Authorities say no one has been eliminated as a suspect in the disappearance of 20-year-old Holly Bobo, a nursing student believed to have been abducted outside her west Tennessee home. The reward in the case now tops $75000. (April 19)
Continue reading …
Met officers under fresh inquiry by watchdog after father-to-be Michael Sweeney dies in hospital after Hackney pub arrest The independent police watchdog is investigating after a father-to-be died in police custody following an apparent altercation at a pub in east London. Friends of Michael Sweeney, 38, said he was in the Approach tavern, in Hackney, east London on Monday evening when police were called. One friend told the Guardian that he had heard reports that more than 10 police officers had attended the scene and Sweeney was led away. He was pronounced dead later that evening at the Royal London Hospital. A spokesman for the Metropolitan police said officers were called to the pub at 7.25pm following a report that there was a man on the premises in possession of a knife. “Officers attended and detained the man. He was taken to the Royal London hospital by police where the man subsequently died.” Scotland Yard said the matter was being investigated by the directorate of professional standards at the Met and by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Officers from the directorate of professional standards were at the pub most of the day. Sweeney, of Bow, east London, was about to become a father for the first time, according to friends. But he had already served two long prison sentences. The IPCC’s statement said: “At approximately 7.40pm on Monday 18 April 2011, police were called to the Approach tavern on Approach Road (E2) by a member of the public reporting that a man in the pub had a knife. “Officers went to the pub and detained the man. A decision was taken to call an ambulance to take him to hospital rather than to a police station. However, the police incident log – a contemporaneous record of actions taken during the handling of an incident – shows that no ambulance units were available. “A decision was made by the police to take the man to Royal London Hospital in a police van. The man was treated at hospital but was pronounced dead at 10.07pm. The Metropolitan police service (MPS) referred the incident to the IPCC and independent investigators were deployed overnight.” The IPCC investigators will be studying police records and radio traffic, examining relevant evidence and looking at CCTV from inside the pub, as well as any available and relevant CCTV from the local area and from the hospital, the spokesman said. “They will be working to identify and speak to independent witnesses, including people who were inside the pub when the incident happened and medical staff at the hospital.” IPCC commissioner Sarah Green said: “This investigation will examine the initial police response, the decision-making behind when and how to take him to hospital and the care he received while being transported, as well as any interaction between police officers and the man when at the hospital. “A number of witnesses have already been identified, but we are keen to hear from anybody else who was inside the pub, or indeed anyone who saw any part of the incident as it unfolded.” Sweeney’s death came as the IPCC continues its investigation into the death in police custody of the musician Smiley Culture, who died of a suspected stab wound after officers carried out a raid. The musician, whose real name is David Emmanuel, had been due to face trial for conspiracy to supply cocaine. His biggest hit was Police Officer, in 1984. The record reached number 12 in the UK charts. His other singles included Cockney Translation and Schooltime Chronicle. Police Independent Police Complaints Commission London Crime Sandra Laville guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …
Met officers under fresh inquiry by watchdog after father-to-be Michael Sweeney dies in hospital after Hackney pub arrest The independent police watchdog is investigating after a father-to-be died in police custody following an apparent altercation at a pub in east London. Friends of Michael Sweeney, 38, said he was in the Approach tavern, in Hackney, east London on Monday evening when police were called. One friend told the Guardian that he had heard reports that more than 10 police officers had attended the scene and Sweeney was led away. He was pronounced dead later that evening at the Royal London Hospital. A spokesman for the Metropolitan police said officers were called to the pub at 7.25pm following a report that there was a man on the premises in possession of a knife. “Officers attended and detained the man. He was taken to the Royal London hospital by police where the man subsequently died.” Scotland Yard said the matter was being investigated by the directorate of professional standards at the Met and by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. Officers from the directorate of professional standards were at the pub most of the day. Sweeney, of Bow, east London, was about to become a father for the first time, according to friends. But he had already served two long prison sentences. The