In history on January 13...
...1854, Anthony Faas of Pennsylvania patents the accordion.
"It's understandable why the accordian was invented today. It is one of those days in history when very little of significance happened."
An accordion, a hand-held musical instrument consisting of a bellows attached to two oblong frames, on which buttons and, in some types, pianolike keys are mounted. A person plays the accordion by drawing (stretching) and pushing (compressing) the bellows, causing air to pass over metal tabs called reeds. This airflow makes the reeds vibrate, which produces sounds. A player produces the various notes by depressing the buttons and keys. The reeds and buttons that control bass notes are on the player's left-hand side of the bellows, and the reeds and buttons or keys that control treble notes are on the right-hand side.
"Also known as a squeeze box."
For all those that love accordians more than "Morning Papers" like The Accordian Guy, read this.
http://encarta.msn.com/encnet/refpages/refarticle.aspx?refid=761579072
The Jakarta Post
Australia backs RI restrictions on foreign aid workers, journalists in Aceh
CANBERRA (AP): Australia's prime minister on Wednesday supported the Indonesian government's demand that foreign aid workers and journalists report their movements outside tsunami-battered Aceh's provincial capital.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaillatestnews.asp?fileid=20050112183228&irec=0
Paris Club meets to discuss moratorium on debt of tsunami-hit nations
PARIS (AP): Officials from the world's top creditor nations met in Paris on Wednesday to discuss a proposed moratorium on debt repayments by countries hit by the Asian tsunami.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaillatestnews.asp?fileid=20050112125813&irec=8
Foreign troops told to leave Aceh by the end of March
JAKARTA (Antara): Foreign troops helping with aid relief efforts in Indonesia's tsunami-stricken Aceh province should leave by the end of March, Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on Wednesday.
..."Three months are enough. The sooner (they leave) the better," said Kalla, when asked how long should foreign troops should stay in Aceh.
When asked about long-term relief efforts, he said: "We don't need foreign troops."
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaillatestnews.asp?fileid=20050112175956&irec=1
Paris Club to freeze debt repayments for three tsunami-hit states: France
PARIS (AFP): The Paris Club, an informal creditor group of the world's 19 wealthiest nations, is set to agree on freezing debt repayments for tsunami-hit Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Seychelles, French Finance Minister Herve Gaymard said on Wednesday.
http://www.thejakartapost.com/detaillatestnews.asp?fileid=20050112171014&irec=3
The Los Angeles Times
As 4 More Victims Are Found, La Conchita Ponders Its Future
State and county officials cleared the way Wednesday for residents of the tiny town of La Conchita to eventually return home, even as the mud from Monday's landslide gave up the bodies of four more victims — a mother and her three daughters — and geologists said the site remained dangerous.
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-laconchita13jan13,0,7743692.story?coll=la-home-headlines
More Bush Crony Pork Barrel Spending. The people of this country are being 'rolled' for money left and right.
New FBI Software May Be Unusable
A central feature of the agency’s $581-million computer overhaul aimed at coordinating anti-terrorism efforts is reportedly inadequate.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-fbi13jan13,0,1621416.story?coll=la-home-headlines
Daily News (Sri Lanka)
US companies to continue Lankan garment contracts
by Shirajiv Sirimane
Most US companies involved in the textile industry will continue their contracts with Sri Lankan suppliers in the future despite the phasing out of the Multi fibre agreement (MFA) this month, said the visiting United States Congressional delegation Senator Sen. John Corzine.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/01/13/new01.html
Rebuilding nation action plan already launched three days after disaster
President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga notes that her Government began its action plan for the reconstruction of the nation on 29th December three days after the tsunami disaster and have already set definite targets to complete the work.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/01/13/pol01.html
President to receive rebuilding plan today
An overall plan for rebuilding all sectors devastated by the tsunami disaster will be presented to President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga today, January 13 for her recommendations and observations.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2005/01/13/new11.html
Sri Lanka Relief Website
http://www.cnosrilanka.org/
Situation Maps as well.
http://www.cnosrilanka.org/reports/present1.ppt
Michael Moore is always on the mark.
