U.S. ports vulnerable to terrorists, probe finds.
A Department of Homeland Security program to strengthen port security has gaps that terrorists could exploit to smuggle weapons of mass destruction in cargo containers, congressional investigators have found.
The report by the Government Accountability Office, being released Tuesday, assesses the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), a federal program established after the September 11, 2001, attacks to deter a potential terrorist strike via cargo passing through 326 of the nation's airports, seaports and designated land borders.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
5/21/08
R. Kelly jurors watch 25-minute sex tape.
The judge ordered the courtroom lights to be lowered and the blinds drawn. And then, the 25-minute sex tape at the heart of the R. Kelly child pornography case played Tuesday before a packed house: a Chicago courtroom.Juror reactions were difficult to discern in the hushed and darkened courtroom.
R&B superstar Kelly sat expressionless as the tape was played. He's charged with 14 counts of child pornography and faces 15 years in prison if convicted. Sketch artists were warned that if they drew any depiction of the acts on the tape, they, too, could be charged with child pornography.
The judge ordered the courtroom lights to be lowered and the blinds drawn. And then, the 25-minute sex tape at the heart of the R. Kelly child pornography case played Tuesday before a packed house: a Chicago courtroom.Juror reactions were difficult to discern in the hushed and darkened courtroom.
R&B superstar Kelly sat expressionless as the tape was played. He's charged with 14 counts of child pornography and faces 15 years in prison if convicted. Sketch artists were warned that if they drew any depiction of the acts on the tape, they, too, could be charged with child pornography.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
5/20/08
Billionaire oilman backs wind power.
Billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens is sinking billions of dollars into a new wind farm in Texas. It is likely to become the biggest in the world, producing enough power for the equivalent of 1.3 million homes. CNN's Ali Velshi asked the oil legend why he thinks wind could be the answer to this country's energy problems.
We start receiving those turbines in mid 2010. We will have the total 4,000 megawatts finished by the end of 2015. That power will go into a transmission line that will tie into the Electric Reliability Council of Texas system in the state of Texas, and it will be transmitted downstate.
Billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens is sinking billions of dollars into a new wind farm in Texas. It is likely to become the biggest in the world, producing enough power for the equivalent of 1.3 million homes. CNN's Ali Velshi asked the oil legend why he thinks wind could be the answer to this country's energy problems.
We start receiving those turbines in mid 2010. We will have the total 4,000 megawatts finished by the end of 2015. That power will go into a transmission line that will tie into the Electric Reliability Council of Texas system in the state of Texas, and it will be transmitted downstate.
Monday, May 19, 2008
5/19/08
Economists see credit crisis nearing end.
First the good news: The worst of the painful housing slump and the credit crunch might come to an end this year. Now the bad: The economy will weaken further and unemployment will rise.Next year, the economy should grow by 2.3%, less than previously forecast and a pace that is still considered subpar.
That's the latest outlook from forecasters in a survey to be released Monday by the National Association for Business Economics, also known by its acronym NABE. It will take time for any rays of light to poke through the economic clouds, though.
First the good news: The worst of the painful housing slump and the credit crunch might come to an end this year. Now the bad: The economy will weaken further and unemployment will rise.Next year, the economy should grow by 2.3%, less than previously forecast and a pace that is still considered subpar.
That's the latest outlook from forecasters in a survey to be released Monday by the National Association for Business Economics, also known by its acronym NABE. It will take time for any rays of light to poke through the economic clouds, though.
Friday, May 16, 2008
5/15/08
Bin Laden urges Muslims to liberate Palestine.
Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden -- in a blunt new message that coincides with Israel's 60th anniversary -- urged his followers to liberate Palestine, a terrorism analyst told CNN on Friday.Bin Laden's audio message, released Thursday, told listeners that "liberating" Palestine should be the aim of every Muslim, according to terrorism analyst Laura Mansfield
In a message entitled "The Causes of Conflict on the 60th Anniversary of the State of Israeli Occupation," bin Laden reiterated jihadist opposition to the existence of the Jewish state and its policies.The message, played over a still image on jihadist Web sites, runs 9 minutes and 40 seconds.
Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden -- in a blunt new message that coincides with Israel's 60th anniversary -- urged his followers to liberate Palestine, a terrorism analyst told CNN on Friday.Bin Laden's audio message, released Thursday, told listeners that "liberating" Palestine should be the aim of every Muslim, according to terrorism analyst Laura Mansfield
In a message entitled "The Causes of Conflict on the 60th Anniversary of the State of Israeli Occupation," bin Laden reiterated jihadist opposition to the existence of the Jewish state and its policies.The message, played over a still image on jihadist Web sites, runs 9 minutes and 40 seconds.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
5/13/08-
Journalists in Myanmar 'live in fear'.
"I can't talk now, I think I'm in danger," a reporter in Myanmar whispered into the phone. Click.Phones are tapped and the few foreign journalists inside Myanmar are operating in secret, making it dangerous and difficult to tell the story of the cyclone that has devastated the Southeast Asian country.
What the f**k is going on, all i see in the news is just fgucking countries being torn apart by the nature.Covering catastrophes always carries risk in impoverished countries where disasters can cause shortages of food, clean water, outbreaks of disease and staggering death tolls. But the challenges are multiplied in Myanmar, where the reclusive and notoriously brutal military regime does not want details of the suffering to leak out.
"I can't talk now, I think I'm in danger," a reporter in Myanmar whispered into the phone. Click.Phones are tapped and the few foreign journalists inside Myanmar are operating in secret, making it dangerous and difficult to tell the story of the cyclone that has devastated the Southeast Asian country.
What the f**k is going on, all i see in the news is just fgucking countries being torn apart by the nature.Covering catastrophes always carries risk in impoverished countries where disasters can cause shortages of food, clean water, outbreaks of disease and staggering death tolls. But the challenges are multiplied in Myanmar, where the reclusive and notoriously brutal military regime does not want details of the suffering to leak out.
Monday, May 12, 2008
12/5/08
Gas prices hit 5th straight record.
Retail gasoline prices increased for the sixth straight day and hit their fifth consecutive record, auto group AAA's Web site showed Monday.
The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline rose to a new all-time high of $3.718, up 1 and one-tenth of a cent from the previous day.
I can't believe that people are still complaining about this, things are changing, just get over it, things right now are bad, and they are only going to get worse.Drivers now pay 21% more for a gallon of gas than they did a year ago, when a gallon of gas cost on average $3.064, according to AAA.
Retail gasoline prices increased for the sixth straight day and hit their fifth consecutive record, auto group AAA's Web site showed Monday.
The national average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline rose to a new all-time high of $3.718, up 1 and one-tenth of a cent from the previous day.
I can't believe that people are still complaining about this, things are changing, just get over it, things right now are bad, and they are only going to get worse.Drivers now pay 21% more for a gallon of gas than they did a year ago, when a gallon of gas cost on average $3.064, according to AAA.
Monday, May 5, 2008
5/5/08.
'Iron Man' makes super-strong debut.
That movie was awesome,and there's nothing more to say."Iron Man" was pure gold at the box office.The Marvel Comics adaptation, starring Robert Downey Jr. as the guy in the metal suit, hauled in $100.7 million over opening weekend and $104.2 million since debuting Thursday night, the second-best premiere ever for a non-sequel, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The film also scored overseas with $96.7 million in 57 countries where it began opening Wednesday, putting its worldwide total at $201 million.Distributed by Paramount, "Iron Man" was the first release by Marvel Studios, which has begun financing its own productions after such studio-backed hits as the "Spider-Man," "X-Men" and "Fantastic Four" flicks.
That movie was awesome,and there's nothing more to say."Iron Man" was pure gold at the box office.The Marvel Comics adaptation, starring Robert Downey Jr. as the guy in the metal suit, hauled in $100.7 million over opening weekend and $104.2 million since debuting Thursday night, the second-best premiere ever for a non-sequel, according to studio estimates Sunday.