IPCC’s statement said: “At approximately 7.40pm on Monday 18 April 2011, police were called to the Approach tavern on Approach Road (E2) by a member of the public reporting that a man in the pub had a knife. “Officers went to the pub and detained the man. A decision was taken to call an ambulance to take him to hospital rather than to a police station. However, the police incident log – a contemporaneous record of actions taken during the handling of an incident – shows that no ambulance units were available. “A decision was made by the police to take the man to Royal London Hospital in a police van. The man was treated at hospital but was pronounced dead at 10.07pm. The Metropolitan police service (MPS) referred the incident to the IPCC and independent investigators were deployed overnight.” The IPCC investigators will be studying police records and radio traffic, examining relevant evidence and looking at CCTV from inside the pub, as well as any available and relevant CCTV from the local area and from the hospital, the spokesman said. “They will be working to identify and speak to independent witnesses, including people who were inside the pub when the incident happened and medical staff at the hospital.” IPCC commissioner Sarah Green said: “This investigation will examine the initial police response, the decision-making behind when and how to take him to hospital and the care he received while being transported, as well as any interaction between police officers and the man when at the hospital. “A number of witnesses have already been identified, but we are keen to hear from anybody else who was inside the pub, or indeed anyone who saw any part of the incident as it unfolded.” Sweeney’s death came as the IPCC continues its investigation into the death in police custody of the musician Smiley Culture, who died of a suspected stab wound after officers carried out a raid. The musician, whose real name is David Emmanuel, had been due to face trial for conspiracy to supply cocaine. His biggest hit was Police Officer, in 1984. The record reached number 12 in the UK charts. His other singles included Cockney Translation and Schooltime Chronicle. Police Independent Police Complaints Commission London Crime Sandra Laville guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …
A 38-year-old amateur musician has been composing songs in support of the revolution and performing them for rebels on the battlefield. (April 19)
Continue reading …
British singer-songwriter Jessie J talks about writing her first number one song for Miley Cyrus, ‘Party in the USA.’ (April 19)
Continue reading …Will Dick Durbin be given a prime role in AMC’s The Walking Dead? Why does the Gang of Six have five conservatives in it and only one progressive? Howie points out that David Frum sounds much more reasonable than these Gang of Six idiots. Speaking only personally, I cannot take seriously the idea that the worst thing that has happened in the past three years is that government got bigger. Or that money was borrowed. Or that the number of people on food stamps and unemployment insurance and Medicaid increased. The worst thing was that tens of millions of Americans – and not only Americans – were plunged into unemployment, foreclosure, poverty. If food stamps and unemployment insurance, and Medicaid mitigated those disasters, then two cheers for food stamps, unemployment insurance, and Medicaid. What I want to know is: Who ate Dick Durbin’s brain? In 2005, Durbin sounded very different when talking to Tim Russert on MTP about Social Security and Bush’s plan to privatize it: MR. RUSSERT: Do you believe that we currently have a crisis with Social Security? SEN. DURBIN: I wouldn’t use the word crisis. Untouched, Social Security will make every single payment for the next 37 years to every retiree, maybe 47 years. But beyond that, unless the economy grows well and grows us out of the problem, we need to address it. And there are ways to address it in sensible, commonsense approaches today that will play out in 40 or 50 years. {…] MR. RUSSERT: So as long as the president insists private and personal accounts are on the table, will you not sit at the table? SEN. DURBIN: I don’t believe that we can. I believe that if we are to start with the premise that we are going to weaken Social Security, cut benefits and leave the next generation a $2 to $5 trillion deficit, how can that possibly be good for America? Social Security is not the cause of the federal deficit and does not need to be touched except maybe raising the payroll tax cap to add more revenue. Not only has Durbin signed on to social security cut benefits, he didn’t back up Bernie Sanders. ABC News: Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., says the bi-partisan group of senators working to find a way to reduce the deficit — the so-called ” Gang of Six ” — is near agreement on a plan that will chart a middle ground between the House Republican budget and the plan outlined last week by President Obama. And while other top Democrats say Social Security should be untouched, Durbin says Social Security changes should be made now. – He expects the Gang of Six — which, in addition to Durbin, includes