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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Harry Reid cancels the Senate July 4 recess after Obama assistance Conference - CBS News

Economy subjects, Congress Sen. Harry Reid addresses reporters on Capitol Hill (credit: AP Photo, j. Scott Applewhite)

Last updated at 10: 40 pm EST

A day after President Obama chided Congress for his lazy work schedule, Leader of the majority of the Senate Harry Reid announced that the Senate is the cancellation of its niche on July 4.

"The Senate will meet Tuesday the day after the fourth," Reid said on the Senate floor today, reports CBS Capitol Hill producer John Nolen. "We will do that because we have work to do."

At a press conference, Mr. Obama called Wednesday for the members of the Congress "cancel things and stay here," in Washington if it is not "substantial progress" at the end of the week on an agreement to increase the debt limit.

He complained that members are "[session] a week, they are on a week."

"You must be here", Mr. Obama said, directing his comments of the members. I "ve been here."

Look at the Obama President castigating Congress, left

The Senate had to be out of the session the week next and recesses a month from August 6. The House of representatives has been off the coast of eight weeks this year so far (including this week) and is expected to leave once more the week of July 18.

The White House negotiated with a group of legislators bipartisan to try out a deal to raise the ceiling of the debt of hash $ 14.3 billion.

The Government of the United States reached the debt limit on May 16, but the Treasury has put in place what he called "extraordinary" measures to keep the Government from defaulting on its loans.

The Obama administration and many economists have warned, however, that Congress should raise the limit of debt by 2 August to avoid economic disaster. The "Early Show CBS' Thursday, White House Senior Advisor David Plouffe has reiterated this point.

"If we do not pay our bills and go to the default, you know, that the situation could be catastrophic,"Plouffe said noting that interest rates would increase and social security payments could be delayed.""

House President John Bohener Tuesday called the period 2 August "artificial".

Several senators this week expressed their opposition to the suggestion of Reid to keep the Senate in session next week, reports Politico.

Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, for example, said that she had important constituent to attend meetings. In addition, it was not necessary to remain in the session, taking into account the debt limit negotiations involve only a handful of members of Congress.

She said "Tell Me what it is that we are going to do - that is what we are going to do?". "". If there is real work in progress, I'm here to do the job. If they are here to send a message, they can send many messages without me. »


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The defence of Anthony called final witnesses - msnbc.com

ORLANDO, Florida - Casey Anthony Defense had to rest Thursday after calling its witnesses final, even if it is still not known if the mother of Central Florida will stand to answer questions on whether she killed his 2 year daughter, Caylee. Site "Dear photography" will you to call your MOM that it is only a few weeks old, but DearPhotograph.com already has a huge following and was awarded a contract for the book for its founder of 21 years (who still lives at home with his parents). What is - this blog this photo packs a such nostalgic wallop? Pay to try clothes? Stores facing fresh cloakroom Palin application why celebrities are House skinniest of "so full of hate" New York on the market for $ 4.3 million extraordinary bond between the father, the daughter

A woman who said that she had a liaison with the father of Anthony was the first witness called Thursday. George Anthony has denied having an affair with Krystal Holloway, who was also a volunteer who has contributed for his granddaughter in 2008.

In testimony, George Anthony said that he knew Holloway: River Cruz and he visited his home a handful of times in 2008, but only to comfort her, that she was confronted with a brain tumour.

Holloway read George Anthony text messages sent him and describes the media frenzy surrounding their relationship and his family.

On Wednesday, the defence may have been brought a blow when the father of Casey Anthony broke into tears when telling jurors about his suicide attempt some six weeks after the body of her granddaughter was found. Lawyers argue that the Caylee are not dead the hands of his mother but accidentally drowned in the pool of his grandparents, and George Anthony helped cover.

In his suicide note, January 22, 2009, he said that he was trying to overdose because he had no response to questions about what happened to Caylee and never alluded to know what caused his death. Pressed by prosecutors on why he tried to commit suicide, he began to cry and said: "I need at that time to go with Caylee.

When asked by Attorney Jeff Ashton if he expressed in his note, he said: "Yes." Because I believe that I had failed, "and broke into tears."

When his father was crying, Casey Anthony expressed no emotion, although earlier in the day, she had been crying in other evidence.

The defence objected to the attorneys admitting note of suicide as evidence. Ashton explained that the defence had been attempted suicide and that the note indicates when George Anthony attempted to commit suicide, he "had no idea who killed Caylee Marie Anthony." "It refutes impact by the defence there."

If the defence is based, it would leave only a court by the prosecution rebuttal case. Judge Belvin Perry said temporarily closing arguments could begin Saturday and that he would give the case to the jury this evening or Sunday.

Anthony, 25, is charged with first degree murder in the death of Caylee in summer 2008. The prosecution contends that it stifled the child with adhesive tape. The girl remains were found in the Woods in his grandparents in December of this year.

Karin Moore, a Professor of law at the University of Florida A & M, said referring to the suicide attempt is a faux-pas by counsel for the defence lead Jose Baez.

"I believe he failed on him," said Moore. "I think that his intention was to design an inference of the jury that George Anthony tried to commit suicide on the allegation of abuse and the death of Caylee." He opened the door and Ashton rightly points out it. »

Also Wednesday, a grief expert testified that it is plausible for a young person face a death behaviour even anthony Casey made the month after prosecutors say that caylee was killed. The toddler had not been seen for a month before the Anthony family has reported to the police.

Several witnesses have said that anthony Casey spent his time partying and the child was with an imaginary nanny.

Professor of the University of Florida and the grief expert Sally Karioth never interviewed Anthony, but when the defence counsel Dorothy Sims set a hypothetical scenario with the facts of the case, she testified that was not inconsistent with the pain that it is observed in similar situations. Karioth has already testified in the case of the murder of Susan Smith, who has been recognized guilty of drowning her children in South Carolina.

"Young adults are complainants reflective and often act like nothing happened", said Karioth.

The defence has tried to paint the family as dysfunctional Anthony and said in his opening statement that George Anthony molested his daughter when she was a child.

Ashton pointed out that the suicide note did not any reference to molest Casey Anthony. Baez again took the opportunity for George Anthony of press on the charge.

"Mr President, I would never do something like that to my daughter," said George Anthony.

The defence also objected to prosecutors asking George Anthony on a weapon to fire it purchased in August 2008, but Perry agreed that the jury could hear him.

With the jury room, George Anthony said that he planned to use the gun to try to get the friends of his daughter to tell her what happened to Caylee.

When the jury returned, George Anthony began to cry as he told the emotional months before his suicide attempt.

Also, he said, that he has never the opportunity to confront the friends of his daughter because the application of the law confiscated the gun the next day, he buys. The firearm was not allowed in the House as a condition of binding of Casey Anthony because she was living there.

© 2011. The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Festive Garland welcomes July 4 - Kansas City Star

Americans love the holidays, and a fourth July is one of our favorites. It is the best time to show our Red, white and blue, it is on T-shirts, caps, or in the decoration.

This is a great opportunity to collectively to show the world that we are proud to be Americans.

Also known as the day of independence, July 4 anniversary is the nation. Family and friends enjoy holiday with activities outdoor picnics, parades and Fireworks that cover the night sky in bright colours.

Day of independence is a national holiday commemorating the day the Continental Congress signed the Declaration of independence in Philadelphia.

July 2, 1776, the Congress said the American colonies free and independent States. July 4, they adopted the Declaration of independence by signing - the day we honour still. Four days later, Philadelphia scored the first day of independence with bells and bands such as the Declaration was read publicly for the first time.

Each year since then, Americans have commemorated their unique history in celebrating this day is celebrated in our history when we declared ourselves a free and sovereign nation.

Display your "colors" this fourth July with hanging Garland of paper with red, white and bright blue maps and these instructions I found on the site Web of http://familyfun.go.com/4th-of-july/4th-of-july-crafts/star-spangled-welcome-890210 Family Fun.

This boat, called A Star-spangled welcome, was created by Amy Kaldor-Bull of FamilyFun Magazine to use on your front door. I have amended the directions for our consumption.

Supplies:

-Double-face tape or glue points.

-4-by-6-stock of parts of an inch of the map, four red, white and blue.

-Cardboard, cut into a circle of 10 inches, as well as more of a star.

-Clear band.

-Sticky glue.

-A sheet of aluminum or paper money.

-Patriotic Ribbon for hanging.

To make a cone of paper, place a strip of double-sided tape or glue points along the shortest edge of a piece of card stock. Roll of paper cone-shaped, and then press ENTER to join. Repeat with the remaining sheets of card stock.

Place a strip of double adhesive tape to the back of each cone. Throw cones by alternating the colors on the circle cardboard and press join. If the use of glue, you will need to ensure the back of the cone to the circle with sticky glue.

Apply the glue to a piece of cardboard, about 3 1/2 inches wide, cover with aluminum foil and smooth out wrinkles. Cut cardboard covered with star-shaped. Apply glue to the back and the press on the center of the Crown, and then let it dry.

To hang the wreath, make a loop to the Ribbon and tape it in the back of the cardboard.

Leader of attack on Kabul Hotel killed by aircraft of the NATO - The Guardian

A Nato military helicopterA military helicopter of the NATO plane on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, after he was attacked by fighters Taliban photography: S Sabawoon/EPA

The NATO planes killed one insurgent linked to a deadly attack hotel in the Afghan capital, this week, the coalition said a raid raises questions about whether if Afghan forces are prepared for the impending transition of security.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on the Intercontinental, one of two major hotels used by foreigners and representatives of the Afghan Government, a rare nighttime raid which began Tuesday and ended five hours later with 12 killed.

