Messaggio del 14-12-2004 alle ore 23:55:05
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2004 – American troops on patrol in western Baghdad Dec.
13 found car bombs and other enemy ordnance during the search of a local home.
The soldiers detained two individuals at the suspected insurgent "safe house,"
which yielded two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices being prepared for
detonation.
The vehicles contained nearly 1,000 pounds of explosives, including Italian-
made anti-ship bombs, three 155 mm artillery rounds, 300 pounds of ammonium
nitrate, as well as a weapons cache of rockets, mortars and anti-tank weapons.
Also confiscated was a cache of medical supplies and industrial chemicals.
In other Iraq news, two U.S. Marines were killed Dec. 13 while conducting
security and stabilization operations in Baghdad province. The Marines' names
are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
And in Afghanistan, coalition troops found and secured two weapons caches Dec.
13.
The cache near Kandahar included 20 pounds of unknown explosives, two hand
grenade bodies and 10 blasting caps.
Coalition forces also found a weapons cache near Gereshk that contained eight
AK-47 assault rifles, a rocket-propelled grenade, a machine gun and several
grenades.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Combined Forces Command Afghanistan
news releases.)
Messaggio del 14-12-2004 alle ore 15:16:08
Kerry Lawyer Seeks Ohio Ballot Inspection
Mon Dec 13,10:23 AM ET
By MARK WILLIAMS, Associated Press Writer
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Democrat John Kerry is asking county elections officials to allow his witnesses to inspect the 92,000 ballots cast in Ohio in which no vote for president was recorded, a Kerry lawyer said Sunday night.
The request is one of 11 the Kerry campaign made in a letter sent over the weekend to Ohio's 88 county boards of election, which will begin recounting presidential ballots this week.
"We're trying to increase the transparency of the election process," said Donald McTigue, the lawyer handling the recount for the Kerry campaign. But he added that several requests — such as using independent experts to check election equipment, "are trying to push the edge of envelope."
Two minor presidential candidates who received 0.30 percent of the votes in last month's election requested and paid for the recount, claiming that the election was full of irregularities that need to be addressed.
President Bush, a Republican, beat the Massachusetts senator by about 119,000 votes in Ohio on Election Day. Ohio's 20 electoral votes, which will be cast on Monday, put Bush over the top in the race.
Kerry's campaign supports the recount, while Bush's campaign has criticized it, but both sides agree it won't change the outcome of the election.
McTigue said the visual inspection is allowed under state law. The goal is to look for potential votes that were not registered by the tabulating equipment.
McTigue also asked that counties accept the help of a group called Votewatch to determine which precincts will be chosen for the part of the recount that will be conducted by hand. McTigue said using the group will ensure that the ballots are selected using a valid random sampling method.
The procedures require 3 percent of ballots to be counted by hand in each county. All the county's ballots would be counted by hand if the initial check turns up problems.
Carlo LoParo, spokesman for Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell, said state law will guide counties on how to conduct the recount.
"I don't know if Mr. McTigue is in a position to dictate the terms of a recount," he said.
Messaggio del 14-12-2004 alle ore 15:08:39
By Paul Majendie
LONDON (Reuters) - A protester has attacked a controversial waxwork nativity scene featuring England soccer captain David Beckham as Joseph and his pop star wife "Posh Spice" Victoria as the Virgin Mary.
"He pushed Posh and Becks over. It caused some damage but we don't know how much. The baby Jesus is fine," said a spokeswoman for Madame Tussaud's waxwork museum in London Monday.
Anglicans, Catholics and Presbyterians have united in calling the exhibit a new low in the cult of celebrity worship.
But Madame Tussaud's said it was popular with the public, who were outraged at Sunday's vandalism.
"People were appalled. We had members of the public complaining that the nativity was the only reason they were coming in today," the spokeswoman said.
"Staff gave chase but the attacker managed to escape. We are hoping to re-open the exhibit as soon as possible."
Controversy over the nativity has caused great mirth in British media. The Sun newspaper even instituted a dial-in line Monday for anyone who might be able to identify the attacker.
In the wax tableau, Australian pop star Kylie Minogue hovers above the crib as an angel while Victoria lays her shawled head tenderly on Beckham's shoulder.
Tony Blair, George W. Bush and the Duke of Edinburgh star as The Three Wise Men. The shepherds are played by Hollywood star Samuel L. Jackson, British actor Hugh Grant and camp Irish comedian Graham Norton.
