Columbia Conflict Continues

According to reports on 2 October 2006, leaders of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group have sent a letter to the Colombian government, in which they express their willingness to initiate peace talks. The rebels, however, stated that the talks would begin once the swap of kidnap victims for jailed rebels takes place and once the government demilitarizes the municipalities of Florida and Pradera, both located in the Valle del Cauca department, as well as the departments of Caqueta and Putumayo. Other conditions requested to begin the talks include the discussion of a free trade agreement and an extradition treaty with the United States and the purge of the military, among other issues. Although the FARC has expressed its willingness to engage in peace talks, the government is not likely to cede to all of the group's demands, which is why it is unlikely that the 42-year conflict will be resolved in the near future.

Russia/Georgia Conflict

Russia reportedly ordered the closure of all transport links with Georgia -- including air, rail, road and sea links, as well as postal service -- for an unspecified period of time on 2 October 2006 in the latest escalation of a dispute between the two countries that began with the arrests of several Russian military officers on 27 September for charges of espionage. Air traffic will reportedly cease on 3 October, while it is not known when the other closures will take effect. Meanwhile, in an apparent effort to decrease tensions, Georgia stated on 2 October that it would hand over the four Russian officers it has in its custody to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). The OSCE has stated it will return the officers to Moscow.

Falwell Calls Hillary Clinton The Devil

RICHMOND, Va. - The Rev. Jerry Falwell acknowledged on Sunday saying that if Hillary Rodham Clinton were the Democrats’ presidential nominee in 2008, it would motivate conservative evangelical Christians to oppose her more than if the devil himself were running.

Falwell said in a telephone interview that his comments to several hundred pastors and religious activists at the “Value Voter Summit” conference were “totally tongue-in-cheek.”

“I certainly hope that Hillary is the candidate,” Falwell said at a breakfast session Friday in Washington. “I hope she’s the candidate, because nothing will energize my (constituency) like Hillary Clinton,” he said. “If Lucifer ran, he wouldn’t.”

This from the Clinton camp was sort of interesting.

Clinton press secretary Philippe Reines said Sunday, “Working for someone who believes in the Golden Rule, we’re not going to engage in such vitriolic discourse — but it seems that a new low has been reached in demonizing political opponents.”

So Hillary finds vitriolic discourse distasteful, eh? Well that certainly didn’t stop her from fund raising with Harry Belafonte, who once called President Bush the “greatest terrorist in the world” while down in Venezuela supporting Hugo Chavez’s socialist revolution.

I guess vitriol does have a place in politics for Hillary, as long as it is aimed at her political opponents.

Also, funny how this somewhat dumb comment from Falwell gets all sorts of press yet people like Cindy Sheehan and Belafonte telling the world that the President is worse than Osama bin Laden gets scant attention.
via

US Eases Ban on Air Travelers Carrying Liquids

WASHINGTON, Sept 25 (Reuters) - The United States said on Monday it was partly easing its ban on liquids and gels in carry-on bags on airline flights, a policy imposed last month after authorities in London said they foiled a plot to bomb U.S.-bound flights.

Travelers will be allowed to carry travel-size toiletries of 3 ounces (90 ml) or less in a small clear-plastic bag, the Transportation Security Administration said. They also may carry on drinks and other items purchased in the secure areas of the airport.

Lip gloss and hand lotion will no longer be confiscated by airport screeners. Those items will be checked over and placed in bags for passengers to carry aboard, if they clear security, a Homeland Security official said.

"After the initial, total ban, we have learned enough from the U.K. investigation to say with confidence that small, travel size liquids are safe to bring through security checkpoints in limited numbers," said Assistant TSA Secretary Kip Hawley.

"We have also taken additional security measures throughout the airport that make us comfortable allowing passengers to bring beverages and other items purchased in the secure area onboard," Hawley said.

The Department of Homeland Security banned liquids and gels on flights in August after the British government arrested at least 24 people and foiled what it said was a plot to simultaneously blow up several U.S.-bound airliners using liquid explosives.

Superdome Tour

The Superdome Post-Katrina:



The Superdome renovation - which included everything from extensive roof repair to sanitizing every seat - cost $185 million: $116 million from FEMA, $41 million from the Superdome Commission, $15 million from the NFL and $13 million from the state.

The FEMA money came from funds to cover uninsured losses to state property, which is separate from funds used to reimburse individual homeowners. The Superdome is one of nearly 1,000 state-owned facilities that will receive assistance.

