Standard and Poor's downgraded Spain's debt repayment ratings.

Standard and Poor's downgraded the sovereign debt ratings of Spain to a lower investment grade status Wednesday, citing "risks to budgetary position" for the troubled European nation.

Spain's long-term sovereign debt rating was reduced to "AA" from "AA+." The short-term rating was left unchanged at "A-1+."

The downgrade primarily reflects S&P's revision of the country's economic outlook. The ratings agency reduced Spain's 2010-2016 economic growth forecast to an annualized rate of 0.7% from a previous 1%.

"We now believe that the Spanish economy's shift from a credit-fueled economic growth is likely to result in a more protracted period of sluggish activity than we previously assumed," said Marko Mrsnik, S&P credit analyst, in the report.

The ratings action follows Tuesday's downgrade of both Greece and Portugal, which resulted in a precipitous decline in the U.S. stock market.

"This is an expected reaction, because for sometime now, Spain has been in doldrums," said Andreas Carbacho-Burgos, an economist for Moody's Economy.com. "It was not sharing in the output recovery that was happening in Germany, France and Britain."

Other so-called PIIGS nations -- Portugal, Italy, Ireland and Spain -- have seen their borrowing costs spike in recent weeks amid growing concerns that Greece's debt problems could spread. Greek bond yields hit an all-time high Wednesday.

S&P said it considered the possibility that Spain's public and private borrowing costs could remain elevated throughout 2011, further slowing the nation's economic recovery.

"Our conclusion is that challenging medium-term economic conditions will further pressure Spain's public finances," said Mrsnik. "Additional measures are likely to be needed to underpin the government's fiscal consolidation strategy."

The ratings agency placed the country on negative outlook, which implies that future downgrades could be in the offing.

Many analysts say that problems in Europe are unlikely to disappear quickly, and drastic measures in Greece may be needed to put troubled nations back on solid footing.

"Greece is going to have to undergo a massive bailout, which Germany's hesitant to give, or some sort of default," said Carbacho-Burgos.

Although the idea of a default spooks investors, who recall the Argentine debt crisis earlier in the decade, Carbacho-Burgos said an orderly default, managed by the European Union and International Monetary Fund, would be more likely.

"I don't think there would be [a unilateral default]," he said. "That typically happens when there's a change in government, but Greece's prime minister is relatively new and has shown commitment to service debt with help from a bailout."


www.money.cnn.com

1980 coup debates mark Turkish parliamentary discussions

The 25th article, which paves the way for the trial of 1980 coup plotters in civilian court, passes in Parliament amid harsh opposition reaction 

As Parliament prepares to discuss the constitutional amendments in the critical final round of debates, the reform package’s controversial article that would restructure Turkey’s judges and prosecutors’ board was passed by Parliament late Tuesday.

The 25th article, which paves the way for the trial of the 1980 coup plotters in a civilian court, was also passed in the same session of Parliament. The first round of discussions of the reform package’s controversial article became the scene of mounting tension on Tuesday between the ruling and opposition parties. 

The Republican People’s Party, or CHP, deputies did not vote on the article, and the Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, voted against it. The deputies of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP, and the Democratic Left Party, or DSP, likewise did not participate in the vote. 

In a surprise move, the ruling Justice and development Party, or AKP, inserted an article in the reform package that envisions the annulment of the Constitution’s interim article 15, which bans the prosecution of the 1980 coup leaders, something that the CHP has repeatedly demanded.

The CHP, however, earlier criticized the article's inclusion in the package, saying the move is a “trick” to win opposition support for the package.

Motion dismissed

Meanwhile, the motion submitted by the CHP and BDP that asks for the removal of the statute of limitations for the prosecution of the coup leaders was dismissed by AKP votes on Wednesday. Article 25 only anticipated the annulment of the Constitution’s interim article 15, but it did not remove the statute of limitations although prosecution of the coup leaders has not been deemed practical due to the statute of limitations.

