November 01, 2009

One killed, 5 injured in Orlando shooting: police

his TV grab taken on Nov. 6, 2009 shows the office building on the eighth floor of which a mass shooting took place in Orlando, Florida. At least one was killed and several others wounded on Friday as a gunman shot in the office building in Orlando.

ORLANDO, the United States, Nov. 6 -- One people were killed and five others injured Friday after a gunman opened fire in an office building in downtown Orlando, Fla., police said.

A police booking photograph of suspect Jason Rodriguez, issued by the Orange County, Florida Jail on November 6, 2009. The ex-employee of an engineering consulting firm who was laid off in 2007 opened fire at his former workplace in Orlando, Florida, on Friday, killing one person and wounding five others, police said. The suspected gunman, who caused panic for several hours at the Gateway Center building in downtown Orlando, was arrested at his mother's home after fleeing the scene, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Police Chief Val Demings told reporters.

Orlando Police Chief Val Demings told reporters there were six total victims and one of them was dead.

All of the wounded were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center and some of them are in critical condition.

Two police cars park outside the Gateway Center building where a shooting incident took place in downtown Orlando, Florida, the U.S., Nov. 6, 2009. A gunman on Friday opened fire inside the Gateway Center building, killing at least one person and wounding at least five others.

The shooting happened in the high-rise Gateway Center office building near Orlando's Lake Inavhoe, a considerable distance from the Disney World.

Sgt. Barbara Jones of the Orlando Police identified the suspect as 40-year-old Jason Rodriguez, who is also believed to be the only shooter.

Rodriguez, a former employee at the building, surrendered to police at his mother's home after fleeing the crime scene.

Swat teams and ambulances descended on the 16-story building after gunshots were fired at 11:30 a.m. (1630 GMT) in Reynolds Smith & Hill, a transportation engineering consulting firm in the building.

An injured woman is evacuated by emergency personnel from the Gateway Center building, after a shooting incident in a downtown office building in Orlando, Florida, Nov. 6, 2009.

Gateway Center is a 16-story office building that was constructed 10 years ago.

It was the second U.S. mass shooting incident in past two days after a medical doctor opened fire in the Fort Hood military base in Texas, leaving 13 dead and 30 wounded.

The building, which has been fully evacuated, remains cardoned off and the entrance closed. A helicopter is hovering above the building and much of the traffic around it has been resumed with a dozen of emergency vehicles stationing beside.

Just opposite the high-rise at the Sheraton Orlando downtown Hotel, guest services staff Carlos Soto said that he saw two guys run out of the building and one of them with pants torn open when the shooting took place. They dialed 911 and the hotel was locked down immediately after as a security precaution.

Another hotel staff, the 29-year-old William, who has been working at the hotel for five years as valet parking supervisor, said he saw two males aged about 50 were taken out of the building soon after the gun shots were heard, one in serious condition with head bleeding and the other with right eye closed.

He said he did not think that the public security in Orland, a tourist city with Disney World, is poor and the city's tourism industry will not be affected. "The tourists won't panic because of the incident," he said.

A police car parks outside the Gateway Center building where a shooting spree took place in downtown Orlando, Florida, the U.S., Nov. 6, 2009. A gunman on Friday opened fire inside the Gateway Center building, killing at least one person and wounding at least five others.

A survivor calls her family by cell phone outside the Gateway Center building where a shooting spree took place in downtown Orlando, Florida, the U.S., Nov. 6, 2009. A gunman on Friday opened fire inside the Gateway Center building, killing at least one person and wounding at least five others.

Police cordon off the Gateway Center building where a shooting incident took place in downtown Orlando, Florida, the U.S., Nov. 6, 2009. A gunman on Friday opened fire inside the Gateway Center building, killing at least one person and wounding at least five others.
(Xinhua/Zhou Xiaozheng)

An 8-year-old male macaque Tasik licks spilt Cahors wine near his cage in the Royev Ruchey zoo in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, November 6, 2009. A zoo keeper gave red wine to the monkeys because he believes it is a preventative measure against the H1N1 flu disease.

