Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian released on bail

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Taiwan’s former President, Chen Shui-bian (???), has been conditionally released on bail, some ten hours after he was indicted for corruption. Speaking to media at the Taipei District Court, he said: “I want to thank my lawyers, members of the Democratic Progressive Party and my supporters who have given me huge encouragement. I am grateful to those who cared for, supported and looked after me so I could get through the hardest and loneliest 32 days of my life in prison.” He earns the historical distinction of being the first ex-president of the Republic of China to be indicted for criminal offenses and could suffer life imprisonment if convicted.

Along with 13 other family members and close associates, including his wheelchair-bound wife, son Chen Chih-Chung, and daughter-in-law Huang Jui-ching, Chen was indicted Friday on charges of embezzling government funds and laundering money or ill-gotten bribes. The panel of three judges ruled he should appear at future court hearings and must not leave the country nor change his address.

Prosecutor Lin Che-hui accused Chen of having “embezzled 104 million New Taiwan dollars ($3.12 million) from a special presidential fund, and received bribes of $11.73 million in connection with a government land procurement deal and a separate construction project; the damning piece of evidence was the presence of NT$740 million ($22.2 million) in cash stashed in a Taipei bank safety vault held by the Chens.” Yuanta Securities director Tu Li-ping said, “she hand delivered NT$200 million ($6 million) in cash to Wu at the presidential residence in 2006 on behalf of executives of an affiliated bank; the money was an incentive for Wu not to interfere with a merger the bank was pursuing.”

Chen insists on his innocence. Contradicting the 100-page indictment, he said that “the $21 million his wife wired to their son’s Swiss bank accounts came from leftover campaign donations. Taiwanese law permits such donations to be kept by political candidates.”

In 1975, Chen married Wu Shu-chen (???), the daughter of a physician. The couple has a daughter, Chen Hsing-yu (???), who is a dentist; and a son, Chen Chih-Chung (???), who, having received a law degree in Taiwan, studied at and graduated with a M.A. degree from the University of California in 2005.

In November 2006, Chen’s wife Wu Shu-chen and three other high ranking officials of the Presidential Office were indicted for corruption, charged with misappropriating NT$14.8 million (USD$450,000) of government funds using falsified documents. Due to the protection from the Constitution against prosecution of the sitting president, Chen could not be prosecuted until he left office, and he was not indicted, but was alleged to be an accomplice on his wife’s indictment.

Chen’s term as President of the Republic of China ended in May 2008. Immediately thereafter, prosecutors began investigating him regarding allegations that he misused his discretionary “state affairs fund”, as well as his connection to the first family’s money-laundering activities. He resigned from the Democratic Progressive Party on August 15, 2008, one day after admitting to falsifying past campaign expenses and wiring campaign contributions to overseas accounts.

In November 2008, Chen was escorted by a security staff, into the Taipei prosecutor’s office for questioning. After 6 hours, he left the Supreme Court prosecutor`s office in handcuffs, was arrested and detained. The charges each carry a minimum penalty of 5 years imprisonment. Following a 6 day hunger strike while in detention, Chen collapsed and was rushed to Taipei’s Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, where he was later transferred to Panchiao Hospital for force-feeding. Despite Chen’s lack of interest in appealing, his lawyer Cheng Wen-long completed a motion seeking his release from detention and filed a notice of appeal of the court’s decision, along with a petition for constitutional interpretation to restrain actions violative of the Constitution.

Prosecutor General, Chen Tsung-ming said that after Chen’s case had been removed to the Taipei Local Court, he would re-file a petition for Chen’s detention. Chen and the main opposition DPP have accused President Ma Ying-jeou‘s administration of “using the scandals to plan a political plot against the former leader.”

Meanwhile, The Straits Times reported that “prosecutors are to investigate former President of the Republic of China and Chairman of the Kuomintang from 1988 to 2000, Lee Teng-hui on suspicion of money laundering, based on allegations made by Chen during his own questioning recently that his predecessor transferred large funds abroad through dummy accounts.” Mr. Lee angrily denied the accusations concerning “a suspected transfer of 50 million Taiwan dollars (US$2.26 million) to Mr Lee from a local stock investor via overseas dummy accounts.” Charges also included transactions made at the end of Lee’s tenure and at the beginning of Chen’s term, including “one billion Taiwan dollars that had been wired to various countries including Singapore.”

