evaporated comets or dwarf planets to produce the water vapor. After the European Space Agency's Herschel laboratory launched last year, however, scientists discovered spectral lines in the light coming from the water vapor.
Explosions rumble at weapons warehouse in south Lebanon Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:33:19 -0500
A string of explosions in a weapons storage facility rattled the village of Shehabiyeh in southern Lebanon and started a fire, Lebanon's official news agency reported. The state-run National News Agency said preliminary information indicated that the explosion took place in a three-story building "owned by the citizen W.S." and that the Lebanese Army had cordoned off the area and was investigating. The Israel Defense Forces posted a short video of a burning building on its YouTube channel, saying it was a Hezbollah weapons storage building in Shehabiyeh. The IDF did not say where it got the video, which was shot from high overhead, with text and other markings around the edges of the video blurred out.
Hezbollah places 15,000 rockets on border with Israel, says Ambassador Oren Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:26:47 -0500
Israel's ambassador to Washington, Michael Oren, warned Friday that Hezbollah has placed around 15,000 rockets along Lebanon's border with Israel, including some that could hit southern Eilat. "The Syrian-Iranian backed Hezbollah poses a very serious threat to Israel," Oren said in a conference call focused mainly on the new direct Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations. "Hezbollah today now has four times as many rockets as it had during the 2006 Lebanon war. These rockets are longer-range. Every city in Israel is within range right now, including Eilat," he said. The Red Sea resort of Eilat is the most southern point in Israel.
US: Woman Sees Blue Lights. Has Missing Time Episode Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:12:45 -0500
Date of Sighting: August 30, 2010 Time of Sighting: 10:55 PM to Midnight CDT Location of Sighting: Lees Summit, Missouri Description: I got up around 3:00 AM. Because my dog was acting really funny. He was growling and smelling the bedroom window. So I thought he needed to use the bathroom. I went outside in my backyard and smoked a cigarette while my dog went into the yard. I was looking up at the sky trying to find the moon and I saw one blue light (big). At first I thought it was an airplane, but then it started moving closer toward my yard and I saw two other blue lights with all three forming the shape of a triangle all moving together toward my yard. I Kept looking to see what it was then got scared and decided maybe I should go back inside so I called my dog and went inside.
US: Man Sees Object Follow Military Jets, Break Up, & Disappear Over New York Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:57:51 -0500
Date of Sighting: August 27, 2010 Time of Sighting: 7 PM EDT Location of Sighting: Queens, New York (See Map) Description: I don't know if you would consider this a military test or a UFO sighting. I saw 2 jets flying parallel to each other with a third object (couldn't make out the shape too wee) in a triangle formation. All of a sudden either some sort of metallic material (it reflected the setting sun, spiraled and disappeared) was released or the third object following the jets broke up. For the next 15 minutes or so, there was a flurry of high altitude jet activity following the same flight path. Could it have been some sort of anti-missile (FLAK) experiment? I live between Laguardia and Kennedy airports.
Two witness reports of separate sightings of UFOs over Michigan Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:57:47 -0500
Date of Sighting: August 26, 2010 Time of Sighting: 10 PM EDT Location of Sighting: Glennie, Michigan (See Map) Description: We were camping at Alcona County Park. At about 10.00 PM my husband saw a very bright large light high in the sky towards Tawas. It was rectangular in shape and yellow, not white. About 15 minutes later he and the neighbor saw three lights to the left of the first light. Those were behind some pine trees and did not get as good a look at them. Then about 10:30 PM in the same spot towards Tawas we all saw five lights, very bright and yellow, rectangular. It lasted about 30 seconds and then just disappeared. The light did not fade, they just disappeared as if someone had turned out the lights. This was witnessed by four different people. They did not appear to move, but just hovered there. Note: The witness is compared the sighting to the sighting at Tawas, Michigan which occurred on August 26, 2010 between 9 and 10 PM.
US: Stationary Light Becomes Very Bright & Then Streaks Northeastward Over Illinois Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:57:45 -0500
Date of Sighting: August 26, 2010 Time of Sighting: 9:03 PM CDT Location of Sighting: Chicago, Illinois Description: I witnessed a UFO through my deck sliding glass doorway. I was looking out the window in a northeast direction and contemplating taking my telescope out to view the night sky as the moon was very bright in the eastern sky low above the trees. I was looking at the constellation Cassiopeia when there was a bright star that began to descend from the constellation. As it descended it got brighter and very large and then began to move in a northeastern direction rapidly. The total experience was less than 1 minute.
