الأربعاء، 23 نوفمبر 2011

Lincoln Tribune

Lincoln Tribune

Link to The Lincoln Tribune

Pakistani ambassador to U.S. resigns amid memo contoversy

Posted: 23 Nov 2011 03:30 AM PST

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- Pakistani Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani on Tuesday announced his resignation after the release of a controversial memo in which help from the U.S. is requested.

"I have requested [Prime Minister Yousaf Raza] Gilani to accept my resignation as Pakistan Ambassador to US," Haqqani said through his Twitter account, later stating that he has much to contribute to "building a new Pakistan free of bigotry and intolerance."

Controversy began surrounding Haqqani after the Financial Times published an article about a memo addressed to former U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, in which help is requested from the United States amid fears of a military takeover in Pakistan.

The article was published by Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz on October 10, explaining that the memo was allegedly conveyed to Mullen by Haqqani and sent from Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari about one week after Taliban leader Osama bin Laden was killed during May's U.S. raid in Pakistan. The memo described a "dangerous devolution of the ground situation in Islamabad where no control appears to be in place."

It added that the Asian country could become a sanctuary to Osama bin Laden's legacy and a potential platform for "far more rapid spread of al-Qaeda's brand of fanaticism and terror." The memo purportedly offered the U.S. an increased role in Pakistan's internal affairs by replacing government officials with those who would comply with U.S. demands if the U.S. helped prevent a possible military takeover of the Pakistani government.

According to media reports, Haqqani had been requested to resign in order for investigations to be carried out transparently. Haqqani, who served as Pakistan's Ambassador to the U.S. since April 2008, has denied the allegations of delivering the memo.

(Copyright 2011 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


A Dinner Where Turkeys Are Guests, Not Entrees

Posted: 22 Nov 2011 05:59 PM PST

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Thanksgiving in the United States is a holiday that emphasizes roast turkey as the traditional meal.  The National Turkey Federation reports that more than 45 million of the birds meet their doom in November.  But at one farm, the turkeys are not the main course - instead, they're the guests of honor.

It's morning at the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, and everyone is just waking up.  Volunteers gather around the table and prepare a traditional, Thanksgiving feast.  

But… with a twist.

"So many millions of turkeys are killed at Thanksgiving for normal celebrations that people do.  The turkeys here are all rescued, and we wanted them to be the guests of honor," said Terry Cummings.

Americans typically serve turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner… but today, the turkeys get a seat at the table… instead of on it.  
For the past 14 years, Cummings and her husband have hosted "Thanksgiving with the Turkeys."

"We want to promote compassion for all animals... and we want to try to show people that there's another way that they can celebrate Thanksgiving without killing animals.  
They got full tables with all different foods that they like.  Most of the birds - chickens and turkeys - like fruit of almost any kind.  And tofu… that was kind of accidental," she said.

Deborah Block's Thanksgiving report:


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After the birds get their feast… the humans get one, too.  They call it the world's largest, vegan potluck, and more than 800 people turned out this year to share and sample food prepared by other guests.  

People were pretty excited about it, because it's an interesting event; it's not a traditional thing.  It feels really good to be a part of something like this and to see so many people being so supportive of the animals and caring about the animals and wanting to teach their children to be compassionate towards animals. I was a meat eater for 30 years.  I didn't think about the animals.  Even though I loved the animals, I didn't make the connection between the animals that were on my plate and the animals that I supposedly loved," Cummings said.  
Cummings says the goal is to show turkeys in a positive light… and to get people to think more about what's on their tables… and on their plates.

A Dinner Where Turkeys Are Guests, Not Entrees

Posted: 22 Nov 2011 05:59 PM PST

<!--AV-->

Thanksgiving in the United States is a holiday that emphasizes roast turkey as the traditional meal.  The National Turkey Federation reports that more than 45 million of the birds meet their doom in November.  But at one farm, the turkeys are not the main course - instead, they're the guests of honor.

It's morning at the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, and everyone is just waking up.  Volunteers gather around the table and prepare a traditional, Thanksgiving feast.  

But… with a twist.

"So many millions of turkeys are killed at Thanksgiving for normal celebrations that people do.  The turkeys here are all rescued, and we wanted them to be the guests of honor," said Terry Cummings.

Americans typically serve turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner… but today, the turkeys get a seat at the table… instead of on it.  
For the past 14 years, Cummings and her husband have hosted "Thanksgiving with the Turkeys."

"We want to promote compassion for all animals... and we want to try to show people that there's another way that they can celebrate Thanksgiving without killing animals.  
They got full tables with all different foods that they like.  Most of the birds - chickens and turkeys - like fruit of almost any kind.  And tofu… that was kind of accidental," she said.