senators Tom Coburn, R-Okla.; Mike Crapo, R-Idaho; Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.; Mark Warner, D-Va.; and Kent Conrad, D-N.D. — to agree on a plan shortly after Congress returns from its Easter recess.. — Durbin criticized a resolution put forward by Sen. Bernie Sanders, a liberal independent from Vermont, that says Social Security should not be cut under a deficit reduction plan. Durbin said he would not vote for such a resolution. “I think Bernie is going too far with his language,” Durbin said. “In 2037, as we know it, Social Security falls off a cliff,” he said. “There’s a 22 percent reduction rate in payments, which is really not something we can tolerate. If we deal with it today, it’s an easier solution than waiting. I think we ought to deal with it. Many of my colleagues disagree, put it off to another day. But from my point of view, leaving it out makes it easier politically, including it, I think, meets an obligation, which we have to senior citizens.” Bernie Sanders is standing up for the working class and trying to protect them as seniors and you throw him under the bus? Why exactly is Bernie going too far? You sit there in a dark subway car and praise the lunatic known as Paul Ryan, who wants to destroy Medicare, but attack Sanders. I think you’re going too far with your bipartisan fetishism, sir. It’s obvious Republicans want to attach Social Security cuts to any deal you come up with, but that doesn’t mean Durbin has to feed us garbage to be part of it. Many of my friends on the left — they are my friends, these are my roots politically — are going through the stages of grief: denial, anger, frustration, sadness, resignation,” Durbin said. “They are going through those stages because they understand that borrowing 40 cents for every dollar you spend, whether it’s for missile or food stamps, is just unsustainable. But you’ve got to do something.” I’m sorry, but If we have to do something then why does it always get dropped at the feet of the working class? Do something then. Raise taxes on the rich and cut military spending like the MEADS missle system . You are betraying your progressive roots, Dick. I understand about compromises and the sausage making process, but there is no justification for this outrageous call to cut social security and that the American worker must be forced to pay far more than their fair share while the rich elites laugh all the way to the bank. You sir, are the one in denial. Don’t forget to contact Senator Dick Durbin and tell him to stop the madness because he is embarrassing himself: Washington, DC 20510 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone: (202)224-2152 Fax: (202)228-0400 CHICAGO Office 230 South Dearborn Street Suite 3892 Chicago, IL 60604 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone:(312) 353-4952 Fax: (312) 353-0150 SPRINGFIELD Office 525 South 8th Street Springfield, IL 62703 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: (217)492-4062 Fax: (217)492-4382
Continue reading …Will Dick Durbin be given a prime role in AMC’s The Walking Dead? Why does the Gang of Six have five conservatives in it and only one progressive? Howie points out that David Frum sounds much more reasonable than these Gang of Six idiots. Speaking only personally, I cannot take seriously the idea that the worst thing that has happened in the past three years is that government got bigger. Or that money was borrowed. Or that the number of people on food stamps and unemployment insurance and Medicaid increased. The worst thing was that tens of millions of Americans – and not only Americans – were plunged into unemployment, foreclosure, poverty. If food stamps and unemployment insurance, and Medicaid mitigated those disasters, then two cheers for food stamps, unemployment insurance, and Medicaid. What I want to know is: Who ate Dick Durbin’s brain? In 2005, Durbin sounded very different when talking to Tim Russert on MTP about Social Security and Bush’s plan to privatize it: MR. RUSSERT: Do you believe that we currently have a crisis with Social Security? SEN. DURBIN: I wouldn’t use the word crisis. Untouched, Social Security will make every single payment for the next 37 years to every retiree, maybe 47 years. But beyond that, unless the economy grows well and grows us out of the problem, we need to address it. And there are ways to address it in sensible, commonsense approaches today that will play out in 40 or 50 years. {…] MR. RUSSERT: So as long as the president insists private and personal accounts are on the table, will you not sit at the table? SEN. DURBIN: I don’t believe that we can. I believe that if we are to start with the premise that we are going to weaken Social Security, cut benefits and leave the next generation a $2 to $5 trillion deficit, how can that possibly be good for America? Social Security is not the cause of the federal deficit and does not need to be touched except maybe raising the payroll tax cap to add more revenue. Not only has Durbin signed on to social security cut benefits, he didn’t back up Bernie Sanders. ABC News: Senator Dick Durbin, D-Ill., says the bi-partisan group of senators working to find a way to reduce