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U.S. Senate passes immigration reform bill The U.S. Senate today approved a comprehensive immigration reform bill Thursday by a vote of 62-36. Left parties: Don't let U.S meddle in India's internal affairs The Central Government has been asked by the CPI to clarify to the U.S embassy that Washington's involvement in tackling India's Naxalism problem is not welcome.

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Amnesty Report 2006: disadvantaged pay price of war on terror The human rights organisation Amnesty International descibed 2005 as a year of contradictions with signs of hope for human rights being undermined through "deception and failed promises" of "arrogant" governments. Human rights is claimed being sacrificed in the name of the 'war on terror'.

Wikipedia Current Events
In Berlin, Germany, Europe's largest train station, Berlin Hauptbahnhof, is opened by Chancellor Angela Merkel, Deutsche Bahn Chairman Hartmut Mehdorn and Günther Verheugen (Industrial Commissioner of the EU). The station is the hub from Stockholm to Rome and from Paris to Moscow. 1,200 trains will depart and arrive every day. The station is expected to have cost €800 million. Mahmoud Majzoub, a leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, is killed in a car-bombing along with his brother, Nidal. The United States Capitol building complex in Washington, D.C. is locked down after reports of what sounded like gunfire reached US Capitol police. The Senate was in session as a report of at least one person seeing a gunman in the Rayburn House Office Building gym was issued. Police say that the sound was likely that of a pneumatic hammer and that the 'gunman' may have been a plainclothes police officer. The United States Senate was in session, when gunfire was reported, as Michael V. Hayden, who had been nominated to be director of the CIA, and Brett M. Kavanaugh, who had been nominated to be a United States court of appeals judge for the DC circuit, were both confirmed. The United States Senate also confirmed Dirk Kempthorne as the new United States Secretary of the Interior by voice vote. The previous Secretary, Gale Norton, had resigned. Lynn Scarlett had been serving as Acting Secretary until a nominee could be confirmed.

Amnesty Report 2006: disadvantaged pay price of war on terror
The human rights watchdog NGO, Amnesty International, described 2005 as a year of contradictions with signs of hope for human rights being undermined through "deception and failed promises" of "arrogant" governments. Amnesty International issues annual reports on the development of human rights issues, with detailed reports on the situation in every individual country.

At the launch of its 2006 International Report, the Secretary General for Amnesty International (AI), Irene Khan, said that a number of governments have "paralyzed international institutions and squandered public resources in pursuit of narrow security interests, sacrificed principles in the name of the 'war on terror' and turned a blind eye to massive human rights violations. As a result, the world has paid a heavy price, in terms of erosion of fundamental principles and in the enormous damage done to the lives and livelihoods of ordinary people".

According to the release report, Iraq sank into a "vortex of sectarian violence in 2005." Secretary General Khan warned: "When the powerful are too arrogant to review and reassess their strategies, the heaviest price is paid by the poor and powerless – in this case, ordinary Iraqi women, men and children." A 2004 Lancet study estimates that 100,000 excess deaths have occurred with roughly three times as many injured since the US-led invasion in 2003.

Continuing her criticism of international bodies, Ms Khan stated that "Intermittent attention and feeble action by the United Nations and the African Union fell pathetically short of what was needed in Darfur," referring to the conflict that a number of reports estimate has killed over 300,000 people.

Torture

The Amnesty International annual report claims that European governments have been "partners in crime with the United States," by defying the absolute ban on torture through the alleged use of extraordinary rendition.

The United Kingdom pursued "diplomatic assurances" to deport people to countries where they face torture. "Just as we must condemn terrorist attacks on civilians in the strongest possible terms, we must resist claims by governments that terror can be fought with torture. Such claims are misleading, dangerous and wrong - you cannot extinguish a fire with petrol," said Ms Khan. "Powerful governments are playing a dangerous game with human rights. The score card of prolonged conflicts and mounting human rights abuses is there for all to see ... the ‘war on terror’ is failing and will continue to fail until human rights and human security are given precedence over narrow national security interests," said Ms Khan.

Amnesty Key Demands

Amnesty International list their key demands in 2006: to address the conflict and end human rights abuses in Darfur; to negotiate for an Arms Trade Treaty to govern the trade of small arms so that they cannot be used to commit human rights abuses; that the US Administration close Guantánamo Bay detention camp, and disclose the names and locations of all ‘war on terror’ prisoners elsewhere; and to insist on equal standards of respect of human rights from all governments, whether in Darfur or Guantánamo, Chechnya or China.

