Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Passenger relate horror - Nevada appeal

FALLON, Amtrak passengers recounted the horror of the fatal accident tomorrow Friday 38 kilometres north of Fallon when a semi truck collided with the side of a train with a flight shortly before noon.

"Was sleeping on the side that was beaten," said Abel Ortiz, 42, of San Jose, California Ortiz and his family boarded the train in Salt Lake City after a holiday there. "It fell from the post down." As I looked I saw the train that was ripped. He created an opening in our car. I saw flames come Windows in the side as a flash quick flames. Then smoked filled everything.

"There was some shouting."

According to spokesman Dan Lopez Nevada highway patrol, the train was carrying 204 passengers and a crew of 14. The California Zephyr was en route from Chicago to Emeryville, California, when the truck ran through a junction of Highway 95 in United States a mile south of the departure of Trinidad where the two-lane highway ends temporarily in the Interstate 80 Freeway. The driver of the tractor trailer, died as he was a passenger aboard the train, said Lopez.

Rescue teams evacuated passengers from the train and moved them to a site's ranking. The Churchill County School District bus arrived at the site of almost two hours after the accident and transported most of the passengers elementary school's E.C. best in Fallon through Banner Churchill Memorial Hospital.

The ICRC and volunteers from the community helped the passengers in the school gym. Amtrak was organized so that bus transport return passengers to California.

Although her husband was sleeping. Sara Ortiz, 43, was awake when the 18-wheeler crashed into the coach.

"I do not see but he felt the impact," he said. "It shook the car, and I felt it was going to keep on deposit."

His 13-year-old son, said he thought he was dreaming.

"I saw flames fever for", said Aaron Ortiz. "I was scared." "On a scale of 1 to 10, this was an 11."

Mount Mentry, 75, Sebastapol, California, says when the tractor trailer collided with passenger cars was removed around in his seat.

"It struck the train, and I was jumping up and down." Everything in the rack and came down, "said Mentry, who also boarded the train in Salt Lake City."

When he was able to look at he saw the extent of the damage.

"The first car burned." The side was booted in the second passenger train. The fire at that time was only for the first passenger car, "said."

Fire raced through at least two cars, hit them it. Some reports indicate passengers were trapped inside before finally making his way to safety.

It is not clear what car the fatality was in.

By the afternoon of Friday, Governor Brian Sandoval was in elementary school of Fallon to greet passengers as they arrived.

"I visited with those affected by the train today's crash this afternoon at the hostel in Fallon." We sympathize with the victims and their families. Kathleen and will keep you in our thoughts and prayers, "Sandoval said in a statement issued on Friday afternoon."

"The Department of public safety continues to keep me updated and thank its rapid response today." I would also like to thank volunteers and emergency crews in Churchill County. "His calm and courageous response to tragedy today has reassured many."

Fallon Mayor Pro Tem Bob Erickson was also in CE better. He said the training involved in early may for a massive exercise response teams crash allowed firefighters, police and medical personnel to respond in a professional manner.

Abel Ortiz agreed.

"It was fast," he said. "They did a good job." "Surprised me more watching the helicopters from the Navy, but she knew that TopGun was close."

He said that also they were talking about individuals from the National Security Board transport passengers, many of whom were waiting for their luggage be delivered at the place of the accident.

Fallon Kevin Gehman police chief said that the school infrastructure was in place prior to her came from passengers in Fallon. He said that they were helping volunteers of the Red Cross, the school district and the FfD in police service volunteers.

"The community showed", Gehman said.


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Activists: at least 15 killed in protests across Syria - voice of America

Protesters march through the streets after Friday prayers in the Hajar Al Asswad in Damascus, Syria, June 24, 2011March of demonstrators through the streets after prayers on Friday in the Asswad from Al Hajar in Damascus, Syria, June 24, 2011

Witnesses and Syria activists say at least 15 people were killed on Friday when security forces fired into crowds, as tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across the country in another round of demonstrations aimed at overthrowing President Bashar al - Assad.

The demonstrators gathered along the North and around the capital, Damascus, despite a strong military presence and the fear of the ongoing military repression. Protesters have been under attack by pro-Government forces for more than 100 days.

Rami Abdel Rahman, an activist with the Syrian Observatory in London for human rights, told French news agency by telephone from the city of Kiswah, security forces opened fire on demonstrators there and injured an undetermined number of people.

The Reuters news agency, said a resident in Barzeh, said that the forces of security first used tear gas against the protesters and then began firing on them from rooftops when they continued shouting against Mr. Assad.

In the suburb of Irbin Damascus, protesters shouted, "Tell the world Bashar is no legitimacy".

They reported deaths near Damascus and elsewhere. Syria State television blamed "armed gangs" to shoot at the security forces in a suburb of Damascus, killing three people.

Details of the violence on Friday did not independently confirmed, largely because Syria does not allow external media to cover the protests. Activists say that the Suppression of Syria has killed at least 1,400 people in the past three months.

Turkish officials said Friday that more than 1,500 Syrian refugees crossed the border into Turkey once the Syrian troops stormed the city of Khirbet al - Jouz.

According to estimates by the Turkish Government, almost 12,000 Syrians are now in the big tent in Turkey camps.

Syrian troops say that 500 metres from the border.

Implementation of Syria is the closest thing his troops arrived in Turkish territory since the military operations in the area began two weeks ago. Turkish troops moved their positions of border several hundred meters, apparently to avoid possible confrontations with Syrian units.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the scene of the border is "very worrying" and has advised Syria to withdraw its troops. She says that her presence is worsening an already bad for refugees and the risk situation leading to the Turkish border clashes.

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A person dressed as a devil lies on the ground to pray during a parade celebrating the Catholic festival of Corpus Christi in Ocumare de la Costa in the central state of Aragua, Venezuela.

VOA Congo Story

Money in motion
See Philip Alexiou's report on combating the illegal trade in ivory.

Money In Motion

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Monday, June 27, 2011

The FBI's "Ten most wanted": two down, 8 to go - NPR

Fans get our favorite stories, exclusive videos and messages in real time while we're in the air.