The China Post calls for calm and urges fair trial for Chen. “All the people should wait patiently for the outcome of the trial … They shouldn’t do anything to influence the judges in any way, because the rule of law in Taiwan is at stake. We should show the world that Taiwan is a democracy where anybody who commits a crime, be he a man on the street or a former president, is duly punished.” it said.

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Income Tax Extension Free Significant Roadmap For Tax Benefits}

Income Tax Extension- Free Significant Roadmap For Tax Benefits

by

deepak kulkarni

Are you searching for information related to income tax extension or other information somehow related to reporting income tax fraud, or income tax return dues? If yes, this article will give you helpful insights related to income tax extension and even somehow related to PA state tax filing and tax on rental income that you might not have been aware of.

Today it’s possible to prepare and file your income taxes online quickly and easily. Whether you need to file a 1040ez or need to file an itemized tax return, online income tax preparation is the modern way to do your taxes.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPNftcViuKk[/youtube]

Plan your investment – If you know the facts, you will be better in generating your wealth. This means, that you can choose available and effective tax-saving investment plans. You can choose NSC, infrastructure bonds, Flexible bonds (Please check the research, I don’t assume there are NSC bonds etc in America) and the like. Thus, you will save a major portion of your taxes, and you can invest this money to earn extra profits. It is this money that you used to waste away paying taxes and adding to Uncle Sam’s kitty. What is more, if you reduce your taxes, the government will give you extra benefits on retirement?

First, even if you end up owing taxes on the canceled balances, that’s because you saved a bunch of money off your original debts. The total of what you paid the creditor, plus the taxes, will still be much less than what you owed to begin with. There is still a net saving. Therefore, it’s hard to understand why this is viewed as a problem in the first place!

You should not forget that even if your immediate income tax extension quest isn’t answered in this article, you could even take it further by doing a search on Google to get specific income tax extension information.

Another common mistake that new investors make is selling a property after holding it for almost a year. Some rehabbers work part time on a fixer and take six months to get the house ready. Add on two months to sell with a 60 day closing, and they’re up to ten months. To take advantage of the low 15 capital-gains tax rate, you must keep the investment property for at least a year before selling. If you sell before a year, your tax rate, the usual capital gains rate of 35, could eat up a significant amount of your profits. If you’re rehabbing houses, be patient. You could save thousands in taxes by holding your property just a few more weeks.

Taxes on wealth come in two forms-the capital transfer taxes that are levied when wealth change hands and the annual wealth taxes. Capital transfer taxes can occur either at death, also called the inheritance tax or via donation (gift tax). Some people tend to believe that Capital Gains tax to be a form of taxes on wealth. However, in reality, capital gains tax is the taxation on the income gained on capital and not a wealth tax on the capital.

One can say that depreciation is an expense that does not involve any cash, but it adds to the whole cost and decreases income, which is otherwise taxable. The idea of real estate depreciation is based on the idea that the development of land physically makes it worse with time. If you are the landlord of real estate, you will be allowed to add depreciation to the cost for tax relief purposes on a share of the property as physical depreciation.

Many folks seeking online for articles related to income tax extension also sought for articles about federal income tax return address, tax forgiveness, and even interest income tax rate.

So here is chance to get your free tips on

Income Tax Questions

and in addition to that get basic information on saving money visit

advice4unow.com/incometaxnews

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Income Tax Extension- Free Significant Roadmap For Tax Benefits

}

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Kenya government fires health worker strikers over failure to ‘report back to work’

Saturday, March 10, 2012

The Kenyan government has dismissed 25,000 striking health workers, mostly nurses, citing failure to heed government orders to recommence work and concern for the welfare of hospital patients. Speaking on behalf of the government, Alfred Mutua stated the workers were dismissed “illegally striking” and “[defying] the directive … to report back to work”, which he called “unethical”. The government asks that “[a]ll qualified health professionals, who are unemployed and/or retired have been advised to report to their nearest health facility for interviews and deployment”, Mutua stated.