"The political and moral authority of governments will be increasingly judged on their stand on human rights at home and abroad. More than ever the world needs those countries with power and international influence... to behave with responsibility and respect for human rights. Governments must stop playing games with human rights," declared Ms Khan.

Shots fired on Capitol Hill
Reports of gunfire in the Rayburn House Office Building parking level in Washington D.C. at approximately 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 UTC) led to a lock down of the United States Capitol. Senate Sergeant at Arms Bill Pickle announced there were no injuries. FOX News reports a man with a gun was apprehended by Capitol police, but no confirmation has yet been made.

"We have been told by staff of shots fired and the smell of smoke in the lobby of the Rayburn House building," said Mr Pickle. In a later statement he said "Police responded to the area where they believed the shots came from and smelled what seemed to be gunpowder."

The Senate was in session when the lockdown occurred, but the House of Representatives was not. Many members of congress have already departed in advance of the long Memorial Day holiday in the US.

Initial uncomfirmed reports mention two women running out of the gymnasium, reporting a white man with a gun.

BBC News initally reported some witness as saying it may have been a car backfiring. The Associated Press and FOX News also reported speculation about fireworks or the gunfire may have come from an indoor shooting range located in the basement of the Rayburn building. Bill Pickle was also later quoted as saying "There could have been something like fireworks, any kind of a prankster." MSNBC said it may have been noise from a maintence man working on an elevator shaft near the area where the shots were heard.

Police evacuated portions of Capitol Hill and told staff members to lock their office doors and "stay inside" as police searched the Rayburn Building floor by floor. At 3:15 p.m., CNN reported that Capitol Police declared an "all clear" and allowed employees and others inside the Rayburn Building to leave.

"We have not gotten any reports of anybody being captured, anybody being arrested. We have not identified anybody who may have a weapon on them at this time. Right now we want to err on the side of caution. Lives could be at risk. If we have a gunman in the building we certainly want to find him," said Capitol Hill Police spokeswoman, Kimberly Schneider.

The Rayburn House Office Building contains offices of 169 Representatives. The shooting range is for police officers.

Warnings and announcements

The Drudge Report has covered messages capitol complex employees received via their BlackBerries shortly after the incident occurred:

This is a message from the U.S. Capitol Police

1. If you are in the Rayburn HOB then Shelter in Place. Quickly move into the nearest interior office space or interior hallway and away from windows. The Capitol Police are investigating reports of gunfire in the Rayburn HOB.

2. If nearby, grab Go-Kits and personal belongings.

3. Close doors behind you, but do not lock.

4. Remain calm.

5. Await further instructions. Do not leave the building

At 12:20 p.m. EDT, Capitol complex employees received a second BlackBerry message from Capitol police:

The Capitol Police continue to investigate the report of gunfire in the Rayburn HOB.

1. If you have not done so, lock your office doors.

2. The Capitol Police will soon commence a search of the Rayburn HOB floor by floor.

3. During the search, the police officers will knock 3 times on each office door, announce "United States Capitol Police", knock 3 additional times, and then voice the code word "(omitted)".

4. Open your office doors for the police and cooperate with all police instructions.

5. All occupants should remain in their offices until the Capitol Police announce that it is safe to exit.

6. If there are special concerns about the identity of the person knocking on your door and you need to verify their identity, call (omitted).

Press Conference

Sergeant Kimberly Schneider, public information officer of the U.S. Capitol Police, reported the following during a noon press conference:

10:30 a.m. EDT - shots fired inside Rayburn House Office Building garage.

Searches for suspects and victims have been confined to the Rayburn building.

Staffers have been instructed to remain in their offices.

U.S. Capitol police report no injuries at the time of the conference.

FBI Anti-Terrorism Task Force has been activated and is involved, along with several additional law enforcement agencies.

The firing range in the basement of Rayburn is used by law enforcement; details concerning the size and usage were not disclosed.

The Capitol Complex is open; access tunnels within the complex were open as of approximately 11:55 a.m. EDT.

An additional news conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. EDT.

Injuries

As of 1:20 local time, there were only two injuries: a woman who was shaken up and a policeman who twisted his ankle.

US marines may face death penalty for "massacre" of civilians in Iraq
than 20 civilians in Iraq were a war crime. According to NYT source a group of US Marines "carried out extensive, unprovoked killings of civilians" and the killings were "methodical in nature."

