Stars joined by vast crowds to welcome Obama to Washington
Bono and the Edge of U2 performing at the "We Are One" inaugural celebration concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington yesterday. Addressing Mr Obama, Bono said: "What a thrill for four Irish boys from the northside of Dublin to honour you, sir." Photograph: Alex Brandon/PA

HUNDREDS OF thousands of people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington last night for the opening event of Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration, a star-studded concert celebrating national unity in diversity.

Bono, Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and Tom Hanks were among the artists who performed songs and read texts on the theme “We Are One”.

The vast crowd, which stretched from the memorial around the giant reflecting pool and beyond the Washington Monument, greeted Mr Obama and his wife Michelle with a great cheer as they descended the steps below the statue of Lincoln.

The president-elect and his wife joined their daughters Sasha and Malia behind a screen of protective glass as the concert began. Mr Obama told the crowd that they reflected the diversity of the coalition that drove his election campaign. “As I prepare to assume the presidency, yours are the voices I will take with me every day I walk into that Oval Office – the voices of men and women who have different stories but hold common hopes; who ask only for what was promised us as Americans – that we might make of our lives what we will and see our children climb higher than we did.” Bruce Springsteen was the first musician on stage, singing The RisingA Change is Gonna Come and Mary J Blige’s version of Lean on Me , which had the future first lady singing along. The crowd erupted later when Will.i.am, Herbie Hancock and Sheryl Crow came together to perform Bob Marley’s One Love and when country star Garth Brooks sang American Pie . Vice-president-elect Joe Biden delivered an impassioned speech about the dignity of work, pointing out the great memorials of Washington, which were “all built, stone by stone, by American men and women”. Authorities in Washington are expecting between up to two million people for the extended inauguration weekend, despite forecasts for snow. Commuter trains into Washington were packed and traffic was congested by mid-morning yesterday as crowds poured in through security checkpoints. Earlier, the president-elect and Mr Biden laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington Cemetery before Mr and Mrs Obama attended church. , backed by a red-robed gospel choir. Addressing Mr Obama, Bono said: “It’s not just an American dream: it’s an Irish dream, a European dream, an African dream, an Israeli dream, an Irish dream. What a thrill for four Irish boys from the northside of Dublin to honour you, sir.”Fox drew laughter when he lapsed into an impersonation of Mr Obama, quoting the president-elect’s election night remarks: “If there’s anyone who still doubts that America is not a place where all things are possible, tonight is your answer.” Among the musical highlights were a duet featuring Bettye LaVette and Jon Bon Jovi singing

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2009/0119/1232059659857.html

• Taxpayers in second bank bail-out
• Stars out for Obama concert
• Israel continues withdrawal from Gaza
• Clarke 'delighted' to return to frontbench
• Russia and Ukraine to sign gas deal
• Caustic soda rapists to be sentenced
• Three deny helping July 7 bombers
• » More:
• UK news
• World news
• Oddly Enough
• Y! Answers
• Australian Open: LIVE
• Premier League - City agree Bellamy fee
• Transfers - Transfer Talk: City target De Rossi
• Australian Open - Men: Djokovic grinds out win
• Australian Open - Women: Ivanovic safely through
• Premier League - Kaka set for crunch Milan talks
• Premier League - Team of the week
• » More:
• Football
• Fantasy Football
• Rugby
• Cricket

• Nude photo of Madonna up for auction
• Liz Hurley becomes charity ambassador
• Incoming First Lady celebrates birthday on historic whistle-stop tour
• Kate sheds light on awards speech at premiere of Globe-winning film
• Chris charms Gallic audience with his French as he collects award
• Bruce and the stars hail the arrival of the new 'Boss'
• I'm desperately naive, admits Robin

• » More:
• Showbiz
• TV
• Music
• Movies

• Kylie Minogue to co-host Brits with…
• Taxpayers in second bank bail-out
• RBS losses

• Optimists plan "Blue Monday" cheer up
• Ken Clarke comeback: The big beast…
• Chancellor: bank bail-out will work

• » More:
• UK news
• Sports news
• Entertainment news

 

• Braving cold for piece of history | 19/01/2009
• Obama will call time on ‘anything goes’ culture | 19/01/2009
• It’s Obamarama time! | 17/01/2009
• Cabinet to decide on cut in €20bn public sector pay bill

Public face of Saddam regime jailed

Former Iraqi deputy prime minister Tareq Aziz has been jailed for 15 years for his role in the killings of dozens of traders in 1992. Skip related content

Two of Saddam Hussein's half brothers were sentenced to death over the same incident.