The workers, who had been on strike for four days, were wishing to have improvements made to their wages, working conditions, and allowances. The strikes have caused a significant number of Kenyan hospitals to cease operations. According to Kenya Health Professionals Society spokesperson Alex Orina, the average monthly wage plus allowances for health workers in Kenya is KSh25,000 (£193, US$302 or €230) approximately. With an increasing number of reports of patients neglected in hospitals emerging, two trade unions met with the Kenyan government yesterday and negotitated a return to work, although a significant proportion of demonstrators defied the agreement, The Guardian reported.

Orina told Reuters the dismissals were “cat-and-mouse games, you cannot sack an entire workforce. It is a ploy to get us to rush back to work, but our strike continues until our demands are met”. Frederick Omiah, a member of the same society, believed the government’s actions would “make an already delicate and volatile situation worse”, expressing concern that demonstrations may continue in the capital Nairobi, amongst other locations. Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union chairperson Dr. Victor Ng’ani described government actions as “reckless”.

Mutua said the health workers were “no longer employees of the government” and had been eliminated from the payroll. While Ng’ani told the BBC of difficulties with finding other workers as skilled and experienced, Mutua reportedly stated that this would not be an issue. “We have over 100,000 to 200,000 health professionals looking for work today,” Mutua commented. “There will be a lag of a day or two … but it is better than letting people die on the floor, at the gate, or suffer in pain”.

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Pick The Right Halloween Costume For You, And Bring Out Your Fun/Scary Side This Halloween Season!}

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Pick the right halloween costume for you, and bring out your fun/scary side this Halloween Season!

by

Groshan Fabiola

That one special night in October is the one opportunity we all have to dress up and be anything or anyone we want to be. It is ok to be silly, scary, sexy, or to live out a fantasy for this one evening, and everyone understands because everyone else wants to do the same. What is your pleasure this Halloween?

Take a moment to examine each aspect of your personality. Maybe there is another personality that you only let out a bit. The frivolous, silly, adventuresome aspect; the one that reflects the inner child we all have. Figure out which Halloween costume fits your personality by exploring all of the choices online at your favorite Halloween costume website.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kC-NFqX1b5s[/youtube]

Dont wait too long to decide on a costume this Halloween season, the popular ones go fast. Decide well in advance of Halloween. You can rent or buy an adult, child, teen, or infant Halloween costume anytime of the year. One idea is to pick a theme for the whole family. On hand are Disney chartaters and movie themed costumes for every age and size. Pirate costumes are a popular choice due to the new movie. Another choice for the family would be a fairy-tale or a historic theme costumes, such as pilgrims or the royal court. There are even costumes for your pets.

Explore your options for adult costumes, and you will find the one to best match your personality. Perhaps you have a superhero ultra ego. How fun would it be to put in an appearance at the office or a party as Superman or Spiderman or Black Spiderman. Of course, for the ladies, there is Wonder Woman or Bat Girl. Many come with muscles, wig, and shoe covers to complete the outfit. Any one of these superhero costume could be amusing and express your personality.

Another good choice is to come as a favorite movie, television, cartoon, or book character. The Harry Potter costumes, for example, are amazing. Available too are adult sexy costumes for the bolder or more fit party goers.

For the conservative, buy or rent a Halloween accessory like a wig, hat, or mask. There are several choices of canes, ties, jewelry, and capes. Even make-up or false teeth, noses, and beards, can express a new you.

Be part of the fun this Halloween. Take the time to explore yourself and your Halloween costume choices.

Buy Adult Halloween Costumes, Children’s Costumes even Pet Costumes securely online or in our Halloween Costume Store!Adult Halloween Costumes, Children’s Costumes and other Halloween News about the Halloween industry and our Halloween Costume Store!

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Pick the right halloween costume for you, and bring out your fun/scary side this Halloween Season! }

Pennsylvania man named in alleged terror plot

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Michael Curtis Reynolds, 47, from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is accused of trying to work with al-Qaeda, according to the FBI.

The Phildelphia Inquirer has reportedly obtained court transcripts from Reynold’s Rule Five hearing, before a federal magistrate judge in Pocatello, Idaho that revealed a “convoluted plot” that also includes cyberspace intrigue, an FBI sting, and then an exchange of money in Idaho. Reynolds was represented by Federal Defender, Nick Veith, at the hearing.

