What does a music festival say about you?

　　

　　

　　

　　The season for music festivals is about to kick off, with seemingly more people going than ever before. But what does your choice of festival say about you?

　　Glastonbury, Bestival, the Big Chill, Latitude, Reading? Which wristband will you be flashing at friends and work colleagues this summer?

　　It's safe to say music festivals are now an established part of British summer time. There are 450 in the UK alone this year and more people are going to them than ever before, says Virtual Festivals UK.

　　They used to be about leaving the social snobberies and constraints of everyday life at the gate. The mud and general madness was a great social leveller. Banker or buddhist, everyone was in it together. Now many are sponsored by big corporate brands and money can buy you luxury unimaginable years ago - tipi with shower and double bed for £3,000 anyone?

　　

　　THE BIG FESTIVAL DATES

　　Glastonbury, Worthy Farm, Somerset, 24-27 June

　　Latitude, Henham Park Estate, Suffolk, 15-18 July

　　Reading/Leeds, Little John's Farm, Reading and Bramham Park, Leeds, 27-29 August

　　Isle of Wight, Seaclose Park, Newport, 11-13 June

　　Bestival, Robin Hill Country Park, Isle of Wight, 9-12 September

　　Big Chill, Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire, 5-8 August

　　"They are completely mainstream now," says Caspar Llewellyn Smith, editor of the Observer Music Monthly magazine. "Glastonbury is a national institution. It's like an advertisement for the Somerset Tourist Board."

　　But with so much choice and such a range of "experiences" on offer, where you go says more about you than ever before. It's why people continue to wear the wristbands for weeks afterwards, it's about making a statement.

　　"Your choice definitely says something about your identity," says says Professor George McKay of the University of Salford, who has written extensively on festival culture, including the book Glastonbury: A Very English Fair.

　　"I often make the point that people don't go to festivals for the music, which is a secondary attraction. They go because of the mass experience, the event itself. Some festivals are simply 'cool' and others not."

　　And it's basic human nature that many of us want to surround ourselves with like-minded people at festivals - it's life affirming.

　　"For some, membership of a tribe gives them self esteem," says Professor Adrian North, director of psychology at Heriot-Watt University. "If you are with people you think are cool it reaffirms your own lifestyle choices - you're basically patting yourself on the back."

　　Saturation point

　　So what are these festival tribes?

　　"If you go to Glastonbury or WOMAD you are probably interested in ethical issues around the environment or multiculturalism or a global consciousness. You may even have an organic allotment," says Professor McKay.

　　"If it's Latitude you're a bit older and possibly taking the kids, but don't want to be too uncomfortable - perhaps thinking you'd like to hire one of those tipis."

　　Those who work in the festival industry agree divides exists. Reading and Leeds are a teenage rite of passage and all about the music, says Daniel Fahey, editor of Virtual Festivals UK.

　　

　　Wristbands are often kept on for kudos

　　"The Isle of Wight festival is about big heritage acts like Paul McCartney, so attracts a slightly older crowd. The Big Chill is for the former rave generation who are now in their 30s and Bestival is still a bit hippy, with fancy dress and healing fields"

　　The increasing divides are something canny festival organisers have seized upon in order to survive what is now a very crowded market.

　　"The scene reached saturation point and it's now maturing and segmenting," says Caroline Jackson, a lecturer at Bournemouth University, who is doing a PhD on music festivals. "Individual festivals are now increasingly recognised for what type of experience you get there. Certain groups go to certain festival."

　　Glastonbury, the biggest and best-known festival, has cleverly adapted by expanding to offer something for everyone, she adds. It has segmented within the festival itself. The diversity means people go to the same festival but have completely different experiences.

　　The changing nature of the scene has triggered very heated debate about authenticity and what a "real" festival is, says researchers. Is it a one-day shindig in a London park or a three-day party in Somerset with healing fields and heavy rock?

　　Snobbery

　　One post on an internet message board moans about a family spotted enjoying a cheese board in a comedy tent at one festival. Another complains of people's "fake sentiment", while pushchairs, middle-aged people and "tame" band line-ups also get slated.

　　"There's a huge amount of snobbery when it comes to festivals these days," says journalist Alice-Azania Jarvis, who writes for the Independent.

　　

　　Glastonbury didn't always have 180,000 punters

　　"The reputation of a festival is more important to some people than the acts who are playing. If watching your favourite band means standing in a field of people who look like mobile-phone salesmen, then some people will decide not to go. It's not what you're watching, more who you are watching them with."

　　It's inevitable when something becomes mainstream, like a festival, it loses its credibility among some people, says Prof North.

　　"If your sub culture sets you apart, once everyone else joins in it no longer makes you different. You're just normal."

　　But researchers say one thing has not changed and spans the divides - the temporary escape from the mundane routine of everyday life.

　　"Young people like festivals to experience the freedom of youth and their own new music, and older people like them too, trying to remember their own youth, not least by seeing their favourite bands reforming," says McKay.

　　"And that kind of child-like freedom is a great part of the promise of any festival: outdoors, open air, camping in the countryside, music and other arts, with a group of like-minded people, seeking relaxation or excess."

　　Put that way, it sounds so good.

Should the whole Supreme Court come from two schools?

　　

　　

　　

　　

 

　　The nomination of Elena Kagan to replace the retiring John Paul Stevens on the US Supreme Court means, if she is confirmed, all of the justices will have been at either Harvard or Yale law schools. But why should two educational bodies provide all of the US's most senior judges?

　　It is really only a score of five-and-a-half for Harvard, some pundits would suggest.

　　If Ms Kagan is confirmed as a Supreme Court justice, there will be five from Harvard law school, three from Yale law school and one from Columbia law school.

　　

The court has become a bastion of the elite - it's sophisticated, north-eastern, highly cultured

 

　　Prof Peter Hoffer

　　But Ruth Bader Ginsburg started out at Harvard law school before transferring to Columbia.

　　The inference could easily be drawn that the finest legal minds all come from just two of the US's law schools.

　　It has also been pointed out that four of the court will be New Yorkers and that the court will consist of six Catholics and three Jews - no protestants.

　　But should it aim to be representative on educational background, or anything else?

　　For much of its history, a geographical spread of justices was the top priority, notes Peter Hoffer, distinguished research professor at the University of Georgia, and co-author of The Supreme Court: An Essential History.

　　

HARVARD LAW GRADUATES

　　731 degrees conferred last year

　　402 male, 329 female

　　Ethnicity: Asian/Pacific Islander (10%), Black/non-Hispanic (9%), 42 Hispanic (6%), International students (26%), Native American (1%), White/Non-Hispanic (40%), Unknown/other (8%)

　　"Theoretically, the court is supposed to be divided among different parts of the country. Now we have gone past that - we are one nation, connected by the web and the media - that kind of geographical distinction is not so important any more."

　　After the need for geographical diversity of the court ebbed, other priorities emerged.

　　"As late as the 1960s you had a Catholic seat and a Jewish seat to ensure some kind of representation. It's rather ironic that now you have six Catholics and three Jews," says Prof Joel B Grossman, co-editor of The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States.

　　With white, black, and Hispanic justices on the court and both men and women represented, the court might seem heterogeneous but in terms of educational background it's become extremely homogeneous.

　　

　　Elena Kagan would be one of four New Yorkers on the court

　　"The court has become a bastion of the elite - it's sophisticated, north-eastern, highly cultured," says Prof Hoffer.

　　The retiring Justice John Paul Stevens finished his education at Northwestern law school in Chicago, a body with an excellent reputation. But new graduates of that school, nourishing hopes of rising to the pinnacle of their profession, might have cause to be pessimistic.

　　"It must not be very encouraging for the vast majority of law students who are in school in the middle part of the country where there are some very good law schools, but they are not Harvard and Yale," says Tony Mauro, Supreme Court correspondent, at the American Law Magazine. "It is time to have a bit more diversity."

　　It's not just the Supreme Court, of course. The prospects of Harvard law school graduates are high anywhere within the profession.

　　"There is nothing quite like having Harvard Law school on your resume," says Mauro. "It just has a certain cachet that is hard to beat."

　　Anyone defending the status quo might point out that Harvard and Yale do produce a stream of brilliant graduates, but there are of course brilliant graduates elsewhere too.

　　

THE JUSTICES

　　John Roberts: Harvard (undergraduate), Harvard (law school)

　　Antonin Scalia: Georgetown, Harvard

　　Anthony Kennedy: Stanford, Harvard

　　Clarence Thomas: Holy Cross, Yale

　　Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Cornell, Columbia (started Harvard)

　　Stephen Breyer: Stanford, Harvard

　　Samuel Alito: Princeton, Yale

　　Sonia Sotomayor: Princeton, Yale

　　John Paul Stevens: Chicago, Northwestern

　　Nominee Elena Kagan: Princeton,

　　Harvard

　　"It is unfortunate Obama couldn't find somebody a little different," says Prof Grossman.

　　But he jokes that no-one would want to go as far as 1960s and 70s Nebraska Senator Roman Hruska, who spoke up for the need for average candidates for the Supreme Court, after the nomination of Harrold Carswell.

　　"Even if he were mediocre, there are a lot of mediocre judges and people and lawyers. They are entitled to a little representation, aren't they?" asked Hruska, to much derision.

