European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton power balance said “urgent progress” is needed toward Middle East peace as she began a visit to the region.
Ashton, who will be in Israel shop today and the West Bank tomorrow, said in an e-mailed statement ahead of her visit that “there is no alternative to a negotiated solution” between Israel and the Palestinians.
Ashton’s visit comes after Palestinian officials have said they would like to see the European Union take a more active role in their negotiations with Israel, which broke down in September.
The talks collapsed after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu refused to renew a 10-month freeze on settlement construction in the West Bank. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said that he won’t return to talks until settlement building ends.
Abbas said on Jan. 2 that a peace deal could be reached within two months if Netanyahu was ready to make decisions on core issues such as borders, security, refugees and the future of east Jerusalem.
Netanyahu replied that he is ready to sit jackets with Abbas “until smoke rises,” once the Palestinian leader is prepared to resume direct negotiations that would address the core issues.
The Israeli leader will meet Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Jan. 6 in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in what his office said is an effort to “put together ways to move regional peace forward.”
2010年12月30日星期四
Because there is no prenup
"Because there is no prenup, Camille was certain power balance she'd get up to $50 million, because she's a partner in his TV company and entitled to half the money he made from shows, including 'Frasier,' while they were married.
"She has accepted their marriage is over and that he wants to marry Kayte in January. Camille wants it all over, too. But what she can't accept is how he's parading around Kayte, who looks like the cat who swallowed the canary. Their public make-out sessions are really insensitive because of their kids."
The "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star, 47, filed for divorce in July after 14 years of marriage. Just weeks later, Page Six revealed that Kelsey was already in a relationship with Kayte, who was pregnant with his child. She has since lost the baby. Grammer -- who has insisted he wasn't in a relationship with Walsh until the split from Donatacci -- got engaged to Kayte in November.
A source close to Grammer denied reports he's in a rush to marry Walsh because she needs a visa to stay in the US. Camille recently said, "I respect him as a person, I don't respect how he handled the affair and the divorce and how things went down."
Read more: http://www.onlinenewshop.com
"She has accepted their marriage is over and that he wants to marry Kayte in January. Camille wants it all over, too. But what she can't accept is how he's parading around Kayte, who looks like the cat who swallowed the canary. Their public make-out sessions are really insensitive because of their kids."
The "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" star, 47, filed for divorce in July after 14 years of marriage. Just weeks later, Page Six revealed that Kelsey was already in a relationship with Kayte, who was pregnant with his child. She has since lost the baby. Grammer -- who has insisted he wasn't in a relationship with Walsh until the split from Donatacci -- got engaged to Kayte in November.
A source close to Grammer denied reports he's in a rush to marry Walsh because she needs a visa to stay in the US. Camille recently said, "I respect him as a person, I don't respect how he handled the affair and the divorce and how things went down."
Read more: http://www.onlinenewshop.com
2010年12月29日星期三
Sabres Sale to be Announced After World Juniors
of the Buffalo Sabres to Pennsylvania billionaire Terry Pegula is expected to be announced at some point after the World Juniors Championship wraps up next week.
We're told the timing of the announcement is being dictated by Sabres owner Tom Golisano.
Golisano doesn't want an announcement regarding the sale of the team detracting attention from the tournament, which is a point of pride for the Sabres' organization.
Our source says that Golisano has reached an agreement in principle for the sale of the team to Pegula.
Now, the only thing left in terms of Pegula owning the team is approval by the NHL's Board of Governors, but given Pegula's wealth, and his commitment to keeping the team in Buffalo, that's expected to be a mere formality.
Given that, it's possible that Pegula could take over the team before the end of this season.
As part of the sale, it's expected that team President Larry Quinn and Chief Operating Officer Dan DiPofi, who both own small pieces of the team, would be bought out as well.
Pegula is expected to bring in his own management team.
Quinn denied to 2 On Your Side that any sale of the team is imminent.
Golisano saved the team in Buffalo when he bought it out of bankruptcy for $92 million, which included about $30 million in debt, in April of 2003. However much, if not all of that debt was forgiven.
With a sale price estimated at about $175 million, Golisano could make about $100 million in the deal.
Jones Soda plans to raise funds through stock sale
Jones Soda, a marketer and distributer of premium beverages, has plans to raise approximately $2m by selling nearly 1.78 million shares to Glengrove Small Cap Value, Ltd. (Glengrove) on or about December 29, 2010.