According to the transcripts, FBI agents say that Reynolds was plotting to blow up the Alaska pipeline, another pipeline in Pennsylvania and a refinery in New Jersey, with a person who he thought was an al-Qaeda operative. It is also reported that he had planned an attack against Standard Oil Co. in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and Williams Refinery in Opal, Wyoming. However, the Standard Oil refinery, now Chevron, does not exist anymore. The refinery had closed more than a decade ago. All that remains in its place is an empty field. Armada Hess is the only active refinery in Perth Amboy.

So far, Reynolds has not been charged with terrorism.

However, a prosecutor in Reynolds’ December hearing said that, “he tried to provide material aid to al Qaeda.” The prosecutor also said the case “involves a federal offense of terrorism.”

A municipal judge from Conrad, Montana, Shannen Rossmiller, 36, led the FBI to Reynolds by posing as an al-Qaeda operative. Reports say that Rossmiller was looking through terrorist websites when she came across a post by Reynolds who was seeking $40,000 that he would use to buy fuel trucks that would blow up refineries in New Jersey, Wyoming and part of the Alaska Pipeline. After six-weeks of e-mailing each other, Rossmiller agreed to pay the money, and set up a meeting with Reynolds in Pocatello, Idaho. It is reported that after the plans were made, Rossmiller then contacted the FBI who then set up a sting operation, two months ago, against Reynolds. “I feel compelled to do what I can and I know that I have an ability to do something. I’m out for the hunt,” said Rossmiller.

Rossmiller started to look through terror websites just after the September 11 terrorist attacks in NYC. She has read the Koran, studied the radical Islamist lifestyle, and learned just enough Arabic to lurk around in terrorist related chat rooms and “ensnare” the extremists. She also said that he has “assumed several the identities of more than two dozen male personae on the Internet,” and was also part of “a large number” of cases involving the hunting of terrorists. Court records also show that Rossmiller had posed on the Internet as an Algerian terrorist to “befriend” Ryan Anderson, a Muslim convert and a member of the National Guard from the state of Washington, who wanted to hand over information to al-Qaeda on how to destroy Army tanks and humvees.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus Jr. said, according to transcripts, “he (Reynolds) was doing it as a plan to disrupt governmental function, to change the government’s actions in foreign countries, and to impact on the national debate about the (Iraq) war.”

Reynolds denies trying to work with al-Qaeda and stated that he was “a patriot seeking to expose an al-Qaeda cell inside the United States.” Philip Gelso, Reynolds’s attorney, has not commented on the case.

Authorities searched Reynolds’ home and took his computer as evidence, and some documents allegedly spelling out his terror plots. According to Gurganus, in e-mails on his computer, Reynolds “described what explosives should be used (in the attacks) and where they should be placed.” Gurganus also told the judge that Reynolds, “knew the plots could get him the death penalty as a traitor and that he would have to leave the country immediately once they were carried out.”

According to the British The Inquirer, Microsoft was issued a subpoena last month to allow the Department of Justice access to Reynolds’ hotmail account.

Reynolds has been in Lackawanna County jail, held without bail, since December 5, 2005, when he was arrested about 25 miles from the Thunderbird Motel in Pocatello, Idaho for an unrelated weapons charge. He was charged with possession of an unregistered explosive device when authorities found a grenade in a duffel bag that was inside a home in Pocatello that Reynolds was staying at before he came to Idaho. The grenade charge carries a minimum sentence of three to seven years, to be served in a federal prison. On December 20, a jury indicted and charged Reynolds with two counts of unlawfully possessing hand grenades.

Reynolds pleaded guilty to attempted arson in 1978, a misdemeanor and menacing. He was sentenced to a conditional discharge. He has also been previously convicted of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and breach of the peace.

The Times-Tribune received a letter on the 13th that used Reynolds’ return address at the Lackawanna County Prison and bears a rubber stamp as used to mark outgoing mail from the jail that detailed Reynold’s denial of ties to al-Qaeda. The letter is postmarked with a date of February 10th, before the Philadelphia Inquirer story was published.