Madame Tussaud's have apologized for any offence caused, but insist the tableau was intended only as a tongue-in-cheek way of bringing the nativity to a wider audience.
"We are not suggesting for one minute these celebrities actually represent the biblical characters themselves and we are sorry if it has been misconstrued as such," a statement said.
The Beckhams disassociated themselves from the nativity, saying they had no idea they were to be depicted that way.
------------------------------------
Commento:
Posh-spice e Beckham in un presepie come Giuseppe & Maria???
Messaggio del 14-12-2004 alle ore 14:54:50
Rare Star Wars helmet auctioned
One of the first stormtrooper helmets made for Star Wars creator George Lucas goes on sale on Tuesday at Christie's auction house in London.
The helmet, bought at a car boot sale for £40, may fetch up to £7,000.
It was one of six made for Mr Lucas to pitch his film idea to film executives and used in two Star Wars movies.
Other items include the moustache worn by Charlie Chaplin in The Great Dictator and the moon buggy from James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever.
The buggy had fallen into disrepair but has been restored by its current owner and could fetch up to £30,000.
The stormtrooper helmet was used in the original Star Wars film and follow-up The Empire Strikes Back.
A truncheon used by Charlie Chaplin in Easy Street and a cane from another of his films, Modern Times are also included.
More recent memorabilia on offer includes the rhinestone-studded tracksuit and knuckle-duster ring worn by Sacha Baron Cohen's TV character, Ali G.
The Goons scripts date between 1956 and 1957 - one of the scripts is from The Mighty Wurlitzer, one of Spike Milligan's favourite shows.
The sale begins on Tuesday morning.
---------------------
Un cimelio di Star Wars in vendita in un asta londinese
(Christie's) ..... base d'asta 7 mila sterline
Messaggio del 13-12-2004 alle ore 21:56:40
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13, 2004 -- Seven Marines assigned to the 1st Marine
Expeditionary Force were killed in action Dec. 12 in two separate incidents
while conducting security and stabilization operations in Iraq's Anbar
province, military officials in Baghdad reported today.
Citing security considerations, officials did not provide further details.
One 1st Corps Support Command soldier died from a vehicle accident at Logistics
Support Area Anaconda in Balad today. Two other soldiers were injured and were
medically evacuated to a coalition military medical facility. The name of the
dead soldier is being withheld pending next of kin notification.
Also today, a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated, wounding
three Task Force Baghdad soldiers and one Iraqi civilian in northern Baghdad.
Two military Humvees were severely damaged in the attack.
Iraqi police and National Guardsmen beat back an insurgent attack on a police
station just south of Baghdad on Dec. 12. A written statement from
Multinational Force Iraq officials said the incident increased optimism "that
the fledgling Iraqi security forces are growing more confident and capable,
even in the face of a concerted campaign of intimidation and terror."
The early-morning assault on the Rasheed station north of Mahmudiyah by an
estimated 10 militants using mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, machine guns
and small arms posed the biggest test yet for the 507th ING Battalion, which
has been operating alongside the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit since July.
The policemen and soldiers immediately returned fire, holding their ground and
summoning their quick-reaction force. Marines were called to assist, but were
not needed, as the ING decisively repulsed the attack, officials said.
Several attackers fled to a nearby mosque, where ING soldiers found them and a
variety of weapons and ammunition. In a full sweep of the area, the ING
detained 34 suspected insurgents. The soldiers also discovered a car bomb
across the street from the police station. Marine explosives experts were
called in to defuse and dispose of the bomb. One ING soldier was wounded in the
firefight.
In the written statement, Multinational Force officials said the successful
defense of the Rasheed station -- the third in recent weeks -- represents "an
important psychological victory for the local Iraqi security forces, who were
not yet strong enough earlier this year to prevent the destruction by
insurgents of police stations in other south-central cities and towns."
"This engagement is just the latest in which the Iraqi security forces have
proven themselves in combat," said Marine Col. Ron Johnson, commander of the
24th MEU. "It demonstrates that a properly trained and equipped Iraqi unit can
stand, fight and win."
While attacks have continued, the arrival of the Marines marked a turning
point. The Marines and their Iraqi allies spread out across northern Babil
province and southern Baghdad, establishing joint patrol bases and sending what
the Multinational Force statement called "a message of unflinching resolve."