The traders were executed after being accused of hiking prices of goods in breach of state price controls, when Iraq's economy was collapsing as a result of United Nations sanctions imposed for its 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

"The court has ruled that Watban Ibrahim al-Hassan and Sabaawi Ibrahim al-Hassan be hanged until death for committing a premeditated killing - a crime against humanity," Judge Raouf Abdul Rahman said. The verdict came less than two weeks after the same Iraqi High Tribunal cleared Aziz, for years the public face of Saddam's regime, of any role in killing and displacing Shia Muslims in 1999. That trial saw Saddam's cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majeed, receive a third death sentence.Majeed, nicknamed "Chemical Ali" for his use of poison gas to kill Kurdish villagers in the 1980s, was also sentenced in the trader case to 15 years.Saddam's secretary Abed Hamid Mahmoud, already jailed for life in another case, received a second life sentence. The Iraqi High Tribunal was set up after the 2003 allied invasion to try former members of Saddam's government, including the leader himself.Human Rights Watch estimates 290,000 people vanished under Saddam. Saddam was executed in December 2006 after being convicted of crimes against humanity for the killing of 148 Shia men and boys after a 1982 assassination attempt.

Foreign aid workers kidnapped in Darfur

Play video California 'tent city' reflects growing ...

US jobless forced to live in tents

Germany grieves after school shooting

N.Korea to launch satellite in early April

Zimbabwe MDC official freed and urges reconciliation 

Zimbabwean MDC official Roy Bennett was freed from prison on Thursday after the Supreme Court ordered his release on bail and he… More

Zimbabwe PM's aide Bennett freed on bail

Palin daughter splits with fiance: report

Iraq shoe thrower jailed for three…

Five aid workers kidnapped in Darfur

Arrest warrant issued for 'Nazi guard'

  N.Korea to launch satellite in early April:…

Yes, We Can
Speech by Barack Obama - President Elect of United States

Chicago, 5 November 2008

"..And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those

who are huddled around radiosin the forgotten corners of our world –

our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn

of American leadership is at hand. ...

And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright

– tonight we proved once more thatthe true strength of our nation

comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power

of our ideals:democracy, liberty,opportunity, and unyielding hope.."

Reflections: "I see Obama less as a black man than as a successful negotiator

of identity margins. His ability to inhabit so many categories mirrors the African experience.

For America to choose as its citizen in chief such a skillful straddler of global identities could

not helpbut transform the nation's image, making it once again the screen upon

which the hopes and ambitions of the world are projected." -

Francis Nyamnjoh,

Cameroonian novelist and social scientist, 5 November 2008

"(Obama's) election rivaled the day in 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln issued

the Emancipation Proclamation and the day 101 years later when the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech.

There's never been a moment like this in our lifetime, ever... Obama is the postmodern

race man. He can wear it, he can take it off, he can put it back on. It's just an aspect of his

identity. .. People don't see him primarily as black. I think people see him primarily as

an agent of change." Henry Louis Gates Jr.,

Harvard scholar of African-American history

                     NO Where To Hide........No Where to Run........

The title of a new controversial film being produced by the INL News Group and sponsored by inlnews.com, USAWeeklyNews.com Yahoo Real Estate.com.au, YahooRealestate.co.uk, YahooRealEstate.org, EmergeFest.com, Edinburgh Fringe Festival Limited. www.EdinburghFringeFest.com, www.FringShowsHaveTalent.com, www.AustraliaWeekendNews.com, EdFringe.biz, EdFringe.info, www.EdingburghFringeFesival.co.uk, www.EdfringeFilms.com, www.NYITFest.com, www.NYTToday.com. www.CCNToday.us, www.BBCToday.ws and many others keen to see this story on film for the world to see, showing the world speaking out about the realities what what the world describes in their chants as millions march around the world in protest of the attack on Gaza's ordinary women,men and children who are just trying to live a normal life with their family and friends, by Israel. 

Sher Watson,

Sher Watson and his band Das Contras playing live at the 2007 W ickerman Festival and in 2008 at the famous Jazz Bar on Chambers Street, Edinburgh, Scotland. where you can hear talented Jazz, Blues, Swing from all over the world seven nights a week. Sher Watson sang his self penned song Street Princess  solo at the 2008 New York International Theater, Film and Artrs Festival in New York know sas the www.NYITFest.com, which is destined to be a big hit on the long and eagerly awaited Das Contras's first album due to be released in April, 2009.
Click here to a live video clip
provided by one of the  www.usaweeklynew.com readers,
 of Das Contas singing Street Princess at the 2007 Wickerman Festival held in Scotland were they burn the Wickman to try and please the Gods to have a good harvest.