　　Most would now agree this is taking equal opportunities too far. And on a small body like the Supreme Court, it will always be tough to keep everyone happy.

　　"There is only a limited number of ways you can divide up nine," says Prof Grossman.

　　There are even allegations that the choice of clerks to the Supreme Court, an avenue to valuable experience for young graduates, is weighted towards certain schools.

　　"There was a time when the law clerks all came from Harvard, not even Yale," says Prof Grossman. Sandra Day O'Connor and Thurgood Marshall helped change that, and Justice Clarence Thomas is known for picking clerks from less predictable backgrounds.

　　"It turned out there are a lot of smart people they don't all go to Harvard law school," says Prof Grossman.

　　"[But even] if you look at the clerks today a majority come from Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Columbia and Chicago."

　　

　　There has been a long battle to make the court more diverse

　　You can read too much into the number of prominent people that come from certain key schools, says Prof John Manning, from Harvard law school.

　　"There are very many great law schools in this country. This is a moment in history where there are just an unusually high number of people who attended three law schools - Harvard, Yale and Columbia. I don't think it will always be this way."

　　But he suggests people often get the wrong idea about the social backgrounds of students.

　　"We have a very generous programme of financial aid. People think of Harvard and Yale as being these elite homogenous places but we really have a large and diverse class coming from many different backgrounds and places.

　　"It isn't like we are taking a tiny slice of Boston high society."

Doctors urged to discuss dying days care

　　

　

　　 

　　The GMC says doctors should not prejudge what certain patients want

　　Doctors are being urged to discuss end-of-life care with the terminally ill well in advance of their final days.

　　The General Medical Council, the profession's regulator, says early discussions can help avoid misunderstandings and conflict.

　　In new guidelines, the GMC says doctors should start from the assumption that life should be prolonged, although not at any cost.

　　Opportunities should also be sought to discuss organ donation.

　　It has long been the case that patients have a legal right to refuse treatment, but in recent years there has been controversy about the right of patients to be tube fed or hydrated right up until the point of death if doctors do not feel it is beneficial.

　　The GMC guidance states that in some cases providing nutrition or hydration at the end of life may cause unnecessary suffering.

　　Malcolm Leighton: 'She wanted to die at home'

　　It also notes there are times when attempts at resuscitation with CPR may not be in a patient's best interests, as an inevitable death can be transformed into a traumatic experience.

　　A discussion about the benefits, burdens and risks should be had with the patient and those close to them.

　　In some cases it may be appropriate for the doctor to decide not to offer such treatment, but for the most part it will be the patient's request which is the "deciding factor", the new guidelines state.

　　The regulators do not address the issue of assisted suicide, which is illegal in the UK.

　　No preconceptions

　　It is hoped having the opportunity to discuss a care plan in advance should allay patients' concerns that they may be under- or over-treated in their final days and hours, and that all decisions will be directed by their doctor.

　　It will also allow patients to think about where they would like to die.

　　

When the benefits, burdens and risks are finely balanced, the patient's request will usually be the deciding factor

 

　　GMC guidelines

　　The GMC said it received more than 500 written responses to its two-year consultation on the subject from a wide range of individuals and organisations including the religious groups, patient organisations and medical charities.

　　It highlights the need for doctors not to prejudge what care someone would want at the end of their life based on their age, disability or ethnic group - research suggests these people can receive poorer care as they die.

　　The guidance also sets out how those children with the capacity to understand should be involved in decisions about their treatment, and includes a new section on issues surrounding caring for very sick and premature babies which draws on existing recommendations.

　　There is also advice on doctors' responsibilities after a patient has died, and how they should approach conversations about organ and tissue donation. Demand for organs significantly outstrips supply and various initiatives are currently being examined to increase donation rates.

　　The chief executive of the GMC, Niall Dickson, said: "In the UK we have led the world in the care of patients at the end of life but we also know there is more that can be done.

　　"Every day at the front line of care doctors are having hard conversations with patients and their families and helping them to make incredibly emotional and difficult decisions. We hope this guidance will support them in providing the best quality of care and support."

　　The British Medical Association, which had been involved with the development of the guidelines, said: "We believe the GMC's new guidance is clear about the need to work with the patient or where appropriate their relatives or advocate to ensure that they are treated fairly, with dignity and without prejudice."

　　But the Alzheimer's Society said the issue of dementia in terminally ill patients, an increasingly common occurrence, had not been adequately addressed.

　　"'People with dementia have specific end of life care needs and too many are subjected to an undignified and unnecessarily painful death.

　　"We need dementia-specific guidance for clinicians if we are to ensure people with dementia get the dignity they deserve at the end of their lives."

Pledge to stop mother-to-baby HIV spread

　　

　　

　　The virus can spread from mother to baby

　　A campaign is being launched to try to enlist public support to ensure no more children are born with HIV by 2015.

　　It is the work of the Global Fund, which uses donations from governments to fight HIV, TB and malaria.

　　The Born HIV Free campaign comes at a critical time, with the fund seeking donations of up to $20bn over the next three years.

　　It recognises this will be a battle, as governments deal with the aftermath of the Greek financial crisis.

　　HIV can be passed from mother to child during pregnancy, labour or breast-feeding.

　　This type of transmission has been almost wiped out in countries such as the UK, because pregnant women who test positive for the virus that causes AIDS can be treated with drugs.

　　Other measures - such as giving birth by caesarian section - help stop HIV being transmitted to the baby.

　　But in developing countries, 430,000 children are born with HIV every year.

　　International effort

　　The Global Fund already channels more than half of international resources used to prevent mothers passing on HIV.

　　It believes that the goal of ending this type of HIV transmission by 2015 is achievable - if governments feel they can pledge money with the support of their electorates.

　　Its executive director, Professor Michel Kazatchkine, said: "We can win this battle against Aids if we get the funding we require.

　　"This campaign is intended to encourage people to sign up in support of the Global Fund, and to show their leaders that there is strong public support to continue and increase funding for its mission."

　　Endorsement

　　The campaign has been overseen by the French first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, who is an ambassador for the Global Fund.

　　Her voice urges people to lend their support in a series of films, with music by Amy Winehouse and U2, which are being promoted on the internet.

　　The logo has adapted the visual imagery of the red ribbon - long associated with AIDS awareness - to symbolise a mother and child.

　　The US is the biggest donor to the Global Fund. The UK has pledged or contributed $1.1bn since the fund began in 2002. France is the largest European contributor.

　　The next round of donations will be confirmed at a crucial meeting in October, chaired by the UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.

　　Insiders at the Global Fund are waiting to hear how the new coalition government in the UK will respond to the request for commitments.

　　They say they have previously had "promising noises" from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats on global health issues.

　　The editor of the Lancet medical journal, Dr Richard Horton, said: "An early indication that our government will support the Global Fund is really important.

　　"It's something that has worked - because the money has been spent on drug treatment and bed nets.

　　"Another pressing issue is taking a serious look at the Department for International Development.

　　"There is genuine concern that a lot of money has been spent on development aid - without always getting a clear return.

　　"There needs to be accountability at this time of financial stringency."

Woman gives birth to sextuplets in Oxford

　　

　　

　　The babies were born more than three months early

　　A woman has given birth to sextuplets 14 weeks early at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

　　Vicky Lamb, 31, gave birth to four girls and two boys, ranging in weight from 1lb 5oz (0.6kg) to 1lb 15oz (0.9kg).

　　Mrs Lamb, of Oxford, who had fertility treatment, is said to be recovering well following the birth on 14 May.

　　The babies are in intensive care and doctors have said the next few days will be "critical".

　　Publicist Max Clifford, who is representing the family, said Mrs Lamb became pregnant after taking the same fertility drug she used before the birth of her first child, Gracie, now aged five.

　　

They are fighting for their lives

　　Publicist Max Clifford

　　"They are just incredibly grateful for the John Radcliffe Hospital, the doctors and the nurses," he said.

　　Talking about when Mrs Lamb and her husband Andy, also 31, might be able to take their babies home, Mr Clifford said: "It is a long way off.

　　"They are fighting for their lives, they are still critical."

　　The hospital said sextuplets were born once in every 4.5 million pregnancies.

　　Last year a woman gave birth to six babies at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital in Belfast.

　　Staff 'privileged'

　　Before that the last surviving sextuplets in the UK were born in 1993, according to the Multiple Births Foundation charity.

　　The John Radcliffe Hospital said: "Staff... feel privileged to play their part in such an unusual birth.

　　"A large team of doctors and nurses were present at the delivery or involved with the immediate management of the babies.

　　"There were several weeks of planning the delivery prior to the birth."

　　Consultant neonatologist Dr Kenny McCormick said: "Babies that are born this early need a lot of specialist care.

　　"They are receiving round-the-clock intensive care and specialist nursing at the moment and their condition is constantly monitored."

　　Keith Reed, chief executive of the Twins and Multiple Births Association, said it was "truly amazing news".

　　He added: "We waited for decades for the birth of sextuplets in the UK and now two sets have now been born within the space of the year.

　　"Families in this situation face a rollercoaster of emotions and we all wish the whole Lamb family well."

Euro heads for first weekly gain in six versus dollar

　

　　The euro rose on Friday, heading for its first weekly gain versus the U.S. dollar in six weeks as investors who had bet on the currency's fall bought it back on fears of central bank intervention.