French Town's UFO Landing Pad Welcomes First Visitor Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:44:11 -0500
Arès, near Bordeaux, southwestern France, has decided to try and attract Martians to its triangular "UFOport" with its very own fake Martian craft. Made by a local artist, the man-made UFO "landed" on the strip yesterday and, it is hoped, will entice any hesitant extraterrestrials in search of a runway. A plaque reads: "Reserved for voyagers of the universe". The operation has been dubbed: Allo Arès, ici UFO. Arès built the pad in 1976 after a local airport electrician and UFO nut complained to local authorities that France had no alien craft strips. The local mayor liked the idea and decreed that extraterrestrial visitors would be exempt from airport tax and could take part in any local boules or mud-skating competitions.
Virtual Reality Parhelic Circle Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:35:28 -0500
A parhelic circle is an unforgettable sight. Thin and pale, it circles the zenith in a majestic arc, always keeping the same distance above the horizon. "I've been looking for a parhelic circle for more than 13 years," says photographer Laurent Laveder of Pluguffan, France. "Yesterday I finally saw one." He rushed for his camera and quickly snapped enough pictures to assemble a complete 360o zenith-to-horizon composite view of the phenomenon. Click here to experience the VR parhelic circle. Parhelic circles are caused by sunlight reflecting from the vertical faces of ice crystals--millions of them floating in thin cirrus clouds spread almost evenly across the wide blue sky. As Les Cowley notes in his authoritative web page on the subject, "the parhelic circle appears simple yet more ray paths contribute to it than in any other halo. Some are very intricate." A striking aspect of the parhelic circle is its dual personality. At the same time it appears both circular and straight. "These two pictures (1, 2) illustrate the effect," says Laveder. More images may be found here.
US: Round, Object With 5 Protrusions on the Bottom Seen in Night Sky Over Illinois Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:26:29 -0500
Date of Sighting: August 26, 2010 Time of Sighting: 9:03 PM CDT Location of Sighting: Malden, Illinois (See Map) Description: I just stepped out onto the front porch and looked up to see an unusually bright white light in the sky. I couldn't estimate the size, distance or speed. However, compared to the morning star Venus, I would say it was at least three to four times bigger and very much brighter. It was pure white, round, and had what appeared to be five straight things on the bottom of it. The "protrusions" were possibly probes or antenna looking things which were the same bright white as the object itself. It definitely was not a satellite, jet or airplane. It's movement was in an unsteady straight line of travel from SW to NE. By unsteady I mean it had the appearance of an object that was connected to a string and being carried in a straight line of direction, but had a very slight wiggle to it while moving forward.
US: 2 Witness Low Flying Triangular Object With High Pitched Hum over Missouri Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:26:26 -0500
Date of Sighting: August 26, 2010 Time of Sighting: 9:05 to 9:10 PM CDT Location of Sighting: Warrensburg, Missouri (See Map) Description: Listen to Witness Report (MP3) One of the witnesses called shortly after her sighting. She was quite excited by what she saw. She left a voice mail message (above audio). I subsequently called her and obtained more information. She and her friend were leaving a theater and heard a very "high pitched" hum. She then saw three very bright lights hovering over the parking lot. She ran into the parking lot to get a better look at the object, but the object began moving over a forested area (northwest across Highway 13). The lights were in a triangular formation were white and flashed. She described them brighter than high-beam headlights.
US: 5 See Large Orange Oval Object in Night Sky Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:26:24 -0500
Date of Sighting: August 20, 2010 Time of Sighting: 1 to 1:04 AM EDT Location of Sighting: Belmont, Massachusetts (See Map) Description: There were 4 people who all witnessed this sighting. I called the number to report and was told to submit a written statement of the sighting. The time was roughly 1:00 AM. Myself and 4 other people were on a park bench in the suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts. The sky had a few very thin clouds roughly in the middle of the sky (determined after event that the angle was roughly 30 degrees), but the sky was clear mostly. At this time we all had noticed a bright, light orange, elongated ovular shape in the sky. It was assumed that it must have been a blimp advertising something. Several key factors of the objects appearance made that theory false. The first being that the object had no blinking lights along its perimeter. All blimps have these lights as a warning to planes or helicopters to avoid collision. Second, the object we were observing was too long and thin to be a blimp. Blimps are mostly more rounded. Last, the object was not moving. There was no possible way that the object was the moon because of the shape nor could it have been a spotlight from an event taking place for the same reasons.