"With sustained presence and reinforcing firepower provided by the Marines, the
ISF have begun to thrive," the military command's statement said. "Though
kidnappings and murders -- including the gruesome slaying of 12 ING candidates
in a mosque west of Lutafiyah in November -- have led to some attrition,
recruitment is on the rise. Not only are the ranks of the Iraqi police and ING
swelling, their performance is improving."
The statement also said ING soldiers increasingly are taking the lead in joint
U.S.-Iraqi raids, which, coupled with random vehicle checkpoints, have resulted
in the capture and imprisonment of 537 insurgents in the area since August.
In other action near Mahmudiyah, Marines attached to the 24th MEU rounded up 21
suspected insurgents and seized an assortment of weapons and munitions in a
series of raids early today. Elsewhere in northern Babil province, Marines
detained 17 suspects in multiple operations on Dec. 12.
(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq news releases.)
Messaggio del 11-12-2004 alle ore 21:16:03
Burmese junta frees 5,070 inmates
Burma's ruling junta has announced it is releasing 5,070 prisoners who were arrested "inappropriately".
A televised message said the inmates had been arrested by the now disbanded National Intelligence Bureau led by ousted Prime Minister Khin Nyunt.
It is not clear if any of those freed were political prisoners.
The latest move brings to 14,318 the total number of prisoners ordered released by the ruling military following an amnesty on 18 November.
Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi remains under house arrest and there are no signs she will be released any time soon.
------------
Sommario :
La Birmania ha liberato 5070 prigionieri ..... in totale
sono stati liberati 14318 persone dal 18 novembre...
la leader dell'opposizione Aung San Suu Kyi continua a
rimanere agli arresti domiciliari.....
Messaggio del 11-12-2004 alle ore 21:11:05
Opposition wins Taiwan elections
Taiwan's opposition alliance has defeated President Chen Shui-bian's DPP party in parliamentary elections.
The opposition parties took 114 of the parliament's 225 seats.
The vote, which could shape the way the island handles relations with China, was the first since Mr Chen narrowly won the presidency in March.
The BBC's Taiwan correspondent, Chris Hogg, says the electorate has opted for a parliament that will act as a brake on Mr Chen's more controversial plans.
He says that while Mr Chen remains in charge because of the country's presidential system, he may find it difficult to get backing for proposals including constitutional changes and an $18bn arms deal with the US.
Both projects have been criticised by the Beijing government, which regards Taiwan as a renegade Chinese province and has accused Mr Chen of wanting to declare independence.
China has threatened to use force if the island ever declared a formal split.
'Don't want war'
President Chen's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has never won a majority in the parliament, the Legislative Yuan.
The DPP and its ally, the Taiwan Solidarity Union, together won 101 seats.
The remaining 10 seats went to independent candidates and other groups, the Central Election Commission said.
Mr Chen accepted responsibility for his alliance's defeat.
"We fully accept the result," he added.
The leader of the opposition Nationalists or Kuomintang (KMT) said the victory meant that people were eager for peace.
"We don't want war. We don't want our government to take the road of provocation and create tension," Lien Chan said.
'Round two'
Some people in Taiwan are keen to portray the election as round two of the presidential poll, and the campaign was dominated by the former presidential candidates, our correspondent says.
The opposition alliance still does not accept the result of the presidential vote.
President Chen's supporters believed that a convincing performance in the election would show China and his critics at home that he does have a mandate to govern.
The stakes were high for opposition leaders, too, our correspondent says.
The nationalists have lost two presidential elections in a row, and for the last three years they have relied on smaller parties for their parliamentary majority.
---------------
sommario:
Le opposizioni hanno vinto le elezioni a Taiwan.... ma
qualche telegiornale ne ha parlato qui in Italia?
Messaggio del 11-12-2004 alle ore 20:34:13
NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense
No. 1278-04
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec 10, 2004
Media Contact: Marine Corps Public Affairs - (703) 614-4309
Public/Industry Contact: (703)428-0711
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was
supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Christopher S. Adlesperger, 20, of Albuquerque, N.M. died Dec. 9
as result of enemy action in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Adlesperger was assigned to
3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary
Force, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.
For further information contact the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Public Affairs Office at (760) 725-5044.