　　The Australian dollar jumped on speculation Australia's central bank may step in to support the currency. The Aussie is on track for its biggest weekly drop since October 2008, hammered by worries the euro zone debt crisis could hinder a global economic recovery.

　　The euro gained for a third straight session after German lawmakers approved their country's contribution to a nearly $1 trillion bailout package, and European finance ministers supported calls for new and tougher sanctions against countries that break EU budget rule.

　　"With the immense amount of short positions in the market and EU leaders rushing to put together a lasting remedy, the euro has certainly found its footing," said Andrew Wilkinson, senior analyst at Interactive Brokers Group in Greenwich, Connecticut.

　　"There has also been some market rumors that central banks would intervene, which in my mind is an unlikely event. However, the very suggestion is enough to make investors pare positions," he added.

　　In late New York trading, the euro rose 0.9 percent to $1.2575 after climbing as high as $1.2673 on electronic trading platform EBS. It is poised to end the week 1.8 percent higher against the dollar, following five weeks of losses.

　　The euro has fallen roughly 5.4 percent against the dollar this month. Its steep decline has cranked up speculation European officials may be concerned about its level.

　　The Australian dollar rose 1.9 percent against the U.S. dollar to $0.8314, pulling back from its lowest level since July 2009, hit on Thursday, and on track for a weekly loss of 6.2 percent. It was also up 4.1 percent against the yen.

　　"The aussie/yen is a good proxy for the risk trade and the yen has done well on the move away from risk in Europe," said David Kupersmith, head trader at Third Wave Global Investors, a global macro hedge fund in Greenwich, Connecticut. "It has nothing to do with the economic situation in Australia or Japan though there are signs Australia is slowing down."

　　EURO BOTTOMS?

　　The euro zone single currency tumbled to a four-year low of $1.2143 on EBS on Wednesday after Germany banned naked short selling in some securities, fueling speculation about other possible market regulations.

　　But it has rebounded sharply since then, leading some investors to speculate whether the currency has reached a bottom.

　　"It's very possible that we've seen a medium-term low. We could be back at $1.30 this time next week," Interactive Brokers Group's Wilkinson said, referring to the euro/dollar. "People have baked into the cake so many negative assumptions about where the euro could go."

　　Currency speculators slightly trimmed their bets against the euro, data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission showed on Friday. The net short position on the euro fell to 107,143 contracts from the record net short position of 113,890 contracts the prior week.

　　Other analysts, however, remained bearish on worries about the impact of deep public spending cuts in Greece, Spain and Portugal on the outlook for growth and monetary policy.

　　"The fundamental outlook for the euro is still poor," said Jessica Hoversen, a fixed income and currency analyst at MF Global in Chicago. "Given the massive fiscal consolidation that you're going to see in Europe, the outlook for their real economy is poor."

　　Against the Swiss franc, the euro traded 0.5 percent higher at 1.4429, having recovered sharply from a slide to an all-time low around 1.3995 francs earlier in the week.

　　The U.S. dollar rose 0.4 percent to 89.91 yen, while it fell 0.9 percent to C$1.0603.

Eurozone woes to make for erratic market

 

　　Volatility will be the name of the game on Wall Street next week as uncertainty over the euro-zone debt crisis remains and investors will need nerves of steel to make bets on risky assets like stocks.

　　The Standard & Poor's 500 index's drop this week of 10 percent from recent highs meant the benchmark index is now in a correction amid a rally that started on March 2009.

　　"This is a tough market. And if you don't have a strong stomach and you are not one of those people who thrive on volatility ... this is not the time you should be trading," said Randy Frederick, director of derivatives at the Schwab Center for Financial Research in Texas, Austin.

　　On Friday, stocks snapped a three-day losing streak as investors bought beaten-down shares including banks. But for the week, the Dow and the S&P were off around 4 percent and the Nasdaq fell 5 percent.

　　Analysts said economic data due next week and investors' speculation that equities may have fallen too much could lead to a rebound in the market. But with the downside momentum strong on anxiety over European debt issues, the market can easily turn and create increased volatility.

　　BIGGER SWINGS?

　　On the week, the Chicago Board Options Exchange Volatility Index .VIX, Wall Street's favorite yardstick of investor anxiety, rose 30 percent.

　　The measure of U.S. stock market volatility closed at 40.10 on Friday, down 12.43 percent, after rising as high as 48.20, the highest since March 10, 2009.

　　"Every bear market starts off as a correction so in this kind of environment, investors get anxious about whether this is just a correction or a start of the bear market. The unknown is what makes people uncomfortable, leading to bigger swings," said Frederick.

　　He said that the index could swing between mid-30s and high 40s next week.

　　The VIX is a 30-day risk forecast of stock market volatility. The index typically has an inverse relationship with the S&P benchmark as it tracks option prices that investors are willing to pay as a protection on the underlying stocks.

　　GEITHNER IN EUROPE

　　U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner will make a stop in Britain and Germany next week to discuss troubled economic conditions there en route home from China.

　　"Of course, there is no quick fix to the debt crisis, but the visit is at a good time. We don't know what will come out of the meetings, but it will probably be some sort of a coordinated effort to address the liquidity issue in Europe," said Jeff Kleintop, chief market strategist at LPL Financial in Boston.

　　"If it shows that the worst of the financial market pressure is starting to be relieved, it will not only be good for stocks but for all risky assets."

　　Global markets across all assets have been pressured for months on concerns that huge deficits in Greece will spread into a wave of debt crisis in the euro zone and eventually jeopardize the global financial system.

　　Fear that fiscal tightening would kill the economic recovery pummeled equity and commodity prices during the week and caused investors to pay up for safe-haven U.S. government debt.

　　DATA IN FOCUS

　　Investors will look for clues on the state of the labor market when jobless claims data comes out on Thursday.

　　The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment insurance unexpectedly rose on the week that ended May 14, government data showed. The increase was the first time since early April, dealing a blow to the labor market recovery.

　　"The improvements that we have seen in jobless claims have flattened out recently, especially after last week. This week's data will be a major indicator of whether this is a temporary slump or a long-term decline," said Frederick.

　　Housing-related data will also be in focus next week. April's new home sales data on Wednesday is expected to extend the March uptrend as buyers were spurred on by the impending tax credit deadline. Sales are seen rising to 420,000 units in April from 411,000 in March.

　　Home prices are seen rising this year and next, though they may dip first and it will take years to recover to pre-crash levels.

　　Existing home sales, due on Monday, are seen rising 6.0 percent to 5.62 million units after growing by 6.8 percent in March, with forecasts between 5.42 million and 5.80 million.

　　The S&P/Case-Shiller 20-city index, which will come out on Tuesday, is seen declining 0.3 percent, seasonally adjusted, in March after a 0.1 percent dip, and increasing 2.4 percent year-over-year after a 0.6 percent rise.

　　"With so much uncertainty in the bigger global picture, good housing indicators can be seen as an instant trigger to a market rally next week," said Steven Hagenbuckle, founder of TerraCap Partners, a private equity fund based in New York and Florida.

　　On Thursday, the government will release its revised estimate of first-quarter gross domestic product. Analysts forecast a reading of 3.4 percent growth, slightly up from the first reading of 3.2 percent.

Goldman shares rise on false SEC settlement rumor

　　

　　

　　Traders work in the Goldman Sachs booth on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York May 10, 2010.

 

       Goldman Sachs Group Inc shares rose as much as 5.4 percent on Friday on rumors of a possible settlement with regulators and a feeling that the stock could be oversold.

　　Hot Stocks

　　The shares were up 3.5 percent at $140.80 in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange, off an earlier high at $143.44. Goldman's share rise came as bank stocks reversed losses and rose shortly after the open.

　　Goldman shares were further helped by a broader rally that sent the KBW Banks index up 2.6 percent. Goldman's rival Morgan Stanley was also up, gaining 4.84 percent.

　　Goldman Sachs and the SEC declined to comment.

　　But Washington sources familiar with the matter said the SEC and Goldman Sachs have not reached a settlement.

　　The SEC has accused Goldman of creating and marketing a debt product linked to subprime mortgages without telling investors that a prominent hedge fund helped choose the underlying securities and was betting against them.

　　Market sources confirmed that the early jump in Goldman shares -- following Thursday's slump in U.S. stocks -- was based on rumors that the bank might be close to a settlement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and because the stock is oversold.

　　Zero Hedge first reported rumors of a Goldman-SEC settlement were spreading through Wall Street.

　　"We are seeing some signs that we may be close to a settlement. I think that the key here is conciliatory comments that we've been hearing from the CEO of Goldman, Lloyd Blankfein, where he's taken a far more apologetic tone to what has happened," said David Dietze, President and Chief Investment Strategist at Point View Financial Services in Summit, New Jersey.

　　Blankfein told India's Economic Times on Friday that he regrets participating in transactions that "brought too much leverage into the world."

　　"He's basically admitting that they didn't do some things as well as they could have and that is suggesting that there is some posturing to be able to come to an accord with the SEC," Dietze said.

　　Salem, Massachusetts-based Cabot Money Management fixed income manager William Larkin, who owns Goldman bonds, said Goldman stock has been oversold.