Gordon Duff: Is Israel Running the Taliban? Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:26:03 -0500
Today's suicide bombing in Quetta, Pakistan leaves a trail to Tel Aviv. Quetta, Baluchistan, Today, 43 Pakistanis were killed in a terror attack, killed for supporting Palestinians in Gaza. The signs had been there, the Wikileaks attempt to put responsibility for the Taliban on Veterans Today editor General Hamid Gul. This was debunked in a heartbeat. This attack was vicious and clearly the work of Israel. This was a terror attack meant as a message to the people of the world telling them that if they rally in support of those imprisoned in Gaza, they will be murdered. Is it a gift for the Jewish people of Israel, another revenge attack, seemingly in response to the shooting of 4 Israeli Jews in Hebron, an attack curiously timed to disrupt peace talks between Jewish and Muslim Palestinians in Washington?

Entertainment News Headlines - BBC

DJs unite for Love Parade track Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:47:43 GMT
Three of the world's most successful club DJs join forces to pay tribute to those who died at the Love Parade festival in Germany in July.
Sarah Kennedy leaves BBC Radio 2 Fri, 03 Sep 2010 13:35:29 GMT
Veteran broadcaster Sarah Kennedy is leaving BBC Radio 2's Dawn Patrol show - 34 years after joining the station
Robbie turns on Blackpool lights Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:44:56 GMT
Thousands of people watch Robbie Williams switch on Blackpool's illuminations.
Cheryl and Ashley granted divorce Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:45:14 GMT
Cheryl and Ashley Cole are granted a divorce at the High Court after four years of marriage.
Hirst works 'inspired by others' Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:10:13 GMT
A group that campaigns against conceptual art claims 15 works by the artist Damien Hirst were inspired by other artists.
Saunders writing Spice Girls show Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:19:33 GMT
TV comedienne Jennifer Saunders is to write the story for musical Viva Forever - based on the songs of the Spice Girls.
GMTV ends after 17 years on ITV Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:29:58 GMT
Morning show GMTV appears on ITV1 for the final time after 17 years with presenter Andrew Castle paying tribute to viewers.
T.I. released after drug arrest Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:56:18 GMT
The American rap star has been released from jail on bail after being arrested on suspicion of possessing ecstasy.
Fringe defends ticket sales total Fri, 03 Sep 2010 12:33:09 GMT
Edinburgh Fringe officials defend their decision to count customers of free shows in their box office returns.
Harman joins Holden in Shrek show Fri, 03 Sep 2010 10:59:26 GMT
Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden lands a starring role in Shrek The Musical, which is coming to London's West End next year.
Joy Division designer Peter Saville tackles England kit Fri, 03 Sep 2010 11:13:30 GMT
Peter Saville, the designer behind iconic record sleeves by Joy Division and New Order, creates a new football strip for the England team.
Back... but not for long as Madeley rescues show Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:32:11 GMT
Ex-This Morning host Richard Madeley presents the first five minutes of the show while Eamonn Holmes is stuck in traffic.
Majority 'agree with arts change' Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:16:59 GMT
Two-thirds of people agree with the government stance on cutting arts funding and relying more on private cash, a survey suggests.
Blair memoirs 'break sale record' Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:50:01 GMT
Tony Blair's memoirs, based on his time as the prime minister, break sales records, booksellers say.
Bob Dylan art debuts in Denmark Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:28:37 GMT
Some of musician Bob Dylan's artwork, never seen before by the public, is to be displayed at Denmark's National Gallery.
Gone With The Wind actress dies Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:53:08 GMT
Former Gone With The Wind child actress Cammie King Conlon - who played the doomed daughter of Scarlett O'Hara and Rhett Butler - dies aged 76.
Hogan given leave to return to US Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:26:33 GMT
Crocodile Dundee star Paul Hogan reaches an agreement with tax authorities in Australia allowing him to return to his home in the US.
Portman launches Venice film gala Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:25:40 GMT
Natalie Portman attends the opening of the Venice Film Festival, which launched with her film Black Swan.