Deborah Block's Thanksgiving report:


<!--AV-->

After the birds get their feast… the humans get one, too.  They call it the world's largest, vegan potluck, and more than 800 people turned out this year to share and sample food prepared by other guests.  

People were pretty excited about it, because it's an interesting event; it's not a traditional thing.  It feels really good to be a part of something like this and to see so many people being so supportive of the animals and caring about the animals and wanting to teach their children to be compassionate towards animals. I was a meat eater for 30 years.  I didn't think about the animals.  Even though I loved the animals, I didn't make the connection between the animals that were on my plate and the animals that I supposedly loved," Cummings said.  
Cummings says the goal is to show turkeys in a positive light… and to get people to think more about what's on their tables… and on their plates.

California teen admits killing 15-year-old gay student

Posted: 22 Nov 2011 05:49 PM PST

LOS ANGELES (BNO NEWS) -- A Southern California teen has pled guilty to the killing of a gay classmate three years ago and will serve a total of 25 years in prison, prosecutors announced on Tuesday.

Brandon McInerney, who is now 17, pleaded guilty to killing Lawrence King under the Penal Code sections for both murder and voluntary manslaughter and admitted to using a firearm as part of the crime. He will serve 11 years for manslaughter and 10 years for the use of a firearm, according to Venture County District Attorney Gregory Totten.

"[McInerney] will serve the entire 21 years without time off for good behavior and will not receive time off his sentence for the three years and nine months he has spent in juvenile hall before sentencing," the prosecutor's office said in a statement released on Tuesday.

McInerney initially faced a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison, but a judge declared a mistrial in September after seven jurors voted for a conviction of manslaughter while five voted for murder. Tuesday's agreement to plead guilty was reached after talks between prosecutors, the victim's family, McInerney, and his attorneys.

The Ventura County District Attorney's Office also acknowledged criticism about its decision to try McInerney as an adult. But the office stood by its decision, saying the "dispositions available in the juvenile system were inadequate to address both the gravity of the crime and the need for public safety."

If tried as a juvenile, McInerney likely would have been released at the age of 21, the office said, and the law mandates that he would have been released by the age of 25.

"The period of incarceration available in the juvenile system is too short to adequately protect the public and would send the wrong message to other young people contemplating violence regarding the expected consequences of their actions," the office said in a statement.

McInerney was 14 when he shot 15-year-old King twice at point-blank range in the back of the head at the E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard. They both were typing papers in a computer lab for their English class along with two dozen students and their teacher.

Friends said King, an eighth grader who lived in a group home called Casa Pacifica, was proud of being openly gay. Other students said McInerney was subject to some harassment because King had a crush on him and made it publicly known.

"We must never forget that Lawrence Fobes King is the victim. He faced challenges in his young life at least as severe as those of the defendant," the district attorney's office said in its statement. "As the victim began to explore his sexual identity, he was ostracized and ridiculed by many of his classmates. There was no evidence that he inappropriately touched, bullied or harmed anyone."

The statement added: "Whatever the defendant thought of the victim's conduct, there was no justification for the use of deadly force. Brandon McInerney was schooled in martial arts, was 7 inches (17.78 centimeters) taller than the victim, and outweighed him by approximately 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms). He easily could have deterred any unwanted behavior directed at him without resorting to the use of violence. It is a tragedy that the defendant chose to take an innocent life that has left indelible scars on everyone associated with it."

McInerney is scheduled to be formally sentenced on December 19.

(Copyright 2011 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


South Korean assembly approves free trade deal with U.S.

Posted: 22 Nov 2011 04:55 PM PST

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (BNO NEWS) -- South Korea's National Assembly on Tuesday approved the U.S.-Korea free trade agreement, more than four years after the deal was initially reached.

Despite objection from opposition parties who argue for protection for local industries, South Korea's ruling Grand National Party (GNP) was able to use its majority in the National Assembly to approve the free trade agreement. GNP holds 169 of the 295 seats.

The voting saw 151 lawmakers favor the agreement, seven voting against it and 12 others abstaining. At least 148 votes in favor were required to pass the motion. The agreement could take effect as early as January 1, 2012, as South Korean officials believe the deal will boost the country's economy and strengthen bilateral relations.

The approval comes about one month after U.S. President Barack Obama signed bills to approve the deal in Washington during the official visit of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

Despite the approval in South Korea, the National Assembly session was filled with protesting opposition leaders on Tuesday, causing chaos. A tear gas bomb was also set off in the opposition's efforts to disrupt the legislation process.

The free trade deal was initially agreed in 2007 by former U.S. President George W. Bush and former South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun, who died in 2009. With South Korea's most recent agreement, it will have free trade deals with a total of 45 countries, including economic powers such as Singapore and India.

(Copyright 2011 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: sales@bnonews.com.)


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