Explosion in Turkey - 22 injured

Istanbul, Turkey - At least 22 people in an apparent suicide bomb attack in central Istanbul on Sunday were injured, police said. In a dozen police officers were wounded and 12 civilians in the attack on Taksim Square, police said the police. Two policemen were injured in a critical condition, said police chief Huseyin Capkin Istanbul. The course is a busy shopping area's largest network of transport, including buses, subways and taxis. Visitors flock guards in the area which is usually a bunch of bureaucrats. 

The bomber blew himself up when the city was the national holiday celebrating the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey. The parade was originally scheduled for Friday but was postponed due to bad weather. Capkin said a suicide bomber apparently caused the explosion of a man. A bomb exploded in the second near the body of the attacker. Suspected terrorists tried to park a bus in the police rather than board, but the explosion occurred before he was in power, said Capkin. 

Analysts was familiar with the Kurdistan Workers Party, known as the PKK, said the PKK is likely behind the attack. However, party spokesman told CNN that he knew nothing of the explosion. "It's blowing up or blowing have rituals, I have no idea," the spokesman said that the PKK's Kandil Ruth. Kandil said: "unilateral ceasefire" to the PKK on Sunday, end, but said the party's leader, Murat Karayilan, a Turkish journalist, said a few days ago that "we are not an action against civilians."

Explosive packages claim to found for Jewish institutions

Two packages containing explosives in Chicago Jewish institutions have alarmed at what has Obama been arrested as a "credible threat of terrorism against our country.''Obama on Thursday evening in the act that sent the involved packages planes cargo to Yemen. The Committee notes that U.S. officials "follow all the facts" yet, "Obama said, U.S. officials know that al-Qaida on the Arabian Peninsula, a terrorist group based in Yemen," to plan attacks against our next home, our citizens and our friends and allies. "

A source said the federal government Chicago Sun-Times at least one synagogue in Chicago and a Jewish community center were targeted -. The CCM-107-year service organization dedicated to ensuring a has vibrant Jewish and strong community''seven community centers in the region, including Rogers Park, overlooking Lake and Hyde Park, according to its website. It also runs 15 kindergartens. person with the CMC could not be reached for comment Friday. KKL / United Jewish Federation of Chicago Metropolitan was alerted about the possible threat from the authorities on the morning of Friday, said Linda Haase, Associate Vice President. "We meet  all necessary precautions, and we recommend that local synagogues to do the same thing," said Haase. "Unfortunately this is not the first time that the Jewish community has a security problem faced. "Although it is not immediately known that the synagogue was the target, said federal officials that neither the package at KAM Isaiah Israel Synagogue, is the opposite the home of Obama Kenwood aligned was.

Michelle Obama was in town Friday for a memorial service for Bishop Arthur M. Brazier. The President should be in town today for a meeting before the election. Governor Quinn said he was in contact with Jewish community in the country -. " I have a lot of resources of the State of Illinois, in cooperation with federal and local level. - ensure the safety and the safety of all in our country,''said Quinn, "My thoughts are with the Jewish community in Illinois and urge all to the device during this time to join.

FBI spokesman Ross Rice said in Chicago that the two packages sent in the same direction in Yemen. Dubai authorities caught a bomb. The second package was investigated in an aircraft at East Midlands, North London, and authorities said it contained a toner cartridge with printer cable and dust. White House on terrorism, said John Brennan, Counsel to the devices were in packages the size of a bread box. Rabbi Asher Lopatin of Anshe Shalom B'nai Israel Congregation in view of the lake, said on Friday evening that started the Jewish Sabbath, and it was important that things be as usual. "We must not allow others to stop terrorists ourselves," said Lopatin, adding: ". We must be cautious and vigilant, but do not panic, we" do not know why they choose Chicago, but awakened from its complacency and hopefully we will be safe and vigilant in the future, "said Lopatin.

Several cargo planes along the east coast were searched but no explosives found. A plane carrying goods Emirates was deported from Canada to New York by two military aircraft, American officials. They said it was a precautionary measure . The Department of Homeland Security said it has taken steps to improve security at airports across the country to improve, including the investigation of the charge.

YouTube CEO's , Chad Hurley Out

Chad Hurley, one of the three founders of YouTube, the innovative website that has radically changed the media landscape, is stepping down as CEO of the San Bruno, Calif. Hurley, 33, had the press on Thursday evening at a conference of technology at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. When asked what he did, he said he renounced his title as CEO and assume an advisory role.