The Naval Criminal Investigative Service is expected to call for criminal charges, including murder, negligent homicide, dereliction of duty and filing a false report. Lawyers involved in discussion thought it could lead to charges of murder, an offense carrying the death penalty.

The incident happened in the Iraqi town of Haditha on November 19, 2005, after an attack on a convoy when one US marine was killed. According to NYT source evidence indicates sustained operation by marines that lasted three to five hours. Civilians, including women and children were killed inside two or more homes, as well as five men standing near a taxi at a checkpoint. Military Officials initially indicated that 15 Iraqi civilians had died when gunmen attacked a convoy with a roadside bomb and small arms fire, prompting the Marines to return fire.

On Thursday, General Hagee, the commandant of the Marine Corps said without referring to any specific incident "Recent serious allegations concerning actions of marines in combat have caused me concern" in a speech emphasizing the rules of lawful combat.

John Kline, a Representative from Minnesota (R) and retired Marine colonel said about the allegations "this was not an accident. This was direct fire by marines at civilians". He continued "This was not an immediate response to an attack. This would be an atrocity".

John Sifton of Human Rights Watch, said "If the accounts as they have been alleged are true, the Haditha incident is likely the most serious war crime that has been reported in Iraq since the beginning of the war". He continued "Here we have two dozen civilians being killed — apparently intentionally. This isn't a gray area. This is a massacre".

The US Marines are from Camp Pendleton, located in southern California. Three Marine officers, the battalion commander and two company commanders who were stationed in Haditha at the time have been relieved of duty, although statements by military officials have not linked the action to the incident.

Symantec AntiVirus vulnerability found
Vulnerability allegedly affecting at least two versions of Symantec AntiVirus software has been found. The vulnerability requires no interaction from the end-user, and has the potential to grant complete system level access to an attacker, according to eEye Digital Security, the organization that originally discovered the vulnerability.

According to eEye, the Symantec Antivirus 10.x and Symantec Client Security 3.x product lines are both vulnerable, and other Symantec products may be vulnerable as well.

Symantec released a brief statement early today, in which they confirmed that they have received a report pertaining to a "potential remotely exploitable vulnerability," but that it affected only Antivirus Corporate Edition 10.x. The company denies that any of its 'Norton' line of consumer-grade products are affected.

Left parties: Don't let U.S meddle in India's internal affairs
The Congress-Left coalition government at the Centre was asked by the Communist Party of India to advise the government of the state of Chattisgarh not to accept any offer by the U.S.A to help combat Naxalism in the area. The CPI also expressed concern at the fact that a foreign country was being allowed to interfere in India's internal affairs.

Communist Party of India Election Symbol

The U.S embassy in India had earlier offered to help train local law-enforcement authorities in Chattisgarh and to remove thousands of land mines planted by Naxals in the area. Reports stated that America's offer had been "welcomed" by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in the state. This is the first time another nation has offered to help India tackle Naxalism in the latter country.

The Communist Party of India's Politburo reacted sharply to the offer, and condemned the Chattisgrah government for allowing foreign interference in India's affairs without the prior consent of the Centre. The CPI also asked the Central Government to clarify to the U.S Embassy that Washington's involvement in India's internal affairs was not welcome. CPI leaders A. B Bardhan and Shamim Faizi said such meddling was not new for the US, and recalled US Ambassador David Mulford's letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee criticising the latter's remarks against the American interference in India's internal matters. The CPI had recently critised the Centre for voting against Iran at the IAEA.

Chattisgarh is one of at least 13 Indian states combating Naxals and Maosists who claim they are fighting for the rights of the impoverished peasants in the region. Thousands have died over three decades of violence, and the last 17 months have seen a rise in the number of attacks. The Indian Army released a report earlier this year that showed that by 2010, 30% of India's land area could become part of the "Red-Corridor", which currently stretches from the Indo-Nepal border all the way down to the Southern State of Andhra Pradesh. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh stated last month that Naxals were a big threat to India's internal security.

Sculptor to teach animation maquettes at VAB Creative Studio
Brampton, ON – On Wednesday, May 31 at 6:30 p.m., sculptor Alvaro Cervantes will host a meet and greet at the Visual Arts Brampton Creative Studio. Cervantes will be showing his precise sculptures to guests, and promoting his upcoming multi-week workshop at the studio. The course is open to students who love cartoon, no matter their skill levels or experience sculpting.