However, the International Security Assistance Force led by NATO (ISAF) said that the al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network had also participated in the assault by nine suicide bombers and gunmen.

ISAF has identified the leader of the Haqqani network, killed in an air attack: Jan Ismail, described as a Deputy to the senior Commander Haqqani in Afghanistan, Haji Mali Khan.

He said Thursday he and "several Haqqani fighters" were killed in an air attack in the province of Paktia Gardez district South of Kabul on Wednesday.

"The Haqqani network, in conjunction with Taliban secret agents, was responsible for the attack on Tuesday night at the Hotel Intercontinental in Kabul, which killed 12 people, including a provincial judge," ISAF said in a statement.

The raid came only a week after the President of United States, Barack Obama, announced the progressive withdrawal of combat troops, with 10 000 to leave at the end of this year and 23 000 more at the end of September 2012.

Announcement of the Obama prior to the beginning of a gradual transition of responsibility to the Afghan forces next month that will end with all foreign combat troops, leaving the Afghanistan at the end of 2014.

This process to begin in seven fields next month, the raid on the hotel raised serious questions about whether the Afghan forces, including the police, were ready to support.

"It shows one of the concerns is that the Afghan security forces is more in quantity, not quality," said Thomas Ruttig, Co-Director of the network based in Kabul to Afghanistan analysts.

The attack ended when a helicopter of the NATO sniper killed the last three attackers fighting from the roof of the hotel. Earlier television images showed the Afghan forces firing heavily in the air.

ISAF training of members of the Afghan national police of 126,000 - strong since 2009.

Afghan police, who will be the front line of security transition in towns and villages across the Afghanistan, have long been considered inept and behind the formation of the dindisie army, which was the subject of the efforts of training since the Taliban was overthrown late 2001.

Violence has increased to record levels in Afghanistan over the past 18 months as NATO troops, especially, American forces struck against a growing insurgency, especially in the heart of the Taliban in the South.

A quarterly report by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the Security Council on the Afghanistan concluded that the number of incidents of security since March had increased 51% over the same period in 2010, with suicide bombings rises sharply.

Attacks in the heart of the Taliban in Kandahar have been particular concern. "The city of Kandahar and its environs recording the majority of incidents during the reporting period, with a quarter of global attacks" and more than half of all registered killings countrywide, the report said.

But, Ruttig, stated that also developed attack revealed that the other difficulties encountered in Afghanistan before the start of the transition process, which also includes the delivery to Afghans the functioning of civil institutions and projects.

Is policy paralysis prevailing in the country for months.

"The fact that NATO and the Afghan people were able to avoid that it says something - which must be something more than just the security of the transition," Ruttig said the hotel attack.

"Security forces are only part of the transition." It must also be a strengthening of political institutions and, at the moment, the parliamentary crisis has brought political to a standstill, "he told Reuters."

Last week a Court of special election created by a decree by President Hamid Karzai, cancelled the results of a quarter of parliamentary seats since the elections of last year, effectively throwing 62 MPs who had been declared winners.

The move and the Court itself, were tagged unconstitutional and illegal by observers and Afghan officials to the West. Critics have said that the Court has been put in place by Karzai to pursue its own political opposition of the order of the day and silence.

Boarding pass false spring gaff security last arrest - CBS News

(CBS News)

A Nigerian man is custody of the FBI in Los Angeles after the flight of JFK in New York to Los Angeles International Airport Airport without valid boarding pass and corresponding identification - the last episode which highlights the United States airport security holes.

The incident occurred last Friday, but the man, identified as Olajide Noibi, was originally released after questioning by the authorities. He was arrested on Wednesday, when the FBI agents are Noibi looking on a flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta - even with a boarding not valid. The FBI agents, said that a search of his bag discovered more than 10 other boarding cards in different names which were not.

Noibi was accused of being a stowaway on the flight from Virgin America 415, but he is not charged any terrorism or homeland security laws, sources told CBS News.

He apparently told investigators that he found an unused boarding and that he was able to introduce plane line. The FBI agents, said the boarding pass, with a different name, also was a day old, having been issued for a Virgin flight that flew Thursday from New York to Los Angeles.

TSA Airport control points are necessary to match boarding passes with passenger IDs, such as driving. That apparently did not happen in this case and TSA officials are investigating to find out how the forfeiture occurred.

After the flight was airborne, the crew counted an additional passenger. They located and interviewed Noibi and discovered the forgery of boarding, said sources.

TSA officials said that noibi never presented a threat to Virgin America 415. While it is mounted on the flight with an invalid pass, he still went through passenger screening to find weapons and explosives.

Law enforcement sources said CBS News there is no indication that noibi is related to a terrorist group or conspiracy. But the investigation is in its early days and officials who recognize that the breach of security is the last evidence tracking system still has holes.

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The Defense accused the prosecution of "judge shopping" - NECN

(NECN: Jennifer Eagan: Boston, Mass.) -L' case Whitey Bulger became more complicated, with lawyers may agree on charges that Bulger should be judged.

The prosecution wants to focus on the charge of murder in 1999, while the defence wants that charges of murder and one count of racketeering in 1994 to be part of the entire case against the South Boston gangster.

The defence says that the prosecution wants to avoid the judge Mark Wolf, who, in the 1990s, played a role in the discovery of the relationship between the FBI and Bulger. Bulger has served as an informant for the FBI in the 1970s and 1980s in his efforts to bring down the mafia in New England. While in this role, Bulger allegedly played a role in at least 19 killings.

Counsel for the defence of prestige Howard Cooper and Max Stern were the federal courthouse in Boston, and while they were not officially appointed the Bulger team, they are reported to likely mainly to defend the mafia.

We monthly died in Iraq in 3 years high - New York Times

Baghdad - The US military announced Thursday that three American soldiers were more killed this week, as the deaths at the battle of the forces of the United States in Iraq reached a monthly record not seen since 2008.

The deaths occurred Wednesday in the South of the Iraq, and army shows not details on how they died. A military spokesman confirmed that they were killed by the enemy attack. Recently, the resurgence of the victims has been attributed to rocket or mortar attacks on American bases by Shia militias. Us convoys also come more and more the threat of improvised explosives.

The threat increased against the American troops at the time when the Pentagon began to coordinate a withdrawal of all forces at the end of the year, activists intensification of attacks in order to claim the credit for pushing the Americans led an effort that military, said.

In June, 15 US soldiers were killed, 14 of them in hostile incidents. According to icasualties.org, it was the largest number of deaths in combat since June 2008, when 23 soldiers and sailors were killed.

The largest attack came June 6, when militants fired rockets on victory Base complex, the garrison of vast near Baghdad airport, killing six soldiers. Specifically, Hezbollah, US officials believe a militia is supported by the Iran, claimed the attack.

Last August, President Obama said that the combat of America mission ended in Iraq, and while American forces settled largely in an advisory role to the Iraqi army, they are still in danger, whether they are on their bases or move in convoys. The United States-Iraq security agreement, U.S. forces are severely limited in their ability to act unilaterally to threats, which has intensified anxiety - and anger - among the troops who are under attack, but unable to respond.

This is compounded by the historical reluctance by the Government target Iraqi Shiite militia, many of which are related to officials in or close to the central administration dominated by Shiites.

Iraqi security forces were much more aggressive in targeting Sunni insurgent groups as Al-Qaeda in Iraq, in the launch of operations against Shiite activists.

During this time, the debate continues in Baghdad on the question of whether the Iraqi Government should ask the United States to extend the period of troop and allow some units to stay and continue the training exercises. The United States said he would say yes to such a request, even if it is not known what impact on the most recent attacks - and the troupe of death - would have on this decision.

The defence can rest his case in the trial of Casey Anthony - WSB Atlanta

Casey Anthony?s team of defence should close its case on Thursday, 43 days after the start of jury selection in his trial for murder, even if it is still not known if Casey will take the stand. upcoming: trial Casey @ 8 pm live. Live Blog
Faces of CASEY: Most recent to oldest
Evidence ARCHIVE: Casey Anthony case
Coverage of CASEY On Twitter. Facebook Thursday mark day 43, including the selection of the jury, in the first instance of Casey. She is accused of killing his 2-year daughter, Marie Caylee Anthony. The jury that will decide Casey?s fate could start their deliberations early as this weekend. More than 30 days after the start of testimony, the jury some more emotional statements of Casey?s father, George Anthony, heard as he cried and told the Court on his suicide attempt. Necessary at this time to go with Caylee, ?cause ?I, I think I've failed, ?, said George Anthony. The Defense tried to show that George wanted to kill themselves because of the conviction after he covered up to Caylee drowning, but they have opened the door to the attorneys to ask George on his suicide note and the pistol, which he bought to threaten some of the friends of Casey?s suspected were involved in death of the toddler. "?You have been will use this weapon to force them to point-blank to tell you what they know?"has asked Jeff Ashton. ?Yes, ? replied George Anthony. The Defense wrapped his day with an expert on grief and guilt expertise which has been called to the bar to explain the behavior of Casey?s just after the death of Caylee. The defence called grief, but prosecutors painted as more conviction that the witness said that some people can undo even the worst bad acts. WFTV?s legal analyst Bill Sheaffer believes on rebuttal, prosecutors, attack stronger defence witness, Cindy Anthony. Cindy tried to take the blame for the research of chloroform, but witnesses for the State could put him to work on those occasions, leaving only one person of House type chloroform in the family computer: Casey. ?We you are going to see two witnesses who have worked with Cindy in the hospital, being a person to rebut this claim Cindy a home at the time of the research of chloroform, said ? Sheaffer. The State could call witnesses Friday, and then moving to weekend in the closure of the arguments, with the jury deliberating finally next week, possibly including July 4. Casey is charged with murder in the first degree, plus child abuse, homicide, aggravated a child and four counts of lying to the application of the Act. Casey has pleaded not guilty to murder in the first degree in the death of Caylee and are liable to the penalty of death if declared guilty of this offence. Copyright 2011 by wftv.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

French Afghanistan hostages home, thin but grateful - Reuters India

France 3 television journalists Herve Ghesquiere (R) and Stephane Taponier wave during a news conference after their arrival at Villacoublay military airport near Paris June 30, 2011. REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen

Television journalists France 3 Herve Ghesquiere (R) and Stephane Taponier of waves at a press conference after their arrival at the military airport of Villacoublay near Paris on June 30, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Jacky NaegelenBy Thierry Chiarello

PARIS. Thursday, June 30, 2011 3 pm IST

PARIS (AFP) - two French television journalists held hostage in Afghanistan by the Taliban during 18 months arrives back in France on Thursday, pale and Ghent but visibly exalted as they were welcomed by the French President and their families.

