[franca]

LATEST
Bush nearly makes gaffe in front of Queen
08/05/2007

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By Caren Bohan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush, no stranger to the occasional verbal misstep, nearly placed the Queen in the 18th century on Monday in welcoming her to the White House on a state visit.

The Queen and Prince Philip were treated to a formal arrival ceremony on the White House South Lawn, complete with a marching fife-and-drum corps.
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Trumpets heralded the arrival of the dignitaries. The U.S. Air Force Band played national anthems before 7,000 invited guests on a sunny spring day.

Both Bush and the Queen addressed the crowd as the royal couple approached the end of a six-day U.S. visit that included ceremonies marking the 400th anniversary of the British settlement in Jamestown, Virginia, and the Kentucky Derby.

Bush noted the Queen's long history of dealing with successive American governments, just barely stopping himself before dating her to 1776, the year the 13 colonies declared their independence from Britain.

"The American people are proud to welcome your majesty back to the United States, a nation you've come to know very well. After all you've dined with 10 U.S. presidents. You've helped our nation celebrate its bicentennial in 17 -- in 1976," Bush said.

Bush looked at the Queen sheepishly. She peered back at him from beneath her black and white hat.

"She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child," Bush said as the crowd burst into laughter.

Taking the podium, the Queen, who has occupied the throne for 55 years and is 81, quickly swung into her prepared speech, hailing the closeness of U.S.-British relations.

"It is the moment to take stock of our present friendship, rightly taking pleasure from its strengths while never taking these for granted," she said. "And it is the time to look forward, jointly renewing our commitment to a more prosperous, safer and freer world."

White House spokesman Tony Snow made light of the incident.

"I don't know that a lot of people joke with the Queen but the president did and it worked out just fine," he said.

Bush and his wife, Laura, were to play host to the Queen later at a formal white-tie state dinner at the White House on Monday night.

[oldie]

Not like George to stumble with his oratory expertise

[poochee]

Most-wanted part of $2M estate: the dog
-- The Associated Press
Last Updated 9:04 pm PDT Monday, May 7, 2007


MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) A man who didn't have a will left a $2 million estate, but the most hotly contested item in court has been his golden retriever, Alex.

The four-way dispute over the 13-year-old pet was so intense, an attorney was appointed to represent the dog's interest. On Monday, the judge decided the man's divorced parents should split custody, The Commercial Appeal reported.

Ron Callan Jr., 35, committed suicide on New Year's Day. He had been a partner with his father in Callan Salvage & Appraisal Co., and the father was named the estate's administrator.

In the consent order the judge approved, the elder Callan and his ex-wife, Esther Snow Gnall, will trade custody of Alex every two weeks. Both parents also agreed to take the dog to the veterinarian for arthritis treatments and any other needed procedures.

Before the agreement was reached, the elder Callan had custody and took Alex to work during the day. The father has cats at home, though, so at night, the dog stayed with Callan Jr.'s former girlfriend, who had known Alex since he was a puppy.

The son's fiancee also was interested in Alex, and Gnall had said if she won custody, she would allow the fiancee to spend time with the dog.

Royal, the dog's attorney, said he believes all four people love Alex and would take good care of him, but they were using the fight for the dog to punish each other for past transgressions.

Excerpt from: www.sacbee.com

[franca]

Man Gets Wallet Back From 1946 Hudson

By Associated Press
Updated: 5/8/2007

TWIN FALLS, Idaho

Glenn Goodlove said he was likely smooching with a girl in the expansive back seat of a 1946 Hudson when his wallet slipped from his pants pocket more than five decades ago. The year was 1952.

Goodlove was a sailor home on leave from the U.S. Navy. The Hudson belonged to his grandfather, who lived in Western Washington.

He'd long since forgotten about the lost leather billfold, until last month when he got a phone call from a pair of southern Idaho car collectors who told him they'd found the wallet. Inside were a $10 bill, a $1 silver certificate, military identification, Social Security card and a handwritten Washington state driver's license.

''If it was in my sailor-mentality years, I might have attempted to, as they said in those years, 'make out,''' Goodlove, who now lives in California, told the Twin Falls Times-News, on why the wallet went missing.

Earlier this year, Jon Beck, 61, and Chuck Merrill, 72, both from Twin Falls, took out an ad in the local newspaper looking for a classic car to restore. They were offered the Hudson by a man in nearby Oakley, and in April went to retrieve the car, which had changed hands since it belonged to Goodlove's family and wound up in a dilapidated state in southeastern Idaho.

The Idaho collectors stopped at a restaurant on the way back to Twin Falls and were walking past the Hudson when, ''I saw something about to fall out,'' Merrill said. ''I said, 'That looks like a wallet.'''

