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الجمعة، 13 أبريل 2012

Lincoln Tribune

North Korean long-range rocket fails shortly after launch
North Korean long-range rocket fails shortly after launch
Trayvon Martin shooter makes first court appearance
Two U.S. Coast Guard members shot dead at Alaska base
Kuwait’s parliament OKs death penalty for insulting Prophet Muhammad

North Korean long-range rocket fails shortly after launch

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 07:34 PM PDT

PYONGYANG, NORTH KOREA (BNO NEWS) -- A long-range rocket fired by North Korea on Friday morning failed about a minute after takeoff in an apparent failure, South Korean and U.S. officials said. It comes after weeks of international pressure on North Korea to halt the launch.

A spokesman for the Korean Committee for Space Technology announced through state-run media in mid-March that it planned to launch a weather satellite, called the Kwangmyongsong-3 (Bright Star-3), on a Taepodong-2 ballistic missile to mark the 100th birth anniversary of the late North Korean leader Kim Il-sung.

The Kwangmyongsong-3 was launched at 7:39 a.m. local time on Friday from the Sohae Satellite Launching Station in Cholsan county of North Pyongan province, according to South Korean and U.S. officials. "The missile was tracked on a southerly launch over the Yellow Sea," the U.S. Northern Command said in a statement.

Both South Korean and U.S. officials believe the rocket failed about a minute after takeoff, after which the debris landed in the Yellow Sea. "Initial indications are that the first stage of the missile fell into the sea 165 km (102 miles) west of Seoul," U.S. Northern Command said. "The remaining stages were assessed to have failed and no debris fell on land. At no time were the missile or the resultant debris a threat."

More than four hours after the launch, state-run media in North Korea had still not reported on the launch and the subsequent failure. Previously, in an unprecedented move, the North Korean government had allowed dozens of foreign journalists into the country to cover the launch. However, the foreign journalists were not given any information on Friday.

White House Press Secretary Jay Carney called Friday's launch a 'provocative action' which threatens regional security, violates international law and contravenes North Korea's recent commitments. In return for U.S. food aid, the North Korean government had agreed in early March to a moratorium on nuclear tests, long-range missile launches, and uranium enrichment activity at one of its nuclear facilities.

"While this action is not surprising given North Korea's pattern of aggressive behavior, any missile activity by North Korea is of concern to the international community," Carney said in a statement released by the White House. "The United States remains vigilant in the face of North Korean provocations, and is fully committed to the security our allies in the region."

Carney emphasized that North Korea will only show strength and find security by abiding by international law and living up to its obligations. "North Korea is only further isolating itself by engaging in provocative acts, and is wasting its money on weapons and propaganda displays while the North Korean people go hungry," he said. "North Korea's long-standing development of missiles and pursuit of nuclear weapons have not brought it security - and never will."

British Foreign Secretary William Hague also expressed his concern about the launch and said Britain's Permanent Under-Secretary Simon Fraser will summon the North Korean Ambassador to Britain later on Friday. "[He will] make clear that the DPRK can expect a strong response from the international community if it continues to develop its missile and nuclear capabilities," Hague said, referring to North Korea by its official name. "I strongly urge the DPRK to suspend all missile and nuclear-related activity and to commit to re-engaging with the international community."

Meanwhile, in a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the Group of Eight (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the UK, and the U.S.) also condemned North Korea's rocket launch. "We are ready to consider, with others, taking measures responding to all activities of the DPRK that violate UN Security Council Resolutions, and calling for appropriate response by the United Nations Security Council," the statement said.

North Korean long-range rocket fails shortly after launch

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 07:34 PM PDT

Trayvon Martin shooter makes first court appearance

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 06:42 PM PDT

SANFORD, FLORIDA (BNO NEWS) -- Florida neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, who shot and killed unarmed black teenager Trayvon Martin in February, made his first court appearance on Thursday after being charged with second-degree murder a day earlier.

Zimmerman, 28, wore a one-piece gray jumpsuit as he entered a small courtroom at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility (JEPCF) in Sanford just after 1:30 p.m. local time. He appeared before judge Mark E. Herr who was not in the courtroom but was speaking through a closed-circuit TV connection.

During the brief appearance which lasted a little more than four minutes, Zimmerman stood up straight, looked straight ahead and said "Yes, sir," twice after being asked basic questions about the charge against him and his attorney. His hair was shaved down to stubble and he had a thin goatee, which appeared consistent with his booking photo from the day before.

Judge Herr said he found probable cause to move ahead with the case and that an arraignment will be held on May 29 at 1:30 p.m. local time before another judge. Zimmerman's attorney, Mark O'Mara, did not ask for bail during the hearing, reportedly to avoid arousing fervor.

Also on Thursday, a three-page court document provided new details about the prosecution's case. Zimmerman has claimed he acted in self-defense when he shot 17-year-old Trayvon in Sanford on February 26. The neighborhood watch volunteer had told a 911 operator that Trayvon was acting suspiciously and, despite being told to stay in his vehicle, got out of his SUV after which a confrontation ensued. Zimmerman claims he was being attacked by Trayvon when he fired the shot.