　　"Goldman has been oversold, and the bonds have been widening pretty substantially the last couple days," he said.

Google gets U.S. antitrust OK on AdMob buy

　　

 

　　

 

　　One of the business sites of Internet search engine Google Inc is shown on a computer screen in Encinitas, California April 13, 2010.

 

　　Google Inc has won U.S. approval to buy mobile advertising rival AdMob, after months of delay and rumor that the No. 1 Internet search engine was headed for a court fight with government officials over the $750 million transaction.

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　　The Federal Trade Commission's decision followed unusually public comments by app developers -- whose software for mobile devices are often supported or subsidized by advertising -- that the agency's staff seemed determined to challenge the deal.

　　The FTC said in a statement on Friday that it was concerned that two top mobile advertising networks were combining, but said Apple Inc's entry into the market would mitigate the effects of the Google/AdMob powerhouse.

　　"The decision was a difficult one because the parties (Google and AdMob) currently are the two leading mobile advertising networks, and the commission was concerned about the loss of head-to-head competition between them," the FTC said in a statement.

　　Apple's new platform for the iPhone and iPad -- dubbed iAd -- marked Apple's first move into a small but growing market and comes shortly after its purchase of Quattro Wireless, the third largest mobile ad network, Quattro Wireless.

　　The commission said it believed Apple would quickly become a strong mobile advertising network competitor.

　　"Though we have determined not to take action today, the commission will continue to monitor the mobile marketplace to ensure a competitive environment and to protect the interests of consumers," the FTC said.

　　Google, which announced the deal in November, called the approval "great news" and said it would close "in coming weeks."

　　AdMob founder and Chief Executive Omar Hamoui said he was pleased with the decision and would work with Google to close the deal.

　　Despite an early, small bump in Google's stock price, it quickly shed the gains to close down 0.62 percent at $472.05 on Nasdaq.

　　"It's heavy volume, they got the bump and they took it back down," said Colin Gillis, a senior tech analyst with BGC Financial. Gillis argued that the slip was at least partially because the AdMob acquisition will do little to immediately push up Google's revenues.

　　SIGNS OF A FRUSTRATED CHALLENGE?

　　The mobile ad market was evolving and growing so fast that challenging a deal in the space would be very difficult, said David Balto, a former FTC policy director.

　　"Apple's moves over the last couple of months hurt the FTC's case," he added, referring to the iAd launch and requirement that app developers work within certain specifications.

　　Few app developers seemed to share the FTC concern that the Google-AdMob merger would leave them with fewer firms to sell their advertising space.

　　One told Reuters in April that the FTC staff appeared "dead set against" approving the deal, and went on to say that he was puzzled by the FTC's concern.

　　This sort of commentary -- and that of others who went online to describe similar interaction with the commission -- made the FTC's job even harder as it faced the prospect of explaining its case to a judge, said Jeff Shinder, an antitrust lawyer with Constantine Cannon.

　　"Someone's got to get hurt here. You want to show consumers coming in, saying 'I'm worried,'" Shinder said on Friday. "And (it hurts) when one of these constituencies is openly disdainful of the agency's action."

　　Google, which generated 97 percent of its $23.7 billion in 2009 revenue from advertising, has faced growing antitrust scrutiny as it seeks to use revenue from its dominance of the search market to move powerfully into other markets.

　　The company walked away from a search deal with Yahoo Inc in 2008 when the Justice Department said it would challenge the tie-up. And Google Chief Executive Eric Schmidt was forced to step down from Apple's board last year after his dual roles came under FTC review.

　　The U.S. Department of Justice has been sharply critical of Google's settlement with book publishers and authors' groups that would allow the search giant to create an online digital library. That class action settlement is awaiting approval by a court in New York.

Gold ends lower as safe-haven bid erodes

 

　　

　　Gold bars are displayed at Habib Jewels' boutique in Kuala Lumpur in this September 17, 2009 file photo.

 

　　NEW YORK/LONDON (Reuters) - Gold ended down for the fifth straight day on Friday, suffering its worst weekly performance in almost 15 months, as improved demand for "riskier" assets dampened its safe-haven demand bid.

　　Platinum and palladium recovered sharply from losses that took them to 3-1/2 month lows, but still ran their biggest weekly percentage loss since late 2008, amid hefty fund liquidation.

　　Spot gold was bid at $1,177.35 an ounce at 1842 GMT, against $1,181.10 late in New York on Thursday. U.S. gold futures for June delivery on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange shed $12.50 to settle at $1,176.10 an ounce, after dealing in $1,166 to $1,188 session range.

　　"It's no longer just a safe-haven," said George Gero, Vice President with RBC Capital Markets Global Futures in New York.

　　"You have got two different tug-of-war plays here ... you've got a trillion dollar bailout on two continents that eventually could be inflationary, and then in the short-run, you have the tighten-your-belt lack of demand pulling it down."

　　Platinum was at $1,500.50 an ounce against $1,509, after earlier falling around 15 percent from last Friday's level. Palladium was at $433.75 versus $412.75, after falling to $393, down 25 percent on the week.

　　"Risk aversion and fears of contagion have weighed on the PGMs alongside the rest of commodities complex," analyst Suki Cooper at Barclays said, but added that from a fundamental point of view there has been positive news flow.

　　"Johnson Matthey painted a picture where we had platinum closer to balance in 2010 compared to 2009 and they did highlight they expect a surplus in palladium smaller than last year as well," she said.

　　In its closely watched Platinum 2010 report, platinum refiner and specialist Johnson Matthey Plc (JMAT.L) said it expects demand to strengthen as global auto production recovers this year and again in 2011.

　　Gold prices recovered from an earlier low of $1,166.50 an ounce, down more than 5 percent from last Friday. Traders say prices are due a period of consolidation after rising 6 percent in the first two weeks of May to record highs at $1,248.95 an ounce.

　　"We traded up from $1,125 to the high at $1,248 not even in a month, so it is quite normal that you have a movement against that," said Commerzbank trader Michael Kempinski.

　　"There is really too much investor money in there, and the funds are not all interested in the long term performance."

　　SOVEREIGN DEBT FEARS EBB

　　Fear has been a driving force in the market due to the euro zone's handling of its sovereign debt problems, but that premium seemed to erode in recent sessions as investors shifted back into risk.

　　"You saw gold performing a lot better over the past couple days then you did PGMs and silver," said one precious metals dealer.

　　"What you have now is people, who were going to gold as a safe-haven, are kind of getting out of it and getting back into everything else," he said, pointing to strong gains in platinum, palladium and copper.

　　The euro clung to gains against the dollar as fears of currency intervention rose, but oil prices remained depressed, falling below $70 a barrel.

　　Investment demand for physical gold continued to be firm. Holdings of the world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, New York's SPDR Gold Trust, hit a record 1,220.152 tonnes on Thursday.

　　Silver was bid at $17.57 an ounce against $17.59.

FAST-GROWING ARMY OF CRIMINALS?

　　In Mexico, a drug war of choice?

 

　　Here is a short history of Mexico’s drug war, as told to a joint session of the U.S. Congress by President Felipe Calderon on May 20.

　　In 2004, a U.S. ban on the sale of assault weapons to civilians was lifted. High-powered firearms started flowing south across the 2,000-mile border. Violence increased. “One day criminals in Mexico, having gained access to these weapons, decided to challenge the authorities in my country,” he said.

　　Calderon did not say what happened on that “one day,” by implication the day the president had no choice but to fight back.

　　There is another version of history, which goes as follows: Calderon won elections in 2006 with a margin so thin (0.58 percent) that it prompted cries of fraud, persuaded his left-wing opponent Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador to declare himself the real winner, and gave Mexico the unusual and embarrassing spectacle, for weeks on end, of two men claiming they were the legitimate president.

　　So, ten days after eventually being sworn in, Calderon announced that he had ordered the army into his home state of Michoacan to make war on Mexico’s drug cartels.

　　One of Calderon’s most vocal critics, former foreign minister Jorge Castaneda, loses no opportunity to say this was a war of choice, not prompted by any specific outrage but by a perceived need to legitimize a contested presidency.

　　Calderon badly misjudged the strength of the criminal mafias, the alternative version goes, and now is stuck with a war he cannot win, not even with U.S. support. The death toll in the wars the cartels are fighting against the state and against each other stands at around 23,000 and is rising by the day.

　　To staunch the bloodshed, Congress should consider reinstating the assault weapons ban, Calderon told Congress.

　　“If…you do not regulate the sale of these weapons in the right way, nothing guarantees that criminals here in the United States, with access to the same weapons, will not in turn decide to point them at U.S. authorities and citizens.”

　　Calderon’s remarks all but guarantee that the National Rifle Association (NRA), one of the most powerful lobbies in the United States, will redouble its efforts to prevent the ban from being reinstated. While the Obama administration is in favour of doing so, the chances of that happening in an American mid-term election year are remote.

　　The NRA launched a pre-emptive counter-attack weeks before Calderon’s arrival on a two-day state visit, with an essay on its website saying that Mexico’s crisis was being used as a pretext for restrictions on gun ownership. Whatever one might think of America’s lax gun laws, it’s probably safe to assume that Mexican drug criminals by now have enough weapons to keep murdering each other and the forces of law and order for a long time before needing resupplies from the north.