AKP’s Ayşe Nur Bahçekapılı, meanwhile, criticized the opposition parties’ stance during Tuesday’s session. “Abstaining from voting is of course a right [of deputies.] But there are such moments that voting implies a historical duty.”

Bahçekapılı’s later remarks blaming the deputies who voted against the article drew harsh reaction from the MHP seats.

Some CHP deputies, including Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, likewise protested Culture Minister Ertuğrul Günay, once a CHP member who was taken into custody during the 1980 coup period, during his speech on the article by turning their back against Günay.

When asked what Günay understood by the word “fickle,” Günay said, “I understand those who set their hopes on the voice of boots [military] once they see that they can’t fight with those who came to power by public will.”

No harsh debate on HSYK

Referring to the CHP and MHP, Burhan Kuzu, the head of the Parliament’s Constitutional Commission, said they were the two parties that suffered from 1980 coup period the most and he expected all political parties to vote for the article. 

In response to Kuzu’s remarks, Kılıçdaroğlu said they would not lend their support to those who exploit the CHP’s wounds from the coup period for their political interests. 

The controversial article passed in the General Assembly with 336 votes for and 70 against. 

Contrary to expectations, the discussions on article 23, which would bring radical structural changes to the Supreme Board of Prosecutors and Judges, or HSYK, meanwhile, were rather calm. The article passed with 336 votes for and 72 against. The number of HSYK members would be increased from seven to 22 in line with the change.

If article 23 is implemented, the justice minister and undersectary would keep their seats on the board. Also, HSYK’s decisions resulting in the expulsion of the judges and prosecutors from their posts would be subject to judicial supervision while its other decisions could not be taken to court.

Article 24, which reorganizes the Economic and Social Council within the structure of the top court, passed with a record 340 votes for and 69 against.

Second round debate on Sunday

Meanwhile, the second round of discussions will begin Sunday. There should be at least 48 hours between the completion of the first round of voting and the second and final round of debates. The second round is expected to finish within five days at the latest. 

Secret voting will be carried out, and the articles will be voted on an individual basis in the second round just as is the case in the first round of discussions. 

Meanwhile, interim article 18, which stipulates that the respective article of the planned constitutional amendments making party closures more difficult and that the changes should also be applicable to the ongoing cases in the top court, also passed in Parliament on Wednesday.

Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com

Jaroslaw Kaczynski, Twin brother of Poland’s late president Lech Kaczynski running in early presidential race

Polish opposition party leader Jaroslaw Kaczynski said Monday he will run in summer elections to replace his twin brother, the incumbent president who was killed in a plane crash.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski said he will run to continue the mission of his brother and others killed in the crash.

“The good of Poland is a common duty that requires an ability to overcome personal suffering, to undertake the task despite a personal tragedy,” Kaczynski said.

“This is why I have taken the decision to run for the president of Poland. I have the family’s support in this decision.”

The elections were moved up to June 20 after President Lech Kaczynski, his wife Maria and 94 others — including top civilian and military leaders — were killed April 10 in Smolensk, Russia, en route to World War II observances. The president’s term was to expire in December and elections had been planned for the fall.

The incumbent had been expected to seek a second five-year term.

Jaroslaw Kaczynski’s closest family are his mother, Jadwiga and niece Marta, the daughter of the late president.

Cost of Iceland volcano, Eyjafjallajökull: Airlines to lose $200m a day'

Airlines will lose at least $200m (£130m) per day in revenues as a result of the volcanic ash-linked disruption, the industry's governing body has said.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) said its members would also lose further money as a result of expensive contingency plans.

Meanwhile accountants KPMG said it expected UK flights alone to cost airlines in excess of £200m per day. All UK flights in England and Wales were grounded on Friday.

Those airspace restrictions will remain in place until at least 0700 BST on Saturday, and widespread restrictions are now in place across Europe.

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Jeffrey Tesler, a retired sales executive to be extradited to United States for Nigerian bribery trial

Jeffrey Tesler  Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Jeffrey Tesler, a former employee of Haliburton firm, is second Briton threatened with conspiracy charges over $6bn gas contract in Nigeria.

