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British Prime Minister David Cameron makes unannounced visit to Libya

Friday, February 1, 2013

British Prime Minister David Cameron made an unannounced visit to the Libyan capital city of Tripoli yesterday after visiting Algeria earlier in the day.

David Cameron pledged that Britain would help in training Libya’s security forces. He said in a joint press conference held with Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan that “the British people want to stand with you and help you deliver the greater security that Libya needs”. Cameron also reiterated his support for the French-backed intervention in Mali, denying suggestions put to him that foreign intervention in Islamic countries would lead to a backlash against Western nations by al-Qaeda.

The security was tight during his walkabout in the Martyrs’ Square, where police attempted to hold back the locals as a police helicopter flew overhead. His visit to Tripoli comes in the aftermath of recent threats to the British embassy and just a week after British citizens were urged to leave the second largest city of Benghazi due to a “specific and imminent” threat to Westerners.

Police officers investigating the 1988 Lockerbie bombing from the Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary have been granted access to new information to help them with their inquiries. In 2001, Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment but was released in 2009 on compassionate health grounds and died last year.

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Sea lion walks from beach into Pantai Inn in California

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

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Last Tuesday early morning, a sea lion walked from the beach into Pantai Inn in La Jolla, California. The animal was rescued by local animal rescue authorities. Wikinews took an interview from Shane Pappas, a General Manager of the inn.

((Wikinews)) At what time of day did the sea lion enter the Inn?

Shane Pappas: Surveillance footage shows that our sea lion friend made her way onto our property at approximately 5:45am on Tuesday morning. She waddled through our courtyard and climbed up onto one of our lounge chairs.

((WN)) How long did he stay in the Inn before he was moved out of the building?

Shane Pappas: The sea lion was not seen by our staff until about 6:30am. At that point my front desk agent Veronica made frantic calls to the authorities to find someone to come rescue the sea lion. By the time we got a hold of Sea World they were able to come and rescue her at around 9:45am. All told the sea lion was here for about four hours.

((WN)) What do you think attracted the animal? Was it the radio sound? Was it heard as far as the beach?

Shane Pappas: We’re not sure what attracted the sea lion. We like to think that it was the beauty and relaxation of our courtyard. In regards to the radio sound I’m not sure what you are referring to.

((WN)) Who and how transported the animal out of the building?

Shane Pappas: A gentleman named Bill who is a rescue worker with Sea World came out to rescue the pup. He asked if I would assist in the rescue which I was more than happy to do. It’s not every day that you get to rescue a sea lion.

((WN)) Where was the animal transported to?

Shane Pappas: The sea lion was loaded into a crate on a truck and transported back to Sea World. She will be kept there for six weeks so that she can be nursed back to health and returned to the wild.

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Paris Hilton mocks John McCain presidential ad

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

American celebutante and businesswoman Paris Hilton has bashed a recent presidential campaign ad by 2008 U.S. presidential hopeful John McCain in which he compared his rival Barack Obama to celebrities such as Hilton and Britney Spears. In McCain’s TV ad, it was stated that Obama was “the biggest celebrity in the world.”

Hilton recorded and uploaded a video to comedy website Funny or Die, in which she mocked McCain by calling him a “wrinkly white-haired guy.”

“Hey America. I am Paris Hilton, and I am a celebrity too,” she states at the beginning of the video, but not before images of the Star Wars character Yoda and the cast of The Golden Girls are paraded across the screen apparently comparing the characters to McCain.

“Only I am not from the olden days, and I am not promising change like ‘that other guy’. I’m just hot,” remarked Hilton, adding, “I guess I am running for president,” since McCain’s TV ad showed her.

McCain’s advertisement, released early this week, states, “Is the biggest celebrity in the world ready to help your family?” According to the Boston Globe and video displayed on its website, the narrator then points out that “the real Obama promises higher taxes, more government spending. So, fewer jobs.”