-----------
piccola traduzione:
Christopher S. Adlesperger, 20 anni di Albuquerque, New Mexico e' morto il 9 Dicembre, come risultato dell'azione del nemico presso la provincia di Al Anbar,Iraq. (trad. molto letterale)
Messaggio del 10-12-2004 alle ore 18:43:10
EWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense
No. 1274-04
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec 09, 2004
Media Contact: Army Public Affairs - (703) 692-2000
Public/Industry Contact: (703)428-0711
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who
was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Capt. Mark N. Stubenhofer, 30, of Springfield, Va., died Dec. 7 in
Baghdad, Iraq, when his unit was conducting dismounted operations and was attacked
by small arms fire. Stubenhofer was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry
Regiment, 1st Armored Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public
Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
Messaggio del 10-12-2004 alle ore 18:42:10
NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense
No. 1273-04
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec 09, 2004
Media Contact: Army Public Affairs - (703) 692-2000
Public/Industry Contact: (703)428-0711
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
_ _ The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who
was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Todd C. Gibbs, 37, of Angelina, Texas, died Dec. 7 in
Khalidiyah, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated while his unit was
on a dismounted patrol. Gibbs was assigned to 1st Battalion, 506th Infantry
Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, Camp Greaves, Korea.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
Messaggio del 10-12-2004 alle ore 14:50:49
1.i post informatici devono avere sempre dei destinatari
2.il mio italiano va benissimo,gli errori di battitura nn sono da vedee come errori nella lingua
3.io guardo tutto,ciò che educa,ciò che nn educa....bisogna guardare sia blob,raisat ma anche il tg4 con emilio fede o la mediaset...per capire ciò che è giusto e sbagliato...per capire cosa si pensa bisogna conoscere tutte le realtà!!!!
Messaggio del 09-12-2004 alle ore 23:37:42
ho scelto un ramo tecnico che nn mi da basi in lingue straniere
ma a quanto pare nn sono l'unica che deve studiare visto che nn ti ha risp nessuno
Messaggio del 09-12-2004 alle ore 23:27:27
l'inglese nn è per tutti caro e ti faccio notare che se ponessi in altre parole questo sprloquio potresti ricevere qualche risposta
se preferisci continuare a parlare dasolo fai pure
Messaggio del 09-12-2004 alle ore 23:14:39
Traders shrugged off yet another negative outlook on the status of the U.S. economic recovery to send the major market indexes skipping higher today. Earlier today, the Labor Department released some lackluster news, as initial jobless claims for the week of December 3 rose by 8,000 to 357,000. The Street had expected a modest decline to 334,000. Meanwhile, the four-week average increased to 4,750 to 341,250. Crude oil also remains a concern, as the viscous liquid once again flirted with $43 per barrel. The January contract finished the session higher by 59 cents at $42.53 per barrel after tagging an intraday high of $43.20.
Stragglers in the Earnings Realm
Though the season is "officially" over, earnings releases are still trickling in around the Street. National Semiconductor (NSM) slipped onto the scene today to release its second-quarter earnings report. For the quarter, the firm reported net income of $80 million, or 21 cents per share, on sales of $448.9 million, compared to $65.8 million, or 17 cents per share, on sales of $473.5 million for the same period last year. Excluding one-time items, earnings slipped higher to 18 cents per share, flying past the Street's estimate for 14 cents. For a sentiment rundown on NSM, check out Mark Fightmaster's Options Update: Conducting Sentiment on National Semiconductor
Ciena (CIEN) also slipped into the earnings confessional today, adding on more than 24 percent after issuing guidance for the first quarter. The optical networking equipment firm expects sequential revenue growth between seven and 10 percent for the quarter. The company also posted fourth-quarter earnings this morning, reporting a loss of $495.1 million, or 87 cents per share, which was sharply wider than its year-ago loss of $115 million, or 24 cents per share. Excluding items, CIEN suffered a loss of six cents per share, edging out the Street estimate of a seven-cent loss. Revenue for the previous quarter rose 16 percent to $70.6 million, but missed analysts' forecast for $76.2 million. For more on CIEN's report, check out: Ciena Reports Fourth-Quarter Earnings
Blue-Chip Powers...Activate!
After spending the majority of the session mired in the red, the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged higher in the one-o'clock hour. The venerable average carried this strength into the close, adding 58.6 points (or 0.56 percent) on the session. The strength was adequate to lift the Dow back above its 10-day and 20-day moving averages, leaving the average pinned on support at the 10,500 level.
