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Douala airport official: Signs of missing Kenya Airways plane found The chief meteorologist for the airport in Douala, Cameroon, Thomas Sobakam says that "signs" of Flight KQ 507 have been located, but also said that what was located was not wreckage. Sabakam also said that the reports that wreckage had been found were "pre mature." Sarkozy wins 2007 French Presidential election Nicolas Sarkozy has been elected as the 23rd President of the French Republic with 53% of the vote. His rival, Ségolène Royal, was defeated with 47% of the vote.

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New Zealand dog saves five children; receives international attention A small, "nicely trained" Jack Russell Terrier gave his life to help save a group of five children from two aggressive pitbulls last Sunday in Manaia, Taranaki, New Zealand.

Wikipedia Current Events
Palestinian extremists bomb Gaza elementary school in continuing Palestinian civil war. At least 1 killed and 7 wounded as United Nations run school is attacked. A mobile phone video of the stoning of 17-year old Iraqi teenager Du’a Khalil Aswad appears on the Internet. Human rights groups in Israel accuse the security services of routinely mistreating Palestinian detainees. The Foreign Minister of Turkey Abdullah Gul withdraws from his candidacy to the President of Turkey after failing to win the support of secular lawmakers. A car bomb kills at least 20 people and injures 80 more in the Baiyaa neighbourhood of Baghdad. Tens of thousands of Pakistanis greet suspended Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry in Lahore. More than 125,000 people are homeless and 16 killed following recent floods in Sri Lanka. Eight Afghan police are killed in Farah Province in a clash with the Taliban in which at least 17 insurgents are killed or injured. Voters in France go to the polls for the second round of the French presidential election with socialist Ségolène Royal and conservative Nicolas Sarkozy as the two contenders. Exit polls indicate that Nicolas Sarkozy has won the runoff poll in the election with 53% of the vote, beating Ségolène Royal who has 47% of the vote. She later concedes defeat. A former World No. 1 ranked tennis player from Belgium, Kim Clijsters, announced her retirement effect immediately.

Football: Manchester United clinch Premiership title
Manchester United clinched the Barclays Premiership title Sunday after second place Chelsea drew at Emirates Stadium with Arsenal. United put the pressure on Chelsea Saturday with a 1-0 win over hometown rivals Manchester City, leaving Chelsea requiring a win to keep the title race going.

Saturdays game saw United's top goal scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, as the only name on the scoresheet when he slotted home the ball from the penalty spot after being dragged down in the area by Michael Ball. Ball had earlier stomped on Ronaldo with his cleat, but the action was missed by the referee, and Ball was allowed to continue with the match. Ball was then involved in the game again as he earned a penalty when he was brought down by Wes Brown. Darius Vassell stepped up to the spot, but his hard drive at the center of the net was saved by the trailing leg of Edwin Van Der Sar.

With the pressure now on Chelsea to win at Arsenal, the blues travelled to the Emirates in hopes of keeping their title hopes alive. As the game neared half-time, Khalid Boulahrouz brought down Júlio Baptista in the box, and a penalty was awarded to Arsenal, while Boulahrouz was red-carded. Gilberto Silva converted easily on the spot kick, and Arsenal went into half time with the lead. For much of the second half, Arsenal controlled the game, but on 70 minutes, a flashing header by Michael Essien tied the match for Chelsea. The blues pushed for the second goal, but it never came, and the draw meant Chelsea could no long catch United, who are seven points ahead in the table.

The title is United's ninth in Premiership history, but their first in four years, after league domination by both Arsenal and Chelsea left United adrift in the race.

United travel to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday in what Chelsea were hoping to make a title decider, but with United already in control, the fans at the Bridge will instead clap United onto the field in a Guard of Honour.

Sarkozy wins 2007 French Presidential election
Nicolas Sarkozy has been elected as the 23rd President of the French Republic with 53% of the vote. His rival, Ségolène Royal, was defeated with 47% of the vote. Ms. Royal has accepted her defeat.

Mr. Sarkozy has promised to be the "President of the French People" and Royal has vowed to "keep on fighting". Sarkozy's first term will begin on 16 May. Sarkozy has promised to try to reform France to face the challenges of the 21st century, with putting the nation back to work at the top of his agenda.

Sarkozy has said that he would also work to form a link between Europe and Africa. "We have to overcome hatred to give way to the great dreams of peace and civilization," he stated in his first speech as President-Elect. "It's time to build a great Mediterranean union." he added.