Jones Soda intends to use the net proceeds from the planned sale, which is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, for targeted funding of new marketing programs, to secure and grow larger distributor and national retail accounts, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
Washington-based Jones Soda markets and distributes beverages under the Jones Soda, Jones Pure Cane Soda, and WhoopAss Energy Drink brands and sells through its distribution network in markets primarily across North America.
We're told the timing of the announcement is being dictated by Sabres owner Tom Golisano.
Golisano doesn't want an announcement regarding the sale of the team detracting attention from the tournament, which is a point of pride for the Sabres' organization.
Our source says that Golisano has reached an agreement in principle for the sale of the team to Pegula.
Now, the only thing left in terms of Pegula owning the team is approval by the NHL's Board of Governors, but given Pegula's wealth, and his commitment to keeping the team in Buffalo, that's expected to be a mere formality.
Given that, it's possible that Pegula could take over the team before the end of this season.
As part of the sale, it's expected that team President Larry Quinn and Chief Operating Officer Dan DiPofi, who both own small pieces of the team, would be bought out as well.
Pegula is expected to bring in his own management team.
Quinn denied to 2 On Your Side that any sale of the team is imminent.
Golisano saved the team in Buffalo when he bought it out of bankruptcy for $92 million, which included about $30 million in debt, in April of 2003. However much, if not all of that debt was forgiven.
With a sale price estimated at about $175 million, Golisano could make about $100 million in the deal.
Jones Soda plans to raise funds through stock sale
Jones Soda, a marketer and distributer of premium beverages, has plans to raise approximately $2m by selling nearly 1.78 million shares to Glengrove Small Cap Value, Ltd. (Glengrove) on or about December 29, 2010.
Jones Soda intends to use the net proceeds from the planned sale, which is subject to satisfaction of customary closing conditions, for targeted funding of new marketing programs, to secure and grow larger distributor and national retail accounts, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes.
Washington-based Jones Soda markets and distributes beverages under the Jones Soda, Jones Pure Cane Soda, and WhoopAss Energy Drink brands and sells through its distribution network in markets primarily across North America.
2010年12月24日星期五
Christians represented 80% of the Bethlehem's population
In 1948, Christians represented 80% of the Bethlehem's population, that number is now just 35%.
Inside Beijing's Movado watches Immaculate Conception Cathedral, more than 1,000 Chinese parishioners gathered to say Mass on Friday.
The ceremony was heralded by hymns and Christmas carols, and was led by a young priest who asked the Sunglasses 2011 congregation to "pray for the holy father, Pope Benedict XVI, and the Chinese bishops."
It's a stark change from the 1960s and '70s, when religion was suppressed in China. Now, the sights and sounds of Christmas are all around, making it one of the biggest commercial holiday seasons in Chinese cities.
While many Chinese are taking advantage of the lucrative side of the season, others are searching for the meaning of Christmas.
"My parents are Catholic," said 19-year-old Joseph Min. He said many youths are lost in the nation's "wave of social changes," but many are "seeking a kind of religion or philosophy in life."
China has become home to more than 6 million Catholics, according to a report approved at the eighth National Congress of Chinese Catholics in early December, the China Daily said.
Beijing and the Vatican severed diplomatic ties in 1951, but efforts are reportedly under way to reconcile their differences
At Vatican City on Friday night, Catholic worshippers packed pews inside St. Peter's Basilica to hear Pope Benedict XVI deliver Midnight Mass.
Celebrants, both young and old, watched in reverence as the choir serenaded the pontiff during his ceremonial march into the church. He was led into St. Peter's for Christmas Eve services by 30 cardinals, a tradition that was started by Pope John Paul II.
Bells rang out during the Holy Eucharistic, with chimes that could be heard inside the church as well as throughout Vatican City.
In 2009, Midnight Mass was interrupted when 25-year-old Susanna Maiolo jumped a barrier and knocked the pontiff down. She had tried to get to the pontiff on Christmas Eve in 2008, but was detained, Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said.
Christmas Eve Mass was held at 10 p.m last year, so the pope, who was 82 years old at the time, would be well-rested for Christmas toys Day services.
Inside Beijing's Movado watches Immaculate Conception Cathedral, more than 1,000 Chinese parishioners gathered to say Mass on Friday.
