PI TYPHOON KILL 27, WITH 54,000 LEFT HOMELESS
MANILA: The death toll from a typhoon that lashed the Philippines rose to 27, with over 54,000 people left homeless, the government said Wednesday, as they warned of a new storm gathering in the South China Sea.State weather forecasts said Typhoon Kujira has now blown out of the Philippines after dumping heavy rains and causing floods and landslides in the eastern Bicol region at the weekend.
Twenty-one of the casualties were recorded in the town of Magallanes in Sorsogon province, where a landslide buried a coastal village, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said.
Six others were either drowned or electrocuted by fallen power lines, it said. Eight other people are still missing.
Over 54,000 people remained homeless in 175 evacuation centers in Bicol, it said.
As emergency relief workers and local governments rushed aid to the affected areas the government warned the public to brace for another storm that is expected to make landfall on Thursday.Storm Chan-Hom, packing winds of 110 kilometers (68 miles) per hour, was hovering over the South China Sea around 700 kilometers west of Luzon Wednesday.
"This weather disturbance is expected to enter over the western boundary" of the country by tomorrow morning, the state weather bureau said in an advisory.
While still far away, the agency said thunderstorms and rain showers will already be felt in parts of Luzon, and could cause flash floods."It will grow stronger as it approaches the country," said chief weather forecaster Nathaniel Cruz, adding that the northern and central parts of Luzon could bear the brunt of the storm.
The capital Manila, he said, will also experience heavy rains.About 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year, some causing massive death and destruction.
Courtesy: Yahoo.News
CATHOLIC CHURCH TO ITALIAN PM TO CONTROL HIMSELF
Avvenire, the Italian Catholic daily, reprimanded the Prime Minister for his “self-declared weakness for actresses in the bloom of youth”, and called on the 72-year-old billionaire to control himself.
His wife has already declared that enough is enough and yesterday it was the turn of Roman Catholic bishops to take Silvio Berlusconi to task for his wandering eye.
As Mr Berlusconi and his soon-to-be former wife, Veronica Lario, drew up the battlelines for a bruising divorce, the newspaper - the voice of the Italian bishops' conference threw its weight behind growing calls for the Prime Minister to moderate his behaviour.
Last night Mr Berlusconi went on state-run television to defend himself, repeating that his estranged wife should publicly apologise for embarrassing him and admit that she was wrong. He also said that the suggestion by his wife and the media that he had a relationship with an 18-year-old girl was a lie.
Ms Lario, 52, had cited her husband's frequent flirtations with younger women as a reason for divorce, and pointed to his recent presence at the 18th birthday party of Noemi Letizia as evidence.
Courtesy: Times Online
His wife has already declared that enough is enough and yesterday it was the turn of Roman Catholic bishops to take Silvio Berlusconi to task for his wandering eye.As Mr Berlusconi and his soon-to-be former wife, Veronica Lario, drew up the battlelines for a bruising divorce, the newspaper - the voice of the Italian bishops' conference threw its weight behind growing calls for the Prime Minister to moderate his behaviour.
Last night Mr Berlusconi went on state-run television to defend himself, repeating that his estranged wife should publicly apologise for embarrassing him and admit that she was wrong. He also said that the suggestion by his wife and the media that he had a relationship with an 18-year-old girl was a lie.Ms Lario, 52, had cited her husband's frequent flirtations with younger women as a reason for divorce, and pointed to his recent presence at the 18th birthday party of Noemi Letizia as evidence.
Courtesy: Times Online
PAKISTAN FEARS EXCODUS FROM SWAT
Up to half a million Pakistanis living in the Swat valley could be forced flee amid fierce fighting between Taliban fighters and the military, the Pakistan goverment has said.Thousands of people fled the main town of Mingora in the valley, part of the North West Frontier Province, on Tuesday after being told to leave by government officials.
Men, women and children piled onto pick-up trucks in their haste to flee the town.
"People are leaving with literally clothes on their backs and what few possessions they can carry and heading to a makeshift camp," Sohail Rahman, Al Jazeera's correspondent in Islamabad."The social development minister has appealed to aid agencies to try and help those people who were leaving the Swat area and Buner with accommodation."A camp had been set up for the displaced in the nearby town of Dargai, officials said.
"In view of the situation in Swat, at least 500,000 people can migrate from that area. Camps are being established for them," Mian Iftikhar Hussain, North West Frontier Province's information minister, said.