"This money could not have been spent in the neighborhoods," Thornton noted.

Roy Mouledous, vice president of the Broadmoor Construction Management Agency that oversaw the project, said 30 of the Dome's 35 sub-contractors were locally owned.

"We need jobs and this generated construction jobs," Mouledous said.

Abysmal as the conditions became, Thornton believes the Superdome "saved 30,000 lives" in the evacuation.

"Some would have been in their attics or rooftops," he said.

The renovation isn't complete, just football-ready. The Monday night game is only one event in the long process of hurricane recovery. In stark contrast to the Superdome, the Dominion Tower stands vacant next door, its windows still shattered. The nearby Hyatt Hotel has yet to reopen.

"The symbolism can't be overstated," Thornton said. "The citizens have lost so much, the last thing they wanted to lose was their football team and their stadium. If we can rebuild this place, there's hope for the neighborhoods."

A Tour on Sept. 11, 2006:

Baghdad Bomb Targets Holiday Shoppers

BAGHDAD, Iraq, 09/24 - A car bomb ripped through crowds of shoppers stocking up before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, police in Baghdad said Saturday.


At least 28 people were killed and 26 others hurt in the blast at a market where people were buying gasoline and other supplies in the Baghdad Shiite stronghold of Sadr City.

Shiite Muslims will start to observe the Ramadan holiday starting Sunday, while the holy month begins Saturday for Sunnis.

People carried survivors out of the narrow, muddy streets toward ambulances in the aftermath of the attack at about 10 a.m.

College student Dhiyaa Ali told AP he found bodies and blood everywhere when he ran to help after hearing the explosion from his home.

The bomb was placed in a barrel near a gasoline tanker where people were lining up to buy fuel.

Space Travel Can Be a Dangerous Adventure

The effects of weightlessness on the human body were evident today at a welcome home event for the crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Amid the festivities at Ellington Field, Houston, astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshn-Piper fainted twice. Both times she appeared confused just before her legs began to buckle. NASA officials and fellow crew members quickly braced her fall and helped her to the ground.

Despite being a little red-faced, Stefanyshn-Piper remained in good spirits.

"Boy, if that's not a little embarrassing," she said, according to the Associate Press.

Stefanyshn-Piper is among the six member Atlantis crew that returned Thursday after a 12-day long stay in space to add a solar array to the International Space Station.

Experts say Stefanyshn-Piper's fainting spell is not unusual....
Read On....

Sri Lanka Travel Warning Upgraded

The Foreign Office is advising Britons against all travel to the north and east of Sri Lanka.
They also said Britons in these areas should "leave at the first available opportunity".

Fighting between government forces and the Tamil Tiger insurgents in these areas is fierce.

The FO had already warned visitors that there was a high threat from terrorism in Sri Lanka, with an increasing risk of Britons and other foreigners being caught up in attacks.

Israel On Alert

Reports emerging on 21 September 2006 indicate that Israeli security forces will be on the second highest level of alert for Rosh Hashana -- the Jewish New Year -- and the upcoming holidays, in light of warnings of terror attacks. Thousands of additional police, border police and soldiers will be deployed to guard transportation depots, places of entertainment and other public gathering places. Police officials have urged citizens to stay alert during the holiday season.

In another development, Jerusalem police officials have designated separate streets for Muslims and Jews during the peak hours of Friday prayers to avoid clashes during the Jewish holiday period and Ramadan. According to this arrangement, Muslims will be allocated Hagay Street, which crosses the Old City from south to north, whereas the Jews will be allocated Shalshelet Street, which crosses the Old City from west to east. Because the Jewish month of Tishrei will coincide with the Muslim month of Ramadan starting this weekend, Israeli officials fear that clashes are likely to break out between the tens of thousands of Jewish and Muslim worshippers in the Old City of Jerusalem. Israeli officials also anticipate a record number of Jewish visitors to the city where an estimated 1 million people are expected to arrive at the Western Wall on Sukkoth alone.

Perspective (Choose a Photo)

This is the first in a series of "Life In Perspective" photo comparisons.
Check back each day or so for a new one.

Home or abroad.....which photo tugs at your heartstrings or angers you the most?
They are certainly both disturbing, but the perspective is your own.
Well?


Kevin Carter’s photo of a vulture waiting for a child to die in Sudan.



A Homeless child walking the streets in Dallas, Texas.

