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 SEPTEMBER  2010                    http://www.lematinhaiti.com/    

CONTENTS: NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT               
                         INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS
                                    UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 
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9/6/10
NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT               
September 6,
History of New York

On 9/6/75..Czech tennis star Martina Navrotilova, in New York for the U.S. Open, requests political asylum in the United States.

 BROOKLYN, NY MILLIONS JOINED CELEBRATION OF WEST INDIAN DAY PARADE
By Elizabeth Menos and Malherbe Metelus
The annual West Indian American Day Carnival brought millions to Brooklyn Monday to celebrate the sights and sounds of the Caribbean. It was impossible not to dance in the streets Monday as the 43rd annual West Indian American Day Carnival and Parade rolled into town, bringing with it bright colors and an infectious beat. "Beautiful costumes and different music, different cultures coming together. Believed to be the city's biggest parade, the annual event brings together about three-million people, giving them a chance to display their national pride and reminisce about a faraway home. It was an opportunity to share the culture and heritage of the people frm the islands of Jamaica, Trinidad, Haiti, Martinique, Guadeloupe, British and French Guyana, dancing and singing on Eastern Parkway. Some come for the food, some for the costumes, and others for the dancing, but while they come for different reasons, from different places, participants are just happy to come together. Jamaicans, Haitians and Trinidadians always made their presence felts all over the avenue. Some estimated the crowd to be more than 3 millions on this sunny Monday.

NEW YORK. JETBLUE FLIGHT ATTENDANT STEVEN SLATER HAD QUIT HIS JOB.
By Jacques Dusseck  
According to the lawyer for notorious JetBlue flight attendant Steven Slater quit his job with the airlines. Daniel Horwitz says Slater left his job with JetBlue on Wednesday while on suspension following last month's outburst aboard a plane at John F. Kennedy Airport. A JetBlue spokeswoman said Sunday that Slater was no longer working for the airline, but wouldn't give details. Slater made headlines when he went on a profanity-laced tirade over a plane loudspeaker before grabbing two beers, deploying the emergency chute, and sliding down to the tarmac after the plane reached its gate.Slater claimed a confrontation with a rude passenger led to the incident, but some other passengers have disputed his story. He has been charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and trespassing and is due back in court Tuesday

NASSAU BAHAMAS. CHARGES DROPPED IN JOHN TRAVOLTA EXTORTION CASE.
By Scott Strong
A judge in the Bahamas dismissed charges Monday against two people accused of trying to extort money from John Travolta after the prosecutor said the actor no longer wanted to pursue a case stemming from the death of his teenage son. Prosecutor Neil Braithwaite had submitted a motion to drop the case after a jury had already been picked and a retrial about to start for the two defendants."The Travolta family has said that this matter has caused them unbelievable stress and pain and they wish to put this whole thing behind them," Braithwaite said. Ambulance driver Tarino Lightbourne and his attorney, politician Pleasant Bridgewater, were accused of threatening to release private information about the January 2009 death of Travolta's 16-year-old son Jett at the family vacation home in Grand Bahama. Lightbourne, who was among the medics who treated Jett, allegedly sought $25 million from the actor with the assistance of Bridgewater, who resigned her seat in the Bahamas Senate after she was charged in the case. A judge declared a mistrial in October after a Bahamian lawmaker suggested the still-deliberating jury had acquitted one of the suspects. Travolta had testified during that trial and one of his attorneys said in October that he had been prepared to testify again if necessary. But the actor said Monday that the delay in prosecuting the case had prompted his decision not to take the stand again  "The long-pending status of this matter continued to take a heavy emotional toll on my family, causing us to conclude that it was finally time to put this matter behind us," he said in a statement to The Associated Press. "Therefore, after much reflection I concluded that it was in my family's best interest for me not to voluntarily return to The Bahamas to testify a second time at trial."

BRONX. OWNER OF A MANICURE NAIL SALON SALON ACCUSED FOR BIAS.
By Jacques Dusseck
The owner of New Master Nail Salon, Kevin Tran faces fines up to $19,500 for allegedly refusing a disabled woman's request for a $10 nail cut. An administrative law judge recommended the penalty against New Master Nail Salon after the Human Rights Commission charged it refused to serve a client in a wheelchair in May 20 2009. "We don't take her kind here," store owner Kevin Tran allegedly announced, according to a transcript of the trial. But Tran now says Lydia Speed, who has since died, wasn't served because she didn't sign in.

NYPD REPORT  9/6
By Jacques Dusseck, Malherbe Metelus, Jerry Blumberg and Scott Strong

IN QUEENS
*Cops were hunting for the driver of a black SUV that mowed down a pedestrian in Richmond Hill yesterday. A 45-year-old man crossing Jamaica Avenue at about 2 a.m. was struck by a dark SUV traveling east, police said. The driver fled. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene.

* A driver learned that hard lesson Aug. 24 when he was robbed after picking up Richard Gangi, 41, on the thoroughfare near 74th Street in Elmhurst, police said. Gangi was invited to jump into the front seat when he asked the motorist for a lift home at about 1 a.m., authorities said. Gangi allegedly asked his chauffeur where he could score drugs, then asked him for money. The driver told him to get out, and Gangi allegedly told the man to either give him money or do it "his way." Gangi then grabbed the gear shift and threw the car into park, bringing it to a screeching halt, police said. He then allegedly took the driver's wallet from the center console and managed to flee after a brief struggle. The driver called the cops, who collared Gangi nearby.

* A drunken driver was busted after slamming into a motorcyclist in West Maspeth, police said. Daniel Freebes, 52, was driving on 60th Street at about midnight Aug. 29, when he allegedly rammed into a motorcycle, throwing its the driver from the bike. Witnesses told cops Freebes never stopped. Cops found Freebes standing outside his 1998 Chevy Blazer a few blocks away on Grand Avenue. He reeked of alcohol and admitted he'd been drinking, cops said. A Breathalyzer test showed that his blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit, police said. The victim needed knee surgery, and suffered fractures to his ankle and foot.

* A man has been charged with drawing a gun on a doorman who had earlier tossed him from a Woodside bar. Raphael Nyack, 27, and a friend had been tossed from the Puerto Vallarta Tapas Bar, on 44th Street, after an argument with another patron at about 3:30 a.m. Aug. 30, cops said. "I'll be right back. I'm going to shoot this place up," Nyack allegedly said to the bouncer before driving off. He returned 10 minutes later and allegedly waved a gun at the bouncer, saying, "You want to back those guys? This is what you get!" The bouncer ran inside and called police. Nyack allegedly followed him but never fired.

* A serial smash-and-grabber who broke in to seven parked vehicles was nabbed in Forest Hills, police said. John Altshuh, 41, was walking on Austin Street at about 8 a.m. Aug. 29 when a witness spotted him smashing the window of a 1996 BMW, cops said. He then allegedly smashed the side window of a nearby 1991 Nissan. He later broke into a 1997 Mercury Cougar and a 2001 Toyota and hit three other cars before cops caught up with him, police said. Police recovered a stolen iPod, a cellphone, a GPS and several umbrellas taken from the vehicles.

* A prowler cut a hole in the roof of a Bayside bagel shop and helped himself to cash from a register and an ATM machine. A tool was used to cut the hole in the roof of K&J Hot Bagels, on Bell Boulevard , at about 5 a.m. yesterday. The nimble prowler lowered himself through the hole and into the shop, police said.

IN STATEN ISLAND
*A reckless driver led cops on a high-speed chased through Emerson Hill, police said. Alex Otero, 34, was driving a Grey Acura TL on Tioga Street near Clove Lake Park at about 1:30 a.m. Friday when cops tried to stop him for a traffic infraction, cops said. Instead of pulling over, Otero slammed on the gas and ran through several stop signs and red lights, weaving in and out of traffic at high speeds, court papers said. At one point, cops swerved to avoid hitting Otero and crashed into a 2009 Lincoln, injuring both officers, said police. Otero was caught, and a check of his license revealed that it had been suspended on three occasions, cops said.

IN THE BRONX
*Police caught up with a confessed scammer who more than one year ago used a phony doctor's prescription to purchase pills from a Fordham pharmacy. Shaquan Seth, 24, used her Medicaid card to purchase 30 Atripla pills -- worth more than $1,400 -- from a Walgreen's pharmacy on East Fordham Road on May 31, 2009, said police. During a review of the pharmacy records, the city Human Resources Administration discovered the con, identified Seth and alerted police. When cops caught up with Seth on Thursday, she confessed and claimed a man named "Flocko" gave her the phony prescription and paid her $75 for the pills, according to court papers.

 INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS

PARIS. GENERAL STRIKE OVER RETIREMENT
France faces general strike over retirement reforms Train services and flight traffic are expected to be severely disrupted France faces serious disruption on Tuesday in a nationwide strike to fight proposals to raise the retirement age. The 24-hour-strike is set to hit public transport, banks, air traffic and the postal service. Unions said they expected hundreds of thousands of private and public sector workers to take to the streets to protest about the plans. The strike date coincides with the presentation of the pension reform bill to parliament. Continue reading the main story Related stories Strikes over pensions hit France Security moves test France's ruling party Protests over French Roma policy Some secondary school teachers went on strike on Monday, protesting against plans to cut 7,000 jobs in education. They are expected to be joined by rail workers on Monday evening. Only up to half of all inter-city and local train services are expected to run on Tuesday, state railway company SNCF said. But Eurostar trains between France and London should operate normally. France's civil aviation authority said it had asked all airlines to cut Paris flights by a quarter. Air France said it would cut short- and medium-haul flights into and out of Paris by up to 90%, with long-haul flights remaining largely unaffected. France's largest union, the General Confederation of Labour (CGT), said it expected the turnout for the protest marches across the country to be stronger than during the strikes in June, when more than 800,000 people took part in demonstrations. "We may have an exceptional day and, if it is exceptional, we will perhaps be at a turning point," CGT leader Bernard Thibault said. However, President Nicolas Sarkozy has said he will not back down from his plan to raise the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62. Under the proposed law, the age for full pension payments would be lifted from 65 to 67. The bill is one of the key reforms the president hopes to push through during the last two years of his mandate. It will be presented to the National Assembly by Labour Minister Eric Woerth. Also on Tuesday, the French Senate is to debate the ban on the full face veil approved by the lower house in July. Senators are also expected to debate a controversial new security law. It would see recent immigrants stripped of French citizenship if they committed serious crimes such as killing a police officer. The law would also allow electronic tagging for foreign criminals facing deportation. The proposals and the recent deportation of about 1,000 Roma (Gypsies) have lead to protests across the country. The European Parliament is scheduled to debate the situation of the Roma minority in Europe on Tuesday.

ATHENS, GREECE. P M GEORGE PAPANDREOU HAS RESHUFFLED HIS CABINET.
Greek finance minister survives cabinet reshuffle Strikes and protests have become a regular occurrence in Greece Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou has reshuffled his cabinet but left the key post of finance minister unchanged. Analysts say the changes are intended to boost economic and social policy areas and appease voters angry with tough austerity measures. The ministers of development, labor and health have all been replaced. Greece is imposing tough economic measures including pay cuts and tax rises in return for a massive EU-IMF bailout to stave off bankruptcy. The country has been hit by waves of protests and strikes since its financial crisis began 11 months ago. Government spokesman George Petalotis said the new cabinet would be sworn in at midday on Tuesday. Mr Papandreou's decision to retain George Papaconstantinou as finance minister is widely seen as a signal that the socialist government will not be swayed from its tough economic program. Several party members who served in previous socialist governments have been brought back into the cabinet. Correspondents say this is an apparent effort to woo traditional party supporters who are less likely to support the austerity measures.Regional elections are due to be held across Greece on 7 November.

 
UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS
UN AGENCY FOR REFUGEES PLEADING FOR IRAQI REFUGEES IN EUROPEAN NATIONS. The United Nations refugee agency today voiced concern about ongoing deportations of Iraqis from Western European countries back to violence-prone areas of their homeland, stressing that they should continue to benefit from international protection. “We strongly urge European governments to provide Iraqis with protection until the situation in their areas of origin in Iraq allows for safe and voluntary returns,” Adrian Edwards, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), told reporters in Geneva. “In this critical time of transition, we also encourage all efforts to develop conditions in Iraq that are conducive to sustainable and voluntary return,” he added. UNHCR guidelines for Iraq ask governments not to forcibly return people originating from the governorates of Baghdad, Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa and Salah Al-din, owing to the serious human rights violations and continuing security incidents in these areas. “Our position is that Iraqi asylum applicants originating from these five governorates should benefit from international protection in the form of refugee status under the 1951 Refugee Convention or an alternative form of protection,” said Mr. Edwards. On 1 September, a chartered flight with 61 people on board, mainly Iraqis who had been residing in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the United Kingdom, landed at Baghdad airport. UNHCR has not so far been able to confirm reports that three Iranians were among those on board. The agency noted that some of those returned on Wednesday may be destined for safer areas such as that controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government, while others may have elected to return voluntarily. Eleven of the individuals UNHCR interviewed on arrival originated from Baghdad, and at least one person is a Christian from Mosul, in the governorate of Ninewa. “The security situation in that governorate remains extremely volatile,” Mr. Edwards noted.He said that in the Baghdad governorate, the security situation remains unstable with increased attacks and several recent major security incidents, including a series of coordinated attacks on 25 August throughout the country that killed over 60 people and injured 250. Car explosions, roadside bombs, mortar attacks and kidnapping remain daily threats for Iraqis, he added. According to UNHCR, the ongoing violence in Iraq has resulted in large scale internal and external displacement of the population. More than 1.5 million people remain displaced within the country, while hundreds of thousands of people have found refuge in neighbouring countries, mainly in Syria and Jordan.

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9/5/10

September 5, 1882.On this date
In New York, Workers demonstrate in Union Square for an eight-hour workday  an event that turns into the city's first Labor Day Parade.
September 5, 1975:.The MTA introduces kneeling buses to make access easier for passengers.
September 5, 194: In the largest heist ever at Tiffany's, daring theives make off with nearly $2 million worth of precious stones. A security boss is accused in connection with the crime, but is later acquitted

NEW YORK. SANITATION DEPARTMENT FACILITY DAMAGED BY FIRE
By Jacques Dusseck
 Fire marshals were investigating Saturday the cause of a three-alarm fire that damaged Department of Sanitation trailers on a pier by Manhattan's West Side Highway that afternoon. Fire officials said the flames broke out around 3:30 p.m. on Pier 97 on 57th Street and 12th Avenue, where the Department of Sanitation houses salt reserves, trucks and other equipment. The fire's black smoke could be seen for many blocks. More than 100 firefighters put the blaze under control by 5 p.m., and fire officials said no injuries were reported. The trailer where the fire began housed a locker room for the department employees, according to the DOS. "There were no injuries, no panic. Everyone got out, everyone did his and her job," said Sanitation Supervisor Gilbert Keyes, who was inside the trailer when the fire broke. "We got keys to the cars, moved the cars off the pier and made an alleyway, made it accessible for the Fire Department to do their part." The fire was put out in little more than an hour. Keyes said the DOS employees lost all items in their lockers. "All the men lost their uniforms, boots, personal items that were in their lockers.... Their lunchroom was gone, the whole north field is gone," he said. Firefighters were concerned that the day's strong winds would spread to a nearby Consolidated Edison pier that contained fuel lines, but the fire was able to be contained. As of Saturday evening, fire officials and engineers were checking the structural integrity of the pier.

BROOKLYN. CARLOTTA B. PIERCE CHARGED FOR DAUGHTER'S DEATH.
By Jerry Blumberg.
Carlotta Pierce was arraigned Saturday on charges that she killed her emaciated, ailing daughter.Carlotta Brett-Pierce faces charges of assault, reckless endangerment and child endangerment, and is being held on $300,000 bail ahead of a court appearance later this week. She did not enter a plea. The city medical examiner said more tests were needed to determine how four-year-old Marchella Pierce died. More charges could be filed pending the medical examiner's tests. Police found Marchella inside her Bedford-Stuyvesant home Thursday, after her mother called 911 to say the girl was unconscious. Marchella was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said they arrested Brett-Pierce based on the condition of the girl's body, which appeared to be severely underweight. She also seemed to have marks on her ankles, which led authorities to believe she had been tied to her bed. Four lengths of rope were found on a small bed or crib, along with an oxygen mask, in the home. Marchella's father said the girl was born premature with serious health problems, including undersized lungs. The Administration for Children's Services says it is investigating the case and added that the agency's workers visited the family throughout the summer

STATEN ISLAND. KOREY SWATZ ARRESTED FOR FATAL CAR CRASH.
By Scott Strong
A man is facing charges in connection with Saturday's fatal car accident at a Staten Island gas station. Staten Island prosecutors say Korey Swatz, 33, is charged with DWI and could face other charges directly related to the crash that killed 20-year-old Philip Scrivano.Police say Scrivano lost control of his car around 2 a.m. in Tompkinsville and crashed into the gas pump of a Citgo station. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Published reports say Scrivano was drag racing. Authorities say Scrivano's 25-year-old passenger suffered cuts to his head and was taken to Richmond University Medical Center, where he is expected to be okay. Firefighters were able to contain and extinguish the flames

BROOKLYN. JUNIOR CARNIVAL SATURDAY BEFORE MONDAY W.I.A. DAY PARADE
By Malherbe Metelus and Jerry Blumberg.
Carnival time in Brooklyn arrived on Saturday as children marched in their own parade in anticipation of the West Indian American Day Carnival. The annual Junior Carnival stepped off from Kingston Avenue and St. John's Place in Crown Heights in the morning. For more than two decades on the Saturday before Labor Day, the organizers of the West Indian American Day parade have put hundreds of children in colorful costumes front and center, in honor of their Caribbean heritage. Parents and organizers said the tradition of wearing the beautiful and intricate traditional costumes connects youth with their culture and helps keep it alive. "It's a wonderful tradition that we want to make sure they understand and continue," said a parent. "It's the excitement. The music, it gets you going. It gets you going," said another parent. "I was so excited to be a part of this because last year I saw how awesome it looked," said a young participant. "It looked interesting and fun and the costumes were very bright and it made me want to do it," she said. Ivy's mother said she wants to make sure her daughter knows the true meaning behind the parade, beyond the glitz and glamour. "Being that I am of Caribbean descent. Trinidad is where my parents are from and her dad is from Jamaica," said the mother. "It's important for her to know about her culture -- the dancing part, where each costume is based." The 43rd annual West Indian American Day Carnival will take place on Monday. Thousands of people are expected to flock to Eastern Parkway to watch the floats and celebrate Caribbean pride.
Local politicians as well as candidates for offices will be there to witness the flavor of the imported cultures from Trinidad, Barbados, Haiti and the other islanders from the Carribbean,  

NYPD REPORT/9/5
By Jacques Dusseck, Malherbe Metelus, Jerry Blumberg and Scott Strong   
IN BROOKLYN
* Two men who met at a bar ended up fighting in public  in the buff , authorities said Saturday. José Luis Colon, 41, escorted a 39-year-old man to Colon's Front Street apartment at 4:25 a.m. Thursday, and the duo decided to get naked, cops said. For some reason, things turned hostile and Colon slugged the man in the face and swiped his watch and iPod, sources said. In what might someday spur a production of "Naked Boys Brawling," Colon chased the victim into the street, sources said. Police responding to a 911 call arrested Colon after finding the victim's property in Colon's pants pocket at the apartment, cops said. Colon was charged with robbery and assault, said a spokesman for DA Charles Hynes.

* An unhinged woman was busted after she bizarrely jumped into a car, demanded a ride from the driver and then cut him with a knife in Borough Park, authorities said.  Tameka Newman, 33, hopped in the car of the 22-year-old stranger on 16th Avenue near 55th Street Thursday at 12:05 p.m., sources said. Newman demanded a ride, and when the driver declined, she threatened him and reached into her bag, detectives said. The motorist jumped out with the suspect in pursuit, cops said, and she caught up and allegedly cut him with a knife. Cops arrested her half a block away and found in her possession four Ziploc bags of marijuana, sources said. She was charged with assault and marijuana possession.

IN STATEN ISLAND
* A swerving, drunken motorist was busted early yesterday after he almost rammed a lane barrier on the Verrazano Bridge, authorities said. Serhiy Mykhalov, 30, nearly plowed his 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee into a barrier in the Staten Island-bound lanes at 1:30 a.m., cops said. Mykhalov, whose car bore Ontario plates, allegedly smelled of booze when police pulled him over near the toll plaza. "I was drinking at my friend's house. I had four drinks," he allegedly told officers. He was charged with DWI, said a spokesman for DA Daniel Donovan.

* Police arrested a thug who beat his sister's boyfriend with a bat in Willowbrook, authorities said yesterday. Klodjan Hoxha, 19, whacked the victim in the mouth on Bradley Avenue near Queen Street Thursday at 10 p.m., cops said. The victim suffered lacerations to his face and mouth, cops said. Hoxha was charged with assault and harassment.

IN QUEENS
* A quick-thinking purse-theft victim called a credit-card company, learned that her card had just used nearby and confronted the thief at an Astoria deli, authorities said. The victim had parked her car in a friend's driveway on Ditmars Boulevard near 45th Street on Aug. 25 near midnight and returned two hours later to find that someone had broken into the car and swiped her purse, cops said. After quickly learning that $12 had been charged on her credit card at a nearby deli, the victim rushed there and confronted Nicole Kirk, 17, who had the purse in her possession, cops said. "I used her credit card to buy a pack of cigarettes," Kirk allegedly admitted to police. She was charged with grand larceny and trespass, said a spokesman for DA Richard Brown.

* Port Authority detectives are seeking two men who allegedly assaulted a Kennedy Airport food vendor with a wrench and stole $20,000. The incident occurred at 11:35 p.m. on June 27 when the suspects forced their way into the manager's office at The Grain Station in Terminal A behind the food court, a PA official said. The duo repeatedly kicked the store worker and smashed him in the face with the wrench, then made off with the cash. The victim's wounds required stitches. Anyone with information on the crime is asked to contact PA cops at (800) 828-7273.

IN MANHATTAN
* A homeless man was found dead in Midtown early yesterday, authorities said. The unidentified man, about 50, was found at Lexington Avenue and 50th Street at 2:20 a.m., cops said. EMS paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Police say that no foul play is suspected and that the medical examiner will make an official determination

FLUSHING. QUEENS. IN TEENIS, ROGER FEDERER SAILS TO FOURTH ROUND.
By Jacques Dusseck
Five-time US Open champion Roger Federer cruised into the fourth round with a 6-4 6-3 6-3 win over Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu in New York. Federer, 29, did not have to be at his best as he reached the last 16 in total control at Flushing Meadows. Third seed Novak Djokovic proved too strong for crowd favourite James Blake as he secured a 6-1 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 win. The pair were joined in the last 16 by Robin Soderling after the Swede eased past Thiemo de Bakker 6-2 6-3 6-3. Second seed Federer revealed he had found the blustery conditions problematic on Arthur Ashe Stadium.  "Playing in the wind was so hard," said Federer. "Against the wind it only takes a little bit of a bad serving game and the other guy is back in the match. I think I did a good job on that front."I was taking chances and playing safe when it was important, so under the circumstances I was able to mix it up quite well, even though it was hard to time the ball. "I think he found it really hard towards the end and that was good for me. After the first set I was able to break his will a little bit."  Blake, whose popularity at Flushing Meadows was ensured by a run to the last eight as a wildcard in 2005, looked destined for a swift defeat when Djokovic rattled through the opener in 22 minutes. Djokovic's first serve percentage was an impressive 79% But the 30-year-old showed the shot-making that once helped him to fourth in the world, and some gritty determination, to make the second set a real fight. The American even stole ahead with a break in the sixth game, but Djokovic immediately responded in kind and the Serb proved the stronger in the tiebreak despite the crowd's noisy support. Djokovic's relentless accuracy kept his serve secure and his solitary break in the fourth game was never in danger. "It was a big mental struggle just to stay on the court and stay focused. If James had won the second set it could have been a different match," said Djokovic. Soderling remains on a course to meet Federer - who he beat in the French Open quarter-finals - in the last eight, but with a tie against Spain's Alberto Montanes coming up he is not looking beyond that. "Everybody has been telling me since the draw came out I'm playing Roger in the quarters. It's still far ahead," said fifth seed Soderling. "It's always difficult to play against Roger and I have played him a lot of times. In any tournament they play, Roger and Rafa will be the favourites, but there are a lot of players who can beat them." Montanes was the beneficiary of Kei Nishikori's misfortune as the Japanese world number 147 retired with a groin injury at 6-2 2-1 down. Before Federer can contemplate revenge for his Roland Garros reverse, he must defeat 13th seed Jurgen Melzer. The Austrian enjoyed a 7-5 6-3 6-1 win over former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero, seeded 22nd. French 17th seed Gael Monfils earned a third successive fourth-round berth with a 7-6 (7-4) 6-7 (4-7) 6-2 6-4 victory over Andy Roddick's conqueror Janko Tipsarevic. That set up an all-French last-16 battle with Richard Gasquet after the 24-year-old beat South Africa's Kevin Anderson 6-4 7-6 (7-3) 7-5. Mardy Fish, one four Americans to reach the third round, was made to work hard for his place in the last 16 by France's Arnaud Clement. After his form collapsed in the fourth set, the 19th seed recovered to take the match 4-6 6-3 6-4 1-6 6-3 and will face Djokovic next.

INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS
GUATEMALA. HEAVY RAINS DEVASTATED PART VOF GUATEMALA.
  Guatemala Rescuers were able to dig 20 survivors out of the bus A state of emergency has been declared in Guatemala, where days of heavy rain have caused widespread flooding and landslides. At least 20 people have been killed, including at least 10 who died when a bus was engulfed by a mudslide. President Alvaro Colom said the rains had undone all the reconstruction work completed since Tropical Storm Agatha, which killed 165 people in May. He has asked congress to approve emergency funds for rebuilding. Days of heavy rains have saturated Guatemala's mountainous terrain, causing hillsides to collapse suddenly and without warning. The worst landslide buried a packed bus as it travelled on the main Inter-American highway, west of the capital Guatemala City.In the western region of Quetzaltenango, a family of four died when their home was buried by a mudslide. At least four other deaths have been reported around the country. About 4,000 people have been evacuated from their houses, reports said. More than 100km (65 miles) of the Inter-American highway has been closed to all traffic, and many other roads have been blocked. A bridge that was replaced after being destroyed by Tropical Storm Agatha has again been smashed by floods, cutting the main route to the south-west of the country. President Colom said the rains had "destroyed all the work that has been done in the last few weeks" and caused damage estimated at up to half a billion dollars (£330m). He said he would also propose a special tax to help fund reconstruction. Guatemala's national meteorological service forecast that the rains would continue for another 48 hours.

SPAIN. BASQUE SEPARATIST GROUP ETA DECLARES CEASEFIRE.
The Basque separatist group Eta 'declares ceasefire' It is not clear on whether the ceasefire is permanent or temporary Armed Basque separatist group Eta says it will not "carry out armed actions" in its campaign for independence. In a video sent to News agencies, the group said it took the decision several months ago "to put in motion a democratic process". The Spanish government has not responded. In the past it has said it will only negotiate with Eta if it renounces violence and disarms. Eta's violent campaign has led to more than 820 deaths over the past 40 years.Continue reading the main story ETA CAMPAIGN Eta 'ceasefire' video: Excerpts Basque troubles A nervous island A bloody reminder It has called two ceasefires in the past, but abandoned them both. It is unclear whether Eta is declaring a permanent or temporary ceasefire. In the video, three hooded Eta fighters are shown sitting behind a desk with the Eta flag pinned up behind them. Continue reading the main story “ Start Quote To many people, Eta's retrospective ceasefire will look like an attempt to disguise its weakness as a desire for peace.” End Quote  Eta 'ceasefire' all too familiar "Eta confirms its commitment to finding a democratic solution to the conflict," the statement says. "In its commitment to a democratic process to decide freely and democratically our future, through dialogue and negotiations, Eta is prepared today as yesterday to agree to the minimum democratic conditions necessary to put in motion a democratic process, if the Spanish government is willing," it adds. "We call on all Basque citizens to continue in the struggle, each in their own field, with whatever degree of commitment they have, so that we can all cast down the wall of denial and make irreversible moves forward on the road to freedom." The deputy editor of the Basque language newspaper, Gara, which follows the activities of Eta closely, said the Basque people had been hoping for this declaration. "I think that it's a big step and a positive step," I think that's it's something that the majority of the Basque society was waiting [for] or expecting and in that sense I think that it's something that no one can say that it's negative.  "It will be a long way but it's something that can bring the peace and the justice to the Basque country," he said.  Barbara Duhrkop, a former Socialist MEP whose husband Enrique Casas was murdered by Eta in 1984, said the statement was a positive step but did not go far enough. "It's still insufficient because they talk about ceasefire, democratic process, but there's nothing about laying down arms and permanence. So I would be very careful, very cautious to evaluate how much worth there is in this announcement," she said. Founded in 1959, Eta has since then waged a bloody campaign for independence for the seven regions in northern Spain and south-west France that Basque separatists claim as their own. This latest announcement comes after the arrests of numerous Eta leaders and during an unprecedented period of debate within the Basque nationalist community over the future direction of policy.Controversial peace talks in 2006 collapsed after an Eta bomb killed two people at Madrid airport.

UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 

REPORT ON RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN CONGO TO BE RELEASED IN OCTOBER.
Civilians flee violence in Democratic Republic of the Congo 2 September 2010 – The report documenting the most serious human rights violations committed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between 1993 and 2003 will be made public on 1 October, the United Nations announced today. The so-called mapping exercise and its resulting report are “unprecedented in scope,” the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) stated in a news release, noting that it covers 10 years and the entire territory of the DRC, not just the war-torn east. Its overarching objective is to help the people of the region in establishing transitional judicial systems and assist in the fight against impunity. The report, a draft of which was recently leaked and published in the French newspaper Le Monde, describes a total of more than 600 incidents in the DRC during the 10-year period in which tens of thousands of people were killed, and reportedly implicates a number of groups in the atrocities. “Following requests, we have decided to give concerned States a further month to comment on the draft,” said High Commissioner Navi Pillay. “I have offered to publish any such comments alongside the report itself on 1 October, if they so wish,” she added. More than 1,280 witnesses were interviewed to corroborate or invalidate alleged violations, including previously undocumented incidents, and at least 1,500 documents were collected and analysed during the two years that it took to research and write the report

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AUGUST 2010

NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT/8/30

WASHINGTON. ROGER CLEMENS PLEADS NOT GUILTY
By Jacques Dusseck
Former Yankee Roger Clemens pleas not guilty this Monday afternoon in federal court to charges he lied to Congress about his alleged use of steroids or human growth hormones. Clemens appeared before U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton in Washington, D.C. at 2 p.m. He was indicted last week on three counts of making false statements, two counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice in connection with his 2008 hearing before Congress. At the 2008 hearing and ever since, Clemens has denied using steroids and HGH, contrary to the testimony of his former trainer Brian McNamee. His friend and former teammate, Yankee pitcher Andy Pettitte, testified that Clemens told him in a conversation that he used HGH. Before Congress, Clemens famously replied that Andy "misremembers." The judge has issued a gag order to all sides in the case. Jury selection is set to begin on April 5th. If convicted, Clemens could face up to 30 years in prison and a $1.5 million fine.

NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT/8/22

HAITI ELECTIONS. WYCLEF JEAN AND HIS COURT ACTION AGAINST THE C E P.
By Jacques Dusseck
The latest reports from Haiti confirm that the lawyers representing Wyclef Jean are suing the Electoral Commission for the disqualification of the hip hop artist to participate in the Presidential elections scheduled for November 28. The CEP disqualified Wyclef Jean for lack of proof of the required residency in Haiti to be a candidate for the presidential elections.

STATEN ISLAND, NY. ARCHBISHOP DOLAN DEPLORED THE VIOLENCE.IN S.I.
By Scott Strong and Jerry Blumberg.
New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan addressed the recent wave of bias attacks on Staten Island Sunday while visiting the borough. He celebrated mass at Saint Mary of the Assumption Church in Port Richmond. While delivering his sermon in Spanish, the archbishop said he is saddened by the recent events, but told church goers to never lose hope. "God is our father, he wants us all to be his children, he wants to gather us together in the unity of his kingdom. And I said do we ever need to hear that in a neighborhood that we all love and claim as our own but which is troubled and doesn't live up to that dream," Dolan said. Many who attended the service say they have been afraid to walk the streets due to the attacks. They also say the archbishop's show of support made them feel like they are a community that will not be forgotten. "I think it was very important for us, especially him right here in the community," said one Port Richmond resident. "You walk around with more precaution, you know, you're more alert about what people do around you. You don't just walk outside anymore alone, you walk with somebody else now. Just to be on the safe side," said another. There have been at least 10 bias attacks on Staten Island since April. As a result, the New York City Police Department has stepped up patrols in parts of the borough. Meanwhile, a local teen is not being charged with a hate crime in connection with an attack last week. Yashua Plair, 17, is charged with robbery and menacing. Police say Plair robbed a 15-year-old boy of his iPod at knifepoint in West Brighton on Wednesday. The victim was not hurt.

 NEW YORK. SUPPORTERS AND OPPONENTS OF MOSQUE AT W. T. C.
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg
Hundreds of supporters and opponents of a proposed Islamic center and mosque near the World Trade Center site voiced their opinions Sunday on the streets of Lower Manhattan.  Both groups held competing rallies for and against the $100 million project planned at 45 Park Place. While the two groups gathered blocks from each other, police ramped up their presence and tried to keep the rallies separate and peaceful.At the rally against the center, some rode motorcycles while others draped themselves in the American flag. They say the project is insensitive to the families of September 11th victims. "That's what they're building for the terrorists, it's a trophy for them. Since they you know, a memorial right next to the 9/11 memorial," said one opponent.  "What this is is just a slap in the face. It's a monument to their one terror success day in this country and it's cost so many hundreds of thousands of lives -- Muslims, American soldiers, as a result of that one day," said another.  rotesters also raised questions about Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, who is spearheading the project. They say the imam -- who is on a two-week U.S. State Department sponsored trip to the Middle East -- has not been open about where the financing for the project is coming from. Many who spoke with NY1 say they believe Muslims are free to build a mosque anywhere they want, just not so close to what many consider sacred land. Supporters, however, say the project needs to go forward as a sign of America's support for religious freedom.  "They should be trying to put, to take away other people's freedom of religion, it's guaranteed to them under the First Amendment," said one mosque supporter. "It's intolerance. It's pandering to popular belief and people speaking very loudly. It doesn't account for any kind of education or thought," said another. Debate over the plan took a national turn when President Barack Obama weighed in on the subject last weekend, saying Muslims have the right to build on land they own. Mayor Michael Bloomberg -- who supports the plan -- later praised the president for his comments. Meanwhile, Governor David Paterson continues to hold out hope that an alternative site for the mosque could be worked out. The developers insist they have no plans to relocate, but Paterson says he still wants to meet with them about the possibility.  The governor said the World Trade Center site is hallowed ground, and should be treated with special consideration and sensitivity. "Whatever reasons people may have to oppose this -- there are always bigoted people who will oppose things. But leaving them out there is a sizable population that is really just reacting to the whole spectacle of this situation," said the governor. Paterson also said local politicians who support the site are thinking "clinically" by focusing on the fact that the developers have every right to build there, and disregarding its emotional impact

NYPD REPORT/8/22
By Jacques Dusseck, Malherbe Metelus, Jerry Blumberg and Scott Strong

IN THE BRONX
* Cops are asking for the public's help in tracking down a pair of armed robbers (pictured) wanted for a recent stickup at a Belmont gas station.  The two crooks were caught on camera walking into the Gulf gas station on East Tremont Avenue after midnight Thursday, said police. One of the men held the clerk at gunpoint while the other rifled through the cash register.

*  A woman flew into a jealous rage, fatally stabbing the father of her child during an argument over another woman in Morris Park, cops said.  Charles Archibald, 24, was standing outside his home on Laconia Avenue shortly after midnight yesterday when Lashonda Finney, 28, accused him of chatting with another woman. There was an argument, and Finney allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed Archibald once in the chest. Archibald was taken to Jacobi Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, said police.

IN QUEENS
* A Georgia man missed his flight home after he was caught at La Guardia Airport, allegedly with a very large handgun stashed in his luggage.  Mitchell Johnson, 54, gave a handler his bags for a preflight check-in before boarding the plane at 5:30 p.m. Aug 15. When asked if he had a weapon, Johnson admitted he had a .357-caliber handgun inside. Authorities opened the bag and found the gun, along with 15 rounds of hollow-point ammunition, in the locked gun box.

IN BROOKLYN

*A man shot last month in Brownsville has died, and police are continuing the hunt for his killer.  Jermaine Brathwait, 28, was attacked by a gunman as he walked along Legion Street at about 5:30 a.m. July 21. He was taken to Brookdale Hospital, where he died from his injuries Friday, police said.

* Police have tracked down the gunman who shot dead a Queens man in Bedford-Stuyvesant earlier this month, they said.Gary Biggs, 32, was found with several gunshot wounds on MacDougal Street at 9:45 p.m. Aug. 2, police said. He later died at Brookdale Hospital. Early yesterday, police arrested Yoseph Hunt, 33, of Prospect Place.

IN MANHATTAN
*Police are working to identify the remains of a body found floating in the Hudson River yesterday. Cops from the Harbor Unit recovered the badly decomposed remains of a man at 155th Street near the New Jersey side of the river at about noon, police said.  The remains were taken to the New York medical examiner. Police suspect the man jumped from the George Washington Bridge some time last month.

NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT/8/21

P-AU-P. HAITI . WYCLEF JEAN CANDIDACY REJECTED.
By Jacques Dusseck, Jerry Blumberg, Elizabeth Menos and Malherbe Metelus
The candidacy of the Haitian Hip Hop star Wyclef Jean had been rejected by the Electoral Council of Haiti. 14 other candidates received the same treatment, among them, all of those coming from overseas. Late Friday night, the official result was released. Because of Wyclef Jean, the Haiti's presidential made the headlines all over the world.. Wyclef Jean did not make any statement and went back to his private residence of Laserre, near Croix des Bouquets. The list of approved candidates is as follows: Bijou Anne-Marie Josette (Indépendant) Garaudy Laguerre (Wozo) Charles Henri Baker (Respè) Blot Gerard Marie-Necker (Plate forme 16 décembre) Wilson Jeudy (Force 2010) Michel Martelly (Repons Peyizan)  Jean Henri Céant (Renmen Ayiti) Myrlande Hyppolite Manigat (RDNP)  Axan Abellard (Konbit nasyonal pou devlopman AYITI) Yves Cristalin (laveni) Yvon Neptune (Ayisyen pou Ayiti) Jean-Chavannes Jeune (Alliance chrétienne pour reconstruire Haïti) Jacques-Edouard Alexis (MPH) Jean-Hector Anacacis (Modejah) Genard Joseph (Solidarité) Léon Jeune (Kombit Liberation Ekonomik) Leslie Voltaire (Palte forme ensem nou fo)  Jude Célestin (INITE)

Here is the list of rejected candidates:

Wyclef Jean (Viv ansanm)  Raymond Joseph Alcide (PDI)  Claire-Lydie Parent (Kombit pou refe Ayiti)  Jean Bertin (Parti socialiste haïtien)  Duroseau V. Cluny (Indépendant) Olicier Pieriche (Parti reconstruire Haiti)  Kesler Dalmacy (Independant)  Eugène Jacques Philippe Paul Arthur Fleurival (Voisinaj)  Armand Pierre Camaud (PPL) Christophe H. Jean Bertin (Parti socialiste haïtien)  Gaudin Lavarice (VEYE-YO)  Saint-Fort René (Parti Réformiste National) Voight Charles HenrY (Indépendant)  Rodriguez Mario Eddy Gabriel (Indépendant)

==========================

NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT/ 8/20

HAITI ELECTIONS. WYCLEF JEAN'S CANDIDACY AND THE NEW YORK HAITIANS
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg.
 More than 250,000 Haitians live in New York. There is a feeling that they are not for the candidacy of Wyclef Jean to become the new president.  Wyclef Jean's love for his homeland is not doubted by Haitians in New York . But those listeners of Haitian local radios can hear over the air the resistance of several of them with their critics downgrading the hip hop artist for his campain to become the president of Haiti..Jean, 40, who emigrated to Brooklyn when he was 9 and lived in the New York City borough's Flatbush neighborhood for several years, spent three days in Haiti after the quake and has helped raised millions of dollars for relief efforts. "Being an entertainer doesn't make you a politician," according to several callers.Questions have been raised as to whether Jean meets legal requirements to contest the Nov. 28 election to choose a successor to President Rene Preval. There are 34 presidential contenders and Haiti's provisional electoral council is due to decide on the final list of candidates this Friday. A member of Haiti's provisional electoral council told some news agencies  that Jean was not on the list of approved candidates who satisfy legal requirements to run in the election.Jean, who has been in hiding after receiving death threats, has rebuffed criticism he lacks the experience and qualifications to be president, arguing Haiti needs an international figure who can attract aid and allies." Jean carries a Haitian passport, but has U.S. permanent residence status and has lived in New Jersey since he was a teenager. Haiti's electoral law requires candidates to have five consecutive years of residency in Haiti, among other requirements, such as tax compliance. Jean has said he meets those requirements. His lawyers say he has maintained a "constant presence" in Haiti since 2005, and argue his appointment in 2007 as a roving "ambassador-at-large" for Haiti involved some inevitable absences from the country.

P-AU-P. HAITI. BECAUSE OF LEGAL REQUIREMENTS WYCLEF JEAN IS OUT. By Jacques Dusseck and Elizabeth Men
Haiti  star Wyclef Jean is not on the list of approved candidates who satisfy legal requirements to run in the country's Nov. 28 presidential election, an electoral official said on Thursday. The presidential bid by the 40-year-old singer-songwriter and international celebrity had triggered widespread enthusiasm in his poor, earthquake-ravaged Caribbean homeland. But it had been challenged on the grounds he did not fully meet the requirements, including a key one on Haitian residency. According to  an electoral official, Wyclef Jean is not on the list.He said the electoral disputes bureau entrusted with settling challenges to candidates had ruled that Jean did not meet several legal requirements, but he gave no more details.The provisional electoral council was due to formally publish this Friday the full list of approved candidates to run in the election to choose a successor to President Rene Preval. Jean, who left Haiti with his family to live in New York at the age of 9 and launched his music career in the United States, was among 34 contenders for the Haitian presidency who filed their documents with the council this month. Jean declined to make any immediate comment, saying he had not been officially notified of any decision and would try to confirm the information. Earlier, he met President Preval.  On Tuesday, the provisional electoral council said it was postponing until Friday its announcement of the final list. U.N. and Haitian police have stepped up joint patrols in the still rubble-strewn streets of the capital, including around the electoral council headquarters. Other candidates who faced legal challenges were former two-time Prime Minister Jacques Edouard Alexis, Leslie Voltaire, a U.S.-educated urban planner and former minister, and Yvon Neptune, another former prime minister who served under former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Presidential contenders not yet vetted by electoral authorities include Raymond Joseph, Jean's uncle and former Haitian ambassador to the United States, and well-known opposition leader and former first lady Mirlande Manigat.