　　

　　Unless, of course, the Mexican army of criminals is growing very fast, which would be evidence that Calderon’s frontal assault is failing and help explain why a majority of Mexicans, according to opinion polls, think the traffickers are winning.

　　Nobody knows just how many people are involved in the drug trade — as foot soldiers, runners, lookouts, accountants, money launderers, communications experts and a wide variety of other functions. Cartel recruiters have a deep pool to draw from — Mexican unemployment stands at around 2.5 million and at least 15 million people work in the “informal sector” made up of street vendors and other casual workers.

　　Add family members of cartel criminals and officials lured by the generous bribes the cartels can offer and the number thrown out by Ismael Zambada, a fugitive leader of the Sinaloa drug cartel, begins to look more than a mere figure of speech.

　　Zambada, for whose capture the U.S. has offered a $5 million reward, said in a rare interview with the Mexican news magazine Proceso in April that there was no way the cartels could be defeated.

　　“Millions of people are involved in the narco problem,” he said. “How can they be overcome…this is a lost war.” The interviewer asked, “Why lost?” Zambada: “The narco has roots in society (just) like corruption.”

　　Another estimate on the strength of the trafficking organizations has come from the Washington Times, a conservative newspaper with good contacts in the military that last year quoted an unnamed senior defense official as saying the Pentagon believed the number of cartel foot soldiers matched that of the Mexican army – about 130,000.

　　In Washington, policymakers have begun to wonder aloud how vigorously the war against the cartels will be fought once the conservative Calderon, who has been a close U.S. ally, leaves office (Mexican law provides for a single six-year term).

　　Judging from present polls, the left-wing Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) has a good chance of winning back the presidency in 2012.

　　And then what? Possibly an end to the extradition to the U.S. of wanted drug lords, considered an affront to national sovereignty under the rule of PRI presidents. Even worse, from a U.S. point of view, would be a return to greater tolerance of moving drugs into the United States as long as the cartels keep the peace at home.

Stocks lifted by banks after dismal week

　　

　　

　　 Stocks snapped a three-day losing streak on Friday as investors bought beaten-down shares including banks on bets the financial regulation bill won't be as onerous as some had feared.

　　Nonetheless, the benchmark S&P 500 index was down 10.6 percent from its April 23 high in what is traditionally considered a correction as investors fled risky assets on fears the euro zone's debt crisis will crimp global growth.

　　Bank shares rose a day after the U.S. Senate approved a sweeping overhaul of regulation of Wall Street firms, capping months of wrangling over the biggest changes since the 1930s.

　　The Senate bill reduced uncertainty on what the final bill will look like, analysts said, which could still be watered down in negotiations with the House. Bank stocks jumped after having taken a beating on expectations the bill would cut profits. JP Morgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) was the Dow's top boost, surging 5.9 percent to $40.05.

　　"It seems to be a little less onerous than people had anticipated, but the devil's in the details and there's still a lot to play out on that," said David Katz, chief investment officer at Matrix Asset Advisors in New York.

　　The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI gained 125.38 points, or 1.25 percent, to 10,193.39. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX jumped 16.10 points, or 1.50 percent, to 1,087.69. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC rose 25.03 points, or 1.14 percent, to 2,229.04.

　　Trading was choppy throughout the session as May equity options and some options on stock indexes will stop trading at Friday's close and settle on Saturday.

　　"I think that May expiration is adding a little bit more volatility to the market," said Joe Cusick, senior market analyst at online brokerage optionsXpress in Chicago.

　　Early in the session the S&P 500 briefly fell below its lowest level of the May 6 "flash crash." For the week, the S&P ended down 4.2 percent, the Dow lost 4 percent and the Nasdaq was down 5 percent.

　　The Senate bill must now be merged with a measure approved in December by the U.S. House of Representatives. Top Democratic lawmakers said they aim to get a bill approved by a House-Senate conference committee to President Barack Obama to sign by July 4.

　　Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) rose 4.7 percent to $15.99, while the S&P financial sector index .GSPF gained 3.6 percent.

　　Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N) advanced 3.3 percent to $140.62 on rumors of a possible settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission of fraud charges, though sources familiar with the matter said no agreement had been reached.

　　Helping to ease worries about sovereign debt, Germany's parliament approved a bill to allow the country to contribute to rescue aid for Greece and other euro zone nations burdened with high debt loads.

　　In earnings news, Dell Inc (DELL.O) fell 6.8 percent to $13.35 a day after reporting a gross margin that fell short of analysts' forecasts.

　　Investors were also tempted back into the market after a nearly 4 percent sell-off on Thursday, the biggest one-day drop since April 2009, that left stocks at cheap valuations.

　　"There's a complete disconnect between benign levels of both interest rates and inflation and the fact that S&P 500 multiples are so low when the economic fundamentals in the U.S. are still pretty positive," said Phil Orlando, chief equity market strategist, at Federated Investors, in New York.

　　At Thursday's closing level, the S&P 500's 14-day Relative Strength Index had fallen below 30 for the first time since the benchmark hit 12-year lows in March 2009, indicating the index was oversold.

　　Volume was strong for a second day in a row with about 14.69 billion shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, well above last year's estimated daily average of 9.65 billion.

　　Advancing stocks handily outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by 2,348 to 740, while on the Nasdaq, advancers beat decliners 1,737 to 939.

Stocks lifted by banks after dismal week

 

　　　

　    Stocks snapped a three-day losing streak on Friday as investors bought beaten-down shares including banks on bets the financial regulation bill won't be as onerous as some had feared.

　　Nonetheless, the benchmark S&P 500 index was down 10.6 percent from its April 23 high in what is traditionally considered a correction as investors fled risky assets on fears the euro zone's debt crisis will crimp global growth.

　　Bank shares rose a day after the U.S. Senate approved a sweeping overhaul of regulation of Wall Street firms, capping months of wrangling over the biggest changes since the 1930s.

　　The Senate bill reduced uncertainty on what the final bill will look like, analysts said, which could still be watered down in negotiations with the House. Bank stocks jumped after having taken a beating on expectations the bill would cut profits. JP Morgan Chase & Co (JPM.N) was the Dow's top boost, surging 5.9 percent to $40.05.

　　"It seems to be a little less onerous than people had anticipated, but the devil's in the details and there's still a lot to play out on that," said David Katz, chief investment officer at Matrix Asset Advisors in New York.

　　The Dow Jones industrial average .DJI gained 125.38 points, or 1.25 percent, to 10,193.39. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index .SPX jumped 16.10 points, or 1.50 percent, to 1,087.69. The Nasdaq Composite Index .IXIC rose 25.03 points, or 1.14 percent, to 2,229.04.

　　Trading was choppy throughout the session as May equity options and some options on stock indexes will stop trading at Friday's close and settle on Saturday.

　　"I think that May expiration is adding a little bit more volatility to the market," said Joe Cusick, senior market analyst at online brokerage optionsXpress in Chicago.

　　Early in the session the S&P 500 briefly fell below its lowest level of the May 6 "flash crash." For the week, the S&P ended down 4.2 percent, the Dow lost 4 percent and the Nasdaq was down 5 percent.

　　The Senate bill must now be merged with a measure approved in December by the U.S. House of Representatives. Top Democratic lawmakers said they aim to get a bill approved by a House-Senate conference committee to President Barack Obama to sign by July 4.

　　Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) rose 4.7 percent to $15.99, while the S&P financial sector index .GSPF gained 3.6 percent.

　　Goldman Sachs Group Inc (GS.N) advanced 3.3 percent to $140.62 on rumors of a possible settlement with the Securities and Exchange Commission of fraud charges, though sources familiar with the matter said no agreement had been reached.

　　Helping to ease worries about sovereign debt, Germany's parliament approved a bill to allow the country to contribute to rescue aid for Greece and other euro zone nations burdened with high debt loads.

　　In earnings news, Dell Inc (DELL.O) fell 6.8 percent to $13.35 a day after reporting a gross margin that fell short of analysts' forecasts.

　　Investors were also tempted back into the market after a nearly 4 percent sell-off on Thursday, the biggest one-day drop since April 2009, that left stocks at cheap valuations.

　　"There's a complete disconnect between benign levels of both interest rates and inflation and the fact that S&P 500 multiples are so low when the economic fundamentals in the U.S. are still pretty positive," said Phil Orlando, chief equity market strategist, at Federated Investors, in New York.

　　At Thursday's closing level, the S&P 500's 14-day Relative Strength Index had fallen below 30 for the first time since the benchmark hit 12-year lows in March 2009, indicating the index was oversold.

　　Volume was strong for a second day in a row with about 14.69 billion shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange, the American Stock Exchange and Nasdaq, well above last year's estimated daily average of 9.65 billion.

　　Advancing stocks handily outnumbered declining ones on the NYSE by 2,348 to 740, while on the Nasdaq, advancers beat decliners 1,737 to 939.

Теракты 7/7 в Лондоне: как сработали разведка и полиция

　　

　　

　　Три бомбы были взорваны в метро, четвертая - в автобусе

　　Официальное расследование обстоятельств смерти 52 человек, погибших в результате четырех взрывов на лондонском транспорте 7 июля 2005 года, оценит работу разведки и полиции в канун этих событий.

　　Такое решение приняла судья Халлет. Она занимает должность коронера, т.е. официального лица, которому принадлежит главная роль в расследовании дел о насильственной смерти.