Warning Against Thailand Travel Issued

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- The United States has urged Americans to reconsider any travel to Thailand while Britain told its citizens living there to stay in their homes, after the Thai military toppled the country's prime minister in a coup.

Japan and Australia advised citizens to be extremely careful in the Thai capital, where tanks surrounded government offices, and to avoid political rallies or concentrations of military personnel.

"In light of the very uncertain political situation and apparent military-led takeover of the government, we strongly advise Australians to reconsider their need to travel to Thailand until the situation is clarified," the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.

It asked those already in the capital to stay at home, and monitor the media.

The U.S. Embassy, in an e-mail to its citizens living in Thailand, said that while there had been no reports of violence in the overnight coup, Americans should "monitor the situation closely, avoid any large gatherings and exercise discretion when moving about the city."

"At this point, we are not advising Americans to leave Thailand; however, Americans planning to travel to Thailand may wish to carefully consider their options before traveling until the situation becomes clearer."

Britain's Foreign Office, in a notice on its Web site, warned that movement in the capital may be curtailed due to the imposition of martial law that came as Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in New York attending the U.N General Assembly.

Japan and Singapore issued similar notices through their Foreign Ministries that urged nationals to remain in "safe" locations in the capital and avoid places of potential disturbances, such as the palace and government buildings.

South Korea advised its citizens against visiting Thailand, saying the situation remains "volatile."

New Zealand also warned its citizens in Thailand to be careful when moving around the city.

"Don't go sightseeing around government buildings. If a curfew is imposed -- and there is talk of a curfew -- then it should be respected," Ambassador Brook Barrington told Radio New Zealand in Wellington.

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was assessing whether to change its advisory for Thailand.

Madonna Cleared For Space Travel

Madonna received permission to travel into space from the Russian Space Agency in spite of opposition from the parliament, according to mirror.co.uk.
Calling the singer by her given name, a spokesman for the Russian Space Agency said that "taking into account her good physical preparedness and financial capabilities, the dream of [Madonna] Louise Ciccone for space flight could be realized in 2009." Places for tourist spatial flights organized by the agency can be booked until the end of 2008.
On Wednesday, a Russian deputy submitted the request asking for the examination of the possibility for the organization of a flight for Madonna to a vote. The artist had expressed her wish to fly on the International Space Station during the first concert she held in Moscow on Tuesday. Forty-two deputies supported the request while 252 voted against it.
Madonna, 48, has numerous opponents in Russia because of her use of Christian symbols in the concerts of her tour for the promotion of her album "Confessions on a Dance Floor." The singer was harshly criticized by the Russian Orthodox Church in the press and before the concert numerous Orthodox people protested against the diva.

10 Stingrays Killed Since Irwin's Death

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) _ At least 10 stingrays have been killed since "Crocodile Hunter'' Steve Irwin was fatally injured by one of the fish, an official said Tuesday, prompting a spokesman for the late TV star's animal charity to urge people not take revenge on the animals.

Irwin died last week after a stingray barb pierced his chest as he recorded a show off the Great Barrier Reef.

Stingray bodies since have been discovered on two beaches in Queensland state on Australia's eastern coast. Two were discovered Tuesday with their tails lopped off, state fisheries department official Wayne Sumpton said.

Sumpton said fishermen who inadvertently catch the diamond-shaped rays sometimes cut off their tails to avoid being stung, but the practice was uncommon. Stingrays often are caught in fishing nets by mistake and should be returned to the sea, Sumpton said.

Michael Hornby, the executive director of Irwin's Wildlife Warriors conservation group, said he was concerned the rays were being hunted and killed in retaliation for Irwin's death.

"It may be some sort of retribution, or it may be fear from certain individuals, or it just may be yet another callous act toward wildlife,'' he said.

He said killing stingrays was "not what Steve was about.''

"We are disgusted and disappointed that people would take this sort of action to hurt wildlife,'' he said.

Stingrays are usually shy, unobtrusive fish that rummage the sea bottom for food or burrow into the sand.

They have a serrated spine up to 10 inches long on their tails, which they can lash when stepped on or otherwise frightened.

The spines emit toxins that can kill many small creatures and cause excruciating pain in humans. Few people have died from the poison, but the spines can badly tear flesh and the wounds are prone to infections, including tetanus.

Hornby said people should treat stingrays with caution, but "there is still no need to ... kill or mutilate these important animals.''