Sher Watson, the lead singer of the Scottish Jazz-Rock- Fusion Band, Das Contras is at this moment penning a theme song for the film
  NO Where To Hide........No Where to Run........
Das Contras have their first album  Due to be released in April, 2009, after spending all of 2008 in and out of the recording studios recording and mixing their new album. 
Das Contras were discovered by the Fringe Shows Have Talent Team at the 2007 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and have featured live clips of Das Contras performing at the 2007 Wickerman Fringe Festival in Scotland and the famous Jazz Bar on Chambers Street in Eninburgh, Scotland, in the Volume One of the collectors DVD Fringe Shows Have Talent shows video sections of the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Edinburgh and Dublin Fringe Festivals, produced by the INL News Limited in association with the EmergeFest.com and Edinburgh Fringe Festival Limited and USA WEEKLY News Limited.
Anyone interested in purchasing copies of Volume One of the collectors series of DVD's called
                     Fringe Shows Have Talent Collectors DVD Volume One,
                                      please email the 
                                     INL News Group 
                                                   at
                                     admin@inlnews.biz  or 
                                      inlnews3@gmail.com or
                                      admin@fringeshowshavetalent.com

There will be a limited issue of each volume of these collectors DVD's,
 so anyone interested in being put on the waiting list of a copy please email as soon as you can, to assure yourself a copy of this amazing fun-entertaining footage of some of the best memorable moments of the Edinburgh and Dublin Fringe Festivals dutingh 2006, 2007 and 2008.
Part if the proceeds will be used to help the suffering people of Gaza.
 A special Fringe Shows Have Talent concert is due to be held in Blackpool in 2009 to help bring publicity to the Gaza Conflict and to help raise money for help the ordinary women, men and children that are suffering Gaza as a result of the conflict with Israel.
Welcome to
Fringe Shows
 Have Talent!!!
The Fringe Shows Have Talent Team Think they do
Fringe Shows Have Talent will be starting a TV series  in the near future, so watch for it!
 In the meantime, come out and see for yourself that Frige Shows Do Have Talent at your nearest Fringe Festival or keep an eye on the latest Fringe Talent on
www.FringeShowsHaveTalent.com

Now available:
Fringe Shows Have Talent Collectors DVD's showing an exiting and fun selection of fringe performances from the Dublin and Edinburg Fringe Festivals for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008.
The film footage on these Dvd's are not available anywhere else and are truly a collectors item...Only a limited amount of these DVD's will be released
£UK 19.90 per single DVD
£UK 49.90 for 5 DVD's
£UK 79.90 for 10 DVD's
each DVD has over two hours playing time of a range of exciting music, theatre, dance and comedy
Anyone interested in any of the  Fringe Shows Have Talent Collectors DVD's  please email
The Fringe Shows Have Talent Team at
fringeshowshavetalent@gmail.com

At a peace rally held in Edinburgh, Scotland on Saturday 10th January, 2008, in opposition to the Israel attcks on Gaza, there was so much community spirit from all walks of life and all ages from little kids to old people, just ordinary people trying to have their say....... 

                                      all singing

Free Free Palestine ...Occupation is a crime

Occupation is a crime.....Killing children is a crime
Ethnic cleansing is crimeFree Free Palestine

At the strong and powerful Solidarity for peace rally in Edinburgh on Saturday the 10th January, 2009, they had some very powerful and moving speakers at the end rally in the park and thousands braving cold winds and rain to listen to the speakers, which included a doctor who spoke live form a mobile telephone from Gaza describing to the crowd of the urgent humanitarian crisis in Gaza caused for the relentless bombing of Gaza by Israel.

The ordinary citizens from all nationalities, ages and backgrounds from all countries spoke out in a loud unity voice

                   " Israel Must Stop the killing of innocent women and children"

Anyone that wants to contributed any stories, views, ideas, photos, film clips and just want to be involved with tha making of  the film
                 NO Where To Hide.........No Where to Run........
Please email all ideas, views,stories, photos, video clips etc to
                        INL News Limited at
                      inlnews3@gmail.com
The film

"             NO Where To Hide........No Where to Run........
wants to include views from all sides so that a fair cross sections of all points of view is shown and each individual can make up their own mind about the wrongs and rights of the conflict.. and what is the best way to solve the conflict so that no more innocent women, men and children are killed from either side of the conflict.... so that there will be a long last lasting peace in that region of the world between all races and all religions....the concern is that no matter which point of view you hold as to the wrongs and right of the Israel-Gaza Conflict, if it carries on much longer, it has the potential to create a third world war and help ignite a new round of world wide hatred in the world between various people in different races and religions and as
Annie Lenox


stated to the BBC...
        " that both sides were "wrong" and a total ceasefire was the only sensible solution."

Annie said

"the intervention of President George W Bush, who has described Hamas's rocket attacks as an "act of terror", was not helping the situation."

She said: "The problem is, from my perspective, they are pouring petrol onto the fire.

"They have to sit down. This is a small window of opportunity just before things kick off.

"For every one person killed in Gaza, they are creating 100 suicide bombers. It's not just about Gaza, it's about all of us.