Kamangar which bought the area for 1.65 billion dollars in 2006. He and a small team of engineers came in AdWords revenue engine that most of the benefits of Google drives. Kamangar said to be responsible for finding ways to make money from YouTube to the billions of user-generated online videos every day.

Google said Youtube on the profit, thanks to the efforts of Kamangar to the kind of premium content that foster higher advertising rates are ordered. Once the scourge of traditional media by the use of pirated content has already become a YouTube platform for the promotion of content.

Travel Plan Triggered FBI Terror Sting

WASHINGTON-Pakistani-American in a conspiracy against the FBI subway in the capital, has attracted the attention of researchers was arrested in January to try to go for jihad abroad, authorities said. Farooque Ahmed, an engineer at age, 34, Ashburn, Virginia. And attempts to contact a member of a terrorist group to help them, Afghanistan or Pakistan travel to face the U.S. armed forces there, the Federal Research Station fight on Thursday.

The FBI did not specify how you heard about the alleged efforts of the group. Researchers will soon see, Mr. Ahmed potentially dangerous and orchestrated a terrorist act surprised allegedly false, last undercover terrorist operation by the FBI developed. Long used or corruption in drug research, stings are struggling to become a staple of the efforts of the judiciary, against domestic terrorism since the attacks of September 2001 November some cases, particularly in the years immediately after 9 / 11, have a rocky reception skeptical Jurors had. But in recent years, juries have returned verdicts against the accused long if bitten.

Peter Ahearn, a former FBI special agent and now a management consultant, said to help the teeth "are in a minefield on foot" and convey fear among jihadist followers that someone could be in contact with an undercover government agent. In an attempted attack on New York, Times Square this year, would be bomber Shahzad Faisal told investigators, he has avoided most powerful explosives and other steps to remain out of sight of law enforcement. Mr. Shahzad pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in June and was sentenced to life imprisonment. In an affidavit submitted by the FBI to permit the registration of Friends of the House of the Lord says that in 2008 and 2009, weapons and training, bought a shooting range. Its ultimate goal, according to the affidavit, he "went to Afghanistan to fight and kill Americans."

In April, FBI, a meeting between Mr Ahmed and a person who claims to be a means to a terrorist group to be organized, said prosecutors. The person, worked undercover for the FBI and asked to help the suspects, collect information for planned attacks Metrorail stations in suburban Virginia, Washington, said prosecutors. The statement does not identify the friends of Mr. partner or say if the person has cooperated with investigators. Compliance Officer, said the alleged plot was completely under the control of the FBI and there was no danger to the public. A public defender to represent Mr. Ahmed not respond to requests for comment.

In some cases, the bite has been criticized by defense lawyers for the defendants seemed taken. In 2006, the FBI, seven members of a religious group Liberty City neighborhood of Miami was arrested and charged with conspiracy to attack the Sears Tower in Chicago and federal buildings. Defense lawyers said an informant and two juries exceeded government against the agreement declared invalid. It took a third try five defendants were sentenced for crimes associated with terrorism. Albert Levin, a lawyer for the suspects in the case of Miami, said the fear of terrorism caused the police were trying to attack at any price "to prevent, even at the expense of the possible opening of innocent people." Earlier this month, a Jordanian man to 24 years in a case in which an FBI informant, who, as a means of terrorism.

Fake bomb plot against D.C. subway

A Pakistani-born Virginia man was arrested Wednesday and charged with trying to help people posing as al Qaeda operatives plot to bomb Washington-area subway stations.

The bombing plot was a ruse over the past six months, the FBI said, but 34-year-old Farooque Ahmed readily handed over video of northern Virginia subway stations, suggested using rolling suitcases rather than backpacks to kill as many people as possible and offered to donate money to al Qaeda's cause overseas.

The public never was in danger because FBI agents were aware of Ahmed's activities and monitored him throughout, the agency said. And the people that Ahmed thought were al Qaeda operatives were actually individuals who worked on behalf of the government, according to a federal law enforcement official who requested anonymity to discuss details of the case.