U.S. president, George W. Bush has congratulated Mr. Sarkozy.

Forward advance! - Battle of the Atlantic Parade in Toronto, Canada
Today Sailors of HMCS York, Cadet's of RCSCC 18 Vanguard, Navy League Cadets of NLCC Ark Royal and Air Cadets of 618 Queen City Squadron marched though Downtown Toronto with Drums beating, colours flying and rifles held proudly. All this to mark the Battle of the Atlantic, which was a series of naval battles fought from 1939 to the end of the second world war. During the Battle, Canada lost about 2000 Sailors and 762 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

The Parade started out at Nathan Phillips Square, it then marched a short ways to the Cenotaph at Old City hall, where a ceremony was held for the dead and wounded in the Battle of the Atlantic. The parade then began again with a snappy left turn and marched along Queen Street West. It then wheeled north along Young St. to the Naval Club on Hayden Avenue. Seen in the photograph below is Lieutenant (Navy) Armstrong, the Executive Officer of RCSCC 18 Vanguard, in the background, are Vanguard cadets.

There where approximately 130 sailors, sea and air cadets in attendance.

Indonesian suspected bird flu case dies; symptoms included encephalitis
Indonesian authorities are conducting tests on samples taken from a suspected bird flu patient who died on Thursday, May 5. The 26-year-old poultry trader from Sukoharjo, Central Java, died after being hospitalized for three days. If confirmed, this will be the 95th case of human H5N1 infection in Indonesia.

The Indonesian daily Suara Merdeka reports that, in addition a high fever, the victim's symptoms included bronchitis and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). Encephalitis has been reported in other H5N1 cases, including that of a 67-year-old woman from West Java who died in October 2006. In her case, the H5N1 virus was reported to have been found in her cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

The Kedaulatan Rakyat, a newspaper based in Yogyakarta, reports that following the death of the 26-year-old man on Thursday, 125 of his neighbors have been examined for signs of bird flu and 34 have been tested for the virus. Thirty are reported to have flu-like symptoms but are said to be suffering from seasonal flu.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a total of 81 H5N1 cases including 63 deaths in Indonesia since 2005. However, there have been at least an additional 13 locally confirmed H5N1 cases including 11 deaths in Indonesia since January 29 of this year. According to these figures, Indonesia has had the highest number (94+) of H5N1 human infections, surpassing Vietnam's total of 93 cases. The WHO has not had access to H5N1 samples from Indonesia since January when a dispute arose over the use of H5N1 samples from Indonesia in commercially made vaccines.

Scientists fear the deadly H5N1 strain could mutate and become easily transmissible among people, triggering a devastating pandemic. According to the WHO, last year in Indonesia a 32-year-old man was probably infected with H5N1 which he caught from his 10-year-old son (both died), suggesting that the virus had in that instance acquired the ability to transmit human-to-human, albeit in a limited manner. The father and son were part of a larger, familial cluster in which at least six persons died.

Douala airport official: Signs of missing Kenya Airways plane found
The chief meteorologist for the airport in Douala, Cameroon, Thomas Sobakam says that "signs" of Flight KQ 507 have been located, but also said that what was located was not wreckage. Sabakam also said that the reports that wreckage had been found were "premature."

Government officials in Kenya "refuse to comment" saying that "they [authorities] have asked us to give them some time," said Kenyan government spokesman, Alfred Mutua.

The latest information on the Kenya Airways information website states, "Kenya Airways regrets to confirm that its flight KQ 507 from Douala to Nairobi has been located on a mangrove swamp, 20 km southeast of Douala, on the planned flight path." The website also indicates that search and rescue operations have been initiated.

The next scheduled press briefing will be on Monday, May 7 at 10:00 a.m. local time.

Earlier, state run radio in Cameroon had said that the wreckage had been found, but then later retracted their statement saying, "earlier we broadcast a report that the plane had been found at Awanda, but for the time being we do not have sufficient evidence to confirm, to be completely sure, that the plane has been found."

It is not known if there are any survivors, but Kenya Airways says that there were passengers from at least 23 different countries on the plane (see list below). Kenya Airways has released the names of all passengers on board flight KQ 507 (see external links below).

Flight KQ 507 was traveling from Abidjan to Nairobi. It made a stopover in Douala, Cameroon where more passengers got on the plane, before it continued on its flight. Reports say that the plane sent a distress signal at 2:00 a.m., just after it took off from Cameroon, but it is not known what triggered the distress signal. The plane was supposed to land at 6:15 a.m. local time. It left Abidjan at 11:05 p.m. local time in Nairobi.