Bill Burton, a spokesman for Obama, responded to the ad: “Is the biggest proponent of George Bush’s tired, failed policies ready to bring about change? Another day brings another dishonest attack from John McCain. While Senator McCain knows that Senator Obama has proposed cutting taxes for 95% of American families, what he’s not telling us is that he wants to give $4 billion in tax breaks to the oil companies, continue giving tax breaks to corporations that ship our job overseas, and provide no direct tax relief for more than 100 million middle-class families.”

Hilton appears in good spirits in her video and even thanks McCain for endorsing her. “So thanks for the endorsement white-haired dude. And I want America to know, that I am like totally ready to lead.”

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Magnitude 7.5 earthquake hits Afghanistan

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Early yesterday afternoon local time, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Afghanistan, Pakistan and North India, with its epicenter in the Hindu Kush mountain range which stretches from Afghanistan to North Pakistan, causing damage to life and buildings. A Wikinews correspondent felt the shock waves in Behror, Rajasthan at 2:50 PM IST (0920 UTC).

Hundreds of people died in this disaster. The death toll is highest in Pakistan. Pakistani officials yesterday afternoon declared over 145 people were found dead. United States Geological Survey reported the earthquake occurred at 212km depth due to reverse faulting. Twelve students died in the rush due to trembles, in an Afghani girls’ school in Takhar, near Badakhshan. Two elderly women in Kashmir died due to heart attack. Some people in Pakistan died by crushing by roof collapse.

Indian states Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi National Capital Region were affected. Srinagar experienced a power cutoff after the earthquake.

During yesterday afternoon, Indian Prime minister Narendra Modi communicated with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, volunteering help. He also tweeted “Heard about strong earthquake in Afghanistan-Pakistan region whose tremors have been felt in parts of India. I pray for everyone’s safety.”

Yesterday evening, Pervez Rashid, Pakistani Information Minister, declared Pakistan would not ask for help for resources and rescue work and thanked India for offering help. “We have enough resources to handle the situation. Our top priority is to help those affected because of the earthquake”.

As of earlier today, officials in Pakistan and Afghanistan came up with statistics of 237 deaths in Pakistan and a total rising to 311.

Almost a decade ago, this region suffered an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6.

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Iran says it’s ready for standoff over nuclear activities
This article features in a News Brief from Audio Wikinews:

Thursday, January 18, 2007

Iranian President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has stated that his country is prepared to have a standoff with the United States.

The move comes as the U.S. decided to send another aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

According to the U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, the USS Stennis was dispatched to the region to “impress on Iran that the four-year war in Iraq has not made America vulnerable.”

In response to the deployment of additional troops, Ahmadinejad said that Iran was prepared for any possibility in the standoff with the West over its nuclear activities.

“Today, with the grace of God, we have gone through the arduous passes and we are ready for anything in this path. Their aim is to frighten Iran and weaken the resistance of the Iranian nation but they will not succeed,” stated Ahmadinejad.

Iran has stated that its nuclear program is strictly for peaceful purposes, but the United Nations disagrees and imposed limited sanctions on the nation last year.

“Unfortunately, some inside the country try to fabricate news and portray a bad image of the great achievement of the Iranian nation […] prescribe compromise, repeat the words of the enemy. Of course, this will have no effect,” added Ahmadinejad.

Ahmadinejad’s announcement comes as Iran announces that the country is prepared to begin the installation of nearly 3,000 centrifuges at its nuclear facility, the Natanz uranium-enrichment complex.

According to an unknown European diplomat, “everything has been prepared for assembling [and installing] the centrifuges at Natanz for the beginning of the industrial phase of enrichment. The hardware is now in place.”

Ahmadinejad also said that enrichment of uranium will begin at the Natanz facility “very soon” and “bit by bit.”

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January

29

Look And See Your Best With Westside Opticians In Nyc

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The world is a visual place. Vision is needed for almost every function of daily life. Even the slightest issues with vision can make things difficult for a person to perform many days to day functions. Fortunately, there are corrective lenses to assist with many problems with a person’s vision. Eye glasses are the most common corrective measure for vision problems. However, many people may find glasses unattractive or uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are frames that can suit any person available. There are Westside Opticians in NYC that offer a large selection of frames that can suit anyone’s needs regarding comfort, as well as style.