Beck said he'd hoped to find $100 bills.

''Like a couple of kids, we thought we had a gold mine,'' he said.

Though the wallet contained just $11, it also had some other documents, including several jewelry receipts from 1952.

After an Internet search, Beck found Goodlove, now 75, at his home in San Diego.

Beck began the telephone conversation by asking for the man who used to drive a '46 Hudson.

''There was a silence for about 15 seconds,'' Beck said. ''Then he said, 'Who is this?'''

Beck and Merrill plan to return the wallet and its contents to Goodlove.

Goodlove said the find from so long ago has conjured up memories.

''They've been flowing ever since he (Beck) talked to me,'' he said. ''It's a miracle.''

[franca]

Tears of Crocodile Hunter's wife

TELLY bosses have apologised after the widow of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin fled from an awards ceremony in tears.

Terri Irwin, 42, broke down when a clip was shown of her emotional interview after Steve, 44, died when he was stabbed through the heart by a bull stingray.

Cameras at the Logies bash in Melbourne, Australia, zeroed in on distressed Mrs Irwin.

The interview won an award for TV journalist Ray Martin and the Channel Nine Network.

Family friend John Stainton said: “It was cruel and disgusting. She was not warned the clip was to be shown.”

[franca]

Microsoft's New Hotmail Goes Live

By Associated Press
Updated: 5/8/2007

REDMOND, Wash.

The latest version of Microsoft Corp.'s free Web-based e-mail is now widely available to the public in 36 languages.

Windows Live Hotmail, which officially became available Monday, sports a new look and features similar to Microsoft's desktop-based Outlook e-mail program, including the ability to drag and drop messages into folders. Microsoft also said it improved the spam and fraud protection features in the online e-mail service.

Microsoft said more than 280 million people worldwide use the old MSN Hotmail service. The company has rebranded a mishmash Web sites and programs using the ''Live'' name, but kept the Hotmail brand in this case to avoid confusing existing users, Microsoft said in a February blog post.

The makeover, which includes 2 gigabytes of data storage and built-in instant messaging, brings Live Hotmail in line with offerings from competitors Yahoo Inc., Time Warner Inc.'s AOL and Google Inc. In the U.S., about 81 million people used Yahoo's e-mail service in April, while nearly 47.5 million used Hotmail or a test version of Windows Live Mail, according to comScore Media Metrix.

The research company said nearly 47.2 million people used AOL during the same period, while Google's Gmail had about 14 million users.

Microsoft also said a mobile version of Live Hotmail is available.

———

On the Net:

http://www.hotmail.com

http://mobile.live.com

[oldie]

36 languages have set an account up in Urdu

[franca]

Originally Posted by oldie

36 languages have set an account up in Urdu

[franca]

HUNT FOR MADDY


THE CCTV SUSPECTS
Vanessa Allen and Martin Fricker in Praia Da Luz 11/05/2007

MISSING Madeleine McCann could have been snatched by two men and a woman in a British car, police believe.

The three suspects were caught on CCTV at a petrol station near Praia da Luz, where the tot vanished last Thursday - raising fears she was kidnapped to order by a gang of perverts.

And a witness last night told detectives he was certain one of the trio was the same man who took photos of his daughter on a nearby beach three days earlier.
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Descriptions of the gang and the car's details were flashed to police around Europe by Interpol.

The lead came as Madeleine's parents Gerry and Kate, both 38, released a new picture of their daughter in an Everton shirt.

A police source said: "This CCTV footage from the garage was fed into the investigation after a worker there expressed suspicions about the way the people were acting.

"We have a witness who claims he recognises those people from an alleged incident a few days earlier.

"The man took a picture of the suspect on his mobile phone, we are looking at that.

"Unfortunately, the lens was partially obscured by his finger, but it could prove useful." The Portuguese witness, who lives in Germany, told officers the suspect fled in a car with another man and a woman after the incident on Sagres beach, 16 miles from Praia da Luz.

Staff at the petrol station called police after a "foreign-looking" blonde in her 40s came in with a child matching Madeleine's description. Witnesses said she tried to make the girl say thank you in Portuguese, but she refused and looked uncomfortable.

The child was not visible on the footage, but the number plate was yellow and black - as in Britain.

Distraught Gerry and Kate, of Rothley, Leics, were taken to police HQ in Portimao and told of the development yesterday. But it is not thought the couple saw the footage.

Catholic Kate later attended an Anglican church vigil in Praia da Luz for Madeleine, who is four tomorrow. She looked gaunt and had to be supported by a friend throughout the emotional service.