France television 3 Herve Ghesquiere reporter and cameraman Stephane Taponier, whose long test became a national cause among the French public, were released Wednesday after a sudden breakthrough in the negotiations.

They were blocked up to 24 hours a day with only two toilets short morning and evening breaks. Inadmissible or windows covered means that little light from the Sun, they have seen.

"We had to be very solid and very strong." We actually structure our time, not get bogged down in boredom and despair, "Ghesquiere said to journalists at a military airport near Paris.

"One day, Stephane said that the difference between us and the regular prisoners is that a prisoner can count the days of his sentence, whereas we could count them, but we knew when he was in the end," said Ghesquiere.

"They were very long days," said Taponier. "But we knew that the most important thing was to follow our morale".

Seized about 60 km (37 miles) outside Kabul, December 30, 2009, Ghesquiere and Taponier captivity was the longest of any French hostages since the crisis of the Lebanese hostages in the 1980s.

The French Government denied any ransom was paid for the release of two men and their Afghan Reza Din interpreter. Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said details revealing negotiations could damage efforts to free the other French hostages in Africa.

SARKOZY REMAINS LOW PROFILE

President Nicolas Sarkozy could get a lift to his low popularity of release of the hostages, 10 months before the election presidential, but he and his wife Carla Bruni greeted the pair of television cameras.

Sarkozy telephoned Ghesquiere girlfriend tell him of his release, his capture while she was at a demonstration to mark the anniversary of 18 months of his capture.

The pair said they were treated well and never beaten or bound. Meals consisted of small portions of local food.

"We didn't have much to eat and it is always the same thing," Ghesquiere said. "When you have nothing to do, you really live to eat." It was really hard. Food seems unimportant, but it is really essential.

The France, who has lost 63 soldiers outside its quota of 2 000 troops in Afghanistan, said this month that he would follow the United States by bringing home its soldiers at the beginning.

The France still has eight nationals detained abroad, three Yemen, four in the region of the Sahel and in Somalia.

(Written by Catherine Bremer; editing by Robert Woodward)

NATO "top kills Haqqani activist in Afghanistan" - BBC News

June 30, 2011, update at 10: 42 GMT Smoke billows from the Intercontinental hotel during a battle between Afghan security forces and suicide bombers and Taliban insurgents in Kabul June 29, 2011. smoke descriptions of the Intercontinental Hotel after the attack on Tuesday night, the forces of NATO in Afghanistan say that they have killed a senior militant they suspected of involvement in the attack of the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul.

Jan Ismail died in an airstrike in the province Eastern Paktia Wednesday, said of the alliance.

Correspondents of the BBC say that he is Commander leading the Haqqani network, which is linked to the Taliban and al-Qaida.

NATO intelligence and Afghans believe Haqqani members helped to mount the attack on the hotel, which killed at least 20.

No there is currently no independent confirmation of the death of Jan Ismail.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on the hotel, but NATO says that it was carried out jointly with the Haqqani network. The Group has bases in Pakistan but focuses its attacks on the border, in Afghanistan.

He was charged to carry out a number of canon of prestige and the bombings in Afghanistan in recent years.

A statement by the force of ISAF, said that Jan was suspected of supporting "material" the attackers of the Kabul Hotel.

He said he had been killed in what he called a "precision airstrike" keep district.

"" Ismail Jan was Deputy to the higher Commander Haqqani in the Afghanistan, Haji Mali Khan. "."Jan and several Haqqani fighters had been killed in strike, said the statement.

She added that he had hunted after information from Afghan officials, citizens, and "vote" insurgents.

Ismail Jan operated in and around the neck of Khost-Gardez, a rugged and wooded near the border region between Pakistan and was blamed for having carried out attacks against Afghan and NATO targets.

"Mistakes".

In Kabul, it appeared that at least two of the attackers intercontinental wore the uniform of the police, raising questions about the issue of whether the activists had received inside help.

In addition, the researchers want to know how the attackers managed to pass in the huge quantities of weapons and ammunition.

Previous attacks have led the intelligence officials to conclude that the Haqqani network has entered Afghan security at the highest level.

The BBC Sarwary Bilal in Kabul, said police officers are now interviewed on what many regard as glaring security holes in one of the apparently more secure locations in the capital.

Afghan forces are also accused of being slow to arrive on the scene once the attack Tuesday night had begun.

NATO air support was called before finally calm.

Correspondents say the Intercontinental, which is not part of the chain of hotel international of the same name, is one of the most heavily guarded Kabul hotels.

But a Security Ministry official told the BBC that activists could have exploited a flaw in security due to renovations.

Kabul - the theatre of many attacks of recent years - has been relatively stable so far this year, although the violence has increased across the country since the murder of bin Laden in Pakistan on 2 May and the beginning of the Taliban in the "Spring" offensive

In January 2008, militants have stormed most popular hotel in the capital, la Serena and killed eight people, including an American, a Norwegian and a woman in the Philippines.

kabul map

Can Google + dethrone Facebook? -Computerworld

Computerworld - what it take to bring down a giant online?

That is what Google has been asking itself on social networking rival Facebook.

On Tuesday, months of speculation about the question of whether Google is working on its own social network was placed at rest when the company revealed the Google project. The new service, which reflects in good measure Facebook, allows users to view updates of status, upload photos and share links - just as people do on Facebook. It could also do appeal to users of the company.

The big question is whether Google can sing song of a siren enough soft to attract users, who tend to be creatures, from largest social network of the world.

"It is no doubt this is going to be a difficult ascent for Google, said Brad Shimmin, an analyst with CurrentAnalysis." "" Google has been very good to respond to what consumers want in the market. "But Google has a way to go."

In fact, since Google is from square one, he has a very long way to go.

Last summer, Facebook announced that the social network has a billion users worldwide, making it easily the largest social network in the world. The company has not published a more recent update, but various sources say that the number of Facebook users is now close to 750 million users.

And now, the company, with six people on the Forbes billionaires list, is used by the FBI in the hunt for the fugitives and serves as a lifeline for people who are struggling with a tsunami, tornadoes and other disasters.

This is not to mention the hundreds of millions of people taking to Facebook just to tell friends and family on their last trip to the beach, download their cats sleep videos or images of their children in Halloween costumes.

Because Facebook has become the go - to social networking site, it may be difficult for Google convince people to add another social network to their list of sites to check all days - or toss Facebook cancel entirely to Google +.

An obstacle: that will go with Google + when not many people still use? Social networks are not all the fun when you are almost alone.

"I think it's a long shot," said Ezra Gottheil, analyst with technology Business Research. "It is not so much that people's time is fully occupied by Facebook.". There are always some attrition. It's just that organic growth which requires all new social network will be very difficult... How gather you a mass critical without being first there all by yourself? »

The good news for Google is that Myspace was once top dog in what was then the social sphere brand-new networking. Then Facebook is come and reversed, leaving behind a has been online.

"Google has a gun, but only because they are Google and have a lot of power market," said Dan Olds, an analyst at Gabriel Consulting Group. "They cannot be counted out." But it will be very difficult and they are going to need a bit of luck. Facebook is massive and very well established and Google did not have to fight by behind during a long period. Can they still do it?

Olds suspected also that Facebook makes it easy for users to move seamlessly between the two social networks. That help because of Google, but will consolidate some Facebook users.

"People have enough time to another social network?" asked Olds. "We will see, I guess." But it seems if anyone could take on Facebook, it would be to Google.

Sharon gaudin covers the Internet and Web 2.0, emerging technology and chips and laptops for Computerworld. Follow Sharon on Twitter at Twitter @ sgaudin or subscribe flow RSS of Sharon Gaudin RSS. His e-mail address is sgaudin@computerworld.com.

Read more on Web 2.0 and Web applications in the Computerworld Web 2.0 and Web Apps topic Center.

Options for Protecting against Web ThreatsThis independent article by senior analyst Jon Collins of Freeform Dynamics considers how security Web are train of threats, in this, including mobile, computer home trends and other remote access which could potentially increase the attack surface of the companies. It defines the scale and types of threat, what to do to find a corporate web security solution and compares different types of technological approach available for businesses and the processes that must be taken into consideration for effective protection.

Read now.

Security KnowledgeVaultSecurity is not an option. This series of KnowledgeVault offers professional advice how to be proactive in the fight against cyber-crime and multilayer security threats; How to adopt a holistic approach to the protection and management data. and how to hire an appraiser of security described. Make safety your number 1 priority.