The ceremony was heralded by hymns and Christmas carols, and was led by a young priest who asked the Sunglasses 2011 congregation to "pray for the holy father, Pope Benedict XVI, and the Chinese bishops."
It's a stark change from the 1960s and '70s, when religion was suppressed in China. Now, the sights and sounds of Christmas are all around, making it one of the biggest commercial holiday seasons in Chinese cities.
While many Chinese are taking advantage of the lucrative side of the season, others are searching for the meaning of Christmas.
"My parents are Catholic," said 19-year-old Joseph Min. He said many youths are lost in the nation's "wave of social changes," but many are "seeking a kind of religion or philosophy in life."
China has become home to more than 6 million Catholics, according to a report approved at the eighth National Congress of Chinese Catholics in early December, the China Daily said.
Beijing and the Vatican severed diplomatic ties in 1951, but efforts are reportedly under way to reconcile their differences
At Vatican City on Friday night, Catholic worshippers packed pews inside St. Peter's Basilica to hear Pope Benedict XVI deliver Midnight Mass.
Celebrants, both young and old, watched in reverence as the choir serenaded the pontiff during his ceremonial march into the church. He was led into St. Peter's for Christmas Eve services by 30 cardinals, a tradition that was started by Pope John Paul II.
Bells rang out during the Holy Eucharistic, with chimes that could be heard inside the church as well as throughout Vatican City.
In 2009, Midnight Mass was interrupted when 25-year-old Susanna Maiolo jumped a barrier and knocked the pontiff down. She had tried to get to the pontiff on Christmas Eve in 2008, but was detained, Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi said.
Christmas Eve Mass was held at 10 p.m last year, so the pope, who was 82 years old at the time, would be well-rested for Christmas toys Day services.
2010年12月22日星期三
New Jersey each will lose a seat in Congress
Pennsylvania and New Jersey each will lose a seat in Congress as a result of slow population growth over the last decade.
The losses, announced Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau, reflect the decades-long shift of political clout from the Northeast and Midwest to faster-growing areas of the West and South.
In other words, Florida's and Texas' gain are Pennsylvania's and New Jersey's loss.
With 435 seats in the House of Representatives to be apportioned on the basis of the 2010 census, Pennsylvania's share will drop from 19 seats to 18 and New Jersey's from 13 to 12.
Texas will gain the most seats, four. It will rank second only to California, which retains 53 seats.
The Lone Star State will have twice the House delegation it had in 1920. Pennsylvania, which has lost more seats than any other big state, will have half what it had 90 years ago.
"Although it is disappointing, this result was expected," said State Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Delaware). "It is one of the consequences of the fact that Pennsylvania's population growth has not kept pace with other states."
Gov. Rendell, appearing Tuesday night on CNN, said Pennsylvania's plight could have been worse. He noted that the state had lost "multiple seats" in several previous censuses.
Still the sixth-largest of the 50 states, Pennsylvania had its population grow 3.4 percent from 2000 to 2010, compared with 9.7 percent for the nation as a whole. As of April, according to the census, it had 12,702,379 residents.
New Jersey's population grew at a slightly faster rate - 4.5 percent, to 8,791,894. It slid from ninth-largest to 11th.
The population changes tallied by the census every 10 years dictate a reallotment of congressional seats. They also set the stage for state legislative districts to be remapped to account for shifts within states. That makes the count critical to both major parties' interests in Harrisburg and Trenton.
More detailed community-by-community population data are to be released by the census starting in February. But party leaders are already thinking about which members of Congress may get squeezed out by the realignment.
If the past is any guide, the remapping is likely to be highly politicized. In Pennsylvania, Republicans will be in the driver's seat.
That is because the Nov. 2 election gave Republicans control of the governorship and state House; they already ruled in the Senate. This puts them in position to redraw districts to suit their own needs.
Courts have held that districts must have equal populations. But they can be gerrymandered to favor one party.
Pennsylvania political sources say GOP leaders are likely to push two Western Pennsylvania Democrats - incumbents Jason Altmire and Mark Critz - into the same House district. The pair would then have to fight it out in a 2012 Democratic primary.
Population estimates have shown growth in some areas of the state - the Poconos and parts of the South and Southeast - while other areas, especially in Western Pennsylvania, have declined.
There is talk that the GOP may also move to protect Bucks County's Republican congressman-elect, Mike Fitzpatrick, by rejiggering district lines. Some Philadelphia voters now within the borders of his Bucks-centered district may be moved to U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz's district.