　　Как заявила она в Верховном суде, еще возможно установить, что именно было известно полиции и спецслужбам до лондонских взрывов.

　　Родные и близкие погибших выражают надежду на то, что наконец узнают всю правду о том, что произошло.

　　Родственники погибших давно добивались, чтобы в ходе расследования был дан ответ, возможно ли было не допустить этих терактов: как выяснилось, двое из террористов более чем за год до взрывов попали в поле зрения спецслужб.

　　Они также хотят получить ответ на вопрос о том, все ли было сделано уже после взрывов для оказания помощи и спасения людей.

　　Среди родных и друзей погибших новость о решении судьи Халлет вызвала смешанные чувства: многие недовольны тем, что юридический процесс так затянулся, но вместе с тем рады, что наконец смогут узнать все обстоятельства дела.

　　В бытность свою в оппозиции и нынешний британский премьер Дэвид Кэмерон, и вице-премьер Ник Клегг несколько раз призывали к полномасштабному и открытому расследованию.

　　52 человека погибли, когда смертники привели в действие взрывные устройства в трех поездах метро и в автобусе в центральных районах Лондона утром 7 июля 2005 года.

Второй тур ближневосточных переговоров результата не дал

　　

　　

　　Митчелл и Аббас встречались в среду

　　Специальный посланник США на Ближнем Востоке Джордж Митчелл объявил о завершении второго раунда непрямых мирных переговоров между Израилем и палестинцами - без какого-либо видимого прогресса.

　　В заявлении администрации израильского премьера Биньямина Нетаньяху говорится о возможности неких "жестов доброй воли" в отношении палестинцев. Никаких подробностей в заявлении не приводится.

　　В четверг прошла трехчасовая встреча Нетаньяху с Джорджем Митчеллом. А днем ранее американский представитель встретился с главой Палестинской автономии Махмудом Аббасом.

　　Непрямые переговоры - ведущиеся через посредников - запланированы на четыре месяца и должны покрыть ряд коренных вопросов, в том числе границы, статус Иерусалима и проблему беженцев. Все стороны высказывают надежду на то, что такой диалог приведет к прямым переговорам.

　　Челночная дипломатия

　　В ходе нынешнего раунда Митчелл курсировал между офисом Нетаньяху в Иерусалиме и штаб-квартирой Аббаса в Рамалле - это примерно в 15 км.

　　

　　В обнародованном в четверг заявлении администрации Нетаньяху сообщалось, что часть его встречи с Митчеллом была посвящена обсуждению проблемы водных ресурсов.

　　В среду американский посланник встречался с президентом Палестинской автономии. Ему были вручены письма протеста против убийства палестинского подроства на Западном берегу - по сообщениям, застрелил его израильский поселенец, - а также убийства израильскими солдатами пожилого крестьянина в Газе.

　　Ведущий палестинский переговорщик Саеб Эрекат также заяывил, что его сторона на встрече подняла вопрос о "многочисленных провакационных заявлениях Израиля в последние несколько дней". Палестинское руководство разгневано высказываниями израильских официальных лиц, в том числе премьер-министра, о том, что строительство поселений в оккупированном Восточном Иерусалиме продолжится.

　　"Прикрытие"

　　Палестинская военизированная исламистская группировка ХАМАС, контролирующая сектор Газа, выступила с критикой переговоров, заявив, что они являются лишь "прикрытием для израильской оккупации и дальнейших преступлений против нашего народа".

　　

　　Непрямые переговоры должны были начаться еще в марте, но палестинцы отказались от участия в них, когда израильские муниципальные власти одобрили планы строительства 1600 новых квартир в поселении Рамат Шломо в Восточном Иерусалиме.

　　Объявление об этом было сделано в ходе визита в Израиль вице-президента США Джо Байдена и вызвало значительную напряженность в двусторонних отношениях.

　　Официальная позиция Палестинской автономии заключается в том, что на прямые переговоры она не пойдет, пока Израиль полностью не прекратит строительство на Западном берегу и в Восточном Иерусалиме.

　　В ноябре Израиль - под сильнейшим давлением Вашингтона - объявил, что на 10 месяцев замораживает новое строительство на Западном берегу. Однако Израиль считает районы, входящие в муниципальную территорию Иерусалима, своими и, соответственно, не подлежащими ограничениям.

　　Израиль оккупирует Западный берег, в том числе Восточный Иерусалим, с 1967 года. Он настаивает, что Иерусалим является его неделимой столицей, тогда как палестинцы хотят учредить свою столицу в восточной части города. Международное сообщество не признает аннексию восточной части Иерусалима.

　　Поселения по международному праву незавконны, хотя Израиль это оспаривает.

　　Почти полмиллиона человек проживает в сотне с лишним еврейский поселений на Западном берегу - посреди палестинцев, число которых составляет 2,5 миллиона.

Взрыв на иракском рынке: десятки погибших и раненых

　　

　　

　　С начала мая в Ираке убиты более 100 человек

　　По меньшей мере 22 человека и 53 получили ранения в результате взрыва автомобиля в городке Халис в иракской провинции Дияла.

　　По данным полиции, взрыв в этом населенном преимущественно шиитами городке, находящемся в 80 км к северу от Багдада, прогремел около 16:30 по Гринвичу.

　　Как передает из Багдада корреспондент Би-би-си Джим Мюир, начиненный взрывчаткой автомобиль взлетел на воздух на оживленном городском базаре, по соседству с кофейней, в которой люди наслаждались вечерней прохладой.

　　Местные власти, по словам нашего корреспондента, считают, что взрыв был организован боевиками-суннитами, цель которых - разжечь ненависть между представителями двух основных течений ислама - шиитского и суннитского.

　　Это уже далеко не первое подобное происшествие за последнее время в Ираке: с начала мая в результате взрывов и нападений в стране погибли более 100 человек. Тем не менее кровопролитие в Халисе - самое большое по количеству жертв с 14 мая, когда в результате двух взрывов были убиты 25 и ранены 120 человек.

　　Ситуация в Ираке остается очень напряженной после прошедших в марте парламентских выборов, в результате которых ни один из политических блоков не смог получить достаточного количества мандатов для формирования правительства.

　　В последние три года стало казаться, что обстановка в стране нормализуется: число взрывов и нападений пошло на спад, однако последняя волна кровопролития заставляет власти опасаться, что боевики просто взяли паузу, чтобы перегруппироваться, а теперь вновь взялись за оружие.

 

Вашингтон пригрозил Пхеньяну новыми санкциями

 

Хилари Клинтон призвала Северную Корею "прекратить провокации"

Госсекретарь США Хиллари Клинтон заявила, что в отношении Северной Кореи могут быть приняты международные санкции из-за затонувшего в марте южнокорейского военного корабля "Чхонан".

Клинтон сделала это заявление, находясь в Японии, с которой началась ее недельная поездка по азиатским странам.

По словам госсекретаря США, несмотря на то, что северокорейские власти отвергают причастность к инциденту, доказательства, что в корабль попала торпеда Северной Кореи, "более чем серьезные".

Выступая в Токио на пресс-конференции по итогам переговоров с японским министром иностранных дел, Хилари Клинтон призвала Пхеньян "прекратить провокации". "Торпеда, потопившая "Чхонан", была выпущена с северокорейской подводной лодки, - сказала госсекретарь США. - Мы не можем позволить, чтобы нападение на Южную Корею осталось безнаказанным со стороны международного сообщества".

Премьер-министр Японии Юкио Хатояма назвал затопление корабля "непростительным актом, в который трудно поверить". Он также пообещал поддержать введение новых санкций против КНДР в Совете Безопасности ООН - в том случае, если этого будет добиваться Южная Корея.

"Крайняя осторожность"

Президент Южной Кореи Ли Мен Бак заявил, что его страна должна проявить "крайнюю осторожность" в этом вопросе..

Фрагменты затонувшего корабля поднимали с помощью огромного крана

При этом южнокорейский лидер еще раз подчеркнул, что причастность Севера к инциденту, в результате которого погибли 46 моряков, не вызывает сомнений. "Это было неожиданное военное нападение со стороны КНДР. Оно произошло поздно ночью, когда народ Южной Кореи спал", - сказал Ли Мен Бак.

Эксперты международной комиссии, принимавшие участие в расследовании инцидента с "Чхонаном", пришли к выводу, что причиной гибели корабля была северокорейская торпеда. Они обнаружили на дне фрагмент торпеды с серийным номером, выполненным шрифтом, который обычно используют вооруженные силы КНДР. Кроме того, химический состав взрывчатки, следы которой нашли на корабле, аналогичен составу вещества, используемого в северокорейских торпедах.

Ожидается, что в начале следующей недели президент Южной Кореи сообщит, как его страна ответит на выводы международной комиссии, а которую вошли эксперты США, Швеции, Великобритании и Австралии.

Новая война?

Как передает корреспондент Би-би-си в Сеуле Джон Садуорт, ожидается, что Южная Корея передаст все собранные доказательства в Совет Безопасности ООН и попытается добиться более жестких санкций против Пхеньяна.

Президент Ли уже заявил на заседании совета безопасности своей страны, что нападение на "Чхонан" нарушает Хартию ООН и договор о перемирии 1953 года, который положил конец войне между Северной и Южной Кореей.