BROOKLYN. KOSHER LIQUOR STORE CLERK YOSEF ROBINSON SHOT DEAD
By Elizabeth Menos and Malherbe Metelus.
Police are searching for the man who fatally gunned down a clerk during a robbery at a kosher liquor store in Brooklyn. Yoseph Robinson, 34, was shot and killed during a robbery at MB Vineyards on Nostrand Avenue near Avenue J in Midwood around 9:30 last night. Sources say a gunman walked into the store and demanded that Robinson's girlfriend hand over her bracelet. Robinson was shot several times in the chest and arm while trying to protect her. He was taken to Kings County Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Friends say he was well known, and well-liked, in the community.  He was of a Jamaican background and he became Jewish. He was very well known in the neighborhood since I guess he had that mixture of the background,” said a local resident. “He was a very friendly person. Wherever you went, I guess, he spoke, you know, to everyone as a friend." Robinson was born in Jamaica, and worked as a hip-hop executive before converting to Orthodox Judaism.  His lyrics were taken from the Torah and he turned them into reggae songs. He was working on a book about how he turned to Judaism to escape a life of drugs and violence. Anyone with information about the case is being asked to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-577-TIPS, by texting TIP577 to CRIMES, or by going to NYPDCrimeStoppers.com

NEW YORK. DELAY IN OPENING URGENT CARE CLINIC AT ST VINCENT.
By Jerry Blumberg and Elizabeth Menos.

A plan to open an urgent care clinic at the former site of St. Vincent's Hospital is being delayed, amid concerns over Catholic traditions and birth control.  North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center, which is set to run the center, says the proposed clinic is being stalled by demands by former officials of the now-defunct Roman Catholic hospital that birth control not be made available there, and patients not be counseled on the matter. The sides are also at odds over financial terms for the site. North Shore-LIJ had received a $9 million grant from the state to run the center, which would be set up in the former emergency room until permanent space could be found. A spokesperson for North Shore-LIJ tells NY1 that because the property is linked to a Catholic organization, St. Vincent's is saying the clinic would have to “adhere to Catholic directives.”  "We respect the canons of the church, but we don't impose religious criteria on our physicians," said North Shore-LIJ in a statement. t was hoped the facility would be up and running by September. The two sides are expected to meet today to discuss the issue

NYPD REPORT 8/19
By Jacques Dusseck, Malherbe Metelus, Jerry Blumberg and Scott Strong

IN BROOKLYN *  One patient slashed another over a cigarette at Kingsboro Psychiatric Hospital in East Flatbush, sources said.  A patient rebuffed the request of Jomo Gill, 35, for a smoke at the facility at 681 Clarkson Ave. Monday at 2:40 p.m., police said. Gill went wild, pulled a boxcutter, slashed a third patient and tried to slash the cig hoarder, authorities said.  The 23-year-old slash victim was treated for a head wound, and Gill was arrested on charges of assault and criminal possession of a weapon, said a spokesman for DA Charles Hynes.

* A young thug was busted in the violent robbery of a man near the St. George ferry terminal, authorities said. Emmanuel Rosario, 18 and two accomplices assaulted the 20-year-old victim Tuesday at 9:20 p.m., cops said. They took his wallet containing $12, his earrings and a cellphone, sources said. Rosario was soon arrested on charges of robbery, said a spokesman for DA Daniel Donovan. The cohorts are at large.

* A simmering feud exploded into a full-fledged street brawl in Rossville, leaving a combatant with a skull fracture and three others behind bars, authorities said yesterday. Daniel Deynes, 20, got into a fight with a man at the Bada Bing Deli in Rosebank last month, and the macho duo agreed to hook up again later to settle their score, police said.  They resumed their fight at Arthur Kill and Bloomingdale roads at 4:30 a.m. on July 26, cops said. Words and then fists were exchanged, then Deynes pulled a gun and pistol-whipped the victim as a pal, Jeremy Mercado, 22, bashed the victim with a bat, sources said. The victim's friends called 911 as the perpetrators fled, cops said.  he victim suffered a fractured skull and a broken jaw, cops said. Deynes, Mercado and another combatant, Mark Munoz, were arrested Tuesday on charges of gang assault and criminal possession of a weapon.

IN THE BRONX.
* A group of thugs beat a foe in broad daylight in Foxhurst, cops said. The victim was arguing with David Rodriguez, 53, at Dawson Street and Longwood Avenue at 4:30 p.m. Friday when Carl Boisrand, 48, and Warren Ramdin, 31, jumped in, police said. The three assailants smashed the victim with a chair and a bat, sources said, then fled with his backpack and cell phone They were soon busted and charged with gang assault and grand larceny.

IN MANHATTAN
*This Greenwich Village tattoo-parlor perv is a marked man, police say. Robert Emilian, 28, sexually abused two women in the parlor on MacDougal Street near Minetta Lane, sources said. On Feb. 6, the suspect was doing a body piercing on a customer when he grabbed her crotch, authorities said. He was charged with sexual abuse and released without bail.  On Aug. 7, Emilian pressed his body against another customer and grabbed her breast, sources said, and allegedly stole cash from her purse. Emilian was busted last Thursday and charged with sexual abuse and petit larceny, said a spokesman for DA Cyrus Vance.

* Police are on the hunt for the persistent, bicycle-riding Midtown bandit pictured here who was thwarted in his first bid to rob a bank, but succeeded at a second branch 10 minutes later. At 1:20 p.m. on Aug. 11, the crook strolled into the Chase branch at Eighth Avenue and 40th Street and slipped a teller a demand note. The teller simply stepped away, and the jerk fled empty-handed. He made his way uptown, and 10 minutes later struck at the Sovereign Bank at Eighth Avenue and 52nd Street, got away with an disclosed sum of cash, and fled on a bike, cops said.

* Police are looking for two thieves who robbed an East Harlem bodega at gunpoint and made off with cigars and cash. The thugs entered the Hola Deli on East 112th Street near First Avenue Tuesday at 3:50 p.m., cops said. One pulled a gun, and the other shoved a 17-year-old clerk into a back room and stood lookout while the gunman swiped $150 in cigars, $250 in cash and a cellphone, sources said.

NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT

HAITI PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. WYCLEF JEAN'S CANDIDACY IN LIMBO.8/17
By Jacques Dusseck and Scott Strong
 The  electoral commission said  Tuesday August 17, that it was postponing its ruling on who will be allowed to run for president in November elections.A statement from the commission, known as the CEP, said it would postpone the announcement until Friday. The delay is the latest bizarre turn in the fledgling presidential race in Haiti. According to some reports, Wyclef Jean had received some death threats and is in hiding. The musician disclosed the threats in a series of e-mails revealing few details. Jean said he received a phone call telling him to get out of Haiti and that he was in hiding in a secret location in Haiti.The Haitian-born Wyclef Jean said he did not know whether the commission would approve his candidacy, but there have been questions about whether he meets the residency requirements to run. The CEP's decisions  sparked small protests throughout Port-au-Prince. During one peaceful march near the CEP office Tuesday afternoon, several dozen young men marched and sang in the rain.Later in the evening, a main road in and out of the city was blocked by burning tires. Haiti's Constitution requires candidates to have lived in the country for the five consecutive years before the election. Jean knew his U.S. upbringing could be a roadblock to his candidacy, but has said his appointment as a roving ambassador by President Rene Preval in 2007 exempts him from the residency requirement. Lawyers for the musician were at the CEP headquarters seeking to argue his case, he said. 34 people had filed to run for president of a country still struggling to recover from the Jan. 12 earthquake. The candidacies of several  people were contested. The Electoral Commission,  (CEP) announced; in order to properly decide on their eligibility, the group said it needed more time to investigate. The CEP had been expected to publish the list of candidates earlier Tuesday but spokesman Richardson Dumel said the eligibility requirements of a number of candidates were still under review.

ALBANY, NY. DID GOVERNOR PATTERSON INTEND TO PAY FOR TICKETS?
By Jerry Blumberg
A lawyer for the state's Public Integrity Commission said Tuesday that testimony showed Governor David Paterson solicited the New York Yankees and never intended to pay for the World Series tickets he got last year. The commission was figuring out whether Paterson broke ethics rules when he unlawfully took free tickets to Game 1 of the Yankees versus Phillies World Series, and then lied under oath when he said he planned to pay for them. At an Albany hearing on Tuesday, the commission lawyer said Yankees officials and former Paterson staff testified that the governor had no intention of paying. State law prevents officials in the executive branch from accepting gifts of more than nominal value from lobbyists, and the Yankees are registered to lobby in connection with stadium financing. The commission said the governor should pay the full penalty, which is about $93,000, for his actions. Among those who testified at Tuesday's hearing were the Yankees Chief Operating Officer Lonn Trost and Peter Kauffmann, the governor's former communications director. All said that the governor had no intention of paying because he believed he was attending the game in an official capacity. "This is part of the testimony from last time around. I gave that advice very clearly to everyone involved, which was my belief. I'm not an attorney. It was my advice that the tickets should be paid for....," said Kauffman. "It would have been a lot easier if they had been." Yankees officials said that Paterson performed no official function at the game and was not even acknowledged by the stadium announcer. "I don’t know what official business he was on, but that’s up to the governor," said Trost. Paterson has denied wrongdoing and did not attend the hearing. In a statement, his attorney blasted the panel for holding a hearing before the attorney general's independent counsel, former Chief Judge Judith Kaye, wraps up her own investigation.  The governor said it was "unfair and unreasonable" to ask him to appear simultaneously in different proceedings. In return, the commission said Paterson's absence is just another demerit on what is an already damning list of offenses. "It’s the governor’s responsibility to set the standard for ethics for state employees relative to ethics and the commission believes that he failed in setting those standards," said Jeff Schlanger of the Commission on Public Integrity. They also said Paterson, who testified testify before the commission before the charges were announced in March, tried to mislead them by saying he always intended to pay for the tickets. The governor eventually paid for his son's ticket, along with the tickets of two of the staffers that attended. But the commission says the tickets were only paid for after a reporter inquired as to whether the tickets were paid for.

NEW YORK. ISLAMIC COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE MOSQUE.
By Jacques Dusseck
With a debate raging from coast to coast over whether an Islamic community center and mosque should be built near the World Trade Center site, the developer on Tuesday to talk about the future of the project. Calls are mounting for him and the other backers to find a new home for their center, further away from the site of the September 11th terrorist attacks, but El-Gamal isn't budging. He is sticking with his plans to erect Park51, a 13-story center and prayer space in Lower Manhattan. He likens the project to a YMCA or Jewish Community Center, with programs open to all residents of all faiths. "A landmark, an iconic building that will have people come and visit it from around the world,” said El-Gamal as to what he imagines. “This looks like it is going to be the most famous community center in the world." Some might argue that the center would be the most famous mosque in the world, but El-Gamal emphasized throughout the interview that he is building a community center, that is expected to house a swimming pool, a gymnasium, a restaurant and an auditorium. The developer takes issue with the fact that so much has been made of the location of the project, saying it is "nowhere near the World Trade Center site."  "Park51 is a community center. It is two blocks north of the World Trade Center site,” said El-Gamal. “In New York City, two blocks is a great distance. There are some buildings in New York that have their own zip codes. There is such a scarcity of space in New York, especially in Lower Manhattan. Keep in mind this is a small island, so we are nowhere near the World Trade Center site." "I am surprised at the way that politics is being played in 2010. There are issues that are affecting our country, which are real issues: unemployment, poverty, the economy,” he said. “And it's a really sad day for America when our politicians choose to look at a constitutional right and use that as basis for their elections." El-Gamal views the fight over the center currently raging on television and in newspapers in sweeping, historic terms.  "This is a defining moment for you and I and the First Amendment, and I see us passing this test as Americans," he said. Of course, the project got a boost from the White House last weekend when President Barack Obama spoke strongly in support of the developer's right to build the center. El-Gamal says he heard the president's remarks while he was on his way to East Hampton. He says he was blown away. Tere was also word on Tuesday that Governor David Paterson is planning to meet with mosque developers to discuss moving the project. El-Gamal says that while there is no such meeting scheduled yet, he is open to talking to the governor. He insists, however, that he is not open to moving the center. "This is not a debate. This is us as Muslim Americans giving back to our community," said El-Gamal.

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MTA STATION AGENTS TURN IN THEIR BADGES
By Jerry Blumberg
More than 200 subway station booth agents are now out of work, the latest victims of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s financial woes.The agents handed in their badges and uniforms this morning at the Transit Learning Center in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn."We came to this job thinking we had job security, beautiful benefits," said one MTA worker. "We left good jobs for this. Now we're getting canned." "I've heard people, 'oh, you guys can apply for welfare,'" said another. "Welfare? Are you crazy? Unemployment is $405, after taxes I think it's $350. I can't support my family of five with that a week." "I've shed so many tears already," said a third. "So how many more? It gets to a certain point where you can't be angry, you can't be mad, you just have to hope for the future. You know, I'm hoping we'll come back." A court order blocked the layoffs for several weeks, while the TWU argued the move would put riders' safety at risk. But the MTA Board met last week and voted to go ahead with the layoffs to help close its $900 million budget deficit. The MTA this year has eliminated more than 3,000 administrative and operating positions. "Our members that lost their health insurance, we just came up with a plan within ourselves and we all kicked in $10 a pay period just to keep our 3,500 members that are laid off with health insurance all right," said Joe Sclafani of the TWU. "It shows you the fortitude of our membership and it was done in a very quick motion." Meanwhile, straphangers say without the booth agents, they're concerned for their safety."Subways have seemed pretty safe in the last 10 years, but lately you see more and more people being attacked and pushed in the subway," said one subway rider. "It's apparent the MTA has kind of dropped the ball on their end." "There's no safety, no police, there's nobody to watch the booth and someone could get hurt," said another.Hearings will be held next month on the MTA's proposal to raise the fare for the monthly MetroCard.It would go from $89 a month to $99, and cap the number of rides to 90. Or, the MTA could decide on a $104 monthly card that would offer unlimited rides.

P-AU-P.  WYCLEF JEAN AND 8  PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES ELIMINATED
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg
The Haitian ELECTORAL COUNCIL (CEP) has contested late today August 11, the candidacy to the Presidential elections the rapper Wyclef Jean and 8 others. The council will publish on August 17, the names of the candidates authorized to participate in the said election.  Baptiste Luckner of the CEP had contested the the candidacy of 8 candidates. He declared that e Wyclef Jean, Kesler Dalmacy, Lavarice Gaudin et Michel Martelly don't reside in Haiti as per the electoral law of Haiti. For Lesly Voltaire, Jacques Edouard Alexis, Jude Célestin et Yvon Neptune did not present their discharge certificat. The candidacy of Bertin Jean is contested by his own party Haiti Socialist Party as its Secretary General, Pierre Gaston Garnier declared that he is the only one authorized to select a candidate for the Party. 8/11/10

 P-AU-P. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH WAS IN HAITI FOR A SHORT VISIT.
By Jacques Dusseck
Former President George Bush had visited Haiti for a few hours this past Tuesday. He was there to evaluate the progess in the process of reconstruction of Haiti. From his humanitarian foundation he made a donation of $ 500.000 to Haiti..8/11/10

NEW YORK. WYCLEF JEAN AMONG THE 34 HAITI PRESIDENTIALCANDIDATES
By Jerry Blumberg
We have received the official list of the candidates for the Presidential Election of Haiti who have filed their documents with the Electoral Commission of Haiti last Saturday. Among the 34 candidates, we have noted the names of Wyclef Jean, the international well known hip hop  and his uncle Raymond Joseph, the former Haiti Ambassador of Haiti in Washington.  We publish the offical  list of the candidates as received from Haiti::
ABELLARD Axan Delson,  ALEXIS Jacques-Edouard,  ANACACIS Jean-Hector,  ARTHUR Fleurival Paul, BAKER Charles Henry Jean-Marie, BERTIN Jean, BIJOU  Josette,BLOT  Gérard,» CÉANT  Jean Henry, CÉLESTIN Jude, CHARLES Eric, CLUNY DuroseauVilaire,CHRISTALLIN Yves, DALMACY  Kesler, GAUDIN Lavarice, GILLES Wilkens,  JEAN Wyclef,. JEUDY Wilson,  JEUNE Jean Chavannes, JEUNE Léon, JOSEPH Génard,ité JOSEPH Raymond, LAGUERRE Garaudy, MANIGAT Mirlande Hyppolite, MARTELLY Michel, NEPTUNE Yvon, PARENT Claire-Lydie, PHILIPPE Eugène Jacques, PIERICHE Olicier, RODRIGUEZ Mario Eddy Gabriel,  ROMAIN, Charles Poisset St-FORT René, VILSAINT  Menelas,» VOLTAIRE Leslie. 8/8/10

NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT  

NEW YORK. MAYOR BLOOMBERG RULED OUT PRESIDENTIAL BID
By Jacques Dusseck and Scott Strong
Mayor Michael Bloomberg shot down speculations of a possible run for the White House in 2012 during an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press." The mayor appeared on the Sunday morning talk show to discuss the state of the economy with Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and former Fed chairman Alan Greenspan. Bloomberg who is thought to have considered a run for president in 2008  was asked about his political future. "I will rule out a run. I've got the best job that I could possibly have. I've got 1,251 more days to do it. I'm looking forward to every single one of them," said the mayor. Bloomberg also touched upon immigration, and the ethics charges against Congressman Charles Rangel, saying Congress should do a better job of policing itself, and that Rangel's case is a sad chapter for New York.

STATEN ISLAND. NYPD INVESTIGATING 10TH BIAS ATTACK.
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg
Police say a 17-year-old Mexican boy was attacked early Saturday morning on Staten Island in what authorities are calling the 10th bias case in the borough. The teen was returning from work at a Manhattan restaurant around 2:30 a.m. when he was jumped by two teenagers near a bus stop on Castleton Avenue and Simonson Place in Port Richmond. According to police, the teens shouted anti-Mexican statements as they hit him. The victim was also allegedly robbed of $10. He was transported to Richmond University Medical Center with minor injuries. During a Spanish-language mass Sunday at St. Mary of the Assumption in Port Richmond, the priest urged the mostly Mexican congregation to speak out against any racially motivated violence. "I was telling them that we don't have to fear to denounce all evil. We have to be a community that is organized against any crime because we are people who are an immigrant population," said Reverend Hernan Paredes of St. Mary of the Assumption. Due to the recent wave of attacks, the New York City Police Department has increased their presence in the neighborhood. The department has also brought in several Mexican-born officers to interact with the community. "People are frightened. They're scared to go out. I mean, it's a scary thought. You leave your house, you get attacked out of nowhere," said  resident Emmanual Martinez. "I am sad and I am scared, cause my father, my brother. They hate us, that's how I feel," said Port Richmond resident Jennifer Martinez. Despite the added patrols, community organizers say they are still worried about the trend. "This latest attack is extremely disturbing because it is not only an act of violence but it's also an act of defiance, defiance of a community that is putting it's best effort forward to look for ways to build relationship, make peace and create a safer neighborhood. In particular, this act was against a young person, an underage person and that sets a new level of assault here," said Terry Troia of Project Hospitality. "It's just that we have on both sides, we have certain people that don't know how to be respectful who and decent contributive members of society and making it bad for others," said Port Richmond resident Nick Estevez. No arrests have been made in the latest attack. A total of 10 attacks in the area have been labeled bias crimes since April. Six people have been arrested so far in connection with three of those attacks.

ST ALBANS, QUEENS. ROBINSON LAJEUNESSE 19, KILLED AT BIRTHDAY PARTY By Malherbe Metelus and Jerry Blumberg
Police are searching for the gunman who shot and killed one man and seriously injured another early Saturday morning during a birthday party in Queens. Investigators say shots rang out at a backyard barbecue on 202nd Street in St. Albans around 2 a.m. Robinson Lageunesse, 19, was shot in his right thigh, and a 17 year-old was shot in the stomach. They were both transported to the hospital where Lageunesse later died. "He was a good kid, he was a good kid. The only thing I want to know is how he got shot and who shot him, that's all I want to know now," said Lageunesse's mother, Ginette Lageunesse. Police say the male suspect is described as being 5'10" tall, and was last seen wearing a red polo shirt. Anyone with information about the case is being asked to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-577-TIPS, 

 NYPD REPORT8/17
By Jacques Dusseck, Malherbe Metelus, Jerry Blumberg and Scott Strong

IN MANHATTAN
*Police are searching for this Midtown bank bandit (above), who threatened a female teller, only to wind up fleeing empty-handed. The crook strolled up to the 26-year-old teller in the Chase branch on Seventh Avenue near West 37th Street at 3:25 p.m. Friday and slipped her a demand note, officials said. The handwritten note read, "This is a robbery, hand over all cash except bait money. You have 15 seconds or else the customers! "The teller told him that she would be right back and started walking away, prompting the thug to shout, "No, this is serious! But the would-be thief then became nervous and fled. He was described as a 5-foot-7, 180-pound Hispanic man in his 30s, wearing a white crew-neck T-shirt, blue bandanna around his neck, blue jeans, black sneakers and a braided bracelet.

*A 15-year-old girl was raped in Washington Heights by an older teen she used to date, police said. The victim was at a pal's apartment Friday watching a soccer game with a group of friends, including her 18-year-old ex. She remembers having a few drinks and then waking up in his home, she told cops. Police were notified, and the suspect told them he had sex with the girl and she had to be held up at one point because she was so intoxicated.

*A drunken intruder had to smash a window to escape after slipping into a swanky Manhattan eatery, police said.Louis Franco, 20, got into Calle Ocho on Columbus Avenue near West 82nd Street at about 12:15 a.m. yesterday, police said.Ten minutes later, cops from the 20th Precinct just around the corner spotted him inside the eatery kicking at the glass door from the inside, officials said.They grabbed him after the door shattered and he had crawled out, sources said. Police said nothing had been taken, but a desk had been overturned. Franco, who was intoxicated, was arrested and charged with burglary and criminal mischief, police said.

*A creep was nabbed after he followed a Harlem woman into her home and groped her, said a rep for Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr  Marc Anton Juarez, 18, slipped behind his victim as she strolled into her residence on East 116th Street near Park Avenue at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, authorities said.The assailant then followed the woman to her apartment and pinned her against the door before she was able to get inside her home, police said. He groped her from behind and tried to flee, but police were called and busted him at the scene, officials said.He was charged with burglary and sexual abuse.

IN BROOKLYN
*A teenager was stabbed to death yesterday in a possibly gang-related attack in Canarsie, police sources said.The 18-year-old youth, whose name was withheld pending notification of his family, was knifed in the chest by an unknown assailant at about 2 p.m. on Flatlands Avenue near East 104th Street. The stabber fled.

IN QUEENS
* Moments after gun-toting Taquan Mack, and Dominic Caraballo, both 22, knocked off a Richmond Hill jewelry store in broad daylight yesterday, an NYPD lieutenant and a police officer nearby heard the robbery report over their radios. They quickly nabbed Caraballo with a bag of baubles, police said. Minutes later, two more cops grabbed Mack as he was running away with a second bag of jewelry. Both were charged with robbery.All of the jewelry, valued at $15,000 was recovered. The robbery occurred at 11:18 p.m. in Punjab Jewelers on 101st Avenue near Lefferts Avenue in South Richmond Hill.

* A traffic agent doling out summonses in Briarwood was left stranded after the tires on his official car were slashed, police sources said. The agent parked his marked NYPD car on 139th Street near 87th Avenue at 5 p.m. Friday, before beginning his job. He walked a block away and issued a ticket for a blocked driveway. When he returned to his car, he found two flat tires on the passenger said.Police are reviewing surveillance video for clues to the vandal.

IN STATEN ISLAND
*Two Tompkinsville thieves fled empty-handed after their victim fought back -- then were caught by cops, police said. Lenny Bishop, 17, and a 15-year-old pal, whose name was not released, accosted the 20-year-old man on Victory Boulevard near Bay Street at 10:40 p.m. Friday, authorities said. Bishop knocked the victim to the ground and barked, "Give me your wallet!" police said. The suspects fled when the plucky man challenged them. They were both later nabbed. Bishop was charged with attempted robbery, assault and harassment. His buddy faces an attempted-robbery rap.

 ==========================

IN BROOKLYN
*Alexandre Aliev was arrested for shoving a late-paying 21-year-old renter down a flight of stairs in Brighton Beach, police said. Aliev violently confronted the victim in the apartment building on Brighton Beach Avenue near Brighton 4th Street on June 28 at 2 p.m., sources said. As the cowering victim promised to fork over the $315 she owed in a couple of weeks, the raging landlady allegedly pushed her down the stairs. The victim, who suffered a broken leg, did manage to come up with the rent as promised Police were finally alerted to the alleged attack, and arrested Aliev Wednesday on charges of assault and harassment, said a spokesman for DA Charles Hynes.

*A woman was arrested for attacking a pal with a hot curling iron and brass knuckles in Flatbush, authorities said yesterday. Monifa Cox, 28, clashed with the 24-year-old victim in Cox's residence on East 34th Street near Church Avenue at 12:30 a.m. on Aug. 1, cops said. Sources said the dispute erupted over a child-care issue. The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries, and Cox was busted Tuesday.

IN MANHATTAN
*Cops nabbed a group of punks joyriding in a stolen Mercedes in Washington Heights, authorities said. Joel Casado, 25, was driving the black S550 bearing Pennsylvania license plates at West 165th Street and Broadway at 11 a.m. Sunday when he failed to signal while changing lanes and cops pulled him over, sources said. Passenger Mario Herrera, 25, told them the $50,000 vehicle belonged to his aunt, but a police check proved the car had been stolen in The Bronx, police said.Casado, Herrera, Jonatan Regaldo, 24, Cesar Dominguez, 26, and John Miranda, 26, were charged with criminal possession of a stolen vehicle and forgery of a vehicle identification number, said a spokesman for DA Cyrus Vance Jr.

*A thug shot and seriously wounded a man in the Upper East Side during a drug deal gone bad, sources said. Christopher Williams, 23, pumped two bullets into the man's stomach at 92nd Street and First Avenue on June 18 at 8:05 p.m., cops said. The victim underwent surgery in which doctors had to remove part of his intestines. Williams was arrested last Thursday and charged with assault and criminal possession of a weapon, authorities said.

IN THE BRONX
*Police are looking for the thugs pictured pictured who robbed a 32-year-old man at gunpoint in Morrisania, authorities said. The suspects walked into a building on East 169th Street near Washington Avenue Saturday at 11:40 a.m., pulled a gun and swiped the man's wallet and chain.

IN STATEN ISLAND
*A sicko was busted after he forced himself on an acquaintance at a house party in Eltingville, authorities said. Paul Pemberton, 20, allegedly pushed the victim, whom he knew through mutual friends, into a bedroom in his home on Village Lane near Sylvia Street Tuesday at 1 a.m., cops said. The victim managed to push him off and call police, and Pemberton, who claimed the encounter was consensual, was charged with sexual abuse and forcible touching, said a spokesman for DA Daniel Donovan.

*Cops collared a road-raging lunatic who blew past a school-bus stop with its stop lights flashing and stop sign extended, sending children and other pedestrians fleeing for their lives in New Brighton, authorities said. Abdul Kamara, 31, sped in his 2003 Dodge past the bus as kids were exiting on Richmond Terrace near Westervelt Avenue Tuesday at 3:25 p.m., cops said. He then crossed over a double yellow line, sources said. At first he refused to get out of the car and then he screamed at cops, but finally surrendered and was charged with reckless endangerment and obstruction of government administration.

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NYPD REPORT8/12
By Jacques Dusseck, Malherbe Metelus, Jerry Blumberg and Scott Strong

IN QUEENS
*A college psychology student was murdered and a 17-year-old wounded after a shotgun-toting thug opened fired outside a barbecue in St. Albans yesterday. Robinson Lageunesse, 19, who attended Queensborough Community College, was outside the party on 202nd Street near 111th Avenue when the gunman pulled up in the SUV and fired, striking Lageunesse once in the right thigh. He was my baby boy, my only son, he didn't deserve this," said his traumatized mother Ginette Lageunesse. "He was a great student, he really wanted to be a psychologist,"  The other victim, whose name wasn't released, was in critical condition. The motive for the shooting wasn't clear and cops couldn't say who was the intended target.

* A jittery thug who held a gun to the head of a Queens Village Dunkin' Donuts employee fled after an unwitting customer foiled the robbery, police said. The thief walked into the coffee-and-pastry shop on Jamaica Avenue near 218th Street on July 23 at 7:00 p.m., sources said. He then jumped behind the counter, pulled a gun and put it to the head of a 24-year-old employee, the sources said. When a customer walked into the store, the jittery gunman screamed "Don't yell!" at him, jumped back over the counter and fled.

IN MANHATTAN
*A bonehead who accidentally shot himself on the Lower East Side was busted after he claimed to have been shot in Tompkins Square Park, authorities said. Fernando Torres, 62, shot himself in the hand and thigh in his apartment last Sunday at 5 a.m., sources said. A neighbor told police he saw Torres shove a revolver into a bag along with bloody clothing, which the bumbling triggerman tossed into a garbage bin, cops said. Torres then walked into Bellevue Hospital and claimed he'd been shot in the park, cops said.

IN BROOKLYN
*Police are looking for the two men pictured who beat and slashed a man in Sunset Park. The thugs accosted the victim July 10 at 5:10 p.m. as he strolled down Fifth Avenue near 41st Street with a woman.

* A woman watching TV had to duck bullets when someone opened fire on the door of her Red Hook apartment, police said. The 42-year-old victim told cops she was in front of the tube July 23 at 4:10 p.m. when bullets punctured her door, sources said. Luckily, nobody was hit.

IN THE BRONX
*Cops are looking for the gunman who killed a 25-year-old man in the courtyard of his Melrose housing project. Police discovered Carrel Ogarro, 25 with gunshot wounds to the head and midsection at the Jackson Houses, sources said.

  INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS
PAKISTAN. RESCUERS STRUGGLING TO REACH 27,000 PEOPLE.
tThe US government has been dropping food parcels by air Rescuers in Pakistan are struggling to reach 27,000 people still stranded by the worst floods in 80 years. At least 1,100 people have died and, with entire communities devastated, it is now estimated that more than 1.5 million people desperately need help. There are fears diarrhoea and cholera will spread among the homeless. Food and drinking water are in short supply. The UN, China and US have already pledged aid for the rescue effort.  The Pakistani military says it has committed 30,000 troops and dozens of helicopters to the relief effort, but winching individuals to safety is a slow process. The army  which says it has rescued 28,000 people in recent days  predicts the initial search and rescue operation will take up to 10 days.But the army says rebuilding the damaged areas could take 6 months or more. In one area of the north-western region, there is a 70km (45-mile) no-go zone where 29 bridges have been destroyed, the army says, adding that some communities have been turned into islands. There have been complaints from some survivors that the government response has been slow and inadequate. Floodwaters receded in some areas as weather conditions improved on Monday but more rain is now forecast. Part of the main north-south motorway into the region was reopened on Sunday, before reportedly closing again. The brief opening allowed some aid supplies into the flooded area while also permitting people to flee. The rain may have stopped for the time being but huge swathes of north-west Pakistan remain submerged, with many of those affected still stranded and waiting for help. Many have lost all their belongings and have no means of getting food. Clean water supplies have been contaminated by the floods, raising serious concerns about the spread of disease. The information minister of Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa (formerly North West Frontier Province) - one of the worst-hit provinces - said 1.5 million people had been affected by the floods and landslides. "We are receiving information about the loss of life and property caused by the floods all over the province,"  The province's disaster management authority earlier said an aerial survey showed dozens of villages had been simply washed away. Mr Hussain said rescue teams were trying to reach the 27,000 people stranded by the floods in the province, including 1,500 tourists in the Swat district, the scene of a major military offensive against the Taliban last year. "We are also getting confirmation of reports about an outbreak of cholera in some areas of Swat," he added. The government's response to the disaster drew a protest of several hundred people in the north-western city of Peshawar, where homeless survivors crammed into temporary shelters overnight.

"Among the children the diarrhea has started already, and cholera. That's the main risk at this time. Food shortages are already there." The humanitarian director of Oxfam, Jane Cocking, said the extent of this crisis was only slowly emerging. "The more villages that are reached the grimmer the picture becomes," she said as the organization launched an appeal for aid. "There is a desperate need for temporary shelter, clean drinking water and toilets to avert a public health catastrophe. People also need medical care and basic food items." UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he was "deeply saddened by the significant loss of lives, livelihoods and infrastructure in Pakistan", and offered an extra $10m (£6.5m) in aid for the relief effort. Earlier, the US promised the government $10m in aid. It also provided about 50,000 meals, four rescue boats and two water-filtration units. The US embassy in Islamabad said Washington would also be providing 12 temporary bridges to replace some of those destroyed by the floods. As well as the more 1,000 deaths in Pakistan, at least 60 people have died across the border in Afghanistan, where floods have affected four provinces.

======================================================

NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT     

RHINEBECK, NY .CHELSEA CLINTON AND MARC MEZVINSKY TO BE MARRIED
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg
Wedding bells will ring for Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky this evening as their  marriage is taking place this 31 June 2010  in the upstate town of Rhinebeck, N.Y. The 30-year-old daughter of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is set to marry investment banker Marc Mezvinsky at the Astor Courts estate. Nearly 500 guests are expected to attend, and the list is rumored to include some big names like Barbra Streisand, Steven Spielberg,  Oprah Winfrey and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Huge crowds greeted Bill and Hillary Clinton last night as they entered the Beekman Arms Inn in Rhinebeck. Many local residents camped out to get a glimpse of someone famous. "I just think it's fun. It's exciting for a little town to get this notoriety," said one local. "It's very exciting to see all of these people in our little town and seeing what's going on. I love the Clintons, always have. So it's really thrilling," said another onlooker. "You see the trooper and the sheriffs have the area moving pretty freely, no problems. It's a professional operation going on here," said Rhinebeck Town Supervisor Tom Traudt. "And Rhinebeck is surviving and benefiting from all of this."

QUEENS. MAN FATALLY STABBED ON SUBWAY PLATFORM
By Scott Strong and Malherbe Metelus
Police are searching for the suspect who stabbed a man to death on a subway platform in Woodhaven, Queens. Authorities say officers answering a call of a man stabbed at the 85th Street-Forest Parkway stop around 11:30 p.m. last night found the 27-year-old victim with a stab wound in his neck. He was later pronounced dead at Jamaica Hospital. Police believe the victim was stabbed after an argument. Anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS.

FLUSHING, NY. BATTLEGROUND FOR IMMIGRATION DEBATE
By Scott Strong and Jacques Dusseck
As protests over Arizona's immigration law heat up in the city, a federal appeals court says it will step into the battle later this year. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals says this November it will hear a challenge by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, who appealed a judge's ruling blocking the law's toughest sections. That would give the state time to make changes to the legislation, which Brewer says she is considering. Meanwhile, protestors gathered outside Citi Field in Flushing, Queens last night, where the Arizona Diamondbacks opened a weekend series with the New York Mets. During the seventh inning, two men were arrested for running out onto the field carrying Mexican flags. Diamondback outfielder Cole Gillespie said that the baseball team has nothing to do with Arizona's law. "Just because we're from that state, they think that we represent that whole idea and notion. They're going to want to protest us, but again, there's nothing we can do, it's out of our control," said Gillespie. "And all we can do is go out there and play." Protesters said the demonstration at Citi Field was part of a growing national movement. "The Diamondbacks are symbolic, but more importantly we're telling Major League Baseball that they should follow its tradition of diversity, its tradition of respect," said a protester. "We're happy that more and more people understand this and are protesting it not only here, but all over the country," said another. Some demonstrators also handed out leaflets asking Major League Baseball to move next year's All-Star game out of Phoenix. Friday, protests were held all over the country, including here in the city. Hundreds of demonstrators walked across the Brooklyn Bridge to a rally at Foley Square.

NYPD REPORT 7/30    
By Jacques Dusseck, Jerry Blumberg, Malherbe Metelus, Jean Jr. Joseph, Patricia Faurelus and Elizabeth Menos.

IN THE BRONX
*A man was sprayed in the face with bleach and stabbed by several thugs during a botched robbery in Baychester, police sources said yesterday. The 32-year-old victim was talking on a cellphone at East 222nd Street and Givan Avenue at 4 p.m. Wednesday when one of the assailants ran up and grabbed his phone. During an ensuing struggle, the victim gained control of the phone, but then got squirted with bleach, blinding him momentarily, and stabbed in the left shoulder. He was listed in stable condition at Jacobi Hospital.

IN QUEENS
*Two bandits held up a Flushing business at gunpoint and made off with $300, police sources said. The hoodlums stormed into Flushing Restaurant Corporation on 41st Avenue near Main Street Wednesday at 5:05 a.m. One thief waited outside while the other ran in. An employee wielding a chair tried to stop the robbery, but backed down when when he saw the hood's gun.

IN BROOKLYN
*An East Flatbush gunman pulled a pistol from a sneaker he was carrying and shot a foe twice in the leg, police sources said yesterday. The 5-foot-11, 175-pound thug clashed with the 26-year-old male victim at New York and Newkirk avenues at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, cops said. He pulled the handgun, shot the victim twice in the right thigh and fled. The victim was in stable condition at Kings County Hospital.

* A drinker with a big mouth took a pounding from a passer-by, police said. The 26-year-old victim was imbibing on Eighth Avenue near 28th Street in Chelsea when he started arguing with a stranger Wednesday at 12:55 a.m. The assailant picked up a bottle and smashed it over the drinker's head, then jabbed him in the face and knocked him to the ground. The thug kicked him into unconsciousness. The victim was taken to Bellevue Hospital. The perpetrator remains on the loose.

* A Coney Island boy was struck by a stray bullet, police said. The 14-year-old had stepped onto an elevator in his apartment building on West 33rd Street near Neptune Avenue at 1:34 a.m. Wednesday when he heard gunfire outside and realized he had been shot, sources said. A bullet had struck him in the leg. It was unclear if he was the intended target. He was treated at Lutheran Hospital and released. Police are continuing their search for the gunman.

* A teenager was shot in the stomach in East New York Wednesday, police sources said. The 16-year-old was hit at 8:44 p.m. at Buffalo Avenue and Lincoln Place. It was unclear if he was the intended target, sources said. He was treated at Kings County Hospital and released. Police are hunting the gunman.

IN STATEN ISLAND
*A drunken motorist hopped a curb and landed on the front lawn of a private home Tuesday, authorities said. Joseph Roman, 27, was behind the wheel of a Honda that jumped a sidewalk and tore through bushes and across a lawn on Highland Avenue near Victory Boulevard in Grymes Hill Tuesday at 4 a.m., cops said. The homeowner called cops, who smelled alcohol on Roman's breath and found an empty beer can in the car. Roman admitted he had been drinking, and was found to have been driving with a blood-alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit. He was charged with operating a motor vehicle while impaired, said a spokesman for DA Daniel Donovan.

IN MANHATTAN
*A trio of masked intruders swiped $6,000 and jewelry after tying up a family at knifepoint in their Washington Heights apartment, police sources said yesterday. The knife-wielding bandits climbed up a fire escape and entered through a window on West 176th Street near St. Nicholas Avenue on July 23. After they bound the family with duct tape, they placed two victims in one bedroom, two others in a second bedroom and another in a bathroom. The assailants fled with cash and jewels.

  INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS

 PAKISTAN. ABOUT 800 PEOPLE KILLED IN THE WORST FLOOD
The worst monsoon floods in living memory have killed at least 800 people and affected one million in north-west Pakistan, a local official has said. Rescuers are struggling to reach inundated areas where transport and communication are down. Peshawar, the area's largest city with a 3m-strong population, is cut off. At least 60 people have died across the border in Afghanistan where floods affected four provinces.

Manuel Bessler, the head of the UN's Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Assistance (UNOCHA) in Pakistan, told the BBC about 1m people's lives had been disrupted. He could not say with certainty the full scale of the emergency in Pakistan, as he was having trouble reaching his own offices in some of the worst-affected areas. UN aid workers were helping to co-ordinate efforts to provide shelter, health care, drinking water and ready-to-eat food rations, he said. There was concern, he added, that swollen rivers running south would carry the floods to provinces like Sindh where heavy rain was forecast in coming days. The government declared a state of emergency as Pakistan's meteorological department said 312mm (12in) of rain had fallen over the last 36 hours in the north-west - the largest amount for decades. Whole areas are cut off from electricity, from telephones, from roads. We simply do not know what is happening behind these barricades that have been created by these walls of water. I am standing at the end of a highway which is now a sea of water. I can see a truck towing an ambulance through the water. I can see a family barefoot beside me, a grandfather and grandmother carrying children on their heads, the mother and father carrying bundles on their heads. People are using whatever means they can to try to get to high ground. The districts of Swat and Shangla have been inaccessible with people left homeless and helpless after several rivers burst their banks, washing away villages, roads and bridges. Some 45 bridges were washed away in Swat alone. Lyse Doucet, who is traveling through some of the worst-hit areas, says at least half a million people remain marooned on islands of high ground, while others have taken refuge in mosques and schools. TV footage taken from helicopters flying over the flooded landscape showed people clinging to roof-tops as raging torrents swept through the streets. Military and rescue workers have been using helicopters to deliver essential supplies to areas that have had transport and communication links cut off. Some 17 helicopters were in action to airlift people out of the worst affected areas on Friday and more were being deployed over the weekend. Swathes of farmland have been inundated, and some power supplies have been cut after people were electrocuted by the water-borne current. Many of those hit hardest by the flooding are the rural poor who live in flood-prone areas because they cannot afford safer land. Pakistan has not made a formal request for international aid, but it is understood that it has appealed to donors to help it respond to this disaster. In Afghanistan, the national army said it had rescued 5,000 people over the past three days, using helicopters, vehicles and bulldozers. The provinces of Laghman, Nangarhar, Kunar and Logar have all been hit by the bad weather. There were plans to deliver food and medicine on Monday but the mountainous terrain was hindering the effort.

UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 

UN HAILS GLOBAL PACT BANNING CLUSTER MUNITIONS.30 July 2010
 United Nations officials have expressed their delight at Sunday’s entry into force of the international convention banning the manufacture, use and stockpiling of cluster munitions, calling it a “major advance for the global disarmament and humanitarian agendas.” Billions of these weapons – which are considered particularly dangerous, despite their lack of precision – are believed to exist around the world and many have been used in recent conflicts, killing or maiming countless civilians. Thirty ratifications were needed to make the pact, which prohibits explosive remnants of war known either as cluster munitions or unexploded ordnance (UXO), a part of international law. That milestone was reached in February when Burkina Faso and Moldova both submitted their instruments of ratification of the Convention on Cluster Munitions at UN Headquarters in New York.Some 98 per cent of victims are civilians and cluster bombs have claimed over 10,000 civilian lives, 40 per cent of whom are children. The convention, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a statement on Friday, “will help us to counter the widespread insecurity and suffering caused by these terrible weapons, particularly among civilians and children.” He is particularly pleased, the statement continued, that the pact will enter into force on 1 August, just over two years after it was adopted by 107 States in Dublin, Ireland. “This highlights not only the world’s collective revulsion at these abhorrent weapons, but also the power of collaboration among governments, civil society and the United Nations to change attitudes and policies on a threat faced by all mankind,” the Secretary-General emphasized. The convention – negotiated by States that represent past and current producers, stockpilers and victims of cluster munitions – establishes important commitments regarding assistance to victims, clearance of contaminated areas and destruction of stockpiles. To date, 37 countries have ratified the pact, which also has 107 signatures. First used in the Second World War, cluster munitions contain dozens of smaller explosives designed to disperse over an area the size of several football fields, but often fail to detonate upon impact, creating large de facto minefields. The failure rate makes these weapons particularly dangerous for civilians, who continue to be maimed or killed for years after conflicts end. Some 98 per cent of victims are civilians and cluster bombs have claimed over 10,000 civilian lives, 40 per cent of whom are children. Recovery from conflict is also hampered because the munitions place roads and lands off-limits to farmers and aid workers. The pact represents “a major advance for the global disarmament and humanitarian agendas,” Mr. Ban noted in his statement, a theme echoed by Daniël Prins, chief of the conventional arms branch of the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA). “This is a great step forward – here we have a treaty at the nexus of disarmament and humanitarian efforts,” Mr. Prins said in an interview with the UN News Centre. He noted that the convention is not merely symbolic, but contains many practical measures, such as requiring States to provide assistance to victims, engage in clearance operations and conduct awareness campaigns so that children do not inadvertently set off explosions. The first meeting of States parties to the convention will be held this November in Laos, which Mr. Ban said is a country “that has suffered tremendously from the impact of cluster munitions.” Clearance operations are still ongoing in the South-East Asian nation more than 30 years after conflict left 75 million unexploded cluster bomblets across the country. Mr. Ban called on all Member States to take part in the November meeting to express their support for the convention, while also urging those nations which have yet to accede to the pact “to do so without delay.” Cluster munitions have been used in conflicts around the world in recent years, including in the Middle East, South-Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, the Horn of Africa and Central Africa. The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has been coordinating the removal of cluster munitions in many countries, including Cambodia, Chad, Laos, Lebanon, Tajikistan and Zambia. Max Kerley, the Director of UNMAS, said he hoped the convention will now gather the kind of support enjoyed by the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty and receive more ratifications in the months ahead.