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New York--The Guardian gay marriage is legalized

Gay marriage law New YorkPeople celebrate in Manhattan before the New York Senate approved a Bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the State on June 24. Photography: Jessica Rinaldi/Reuters

New York has become the largest and most recent Union State to legalize marriages of same-sex in a movement that hopes of rights activists gay will be a turning point for the recognition of such unions throughout the country.

Support of the Senate of the marriage equality bill means New York, the third most populous state of the Union, joins Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the capital district of Washington to allow same-sex married couples.

Gay weddings should commence within 30 days after the Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the Bill Friday night. The Republican-controlled Senate voted 33-29 to the draft law which had been previously approved by the lower House, which has a democratic majority.

Gay rights activists believe the vote will strengthen the campaign for equal marriage across the country, as the impact of the legislation will be felt far beyond New York.

Unlike in in Massachusetts, the first State to allow gay marriage in 2004, people don't need that New York residents to obtain a marriage license, so that the State might attract couples from across the country.

Campaigners believe that the importance of the vote adds size of the State and the international stature of the city of New York.

Ross Levi, executive director of the Empire State pride agenda, said that the law would have "a multiplier effect" across the nation.

"It is really a historic night for love and our families earned democracy," he added.

The vote was particularly emotional for many in the gay community, which is considered as the movement for rights gay has begun in New York City with the Greenwich Village Stonewall riots, in 1969.

During the night, there was a big party in the Street outside the Stonewall Inn. Revellers published pictures of the celebrations on Twitter, which included flags arco iris and dancing. The vote is likely to be held at annual gay pride events this weekend, culminating with parades in New York City, San Francisco and other cities on Sunday.

Sarah Ellis, who has been in a six-year relationship with his partner, Kristen Henderson, said the new law will allow the couple to have infant twins, marrying in autumn.

"We we have been waiting for." "We felt for a long time, crossing borders and other States", said Ellis, 39, of Long Island. "But to the State in which we live, we pay taxes, and part of that community, it has equal rights and equal marriage, we weren't going to do it".

In the week prior to the vote in New York, some Republicans who are opposed to a similar Bill in 2009 announced that they were supporting for reasons of conscience and duty to ensure civil rights.

Pressure to make the legisation came from celebrities, athletes, and Mayor of the city of New York City Michael Bloomberg, which has been used for a long time his own fortune to help the Republican campaign funds and personally lobbied undecided representatives.

Senator Stephen Saland, voted against the Bill in 2009, said before voting on this night. "I am doing the right thing in the vote to support marriage equality".

Singer Lady Gaga has urged his followers from Twitter 11 million to call New York senators in support of the Bill. After the vote, she twitteo: "Can ' t stop crying." Did children. The revolution is our fight love, justice + equality. Happy NY and propose. "We did it!"

Pink twitteo: "Congratulations!" "Time!"

The legislation includes the Republican demand for legal protections for religious groups who fear that they will come with claims of discrimination if they refuse to allow that his gay wedding facilities.


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Suicide truck bomber targets Afghan hospital, kills 35 - CNN International

At least one doctor was among the 35 killed and 60 wounded by the suicide truck bomber Saturday at an Afghan hospital.At least one doctor was one of the 35 dead and 60 injured by the suicide truck bomber on Saturday in an Afghan hospital.New: ISAF, United States and Karzai condemned the latest attacksAt least 35 killed and 60 more were injured, a medical official saidA is among the dead in attack in hospital, hospital staff bomber saySuicide Afghanistan objectives, say officials

Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) - a suicide bomber Saturday Afghanistan attack It has killed at least 35 people and wounded another 60, Logar Province Governor spokesman said Den Mohammad Darwish.

The bomber used a truck loaded with explosives to go to a hospital in the province of Logar Azra district, said Sifatiullah Haqmal, Member of the provincial Council.

At least one doctor was killed in the explosion, which occurred at the main entrance of the Hospital maternity Akbarkhil Azra, said Dr. Khaliq Yar, head of the provincial projects for the medicine for Afghanistan refresher course.

"The terrorists have shown a lack of respect for life when human that Afghans were patients of a hospital and its visitors and family members and hospital staff," the American Embassy in Kabul said in a statement.

It is the second attack in as many days in Afghanistan a civil, just a few days later President Barack Obama outlined a plan to withdraw 30,000 troops from the country in September 2012.

Along with the strike of Logar, a bombing in the northern province of Kunduz on Friday killed at least 10 people, attacks the Embassy called "devastating".

Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the international assistance of NATO security force also issued statements condemning both incidents.

"The insurgents have a complete disregard for the innocent people of Afghanistan who tries to live in peace," ISAF spokesman, said Rear Admiral Vic Beck.

The Kunduz made Friday occurred in the Plaza of the province Khan Abad district, said Mohibullah Saidi, a spokesman for the provincial Governor.

Along with 10 deaths, 24 people were injured in the attack, said the Ministry of the Interior. The bomb was placed on a bicycle and was detonated by remote control, said Saidi.

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Sunday, June 26, 2011

Obama invest in the manufacturing industry - political

In his weekly address to the nation, President Barack Obama urged Americans to invest in the manufacturing industry, calling it a necessary step to stimulate the creation of employment and economic growth.

Speaking of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, visited Friday, began to Obama to make the case that his plan to withdraw troops from 33,000 in Afghanistan in the summer of 2012, announced in a speech to the nation on Wednesday, is not only in the best interest of the safety of United States, but also a smart economic move.

Continue reading but make the economy in the right direction is not enough, said Obama. "Many Americans are still suffering and now is the time to focus on the nation build here at home".

Obama argued that the economy cannot be solved by just cutting costs. He defended the investments in areas such as education, infrastructure, research and development and clean energy in an attempt to create jobs for middle-class.

The President promotes the achievements of a company called robotic born in the development of advanced manufacturing techniques. "People born not only solving problems;" It is working with unions to create new jobs operating bots, and they are saving cities millions of dollars in infrastructure costs, "said."