He is an amazing journalist/documentarian. He needs to love himself as much as he loves us and live forever. Love you, Michael. Group hug.
"The President of Fabricated Crisis:
http://www.michaelmoore.com/index_main.php
January 12th, 2005 4:33 pm
President of Fabricated Crises
By Harold Meyerson / Washington Post
Some presidents make the history books by managing crises. Lincoln had Fort Sumter, Roosevelt had the Depression and Pearl Harbor, and Kennedy had the missiles in Cuba. George W. Bush, of course, had Sept. 11, and for a while thereafter -- through the overthrow of the Taliban -- he earned his page in history, too.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=932
Protesters Plan to Mark Bush Inauguration
By Andy Sullivan / Reuters
Protesters will march through Washington, stage a "die in" across from the White House and turn their backs on President Bush's limousine during his inaugural celebration next week, organizers said on Wednesday.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=934
I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR
The search for WMD ended last month. The White House is looking forward to Iraq's imperfect democracy.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/mustread/index.php
"Do the people not think about people like him when they are voting?"
From: O.G.Sent: Tuesday, November 09, 2004 12:17 AMTo: soldiers@michaelmoore.comSubject: W.
Hey now,
Michael, I just read 17 pretty good reasons why I shouldn't slit my wrists. I want to say thank you man. This country has been done a great service by you and those like you (Stern, Franken and the like) who are not afraid to buck-up to the right wingers.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/books-films/willtheyevertrustusagain/index.php?id=16
The Australian
Research at Oxford is tortureRuth GledhillJanuary 13, 2005
PEOPLE are to be tortured in laboratories at Oxford University in a US-funded experiment to determine if belief in God is effective in relieving pain.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11923314^601,00.html
Dollar climbs higher
January 13, 2005
THE dollar climbed higher overnight after a much wider-than-expected US trade deficit sent the US dollar lower across the board.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11927822^1702,00.html
Out of the Bay, far from freeRoy Eccleston
January 13, 2005
THREE years to the day after the first hooded and shackled prisoners began arriving at Guantanamo Bay, a US naval base on a dry and dusty patch of Cuba, Australian inmate Mamdouh Habib was digesting some surprising news.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,11922868^28737,00.html
The Chicago Tribune
Torrential Storm Tears Up Western States
By KEN RITTER
Associated Press Writer
Published January 12, 2005, 10:48 PM CST
OVERTON, Nev. -- The torrential storm that caused the deadly mudslide in California is leaving a path of destruction in other Western states, bringing flooding that has gobbled up houses and roads and forced hundreds of people to flee.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ats-ap_top11jan12,1,5017783.story?coll=chi-news-hed
Temperatures to plunge
Wednesday's warm weather is expected to be replaced by freezing temperatures Thursday.
Thursday...Mostly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of snow showers then partly cloudy in the afternoon. Windy. Much colder. Highs around 30. Northwest winds 20 to 30 mph.
http://weather.chicagotribune.com/US/IL/Chicago/KORD.html?main=1
Bush is a coward and AWOL from his duties. What else is there to say, except the people Dan Rather is defending are heroes for refocusing the issue and at least trying bringing their clout with them. YES !!