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Social Networking - Brave New World or Revolution from Hell?Social networking sites have revolutionized the way businesses use the Internet. Rather than rely on rickety newspapers to find candidates for employment, companies can access thousands of potential employees via Facebook and Twitter. But social networking sites have also left businesses vulnerable to new security threats. So are they tools to use or security pitfalls to avoid?

Read now.

Los Alamos Fire: Perimeter of burned nuclear laboratory - ABC News

Firefighters working against forest fires around the Los Alamos nuclear laboratory, N.M., developed in part of the perimeter of the laboratory set on fire in an attempt to starve the fire of fuel in the event where he headed the stash of radioactive materials stored inside the laboratory.

After creating a blackened ring which is now the laboratory, crews betting circles until the fire to stop them is a bet that will be profitable.

"We are in better shape that we have been since the beginning of the thing," Chief Doug Tucker of Los Alamos County Fire Department told ABC News.

During this time, Governor of the New-Mexico Susana Martinez examines some of the first tests of quality of the air itself Wednesday. Although they show much smoke, officials, express their relief at discovering no radiation was released.

"These results show that what we see in this fire is exactly what we see in all fire everywhere in New Mexico," Laboratory Director Charles McMillan said.

To ensure the accuracy of the review, the Environmental Protection Agency brought in dozens of monitors air across the State, with a special plane that takes instant radiation samples. Officials do not yet have to find something amiss.

But environment officials warn that the danger is not over. With what is actually on lab property, there is concern about what is in the canyons that surround the sprawling complex. Nuclear tests were conducted in the canyons dating back to the 1940s; the so-called "legacy contamination."

"Trees grew during this period, and the soil can also be contaminated." If they are heated and that stuff will air supported, then we are concerned, Rita Bates the New Mexico Department says.

A student graduate, armed with a Geiger counter takes on YouTube to show that he was not missing metal or radioactivity.

Much of the area burned in 2000, and none of the higher levels of radiation were detected then, for all the world hope that is true this time.

The fire, which burned more than 90,000 acres, has led to a massive evacuation, and the town of Los Alamos remains a ghost town. Most of its 12,000 residents have been evacuated Monday, with some leaving their sprinklers to protect their homes.

Still, according to the head of the Police Wayne Torpy, approximately 150 people pure remained behind, imperturbable, the risk presented by their nuclear neighbor.

"I know that the laboratory is secure and they are ready for this kind of emergency situation," Stephanie Chavez, a resident of Los Alamos, said ABC News.

The fire started around 1 p.m. Sunday, the report published by InciWeb, which provides the "incident information system" and compiles information from government agencies. The report indicates that weather conditions on Sunday include high temperatures, low humidity and high winds, which contributed to the hell.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Austerity Greece: Cure or poison? -CNN

Protests have gotten violent in Athens, as the Greek Parliament gets ready to vote on a new wave of austerity measures.

Events are are violent in Athens, as the Greek Parliament prepares to vote on a new wave of austerity measures.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney)--there were riots in Athens, once again, as the Greeks - already burdened by more severe austerity measures in Europe - protest against the next wave of belt-tightening in the ongoing debt crisis.

The Greece faces a terrible truth: to reduce costs for assistance to resolve the debt crisis, the nation desperately needs more austerity measures were stifling its sluggish economy. Parliament vote Wednesday Greece in adopting new austerity measures.

"The Greeks are having a program external austerity ramming down the throat, and Greek finally it the collapse of the economy," said Mark Blyth, Professor of international political economy at the Watson Institute at Brown University in Providence, R.I. "In Greece, they are basically piracy themselves to pieces."

Desmond Lachman, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research and policy advisor former Monetary Fund International, said that it is the part of the Greek Government effort "to reduce their deficit of 15% of GDP to 3% of GDP in three or four years."

"It's a huge fiscal adjustment," said Lachman. "Once they go into a deep recession, they found that they cannot collect taxes they thought they were going to collect." It is really an impossible exercise. »

The new austerity measures include the reduction of the remuneration of public workers, increasing attrition of public jobs and perform tax compliance. Approval is required if the Greece to win the last of 17 billion dollars of a 156 billion debt crisis relief package awarded year last by its European neighbors.

The new austerity measures are worth about $ 112 billion to the Greek economy, analyst of the Deutsche Bank Jim Reid. But the austerity that the Greeks already adopted last year - including pension cuts; a hand of sales tax; taxes on fuel, cigarettes, alcohol and luxury goods; Excise more severe eligibility for disability benefits; and a hike in the retirement age to 65 years in as low as 61 - dragged more economy, analysts say.

The more distressing symptom, especially the youth of the country, has been the increase in unemployment. The unemployment rate reached 16.2% to 11.6% in March 2010, according to Marko Mrsnik, analyst downgrade of the recent Standard & Poor of the Greece lead.

The Ireland and the Portugal also donned the yoke of austerity in exchange for rescue of European neighbours to bring down their huge deficits.

Ireland, which, according to Eurostat has a deficit of 2010 equals a whopping 32% of GDP, was granted in a bailout of $ 122 billion last year. It was after the Republic agreed to a plan of painful austerity of four years with deep cuts in expenditures and public sector, a lower minimum wage and increased taxes.

The Parliament of the Portugal, which has a deficit of 2010 equal to 9% of GDP, is also considering an austerity program of four years for a program of European rescue 112 billion.

The financial future of these countries is uncertain. But for the Greece, analysts can see a possibility: a stagnant economy or decline placing loads more on his people to take on debt more.

And, with hindsight, it is easy to see how they were obtained, according to Blyth.

"You look at the Greeks, they lied about their deficit budget years;" they have not been paid their taxes for years, "he says. "We found that everyone was swimming naked when the tide is out."To top of page

First published: 28 June 2011: 2 pm et

Free "food terrorist Florida" - The Guardian

Shantytown Constructed In Miami's Liberty CityA slum housing for the poor and homeless in Miami Florida. Florida has been hit hard by the housing market crash. Photography: Joe Raedle/Getty Images Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

You see that "food terrorism" and what to do? Conspiracies evil taint articles on grocery store shelves?

If you are Buddy Dyer, Mayor of Orlando, Florida, you can think of a group of feeding the homeless and in one of your city parks. It is that Dyer is widely quoted calling the activists with Chapter Orlando food not bombs - "food terrorists". In recent weeks, not less than 21 persons were arrested in Orlando, home of Disney World, to distribute free meals in a park.

Food not bombs is an international organization, fighting hunger. As its name indicates, it is against the war. Its Web site home page reads:

"Food not bombs actions vegan free and vegetarian meals with those who are hungry in over 1,000 cities worldwide protest war, of poverty and the destruction of the environment." With more than 1 billion people go hungry every day, how can spend us another dollar on war? »

Chapter Orlando implements a distribution of meals every Monday morning and evening Wednesday in the Town Lake Eola Park. Recently, Orlando police were were arrest of those who serve food, such as Benjamin Markeson. He was perplexed, saying:

"We believe that it is terrorism in the arrest of people trying to share food with poor and hungry people in the community to meet the need of the community." And everything we do is to come us to the Park and we share food with the poor and the hungry. "I know how that is considered as terrorism".

Attorney Shayan Elahi knows, either. It represents the Orlando food not bombs in court. He filed an injunction against the city in the judicial circuit court ninth of Florida, which is chaired by the Chief Justice that Belvin Perry Jr. j. Perry is recently in the press as the no-nonsense in the murder of Casey Anthony trial, is happening now in Orlando. While the courtroom of judge receives coverage of coverage on cable networks, Elahi hope that Perry will have the time to personally decide on tabling.

At issue is an act of the city, the order, "Power group", which requires groups to obtain a licence to serve the food, even free of charge, to groups of 25 or more. These licenses are granted to any group only twice per year. Orlando food bombs pas has used both his licence allowed this year.

The Association for civil rights in Florida called Mayor Dyer to apologize for its designation of the food group not bombs as terrorists. The criminal act should not be feeding more than 25 people, but that more than 25 people need food. Attorney Elahi between repression and planned gentrification of downtown Orlando:

"The Mayor began the development of downtown Orlando Council, and its aim was basically to push everyone... that did not fit their idea of which should be in downtown." We are trying to report to the Mayor that times have changed, that everyone is now hurting and many more people from sharing the food not bombs are workers poor. »

Message base of food not bombs is incorporated in a resolution adopted the week last by the U.S. Conference of mayors calling on Washington to end the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq as soon as possible strategically, redirect funding to meet the human vital need here at home.

Central Florida has been very hard by the recession and is among the top locations for foreclosures and bankruptcies. The UN food and Agriculture Organization a world that food warning, prices should remain high for the rest of the year and beyond. Earlier this year, food prices hit levels seen during the 2007-08 food crisis that sparked unrest in poor countries around the world. Mass demonstrations and a general strike in Greece against austerity measures planned are closing Athens.

One of the most famous songs to Disney World, near Lake Eola Park, is called "this is a small world". Its refrain: "there are so many things that we share and that it is time that we are aware / after all, it is a small world.". Turn fantasy into reality. Sharing of food should not be a crime.

• Denis Moynihan contributed research to this column.

© 2011 Amy Goodman; distributed by King Features Syndicate

California has a balanced budget. Governor Jerry Brown win or lose? -Christian Science Monitor

Los Angeles

Long journey to California for a balanced State budget is completed.