On Friday, Obama released the Association advanced manufacturing, which aims to meet the manufacturing industry, universities and Government. According to the White House, more than 500 million dollars will be invested in the programme, which was created from the recommendations made by the President of science and Technology Advisory Council.

In his weekly address, Obama said that the Association has a broader mission than creating jobs. "Is to renew the promise of American manufacturing," he said. "To secure America remains in this century that were the last help: a country that makes things." "A country that out-builds and out-innovates the rest of the world."

Workers and families it is hard to make ends meet, the President said that he felt hopeful companies seeing as born in Pittsburgh, which he developed from a small school and a global University.

"We are a people that has always adapted to the challenges of a new time;" "wherever there is in the form of our own destiny, and I am absolutely sure that that is what we are going to do one more time".


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Minot keys for more rain as it draws to river crest - The Seattle Times

MINOT, N.D.:

With the threat of yet more rain looming, Minot was preparing Saturday for the Souris River cascading already passed level unprecedented and extend a path of destruction that had severely damaged thousands of homes and threatened many others.

City officials hoped the River peak from the Saturday night in some feet of 8 1/2 beyond the stage of the great flood and remain there for several days, exhausting the dikes of the city up to the limit and overwhelming some of them. Forecasters said there were at least one possibility even of further storms in the next few days.

"An event of rain now change everything." "It is the most frightening," said Mayor Curt Zimbelman.

After a step higher on Friday, officials estimate at least 2,500 homes had been flooded and predicted that number would increase to 4,500 when the River crests. At least two schools, a nursing home and hundreds of businesses were also threatened, said Zimbelman.

More than one quarter of the residents of Minot 40,000 evacuated earlier this week, any belongings waiting to keep cars, trucks and trailers of packaging.

Fueled by heavy rains upstream and versions of prey that have accelerated in recent days, the grown Souris spent a record of 130 years Friday and kept going. The River was more than 5 feet above the stage of the great flood of the Friday afternoon.

Fell the Ridge predicted a foot based on modelling by the national weather service, but it was little consolation in Minot, where Governor Jack Dalrymple said frantic efforts to maintain the flood at Bay soon would lead to a difficult challenge of recovery.

"The stress of this incident is going to build very quickly," he said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency promised assistance to flood victims in the counties of Burleigh and Ward, including Minot and Bismarck, the capital of the State, which has been damaged by the Missouri River floods. Sens. Kent Conrad and John Hoeven and representative Rick Berg had pushed to aid in a call to the Secretary of national security Janet Napolitano and said they hoped that it would be it extended to other counties ravaged by floods.

As had done it the last two days, emergency officials focused on the protection of water and sewer systems to avoid the need for more evacuations. They relied on the water system, but a little less on the sewage treatment plant. Had been canteens as high as possible.

Zimbelman said water go briefly through a storm sewer began to erode a dyke Centre before was controlled.

Also of concern was the bridge of Broadway, a key route from North to South. Raised dykes that protects the approach to the North but Corps of engineers Lieutenant Colonel Kendall Bergmann said is touch and go. The work of dam also protected the nearby Minot State University campus.

Hoeven said that a helicopter over the Souris Valley flight shown damage in small towns. Estimated that more than 5,000 homes in the Valley would eventually be damage by water, the Minot and Burlington, where officials left sandbagging Thursday included. The Corps of engineers of the army was leading an effort to build dikes of emergencies in gilded, a small town 20 km downstream from Minot, prior to the Souris there are symbols on Tuesday.

In Burlington, Cindy Bader deputy auditor estimated Friday that more than half of the 1,000 residents of the city had left to escape the growing Souris River.

City of Burlington, school and police and fire seemed safe, but some houses in the evacuation zone had water up to the first floor and upper.

In a neighborhood, the tops of two traffic signals attracted just above the water brackish, Brown, reached just below the eaves of two nearby houses.

Wayne Walter, a driver of Councillor and truck, city of Burlington for a snack food company, said that residents were stunned by the rapid rise in the River. Only a trickle of water had slipped on levees overnight Thursday, but in the morning "everything was gone," he said.

The National Guard had 870 members activated for the crisis. Minot is known as home to an Air Force base, which oversees 150 missiles Minuteman III in underground silos scattered launch more than 8,500 square kilometres in the Northwest of North Dakota.

Col. S.L. Davis, Commander of the wing 91 missile, said that there were some "localized flooding" in a handful of missiles due to wet spring and summer sites. But he said the silos are designed to handle a little water with security and protection measures were taken in some places similar to what is done in preparation for the second round of the spring thaw.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released four boats to patrol the flooded neighborhoods and respond to 911 calls. No one was injured. The evacuation area was empty except for emergency officials and some geese that remaron in 5 feet of water from washing the streets.

George Moe, 63, whose house was on a block of the Bank, returned briefly on Friday to pick up some clues. MOE said that the only thing left in his house was the mounted head of an antelope by his wife, who died three years ago.

MOE worried home lived in four decades and the store where he worked as a mechanic; He was taking water and that he was not sure that would have a work after the flood.

"I hate to see something go to hell after 40 years", said. "There you can do much."

---

Dale Wetzel associated press writer in Burlington contributed to this report.


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Saturday, June 25, 2011

Casey Anthony trial: Defense to resume the presentation of case in extended Saturday... - Chicago Tribune

Casey Anthony defense team will continue to present his case this morning in what will be an extended day.

Procedures for this morning will begin at 9 am and will last until 3: 30 p.m., several hours of one routine on Saturday.

It is not clear that the Defense called to testify.

Anthony, 25, is accused of killing his 2-year-old daughter Caylee Marie in the summer of 2008. We found the remains of the child in December of that year in the forests near House of the family of east Orange County.

On Friday, lawyers again had interrogated mother of Anthony, Cindy and had called brother Lee booth. He also testified the Yuri Melich Orange County detective.