"We're extremely pleased to present such a unique course at VAB," group president Keith Moreau commented. "Alvaro is a master of his craft, and students are sure to benefit immensely from the experience."

Alvaro has specialized in maquettes for 16 years, creating sculptures used by companies including Disney, Pixar, and Marvel Comics. His works have served as reference for animators, and as prototypes for toys. Some of his most recent work is for the Disney-Pixar film Cars, which will was released today in theatres. Cervantes has taught the workshop at Oakville's Sheridan College, home of a world-renowned Animation BA program.

The meet-and-greet is free for everyone. The timing and price of the course will be established by Wednesday.

The Visual Arts Brampton Creative Studio is located in the Bartley's Square Mall, at the corner of Hurontario and Steeles Avenue. The studio is the only suite in the lower level, and is accessible through a glassed in lobby.

Science minister visits Australia's newest nuclear reactor, receives nuclear power report
Australian Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop visited the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation in Lucas Heights, New South Wales today. The purpose of her visit was to inspect progress on Australia's newest nuclear research reactor - OPAL. Whilst at the facility, she received a report on the economics and safety of a nuclear power industry in Australia.

OPAL, which stands for Open Pool Australian Light water reactor is expected to become fully operational by early 2007 and is in its final stage of development.

The reactor, which will replace Australia's sole nuclear reactor - HIFAR will be used to research microbiology, biotechnology and gene therapy in addition to the production of agents used in nuclear medicine.

The report presented to Ms Bishop at ANSTO was written by Professor John Gittus and discussed the economics and safety of nuclear energy in Australia.

The major conclusion of the study was that new generation nuclear power plants would be as competitive as newer types of coal power plants in Australia. The report also found that nuclear energy is "the safest, most secure way of generating electricity with greater price stability in comparison to gas or coal power generation" according to Ms Bishop.

Prof Gittus' report found that when the cost of environmental damage and carbon dioxide emissions from coal or gas fired power stations were considered, nuclear power becomes more attractive.

Speaking on the report, Ms Bishop said she wishes for an evidence-based debate about nuclear energy in Australia. “I welcome this report as a useful contribution to what I hope will be an evidence-based debate about nuclear power in Australia. The debate must focus on the facts and not be biased by emotion.” she said.

BitTorrent index sues MPAA
The popular BitTorrent index site TorrentSpy has filed a federal lawsuit against the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), alleging that the organization hired a hacker to break into TorrentSpy's servers and steal private information.

The lawsuit, filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California by Torrentspy's parent company Valence Media and various employees, charges the MPAA with conspiracy, unlawful business practices, misappropriation of trade secrets and violations of the California Invasion of Privacy Act and the Electronic Communications Privacy Act of 1985.

According to the lawsuit, MPAA employee Dean Garfield paid a hacker US$15,000 to steal email correspondence and other sensitive information allegedly telling him that they "don't care how you get it".

In June of 2005, TorrentSpy alleges, the hacker then broke into the servers, obtaining private emails, invoices, billing information and an Excel spreadsheet detailing TorrentSpy's income and expenses.

In an interview with CNET, Kori Bernards, the vice-president of the MPAA, called the allegations "false" and implied that TorrentSpy might be trying to deflect attention from the MPAA's own lawsuits against the site.

U.S. Senate passes immigration reform bill
The U.S. Senate today approved a comprehensive immigration reform bill Thursday by a vote of 62-36. Among other provisions, the bill seeks to bolster security along the U.S.-Mexican border, create a guest worker program, and grant many illegal immigrants a path to citizenship, all positions supported by the Bush administration.

The bill passed today by Senate is in stark contrast to the version passed by the House of Representatives in December 2005, which provides for no guest worker program and makes illegal immigration a felony.

In a statement, President Bush said, "I look forward to working together with both the House of Representatives and the Senate to produce a bill for me to sign into law."

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist called for swift talks with the House to create a compromise measure. Frist, who had earlier supported the House version of the bill, voted in favor of the bill passed today. He expects that "the most contentious part" of the bill would be how to handle the status of illegal immigrants already in the United States.

While Democratic senators were mostly united in support of the bill (38-4 in favor), Republican support was divided (32-23 against). Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Alabama, said, "The vast majority of the 11 million or so people here will be given every benefit this nation can bestow as a product of their illegality. I don't think that's a good principle."

House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, acknowledged the difficulty in reaching a compromise, but expressed optimism that an agreement could be reached. "I'm hopeful that we will come to a resolution and pass a bill," he said.