Former model

Bianca Jagger

Bianca Jagger with Mick Jagger in the early days 

and singer Annie Lennox have supported the action, and have also called on American president-elect Barack Obama

President George W. Bush meets with President-elect Barack Obama

 

President George W. Bush meets with former President George H.W. Bush, President-elect Barack Obama, former President Bill Clinton and former President Jimmy Carter in the Oval Office of the White House January 7, 2009.

 (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

 

 

President-elect Barack Obama has lunch with Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty at Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, January 10, 2009 to discuss a resolution to the Israel-Gaza Conflict (Jim Young/Reuters) Mon Jan 12, 7:12 PM ET

U.S. President-elect Barack Obama speaks at a news conference in Washington January 9, 2009.

 (Jim Young/Reuters)

 

to speak up against the bombardment.
Actor Paul Kaye, whose mother-in-law was killed in a Hamas rocket attack, told the BBC he had experienced the situation from an Israeli point of view.
"It's terrifying," he said. "My wife was trapped in a supermarket in a rocket attack. I was with my sons in Ashkelon station, holding them, waiting for a rocket to land and shutting my eyes thinking 'is this it?'
"So I think it's important to remember that mothers fleeing rocket attacks holding their children have the same fear on both sides of the border

"The minimum is to treat these [injured] people, to feed these people, give them water, and keep them in a safe place" Katarina Ritz ICRC's head of mission in Jerusalem
                       NO Where To Hide........No Where to Run........
                    soon to be at your local cinema, and on DVD for the world to see.....

 

George Galloway MP will be joining the protest at the BBC in Edinburgh this afternoon

 

Wed January 28th Demonstrate  at the BBC 

 PROTEST at the BBC's decision not to air the DEC Appeal for Gaza

 Edinburgh - BBC East Scotland, The Tun, Holyrood Rd  5.30pm (called by Scottish PSC and supported by Edinburgh Stop the War Coalition)

SPSC will project the DEC's Appeal for Gaza onto the wall of the BBC building in Edinburgh. Speakers include Pauline Goldsmith (one of the four signatories of the actors' boycott letter) and George Galloway 

Mounting Protests at BBC

 Wed January 28th
Glasgow - BBC Scottish HQ, Pacific Quay  4.30pm
(called by Stop the War)
Edinburgh - BBC East Scotland, The Tun, Holyrood Rd   5.30pm (called by Scottish PSC)

SPSC will project the DEC's Appeal for Gaza onto the wall of the BBC building.
Speakers include Pauline Goldsmith, one of the four signatories of the actors' boycott letter BBC.

Protesters will today gather outside the BBC in Glasgow and Edinburgh against the controversial decision by the BBC not to air a Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) crisis appeal for the people of Gaza .

  Mick Napier, chair of the SPSC, said, “The BBC’s decision to impede the humanitarian appeal on behalf of the people of Gaza comes on top of this well-substantiated record of pro-Israeli bias.  It also comes to a population who see yet another invasion in the Middle East where the British government is on the wrong side and believe that the BBC is even more so. The Sun newspaper never recovered on Merseyside from its appalling misreporting of the Hillsborough disaster and the BBC may never recover from this similar violation of deeply held convictions.  The great majority of British people clearly feel that Palestinians have been savaged and that denying aid to the victims is sadistic.”

Samena Dean, from the Islamic community said: “This has nothing to do with impartiality, but everything to do with Mark Thompson’s views on the conflict.  He clearly wants to help Israeli punish the Palestinians for resisting the Occupation and the Siege.  Mark Thompson visited Israel in 2005 and held talk with Ariel Sharon, the man responsible for the massacres at Sabra and Shatila.  By the very fact that Mark Thompson would meet Sharon shows that he would rather ‘Aunty Beeb’ peddle Israeli propaganda then help to relive a humanitarian crisis in Gaza .”

 Solidarity Campaign started in autumn 2000 in response to the Palestinian second uprising against Israeli occupation (intifada). The SPSC has branches and groups of supporters in several Scottish cities and universities, as well as individual members across Scotland .
For further information, contact:
Email: info@scottishpsc.org.uk
Website: www.scottishpsc.org.uk  

 2. BBC defends Gaza appeal decision:

The BBC has defended a decision not to air a TV fund-raising appeal for Gaza , saying it wanted to avoid compromising public confidence in its impartiality.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7846150.stm

 3. BBC under pressure over Gaza emergency appeal

The BBC came under mounting pressure today to screen an emergency appeal for Gaza , after ITV, Channel 4 and Five all announced they will show it.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/bbc-under-pressure-over-gaza-emergency-appeal-1515149.html

 4. DEC would normally raise about £10 million:

A national appeal from the DEC would normally raise about £10 million, but without the broadcasts the total is certain to be lower.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5568735.ece

 5. DEC Access and Impartiality
The DEC members are committed to humanitarian principles including independence and have confirmed they are able to work without hindrance from the Hamas controlled authorities both to identify who are the most needy and to channel assistance to them directly, either through their own staff or well established local non governmental partners. The DEC members have submitted lists of partners and their banking arrangements, to insure proper systems are in place.

http://www.dec.org.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?ap=1&id=320

 6. General Background

The State of Israel was founded through the systematic ethnic cleansing of Palestine in 1948. This event, known as the 'Nakbah', or catastrophe, to Palestinians, saw the expulsion of hundreds of thousands of them from their homes. Those expelled are still refused their rights under international law to return to return home. The crimes committed against the Palestinian people did not end in 1948 however, and daily theft of land and resources continues as Israel pushes forward its policy of replacing the Palestinian people with Jewish immigrants from around the world.