Defense Attorney Jose Baez said Chief Judge Belvin Perry expected to rest its case on Wednesday or Thursday.

After that, the State will spend one or two days of rebuttal testimony.

Check for updates again.


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Ahmadinejad accuses us of taking advantage of the 9/11, Holocaust - Jerusalem Post

  Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Photo: REUTERS/Morteza Nikoubazl around.STAFF OF COM
06 25, 2011 12: 42 Pm on September 11, 2001 attacks are questionable and United States benefited from them as it did from the Holocaust, the semi-official agency news ISNA quoted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Saturday.

Speaking at a Conference in Tehran for two days on the fight against terrorism, Ahmadinejad returned to his rhetoric often used of doubts about the veracity of the Holocaust and conspiracy theories on the motives of the Government of United States.

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Ahmadinejad referred to the United States with the euphemism of "Global arrogance" and "Capitalism" and said the sent us troops to Middle East after 9/11 "to save its economy and the Zionist regime", he said. "They claimed the lives of numerous people and refused to let anyone know about 9/11 incident and did not allow the research about the Holocaust." Accusing the United States take advantage and speculation after the attacks of September 11, 2001, Ahmadinejad drew a parallel between the US reaction to the event and the Holocaust.

"In terms of reference and benefits, it is very similar to the Holocaust, 9/11," said.

Under Ahmadinejad, United States manufactures 9/11 and the Holocaust to spread panic, benefit economically and bring down the Muslims around the world. As such, he said the meeting, the only way to really fight terrorism is to look at its roots - roots which stated, could be discovered by the search for the real source of events.

On Friday, a day before the release of the Conference, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast Iran accused West of double standards when it came to the fight against terrorism.

"Provided that the interests of [great] powers are the issue, pass under the pretext of the fight against terrorism, and start negotiations with terrorists, if their interests," PressTV was quoted saying. Mehmanparast said that the major Western powers as the terrorism of use of United States as a shield to undermine the value to the attention of their own problems, deficiencies and crimes.
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Obama says committed to work to reduce debt - Reuters

President Barack Obama returns to Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, June 24, 2011. REUTERS/Jason Reed

President Barack Obama returns to the Air Force Base near Washington at Andrews, June 24, 2011.

Credit: Reuters/Jason ReedBy Ayesha Rascoe

WASHINGTON | SAT 25 Jun 2011 6: 05 am EDT

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama said Saturday remains committed to working with Congress to find a solution to the problem of the debt of the Government, but the focus may not only be in spending cuts.

Comments Obama come the President prepared to meet separately with leading Democrats and Republicans in the Senate on Monday to try to revive the negotiations collapsed on Thursday when Republicans took over democratic demands for tax hikes.

"Of course, there has been a real debate about where to invest and where to cut, and I am committed to working with members of both parties to reduce our deficit and debt," Obama said in his weekly radio address.

"But we can not simply cut our way to prosperity", added.

Obama said that the nation is still needed to invest in education, infrastructure and development of new technologies to grow the economy of United States.

Lawmakers have been working to hash an agreement for budget deficit lower and raise the limit of U.S. debt. The federal deficit now amounts to $ 1.4 trillion, among the highest levels on the economy since the second world war.

Must be increased the ceiling of the debt of U.S. 14.3 trillions of dollars before August 2 or the Department of the Treasury will be left without money to pay bills in the country. A default on debt payments could send markets plunging around the world and increase the risk of another U.S. recession.

Republicans and Democrats have clashed in the composition of the deficit-reduction package, with the Republicans against the increases in taxes and Democrats saying that it will not support a package that is based only on spending cuts.

Conservatives in Congress, including many activists of the tea party which is credited with winning the House for the Republicans in the 2010 elections, have questioned whether there really is an urgent need to increase the debt limit.

(Editing by Peter Cooney)


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Monday, June 20, 2011

Casey Anthony trial: Jeff Ashton mistake of the defense expert hammers - Chicago Tribune

Casey Anthony TrialProsecutor of Estado Assistant Jeff Ashton shows documents entomologist Dr. Tim Huntington during cross examination day 21 of the trial for murder of first degree of Casey Anthony in the Palace of Justice in Orange County, Orlando, Florida, on Friday. (Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel and the 16 June 2011)

Casey Anthony defense team had a very good tomorrow on Friday calling for an expert well versed bug that expressed doubts: based on insect evidence: that a body was never hidden drive of women.

Friday afternoon was a different story: Assistant State Attorney Jeff Ashton savaged forensic entomologist Dr. Tim Huntington with a brutal interrogation. All Ashton, from the experience of Huntington challenged the validity of their opinions to their failure to include one of those comments in a report prepared for this case.

For example, Ashton got Huntington, a key defense expert, to admit that when it examined Pontiac Sunfire of Casey Anthony in July, approximately two years after the death of Caylee, the car still smelled.

Professor of biology at Concordia University in Nebraska attributed the smell, possibly to the trash that had been in the car. But later, he acknowledged that there was no apparent source of food in the waste.

Several other witnesses, including the parents of Casey Anthony, said that the Pontiac smelled like a dead body had been inside. Casey Anthony, 25, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of her 2-year-old Marie Caylee.

The Prosecutor's Office said that the body of the child was placed in the trunk of the car before that she was finally abandoned in some woods near the home of Anthony. His remains were not discovered until December 2008, several months later he was missing Caylee.

Huntington said that Ashton on Friday demonstrated insect of recovery of Caylee scene indicated that the body had moved to the forest after decomposition probably two or three days, a time more or less consistent with the theory of the State line.

He also confirmed that the body probably was wooded there months before, another statement of support from the theory of the State.

Huntington said that heavily supported an explanation about insects conclusions included in a report by Dr. Neal Haskell, expert of insects in the Prosecutor's Office.

When asked Ashton on study of decomposition of Huntington of pigs in the trunk of a car, pointed out that the pigs were not wrapped in blankets and bags the remains of the Caylee is believed to have been placed in the car of his mother.

"Why not meet their pigs in a blanket?" Ashton asked, which causes laughter in the courtroom.