Titled “Patriot Games,” the letter’s content addresses the charge regarding the grenade found at his residence in a comment stating that it was planted there “by someone known to myself and to the FBI.” In denial of work for and also in denial of any desire to work for al-Qaeda, Reynolds wrote that “I know what losses terrorists inflict on people. I would never work to assist them or harbor any,” referring to his claim of a colleague being killed in the September 11 attacks on the Twin Towers.

In the letter Reynolds explains the investigation that he claims to have been working on to track “a person that I had believed to be a terrorist” and to expose them “once I had solid proof of who or where they operated from.”

Reynolds claims that his family founded Bedford Hills, New York in 1676. He further claims that he personally has given military service in the US Army, written a Military police handbook, trained SWAT and drug enforcement teams. He further claims to have been an engineer with military clearance and to have taught in Thailand as a first grade teacher and also an English teacher to Buddhist monks.

As an explanation for his prosecution, Reynolds has written that he believes it to have been due to his military service and that he believes the case would be dismissed provided a hearing in front of a judge.

When questioned as to the authenticity of the letter, prison warden Janine M. Donate said that the letter appeared to be from the prison.

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Pennsylvania man named in alleged terror plot

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Michael Curtis Reynolds, 47, from Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, is accused of trying to work with al-Qaeda, according to the FBI.

The Phildelphia Inquirer has reportedly obtained court transcripts from Reynold’s Rule Five hearing, before a federal magistrate judge in Pocatello, Idaho that revealed a “convoluted plot” that also includes cyberspace intrigue, an FBI sting, and then an exchange of money in Idaho. Reynolds was represented by Federal Defender, Nick Veith, at the hearing.

According to the transcripts, FBI agents say that Reynolds was plotting to blow up the Alaska pipeline, another pipeline in Pennsylvania and a refinery in New Jersey, with a person who he thought was an al-Qaeda operative. It is also reported that he had planned an attack against Standard Oil Co. in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and Williams Refinery in Opal, Wyoming. However, the Standard Oil refinery, now Chevron, does not exist anymore. The refinery had closed more than a decade ago. All that remains in its place is an empty field. Armada Hess is the only active refinery in Perth Amboy.

So far, Reynolds has not been charged with terrorism.

However, a prosecutor in Reynolds’ December hearing said that, “he tried to provide material aid to al Qaeda.” The prosecutor also said the case “involves a federal offense of terrorism.”

A municipal judge from Conrad, Montana, Shannen Rossmiller, 36, led the FBI to Reynolds by posing as an al-Qaeda operative. Reports say that Rossmiller was looking through terrorist websites when she came across a post by Reynolds who was seeking $40,000 that he would use to buy fuel trucks that would blow up refineries in New Jersey, Wyoming and part of the Alaska Pipeline. After six-weeks of e-mailing each other, Rossmiller agreed to pay the money, and set up a meeting with Reynolds in Pocatello, Idaho. It is reported that after the plans were made, Rossmiller then contacted the FBI who then set up a sting operation, two months ago, against Reynolds. “I feel compelled to do what I can and I know that I have an ability to do something. I’m out for the hunt,” said Rossmiller.

Rossmiller started to look through terror websites just after the September 11 terrorist attacks in NYC. She has read the Koran, studied the radical Islamist lifestyle, and learned just enough Arabic to lurk around in terrorist related chat rooms and “ensnare” the extremists. She also said that he has “assumed several the identities of more than two dozen male personae on the Internet,” and was also part of “a large number” of cases involving the hunting of terrorists. Court records also show that Rossmiller had posed on the Internet as an Algerian terrorist to “befriend” Ryan Anderson, a Muslim convert and a member of the National Guard from the state of Washington, who wanted to hand over information to al-Qaeda on how to destroy Army tanks and humvees.

Assistant U.S. Attorney John C. Gurganus Jr. said, according to transcripts, “he (Reynolds) was doing it as a plan to disrupt governmental function, to change the government’s actions in foreign countries, and to impact on the national debate about the (Iraq) war.”

Reynolds denies trying to work with al-Qaeda and stated that he was “a patriot seeking to expose an al-Qaeda cell inside the United States.” Philip Gelso, Reynolds’s attorney, has not commented on the case.