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NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT     

NEW YORK. WYCLEF JEAN OPENED THE MARKETS AT NASDAQ.
By Jacques Dusseck
On this Friday, July 23,  Wyclef Jean was joined by Yele team members as well as Haitian friends and Delegates as he opened the markets at NASDAQ today in wake of the 6 month anniversary of the earthquake disaster in Haiti. Wyclef called upon the business leaders of the world to help by investing in Haiti, a country that is full of people ready and willing to work. At the ringing of the bell, Wyclef pronounced that "Haiti is open for business. In his speech, he praised the Government of Haiti for its handling of the situation during the past 6 monts. 

HARLEM. CONGRESSMAN CHARLES RANGEL IS READY TO FIGHT.
By Jacques Dusseck and Scott Strong
Congressman Charles Rangel  took to the microphones Saturday to defend his innocence amid reports that he is trying to broker a deal to avoid public trials on his alleged ethics violations. Rangel's lawyers are allegedly talking with the House Ethics Committee to reach a settlement. The lawyers are reportedly trying to avoid the release of the report of the committee's two-year investigation. The ethics charges stem from several allegations against the Harlem congressman – including that he failed to properly report income and assets, and that he improperly used several rent-stabilized apartments. In Harlem Saturday, Rangel said he is looking forward to setting the record straight. He says he will not admit to something he did not do, for political convenience. Rangel said: "I've never heard that concept if someone accuses you of something, why don't you just step aside so you don't embarrass anyone and admit to something that isn't true.. “Now you can develop that concept if you want, but I don't really understand it." Congressman Rangel has the support of his constituency in Harlem no matter what.

BRONX. PROBLEMS OF WORKERS AT WOODLAWN CEMETERY.
By Jerry Blumberg and Patricia Faurelus.
It is reported that w2orkers at the Bronx's Woodlawn Cemetery, the final resting place for several prominent blacks and Latinos, claim that racial slurs and bigotry have been a common practice against the burial ground's employees of color.Workers at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx say there's a secret that management has been trying to bury. They say they have been called all sorts of racial slurs and harassed because they are black and Latino. The workers have filed complaints with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board. Their legal advisor, Ramon Jimenez, says the landmark cemetery has done little to punish the foreman and managers who workers accuse of racial bias. "We can not accept this in the Bronx. This is not Alabama in the '30s, this is not Mississippi in the '40s," said Jimenez. Woodlawn said it hired an outside firm to investigate. No one from the cemetery would appear on camera. The cemetery management issued a statement through Rubenstein Public Relations that said, "We take seriously the allegations that have been presented as evidenced by our decision to underwrite an independent review. As the solemn custodian of sacred ground, we believe we have more than just a legal obligation but an ethical one to maintain the highest standards of employment, one that embraces diversity, respects the employee and encourages promotion and career advancement regardless of race, color, creed or gender." Workers say the harassment started about four years ago after a very forceful foreman was hired. They say the racial slurs finally stopped after they contacted community activists two years ago, but the harassment was turned up. The employees say when they complain they are punished. In one example, they claim they are forced to work in the heat alone, doing strenuous jobs such as digging graves or foundations. "I've been told by several workers that I myself am on a hit list and several others," said another unidentified worker. "When people stand up in Woodlawn Cemetery, they want to get rid of them, get them out of there." The workers hope the investigations unearth the facts.

CONEY ISLAND. FUN IN THE SUN IN THE BEACH
By Elizabeth Menos and Malherfbe Metelus.

 Hundreds Hit The Coney Island Beach For Fun In The Sun Beach-goers looking to beat the heat got a special treat Saturday as the 20th annual Sand Sculpting Contest was held in Coney Island. People from all across the region come to take part in the competition, which was started by the Astella Development Corporation 20 years ago and is held between West 10th and 12th streets. "It's a lot of fun. I've never sculpted, but the people enjoy it," said Judi Orlando of the Astella Development Corp. "They come with their friends, sons, daughters, and they have a great time." The Parks Department provided 50 mounds of sand along the beach. Participation was free. "The sand is here. The water is here. They have to bring the creativity," Orlando said. "I'm an artist and I really enjoy the opportunity to sculpt in an environment where people are really enjoying the sculpture for itself," said Tony Sanders who has been competing in event for the past seven years. Cash prizes were awarded by artists and community leaders in five categories: individual child, individual adult, group children, group adult, and mixed. There were plenty other activities besides the competition. Hundreds flocked to the neighborhood for eating, exercising, sight-seeing and swimming. "The heat is good instead of being cold and rainy," said one young beach-goer. "It's just a perfect day to be at the beach." "We're sort of strolling along to see what takes our fancy," said a tourist. "The kids went on a few rides and maybe we'll go on the beach a bit later." No one was happier to see the crowds than boardwalk business owners, who say the hot weather this summer has been great for their bottom line. "We're doing good," said one business owner. "We're here getting ready for another hot weekend," said another. "Let everyone come down and enjoy themselves!"

STATEN ISLAND. THE THREE CHILDREN'S DEATHS RULES AS HOMICIDES
By Jacques Dusseck and John Tembeck Jr.
The city medical examiner ruled on Friday that at least three siblings' deaths in Thursday's Staten Island house fire were homicides, while investigators believe they found a charred suicide note written by the 14-year-old teenager suspected of killing his family and himself. Autopsies determined that Brittany Jones, 10, and seven-year-old sister Melanie died from having their throats slit. Investigators believe 14-year-old C.J. Jones slit his sisters' throats before setting their Port Richmond home on fire. The medical examiner also determined that the death of Jermaine Sinclair, the siblings' two-year-old brother, was due to smoke inhalation and thermal burns and was ruled a homicide. The deaths of C.J. and the children's mother, 33-year-old Leisha Jones, still requires further study, according to the medical examiner. Neighbors and friends of the fire's victims held a vigil by the burned house late Friday. A straight razor was discovered under C.J.'s body, and investigators believe the teenager took his own life. Sources said that fire marshals found a badly charred note, reading in part "am sorry," in the mother's bedroom. Investigators have not determined who wrote the note, but are suspecting it may be a suicide note. Authorities also found a lighter at the apartment and determined the apartment had not working smoke detectors. A memorial was briefly set up outside of the children's daycare center on Friday, and that night a vigil was held in front of the burned home. Police said C.J. had recently been thrown out of a public pool for setting a fire there, but neighbors insisted that did not sound like the boy they knew. C.J. was scheduled to be transferred to a District 75 school in the fall, which serves children with special needs. As of late Friday, funeral arrangements had not been made public and the investigation was ongoing.

NYPD REPORT 7/25  
Jacques Dusseck, Jerry Blumberg, John Teimbeck Jr.Malherbe Metelus, Elizabeth Menos

 IN MANHATTAN
*A female burglar and her male partner slipped into at least three posh Midtown hotels posing as fix-it workers and swiped jewelry, cash and electronics, sources said. Cops said the pair of scammers stole a Rolex in a room the Sheraton New York on Seventh Avenue near 53rd Street after a guest let them in at 7:30 p.m. on July 15. Five days, later they performed the same Rolex-stealing act at The Plaza on Fifth Avenue near Central Park South. At 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Intercontinental Hotel, they allegedly snatched a purse with cash, a digital camera and an iPhone, according to police sources. Cops describe the woman as in her 50s, 5-foot-4 and 150 pounds and her partner as in his 40s, 5-foot-8 and 200 pounds.

* A fatal stabbing that took the life of an engaged dad started over a pair of stolen pool sandals, police sources said. Aaron McMillon, 25, was visiting his cousin in East Harlem when he was fatally stabbed, according to his fiancée, Wendy Ryan, 23, the mother of their 6-year-old son. McMillon was found at 7 p.m. on July 9 at 118th Street near First Avenue after he encountered a footwear-fleecing foe. "He got stabbed over slippers," Ryan said. "Somebody took his slippers and he was trying to get them back." Cops said McMillon had had a couple run-ins with the law. But Ryan said McMillon was getting his life together -- working construction and attending trade-school classes.

* A scam artist was busted for using a forged credit card at a swanky Upper East Side store, authorities said. Shavonne Edwards, 22, waltzed into Christian Louboutin on Madison Avenue near 75th Street at 5:40 p.m. last Saturday and allegedly used a fraudulent credit card to purchase $500 in merchandise

* A 23-year-old pervert was busted at a Toys 'R' Us for allegedly taking pictures up a woman's skirt Wednesday at 7:50 p.m. Cops on patrol spotted Victor Armento at the Times Square store snapping lurid cellphone photos, authorities said.

* A beer deliveryman caught a bumbling boozer swiping a case off a truck in Kips Bay, cops said. A B&B Distributors driver, stopped on Second Avenue near 30th Street at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, heard the cargo door opening and spotted Jonathan West, 40, helping himself to a case of Heineken. The driver grabbed the suspect and held him for cops.

IN BROOKLYN
*A crazed woman was busted for assaulting a bus driver and passengers in Crown Heights in an apparent unprovoked attack, authorities said yesterday. Vanessa Jackson, 42, went wild at 3:07 a.m. Thursday after she boarded a bus at Utica Avenue and Crown Street, cops said. Jackson shouted at the 47-year-old driver and demanded that he not make any more stops, sources said. When two more passengers boarded, Jackson allegedly kicked and punched them.

* Cops busted a man cowering in a driveway after he swiped several turkey-and-cheese sandwiches from a Flatlands gas-station convenience store, authorities said. Kenneth Pickett, 30, grabbed three sandwiches and brought the items up to the clerk at the Mobil station at Flatlands and Crescent avenues at 2:38 a.m. Thursday, cops said. The worker put the sandwiches in a bag, Pickett grabbed it and fled, sources said. Cops drove around with the employee, who spotted Pickett nearby, authorities said.

IN QUEENS
*A boneheaded thief got locked in a Jackson Heights jewelry store after swiping a ring, so he put it back in its display case, police said. Danny Smith, 45, snatched the ring at Pawn Pal Jewelry Store on Roosevelt Avenue and 83rd Street at 1:40 p.m. Thursday but put it back when an employee locked the remote-controlled door. He was charged with theft.

* A dagger-wielding maniac was busted for trying to stab a passer-by in Ridgewood, cops said. The victim was walking on 65th Street near Shaler Avenue Sunday at 7:40 p.m. when an enraged Merjema Ramusevic, 20, came up from behind and thrust a dagger toward her heart, authorities said. The victim sidestepped Ramusevic, who continued flailing, cursing and screaming until police arrived.

  INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS

GERMANY. ORGANIZERS BLAMED FOR GERMAN LOVE PARADE DEATHS.
Organizers blamed for German Love Parade deaths Some participants say too many people were allowed in a confined space Survivors of a stampede at a free dance music festival in Germany in which 19 people were killed have blamed organizers for the deaths. Witnesses criticized the decision to have just one entrance through a tunnel to the Love Parade, and said they had warned police about overcrowding. However, the mayor of Duisburg told a press conference that it was too early to blame anyone for the incident. "The Love Parade has always been a joyful and peaceful party, but in future would always be overshadowed by yesterday's events," , Rainer Schaller said. "Out of respect for the victims, their families and friends, we are going to discontinue the event in the future, and that means the end of the Love Parade." Officials have launched an investigation into the disaster. Mayor Adolf Sauerland said that until the investigation was complete, any apportioning of guilt would be "out of place, our of order". "That would not serve the victims, nor would it serve the families," he said. He said 340 people had been injured. Sixteen of the dead had been identified, he added, and four of the victims were foreigners: one from the Netherlands, one from Australia, one from Italy and one China. They ranged in age from just over 20 to 40. Most of the victims were trampled to death at an entrance tunnel connecting an old railway station to the parade ground. Police closed the exit to the tunnel and those trying to get in were told via loudhailer to turn around, but panic broke out. Eyewitnesses claim they tried to warn police before the stampede occurred that the tunnel was overcrowded, but said the authorities ignored their warnings. "You cannot jail one million people behind fences, you need to let them walk around free, then such things do not happen," one witness told journalists. hind a fence. That doesn't work." Officials said emergency workers had difficulties reaching the injured because of the massive crowds. Police said the festival drew about 1.4 million people. The exact circumstances of the stampede are still not clear. It appears most of the victims were crushed to death.

SOUTH KOREA. SOUTH KOREA AND US MILITARY EXERCISE BEGINS
Korea-US military exercise begins in the Sea of Japan The US-South Korean military exercise, code-named Invincible Spirit, will last four days The US and South Korea have begun a major military exercise in the Sea of Japan, despite threats of retaliation from North Korea. The navy and air force maneuvers involve 20 ships, 200 planes and 8,000 US and South Korean personnel. Washington and Seoul say they want to send a clear signal to the North following the sinking of a South Korean warship in March. An international investigation said a North Korean torpedo sank the ship.

The USS George Washington, one of the world's biggest warships, has now left the port of Busan behind and we're in the Sea of Japan, surrounded by other warships from the US and South Korea, visible on all sides. North Korea threatened a retaliatory "sacred war" on Saturday, and we've haven't heard any further. It is easy to dismiss that language to North Korea's usual brinkmanship, but Capt Ross Myers, the commander of the carrier's air wing, said that a threat from any irrational actor is always credible. The real question for the US and South Korea is whether this show of strength have the desired effect, or whether, as some people suggest, it could do the opposite and bolster and galvanize the hardliner element inside North Korea. However, the claim has been angrily denied by Pyongyang. On Saturday, North Korea threatened to use its nuclear deterrent in a retaliatory, "sacred war" in response to the exercise. The BBC's John Sudworth, who is aboard one of the warships, says the show of strength is intended to rattle Pyongyang's military and political elite. North Korea's inflammatory rhetoric is nothing new, he adds, but the rising tension is causing concern, with China urging all parties to show restraint. The South Korean defense ministry said the maneuvers had been relocated from the sensitive Yellow Sea to the Sea of Japan following protests from China, North Korea's ally. Amid the rising tension, military officials in Seoul said they were closely monitoring the North's military in border areas but had not detected any unusual activity in the run-up to the exercises, code-named Invincible Spirit. "The army and people of the DPRK will start a retaliatory sacred war of their own style based on nuclear deterrent any time necessary in order to counter the US imperialists and the South Korean puppet forces deliberately pushing the situation to the brink of a war," it added. The US responded by saying it was "not interested in a war of words with North Korea". The four-day drill includes the aircraft carrier USS George Washington and some 200 fixed-wing aircraft, officials said. The sinking of the Cheonan warship claimed the lives of 46 South Korean sailors.

  UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 
BAN KI-MOON URGES DIALOGUE IN COLOMBIA VENEZUELA TENSIONS Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called on Colombia and Venezuela to resolve their differences through dialogue after Venezuela reportedly broke off diplomatic ties with Colombia, which accused it of harbouring rebel groups. “The Secretary-General hopes that the differences between Colombia and Venezuela will be worked out through dialogue,” according to a statement issued by his spokesperson last night. “He calls for restraint by all involved so that the situation can be resolved in a peaceful manner,” it added. According to media reports, during a meeting yesterday of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, Colombia presented evidence that appeared to support its claim that the rebel Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army had established bases in Venezuela. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez dismissed the allegations in a televised speech later in the day, and declared that Colombian diplomats had until Monday to close their embassy in the capital, Caracas, and leave the country.

HAITI. UN POLICE ARREST FUGITIVES IN RAPES INSIDE CAMPS.
Haitian Police and UN Police on patrol in Port-au-Prince 23 July 2010 – United Nations Police (UNPOL) serving in Haiti have arrested two men who had escaped from jail and are suspected of being responsible for several subsequent rapes in camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) set up after the massive earthquake that struck the country at the start of the year. The arrests were carried out late Wednesday night in the capital, Port-au-Prince, in a joint operation involving UNPOL’s operations office, its tactical intervention group and the Haitian National Police (HNP). Jean Batiste William, also known as Ti Blanc, was arrested in the St. Bernadette camp, after camp residents called an emergency police number to report his presence in the camp. Mr. William, who has been tried and convicted of rape, is suspected of being involved in several other rapes in the IDP camps since he escaped from jail. In the second operation, another fugitive was arrested after his apartment in the Croix Deprez district was searched by police. That suspect is accused of several cases of rape. The UN peacekeeping operation in Haiti, known as MINUSTAH, said in a press statement that its police would continue to support the HNP in operations such as those carried out this week as part of efforts to boost security and stability in the impoverished Caribbean country. André Leclerc, a communications officer for UNPOL, urged Haitians to keep calling the public emergency number to allow police to locate and arrest criminals. “The acts of rape are unacceptable and cruel,” he said. “Thanks to the joint efforts of the police and the public, we can reduce the number of these sexual crimes.” Many inmates escaped from prison in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake on 12 January, which killed more than 200,000 people and levelled large swathes of Port-au-Prince.

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NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT          

TAMPA, FLORIDA. A LEGEND, GEORGE STEINBRENNER DIES AT 80.
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg
George Steinbrenner, the outspoken and longtime owner of the New York Yankees, died Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack in Tampa, Florida. Tampa's Bay News  reported shortly after 9 a.m. that Tampa Fire Rescue responded to a call at Steinbrenner's house overnight, and that someone was transported to St. Joseph's Hospital. Steinbrenner, who just turned 80 on July 4, was that patient. His death was confirmed a short time later. “He was a visionary and a giant in the world of sports. He took a great, but struggling franchise, and turned it into a champion again," said the team in a statement. Flags have been lowered to half-staff at New York's City Hall and Steinbrenner Field, the Yankees spring training facility. Steinbrenner has been the owner of the New York Yankees since 1973 – making him the longest-tenured owner in Major League Baseball. During that time, the Yankees won 11 pennants and seven World Series titles. At a press conference in Anaheim, Calif., hours before the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Yankees Manager Joe Girardi, team captain and shortstop Derek Jeter, third baseman Alex "A-Rod" Rodriguez and pitcher Andy Pettitte said that they appreciated how supportive Steinbrenner was for the team and individual players. "I've known him since I was 18 years old. Obviously there's a respect factor, because he's the owner and I worked for him, but we were more friends than anything," said Jeter. "I still fell like we're playing for him," said Rodriguez. "George used to hand me Bible verses before my playoff starts and stuff like that. He was tough, but he was always there to support you. I don't think enough is said about the support he'd give you, but it was tough support. I think sometimes the tough support doesn't quite get the limelight," said Pettitte. "He expected a lot, he demanded a lot, he raised, I believe, the level of not only the Yankees' organization and what they want to do, as far as winning championships, but I feel like he's raised the bar around baseball, for other teams to try to keep up and compete with what he was trying to put on the field every year," said Pettitte. "I never really felt his expectations were overbearing. I felt he just wanted what all of us wanted -- to win. And he was a pleasure to play for and he's been a pleasure to work for," said Girardi. Fans have been gathering at Yankee Stadium, leaving flowers on the team's emblem in his honor. Former Mayor Ed Koch Reflects On Steinbrenner's Legacy "How will I remember George Steinbrenner?" asked Koch. "As a tough bastard, but someone who was very important to the City of New York." "A great man has been lost," said former Yankee Darryl Strawberry, who was supported by Steinbrenner during his fall into drug addiction. "I wish it was more owners in professional sports who had the kind of heart and dignity of what his team means and what winning stands for and that's what he did." Mayor Michael Bloomberg issued a statement calling Steinbrenner, "a champion who made New York a better place, and who always gave back to the city he loved." The mayor has also ordered all flags in City Hall Plaza to be lowered to half staff in his honor. Steinbrenner bought the team from CBS for under $9 million. It is now worth an estimated $2 billion. In 2002, he created the Yankees Entertainment and Sports (YES) Network to broadcast the games of the team, along with New Jersey Nets games. In recent years, as his health declined, he became more hidden from the public. He was in attendance during the opening of the new stadium. Since 2006, his sons, Hal and Hank, have been running the team's operations, along with the Girardi and Brian Cashman, the team's general manager. He has spent the majority of his time in Tampa and is known for his philanthropy in the area. Steinbrenner was often criticized for his pursuit of high-priced agents, feuds with general managers, and strict grooming policy for players. Yankee great Yogi Berra, who had an up and down relationship with "The Boss" and was fired as the team's manager, told reporters Tuesday the two patched things up and became great friends. "He became a heck of a guy, nice man. I tell ya, we went through some bad times, everybody else did, but he was a wonderful man," Berra said. Former Yankee manager Joe Torre also described Steinbrenner as a tough boss, but says in the end, he was a visionary and dear friend. "I thought it was stimulating. I was there for 12 years. Eventually I think a lot of managing stressed me out. But it certainly wasn't George Steinbrenner that was responsible for stressing me out. It was just the job itself. I had a good relationship with him," Torre said. Steinbrenner was kicked out of the MLB twice; once for giving illegal donations to President Richard Nixon's re-election campaign and a second time for hiring Howie Spira to spy on player Dave Winfield, after Winfield sued him for allegedly failing to pay his foundation $300,000 guaranteed in his contract. For this, Steinbrenner was "banned for life" by then-Commissioner Fay Vincent, but he was reinstated three years later. He is being remembered fondly by fans of all ages. "He was a tough businessman but a good owner and he spent the money he needed to spend," said one Yankees fan. "He did a good job and I hope his sons follow in his footsteps." "Truthfully he was the boss, and when you're the boss, you can do whatever you really want to," said another. "He was the boss and he wasn't afraid to make decisions and that's what made him so great. "The guy did whatever it took to win. He really was a winner," said a third. "He didn't take no for an answer." Steinbrenner's passing comes on the heels of the death of Yankees stadium announcer Bob Sheppard, who died Sunday. Starting with Friday's game against Tampa Bay, the Yankees will commemorate both men with uniform patches. Patches for Steinbrenner will appear on both their home and road jerseys on the left side just over the heart. The Sheppard patches will be on the left sleeve of both jerseys. Meanwhile, private funeral arrangements for Steinbrenner are being made. A public service will be announced at a later date. Steinbrenner is survived by his wife Joan, his sons Hank and Hal, daughters Jennifer and Jessica and his 13 grandchildren. Tributes Come Pouring In For "The Boss" Former Yankee Great Yogi Berra: "This is a very sad day for me and Carmen and all of baseball. My sympathies go out to the Steinbrenner family. George was The Boss, make no mistake. He built the Yankees into champions and that’s something nobody can ever deny. He was a very generous, caring, passionate man. George and I had our differences, but who didn’t? We became great friends over the last decade and I will miss him very much." Former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani: "Judith and I express our deepest condolences to the entire Steinbrenner family and of course to the much larger, New York Yankees family. George was a friend of mine for over 30 years. He was truly the most influential and innovative owner in all of sports. He transformed baseball and sports broadcasting with the YES Network and brought New York seven World Series. Beyond that, he made the Yankees a source of great pride in being a New Yorker. George Steinbrenner's Yankees represent the will to overcome all odds which is precisely the will New Yorkers display when meeting every challenge they face. George will be greatly be missed but his legacy will carry on in the hearts and minds of all baseball fans."

Mets Owners Jeff & Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz: “The passing of George Steinbrenner marks the end of an era in New York City baseball history. George was a larger than life figure and a force in the industry. The rise and success of his teams on the field and in the business marketplace under his leadership are a testament to his skill, drive, and determination. All of us at the Mets send our deepest condolences to his wife Joan, his sons Hank and Hal, daughters Jennifer and Jessica, his grandchildren, and everyone at the Yankees organization.”

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig: "George was a giant of the game and his devotion to baseball was surpassed only by his devotion to his family and his beloved New York Yankees. . . I have known George ever since he entered the game in 1972. He was my dear friend for nearly four decades. Although we would have disagreements over the years, they never interfered with our friendship and commitment to each other. Our friendship was built on loyalty and trust and it never wavered. We were allies and friends in the truest sense of the words."

Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz: “It doesn’t matter if you root for the Yankees or the Mets—or, like me, still carry a torch for the beloved Brooklyn Dodgers. We can all agree that this is a dark day for New York City baseball and for professional sports in America. The Yankees’ home turf may be the Bronx, but George Steinbrenner truly exemplified the ‘Brooklyn attitude.’ He was tenacious, tough and settled for nothing less than excellence. With his savvy and baseball smarts, he guided the Yankees into a new golden age. I know that George Steinbrenner, like Yankee great Lou Gehrig, considered himself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth. So let’s honor him by continuing to ‘root, root, root’ for the home team. Because as George himself made clear on so many occasions, if they don’t win, it’s a shame!”

Senator Charles Schumer: "Like New York and like the Yankees, George Steinbrenner was a champion. He was someone about whom you can truly say that there will never be another one like him. . . He was a giant in baseball innovation, making baseball a truly global game. I—along with millions of Yankee fans, many not even in the state of New York—am thankful for the countless hours of joy we have experienced watching his team at the Stadium or following them on television and radio.

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan: “I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Mr. George Steinbrenner today. . . . When I was a young boy and budding baseball fan growing up in Saint Louis, everybody knew of the great New York Yankees. Even when they were your opponent, they were a team to be admired and respected. That is why it was such a great joy to have been invited by Mr. Steinbrenner to join him in his box for the grand opening of the new Yankee Stadium in April 2009, as well as for a World Series game last October. They were experiences I’ll never forget. Mr. Steinbrenner and his family were very warm and welcoming to me, the new kid in town. I’ve since learned that such acts of kindness were very much in keeping with the Steinbrenner tradition, and Catholic agencies here in New York and in Florida were often the beneficiary of his and the Steinbrenner family’s generosity. . . . Of course, the Archdiocese of New York will never forget Mr. Steinbrenner’s tremendous goodness in arranging for Yankee Stadium to welcome Pope John Paul II in 1979 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2008 for the holy sacrifice of the Mass. Mr. Steinbrenner will have a special remembrance in my Masses and prayers."

Edward Cardinal Egan: “Just a few days ago I wrote a letter to Mr. George Steinbrenner to wish him a happy 80th birthday. In my letter I thanked him once again for his extraordinary kindness and generosity to the Archdiocese of New York on the occasion of the Pastoral visit of Pope Benedict XVI to our City two years ago. Thus it is with the deepest sadness that I learned this morning of the passing of this great New Yorker. George Steinbrenner was not only a marvelous leader of the New York Yankees, he was also an exemplary citizen of our community."

NEW YORK. STATE SENATOR ERIC SCHNEIDERMAN IN CAR ACCIDENT.
By Scott Strong and  Jean Jr. Joseph.
State Senator Eric Schneiderman is defending himself after a vehicle he was riding in Monday hit a parked car and left the scene of the accident. An eyewitness claims that Schneiderman, who is running for State Attorney General, was a passenger in the car when it scraped up against a parked car on Ninth Avenue in Chelsea, and then drove away.A mechanic estimates it suffered about $3,000 worth of damage, including a broken rear bumper, rear panel and tail light. Rabinovich, the owner of the car, says she only learned of the accident because a bicyclist witnessed it, recorded Schneiderman’s license plate number, and then remained on the scene until Rabinovich left work for the day. "You're raised to do the right thing. And the right thing would have been to leave a note," Rabinovich said. "It wasn't raining yesterday, the note would have stayed. Just do the right thing .According to New York State law, if someone is involved in an accident, and the person whose vehicle was damaged is not present, the accident must be reported to the police or a judicial officer as soon as possible. "I am not trying to shift off responsibility, my staff member hit this person's car, I've apologized, I'm willing to pay for the repairs. It was not a situation as portrayed in your story, that made it sound like she was careening down the street," Schneiderman said. The staffer who was behind the wheel is Rachel Kagan, the niece of U.S. Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. Schneiderman had just finished an interview on  “Inside City Hall” before the incident. Former State Comptroller Carl McCall, a supporter of the senator, called the incident a “terrible lapse of judgment.”

NEW YORK. BLUMBERG SIGNS LAW OF TEMP MODIFICATION ON SOUND.
By Malherbe Metelus and Patricia Faurelus.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed legislation Tuesday creating a temporary modification on sound permit regulations, paving the way for the Coney Island concert series to go on as planned this week. The vote was scheduled for Monday but was postponed after a public hearing raised some questions that the mayor said he wanted to review with his legal staff. The legislation uses decibels, and not just distance in determining whether to grant sound permits. City codes currently ban concerts from being held within 500 feet of a place of worship. "By creating a 90-day pilot modification, this legislation will help the city determine whether standards for the issuance of sound permits currently in the law can be made more exact and effective," said the mayor's office in a statement. "The 500-foot standard currently in the law was adopted before reliable sound measurement technology was established. We believe focusing on actual sound levels rather then exclusively on distance will better protect the quality of life of all New Yorkers.” The annual "Seaside Summer Concert Series" can now kick off as scheduled on Thursday with a performance by Brooklyn-native Neil Sedaka.

NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT 7/13    
By Jacques Dusseck, Jerry Blumberg, Malherbe Metelus, Jean Jr. Joseph and Scott Strong

IN STATEN ISLAND
* A sloshed motorist really crashed a party at a Bulls Head strip club  driving through the entrance of the jiggle joint and plowing into a patron, authorities said. Albert Carchietta, 53, allegedly rammed through two sets of doors at Lipsticks on Victory Boulevard near Travis Avenue at 4:10 a.m. Saturday. The victim sustained bruises and swelling. Carchietta was charged with reckless endangerment, criminal mischief and operating a vehicle while intoxicated, according to the DA Daniel Donovan's office.

* A suspected crook is feeling the heat after torching the scene of a break-in in Port Richmond, authorities said. Andre Easterling, 35, allegedly smashed the window of an office trailer on Richmond Terrace near Houseman Avenue at about 1 a.m. on June 26 and grabbed a laptop and $80 in cash. Later that morning, he returned to the scene of the crime, doused the trailer with a flammable liquid and set it on fire, court papers say. Cops tracked Easterling down on July 5 and charged him with burglary and arson.

* Two men pulled over for a minor traffic violation were cuffed after cops discovered a loaded gun and drugs in their car, sources said. Elisha Ojo, 21, and Andrew Holmes, 22, were stopped on Goethals Road near the Goethals Bridge Friday when Ojo allegedly failed to signal. When cops discovered he had a suspended license, they searched the car and allegedly found a loaded 9mm Taurus behind the driver's seat and eight ecstasy pills in Ojo's wallet. He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a controlled substance and resisting arrest. Holmes was charged with unlawful use of a firearm.

IN MANHATTAN
*A Central Park worker was busted for selling amusement-ride tickets that were bought with stolen credit-card information, authorities said yesterday. On July 4, Brittany McNeil, 19, jotted down the credit-card info of a Queens man who was buying a ticket for Victoria Gardens at the Wollman Rink, cops said. She allegedly bought tickets with the information. On three other occasions, the suspect picked up extra ducats with other customers' credit-card information, sold them, and pocketed the cash, police said. McNeil was arrested last Wednesday.

* Hell's Kitchen lived up to its name when a woman stabbed her live-in lover there, cops said. Guilnara Kalika, 39, clashed with her beau, also 39, in their apartment on 10th Avenue near West 44th Street at 2 a.m. Saturday. After she threatened to kill him, Kalika grabbed a paring knife and plunged it into the man's stomach, police said. Cops were called and arrested her for assault. The man's wounds were not life-threatening.

* A shoplifter was caught red-handed swiping about $1,300 in clothing from Bloomingdale's, authorities said yesterday. A worker spotted Raphael Adde, 29, grabbing articles from display cases in the Midtown store at 10:30 a.m. last Thursday, police said. He allegedly shoved the merchandise into a bag and attempted to leave, but was stopped by the employee. Adde was charged with grand larceny.

* A teenage boy was arrested for attempting to sodomize a 12-year-old girl in an Upper West Side building, police said yesterday. Don Sneed, 17, allegedly grabbed the victim, an acquaintance, on the sixth-floor stairwell of the apartment building on Amsterdam Avenue near West 62nd Street last Friday. He tried to assault her while covering her mouth so she couldn't scream, police said. The girl got away and reported the incident. Sneed was nabbed the next day and charged with attempted criminal sex act.

IN QUEENS
*A crazed, razor-wielding man was subdued by police after he threatened to kill a man outside a Jamaica watering hole, authorities said. José Belizario, 30, got into an argument with the victim outside Tequila's Bar on Jamaica Avenue near 106th Street about midnight on July 4. He allegedly pulled out a box cutter and threatened, "I'll cut you. I'll cut everybody. I really don't care. Whoever gets in my way. If I have to kill somebody, I will kill somebody." Police nabbed him before he could do any harm. Belizario was charged with menacing, weapons possession and harassment said a spokesman for Queens DA Richard Brown.

 INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS 
By Jacqaues Dusseck, Jerry Blumberg, Scott Strong and Jean Jr. Joseph

IRANIAN NUCLEAR SCIENTIST GOING BACK HOME: SHAHRAM AMIRI.
An Iranian nuclear scientist who claims he was abducted by CIA agents last year and taken to the US is on his way back to Tehran, Iran says.Foreign Ministry officials, who claim they have evidence Shahram Amiri was kidnapped, told state media he had now left the US. The US state department has insisted he was in the US of his own free will. In June, Mr Amiri appeared in three videos giving conflicting stories about how he had arrived in the US. He said in the first that he had been kidnapped by CIA and Saudi agents while on a pilgrimage. Iran continues to declare that he was kidnapped by the Americans and they are clearly going to take full propaganda advantage of his return with Mr Amiri promising to give full details once he is back in his home country Who wins propaganda war? In the second message he said he had gone to the US to improve his education and was living freely in Arizona. In the third, he claimed to have escaped from US custody. On Monday evening Mr Amiri arrived at the Iranian Interests Section of the Pakistani embassy in Washington, which handles Iranian affairs in the US capital, and asked to be repatriated. Since then, he has renewed his allegations that he was kidnapped, giving more details to the Iranian media. But in the US, unnamed officials and security sources are claiming that Mr Amiri defected and was put into a kind of witness-protection programme. Later, he apparently became concerned for family members he had left behind, had a breakdown and decided to return to Iran, US reports claim. Iranian media quoted foreign ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast as saying Mr Amiri would travel back to Iran though a "third country". Continue reading the main story “ Start Quote Mr Amiri has been in the United States of his own free will and he is free to go” said Hillary Clinton. Secretary of State Timeline: Nuclear scientist mystery Profile: Shahram Amiri "With the efforts of the Islamic Republic of Iran and effective co-operation of Pakistan's embassy in Washington, a few minutes ago Shahram Amiri left American soil and is heading back to Iran," Mr Mehmanparast said. Another foreign ministry spokesman later said that the scientist would make a stopover in Qatar. There are no direct flights from the US to Iran. In June, Iran claimed it had handed evidence to the US that the scientist had been abducted. The US had repeatedly said it had no information about Mr Amiri. However, on Tuesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton acknowledged publicly for the first time that the scientist was in the US  but she flatly denied allegations of abduction. "Mr Amiri has been in the United States of his own free will and he is free to go," she said. Iranian media reports say Mr Amiri worked as a researcher at a university in Tehran, but some reports say he worked for the country's atomic energy organisation and had in-depth knowledge of its controversial nuclear programme.

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NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT 7/10    

WORLD CUP SOCCER FINAL. JOHANNESBURG. SPAIN 1 NETHERLANDS 0.
By Jacques Dusseck, Jerry Blumberg and Scott Strong
The great Nelson Mandela attended the final game. The 91-year-old has been put under "extreme pressure" by Fifa to appear, according to his grandson Mandla Mandela. Spain dominated possession in the opening minutes and looked to have the measure of an uncertain Dutch backline. Ramos almost put them ahead after just four minutes but his thunderous header was brilliantly saved by Maarten Stekelenburg. The Netherlands could not get a grip on the game but were helped by a spate of yellow cards from referee Webb that disturbed the rhythm of the match.

Andres Iniesta struck a dramatic winner late in extra time to give Spain World Cup glory for the first time but condemned the Netherlands to their third defeat in a final. Iniesta drilled his left-foot strike across goal - but the Dutch were incensed after referee Howard Webb had failed to award their side a corner moments earlier when a free-kick took a sizeable deflection off Cesc Fabregas. However, Euro 2008 champions Spain, who conceded only two goals during the tournament, deserved their victory after gradually taking a grip on a tense and bad-tempered contest that produced 14 yellow cards with Johnny Heitinga sent off on 109 minutes after picking up a second yellow card. The Dutch, who lost in the 1974 and 1978 finals, were bidding to become the first side since Brazil in 1970 to go through World Cup qualifying and the finals unbeaten. They had a glorious chance to take the lead in the second half but Arjen Robben, comfortably his team's most potent attacking weapon, could find no way past Spain captain Iker Casillas, who slumped to the floor and cried tears of joy after the final whistle.

NEW YORK. THRILLER FEST V AT THE GRAND HYATT IN NEW YORK.
By Jacques Dusseck  
From July 7 to July 10, the Conference floor at the Grand Hyatt was the scene of the excitement with hundred of Books writers assembled to present and discuss their works before the celebrities in attendance to be part of the Thriller Fest with the participation of hundreds of authors of thriller books published all over the United States and Canada.. This year, the excitement grew to new heights for the lovers of thrillers. Kathleen Antrim and Shane Gericke put together readers, agents, publishers, publicists and thrilling friends under the same roof awaiting for the next festival in July 6 to 9 2011.

NEW YORK. YANKEES ANNOUNCER BOB SHEPPARD DIES AT 99.
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg
Longtime Yankee Stadium and New York Giants announcer Bob Sheppard has died. The Yankees say he passed away Sunday morning at his home on Long Island. Sheppard, who began his career with the Bombers in 1951, stayed on the job until illness forced him away from the microphone in 2007. He officially retired last year, but his audio recording still is used to introduce Derek Jeter before each home at-bat. During his career, Sheppard worked about 4,500 baseball games, including 62 World Series games. Sheppard's clear distinctive style led Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson to give him the nickname "The Voice of God." Fans who spoke with NY1 outside Yankee Stadium say he will be missed. "First time I went to a game I was 12 years old and Bob Sheppard's voice came like out of heaven. It was just a beautiful voice. And you know I think Yankees, I think Bob Sheppard," said one Yankees fan. "All my life he's been the Yankee announcer from my first game to four or five years ago. He is the voice of the Yankees, no one can replace him," said another. Sheppard was also the announcer of the football Giants for 50 years before retiring from that job in 2006. A wake will be held for Sheppard on Tuesday and Wednesday on Long Island. His funeral will be held Thursday. Yankees Owner George M. Steinbrenner III said:“I am deeply saddened by the death today of Bob Sheppard, a good friend and fine man whose voice set the gold standard for America’s sports announcers. For over a half century, fans were thrilled to hear his unforgettable voice and players were thrilled to hear his majestic enunciation of their names. Bob Sheppard was a great member of the Yankees family and his death leaves a lasting silence. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Mary, and their family.”

SPY SWAP BETWEEN US AND RUSSIA IS DONE.
By Jacques Dusseck,  Jerry Blumberg and Patricia Faurelus
Hours after the largest spy swap between the United States and Russia since the Cold War occurred on Friday, both sons of confessed spy and former city journalist Vicky Pelaez  that they will remain in New York for now. "I'm doing perfectly fine," said Juan Lazaro Jr., the 17-year-old younger son of Pelaez. "We have each other, we have a lot of people and we're going to do fine." Lazaro's parents  Pelaez, a 55-year-old former El Diario La Prensa columnist, and her husband, 66-year-old photographer Juan Lazaro  were among the 10 admitted Russian agents who arrived in Moscow at around 10 a.m. Friday, after switching places earlier that morning in Vienna, Austria. In exchange, Russia released a plane carrying four people accused of spying for the West, which landed at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C. on Friday afternoon. Back at the Lazaro family home in Yonkers, N.Y., family members told  that as of Friday afternoon they had not heard from the deported couple and were not even sure they made it to Russia safely. "We saw them on television that they were going up in a plane, and our first reaction was to scream at the television and say, 'Hello, here we are,'" said Waldo Mariscal, the 38-year-old son of Pelaez and stepson of Lazaro. Pelaez, the only non-Russian among the 10 confessed spies, was a Peruvian-born, naturalized U.S. citizen, who met her husband in Peru back in the 1980s. The elder Juan Lazaro admitted in court on Thursday that he was not from Uruguay, as he told his family for almost 30 years, but was born in Russia and named Mikhail Vasenkov. Mariscal was dumbfounded that his mother and stepfather were arrested, confessed to spying and deported to Russia within the last two weeks, saying it seemed like something out of a movie or one of his mother's articles. "What I have in here [my mind], and what I have in here [my heart] is that Juan Lazaro is Juan Lazaro, and he is a loving father, very nice father of high integrity," he said. Mariscal also said his mother knew little about Russia. "The only thing Russian she likes is vodka with passion fruit, and that's the only thing she knows about Russia," said Mariscal. The Lazaro family has to move out of the Yonkers home, as it has to be turned over to the government. "Packing many, many things, memories and objects. There's a lot of Peruvian stuff in there," said Mariscal. "And Juan [Lazaro Jr.] may visit his parents, maybe in Peru. We don't know exactly yet." While the younger son also has the option of visiting his parents in Russia before they move on to Peru, it appeared on Friday that he will remain living in New York, at least to finish high school. Also among the 10 spies who were deported to Russia on Friday were former Manhattan resident Anna Chapman, Richard Murphy of Montclair, N.J. and his wife Cynthia, who worked at a Manhattan-based accounting firm. The defendants were arrested last month across the Northeast. According to the U.S. attorney's office, all remaining charges against the 10 spies will be dropped. An 11th suspect, Christopher Metsos, was still at large on Friday. He disappeared after being released on bail in Cyprus.

HARLEM N.Y. AARON MCMILLAN 25, STABBED TO DEATH IN HARLEM.
By Malherbe Metellus and Jean Jr. Joseph
 Police say Aaron McMillan, 25, was stabbed twice in the torso and was later pronounced dead at Harlem Hospital in Manhattan Friday evening. Sources say it happened after a fight at the Jefferson Pool in East Harlem around 7 o'clock last night. They say he was attacked several blocks away on East 118th Street. Area residents say this kind of violence is all too common in their neighborhood. "I mean, things happen in the moment. You hear gunshots and whatever, not really. You always have to have a third eye out there making sure that you're safe," said a local. "It depends on where you walk, where you go. Some spots are good and some spots are bad," said another. "I already know the spots where I should not be, so I know where to go." No arrests have been made.