Jeffrey Tesler is accused of being involved in a huge international bribery scheme would be sent to the US to stand trial, a judge ruled today.

 District judge Caroline Tubbs decided at Westminster magistrates court that the 72-year-old retired sales executive, Wojciech Chodan, should be extradited to Texas to be tried.

 US prosecutors accuse him and a 61-year-old London lawyer, Jeffrey Tesler, of conspiring with others to pay bribes of $132m (£86m) to Nigerian officials to secure a $6bn contract to construct liquefied natural gas plants at Bonny Island, on the coast of Nigeria.

 The duo, who face up to 55 years in jail if convicted, have the right to appeal to the higher courts if the Home Secretary also decides that they should be extradited.

 There has been disquiet that the British government has been too willing to allow its citizens to be flown to the US to be prosecuted for a range of crimes.

 Tubbs rejected Chodan's attempt to stop the extradition proceedings. It follows her ruling last month that Tesler should be extradited.

 Chodan worked for a firm owned by the US oil services group Halliburton, which led the consortium seeking the Nigerian contract.

 The US alleges that Chodan, who lives in the Somerset village of Nunney, was on a committee that devised plans to bribe the Nigerians. He had "numerous discussions" with Tesler and others to ensure that the bribes were paid over a 10-year period, the court heard.

 The cash is alleged to have been laundered through Switzerland and Monaco.

Tubbs ruled that Chodan's alleged conduct had "sufficiently substantial connection" with the US to justify the extradition.

She decided that KBR, the US firm he worked for, "received considerable financial benefit from the corrupt scheme" and that executives of the firm "committed acts in furtherance of the corrupt bribery scheme in Houston, Texas".

Tesler and Chodan are alleged to have conspired with Jack Stanley, the Texan chief executive of KBR, who has already pleaded guilty to his involvement in the bribery scheme, as a result of the investigation by the US prosecutors.

Chodan declined to comment.

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/

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British lawyer, Jeffrey Tesler, faces extradition to United States over corruption charges

Jeffrey Tesler

By Michael Herman, Alex Spence

A British solicitor accused of paying $132 million in bribes to Nigerian government officials to secure gas contracts on behalf of multinational energy firms should be extradited to the United States, a judge said yesterday.

Jeffrey Tesler, 61, is wanted by authorities in Houston, Texas, where he faces prosecution on corruption and conspiracy charges that carry a maximum 55-year jail term. He denies all charges.

District Judge Caroline Tubbs, sitting at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, told Mr Tesler yesterday she was satisfied that the allegations were serious enough to justify extradition.

The order, which must be approved by the Home Secretary, comes in the same week as Ian Norris, a retired British businessman, flew to the US to answer charges of destroying evidence.

Alan Johnson, the Home Secretary, has three months to consider Mr Tesler's case although lawyers said that his approval was a formality. Mr Tesler can appeal against an extradition order by the Home Secretary.

Mr. Tesler, who works for a small legal practice in Tottenham, North London, is accused of acting as the middleman for an international conspiracy to funnel bribes to Nigerian officials. He is alleged to have been hired by a consortium bidding for a series of contracts worth $6 billion to build and maintain a gas plant at Bonny Island, off the Nigerian coast.

The consortium included Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR), a Texas-based group that was formerly part of Halliburton, which was controlled by Dick Cheney until he became US Vice-President in 2000. Last February, KBR and Halliburton paid $579 million to settle US criminal and regulatory charges relating to the Nigeria project.

The US claim that Mr. Tesler worked as an agent for the consortium between 1995 and 2004. Prosecutors are also seeking the extradition of another British resident, Wojciech Chodan, 71, a former consultant to KBR who is wanted on corruption charges.

Mr Tesler has contested the extradition. His lawyers claimed that it would breach his right to a family life and that access to a fair trial was compromised by the passage of time because the alleged crimes date back 15 years.

