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Porter Goss resigns as director of the CIA According to United States President, George W. Bush, director of the CIA, Porter Goss has resigned. "He has led ably," said Bush. Conservatives make gains in English local elections Most of the results have now been declared from the local elections that took place across England yesterday. The Conservative party have made the biggest gains, winning over two hundred new council seats and gaining a net control of 12 new councils.

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Rhode Island congressman Patrick Kennedy involved in car accident near U.S. Capitol U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) was involved in a traffic accident near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. at about 2:45 a.m. (EDT) yesterday morning. A police report was filed and it is unknown if Kennedy was arrested.

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The government of Sudan signs an accord with the main Darfur rebel group, the Sudan Liberation Army, reached through mediation in Abuja, Nigeria. Porter Goss resigns as director of the United States' Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). After the Labour Party suffers significant losses in the English local elections, British Prime Minister Tony Blair announces the largest Cabinet reshuffle of his tenure. The changes include the dismissals of embattled Home Secretary Charles Clarke and long-serving Foreign Minister Jack Straw.

Porter Goss resigns as director of the CIA

Porter Gross with U.S. President George W. Bush

According to United States President George W. Bush, CIA director Porter Goss has resigned.

"He has led ably. [He] helped make this country a safer place. He has a five-year plan to increase the analysts and operatives. He honours the proud history of the CIA, an organization that is known for its secrecy and accountability. We've got to win the war on terror," said Bush in a press conference on Friday.

"I would like to report to you that the agency (CIA) is back on a very even keel and sailing well," said Goss.

The reasons for Goss's resignation are not yet known and as of the moment, the President has announced no replacement.

Goss was appointed as the CIA's director in 2004 and served as director for 19 months. He was previously an undercover agent for the organization and was also a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 16 years.

Rhode Island congressman Patrick Kennedy involved in car accident near U.S. Capitol

Representative Patrick Kennedy

U.S. Representative Patrick J. Kennedy (D-RI) was involved in a traffic accident near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Capitol Hill Police reported that Kennedy was alone his 1997 Ford Mustang when the accident occurred Thursday at about 2:45 a.m. EDT (0645 UTC) near the 100 block of C Street SE. Police say his eyes were red and watery, and he was unbalanced and had slurred speech. Police also say that Kennedy had received three "notices of infractions" that are connected with the crash.

According to the police report, Kennedy drove his car into a security barrier near the Capitol building. When questioned by the police, he told them that he was "headed to the Capitol to make a vote," when no votes were scheduled for that time of the morning.

Kennedy said in a written statement that he had returned home around midnight and had taken the sleep aid Ambien and the anti-nausea drug Phenergan, both of which are known to cause drowsiness and sedation. He awakened a couple hours later and was "disoriented" when the incident occurred. He also said that "at no time before the accident" did he take alcohol, and pledged to cooperate in any investigation.

Today, Kennedy said, "Apparently, I was disoriented from the medication" and that he "never asked for any preferential treatment." He also announced that he is checking himself into the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

"I know I need help. As in every recovery, each day has its ups and downs.," added Kennedy. This is not the first time Kennedy has been to the Mayo Clinic. Last Christmas, Kennedy spent time at the clinic and went back to work after he was "feeling focused and in good shape."

However; Robin Costello, spokeswoman for Kennedy said, "we have no knowledge of any citations," but she did admit that a report was filed.

Capitol Police have not commented on the report or allegations, but Sgt. Kimberly Schneider, Capitol Police spokeswoman did say, "The United States Capitol Police are continuing to investigate."

It is not known whether any sobriety test or arrest was made. Kennedy was not injured.

The Sultan's Elephant arrives in London

'The Sultan's Elephant', a large elephant and performance, has arrived in London on the start of its four day show. The star of the performance, an elephant as a huge moving stage measuring forty feet high and weighing 42 tonnes, is the creation of the Royal de Luxe theatre company. The elephant will move through London, accompanied by a group of puppeteers and circus acts, telling the story of the Sultan who set off to find the little girl from his dreams with a time-travelling elephant.

At a rumoured cost of £1 million, The Sultan's Elephant is one of the biggest public art pieces ever performed in London. The project has been organised by Helen Marriage and Nicky Webb from Artichoke Productions, and has required co-operation and funding from a number of different bodies, including the Arts Council England, the Mayor of London and the City of Westminster.

The story began yesterday, when a 'crashed spaceship' landed in London, smashing up the pavement around it.

The performances can be seen in London until May 7th.

Charles Clarke loses Home Secretary position in Cabinet reshuffle, UK

The United Kingdom Home Secretary Charles Clarke has lost his position in a Cabinet reshuffle by Tony Blair, on the morning after the Labour Party suffered losses in local elections across England. The news follows two weeks of headlines caused by the release of over 1000 foreign prison mistakenly released from prison at the end of their sentence rather than being deported.