NEW YORK. ROY ROGERS STUFFED HORSE TO BE AUCTIONED
By Scott Srong and Jacques Dusseck  Some blockbuster items belonging to the late movie cowboy Roy Rogers, including the preserved remains of his horse Trigger, will be on the auction block at Christie's. The horse, stuffed in 1965, is estimated to go for up to $200,000. Rogers's 1964 Pontiac Bonneville convertible, adorned with collectible silver dollars, is estimated to go for $100,000 to $150,000. Other items up for grabs are hand-drawn music from the theme song "Happy Trails" and a few acoustic guitars. Christie's will hold the auction on July 14-15 in Rockefeller Plaza.

NYPD REPORTS
By Jacques Dusseck, Scott Strong, Jerry Blumberg, Jean Jr. Joseph , Malherbe Metellus
IN MANHATTAN
*Cops are looking to catch the bank bandit. Sporting a Met cap and black sunglasses, the unidentified woman went up to a teller in the Bank of America branch on Sixth Avenue near 21st Street at 11 a.m. Wednesday. Sources said she passed a note reading: "This is a robbery. I have a gun inside the bag. This is no joke. Pass all the hundreds." The teller forked over almost $18,000. The 5-foot-4, 160- pound robber was wearing a gray T-shirt, blue jeans and black loafers.

* A serial purse snatcher was bagged for swiping handbags around the borough over four months, authorities said. Shantae Allen, 18, allegedly began her run on March 18 on Third Avenue near 44th Street. She was spotted on surveillance video standing next to an accomplice who grabbed a purse and fled, cops said. 0She and the cohort were seen on tape numerous times, including June 10, when she ripped off a wallet left in a shop on Ninth Avenue near 51st Street, cops said. Investigators busted Allen Tuesday, cops said. She was charged with 36 counts of grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property, said a spokesman for DA Cyrus Vance Jr.

* A prowler who slinked into a swanky SoHo apartment building was arrested by cops. Glenn Johnson, 32, followed residents into a building at Grand and Wooster streets Tuesday afternoon. He allegedly tried to make his way into an apartment, but a worker inside noticed the commotion and called police who nabbed Johnson, cops said.

IN QUEENS
*A gunman shot a 13-year-old boy outside a school in Far Rockaway.The thug began shooting near PS 43 on Beach 29th Street near Seagirt Avenue at 11:30 a.m., police said. The boy, shot in the leg, sought help at a lifeguard station at Beach 32nd Street and The Boardwalk, police said. Detectives were working to determine whether the youth was the intended target.

IN BROOKLYN
*A Brownsville thug struck a man in the face and robbed him after the victim asked for a cigarette, authorities said yesterday. Daquan Washington, 24, was unperturbed when the 31-year-old man, who lives in the suspect's apartment building, asked for a smoke on Bainbridge Street near Ralph Avenue at 11:40 p.m. last Friday, cops said. Washington calmly walked into a nearby building, then emerged minutes later and knocked down the victim with a punch to the face, authorities said. The suspect then grabbed $80 from the victim, cops said. Washington was busted Wednesday and charged with assault, said a spokesman for DA Charles Hynes.

* A gas-company worker molested a woman in her Bushwick apartment, cops said yesterday. National Grid employee Edmond Benjamin, 46, on June 30 threatened to shut off the gas in the woman's Halsey Street apartment if she didn't comply with his sexual demands, sources said. The pushy lout allegedly grabbed the woman's breasts, cops said. The victim's sister walked in during the alleged assault, and Benjamin fled, authorities said. He was busted Wednesday.

* Cops are investigating the shooting death of a man in Bedford-Stuyvesant early yesterday. Police found the 26-year-old wounded in the torso on Halsey Street near Throop Avenue at 3:55 a.m. The man, who had one drug arrest, was pronounced dead at Woodhull Hospital.

IN STATEN ISLAND
* Ndabaningi Brown, 27, paid for a PlayStation with seven bogus $50 bills at the Target store on Veterans Road West near Tyrellan Avenue in Charleston on May 7, cops said. After the sale was completed and the suspect left, store personnel noticed the funny money and spotted Brown on surveillance video, sources said. Police grabbed Brown Wednesday on charges of criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny, said a spokesman for DA Daniel Donovan.

           
INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS 
By Jacques Dusseck, Scott Strong, Jerry Blumberg, Jean Jr. Joseph and M. Metellus
AFGHANISTAN. FIVE US SOLDIERS KILLED
 June was the worst month for coalition casualties since 2001 Five US soldiers have been killed in separate incidents of violence in Afghanistan, Nato has said. Three died in east Afghanistan and two were killed in separate roadside bombings in the south. A sixth American died in an accidental explosion. More than 350 Nato soldiers have been killed this year. In other violence, gunmen killed 11 Pakistani Shia tribesmen in the east and one person was killed by a motorbike bomb in Kandahar. Also on Saturday, hundreds of Afghans took to the streets of the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif in protest at increasing civilian deaths. Nato said the three separate incidents in the east were small-arms fire, a home-made bomb attack and an "insurgent attack" that was not specified. A protest over civilian deaths took place in Mazar-i-Sharif on Saturday The two separate attacks in the south were with improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. The accidental explosion took place in the east. The deaths add to the rising trend of casualties for Nato's International Security Assistance Force. June was the worst month for foreign troop deaths since the US-led invasion in late 2001. In the east of the country, 11 Pakistani Shia tribesmen were killed when gunmen opened fire on their bus, which had taken a detour into Afghanistan to avoid a dangerous route in Pakistan. Buses have been taking the lengthy detours fore the past few years to avoid the direct Kurram to Peshawar route. In Kandahar, a civilian was killed as he drove his car past the motorbike as the bomb planted on it exploded. The blast set cars on fire and damaged a shopping centre. In Mazar-i-Sharif, demonstrators marched to protest against the killing of two civilians by US troops on Wednesday. The new US commander of Nato forces, Gen David Petraeus, has stressed he remains committed to the policy of his predecessor in trying to reduce civilian casualties, a continuing point of contention between the international forces and the Afghan government. Five Afghan soldiers were accidentally killed in a Nato helicopter air strike on Wednesday.

US TO CUT $4 BILLIONS IN AFGHANISTAN AID OVER CORRUPTION.
 Karzai's government has faced numerous allegations of corruption US lawmakers have voted to cut almost $4bn  in aid to the government of Afghanistan, after allegations of corruption. It comes after the Wall Street Journal reported that huge sums of cash had allegedly been flown out of Kabul international airport in recent years. Military operations and humanitarian aid will not be affected by the cuts. But critics fear the move could threaten crucial infrastructure projects in Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Gen David Petraeus, who has replaced Gen Stanley McChrystal as the commander of US forces in Afghanistan, is on his way to brief US allies at Nato headquarters in Brussels. He will then travel to Afghanistan to take up his new post, after he was confirmed by the US Senate on Wednesday. Continue reading the main story I do not intend to appropriate one more dime... until I have confidence that US taxpayer money is not being abused to line the pockets of corrupt Afghan government officials, drug lords and terrorists US Congresswoman Nita Lowey, chair of the subcommittee responsible for aid appropriations, has demanded that an audit is carried out of billions of dollars of past funds. She said that alleged corruption in the Afghan government made taxpayer money hard to justify. "I do not intend to appropriate one more dime for assistance to Afghanistan until I have confidence that US taxpayer money is not being abused to line the pockets of corrupt Afghan government officials, drug lords and terrorists," Ms Lowey said. The money could be reinstated in a few months after a review of Kabul's efforts to tackle the issue. Republican lawmaker Mark Kirk, however, expressed concern that the slashing of funds could put important projects at risk and would not help the war effort. He cited the example of Kandahar's electrical system, which he said was an important step to winning over the residents of the area to the US mission. President Hamid Karzai has denied allegations of corruption by government officials, and has pledged to take a firm stance on the issue. On Monday, the Wall Street Journal claimed that US investigators believed that "Afghan officials and their associates were sending billions of diverted US aid and logistics dollars and drug money to financial safe havens abroad".  The aid cuts will send a very strong message to the Karzai government that they need to do more about corruption. Kabul has meanwhile said that international partners should shoulder some of the blame for failing to provide oversight for contracts, our correspondent adds. The subcommittee has not cut military funds, which are to be debated in a separate bill. Lawmakers are due to vote as early as Thursday on President Barack Obama's request for $33bn in military aid to support a surge of 30,000 troops.

UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 

SECURITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS RECENT SINKING OF KOREA SHIP9 July 2010 – The Security Council today condemned the recent sinking of a Republic of Korea (ROK) naval vessel, stressing the need to prevent further attacks both against the East Asian nation and in the region. Forty-six people onboard the Cheonan ship died when it was sunk in late March. Seoul released the findings of an international report in May that concluded that the vessel was hit by a torpedo launched by its neighbour, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). “The Security Council condemns the attack which led to the sinking of the Cheonan,” the 15-member body said in a statement read out by Ambassador U. Joy Ogwu of Nigeria, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency for this month. It added that such an incident “endangers peace and security in the region and beyond.” The Council expressed its deep concern over the findings of the international report, but noted that the DPRK has “stated that it had nothing to do with the incident.” Welcoming the restraint showed by the ROK, the Council stressed the importance of maintaining peace on the Korean Peninsula as well as in all of North-East Asia. The Council encouraged “the settlement of outstanding issues on the Korean peninsula by peaceful means to resume direct dialogue and negotiation through appropriate channels as early as possible, with a view to avoiding conflicts and averting escalation.” It urged the DPRK to fulfil its commitments under the now-suspended Six-Party Talks which sought to resolve the crisis over the country’s nuclear programme. The Talks – bringing together the DPRK, the ROK, Japan, China, Russia and the United States –have been stalled for more than one year.

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NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT      

NEW YORK. US ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO APPEAL BAIL DECISION ION SPY CASE By Jacques Dusseck and Scott Strong.
The US government plans to appeal a judge's decision to let one of the suspects accused of being part of an alleged Russian spy ring go free. U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara says his office will appeal the ruling that granted bail to El Diario columnist Vicky Pelaez. A Manhattan judge last week said Pelaez could go free if she posted $250,000 bail and agreed to wear a monitoring bracelet. She has not yet been released. A hearing will be held this Wednesday. Pelaez is among 11 defendants charged with spying for Russia for up to a decade with a goal of infiltrating U.S. policy making circles. The government has opposed the release on bail of any of the defendants, saying they would flee if they had theopportunity. Meanwhile, police in Cyprus are still searching the island nation for Christopher Mestos who disappeared after posting bail. Authorities are going through his laptop and USB memory sticks for clues.

NEW YORK. HEAT WAVE CONTINUES AND THOUSANDS WITHOUT POWER. By Jerry Blumberg and Jacques Dusseck
With relief from the heat still days away, New Yorkers are doing whatever they can to stay cool, as Consolidated Edison works to monitor the power grids and fix outages across the five boroughs. As of late Tuesday, the utility was reporting 2,473 outages on Staten Island; 1,905 in Queens; 1,116 in the Bronx; 798 in Brooklyn; and 42 in Manhattan. Due to problems with electrical cables supplying power, Con Ed has reduced voltage to parts of Brooklyn and Queens by five to eight percent. The company says the surge reduction will effect roughly 430,000 customers. In Brooklyn, the neighborhoods affected include Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Gowanus, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Kensington and Dyker Heights. In Queens, the neighborhoods affected include Flushing, Whitestone, College Point, Kew Gardens Hills, Fresh Meadows, Hollis, Bayside, Little Neck and Douglaston. They also include parts of Ridgewood, Glendale, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Maspeth and Middle Village. This comes as Con Ed was expected to break its record of power usage Tuesday. The record amount of electricity usage in the city was set on August 2, 2006, when 13,100 megawatts of power were used. "I do expect for isolated outages to occur through the week," said John Miksad, senior vice president for electrical operations at Con Ed. "We have crews on hand to respond to whatever comes our way. And we know that any outage when temperatures are this high is a major inconvenience to our customers. So we'll look to minimize that impact by restoring our customers as quickly as possible." The power company has added extra crews and support personnel to respond to any service problems. "Postponing the use of large appliances, closing shades and blinds, using fans instead of air conditioners," said Miksad of what residents can do to reduce their impact. "If you are using an air conditioner, set it to 78 degrees." The New York State Independent System Operator, which runs the state's Bulk Electric Transmission System, has asked large office buildings that are part of its demand response program to help reduce the load. One such building on East 52nd Street dimmed lobby lighting, cut back on the number of elevators in service, and raised the air conditioning temperature by four degrees Tuesday. The Office of Emergency Management says it has its eyes on the power situation. "We monitor what's happening in their system," said the commissioner. "We communicate with them, they advise us of what's happening, and our job is to help them in any way possible." Overtaxed electrical wires are already responsible for one incident in Queens Monday night. A fire broke out on an above ground power line, which toppled onto a parked car. New Yorkers Seek Relief From Heat Pools and beaches are expected to draw heavy crowds Wednesday, though not as crowded as they were over the holiday weekend. City pools open at 11 a.m. and stay open until 7 p.m., with an hour break between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. for cleaning. Lifeguards are on duty at city beaches from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day. The city's cooling centers will be open once again Wednesday in all five boroughs. They're expected to remain open until at least Thursday. If you need to head outdoors wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. View more tips on staying cool. "Obviously we want to remind people to be careful," said Office of Emergency Management Commissioner Joseph Bruno. "To stay out of the heat if they can. People under the age of five, children, seniors above the age of 64, are most vulnerable. We want neighbors to look in on neighbors that they know are in there and just make sure they're cool." The state Department of Health has issued an air quality advisory for tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The elderly, young children and those with respiratory diseases are urged to limit activity outdoors. Con Ed Asks New Yorkers To Conserve Energy Consolidated Edison is expecting to set a record for peak usage today, and the utility is asking New Yorkers to do their part to conserve energy. - Keep shades and blinds closed and turn off non-essential appliances - Use washers, dryers and dishwashers early in the morning or at night when demand is lower - Keep your thermostat no lower than 78 degrees.

NEW YORK. QUEEN ELIZABETH IN THE CITY AND AT THE UN.
By Jacques Dusseck and Jean Junior Joseph.
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II received a royal welcome Tuesday during her first trip to the city in more than 30 years. She addressed the United Nations General Assembly for the first time since 1957, when she was 31 years old. After being introduced by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, the queen praised the United Nations, called its achievements remarkable and said the global organization reduces conflicts and offers humanitarian assistance throughout the world. She also spoke about the continuing challenges of terrorism and climate change and said the mission of the United Nations will transcend generations. "When people 53 years from now look back on us, they will undoubtedly view many of our practices as old-fashioned. But it is my hope that when judged by future generations, our sincerity, our willingness to take a lead and our determination to do the right thing will stand the test of time," said the queen. The 84-year-old monarch then laid a wreath at the World Trade Center site to pay tribute to the victims of the September 11th terror attacks. She met Mayor Michael Bloomberg, New York Governor David Paterson and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, and spoke with several families of September 11th victims. "It was very poignant. It was interesting to meet the queen, but for me I was very glad to have the boys see the queen come, because for most of their lives I've been saying that this event is a world event. This really reinforces that message," said Paula Berry, a Brooklyn Heights resident who lost her husband in the World Trade Center attack. Afterwards, the queen opened the British Garden of Remembrance in Downtown Manhattan's Hanover Square to honor the 67 British citizens killed on September 11, 2001. The queen was accompanied by her husband and royal consort, Prince Philip. Their visit to the city lasted just five hours

LINDSAY LOHAN GETS 90 DAYS IN JAIL.
By Scott Strong and Malherbe Metellus
The "Mean Girls" actress got the harsher-than-expected penalty from a no-nonsense Beverly Hills judge for repeatedly blowing off alcohol counseling after two drunken-driving busts. The jail sentence triple what prosecutors were seeking -- caused the red-eyed Lohan, 24, to break down into even more sobs and came after she'd already spent several minutes begging the judge for leniency. "I'm not taking this as a joke  it's my life, and it's my career," the star insisted to stern-faced Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Marsha Revel. Lohan cries at the end of her plea for mercy  then wails and grips the arm of lawyer Shawn Chapman Holley as she learns she’s headed for jail. see more videos "It's something I've worked for my entire life," Lohan said, dabbing her eyes. "I know I was ordered to go once a week, and I wasn't missing classes, I was working, mostly. It wasn't vacation. It wasn't some kind of joke  I've been taking it seriously." Lohan even tried to blame her booze and drug counselors for her mistakes, suggesting that they had approved her absences. "As far as I had known, I was in compliance," she said. "Had I been taken aside and told [otherwise] then, that would have been a different story." But John Marshall, who runs one of the treatment facilities that Lohan attended, said in a letter to the judge, "Her excuses are endless and disrespectful." Revel accused the Long Island-born actress of trying to pull a fast one on her, saying, "It's like somebody who cheats doesn't think it's cheating unless they get caught. Lohan "comes and goes as she pleases," the miffed judge said. "There's been a history of that." Revel had already heard many of Lohan's excuses. After the former Disney child star began lagging on her court-ordered counseling sessions last year, the judge ordered her to step things up and start attending once a week. Instead, Lohan missed classes during seven separate weeks afterward. Some of her excuses ranged from the death of an uncle whose funeral she never attended  to having to be at events to promote a new clothing line. Lohan infamously skipped one class and missed a required court appearance in late May  when she was photographed partying at the Cannes Film Festival. She later said she wasn't able to return to the United States in time for her court date because she had lost her passport. Deputy DA Danette Meyers yesterday mocked Lohan's tears and told the judge that the only way the star would learn a lesson was by being locked up.

NEW YORK. RUSSIAN SPY CASE TO BE APPEALED BY US GOVERNMENT.
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg
The US Government is  planned to appeal a decision to release one of the defendants in the Russian spy case on bail. The announcement came from U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara, four days after bail was set for a U.S. citizen charged in the case. A magistrate judge in Manhattan had said the woman, Peruvian-born Vicky Pelaez, could be released on $250,000 bail with electronic monitoring and home detention. The judge said when he set bail that she could not be released before this week because it would take time to set up the bail requirements. An appeal means that a bail hearing will occur before a federal judge, who will decide whether to uphold the findings of the magistrate judge. Defense attorney John M. Rodriguez said Tuesday that he received a copy of a letter prosecutors had sent the court saying they were appealing. He said he expected his client to remain jailed pending the outcome of a hearing Wednesday afternoon. Pelaez is among 11 defendants charged with being part of a spy ring that prosecutors say for the past ast decade has engaged in secret global travel with false passports, secret code words, fake names, invisible ink and encrypted radio. The government has opposed the release on bail of any of the defendants, saying they would flee if they had the opportunity. Defendant Christopher Metsos disappeared on the Mediterranean island nation of Cyprus soon after a judge there freed him on $32,500 bail. He had been charged by U.S. authorities with supplying funds to the other members of the alleged ring. Pelaez, a prominent Spanish-language journalist, is the wife of a defendant identified in court documents as Juan Lazaro. Prosecutors say he has admitted that his wife passed letters to the Russian intelligence service on his behalf. They say he also has admitted that the name Juan Lazaro is fake, that he wasn't born in Uruguay and that he is not a citizen of Peru, as he had long claimed. Prosecutors say he also admits his home in Yonkers, N.Y., has been paid for by Russian intelligence.

NYPD REPORT 7/7
By Jacques Dusseck, Jerry Blumberg, Jean Jr. Joseph Scott Strongand John Tembeck, Jr.

IN MANHATTAN
*A straphanger with a camera on his shoe was busted for filming up women's skirts in the Columbus Circle subway station, cops said yesterday. Michael Branch, 52, was caught on the southbound A-train platform at 10:30 a.m. Thursday positioning the camera under female straphangers, police said.

* Two goons were arrested for beating a man outside a Midtown bar, police sources said. Robert Bemis and Patrick Bender, both 22, were outside McFadden's Bar on Second Avenue near 43rd Street at 3:05 a.m. Monday when the 23-year-old victim left the saloon and exchanged angry words with them, cops said. The thugs punched and kicked the victim, leaving him with lacerations and a bloody nose, police said. Cops arrested the suspects for assault.

* A thief pretending to have a gun swiped cash and a cell phone from an Upper West Side boutique, police sources said yesterday. The unidentified man, in a jogging suit, stormed into Posies clothing store on Amsterdam Avenue near 75th Street at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. He simulated a gun under his duds, demanded cash from a clerk at the register and ordered her to hand over her cell phone. After the worker yielded the phone and the cash, the crook barked, "Lock yourself in the bathroom; I'll let you know when you can come out." The robber then fled with the stolen property.

* A courageous doorman helped police nab a violent intruder at an Upper West Side high-rise, police said yesterday. The 67-year-old worker was manning his post in The Harmony building on 62nd Street near Columbus Avenue at 3:10 a.m. Sunday when Virginia resident Dicxon Vergaray, 27, walked in and allegedly entered an elevator without permission. The doorman sprang into action, ordering Vergaray to leave. But Vergaray refused, sparking a fight. Police were called and arrested Vergaray.

IN THE BRONX
*Detectives are scouring Mott Haven in search of a gunman who shot and killed a young man. The assailant clashed with Mavon Chapman, 19, at East 149th Street and Morris Avenue at 3:05 a.m. yesterday, cops said. During the dispute, the thug pulled a gun and shot Chapman in the stomach as the victim's friends looked on. The killer fled. Chapman died at Lincoln Hospital.

IN BROOKLYN
*The decomposing body of a woman was found in the trunk of a car yesterday in East Flatbush. A passer-by reported a foul odor coming from a 1998 Lexus sedan parked at East 48th Street and Avenue J just after 3 p.m. Police pried open the trunk to discover the unidentified body.

* A young man and his dad attacked another father-son duo during a road-rage incident in Gravesend, cops said. The victims, a 56-year- old man and his 24-year-old son, were driving on 27th Avenue near Cropsey Avenue Monday at 1:30 p.m. when they were stopped by another vehicle for reasons that are unclear. They started arguing with three men in the other car, and violence erupted when Ramon Fournier Jr., 23, punched the 56-year-old. When the victim's son confronted Junior, the assailant's father, Ramon Fournier Sr., 61, whacked him with block of wood, police said. The suspects' cohort, Hector Jerez, 34, then threatened to kill the older victim with a screwdriver as they all pummeled him, police said. All three alleged perps were busted.

* A bodega worker in Park Slope went ballistic after a cigarette butt landed near his store, cops said. Just before 4 a.m. yesterday, Hussein Al-Khatari, 37, told a smoker on Dean Street near Sixth Avenue not to throw his butt on the sidewalk. When the 49-year-old litterbug flicked his cigarette on the sidewalk anyway, an enraged Khatari allegedly whacked him on the thigh with a stick. Khatari was busted for assault and harassment.

IN STATEN ISLAND
*A scam artist and his female pal tried to hold his girlfriend's car for ransom, cops said. Alexamarie Peloso, 42, called the victim at her Woodrow home at 1 a.m. Monday and demanded $200 to get the car and her boyfriend back, cops said. The woman realized her car keys were missing and alerted police. Peloso was nabbed outside the victim's house while allegedly trying to get the ransom money. The victim's boyfriend, Michael Vieara, 43, was busted later. He told cops he needed the money to buy drugs, police said. Both were charged with criminal possession of stolen property and grand larceny, said a spokesman for DA Daniel Donovan.     

INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS

PARIS, FRANCE. SARKOZY'S CAMPAIN DONATION UNDER INVESTIGATION
The move follows allegations by a former accountant for France's richest woman, Liliane Bettencourt. The accountant reportedly told police she was involved in channelling 150,000 euros  to Mr Sarkozy's presidential campaign in 2007. Mr Sarkozy dismissed claims surrounding the case as a "smear". The money was to be handed over to Eric Woerth, who ran Mr Sarkozy's campaign, according to Mrs Bettencourt's former accountant, Claire Thibout. Her allegations were reported by the French website Mediapart after she made a statement to police on Monday. Mr Sarkozy has been facing growing pressure over the affair, which is linked to a trial over the 87-year-old Mrs Bettencourt's estimated 17bn euro fortune that opened briefly last week before being adjourned. Mr Woerth, who has denied the allegations, is currently minister for labour in Mr Sarkozy's government and is leading efforts to push through a major pension reform. He has rejected calls for his resignation. In a television interview on Tuesday he dismissed what he called "a political plot orchestrated by the Socialist Party". Earlier that day, opposition MPs had walked out of the French parliament after a minister accused them of extreme-right tactics for repeatedly asking about the allegations. The comments were a reference to extreme-right newspapers that denounced the French political class in the 1930s. Mr Woerth, who is treasurer for Mr Sarkozy's UMP party, has also come under scrutiny because his wife worked for the company that managed Mrs Bettencourt's fortune, and their names emerged in tapes secretly recorded by Mrs Bettencourt's butler. The tapes have been offered as evidence in the trial that opened last week. In the trial, Mrs Bettencourt's daughter Francoise is suing celebrity photographer Francois-Marie Banier, a close friend of her mother's, for allegedly exploiting her mental fragility to gain access to her fortune. Mrs Woerth recently resigned from her position, and both she and her husband have denied any conflict of interests.

LONDON. BRITISH TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN TO MOVE OUT OF SANGIN.
The UK has suffered its heaviest losses in the area, with 99 deaths since 2001. About 1,000 Royal Marines are expected to leave and be redeployed to central Helmand by the end of 2010. The military insists the move is a redeployment, now there are more US troops on the ground, but the Taliban are certain to portray it as a defeat. Last month Britain handed over command in Helmand to a US general. Maj Gen Richard Mills, of the US Marine Corps, assumed control of all Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) troops in Helmand on 1 June.

SANGIN is the most dangerous place for foreign troops in Afghanistan Nearly a third of Britain's more than 300 military deaths have been in and around the town Difficult terrain for troops - warren of dirt tracks often too narrow for vehicles Easy bomb-planting territory for Taliban and good cover for snipers Mix of rival tribes complicates local politics Northern Helmand district is at heart of opium-growing industry Dr Fox told MPs UK forces had made "good progress" in Sangin, but the move would enable Britain to concentrate on Helmand's busy central belt, leaving the north and south to the US. "The result will be a coherent and equitable division of the main populated areas of Helmand between three brigade-sized forces, with the US in the north and the south, and the UK-led Task Force Helmand, alongside our outstanding Danish and Estonian allies, in the central population belt," he told the Commons. About 300 logistic and security troops British troops - from the Theatre Reserve Battalion stationed at Episkopi in Cyprus  will be sent to Helmand to help with the redeployment, he said. The Theatre Reserve Battalion for Afghanistan is currently provided by the 2nd Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment. Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, David Cameron told MPs this was the "key year" to step up the military and political pressure in the country. "It's time to maximize the pressure now and then bring our forces home as we train up the Afghan army and police force to do the job that needs to be done," he said. UK forces should not be there in a "combat role, or in significant numbers" in five years time, he added. Father of soldier killed in Afghanistan Conservative MP and former British army officer Patrick Mercer said the handover was a routine move and should under no circumstances be considered a retreat.  "It's absolutely straightforward and normal in coalition warfare like this for units to serve under foreign command, but it's not necessarily desirable. "There are now enough troops for this no longer to be necessary and any suggestion that British forces are being beaten out of Sangin or returning with their tails between their legs is not just disingenuous, it's actually disgusting." Ian Sadler, whose son Jack, 21, died north of Sangin in December 2007, said the US takeover would allow British troops to "consolidate" and "build a better base... in a smaller area influence". "This is a Nato exercise, it's not the British out there fighting separately to the Americans, the Polish, the Canadians, we're all out there together," Gen Sir Richard Dannatt, the former head of the British army, said it was likely that the number of deaths would increase to 400 but the coalition had to continue its commitment to Afghanistan. Today program that the troops had been spread thinly and added that "inevitably made the small number of British soldiers like flies in a honey pot and we got into this cycle of fighting". Of the 312 UK deaths in Afghanistan since 2001, a third have taken place in Sangin, currently home to 40 Commando Royal Marines.

Col Stuart Tootal, who commanded the first UK battle group of of 1,200 soldiers sent into Sangin four years ago said the number of deaths that had taken place in Sangin meant there was a lot of "emotion" attached to the area. He said: "It makes no sense from a logistic and command point of view to keep a British battle group away from its main brigade when it's now an American area and there are American troops to take over from them. "This reflects good practical military sense and we shouldn't allow emotion or misinterpretation to be put above that." Sangin is the latest part of the province to be handed over to US control after the town of Musa Qaleh in March and the Kajaki dam last month. It has witnessed some of the fiercest fighting the British military has endured since World War II, and contains a mix of rival tribes. It is also a volatile northern district at the heart of the opium-growing industry. The UK's 8,000 forces in Helmand are greatly outnumbered by the 20,000 US Marines sent there by President Barack Obama. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Defense has named a soldier who was killed on Monday by a roadside bomb in the Nahr-e Saraj district of Helmand province as Trooper James Anthony Leverett, 20, of the Royal Dragoon Guards.

UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 

QUEENS ELIZABETH II ADDRESSES THE UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
 Addressing the United Nations for the first time in more than 50 years, Queen Elizabeth II today lauded the world body for its many achievements, while exhorting it to continue playing its lead role in the cause of peace and prosperity for all. “In my lifetime, the United Nations has moved from being a high-minded aspiration to being a real force for common good. That of itself has been a signal achievement,” the British monarch, who was accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, told the General Assembly. She noted that for over six decades, the UN has helped to shape the international response to global dangers. “The challenge now is to continue to show this clear and convening leadership while not losing sight of your ongoing work to secure the security, prosperity and dignity of our fellow human beings.” Queen Elizabeth is the Head of State of 16 of the UN’s 192 Member States and head of the Commonwealth of 54 countries. She last addressed the General Assembly in 1957 at the age of 31, four years after she was crowned queen. She noted that during her reign, the world has witnessed tremendous changes, including in science and technology, as well as social attitudes. “Remarkably, many of these sweeping advances have come about not because of governments, committee resolutions, or central directives – although all these have played a part – but instead because millions of people around the world have wanted them,” she stated. “For the United Nations, these subtle yet significant changes in people’s approach to leadership and power might have foreshadowed failure and demise. Instead, the United Nations has grown and prospered by responding and adapting to these shifts.” The Queen added that while many things in the world have changed, the aims and values which inspired the UN Charter endure – to promote international peace, security and justice; to relieve and remove the blight of hunger, poverty and disease; and to protect the rights and liberties of every citizen  have not. She highlighted some of the UN’s “remarkable” achievements, including helping to reduce conflict, offering humanitarian assistance to millions of people affected by natural disasters and other emergencies, and tackling the effects of poverty in many parts of the world. At the same time, she noted that much remains to be done, from achieving the global anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by their 2015 deadline to tackling new and emerging challenges such as terrorism and climate change. Calling her “a living symbol of grace, constancy and dignity,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed his gratitude for the Queen’s dedication to the common values embodied by the UN. “With you at the helm, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth have contributed immensely to the United Nations,” said Mr. Ban, who noted that the four largest providers of UN peacekeeping troops today are Commonwealth countries. “Around the world, you are working with us to foster development, advance human rights, and promote global security,” he said. “In September, we will gather to advance this mission further still by pushing for progress towards the Millennium Development Goals,” he added, referring to the high-level summit he will convene in New York to advance progress on the MDGs. General Assembly President Ali Treki said the UN is focused on making the world a better place, to stand for justice and for peace, to relieve suffering and to help the poor lift themselves out of poverty. “Many times, we come up short and do not live up to our commitments or meet the expectations that are laid upon us,” he stated. “But through your sense of duty and tireless public service you have demonstrated to those of us at the United Nations that we must not waver from our purpose and must remain steadfast in our will and determination because the poor, the disadvantaged and the weak do not have the luxury of our failure.”

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NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT    

ELMONT, L.I. NEW YORK. TRAGEDY IN A HAITIAN AMERICAN FAMILY.
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg
Last Friday June 24, Police arrested 24 year old Dario Omejuste in the double homicide of .his father  65 years old Robert Bob Omejuste and his brother, NY correction officer Guerby Omejuste, 30.The murder took place on Wednesday.Officers found the bodies in the kitchen. It is alleged that Dario Omejuste used his brother's service revolver for the killing. Information from close friends of the family, let it known that Dario Ojmejuste was a drug user. It is alleged that he was about to kill his mother Rose who had a chance to run away and drove the family car. Authorities charged the officer’s brother Thursday with two counts of murder. According to reliable information the Omejuste family has its origin from the Department of Artibonite in a town called Petite Rivière. An evening wake for the dead father and his son took place at a funeral home in Elmont and attended by  several Haitian and American friends of the family as well as some members of the NYPD Correction Officers. The funeral will take place this Saturday July 3 in Elmont, while Dario Omejuste is in custody charged for two counts of second-degree murder. New York City Police have also been alerted, because Elmont borders the city line, police said. Guerby Ormejuste was a three-year veteran of the Department of Correction and was assigned to Riker’s Island, officials said. Preliminary indications show that he and his father were fatally shot with a handgun the officer obtained “for his law enforcement career,” detective  Azzata said. He added an autopsy would determine how many times each man had been shot. The department of correction issued a statement calling Ormejuste “a fine young correction officer with a bright career ahead of him. The department and all of its officers and staff are saddened by this family tragedy, and we mourn his loss.”

WORLD CUP SOCCER. TRAGEDY FOR GHANA. URUGUAY WINS ON PENALTY By Jacques Duseck and Scott Strong
Uruguay reached the semi-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 1970, but ended the hopes of Africa after winning a truly extraordinary match at Soccer City on a penalty shoot-out. Ghana seemed certain to become the first African side to reach the last four of the competition when Luis Suarez saw red after handling on the line in the dying seconds of extra-time. However, striker Asamoah Gyan, who had already converted two penalties in South Africa, skimmed the crossbar with the last kick of the game. Gyan showed incredible guts to take the first spot-kick of the shoot-out but John Mensah and Dominic Adiyiah both had their low strikes saved by Fernando Muslera. And Sebsatian Abreu then showed ice-cold composure to dink the decisive penalty beyond Richard Kingson as Uruguay sealed a semi-final tie against the Netherlands. Suarez's deliberate handball, which came seconds after he had legitimately blocked one goal-bound effort with his knee, was a gamble that paid handsome dividends. It was a truly remarkable final few minutes, surely some of the most dramatic in World Cup history, and came at the end of an engrossing and occasionally bad-tempered contest. Both teams enjoyed periods in the ascendancy - and both were guilty of wasting numerous opportunities. Sulley Muntari, almost kicked out of the squad after criticizing coach Milovan Rajevac earlier in the competition, struck a long-range opener on the stroke of half-time, while the impressive Diego Forlan equalized with a free-kick 10 minutes after the restart. La Celeste controlled the early part of the contest and their early endeavors twice brought them close to scoring but each time they were denied by Kingson.

The first was a reaction save after John Mensah inadvertently deflected a corner towards his own goal and the second an athletic finger-tip effort to deny Suarez, who will be suspended for the semi-final, after the striker capitalized on a slip by Isaac Vorsah. But the South American side, already without injured defender Diego Godin, lost skipper Diego Lugano to injury towards the end of the first half, his withdrawal coming at a time when the Black Stars had started to find a foothold in the match. Rajevac's side had offered almost nothing in attack until Vorsah, recalled in defence in place of the suspended Jonathan Mensah, headed wide from a corner just before the half-hour mark. Gyan then narrowly missed after the industrious Kevin-Prince Boateng picked him out in front of the deep-sitting Uruguay defence with a square ball, while Mutari headed wide after latching on to a raking pass. Even so, it looked as though the match would be goalless at the break until Muntari, gifted the time to assess his options, unleashed a vicious 40-yard strike that caught Muslera off guard. Uruguay brought on Nicolas Lodeiro at the break and the game quickly became stretched as Tabarez's team searched for an equalizer. Edinson Cavani felt he should have been awarded a penalty after he went down under a challenge from Vorsah, but there was no doubt about Forlan's free-kick from a wide angle that drew his team level. Ghana had repeated opportunities to strike on the counter, but they wasted a series of excellent positions with poor pass selection, while Gyan tangled repeatedly with several different members of the Uruguay defense. Uruguay created two good chances for Suarez but he could only guide a cross from Forlan into the side-netting at the far post and drill in a strike that Kingson palmed over. Andres Scotti blocked a shot from Gyan in the first half of extra-time and, minutes before the shoot-out, almost kicked the ball into his own net as he tried to clear it away from the dangerous Ghana striker. The Black Stars were dominant in the closing minutes of extra-time as their opponents visibly tired and, after Suarez twice denied Adiyiah, once illegally, the match took its dramatic final twist.

WORLD CUP SOCCER. TRAGEDY FOR BRAZIL THE NETHERLANDS IN ACTION By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg.
The Netherlands produced a stunning second-half comeback to reach the semi-finals as Brazil's World Cup imploded in a dramatic game in Port Elizabeth. After taking an early lead through Robinho's cool finish, the pre-tournament favorites were pegged back following an awful defensive mix-up early in the second-half and were found wanting in defence again soon afterwards when Wesley Sneijder headed in. Brazil found themselves in even deeper trouble when Felipe Melo saw red for stamping on Arjen Robben with 17 minutes to go and, although Dunga's side gave everything in a thrilling finale, they crashed out in the quarter-finals for the second successive tournament. It is the Netherlands who will go forward to play Uruguay or Ghana in the semi-finals and they have blown this World Cup wide open after putting paid to the idea that South American sides were set to dominate in South Africa. Of the four teams from that continent in the last eight, Brazil were seen as the most likely to progress - and, for the first 45 minutes at least, it appeared they would not have too many problems in doing so. The Netherlands have won renown for their defensive discipline in the last few weeks but that was nowhere to be seen when Robinho opened the scoring after 10 minutes. The Dutch back-line had been forced to re-organise before kick-off when Joris Mathijsen was injured in the warm-up, with Andre Ooijer coming in, and he and fellow centre-back John Heitinga left a huge hole for Robinho to run on to Felipe Melo's pass and slot home. Bert van Marwijk's side, who came into the game on the back of a 23-game unbeaten run, attempted to respond and Dirk Kuyt brought a low save out of Julio Cesar at his near post. But other than that chance - and a blasted Sneijder free-kick that Julio Cesar also dealt with comfortably - the Netherlands were unable to open up Brazil, who were superbly marshaled at the back by Juan. Dunga's side were not exactly in full-flow going forward themselves but they would still have been out of sight at half-time had it not been for Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg. Stekelenburg brilliantly tipped over Kaka's curling shot after a neat move down the left involving Robinho and Luis Fabiano and also got a hand to Maicon's fierce shot after Dani Alves sent him forward on the overlap down the opposite flank. It seemed Brazil were still in full control but that all changed after the interval when they gifted the Dutch an equalizer that completely changed the course of the game. Sneijder whipped in a cross from the right after a quick free-kick and Julio Cesar, in trying to punch clear, only succeeded in colliding with Felipe Melo and the ball flicked off his team-mate's head and flew into the net. Brazil took time to regain their composure but they remained a threat and Kaka came within inches of restoring their lead when he clipped the ball wide after latching on to Ooijer's clumsy clearance. The Dutch, however, sensed a weakness at the heart of the South Americans' defense and they took full advantage after 68 minutes when another cross caused chaos in the Brazil back-line. Kuyt flicked on Robben's corner at the near post and Sneijder headed in, sending the army of Oranje fans at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium wild with elation From being well on top, Dunga's side were now chasing the game and their hopes of rescuing their World Cup were dealt a huge blow when Felipe Melo inexplicably stamped on Robben after conceding a free-kick five minutes later. Despite being a man down, the five-time champions had no choice but to throw men forward, and left huge gaps at the back in the final few minutes. The closest Brazil came to saving themselves were a succession of Maicon corners, from one of which Lucio had a goal bound shot deflected wide. But the Netherlands had several chances to add a third goal in final few minutes too, with Sneijder having a shot saved and Klass Jan Huntelaar hesitating when he had the simple task of teeing up Dirk Kuyt from six yards out.