Melbourne - Adelaide train services disrupted into next week following fatal crash
Rail services between Melbourne and Adelaide are expected to be disrupted until early next week following a fatal crash between a truck and freight train in Lismore, Victoria 170 Km (105 miles) South-West of Melbourne.

The B-Double truck hit the side of a 1,375 metre long freight train at a level crossing at 7:13 a.m. AEST on Thursday in heavy fog, derailing two locomotives and 44 goods wagons. Victorian police said that the truck had been wedged beneath the wreckage of the train.

The driver of the truck, thought to be a 34-year-old man from Wedderburn in Victoria's North-West died in the crash. The train driver and an observer escaped uninjured. Police said it could take a number of days to retrieve the truck driver's body. "It could possibly take days to retrieve the body" a Victorian police spokesperson said.

Great Southern Railways, which operates "The Overland" passenger train service between Melbourne and Adelaide said it expected rail services to be disrupted up until early next week. The company will transfer passengers to bus services or allow them to claim a full refund.

The crash will also disrupt freight services between Melbourne and Adelaide.

Local residents and the Victorian opposition are blaming the crash on the level crossing itself, which has no booms, lights or bells.

Rob Dennis, a local resident said the level crossing is the cause of the crash, as it is not fitted with boomgates or flashing lights.

"And it's a blind turn for anything in a large vehicle," he said.

Terry Mulder, the opposition's transport spokesperson said the Bracks Government should have spent part of the $750 million allocated to fast rail projects to upgrading level crossings in Victoria.

"The State Labor Government has wasted $750 million on fast rail projects," Mr Mulder said.

Mr Mulder said that Victoria has 2,274 level crossings, 1,468 which have no warning systems in place.

Hundred million dollar New Zealand drug bust
New Zealand police officers and customs officials working with Hong Kong authorities have seized methamphetamine with a street value of $135 million dollars (NZD).

The drugs were found in a container from China, among bags of cement.

There were 96 1-kg bags of crystal methamphetamine, or P, worth $1 million each and 150kg of pseudoephedrine, the main ingredient in the making of P, worth $40 million.

"It's a group that's operating offshore that's sending produce to New Zealand and possibly to other places." Police Detective Inspector, Bruce Good said. The inquiry team also found loaded guns, fake passports and $50,000 in cash while searching an Auckland home. Weapons discovered included a M16 assault rifle, three handguns and a tiny pen gun, which is banned in New Zealand.

Six people have been charged and are in custody, two New Zealander's, one person from Hong Kong and three from China.

This is 10 times bigger than any other drug bust in New Zealand reports Detective Superintendent, Nick Perry. The previous largest confiscation of crystal methamphetamine was just over 8 kg, which was discovered in Wellington after being smuggled into New Zealand from the Port of Auckland.

Trains grind to a halt in Northeast US
From Washington D.C. to New York City, trains powered by overhead electric lines stalled for more than two hours due to what Amtrak called a "major power outage." While working to restore power, Amtrak attempted to provide alternative transportation in the form of diesel locomotives and buses. Power was restored at 10:30 a.m. EDT. Delays continued for much of the day.

Besides long-distance rail services such as Acela, local commuter trains were affected. Seven SEPTA lines in the Philadelphia area were temporarily shut down, and five more ran shortened routes. Also affected was Maryland's MARC and New Jersey Transit.

No specific cause has been reported, but Amtrak's site indicates that they are investigating.

Today in History
1328 - Philip VI of France was crowned at Notre-Dame de Reims, beginning the Valois Dynasty.

1860 - Italian unification: Giuseppe Garibaldi and his Redshirts launched their attack on Palermo, capital of the Two Sicilies.

1919 - The flying boat NC-4 arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, becoming the first aircraft to complete a transatlantic flight.

1937 - The Golden Gate Bridge, a suspension bridge spanning the Golden Gate in California, was opened.

1942 - Operation Anthropoid: Czech resistance fighters in Nazi-occupied Prague ambushed and mortally wounded Reinhard Heydrich, the chief of Reich Security Main Office and the Protector of Bohemia and Moravia.

May 27 is Children's Day in Nigeria

Quote of the Day

"Don't start an argument with somebody who has a microphone when you don't. They'll make you look like chopped liver." ~ Harlan Ellison

Word of the Day

hiatus; n

Definition

A break or pause.

A gap in a series, making it incomplete.

(linguistics) A pause between identical vowels in a word.

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