London talks prepare ground for post-Gaddafi Libya
(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)
London talks prepare ground for post-Gaddafi Libya
(Reuters) – More than 40 governments and international organisations meet on Tuesday to try to lay the groundwork for a Libya without leader Muammar Gaddafi.
As coalition forces pound Gaddafi’s tanks and artillery, the London conference will discuss stepping up humanitarian aid to war-torn areas and call for a political process to enable Libyans to choose their own future, British officials say.
British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, who led the drive for a muscular intervention in the Libyan conflict, called on Monday for Gaddafi to go and for his followers to abandon him before it was “too late”.
“We call on all Libyans who believe that Gaddafi is leading Libya into a disaster to take the initiative now to organise a transition process,” they said in a joint statement.
The London meeting is expected to set up a high-level steering group, including Arab states, to provide political guidance for the international response to the Libya crisis and coordinate long-term support to Libyans.
Agreement on NATO taking full control of military operations over Libya was delayed by Turkish concerns about civilian casualties. Turkey has said it wants to be part of the political steering group.
Gold hits new record
(Beijing Today website’s blog section does not represent any view of Beijing Today or its reporter. Anyone interested about the story can find the original text from the link above the article. The Blogger column aims to introducing foreign media’s interesting stories and expat blogs in China to more Chinese readers, as 50 percent of Beijing Today readership remain young Chinese who have experience of living abroad, white colors or school students. Authors who does not want his or her story linked at Beijing Today’s website, please email to info@beijingtoday.com.cn to take down the stories.)
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20110302/tts-commodities-gold-price-record-c1b2fc3.html
Gold hits new record
(AFP) – – Gold struck a new record high at $1,434.50 an ounce Tuesday as worries spread that the surging price of oil could fuel inflation and dampen economic growth.
The price on the London Bullion Market jumped more than $14 an ounce from Monday to top last December’s record of $1,431.25, before falling off to below $1,434 after 2200 GMT.
On the New York Comex exchange, the price topped out at $1,434.40, a record for that market, before pulling back slightly.
The jump came after oil prices rose again on Libyan unrest and US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke warned that a sustained rise in oil prices could potentially threaten US economic growth and spark dangerous broader price rises.
“Sustained rises in the prices of oil and other commodities would represent a threat both to economic growth and to overall price stability,” the US central bank chief said in testimony to Congress Tuesday.
“As we’re coming into the first day of the month, we see (asset) reallocation into gold and silver markets,” said Rich Ilczyszyn of Lind-Waldock.
“Ultimately this is part of the contagion issue in the Middle East.”
Why Guy Walters is wrong about dangerous dogs
Belgian mastiffs were bred 'from scratch' in the 1980s (Photo: PA)
After a woman was killed by a Belgian Mastiff dog in London three days ago, Guy Walters wrote a blog in which he called for the government to “ban the types of dogs that have a propensity for killing people”. I’m not sure how much Guy knows about the history of dog control in the UK, but this is precisely what the government tried to do with the Dangerous Dogs Act in 1993. As the overwhelming majority of comments to Guy’s blog have pointed out, breed-specific bans don’t work. This latest tragedy offers a perfect demonstration of why such bans are pointless.
When “dangerous breeds” are banned, the response of those who desire to have large muscular dogs that look intimidating is predictable: they seek out a similar type of dog that is not on the list of dangerous breeds. They may choose cross-bred dogs, or they may find a “new” breed that’s not listed. The BBC news report claims that the Belgian Mastiff became “extinct” after the Second World War, and it was “recreated” in the 1980s. When any breed is banned, those determined to keep a particular type of animal simply move on to another “breed” with similar characteristics. The latest “dog attack” episode clearly shows the utter uselessness of breed specific legislation.
Meanwhile, thousands of calm obedient family dogs that happen to belong to “dangerous breeds” are targeted by police because of their genetic heritage. This is equally wrong.