Skip to the next paragraph

And Governor Jerry Brown (D), which won top honors for his plain talk about the painful measures in store for Californians that they started that way and has spent a lot of his political capital on the road, sign, say analysts.

Ultimately, he has what he wanted?

The rosiest of assessments is that he was as much as he could, but it does not appear to be many. The budget that Parliament approved Tuesday does not include one of the extensions of tax that he wanted to help California meet its shortfall, relying instead on reductions in expenditure and the assumption that economic growth will lead to $ 4 billion in new revenues.

And, in a scenario disaster, if the economic recovery is insufficient, the budget provides for a mechanism of major service cuts offset non-existent revenues. This could indeed be expensive.

"He could not see if good... If the revenues are very optimistic assumptions, [and] cuts as a result be unpopular," said Jack Pitney, Professor of Government at Claremont McKenna College. "It's like treating chronic with candy bars fatigue and caffeine."

Republicans immediately focused on this manna of estimated revenue, with the Senate, Vice President of the Budget Committee Bob Huff as a "wand that Harry Potter would be proud to handle," according to the Los Angeles Times.

Governor Brown has been at the Centre of the budgetary debate since the entry into service in January, after winning an election based largely on its promise to turn the State around to economically.

Last week, he made national headlines after veto first budget periods of California in a quarter century. State controller John Chiang then made the first use of proposal 25, a citizen initiative November mandating statutory remuneration for a deadline missed budget.

But estimates of the final budget deal with the appeal in question if it was all applies to Brown.

"Brown out as a winner and a loser," said Robert Stern, President of the Center for governmental studies. Brown is a biggest loser because he and the Democratic majority legislature are "using gadgets to call the budget balanced, and it's a budget of all cuts with no tax extensions", he said.

However, "in view of the requirement to vote of two-thirds [for an increase in the tax] and the intransigence of the Republicans on tax extensions, it is perhaps the best, he could have understood," adds Mr. Stern.

It all depends on what happens to the economy in the coming months. After much speculation that the US economy would certainly improve in the second half of the year, the Federal Reserve last week removed on this assessment.

Attack on Kabul Hotel: Afghan officials be deterred by "Enemy Coward" - ABC News

Afghan officials said today they would not be deterred by the "cowardly enemies" who attacked Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul late Tuesday night in a brazen attack that left 20 dead.

"The transition process will be, and these cowardly enemies will not stop our plans," Ashraf Ghani transition Committee Chairman said, according to Associated Press.

More than five hours after the insurgents triggered a deadly Kabul Intercontinental Hotel Tuesday assault commandos night, Afghan night vision goggles was able to return to the hotel with the help of the NATO forces special operations - but not before nine civilians, the two police officers and the nine attackers were killed. The Taliban claimed the attack shortly after the start.

Afghan officials, including provincial governors, were having dinner at the Intercontinental ahead of a Conference on the transition of security that begins today, but none have been killed in the attack, Afghan Interior Minister General Bismillah Khan Mohammadi said. Afghan forces are scheduled to take charge of security in some parts of the country from July.

Earlier this month following President Obama ordered the army to withdraw more than 30,000 soldiers of the Afghanistan by the summer 2012, part of a three year and a half transition plan that will provide some security features in seven provinces and cities of the police and the Afghan army. Tuesday attack, Obama, said today, shows that U.S. in the country "is not working."

"The Taliban are still active [and] it is still being of events like that on occassion," Obama said in a press conference. "[But] Kabul is much safer was." Afghan forces in Kabul are much more capable than they were. Which does not mean that they will not be events as this potentially is and probably will for a period of time. »

NATO ends standoff with rockets

At least a suicide bomber explodes himself at the entrance of the hotel late Tuesday evening, and at least four explosions were heard.

But the battle ended only after special operations forces troops in a NATO helicopter overflew the hotel shot three insurgents on the roof. Two Americans were in the hotel attack, but the two survived, according to the United States Embassy in Kabul. A Spanish pilot was killed in the attack, according to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, who expressed his condolences in a press release.

It is not known if there were a particular target in the hotel, located on a hill overlooking the city, or if the target was the hotel itself.

The attack occurred while the guests were having dinner and at least two marriages took place. Police said they cut the power at the hotel and the area surrounding whole, cordoning off streets leading to the hotel.

The Intercontinental Hotel is the most famous hotel in Afghanistan and one of the icons of Kabul, where many Western and Afghan officials remain and hold meetings.

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Watch the trial Casey Anthony live on your iPhone - CBS News

By Chenda Ngak subjects connected to women Watch the Casey Anthony trial live on your iPhone (credit: itunes) (CBS) - those of you who are missing the Casey Anthony trial can now take the drama of the courtroom with you. A covering iPhone application case of the murder launched today at the App Store. Features Casey Anthony trial streaming of live coverage and are one of the ways that crime fans can watch the trial in real time.

Photos: Photos personal Casey Anthony

FYI, this is not the only iPhone app that covers the trial. Hearst television launched the update Anthony Casey in May.

Functionality apps, son of news and video transcripts. Casey drug addicts and persons bored so can now monitor the progress of the trial.

Complete coverage of Casey Anthony to the Crimesider test

The history of Casey Anthony became a national obsession when the reports of the missing 2-year-old Caylee Anthony broke in the summer 2008. Since then, many twists and turns that have led to the arrest of the mother of the girl. It took him a month to report that her daughter was missing. She is currently the trial for first degree murder.


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Obama ceases to approve gay marriage - Associated Press

Obama stops short of approving gay (PA) marriage - 38 minutes ago

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama says gays are our friends and neighbours, and should be treated as any other American.

But days after the State of New York legalized same-sex marriage, arrested President short gay wedding sign itself.

He said that the New York decision was "a good thing", because the people discussed their views and made a decision. The President said that other States and communities will come to their own conclusions.

The President, who supports civil unions, said his views on gay marriage is "evolution". The White House, will hold a reception later Wednesday for groups of Gay Pride, but Obama was not ready for a press conference to announce a new position.

The President defended his record, including the removal of the ban on openly gay serving in the army.

Copyright © 2011 the Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Debt BofA Rides higher on colonization, Moody comments - Wall Street Journal

-Settlement of $ 8.5 billion said rater is positive credit, but warns against other risks

-The cost of swaps of five-year credit default on Bank of America falls 10 basis points

-Performance of the obligations of the significantly lower Cabinet in secondary trade

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Bank of America Corp. (BAC) debt exchanged until Wednesday after Investors Service of Moody said regulation 8.5 billion in the Bank with shoulders mortgage debt holders removes significant firm barriers.

Obligations to 5% of the BofA due may 2021 were trading on the secondary market at a price of 98.6 cents for a dollar, of hundred 97.8 Tuesday, according to MarketAxess, translation of...

Analysis: California Budget wins approval but no applause - Reuters

By Jim Christie and Peter Henderson

SACRAMENTO AND SAN FRANCISCO. Wed, June 29, 2011 5: 27 am EDT

SACRAMENTO and SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California is taking a first step shedding his reputation for fiscal mediocrity, adopting a budget in time for the first time in years.

If a compromise is something that no one likes, California reached a: Governor Jerry Brown, political parties and even investors have much to complain in the expenditure plan.

But the bottom line is that Government of the State of the has Golden with a budget of smaller holes that usual in place before its fiscal year begins on Friday. A bonus is important that the State's economy improves, especially for the rich, who pays his main source of income, the income tax.

Voters using the discredited initiative process can claim that they define the circumstances in progress.

Proposal 25 adopted last November, allowing the legislature to enact a budget non-hausse of taxes by a simple majority, which the Democrats were in the two chambers.

Who robbed Republican minority in the legislature for its ability to take any hostage the budget, leaving them with a right of veto on these increases, that they used.

A mixture of consternation and the satisfaction of all sides, the budget avoids these increases, is balanced if the economy improves and will force even deeper cuts in popular programs fail to state economic hopes. And it is ready before the start of the new fiscal year.

Many attribute the success of a simple change of 25 Prop: it cut the pay of the legislators when they do not have to pass a budget balanced within mid-June.

"You must feel that the public received a special thrill and reaction, it has caused," said the Poll chief Mark DiCamillo field. Californians did not only cuts of the magnitude in the budget, but they did not want higher taxes, either.

"They wanted something for nothing, and that they will get the part"for nothing"," DiCamillo said.

The budget pending closure of Brown signature failure of 10 billion dollars about spending cuts, fee, a few timely shots and, especially, with 4 billion $ in better than expected earnings.

STEP OF GUARANTEES

Critics say leaders will be decline to make the cuts so hard income fails to materialize the school.

"It happened so often,", said Mayor Chuck Reed of San José, the third largest city in California.

"Everything seemed very convenient reach with $ 4 billion", said Jay Goldstone, chief operating officer of the second largest city of California, San Diego. "I do not see this kind of improvement that generates this kind of money.".

The Government of the State began this year with a deficit of more than 25 billion dollars. Brown and legislators pared it approximately in half with deep budget spending, other movements and the improvement in earnings before the budget plan.

More big changes at stake in the State, through other initiatives in recent years. Voters have approved redistricting by a Committee headed by citizen who creates many more competitive racing. Primary State will act as the first rounds of the election, so the getters vote two above, any party, will face in the final.

Jack Pitney, Professor of Government at Claremont McKenna College, said that the budget plan did not address the roots for a long time of pain - types of structural changes, the two main parties were requested.

But he predicted that the budget would be popular because it struck a large number of goals of the voters.

"It involves the kind of cuts deep people spoke a few months ago, allows tax increases forfeiture and allows people to hit the beach without having to worry about the budget", he said.