В свою очередь, власти КНДР отвергли обвинения в причастности к трагическому инциденту в Желтом море и пообещали ответить на "безрассудные контрмеры тотальной справедливой войной".

При этом официальный Пхеньян обвинил южного соседа в создании искусственного повода для развязывания войны. "Они просто представили фрагменты и куски алюминия неизвестного происхождения, эти "доказательства" просто смешны", - сообщают государственные СМИ Северной Кореи.

Южнокорейский корвет "Чхонан" затонул 26 марта этого года в 16 км от побережья Северной Кореи, в 1,8 км от острова Пэннендо - в районе установленной командованием сил ООН в 1953 году морской границы, известной как "Северная разделительная линия", которую КНДР не признает.

Смерть ребенка в ДТП проверят после обращения к Медведеву

　　

　　

　　Татьяна Колокольцева сомневается в объективности расследования гибели сына

　　Следственный комитет проверит причины прекращения дела против сотрудницы прокуратуры, которая год назад в Волгограде насмерть сбила 7-летнего мальчика. Такое решение принято в пятницу, после того как мать погибшего ребенка разместила видеообращение к президенту России.

　　В июле 2009 года в центре города "Опель корса" совершил наезд на 7-летнего Сашу Колокольцева, который от полученных травм скончался на месте. За рулем машины находилась сотрудница областной прокуратуры.

　　По сообщениям средств массовой информации, очевидцы трагедии рассказывали, что "Опель"двигался со значительным превышением скорости, а от вышедшей из автомобиля женщины разило алкоголем.

　　Происшествие получило тогда широкий резонанс, и теперь следственное управление следственного комитета при прокуратуре (СКП) России запросило все материалы по делу.

　　"Председатель следственного комитета дал указание изучить материалы уголовного дела, проверить полноту расследования, законность и обоснованность принятого решения о прекращении уголовного дела", - сообщил в пятницу представитель СКП Владимир Маркин.

　　Дело открыто и закрыто

　　Год назад по факту происшедшего было возбуждено уголовное дело по статье "нарушение правил дорожного движения, повлекшее смерть человека".

　　Я никогда не возьму никаких денег за смерть своего сына

　　Татьяна Колокольцева,

　　из видеообращения к президенту

　　Выступивший на пресс-конференции вскоре после аварии глава следственного управления СКП по Волгоградской области Михаил Мурзаев гарантировал, "что это уголовное дело будет объективно, качественно и оперативно расследовано. И по этому делу будет принято законное решение".

　　По словам Татьяны Колокольцевой, матери погибшего мальчика, неделю назад она получила из главного следственного управления СКП России по Северо-Кавказскому и Южному федеральным округам уведомление о прекращении дела в связи с отсутствием состава преступления в действиях сотрудницы прокуратуры.

　　В пятницу женщина обратилась с видеопосланием к президенту, которое разместила в интернете и в котором попросила Дмитрия Медведева помочь возобновить расследование обстоятельств гибели ее сына.

　　Колокольцева считает, что до сих пор дело расследовалось предвзято. "С самого начала мы сомневались в справедливом расследовании, но оно так и получилось", - сказала она.

　　Колокольцева утверждает, что в ее адрес поступали предложения материальной компенсации морального ущерба. "Я никогда не возьму никаких денег за смерть своего сына. Это неправильно, на мой взгляд. Я хочу приходить на могилу своего сына и спокойно, с чистым сердцем говорить: сыночек, я тебя не продала", - сказала женщина в видеообращении.

　　Обращения граждан к президенту в интернете в последнее время стали распространенным способом обратить внимание властей на свои проблемы. Наибольшую известность приобрел бывший Нажать майор милиции Алексей Дымовский, который в ноябре прошлого года обратился к Дмитрию Медведеву с информацией о злоупотреблениях его руководства.

Техас принял школьный учебный план, вызвавший споры

　　

　　

　　Многие американские издатели берут за основы учебников именно материалы используемые в Техасе

　　Власти американского штата Техас утвердили новую школьную программу, которая, по мнению критиков, может политизировать учебный процесс.

　　Нововведения, одобренные властями штата, в частности, включают в себя утверждение, что ООН может предоставлять собой угрозу для американских свобод.

　　Противники таких изменений говорят, что они искажают историю и слишком идеологизированы.

　　Со своей стороны, сторонники реформы говорят, что они исправляют перекосы, сложившиеся в системе образования.

　　По словам аналитиков, Техас, где насчитывается около пяти миллионов школьников, обладает существенным влиянием на содержание учебных программ по всей стране.

　　Как сообщает американский корреспондент Би-би-си Раджеш Мирчандани, многие американские издатели берут за основы учебников именно материалы используемые в Техасе.

　　Корреспондент Би-би-си также добавляет, что теперь учащимся будут рассказывать о преимуществах американских принципов построения экономики и о том, как правительственная политика налогообложения может повредить экономическому прогрессу.

 

Пакистан провел аресты по делу бобме в Нью-Йорке

　　

　　

　　После случая на Таймс-сквер на силовые ведомства США обрушалась волна критики

　　В Пакистане арестованы несколько человек по подозрению в причастности к попытке взрыва автомобиля на Таймс-сквер в Нью-Йорке 1 мая.

　　По информации пакистанских властей, один из подозреваемых – владелец компании, поставляющей продукты питания в американское посольство в Исламабаде.

　　Сообщается, что всего было задержано пять человек.

　　Эти аресты были произведены после визита в страну двух высокопоставленных сотрудников американских служб безопасности.

　　Главный подозреваемый по этому делу - американский гражданин пакистанского происхождения Файсал Шахзад – был задержан в США через два дня после неудавшейся попытки взрыва.

　　Согласно данным судебных документов, он признал свою причастность к подготовке взрыва, а необходимые для этого навыки он получил в тренировочном лагере, организованном движением Талибан в Пакистане.

　　Шахзад был задержан в нью-йоркском аэропорту имени Кеннеди при попытке вылететь в Дубай.

　　После случая на Таймс-сквер на силовые ведомства США обрушалась волна критики. В результате, глава национальной разведки США адмирал Деннис Блэр 21 мая объявил, что уходит в отставку.

 

Европа хочет большего контроля над госбюджетами

　　

      Новости

　　Встреча в Брюсселе состоялась на фоне нестабильности на фондовых рынках

　　Европейские министры финансов договорились о необходимости усилить контроль над состоянием государственных бюджетов стран, входящих в ЕС.

　　Поводом для таких действий, о которых министры договорились в Брюсселе на заседании специальной консультативной группы, послужил долговой кризис, Нажать разразившийся в Греции.

　　Помимо этого, в ответ на критику в медлительности в вопросе защиты евро, главы финансовых ведомств европейских стран пообещали в будущем реагировать быстрее и эффективнее.

　　В качестве одной из мер, призванных усилить бюджетную дисциплину, было предложено ограничить право голоса стран-нарушителей правил формирования госбюджетов или отлучить их от общеевропейских финансов, предоставляемых на развитие инфраструктуры.

　　"Начало процесса"

　　Встреча в Брюсселе состоялась на фоне нестабильности на фондовых рынках, вызванной усилиями стран Европы преодолеть последствия греческого кризиса.

　　Курс евро по отношению к доллару в последние несколько дней упал до самого низкого уровня за последние четыре года.

　　Высказываются опасения, что ситуация, аналогичная греческой, может сложиться также в Испании, Португалии и других странах, входящих в ЕС.

　　Президент Евросовета Херман ван Ромпей заявил, что в ходе саммита, участники договорились о четырех главных направлениях работы, призванных не допустить повторения кризисов, подобных греческому.

　　более строгая бюджетная дисциплина

　　поиск путей сокращения разрыва в конкурентоспособности членов ЕС

　　разработка механизмов антикризисного управления

　　усиление экономического контроля с целью более оперативного и скоординированного реагирования на экономические проблемы, которые могут возникнуть в будущем

　　По его словам, прошедшая встреча стала лишь началом процесса разработки и внедрения такой политики.

　　Теперь, как заявил глава Евросовета, министры финансов ЕС должны начать работу над соответствующим официальным соглашением.

　　Как считает экономический редактор Би-би-си Стефании Фландерс, итог встречи министров можно описать как договоренность о необходимости договориться о новых правилах.

Jennifer Hudson's weight loss: How she did it

 

　

　　

 

　　

　　Jennifer Hudson is now several sizes smaller after dropping post-pregnancy pounds for her next movie role.

　　 Once a size 16, Jennifer Hudson is now reveling in her new size 6 body, telling PEOPLE, "I'm in the best shape of my life!"

　　After giving birth to her son last August, Hudson, 28, had to drop her post-pregnancy pounds for her next movie role as Winnie Mandela. "Whatever it takes to morph into a character I'll do it," said Hudson.

　　But the star went about her weight loss in a healthy way by working out with trainer Harley Pasternak and learning about portion control through Weight Watchers' point system (Hudson became the official spokesperson for the weight loss plan earlier this year).

　　Now as the actress gets ready to fly to the South African set of her new movie, Hudson will face the challenges of figuring out how many points are in vetkoek -- a South African fried treat. Just don't think she's going to fall off the weight-loss wagon anytime soon.