Rather has praise for 4 dismissed from CBS
By John Cook
Tribune staff reporter
Published January 12, 2005
Dan Rather came to the defense of his former colleagues on Tuesday, praising four employees who were dismissed by CBS News in the wake of a scathing independent report into a flawed "60 Minutes" segment on President Bush's National Guard service.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-0501120261jan12,1,3545513.story?coll=chi-news-hed
Kraft to Curb Some Snack Food Advertising
By Associated Press
Published January 12, 2005, 3:29 PM CST
NORTHFIELD, Ill. -- Kraft Foods Inc., the nation's biggest food manufacturer, said Wednesday it plans to curb its advertising of Oreo cookies, regular Kool-Aid and other popular snack foods to children under 12 as part of an effort to encourage better eating habits.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-kraft-marketing,1,393520.story?coll=chi-business-hed
Environmentalists Protest Apple's 'iWaste'
By RACHEL KONRAD
AP Technology Writer
Published January 12, 2005, 7:33 AM CST
SAN FRANCISCO -- Apple Computer Corp. has become the darling of the technology sector for its wildly popular digital music player. But scorching iPod sales have also made it the target of an aggressive environmental coalition, which is trashing Apple as rotten to the core.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/sns-ap-macworld-protest,1,2443666.story?coll=chi-business-hed
The Moscow Times
Putin's Reforms Duma's Priority
By Oksana Yablokova Staff Writer
The State Duma, which reconvenes Wednesday after the holiday break, will delve into hundreds of bills, including steps to clamp down on terrorism, moonshine and nudity on television, but it will give priority to President Vladimir Putin's controversial political reforms, Speaker Boris Gryzlov said Tuesday.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2005/01/12/001.html
Ukraine may expect US investments after stabilization - ambassador
Interfax. Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005, 9:51 PM Moscow Time
KYIV. Jan 12 (Interfax-Ukraine) - American ambassador to Kyiv John Herbst has said that if the new Ukrainian government succeeds in restoring stability, it can expect an influx of new US investments. During a TV linkup between Ukrainian parliament members and US Congress members he voiced confidence that there will be a regular flow of capital from the West, including the United States, if the new government restores order. He expected fundamental improvement in bilateral relations following the more or less honest elections
http://www.con-cap.com/doc1.doc
Putin Misses Diaspora Opportunities
By Alexei Bayer
I was recently invited by a Russian-language television channel in Israel to participate in an on-air class reunion. Alumni of a Moscow high school, we were brought to Jerusalem from France, Canada and the United States to join others who now live in Israel. In a way, we were a microcosm of the Russian diaspora.
Arms shipments contracts with Indonesia may be postponed - source
Interfax. Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2005, 7:51 PM Moscow Time
MOSCOW. Jan 12 (Interfax) - Over the next several years, Indonesia will probably not be able to purchase a new shipment of weapons from Russia, a source in the Russian defense industry told Interfax. "Due to the large economic damage that was dealt to Indonesia by the tsunami, Jakarta will probably postpone its plans to purchase Su military airplanes and other weapons from Russia. We understand this decision of the Indonesian authorities and will be ready to renew the contracts at a more convenient time," the source said
Jailed Journalists
OPINION :
Freedom of information won veto battle 30 years ago
Jan/11/2005
By Thomas S. Blanton
Knight Ridder/Tribune
Journalists across the nation are celebrating the 30-year anniversary of a bitter Washington battle that led to the passage of the modern Freedom of Information Act over presidential veto. But new threats to this landmark law mount as its leading opponents from 1974 now dominate the Vice Presidency, Supreme Court and Pentagon, and are using their influence to push for more governmental secrecy.
http://www.southend.wayne.edu/modules/news/article.php?storyid=741
Zimbabwe press regulations under fire
The United States has condemned new media laws in Zimbabwe that will see unlicensed journalists jailed for up to two years.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200501/s1280449.htm
Zimbabwe tightens media laws
Published in: Legalbrief Today
Date: Mon 10 January 2005
Category: Legislation
Issue No: 1250
Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has enacted changes to media laws that will see unlicensed journalists jailed for up to two years, according to a report on the News24 site.
http://www.legalbrief.co.za/article.php?story=20050110095813743
One thing journalists don't respect from time to time, especially in Muslim nations, is that the government seeks to control a great deal simply by the fact there are terrorist networks that seek to undermine their sovereignty.
What happened in Myanmar?
By Moira MacDonald -- For the Toronto Sun
We take news coverage of natural disasters so much for granted that our biggest complaint may be that there is too much of it, rather than not enough.
http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/Columnists/Toronto/Moira_MacDonald/2005/01/10/877179.html
The Miami Herald
Prisoners from Mariel win release
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Mariel refugees and other foreign nationals never 'technically' admitted into the country cannot be held indefinitely.