Cycling while pregnant keeps you fit and prepares your body for the uphill struggle of childbirth
Sam Hadad even pregnant still rides her bike. Photograph: Factory Media
When I first emailed colleagues to let them know I was pregnant among the congratulations and “That’ll cause a dip in the Smirnoff share price”-type chortle came this unexpected note from our receptionist, “You’re not still cycling to work are you? Is that safe?”
The truth was I didn’t know. As an avid cyclist, with a firm belief that riding to and from work makes living in London not just bearable but actually quite pleasurable, it was one of the first things I’d Googled after the test shone positive. Yet the advice was conflicting. Everyone agreed on the physical and psychological benefits of moderate, low-impact exercise during a low-risk pregnancy, and the NHS advises women to “keep up your normal daily physical activity or exercise for as long as you feel comfortable”. But it also warns against cycling “because there’s a risk of falling”. A sentiment echoed by parenting sites, such as the NCT and BabyCentre, the latter warning against all but riding an exercise bike as “even if you’re an experienced cyclist, there’s a danger you’ll fall or be knocked off your bike.”
Really? Granted some accidents will be tragically unavoidable, but isn’t that the case when you cross a road or get into your car?
Thankfully the CTC – the national cyclists’ organisation – was on hand with positive advice and useful tips from raising your handlebars and fitting lower gears to the more spirited “cut down on those off-road descents and don’t race-train in a pack”. They also tell you to consult your doctor first, which I did. She saw no reason why I shouldn’t cycle as long as I took it easy and listened to my body. At three months in, my body was feeling good, with the only sniff of morning sickness coming on the rare mornings when I took the train and bus to work, which also doubled my journey time.
Simon Singh libel case dropped
Simon Singh smiles outside the high court in London after winning his appeal earlier this month. Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA
(Guradian)-The British Chiropractic Association dropped its libel action against the science writer Simon Singh today, filing a notice of discontinuation in the high court.
The case had become a cause celebre, with scientists, celebrities and freedom of speech campaigners lining up to condemn the British libel laws and argue that Singh had a right to express his opinion in print.
The sudden end to the case will strengthen the campaign for reform of the libel laws, which Jack Straw, the justice secretary, is considering. It is also a specific pledge in the Liberal Democrat manifesto.
Singh was sued by the BCA for a piece he wrote in the Guardian’s comment pages, criticising the association for defending chiropractors who use treatments for which there is little evidence on children with conditions such as colic and asthma.
Singh and his supporters were dismayed by an early verdict by Mr Justice Eady on the meaning of the words used in the article. The judge ruled that Singh was stating facts, which he would have to prove in his defence, rather than voicing opinion and that he had implied the members of the BCA knowingly promoted what Singh called “bogus treatments”.
The Queen find the Tube more reliable than her Bentley
The Queen is presented with a Buckingham Palace tube station sign during a visit to Aldgate Underground Station. Photo: Jeremy Selwyn
(Telegraph)-After leaving Aldgate station, one of several stops on a royal tour of the City of London, Her Majesty’s official car broke down, forcing her to hitch a ride with a police officer.
The vintage Bentley, a gift to the Queen to mark her golden jubilee in 2002, failed to start as she sat in the back seat outside the City skyscraper known as teh Gherkin.
After a frustrating few minutes in which the driver turned the ignition key repeatedly to no avail, the Queen climbed out of the car and was directed to a police escort Range Rover, which drove her on to Tower Bridge, the final stop on her tour.
An onlooker who saw the episode said: “It was all a bit awkward.
“The Queen looked a bit stunned that the car wasn’t working. She got out and an aide told her she was going to have use a police Range Rover. She just hopped in the back and continued on her journey.”
Earlier, the Queen had been delighted to receive a personalised “Buckingham Palace” Tube station sign during her visit to Aldgate — the scene of one of the July 7 bombings.
Howard Collins, London Underground’s chief operating officer, said: “The Queen thought it was marvellous. She said, ‘What a fantastic gift.’ There was a big smile on her face.