The shooting prompted allegations that Zimmerman, who is half Hispanic, was motivated by racism, a claim which has been denied by Zimmerman's relatives, friends and supporters who say he has been unfairly vilified by the media. The investigation has also been complicated by Florida's controversial "Stand Your Ground" law, which allows people to use deadly force when they believe they are in danger of being killed or suffering serious injuries.

In the affidavit of probable cause released on Thursday, the prosecution alleges that Zimmerman followed and confronted Trayvon after profiling the teenager. "[Trayvon] Martin was on the phone with a friend and described to her what was happening," the document read. "The witnesses advised that Martin was scared because he was being followed through the complex by an unknown male and didn't know why."

The document adds: "Martin attempted to run home but was followed by Zimmerman who didn't want the person he falsely assumed was going to commit a crime to get away before the police arrived. Zimmerman got out of his vehicle and followed Martin. [..] Zimmerman confronted Martin and a struggle ensued."

The document alleges that Zimmerman disregarded instructions from a police dispatcher to stop following Trayvon. "Witnesses heard people arguing and what sounded like a struggle," the document read. "During this time period witnesses heard numerous calls for help and some of these were recorded in 911 calls to police. Trayvon Martin's mother has reviewed the 911 calls and identifies the voice crying for help as Trayvon Martin's voice."

If convicted of second degree murder, a murder that is not premeditated or planned in advance, Zimmerman could face a prison sentence of up to 25 years to life. Zimmerman's new attorney, Mark O'Mara, said during a news conference in Orlando on Wednesday that his client will plead not guilty.

"I think he's troubled by the fact that the state decided to charge him," O'Mara said on Wednesday when asked by reporters how Zimmerman reacted to the charge and arrest. "I think anyone who would be charged with second-degree murder would be scared. So yes, certainly he is frightened."

Two U.S. Coast Guard members shot dead at Alaska base

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 05:50 PM PDT

KODIAK ISLAND, ALASKA (BNO NEWS) -- Two members of the U.S. Coast Guard were found shot dead at a communications station on Kodiak Island off Alaska on Thursday, officials said, prompting a lockdown of the base and nearby schools.

A brief statement from the 17th District of the U.S. Coast Guard said two of its members were found shot dead at Coast Guard Communications Station Kodiak in Kodiak, the main city on Kodiak Island, which is separated from the Alaska mainland by the Shelikof Strait.

"It is possible that the suspect remains at large," said Captain Jesse Moore, commanding officer of Coast Guard Base Support Unit Kodiak. "Since we don't have all the details, we strongly advise that all Kodiak residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement officials."

Moore said the base and local schools remain on lockdown as a safety precaution until authorities have determined no threat exists. "We are deeply saddened that we lost two shipmates," he said. "This is a rare occurrence and we are going to do everything possible to ensure we find out exactly what happened."

The U.S. Coast Guard said it would release the names of the victims when next-of-kin notifications are complete. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of our lost shipmates and we will provide all the necessary support and guidance they need as they grieve their loved ones," Moore said.

A spokesman for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which is involved in the investigation, said there was no immediate indication that the shootings are related to terrorism.

Kuwait’s parliament OKs death penalty for insulting Prophet Muhammad

Posted: 12 Apr 2012 05:31 PM PDT

KUWAIT CITY, KUWAIT (BNO NEWS) -- Kuwait's National Assembly on Wednesday voted overwhelmingly in favor of amendments to the country's penal code to apply the death penalty for those who insult Islam's Prophet Muhammad or his wives, a local newspaper reported on Thursday.

Forty-six members of parliament, including all cabinet ministers, voted in favor of the controversial amendments during the first round of voting on Wednesday. Four Shiite members of parliament opposed the amendments, two MPs refused to vote, and one Sunni MP abstained from voting.

According to the Kuwait Times, the amendments call for the death penalty for those who insult the Prophet Muhammad and his wives. It also stipulates a life-term sentence for anyone who insults the Prophet Muhammad's companions, although the report did not specify what would be deemed an insult.

The amendments still need approval during a second round of voting, which is expected to take place by the end of April, and approval from the government. Wednesday's vote took place after heated debates between Sunni MPs, who promoted the bill, and Shiite MPs who insist highly revered Imams must be included in the law.

Kuwait's penal code, of which aspects are based on Sharia law, already imposes hefty penalties, including lengthy jail terms, for those who insult the Prophet Muhammad, his wives, or his companions. Kuwait also imposes hefty penalties against other religious offenses.

According to human rights organization Amnesty International, no executions have been recorded in Kuwait since 2007, but at least seventeen people were sentenced to death for murder and drug-trafficking last year.

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الجمعة، 13 أبريل 2012

Lincoln Tribune

Lincoln Tribune

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