Courtesy: Al Jazeera
A GERMAN SUSPECTED FUNDING AL-QAEDA
A report from a Malaysian local English daily say that a man, known as Sermit Illgen, 31, who was working with Daimler Chrysler Malaysia Sdn Bhd in Pekan, Pahang was allegedly detained in Germany for channelling funds to several terrorist groups including the Al-Qaeda.
It was mentioned, the authorities in the United States (US) and Germany had been monitoring and investigating the man since march last year.
However Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein Tuesday refuted the media report linking the detention of a German national in his country to the channelling of funds for the Al-Qaeda group while he was working in Malaysia.
He said that based on the investigation carried out, the man was detained for another crime and not on the allegation that he was involved in activities to channel funds to the terrorist group.
In fact, he said, the report from Bank Negara Malaysia
(BNM) also did not detect any transaction in the bank account of the man to finance the group's activities.
Hishammuddin said, however, the Home Ministry viewed the local press report with deep concern and wanted the police to investigate, including having meetings with those making the allegation and to call up the reporter concerned for investigation.
It was mentioned, the authorities in the United States (US) and Germany had been monitoring and investigating the man since march last year.
However Malaysian Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein Tuesday refuted the media report linking the detention of a German national in his country to the channelling of funds for the Al-Qaeda group while he was working in Malaysia.He said that based on the investigation carried out, the man was detained for another crime and not on the allegation that he was involved in activities to channel funds to the terrorist group.
In fact, he said, the report from Bank Negara Malaysia
(BNM) also did not detect any transaction in the bank account of the man to finance the group's activities.Hishammuddin said, however, the Home Ministry viewed the local press report with deep concern and wanted the police to investigate, including having meetings with those making the allegation and to call up the reporter concerned for investigation.
Source: BERNAMA
US SOLDIERS TRYING TO CONVERT MUSLIMS
Bagram air base has a thriving evangelical Christian community
A former Afghan prime minister has called for an inquiry after Al Jazeera broadcast footage showing Christian US soldiers appearing to be preparing to try and convert Muslims in Afghanistan.
Ahmed Shah Ahmedzai said there must be a "serious investigation" after military chaplains stationed in the US air base at Bagram were filmed discussing how to distribute copies of the Bible printed in the country's main Pashto and Dari languages.
A former Afghan prime minister has called for an inquiry after Al Jazeera broadcast footage showing Christian US soldiers appearing to be preparing to try and convert Muslims in Afghanistan.Ahmed Shah Ahmedzai said there must be a "serious investigation" after military chaplains stationed in the US air base at Bagram were filmed discussing how to distribute copies of the Bible printed in the country's main Pashto and Dari languages.
"This is a complete deviation from what they (the U.S. military) are supposed to be doing. I don't think even the U.S. Constitution would allow what they are doing. It is completely against all regulations. This is very damaging for diplomatic relations between the two countries." Ahmed Shah Ahmedzai said
In one recorded sermon, Lieutenant-Colonel Gary Hensley, the chief of the US military chaplains in Afghanistan, tells soldiers that, as followers of Jesus Christ, they all have a responsibility "to be witnesses for him".
Admiral Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest ranking officer in the US military, told Al Jazeera he was not aware of the details of the footage but that the US army was not involved in promoting religion.
"From the United States' military's perspective, it is not our position to push any specific kind of religion," he said at a Pentagon briefing in Washington.
The US military has also confiscated Bibles that Christian US soldiers in Afghanistan had apparently intended to give to local Muslims, a military spokesman told Al Jazeera.
In addition, some of the soldiers who appeared in the video have also been reprimanded, US government and military officials told Al Jazeera's James Bays.
The video, shot about a year ago, appeared to show military chaplains stationed in the US air base at Bagram discussing how to distribute copies of the Bible printed in the country's main Pashto and Dari languages.
Courtesy: Al Jazeera
Admiral Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest ranking officer in the US military, told Al Jazeera he was not aware of the details of the footage but that the US army was not involved in promoting religion."From the United States' military's perspective, it is not our position to push any specific kind of religion," he said at a Pentagon briefing in Washington.
The US military has also confiscated Bibles that Christian US soldiers in Afghanistan had apparently intended to give to local Muslims, a military spokesman told Al Jazeera.In addition, some of the soldiers who appeared in the video have also been reprimanded, US government and military officials told Al Jazeera's James Bays.
The video, shot about a year ago, appeared to show military chaplains stationed in the US air base at Bagram discussing how to distribute copies of the Bible printed in the country's main Pashto and Dari languages.