Schwartz, a Democrat in a district that is mostly in Montgomery County, is already in a strong position politically, so the shift would not affect the power balance.
Like most states, Pennsylvania allows party chiefs to control the remapping triggered every 10 years by the census.
"Our process is totally political," said former U.S. Rep. Joseph M. Hoeffel III, now a Montgomery County commissioner. "Other states have figured out ways to make it much less political. They have a commission. They have figured out a way to do it on a more bipartisan basis."
Hoeffel knows how these things play out. A decade ago, he was in Congress when the census dictated that Pennsylvania would lose two seats.
Republicans, also in control of Harrisburg then, combined Hoeffel's district with that of U.S. Rep. Robert Borski, a Philadelphia Democrat. It looked as if Hoeffel and Borski were headed for a primary battle in 2002 till Borski decided to retire.
New Jersey, by contrast, has a bipartisan commission handle redistricting. Twelve members, evenly divided between the parties, select a 13th who becomes chairman - and possibly the tie-breaking vote in mapping disputes.
New Jersey GOP Chairman Jay Webber, a Morris County assemblyman, said: "Taking it out of the legislative process does make it as apolitical as you can make it - which isn't very much."
The losses, announced Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau, reflect the decades-long shift of political clout from the Northeast and Midwest to faster-growing areas of the West and South.
In other words, Florida's and Texas' gain are Pennsylvania's and New Jersey's loss.
With 435 seats in the House of Representatives to be apportioned on the basis of the 2010 census, Pennsylvania's share will drop from 19 seats to 18 and New Jersey's from 13 to 12.
Texas will gain the most seats, four. It will rank second only to California, which retains 53 seats.
The Lone Star State will have twice the House delegation it had in 1920. Pennsylvania, which has lost more seats than any other big state, will have half what it had 90 years ago.
"Although it is disappointing, this result was expected," said State Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Delaware). "It is one of the consequences of the fact that Pennsylvania's population growth has not kept pace with other states."
Gov. Rendell, appearing Tuesday night on CNN, said Pennsylvania's plight could have been worse. He noted that the state had lost "multiple seats" in several previous censuses.
Still the sixth-largest of the 50 states, Pennsylvania had its population grow 3.4 percent from 2000 to 2010, compared with 9.7 percent for the nation as a whole. As of April, according to the census, it had 12,702,379 residents.
New Jersey's population grew at a slightly faster rate - 4.5 percent, to 8,791,894. It slid from ninth-largest to 11th.
The population changes tallied by the census every 10 years dictate a reallotment of congressional seats. They also set the stage for state legislative districts to be remapped to account for shifts within states. That makes the count critical to both major parties' interests in Harrisburg and Trenton.
More detailed community-by-community population data are to be released by the census starting in February. But party leaders are already thinking about which members of Congress may get squeezed out by the realignment.
If the past is any guide, the remapping is likely to be highly politicized. In Pennsylvania, Republicans will be in the driver's seat.
That is because the Nov. 2 election gave Republicans control of the governorship and state House; they already ruled in the Senate. This puts them in position to redraw districts to suit their own needs.
Courts have held that districts must have equal populations. But they can be gerrymandered to favor one party.
Pennsylvania political sources say GOP leaders are likely to push two Western Pennsylvania Democrats - incumbents Jason Altmire and Mark Critz - into the same House district. The pair would then have to fight it out in a 2012 Democratic primary.
Population estimates have shown growth in some areas of the state - the Poconos and parts of the South and Southeast - while other areas, especially in Western Pennsylvania, have declined.
There is talk that the GOP may also move to protect Bucks County's Republican congressman-elect, Mike Fitzpatrick, by rejiggering district lines. Some Philadelphia voters now within the borders of his Bucks-centered district may be moved to U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz's district.
Schwartz, a Democrat in a district that is mostly in Montgomery County, is already in a strong position politically, so the shift would not affect the power balance.
Like most states, Pennsylvania allows party chiefs to control the remapping triggered every 10 years by the census.
"Our process is totally political," said former U.S. Rep. Joseph M. Hoeffel III, now a Montgomery County commissioner. "Other states have figured out ways to make it much less political. They have a commission. They have figured out a way to do it on a more bipartisan basis."
Hoeffel knows how these things play out. A decade ago, he was in Congress when the census dictated that Pennsylvania would lose two seats.