Source: www.timesonline.co.uk

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Eyjafjallajokull meaning, Pronunciation and Pictures

Eyjafjallajokull means “Island mountain glacier,” and Eyjafjallajokul is pronounced EYE-a-fyat-la-jo-kutl.

 

 

 

Smoke billows from an erupting volcano which seems to be close to the top of the Eyjafjalla glacier on April 14, 2010 near Reykjavik. All London flights, including those from Heathrow, will be suspended from noon (1100 GMT) today due to volcanic ash from Iceland that has already caused almost 300 cancellations here, officials said. (AFP/Getty Images)

An aerial handout photo from the Icelandic Coast Guard shows flood caused by a volcanic eruption at Eyjafjalla Glacier in southern Iceland April 14, 2010. The volcanic eruption on Wednesday partially melted a glacier, setting off a major flood that threatened to damage roads and bridges and forcing hundreds to evacuate from a thinly populated area. Picture taken April 14, 2010. (REUTERS/Icelandic Coast Guard/Arni Saeberg)

Melting ice caused by a volcanic eruption at Eyjafjalla Glacier in southern Iceland April 14, 2010. (REUTERS/Icelandic Coast Guard/Arni Saeberg)

Photo taken on April 14, 2010 the Markarfljot glacial river, west of the Eyjafjalla glacier. Iceland's second volcano eruption in less than a month melted part of a glacier and caused heavy flooding on April 14, forcing up to 800 people to evacuate and grounding some flights over Norway. (HALLDOR KOLBEINS/AFP/Getty Images)

Flooding caused by a volcanic eruption at Eyjafjalla Glacier in southern Iceland April 14, 2010. (REUTERS/Icelandic Coast Guard/Arni Saeberg)

In this Wednesday April 14, 2010 photograph, smoke and steam are seen rising from the volcano under the Eyjafjalla glacier in Iceland, which erupted for the second time in less than a month, melting ice, shooting smoke and steam into the air and forcing hundreds of people to flee rising floodwaters. (AP Photo/Icelandic Coastguard)

A man takes a picture of a road that has been washed away by flood water following the melting of the Eyjafjalla glacier due to the eruption of a volcano on April 14, 2010 near Reykjavik. (HALLDOR KOLBEINS/AFP/Getty Images)

A natural-color satellite image shows lava fountains, lava flows, a volcanic plume, and steam from vaporized snow. The image was acquired on March 24, 2010, by the Advanced Land Imager (ALI) aboard NASA's Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite. The lava fountains are orange-red, barely visible at the 10-meter (33-foot) resolution of the satellite. The scoria cones surrounding the fissure are black, as is the lava flow extending to the northeast. White volcanic gases escape from the vent and erupting lava, while a steam plume rises where the hot lava meets snow. (The bright green color along the edge of the lava flow is an artifact of the sensor.) (NASA's Earth Observatory/Robert Simmon)

This picture taken on March 27, 2010 shows lava spurting out of the site of a volcanic eruption at the Eyjafjallajökull volcano some 125 km east of Reykjavik. With lava still gushing, a small Icelandic volcano that initially sent hundreds fleeing from their homes is turning into a boon for the island nation's tourism industry, as visitors flock to catch a glimpse of the eruption. (HALLDOR KOLBEINS/AFP/Getty Images)

Tourists gather to watch lava spurt out of the site of a volcanic eruption at the Eyjafjallajökull volcano on March 27, 2010. Up to 800 people were evacuated in Iceland early on April 14, 2010 due to a volcano eruption under the Eyjafjallajokull glacier in the south of the island, police and geophysicists said. (HALLDOR KOLBEINS/AFP/Getty Images)

President Obama welcomes World leaders:Nuclear Security Summit (2010) Attendees list from 47 countries

The White House welcomed international leaders from 47 countries to Washington this week for Preesident Barack Obama’s summit on nuclear-weapon security.