The film also scored overseas with $96.7 million in 57 countries where it began opening Wednesday, putting its worldwide total at $201 million.Distributed by Paramount, "Iron Man" was the first release by Marvel Studios, which has begun financing its own productions after such studio-backed hits as the "Spider-Man," "X-Men" and "Fantastic Four" flicks.
Friday, May 2, 2008
5/2/08
Poll: More disapprove of Bush than any other president.
A new poll suggests that President Bush is the most unpopular president in modern American history.A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Thursday indicates that 71 percent of the American public disapprove of how Bush is handling his job as president.
Well this is no surprise,in my opinion Bush sucks,but what i think is weird is that there's still people out there that support that @$$hole, guess some people can't see the truth.
A new poll suggests that President Bush is the most unpopular president in modern American history.A CNN/Opinion Research Corp. survey released Thursday indicates that 71 percent of the American public disapprove of how Bush is handling his job as president.
Well this is no surprise,in my opinion Bush sucks,but what i think is weird is that there's still people out there that support that @$$hole, guess some people can't see the truth.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
4/30/08
Feds: School bomb plotter wanted to kill Jesus.
A teen accused of plotting to blow up his high school told police that he wanted to die, go to heaven and kill Jesus, federal authorities said Tuesday.Prosecutors argued in a federal courtroom that the statements are an indication that 18-year-old Ryan Schallenberger needs a psychological evaluation.
The straight-A Chesterfield High School senior was arrested April 19 and faces several state and federal charges, including attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. That charge carries a possible life sentence if he is convicted.
A teen accused of plotting to blow up his high school told police that he wanted to die, go to heaven and kill Jesus, federal authorities said Tuesday.Prosecutors argued in a federal courtroom that the statements are an indication that 18-year-old Ryan Schallenberger needs a psychological evaluation.
The straight-A Chesterfield High School senior was arrested April 19 and faces several state and federal charges, including attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. That charge carries a possible life sentence if he is convicted.
Monday, April 28, 2008
4/28/08
Father admits raping daughter, holding her captive.
A 73-year-old man has confessed to holding his daughter captive in his home cellar for nearly 24 years and fathering seven children by her, Austrian police say.Austrian police spokesman Franz Polzer says the man, known as Mr. F., has admitted holding his daughter hostage for more than two decades and raping her repeatedly.
I don't really know what the hell is wrong with this freak,this is one of the things that makes me wonder what has become of the world...i really want to get the hell out of this weird country(even though that happened in europe).Anyways i can only hope that he gets the punishment that he deserves.
A 73-year-old man has confessed to holding his daughter captive in his home cellar for nearly 24 years and fathering seven children by her, Austrian police say.Austrian police spokesman Franz Polzer says the man, known as Mr. F., has admitted holding his daughter hostage for more than two decades and raping her repeatedly.
I don't really know what the hell is wrong with this freak,this is one of the things that makes me wonder what has become of the world...i really want to get the hell out of this weird country(even though that happened in europe).Anyways i can only hope that he gets the punishment that he deserves.
Friday, April 25, 2008
4/25/08.
Carjacker asks TV crew for directions, police say.
A carjacking suspect stopped during the crime to ask a television news crew for directions, police said.The 19-year-old was arraigned Thursday on a charge of aggravated robbery and ordered held on $50,000 bond.
The driver signaled that he was being held at gunpoint, O'Brien told police.The news crew called police and followed the car until officers caught up. Police Lt. Thomas Stacho said the suspect was carrying a loaded handgun.
A carjacking suspect stopped during the crime to ask a television news crew for directions, police said.The 19-year-old was arraigned Thursday on a charge of aggravated robbery and ordered held on $50,000 bond.
The driver signaled that he was being held at gunpoint, O'Brien told police.The news crew called police and followed the car until officers caught up. Police Lt. Thomas Stacho said the suspect was carrying a loaded handgun.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
4/23/08
Toddler dies on flight from Germany to U.S.