BY ALFONSO CHARDY
achardy@herald.com
About 2,000 foreign nationals in indefinite detention around the country, including 700 to 1,000 Mariel refugees from Cuba, must be released as a result of a U.S. Supreme Court decision Wednesday.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/10631503.htm
Courthouse faces death sentence
The chief judge for the Southern District of Florida is considering eliminating Broward's federal courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale to save money.
By SAMUEL P. NITZE AND SARA OLKON
solkon@herald.com
In a bid to dramatically cut costs, South Florida's chief federal judge has proposed closing the U.S. courthouse in Fort Lauderdale and splitting its caseload between Miami and West Palm Beach.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/10631515.htm
The Times - London
Indonesian army accused of executing tsunami victimsBy Richard Lloyd Parry in Banda Aceh
Refugees from the tsunami say that two members of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) and seven unarmed villagers were executed by Indonesian soldiers last week.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,18690-1436908,00.html
The Boston Globe
Second right whale in two days found dead in East Coast waters
January 12, 2005
BOSTON -- Marine scientists spotted a dead North Atlantic right whale off the coast of Georgia on Wednesday, the second found off the eastern seaboard in 24 hours and the fourth in six weeks.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/01/12/second_right_whale_in_two_days_found_dead_in_east_coast_waters/
Former Klansmen freed on bond in Miss.
By Shelia Byrd, Associated Press Writer January 12, 2005
PHILADELPHIA, Miss. -- The reputed Ku Klux Klansman charged with the 1964 murders of three civil rights workers was freed Wednesday on $250,000 bail.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/01/12/former_klansmen_freed_on_bond_in_miss/
Protesters get prime spot along inauguration parade route
By Sam Hananel, Associated Press, 1/12/2005 18:10
WASHINGTON (AP) The National Park Service has agreed to give thousands of anti-war demonstrators a prime spot along President Bush's inaugural parade route that will allow them to protest during the procession.
http://www.boston.com/dailynews/012/wash/Protesters_get_prime_spot_alon:.shtml
The World According to Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart's China operation a study in contrasts
Workers at many of the factories that supply goods to the stores can't afford to shop there
Vanessa Hua, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Dongguan, China -- Inside this toy factory in southern China, childhood memories are born. Cuddly bears, soft pastel bibs, blankets are midwifed by migrant workers who see their own babies but once a year.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/12/29/BUG4IAI7MH1.DTL
East Side Wal-Mart managers charged with felony after shooting and killing stray cat
By MARK WILSON, Courier & Press staff writer 464-7417 or mwilson@evansville.net
December 29, 2004
Two Wal-Mart Supercenter employees in Evansville told Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s deputies that the store’s general manager, Darrel Weitzel, instructed them to shoot and kill a cat on store property.
http://www.courierpress.com/ecp/local_news/article/0,1626,ECP_745_3432473,00.html
The Women of Wal-Mart
By Geri L. Dreiling, AlterNet. Posted September 16, 2004.
A gender discrimination lawsuit offers a glimpse inside the nation's largest private employer and its treatment of women. It ain't pretty.
Story Tools
When Melissa Howard joined the Wal-Mart store in New Castle, Ind., in 1992, she received a blue vest, a red, white and-blue nametag, six bucks an hour, and the title of "electronics department manager." Howard hoped to climb the corporate ladder, accept greater responsibility and take home a fatter paycheck.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/19901/
Wal-Mart is evacuated
By Mark Agee
Star-Telegram Staff Writer
MANSFIELD - A Wal-Mart Supercenter was evacuated for three hours Tuesday afternoon after a bomb threat was made and police found a suspicious package inside the store.
Someone called the Wal-Mart near U.S. 287 and Walnut Creek Drive at 4 p.m. and told employees that there was a bomb in the store, police said.