President Barack Obama and International leaders Group Picture

 Nuclear Security Summit (2010) Attendees list from 47 countries

Algeria

His Excellency Mourad Medelci
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria

Argentine Republic

Her Excellency Cristina Fernández de Kirchner

Armenia

His Excellency Serzh Sargsyan
President of the Republic of Armenia

Australia

The Honorable Senator John Faulkner
Minister for Defense of Australia

Belgium

His Excellency Yves Leterme
Prime Minister of Belgium

Brazil

His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva
President of the Federative Republic of Brazil

Canada

The Right Honorable Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada

Chile

His Excellency Sebastián Piñera
President of the Republic of Chile

China

His Excellency Hu Jintao
President of the People’s Republic of China

Czech Republic

His Excellency Jan Fischer
Prime Minister of the Czech Republic

Egypt

His Excellency Ahmed Aboul Gheit
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Arab Republic of Egypt

European Union
His Excellency Herman Van Rompuy
President of the European Council

Finland

Her Excellency Tarja Halonen
President of the Republic of Finland

France

His Excellency Nicolas Sarkozy
President of the French Republic

Georgia

His Excellency Mikheil Saakashvili
President of Georgia

Germany
Her Excellency Dr. Angela Merkel
Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany

India

His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of the Republic of India

Indonesia

His Excellency Dr. Boediono
Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia

International Atomic Energy Agency

Mr. Yukiya Amano
Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency

Israel

His Excellency Dan Meridor
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intelligence and Atomic Energy of Israel

Italy

His Excellency Silvio Berlusconi
President of the Council of Ministers of the Italian Republic

Japan

His Excellency Yukio Hatoyama
Prime Minister of Japan

Jordan

His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein
King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Kazakhstan

His Excellency Nursultan Nazarbayev
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Korea

His Excellency Lee Myung-bak
President of the Republic of Korea

Malaysia

The Honorable Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak
Prime Minister of Malaysia

Mexico

His Excellency Felipe Calderon Hinojosa
President of the United Mexican States

Morocco

His Excellency Abbas El Fassi
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Morocco

The Netherlands

His Excellency Dr. Jan Peter Balkenende
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

New Zealand

The Honorable John Key
Prime Minister of New Zealand

Nigeria

His Excellency Dr. Goodluck E. Jonathan
Acting President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Norway

His Excellency Jens Stoltenberg
Prime Minister of Norway

Pakistan

His Excellency Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani
Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Philippines

Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President of the Republic of the Philippines

Poland

His Excellency Radoslaw Sikorski
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland

Russia

His Excellency Dmitry A. Medvedev
President of the Russian Federation

Saudi Arabia

His Royal Highness Prince Muqrin bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
President of the General Intelligence Presidency of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Singapore

His Excellency Lee Hsien Loong
Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore

South Africa

His Excellency Jacob Zuma
President of the Republic of South Africa

Spain

His Excellency José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero
President of the Government of Spain

Sweden

His Excellency Fredrik Reinfeldt
Prime Minister of Sweden

Switzerland

Her Excellency Doris Leuthard
President of the Swiss Confederation

Thailand

His Excellency Trairong Suwankiri
Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand
Turkey
His Excellency Recep Tayyip Erdogan
Prime Minister of the Republic of Turkey

Ukraine

His Excellency Viktor Yanukovych
President of Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces

United Kingdom

The Right Honorable David Miliband, M.P.
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

United Nations

His Excellency Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General of the United Nations

United States

The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States

Vietnam

His Excellency Nguyen Tan Dung
Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

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Russia angry over adopted boy sent back from US

By Nataliya Vasilyeva And Kristin M. Hall

Russia threatened to suspend all child adoptions by U.S. families Friday after a 7-year-old boy adopted by a woman from Tennessee was sent alone on a one-way flight back to Moscow with a note saying he was violent and had severe psychological problems.

The boy, Artyom Savelyev, was put on a plane by his adopted grandmother, Nancy Hansen of Shelbyville.

"He drew a picture of our house burning down and he'll tell anybody that he's going to burn our house down with us in it," she told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "It got to be where you feared for your safety. It was terrible."