Expat Denise Ryans, who left in tears, said: "She was in despair."

Last night Madeleine's grandparents Susan and Brian Healy and 300 friends and relatives packed Our Lady of Compassion Catholic church in Formby, Merseyside, to pray for her. The CCTV footage was from a Galp petrol station on the A22 road out of Praia da Luz which heads east to Spain - two hours drive away. It could be the first positive lead for police hunting Madeleine. The film has been shown to residents in towns on routes from the resort.

Pharmacies have been asked if anyone has bought insect sprays that contain chloroform, which could be used to drug Madeleine.

Two couples, thought to be British and in their 50s, were also driven to police HQ to help detectives.

British police have passed a list of paedophiles to Portuguese officials and have identified two who live in the Algarve.

Crimestoppers has taken hundreds of calls from expats in Portugal and visitors regarding possible perverts in the region.

Leicestershire Police are dealing with the information and passing it on. A spokesman said: "Crimestoppers has passed to us information which they regarded as significant."

Portuguese police are also investigating a report from a witness who saw a blonde woman looking through Madeleine's window at the Mark Warner complex on the night she was taken from her bed while her parents ate in a restaurant nearby.

Other possible sightings include a woman who said she saw a car with three men parked outside the complex.

Police last night wound down the land search for Madeleine. Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa said a 125-mile area had been scoured at least twice.

He added: "The area that they covered until now - and all the places that have been checked - the results are zero."

He confirmed that neither Kate nor Gerry were suspects. After the picture of the youngster in an Everton shirt was released, team captain Phil Neville said: "Fans, along with everyone connected with the football club, are hoping and praying for Madeleine's safe return."

[franca]

CBS to Celebrate Barker's 50 Years on TV

[poochee]

Originally Posted by franca

CBS to Celebrate Barker's 50 Years on TV

[franca]

NBC Keeps 'Law & Order' for 18th Season

[franca]

I'M A SCAPEGOAT
Vanessa Allen in Praia da Luz 16/05/2007

ROBERT Murat last night insisted he was not to blame for Madeleine's abduction, saying he was a scapegoat.

In a telephone interview from a secret location, the suspect said: "This has ruined my life and made things very difficult for my family here and in Britain.

"The only way I will survive this is if they catch Madeleine's abductor.
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"I have been made a scapegoat for something I didn't do."

Murat, 33, also revealed that HE went to the police after spotting a patrol car following him close to Praia da Luz.

Earlier the father of one had told his distraught family: "I'm innocent. I'm totally devastated. I cannot believe the situation I am now in.

"I offered to help the police and now they have turned against me."

His uncle Ralph Eveleigh said Murat had been having dinner with his widowed mother Jenny, 71, on the night Madeleine disappeared.

Mr Eveleigh, who runs the Salsa Lita bed and breakfast in the village of Burgau, near Praia da Luz, said: "I know he can never have been involved in Madeleine's abduction because he is so good-natured. He would not be involved in something like this.

"Jenny has told me he was eating dinner with her that night and she wouldn't lie so he can't be involved. It's ridiculous to blame him."

And Jenny - who owns the villa where Murat was living before being quizzed by police - said: "He believes the police are trying to find an Englishman to blame."

As Murat's family rallied to his defence, Madeleine's parents Gerry and Kate were going through their hardest day since their beloved four-year-old daughter disappeared from their holiday flat 13 days ago.

The little girl's grandmother Susan Healy said the couple were initially "cheered" by what seemed to be a major breakthrough in the heart-rending case.

But as Portuguese police last night said there was not enough evidence to charge Murat, Kate and Gerry, both 38, were cast back into the deepest despair.

Mrs Healy - GP Kate's mother - said last night: "Kate and Gerry were warned by police not to build their hopes up.

"Gerry had contacted me to say a suspect was being questioned but then said, 'Don't read too much into it. There are so many avenues of speculation'."

The McCanns have shown a steely determination to maintain a sense of normality for their other children, two-year-old twins Sean and Amelie.

But Mrs Healy said this latest blow has hit them hard.

"It has been a very distressing time, particularly for Kate. She is very upset and none of us slept last night," she said.

She added that she had not spoken to the couple about whether they knew Murat, who has claimed that he was acting as a translator for the police.

Mrs Healey said: "Kate didn't mention today that she had met this man and I certainly don't recognise him from my time there."

Earlier, as the police continued to search Murat's villa just 100 yards from their flat, the McCanns took their twins to the resort creche, just as they have done every day.

Kate, of Rothley, Leics, clutched a picture of Madeleine and the youngster's favourite pink Cuddle Cat toy. The couple joined other family members, friends and several villagers for Catholic mass.