Ahmed was indicted under seal by a federal grand jury in Alexandria, Va., on Tuesday, and the charges were made public Wednesday. He is accused of attempting to provide material support to a designated terrorist organization, collecting information to assist in planning a terrorist attack on a transit facility, and attempting to provide material support to carry out multiple bombings to cause mass casualties. Ahmed, a naturalized citizen, lives in Ashburn, Va., outside Washington.

During a brief court appearance in federal court in Alexandria, Ahmed did not enter a plea and was ordered held without bond.

U.S. Attorney Neil MacBride said in a statement that it was "chilling that a man from Ashburn is accused of casing rail stations with the goal of killing as many Metro riders as possible through simultaneous bomb attacks."

Andrew Ames, a spokesman for the FBI Washington field office, declined to comment on how authorities learned about Ahmed. He faces up to 50 years in prison if convicted.




( Source from sfgate.com )

Indonesia tsunami death toll hits 272

At least 272 people are dead and more than 400 are missing after a tsunami swept through a string of remote Indonesian islands, a local official says.

Disaster official Ade Edward updated the death toll late Wednesday, after planes full of emergency workers and relief supplies reached some of the affected communities.

A 7.7-magnitude earthquake Monday triggered the three-metre wave that hit several remote islands, flowing into villages and washing homes into the water.

Bad weather and rough seas slowed rescue efforts, and made delivering relief supplies a challenge.

Ships full of food, tents and medical staff are headed to the remote area, along with 15 doctors and 150 volunteers, the Jakarta Post reported.

More info : CBC News

Tweeting celebrities in dash for cash

Australian celebrities are being offered as much as $10,000 for a single tweet endorsing products to their thousands of Twitter followers, say sponsorship experts.

But while the US celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Lindsay Lohan and Snoop Dogg are reportedly already enjoying large one-off payments to promote brands and products on Twitter, the dash for cash is yet to catch on here.

Bruce Kaider, president of Sponsorship Australasia and founder of a sports management company, confirmed that high profile Australian sportspeople were already being approached to endorse products on Twitter for fees of anything between $500 to $10,000 per tweet.

Lindsay Lohan's profile on SponsoredTweets says she will tweet for a $US2985.80 fee, while Khloe Kardashian (sister of reality star Kim) will tweet for a slightly lesser $US2,941. For an extra thousand, advertisers can procure the tweeting services of model Holly Madison.

More info ..... (credit to smh.com.au)

Death Toll Rising After Tsunami Hits Indonesia

JAKARTA — Indonesian authorities scrambled to deal with two deadly disasters on Tuesday after a tsunami and volcanic eruptions struck in separate regions of the vast Indonesian archipelago.
In the first, rescue workers and fishermen scoured for survivors through waters west of Sumatra Island after a powerful earthquake and resulting tsunami killed at least 113 people and left hundreds missing, including at least eight foreigners, officials said. Thousands more were homeless.

More info ....

Paul Octopus Dies ( Infolinks 2010 )

World cup oracle octopus Paul dies

Berlin, Germany (CNN) -- Paul the Octopus, who correctly predicted the outcome of games during this year's World Cup soccer tournament, has died.

The eight-tentacled cephalopod oracle died of natural causes, the aquarium where he lived said Tuesday. He was 2 and a half.

"We are consoled by the knowledge that he enjoyed a good life here ..." said Stefan Porwoll, manager of the Oberhausen Sea Life Center in western Germany. "We had all naturally grown fond of him and he will be sorely missed."

Paul enthralled millions of people around the world by correctly predicting the outcome of several World Cup matches this year.

His caretakers set him up to make predictions for a particular match by draping boxes in his tank with the national flags of teams that were set to play each other. The boxes contained octopus food. The caretakers divined Paul's pick by watching to see which box he opened first.

"Paul amazed the world by correctly predicting the winners of all Germany's World Cup clashes, and then of the final," Porwoll said in a statement.

His prescience attracted a legion of news reporters and photographers. It also inspired a special clothing line and mobile phone applications, the center said. A documentary film on Paul is scheduled to debut soon. And donations made in Paul's name helped pay for a permanent sea turtle rescue center on the Greek island of Zakynthos.

The sea center has Paul's body in cold storage as it finalizes funeral plans.

"We may decide to give Paul his own small burial plot within our grounds and erect a modest permanent shrine," Porwoll said. "While this may seem a curious thing to do for a sea creature, Paul achieved such popularity during his short life that it may be deemed the most appropriate course of action."

( Source by CNN)