In the past, wearing glasses would bring ridicule from others and often give one a less than trendy appearance. However, eye glasses are no longer a fashion faux pas. In actuality, glasses have become a very trendy fashion accessory. There are many Westside Opticians in NYC that offer a plethora of frames that can coincide with any fashion trend. Many top name designers have created lines of frames to provide options for the most discerning fashionista. Unlike many fashion trends, these frames are fitted with comfort in mind. This allows one to wear their designer frames all day, giving the wearer better vision without compromising their comfort or fashion.

Facilities, such as Charlotte Jones Opticians, offer a wide array of eye glasses to allow a perfect choice for customers. They can assist each person with finding the best choices to assure comfort and ease of wear throughout the day and night. They also can assist in creating a complete wardrobe of designer fashions. This can allow for the perfect accessory for any outfit. They can also find frames that match a person’s lifestyle, as well. There are options that can provide comfort for the most sports conscious person to the more business-minded professional. They can even provide a combination of frames to suit a busy and dynamic lifestyle. The professional staff can assist in creating a complete wardrobe that not only provides great vision and comfort but also looks great. Vision is important to daily life. However, one does not have to compromise how they look for great vision. Designer frames are the perfect option for anyone in need of glasses.

January

29

Author Amy Scobee recounts abuse as Scientology executive

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Author Amy Scobee recounts abuse as Scientology executive
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Monday, October 11, 2010

Wikinews interviewed author Amy Scobee about her book Scientology – Abuse at the Top, and asked her about her experiences working as an executive within the organization. Scobee joined the organization at age 14, and worked at Scientology’s international management headquarters for several years before leaving in 2005. She served as a Scientology executive in multiple high-ranking positions, working out of the international headquarters of Scientology known as “Gold Base”, located in Gilman Hot Springs near Hemet, California.

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January

28

Choosing Between Tiles And Linoleum

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When redecorating a kitchen or bathroom, the options for flooring are a bit more limited than those in some other areas of the home. Two potential choices are tile and linoleum. Understanding the pros and cons of each of these options will make the choice a little bit easier.

  • Cost

Linoleum is typically cheaper to purchase than tiles. This is especially true in the case of natural stone tiles, but is also usually the case with ceramic or porcelain tile. Because it is typically faster to install unless old flooring needs to be removed first, it can also be less expensive to install linoleum. Many of the newer types of linoleum can easily be installed by a somewhat skilled do-it-yourselfer. Tiles may be better off being installed by a professional, as they are more skilled and will be able to complete the job more quickly than a homeowner would. Professionals also have the right equipment to cut any tiles to size if this should become necessary.

  • Appearance

A tile floor will have a much more higher-end appearance than one made of linoleum or vinyl flooring. However, there are many options available for either tile or linoleum to make it easy to match the decor of the home.

  • Use Considerations

Linoleum tends to offer a more padded surface, which can be better if you spend a lot of time on your feet. Tile is a much harder surface and can feel cold when the temperatures in the home drop during the winter.

  • Maintenance

Both linoleum and tile flooring are relatively easy to maintain. The grout between the tiles needs to be sealed to prevent stains, and many types of natural stone tile need to be regularly resealed. Over time, a linoleum floor will gradually become a bit stained and discolored even with regular sweeping and mopping. A tile floor is less likely to have this problem, but a heavy object falling on the floor may crack a tile, so it’s a good idea to have some spare tiles on hand just in case something happens and a tile needs to be replaced. Visit Elitecarpetca.com for more information. You can also like them on Facebook for more information.

Filled Under: Outdoor Kitchens

January

27

U.S. manufacturer General Motors seeks bankruptcy protection

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U.S. manufacturer General Motors seeks bankruptcy protection
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Monday, June 1, 2009

United States automobile manufacturing firm General Motors filed for bankruptcy and Chapter 11 protection from its creditors at 12:00 UTC Monday, in a Manhattan, New York federal bankruptcy court. This was the largest bankruptcy filing for a U.S. manufacturing company, and with declared assets of $82.29 billion and a debt of $172.81 billion, and the fourth largest bankruptcy filing in recent U.S. history — after the bankruptcies of {{w|Lehman Brothers|| ($691.06 billion), Washington Mutual ($327.91 billion), and WorldCom ($103.91 billion).

