Professor Stephen Hawking Reportedly Seriously Ill

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The world-renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking of Cambridge University has been rushed to hospital and is reportedly seriously ill.

Professor Hawking is one of the iconic figures of our time. Suffering from a degenerative disorder known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis since he was 21, he has been seen in recent years in public mostly set up in a wheelchair, and speaking with the aid of a voice synthesizer.

Yet his illness and disability have not affected his brilliance or his prolific output and he has been widely acclaimed as one of the best theoretical mathematician/physicist. He has expounded on highly abstract questions of astronomy, cosmology and black holes in the universe.

Most people would hardly begin to understand his theories, yet his book "A Brief History of Tme" was a best-seller.

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Cuban Cigars for All

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The beginning of a new Cuban era has been made with Obama's move to normalise relations. Obama offered a "new beginning" with Cuba in his address at the Summit of the Americas.

It may still be early to see the lifting of the decades long trade embargo on Cuba any time soon, but if normalisation is to take place, that surely must be something in the works.

Travel will be eased, no doubt to the delight of Cubans residing in the US, and other Americans can also look forward to visiting Cuba as tourists. No longer (in the distant future) need Americans furtively fish out their Cuban cigars.



There is still resistance in some quarters to Obama's overtures. But to most people, the hard-line policy of the US is showing welcoming signs of softening.

Technorati Tags: cuba, americas, cuban embargo, barack obama, summit of the americas

Red Shirts Thai Protesters Give Up Fight

After two days of violence in street battles, Thai protesters in Bangkok are beginning to withdraw and disperse. Heavily armed soldiers have been out in full force surrounding the Red Shirts. At last count, there have been over 100 casualties with two deaths.

It's reported that there have been three arrests, linked to a possible bomb attack on a bank.

Bangkok has been in turmoil over the last couple of weeks. This move may spell an end, at least temporarily, to the violence. But the political situation in the country is still far from stable.



Technorati Tags: Thailand, Bangkok, protests in Thaland, Red Shirts

Italy Earthquake

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.3 has struck the city of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of central Italy.

The Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, has declared a state of emergency and is cutting short his travel schedule to return to Italy.

The city of L'Aquila is in ruins. More than 27 people have reportedly been killed and others are unaccounted for. Thousands have fled their homes.

A large number of buildings, including churches and a university dormitory, have collapsed. Rescue workers have arrived to look for survivors under debris. The city hospital is practically unable to cope, and people are being treated in the open air.

The scale of the disaster is still unknown as many villages have been isolated by landslides.

Technorati Tags: italy, italy earthquake, l'aquila, natural disaster

North Korea Launches Rocket

It looks like North Korea's rocket turned into a damp squib, despite its claim that it has sent a satellite into orbit and the nation is now enjoying patriotic broadcasts on their television.

US and South Korea said that no object connected to the missile had reached orbit.

Hotel Ryugyong :  another damp squib

All the usual suspects have expressed their concern as they believe that the real purpose was not the launching of a satellite but a test for a long-range missile, in breach of a UN resolution. The Security Council will meet to formulate a response.

What consequences North Korea will suffer for its defiant act remains to be seen, but it is not entirely without friends. Both China and Russia have called for restraint.
                                                                                                                                                        

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Gaza War Crimes Team Appointed by UN

Richard Goldstone, a former South African judge, has appointed by the UN  to investigate alleged violations of international law amounting to war crimes during the Israeli attack in Gaza. Mr. Goldstone had previously acted as UN chief prosecutor for war crimes in Yugoslavia and Rwanda.

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Together with team members from Pakistan, Britain and Ireland, he will go on a fact-finding mission to look into all violations of international humanitarian law.

The UN Human Rights Council said the mission would be independent and impartial. The Israeli government says it is biased. It remains to be seen whether it will offer any co-operation.

               

What happened in Gaza was so shocking to the whole world that justice calls for an impartial inquiry. There is prima facie evidence that grave violations took place and it's not sufficient for either side to the conflict to simply brush them away without a full and proper investigation. This mission is, hopefully, the first concrete step towards a proper accounting before the eyes of the world.

Technorati Tags: israel, palestine, war crimes, international humanitarian law, human rights, gaza

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Gaza Calls for accountability! (teabreak.pk)