Yoko Ono LIVE: Passages for Light - in conversation with Alexandra Munroe [Guggenheim, NY, USA]

  Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum: 1071 5th Ave, New York, NY 10128 01173, USA Thursday, April 2, 6:30pm; tickets $30    Third Mind Live Performances, Education, and Public Programs  In conjunction with the exhibition, the Guggenheim Museum presents Third Mind Live, a performance and lecture series... [More here ?]

IMAGINE: The Peace Ballad of John and Yoko

  Montreal museum celebrates Bed-In anniversary April 2 to June 21, 2009 Following Warhol Live, this spring the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts will continue in a musical vein by celebrating the fortieth anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s famous 1969 Bed-in in Montreal with an exhibition designed... [More here ?]

Group Show: The Third Mind: American Artists Contemplate Asia, 1860-1989 [New York, USA]

The Third Mind: American Artists Contemplate Asia, 1860-1989 30 January 2009 – 19 April 2009 EXHIBITION EXPLORES IMPACT OF ASIAN ART AND THOUGHT ON AMERICAN ARTISTS FROM THE LATE 19TH THROUGH 20TH CENTURIES Approximately 250 Works by 100 Artists and Literary Figures from James McNeill Whistler to... [More here ?]

Yoko Ono at Stanford

Yoko Ono reflects on her life, work and public perception History Professor Gordon Chang and Yoko Ono answered questions from the audience after Ono’s  presentation Wednesday in Dinkelspiel Auditorium. by Cynthia Haven, Stanford Report, January 15, 2009 Tickets vanished within a few hours. Clearly,... [More here ?]

Imagine Peace Tower Stamp - Bronze award

The 2008 stamp of the IMAGINE PEACE TOWER has been awarded a Bronze by Stamp News. From StampNews.com Top 10 extraordinary stamps of the year 2008 We at StampNews.com want to strike the balance of the passing year. Plenty of new stamps have seen the light all over the world. No question all of them... [More here ?]

Yoko Ono to receive Lifetime Achievement Golden Lion at Venice Biennale 2009

24 February 2009

Message from Yoko Ono: Dear Friends,

When I heard that I was selected for the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award of 2009,

I felt like i was in a fog, listening to a foghorn far away! The fog slowly cleared.

The foghorn changed into the speech the director of the Biennale was giving on this

occasion. So what should I say…thank you? John would have been so proud of me.

“I told you, didn’t I?” he would say. I am glad, too.

I feel like I was suddenly given a huge birthday card. I see myself struggling to hold

it in my heart. Thank you for being there for me all these years. I am a lucky girl. yoko

Yoko Ono 1 March 2009 NYC Yoko Ono to receive Lifetime Achievement Golden Lion

at Venice Biennale 2009 As part of the 53rd... [More here ?]

Yoho Ono has launched Peace Web Site callled www.imaginepeace.com

http://imaginepeace.com/news/

Yoko Ono to receive Lifetime Achievement Golden Lion at Venice Biennale 2009

24 February 2009

Message from Yoko Ono: Dear Friends, When I heard that I was selected for the Golden Lion Lifetime Achievement Award of 2009, I felt like i was in a fog, listening to a foghorn far away! The fog slowly cleared. The foghorn changed into the speech the director of the Biennale was giving on this occasion. So what should I say…thank you? John would have been so proud of me. “I told you, didn’t I?” he would say. I am glad, too. I feel like I was suddenly given a huge birthday card. I see myself struggling to hold it in my heart. Thank you for being there for me all these years. I am a lucky girl. yoko Yoko Ono 1 March 2009 NYC Yoko Ono to receive Lifetime Achievement Golden Lion at Venice Biennale 2009 As part of the 53rd... [More here ?]

IMAGINE PEACE

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOKO!

Happy Birthday YOKO! 18TH FEBRUARY 2009 IMAGINE PEACE TOWER - Viðey Island, Reykjavik, Iceland. In celebration of Yoko Ono’s 76th birthday, and by special arrangement with Reykjavik Art Museum, Reykjavik Energy & The City of Reykjavik, IMAGINE PEACE TOWER was illuminated from sunset till... [More here ?]