Republicans, also in control of Harrisburg then, combined Hoeffel's district with that of U.S. Rep. Robert Borski, a Philadelphia Democrat. It looked as if Hoeffel and Borski were headed for a primary battle in 2002 till Borski decided to retire.
New Jersey, by contrast, has a bipartisan commission handle redistricting. Twelve members, evenly divided between the parties, select a 13th who becomes chairman - and possibly the tie-breaking vote in mapping disputes.
New Jersey GOP Chairman Jay Webber, a Morris County assemblyman, said: "Taking it out of the legislative process does make it as apolitical as you can make it - which isn't very much."
2010年12月20日星期一
North Korea shelled the island last month, hours after a similar drill
South Koreans are anxiously waiting to see power balance if North Korea will make good on its threat to take military action in response to a live-fire artillery drill on Yeonpyeong island.
North Korea shelled the island last month, hours after a similar drill. South Korea's marines conducted the exercise just hours after an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council failed to calm tensions on the Korean peninsula.
South Korea defied diplomatic pressure and went ahead Monday with firing artillery into the Yellow Sea, escalating its confrontation with the communist North.
Defense officials stress the shelling was to the southwest online shop, away from North Korea. But Pyongyang has threatened to retaliate, contending the waters are its territory. It warned that the exercise risks starting a war.
South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun says the exercise is routine and legitimate.
Kim says the artillery drill is for self-defense and part of the country's sovereign right.
A few hours before the exercise, the United shop Nations Security Council failed to reach a consensus on lowering tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Diplomats say China, among other nations, would not back a statement condemning North Korea for recent aggressive behavior, including the shelling of Yeonpyeong island last month.
North Korea shelled the island last month, hours after a similar drill. South Korea's marines conducted the exercise just hours after an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council failed to calm tensions on the Korean peninsula.
South Korea defied diplomatic pressure and went ahead Monday with firing artillery into the Yellow Sea, escalating its confrontation with the communist North.
Defense officials stress the shelling was to the southwest online shop, away from North Korea. But Pyongyang has threatened to retaliate, contending the waters are its territory. It warned that the exercise risks starting a war.
South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun says the exercise is routine and legitimate.
Kim says the artillery drill is for self-defense and part of the country's sovereign right.
A few hours before the exercise, the United shop Nations Security Council failed to reach a consensus on lowering tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Diplomats say China, among other nations, would not back a statement condemning North Korea for recent aggressive behavior, including the shelling of Yeonpyeong island last month.
North Korea shelled the island last month, hours after a similar drill
South Koreans are anxiously waiting to see power balance if North Korea will make good on its threat to take military action in response to a live-fire artillery drill on Yeonpyeong island.
North Korea shelled the island last month, hours after a similar drill. South Korea's marines conducted the exercise just hours after an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council failed to calm tensions on the Korean peninsula.
South Korea defied diplomatic pressure and went ahead Monday with firing artillery into the Yellow Sea, escalating its confrontation with the communist North.
Defense officials stress the shelling was to the southwest online shop, away from North Korea. But Pyongyang has threatened to retaliate, contending the waters are its territory. It warned that the exercise risks starting a war.
South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun says the exercise is routine and legitimate.
Kim says the artillery drill is for self-defense and part of the country's sovereign right.
A few hours before the exercise, the United shop Nations Security Council failed to reach a consensus on lowering tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Diplomats say China, among other nations, would not back a statement condemning North Korea for recent aggressive behavior, including the shelling of Yeonpyeong island last month.
North Korea shelled the island last month, hours after a similar drill. South Korea's marines conducted the exercise just hours after an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council failed to calm tensions on the Korean peninsula.
South Korea defied diplomatic pressure and went ahead Monday with firing artillery into the Yellow Sea, escalating its confrontation with the communist North.
Defense officials stress the shelling was to the southwest online shop, away from North Korea. But Pyongyang has threatened to retaliate, contending the waters are its territory. It warned that the exercise risks starting a war.
South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun says the exercise is routine and legitimate.
Kim says the artillery drill is for self-defense and part of the country's sovereign right.
A few hours before the exercise, the United shop Nations Security Council failed to reach a consensus on lowering tensions on the Korean peninsula.
Diplomats say China, among other nations, would not back a statement condemning North Korea for recent aggressive behavior, including the shelling of Yeonpyeong island last month.
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