A Lufthansa flight en route to New York diverted to Shannon Airport in Ireland after a 2-year-old girl died on the flight, Irish and airline officials said. The flight originated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and was bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, with a stopover in Frankfurt, Germany, the press office for the Irish police force Garda said.
The girl died during the Frankfurt-to-New York leg of the trip, and the plane was redirected to Ireland, landing there about 2:30 p.m., Garda said.
The cause of death is unknown, and a post mortem exam will be conducted Wednesday, Garda said. Police are investigating the circumstances of the toddler's death
A Lufthansa flight en route to New York diverted to Shannon Airport in Ireland after a 2-year-old girl died on the flight, Irish and airline officials said. The flight originated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and was bound for John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, with a stopover in Frankfurt, Germany, the press office for the Irish police force Garda said.
The girl died during the Frankfurt-to-New York leg of the trip, and the plane was redirected to Ireland, landing there about 2:30 p.m., Garda said.
The cause of death is unknown, and a post mortem exam will be conducted Wednesday, Garda said. Police are investigating the circumstances of the toddler's death
Monday, April 21, 2008
4/21/08
Recession threat rising - economists.
The odds the country will fall into its first recession since 2001 are rising sharply.Well this sucks, but since we never get any good news, this is the best to blog...well i hope we don't get into a recession.
Thirty percent of economists now believe the economy will shrink in the first half of this year, up from 10% who thought this in January, according to a survey being released Monday by the National Association for Business Economics, known by its acronym NABE.
The odds the country will fall into its first recession since 2001 are rising sharply.Well this sucks, but since we never get any good news, this is the best to blog...well i hope we don't get into a recession.
Thirty percent of economists now believe the economy will shrink in the first half of this year, up from 10% who thought this in January, according to a survey being released Monday by the National Association for Business Economics, known by its acronym NABE.
Friday, April 18, 2008
4/18/08
Earthquake rattles Illinois.
A magnitude-5.2 earthquake, centered 131 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri, shook southern Illinois early Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was about three miles below ground, six miles northwest of Mount Carmel, Illinois, and 38 miles north-northwest of Evansville, Indiana, according to the USGS.
There were few reports of damage immediately after the predawn quake, which struck at 4:36 a.m. (5:36 a.m. ET), but CNN affiliate WHAS-TV in Louisville, Kentucky, showed footage of rubble left in a street after a cornice fell off a brick building there.
A magnitude-5.2 earthquake, centered 131 miles east of St. Louis, Missouri, shook southern Illinois early Friday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was about three miles below ground, six miles northwest of Mount Carmel, Illinois, and 38 miles north-northwest of Evansville, Indiana, according to the USGS.
There were few reports of damage immediately after the predawn quake, which struck at 4:36 a.m. (5:36 a.m. ET), but CNN affiliate WHAS-TV in Louisville, Kentucky, showed footage of rubble left in a street after a cornice fell off a brick building there.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
4/15/08
Wife takes divorce drama online, vents scorn via YouTube.
We're the YouTube Generation, living in the YouTube Era, in a YouTube World. And now we apparently have a YouTube Divorce.As for Smith, his office said he had no comment and his lawyers said they didn't, either -- "other than that we're kind of appalled."
Some prominent New York divorce lawyers couldn't think of another case where a spouse -- in this instance, the wife of a major Broadway theater operator -- had taken to YouTube to spill the secrets of a marriage in an apparent effort to gain leverage and humiliate the other side.
We're the YouTube Generation, living in the YouTube Era, in a YouTube World. And now we apparently have a YouTube Divorce.As for Smith, his office said he had no comment and his lawyers said they didn't, either -- "other than that we're kind of appalled."
Some prominent New York divorce lawyers couldn't think of another case where a spouse -- in this instance, the wife of a major Broadway theater operator -- had taken to YouTube to spill the secrets of a marriage in an apparent effort to gain leverage and humiliate the other side.
Monday, April 14, 2008
4/14/08
Bush greeting pope in big way.
