September 06, 2004
How To Help Hurricane Frances Victims
You can help the victims of Hurricane Frances by making a financial donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need.
Hurricane Frances relief will strain Red Cross resources:
“Before Hurricane Charley, the Red Cross had less than $850,000 in the Disaster Relief Fund,” said Joe Becker, Vice President of Response for the American Red Cross. “We estimated that Charley would cost the Red Cross $50 million and we are now responding to a disaster that will cost much more. To allow us to assist the disaster victims, we need the public to give a monetary contribution.”
You can make a secure online contribution by visiting the Red Cross Online Donation Page.
You can also donate by phone:
1-800-HELP-NOW
(1-800-435-7669)
English speaking1-800-257-7575
Spanish Speaking1-800-220-4095
For TDD Operator
The Salvation Army will also help.
Donations to help in disaster relief can be made to any local Salvation Army or on line here or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY.
From California Yankee.
July 18, 2004
Chess Champion Bobby Fischer Arrested in Tokyo
Bobby Fischer has been arrested by Japanese officials at Tokyo’s Narita airport. Fischer, who was headed to the Philippines, stands accused by the Japanese of traveling on a revoked U.S. passport.
Via the San Francisco Chronicle:
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Tokyo — For 12 years he has stayed one move ahead of the U.S. government he despises, always in motion, hard to corner. But U.S. justice may have finally caught up with Bobby Fischer.
Wanted for defying a U.S. ban on doing business with Yugoslavia in 1992, the onetime world chess champion was arrested by Japanese officials this week as he tried to fly out of Tokyo’s Narita airport. Fischer, who was headed to the Philippines, stands accused by the Japanese of traveling on a revoked U.S. passport.
The man often said to possess the world’s most brilliant chess mind — and a great eccentric in a profession bulging with them — now sits in jail facing deportation and subsequent arrest by U.S. marshals as early as Sunday.
If deported and convicted in a U.S. court on the 1992 charge, Fischer could face a 10-year prison sentence and a $50,000 fine.
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The U.S. case against him stems from his out-of-retirement exhibition battle with former rival Boris Spassky in 1992, which led to a $3.5 million payday for Fischer. Staged in Yugoslavia, a federation unraveling in civil war, his appearance violated U.N. sanctions and an embargo on doing business in the Balkan country.
But Fischer’s quarrel with Washington runs far deeper than his refusal to abide by the ban. On his Web site and in radio interviews delivered from various points of exile, Fischer has become known as an intemperate critic of Washington, his philosophy punctuated by ferocious anti-Jewish diatribes, despite the fact that his mother was Jewish.
His rages from the fringe culminated in a notorious interview on Philippine radio on Sept. 11, 2001, in which he exulted in the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington. He praised the horrific events as “wonderful news,” declaring that America got what it deserved for supporting Israel.
“I want to see the U.S. wiped out,” he said.
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Via Colby Cosh.
The link to the nikita demosthenes post is here.
June 18, 2004
Philippines Fails Anew To Get OIC 'Observer' Seat
From Islam Online:
The Philippines failed anew in its long-time bid to become an official member of the Organization of Islamic Conference as an observer, the Filipino Foreign Minister confirmed.
Delia Albert, who was invited by the Turkish government to attend the31 st Session of Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, said Thursday, June17 , the government’s bid for an observer’s seat was not taken up in the meeting.
Securing an observer seat and the goodwill of the Conference is deemed crucial for the Philippine government in its efforts to end the protracted strife in Mindanao, and bring to a successful conclusion its peace negotiations with the MILF, a group fighting to reclaim the land it says belongs to the Filipino Muslims but was illegally annexed to the Philippine territory.
Only three states have so far been accepted as OIC observers. These are Bosnia and Herzegovina , Central African Republic and the Kingdom of Thailand.
February 07, 2004
Hundreds Resign From Arafat's Fatah Group
Reuters reports that More than 300 members of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat’s ruling Fatah movement resigned collectively on Saturday in protest against internal strife and a lack of reform.
November 26, 2003
Robi Sen's S. Asia Briefing: Nov 26/03
Winds of Change.NET Regional Briefings run on Tuesdays & Wednesdays, and sometimes Fridays too. This Regional Briefing focuses on South Asia, courtesy of Robi Sen.
PAKISTAN AND INDIA CEASE FIRE
* Tensions are starting to ease between Pakistan and India with the announcement by Pakistan of a unilateral cease fire last Sunday evening. India has responded favorably with further offers but, has made a point that the only way a cease fire can be lasting is if “cross-border infiltration ends”. Dan Darling makes some typically insightful comments about this on his blog here
Other Topics Today Include: Israeli drones used to patrol Indian borders; Chinese and Indian relations; MI5 bugs Pakistan; Islamic terrorism wrapup throughout SE Asia; and a new resource on South Asia and the Kashmir conflict.
September 08, 2003
Grenade blast in Philippines
From News.com:
A GRENADE exploded in a crowded area near a public market in the southern Philippines late today, killing at least three people and injuring 17 others, police said.
Police superintendent Peraco Macacua said the incident occurred in Cotabato City shortly after 8pm. A couple was seen quarrelling on the street, and the woman was overheard yelling that someone had put a grenade in her bag.
A bystander kicked the bag into the street, where it exploded.
One person died immediately and two died later from their injuries, army Major Julieto Ando said.
The couple managed to dive to safety and were not wounded, Macacua said. The woman was taken into custody and was being questioned.
No word yet on which terrorist group plans to claim responsibility.
July 27, 2003
Total Philippine Coverage
For an excellent summary of the recent events in the Philippines, visit the blog of Command Post contributor Willie Galang. Willie has an excellent series of posts and screenshots of local media coverage from his "on the ground" perspective in Manilla.