Police spokesman Thad Penkala did not know how many customers were inside at the time. Many of them waited on a grassy bank on the edge of the parking lot.
A bomb squad from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives removed the package but hadn't determined whether it was a bomb, Penkala said Tuesday.
Investigators were working to determine where the call came from but did not have a suspect, he said.
Police said the caller could face a felony count of making a terroristic threat, punishable by 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/10521067.htm
Police arrest men for Wal-Mart thefts
Forum staff reports, The Forum
Published Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Two men who police believe were responsible for thefts at Wal-Mart stores in Fargo and Dilworth Monday and Tuesday were arrested in connection with the incidents, police said.
http://www.in-forum.com/articles/index.cfm?id=79163§ion=News
Wal-Mart, school issues dominant headlines of 2004
By Jeremy Rue
ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
It seems just like yesterday the world was celebrating the birth of a new millennium, and the start of the next decade.
Now, as we pass into the year 2005, it's hard to believe that this decade is just about half over -- or for the optimist, perhaps it's just half started.
http://www.selmaenterprise.com/articles/2004/12/28/news/news03.txt
Wal-Mart to News Agency: No Comment on Turkey Rumor
12/29/04 11:18:16 AM
By Arkansas Business staff, Arkansasbusiness.com Daily Report
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville told the Reuters news service that it would not comment on reports Wednesday that the retailer is considering cooperating with Turkey’s leading retailer, supermarket chain Migros.
Migros is controlled by Turkish conglomerate Koc Holdings.
Speculation of some deal between Wal-Mart and Migros began after the Turkish Anka News Agency quoted Koc Honorary Chairman Rahmi Koc as saying Migros and Wal-Mart were in talks.
Wal-Mart has partnerships with other retailers throughout the world. Most notably, it owns about a 37 percent stake in Japanese retailer Seiyu. Earlier this year, Wal-Mart and other investors said on Friday they would inject $42 million into Seiyu to boost its weak capital base. Seiyu is Japan's fourth-largest supermarket chain with about 400 stores.
Shares of Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT) were trading higher at $53.42 on Wednesday after closing at $53.23 on Tuesday.
http://arkansasbusiness.com/news/headline_article.asp?aid=39514
Wal-Mart Evacuated Following In-Store Bank Robbery
Robber Leaves Suspicious Package Behind
POSTED: 11:22 am CST December 29, 2004
UPDATED: 11:34 am CST December 29, 2004
PLANO, Texas -- Police in Plano evacuated a Wal-Mart after a robbery at a bank inside the store on Tuesday.
Investigators told NBC 5 the robber demanded money inside the store at Coit Road and Highway 190.
The robber then left the store, leaving behind a suspicious package.
Police cleared the store and secured the area but experts later determined the package was not an explosive.
http://www.nbc5i.com/news/4032887/detail.html
Bomb Scare Evacuates Wal-Mart
POSTED: 12:50 am CST December 29, 2004
UPDATED: 11:27 am CST December 29, 2004
DALLAS -- A suspicious package was spotted at the Wal-Mart Tuesday on Walnut Creek Road, near Highway 287, and police evacuated the store immediately.
The bomb squad moved in after someone called Wal-Mart threatening to blow the store up.
One law enforcement source said the caller demanded that money be put in a bag and placed in a nearby park.
Officers searched the store and found what looked like a pipe bomb, complete with a crude switch.
Federal ATF agents determined it was a hoax and an investigator carried it out of the store.
An ATF agent said the bomb scare was unusual because someone went to a lot of effort to make it seem real.
After about three hours the store reopened and customers and employees were allowed back in.