Courtesy: Al Jazeera
1 MALAYSIA CONCEPT TO REVIEW I.S.A.
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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia: As the government prepares to review the Internal Security Act (ISA), it is facing an increasing clamour for wide-ranging changes, including abolition of the law.The pressure is coming from within the Barisan Nasional as well as civil liberties groups, as the government seeks to fulfil its pledge of revamping one of its most controversial and hated laws.
The promised review will get under way this week when the Law Reform Committee holds its first meeting tomorrow, Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Liew Vui Keong (photo) said.He was quoted in The Star yesterday as saying the committee will look into law reforms, including the ISA, which allows for preventive detention of those deemed to be a threat to national security.
“The ISA is a law that is close to the hearts of many and we will work together with the Home Ministry to amend the relevant parts,” he said.
Expectations run high. This is, in part, due to Prime Minister Najib Razak’s actions recently to introduce wide-ranging reforms in different areas.
His administration had abolished the 30 per cent bumiputera quota for 27 sub-sectors in the service sector, liberalised some areas of the financial sector and made it a policy to stop forced conversion of children to Islam.
When he became Prime Minister a month ago, he also released 13 ISA detainees, including two from the Hindu Rights Action Force. The group had led thousands of Indians onto the streets two years ago to demand assistance for the community.
Ragunath Kesavan, president of the Malaysian Bar which groups the country’s 13,000 lawyers, said it was positive that the government has realised the public sentiment towards the ISA.“There is gradual acceptance that the powers under the ISA are too wide, and some kind of tacit admission that it has been abused,” he told The Straits Times.
Courtesy: The Malaysian Insider
KENYA WOMEN STAGE ' SEX STRIKE': MAKE WAR NO LOVE
UPDATED NEWS
Women's groups in Kenya have started a week-long "sex strike", in an attempt to press the country's leaders to resolve rifts and work together.
10 non-governmental organisations urged women across the nation to boycott sex with their husbands and partners along with a statement calling for reforms in government and action on promoting women's rights.
Rukia Subow, chairwoman of the Women's Development Organisation, said the group believed the boycott would persuade men to press the government to make peace.
"This is a national boycott to show that the women of this country have resolved to push for reforms," she said. "We want an urgent solution to the political problems facing this country."
The group would pay prostitutes so they would participate in the strike, Subow said
Ida Odinga, the wife of the prime minister, Raila Odinga, said on Thursday that she would join the strike to protest against divisions between her husband and the country's president.
"This should not be seen as a punishment to men, it is a measure that is aimed at drawing their attention to the real issues," she said.
Women's groups in Kenya have started a week-long "sex strike", in an attempt to press the country's leaders to resolve rifts and work together.10 non-governmental organisations urged women across the nation to boycott sex with their husbands and partners along with a statement calling for reforms in government and action on promoting women's rights.
Rukia Subow, chairwoman of the Women's Development Organisation, said the group believed the boycott would persuade men to press the government to make peace.
"This is a national boycott to show that the women of this country have resolved to push for reforms," she said. "We want an urgent solution to the political problems facing this country."
The group would pay prostitutes so they would participate in the strike, Subow said
Ida Odinga, the wife of the prime minister, Raila Odinga, said on Thursday that she would join the strike to protest against divisions between her husband and the country's president."This should not be seen as a punishment to men, it is a measure that is aimed at drawing their attention to the real issues," she said.
The east African country has been in political turmoil since a presidential election in December 2007 which Odinga accused Kibaki of stealing.
Protests led to violence that killed more than 1,000 people and left more than 600,000 homeless.
The two rivals were pressed into a power-sharing deal by the international community but disputes have crippled the coalition government and fuelled wide popular discontent.
Courtesy: SF Gate.Com
Protests led to violence that killed more than 1,000 people and left more than 600,000 homeless.The two rivals were pressed into a power-sharing deal by the international community but disputes have crippled the coalition government and fuelled wide popular discontent.
Courtesy: SF Gate.Com
DID THE CYCLONE NARGIS CHANGE BURMA'S JUNTA?
Children of Burma displaced by Cyclone Nargis
The world may had forgotten Burma . However the ruling military junta changed its name from Burma to Myanmar in 1989, a year after thousands were killed in the suppression of a popular uprising. Rangoon also became Yangon. The country is still facing sanctions by UN and EU since 2006. The Sanction include a travel ban on the country's top officials, an arms embargo and a freeze of Burmese assets in Europe.
From bad to worse when Cyclone Nargis tore through 
Burma's delta region this time last year, it left 140,000 people dead and two million others without food, shelter or a way to earn a living.