Soon, however, Huntington seemed points of defence when asked by Attorney Jose Baez.

"If we assume that it is a body in the trunk of a car, would expect to find hundreds if not thousands of these blow flies," said Huntington. "They are there." Die there. "They are stuck there."

On the other hand, only one leg of a fly apparent coup was found in the trunk.

Huntington also said the presence of other insects - most common, other types of species of fly - in a garbage bag, once placed in the car was not surprising, nor indicative of human decomposition.

"Its presence completely is expected given that it is a bag of garbage," he said. At another point, Huntington, said, "is a bag of garbage with the garbage feeding insects." "There is no nothing remarkable respect."

At one point, outside the presence of the jury, Huntington told the lawyers, for me, there is no reason to think that the worms came from a corpse.

The Prosecutor's Office has presented the argument that indicative of human decomposition fatty acids and is found in paper towels are what draws flies.

Ashton later succeeded Huntington to recognize that the chloroform can be used to kill insects. Chloroform was found in high concentrations in air samples taken the trunk of the Pontiac. Even so, Huntington insisted chloroform would have not kept these flies far unless it was in the levels of displace oxygen.

Towards the end of the day, Huntington said Baez, "the tests have no sense any aspect in which say that it is a body in the trunk".

When shown a photo of a spot on the car, Huntington says no resemble the stain of human decomposition.

But he later acknowledged Ashton that: he did not consider the Mancha Real; is not a forensic anthropologist; This was the first time that he had order that identify a spot of decay through a photo; and it did not include this opinion in its report.

Ashton asked why that opinion was not in his report and only surfaced in the trial, while he had previously discussed with Baez.

"I not thought that he was going to be raised with me," he said.

The trial resumes with testimony more expected at 0900 hours today.

acolarossi@Tribune.com or 407-420-5447.


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Sunday, June 19, 2011

United States mayors discuss military spending - time

United States soldiers watch TV in the building in use at Kandahar Airfield as President Obama announced the death of Osama Bin laden. Sebastiano Tomada / Sipa Press / afghanSTSipa

(BALTIMORE), money in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq must invest at home by a resolution proposed Friday by mayors of U.S. that calls on Congress to accelerate the end of the wars.

The resolution proposes the opening of the U.S. Conference of mayors annual meeting wants Congress to redirect military spending to national priorities. The resolution said 126 million dollars is spent each year in the wars that is spent at home to create jobs, rebuild infrastructure, develop sustainable energy and other necessities.

The Conference, which ends Monday, represents the mayors of the cities of 1,200 at the national level with a population of more than 30,000. (Video: mayors of United States talk about the construction of a Global economy)

When asked to respond to the advocates of military efforts foreigners have made American cities safer to foreign terrorists, Mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa said the cost of the wars.

Does "How come to larger deficits and debt that at any time not only in the history of United States, but in the history of mankind"? Was involved in two wars which, no matter what you think about these wars, we have not paid, "Villaraigosa said."

"It would be building bridges in Baghdad and Kandahar, not Baltimore and Kansas City, absolutely boggles the mind".

Many of the mayors to speak at a Conference of press open the federal courts of four-day event also criticized that they say have increased the burden of the local governments, courts, Mayor of Filadelfia Michael Nutter called the "great retreat by the federal Government".

Burnsville, Minnesota Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, the President of the Conference of mayors of United States, said the security at home should be a top priority.

"Along with is our economy and is to return people to work and is to reinvest in these efforts will help us to maintain jobs and create jobs in our country," said Kautz. (Photos: the power of the dollar)

House of Nancy Pelosi minority leader told the mayors in a direction of lunch meeting comes at a critical moment and "investing in the cities of the United States is the answer to the economic crisis".

The Democrat also criticized the Republicans in the current debate on the budget.

"We do not support the Republican plan ending Medicare while giving away big oil tax;" compatibility with bars for the elderly in residential homes and giving tax breaks to companies that are foreign works; "cuts of education for children and increases the cost of the College while tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans, said Pelosi."

These movements add for the reform of health $ 1 trillion deficit and derogations which Pelosi said recognizes the health care "as" a right of all Americans, not just the privileged few.

Photos: Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Photos: Rahm Emanuel is running to the Mayor of Chicago


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Pentagon on alert after Navy detained at the National Cemetery, Arlington - Washington Post

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Pentagon on alert after Marine arrested at Arlington National Cemetery - The Washington PostTWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' js/head.jpt - start');TWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' js/head.jpt - after wpost load');TWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' js/head.jpt - after eidos load');TWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' js/head.jpt - after ad load');var _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime(); $(document).ready(function(){TWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' document.ready fired'); }); $(window).load(function(){TWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' window.load fired'); });TWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' js/head.jpt - end');TWP = ( typeof TWP == 'undefined' ) ? {} : TWP ;TWP.Data = ( typeof TWP.Data == 'undefined' ) ? {} : TWP.Data ;TWP.Data.NN = {init: function(){this.pageType="article_story";this.canonicalURL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/pentagon-on-alert-after-marine-arrested-at-arlington-national-cemetery/2011/06/17/AGBsPTZH_story.html";this.shortURL="";this.section="/local";this.destinations="google_news";this.homepage=false;}}TWP.Data.NN.init(); SubscribeMobileConversationsToday's PaperGoing Out GuideJobsCarsReal EstateRentalsClassifiedsHomePoliticsCampaign 2012CongressCourts &LawThe Fed PageHealth CarePollingWhite HouseWho Runs GovBlogs & ColumnsTop Blogs

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A Marine reservist taken into custody under suspicious circumstances at Arlington National Cemetery early Friday sparked an aggressive police response that led to road closures near the Pentagon and massive traffic tie-ups throughout morning rush hour.

Although authorities eventually determined there was no immediate threat to the public, they said they could not afford to take any chances. They noted that the suspect, Yonathan Melaku, 22, initially fled from police, had suspicious items in his backpack and even told officers that the bag contained bomb-making materials.