Khatami:dialogue is best solution
Iran's former president Mohammad Khatami met with Massimo D'Alema, the foreign minister of Italy, whereat he stated the dialogue is a sine qua non to resolve the impasse over Iran's nuclear activities.

Khatami said, "The Iranian nation will by no means abandon its nuclear rights." He cited the "consensus among Iranian authorities on the country's right to access nuclear technology" and said that sanction against Iran would not be effective.

Khatami also called for dialogue in two additional areas: On Iraq, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Israel/Palestine to end the Middle East conflicts and on Islam. In fact, since leaving the Iranian presidency in 2005, he has been started his own NGO to fully dedicate his time to promote peace and understanding as the head of Center for Dialogue among Cultures and Civilizations.

With respect to the Middle East conflicts, Khatami stated to Ferdinando Casini, the head of the world's Inter-Parliamentary Union, that these problems cannot be solved by excluding Iran, "International community needs Iran for creating and maintaining stability and tranquility in the region and this idea that the conflict in the ME can be solved without Iran's presence is a wrong conception."

On Saturday, he delivered an address at a Rome University where he used the pulpit to dispel misunderstandings concerning Islam. He said, "Islam is a religion of peace and tranquility." He has called peace a virtue and wants world politicians to seek any "ideology that breeds peace".

Khatami has been hailed as Iran's main voice for reform and moderation since his election in 1997.

Kenya Airways jet with at least 114 on board crashes
Officials say that a Kenya Airways Boeing 737-800 with 8 crew members, 106 passengers and a flight engineer on board, has crashed in Cameroon.

Flight KQ 507 was traveling from Abidjan to Nairobi. It made a stopover in Douala, Cameroon where more passengers got on the plane, before it continued on its flight.

It is not known if there are any survivors, but Kenya Airways says that there were passengers from at least 23 different countries on the plane (list below).

Reports say that 3 referees heading to an African Confederation Cup game were also on the plane along with Anthony Mitchell a British journalist who is based in Nairobi, and Amol Chauhan the director of Parle Products.

"Flight 507 was coming from Abidjan via Douala. The aircraft unfortunately has not arrived. The last message was received in Douala after takeoff and thereafter the tower was unable to contact the plane," said the CEO of Kenya Airways, Titus Naikuni said earlier in a statement.

Reports say that the plane sent a distress signal at 2:00 a.m., just after it took off from Cameroon, but it is not known what triggered the distress signal. The plane was supposed to land at 6:15 a.m. local time. It left Abidjan at 11:05 p.m. local time in Nairobi.

"The distress call came from a machine, not a pilot. The latest information that a distress signal was picked up on the west coast of Africa and a search and rescue mission initiated by Cameroonian authorities was initiated at 1105 (0805GMT) this morning, that is Nairobi time. So far no report has been received from this mission," added Naikuni. The Cameroonian military is using helicopters to search the area around the Cameroonian capital Yaoundé, near the town of Douala, Niete and Lolodorf. Ambulances in Lolodorf are ready to treat anyone they might find during the search.

The plane is believed to be in an "area [of] very dense forest," said Alfred Mutua, a spokesman for Kenya's government. The United States is also assisting in searching for the plane.

Jim Proulx, a company spokesman for Boeing said that the distress signal would have been activated "in the event of a rapid change in velocity." Proulx also expressed his sympathies saying, "we express our profound concern for the passengers and crew on board on the Kenya Airways flight that went missing."

According to Kenya Airways, bad weather is causing delays in efforts to locate the plane and any possible wreckage. "We are trying to get to the area of the crash, but the weather is really bad. We are getting help from the army," said Naikuni. Nothing was found during a search of the area by air on Saturday, but rescue workers are planning to resume the search Sunday morning. Because of the bad weather and heavy rains, the search has only been concentrated in the air.

Witnesses from towns near where the signal is being reported say that they heard a "large boom" and then saw a "flash of fire."

According to a Kenya Airways news release, a crisis management center in Embakasi, a location close to the airport, was setup to monitor the situation and additional details will be provided when received. Relatives of those on board the plane are being asked to stay at that location and wait for further details.

Despite the search, the TurkishPress.com, which quotes AFP, an unnamed official says that they have located the wreckage.

"The plane has crashed. We have located the plane ... and we cannot talk about it," said the unnamed official with the Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority.