But perhaps the most shocking aspect of the disaster was the military government's indifference to the suffering of its own people.
The ruling generals said Burma did not need "chocolate bars donated by foreign countries", and refused to allow aid into the region for nearly three weeks.
The international community was appalled, and eventually after intense diplomatic lobbying Burmese leaders were persuaded to accept foreign assistance.
A full-scale aid operation got under way, and the world heaved a collective sigh of relief.
Burma's delta region this time last year, it left 140,000 people dead and two million others without food, shelter or a way to earn a living.But perhaps the most shocking aspect of the disaster was the military government's indifference to the suffering of its own people.
The ruling generals said Burma did not need "chocolate bars donated by foreign countries", and refused to allow aid into the region for nearly three weeks.
The international community was appalled, and eventually after intense diplomatic lobbying Burmese leaders were persuaded to accept foreign assistance.A full-scale aid operation got under way, and the world heaved a collective sigh of relief.
A year later this aid operation is still in full swing, and while lots of people remain dependant on outside help, most have now been given some form of assistance.
The government has not spent much of its own money on the relief effort, but at least it has mainly left the aid agencies to their own devices, enabling them to distribute supplies throughout the region.
Courtesy: BBC
The government has not spent much of its own money on the relief effort, but at least it has mainly left the aid agencies to their own devices, enabling them to distribute supplies throughout the region.
Courtesy: BBC
HINDRAF BEGS MANOHARAN TO STAY ON AS REPS
M. Manoharan, a Kota Shah Alam assemblyman and now detained under Internal Security Act had plead to the Sultan of Selangor to realease him so that he can serve his voters
KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 – Hindraf has appealed to its legal advisor M. Manoharan to stay on as Kota Alam Shah assemblyman, saying it is disappointed Pakatan Rakyat has done nothing much to free the ISA detainee.
The outlawed movement asked the Pakatan Rakyat to file a parliamentary motion to discuss the matter and also appoint others to manage Kota Alam Shah.
“We urge the Pakatan coalition to urgently file a motion to debate the inability of a democratically elected representative to serve his constituents and (at least) stage a walkout should their motion to debate be refused,” Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy said in a statement today.
Manoharan won the seat on a DAP ticket in Election 2008 but said over the weekend he would decide on May 19 whether to remain as assemblyman.
He cited frustration in not being free from the Internal Security Act to serve his constituents and also family financial troubles as his wife has to take care of the seat.
Manoharan is one of three Hindraf leaders still being held
for two years at the Kamunting Detention Centre. Two others were freed by new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last month.
Waythamoorthy, who is in self-exile in London, said the Kota Alam Shah voters knew what they wanted when they gave Manoharan the seat.
“Hindraf is of the opinion that the voters of Kota Alam Shah were ready to deal with and face with an eventuality that their representative may not be able to serve them physically while being imprisoned as a prisoner of conscience.
“Since the voters are 100 per cent behind their representative, Manoharan should not resign and continue to be their state representative,” Waythamoorthy said.
Courtesy: The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 – Hindraf has appealed to its legal advisor M. Manoharan to stay on as Kota Alam Shah assemblyman, saying it is disappointed Pakatan Rakyat has done nothing much to free the ISA detainee.The outlawed movement asked the Pakatan Rakyat to file a parliamentary motion to discuss the matter and also appoint others to manage Kota Alam Shah.
“We urge the Pakatan coalition to urgently file a motion to debate the inability of a democratically elected representative to serve his constituents and (at least) stage a walkout should their motion to debate be refused,” Hindraf chairman P. Waythamoorthy said in a statement today.Manoharan won the seat on a DAP ticket in Election 2008 but said over the weekend he would decide on May 19 whether to remain as assemblyman.
He cited frustration in not being free from the Internal Security Act to serve his constituents and also family financial troubles as his wife has to take care of the seat.
Manoharan is one of three Hindraf leaders still being held
for two years at the Kamunting Detention Centre. Two others were freed by new Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak last month.Waythamoorthy, who is in self-exile in London, said the Kota Alam Shah voters knew what they wanted when they gave Manoharan the seat.
“Hindraf is of the opinion that the voters of Kota Alam Shah were ready to deal with and face with an eventuality that their representative may not be able to serve them physically while being imprisoned as a prisoner of conscience.
“Since the voters are 100 per cent behind their representative, Manoharan should not resign and continue to be their state representative,” Waythamoorthy said.
Courtesy: The Malaysian Insider
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