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FBI Special Agent Brenda Heck updates the media on the ongoing investigation of a suspicious vehicle that was illegally parked overnight in Arlington National Cemetery, close to the Pentagon.FBI Special Agent Brenda Heck updates the media on the ongoing investigation of a suspicious vehicle that was illegally parked overnight in Arlington National Cemetery, close to the Pentagon.

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Sgt. David Schlosser of the U.S. Park Police briefs the media on the unfolding investigation into a suspicious vehicle that was parked in Arlington National Cemetery overnight, near the Pentagon.Sgt. David Schlosser of the U.S. Park Police briefs the media on the unfolding investigation into a suspicious vehicle that was parked in Arlington National Cemetery overnight, near the Pentagon.

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Details on Yonathan Melaku#Pentagon tweets from the scenePentagon on alert after Marine arrested at Arlington National Cemetery

The Crime Scene

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Soon after Melaku’s apprehension, agents on the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force descended on the scene. Police closed ramps to Interstate 395 and roads around the Pentagon to prevent bystanders from getting too close to Melaku’s car, a red Nissan discovered in a wooded area near the Pentagon.

At one point, the Arlington County bomb squad used a device to smash out the Nissan’s window to access the car. Police said they found no explosives in the backpack or the car.

“We need to always be vigilant in the D.C. area,” said Sgt. David Schlosser, a U.S. Park Police spokesman.

By late morning, officers and agents were searching Melaku’s home in the Alexandria section of Fairfax County. It was not clear what they might have found in the red-brick townhouse.

Authorities said the incident began about 1:30 a.m. when police spotted Melaku in the cemetery, which is closed to visitors overnight, and he ran from them. Melaku was then detained by U.S. Park Police, authorities said, and told officers that his backpack contained bomb-making materials, including ammonium nitrate, a compound used as a fertilizer and as a component of explosives, according to a law enforcement source, who requested anonymity because the investigation is ongoing.

Initial tests on several baggies in the backpack did not appear to reveal traces of the compound, the source said. Authorities said the backpack and its contents were being sent to the FBI’s laboratory for further testing.

Police also discovered a notebook, apparently related to a class Melaku was taking, in the backpack that had the words “Al Qaeda” and “Taliban” written on its pages, the source said.

Schlosser said authorities learned about the Nissan linked to Melaku and closed off roads while experts were brought in to examine the car. The closures snarled morning rush-hour throughout the Arlington area and caused a major back-up on I-395 North from the 14th Street bridge to the Springfield interchange.

U.S. Park Police did not say whether charges would be filed. This was not Melaku’s first brush with law enforcement. Last month, he was arrested in connection with the vandalism of 25 cars in the Leesburg area. His attorney in that case, Robert May, did not respond to phone messages seeking comment.

The FBI reported that Melaku joined the Marine Corps Reserve on Sept. 4, 2007, and has been awarded the National Defense Service Medal and the Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal. He has not deployed overseas, the FBI said.

Johnny Briley, 54, who lives in Melaku’s townhouse development, said an older man who is a cab driver lives in the home authorities searched. Briley said he has seen Melaku coming and going at the townhouse. Another neighbor said he has seen Melaku riding a bicycle in the neighborhood.

Briley said that the residents of the townhouse are quiet and that they often have visitors. “A lot of commotion, people going in and out, but they kept to themselves,” he said.

“I hope this is just an extreme overreaction erring on the side of caution,” said a neighbor who declined to give her name. “All the commotion is a bit unnerving, but I’m comfortable that we’re safe.”

Staff writers Caitlin Gibson, Allison Klein, Jerry Markon and Del Quentin Wilber contributed to this report.

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Saturday, June 18, 2011

AARP sounds the alarm: Social Security must change - CBS News

(CBS News)

Washington awoke to a new political reality.

Most powerful senior of the nation group said the Wall Street Journal was ready to make the cut in Social Security benefits. AARP Rother policy Chief John admitting "some of our members is certainly annoying."

So annoying that within hours the AARP insisted always was its position, CBS News correspondent Nancy Cordes reports.

"We can make changes that are modest and we can make changes with a great amount of time for which need not affect anyone who is currently retired today or near retirement," said said David Certner, AARP legislative policy director.

But the Group has long opposed these cuts.

As one of their ads says: "AARP has been working to preserve social security for more than 50 years".

Politicians on both sides were stunned.

"I think that it is a very good thing," said Erskine Bowles, who co-chaired the tax Commission of the Obama President. "I think that they have recognized reality, that the social security trust fund is operating in a negative position of substantial cash."

Bowles Commission proposed cutting Social Security benefits for persons age rich and support of many lawmakers, as Republican Johnny Isakson, the age of retirement to 69 by the year 2075 - incremental changes more and more slowly.

"That could fix Social Security tomorrow as they did in 1983 and not take a penny to no one but raise the eligibility to be more reflective of life expectancy," said Isakson.

But both parties have been reluctant to make these changes and risk upset more consistent voting bloc in the nation - largest.

A senior, said: "Social Security is a secure, is not a gift, is not welfare".

And that is where comes in the AARP. Its support for the modest reduction could give lawmakers the political cover they need to fix Social Security in the long term.

Why is AARP doing now?

"Basically is due to the reduction of debt talks that are now happening on Capitol Hill, led by Vice President Biden," said Cordes. "Some proposals have been floated to Social Security in these discussions to cut it as a way of reducing the debt and the AARP insists that Social Security should not be paved, causing no debt, and that it should not be used to lower it."

Comment response The publication of advertisements, profanity or personal attacks is prohibited. Through the use of this Web site you agree to accept our terms of service. Click here to read the rules of recruitment.

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24 reported killed in Syrian protests - Los Angeles Times

Refugee camp in Turkey's Hatay provinceA Turkish soldier protects in a refugee camp in the city of Boynuyogun in the province of Hatay. Turkey asked Syria to immediately halt its violent crackdown on demonstrators and begin democratic reforms. (Osman Orsal, Reuters / June 18, 2011)Syria suffered another agonising day of bloodshed on Friday as security forces fired on anti-government protesters after weekly prayers in several cities throughout the country.