BED PEACE 2009: 40th Anniversary 1969-2009

The John & Yoko Amsterdam Bed-In took place from 25-31 March 1969 at The Hilton Hotel, Amsterdam, Holland. The John & Yoko Montreal Bed-In took place from 26 May to 2 June 1969 at The Queen Elizabeth Hotel, Montreal, Canada, culminating in the recording of the anthem “Give Peace A Chance”... [More here ?]

John Lennon’s Imagine to ring out on Liverpool Cathedral’s bells

By Catherine Jones, Liverpool Daily Post HE FAMOUSLY described it as “anti-religious, anti-nationalistic, anti-conventional and anti-capitalistic’. But now John Lennon’s magnum opus Imagine – dubbed one of the greatest songs of all time – is to be performed on Liverpool Cathedral’s bells. The... [More 

here ?]

$4m+ of INSTANT KARMA to Darfur

Gift of Lennon’s Songbook Supports Amnesty International’s Global Campaign on Darfur February 18, 2009 Yoko Ono’s generous gift to Amnesty International — the right to have leading international musical artists record new versions of John Lennon’s solo compositions – provided... [Morehere ?]

Yoko Ono Baltic exhibition adds colour to the art world

by Dave Black, The Journal FAMILIES are being encouraged to add their creative touches to a work by Yoko Ono. The-six day event is part of an exhibition of the Japanese artist at the Baltic, on the Gateshead side of the Tyne. Parents and children will use Yoko Ono’s 1966 Add Colour Painting as inspiration... [More here ?]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOKO!

Happy Birthday YOKO! 18TH FEBRUARY 2009 IMAGINE PEACE TOWER - Viðey Island, Reykjavik, Iceland. In celebration of Yoko Ono’s 76th birthday, and by special arrangement with Reykjavik Art Museum, Reykjavik Energy & The City of Reykjavik, IMAGINE PEACE TOWER was illuminated from sunset till... [More here ?]

1. Amy Winehouse
2. Lord Mandelson
3. Lottery
4. Jade Goody

5. Stanley Kubrick
6. Premier League
7. Michael Jackson
8. Red Nose Day

» Yahoo! Search

• Halifax reward current account A bank account that gives you £5 each month. Just pay in £1000 each month. Find out more.
• Free Experian credit reportGet your credit report for free with Creditexpert from Experian.
• Win a trip to VegasYour chance to win a trip to Vegas, the city that never sleeps with ukprizedraw.
• Stub It Out communityNeed help to quit smoking? Get support, tips and hints from people like you.

'Lifestyle not pills for diabetes' Press Assoc.Doctors and nurses are handing out pills to diabetics rather than recommending they lose weight and take more exercise, research suggested. More »

• Morocco cuts ties with Iran over Bahrain-RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco has cut diplomatic links with Iran, the Moroccan Foreign Ministry said on Friday, after an outcry in the Sunni Muslim world over a statement by an Iranian official questioning Sunni-ruled Bahrain's sovereignty. More »

Africa

• Govt voices sadness over death of Zimbabwe PM's wifeAFP 
• Zimbabwe PM hurt, wife killed in car crash: partyAFP - 
• Zimbabwe PM suffers minor injuries in car crashAFP -
• Africa »

Asia

• Asia extremists rely more on Internet Reuters -
• Historical ties between China and TibetReuters - 
• China's grip on Tibet tight, but options limited Reuters -
• Asia »

Europe

• U.S. needs to do more on climate: EU official Reuters
• Tongue-tied Clinton gets warm EU welcomeReuters 
• Austria incest father expects life in jailReuters - 
• Europe »

Latin America

• World Bank okays $1.3 billion for Brazil environmentReuters - Thursday, March 5
  
• US corruption fuels drug trade: Mexican presidentAFP - Thursday, March 5
  
• At least 20 dead in northern Mexico prison uprisingAFP - Wednesday, March 4
  
• Latin America »

Middle East

• Sweden lead Davis Cup tie, anti-Israel protests buildAFP -
• Morocco cuts ties with Iran: foreign ministryAFP - 
• Sweden lead tie, anti-Israel protests buildAFP - 
• Middle East »

North America

• Obama announces plans to fill key foreign policy postsAFP - 
• US, Russian foreign ministers signal 'reset' as they meetAFP - 
• SKorea, US slam 'inhumane' NKorean flight threatAFP - 
• North America »

Oceania

• Quake rocks Australia's 2nd biggest city MelbourneReuters - 
• NZ stag night victim 'not a troublemaker'ITN - Thursday, March 5
  
• Rich nations revise up greenhouse gas problem Reuters - Wednesday, March 4
  
• Oceania »

Archive

• View Previous World Headlines »

• Cheese and onion is favourite crisp

• Protester throws liquid over Mandelson

• Protestor Throws Green Liquid Over Mandelson

• Govt poised to increase stake in Lloyds: BBC

• Ex-SAS officer: MoD ignored warning

• Play video Reaction to the shooting of a boy at a ...