(Editing by Jackie Frank)

Bank of America, near the colony of. 5bn $8 on subprime mortgage loans - The Guardian

Bank of AmericaBank of America is close to settle with investors to wire sub-prime loans that went sour. Photography: Chuck Burton/AP.

Bank of America (BoA) is close to finalizing an agreement to pay $8. 5bn (£ 5 5.3) to settle claims by a group of investors that the Bank sold mortgage-backed securities of poor quality which went sour when the housing market has stagnated, according to a person familiar with the settlement talks.

The Bank in North Carolina continues talks later Tuesday with the group, which includes the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Pimco Investment Management, holders of most of the world and of Blackrock financial management. It is expected to announce an agreement as early as Wednesday, the person said on condition of anonymity because the case was still in development.

The agreement comes eight months after the Group fired a letter to Bank of America, demanding that it buy $47bn mortgage Countrywide unit sold to them in the form of bonds. Investors argued the practice of this Countrywide modify loans have faulty paperwork or those written outside normal underwriting standards breached agreements with investors. By continuing bad loans of service rather than accelerate the seizure, the group said gravi Countrywide maintenance of fees, get rich at the expense of investors. The New York Fed is involved because he has taken over the assets held by American International Group, which has hesitated under the weight of bad mortgages that it insured.

Bank of America, which has paid $4 Countrywide in 2008, rejected suggestions that his treatment of loan modifications and other efforts to prevent the foreclosure have violated the terms of mortgage-backed securities that hold investors. In November, CEO Brian Moynihan said that it is in the daily "naked" with the requirements of investors.

But the combined effect of the agreement of the country, the mortgage crisis and the overhang risk loans bitter were a drain on bottom line and stock, finally prompting a reversal in the strategy of BoA. Since the beginning of the year, the Bank has hit large colonies with several investors. In January, the lender paid more than $2 to settle claims of redemption on mortgage loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. And, in April, the Bank has agreed to pay more than $1 to assured Guaranty, the insurer also urged the Bank to the redemption of mortgage loans of poor quality. If approved, the last colony will address a significant remaining slice of the claim for Bank of America mortgage redemption risk.

A spokesman for Bank of America could not immediately be reached for comment.

Resolution on the defence urged Bulger - Boston Globe

Resolution on the defence urged Bulger - & article.boston.com Home Globe News your Business City Sports Lifestyle A & E things of today trip jobs cars real estate Local National World Politics Business Education Health Science Green records obituary reports special traffic Weather Lottery home/COLLECTIONSResolution on Bulger defence urgedJune 27, 2011|By Jonathan Saltzman, Globe StaffShareE-mailPrint

A federal judge ordered James "Whitey"Bulger temporary lawyer and federal prosecutors yesterday to try to reach an agreement on whether if the pattern of the notorious crowd has right to a public defender."

We the District Court Chief Judge Mark l. Wolf wants Peter b. Krupp, Boston lawyer, who represented Bulger at his initial appearance Friday, and prosecutors of US Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz to report on the results of their discussions at the end of the day.

The two parties should also notes and the affidavits concerning finance from Bulger.

Wolf provides a hearing Wednesday on the appointment of counsel for the Bulger.

"This case has been pending for more than 16 years," Wolf writes. "It is important that the question of the admissibility of the Bulger for the appointment of counsel to decide more quickly as possible to allow the case proceed. »

Wolf played a crucial role in the middle of the 1990s, by exposing the corrupt managers Bulger and the FBI, relationship that serves as indicator and closed the eyes of his crimes. Although the two magistrate judges presided Friday initial appearance of the Bulger in the District Court, Wolf said that he intends to manage procedures.

Krupp told the two judges to magistrate that Bulger is indigent and should have a public defender appointed to handle her case.

Assistant US Attorney Brian t. Kelly are jokes at the suggestion, saying that the authorities found more than $800,000 in the apartment of the Bulger in Santa Monica, California, and probably has access to the other species. (Federal prosecutors intend to seek the confiscation of money).

Kelly also said that Bulger might be able to get money for his defense of his brother, former President of the Senate William M. Bulger.

Last night, Krupp said that rights of his client are at stake.

"In this country, there is a constitutional right to the appointment of a lawyer, and a conviction secured without counsel is valid, structurally flawed belief that is almost universally reversed," said Krupp. ".

Krupp leads the Council of the Criminal Justice Act in Massachusetts, which provides private practice lawyers serving public defenders for the indigent defendants in federal courts.

In its order yesterday, Wolf noted that he managed a similar question concerning the appointment of public defenders for that former of the Bulger, Francis Salemme, Stephen Flemmi and Robert DeLuca years. They, too, they could not afford private practice lawyers and were appointed public defenders.

"" Doubts about the eligibility of the defendant must be resolved in its favour, "Wolf writes." "If later it is established that the defendant is financially able to counsel, it can be ordered to reimburse all or part of the costs of its representation. »

The Bulger's longtime companion, Catherine Greig, who was accused of harboring a fugitive, also requested a public defender.

That the material is also should be addressed to the Court this week.

Saltzman is available at jsaltzman@globe.com.

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Casey Anthony trial: George Anthony admits having covering the death of Caylee? -Etidbits.com

In what could be the last week of trial Casey Anthony in Orlando, Florida, meter reader Roy Kronk took on the stand and revealed that his calls to the police are unnoticed, after it was initially reported that he saw something suspicious in the Woods where the daughter of Anthony Caylee was buried, and that the body of Caylee Anthony could be discovered up to 4 months earlier, if the police did a search of the wood.

Kronk revealed in court Tuesday that he initially challenged when he first find what he believed to be a human skull (which would later be revealed for Caylee), he said to his colleague to accompany him to display the object in question. When Kronk and his friend go to investigate it, they find a dead Rattle snake, them distract what they came to see, according to Kronk. He would be back again and were reportedly alerted police three days in a row - between 11 August and 13 August - and when the police encounters with him for the object in question, they could not detect anything.

The police would find possibly skull of Caylee after Kronk is the site of the skull of the Caylee four months later in December 2008 and he was called once more their. "I was behind it, so I was looking for it by behind very gently, I took [my counter drive stick] and put it in the support of the right eye," Kronk told the Court Tuesday. "I he picked up and put it back down." I up with the bat. "I rotated gently ultraportatif [he] has not been stuck in the mud, he was not stuck in what whatsoever".

Another bomb took place in the Court Tuesday when a woman named Krystal Holloway, who helped search for Caylee after that it disappeared in the summer 2008, claims that she and the father of Casey George would have a link. Why is it important to the case? Although it has yet to take the position, she alleged that George once revealed to her that the death of Caylee was a "accident that were out of control". If true and she ends up taking the stand, it could potentially defence putting doubt in the minds of the jury that the father of Casey Anthony had a hand in covering up the death of her granddaughter, who refused him up to this point.

Nuclear lab in New-Mexico is closed in the threat of forest fires - CNN

Wildfire threat Los Alamos labAuthorities ordered a mandatory evacuation for the city of Los AlamosMore of 10 000 people are affected by the evacuation orderThe Los Alamos National Laboratory is closed at least ThursdayOfficials: central structures in nuclear facilities are well protected

(CNN) - a centre for nuclear sciences near Sante Fe, New Mexico, will remain closed at least Thursday as a forest fire raging nearby, officials said.

"Laboratory facilities will be closed to all non-essential employees and activities are directed to stay off site," the National Laboratory in Los Alamos said in a statement.

The fire Los Alamos, formally called the Las Conchas fire, flared Sunday.

She had consumed approximately 61,000 acres at the beginning of Wednesday and only 3 percent contained, according to InciWeb, a database of online which ensures the monitoring of natural disasters such as fires and floods.

Everything has been under the control of the installation independently of a small fire that broke out Monday on the ground and was quickly extinguished, said Charles McMillan, Director of the laboratory.

The fire raised concerns about whether hazardous materials on the site are adequately protected.

McMillan said the materials are secure and any important information for the safety of the public could be announced.

The fire of Las Conchas affects the southern border of the installation of 40 square miles of the laboratory and comes close to the western border, according to Doug Tucker, the Los Alamos fire chief.

Governor of the New - Mexico Susana Martinez warned citizens to avoid using Fireworks on the fourth of July and the rest of the season.

The fire of Las Conchas is one of several burning in the region.

Area resident Susan River said that it is surrounded by fire.

"Look at my front door and see the fire Pacheco and watch my back door and see the fire in Los Alamos," River said Tuesday. "I think that many people in Santa Fe is in this situation now."

River, an employee of academic affairs at Santa Fe University of Art and Design, one of the victims of the Los Alamos hosted Monday night.

"It is very difficult for him," she said. "This is a very uncertain time." "This fire is therefore differently (than before)-this makes me a little nervous."

Las Conchas fire began on private land in the national forest of Santa Fe and Jemez Ranger District, according to InciWeb.

Pacheco fire continues to burn in the Pecos wilderness, two miles north of Santa Fe Ski Basin. It has singed 10,000 acres since it began June 18.

The blaze was contained Wednesday at the start of 20%, but it is likely to continue rising, from InciWeb.

The lights of Donaldson and set South of Hondo and U.S. route 70 merged to form a fire that has consumed an estimated 15,000 acres and is also 0% contained, according to the Information site of fire in New-Mexico.

Some structures were burned, however, and no one has been evacuated due to fire, which started by lightning, according to the Web site of.

Not only have to dry conditions and wind gusts threatened the growth of the fire, but the residents of Santa Fe and Los Alamos, including the River, fear of the effect of the fire Las Conchas will on the laboratory.