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NEW YORK. THE FANCY FOOD SHOW OPENING AT THE JARVIS CENTER
By Jacques Dusseck, Jerry Blumberg, Jean Jr. Joseph and Elizabeth Menos
This Sunday June 27, the NASFT is offering its very special food show to more than 39,000
food lovers in Manhattan. Doug Fleener will open as the first speaker  in How to create and Profit with Customer Advocates. Ann Daw, the NASFT President, hopes that this year's show could record double-digit increases over the 2009 Summer show, since the exhibit floor is sold out. Domestic and International  exhibitors, over 2,500, will be displaying about 180,000 specialty food products. On the International side of exhibitors, the most popular had been the French, Italian and Spanish participants, as observed by the past visitors of the show for years. It is always a pleasure to attend the works of the culinary innovators. We will file more stories about this special event that makes New York the best place to be seen on all occasions. It is good to know about the French Food in the United States.It may be hard to define simply, but what we do know is that from the desire for regional products to the surge in ingredient-driven “bistronomie” to a renewed interest in traditional cooking, passion for the best of France is just getting stronger. Let us know what Pascale Le Draoulec says:

When “Julie & Julia” was playing at the movie theater across the street from Rubiner’s Cheesemongers & Grocers, in Great Barrington, Mass., customers poured into the gourmet shop after each screening, seeking out something, anything French. “They came in human waves,” says Owner Matt Rubiner, whose “epicerie” is famous in the Berkshires for its prized cheeses and luxury items like foie gras and chocolat fin. “They snapped up everything [French] they could.” In the year since the film left theaters, leaving a whiff of beurre noir in its wake, Rubiner has noticed a marked interest in certain French products that are authentic and hyper-regional: Salt-kissed caramels from Brittany, nougats from Montelimar, even tins of wild snails from Burgundy are selling briskly for the first time ever, he reports. It’s hard to say whether it was the film that put “traditional French” back in the culinary zeitgeist, or if it’s just where American foodies are in their culinary evolution but, Rubiner says, customers are definitely reaching for the labels that most scream “bleu blanc rouge”like a retro box of Epices Rabelais  depicting a knife-wielding chef posed to slaughter a hapless pig. Françoise Bureau Crook, whose Worcester, Mass.-based company, Crossings, imports French epicurean specialties, agrees that regionalism is key in French food retail these days, be it small-batch olive oils from Provence, Concarneau sardines or jams from the orchards of Gascogne. Food lovers seek “a traceable provenance” for their splurge. She says the “eat local” movement stateside dovetails perfectly with a long tradition of artisanal food production in France. Even though an olive oil from Provence isn’t exactly “local to us,” she notes, it is locally made elsewhere by a small and dedicated producer, satisfying shoppers’ desire for something “sustainable and sophisticated.” And whether Nora Ephron can take the credit or not, Crook has noticed that people are splurging less on gift items and more on items for “a well-stocked pantry.” In restaurants, however, French and “high end” isn’t necessarily the trendy combination it once was. The top-tier French restaurants, Per Se, Le Bernardin, Jean-Georges, Daniel, have, in fact, been wowing diners for years but few new unabashedly “haute” French cuisine restaurants have stepped up to give them a run for their money. French bistros and brasseries like David Meyers’ hip “Comme Ça” in Los Angeles and Balthazar in New York, continue to multiply and thrive thanks to their gentler prices, laid-back style and the timelessness of their dishes. But unmistakably French high-end restaurants are more elusive, often hiding behind other descriptors like “California-French,” “French-Vietnamese” or “farm to table”—a style of cookery that has been in vogue in France for, well, eons. Jennifer Baum, whose national public relations firm, Bullfrog & Baum, represents such well-branded French chefs as Joel Robuchon and Laurent Tourondel, says, “While people have an affection for fancy French restaurants, they also remember those stuffy dining rooms, with their heavy sauces, heavy linens and their stiff upper lip service.” “Who wants to eat like that anymore?” she asks. Last December, the restaurant critic for The New York Times gave La Grenouille, the last bastion of blanquette de veau in New York City three stars. Some read the glowing review as an homage to all the ” restaurants La Caravelle, La Cote Basque, Le Perigord that have shuttered in the past decade. Others saw it as a welcome mat for a return to classical French dining. Both the review and “Julie & Julia”, have stirred up a national conversation about the status of French cuisine in America. “The truth is, if you put ten people in a room, no one will agree on what defines French cuisine today,” says Baum. That, she says, makes it very difficult “to crave it.” If anyone should be able to define French cuisine stateside, it’s Laurent Gras, executive chef at L20 in Chicago, who says his career has straddled two completely different eras of French cookery. The French-born chef worked alongside a veritable “Who’s Who” of Michelin-starred chefs, including Alain Senderens, Jacques Maximin, Guy Savoy and Alain Ducasse, before coming to America in 1997. He toqued at San Francisco’s Fifth Floor before opening the modern seafood restaurant L20, Esquire’s 2008 pick for Restaurant of the Year. Gras says he came to America at the peak of his career, precisely because there was more opportunity for a young French chef eager to spread his wings and think outside the Escoffier box. Today, Gras plays with mole sauces and sashimi, and uses jalapeños, miso and white soy sauce—ingredients that would never make it to mise en place in a more traditional French kitchen. With so many French chefs now open to experimentation and using exotic ingredients, “it’s hard to pin down what makes a restaurant ‘French,’” says Gras. Though he has an opinion: “The overall quest for perfection and consistency, that’s what defines a French restaurant in America today,” more than what’s flavoring a reduction, he says. Complicating the issue is that French cuisine is undergoing a radical reinvention on its home turf. After watching Spain steal their culinary thunder for several years, young maverick chefs in France have been fleeing temples of gastronomy to open more casual bistros where they are free to cook in their blue jeans and, more importantly, tinker with a Bearnaise far from the pressures of the Michelin galaxy. “Just as talented American chefs struggled 20 years ago to break free from the clam chowder and barbecue stereotype, French chefs are trying to distinguish themselves from quenelles and canard a l’orange,” says Peter X. Kelly, of the award-winning French/New American Xaviar’s restaurant in Piermont, N.Y. This gutsy new ingredient-driven French bistro cuisine, dubbed “bistronomie”, has been, in fact, blossoming here as well, but often under the guise of “new American” and in restaurants instead of bistros. French bistros in the states are typically more classic than edgy. Dorothy Cann Hamilton, founder of the French Culinary Institute in New York City, shrugs off suggestions that French fine dining is on its last legs or worse yet, that it’s going through an identity crisis. French cuisine stateside “is in a state of rediscovery,” she says, thanks, in part, to the “Julie & Julia” film but also due to a natural evolution of things. For a long time, Americans “were acting like angry adolescents, turning their back on everything French.” But just as most teenagers eventually grow up and come to understand their parents, “chefs here are recognizing that French technique is at the very core of great cooking, ” she points out. “It is French technique that turns a potato into a perfect frite.”

NEW YORK. WORLD SOCCER. DISAPPOINTMENT. US ELIMINATED BY GHANA.
By Jean Jr Joseph, Jacques Dusseck and Malherbe Metelus 
Excitement turned to disappointment as New Yorkers watched the United States become eliminated from the World Cup on Saturday, after Ghana won 2-1 in overtime. In the fifth minute, Kevin-Prince Boateng scored a goal for Ghana and gave the African team a solid lead through the first half. Then in the second half, the U.S. team was awarded a penalty kick, which allowed Landon Donovan to score and tie up the game. But in overtime, Ghana recaptured the lead after Asamoah Gyan scored a goal. Former President Bill Clinton and rock legend Mick Jagger were among those watching the game in Rustenburg, South Africa. At local bars and restaurants like Nevada Smiths in the East Village, devoted fans started gathering at 7 a.m. in anticipation, and said it was worth watching the United States' last stand in the World Cup. Interestingly, Ghana also eliminated the United States from the 2006 World Cup. "It's the World Cup, bro. We had a chance, we had a chance," said David Cruz, a visibly emotional fan. "The second year we lost to them, why do we always give up the goal at the last window?" The Americans earned their spot in this tournament's Round of 16 when Donovan scored in the 91st minute of Wednesday's soccer match against Algeria. The victory put the United States on top in Group C and it was the first time since 1930 that the United States has been undefeated in its group. It was also the fifth time the U.S. team made it into the Round of 16.  "We actually have something to look forward to in the next four years. We see how the younger players are getting better, so we know it's only going to get better in the next four years," said one local soccer fan. "Soccer's growing in America. We're getting better and it showed this year. Next World Cup, we're only going to be better," said another. "Honestly, like the USA-England game, I haven't seen a crowd like that since the [New York] Knicks in the '90s, when they were good. It was impressive," said a soccer fan in Nevada Smiths. "Soccer growing in this country will be really tough until we get a good domestic league, and we don't have a domestic league, but hopefully people carry on and we can get more interest in the game and get better players to play for our national team." Earlier Saturday, playing through the wind and the rain, Uruguay took the lead over South Korea in the eighth minute when Diego Forlan set up a shot for striker Luis Suarez, who put it away in the net. South Korea tied it up in the 68th minute with a header when Uruguay's goalkeeper left the line to punch away a looping ball, but Suarez struck again in the 80th minute to help Uruguay win 2-1. Uruguay will play Ghana in the semifinals next Friday.

ALBANY, NY. SPECIAL SESSION THIS SUNDAY FOR THE STATE BUDGET.
By Scott Strong, Jacques Dusseck and John Tembeck, Jr.
Governor David Paterson is expected to call state lawmakers to a special session on Sunday to deal with the budget, after legislative leaders announced on Saturday that they reached a two-way budget deal that rejects many executive proposals. The agreement reached by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson restores $600 million to state school aid. Another $683 million in health care cuts that were proposed by Governor David Paterson were also restored, including $46.8 million in Medicaid cuts. Legislative leaders said a portion of the restored state school aid would go for "meaningful property tax relief," but Paterson has previously opposed such a proposal. The agreement does not address how the state will raise revenue for the restored aid, but Democratic sources said that does not need to be immediately figured out. The state Legislature is expected to pass the bills and present them to the governor. As they were originally the governor's bills, the bills will immediately become law. Paterson is unable to veto them and can only strike out items that he does not like. The governor can force a special session on Sunday evening, but cannot force the Legislature into voting on anything. Lawmakers could quickly gavel in and out, like they did during last summer's State Senate coup. By Saturday night, it was not known whether the governor's office would try to challenge the legality of the restored state funding. As of Saturday, New York's state budget had been overdue 87 days

 NYPD REPORT  7/2
By Jacques Dusseck, Jerry Blumberg, Jean Jr. Joseph and John Tembeck, Jr.  

IN THE BRONX
*A man was found fatally gunned down behind the wheel of a car in Edenwald, authorities and sources said. Responders rushed to the Boston Secor Houses on Bivona Street near Boston Road at 12:20 p.m. yesterday and discovered the 37-year-old Frasier Bertrand, slumped over in a 2005 Honda Sources said the victim lived in the neighborhood and had several run-ins with the law.

*Two bandits made off with $25,000 in gems from a Fordham jewelry store. The crooks walked into Spectrum Jewelry on East Fordham Road near Valentine Avenue at 8 p.m. Tuesday, cops said. One of the thugs asked to see some pieces and, while the clerk was assisting him, the other bandit jumped over the counter and grabbed a display board containing baubles. The thieves fled with the booty, and the manager gave chase, briefly capturing one of the men, who broke free and fled with his cohort.

IN MANHATTAN
*A camera-toting pervert was busted after he was caught filming miniskirted gals in SoHo, police said. Cops spotted Jaime Rios, 45, with a camera trained on a woman at Lafayette and Canal streets at 4 p.m. Tuesday, authorities said. When they approached him, Rios confessed to his cinematic sins, saying, "I left my house and took the train and filmed three women with miniskirts. I was walking on Canal and filmed one more. I do this for personal use. I'm sorry and regret this," according to arrest records. Rios was charged with unlawful surveillance, said a spokesman for DA Cyrus Vance Jr. A West Side bodega burglar made a break for it after being busted but didn't get far, authorities said yesterday.

*Ronel Joseph, 30, was prowling in the basement of the Greenleaf Deli on Amsterdam Avenue near 85th Street at 8:25 a.m. Monday, cops said. An officer on patrol spotted Joseph and grabbed the suspect, who was brought outside in handcuffs, sources said. Joseph allegedly broke free and began running, but the cop tackled him, authorities said.

*A woman this week reported having been raped by two men last year after they partied in Greenwich Village, police said. The 29-year-old woman, who filed a police report Monday, said she met two men at around 1 a.m. last Nov. 15. She then reportedly went with them to the Falucka bar on Bleecker Street near Sullivan Street, where she says she consumed more alcohol. She says that at the second tavern, she began feeling faint, as if she had been drugged. The men allegedly escorted her to an apartment, where she says she was powerless to prevent them from raping her. It was unclear why she waited to report the alleged attack.

IN BROOKLYN
*A motorist stabbed a man over a parking space in Flatbush, authorities said yesterday. The case of curbside rage unfolded at 2:10 p.m. Wednesday when Wayne St. Omer, 32, approached a parked vehicle and asked the 42-year-old victim inside if he was about to move from the spot at Ocean Avenue and Cortelyou Road, cops said. St. Omer allegedly pulled a knife and plunged it into the victim's stomach. He was soon busted for assault, said a spokesman for DA Charles Hynes. The victim was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Kings County Hospital.

*A Crown Heights man attacked an 86-year-old neighbor over a bag, authorities said yesterday. Eugenio Santos, 34, tried to take the bag from the old-timer in an apartment building on Montgomery Street near Nostrand Avenue at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday, cops said. The victim wouldn't let go, and Santos shoved the old-timer. The victim, whose head hit a railing, briefly lost consciousness and suffered a deep laceration requiring stitches. Santos was arrested that day and charged with assault.

*Gun-toting Jaymes Harris, 41, was arrested for firing eight shots -- all of which missed -- at an ex-pal in Cypress Hills, authorities said. At 9 p.m. on June 22, Harris went to the residence of the 39-year-old victim's mother, who summoned her son to speak to the visitor, police said. When the victim came out, Harris allegedly squeezed off eight rounds, all of which missed the guy and his mom. Harris was busted Wednesday and charged with attempted murder.

*Cops identified a man who died from gunshot wounds outside of his home in Brownsville. DeCarlo McGee, 21, who had a criminal record, was shot in the stomach at the Breevort Houses Wednesday night, police said.

 UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 

UN CREATES ENTITY TO PROMOTE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT.
 In a bid to accelerate the empowerment of women, the General Assembly today voted unanimously to create a dynamic new entity merging four United Nations offices focusing on gender equality, a move hailed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and other senior officials. “The newest member of the UN family has been born today,” Mr. Ban told the Assembly after it passed the resolution setting up the new UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, to be known as UN Women. “This is truly a watershed day,” he declared. The new body will merge four of the world body’s agencies and offices: UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW), the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues, and the UN International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (UN-INSTRAW). “By bringing together four parts of the UN system dedicated to women’s issues, Member States have created a much stronger voice for women and for gender equality at the global level,” said the Secretary-General. “It will now be much more difficult for the world to ignore the challenges facing women and girls – or to fail to take the necessary action,” he added. UN Women is the result of years of negotiations among Member States and advocacy by the global women’s movement. Set to become operational next January, it will drive the world body’s efforts to promote women’s rights. UN Women is set to have an annual budget of at least $500 million – double the current combined resources of the four agencies it will comprise. Mr. Ban acknowledged that many Member States are facing resource constraints due to the global economic downturn, but expressed confidence that the new office will receive strong financial support. “Today’s action will do more than simply consolidate United Nations offices,” Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro told reporters earlier today. “It will consolidate the United Nations strengths.” She noted that while the UN has made significant strides, it has also faced serious challenges such as inadequate funding and fragmentation. One of the main goals of UN Women will be to support the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and other inter-governmental bodies in devising policies. The new body will also aim to help Member States implement standards, provide technical and financial support to countries which request it, and forge partnerships with civil society. Within the UN, it will hold the world body accountable for its own commitments on gender equality. “UN Women will give women and girls the strong, unified voice they deserve on the world stage,” Ms. Migiro said, calling today a “positive and exciting moment” for the entire UN family. Set to be based in New York, UN Women will be headed by an Under-Secretary-General, to be appointed by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The UN, said General Assembly President Ali Treki, is “uniquely placed” to take the leading role on the issue of promoting women’s rights, expressing his delight at the creation of UN Women.

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NYPD REPORT  
By Jacques Dusseck, Jerry Blumberg, Jean Jr. Joseph and John Tembeck, Jr.  

IN MANHATTAN
* A former Columbia University employee was arrested for sending anti-Semitic e-mails to faculty members, police sources said yesterday. Michael Enrico, 51, allegedly fired off the threatening e-mails around March 30. Accompanying the vitriol were photos of Hitler, a concentration camp and a swastika, sources said. Detectives said Enrico had been embroiled in a labor dispute with the university. Cops traced the e-mails to accounts used by Enrico's wife. He was arrested Wednesday and charged with aggravated harassment, said a spokesman for DA Cyrus Vance Jr.

IN STATEN ISLAND
*In the kitchen of a Dongan Hills Italian restaurant as an employee stabbed a co-worker, police said. Mariano Juan, 49, and the victim began arguing in the kitchen of Bella Vita on May 4 at 11:30 a.m., cops said. Juan plunged a knife into the man's side and fled, authorities said. The victim was hospitalized overnight. Juan was busted Wednesday on an assault rap, said a spokesman for DA Daniel Donovan.

* A deli employee feuding with his boss' son went ballistic and set fire to the son's car and a bodega in Port Richmond, cops said. Wednesday at 1 a.m., Aball Alrabei, 21, allegedly ignited lighter fluid on the victim's Lexus parked on Maple Avenue near Richmond Terrace, damaging the paint job, cops said. Alrabei then went to his boss' deli, doused the walk-up window in lighter fluid and threw a match, charring the pane, cops said. Alrabei was arrested on charges of arson and criminal mischief.

* Police busted a drug handler in New Dorp, authorities said. Officers saw Edward Saccone, 37 do a hand-to-hand exchange with another man and hop into a car at Mill Road and New Dorp Lane Thursday at 8 p.m., cops aid. The cops approached the vehicle and saw Saccone stuffing bags of alleged contraband into his clothing, sources said. Police recovered 2.8 ounces of cocaine and an unmarked bottle filled with 74 oxycodone pills, detectives said.

IN BROOKLYN
*A 15-year-old gunman is under arrest for allegedly wounding a 9-year-old boy in an argument over a stolen bike at the Breukelen Houses in Canarsie Thursday. The 15-year-old, whose name was withheld by police, was charged with assault. The shooting took place after the victim, Ronnell Gurley, told his uncle of the theft. They went hunting for the bike and found it in the possession of several teens. An argument broke out and the 15-year-old pulled a gun and shot Gurley in the arm, police said. In addition to the 15-year-old, police arrested Kimon Murray, 19, William Battle, 18, and Shindell Miller, 16, on charges related to the bike theft, police said.

* A gunman killed a man and wounded another outside a Sheepshead Bay barber shop. The thug walked up to the men outside the shop on Avenue X near Haring Street at 10 a.m. yesterday and opened fire, putting a bullet in the chest of the 26-year-old victim and one in the leg of a 25-year-old man. The gunman and an accomplice then jumped into a car and crashed two blocks away on Avenue V, cops said. Both men were found hiding at the nearby Sheepshead Bay Houses, police said. Charges were pending, said a spokesman for DA Charles Hynes.

IN QUEENS
*An opportunistic thief who found a wallet helped herself to a $2,000 check and a credit card in Forest Hills, authorities said. Inna Yangarber, 41, admitted to detectives she found a wallet around Feb. 20 and used the stolen credit card for nearly a month, sources said. She also took a $2,000 check from the wallet, and cashed it at a Chase branch on Queens Boulevard, cops said. Police busted Yangarber on June 16 on charges of grand larceny and identity theft, said a spokesperson for DA Richard Brown.

* A razor-wielding rage-aholic was arrested after slicing an acquaintance in Briarwood, cops said. Danielle Cotton, 20, allegedly accosted the woman, pulled a razor and began flailing it on 87th Road near 150th Street on June 15 at 6 p.m., cops said. "I'll slice and dice these bitches," she allegedly howled, then hurled a bowl at the foe, who wasn't seriously injured. Cotton was charged with assault.

* A gun-toting thug shot an acquaintance in the face in Flushing, authorities said. Jasma Credle, 24, shot the woman in the left cheek in a residence on June 13 at 3:15 a.m., cops said. Credle was charged with attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS
By Jacques Dusseck, Jerry Blumberg, Jean Jr. Joseph, John Tembeck, Jr.and Scott Strong  

US SPY RING SUSPECTS ADMIT THEY ARE RUSSIANS.
The suspects were living in Virginia with two young children Two of the 11 members of a suspected spy ring in the US have admitted they are Russian citizens, prosecutors say. Michael Zottoli and Patricia Mills say their real names are Mikhail Kutzik and Natalia Pereverzeva, court papers say. They and a third suspect, Mikhail Semenko, appeared in court in Virginia briefly on Friday. Another man, Juan Lazaro, was already said to have admitted to prosecutors that he had worked for Russia's intelligence service. The 11 are accused of conspiracy to act as unlawful agents of a foreign government, a crime less serious than espionage but which carries up to five years in prison.  The district courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia, has seen its share of drama. Zacarias Moussaoui - who helped plan the 9/11 attacks - was tried here, so too was the so-called "American Taliban" John Walker Lindh. But not since the espionage trial of former FBI double agent Robert Hanssen has the courthouse seen anything quite like this. Dozens of journalists waited as first the suspects known as Michael Zottoli and Patricia Mills, and then Mikhail Semenko, were brought before the judge wearing green prison jumpsuits. All three waived their right to a bail hearing and will return to court on Wednesday. But an eager public may have to wait a little longer to learn their impact on US security. Neither they nor the other alleged members of this spy ring are thought to have had access to the sort of secrets that formed part of Hanssen's daily life, but the troubling question, yet to be answered, is: how many others are out there, leading double lives in the American suburbs? Earlier, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton played down speculation that the affair could cool the warming relations between Washington and Moscow. "We're committed to building a new and positive relation with Russia," she was quoted as saying during a visit to Ukraine. "We're looking toward the future." Moscow initially reacted angrily to the claims but has subsequently said the affair will not harm relations. It also confirmed that at least some of the suspects were Russian citizens, without giving details. In Virginia, the couple living under the names Michael Zottoli and Patricia Mills had fake passports and about $100,000 in cash, prosecutors say. The items were being stored in safety deposit boxes along with other false identity papers, they say. The couple were detained in Arlington, just outside Washington DC, where they were living with two young children. They and Mikhail Semenko waived their right to a detention hearing during a brief court hearing in Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday. All three were ordered to be detained and their preliminary hearing was set for Wednesday. Mr Semenko, who worked at a local Russian travel agency, is not accused of using a false identity. On Thursday, journalist Vicky Pelaez was granted bail in New York after the judge said she was a US citizen and did not appear to have been trained as a spy. Row highlights ambivalent ties However, the judge ordered that she should not be freed before Tuesday, allowing time for a possible appeal by prosecutors. She will remain under house arrest under a $250,000  bond and will be electronically monitored. Ms Pelaez is the only one of the 10 suspects held in the US to have been granted bail so far. A suspected member of the ring who went on the run in Cyprus on Wednesday after skipping bail is believed to have fled the island.Christopher Metsos, suspected of being the group's paymaster, was now unlikely to be caught, said Lucas Luca. Earlier, the US embassy denied local media reports that Mr Metsos was being held at its compound. In the UK, a man has described how he was married to one of the suspects, Anna Chapman. Anna Chapman's British ex-husband has been describing how they met Alex Chapman was quoted as saying that Ms Chapman had admitted that her father had once been a senior officer in the KGB. He said he had met Ms Chapman at a London party in 2002 and married her five months later. Ms Chapman, 28, has been painted as the femme fatale of the alleged spy ring, with several glamorous photos posted on her page on Facebook. The US says its investigation into the alleged spy ring has lasted more than a decade.

ARGENTINA. DICTATOR JORGE VIDELA ON TRIAL FOR MURDER
 Jorge Videla ruled the country from 1976 to 1981 Former Argentine military ruler Jorge Videla, 84, has gone on trial for the murder of more than 30 political prisoners in 1976. Videla, already serving a life sentence for abuses committed during military rule, is one of more than twenty defendants. A presidential pardon given to him in 1990 was recently overturned by the supreme court. Up to 30,000 people were tortured and murdered between 1976 and 1983. As the head of the military junta until 1981, Videla is considered to have been the main architect of what became known as the "Dirty War". The case now being heard relates to the killing of a group of left-wing activists who were taken from their jail cells in the central city of Cordoba and shot dead shortly after the military took power. The army said at the time that they were killed while trying to escape. Now 84 and with prostate cancer, Videla was sentenced to life in prison for torture, murder and other crimes in 1985 when many of Argentina's military leaders were tried for human rights abuses. He was pardoned in 1990 under an amnesty given by the president at the time, Carlos Menem. In April the supreme court upheld a 2007 federal court move to overturn his pardon, restoring Videla's convictions and clearing the way for other new cases against him. Since he is already serving a life sentence, any new conviction will not mean more years of prison. But the prosecution hopes the trial in Cordoba will bring some relief to the families of the dead, our correspondent says. The families of the victims are being represented by Miguel Ceballos, a lawyer whose father was among those killed. "When they came looking for my father at the prison, he knew he would be killed," he said. "He said goodbye to his friends and left a photo of his family so they could tell us what happened." During his five-year administration, Videla organized the 1978 World Cup in Argentina. Argentina's victory was used to try to clean the international reputation of the military government at a time when reports of massive human rights violations had been seeping out, our correspondent says. Videla also faces charges in Italy, Spain France and Germany for the murder of some of their citizens in Argentina

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INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS
By Jacques Dusseck, Jerry Blumberg, Jean Jr. Joseph, John Tembeck, Jr.and Scott Strong  

BRUSSELS. POPE DEPLORES SEX ABUSE RAID BY POLICE.
 Pope Benedict has joined mounting Vatican criticism of raids by Belgian police investigating alleged child sex abuse, calling them "deplorable". In a message to Belgian bishops, the pope expressed his solidarity "in this moment of sadness". Several buildings were searched in raids targeting a retired archbishop and the graves of two prelates. Prosecutors said the action concerned alleged "abuse of minors committed by a certain number of Church figures". Police in Leuven, central Belgium, on Thursday seized nearly 500 files and a computer from the offices of a Church commission investigating allegations of sex abuse. They also searched the Church's headquarters and the Brussels archdiocese in Mechelen, north of the Belgian capital.

CANADA. G 20 MEETING. US WARNS OVER RECESSION RISKS.
 The US has said the world's largest economies should focus on maintaining growth to avoid a double-dip recession. As the G20 summit begins in Canada, US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Europe and Japan should boost domestic demand instead of cutting spending. European leaders have said reducing government deficits is key to setting long-term growth on track. But Brazil warned that steep budget cuts could harm emerging economies. Speaking in Toronto, scene of the summit, Mr Geithner said the global economy was still emerging from its crisis and "the scars of this crisis are still with us". He said: "This summit must be fundamentally about growth." Cut or spend? Emergency assistance that G20 leaders agreed on at previous summits at the height of the economic crisis must not be withdrawn too soon, he said. Europe and Japan should do more to stimulate domestic demand to make it easier for other countries to export to them. With countries emerging from the global downturn at different speeds, splits have emerged in how to proceed. Spooked by attacks on the euro currency prompted by Greece's debt crisis, European governments have focused on cutting spending to reduce their deficits. A draft version of the summit's communiqué suggested the Group of 20 richest and emerging economies was nearing a compromise. This would see an agreement to halve budget deficits by three years and toughen banking regulations. Brazil said the focus on cutting deficits could harm emerging economies. "If the cuts take place in advanced countries it is worse," said Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega. "Because instead of stimulating growth they pay more attention to fiscal adjustments, and if they are exporters they will be reforming at our cost."

Thousands of demonstrators marched on the G20 summit on Saturday in what is being reported to have been a largely peacefully rally that saw outbreaks of violence on its edges. These saw groups of young men scuffle with riot police and set fire to at least two patrol cars.  The argument over the right way to support the global recovery here at the G20 summit in Toronto is the mirror image of the debate at the London Summit last year. The G20 meeting follows the summit of the G8 group of industrialized nations, which met at a lakeside resort outside Toronto. They condemned North Korea for the sinking of a South Korean warship in March. The G8 leaders also criticized North Korea and Iran  over their nuclear activities, and they described the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip as "not sustainable". And they admitted that the global financial crisis had compromised efforts to meet UN targets for reducing world poverty. On Friday, they agreed to donate $5bn  over five years towards improving the health of mothers and young children in the developing world. Bookmark with

SOUTH AFRICA. SOCCER. GHANA SUSTAINS AFRICAN PRIDE.
 Ghana's Black Stars are through to the quarter-final of the World Cup after defeating the United States 2-1 in extra time. When the referee blew the final whistle at the end of extra time the unbridled dancing began across Ghana and beyond. But there had already been a few parties long before the end of the game. Even before a ball had been kicked it was clear that the army of red, gold and green supporters was primed for a celebration. You could not have missed the game even if you tried. There were screens everywhere - on crowded streets and in the packed bars. Young men armed with paint brushes and four colors were busy painting the flagless. When the Black Stars are playing if you do not have flag to wave you can wear one on your face. The dancing and singing began when Kevin Prince Boateng struck the opening goal after just five minutes. The party was rudely interrupted when USA was awarded a penalty. Before the referee had found his yellow card, the woman to my left had dropped to her knees in front of the TV screen for some fervent praying. This was not the only call for divine intervention I had witnessed over the last 24 hours. In Osu the small, basic classrooms of a two-storey primary school are regularly transformed into small churches for all-night Pentecostal services. "We are confident in your name dear God that the team will be victorious," the priest said in the Twi language on the eve of the game. He then called on everyone to pray for the players. With eyes screwed shut the congregation clapped furiously and called out their own personal prayers for the Black Stars. Pan-Africa pride In fact America's equalizer was merely a respite for the dancers Ghana players of the future? They were soon in action again when Asamoah Gyan blasted home Ghana's second - a goal that meant the DJ would not be going home any time soon. The Black Stars haven't just made Ghanaians proud. Being the only African team left in the cup, they are being cheered on by fans across the continent - all wanting the dancing to continue right through to the final. In the US from New York to Los Angeles, to the North and South, it was a disappointment for the US team to be eliminated.  

UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 

BAN KI-MOON URGES G20 NOT BALANCE BUDGETS ON THE BACKS OF THE POOREST.

 Despite rising budget deficit and severe fiscal problems, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today urged leaders of the Group of 20 (G20) industrialized and developing economies to take urgent steps to help the poor and vulnerable make ends meet through investment. “Under any circumstances we must not balance budgets on the backs of the world''s poorest people,” the Secretary-General told leaders of the G20 at a working dinner in Toronto, Canada. Mr. Ban has been taking part in the two-day summit to highlight the need for world leaders to step up efforts to eradicate poverty and achieve the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for reducing extreme poverty and hunger, improving health and education, empowering women and ensuring environmental sustainability by 2015. Speaking at the working dinner, Mr. Ban said Governments had to mobilize investments and could not depend on consumption alone to recover from the global downturn. He urged world leaders to invest in three areas of high return which he identified as agriculture, green recovery and health systems. “Healthy populations, particularly women and children can leverage countries out of poverty,” Mr. Ban said, calling for concrete commitments for the recently released Joint Action Plan for Women''s and Children''s Health. Experts say the plan will require $15 billion for immediate implementation in the 49 least developed countries, and up to $45 billion per year by 2015. “Let us be determined to turn these three areas of high-return investments into a reality. Tomorrow, the G-20 can make clear its intention to do so.” Mr. Ban will convene a high-level summit at the UN Headquarters in New York in September to press countries to accelerate efforts to try to achieve the MDGs. Earlier in the day, Mr. Ban met on the sidelines with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia. In addition to discussing the summit and the MDGs, Mr. Ban thanked the Prime Minister for his leadership in co-chairing the Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing. Mr. Ban also met privately with President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea. The two leaders discussed topics related to the MDGs, as well as nuclear disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. Mr. Ban is scheduled to hold additional bilateral meetings tomorrow, in addition to taking part in the main discussions at the summit.

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NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT   

MANHATTAN. NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN DAY PARADE TOOK OVER 5TH AVE
By Jacques Dusseck and Scott Strong
Puerto Rican pride was on full display Sunday as the National Puerto Rican Day Parade made its way up Manhattan's Fifth Avenue. Organizers expect more than million people attended the parade which ran from 44th Street to 86th Street. "You gotta get here early in order to get the good spots because once everybody starts coming, you're gonna be asked out cause you gotta stay toward the back and you can't get good pictures," said one parade goer. "It's really special for Puerto Rico, get to see everyone and really get along," said another parade goer. This year's parade godfather Marc Anthony and wife, Jennifer Lopez, received a huge ovation. The singer was chosen to lead the festivities after soap star Osvaldo Rios withdrew amid protests over a 2003 domestic violence conviction. Before hitting the streets, marchers fueled up at the Puerto Rican Day Parade annual breakfast. Folks gathered at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, helping to kick off the day's events. City Comptroller John Liu, who was among the notable guest, says the event is a celebration for everyone. "Literally thousands of people are participating in the parade and thousands more lining the streets to really celebrate the contributions of Puerto Ricanos here in New York, it's a day of pride, it's a day of culture, it's a day of celebration, and it's also a way for all New Yorkers to come together and celebrate our diversity," Liu said. The theme for this year was "Helping Build a Better Community."

SOUTH AFRICA.WORLD CUP DRAWS MORE THAN 10 MILLION VIEWERS.
By Jacques Dusseck and Malherbe Metelus.
 More than 10 million television viewers in South Africa watched the host play Mexico to open the World Cup. FIFA says 87 percent of people watching television at home in South Africa last Friday saw SABC1 and SuperSport 3 broadcasts of the 1-1 draw. That's nearly 3 million more than South Africa's highest-rated sports broadcast last year, when the host team played Brazil in the Confederations Cup. FIFA says an average of almost one in five Mexicans with televisions on at home watched last Friday. In the United States, Spanish-language channel Univision averaged 5.4 million viewers - double its audience for Germany opening the 2006 World Cup against Costa Rica.

CELTICS WINS GAME 5 IN BASKET BALL
By Jerry Blumberg,Jacques Dusseck and John Tembeck Jr.
The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics battle on the hardwood. Stories Deadlocked NBA Finals Shift to Boston Celtics Beat Lakers,  It's looking a lot like 2008 again, with Paul Pierce carrying the Boston Celtics to victory in the NBA finals and leading them to the brink of yet another title. Pierce scored 27 points - his best performance of this year's finals - and the Celtics withstood 38 points from Kobe Bryant to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 92-86 on Sunday night and take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 is Tuesday night in Los Angeles, and a victory then or in Game 7 in L.A. on Thursday would give the Celtics a record 18th NBA championship. "We've got to get one. We're too close to our goal," Pierce said. "We've got to get one." Pierce was the MVP of the '08 finals, when the new Big Three beat the Lakers to raise an NBA-record 17th banner to the rafters at Boston's TD Garden. Bryant was the finals MVP last year, when the Lakers beat the Orlando Magic to win their 15th championship. Bryant outscored Pierce this time, but the Lakers' guard got little help from his teammates. And the stretch where he was most dominant was also the time when the Celtics pulled away. "He's the kind of guy (where) you ride the hot hand, that's for sure," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. "We were waiting for him to do that. ... He went out there and found a rhythm." With the "Beat L.A!" chant returning to the Garden, Kevin Garnett scored 18 points with 10 rebounds and Rajon Rondo had 18 points, eight assists and five rebounds to help Boston become the first team in the series to win two games in a row. If the Los Angeles can't do the same at home, the Celtics will improve to 10-2 against them in the finals dating back to a 4-0 sweep over the Minneapolis Lakers in 1959. "It's basically home-court, home-court," Jackson said. "That's the way it's supposed to be, isn't it?" Bryant did everything he could to keep the Lakers in it. He scored 23 straight Lakers points between the 4:23 mark of the second quarter until there was 2:16 left in the third. But that's also the time when the Celtics built their biggest lead: Over that span, they expanded the lead from one point to 13. But Pierce was having his best game of the series, too.

The Celtics' captain scored seven points in the last 3½ minutes of the second quarter and added nine more in the first 5 minutes of the third. Ray Allen, who hasn't hit a 3-pointer since making an NBA-record eight in Game 2, made a pair of baskets that gave Boston a 71-58 lead with 3:08 left in the third.  Lakers were confident. Jackson, wearing a microphone for the TV broadcast, told his players during a late timeout, "This team loses more games in the fourth quarter than any team in the league. They know how to lose games, and they're showing us that now." The Lakers got within six points several times, but never within five until Bryant made three free throws to make it 87-82 with 90 seconds left. The Celtics got a break from a review when replays showed Allen's 3-pointer barely nicked the rim, giving them the ball with a fresh 24 seconds and 1:05 left. Rasheed Wallace missed a 3-pointer, but the rebound wound up tied up between the 6-foot-11 Garnett and 6-foot-1 Derek Fisher. Fisher won, tipping the ball ahead to Ron Artest for a breakaway; he was fouled, and he missed both free throws. This time Bryant grabbed the rebound, but Pierce ripped it out of his arms and dribbled off to the side to call timeout. A desperate inbounds pass went to Pierce, who fed Rondo under the basket before falling out of bounds, and Rondo made an over-the-head layup to make it 89-82 with 36 seconds left. Bryant missed a series of desperation 3-pointers down the stretch, and when Allen made two free throws with 19 seconds left and Garnett one of two with 8.9 to play, it was over. Pau Gasol scored 12 points with 12 rebounds and Fisher, the Game 3 star, scored all nine of his points in the first quarter as no other Laker reached double figures in scoring until Gasol hit a free throw with 2:25 left. Andrew Bynum played on his sore right knee for 31 minutes, but he scored all six of his points and his only rebound in the first quarter. The Celtics bench, which was the star of a 96-89 victory in Game 4 on Thursday, helped them extend the lead to 30-22 early in the second quarter. The Lakers came back to take a 37-36 lead on Bryant's basket with 3:58 left in the half, but Pierce answered with a 3-pointer and two late jumpers for a 45-39 advantage at the break.

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NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT    

THE LETTER FROM PRESIDENT OBAMA AS RECEIVED ON JUNE 5, 2010

Friend --

Yesterday, I visited Caminada Bay in Grand Isle, Louisiana , one of the first places to feel the devastation wrought by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. While I was here, at Camerdelle's Live Bait shop, I met with a group of local residents and small business owners.

Folks like Floyd Lasseigne, a fourth-generation oyster fisherman. This is the time of year when he ordinarily earns a lot of his income. But his oyster bed has likely been destroyed by the spill.

Terry Vegas had a similar story. He quit the 8th grade to become a shrimper with his grandfather. Ever since, he's earned his living during shrimping season working long, grueling days so that he could earn enough money to support himself year round. But today, the waters where he has worked are closed. And every day, as the spill worsens, he loses hope that he will be able to return to the life he built.

Here, this spill has not just damaged livelihoods. It has upended whole communities. And the fury people feel is not just about the money they have lost. It is about the wrenching recognition that this time their lives may never be the same.

These people work hard. They meet their responsibilities. But now because of a manmade catastrophe -- one that is not their fault and beyond their control -- their lives have been thrown into turmoil. It is brutally unfair. And what I told these men and women is that I will stand with the people of the Gulf Coast until they are again made whole.

That is why, from the beginning, we have worked to deploy every tool at our disposal to respond to this crisis. Today, there are more than 20,000 people working around the clock to contain and clean up this spill. I have authorized 17,500 National Guard troops to participate in the response. More than 1,900 vessels are aiding in the containment and cleanup effort. We have convened hundreds of top scientists and engineers from around the world. This is the largest response to an environmental disaster of this kind in the history of our country.

We have also ordered BP to pay economic injury claims, and this week, the federal government sent BP a preliminary bill for $69 million to pay back American taxpayers for some of the costs of the response so far. In addition, after an emergency safety review, we are putting in place aggressive new operating standards for offshore drilling. And I have appointed a bipartisan commission to look into the causes of this spill. If laws are inadequate, they will be changed. If oversight was lacking, it will be strengthened. And if laws were broken, those responsible will be brought to justice.

These are hard times in Louisiana and across the Gulf Coast, an area that has already seen more than its fair share of troubles. The people of this region have met this terrible catastrophe with seemingly boundless strength and character in defense of their way of life. What we owe them is a commitment by our nation to match the resilience they have shown. That is our mission. And it is one we will fulfill.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

NEW JERSEY. TWO N J MEN ARRESTED AT JFK WITH LINKS TO TERROR
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg
Two New Jersey men with ties to an al-Qaeda-linked terrorist group were taken into custody Saturday night after trying to board flights at John F. Kennedy Airport in Queens. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly says Mohamed Hamoud Alessa, 20, of North Bergen and Carlos Eduardo Almonte, 24, of Elmwood Park were picked up as they prepared to board separate flights to Egypt, where they planned to head to Somalia. Once there, Kelly says the pair planned to join the al-Qaeda linked terror group al-Shabaab and kill U.S. soldiers. FBI agents and police raided the homes of both men late Saturday night. The police commissioner says the suspects had been under investigation since 2006 and were being trailed by an NYPD officer who met with them several times and recorded conversations. He also says the pair tried to enter Iraq in 2007, but were turned away. In November, Alessa reportedly told the undercover officer, "They only fear you when you have a gun and when you start killing them, and when you take their head, and you go like this, and you behead it on camera...We'll start doing killing here, if I can't do it over there." Both men are charged with conspiring to kill, maim, and kidnap people outside the United States. If convicted, both men face a maximum life sentence in prison. "I was surprised that yesterday we went out and when we came home and at the time I saw all the police agents here, and we were surprised why they were here and they just told us they had a warrant to search the house upstairs," said Alessa's landlord, Hemant Shah. "It's hard to understand how a 20-year-old who grew up in this country can do this to us," said Alessa's neighbor Loretta Trapp. In a statement, the U.S. Attorney's office said, "The arrests do not relate to any known immediate threat to the public or active plot against the United States." The arrests come a little more than a month after Times Square car bomb suspect Faisal Shahzad was also arrested at JFK Airport on board a flight to Dubai. Both men are scheduled to appear Monday in federal court.

BRONX. 50 YEAR-OLD MAN BODY FOUND AT SCENE OF BRONX FIRE.
By Malherbe Metelus and Scott Strong
Police are investigating after a man was found dead at the scene of a Bronx apartment fire Saturday morning. Police say officers who arrived at the scene at 2652 Decatur Avenue in the Fordham section found the 50-year-old's body lying on the floor. He had apparently suffered a head injury and was pronounced dead at the scene. According to a witness at seven thirty this morning I woke up looked out my window, I see fire trucks, I see detectives, I see police...came out, found out somebody who lived in the next building was found dead and set on fire," said the neighbor. Cause of death is being studied by the medical examiner.

BRONX. LIVERY CAB DRIVER CAR SANTOS KILLED BY TWO THUGS.
By Jerry Blumberg and Malherbe Metellust
Plolice are searching for 2 suspects in the fatal shooting of a Bronx livery cab driver yesterday. Police believe one of them opened fire after refusing to pay the fare. Cesar Santos, 48, drove the two thugs to Sedgwick Avenue near West 229th Street in Kingsbridge around 1:40 p.m. "They didn't want to pay him, that's when they shot him," said Santos' dispatcher at Excellent Car Limo, Emilio Gomez. Santos was rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he died about eight hours later.

NYPD REPORT  6/6/10
By Jacques Dusseck, John Tembeck Jr,  Jerry Blumberg, Malherbe Metelus and Jerry Blumberg.

IN BROOKLYN
*Two ruthless fiends sexually assaulted and raped a 19-year-old stranger in Flatbush, police said. The victim was walking along Linden Boulevard near Bedford Avenue at 2 a.m. Wednesday when one attacker shoved her between two cars and sexually assaulted her before dragging her several blocks to a secluded area. Then he and a buddy raped her, police said. One of the thugs is described as 5-foot-7 and 160 pounds and was last seen wearing blue jeans, black sneakers and a white T-shirt with a large stripe down the front.His cohort sported a goatee, stands 5-foot-10, weighs 200-pounds and was wearing a gray sweatshirt, white sneakers and a baseball cap.

* A man was nabbed on gambling charges after he ran and tried to hide from an inquisitive cop in Brownsville, police said. Thursday at 1 p.m., a cop witnessed a woman handing cash to Antonio Quiñones, 68, on Stone Avenue near Pitkin Avenue, authorities said. Quiñones spotted the officer and fled into a nearby building, cops said. The officer found him hiding behind a desk in a dentist's office, sources said. In his possession, the cop found numerous betting slips and $450, sources said.

IN MANHATTAN
*A disgruntled former hospital employee in Harlem was busted after investigators linked him to the sabotage of the facility's computer network. Jason Wong, 40, a former employee at North General Hospital, on Madison Avenue near East 121st Street, had been sacked for poor performance, sources said. After he got the boot last Sept. 17, an electronic intruder hacked and crashed the hospital's computer system, authorities said Investigators from the NYPD Computer Crimes Squad traced the sabotage back to Wong.

IN THE BRONX
*Investigators are probing the death of a man after a blaze yesterday in a Fordham building. Firefighters responded to an alarm in a building on Decatur Street near East 194th Street at 6 a.m. There they found Curtis Darby, 50, on the floor beneath a pile of smoldering clothing and bleeding from a head wound, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A crack pipe was found nearby, sources said.

  INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS

GAZA. FOUR PALESTINIAN KILLED BY ISRAEL NAVY.
The Israeli military said it believed those on board the boat were planning a terrorist attack. Hamas officials in Gaza say four bodies have been recovered and two people are missing. It comes a week after nine pro-Palestinian activists died in an Israeli raid on an aid flotilla trying to break Israel's blockade of Gaza. Israel withdrew its forces from Gaza in 2005, but still controls and occupies the sea off the territory's coast. The Israeli military said the boat was carrying "a squad of terrorists wearing diving suits on their way to execute a terror attack". A spokesman said a naval force had hit its target, but did not give any more details of the operation. The country's Haaretz newspaper quoted an Israeli army source as saying the incident took place at about 0430 local time (0130 GMT), and that the boat had been heading north to Israel from waters off the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, a militant group linked to Fatah, has reported that four of its men were killed and a fifth is missing, according to Israeli media. The men had been training off the Gaza coast, the militant group was quoted as having claimed. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said there were no Israeli casualties.  This appears to have been a fairly major operation by the Israeli Navy. Witnesses in Gaza say helicopters were used. It is not uncommon to hear machine-gun fire out at sea early in the morning off the Gaza coast. Israel often fires warning shots at Palestinian fishing vessels that it says have strayed too far out. Israel continues to occupy and control Gaza's territorial waters - if there were militants planning an operation off the coast this would be unusual but not unheard of. In February, militants floated explosive devices off the coast of Gaza that washed up on Israeli beaches to the the north of the territory. They were detonated by Israeli security forces and nobody was hurt. All this adds to the tension along the Gaza coastline. There has been sporadic rocket fire out of Gaza into Israel since last week's naval attack on the Gaza aid flotilla. Israeli Foreign Ministry official Yigal Palmour said the latest incident reinforced the need for Israel to maintain a tight cordon around Gaza. "This is the explanation why the border, both land and sea border with Gaza need to be strictly and tightly controlled. We can't allow Hamas to carry out attacks at will on Israelis, on Israeli territory," The latest Israeli operation comes as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas visits Turkey for a regional security summit along with Iran and Syria. Mr Abbas, who heads the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank, is expected to pay his respects to the nine activists killed last week, eight of whom were Turks and one a US national of Turkish origin. Mr Abbas's government is the bitter rival of Hamas, which took control of Gaza from his Fatah movement in 2007. The deaths have sparked global condemnation but defiance from Israel, which insists it has the right to defend itself. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Israel of "state terrorism", and is calling Gaza a "historic cause for Turkey". Another aid ship, the Irish-owned Rachel Corrie, was intercepted by Israel on Saturday and officials have begun deporting its crew and activists. France and Britain have called for Israel to accept a "credible and transparent" investigation into the deadly Israeli raid on 31 May. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner suggested that the EU could play a bigger role to ensure that humanitarian supplies reached Gaza, and that weapons were kept out. William Hague (left) will seek a consensus with other EU nations Mr Kouchner also said Europe needed to work harder to convince Israel that its blockade of Gaza was not working, and nor was it in the long-term interests of the region. His comments followed talks with British counterpart William Hague, who said Europe would maintain pressure on Israel. But Israel's US ambassador Michael Oren said his country would reject the proposals, and reiterated that an internal inquiry would be held. Meanwhile, the Iranian Red Crescent has announced it will send two aid ships to Egypt for onward delivery to Gaza through the Rafah crossing later this week, Iranian state media report. Also on Monday, US Vice-President Joe Biden met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh. They had a 90-minute meeting "about a full range of bilateral issues", a spokesman for the US Embassy said, but there were no further details of the discussions released. Bookmark with

ISRAEL DEPORTS ACTIVISTS CHALLENGING GAZA BLOCKADE.
 The activists say they will not give up Israel has deported seven activists who tried to sail an aid ship to Gaza in defiance of Israel's blockade. They were among 11 campaigners and eight crew who signed deportation papers on Saturday, after troops boarded their ship the Rachel Corrie. On Monday, Israeli forces killed nine activists in clashes as they tried to break the blockade. Post-mortems in Turkey said 30 bullets had been found in their bodies - one activist had four in the head. The examinations were carried out in Turkey because eight of those killed were Turkish, and the ninth had joint US-Turkish nationality. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday the soldiers had been attacked by a group of people - separate from the peace activists - who had boarded the ship "in a way that allowed them to avoid a security check", intending "to initiate a violent confrontation with IDF soldiers". Israel has faced an international outcry over the incident, which has also soured relations with Turkey. Israeli officials say UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has telephoned Mr Netanyahu to propose setting up an international commission to investigate what went wrong. It would include representatives from the US, Turkey and Israel, and could be headed by former New Zealand Prime Minister Geoffrey Palmer. The Israeli cabinet is said to be considering the project. Mr Netanyahu has described those on board the Irish-owned Rachel Corrie as "peace activists", but labelled the other vessel - the Mavi Marmara - a "ship of hate organised by violent Turkish terror extremists". The Cyprus-based Free Gaza Movement, which organised the attempts to break Israel's blockade, vowed that further aid shipments would be sent. Israeli interior ministry spokeswoman Sabine Haddad said most of the crew and campaigners would be flown out on Sunday; six Malaysians and a Cuban have left the country overland to Jordan. Among those deported on Sunday was an injured Indonesian activist from the Mavi Marmara. Other Indonesian activists gathered around the ambulance carrying their wounded colleague Surya Fahrizal shouting "God is great". He smiled from his stretcher but did not say anything. The 1,200-tonne cargo ship MV Rachel Corrie was boarded about 16 nautical miles (30km) off the Israeli coast. The ship was carrying hundreds of tonnes of aid, including wheelchairs, medical supplies and cement. Israel says it will check the shipment and transfer all of the aid it deems acceptable into the Gaza Strip. Foreign ministry spokesman Mark Regev said  Israel had had an agreement with the Irish Republic for the vessel to go to the Israeli port of Ashdod to be checked - and from there the aid and the activists on board could have proceeded to Gaza. Israel stepped up its blockade of Gaza in 2007, when the Islamist Hamas movement took control of the territory, and says its policies will not change while Hamas remains in power. Defending the Israeli blockade, Mr Regev said there was no humanitarian crisis in Gaza - and accused Hamas of blocking the supply of aid into the territory. Hamas has so far refused to accept the aid from the Mavi Marmara until all the activists from the ship detained by Israel are released.

SOUTH AFRICA. WORLD CUP INSURANCE MAY HIT MORE THAN 6 BILLION. Football world governing body Fifa, national teams, broadcasters and other firms with a stake in the tournament's success have all taken out policies. Stadiums and training venues for the World Cup matches are covered to the tune of £3.2bn, underwriters say. But other business opportunities linked to the event account for another £3bn. "Competitions, offers, prizes, sponsorship, broadcast rights - it's impossible to know how many there are, but all companies with these financial implications need coverage," said Chris Nash, active underwriter at Sportscover. A Lloyd's spokeswoman said these indirect implications could range from retailers offering free goods if a particular team won the Cup to broadcasting problems caused by delayed matches. "If the opening ceremony is delayed, that will affect the broadcasters, because they've got their advertising slots in place," she said. "Similarly, if the final has to be delayed for whatever reason, people might want money back for their tickets." Not every player in a team is considered to be of equal value. But according to underwriter Peter Thompson at Beazley, insurance against sports disability for a top footballer at the height of his career could go as high as £40m. On top of that, the celebrity status of well-known players carries its own insurance price-tag. Clubs rely on the star quality of their biggest names to boost revenues from replica team shirts and other merchandise. That reputation also needs to be covered by insurance - and a world-class footballer's brand could be worth as much as £10m in its own right, says Dan Trueman, underwriter at Kiln.

UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 
 

SECRETARY GENERAL APPEALS FOR WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY
Following is UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s message for World Environment Day, observed 5 June: Biodiversity, the incredible variety of life on Earth that sustains us, is in peril. Species are becoming extinct at the fastest rate ever recorded. Most of these extinctions are tied to human activities that are polluting and depleting water resources, changing and degrading habitats and altering the global climate. From frogs to gorillas, from huge plants to tiny insects, thousands of species are in jeopardy. The theme of this year’s World Environment Day, “Many Species. One Planet. One Future”, echoes the call of the International Year of Biodiversity to stop this mass extinction and raise awareness about the vital importance of the millions of species that inhabit our planet’s soils, forests, oceans, coral reefs and mountains. Our health, well-being and sustainable future depend on this intricate, delicate web of ecosystems and life. The global host of the 2010 World Environment Day celebration is Rwanda. This small country in the Great Lakes region of Africa is rapidly earning a reputation as a green pioneer. Home to 52 threatened species, including the rare mountain gorilla, Rwanda is showing how environmental sustainability can be woven into the fabric of a country’s economic growth. Despite its many challenges, including poverty and widespread land degradation, the “land of a thousand hills” is working to reforest, embrace renewable energies, pursue sustainable agriculture and develop a green vision for the future. This year, Kigali will be the heartbeat of a global, multicultural, intergenerational celebration of our planet, its millions of species and the countless ways in which life on Earth is interconnected. On World Environment Day, I appeal to everyone — from Kigali to Canberra, from Kuala Lumpur to Quito – to help us sound the alarm. Get involved, speak out. Learn and teach others. Show leadership and help clean up. Reconnect with nature, our life force. Together, we can develop a new vision for biodiversity: Many Species. One Planet. One Future.

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NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT    

NEW YORK. STATE GOP CONVENTION
By Scott Strong
The state's Republican party will converge on Manhattan this Tuesday for their nominating convention. There is a crowded field of candidates looking to top the ticket. Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy has the backing of party chairman Ed Cox, but that does not assure him a spot on the ballot. Levy only recently switched from the Democratic to the Republican party so he has to win the support of more than 50 percent of party delegates to get on the ballot. If he doesn't, he can't even petition his way on by collecting signatures. Also in the running is former Long Island Congressman Rick Lazio who recently received the backing of the Conservative Party, as well as upstate businessman Carl Paladino who has close ties to the Tea Party movement. Most recently, Manhattan real estate entrepreneur Myers Mermel became the fourth entry into the race.

HARLEM. SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD WITH WIELDING GUN SHOT BY POLICE
By Jacques Dusseck
A city teen was taken into custody early Monday morning after a shooting involving police in Harlem. It happened on Madison Avenue just after 1:30 a.m. Investigators say a uniformed officer noticed a 17-year-old male with a gun. They say as the officer approached the teen, shots were fired. Police say the teen then ran into a building on East 135th Street where he was taken into custody. He was taken to Harlem Hospital where he is being treated for a gunshot wound to his arm.

NEW YORK. FALLEN HEROES HONORED BY THE CITY
By Jacques Dusseck and John Tembeck, Jr.
U.S. servicemen and women who died while serving the country were honored this Memorial Day at several events across the city. Mayor Michael Bloomberg began the day at an annual observance on the Upper West Side where he joined more than 800 guests for the solemn service at the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in Riverside Park. The mayor praised the countless veterans across the area for their service, especially the 88 New Yorkers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan since the beginning of the war. "Going forward, we are still going to have to ask our young men and women to go and put themselves in harm ways so we can continue to have the freedoms we cherish so much and the freedoms that people elsewhere in the world find so threatening," Bloomberg said. The mayor encouraged every American to help in the fight against terrorism by being vigilant and following the example set by two street vendors who alerted police to the bomb-filled SUV in Times Square earlier this month. Bloomberg also took some time out Monday to march in the Whitestone Veterans Memorial Association Service and Parade. He then joined City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Senator Charles Schumer at the annual Little Neck-Douglaston Memorial Day Parade. It's billed as the largest of its kind in the nation. Over at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, astronaut Buzz Aldrin was on hand as dozens paid tribute to the nation's fallen during a ceremony on the ship's flight deck. In addition to the unfurling of a 100-foot American flag, a ceremonial wreath laying and a Three Volley Salute were also held. "I lived on this ship for two years, as much as there's Memorial Day services all over the country, to me this is an important one and the the history of the ship is so great, it's the place to be," said veteran Dick Mills. "My son-in-law is active, he's a major in the marine corps, and my father was in the air force, my grandfather is the only man in military history in the United States to have served on active duty on all four wars in the 20th century. So I grew up in a military family and this is really interesting to me," said Intrepid ceremony attendee Barbara Murphy. The ceremony concluded with a flyover by two A-10 Thunderbolts in the missing man formation. In a special tribute to CIA workers killed in Afghanistan, historic planes escorted a B-17 bomber as it dropped flowers from above the Statue of Liberty. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama was scheduled to honor the nation's fallen soldiers at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery outside Chicago, where he has been spending the holiday weekend with his family. However, heavy rains, lightning and wind prompted Obama to take the stage midday and tell people to return to their cars for their safety. Some veterans groups have criticized the president for skipping the traditional wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. Vice President Joe Biden helped lay the wreath instead

STATEN ISLAND. SOME  INJURED BY MILITARY PLANE DEMONSTRATION.
By Jerry Blumberg and Malherbe Metelus.
Nearly a dozen people suffered minor injuries Monday during an annual Fleet Week demonstration on Staten Island. U.S. Marine Corps officials say an MV-22 Osprey aircraft was landing in Clove Lakes Park around 8 a.m. when its powerful twin engines began kicking up dirt and debris over a shaded spectator area. The force knocked over part of a tree causing people to scramble away as their picnic blankets and other belongings were swept up. Seven people were treated at Richmond University Medical Center, but officials say their injuries were minor. Several others were treated at the scene. "I saw blankets flying everywhere, and people running it was nerve wracking," said one witness. "It produced such a downward thrust that it basically ripped apart a tree, sending approximately 10 heavy limbs to the ground, and blew some people off their feet and that was the cause of the injury," said New York City Fire Department Battalion Chief Dan O'Gara. The U.S. Marines Corps is investigating the incident. But according to initial findings, the pilot followed safe procedures while landing. "We maintained our 150 feet minimum but that down rotor was still able to snap that tree limb off. So we're just very, very fortunate and very pleased that nobody is hurt anymore than some scratches and cuts," said Colonel Eric Smith of the 8th Marine Regiment. The U.S. Navy says the rest of the marine air and ground demonstrations are going on as planned

NYPD REPORT  5/31           
By Jacques Dusseck, John Tembeck Jr,  Jerry Blumberg, Malherbe Metelus and Jerry Blumberg.

IN BROOKLYN
*A teen shot a man in broad daylight in Crown Heights, authorities said yesterday. The 18-year-old, whose name was not immediately available, brandished a .32-caliber revolver as he approached the 24-year-old victim on Sterling Place near Rochester Avenue at about 3:20 p.m. Tuesday. For unknown reasons, the youth pumped bullets into his victim's legs, sending him to King County Hospital with injuries that were not life threatening. Police were called and busted the suspect a few blocks away.

* A restaurant worker told a female customer he wanted to "hit that," then exposed himself and spanked her, authorities said yesterday. Mohammed Itayim, 28, an employee of JFK Fried Chicken, made the inappropriate remark to the 39-year-old woman in the fast-food joint on Fifth Avenue at 39th Street at 7 p.m. Thursday, cops said. Itayim then lifted his apron, exposed himself and hit the woman's buttocks, cops said. The creep apologized and said it was an accident  but then followed the woman outside, tried to kiss her neck and slapped her buttocks again, cops said. The victim promptly called police, and Itayim was arrested and charged with forcible touching.

IN MANHATTAN
*Two thieves robbed a deliveryman at knifepoint outside a Washington Heights building, police said yesterday. The crooks came up behind the 32-year-old man and put a knife to his side after he had just made a delivery and was leaving the building on West 164th Street near Fort Washington Avenue just after midnight Tuesday. One of the perps snarled, "Give up the money or we'll stab you," and then rifled through the victim's pockets and removed $25, sources said. The muggers then fled. The victim was not injured.

* A California psych patient sent a letter containing white powder to NYU Medical Center, police sources said yesterday. The 53-year-old man, who is a patient at a mental facility in Norwalk, Calif., mailed the powder with a bizarre letter written on a napkin to a 10th-floor office at the hospital on First Avenue near East 33rd Street, the sources said. A 63-year-old female worker opened the letter at about 8:20 a.m. Tuesday and the powder spilled out. Among other things, the letter stated, "You own half me half of ours if Eleaza will you marry me?" the sources said. Alarmed, the worker called security and police responded. Tests conducted on the powder found it to be harmless. The psych patient was not charged.

IN THE BRONX
*A man walking home from his mother's house was shot in the leg, police sources said yesterday. The 30-year-old victim was strolling to Prospect Avenue and Jennings Street in Crotona Park East at about 12:20 a.m. Wednesday when a gunman let off four to six shots for unspecified reasons and fled. The victim, who was shot in the left thigh, was rushed to St. Barnabas for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening.

IN QUEENS
*Two thug shot a man in the face after a clash outside a Jamaica bar, police sources said yesterday. The combatants got into a brawl with the 36-year-old victim outside the Irish Hillside Inn Bar on Hillside Avenue and 168th Street at about 2 a.m. Tuesday, cops said. Afterward, the perps fled and the victim started walking with a friend down 168th Street. A few minutes later, the thugs returned with a gun, shot the victim in the face and dashed away. The victim was released after treatment at Long Island Jewish Hospital. It was unclear what sparked the initial fight.

* Daniel Pizzulli Sr. and Jr. were arrested for shooting a man in Middle Village, authorities said yesterday. The Pizzullis, ages 40 and 18, allegedly rolled up in a dark sedan to where the 25-year-old victim was standing, at 79th Street and 68th Avenue, at about 8:30 p.m. May 23, cops said. One of the thugs allegedly jumped out with a black gun and fired about three shots at the victim, hitting him once in the left hand. The assailant then got back into the car, which sped off, police said. Two days later, the suspects were arrested on charges of attempted murder after witnesses identified them in photo arrays, a spokeswoman for DA Richard Brown said.

 INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS

AFGHANISTAN. AL-QUAEDA YAZID, SHEIKH AL-MATRI DIED WITH WIFE.
 Senior al-Qaeda leader was killed' in Afghanistan Mr Yazid, also known as Sheikh Said al-Masri, died along with his wife and three children, Islamist websites said, quoting a statement from al-Qaeda. US officials say they believe he was killed recently in the tribal areas of Pakistan in an American drone attack. Previous reports of his death have been wrong, but this is the first time al-Qaeda has acknowledged such claims. American officials often refer to the Egyptian-born militant as the main conduit to leader Osama Bin Laden. As al-Qaeda's operational commander in Afghanistan, he is believed to have had a hand in everything from finances to operational planning. A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was "strong reason" to believe that Mr Yazid was killed in Pakistan's tribal areas in the past two weeks. US monitoring groups said a message from al-Qaeda posted on Islamist forums on 31 May said the militant's wife, three of his daughters, his granddaughter, and other men, women, and children, were killed. The message translated by the SITE group, which monitors Islamist websites, did not give any details about the circumstances of his reported death, other than to speak of his "martyrdom". "His death will only be a severe curse by his life upon the infidels. The response is near. That is sufficient," said the message. Mr Yazid is thought to have climbed to the number three position in al-Qaeda in 2007, when his predecessor, Abu Ubaida al-Masri, died of hepatitis in Pakistan. He is reported to have managed the finances for the 11 September 2001 attacks in New York and Washington. In a rare interview with Pakistan's Geo TV in 2008, he said al-Qaeda was "properly involved" in those attacks, as well as the 1998 attacks on US embassies in Kenya and Tanzania. He also denounced the Pakistani government for fighting Islamic militants, justified suicide attacks, and predicted victory for Taliban and al-Qaeda forces in Afghanistan. He is believed to have been jailed in Egypt in 1982 in connection with the assassination of Egypt's then-President Anwar Sadat. Mr Yazid's last public statement was released on 4 May, eulogising the two top al-Qaeda leaders in Iraq - Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayub al-Masri - who were killed in April.

TURKEY. ROCKET ATTACK KILLED SIX AT NAVAL BASE.
Suspected Kurdish rebels fired on a military vehicle carrying troops in the Mediterranean port of Iskenderun. The attack took place at about 0400 (0100 GMT). Soldiers at the base fired at the attackers but it was not clear if any were injured. The government has recently intensified efforts to end the Kurdish insurgency. Three Turkish soldiers were in a critical condition and were taken to a military hospital in the capital, Ankara, according to the Anatolia news agency. Police and troop reinforcements have been sent to the area, the report said. Five members of the Turkish security forces were killed over the weekend in clashes with Kurdish rebels in the south and east of the country. It follows the bombing of Kurdish rebels targets in northern Iraq two weeks ago by the Turkish air force Meanwhile the jailed Kurdish rebel leader, Abdullah Ocalan, has reportedly said he was abandoning efforts for dialogue with the Turkish government. However, Ocalan - jailed since 1999 - said his decision was not a call for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to intensify its campaign. The PKK has been fighting for autonomy in Turkey's largely Kurdish south-east for more than two decades. Some 40,000 people have been killed. The rebels are described as terrorists by the US and the European Union, as well as Turkey.

PARIS. FRENCH PRESIDENT SARKOZY BACKS AFRICA FOR SECURITY COUNCIL.  France is hoping to strengthen trade ties with Africa The French president has called for Africa to be given a bigger say in world affairs and better representation on the UN Security Council. President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking at a two-day France-Africa summit in Nice, also said Africa would be a key source of global growth in the coming decades. He pledged to push for Security Council reform next year. Thirty-eight heads of state and some 200 business leaders are at the summit, the first to be hosted by Mr Sarkozy. "None of the problems, absolutely none of the problems that the world faces today can be resolved without the active participation of the African continent," Mr Sarkozy said. "Africa's formidable demographics and its considerable resources make it the main reservoir for world economic growth in the decades to come." France, which is vying with China and other emerging powers for markets in Africa, has used the summit as a platform to promote business ties with the continent. Continue reading the main story It's not normal that Africa does not have a member of the Security Council Nicolas Sarkozy French President The French president also said he would push for a bigger African presence on the Security Council when France takes over leadership of the G8 and G20 clubs next year. "The Security Council must be reformed and it's not normal that Africa does not have a member of the Security Council," he said. The G8 includes leading developed-world states, while the G20 includes other big economies, South Africa among them. At present, African countries hold three out of 10 non-permanent seats on the Security Council. African states have lobbied since 2005 for two permanent seats with veto powers on an expanded Security Council, as well as rotating seats. France sees one permanent seat as a more realistic target. The military junta leaders of two former French colonies, Guinea and Niger, are among those attending the meeting in Nice - a fact that drew criticism from South African President Jacob Zuma. "By inviting, it means recognition, that's how we are interpreting it in the continent," .Madagascar, still embroiled in a political crisis, was not invited, and Zimbabwe refused to send a delegation after France objected to the attendance of President Robert Mugabe

UNITED NATIONS URGES INQUIRY INTO ISRAEL CONVOY RAID.
The UN Security Council has issued a statement calling for an impartial inquiry into Israel's raid on a flotilla of Gaza-bound aid ships. The statement said the investigation should be "prompt, impartial, credible and transparent". It also condemned the "acts" which led to the deaths of at least 10 civilian activists during the operation. The raid sparked strong international condemnation and calls for Israel to lift its three-year blockade of Gaza. Convoy raid sparks press fury The UN statement was reached after hours of discussion as the council deliberated through the night. In Turkey, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called Israel's raid a "bloody massacre" as he addressed parliament. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has ordered the border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip to be opened. The Egyptian state news agency said it was to allow humanitarian aid through. It is not clear how long the crossing at Rafah will be kept open. The UN statement was the result of a compromise between Turkey and the United States, with Turkey reluctant to water down its trenchant criticism of Israel while the United States, Israel's closest ally, wanted to temper the language used, says the BBC's UN correspondent Barbara Plett in New York. Turkey is furious at the commando raid, which targeted a Turkish ship and appeared to have killed mostly Turkish activists, our correspondent says. The compromise took out direct condemnation of Israel and removed references to an international investigation, our correspondent adds. It also weakened demands for an end to the economic blockade of Gaza that the activists were trying to break, but the incident has refocused international attention on the siege and many states have renewed calls for it to be lifted, she says. The Palestinian Observer at the UN, Riyad Mansour, said he was disappointed that the language in the final draft of the statement had been softened. On the request to end the Gaza blockade, Mr Mansour said this was "perhaps the clearest statement by the Security Council requesting and demanding lifting the siege of the Gaza Strip". In its statement, the Security Council said it "deeply regretted the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza". The Council "condemns those acts which resulted in the loss of at least 10 civilians and many wounded, and expresses its condolences to their families". The Council requested the immediate release of the ships as well as the civilians held by Israel. It also stressed that the situation in Gaza was "not sustainable". Shortly after the UN statement was released, several Gaza militants crossed the border into Israel and exchanged fire with troops, the Israeli military said. Two militants were killed, it said. Russia and the European Union have also jointly called for an impartial inquiry into the Israeli operation and for crossings into Gaza to be opened. Earlier, Turkey's foreign minister called Israel's actions "murder by a state". Israel's UN envoy said troops acted in self-defence when activists attacked them, charges the campaigners deny. "This flotilla was anything but a humanitarian mission," Israel's deputy UN ambassador Daniel Carmon said. Continue reading the main story The Security Council deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza UN Security Council statement UN text on Israel convoy raid Send us your comments He said the activists had used "knives, clubs and other weapons" to attack the soldiers who boarded the lead boat, the Mavi Marmara. Captain Aria Shaliker of the Israel Defense Forces, who was part of the operation on Monday, says the commandos began the raids armed with paint ball guns. "I was, myself, on one of the boats, the Israeli boats, approaching the flotilla,"."It is true that the Israeli commander unit... came on board with paint ball weapons... in order to disperse [people] if there was violence. They were ready for a violent... demonstration on board the flotilla, especially on the big boat, the Marmara. No-one really expected that there would be such a violent outcome of what happened. "First, you know, the soldiers tried to disperse, but in the end when they were shot at, you know when there was shooting... from the other side, there's no other way than turning from paint ball to live ammunition." The campaigners say the soldiers opened fire without any provocation. Of the 679 surviving activists, who were brought to the Israeli port of Ashdod, only 50 agreed to be voluntarily deported and more than 30 are being treated in hospital for their injuries, reports the BBC's Wyre Davies in Jerusalem. That means that almost 600 people, from several countries, are still being held in detention centres across Israel and are being questioned by the authorities. Israel has imposed an information blackout, making it difficult to gather first-hand accounts from the campaigners. The ships were carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid in an attempt to break Israel's three-year blockade of the Gaza Strip. Israel says it will deliver the ships' aid cargo to Gaza by land. Nato ambassadors are due to hold emergency talks in Brussels at Turkey's request to discuss the raid. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he regretted any loss of life, but gave full backing to the action of the Israeli troops. Mr Netanyahu cut short a visit to Canada to deal with the growing crisis and cancelled a scheduled meeting in Washington with US President Barack Obama on Tuesday. He is due back in Israel on Tuesday. Israel tightened its blockade of the Gaza Strip after Hamas seized power there in 2007. Israel says it allows about 15,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid into Gaza every week, but the UN says this is less than a quarter of what is needed. 

UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 

UN BAN KI MOON AND THE RAID ON GAZA BY ISRAEL.
31 May 2010 – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today expressed his shock at the deadly military interception on boats loaded with relief supplies headed for Gaza, calling on Israel to fully explain its actions. According to media reports, early this morning in international waters, Israeli intercepted and took control of the six-ship aid convoy, which was carrying hundreds of activists from several countries. At least ten people were killed in serious violence on one or more of the vessels. “I condemn this violence,” Mr. Ban said from Kampala, Uganda, where he presided over the first review conference of the International Criminal Court (ICC). “It is vital that there is a full investigation to determine exactly how this bloodshed took place,” he said. “I believe Israel must urgently provide a full explanation.” The Security Council held an emergency session today to discuss the incident. Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Oscar Fernandez-Taranco told the Council's open meeting that “today's bloodshed would have been avoided if repeated calls on Israel to end the counterproductive and unacceptable blockade of Gaza had been heeded.” He spotlighted “the scale of unmet needs of Gaza's civilian population,” underlining that “the blockade is unacceptable and counterproductive and must end.” Mr. Fernandez-Taranco noted that today's developments come as indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinians began last month. The incident took place “at a time when all efforts should be focused on the need to build trust and advance Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, and nurture regional cooperation in support of peace,” he said. “It is vital that the proximity talks continue.” John Holmes, UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, condemned today's “dreadful waste of life over a humanitarian issue,” emphasizing the need to end the blockade of Gaza. “It has worsened conditions of life for one and a half million Palestinians, deepened poverty and food insecurity, prevented reconstruction, and increased aid dependence by destroying livelihoods and economic activity,” said Mr. Holmes, who also serves as the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. “It has helped only the extremists.” Also speaking out against today's events was UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, who emphasized that “nothing can justify the appalling outcome of this operation.” Calling for a probe into the incident, she underscored the need for accountability. “I unequivocally condemn what appears to be disproportionate use of force, resulting in the killing and wounding of so many people attempting to bring much-needed aid to the people of Gaza, who have now been enduring a blockade for more than three years,” Ms. Pillay said. She called on the Israeli Government to heed the “almost unanimous international view that the continued blockade of Gaza is both inhumane and illegal.” The blockade, the High Commissioner pointed out, “lies at the heart of so many of the problems plaguing the Israel-Palestine situation, as does the impression that the Israeli Government treats international law with perpetual disdain.” For his part, Richard Falk, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, said that “Israel is guilty of shocking behavior by using deadly weapons against unarmed civilians on ships that were situated in the high seas where freedom of navigation exists, according to the law of the seas.” He echoed the calls by the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner for an investigation into today's incident, stressing that it is “essential that those Israelis responsible for this lawless and murderous behavior, including political leaders who issued the orders, be held criminally accountable for their wrongful acts.” Mr. Falk characterized the blockade of Gaza as a “massive form of collective punishment” that is tantamount to a crime against humanity. “Unless prompt and decisive action is taken to challenge the Israeli approach to Gaza all of us will be complicit in criminal policies that are challenging the survival of an entire beleaguered community,” he said.

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NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT    

NEW YORK. AT WEST SIDE PIER, NEW YORKERS CHECK THE MILIRAY SHIPS   By Jacques Dusseck and Tembeck, Jr.:

New Yorkers and tourists alike are flocking to the West Side of Manhattan this Memorial Day weekend to check out the three military ships that are docked at Pier 88. Visitors can get an up close look at all the equipment and interact with Navy members who have served overseas. One Vietnam-era veteran from Rye Brook, New York says he brought his great nephew to teach him the day's importance. "We try to tell him that it's service men that have served and have gone to their death. It's something that you have to commemorate because the past has a way of creating a foundation for the future for you it's soldiers who have died so you can have today," said the war veteran. "Today it's more like a celebration. It's hamburgers, french fries, it's barbecues. It's going away. It's everything but remembering what the holiday was originally," said another war veteran. On Monday, there will be a Memorial Day ceremony onboard the Intrepid that includes a wreath laying, military flyover, and the unfurling of a 100-foot American flag.

NEW YORK. VIGIL HELD SUNDAY FOR ANNIVERSARY OF DEADLY CRANE.
By Jerry Blumberg and Malherbe Metelus 
A vigil was held Sunday to mark the two year anniversary of the deadly crane collapse on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Family members gathered at 91st Street and First Avenue to remember Ramadan Kurtaj, 28. He and crane operator Donald Leo, 30, were killed in May of 2008 when the 200-foot crane crashed into an apartment building at the site. Both families are suing the city, the Department of Buildings, several construction companies and others for wrongful death on the basis the collapsed crane was put into service despite a history of poor maintenance and reckless repairs. Kurtaj's family says they want to make sure this never happens again. "We're just sad. The pain never goes away, it's very, very hard. It's been two years, it seems like yesterday," said Kurtaj's cousin, Xhevahire Sinanaj. In March, the owner of New York Crane and Equipment Corp. and J.F. Lomma Inc. was indicted on manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and assault charges. James Lomma has pleaded not guilty and his attorney maintains it was an accident, not a crime.

NEW YORK. MARBLE COLLEGIATE CHURCH.TRIBUTE TO FALLEN HEROES.
By Scott Strong and Jacques Dusseck
A special Memorial Day service was held at Midtown church Sunday in honor of members of the military. Dozens of veterans as well as active military personnel attended the service at Marble Collegiate Church. An officer addressed the congregation and spoke of faith, sacrifice and healing during times of war and peace. In honor of those who lost their lives serving the country, commemorative ribbons were added to the memorial on display outside the church. Service men and women say it's a way to honor their fallen comrades. "I'm really touched and moved by the ribbons out here. A lot of these are friends and fellow service members and it's so wonderful to know our fellow Americans are remembering us and supporting us. It means an awful lot," said U.S. Marine Corps Chaplain David Todd. "When we began the project we had no idea it would go on for such a long time. So we just pray, pray, pray that this will end and we can stop the project but until peace comes we shall continue to honor those who have served," said Paulette Thompson-Clinton of Marble Collegiate Church. The yellow ribbons draping the fence bear the names of soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan.

COPS FOUND SAMUEL HERR'S HEAD
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg
FBI agents and police searched the park with cadaver dogs for two days before finding the head thought to be Samuel Herr, 26, on Saturday, police Sgt. Patrick Wessel said. An arm and hand were found at the park Friday, and authorities had said the head was the only body part still missing. A coroner will officially determine whether the remains were Herr, Wessel said. Herr's neighbor Daniel Wozniak, 26, is accused of killing and dismembering Herr and killing Herr's friend Juri Kibuishi for money. Wozniak was charged with two counts of murder Friday, just hours before he was scheduled to get married in another park. He was being held without bail Sunday and was scheduled to be arraigned by videoconference Tuesday. Investigators believe Herr was shot and killed in a theater at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base. His torso was found in the theater's attic May 21. Authorities have not said why the two were at the base. However, Herr was an Army veteran who had served in Afghanistan, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday. He and Kibuishi were both students at Orange Coast College. Authorities allege Wozniak shot Herr, then cut off his head, left arm and right hand. Investigators said Wozniak told them where to find the torso. Wozniak also is accused of shooting Kibuishi after summoning her with a text message on Herr's phone. Authorities believe Wozniak removed Kibuishi's clothes to fake a sexual assault. Herr's father found her body in Herr's apartment May 22. Wozniak, a stage actor, had recently appeared in the leading role in the musical "Nine" at the Hunger Artists Theater Company in Fullerton. He had money problems, and police believe the motive was financial. Wozniak had been scheduled to marry Rachel Buffet, one of his "Nine" co-stars, on Saturday. Police detained a 17-year-old boy Wednesday after he withdrew nearly $2,000 from Herr's bank account, money the boy said was for Wozniak, police said. Detective Sgt. Ed Everett said the boy was not considered an accessory to the murders but may be charged with other crimes. His name was withheld because he is a minor. Wozniak's father, Daryl Wozniak, said his son tried to commit suicide after his Wednesday arrest and was treated at Western Medical Center. Daryl Wozniak said his son never showed any violent tendencies or psychological problems but stopped accepting his phone calls six months ago. Two other people, Daniel Wozniak's brother Timothy Wozniak and Buffet's brother Noah Buffet, were arrested for investigation of being accessories after the fact. However, Everett said Sunday authorities have since determined neither was involved with the case, and he said neither is expected to be charged.

SOHO, NY. MIDDLE-AGED COUPLE ARRESTED FOR DRUG DEALING.
By Jacques Dusseck and John Tembeck. Jr.
 A middle-aged couple has been busted for brazenly pushing crack on a posh street in SoHo, investigators said. The alleged drug dealing attracted a parade of seedy buyers who would line up early in the morning, waiting near designer shops and million-dollar condos, a source said. The operation was so blatant that veteran detectives waiting to pounce were shocked to see Antonio Henriques, 51, complete three more sales just before they arrested him and his wife, Mary, 47. The Henriqueses lived in and worked out of a one-room "hovel" in the basement of a building on Sullivan Street between Prince and Houston, the source said. The rest of the block consists of fancy restaurants and expensive town houses and apartment buildings. The couple allegedly ran the illicit trade from that spot for at least three months before they were led off in handcuffs on April 28 by cops who reported recovering 192 bags of crack as well as some marijuana. Loyal customers, not having gotten word of the drug bust, could be seen early the next day, desperately waiting.

NYPD REPORT  5/30           
By Jacques Dusseck, John Tembeck Jr,  Jerry Blumberg, Malherbe Metelus and Jerry Blumberg.

IN BROOKLYN
*Police are hunting for an armed bandit caught on camera during a stickup in Flatbush. The man first struck at 9 p.m. on May 18, when he pulled off a gunpoint robbery at the Telecomm store on Flatbush Avenue, police said. The same hooded bandit struck again May 20, when he held up the Sprint phone store on Church Avenue, police said.

* One man was nailed, but his partners in crime escaped after a thug posse attacked an ice cream man in Brownsville. Prince Swain, 17, and six friends attacked the merchant on Sutter Avenue at 4 p.m. Thursday, police said. One of the teens punched the man in the face, knocking him to the ground and the others attacked him, said sources. The injured man ran and was chased by several of the attackers while others wheeled away his ice cream cart, said the sources. Cops caught Swain with the stolen cart nearby, said the sources.

IN QUEENS
*Two women were busted after they were caught breaking into a neighbor's home in Rockaway Beach, cops said. The victim was sound asleep in her home on Beach 126th Street on May 20 when she was awakened by a noise at 1:30 a.m., said sources. The woman ventured downstairs to investigate and found her neighbor, Megan Murtagh, 24, and cohort Jennifer Polizzi, 28, standing inside the front porch area, the sources said. Both were arrested.

* Police were watching when Tasheem Montgomery, 25, handed three bags of marijuana to Lawson Harper, 21, on Rockaway Beach Boulevard at 11 a.m. Wednesday, cops said. Cops moved in, grabbed Harper, and found the drugs in his pants pocket, according to court papers. Another cop grabbed Montgomery, and when he tried to handcuff him, Montgomery pushed him and ran off, said sources. Cops caught up with him and he was charged with resisting arrest.

IN STATEN ISLAND
* An angry ex-boyfriend was busted after he choked his former lover during an argument in Great Kills, law enforcement sources said. Raymond Stolpinski, 42, had been arguing with his ex inside her home on Driggs Street at 11 a.m. Thursday when he hurled a chair at her and choked her, said the sources. She broke free and called police. Stolpinski was arrested. In 2000, Stolpinski pleaded guilty to manslaughter and served seven years in prison in the 1996 shooting death of his then-wife, Elizabeth.

  INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS

GUATEMALA. POWERFUL TROPICAL STORM HIT CENTRAL AMERICA.
The worst-hit country was Guatemala, where officials say at least 82 people died. Nine were killed in El Salvador and at least eight in Honduras. Storm Agatha swept in from the Pacific Ocean on Saturday, bringing torrential rains that added to disruption caused by a volcano erupting in Guatemala. The storm is dissipating but more heavy rain is forecast for the next few days. A state of emergency has been declared in three countries Rescue workers have been clearing debris from roads to reach cut-off communities. Many areas have not been reached and the number of dead is expected to rise. In Guatemala, where Agatha made landfall on Saturday, at least 53 people were reported missing. Parts of Guatemala have received their highest rainfall in more than 60 years, according to the country's President Alvaro Colom, who said more than 3ft (1m) of rain fell in some areas. "Many places are cut off but it appears the weather will improve a bit today and we will be able to airlift supplies to those places. The road network is badly damaged," President Colom said at a news conference on Sunday. Nearly 112,000 people have been evacuated from their homes across Guatemala, officials said. Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras have all declared emergencies in an attempt to increase immediate aid and resources. Agatha - the first named storm of the Pacific hurricane season - also hit southern Mexico. The storm is dissipating over the mountains of western Guatemala - but emergency workers have warned residents to expect heavy rain for several more days. A mudslide devastated an entire neighbourhood in the Guatemalan town of San Antonio Palopo, 90 miles (150km) south-east of the capital. "There was a mudslide that wiped out homes, trees and everything in its path," a witness told local radio. In Quetzaltenango, 125 miles (200km) west of the capital, Guatemala City, a boulder came loose and crushed a house, killing four people, including two children. In El Salvador rains triggered at least 140 landslides in which President Mauricio Funes said nine people had died. "Although the storm appears to be diminishing in intensity, the situation across the country remains critical," he said. Officials in Honduras, where several regions have been put under a state of emergency, said there had been at least eight storm-related deaths. The storm has also complicated efforts to clear up ash from the Pacaya volcano in southern Guatemala, which began erupting on Thursday. Guatemala's main airport has been closed while workers clear the runways. A state of emergency declared because of the volcanic eruption has been extended across the country.

GERMANY. PRESIDENT HORST KOELER HAS RESIGNED .
 Mr Koehler previously headed the International Monetary Fund German President Horst Koehler says he is resigning immediately, following criticism of remarks he made about German military deployments abroad. Mr Koehler, whose job is largely ceremonial, had linked missions such as the Afghanistan deployment with the defense of economic interests. His remarks drew criticism from a number of German politicians. Mr Koehler, 67, was re-elected last year to serve a second five-year term as president. He made the controversial remarks in a radio interview after a brief visit to Afghanistan earlier this month. He said that for an export-orientated country like Germany, it was sometimes necessary to deploy troops "to protect our interests... for example free trade routes". Announcing his resignation on Monday, he said "it was an honor for me to serve Germany as president". With his wife standing next to him, he said he regretted that his comments could lead to a misunderstanding about a difficult question for the nation. Jens Boehrnsen, speaker of the parliament's upper house (Bundesrat), will be interim president. He is in the opposition Social Democratic Party (SPD).  Mr Koehler's remarks about military missions led to accusations of gunboat diplomacy and embarrassment for Chancellor Angela Merkel's government. It has come under strong popular pressure to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. Mr Koehler's shock decision could hardly have come at a worst time, our correspondent says. Polls show that the government's approval rating has plummeted to a four-year low, mainly due to its management of the euro zone crisis.

COLOMBIA, BOGOTA. JUAN MANUEL SANTOS NEXT COLOMBIAN CHIEF.
Juan Manuel Santos seems set for victory in next month's run-off In the end, it seems Colombians were more comfortable with continuity than change when they cast their votes in Sunday's presidential election. Juan Manuel Santos, the former defense minister who helped to implement President Alvaro Uribe's hard-line, US-backed security policies, scored a decisive win with nearly 47% of the vote. "I must confess that I am very excited and I receive these results with humility," said Mr Santos. "Today Colombia won, today democracy won." But Mr Santos's win was just short of the outright majority needed to prevent the contest going to a second round on 20 June. Enthusiasm for Mr Mockus did not translate into votes Up against him will be Antanas Mockus of the Green Party, who took just 21%, far below what the opinion polls had suggested a week ago when they placed him neck-and-neck with Mr Santos. His proposals to clean up politics and do away with the corruption that has dogged the last years of Mr Uribe's administration were embraced by many Colombians. But when it came down to marking the ballot paper, most opted for the safe pair of hands that Mr Santos represents.  Mr Mockus, 58, was beaten but not bowed. "We have achieved a goal that seemed difficult to reach: to get to the second round," he said to crowds of supporters wearing the party's green T-shirts. "More than three million citizens have joined what has become a green wave of hope." In third place, with 10%, was another pro-government and pro-Uribe candidate, German Vargas Lleras, who will almost certainly negotiate a deal with Mr Santos. There were clashes between soldiers and rebels but violence was down This means that, combined with the votes gathered by the Conservative Party, another part of the Uribe coalition, Mr Santos could win 60% in June's run-off contest. "There is such a great difference in votes between Santos and Mockus that, barring a political earthquake, the gap cannot be closed," said political and security analyst Roman Ortiz. The day of voting itself passed without any serious attacks by the Marxist rebels who have been fighting for 46 years to overthrow the state and install a socialist regime. Sources from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) told the BBC that any large-scale actions by the guerrillas could play into the hands of Mr Santos. He has vowed to continue Mr Uribe's Democratic Security Policy, the foundation of the president's still high approval ratings and the principal platform of Mr Santos' campaign. During Sunday's vote, the security forces disarmed seven explosive devices and dealt with four rebel attacks, which claimed the lives of at least one soldier. But this was a quiet day compared with previous elections. The fact that Mr Santos is almost assured of victory next month will not be welcome news in neighboring Venezuela or Ecuador, who have long had strained ties with Colombia. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has branded Mr Santos "a threat to the entire region". An Ecuadorean court has indicted Mr Santos to stand trial for the bombardment of a Farc camp 2km within Ecuador in March 2008. In the raid, 26 alleged rebels were killed, among them an Ecuadorian citizen.

 UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 

UN PAYS TRIBUTE TO HIS PEACEKEEPERS.
 28 May 2010 – The United Nations celebrated on 28 May the dedication and courage of the men and women who play an indispensable role in the cause of peace around the world, while honouring the sacrifices of those who paid the ultimate price in that service. The eighth annual International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers pays tribute to the more than 124,000 personnel who are serving in 16 operations on four continents, doing everything from clearing landmines and delivering aid to helping refugees and supporting free and fair elections. “Our courageous peacekeepers are among the best of what the United Nations has to offer,” Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro remarked during a wreath-laying ceremony at UN Headquarters in New York to honour fallen colleagues. “This is a day to celebrate their remarkable contributions. They do so much more than keeping the peace: they build bridges… they earn trust… they help societies heal the wounds of war,” she said. “But today we also remember the terrible price they pay for their critical but dangerous work.” This year’s observance is a particularly sombre one owing to several tragedies that struck UN peacekeeping over the last year, from ambushes in Darfur, terrorism in Kabul, and the tragic earthquake in Haiti. As part of the commemorative events, 218 peacekeepers who lost their lives while serving under the blue flag over the past 14 months were posthumously awarded the Dag Hammarskjöld medal at a ceremony presided over by Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations Alain Le Roy. This year’s theme is “Haiti Standing,” to mark the loss of 101 UN peacekeepers in the 12 January quake and highlight the ongoing contributions by the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) to the country’s recovery. The tragedy in Haiti represented the biggest single loss of life in UN peacekeeping history, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon noted in his message for the Day. “But that dark day also became one of our finest hours, as the men and women of MINUSTAH set aside their own trauma, got the mission quickly back on its feet and helped the people of Haiti cope with the horrific aftermath,” he stated. Mr. Ban, who is currently attending an international conference in Rio de Janeiro, met yesterday with the families of Brazilian peacekeepers killed in the Haiti earthquake, and participated at the unveiling of a commemorative plaque for the peacekeepers. “Hope in action. That is their legacy,” he told the gathering. “They gave everything for the country of Brazil… for the people of Haiti… for the work of the United Nations.” General Assembly President Ali Treki, in his message for the Day, noted that some 9,000 personnel in uniform are currently providing security, clearing roads, conducting patrols, helping to restore basic services to the Haitian people, and much more. “Thanks to the courageous efforts of our peacekeepers in Haiti, there is hope and opportunity to recover and rebuild from a catastrophe of such proportions.” The Assembly established the International Day in 2002 to pay tribute to all men and women serving in UN peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication and courage, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in the cause of peace. The 192-member body designated 29 May as the Day, as it was the date in 1948 when the first UN peacekeeping mission, the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO), began operations in Palestine. As that falls on a Saturday this year, many commemorative events have been held on 28 May

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NY BREAKING NEWS NYPD REPORT    

NEW YORK. ATTORNEY GENERAL ANDREW CUOMO STRONG IN THE RACE
By Jacques Dusseck and John Tembeck, Jr.
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo received upstate the endorsement of the state's Independence Party for the race for governor Tuesday, right before state Democrats launched their own nominating convention in Rye Brook, N.Y. There is still no indication who Cuomo will ask to be his lieutenant governor nominee, but some think he may look for someone from upstate or a woman to help balance the ticket's demographics. The Democratic frontrunner is looking for support from both sides of the political aisle, reaching out to conservative and independent voters, and adding three veteran Republicans to his campaign staff. "I'm not going to run a hyper-partisan campaign. I wasn't a hyper-partisan attorney general, I don't want to be a hyper-partisan governor. When you're a statewide elected official you represent all the people," Cuomo said. While the Independence party backed Democrat Eliot Spitzer four years ago, the party carried Rochester businessman Tom Golisano three times. "We've been a line that is the party of political reform. We honestly feel that we're in a comfortable spot for people in other parties to vote for a candidate in another party," said New York State Independence Party Chairman Frank McKay. As for the Working Families Party line, Cuomo is under pressure to refuse its endorsement amid an investigation into its for-profit arms. If the party fails to get 50,000 votes in November, it will lose its automatic placement on the ballot in four years. Meanwhile, another Republican is joining the already crowded race for governor, as Manhattan real estate entrepreneur Businessman Myers Mermel announced his candidacy Sunday. He joins a crowded Republican primary field that includes businessman Carl Paladino, Democrat-turned-Republican Steve Levy and former Long Island Congressman Rick Lazio.

SUPER BOWL 2014 WILL BE HELD AT MEADOWLANDS STADIUM IN NJ.
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg
National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell made the announcement Tuesday at the NFL owners meeting in Texas. The New Jersey venue was the odds-on favorite to be awarded the game. The chance for the New York City area to host a Super Bowl has long been held up over weather concerns. The game is normally played in a warm climate or at a stadium with a roof, neither of which is the case at the new $1.6 billion stadium. Temperatures in East Rutherford, N.J. in early February are usually in the 20s, but that is not worrying local football fans. "Football's supposed to be played in the cold. Let's have a real team, a real Super Bowl team, championship team played in the cold," said one fan. "Cold weather is football, it works," said another. "There's all these teams in the north, in Minnesota and Boston, and it doesn't stop them. "Anything to bring more money to the city I'm for. It'd be nice to have a Super Bowl here," said a third. Miami and Tampa were also in the running to host Super Bowl XLVII. The New York Giants and New York Jets estimate the Meadowlands Super Bowl will bring in $550 million to the New York City area. "We think this is going to be a great, great event for New York and New Jersey, not just the economic impact, but certainly the excitement surrounding the game, and we could use a little bit of that I think in New York and New Jersey," said Giants co-owner John Mara. "To bring something like this, to be involved in bringing something this big to New Jersey and the New York region, I think is a tremendous thing for all the people who live in our area," said Jets owner Woody Johnson. The first football game at the new $1.6 billion Meadowlands Stadium will be a preseason game between the Jets and Giants this August.

ALBANY. PATERSON URGES LEADERS TO CLOSE BILLIONS IN BUDGET GAP
By Scott Strong and John Tembeck, Jr.
With the state budget nearly two months late, the need for cuts in state spending took center stage at another public meeting of legislative leaders in Albany Tuesday. Governor David Paterson said the state Legislature's two houses remain far short of meeting his recommendations in cuts to close a mounting budget deficit. "The whole sense of reaching decisions is impaired by, obviously, the political environment," said the governor. Paterson said the state needs to close an $9.2 billion gap in the budget, and both the Assembly and the State Senate are are at least $2.5 billion short of that figure. The governor acknowledged proposed cuts may seem small in number, but cautions cuts in one area can have drastic implications on a wider level. "It's the various different areas where there are disagreements that are probably slight numerically, when you compare it to a $130 billion budget and a $9.2 billion deficit reduction, but they are very significant because if you touch on any of them, it ignites other issues," Paterson said. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver suggested getting staffs together to discuss the allocations of cuts and report back by Thursday. Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos said the state must address is Medicaid spending and address widespread fraud, which he said will help improve reform.

NYPD REPORT  5/25           
By Jacques Dusseck, John Tembeck Jr, Patricia Faurelus, Jerry Blumberg and Irene Saunder, Malherbe Metelus

IN MANHATTAN
*Police are hunting for this suspected pervert (pictured), who allegedly fondled a woman in her Upper West Side apartment building. The creep accosted the 25-year-old woman on a staircase landing in the West 67th Street building at about 3:20 a.m. on May 16. He grabbed her inappropriately and fled.

* A fingerprint match led to the arrest of an ex-con who swiped laptops from Midtown commercial buildings, authorities said yesterday. Elice Cobb, 49, who has served several stints in prison for burglary, began his latest crime spree at Market Research on East 29th Street near Park Avenue South on Jan. 13, cops said. Police are hunting for this suspected pervert (above), who allegedly fondled a woman in her Upper West Side apartment building. He broke into the business and took three laptops, cops said. On April 14, he allegedly struck again, at Ballin International on West 57th Street near Sixth Avenue, and snatched two laptops. Cobb was arrested Wednesday and charged with burglary after illegally entering two West 45th Street buildings and being caught hiding in a bathroom, police said.

IN STATEN ISLAND
*Talk about a bumpy ride. Boozed-up motorist John Fitzpatrick was busted after police spotted him driving with no front, passenger-side tire at the Verrazano Bridge, police said yesterday. Cops stopped Fitzpatrick, 22, in a 2001 Nissan at the toll plaza near Major Avenue and Lily Pond Avenue at 1:50 a.m. Sunday. Fitzpatrick reeked of booze and failed a Breathalyzer test, police said. The cops also said they recovered several bags of presumed marijuana and a digital scale from the car. A spokesman for Daniel Donovan said Fitzpatrick was charged with DWI and marijuana possession.

* Another drunken driver landed behind bars after he nearly crashed into a house in Dongan Hills, authorities said yesterday. Robert Martino, 41, lost control of a 1996 Honda, which wound up on the lawn of the house on Delaware Avenue near Henry Place at 11:47 p.m. Saturday. When cops arrived, they noticed that Martino was slurring his words and staggering around outside the car, police said. He was given a Breathalyzer test, which he allegedly failed, blowing a .154. The legal limit is .08.

* A teen swiped a $39.50 sweater and beat up a security guard in the Staten Island Mall, authorities said yesterday. Grethel McDonald, 18, grabbed the sweater from a hanger in Macy's and placed it in a plastic bag at about 5 p.m. Saturday, cops said. A guard saw the incident and confronted McDonald, who slugged him in the mouth, chipping his tooth, police said. Cops were called and arrested McDonald.

IN BROOKLYN*
A thug was busted for beating a Bed-Stuy laundry worker after being barred from loitering there, police said. Johnathan Powells, 42, was outside the Tip Top Laundromat on Throop Avenue near Fulton Street at 9:48 a.m. Sunday when the confrontation occurred, cops said. Powells allegedly punched the 57-year- old victim in the face and ribs, tossed him to the ground, choked him and slammed his head against the sidewalk. Powells fled but was soon captured and charged with assault. The victim was not seriously injured.

  INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS

 KINGSTON, JAMAICA. PRIME MINISTER GOLDIN MUST RESTORE ORDER
The government is hoping to regain control Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding has vowed to restore order after at least 31 deaths during an anti-drug offensive in Kingston. He said he regretted the loss of life as security forces battled fighters loyal to a suspected drug trafficker sought by the US. Mr Golding said police would continue searching for illegal guns and crime suspects. The whereabouts of alleged drug lord Christopher "Dudus" Coke are unknown. He has thousands of loyal followers who have promised to protect him at any cost. Police say they have detained more than 200 people and seized arms and ammunition. New gun battles raged on Tuesday as police and soldiers searched Kingston's Tivoli Gardens district for Mr Coke. The fighting has intermittently blocked the road to Kingston's airport and forced some flights to be cancelled. Western countries such as the US and Britain have warned their citizens against travel to Kingston and its surrounding area in the current circumstances. Prime Minister Golding, who approved Mr Coke's extradition to the US last week after a delay of nine months, reported to parliament on the crisis. Out on the streets, the police are watching for snipers. The occasional bullet whizzed through the air and hit the palm trees. This is a disaster for Jamaica's reputation. The main offensive is a mile away, but even in thecommercial heart of the capital, people are being pinned back against the walls. Normal life is on hold. Dudas is seen by many here as a kind of Robin Hood figure, a protector of the poor. And that's why it's hard to see what happens next - the authorities are intent on capturing Dudas; those loyal to him intent on stopping that at whatever cost. "The government deeply regrets the loss of lives of members of the security forces, and those of innocent law-abiding citizens who were caught in the cross fire," he said. Estimates of the death toll vary from 31 to 60 but almost all of the victims are said to be civilians. Police Director of Communications Karl Angell told Reuters news agency that 26 civilians had been killed and 25 injured in Tivoli Gardens. Two other civilians were shot dead by suspected supporters of Mr Coke in Spanish Town, an area 14 miles (22km) west of Kingston, officials said. At least three members of the security forces have also been killed in the violence which began on Sunday. Hospital sources said that more than 60 bodies had been unloaded on Tuesday at a morgue in one of the Jamaican capital's main hospitals. A nurse counted 12 bodies on the third lorry.'Big on human rights' A state of emergency has been in place in parts of Kingston since Friday, when several police stations were attacked. TIVOLI GARDENS Located on Jamaica's south-eastern coast, far from tourist hub in north Built in late 1960s on grounds of a cleared dump known as the Dungle or "dung hill" Warren-like public housing project with population of about 25,000 One of Jamaica's notorious "garrison" slums - described as "a state within a state" Power base of PM Bruce Golding's West Kingston constituency Invaded in 2001 by security forces in search of illegal weapons; 25 people killed in three-day stand-off Four residents died in a similar operation in 1997 Witness: 'We got out fast'   Coke, 41, insists he is a legitimate businessman and enjoys the support of many impoverished Kingston residents who see him as a benefactor. The US justice department accuses him of being one of the world's most dangerous drug barons. Thousands of heavily armed police and soldiers have been making their way through the capital's most violent slums, battling masked gunmen loyal to Coke. Gangs from slums just outside the capital also joined the fight, erecting barricades on roadways and shooting at troops. Jamaica's Minister of Education, Andrew Holness, said the government had the situation under control. "The government is always in control, we've never lost control," he said. The security forces were acting according to the law, he insisted, adding: "This government is one that is big on protecting human rights." Mr Coke is said to lead a gang called the Shower Posse - owing to the volume of bullets used in shootings - and operate an international smuggling network. The gang has also been blamed for numerous murders in Jamaica and the US. Mr Coke faces a life sentence if convicted of the charges filed against him in New York. The drugs trade is deeply entrenched in Jamaica, an island nation of 2.8 million people with one of the highest murder rates in the world. Some 1,660 homicides were recorded there in 2009, AP news agency reports.

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STATEN ISLAND. GRANDMOTHER KILLED BY CAR ON SIDEWALK
 By Jerry Blumberg and Malherbe Metelus
A Staten Island grandmother was killed this morning when a car mounted the sidewalk – striking the woman. According to preliminary police reports, a 2004 Chevy SUV and a 2005 Subaru collided just before 11:45 a.m. at Slosson Avenue and Windsor Road in Castleton Corners. The force of the crash sent the SUV onto the sidewalk, where it hit the 59-year-old woman and her three-year-old relative. The woman was taken to Richmond University Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. The boy was also taken to the hospital in stable condition. Police say the two drivers, a 69-year-old woman and a 41-year-old woman were both taken to Staten Island University Hospital in stable condition.

NEW YORK. DETECTIVE OSCAR SANDINO ARRESTED ON SEXUAL CHARGES.
By Scoot Strong and Malherbe Metelus
According to federal authorities, Oscar Sandino, 37, forced the girlfriend of a drug suspect to perform a sex act in a police station bathroom. Sandino, who worked for the Queens North Narcotics Bureau, was arrested today and is scheduled to appear in federal court later this afternoon. Prosecutors allege that Sandino victimized at least two other women under similar circumstances. He was removed from active duty in 2008 when these allegations arose. His attorney has not commented on the charges

NEW YORK. TIMES SQUARE CAR BOMB MAN DUE TO BE IN COURT.
By Jacques Dusseck and John Tembeck, Jr.
The man who confessed to parking an explosives-filled SUV in Times Square earlier this month is expected in court today. Faisal Shazad has not faced a judge since he was taken into custody on May 3rd because he has been cooperating with investigators. He has been held at an undisclosed location. However, at around 3:15 p.m., the U.S. .Attorney for the Southern District of New York said Shahzad will appear before United States Magistrate Judge James Francis sometime this afternoon on five felony charges in connection with the bombing attempt. This comes as top intelligence officials are meeting with government officials in Pakistan to discuss the bombing investigation. Published reports say National Security Adviser James Jones and CIA Director Leon Panetta flew to Pakistan last night for meetings with Pakistani government and intelligence officials. They are reiterating the importance that the Obama administration places on aggressive military action against groups with al-Qaida ties. Officials say the administration is pleased so far with Pakistan's cooperation, focusing on whether insurgent groups trained Shahzad and helped him plan his May 1st attack. He has told investigators he traveled to Pakistan to train with the Pakistani Taliban. Attorney General Eric Holder has said the administration believes the group was behind the attempted attack. Reports are also saying Shahzad had his mind on four other targets if his Times Square plot succeeded. He is said to have told interrogators he wanted to hit Rockefeller Center, Grand Central Terminal, the World Financial Center and the Connecticut headquarters of defense contractor Sikorsky.

NYPD REPORT 5/18   
By Jacques Dusseck, John Tembeck Jr, Patricia Faurelus, Jerry Blumberg and Irene Saunder

IN MANHATTAN
* Kerian Marcinkus, 41, was sleeping in his mother's Bronx home at 12:30 p.m. when he got a rude awakening and was busted by police on robbery charges, sources said. Marcinkus confessed that he robbed the Valley National Bank on Fifth Avenue near East 31st Street at about noon on Thursday. He allegedly told a teller, "This is a robbery. I have a gun. Give me hundreds, please." The teller handed over $900.

* A thief cleaned out an acquaintance's Upper East Side apartment after the victim fell asleep, authorities said yesterday. Lascelle Slowley, 45, allegedly grabbed a $3,200 Tag Heuer watch, a $499 Apple iPhone, keys to a safe and a Detective's Endowment Association card from the victim's apartment on East 69th Street near York Avenue at 3 a.m. on May 3. The snoozing victim woke up a short time later to find his possessions missing and Slowley gone. The victim, who is not a detective, called 911, and Slowley was busted Thursday for grand larceny.

* Kenneth Moore, 49, was busted after he swiped about $8,000 in fur coats from a Chinatown store, authorities said yesterday. Moore allegedly broke into the shop on Elizabeth Street near Hester Street at about 4 a.m. Thursday, swiped six furs and dashed outside while the store alarm was sounding. Responding cops quickly nabbed him on grand-larceny charges.

* A thug cracked a man in the face with a brick in Greenwich Village, authorities said yesterday. For unknown reasons, Nigel Jagmohan, 36, allegedly whacked the victim with the brick, which was wrapped in a T-shirt, on MacDougal Street near Bleecker Street at about 2 a.m. Friday. Police were called and arrested Jagmohan on assault charges.

IN BROOLYN
* One of three gun-toting bandits wearing wigs and hoodies was immediately recognized when he and his cohorts tried to stick up an East New York deli, leading to his arrest, authorities said yesterday. Taheem Kindred, 21, and his two accomplices walked into Kings Deli Grocery on Belmont Avenue at Watkins Street at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and ordered the two clerks to hand over cash, officials said. But one of the workers, who knows Kindred from the neighborhood, recognized him and thought he was joking. "What's up, Boogs?" the worker said, using Kindred's nickname. Kindred didn't take too kindly to that, police said. He allegedly pulled out a gun and shot one of the workers in the ribs. The bullet went through the man and struck the other worker in the arm. The suspects fled, but Kindred was busted Sunday and charged with attempted murder and attempted robbery. His alleged cohorts are still at large. Both victims were treated at and released from local hospitals.

IN STATEN ISLAND
*A man was shot to death yesterday after a block party in Mariners Park, authorities said. Timothy Browning, 39, was shot twice in the torso on Lockman Avenue near Brabant Street at about 3 a.m. after the gunman approached and opened fire, cops said. Browning, who had an arrest record for drugs, later died at Richmond University Hospital.

* Cops busted a purse snatcher who assaulted a woman when she tried to fight him off in Port Richmond, cops said yesterday. Daniel Aleman, 30, allegedly tried to grab the woman's purse on Taylor Street near Castleton Avenue at 4 a.m. Saturday. During an ensuing struggle, Aleman allegedly pushed the victim against a fence, pummeled her face and fled with her purse. Aleman was soon captured and charged with robbery, grand larceny and assault.

   
 INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS

 TEHERAN, IRAN. NEW STRONG SANCTIONS AGAINST IRAN BEING PROPOSED.
Mrs Clinton addressed the Senate A proposal for "strong" new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme is being submitted to all members of the UN Security Council in New York. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced earlier that the five, veto-wielding permanent members had agreed on a draft resolution. New measures  include cargo ship inspections. The draft was produced despite a deal Iran made with Turkey to exchange nuclear material for enriched uranium. Mrs Clinton suggested Iran had been trying to deflect pressure. As other nations grow stronger and more internationally assertive the result is likely to be more confusion in international politics Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on the world to support it but said that if Iran did not ship out the uranium within one month, as agreed, then it would be on its own. All 15 members of the Security Council, which includes Turkey and Brazil, are holding a session behind closed doors at which they are to receive the draft and discuss it. The US is seeking maximum backing for the new sanctions. The draft resolution runs to 10 pages and foresees the establishment of an international inspection regime for vessels suspected of containing cargo related to Iran's nuclear or missile programmes, Reuters news agency reported after seeing the document. It appears that the two more sceptical big powers, Russia and China, have not been convinced by Iran's agreeement to ship out a large part of its stocks of enriched uranium to Turkey. It calls for expanding punitive measures against Iran's banking and other industries for refusing to halt sensitive nuclear activities, the agency says. The resolution would bar countries from selling tanks, armoured combat vehicles, warplanes and warships as well as other heavy weapons to Iran. Mrs Clinton addressed the US Senate foreign relations committee after talks between the five permanent Security Council members - the US, UK, Russia, China and France and Germany. "We have reached agreement on a strong draft with the co-operation of Russia and China," she said. The US and its Western allies believe Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon, but Iran denies this. Mrs Clinton said she had spent Tuesday morning on the phone with her Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, "finalizing the resolution". Russia and China have previously resisted calls for a new round of sanctions. Talking about the Turkish deal, Mrs Clinton accused Tehran of trying to deflect pressure from the major powers. "We don't believe it was any accident that Iran agreed to this declaration as we were preparing to move forward in New York," she said. "The fact that we had Russia on board, we had China on board and that we were moving early this week, namely today, to share the text of that resolution, put pressure on Iran which they were trying to somehow dissipate."

PARIS. FRANCE FREES ALI VAKILI WHO KILLED IRANIAN PRIME MINISTER. Ali Vakili Rad, who faced a deportation order, boarded a flight from Orly airport to Tehran soon after leaving his prison in Poissy under escort. Iran recently freed a French teacher who had been convicted of espionage after the presidential election. France has denied any deal with Iran to secure Clotilde Reiss's release. Vakili Rad's lawyer, Sorin Margulis, also denied any deal. "This must not be seen as an exchange," he said, adding that Ms Reiss's arrest had only delayed his client's release. Vakili Rad was convicted in 1994 of assassinating Bakhtiar, who had fled Iran after the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Bakhtiar was the final prime minister to serve under Shah Reza Pahlavi, heading the regency council the Shah set up when he left Tehran at the start of 1979. He fled to Paris in 1980. Shapour Bakhtiar was the last prime minister to serve under the Shah Vakili Rad was convicted of stabbing and strangling him after gaining access to his house in Suresnes, a suburb in western Paris. Two alleged accomplices were never caught. Vakili Rad became eligible for parole last year, and the French interior minister signed an order for his deportation on Monday. A French decision earlier this month to release an Iranian engineer, Majid Kakavand, had also fuelled speculation about a possible deal to secure Ms Reiss's freedom. Mr Kakavand had been detained for the alleged illegal export of electronic parts for use by Iran's military. The US had wanted to extradite him, but a French court rejected the request. Ms Reiss had been sentenced to 10 years in prison before having her prison term commuted to a fine of $285,000 (£190,000). She arrived back in France on Sunday.

  UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 

UN ENVOY IN AFGHANISTAN SPEAKS OUT AGAINST DEADLY ATTACK.
 The top United Nations official in Afghanistan strongly condemned today’s deadly attack in the capital, Kabul, which claimed more than one dozen lives. According to media reports, the attack occurred during rush hour when a suicide car bomber attacked a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) convoy. Afghan civilians and international troops were killed in the blast, which also wounded many others. “This senseless violence and killing of innocent civilians and those working together with Afghans in bringing stability to this country should be brought to an end,” Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, said in a statement. Earlier this month, he deplored deadly attacks on Government buildings in the country’s southwest, which he characterized as a “despicable display of violence.” Gul Makai Wakili, a member of the Provincial Council, along with at least three police officers, were killed in the attacks repelled by Afghan National Police in Zaranj, the capital of Nimroz province, reports said. Four civilians and 7 police officers were injured in the incident.

NEW ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN TALKS
 As new indirect peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians get under way, a senior United Nations official warned today that rapid progress is vital in light of multiple challNEW enges, including efforts by militants on both sides to derail the process. “After many setbacks and delays, we are entering a new phase in the efforts for Israeli-Palestinian peace,” Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry told the Security Council in a regular monthly briefing on the crisis in which he repeated calls for Israel to end its blockade of Gaza and urged international donors to make up for deep shortfalls in both Palestinian and UN budgets for the region. “But let us all realize that we do not have the luxury of time,” he said of the talks initiated last week under United States mediation after an 18-month gap in negotiations following Israel’s military offensive against Gaza. “There is distrust and scepticism among peoples on both sides. Their leaders face multiple challenges. And there are powerful elements who will seek to derail progress. Negotiations need to address core issues and cannot be allowed to stagnate.” Speaking to reporters later he voiced cautious optimism at the renewal of talks, albeit indirect. “It is not always that often that I come here to bring at least some good news from the region,” he said. “After all it is since a long time, I think 15 months, that I was able now to announce the beginning of proximity talks which we hope, if they are held in a serious manner, should soon also transition onto direct talks.” In order to make the indirect talks successful, “it is essential for the parties to indeed address the core issues. That means that Jerusalem, the refugee issue, security, all these issues now will have to be addressed earnestly by the parties,” he added. Mr. Serry called for positive actions on the ground, including the flashpoints of Gaza and Jerusalem. In the Gaza Strip, subject to a three-year-long Israel blockade after Hamas seized power from the Palestinian Authority, the UN is seeking to be a catalyst for a new strategy, he added, noting some easing in Israeli restrictions and an increase in permitted imports but warning that much more is needed. He cited urgent needs in water, sanitation, school and health services construction and restoration of market conditions. He condemned continuing indiscriminate violence in Gaza over the past month, noting that militants fired 12 rockets towards Israel – the reason Israel cited for its offensive 18 months ago – while Israeli forces conducted 19 incursions and eight air strikes, injuring nine Palestinians and killing three. He also condemned five recent extra-judicial executions by Hamas, calling for an end to any further such killings. On East Jerusalem, Mr. Serry noted that no new settlements had been approved or tendered and Israel had publicly stated that there would be no construction in the Rarnat Shlomo settlement for two years, but the Government continued to state its intention to build settlements there and settlement activity was continuing. “Construction in existing Palestinian neighbourhoods in East Jerusalem is particularly provocative,” he warned. “I stress the utmost importance of all parties showing restraint and responsibility in words and actions regarding Jerusalem.” On the West Bank, Mr. Serry cited “worrying trends, in particular a rise in [Israeli] settler violence,” noting that two mosques were vandalized by unidentified assailants. While Israel has condemned these incidents and ordered investigations, no one has yet been held accountable. “I strongly urge Israel to do more to combat violence by settler extremists,” he added. In Lebanon, he noted Israeli concern over alleged transfers of sophisticated weaponry to Hizbollah. Meanwhile, Israeli air violations of Lebanese airspace continued on an almost daily basis, sometimes more than 30 over-flights a day, mostly by fighter jets. Turning to the financial situation, Mr. Serry urged increased support for the Palestinian Authority, which has so far only received $380 million out of the $1.24 billion required for 2010. Meanwhile, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which cares for some 4 million Palestinian refugees in the Near East, also faces a $90-million deficit, “a financial crisis that threatens the sustainability of essential operations, from employing teachers to providing medical care to improving precarious camp conditions,” he said. “I urge all those in a position to assist, in particular countries in the region, to provide additional support to UNRWA this year.”

====================

NY BREAKING NEWS

NEW YORK. PRESIDENT OBAMA THANKS AGENTS DURING NYPD VISIT.
By Jacques Dusseck
President Barack Obama visited One Police Plaza in Downtown Manhattan Thursday to thank the law enforcement agents who responded to the attempted Times Square car bombing. Joining Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and other officials in the Real Time Prime Center, the president praised the patrol officers and mounted police officers who dealt with an explosives-filled SUV in Times Square earlier this month. President Obama also said the New York City Police Department did a "model" job in locating and arresting Faisal Shahzad, the Connecticut man responsible for parking the vehicle. "I was telling the mayor and the commissioner that the work that the NYPD does in coordination with state, federal, local officials when it comes to counterterrorism is a model for the country. It has been for some time," said Obama. He also said that he would make sure the NYPD would receive "what [it] would need" in funds to fight terrorism. Kelly then presented the president with an NYPD-themed jacket. Earlier in the day, the mayor asked Obama to make sure the city receives sufficient Homeland Security funding in the upcoming federal budget. Since Wednesday, the state's congressional congregation has said the city will receive 27 percent less in transit security funds and 25 percent less in port security funds. However, White House officials said the city will see a 47 percent increase in funding and overall receive one-third of money spent on anti-terrorism measures. During the president's meeting with the NYPD, police inspected a suspicious-looking car near One Police Plaza, but determined it contained nothing dangerous. Following his visit with police, the president attended a Democratic fundraiser at the St. Regis Hotel where tickets were between $15,000 to $25,000 per person. While addressing the crowd, Mr. Obama talked up the health care bill, pressed for Wall Street reform and criticized Republicans for overly blaming Democrats. Meanwhile, the president's visit to the Big Apple came hours after federal officials said that three people were taken into custody by the Joint Terrorism Task Force in connection with the failed car bombing in Times Square. According to a top Massachusetts law enforcement official, two of the men have a "direct connection" with Shahzad. The official says they may have given Shahzad money, although investigators are not sure whether they knew what the money was for. Both men are of Pakistani decent and are currently being held on immigration violations. A spokesman for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says in Maine a third person was arrested on an immigration violation. The three were taken into custody following raids at locations across the Northeast and based on information they received from Shahzad, who authorities say has been cooperating. The searches were also conducted in New Jersey, Massachusetts and in Centereach and Shirley on Long Island. Before arriving in the city, the president visited Buffalo to discuss the economy with workers at a manufacturing company. He has asked Congress to act on a new round of jobs legislation he says could help strengthen small businesses. It's a proposal to create a $30 billion support program to free up credit. With many larger companies downsizing, Obama says small businesses and their ability to offer jobs are vital to the nation’s economic recovery. During his time in Buffalo, the president also met briefly with the relatives of those killed aboard Continental Connection Flight 3407 last year.

NEW YORK. MTA OFFICIALS CONSIDER LINE SHUTDOWNS DURING REPAIRS
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is considering a new plan that would fundamentally change the way it conducts major repairs. Instead of doing work on nights or weekends, the MTA could shut down entire segments of a subway line, even on weekdays. While it will be an inconvenience to riders, officials say projects would be completed much faster. "It may be that rather than have the pain by a thousand small cuts, it would be better to work intensively to get things done and get out quickly," said MTA Chairman Jay Walder. This is how repairs are done in London, where Walder used to work. Walder has reportedly asked his staff to evaluate the impact of weekday repair work. "In some places we might have a subway line that's literally a half mile or a mile away and we might be able to shuttle people from one place to another," said Walder. "These are the kinds of things that we have to look at. If it overwhelms our capacity to allow New Yorkers to have mobility, it doesn't work." NY1 spoke with riders on both sides of the debate Friday. "If you're coming here every Saturday and every Sunday you know for the next, let's say four or five weeks or so, then you know, you have to make other ways of getting around, it's a pain in the behind,” said one rider. “My thing is just one shot, knock it out.” "I sympathize with people who work on weekends, because I do work on the weekends also, and it's very difficult," agreed another. "It's very inconvenient." “Until they add more lines in the city, I think it would be a bad idea to shut any of the subway systems down for a long period of time, especially since not everyone has any other means of transportation,” said a third. Meanwhile, the MTA is trying to speed up commutes for drivers. The agency is reportedly creating a new overnight shift for workers who do pothole repairs and hang signs at MTA bridges at tunnels. On Thursday, State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and City Comptroller John Liu announced they began an audit of how New York City Transit manages and schedules maintenance projects

STATEN ISLAND. JAMES MOSS CHARGED WITH BURNING SON OF 9.
By Jerry Blumberg and Scott Strong
A Staten Island man is being held for allegedly putting his nine-year-old son into an oven and burning the child's hands on the stove. Court papers say James Moss, 52, seen above, did it because the boy, Christopher, stole money from his wallet. Prosecutors have charged Moss with second-degree assault and endangering the welfare of a child, and the Staten Island district attorney's office said there is an order of protection against him. Christopher was not hurt in the oven because it was not on, but he suffered second and third-degree burns on his hands from the burner. Court papers say his father also slapped him in the face, hit him with a spatula and dragged him across the floor. Authorities say Moss claimed the punishment fit the crime. The boy was treated in Staten Island University Hospital and was released to his mother's care, according to the district attorney. The alleged incident took place in Regal Walk, a gated community in Graniteville. The oven seen right is in a nearby housing unit, but resembled the one allegedly used by Moss. The boy's mother was not home at the time of the incident, but his older sister was home, according to the district attorney's office. Locals said the family was relatively quiet and were shocked to hear the news. Moss posted $15,000 in bail and is due back in court on May 18. The case is being investigated by the Staten Island Special Victims Squad and the Administration for Children's Services.

NEW YORK. LAWMAKERS QUARREL OVER ANTI TERROR FUNDS.
By Scott Strong and John Tembeck, Jr.
Fingerpointing over federal counter-terrorism money for the city continued between federal officials Friday. Accused of shortchanging New York, Department of Homeland Security officials pushed back Friday and argued that local agencies have not spent all the money Washington has already sent. In a letter, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said more than $275 million for port and transit security is sitting unused, including all of the transit funds the region received last year. The letter was sent to Republican Long Island Congressman Peter King, a leading White House critic. In response, King said Washington bureaucrats are to blame for the holdup. "If it's been sitting there for four years, why, yesterday morning when I was sitting with Secretary Napolitano and was discussing the grants with her, she never said a word about the $275 million?" said King. "Yesterday, when President [Barack] Obama came to New York and sit around the table and looked eye-to-eye, man-to-man with Mayor [Michael] Bloomberg, why didn't he tell him about the $275 million?" Bloomberg said that the tens of millions of dollars for police and fire that have gone unspent the city are being blocked by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which falls under Napolitano's guidance. Michael Balboni, the former state deputy secretary for public safety, has worked with Homeland Security and said both the state and federal government have a point in this fight. "This year, the White House is arguing that there's $100 million in stimulus money that's gone to New York City that can help in their money allocations for homeland security this year. The problem with that is that as I recall, the stimulus package was meant to create jobs and build things like roads and bridges, not provide for homeland security," said Balboni. "And it's also a one-shot, which is not going to be there next year." The back-and-forth is the latest in a long flap over how much money the region gets in federal terrorism funds. White House officials insist that including stimulus funds, New York has been given more than in previous years, but local officials say the funding has been cut. Obama defended the administration's position during his Thursday visit in the City.

 NEW YORK. CHURCH WORLD SERVICE AND THE TPS STATUS FOR HAITIANS
By Jacques Dusseckand John Tembeck, Jr.
 As the July 20 deadline for Haitians to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) approaches, Church World Service says very few Haitians in Greater New York City have applied for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to date. The humanitarian agency said it is working with other local immigration service organizations to encourage Haitians to call the New York State Immigration Hotline to help connect potential applicants with community based organizations in Greater New York City that are authorized to practice immigration law. Set up as the New York State Immigration Hotline (from within New York state, (800) 566-7636; from outside New York state, (212) 419-3737), the source provides Haitians with safe venues to obtain free or low-cost legal assistance with TPS applications and other immigration-related matters. Those organizations also are counseling potential applicants about avoiding unlicensed immigration legal services providers or notaries who take advantage of vulnerable populations. Following the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, the U.S. government extended Temporary Protected Status to Haitians who have resided in the United States since the day of the earthquake and who meet other eligibility requirements. TPS grantees are spared the fear of deportation to their ravaged country and allowed to live and to work legally in the United States for 18 months, enabling them to contribute to the rebuilding of Haiti. But time is running out for Haitians to apply for TPS. The filing deadline is July 20, 2010, and qualified individuals must have their applications postmarked by that date or they lose their eligibility to apply. Myths, misinformation about TPS causing hesitancy to apply Community and faith-based organizations offering legal advice and assistance with TPS applications have found that many potential applicants¹ hesitation to apply results from myths and misinformation about Temporary Protection Status. ³Many assume they are not eligible or fear being placed into removal proceedings should TPS not be extended,² said Tara Pinkham, Associate Director for Immigration at Church World Service. In response, CWS, CAMBA Legal Services, Catholic Charities and the New York Immigration Coalition are working together to ensure that as many Haitians as possible receive accurate information so they are able to make an informed decision about applying for TPS. Many community and faith-based organizations will continue to host workshops or offer individual consultations on Temporary Protection Status throughout the registration period. Potential applicants can learn about TPS legal services offered in their area by calling the New York State Immigration Hotline: when calling from within New York State: 1-800-566-7636; when calling from outside New York State: 1-212-419-3737. ³Call as soon as possible,² Pinkham urged, ³because applicants need time to gather documentation proving eligibility for TPS.²

NYPD REPORT 5/15
By Jacques Dusseck, John Tembeck Jr, Patricia Faurelus, Jerry Blumberg and Irene Saunder

IN MANHATTAN
* A passenger fought off a livery driver who molested her in his cab in Washington Heights, police said yesterday. The woman was in the back seat of the cab driven by Orlando Guillen, 26, heading toward West 160th Street and Riverside Drive at about 1:30 a.m. last Thursday. When they reached that corner, Guillen pulled over, jumped in back and fondled the woman, police said. She shoved Guillen away, dashed out of the cab and reported the incident, police said. Guillen was arrested Tuesday and charged with sexual abuse.

*The man who viciously slashed his girlfriend in Hell's Kitchen after she left a Buddhist temple this week has been identified as her boyfriend, authorities said yesterday. Bobby Wong, 40, who lives in TriBeCa, accosted the woman on West 40th Street near Ninth Avenue at about 8 p.m. Monday, cops said. She required 22 stitches to close the wounds on her face. Wong was busted for assault.

IN BROOKLYN
*A woman was busted for ripping off five fur coats at a Brighton Beach store after someone jotted down the license plate of her car, authorities said yesterday. Samiyra Osbourne, 23, and two accomplices allegedly swiped the coats from Manzari Luxury Furs on Brighton 11th Street near Brighton Beach Avenue on April 6 and April 7. While Osbourne distracted a female worker, the accomplices stuffed at least five of the coats into a bag and left, cops said. On April 17, they returned to the store, but soon left because the worker became suspicious, police said. As they left in Osbourne's car, someone took down the plate number and gave it to police. Osbourne was arrested Wednesday and charged with grand larceny. Her alleged cohorts are at large.

*A Bushwick man named Charles Brown broke down a neighbor's door, punched him in the face and threatened his girlfriend, authorities said yesterday. Brown, 44, got into an argument with the 52-year-old neighbor in their residence on Bushwick Avenue near Eldert Street at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. In addition to the beat-down, Brown smashed the neighbor's TV and menaced the victim's girlfriend with a gun, authorities said. Police were called, and Brown was busted on charges of assault and criminal mischief.

IN STATEN ISLAND
*A creep brutalized his 10-year-old son in a twisted act of discipline after the kid took money from his wallet, authorities said yesterday. James Moss first made his son disrobe, then began a hideous torture barrage, police said. He allegedly placed the boy's hand over an open flame on a gas stove, causing second- and third-degree burns. He then struck the boy in the back with a spatula, slapped him in the face and dragged him across the floor, police said. He then allegedly stuffed the naked boy into the oven and snarled, "I'm going to burn you alive," but didn't light the oven. Someone called 911, and Moss was arrested on charges of assault and child endangerment, according to a spokesman for DA Daniel Donovan.

*Two men busted for burglarizing apartments in their Concord building, cops said. Douglas MacConell, 44, first broke into an apartment in the building on Windermere Avenue near Hylan Boulevard at 11:29 a.m. on Jan. 29, cops said. He swiped jewelry and brought the bling to a local pawn shop, cops said. MacConell and a cohort, Joseph DeMartino, 46, next robbed another residence in the building on Feb. 25, taking more than $1,000 in electronics, police said. The men were cuffed on Wednesday after they were caught on surveillance video from the pawn shop and the building, cops said.

IN QUEENS
*A teen led cops on a wild stolen-car chase through Jamaica, then claimed he was just a designated driver when he was caught, police said yesterday. Stephon Walthrust, 17, crossed a double line on 211th Street near 104th Street at 2:41 a.m. on May 2, cops said. Walthrust stopped the 1992 Honda  letting his pal flee, before taking off again. He blew several stop signs before crashing into a fence, cops said. He then allegedly tried to run, but was busted. He claimed that he didn't know the car was stolen and that he was the designated driver for his pal, cops said. Walthrust was charged with grand larceny, said a spokeswoman for DA Richard Brown.

INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS

THAILAND. THAI ARMY  DESIGNATED PART OF BANGKOK LIVE FIRING ZONE The Thai army has designated an area of Bangkok as a "live firing zone" in a warning to protesters on a third day of violence that has killed at least 16. "No entry" signs have been put up near a barricaded camp where the protesters, who want the prime minister to resign, have been based since March. Some 150 people have been injured since the violence broke out, and three more deaths were reported on Saturday. Authorities have ruled out negotiations with the red-shirt protesters. Three more deaths have been reported on Saturday Despite claims by the Thai government that the situation is under control and its soldiers have only fired in self-defence, army snipers have been accused of targeting protesters, and footage from Bangkok on Saturday showed red-shirts dragging gunshot-victims to safety. Explosions and sporadic gunfire can be heard around the protest site, where barricades of tyres are still burning. The violence escalated on Thursday after a renegade general who supports the protests was shot in the head by an unknown gunman. Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol, better known as Seh Daeng (Commander Red), is in a critical condition and doctors believe he is unlikely to survive. Correspondents say the live firing area, more than 1 kilometer north of the camp, is an area the army has been trying to secure for several hours, and has been designated by the government to prevent reinforcements entering the camp and getting behind military roadblocks. "Previously at its peak, there were about 10,000 or at least 9,000 protesters a day but since last night when we set up check points around the protest area, you can see number of protesters have dropped to 5,000," he was quoted as saying by Reuters news agency. Around a third of the city is now under emergency rule, but while there are pockets of fighting, life beyond the barricades seems to be going on as normal, correspondents say. Inside the camp, red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana said stocks were running low because of the blockade, but added that they would last "for days". "We'll keep on fighting until the government takes responsibility," he said. The US embassy has stepped up its travel warnings, advising its citizens to stay away from Bangkok, and is offering to evacuate family members of diplomatic staff. The US has encouraged the two sides "to find a way to work peacefully through these differences", while UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has also urged restraint. On Friday, troops fired live rounds, tear gas and rubber bullets in clashes with the protesters, who threw petrol bombs and stones at the soldiers. Within the camp, men and women, young and old, are sleeping on mats, preparing food, or listening to speeches from a specially erected stage. The rhetoric is becoming every more strident. The more radical leaders appear to have the upper hand now and are warning of further bloodshed if troops continue their operation to seal off the area. A group of young men, most dressed in black, look out nervously from behind their barricade of bamboo staves .There is a loud explosion a short distance away, and there is panic as protesters rush for cover. For now an area in the commercial centre of the Thai capital is a no go zone. One Canadian and one Thai journalist were shot. A government spokesman said troops had come under attack and "had no choice but to respond", adding that they were authorised to use live rounds in self-defence, for warning shots or against armed protesters. The military said some protesters had fired guns and threw grenades. The protesters, who have adopted the colour red, have reinforced the barricades around their camp made of bamboo stakes, tyres and sandbags. Many of the protesters support former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 coup. They want Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve parliament and call fresh elections. He had offered polls in November - but the two sides failed to agree a deal because of divisions over who should be held accountable for a deadly crackdown on protests last month. Mr Thaksin has called on the government to withdraw troops and restart negotiations. Thailand's worst political unrest in nearly two decades has now left at least 42 people dead and more than 1,400 wounded.

 UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS

SECRETARY GENERAL CALLS ON OPPOSING TO AVERT BLOOD SHED.
 Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday May 14,  voiced growing concern at mounting violence in Thailand between anti-Government protesters and the authorities, and called on all sides to resume talks and avoid further loss of life. “The Secretary-General is following with growing concern the rapidly mounting tensions and violence in Thailand,” a statement issued by his spokesman said. “He is saddened by the reports of numerous civilian deaths, including journalists, as a result of the latest clashes between protesters and security forces. “He appeals to both the protesters and the Thai authorities to do all within their power to avoid further violence and loss of life. He strongly encourages them to urgently return to dialogue in order to de-escalate the situation and resolve matters peacefully.”

MEMBERS STATES DEBATE WAYS TO TO FIGHT PIRACY OFF SOMALIA.
 The United Nations General Assembly today held a day-long informal meeting on piracy, with Assembly President Ali Treki calling for broader international efforts and resources to combat the ever-expanding scourge, particularly off the coast of war-torn Somalia. “The international community must step forward to help Somalia,” he said, stressing the need for “a truly holistic approach” covering political, security, governance and humanitarian needs in the Horn of Africa country, which has had no functioning central government and has been torn apart by factional fighting for nearly two decades. Last month the Security Council put forward the possibility of establishing international tribunals to try pirates, with members calling for tougher legislation to prosecute and jail suspects caught off Somalia. But today Dr. Treki called for greater heft from the 15-member body, whose decisions are legally binding while those of the 192-member Assembly are not. “I call on the Security Council, in particular, to shoulder its responsibility with regard to Somalia by undertaking strong and resolute measures in support of a wider political, peacekeeping and peace-building strategy in Somalia, to bring peace to the country and to ensure its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity,” he said. With dozens of ships, from massive oil tankers to chartered supply ships carrying UN food aid for Somalia’s hungry masses, being hijacked and tens of millions of dollars paid in ransom each year, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon highlighted the magnitude of the problem. Despite international naval patrols, “the attacks continue, indeed, they are increasing,” he told the Assembly, citing UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) global figures of 406 in 2009, an increase of 100 over 2008, with by far the largest concentration off the coast of East Africa, where reported incidents increased seven-fold over the four-year period to 2009. He stressed that piracy cannot be solved at sea alone but requires action on land to re-establish security and stability. “There is simply too much water to patrol, and an almost endless supply of pirates,” he said. “There is no doubt that a change in strategy is needed,” he added, noting that a major international conference on Somalia in Istanbul next week aims to launch a new push for solutions to the security and stability crisis there. “Stability on land would, undoubtedly, improve the situation at sea.” International cooperation is essential, a legal system should be established to bring piracy suspects to justice, not to simply let them go, and piracy must be considered in the wider context of security at sea, he said. “There are many issues involved, including container security, human trafficking, smuggling, organized crime, and money laundering. Piracy can not be addressed without taking on these other crimes,” he declared. East African officials attending the debate included Somali Deputy Prime Minister Abdurahman A. Ibrahim, and Kenyan Trade Minister Amos Kimunya.

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NY BREAKING NEWS

LENA HORN, LEGENDARY JAZZ SINGER DIED ON MAY 9 AT 92.
By Jacques Dusseck
Lena Horne passed away Sunday night at New York-Presbyterian Hospital at age 92.Born in Brooklyn in 1917, Horne was one of the first black performers hired to perform with a major white band, and one of a handful with a Hollywood contract. She broke onto the movie scene in the role of Selina Rogers in 1943's "Stormy Weather." Her rendition of the title song became a major hit and her signature piece. She later found Broadway success, beginning with "Jamaica" in 1957. Horne herself once said her uniqueness came from being a kind of black that white people could accept. She decided to battle the barriers of racism, eventually refusing to work at venues that restricted access for blacks, making her one of the most visible celebrities in the civil rights movement.

Renowned for her beauty and sultry voice, Horne battled against racial segregation to become Hollywood's first black sex symbol. In 1943, she played Selina Rogers in the all-black film musical Stormy Weather, the title song of which was to be a major hit and her signature tune. Her career spanned more than 60 years. Later she embraced activism and became a voice for civil rights in the US. In the 1940s, she became one of the first black performers to sing with a major white band and have a Hollywood contract. When asked about her success, Ms Horne once said: "I was unique in that I was a kind of black that white people could accept. Lena Horne's popularity was revived in the later years of her life "I was their daydream. I had the worst kind of acceptance because it was never for how great I was or what I contributed. It was because of the way I looked." In 1981, her one-woman show, the award-winning The Lady and her Music, based on her life and career, ran for more than a year on Broadway and in London. Her success gained her a special Tony award, while Horne's recording career resulted in two Grammy awards. When actress Halle Berry became the first black woman to win a best actress Oscar in 2002, she cited Lena Horne as one of the pioneering entertainers who had paved the way for her breakthrough.

WASHINGTON. ELENA KAGAN  TO THE SUPREME COURT BY THE PRESIDENT
By Scott Strong and Jacques Dusseck
President Barack Obama  nominates another native New Yorker to the Supreme Court today. The president has chosen Solicitor General Elena Kagan to replace outgoing Justice John Paul Stevens. Obama announced his choice at 10 o'clock. Kagan was born and raised in the city and graduated from Hunter College High School on the Upper East Side in 1977. She was the first female dean of the Harvard Law School and the first woman to serve as solicitor general, arguing cases for the Obama administration before the Supreme Court. Kagan would be the first justice without judicial experience in nearly 40 years. Speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Attorney General Eric Holder said he holds his fellow New Yorker in high esteem. “She’s done a wonderful job in the Justice Department,” said Holder. “I’ve known her since the Clinton years and I think she’d be a great justice.” Obama last year chose Bronx-native Sonia Sotomayor to succeed retiring Justice David Souter.

 NEW YORK. PAKISTAN TALIBAN BEHIND THE TIMES SQUARE CAR BOMB
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg
U.S. Attorney General of the US, Eric Holder says the Pakistani Taliban was behind the failed Times Square car bomb plot. He  made rounds on the Sunday morning talk shows, saying confessed attacker Faisal Shahzad was apparently working for the militant group. Holder also said the organization likely planned and financed the plot, and is becoming more capable to carry out attacks within U.S. borders. "We certainly have seen with the Shahzad incident that they have not only the aim but the capability of doing that and that's why they've taken on I think a new significance in our anti-terror fight," Holder said. Holder also said Pakistan's government is cooperating with the investigation, and there is no indication officials there knew of Shahzad's activities. The Pakistani Taliban originally claimed responsibility for the attempted Times Square attack, but later said it had no ties to it. Shahzad is a naturalized U.S. citizen of Pakistani descent. He told investigators he spent five months in Pakistan where he received explosives training before returning to the U.S. in February.

BRONX, NY. AFTER A SHOOTING IN THE BRONX, TWO PEOPLE ARE DEAD.
By Scott Strong and Patricia Faurelus
Two people are dead and one injured after a shooting in a Bronx apartment building Sunday. It happened at 1776 Weeks Avenue in Mount Hope around 2 a.m. Police say in the lobby they found a 15-year-old boy shot once in the torso and once in the arm, a 16-year-old girl shot in the chest and arm, and a 20-year-old woman shot once in the arm. They were all rushed to St. Barnabas Hospital where the two teenagers were pronounced dead. The other woman is expected to be okay. Witnesses say shots broke out after an apparent dispute. Three people were taken into custody earlier in the day, but as of early Sunday evening police had not announced any arrests. NYPD is investigating.

NTSB INVESTIGATING FURTHER STATEN ISLAND FERRY CRASH.
By Jerry Blumberg
While an early investigation points to mechanical failure as the cause of Saturday's Staten Island ferry crash that injured dozens of passengers, the National Transportation Safety Board is digging deeper. A seven-member crew was expected to gather Sunday at the St. George ferry terminal, where the Andrew J. Barberi hit a dock. Investigators will look into what crew members were doing in the 72 hours before the crash, as well as their interaction with each other. The team will also look into the ferry's navigation and propulsion systems, maintenance and inspection records, and surveillance tapes. "Over the next few days our experts will work on scene to gather the details of the accident and our mission is to find out not just what happened, but to find out why it happened, so that we can make recommendations to prevent the type of occurrence in the future," said NTSB spokesman Robert Sumwalt.

STATEN ISLAND. ALCOHOL AND DRUG TESTS ON CREW BT NTSB.
By Jacques Dusseck and John Tembeck, Jr.
They say alcohol tests came back negative. Drug test results are still being evaluated. Investigators expect to be at the terminal for as long as a week gathering information. The transportation commissioner says the Barberi passed its Coast Guard annual inspection last July and a quarterly inspection last month. A total of 37 people were injured in yesterday's crash. The injuries are not considered life threatening. Passengers praised the crew for quickly responding to the situation. They say an alarm sounded, letting them know to brace for impact. Meanwhile, officials say there is no connection between yesterday's crash and the one in 2003. Eleven people were killed and dozens of others injured when the Barberi crashed at full speed into a concrete pier. An investigation showed the ferry's pilot, Richard Smith, fatigued and on painkillers, lost consciousness while alone at the ship's controls. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter and served 15 months in prison.

NEEW YORK. INFANT DIES IN LATHAM HOTEL
By John Tembeck, Jr.
Police are investigating after a two-month-old baby was found dead in a Midtown hotel room Saturday afternoon. It happened at the Latham Hotel on East 28th Street.Police say officers responded to a call of an unconscious baby and found the infant lying on a bed. The baby was pronounced dead at the scene. A spokeswoman for the medical examiner says autopsy results were inconclusive and further tests are pending

NYPD REPORT 5/9
By Jacques Dusseck, John Tembeck Jr, Patricia Faurelus, Jerry Blumberg and Irene Saunder

IN MANHATTAN
*A 2-month-old boy was found dead yesterday in his mother's Flatiron hotel room, cops said. Christopher Barnett had a fever and was vomiting at around 1:40 p.m. yesterday on the fifth floor of the Latham Hotel on East 28th Street near Madison Avenue, sources said. Emergency responders arrived a short time later discovered the infant dead on his mother's bed. Sources said the mother, 20, who was being questioned but had not been charged, told investigators that she put the baby down in his crib a half-hour before responders arrived.

IN BROOKLYN
* A man accused of breaking a co-worker's jaw doesn't deny it, but swears he didn't throw the first punch. Nathaniel Mabry, 34, and the unidentified co-worker were drinking on Fulton Street near Rockaway Avenue at 8:30 p.m. Sunday when they argued. The victim told cops he passed out and woke up in Jamaica Hospital, his jaw wired shut. Mabry, arrested Thursday, is charged with assault and menacing.

* A man wanted for disfiguring another with a razor three years ago was busted Wednesday after being stopped for a traffic infraction. Anthony Delgado, 28, argued with an unidentified man in El Gran Mar De Plata, a bar on Fulton Street near Force Tube Avenue, at about 4:30 a.m. on June 2, 2007. Delgado slashed the man's back and face, requiring 600 stitches, authorities said. He was arrested in Queens last week.

IN THE BRONX
* A motorist with a suspended license was hit with drug charges after cops found his stash -- left in the back seat of their patrol car. Steven Perez, 22, was in a 2008 Dodge Charger when he was stopped for a traffic infraction at Perot Street and Sedgwick Avenue at 1 a.m. Thursday. After transporting him in the police car, officers found two bags of marijuana and nine green star-shaped pills, identified as ecstasy. Perez is charged with unlicensed driving and drug possession.

IN QUEENS
* A pair of pistol-packing crooks held up a Far Rockaway check-cashing shop yesterday, scoring $140,000, cops said. The bandits were caught on surveillance video barging into the Mott Avenue Check Cashing Corp. at Beach Channel Drive at 8:15 a.m., authorities said. The thieves , one holding a gun  looted the safe before fleeing, sources said.

* An alleged stalker was busted after vowing to gun down a man in Far Rockaway. Gwen Waldo, 49, had been harassing the unidentified victim for weeks, cops said. On April 26, he followed him on Rockaway Beach Boulevard near Beach 88th Street and yelled, "I'm gonna get a gun, and when I get it, I'm gonna shoot!" according to court papers. Arrested two days later, he is charged with stalking and harassment.

IN STATEN ISLAND
* Two years after it was stolen in New Jersey, a car turned up in Midland Beach. Fitim Pocesta, 18, was behind the wheel of a 2006 Chevrolet stopped for a routine check on Bedford Avenue near Moreland Street at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, cops said. The car was reported stolen in Woodbridge on July 1, 2008. Pocesta and passenger Dine Sacirovski, 18, are charged with unauthorized use of a vehicle. John Doyle and Matthew Nestel 
        
  INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS
MANILLA, PHILIPPINES. NATIONWIDE ELECTIONS WITH TIGHT SECURITY.
Security is tight across the Philippines for the election Polls have opened in local and national elections in the Philippines after three months of intense campaigning. Voters will elect a new president and vice-president, as well as more than 17,000 other positions. Benigno Aquino, the son of the popular former president, Cory Aquino, has been leading the polls but former president Joseph Estrada is also in the running. One of the main concerns is whether the country's new automated voting machines will be up to such a complex task. The third presidential candidate considered to have a serious chance is Manny Villar, one of the richest men in the Philippines. Senators, lawmakers and local officials are being elected at the same time as the president. Philippine poll: Key candidates All of them have been campaigning hard in recent weeks, but the issue that has also been dominating the headlines is the automated voting machines that will be used for the first time in this election. Several glitches have already been found and critics are concerned that the results might not be accurate. Philippine elections are often plagued by violence, and dozens of people have been killed in recent months in the run-up to the polls. The security forces are out on the streets in large numbers to try to prevent more bloodshed, but there are fears of what might happen if something goes wrong with the machines

MANILLA, PHILIPPINES. IMELDA MARCOS FOR A SEAT IN PARLIAMENT
Imelda Marcos's late husband ruled the Philippines for two decades Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos has launched her campaign for a seat in parliament, as the country's congressional race formally began. The 80-year-old widow of Ferdinand Marcos is seeking a lower house seat in polls to be held on 10 May. Mrs Marcos, who lost a presidential bid in 1992, said she was running to "uphold political integrity and the truth". A host of other high-profile candidates are also running for seats in congress. Both boxing star Manny Pacquiao and the country's current leader, President Gloria Arroyo, are standing for election. According to the constitution, Mrs Arroyo must step down as president. Her decision to contest a congressional seat has worried critics who accuse her of seeking the powerful position of Speaker as a way of retaining power. Friday signaled the start of the 45-day campaign period for the congressional and local elections. Nearly 18,000 seats across the country will be contested. The polls will be held on the same day as the presidential election, for which campaigning began in February. Imelda Marcos is running for a lower house seat in Ilocos Norte in the northern Philippines, her family stronghold. The incumbent, her son Ferdinand Marcos Jr, is seeking a senate seat and her eldest daughter is running for provincial governor. Her late husband, Ferdinand Marcos, was ousted by popular protests in 1986 after more than 20 years of authoritarian rule, including a decade of martial law. He was accused of stealing billions of dollars in state funds during his time in office. Mrs Marcos returned to the Philippines in 1991 and was later sentenced to nine years in jail for corruption, but the case against her was overturned. Mrs Marcos said that she wanted to improve living conditions in the country's towns and cities. "I am running for congress, but my real ambition is not just to serve, but to serve with no end and to love with no end," the former first lady - once renowned for her huge collection of shoes - told journalists. Meanwhile, a police spokesman warned that now the campaign was under way, the potential for violence was higher. The killings in Mindanao set a grim tone for the presidential elections Polls in the Philippines, while colourful, are frequently hit by shootings, intimidation and corruption as rival clans vie for influence. "We have long anticipated election-related violent incidents will go up during the campaign period on the local level," AFP quoted national police spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina as saying. "Historically, that is when the violence goes up." The spotlight is already on election-related violence in the Philippines following last year's massacre of 57 people in Mindanao. Relatives and friends of a candidate and dozens of journalists were killed in an apparent bid to prevent them filing registration papers for the candidate to run in a local election

CHINA. AFTER 10 YEARS IN PRISON, ZHAO ZUOHAI IS FREED AS INNOCENT.
A Chinese man who spent almost 10 years in jail for murder has been freed after his supposed victim was found alive. Zhao Zuohai had a fight with his neighbour, who then disappeared, and was charged when a headless, decomposed body was found 18 months later. The miscarriage of justice came to light when the neighbour, Zhao Zhenshang, returned to his village in Henan province to seek welfare support. He had fled after their fight because he feared he had killed Zhao Zuohai. Mr Zhao's conviction for murder was reportedly based mainly on a confession. His brother said police had forced him to drink chilli-tainted water and set off fireworks above his head to extract one. Correspondents say convictions in the Chinese court system are strongly dependent on confessions, motivating police to use force to get one. Henan Provincial Higher People's Court has ordered an investigation into the case and the original judges will be punished. Mr Zhao was initially sentenced to death for the crime, but the sentenced was commuted to 29 years in prison. While he was in jail, his wife remarried and several of his children were adopted

INDONESIA. EARTHQUAKE OF 7.4 IN SUMATRA.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.4 has struck offshore near the Indonesian island of Sumatra, near Aceh province. The quake struck 214km (133 miles) south of Aceh's capital of Banda Aceh, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. A local tsunami alert was issued and later lifted by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. The site is very near that of 2004's 9.2 magnitude earthquake. About 220,000 people were killed in the Indian Ocean tsunami the quake triggered. The epicenter of the latest quake was at a depth of 61.4km, about 66km (41 miles) south-west of Meulaboh district, the USGS said. The district, and other parts of Aceh, were devastated in the 26 December 2004 earthquake. The quake hit at 1259 (0559 GMT). Local media reported some houses were damaged and power lines knocked down, Associated Press news agency said. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center lifted its tsunami watch several hours after the earthquake. The earthquake caused some panic in parts of Aceh "Sea level readings indicate that a significant tsunami was not generated," the Hawaii-based centre said in a statement on its website. "Therefore, the tsunami watch issued by this center is now cancelled." The USGS earlier said it believed there was no threat of a destructive, widespread tsunami but the possibility of a local tsunami existed. Indonesia is located on the volatile Pacific Ring of Fire, a belt of tectonic activity girdling the Pacific Ocean that triggers earthquakes and volcanic activity. Aceh is on the north-western tip of Sumatra, one of Indonesia's main islands, and is frequently rocked by earthquakes. One last year near Padang in West Sumatra province killed more than 1,000 people. About 170,000 people were killed in Aceh from the 2004 earthquake and the tsunami it launched. The waves spread across the Indian Ocean to cause death and destruction as far away as Sri Lanka, Burma and Thailand                            

UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 

UN REPORT SAYS PROGRESS FOR PALESTINIANS IMPEDED BY SECURITY.
 Human security is a pre-requisite for development, and its widespread absence in the occupied Palestinian territory has greatly impeded progress for the people living there, according to a new report released today by the United Nations on May 9. The Palestinian Human Development Report 2009/10, written by an independent team and sponsored by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), explores different facets of human security – economy, food, health, environment, political, personal, community – from the perspective of establishing freedom from want, freedom from fear and freedom to live in dignity. It argues that sustained development will not be possible until Palestinians are afforded economic and environmental control, particularly on issues such trade, water resources and borders. The Report notes that while many Palestinians are given enough food aid to sustain themselves, they remain in a state of dependency because they are unable to make enough money to feed themselves – what the authors refer to as a “poverty of disempowerment.” The education and health care system are cited as examples of areas in which Palestinians, given a window of opportunity, have made progress. On the other hand, the national economy has consistently weakened over the reporting period due to stringent control. In addition, Palestinians have no authority over their air space, territorial waters, natural resources, movement and the macro-economic instruments that enable economic autonomy, according to the publication, the fifth in a series of human development reports focusing on the Palestinians. “Human security is the platform for development, the aim of which is to create an environment where people can enjoy long, healthy and creative lives,” said UNDP Special Representative Jens Toyberg-Frandzen, who launched the Report in Ramallah along with Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.“This report is a reminder that Palestinians continue to face many challenges including the occupation and internal fragmentation.” Another major hindrance is the territorial fragmentation of the occupied Palestinian territory, which the authors contend has severely weakened the central authority and governance institutions of the Palestinian Authority and intensified internal Palestinian political polarization. This has resulted in more political violence and the suppression of civil rights by the various authorities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, they add. The Report recommends devising a strategy to promote territorial contiguity, economic integration, social cohesion, sovereignty and political reconciliation. It also suggests establishing a Commission for Representative Governance to monitor the implementation of the strategy and boost transparency and accountability.

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NEW YORK BREAKING NEWS

BRIDGEPORT, CT. PAKISTANI-AMERICAN ARRESTED IN BOMB PLOT.
By Jacques Dusseck and Jerry Blumberg
Faisal Shahazad, a Pakistani-American was arrested Monday night at JFK Airport in New York in connection with the failed Times Square car bomb plot.U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says the suspect was taken into custody last night around 11:45 p.m. at John F. Kennedy International Airport. A naturalized U.S. citizen born in Pakistan, was identified by customs agents while trying to take a flight to Dubai. "This investigation is ongoing, as are our attempts to gather useful intelligence and we continue to pursue a number of leads. But it's clear that the intent behind this terrorist act was to kill Americans," Holder said. Shahzad is being held in New York. He is expected to be brought up on formal charges later today in Manhattan federal court. In a released statement, Mayor Michael Bloomberg said, "I want to thank the men and women of the NYPD, the FBI, the US Attorney’s Southern District of New York, Customs and Border Protection, and the many other agencies in New York, Washington and Connecticut whose focused and swift efforts led to this arrest after only 48 hours of around-the-clock investigation. I hope their impressive work serves as a lesson to anyone who would do us harm." Shahzad's arrest comes just days after a 1993 Nissan Pathfinder packed with explosives was found abandoned on 45th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues. Shahzad had been living in Bridgeport, Connecticut and recently returned from a five-month-long trip to Pakistan. They say he found the SUV on Craigslist and paid cash to buy it in Stratford, Connecticut about three weeks ago. The license plate on the vehicle was actually registered to car at an auto parts shop in Connecticut. The vehicle identification number had been removed from the SUV's dashboard, but it was stamped on the engine, and investigators used it to find the owner of record. Authorities say the SUV's registered owner is not considered a suspect. Inside the SUV, police found propane tanks, gasoline containers and fireworks, along with a crude timing device and a gun locker packed with fertilizer. Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said the bomb could have produced a "significant fireball" and sprayed shrapnel with enough force to kill pedestrians and knock out windows. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is examining the bomb-making materials at their lab in Quantico, Virginia.

ALBANY, NY. GOVERNOR PATTERSON AND THE PARDON ON IMMIGRATION.
By Scott Strong and Patricia Faurelus
In the wake of the controversial Arizona immigration law, Governor David Paterson announced the creation of a panel Monday that will seek to give some immigrants a second chance. The panel will help the governor review pardon applications. It's a move that's expected to help legal immigrants who are facing deportation for a prior conviction. Cases that would be considered include those where the conviction was a minor offense, is old, or the person in question displayed extensive efforts to become functioning members of society. "I think everyone agrees that it's in need of reform. But it is a method that we are applying today that we think in some way will set an example," said the governor. "A lot of people want to come to this country. A lot of people that are here illegally. If they've already broken the law, there's no reason that I believe that they should be allowed to stay here. Of course, it depends on of the type of crime," said State Senator Martin Golden. Paterson says only a small number of immigrants will be affected by the pane

INTERNATIONAL BREAKING NEWS

LONDON. ELECTIONS.. BROWN WOULD TALK TO CAMERON AND CLEGG
Gordon Brown said he would be "willing to see any of the party leaders" to discuss how to proceed in government, now the UK has a hung parliament. "What we have seen are no ordinary election results," the prime minister told reporters in Downing Street. David Cameron and Nick Clegg "should clearly be entitled to take as much time as they see necessary" to consider their positions, he added. Mr Brown continues as prime minister as no party gained an absolute majority. Downing St sources say the basis for a deal with the Lib Dems exists, with electoral reform and the economic recovery at its core. They intend to take their "first shout" at forming a government. They have not spoken yet to Mr Clegg and are aware he might rule out any deal but believe the Lib Dems are "shell-shocked". They will not speak to Mr Clegg until all the results are in, as their combined seats would have to add up to more than the Tory total to have any legitimacy. They say it's a testament to the campaign that they can seriously discuss forming a government. Mr Brown hasn't discussed his own future with advisers. "We find ourselves in a position unknown to this generation of political leaders," he said. He said he understood and "completely" respected the position of Mr Clegg, the Lib Dem leader, who has said he wishes to talk first to Tory leader Mr Cameron, because the Conservatives gained the most seats. But Mr Brown stressed he was willing to discuss with Mr Clegg "areas where there may be some measure of agreement" between Labour and the Lib Dems. These would include plans to ensure "continuing economic stability" and "far-reaching political reforms", Mr Brown added. And Labour's promise to stage a referendum on any changes to the electoral system remained, he said. Conservative leader David Cameron is due to make a statement today.Earlier Mr Brown  who retained the seat of Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath in Fife - promised to play his part in securing "a stable, strong and principled government" after the UK election resulted in a hung parliament. He said he wanted a government which would lead Britain into a "sustained recovery". In a statement issued earlier on Friday, Mr Brown said it was his duty to "take all steps to ensure Britain has a strong, stable and principled government". A total of 326 MPs would have been needed for a majority. It means the UK now has a hung parliament and Mr Brown continues as prime minister while he decides whether he could form a government, or whether he should allow David Cameron to do so. '"The British people have given him a big thumbs-down. I think the idea that Gordon Brown could stay on is extraordinary." Most of Labour's cabinet ministers retained their seats, but the Conservatives came within 1,100 votes of defeating Schools Secretary Ed Balls in Morley and Outwood in West Yorkshire.

NIGERIA. PRESIDENT YAR ADUA IS DEAD, GOODLUCK JONATHAN SWORN Nigeria's acting President Goodluck Jonathan has been sworn in as head of state following the death of President Umaru Yar'Adua after a long illness. Mr Jonathan, in charge since February, will appoint a deputy and serve out the rest of the current presidential term until elections due next year. Mr Yar'Adua died late on Wednesday in the capital Abuja. Thousands have gathered for the funeral in his home town of Katsina. Nigeria has declared seven days mourning. Mr Jonathan took the oath of office in front of government ministers and other officials in Abuja almost 12 hours after Mr Yar'Adua died. The ceremony was performed by Chief Justice Alloysius Katsina-Alu. Mr Jonathan put on a sash bearing the green, yellow and white colours of Nigeria, signifying he had formally taken over as president. Nigeria has lost the jewel on its crown and even the heavens mourn with our nation tonight

Presidential race is now on Reactions in quotes In pictures: Nigeria mourns Reaction to Yar'Adua's death Afterwards he made a brief address, saying his administration was committed to pursuing electoral reform and the fight against corruption "with greater vigour". "While this is a major burden on me, and indeed the entire nation, we must - in the midst of such great adversity - continue to gain our collective efforts towards upholding the values which our departed leader represented," Mr Jonathan said. He added: "One of the true tests will be that all votes count, and are counted, in our upcoming presidential election." By tradition the presidency alternates between the Muslim North and the Christian South, and whomever he selects is likely to be seen as the presidential candidate for the ruling party the PDP, she says. However, some analysts believe that Mr Jonathan could still strengthen his political powerbase, defy religious convention and run for office himself. Mr Yar'Adua, who was 58, will be buried in a Muslim ceremony in Katsina state. Crowds flocked to the airport waiting for the arrival of a military jet carrying his body. Businesses and shops have closed down as a sign of respect.

Yar'Adua was born in northern Katsina state in 1951 University chemistry professor before entering politics Married, with nine children Elected president in 2007 promising reforms Fell ill repeatedly while in office Obituary: President Umaru Yar'Adua Profile: Goodluck Jonathan Yar'Adua dead: Your comments Shortly after Mr Yar'Adua's death was announced, people began arriving at the presidential residence to pay their condolences. "Nigeria has lost the jewel on its crown and even the heavens mourn with our nation tonight," Mr Jonathan said in a statement. US President Barack Obama has led tributes from world leaders, praising Mr Yar'Adua's profound personal decency and integrity" and his "passionate belief in the vast potential and bright future of Nigeria's 150 million people". Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai described it as "a great loss for Nigeria". Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki said Mr Yar'Adua "bequeathed upon the people of Nigeria and Africa at large a rich legacy of integrity". A statement from the militant group The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta said it considered Mr Yar'Adua "a genuine peacemaker whose initiatives, humility and respect began to bring confidence to the peace process". "His death may leave a vacuum that may not be filled," the statement added.

Mr Yar'Adua's election in 2007 marked the first transfer of power from one civilian president to another since Nigeria's independence in 1960. He promised a string of reforms in Africa's most populous nation, including tackling corruption and reforming the inadequate energy sector and flawed electoral system. Analysts say he made the most progress in tackling unrest in the oil-rich Niger Delta by offering amnesties to rebels. Yar'Adua had been absent from the political scene since November His long absence and the lack of detailed information about his health led to a political limbo in Nigeria, which was only filled when Mr Jonathan was named as acting president. However, there was constant tension between Mr Yar'Adua's supporters, from the Muslim north, and those of Mr Jonathan, from the largely Christian south, and in March Mr Jonathan dissolved the cabinet and later put his own team in place. During Mr Yar'Adua's absence, Nigerian Nobel prize-winning author Wole Soyinka was involved in the campaign to resolve the power vacuum. On Thursday he said Mr Yar'Adua's illness had been manipulated by politicians who had concealed the fact he was in a vegetative state while making arrangements for the forthcoming election.

LONDON. MAN SUSPECTED OF ATTEMPTING BOMB PLOOT ARRESTED.
A man suspected of attempting to detonate a car bomb in New York City has been arrested. Faisal Shahzad, a US citizen of Pakistani origin, is accused of driving the explosives-laden car into Times Square on Saturday evening. He is due to appear in court in Manhattan later. US Attorney General Eric Holder said Mr Shahzad was arrested at John F Kennedy Airport attempting to board a flight to Dubai.  The attorney general implied that there might be a foreign terrorist link. He said that as well as trying to detain suspects and question them, his organisation would be trying to gather intelligence about overseas terrorist organisations. That's a little bit different from what we've heard until now - the authorities had implied that this was a low-level and amateurish affair. Reports from the US say Mr Shahzad recently returned from a five-month visit to Pakistan. The FBI said it had searched his home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Tuesday.

In a statement , Emirates Airlines said US officials had removed three people from its Flight EK 202 from New York to Dubai, moments before it was due to take off. It added: "Full security procedures were activated, including the deplaning of all passengers and a thorough screening of the aircraft, passengers, and baggage." A senior Pakistani security source in the Pakistani capital Islamabad told  that the authorities had no knowledge of Mr Shahzad. He also dismissed statements released by the Pakistani Taliban saying that they were behind the failed attack and promising more to come. A car containing a bomb made from fertiliser, fireworks, petrol and propane gas tanks was left in Times Square on Saturday. The Nissan Pathfinder was parked with its engine running and its hazard lights flashing. FAISAL SHAHZAD Aged 30 Naturalised US citizen born in Pakistan Resident of Bridgeport, Connecticut Reports say he recently returned from five-month visit to Pakistan New York spooked but defiant Eyewitnesses to evacuation Profile: Times Square The bomb was discovered and dismantled before it could explode after a street-vendor noticed smoke coming from the vehicle and alerted police. Mr Holder told a news conference that investigators were pursuing "a number of leads", adding: "We will not rest until we have brought everyone responsible to justice." He urged the American people to "remain vigilant" and report anything suspicious to the authorities. Mr Holder said the attempted car bombing "would have been a deadly attack had it been successful". He added: "It's clear that the intent behind this terrorist act was to kill Americans." Times Square was packed with tourists and theatergoers when the alarm was raised. Police evacuated a wide area of the district and closed subway lines, while a controlled explosion was carried out. Officials said the bomb was crude, but could have sparked a "significant fireball".

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA. STRIP CLUB OWNER SHOT DEAD
"Lolly" Jackson loved fast cars, women and money Emmanuel "Lolly" Jackson, the owner of South Africa's Teazers strip clubs, has been found shot dead at a house in Johannesburg, police say. Police are hunting the gunman, who allegedly fled in Mr Jackson's vehicle. Mr Jackson, 53, owner of South Africa's biggest chain of strip clubs, was reportedly shot 15 times. The self-titled "King of Teaze" had appeared in court in April on charges of intimidation, extortion and assault after a fight with a stripper. A man telephoned the police on Monday night to say where they could find Mr Jackson's body, a police spokesman said, adding that the motive for the shooting was not known. The BBC's Pumza Fihlani in Johannesburg says Mr Jackson was a flamboyant man who lived for fast cars, women and money and never shied away from controversy. He denied having links to the underworld. "Every time there is a drug deal or a murder in a Hollywood movie, it happens in a strip club, so they all think I am some kind of mafia character," he said in an interview with Business Report in 2007. In 2005, he was reportedly arrested for driving his orange Lamborghini at 249km/h (155mph). He said he was on his way to church.Teazers, founded in 1996, with six branches across South Africa, was famous for its aggressive advertising campaigns. Last year, during the controversy over gender tests for South Africa's world champion athlete Caster Semenya, it was ordered to withdraw an advert which featured a semi-naked model with the caption, "No need for gender test". He has been sued by several former employees, including a Bulgarian woman who said Mr Jackson had confiscated her passport while she worked for him. He said he kept foreign employees' passports to stop them "running away with a rich farmer" or losing their documents.

 UNITED NATIONS BREAKING NEWS 
SECRETARY GENERAL BAN KI-MOON AND THE NUCLEAR CONFERENCE.
3 May 2010 – The world is looking to the more than 100 nations gathered at United Nations Headquarters today for a major nuclear non-proliferation conference to take decisive action to build a safer world, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said at the event’s start. “We have a choice: to leave a legacy of fear and inaction… or to act with vision, courage and leadership,” he told the five-yearly review of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) which kicked off today in New York. “We all know it is possible,” the Secretary-General said of disarmament and non-proliferation, which have been among his top priorities since taking office in 2007. He characterized the NPT, the cornerstone of the world’s nuclear non-proliferation regime, as one of the most important global treaties ever reached. With the nuclear threat still real, “we need this regime as much as ever,” Mr. Ban underscored. The last NPT review conference in 2005 was a failure, he said, having wrapped up without any substantive agreement having been reached. “This time, we can  and must  do better.” The Secretary-General today laid out five benchmarks for success in pushing the agenda forward. First, he said, “real gains” must be made towards disarmament, calling on nuclear-weapons States to translate their commitment to eliminating the arms into action. Another of his benchmarks is taking steps to achieve the NPT’s universality. India, Pakistan and Israel are not parties to the pact, and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) withdrew in 2003. Mr. Ban highlighted the need to ensure that the right to use nuclear energy peacefully does not have unintended consequences. “It should be unacceptable for countries to the treaty as cover to develop nuclear weapons, only to withdraw afterwards.” Thirdly, he underscored the importance of strengthening the rule of law, including the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the Convention on Nuclear Terrorism. Also crucial is making strides towards cementing a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East, as well as other regional concerns. Currently, there are five such zones: Latin America and the Caribbean; the South Pacific; South-East Asia; Central Asia; and Africa. “They build confidence that can lead to progress in other areas,” the Secretary-General stressed, reiterating his support of the creation of a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the Middle East. His last benchmark, he said, is a strengthened NPT review process, which would benefit from enhanced national reporting and increased organizational support. Mr. Ban pointed out that many countries have already shown great leadership by abolishing nuclear weapons, slashing their arsenals and setting up nuclear-weapons-free areas. “I challenge you to go further still,” he said. “We need more examples of what can be achieved – not more excuses for why it is not possible.” Also in attendance at today’s gathering is President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran, whose authorities hold that the country’s work in the nuclear field is for peaceful purposes, while some countries contend it is driven by military ambitions. The programme has been a matter of international concern since the discovery in 2003 that the country had concealed its nuclear activities for 18 years in breach of its obligations under the NPT. In his address today, the Secretary-General encouraged the Iranian leader to “engage constructively,” calling on the country to comply with Security Council resolution and cooperate fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He also encouraged the country to accept an IAEA-backed proposal on fuel for a civilian nuclear research site in the capital, Tehran, in which Iranian low-enriched uranium would be shipped for further enrichment to Russia and then to France to be fabricated into fuel. The other three parties to the talks – France, Russia and the United States – have all indicated their approval of the agreement, but Iran has yet to respond. The Secretary-General said today that Iran’s acceptance of the proposal would help to boost confidence. “Let me be clear: the onus is on Iran to clarify the doubts and concerns of its program,” he said. In response, Mr. Ahmadinejad told the conference that his country has accepted the fuel exchange deal, with country throwing “the ball in the court of those who should accept our proposal.” The Iranian leader spoke out in his address against how “certain nuclear-weapon States widely exploit” the Security Council and the IAEA. “This unjust practice, repeated over and over, has turned into a pattern.” He voiced concern that to date, no non-nuclear-weapon State “has ever been able to exercise their inalienable and legal rights for peaceful use of nuclear energy without facing pressures and threats.” Countries with nuclear weapons have equated nuclear arms with nuclear energy, which Mr. Ahmadinejad characterized as “one of the gravest injustices” committed by these nations. “The nuclear bomb is a fire against humanity rather than a weapon for defence,” he stated. “The possession of nuclear bombs is not a source of pride; it is rather disgusting and shameful. And even more shameful is the threat to use or to use such weapons, which is not even comparable to any crime committed throughout the history.” For his part, IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano, who also addressed today’s meeting, said that Iran’s lack of cooperation is preventing the agency from confirming that all nuclear material is not being diverted to a weapons programme. He called on Iran to “clarify activities with a possible military dimension.” Mr. Amano also noted that the IAEA has not been able to confirm the nature of nuclear activities in the DPRK, which ceased all cooperation with the agency last year, and has no made progress in resolving questions related to the nature of the Dair Alzour site – alleged by some to be the site of a nuclear reactor – which was destroyed by Israel. The IAEA chief urged the 20 parties to the NPT which have yet to bring comprehensive safeguards agreements into force to take immediate steps to join the 98 countries which have done so. He also drew attention to the importance of additional protocols, which are vital to the agency to “provide credible assurance not only that declared nuclear material is not being diverted from peaceful uses, but also that there are no undeclared nuclear material and activities in a State.” Nuclear technologies, Mr. Amano noted, can also be used to meet people’s basic needs, with radiotherapy helping to treat cancer and nuclear technology being utilized to enhance global food security. The current gathering is expected to wrap up on 28 May.

UN NEW YORK. UN MARKS 65th ANNIVERSARY OF OF END OF SECOND WAR.
On this 6 May, the United Nations marked the 65th anniversary of the end of the Second World War by paying homage to the “extraordinary bravery” of those who waged the “epic struggle for freedom and liberation” and vowing to banish the prospect of a repeat of such a scourge. “It is fitting, today, that we commemorate the war’s end at a moment when nations are gathered to advance the cause of peace,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a commemorative special session of the General Assembly, citing the five-yearly review conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) currently under way.“The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is also a document of hope, a vision for a nuclear-weapon-free world,” he said. “Thank you for helping us to remember the past, so that we may better shape our future.” Mr. Ban, who last month praised the agreement by Russia and the United States to reduce their nuclear arsenals, told reporters afterwards that progress was being made along the road to a nuclear weapons-free future. “I am confident that we will continue to do so, if only because we must,” he said. In his address to the Assembly, he recited a litany of major battles, horrors and terrible costs of the war. “The names and places resonate, despite the passing of many years, Stalingrad and Kursk, Auschwitz and Dachau (death camps), D-Day and the final battle for Berlin,” he said. “Its cost was beyond calculation, beyond comprehension, 40 million civilians dead, 20 million soldiers, nearly half of those in the Soviet Union alone. Those were years of unspeakable atrocities, of lost faith and lost humanity. Those years saw extraordinary bravery, as well. World War II was one of the most epic struggles for freedom and liberation in history. And in the end, idealism had its triumph, too.” He stressed that the end of the war coincided with the San Francisco conference that established the UN “an organization founded on that most human of hopes, an end to the ‘scourge of war’.” Acting Assembly President Abdalmahmoud Mohamad, Ambassador of Sudan, said the commemoration was a wake-up call to intensify efforts to settle all disputes by peaceful means. “As we celebrate the end of one of the deadliest conflicts in human history, we also reflect on the immeasurable human cost of war,” he added. “Collectively, and with the needed political will, we can reinforce international peace and security around the globe, and ensure a better future for the coming generations… “The international community has strived to achieve progress towards reconciliation, cooperation and the promotion of democratic values, human rights and fundamental freedoms. We must renew this commitment. We must continue our path towards a world that reigns with peace, security and prosperity for all. Today’s meeting is an excellent opportunity to renew our resolve to achieve this goal.” Although the Second World War continued in Asia until August 1945 beyond May’s end of fighting in Europe, the General Assembly unanimously resolved in March to hold a special solemn meeting in the second week of May “in commemoration of all victims of the war.”

N.Y. CONFERENCE ON THE NON-PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS 
The 2010 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) will be held in May 2010 at UN Headquarters in New York. The President-elect of the Review Conference is Ambassador Libran N. Cabactulan of the Philippines. The NPT is a landmark international treaty whose objective is to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, to promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and to further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament and general and complete disarmament. The NPT represents the only binding commitment in a multilateral treaty to the goal of disarmament by the nuclear-weapon States. Conferences to review the operation of the Treaty have been held at five-year intervals since the Treaty went into effect in 1970. Each conference has sought to find agreement on a final declaration that would assess the implementation of the Treaty’s provisions and make recommendations on measures to further strengthen it. The 2010 Review Conference is expected to consider a number of key issues, including: universality of the Treaty; nuclear disarmament, including specific practical measures; nuclear non-proliferation, including the promoting and strengthening of safeguards; measures to advance the peaceful use of nuclear energy, safety and security; regional disarmament and non-proliferation; implementation of the 1995 resolution on the Middle East; measures to address withdrawal from the Treaty; measures to further strengthen the review process; and ways to promote engagement with civil society in strengthening NPT norms and in promoting disarmament education.

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NEW YORK BREAKING NEWS

TIMES SQUARE, NY. CAR BOMB DISCOVERY: AN ACT OF TERRORISM.
By Jacques Dusseck, Scott Strong, Jerry Blumberg and John Tembeck
By 7:00 pm, members of the New York Media and NYPD were on Times Square to cover the bomb scare. According to Homeland Security chief  Napoliatano it was an act of terror