Current Defence Secretary John Reid will replace Clarke as the new Home Secretary, and Jack Straw will become Commons leader.

Australian government announces $52.5 million financial assistance package for Ford

Ford Motor Company logo

Australian Prime Minister John Howard and federal industry minister Ian MacDonald today announced that the federal government would be providing Ford Australia with a AU$52.5 million (US $40.4 million) financial assistance package. Additional assistance will also be provided by the Victorian state government.

According to Mr Howard, the injection will secure Ford's manufacturing operations in Australia "for the long term".

From the package, AU$40 million will be used for the design and manufacture of Ford's next model Falcon and Territory vehicles, which will be built in Australia.

Despite being given a major face lift in 2002 and another in 2005, the Falcon's body shell dates back to 1998. The current Falcon will need to serve the company until at least 2007 when the new model is anticipated. In the meantime, it will face stiff competition from the completely new Holden Commodore (the Falcon's major competitor) which will be released in the second half of this year.

The additional AU$12.5 million will be spent on the development of a light commercial vehicle platform, which will be built overseas and marketed to around 80 countries. Mr Howard said that the light commercial project would involve construction of a research and development centre, which will become the base for R&D projects in the region.

Mr MacFarlane said that the research facility was exciting for Australia and that it would put the Australian automotive in the spotlight.

“The funding has helped Ford Australia secure the largest automotive R&D project ever undertaken in Australia which is equally exciting news for local Ford employees and Australian component producers” he said.

“The project will see Ford Australia become a centre for automotive design and engineering excellence in the Asia Pacific region which will bring spin-off benefits for the broader industry,”

“This opportunity will put both Ford Australia, and the Australian automotive and components sectors on the world map as far as our automotive design and engineering capabilities are concerned.” Mr MacFarlane said.

Mr Howard claims that the projects will create 273 jobs and secure the future of the "iconic" Ford Falcon, which has been built in Australia since 1960.

The financial package is conditional upon Ford Australia giving the Australian automotive component industry an opportunity to supply components for the vehicles produced by the two projects.

Conservatives make gains in English local elections

Most of the results have now been declared from the local elections that took place across England yesterday. The Conservative Party has made the biggest gains, winning over three hundred new council seats and gaining a net control of 11 new councils. The Liberal Democrat party also made some gains, getting an overall bigger share of the vote than Labour, but only winning a modest 18 or so extra councillors.

The British National Party has doubled its number of councillors, winning 11 seats in the Barking and Dagenham area, as well as a few elsewhere. The Green Party has won a few extra councillors. The RESPECT party won 12 seats on the council of Tower Hamlets, making them now the official opposition.

Robin Wales has been re-elected as the Mayor for the London Borough of Newham, Dorothy Thornhill re-elected the Mayor of Watford and Steve Bullock re-elected as the Mayor for Lewisham. Results have not yet been announced for the election of the Mayor of Hackney.

In an immediate development, Tony Blair sacked Charles Clarke from the post of Home Secretary.

Initial estimations suggest that turnout was 36%, a reduction of three points compared to 2004.

Kennett rules out political comeback

After announcing on Thursday that he was considering a comeback to Victorian state politics, former premier Jeff Kennett has ruled out a comeback.

Following the resignation of state opposition leader Robert Doyle, Mr Kennett announced that he had been approached several times about returning to politics over the past few months and that he was contemplating standing for the Victorian liberal party leadership. He announced today, at a press conference that he would not be returning to state politics.

When asked whether he would consider a move to federal politics, Mr Kennett said he had no intention of going to Canberra. "I have no intention of going to Canberra, I don't like flying and I don't like being away from home at night." he told the media.

Following Mr Kennett's announcement, Terry Mulder, the Victorian liberal's transport spokesperson said that he was withdrawing from the leadership race. His move paves the way for planning spokesperson Ted Baillieu to become the party's new leader unopposed.

Mr Mulder said that Mr Baillieu had "overwhelming" support within the party.

Australia's Prime Minister, John Howard said that he believed Mr Baillieu would make a very good leader, but was disappointed that Mr Kennett had ruled out a comeback.

Today in History

May 6 is St George's Day in Bulgaria

1682: King Louis XIV of France took up residence in the Château de Versailles.

1863: American Civil War: The Army of Northern Virginia led by Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson scored a decisive Confederate victory in the Battle of Chancellorsville.

1937: The German zeppelin Hindenburg caught fire and was destroyed in Lakehurst, New Jersey, killing 36.

1954: Roger Bannister became the first person to run the mile in under four minutes.

1994: The Channel Tunnel, a 50-km long rail tunnel beneath the English Channel at the Strait of Dover, was officially opened.

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