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the actions by the grandmother "the last straw" in a string of U.S. adoptions gone wrong, including three in which Russian children had died in the U.S.

In an exclusive interview with ABC News' George Stephanopoulos, Dmitry Medvedev said the boy "fell into a very bad family."

"It is a monstrous deed on the part of his adoptive parents, to take the kid and virtually throw him out with the airplane in the opposite direction and to say, 'I'm sorry I could not cope with it, take everything back' is not only immoral but also against the law," Medvedev said.

The cases have prompted outrage in Russia, where foreign adoption failures are reported prominently. Russian main TV networks ran extensive reports on the latest incident in their main evening news shows.

The Russian education ministry immediately suspended the license of the group involved in the adoption -- the World Association for Children and Parents, a Renton, Washington-based agency -- for the duration of an investigation. In Tennessee, authorities were investigating the adoptive mother, Torry Hansen, 33.

Any possible freeze could affect hundreds of American families. Last year, nearly 1,600 Russian children were adopted in the United States, and more than 60,000 Russian orphans have been successfully adopted there, according to the National Council For Adoption, a U.S. adoption advocacy nonprofit group.

"We're obviously very troubled by it," U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said in Washington when asked about the boy's case. He told reporters the U.S. and Russia share a responsibility for the child's safety and Washington will work closely with Moscow to make sure adoptions are legal and appropriately monitored.

Asked if he thought a suspension by Russia was warranted, Crowley said, "If Russia does suspend cooperation on the adoption that is its right. These are Russian citizens."

Source: AP

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Mourning day in Poland: Polish President Lech Kaczynski and First lady, Maria Kaczynski die in Plane crash

By MONIKA SCISLOWSKA

Polish President Lech Kaczynski, who died Saturday in a plane crash in Russia, was a one-time anti-communist activist who teamed up with his twin brother to take his country in a nationalist, conservative direction.

Kaczynski, 60, pursued a strongly pro-U.S. line in foreign relations, in accordance with a cross-party consensus that has grown in Poland since the fall of communism. He was an enthusiastic backer of plans to site a U.S. missile defense facility in the country, the largest of the European Union's new eastern members.

However, the prickly nationalism of Kaczynski and his identical twin brother, Jaroslaw — who served for a time as prime minister and is now opposition leader — sometimes complicated ties with European neighbors and Russia.

Kaczynski served as Poland's justice minister in 2000-2001, and his tough stance against crime laid the foundations for the popularity that would fuel his later rise to the presidency.

He became mayor of Warsaw in 2001, and won respect for a no-nonsense style and plain-speaking reputation.

Our country needs renewal, the renewal of public life," Kaczynski has said.

Kaczynski's popularity declined as head of state, however. In 2007, his identical twin brother was voted out as prime minister after a two-year stint in which he failed to hold together a shaky coalition with small, unpredictable populist parties.

Kaczynski was a firm friend of Poland's Jewish community, which has enjoyed a revival in recent years after it was nearly wiped out in the Holocaust and later suffered from communist-era repression.

Kaczynski was killed along with wife, Maria, an economist. He is survived by the couple's daughter, Marta; two granddaughters, Ewa and Martyna; his twin brother, Jaroslaw; and the twins' mother, Jadwiga.

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Polish President Lech Kaczynski, his wife and other died in plane crash in western Russia

Polish President Lech Kaczynski including the country's highest military and civilian leaders died on Saturday when the presidential plane crashed as it came in for a landing in thick fog in western Russia. The fatal plane crash killed at least 96 passengers who were on board.

Late President Lech Kaczynski

Russian and Polish officials said there were no survivors on the 26-year-old Tupolev, which was taking the president, his wife and staff to events marking the 70th anniversary of the massacre of thousands of Polish officers by Soviet secret police.

The crash devastated the upper echelons of Poland's political and military establishments. On board were the army chief of staff, national bank president, deputy foreign minister, army chaplain, head of the National Security Office, deputy parliament speaker, civil rights commissioner and at least two presidential aides and three lawmakers, the Polish foreign ministry said.