Investigators now plan to go through videotapes from the store's surveillance cameras to identify who did it.
http://www.nbc5i.com/news/4031651/detail.html
NEW: Helotes residents to hear from Wal-Mart tonight
Web Posted: 01/12/2005 11:55 AM CST
MySanAntonio.com
Wal-Mart representatives will get the chance to make their case to skeptical Helotes residents at a public hearing tonight.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA011205.helotes.online.a145f760.html
Wal-Mart Lists On The Go's Heinz Baby Basics Tumbler as Part of Their Product Line
CONCORD, ON -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 01/12/2005 -- On the Go Healthcare, Inc. (OTC BB: OGHC) ("the Company"), a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of innovative baby products and computer hardware, software and supplies VAR, today announced that Wal-mart Canada has listed another of the Company product sku's in its inventory. The product, Baby's First Tumbler from the Heinz Baby Basics feeding accessory line, will be featured alongside other Company infant products in the department store's roster, and is expected to ship shortly upon its national store launch.
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=78967
Teen Sought In Siloam Springs Wal-Mart Shooting
Police Say 16-Year-Old Boy To Be Charged With Attempted Murder
POSTED: 10:37 am CST January 12, 2005
UPDATED: 6:38 pm CST January 12, 2005
SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- Police said Wednesday that they have an arrest warrent for a 16-year-old boy in connection with a weekend shooting in Siloam Springs.
http://www.thehometownchannel.com/news/4075211/detail.html
USA: Apparel ‘Next Growth Segment’ For Wal-Mart – Analyst
12 Jan 2005
Source: just-style.com
Moody's Investors Service is predicting that the next “big growth segment” being targeted by Wal-Mart Stores Inc is clothing and accessories.
http://www.just-style.com/news_detail.asp?art=36349
Wal-Mart Announces $1 Billion Debt Offering
JANUARY 12, 2005 -- BENTONVILLE, AR — Wal-Mart Stores announced the launch of a proposed offering of $1 billion principal amount of notes due 2010.
The offering is expected to be priced on Wednesday, January 12, 2005.
The lead underwriters for the offering are Lehman Brothers and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.
A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
http://www.retail-merchandiser.com/retailmerchandiser/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000750959
The Irish Times
North and west bear brunt of violent winds, flooding
Violent winds in excess of 90 m.p.h. were recorded by Met Eireann last night, while waves of up to 40ft battered the north and west coasts, bringing hazardous sea conditions and localised flooding, write James Fitzgerald, Lorna Siggins and Joe Humphreys
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/front/2005/0112/1950613059HM1STORM.html
The Seattle Times
Gregoire sworn in as Washington governor
By David Ammons
The Associated Press
OLYMPIA — Christine Gregoire, winner of the closest governor's race in Washington history, was inaugurated today, but faces an immediate court challenge that could make it a short-lived honor.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002148856_webgovernor12.html
Body retrievals keep crews busy
BETTY UDESEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
The search for bodies continues in Meulaboh, Indonesia, where many tsunami victims lie decaying beneath the rubble. Retrieved bodies are bagged, then buried in mass graves.
MEULABOH, Indonesia — Gurun Reinanto is a slender young man from Jakarta with a shy giggle that makes him seem much younger than his 25 years. In normal times, he would be back home in Indonesia's capital city, hunting for work after graduating with a civil-engineering degree.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002148534_tsunami13m.html
Judge rules out ballot fight on land-use rules
By Jim Downing
Seattle Times Eastside bureau
A King County Superior Court judge yesterday ruled that the county's new and controversial critical-areas ordinances, designed to protect habitat and water quality and reduce flooding in rural areas, cannot be challenged by voter referendums filed by rural East King County residents.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002148481_critareas12m.html
UW proposes biolab to study terror agents
By Bob Young and Sharon Pian Chan
Seattle Times staff reporters
The University of Washington has proposed building a laboratory that could study bioterrorism agents such as anthrax.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2002148530_biolab12m.html
Iraq weapons hunt is officially over
By Seattle Times news services
The hunt for biological, chemical and nuclear weapons in Iraq has come to an end nearly two years after President Bush ordered U.S. troops to disarm Saddam Hussein. The top CIA weapons hunter is home, and analysts are back at Langley, Va.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002148445_iraq12.html
The Japan Times
North Korea boycott sees some impactCheap suits easy target, not seafood
By ERIC JOHNSTONStaff writer
OSAKA -- As the government continues to debate whether to impose economic sanctions on Pyongyang, nongovernmental organizations that believe the North is still holding Japanese abductees are leading a nationwide call for a voluntary boycott of North Korean-made goods.