Authorities searched Reynolds’ home and took his computer as evidence, and some documents allegedly spelling out his terror plots. According to Gurganus, in e-mails on his computer, Reynolds “described what explosives should be used (in the attacks) and where they should be placed.” Gurganus also told the judge that Reynolds, “knew the plots could get him the death penalty as a traitor and that he would have to leave the country immediately once they were carried out.”

According to the British The Inquirer, Microsoft was issued a subpoena last month to allow the Department of Justice access to Reynolds’ hotmail account.

Reynolds has been in Lackawanna County jail, held without bail, since December 5, 2005, when he was arrested about 25 miles from the Thunderbird Motel in Pocatello, Idaho for an unrelated weapons charge. He was charged with possession of an unregistered explosive device when authorities found a grenade in a duffel bag that was inside a home in Pocatello that Reynolds was staying at before he came to Idaho. The grenade charge carries a minimum sentence of three to seven years, to be served in a federal prison. On December 20, a jury indicted and charged Reynolds with two counts of unlawfully possessing hand grenades.

Reynolds pleaded guilty to attempted arson in 1978, a misdemeanor and menacing. He was sentenced to a conditional discharge. He has also been previously convicted of disorderly conduct, resisting arrest and breach of the peace.

The Times-Tribune received a letter on the 13th that used Reynolds’ return address at the Lackawanna County Prison and bears a rubber stamp as used to mark outgoing mail from the jail that detailed Reynold’s denial of ties to al-Qaeda. The letter is postmarked with a date of February 10th, before the Philadelphia Inquirer story was published.

Titled “Patriot Games,” the letter’s content addresses the charge regarding the grenade found at his residence in a comment stating that it was planted there “by someone known to myself and to the FBI.” In denial of work for and also in denial of any desire to work for al-Qaeda, Reynolds wrote that “I know what losses terrorists inflict on people. I would never work to assist them or harbor any,” referring to his claim of a colleague being killed in the September 11 attacks on the Twin Towers.

In the letter Reynolds explains the investigation that he claims to have been working on to track “a person that I had believed to be a terrorist” and to expose them “once I had solid proof of who or where they operated from.”

Reynolds claims that his family founded Bedford Hills, New York in 1676. He further claims that he personally has given military service in the US Army, written a Military police handbook, trained SWAT and drug enforcement teams. He further claims to have been an engineer with military clearance and to have taught in Thailand as a first grade teacher and also an English teacher to Buddhist monks.

As an explanation for his prosecution, Reynolds has written that he believes it to have been due to his military service and that he believes the case would be dismissed provided a hearing in front of a judge.

When questioned as to the authenticity of the letter, prison warden Janine M. Donate said that the letter appeared to be from the prison.

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Newcastle, Australia man arrested for selling stolen jewelery online

Friday, August 4, 2006

New South Wales Police have arrested and charged a 39-year-old man from Warner’s Bay in Newcastle, on the NSW Central Coast after he allegedly stole jewelery from his employer and sold it on an Internet auction site.

According to police, the man stole over AU$100,000 worth of gold and diamond jewelery from a store where he worked and then sold them online. This is alleged to have occurred over a period of several months.

Police arrested the man at his workplace and found stolen items of jewelery at his home. Police charged the man with 34 counts of larceny as a servant or clerk.

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French teacher returns home after being held in Iran for ten months

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

24-year-old Clotilde Reiss, a French teaching assistant who had been detained in Iran for ten months, returned to France Sunday.

Iranian officials arrested Reiss as she was about to leave the country on July 1, 2009. The arrest came after she had attended a protest regarding the country’s elections, with the officials calling her a foreign spy. Reiss was in Iran for a five-month teaching position in Isfahan, and was later sent from Tehran‘s Evin Prison to the French Embassy on bail. During the trial, which included over 100 others thought to be trying to cause a coup, she pleaded not guilty and said that she only went to the protest because she was curious. Reiss was originally given two five-year sentences of jail time for spying and provoking unrest, but the sentence was reduced to a 300 billion IRR fine, or about USD300,000. Reiss’ lawyer said that the money was given on Saturday, freeing the young academic.