The filing, expected to be the first of many, was for a New York GM affiliate, Chevrolet-Saturn of Harlem Incorporated. Numbered 09-50026, it named GM as a debtor in possession, and was filed before judge Robert Gerber.

GM is to be represented throughout the filing process by Weil Gotshal & Manges, a New York law firm specializing in bankruptcy.

The chief restructuring officer, named in the filing, is to be Al Koch, a managing director at AlixPartners LLP in New York, who will report directly to Fritz Henderson, the Chief Executive Officer of General Motors.

In its bankruptcy petition, GM listed its primary creditors as:

Name Amount owed (USD millions)
Wilmington Trust 22,000
United Auto Workers union (UAW) 20,560
Deutsche Bank 4,440

The amount owed to UAW excludes “approximately $9.4 billion corresponding to the GM Internal VEBA”. USD22,760 millions are owed to bondholders.

Analysts have observed that the effect of the bankruptcy filing on the U.S. economy is not expected to be as major as it once would have been. One such voice, Mark Zandy, an economist at Moody’s Economy.com, commented that “Bankruptcy now is irrelevant in terms of the economic consequence of what’s happening to GM.” Such analysts believe that the economic impact of GM’s problems has already been felt, with its effects on parts suppliers and employment. They also believe that GM’s programme of accelerated payments, and its participation in a U.S. Treasury program to ensure prompt payments to parts manufacturers, will have cushioned the effect of the bankruptcy itself.

Speaking on Bloomberg Radio, David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, stated that the fragility of the parts suppliers, the loss of whom would threaten the entire automobile manufacturing industry, was of more immediate concern than the GM bankruptcy.

Also filing for chapter 11 protection today were Saturn LLC and Saturn Distribution Corporation, subsidiary companies of General Motors.

As a consequence of the bankruptcy, General Motors Corporation (GM.N) was removed from the Dow Jones Industrial Average, and was replaced by Cisco Systems (CSCO.O), these changes scheduled by Dow Jones & Company to take effect from the opening of trading on June 8.

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January

27

What Benefits Are Provided With Packaging Services In Fort Myers, Fl?

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For Florida property owners, moving could present unique challenges that disrupt their daily routines. The requirements of moving begin with sorting through everything they own and packing up their entire lives. With packing services in Fort Myers FL, the owner avoids this chaos and achieves the move without major effort.

Reducing the Stress of Moving

A full-service moving company offers additional services to make this life event less hectic. They review the total requirements for the service based on the size of the property and volume of items that need transport. They arrange for a crew to come to the property with ample packaging supplies. The crew packs up all items inside the property and wrap the furniture appropriately. Once completed, the owner won’t have to worry about any aspects of the move other than scheduling it.

Avoiding Breakage Due to Ineffective Packing

Packing services are completed in a professional manner. The crew assigned to the property understands how to package shipments to avoid potential breakage. This includes added packing materials inside boxes to prevent glass and other fragile items from moving. All breakable items are wrapped carefully and positioned in the boxes to prevent damage due to movement or if the box is dropped.

Saving the Homeowner Time

The moving company helps the homeowner save time by providing these full-service opportunities. The homeowner can focus on their job or their parenting requirements. Their daily routine isn’t changed by the move. They have the opportunity to continue their day without interruption and transition to their new property without hindrances.

Quicker Transport Services

The moving companies provide quicker transport when packing services are utilized. They set up a schedule for packing and for transporting the items to the new location or storage facility. They maintain the schedule set up by the homeowner.

Florida moving services provide homeowners with invaluable choices for their next relocation. These choices prevent major changes in the individual’s daily routine. The moving service ensures that the items are packaged appropriately and gives the homeowner peace of mind. Anyone who needs Packing Services in Fort Myers FL for their next relocation should contact us for further details now.