Britain the best? Chinese ambassador not so sure
(AFP) – – China’s outgoing ambassador to London criticised what she portrayed as British arrogance after being questioned about Google’s threat to pull out of her country in a BBC interview on Tuesday.
Fu Ying also insisted relations between Beijing and London had not been strained by the execution last month of British national Akmal Shaikh, whose supporters said was mentally ill, for drug smuggling.
The ambassador — who is returning to Beijing to become a vice foreign minister — said she thought there “must have been a lot of things” behind the US search engine’s announcement, following claims it had been attacked by Chinese-based hackers.
“That’s one of the frustrations I have in my three years in this country — for you, you have this habit of believing you have the best system, the best things in the world and everybody to copy,” she added on BBC radio.
“You want the Westminster roof to be put on the house of every country. But it doesn’t work. Every country should build its own house and choose the best roof for itself”.
She also said of Shaikh’s execution: “Between countries there are always differences… this shows our relationship is strong enough to handle differences and I don’t think there’s any serious damage”.
http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20100127/tap-china-us-it-internet-google-britain-8d4ea94.html
China executes British citizen for drug smuggling
(CNN) — The British government condemned China’s execution of a British national Tuesday on drug smuggling charges.
“I … am appalled and disappointed that our persistent requests for clemency have not been granted,” Prime Minister Gordon Brown said. “I am particularly concerned that no mental health assessment was undertaken.”
Akmal Shaikh was convicted of carrying up to 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds) of heroin at the Urumqi Airport in September 2007. According to Chinese law, 50 grams (1.76 ounces) is the threshold for the death penalty.
China defended the execution in a statement issued by the Chinese Embassy in London.
“Drug trafficking is a grave crime worldwide,” the statement said. “The concerns of the British side have been duly noted and taken into consideration by the Chinese judicial authorities in the legal process, and Mr. Shaikh’s rights and interests under Chinese law are properly respected and guaranteed.”
European executed in China in 50 years, according to the British legal group Reprieve.
“We are deeply saddened, stunned and disappointed at the news of the execution of our beloved cousin, Akmal,” Soohail and Nasir Shaikh said in a statement issued on behalf of the family. “This was carried out this morning despite repeated requests for clemency and a proper appraisal of Akmal’s mental state.”
His family and the British government had asked Chinese leaders for clemency. His supporters argued that Shaikh was mentally ill, and that Chinese officials did not take his mental condition into account when trying him. Shaikh’s advocates say he suffered from a bipolar disorder and that he was tricked into carrying heroin into China with promises of a career as a pop singer.
Brown raised Shaikh’s case with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao during the international climate summit in Denmark earlier this month.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband echoed Gordon’s concerns about the execution.
“The UK is completely opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances,” Miliband said. “However, I also deeply regret the fact that our specific concerns about the individual in this case were not taken into consideration. … These included mental health issues, and inadequate professional interpretation during the trial.”
Sally Rowen, legal director with Reprieve, condemned the execution.
“The death of Akmal Shaikh is a sad indictment of today’s world, and particularly of China’s legal system,” she said. “Akmal was a gentle man who suffered from a tormenting illness … and was betrayed and deliberately killed by one of the most powerful nations on Earth.”
Before the execution, Philip Alston, the U.N. special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, said it would be a “major step backwards for China” to execute a mentally ill man.
“Both Chinese and international law clearly indicate that a person who committed a crime while suffering from significant mental illness should not be subjected to the death penalty,” Alston said in a statement released by Reprieve.
China expressed hope that the case would not affect the relationship between the two nations.
“We value the China-British relationship,” said Jiang Yu, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman. “So we hope the British authority can treat this matter rationally and not let it create new barrier between the two countries. I have emphasized that this is an independent criminal case. It has nothing to do with anything else.”
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/12/28/china.britain.smuggler/index.html