The laboratory is about 35 km northwest of Santa Fe, but the concerns of the River.

"They say that there is no real danger," she said. "But you know...". "It is a little scary."

Voluntary evacuations started Sunday night at Los Alamos and White Rock, a South-East of the town of Los Alamos, but quickly becomes mandatory for residents of Los Alamos Tuesday, according to InciWeb.

River attributed the success of these evacuations, in part, to past experiences.

"I think that everyone has learned a lot since the last fire," she said. "I must say that, from what I can see, the evacuation of Los Alamos was very effective and that it seemed to go smoothly."

River plans to leave the city if necessary and stay with friends who are out of the fire road, she said. CNN Ed Payne and Craig Bell contributed to this report

Casey Anthony trial: former fiancé said Lee Anthony took sister - ABC News

A former fiancée of Casey Anthony, said today that the woman's brother of Florida once took it while she was asleep and she wanted to keep her daughter Caylee away from him.

Jesse Grund testified at the trial without jury in Casey Anthony murder room. Judge Belvin Perry will decide Wednesday whether the evidence is admissible.

If his testimony is allowed, it could help the defence claims that Casey Anthony has suffered sexual abuse at the hands of his brother and his father. Casey Anthony, 25, is accused of murderinig daughter Caylee and facing the death penalty if convicted.

His father, George Anthony, denied charges of abuse. Lee Anthony never was asked directly by the Crown or the defence if he has abused his sister.

An another former boyfriend of Casey Anthony, Tony Lazzaro, has already testified Florida woman said her father was physically abusive and Lee Anthony had attempted to "feel his", but did not succeed.

Who's who in the trial of the case of Anthony

Today, Jesse Grund, which at one time was engaged to Casey and thought he was the father of Caylee, said Lee Anthony as "standoffish" and "sullen" around him.

"She told me that at a time over the past years she has awakened one night with Lee standing on it,"Grund said."" He also said that Casey Anthony told him she woke again to Lee Anthony groping him.

"Everything that said Casey I taken as truth and fact...".I wanted nothing to do with him, "said Grund.

Casey Anthony appeared emotional, but not to cry as Grund spoke. Lee Anthony testified earlier in the day, but did not abuse. He has testified on his anger to the fact that his family did not invite to the birth of the Caylee.

The Defense seems to try to find ways to strengthen their theory without Casey Anthony, taking the stand. The defence argues that 2 years Caylee accidentally drowned in the family pool and George Anthony helped dispose of the body. They argue that Casey Anthony cache death of her daughter in a bizarre adaptation mechanism she learned years of sexual abuse on the part of his father and brother.

The defence said today that they have about six witnesses, even call. The judge noted the defence only if Anthony testify, it will have to confirm that this is his decision not to do so.

"The conclusion that the defence is based and if the defendant does not testify, I investigate... If it's his decision and his alone," said Perry.

Without the jury present, the judge also heard testimony of two corrections of Orange County who described Anthony as a model prisoner who is always enjoyable despite living in a cell 23 hours a day 6-by-8 feet.

"His behaviour has never changed." It was the same person. It is constant as a bee. It is never upwards or downwards, said Sergeant Dennis Moonsammy.

The judge found that the evidence concerning the behaviour of Anthony as a detainee was inadmissible.

Earlier in the day, the Defense focused on the discovery of the remains of the Caylee per metre drive Roy Kronk. Kronk said at the time that he discovered the skull of Caylee on December 11, 2008.

"I was behind it so I was looking for it by behind." I still thought it was real gently, I took [counter drive stick] and put it in the right eye support...It was something really horrific for me of course, "said Kronk.

Photos of the update of the evidence of the murder Casey Anthony trial

The toddler was found in a wooded area off the coast of Suburban Drive near the family home of Anthony. With the remains of the toddler were tape coverage of Winnie the Pooh, canvas bags, black plastic garbage bags and a bottle of Gatorade with a syringe.

Casey Anthony defense team put Kronk on the stand in the hope to prove to the jury a key point of their theory of defence that Kronk moved the body and tampered with the remains of the toddler in the hope of collecting a reward.

Kronk gave testimony which was sometimes confusing. He appeared to be in conflict with previous statements, that he gave to prosecutors and law enforcement. At one point, Kronk denied ever picking up the skull or a bag that was with the remains, but later, he said he has picked up the bag, he struck three times and eventually the skull at his feet.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Papandreou races to avoid Greek default as protests besieged austerity Vote - Bloomberg

Submission of the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou to avoid the first sovereign default to the euro area will now culminate with a vote of the budget in a Parliament besieged by protesters in a wave of national strikes.

Papandreou may scrape through approval by stifling dissent of 155 votes he instructs Parliament's 300 seats and recruiting opposition allies to offer a set of austerity 78 billion euro ($112 billion) that will determine if its indebted countries may be save more money. Rallying legislators might be easier than adopting the plan as the Greek discontent deepens on an increase in taxes and what is called "crisis wages charges."

"Opportunities for Government and parliamentary approval," said Wolfango Piccoli, analyst Eurasia Group in London. "But this will be a Pyrrhic victory and an election expected later this year or early 2012 is almost certain." "It is difficult to see how the Government can implement the necessary measures to meet the conditionalities of rescue."

Legislative Assembly of the Greece remains the subject of demonstrations that yesterday clogged downtown Athens with more than 20,000 people in the first half of a general strike for 48 hours. Thirty-seven policemen were injured and clouds of tear gas filled the air as youth hooded brandishing clubs shattered Windows at the Corp. (MCD) a McDonalds restaurant and burned vehicles.

At 10: 30 last night, police estimated the crowd outside Parliament to 8,000. Officers used more tear gas against demonstrators rush the enclosures of the legislature.

Despite the impasse will continue today, with a group who has camped before Parliament with the intention of blocking access to the building at 8 o'clock in the morning to prevent voting will take place. Trade unions provide a second series of marches and demonstrations. The vote is scheduled for 2 hours.

Papandreou called on legislators to "do their patriotic duty" and to adopt the Bill of austerity. That and a vote tomorrow managed to allow the implementation of the plan would allow Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos to appear at a meeting of finance ministers this weekend in Brussels.

The Prime Minister had difficulty in gathering the support of the opposition to the package while keeping his own party in line. He has appointed a new Finance Minister to stem defections, survived a vote of confidence and described 5.6 billion euros of additional fiscal measures, including a 5% tax on the salaries of legislators. June 24, he won a pledge for a second rescue of the European Union leaders plan to condition, it can provide internal support.

In a gesture that could help Papandreou, the Group of the Democratic Alliance of lawmakers, a party founded by the former Minister of Foreign Affairs Dora Bakoyannis, said late yesterday that its five lawmakers in Parliament should vote "according to their conscience" taken into account "the immediate bankruptcy danger" that the country.

Failure to pass two bills can lead to first euro area sovereign default as Greece needs cover 6.6 billion euros ($9.4 billion) of bonds maturing in August. Greek Government officials said they may have also not cash to pay salaries and pensions mid-July.

As Papandreou races for the agreement, the German Finance Ministry officials will meet with banks and insurers in Berlin today. They will use a French proposal as a blueprint for the discussion to find an agreement on their role in a Greek rescue operation, said two people with knowledge of the case.

Officials and leaders of the EU have considered Papandreou to draw the widest possible support for a program that goes beyond 2013, when it is then expected to deal with surveys. Economic and Monetary Union Commissioner Olli Rehn, said yesterday that there is no "plan B" for the country if the laws are not passed.

"The European Union continues to be ready to support the Greece," Rehn said in Brussels. "But Europe can help only Greece Greece contributes to itself".

Christine Lagarde, yesterday named as next head of the Monetary Fund International, called the Greece opposition parties to provide support. The IMF provides approximately 30% of the Greece bailout funds.

"They need to put aside political differences and work in the service of their country", she said France of TF1 television.

Antonis Samaras, head of the opposition party more great new democracy, has defied calls and repeated yesterday that his party will vote against the Bill.

While Papandreou yesterday appeared to have enough support, there is always a risk that the package could go, according to Christian Schulz, an economist, based in London, Joh. Berenberg, Gossler & Co. said in a note.

"Risks remain," he said. "The result of the Greek votes is not certain, and it could still be surprises negative when it comes to the vote on the law of implementation."

Venizelos said late yesterday that the Government considers all vote for the austerity and a law that accompanies it as "a very courageous and responsible action". He spoke after Socialist Parliament Vasso Papandreou said that it will return the package "in full knowledge that I am choosing the knife over the gun."

Apart from the sale of property of the State as an issue for Public Power Corp SA (PPC), the monopoly of the former power and levies ranging from 1% to 5% on wages, Papandreou plan includes an increase in taxes on restaurants and bars, higher heating oil taxes and lower the threshold non-taxable to 8,000 euros from 12 000 euros currently. Greek newspaper to Vima calculated the additional burden for the family Greek four to 2,795 euros per year, on the same income a month on average.

Implementation of austerity measures more threat to deepen a recession in three years and to complicate efforts to increase the revenue of the Government. Gross domestic product Greek, who was contracted by 4.4% in 2010, will drop another 3.8% this year, according to a report of the EU inspectors and the IMF in June. Burden of the debt of the countries peak at 166% of the GDP in the next year is already the most important in the history of the euro area.