Procter & Gamble (PG) led the bullish contingent higher, adding more than two percent on the day. PG officials stated that they are "comfortable" with analysts' second-quarter earnings range of 71-72 cents per share and the upper half of 2004 earnings estimates of $2.59-$2.61 per share. PG also noted that it expects second-quarter sales to rise by six to eight percent, with 2004 sales increasing to nine percent. Fellow blue-chipper McDonald's also joined the march higher after reporting that November same-store sales rose 4.2 percent, riding the back of a 7.1-percent growth in U.S. same-store sales. On the day, only nine of the Dow's 30 components finished the day in the red. Following on the heels of PG's rise were United Technologies, IBM, and American International Group. Meanwhile, American Express, 3M Companies, and Intel filtered to the bottom.
COMP Can Do
Despite the lowered guidance from semiconductor concerns Xilinx and Altera, the Nasdaq Composite (COMP) managed to eek out a 2.9-point (or 0.14-percent) gain on the session. The move maintained the tech-laden index's recent trend higher, with the COMP enjoying support at its rising 10-day moving average.
#
Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA - 10,552.8) - support at 10,000; resistance at 10,750
#
S&P 500 (SPX - 1,189.24) - support at 1,100; resistance at 1,200
#
Nasdaq Composite (COMP - 2,129.0) - support at 1,900; resistance at 2,200
--------
Economia Americana in continuo miglioramento... Economia Italiana (in particolar modo il reparto 'informatico')
sempre nel cesso
Messaggio del 09-12-2004 alle ore 03:02:29
NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense
No. 1267-04
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec 08, 2004
Media Contact: Army Public Affairs - (703) 692-2000
Public/Industry Contact: (703)428-0711
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who
was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pfc. Andrew M. Ward, 25, of Kirkland, Wash., died Dec. 5 in Ar Ramadi,
Iraq, when his unit was attacked by enemy forces using small arms fire. Ward was
assigned to the 44th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Howze, Korea.
For further information related to this release, contact Army Public Affairs at (703) 692-2000.
Messaggio del 08-12-2004 alle ore 23:16:22
By Capt. Michael Martinez, USA
Special to American Forces Press Service
BAGHDAD, Iraq, Dec. 8, 2004 -- Every day since Muqtada al-Sadr's militia turned
in its weapons in October, hostile activity has decreased in Sadr City,
allowing Task Force Lancer soldiers to help rebuild the city.
Day in and day out, Task Force Lancer has been giving out sheep, frozen
chickens and humanitarian-aid bags; protecting kerosene and propane stations;
and escorting trucks to remove pools of sewage from the streets.
Since electricity still is a countrywide issue in the process of being
remedied, the people of Sadr City rely heavily on kerosene and propane for
heating and cooking.
"The station we were providing security for has only two hoses to refill
kerosene tanks, and each person on average brings three to five tanks to be
filled," said Sgt. 1st Class Reginald Butler, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 5th
Cavalry Regiment. "Every day, approximately 500 to 700 people wait in line --
and some wait all day and night -- just to refill their tanks. But overall,
they are happy to see us, because they know that by us being here, they will
get a fair price instead of paying the outrageous prices the vendors set."
While the government rate for kerosene is five dinars per liter, some vendors
have been selling kerosene for as much as 300 dinars per liter.
Another issue for Sadr City is the ever-present sewage that covers the streets.
The smell is a constant discomfort, but in some areas it is unbearable. There
is a plan to rebuild the main sewage line that runs through the city, but in
the meantime Task Force Lancer is providing temporary relief with sewage
trunks.
"The neighborhood we are in is one of my model communities, so when I receive
sewage assets, I like to employ them here," said Capt. Douglas Chapman, Company
B, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment. "It shows them that we understand their
problems and are trying to apply a short-term solution to a long-term problem."
Yet, the mission that has made the most immediate impact has been the sheep,
chickens and humanitarian-aid bags that were given to the Iraqi civilians. They
can be used readily and bring immediate relief, said Staff Sgt. Chad Sandoe,
443rd Civil Affairs Battalion.
"They are very well-received," Sandoe said. "We have no problems with giving
them out, because we get large crowds when we arrive. Soldiers also get into it
by passing out candy, toys and school supplies they receive from donations back
home to the kids.
"The big thing about it is that since hostilities have subsided, we are trying
to give something that makes an immediate impact on the people," he continued.
"The major projects we are undertaking are not as visible and take time. It
truly does make an impact, especially with the children, who say such
statements (as) 'America very good' or chant 'good good mister.'"
It is a slow process. The task of rebuilding Sadr City is a great one, and Task
Force Lancer soldiers are getting it done, one day at a time.
(Army Capt. Michael Martinez is the Task Force Lancer public affairs officer.)
base d'asta 7 mila sterline 
Kome zittire NG 