the deficit — the so-called ” Gang of Six ” — is near agreement on a plan that will chart a middle ground between the House Republican budget and the plan outlined last week by President Obama. And while other top Democrats say Social Security should be untouched, Durbin says Social Security changes should be made now. – He expects the Gang of Six — which, in addition to Durbin, includes senators Tom Coburn, R-Okla.; Mike Crapo, R-Idaho; Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.; Mark Warner, D-Va.; and Kent Conrad, D-N.D. — to agree on a plan shortly after Congress returns from its Easter recess.. — Durbin criticized a resolution put forward by Sen. Bernie Sanders, a liberal independent from Vermont, that says Social Security should not be cut under a deficit reduction plan. Durbin said he would not vote for such a resolution. “I think Bernie is going too far with his language,” Durbin said. “In 2037, as we know it, Social Security falls off a cliff,” he said. “There’s a 22 percent reduction rate in payments, which is really not something we can tolerate. If we deal with it today, it’s an easier solution than waiting. I think we ought to deal with it. Many of my colleagues disagree, put it off to another day. But from my point of view, leaving it out makes it easier politically, including it, I think, meets an obligation, which we have to senior citizens.” Bernie Sanders is standing up for the working class and trying to protect them as seniors and you throw him under the bus? Why exactly is Bernie going too far? You sit there in a dark subway car and praise the lunatic known as Paul Ryan, who wants to destroy Medicare, but attack Sanders. I think you’re going too far with your bipartisan fetishism, sir. It’s obvious Republicans want to attach Social Security cuts to any deal you come up with, but that doesn’t mean Durbin has to feed us garbage to be part of it. Many of my friends on the left — they are my friends, these are my roots politically — are going through the stages of grief: denial, anger, frustration, sadness, resignation,” Durbin said. “They are going through those stages because they understand that borrowing 40 cents for every dollar you spend, whether it’s for missile or food stamps, is just unsustainable. But you’ve got to do something.” I’m sorry, but If we have to do something then why does it always get dropped at the feet of the working class? Do something then. Raise taxes on the rich and cut military spending like the MEADS missle system . You are betraying your progressive roots, Dick. I understand about compromises and the sausage making process, but there is no justification for this outrageous call to cut social security and that the American worker must be forced to pay far more than their fair share while the rich elites laugh all the way to the bank. You sir, are the one in denial. Don’t forget to contact Senator Dick Durbin and tell him to stop the madness because he is embarrassing himself: Washington, DC 20510 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Phone: (202)224-2152 Fax: (202)228-0400 CHICAGO Office 230 South Dearborn Street Suite 3892 Chicago, IL 60604 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone:(312) 353-4952 Fax: (312) 353-0150 SPRINGFIELD Office 525 South 8th Street Springfield, IL 62703 Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone: (217)492-4062 Fax: (217)492-4382
Continue reading …Microsoft’s Ashley Highfield says no dedicated tablet OS until the time is right
April 19, 2011 No Comment
In an interview with Pocket-lint , Microsoft UK’s Ashley Highfield said the company won’t be delivering a dedicated OS for tablets anytime soon. “We won’t do anything in the tablet market unless we can be distinctive,” he said. Given, we’ve already seen a number of slates rocking Windows 7 , but Highfield was apparently tight-lipped about any solid plans to move into the tablet market in any substantial way, saying Microsoft sees itself as an underdog in certain areas. As far as we know, Highfield made no mention of how this relates to Windows Compact 7 , which we’ve seen in prototype form in the past. Of course, all of this is coming from the guy who warned of the impending death of television as we know it, but we’re inclined to believe him on this one. On another note, Microsoft’s UK managing director said he gets his tablet fix on a Dell Inspiron Duo — we suppose it’s a good sign he’s not rocking an Android or iOS tab. Microsoft’s Ashley Highfield says no dedicated tablet OS until the time is right originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Apr 2011 12:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …For just $780,000, you could become signore of your own Italian village—albeit one without any villagers. An abandoned medieval village in the heart of one of Italy’s biggest national parks has been put up for sale by the local council and an elderly man who owns some of…
Continue reading …“This Just In” is CNN’s news blog. This is where you will find the latest news and information from CNN’s correspondents and sources around the world. We’ll cover fresh stories big and small – stories that are breaking , developing or …
Continue reading …