The leader of the world's 1 billion Roman Catholics has been to the White House only once in history.That changes this week, and President Bush is pulling out all the stops: driving out to a suburban military base to meet Pope Benedict XVI's plane, bringing a giant audience to the South Lawn and hosting a fancy East Room dinner.
Bush has never before given a visiting leader the honor of picking him up at the airport. In fact, no president has done so at Andrews Air Force Base, the typical landing spot for modern leaders.
The leader of the world's 1 billion Roman Catholics has been to the White House only once in history.That changes this week, and President Bush is pulling out all the stops: driving out to a suburban military base to meet Pope Benedict XVI's plane, bringing a giant audience to the South Lawn and hosting a fancy East Room dinner.
Bush has never before given a visiting leader the honor of picking him up at the airport. In fact, no president has done so at Andrews Air Force Base, the typical landing spot for modern leaders.
Friday, April 11, 2008
4/11/08
Man accused in fellow Marine's death captured.
U.S. Marine Cpl. Cesar Laurean, the main suspect in the killing of a 20-year-old pregnant Marine, has been captured in Mexico three months after fleeing North Carolina, the FBI announced Thursday. "I loved her," Laurean told a Mexican reporter who asked whether he killed Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach
Authorities are awaiting extradition to bring Laurean, who has been on the run since January, back to North Carolina. He has been indicted on charges of murder, ATM card theft, attempted card theft, fraud and robbery with a dangerous weapon.
U.S. Marine Cpl. Cesar Laurean, the main suspect in the killing of a 20-year-old pregnant Marine, has been captured in Mexico three months after fleeing North Carolina, the FBI announced Thursday. "I loved her," Laurean told a Mexican reporter who asked whether he killed Lance Cpl. Maria Lauterbach
Authorities are awaiting extradition to bring Laurean, who has been on the run since January, back to North Carolina. He has been indicted on charges of murder, ATM card theft, attempted card theft, fraud and robbery with a dangerous weapon.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
4/9/08
8 Club Mansion workers held in beatings.
Nearly a dozen bouncers inside South Beach's Club Mansion viciously beat three University of Delaware students over a disputed bill early Friday, according to Miami Beach police.Fort Lauderdale lawyer Kevin ''Bo'' Dennis plans to file a lawsuit this week on the three men's behalf, claiming that they were bloodied in a back room of Club Mansion, 1235 Washington Ave. The young men had cuts and black eyes.
This is really awful,and to think that those kids were just trying to have a good time and enjoy their spring break.Luckily Miami Beach police arrived just as the three men were able to escape through a side door, and took as many as 11 employees into custody.I just hope they get what they deserve.
Nearly a dozen bouncers inside South Beach's Club Mansion viciously beat three University of Delaware students over a disputed bill early Friday, according to Miami Beach police.Fort Lauderdale lawyer Kevin ''Bo'' Dennis plans to file a lawsuit this week on the three men's behalf, claiming that they were bloodied in a back room of Club Mansion, 1235 Washington Ave. The young men had cuts and black eyes.
This is really awful,and to think that those kids were just trying to have a good time and enjoy their spring break.Luckily Miami Beach police arrived just as the three men were able to escape through a side door, and took as many as 11 employees into custody.I just hope they get what they deserve.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
4/8/08
Olympic torch arrives in U.S.; protests expected.
Security concerns for the Olympic torch's only North American stop were high Tuesday after its visit to Paris descended into chaos and activists here scaled the Golden Gate Bridge to protest China's human rights record.
Meanwhile, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said the committee would consider ending the international leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay because of such anti-Chinese protests.I don't really see the point in using the olympic torch as a protest target....i mean if you really want to protest,do something that matters,and stop taking your anger out on something that is not even related to the problem.
Security concerns for the Olympic torch's only North American stop were high Tuesday after its visit to Paris descended into chaos and activists here scaled the Golden Gate Bridge to protest China's human rights record.
Meanwhile, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said the committee would consider ending the international leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay because of such anti-Chinese protests.I don't really see the point in using the olympic torch as a protest target....i mean if you really want to protest,do something that matters,and stop taking your anger out on something that is not even related to the problem.
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