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Christopher Cazenove dies at 64

LONDON (Reuters) – British actor Christopher Cazenove has died at the age of 64 after losing a battle with septicemia, his family said on Wednesday, the second "Dynasty" star to die in the past week.

Cazenove, who attended the upmarket school Eton College, made his name playing aristocratic roles in a string of British TV shows but was best known for playing the role of Ben Carrington in the glitzy U.S. soap opera "Dynasty."

Cazenove's death in a London hospital comes just days after the death of John Forsythe who also starred in the popular series that aired from 1981 until 1989.

"Christopher died peacefully on April 7 surrounded by his loved ones having contracted septicemia (blood poisoning) at the end of February," said a family statement released widely to the media through his agent, Lesley Duff.

"Despite a valiant fight and the untiring efforts of the wonderful team at St Thomas's (Hospital in London), he was overwhelmed. All who knew and loved him will be devastated by the loss of this incredible man who touched so many lives."

Cazenove was married to actress Angharad Rees for more than 20 years and they had two sons, but the eldest was killed in a car crash in 1999 aged 25.

Forsythe, who played Cazenove's brother Blake Carrington in Dynasty, died last week in Santa Ynez, California, at the age of 92 after a year-long battle with cancer.

Casenove first found fame in the 1970s British mini-series "The Duchess of Duke Street," and appeared on screen, stage and on radio. Following his Dynasty stint, he appeared in the Hollywood movie "Three Men and a Little Lady" in 1990 and "A Knight's Tale" in 2001.

Source: Yahoo News

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Sex abuse in churches

The revelation of sexual abuse by Roman Catholic priests involving vulnerable children in their care has provoked a storm of protests in Europe, Australia, the United States and Latin America. The victims, many emotionally scarred for life, no longer content to suffer in silence, are coming out in large numbers to reveal a pattern of systematic abuse that has been going on since the 50s and perhaps even earlier.

 

The faithful in the Catholic Church feel betrayed beyond words that the one sanctuary upon which they pinned their hopes for a Christian life on earth and a glorious afterlife in paradise has been badly bruised. Many are questioning their role in a church that allows heinous sexual acts to be performed on minors by ordained priests. Some of the reports are disgusting; like the case of a serial paedophile priest in Wisconsin, United States who repeatedly violated 200 deaf and dumb children at a school under his care.

 

Pope Benedict XVI as head of the Catholic Church has been trying to contain the wrath caused by the disclosures of thousands of abused children many of whom are now adults. For the first time, the Pope has issued an apology meant for the Catholic Church of Ireland but in reality addressed to Christendom. In a pastoral letter the Pope expressed profound regret and sorrow to all those who have suffered grievous harm at the hands of the clergy. The Pope went on to say that, "It is understandable that you find it hard to forgive or be reconciled with the church. In her name, I openly express the shame and remorse that we all feel. I know that nothing can undo the wrong you have endured. Your trust has been betrayed and your dignity violated".

 

But the furore continues with many calling for punitive action against the offending priests and the bishops who shielded them from justice. Amidst the continuing row, top members of the Catholic Communion have rallied behind Pope Benedict and are doing their utmost to limit the damage caused by these sex scandals. There have been strident calls for reform as well.

 

There is no compulsion to become a priest of any church or denomination. Those who aspire to religious leadership must abide by their vows. The high status enjoyed by priests in society is owed to a popular perception that as reverend gentlemen they subscribe to a higher standard of purity and holiness than is found among secular authorities. When they succumb to the base instincts of common criminals, not only do they undermine the faith the congregation reposes in them, they weaken and in some cases destroy the citadel upon which their power and respect are based. Reverend Fathers being representatives of the good shepherd have a duty to lead their flock unto righteousness and salvation.