To contact the reporters on this story: Maria Petrakis in Athens at mpetrakis@bloomberg.net; Natalie weeks in Athens at the nweeks2@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Hertling at the jhertling@bloomberg.net

Ten people killed in the attack on Kabul Hotel - voice of America

Afghan security officer directing vehicles near the Inter-Continental hotel in Kabul, Jun 28, 2011Afghan security officer directing vehicles near the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, June 28, 2011

At least six suicide bombers and gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, late Tuesday and early reports indicate that 10 people were killed.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack of the Intercontinental Hotel.   Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, said the Group was targeting foreign guests, and that the attackers were killed or wounded at least 50 people.  However, the Taliban often exaggerates the number of victims in attacks against Western and Afghan Government targets.

The head of the Kabul police crime unit, Mohammad Zahir, said that several police officers were injured in the fighting, while witnesses reported at least three loud explosions and gunfire inside and outside the hotel.

Ministry of Interior spokesman Sidiq Sidiqqi said the suicide bombers detonated themselves or were killed and two Taliban insurgents have continued to fire from the roof Wednesday at the start.

Police blocked streets leading to the hotel, situated on a hill that overlooks the Afghan capital and said that the entire area in darkness.  Shortly after, the national army Afghan commando unit arrived on the scene.

The attack occurred on the eve of a Conference on the gradual transition of responsibility civilian and military forces to the Afghan people.

In other acts of violence Tuesday, NATO said three of its members in service are dead in attacks by insurgents and separate bomb in the South of the Afghanistan.

Also in the South, the authorities have declared a bomb killed two women and wounded a child in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

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Money In Motion

Is - this too late for Sarah Palin to run for President? -Christian Science Monitor

Travel of Sarah Palin to Iowa Tuesday to attend the premiere of a documentary on it, "The unbeaten," sparked a predictable frenzy among the chattering classes. Ex-Alaska Governor finally declare itself a candidate for the Presidency?

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Well, maybe that will happen. "The Undefeated" is a fairly positive film, representing Ms. Palin as a bipartisan resolver. Announcement of a kickoff surprise after the projection of what is essentially a screen's campaign would be a dramatic way for Palin to enter the race.

But the Palin to Iowa travel is probably just tourism Hawkeye State or General Palin brand-building. Apparently, it is not pleasant with GOP state leaders to gauge possible support during his short stay.

It could announce the next series of cases for his Nation while bus tour in Iowa. This family vacation wandering has been organising - Palin herself that criticism on the fact that it has been called for jury in Alaska. But what happens after the first Pella, Iowa film, Opera, is now a waste of time? It gets to be too late for Palin to run?

We know, the question seems absurd - real vote did not begin until next year. But, as previously mentioned, it gets late early presidential nomination policy. On average, the winning candidates have stated that their intentions in July of the year preceding the election.

Coming, and yet mystery still spins around the child prodigy Wasilla. It will be? Won't it? Are fans tired of waiting and turn to Michele Bachmann?

After all, Ms. Bachmann has zoomed tied for first place in recent survey of the Register of monks preferences of Republicans in Iowa. It is a part of favorite tea and fly the boat to the establishment, as Palin. It is possible that it is winning the potential voters of the Palin.

In addition, Palin unfavourable rating just keeps getting worse. Almost 60% of voters overall Americans have a negative view of it - a very high barrier that it would have to overcome to actually win the White House.

If Palin was a conventional politician, this bad news could mean that Yes, its time has passed. But it is far from conventional. It retains a core of supporters dedicated, as in its intensity Positive Gallup, its favourable note note less negative numbers. At 17, which places her just before the Mitt Romney favorite. (He drags Michele Bachmann, however.)

Palin could raise all the money she wanted in a short period of time. It would probably attract personal talent top the time wherever she said "Yes". It has advanced the social art of the management of the media through networking sites - to communicate what it means in Facebook and Twitter breaks out.

And it is still known. Yes, Ms. Bachmann is hot at the moment. But if you compare "Sarah Palin" with "Michele bachmann" on trends in Google, to find on the search term attracts more Web, Palin WINS traffic. By a long shot.

Bachmann was a great Web research day in mid-June after his performance in a GOP debate in New Hampshire. But overall, if you look at the past 30 days in the United States, the Web of Palin search traffic is three times greater than that of Bachmann and four times greater than that of Mr. Romney.

Fleet fact facing serious delays, could navigate only next week - Jerusalem Post

Removed acts of insurance, alleged sabotage, and Greek bureaucracy focused on a setback to the organizers of freedom flotilla 2, who said on Tuesday that the departure of the Gaza Strip could be postponed until next week.

In addition, a mere 350 people should participate in the fleet, as opposed to the 1 500 initially planned by the organizers.

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"There have been many obstacles and complaints." "Some boats is not ready and is not not when us leave, although we hope that this will be in the coming week", Ewa Jasiewicz, a leader of the Free Gaza of the Poland movement, told the Jerusalem Post, of the Greece. "We cannot rule out the possibility that it will be pushed off the coast until early next week."

In any event, the Israel Navy continues its preparations to stop the planned fleet of 10 ships.

Tuesday, officers of the Navy and aviation has organized a series of meetings to discuss operational plans and senior IDF officials have in recent days, talked with foreign military attachés based in Israel as well as with their counterparts from countries whose citizens participate fleet.

"We want to ensure that everyone is aware of what we do and why," explained a senior officer.

10 Vessels should participate in the fleet include the freedom of the Ireland, the audacity of hope in the United States, the Canada Tahrir, Swedish and Greek Juliano, two Swedish-Greek cargo vessels carrying 3,000 tons of supplies, the Italian ship Stefano Chiarini and French ships Julien Rivoire and dignity.

The two French ships left Corsica over the weekend and are en route to the rendezvous point in the Mediterranean, Jasiewicz said, while other boats is moored in Greece awaiting approval to depart from the band of Gaza.

On Tuesday, the Juliano propeller shaft was found cut, leading organizers to accuse Israel of sabotaging the ship, which will take several days to correct.

"Insurance has been withdrawn, one of the ships has been sabotaged and Greek authorities have not given all the permits," Jasiewicz said about delays.

Jasiewicz rejected the assertions of IDF declared in the Post Tuesday that information obtained by Israel shows that some of the passengers plan to attack soldiers and bring bags of sulphur on board to pay the soldiers and then set on fire.

"We have no record of that." "It is a false claim," she said.

"All passengers have been trained in non-violence and non-compliance tactics." The idea is not step of having contacts with the Israeli army. We are not any violent confrontation... "Violence only that we have heard is from the Israeli army".

Chief of general staff lieutenant - general Benny Gantz said on Tuesday that the fleet is not intended to provide humanitarian aid to Gazans, but rather to delegitimize Israel internationally.

Click for full Jpost coverage

Gantz, speaking at a ceremony for IDF honor reservists, said there was no lack of basic supplies in the Gaza Strip, and that they "import televisions and plasma screens and the export of agricultural products in all the Arab world."

The Israeli army was well equipped and ready to deal with any threat posed by militants of the fleet, he said.

Speaking at the same ceremony, Defense Minister Ehud Barak called the flotilla a "provocation", adding that "there is no humanitarian crisis in Gaza." If [activists] are sensitive to human suffering, then they need transform their efforts for releasing [kidnapped soldier] Gilad Schalit or at least allowing the visitors. »

The Jerusalem Post staff contributed to this report.

Google + faces uphill climb vs Facebook - msnbc.com

Many people is on Facebook. How they are going to pass? It will have to be large enough.

It was the reaction of some members of Facebook-addicted to my family that read us the blog post and watched videos Announces Google + today (last) moving to the social networking giant research.

The functionality of Google + look interesting, offering a fee take on social networks, at least. Circles is a way to Group friends and family members into specific categories for easy sharing. Sparks is an "online sharing engine" that delivers content on specific topics to sharing with specific groups of friends. And "Convocation" will bring a degree of spontaneity of multi-person videoconferencing.

(For more details on Google +, click here.)

But the most important feature of any social network users themselves. And with more than 600 million of them, Facebook has a huge - and perhaps insurmountable - ahead on this front.

Of course, Google has many users itself, including 65% of the search market to the United States and a percentage even more important in some countries overseas.

But keep in mind the news last week that the Federal Trade Commission of United States has launched an antitrust investigation on giant research, have been emphasizing that Google has unfairly used its dominant position in the Internet search company for its own products to those of its rivals.

We have worked on some new stuff to share on the web more as sharing in real life. Just check the first five features of Google + plus.google.com.

It is not illegal for a company to hold a dominant position on a market. It is illegal for a company to use its dominant position to give an unfair advantage in other markets.

Which probably goes too far on this point. Google + is just begin its public launch as an essay on invitation only land and videos and preview, published by the society provides only an overview of what the ultimate experience will be in the long term. But no doubt the FTC will be watching closely to see how Google integrates elements of Google + basic research experience and connects users to Google search.

Along these lines, it is significant that Google is called a "project" rather than a product. Danny Sullivan of search engine land explains that the idea is to "Google itself more social rather than a stand-alone social network to Facebook."

That sounds familiar, it is not? Internet Explorer is a web browser or a feature of Windows?

Then, Facebook is no Netscape.

And Facebook is not easily renounced its giant customer base. As explained by Steven Levy of Wired at the end of the piece of mammoth on the Google project +, Facebook declined until now to create a mechanism to allow users to export their connections Facebook Google +. A Google Executive said Levy that Facebook is open to it, but also "fear that we are trying to kill them."

That can go too far, as well. Ultimately, the initial reaction of my family will be probably true: to save our time and attention to Facebook, this Google thing + will have to be large enough.

And all our friends will have to think, too.

Todd Bishop of GeekWire follow on Twitter and Facebook, at least until what it gets in this field test.

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