• Play video Boy detained over shooting at a travellers'…

• Mayor bailed in corruption probe

Government poised to increase stake in Lloyds:BBC

Government poised to increase stake in Lloyds:BBC
The government is poised to increase its stake in Lloyds Banking Group as part of a deal that would also see the group agree to the government insuring its risky assets, the BBC reported.

It said the two sides were on the verge of a deal that would see the government increase its stake in LBG -- created earlier this year from the merger of rivals HBOS and Lloyds TSB -- from 43 percent to up to 60 percent.
This would be achieved by converting the expensive shares already held by the taxpayer to ordinary shares that carry voting rights.
At the same time, LBG are set to agree to ringfence risky assets worth up to 250 billion pounds in the government's asset protection scheme, the BBC reported.
Lloyds insisted there was "no certainty" that it would join the scheme, under which banks pay a fee to have their bad loans underwritten by the government, leaving them with more freedom to lend to customers and businesses.
The group's head of communications, Shane O'Riordain, said talks with the government's Treasury department "are continuing", adding: "This is a complex subject and there is a good deal of detail to be worked through.
"Our conversations have not yet concluded and there can be no certainty that we will participate in this scheme."
A Treasury spokesman said: "Discussions are ongoing. A deal will be announced at the conclusion of those discussions."
Royal Bank of Scotland has already signed up to insure assets worth 325 billion pounds, in return for paying 6.5 billion pounds and promising to lend 25 billion to consumers and businesses this year.
The International Finance Manager of the INL News Group, John Carew-Reid, however had a meeting with a senior Royal Bank of Scotland Development Loan Manager today and Mr Carew-Reid said it seemed clear that  the RBS, even though already 60% owned by the UK Government who have signed up to insure assets worth 325 billion pounds, in return for paying 6.5 billion pounds and promising to lend 25 billion to consumers and businesses this year, have made their lending conditions to businesses a lot more stricter than they were before the banking crisis, and in fac the advertising material sent out in the mail to current banking cisters saying that the bank has billions to lend outside normal strict banking lending rules, is simply not true. The clear impression given to Mr Carew-Reid by the RBS Development Manager, was that bank while publicly making out they were going to make credit fairly easily available to businesses with a sensible business plan outside normal banking guidelines, because 75% of the loan is guaranteed by the UK Government and in fact it was the UK Government and UK taxpayers money that the RBS was in effect lending, the reality is that the RBS have made lending to businesses a lot more stricter and thus 95% of business loans applied for will be refused. This is the same with NatWest is owned by the RBS and thus also effectively controlled by the UK Government. It seems that in reality what is happening, is that the billions handed to the RBS, NatWest, HBOS and Lloyds in cash and guarantees will not be used to lend to business people on reasonably liberal lenders terms to get the UK economy moving, however all these billions will be moved to overseas currencies such as US dollars to gamble on currency trading profits, rather than using these funds as promised to lend to small and medium UK businesses, which was the original condition of the UK Government providing what appears all up to be about 1,000 billion pounds in cash injections, purchasing toxic assets and Government guarantees from UK Taxpayers money stop  up the complete collapse of the UK banking system.
It appears that the directors of the UK Banks such as the RBS, NatWest, HBOS and Lloyds who are receiving around 1,000 billion pounds bail out funding from the UK taxpayer are taking this money on false pretences and are effectively guilty of a conspiracy to defrauding the UK Taxpayer.
What the UK Government should have done is place these funds into banks accounts in these banks owned by the government, and then had the banks lend this money as a finance broker for the UK Government, with instructions to lend these funds out liberal lending conditions to UK
businesses with sensible businesses plans. Mr John Carew Reid, who is a qualified and experienced economist, management accountant and investment advisor for the INL News Group states, that
"because of the taxation collection ability of the UK Government, that in effect gets back about 40% in direct and indirect taxes each time money is spent and circulated in the economy, even if some of these business loans are not repaid in the end, due to the business venture not working in time before the working capital of the business runs out, the UK Government will have recouped more than their original outlay on the loan to the business from direct and indirect taxation from the money circulated into the economy. What in effect happens when a small business person is provided £25,000 in working capital for his business, whether it be a new or existing business venture, these funds are immediately spent on rent, interest, wages, pant and equipment, refurbishment of their business etc. Those that receive these funds for their goods and services, pay about 0% indirect and direct taxation. Then they spend the other 60% on goods and services and those that receive these funds also pay about 40% in direct and indirect taxation, and the cycle continues. After a few times that this £25,000 has been circulated form the original loan given to the business person, the UK Government has had all their money back. So in effect the UK Government do not lose any money on any of the loans that are not paid paid because the business and the individual has gone bankrupt through the failed business venture. At the same time, the UK Government who have financed all these small businesses in the UK with £5,000 to £25,000 have in effect become venture capital providers, just at the business people on the well known BBC TV program Dragons Den are, and in return the UK Government can take a percentage share in the small to medium business in return for the capital injection of working capital. This is what the UK Government have done with the UK Banks who have a proven track record of losing billions. The UK Government have become venture capitalists by providing working capital to the banks in return for a shareholdinng in their businesses.
Mr John Carew Reid asks the question?
"Why can't the UK Government also invest directly into small and medium businesses with business people that have a track record of some successes, and to people who want to start up a new business who are keen and energetic with a sensible business plan, with amounts of up to £25,000 unsecured and up to £1 million secured on commercial real estate, rather than than handing 1,000 billion pounds to just three for four companies all in the same industry, who are all competing against each each for the banking busines, who all have the same products to sell, have a proven track record of having no business sense or ability have lost about 1,000 billion pounds over the last few years of other people's money?"
Any comments can be emailed to:
                                           