... Another boycott issue isn't consumer-oriented.
In October, 10 construction companies announced they intended to send a mission to North Korea, ostensibly to see what they could do to help the country with various civil engineering projects in the event that Tokyo someday establishes diplomatic relations with Pyongyang.
But the proposed trip reminded many of the late Liberal Democratic Party kingmaker Shin Kanemaru's trip to North Korea in 1990.
Several in Kanemaru's delegation who represented construction firms were interested in procuring sand from North Korean riverbeds, because it was nearly salt-free and perfect for making high-quality cement.
After a public backlash in the more recent case, the 10 companies announced they were shelving their trip. Since then, supporters of the boycott have also been calling for the contractors to be banned from bidding on public works projects.
Such a move will probably prove extremely difficult.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20050112f1.htm
Habitat destruction, work gear and photosBy ANGELA JEFFSA distressing end to 2004 . . . off to a resilient and positive start in 2005.
Lost habitat
SM writes in a state of upset from Zushi in Kanagawa Prefecture: "Recently I went through the park at Hachiman-gu in Kamakura. I love to sit by the lakeside, where the many water birds, which nest on the two islands, are my favorites.
"To my great shock I realized that all the trees (on the islands) had been cut. The smaller trees seemed to be gone completely and the big ones looked like broomsticks.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?fl20050111aj.htm
U.S. has self to blame for weaker dollar
By CHRISTOPHER LINGLE
Special to The Japan TimesUBUD, Bali -- Earth to China-bashers: Beijing should not be blamed for America's trade deficits or for the weakness of the dollar. Those that believe so are confusing symptoms with causes. Other elements of conventional wisdom have it that there is some choice as to whether the exchange value of the dollar will rise or fall.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/geted.pl5?eo20050110a1.htm
Mr. Gonzales and Abu Ghraib
The nomination of Mr. Alberto Gonzales as U.S. attorney general in the second Bush administration has focused attention once again on revelations that the United States has used torture on terror suspects. Since the first photographs of those misdeeds were made public last summer, there has been a steady drip of additional incidents. The damage that has been done to the U.S. mission in Iraq, and its image around the world, is incalculable.
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/geted.pl5?ed20050110a1.htm
Financial Times
Sharp rise in November’s US deficit hits dollar
By Christopher Swann in WashingtonPublished
January 12 2005 14:05 Last updated: January 12 2005 14:05
The US trade deficit widened sharply in November to a record $60.3bn, renewing pressure on the ailing dollar and causing economists to scale back their forecasts for economic growth. The gap between imports and exports grew by $4.3bn over the month and has now risen by almost $10bn since September.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/e455cdfc-64a2-11d9-9f8b-00000e2511c8.html
Airbus seeks €1bn aid for A350 airliner
By Kevin Done, Aerospace Correspondent in Paris, and Peter Spiegel in London Published: January 12 2005 20:00 Last updated: January 12 2005 20:00
Airbus has applied to four European governments for launch aid totalling around €1bn to help finance the estimated €4bn development of its planned A350 long-range airliner, Noël Forgeard, Airbus chief executive, said on Wednesday.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/791e69f4-64d4-11d9-9f8b-00000e2511c8.html
Supreme Court rejects federal sentencing guidelines
By Patti Waldmeir in New YorkPublished: January 12 2005 16:54 Last updated: January 12 2005 16:54
The US Supreme Court on Wednesday freed judges from the system of mandatory criminal sentencing guidelines that has prevailed in America for nearly 20 years, in a ruling that threatens to create chaos in the criminal justice system, legal experts said.
http://news.ft.com/cms/s/96bcc272-64ba-11d9-9f8b-00000e2511c8.html
The Korea Times
Personal Bankruptcy Filings Hit Record High
By Lee Jin-wooStaff Reporter
The number of personal bankruptcy filings hit a record high of 14,921 last year, showing a fourfold rise from 2003. The surge was attributed to the prolonged economic slump.