World's Largest River Cruise Ship American Queen to Debut on Mississippi River

On March 9, 2007, the crown jewel of river cruising, the elegant American Queen, makes her debut as the flagship vessel for Majestic America Line. In 2007 the American Queen will cruise the mighty Mississippi and Ohio Rivers, showcasing our nation's rich tapestry of breathtaking natural beauty, distinct regional cultures and vibrant history for an extraordinary American experience guests will treasure for years to come. Named the flagship not just for her size (she's the world's largest river cruise ship), but also her grace and casual elegance, the American Queen joins five other ships in the Majestic America Line fleet plying America's great rivers and coastal waterways in 2007 including the Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen, Queen of the West, Empress of the North and Executive Explorer.

The American Queen features 46 specially designed journeys in 2007, exploring America's rivers, while calling on fascinating and historic ports along the way. Itineraries include the beloved and once again vibrant city of New Orleans, La. in the south to historic St. Paul, Minn., the boyhood home to American writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, in the north. Aboard the American Queen, cruising the rivers provides a completely unique way to experience the heart and soul of America on the waterways that helped shape this great country with the flexibility to cruise from three to seven nights, in extraordinary places, at a wide variety of price points.
Read On...

Cruise Lines Welcome Kids

Q . I have a 16-year-old I'd like to take on a cruise. Can you give me information on ocean liners that accommodate teens?

A . With more than a million children sailing each year, your daughter will hardly contract cabin fever -- or teen ennui.

"Many cruise lines have programs onboard that cater to kids, from toddlers to teens," says Robert Sharak, executive vice president of Cruise Lines International Association ( www.cruising.org), which represents the major cruise lines. "With the camps or organized activities, the kids get together in a supervised atmosphere with children their own age."

Most cruise lines have children's programs; even Carnival's party-hearty Fun Ships organize Club O2 for ages 15 to 17. Many programs, which are included in the price, provide teens with a separate space where they can hang out sans parents, as well as activities such as scavenger hunts, disco parties and casino nights.

"With morning, afternoon and night programs, parents can have three or four hours at a time to themselves," says Else Daniels, a cruise specialist with Vacations at Sea in D.C. (202-686-7447), singling out family-friendly Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Celebrity and Princess. "Then they meet for meals and compare notes."

To winnow down the choices, Sharak says to approach a cruise like any other vacation, with a roster of questions. On that checklist: where you want to go (Caribbean, Alaska or Mediterranean), what you want to see and do (snorkel, view wildlife, tour European capitals), when you wish to travel (May to September for Alaska or the Mediterranean, anytime for the Caribbean) and what your budget is. Also consider the demographics of the cruise line or destination. For example, luxury lines such as Seabourn often attract older crowds, as do Alaskan cruises.

Daniels recommends the Caribbean, because of its vast number of diversions, from exploring Mexican ruins to snorkeling in the Cayman Islands. Also remember that this is a family vacation, so you don't need to enroll your teen in every shipboard activity. While the programs are optional, family ties aren't.

Andrea Sachs
Washington Post

Road Trip? Make It Premium Unleaded!

Volcanoes Video

An interesting video, with a pretty cool soundtrack.....

Striptease Heats Up Global Warming Event

washingtonpost.com: SYDNEY -- A saloon-style striptease at an Australian government-sponsored conference on global warming left some scientists and government officials hot and bothered.

The show was cut short and organizers issued an apology after some delegates at the Australia and New Zealand Climate Forum's dinner in Canberra walked out during what was intended as a lighthearted break from the weighty business of rising temperatures.

In this photo released by Maria Ramsden, Rebecca Gale, who led the team of dancers from Miss Kitka's House of Burlesque at an Australian government-sponsored conference on global warming in Canberra, Australia, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2006. The show was cut short and organizers issued an apology after some delegates at the Australia and New Zealand Climate Forum's dinner in Canberra walked out in disgust at what was intended as a lighthearted break from the weighty business of rising temperatures. (AP Photo/Maria Ramsden)

New Bird Discovered in India

An amateur bird-watcher has found the first new bird species to be discovered in India in over 50 years, experts say—a vibrant babbler at home in felled forests.
No specimen was taken, because "we thought the bird was just too rare for one to be killed," said Ramana Athreya, the bird's discoverer, in a statement.

An astronomer by trade, Ramana photographed Bugun liocichlas in the hills of the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering China.
Full Article Link

Snakes On a Plane Safety Video

Snakes On A Plane instructional Pre-Flight Safety Video......