                                           
                                   financialeditor@inlnews.com

Stars joined by vast crowds to welcome Obama to Washington
Bono and the Edge of U2 performing at the "We Are One" inaugural celebration concert at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington yesterday. Addressing Mr Obama, Bono said: "What a thrill for four Irish boys from the northside of Dublin to honour you, sir." Photograph: Alex Brandon/PA

HUNDREDS OF thousands of people gathered at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington last night for the opening event of Barack Obama’s presidential inauguration, a star-studded concert celebrating national unity in diversity.

Bono, Beyonce, Jamie Foxx and Tom Hanks were among the artists who performed songs and read texts on the theme “We Are One”.

The vast crowd, which stretched from the memorial around the giant reflecting pool and beyond the Washington Monument, greeted Mr Obama and his wife Michelle with a great cheer as they descended the steps below the statue of Lincoln.

The president-elect and his wife joined their daughters Sasha and Malia behind a screen of protective glass as the concert began. Mr Obama told the crowd that they reflected the diversity of the coalition that drove his election campaign. “As I prepare to assume the presidency, yours are the voices I will take with me every day I walk into that Oval Office – the voices of men and women who have different stories but hold common hopes; who ask only for what was promised us as Americans – that we might make of our lives what we will and see our children climb higher than we did.” Bruce Springsteen was the first musician on stage, singing The RisingA Change is Gonna Come and Mary J Blige’s version of Lean on Me , which had the future first lady singing along. The crowd erupted later when Will.i.am, Herbie Hancock and Sheryl Crow came together to perform Bob Marley’s One Love and when country star Garth Brooks sang American Pie . Vice-president-elect Joe Biden delivered an impassioned speech about the dignity of work, pointing out the great memorials of Washington, which were “all built, stone by stone, by American men and women”. Authorities in Washington are expecting between up to two million people for the extended inauguration weekend, despite forecasts for snow. Commuter trains into Washington were packed and traffic was congested by mid-morning yesterday as crowds poured in through security checkpoints. Earlier, the president-elect and Mr Biden laid a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Arlington Cemetery before Mr and Mrs Obama attended church. , backed by a red-robed gospel choir. Addressing Mr Obama, Bono said: “It’s not just an American dream: it’s an Irish dream, a European dream, an African dream, an Israeli dream, an Irish dream. What a thrill for four Irish boys from the northside of Dublin to honour you, sir.”Fox drew laughter when he lapsed into an impersonation of Mr Obama, quoting the president-elect’s election night remarks: “If there’s anyone who still doubts that America is not a place where all things are possible, tonight is your answer.” Among the musical highlights were a duet featuring Bettye LaVette and Jon Bon Jovi singing

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2009/0119/1232059659857.html

• Taxpayers in second bank bail-out
• Stars out for Obama concert
• Israel continues withdrawal from Gaza
• Clarke 'delighted' to return to frontbench
• Russia and Ukraine to sign gas deal
• Caustic soda rapists to be sentenced
• Three deny helping July 7 bombers
• » More:
• UK news
• World news
• Oddly Enough
• Y! Answers
• Australian Open: LIVE
• Premier League - City agree Bellamy fee
• Transfers - Transfer Talk: City target De Rossi
• Australian Open - Men: Djokovic grinds out win
• Australian Open - Women: Ivanovic safely through
• Premier League - Kaka set for crunch Milan talks
• Premier League - Team of the week
• » More:
• Football
• Fantasy Football
• Rugby
• Cricket

• Nude photo of Madonna up for auction
• Liz Hurley becomes charity ambassador
• Incoming First Lady celebrates birthday on historic whistle-stop tour
• Kate sheds light on awards speech at premiere of Globe-winning film
• Chris charms Gallic audience with his French as he collects award
• Bruce and the stars hail the arrival of the new 'Boss'
• I'm desperately naive, admits Robin

• » More:
• Showbiz
• TV
• Music