 

Although world searchlight is currently on the Roman Catholic Church, it must not be assumed that the other Christian churches are immune from the maladies that afflict the Catholic Congregation. Deviant behaviour of a sexual nature exists in all the churches. They are mitigated somewhat in those instances where priests are allowed to marry. Even so, cases of adultery, may be not paedophilia, abound in other non-Catholic institutions. It will be in order for every church to do a sexual audit of the clergy to determine how far they are clean and to take appropriate remedial action where necessary.

 

In Nigeria, priests of all denominations are often more well off than the majority of their followers. Their needs are provided for by an impoverished but willing congregation of worshippers. Many of the poor, suffering from hardship and unemployment troop to churches as an escape from hopelessness and in a fervent desire to achieve the good life now and a better one hereafter. For the children of these poor people to be abused by priests to whom they have shown total allegiance, confessed their sins, asked for penance, is callous and reprehensible. The men of God must ensure that they do not create trauma and doubt among the meek and the lowly for whom the church is everything.

 

The Vatican should use the opportunity of current controversies to objectively look at its practices with a view to exploring in which areas changes could be made. It is clear that the veil of secrecy, payoffs and transfers hitherto resorted to in cases of sexual abuse can no longer be sustained. For instance, American dioceses following this policy of secrecy have paid more than $2.7 billion in settlements and other costs since 1950.

 

The Catholic Church must provide decisive leadership. It should strive to be more open and should not hesitate to report sexual perverts to law enforcement. The lack of punishment of previous offenders has encouraged more priests to desecrate their frock and disobey the church's teaching on morality. Ultimately the leaders of more than one billion Catholics owe it to themselves to insist on the truth and on accountability. It is a known fact that fewer persons are inclined to join the priesthood nowadays. However, reducing numbers should not mean a fall in standards. On the contrary, with these unsavoury revelations, the recruitment standard for priests should be raised. In addition to cant and creed, they should be schooled in the development of human character and the discipline to overcome temptation.

  

Source: NRG Guardian

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Messi scores 4 goals to lead Barca over Arsenal

By PAUL LOGOTHETIS
Lionel Messi pretty much put Barcelona in the European Champions League semifinals by himself.

The reigning world player of the year scored four goals, getting a hat trick in a 22-minute span of the first half, to lift the defending champions over Arsenal 4-1 Tuesday night and advance Barcelona to the semifinals for the third straight year.

"A player like this only comes along every 25-30 years," Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez said.

Barcelona won the home-and-home, total-goals series on 6-3 aggregate and will play Inter Milan in the semifinals starting April 20 in Italy. The second leg is in Spain eight days later for a berth in the final on May 22 in Madrid.

The 22-year-old Messi, expected to lead Argentina at the World Cup, has eight Champions League goals this season and moved one ahead of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo for this season's scoring lead.

"Of course I hope I can keep this up," Messi said. "These four goals really make me happy. We need it to have this kind of match. We started badly, but we fixed it. What really matters is that the team keeps going like this, working and doing it well."

He became the first player to score four goals in a two-legged series in the competition and with 25 goals matched Rivaldo as Barcelona's career Champions League scoring leader.

"He's a player of such an incredible level," Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola said. "There are no words -- this kind of performance you have to see it."

Messi has 39 goals overall this season, the major reason Barcelona has a chance to overtake high-spending Real Madrid for first place in the Spanish league when they play Saturday night.

"He's the best player I've ever faced and he's the best player in the world," Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia said. "It's very difficult to stop someone who has so many skills like that, who can do whatever they want with the ball."

Nicklas Bendtner put the Gunners ahead in the 18th minute with his fifth Champions League goal of the season, tying Manchester United's Wayne Rooney for third.

Messi then took over, scoring in the 21st, 37th and 42nd minutes for a 3-1 lead. He got his final goal in the 88th minute after Almunia stopped his initial shot. Messi swept the rebound through the goalkeeper's legs.

"I don't know how many players can score that goal," Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger said "It's something that looks impossible that he makes possible. In exceptional games, exceptional players make the difference."

Source: AP

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