The 45-minute low-key service in the Nossa Senhora da Luz church was jointly conducted by the priest who baptised Madeleine and the local Portuguese priest.

Father Paul Seddon, who has flown out from Britain to support the family, prayed for the police and rescue teams, and asked for them to be blessed. He also prayed for hope to be in the hearts of those present, and thanked the public in the UK and Portugal for supporting the McCanns.

The couple left the church hand in hand and walked back to their apartment accompanied by Rev Seddon.

They did not make any comments about today's developments on Murat.

The suspect - who has a four-year-old daughter who is said to look very similar to Madeleine - was at a secret location last night after being released by police.

Although he is free to come and go, police can call him back for further questioning.

Chief Inspector Olegario Sousa - in charge of the investigation - said: "We are not saying we have no evidence, we are just saying we don't have enough evidence.""

Asked if he could rule out further action against the suspect, he added: "The investigation goes on, let's wait calm and let's hope we can go further in the investigation."

Murat was first reported to the police by a Sunday Mirror journalist who was suspicious of his interest in the investigation.

Yesterday his cousin Sally Eveleigh, who runs a B&B in nearby Lagos, said he was "totally devastated" at being named as the main suspect in the case.

She said: "Robert is shattered by this. He feels his life has been ruined forever.

"He feels he entered in the search for Madeleine to try to help and now police have turned against him.

"He offered his help as a translator to police and Madeleine's parents through pure goodwill. Now this has all been turned against him and he is devastated. He cannot believe the situation he is now in."

A close friend said last night: "Robert is crazy about his daughter. He's a very proud father. He was very upset that he didn't see her because he lives here. To me this is not him."

Last night a spokesman for the Murat family said they were "elated" that he had been released and claimed police had no evidence.

The spokesman added: "They've got nothing on him, they are just keeping their options open."

[franca]

Judge: What is a website?

By TOM WELLS
May 17, 2007

A JUDGE stunned a court yesterday by admitting he did not know what a WEBSITE was.

Judge Peter Openshaw brought a shuddering halt to the trial of three men accused of internet terror offences as a witness was being quizzed about an extremist web forum.

He told shocked prosecutors at Woolwich Crown Court, South East London: “The trouble is I don’t understand the language. I don’t really understand what a website is.”

Prosecutor Mark Ellison then tried to help the judge by explaining. But confused Judge Openshaw, 59, said: “I haven’t quite grasped the concepts.”

Later he said he hoped a computer expert would give “simple” evidence when called to the stand — because otherwise he would not understand it.

Judge Openshaw said: “Will you ask him to keep it simple? We’ve got to start from basics.”

The bizarre exchange came during the trial of Younes Tsouli, 23, Waseem Mughal, 24, and Tariq al-Daour, 21.

Each denies a string of charges under the Terrorism Act, including inciting another person to commit an act of terrorism “wholly or partly” outside Britain.

Tsouli and Mughal also deny conspiracy to murder.

Al-Daour has pleaded not guilty to conspiring with others to defraud banks, credit card and charge card companies.

Prosecutors told the jury the men kept car bomb manuals and videos of how to wire suicide bomb vests. They are also accused of helping to promote global jihad. Trial continues.

[Blackmirror]

Originally Posted by franca

Judge: What is a website?

By TOM WELLS
May 17, 2007

A JUDGE stunned a court yesterday by admitting he did not know what a WEBSITE was.

Judge Peter Openshaw brought a shuddering halt to the trial of three men accused of internet terror offences as a witness was being quizzed about an extremist web forum.

He told shocked prosecutors at Woolwich Crown Court, South East London: “The trouble is I don’t understand the language. I don’t really understand what a website is.”

Prosecutor Mark Ellison then tried to help the judge by explaining. But confused Judge Openshaw, 59, said: “I haven’t quite grasped the concepts.”

Later he said he hoped a computer expert would give “simple” evidence when called to the stand — because otherwise he would not understand it.

Judge Openshaw said: “Will you ask him to keep it simple? We’ve got to start from basics.”

The bizarre exchange came during the trial of Younes Tsouli, 23, Waseem Mughal, 24, and Tariq al-Daour, 21.

Each denies a string of charges under the Terrorism Act, including inciting another person to commit an act of terrorism “wholly or partly” outside Britain.

Tsouli and Mughal also deny conspiracy to murder.

Al-Daour has pleaded not guilty to conspiring with others to defraud banks, credit card and charge card companies.

Prosecutors told the jury the men kept car bomb manuals and videos of how to wire suicide bomb vests. They are also accused of helping to promote global jihad. Trial continues.

What is a website Frank ????