Despite the AFP's report, Naikuni says he cannot confirm that the plane has crashed or if anything was found. "Until we see the plane -- until then, it's missing." Naikuni also added that the distress signal could have been triggered by something other than a crash.

The last Kenya Airways flight to crash was on January 30, 2000. Flight 431 was traveling from Abidjan to Lagos when it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean during bad weather. 179 people were on board and 10 survived.

Iranian minister eschews un-Islamic dress at Sharm al-Sheikh
Manouchehr Mottaki, the foreign minsister of Iran, did not attend a dinner at Sharm el-Sheikh because the red dress of a Ukrainian violinist did not meet the "Islamic standards." According to Mottaki, "There was something wrong with that so I offered my apologies. There was no other reason."

The planned discussion of Condoleezza Rice and Mottaki would have been the highest-level formal talks of U.S. and Iranian officials. It was intended to enable the foreign ministers to thrash out ways to curb the security problems in Iraq.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack explained the issue in term of intimidation when he said, "I don't know which woman he was afraid of, the woman in the red dress or the secretary of state."

In lieu of a longer substantive discussion, there was a 3-minute exchange of pleasantries between Rice and Mottaki at the end. However, Rice did have a complete discussion with Walid Moallem, the foreign minister of Syria, to alleviate Iraq's security problems.

Later, Mottaki stated that Iran believes that the occupation of Iraq is the source of instability and called for the withdrawal of American troops. He said, "The U.S. must issue a clear troop-withdrawal plan so that peace and stability can be restored."

According to Mottaki, “The terrorists claim that they are fighting the forces of occupation, while the occupiers justify their presence under the pretext of the war on terror. Therefore, this axis of occupation-terrorism is the root of all problems in Iraq.”

Manitoba Hells Angels member found guilty of nine charges

Manitoba Hells Angels member Ian Grant, who was convicted of nine charges including drug trafficking, was found guilty today. Grant, 32, faces his sentence later in the year. Those convicted of drug trafficking face life imprisonment and those convicted of organized crime face 14 years in jail. He was released by a judge in 2004 for a lack of evidence. Twelve Hells Angels including Grant were arrested in February 2006 for drug related crimes.

Alberta man taken into custody

A Calgary, Alberta man was taken into custody after he started a four-hour standoff at city hall, Saturday afternoon. Downtown streets and the building were evacuated as a precaution. Police brought in tactical squads and dog teams.

The police were called at 4:00 p.m. and the man surendered to police at approximately 8:30 p.m. The 26-year-old man claimed to be carrying explosives but police say he was only carrying a pellet gun. They also say he was part of a "domestic family issue" and "a court finding that affected him". He faces charges for uttering threats and claming possession of weapons in public.

Quebec multiculturalism group demanded apology

Quebec Pluriel, a local multi-culturalism group, raised a human-rights complaint about an "offensive" video showing a black person depicted as a cannibal. The video entitled, Le cannibale, posted on comedy website Têtes à claques, shows a black person being yelled at for eating two white people in a pot of boiling water. A woman calls him Kunta Kinte, a famous black slave.

"It is inconceivable that a name like Kunta Kinte would be associated to a cannibal," said vice-president of Quebec Pluriel, Lydie Olga Ntap. "It's unacceptable."

The group demanded video sponsers Salambo Productions and Bell Canada to apologise. The companies refused saying it was only humour.

Today in History
1763 - Indian Wars: Chief Pontiac led an attempt to seize Fort Detroit and drive out the British settlers, beginning Pontiac's Rebellion.

1895 - Alexander Stepanovich Popov presented his radio receiver, refined as a lightning detector, to the the Russian Physical and Chemical Society.

1915 - World War I: The ocean liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine Unterseeboot 20, killing 1,198 on board.

1992 - The Space Shuttle Endeavour was launched for its maiden voyage.

1999 - President of Guinea-Bissau João Bernardo Vieira was ousted in a military coup.

May 07 is Radio Day in Russia and Bulgaria

Quote of the Day

Nothing appears more surprising to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few; and the implicit submission, with which men resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers. When we enquire by what means this wonder is effected, we shall find, that, as Force is always on the side of the governed, the governors have nothing to support them but opinion. It is therefore, on opinion only that government is founded; and this maxim extends to the most despotic and most military governments, as well as to the most free and most popular.

~ David Hume

Word of the Day

curmudgeon; n

An ill-tempered person full of stubborn ideas or opinions

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