Reiss landed at Vélizy – Villacoublay Air Base Sunday afternoon. She met French President Nicolas Sarkozy at the Élysée Palace in Paris shortly after. Sarkozy later released a statement thanking the presidents of Brazil, Senegal, and Syria for aiding in Reiss’ return, but did not elaborate on the role each played.

The governments of both France and Iran have denied rumors that Reiss’ freedom was part of a deal involving two Iranians in France. One of the two, Majid Kakavand, was released a couple of weeks ago after France refused on May 5 to extradite him to the U.S. The other, Ali Vakili Rad, will likely receive parole and return to Iran later today. Kakavand had supposedly tried to give U.S. goods to the Iranian military, while Rad was responsible for the assassination of former Iranian Prime Minister Shahpour Bakhtiar in 1991.

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Al Sharpton speaks out on race, rights and what bothers him about his critics

Monday, December 3, 2007

At Thanksgiving dinner David Shankbone told his white middle class family that he was to interview Reverend Al Sharpton that Saturday. The announcement caused an impassioned discussion about the civil rights leader’s work, the problems facing the black community and whether Sharpton helps or hurts his cause. Opinion was divided. “He’s an opportunist.” “He only stirs things up.” “Why do I always see his face when there’s a problem?”

Shankbone went to the National Action Network’s headquarters in Harlem with this Thanksgiving discussion to inform the conversation. Below is his interview with Al Sharpton on everything from Tawana Brawley, his purported feud with Barack Obama, criticism by influential African Americans such as Clarence Page, his experience running for President, to how he never expected he would see fifty (he is now 53). “People would say to me, ‘Now that I hear you, even if I disagree with you I don’t think you’re as bad as I thought,'” said Sharpton. “I would say, ‘Let me ask you a question: what was “bad as you thought”?’ And they couldn’t say. They don’t know why they think you’re bad, they just know you’re supposed to be bad because the right wing tells them you’re bad.”

Contents

  • 1 Sharpton’s beginnings in the movement
  • 2 James Brown: a father to Sharpton
  • 3 Criticism: Sharpton is always there
  • 4 Tawana Brawley to Megan Williams
  • 5 Sharpton and the African-American media
  • 6 Why the need for an Al Sharpton?
  • 7 Al Sharpton and Presidential Politics
  • 8 On Barack Obama
  • 9 The Iraq War
  • 10 Sharpton as a symbol
  • 11 Blacks and whites and talking about race
  • 12 Don Imus, Michael Richards and Dog The Bounty Hunter
  • 13 Sources
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Boxing: Pacquiao downs Diaz in nine rounds

Sunday, June 29, 2008

Former United States Olympian boxer David Díaz surrendered his title as World Boxing Council Lightweight champion to Filipino, Emmanuel “The Pacman” Pacquiao in the ninth round.

Two minutes, twenty four seconds into the ninth round, Pacquiao knocked down Diaz to become the first Asian in boxing history to win four different titles.

Prior to winning the WBC Lightweight title, Pacquiao who hails from General Santos City in the Philippines was WBC super featherweight and flyweight champs and also holds the IBF super bantamweight crown, simultaneously holding the title of the super featherweight for Ring Magazine.

Way before the prized fight happened at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, Pacquiao’s chances of trumping Diaz was high, out classing Diaz.

Pacquiao was aggressive at the very beginning showing off how his right hand has improved.

Pulling a lefty on Diaz on Round 4, bruising and later causing the Mexican-American’s nose bridge to bleed. During Round 6, referee Vic Drakulich paused the fight to have Diaz’s bleeding nose checked.

Diaz was heard saying in his corner that, his (Pacquiao) punches were “too fast.”

Seeing that Diaz was not letting up, Pacquiao delivered punishing blows in succeeding rounds and a one-two punch hurled Diaz down to the canvass, ending the match in favor of a victorious Filipino.

The Filipino boxer’s record now stands at 47-3-2 with thirty six victories was won as a knockout while Diaz now has his second career-loss in his 34 win record.

Pundits added a new title to Pacquiao, after grabbing titles from four Mexican fighters, he is now being called, “The Mexi-cutioner.”

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