Human rights activists said at least 24 unarmed people were killed in the violence.

Amateur video showed the security forces in military vehicles firing at children in the southern city of Dail, where activists say a 13-year-old boy died and 16 years old was wounded.

Another showed panic demonstrators dashing for cover as gunfire broke out in the streets of Homs. Crying men might be carrying the weak body of a man who had apparently been injured in the face.

Lifting of three months of Syria has become the greatest challenge in the old authoritarian rule of President Bashar Assad and his family. The regime has responded with a brutal military repression of sectarian connotations.

The events have sent shock waves throughout the region and beyond.

In Washington, an administration official Obama senior said the size and the persistence of the protests that it showed that "the fear factor is no longer enough to keep people at home." Some members of the Syria opposition meet daily with the United States Robert S. Ford Ambassador and other officials of the Embassy in Damascus, despite the risk, according to officials of United States.

Said officials of the Administration and its allies were weighing the measures of pressure Assad, including the imposition of additional sanctions in Syria oil and gas sector. Also under consideration is a recommendation that the International Criminal Court considered charges against members of the Assad regime for violence against the demonstrators.

Assad regime is dominated by alawitas, a small Shiite Muslim Branch estimated that 10% of the population of Syria. The majority of Syrians are Sunni Muslims.

In the neighbouring Lebanon, new clashes on Friday in a joint Alawite Sunni district of Tripoli left at least four people dead and 22 wounded. The violence erupted when activists anti-Assad held a large protest in the coastal city, the official Lebanon News Agency reported.

Late Thursday, cousin of Assad unpopular and powerful, Rami Makhlouf telecommunications magnate, said that it was withdrawing from business and devoted their profits to charity, a claim that could not be verified.

"I will not allow for me be a burden to Syria, its people or President." I will put in part of the movement of the actions that I have Syriatel Mobile Telecom for Syrian citizens with limited income, "it said in a televised appearance."

Makhlouf is ready black by the European Union as one of the 13 figures of regime behind the violence which, according to rights activists, has killed 1,300 people for three months.

Protesters and activists do not seem to be deterred by the increasingly violent repression nor impressed by the affirmation of Makhlouf. In the social networking sites, they teased him as "Mother Teresa's Rami" and took to the streets to express their grievances. An activist in the Syria city of Latakia, who did not want to be identified, said that the actions were never his start with.

It was made of corruption, and their companies did not clean money, said another Syrian activist, Hozan Ibrahim, who lives in Europe."That statement was a foul play by the regime and did nothing, and was made in vain. "People do not believe."

Video posted on the Internet showed peaceful demonstrators in campus in Damascus, the capital and its suburbs, as well as in Aleppo, the second largest city in the country. Other video showed large protests in Homs, the third city; the central city of Hama; and the Kurdish towns of Qamishli and Amouda.

An activist reached by telephone in Homs says thousands have taken to the streets in several neighborhoods.

"The demonstrators in several protests in the city attempted to join, but security forces fired tear gas into the crowds to disperse protests,", said the activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Also chanted in support of the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose Government this week cooled considerably once warm ties with Syria on violations of human rights.

"Erdogan, who is the hope for the Syrians," chanted, according to the activist.

Another video uploaded to the Internet showed activists in Latakia ready to set fire to flags of Iran, Russia and the militant group Hezbollah, all friends of the Assad regime.

"People want the overthrow of the regime," they chanted.

Also reported protests in the Northwestern town of Idlib, the scene in the last weeks of a mass crackdown on security; the besieged cities of the region of Dara in the South; the coastal city of Baniyas. and Deir Alzour, on the Euphrates River, near the Iraqi border, where troops are concentration so it can be a major security operation.

Activists, using topics each Friday to highlight different aspects of the protest movement, dedicated effort this week to Sheikh Salih ibn Ali, a leader Alawite who fought for the independence of Syria of France in the 1920s. Assad, also an Alawite, has been sharpening sectarian divisions in Syria and in the region through the deployment of troops led by his co-religionists against the Sunni majority.

The riots and the regime continues the use of military force to put down peaceful protests, has sent thousands of Syrians in the neighbouring countries, particularly in Turkey, which has established camps to House an exodus that has come so far to 10,000.

Actress Angelina Jolie, Goodwill Ambassador for the Office of the High Commissioner of the United Nations for refugees, arrived in private jet on Friday in the southeast of Turkey to visit refugees in an effort to draw attention to their situation.

daragahi@LATimes.com

Special correspondent Alexandra Sandels in Beirut, special correspondent in Damascus, and sometimes personal writer Paul Richter in Washington contributed to this report.


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Words of last of Weiner - msnbc.com

The daily beast, on Friday, 17 June of 2011, 4: 09 pm (PDT)

Anthony Weiner threw the plug in his Congressional career on Thursday afternoon after a scandal of strange sexting short-circuited their chances of staying in Office.

According to the strident nature of his tabloid scandal, someone yelled "Pervert!" as Weiner read their reviews and shouted questions also are known as "is more than seven inches?" There were reports of principles which the heckler was a member of the staff of Howard Stern.

It was a final cringe inducing a sordid episode started with a photo of bulging underwear Weiner initially said could not be his. Wife of Weiner, Huma Abedin, missing visibly on their side.

Finally bow to political reality after the great humiliation of having his life of virtual sex exposed, an emotional Weiner said that he hoped to remain in Office. Once again apologized "personal mistakes I made and the embarrassment I have caused".

"Unfortunately", added, "the distraction I created which made impossible."

More important, said Weiner, is that "my wife and I can go heal the damage that I have created". He had to repeat the line twice because the heckler nearly drowned him.

In the first Weiner sounded like someone positioning itself for a future race for public office, describing how his father went to the University in the Bill of GI and "the history of middle class of New York is my story". But then put the business in hand.