Singer Sami urges Pakistan relief Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:43:40 GMT
British singer-songwriter Sami Yusuf, billed as "Islam's biggest rock star", is donating profits from his latest single to help flood victims in Pakistan.
Rapper TI is arrested for drugs Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:14:35 GMT
Rapper TI and his wife Tameka Cottle are arrested in Hollywood for drug possession, police confirm.
Pepper and Piano set for top five Thu, 02 Sep 2010 14:03:35 GMT
The UK's first talent show to make music available for download immediately propels a little known act called Pepper and Piano into the charts.
Thompson defends BBC No 10 visit Fri, 03 Sep 2010 15:14:24 GMT
Director general denies he compromised the BBC's independence by visiting Downing Street to discuss coverage of the government's spending cuts.
Talent contestant denied tribunal Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:40:46 GMT
A former Britain's Got Talent hopeful who claimed she was discriminated against at an audition fails to get her case taken to an employment tribunal.
Corrie to go live for anniversary Thu, 02 Sep 2010 10:36:04 GMT
Coronation Street is to broadcast a live episode as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, soap bosses confirm.
Robbie Williams lights up Blackpool Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:22:28 GMT
Blackpool's illuminations have been switched on by Robbie Williams.

Entertainment News Headlines - Associated Press

Kanye West : 'I bled hard' over Swift debacle Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:32:39 GMT
By 2010-09-04T16:32:39Z
NEW YORK (AP) -- Hip-hop star Kanye West is still feeling the pain over his trophy grab from Taylor Swift last year - and he's expressing his pain all over Twitter....
Bristol Palin tells Leno 'Dancing' choice was easy Sat, 04 Sep 2010 05:01:23 GMT
By 2010-09-04T05:01:23Z
BURBANK, Calif. (AP) -- Bristol Palin said she didn't think twice before waltzing into "Dancing with the Stars," though she's barely danced in her life....
Irreverent Cuban movie promises zombie revolution Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:12:49 GMT
By PAUL HAVEN 2010-09-04T16:12:49Z
HAVANA (AP) -- What would you do if your entire city was taken over by flesh-eating zombies and communist leaders insisted it was nothing but a plot by U.S-backed dissidents to destabilize the government?...
Fox: Kara DioGuardi departs 'American Idol' Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:23:46 GMT
By LYNN ELBER 2010-09-04T10:23:46Z
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kara DioGuardi is following Ellen DeGeneres and Simon Cowell out the door at "American Idol."...
Taylor Lautner settles suit over RV for movie set Sat, 04 Sep 2010 02:06:49 GMT
By 2010-09-04T02:06:49Z
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A lawyer for Taylor Lautner says the "Twilight" star has settled a lawsuit with an RV dealership he claims didn't deliver a $300,000 coach in time for a movie shoot....
Appeals court rules for Eminem in royalty lawsuit Sat, 04 Sep 2010 03:53:34 GMT
By 2010-09-04T03:53:34Z
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A federal appeals court has found Eminem's former production company is entitled to more money from downloads of the rapper's songs and ringtones....
Lennon still helping me, Yoko Ono says Fri, 03 Sep 2010 18:07:00 GMT
By 2010-09-03T18:07:00Z
LONDON (AP) -- Yoko Ono says John Lennon is still helping her in her endeavours as an artist and peace activist as she pays tribute to her late husband before what would have been his 70th birthday....
Ne-Yo on T.I.: 'He makes a lot of poor decisions' Fri, 03 Sep 2010 17:15:49 GMT
By 2010-09-03T17:15:49Z
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Ne-Yo says T.I. has had many chances - and it's time he gets his act together....
Jury deadlocks in Calif. marriage fraud case Sat, 04 Sep 2010 01:13:27 GMT
By ANDREW DALTON 2010-09-04T01:13:27Z
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A federal judge declared a mistrial Friday after jurors told him deliberations had grown hostile in the marriage fraud case of Mexican-born actress Fernanda Romero and her husband....
Suspect in Paris Hilton burglary pleads not guilty Fri, 03 Sep 2010 22:47:03 GMT
By 2010-09-03T22:47:03Z
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A man accused of showing up at Paris Hilton's house wielding two knives has pleaded not guilty to attempted felony burglary....