　　"She will need to investigate every new product on this new continent," said Liz Josefsberg, Hudson's Weight Watchers counselor. "I am not the least bit worried about Jennifer... She is an amazing and resilient personality who will be just fine in her surroundings."

Jesse James: I threw away an amazing marriage

 

　　

 

　　

　　Jesse James breaks down in tears during an interview with ABC News' "Nightline.

　　

　　"I took a pretty amazing life and marriage ... and threw it away," James says in a promo clip of his interview with ABC News' "Nightline," scheduled to air Tuesday night.

　　James, 41, admits to cheating on Bullock and says his actions -- including allegations of affairs with multiple women -- have made him "The most hated man in the world." At one point, he's so overcome by emotion, he walks away from the interview.

　　Since the couple's split, James has spent time in a rehab program and has otherwise maintained a normal schedule at his Los Angeles-area home, where he's often been seen driving his kids to school.

　　But James is looking to make a change. A source tells PEOPLE that James has put the house he shared with Bullock up for sale. The motorcycle mogul is eyeing Austin, Texas, as a place to spend more time, according to another source. Bullock has long called Austin a second home.

　　Meanwhile, Bullock has been spending quality time with her new son, Louis, including a Mother's Day celebration in New Orleans last week.

　　Part of the interview with James will air on "Good Morning America" Tuesday and then as a special edition of "Nightline" that same evening.

Is Dora the Explorer an illegal immigrant?

　　

　　

　　Illegal alien?

　　Campaigners against a controversial new immigration law in the US state of Arizona have adopted a popular children's cartoon character as a symbol of their cause.

　　Dora the Explorer has taught millions of American children basic Spanish phrases on her Nickelodeon TV show.

　　But a doctored image on the internet now shows the cartoon heroine with a black eye in a police mugshot.

　　Her alleged crimes? Illegal border crossing and resisting arrest.

　　Several websites, including the influential Huffington Post, have run satirical stories describing Dora's capture by the immigration authorities.

　　One picture circulating on Facebook shows her vaulting over the fence on the US-Mexican border.

　　Another shows an advert for a mock television show entitled Dora the Illegal Immigrant.

　　Meanwhile, some anti-immigration sites have questioned whether the character is part of a conspiracy to persuade Americans to welcome migrants from Latin America.

　　Global empire

　　For almost a decade, the doe-eyed cartoon heroine has been one of the most prominent Hispanic characters on children's television in the US.

　　Her TV show has spawned a global empire, with her smiling face appearing on everything from lunch boxes to computer games.

　　But as the controversy over illegal immigration has intensified, Dora has been drawn into the political debate.

　　Most of the websites that have appropriated her image assume she is a migrant from Mexico.

　　Dora has brown skin, dark hair, and speaks Spanish with an American accent. She lives in a tropical country with pyramids, accompanied by friends Boots the Monkey and Isa the Iguana.

　　But Nickelodeon has declined to comment on her background, and her place of birth and citizenship have never been made clear.

　　The Dora police mugshot was originally created last year by Debbie Groben of Sarasota, Florida, for a contest on the fake news site FreakingNews.com.

　　Last month, Arizona passed a law requiring police, in the context of enforcing other laws, to question people about their immigration status if they have reasonable suspicion they are in the US illegally.

　　Opponents have rallied against the measure, saying it it will encourage racial profiling of Hispanics, who make up three-quarters of the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants in the US.

Obama forms bipartisan commission to investigate oil spill

　　President Obama has issued an executive order establishing a bipartisan commission tasked with investigating how to prevent future oil spills, two sources familiar with the announcement said Friday.

　　Obama named former Florida Sen. Bob Graham and former Environmental Protection Agency William K. Reilly as commission co-chairs.

　　The sources said Obama on Saturday will announce the formation of the panel, officially known as the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling, as the administration faces a growing chorus of criticism about whether it is putting enough pressure on BP to clean up the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

　　After this weekend's official formation, the commission will have six months to issue a report with recommendations on how to prevent spills from offshore drilling.

　　Before the recent spill, Obama had opened the door to potential expansion of offshore drilling as part of a comprehensive energy reform plan. He has since faced a storm of criticism from fellow Democrats in states like Florida, who now want him to scrap those plans.

　　In the Gulf, the "top kill" method intended to stop the runaway flow of oil will likely be tried early next week, BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles said Friday.

　　In the procedure, thick, viscous fluid twice the density of water will be pumped at a high rate into the site of the leak to stop the flow so that it can then be sealed with cement, Suttles said.

　　"Our best estimate is probably Tuesday," he said, noting that the operation has never been tried in such deep water.

　　The timing for the "top kill" effort appears to be slipping: BP Managing Director Bo Dudley said Thursday night that the company would try the procedure this weekend.

　　Suttles offered no explanation for the discrepancy.

　　"We're working very, very hard with BP on the timeline for the 'top kill,' " said U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, national incident commander. "That's the ultimate near-term solution."

　　BP is working to assemble "a massive amount of equipment" at the site, Suttles said, including three deep-water rigs, drilling rigs, sub-sea support vessels and up to 16 robotic submarines.

　　"These operations are quite complex, and we won't start the job until all the equipment has been staged and all the equipment is in place," he said.

　　But no one expects the effort to solve all the problems associated with the spill.

　　"We will not rest, even if they secure the flow, even if this 'top kill' is completed successfully next week," Coast Guard Rear Adm. Mary Landry said. "We have a long row to hoe" to ensure that the damage that has already occurred is mitigated.

　　Landry expressed disappointment Friday over BP's efforts to clean up oil on the shores of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana.

　　Though boom and skimmers had been staged there, "the folks were hesitating in deploying that," she said.

　　Asked to what degree it will be possible to clean oil from the marshes, Allen said that oil in the marshes is "the worst-case scenario for us to deal with in terms of recovery." That's because mechanical cleanup can do more harm than good, he said.

　　"In some cases, burning may be an acceptable solution," he said. Any such decision would be made on the scene in consultation with representatives of the state and the parishes involved, he said.

　　But officials had unqualified praise for the weather, which has been cooperating fully in recent days, leaving the seas dead calm.

　　"These are ideal conditions for skimming," Landry said, noting that the percentage skimmed has risen to at least 50 percent from the typical 10 percent.

　　Sub-sea dispersants are also being used, she said, "so we're not seeing a lot of oil coming to the surface."

　　On Thursday, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered BP to find a less toxic chemical to break up the oil than the one it has been using, Corexit 9500. The chemical has been rated more toxic and less effective than many others on the list of 18 EPA-approved dispersants, according to testimony at a congressional hearing Wednesday.

　　BP has found no immediate replacement candidate, Suttles said. "Our analysis that we submitted to EPA last night said there were no other dispersants we could identify that were available and less toxic," he said.

　　BP was to meet later Friday with the EPA to discuss alternatives, he said.

　　As the continuing spill enters its second month, debate and concern have focused on just how much oil is spewing from the broken riser a mile below the surface. A federal technical team comprising scientists from the federal government and academia has been charged with estimating the flow rate based on video and other data. The estimate will be peer-reviewed and "given rigorous oversight by the federal government and academia," Landry said.

　　That estimate is likely to be complete "sometime next week," she said.

　　BP has estimated the flow at 5,000 barrels per day, but independent estimates have exceeded that by many times, and Suttles acknowledged Friday that the company's estimate contains "a huge amount of uncertainty."

　　The 5,000-barrel figure translates into 210,000 gallons per day. That's 8,750 gallons per hour, 145.8 gallons per minute and 2.4 gallons per second.

　　Suttles said he flew over the region Friday morning and saw no oil close to the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi or Florida.

　　But oil has shown up in seven locations on shore so far, with no new sightings in the past day, according to Suttles. He said cleanup activities were going on in each location.

　　Other efforts to stanch the leak continue. Drilling of the first of two relief wells has reached 8,950 feet, said Lars Herbst, regional director for the Gulf of Mexico of the Minerals Management Service, and work on the other has begun.

　　U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Louisiana, concerned about people who are working to clean up the spill, has asked the White House to set up temporary health care centers along the Gulf Coast to serve volunteers and workers.

　　Melancon envisions such clinics as providing "medical checkups to people who have come in contact with the oil and assist[ing] in monitoring the health effects of the oil leak on south Louisianians."

　　He sent the request Wednesday to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. There was no immediate response from the agency.

　　Track the Gulf oil spill

　　"Many residents and volunteers are being exposed to hazardous materials on a daily basis, and some will have to travel hours to get treatment at the nearest health care facility. It is imperative that temporary health care clinics be established to provide basic health care services in this geographic area," he said.

　　He has also asked Sebelius to "appoint a health care coordinator to oversee and streamline the health care response."

　　Melancon emphasized that BP should be responsible for such health care services in his state. The energy giant was operating the oil rig that exploded and sank in April, triggering the spill.

　　iReport: Track the spill, share stories

　　The spill began with an April 20 explosion and fire that sank the drill rig Deepwater Horizon two days later. Eleven workers were lost with the rig, which was owned by drilling contractor Transocean and hired by BP.

　　The resulting slick now threatens the coastal marshes of southeastern Louisiana, where brown, syrupy oil made it past protective booms and into the wetlands near the mouth of the Mississippi River on Wednesday.