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200501/kt2005011215171910230.htm
Government Approves Hwang's Stem Cell Research
By Kim Tae-gyu Staff Reporter
The Korean government has approved the embryonic stem cell research of Seoul National University professor Hwang Woo-suk for the first time under the newly-enforced bioethics law.
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/200501/kt2005011214512210220.htm
Diabetes Leads to Higher Risk of Cancer, Study Says
By Bae Keun-minStaff Reporter
Diabetes can raise the risk of developing and dying from several types of cancer, especially pancreatic cancer, according to a study conducted by a local medical team.
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200501/kt2005011217370911960.htm
Sri Lankan Mayor Thanks Roh for Relief Work
By Yoon Won-supStaff Reporter
A Sri Lankan mayor sent an e-mail of appreciation to President Roh Moo-hyun and Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak last week for South Korean relief efforts in the tsunami-affected region, a rescue organization said Wednesday.
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200501/kt2005011214582411950.htm
The Asian Times
India finds a $40bn friend in Iran
By M K Bhadrakumar
India's oil diplomacy took a giant leap forward on Friday when New Delhi unveiled a multibillion-dollar deal with Iran and Russia that will be crucial to India's long-term energy security, and took the initiative the same week to host the first-ever conference on regional cooperation among Asian oil-producing and consuming countries.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GA11Df07.html
The devastation of Iraq
By Dahr Jamail
The devastation of Iraq? Where do I start? After working seven of the past 12 months in Iraq, I'm still overwhelmed by even the thought of trying to describe this. The illegal war and occupation of Iraq was waged for three reasons, according to the administration of US President George W Bush. First for weapons of mass destruction, which have yet to be found. Second, because the regime of Saddam Hussein had links to al-Qaeda, which Bush has personally admitted have never been proved. The third reason - embedded in the very name of the invasion, Operation Iraqi Freedom - was to liberate the Iraqi people. So Iraq is now a liberated country.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GA11Ak01.html
Musharraf ups the ante on Kashmir
By Syed Saleem Shahzad KARACHI
A US-backed peace initiative in South Asia began more than a year ago. Apart from several confidence-building measures, several new ideas were floated in an attempt to resolve the half-century Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GA08Df05.html
Musharraf blusters as Balochistan boils
By Syed Saleem Shahzad KARACHI
A battle lasting several hours on Tuesday between Pakistani security forces and insurgent tribals in Balochistan province's Sui region, famous for its natural-gas reserves, is likely to turn into a full-scale insurgency as all the powerful oligarchs of Baloch society support this insurgency. Although President General Pervez Musharraf, speaking on a local television channel, gave a clear warning of a major military operation in retaliation, this is likely only to lead to further troubles.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GA13Df01.htm
THE NAKED HEGEMONPart 1
Why the emperor has no clothes
By Andre Gunder Frank
Uncle Sam has reneged and defaulted on up to 40% of its trillion-dollar foreign debt, and nobody has said a word except for a line in The Economist. In plain English that means Uncle Sam runs a worldwide confidence racket with his self-made dollar based on the confidence that he has elicited and received from others around the world, and he is a also a deadbeat in that he does not honor and return the money he has received.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/GA06Dj01.html
THE NAKED HEGEMONPART 2
The center of the doughnutBy Andre Gunder Frank All Ponzi schemes build a financial pyramid. Many who pay into them also live in a financial world themselves, but others need to derive their in-payment through earnings from production in the real world. In today's world of financial transactions that every day are a hundredfold more than all payments for real goods and services put together, the financial ones put the real ones into the shadow behind their brilliance.
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/GA07Dj01.html
Satellites later.
Check in with Michael Moore during the day for pertinent updates.