Two long weeks that Weiner has remained defiant, insisting that she is they cling to their seats as members of his own party grew stronger in demanding his resignation. Requires a certain intestinal strength to blow Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and many other Democrats who are saying that it has become a national shame.

The Congressman was apparently betting that the furor died if he just toughed-especially if played the card of "rehabilitation" tried and true announcing that he was seeking unspecified treatment in a facility not specified. By the time Weiner had to face his electors of Brooklyn and Queens next year - assuming the party elders do not use delimitation to axe from his seat, the scandal probably would have been old news.

Once the worst appeared to be behind him, Weiner would suffer another setback. First there was the press conference watery where admitted that he had lied about sending the picture of the infamous underwear; then some of his friends online gal made public, along with his x-rated pictures and texts; then his penis image began to circulate before someone on the Opie & Anthony show took a picture of that image; Then it was revealed that he had been adjusted shots without shirt of himself in the gymnasium of the House. And the disclosure that Abedin is pregnant added a superposition of pathos this sordid tale.

Does, could be an elected official be forced to resign in a sex scandal that do not involve real sex? It was worse than what Bill Clinton did in the Oval Office, or the assorted misdeeds of Mark Sanford, David Vitter and John Ensign what Weiner? Unfortunately for Weiner, appetite of the media for a sociological debate on sexting maintained his saga in the news even when not much more was going on.

When Abedin, who works for Hillary Clinton, returned from an overseas trip, expectations rose Weiner caving in to pressure and resigned. Democratic leaders tried to give a final push by word Fugue that was stripped of his work of the Commission.

Values of Weiner was such that was considered a strong contender for Mayor of New York. That, of course, was before that he sent the errant tweet that began the dismantling of his career, along with its fateful to lie about this decision.


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Saudi women defy ban - Washington Post driving

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Saudi women defy driving ban - The Washington PostTWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' js/head.jpt - start');TWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' js/head.jpt - after wpost load');TWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' js/head.jpt - after eidos load');TWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' js/head.jpt - after ad load');var _sf_startpt=(new Date()).getTime(); $(document).ready(function(){TWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' document.ready fired'); }); $(window).load(function(){TWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' window.load fired'); });TWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' js/head.jpt - end');TWP = ( typeof TWP == 'undefined' ) ? {} : TWP ;TWP.Data = ( typeof TWP.Data == 'undefined' ) ? {} : TWP.Data ;TWP.Data.NN = {init: function(){this.pageType="article_story";this.canonicalURL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/saudi-women-defy-driving-ban/2011/06/17/AGNQDNZH_story.html";this.shortURL="";this.section="/world/middle-east";this.destinations="google_news";this.homepage=false;}}TWP.Data.NN.init(); SubscribeMobileConversationsToday's PaperGoing Out GuideJobsCarsReal EstateRentalsClassifiedsHomePoliticsCampaign 2012CongressCourts &LawThe Fed PageHealth CarePollingWhite HouseWho Runs GovBlogs & ColumnsTop Blogs

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Reliable Source | Roxanne Roberts & Amy ArgetsingerTV Column | Lisa de MoraesCelebritology | Jen ChaneyClick Track | Chris Richards & David MalitzMultimediaInnovationsPhotosVideosThe Washington PostForeign PolicyThe Washington PostAfricaTheAmericasAsia &PacificEuropeMiddle EastNational SecurityWar ZonesSpecial ReportsIn the NewsRory McIlroy LeBron James NSA ‘Harry Potter’ trailer Capital Fringe Festival Krauthammer TWP_Debug.pagedebug && window.console && console.log && console.log('[' + (new Date()-TWP_Debug.initialTime)/1000 + ']' + ' skeleton - start');Saudi women defy driving banSmaller TextLarger TextText SizePrintE-mailReprints By Abeer Allam,

SANAA, Yemen — At least 29 women in Saudi Arabia drove their cars Friday, after Internet campaigns inspired by the uprisings across the Arab world urged them to flout the country’s de facto ban on female drivers.

At least one of the women is believed to have been arrested in Riyadh, the kingdom’s capital and one of its most conservative cities, online activists said. She was later released.

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Activists campaign to defy the ban on women drivers in Saudi Arabia.Activists campaign to defy the ban on women drivers in Saudi Arabia.

Maha al-Qahtani, 39, drove for 35 minutes in Riyadh with her husband in the passenger seat. “This is my basic right. It should not be a big deal. There is nothing wrong or illegal about driving,” Qahtani, a state employee, said. “The decision to ban driving proves how backward the regime is.”

In the past month, Saudi women have posted on the Internet videos and images of themselves driving.

On Friday, a woman covered in black abaya and face veil, posted a video of herself on YouTube driving to the grocery store in Riyadh. Her iPhone showed the time as 12:40, June 17. She wrote: “All I want is to do my errands or go to work whenever I want.”

Online activists had called on women to drive their cars Friday but not to demonstrate, amid fears of a crackdown in a country where protests are outlawed. Activists say thousands joined online campaigns to allow women drivers, but few actually drove Friday, fearing reprisals.

Manal al-Sharif, a 32-year-old IT consultant who last month set up a Facebook campaign called women2drive, was arrested May 21.

She was released the following day, only to be detained again after she posted videos of herself driving in al-Khobar, in the country’s Eastern Province. She was later re-released after spending a week in prison accused of “inciting public opinion and harming the country’s reputation.”

Saudi Arabia, which follows a strict interpretation of Islamic law and tribal traditions, is the only country that restricts driving by women. There is no law expressly forbidding female drivers, but women cannot get a locally issued driving licence, which is required to operate a vehicle in cities. Women in rural and desert areas drive pickup trucks but cannot drive in urban areas.

The royal family, including King Abdullah, who is considered an advocate of women’s rights, has said there is no religious reason for the ban but that the conservative society is not ready for such change.

The online campaign has already prompted a conservative backlash. An anti-driving group on Facebook has called on “real men” to beat up women who drive. On Twitter, activists were called “westernised whores.”

— Financial Times

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