An 8-year-old male macaque Tasik drinks Cahors wine in the Royev Ruchey zoo in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk, November 6, 2009.
(Reuters Photo)

Model Mehreen Sayed takes to the catwalk with a creation by Pakistani designer Feeha Noor Jamshed labeled Teejays during Fashion Pakistan Week in Karachi on November 6, 2009. The four day long event, which was rescheduled twice due to security concerns, features over 30 Pakistani designers, organizers said.

Model Iraj takes to the catwalk with a creation by top Pakistani designer Rizwan Beyg during Fashion Pakistan Week in Karachi on November 6, 2009. The four day long event, which was rescheduled twice due to security concerns, features over 30 Pakistani designers, organizers said.

A model takes to the catwalk with a creation by Pakistani designer Feeha Noor Jamshed labeled Teejays during Fashion Pakistan Week in Karachi on November 6, 2009. The four day long event, which was rescheduled twice due to security concerns, features over 30 Pakistani designers, organizers said.

Model Nadia Ali is seen wearing a creation by top Pakistani designer Rizwan Beyg during Fashion Pakistan Week in Karachi on November 6, 2009. The four day long event, which was rescheduled twice due to security concerns, features over 30 Pakistani designers, organizers said.
(Reuters Photo)

Dever Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony has just marked his promising career with a weekly MVP on Friday as he spearheaded Nuggets to a 5-0 season opening.

Averaging 32 points per game, Athony is playing at a frighteningly high level.

Reflecting all the way back to his days in Baltimore gyms, Anthony said he's never felt this good to start a season.

"But really, it started in the off season. I was telling people all summer that I was feeling great about this season coming up," Anthony said. "So far so good after second game against Portland.

"I know it's only two games, but two heck-of-a-games. It's mental. I wanted to challenge myself mentally to pick up where I left off last year, and I feel that I'm doing that."

After five flawless games, Anthony feels just right.

Anthony was the 3rd pick of the 2003 NBA draft by the Nuggets, behind LeBron James and Darko Millicic.

In his rookie season he turned the Denver Nuggets from a mediocre team to a playoff one. He lead the team in scoring with 21.0 points per game and is the only second player in history to lead his team in scoring as a rookie since David Robinson of San Antonio Spurs during the 1989-1990 season.

He led his team to the playoffs with a 43-39 record and was the8th seed of the western conference. They faced the top-seeded and Kevin Garnet's Timberwolves, which they lost in 5 games.

He also finished second in the rookie of the year balloting behind the "hyped one" LeBron James.

After his rookie season Anthony progressed through his all around game, slowly raised his assist average every season.

With the Nuggets building the team around him, he did his job by being the clutch player the team needs. He is one of the go-to-players down the wire in a close ball game. He made 11 game winning baskets out of 17 tries over his career course, the highest percentage among current NBA players.

Aside from being hot on the court, he is also hot tempered, who got suspended for 15 games for punching Knick's player Jared Jeffries.

Over the course of his suspension, the Denver made a desperate move to save the season by acquiring Allen Iverson and formed one of the most high scoring duo with Anthony averaging 28.7 per game while Iverson averaged 26.4 per game.

But eventually, the powerful duo did not produce much and the Nuggets went on looking for a steady guy at the point and took in the once playoffs MVP Chauncey Billups which brought stability and leadership to the team.

Now, Anthony and the Nuggets are trying to clear obstacles with a solid core of Carmelo, Chauncey, JR. Smith, Nene, Kenyon Martin.

How far can the team go? It heavily depends on how much brilliance Anthony can put on.

If they beat the Los Angeles Lakers, not an intangible feat, it's a stride to the Larry O'brien trophy.
(Xinhua)

New York Yankees fans cheer for their team during a parade in New York, the United States, Nov. 6, 2009. The Yankees defeated Philadelphia Philles and won the champion in the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series.

New York Yankees wave to the crowd during a parade in New York, the United States, Nov. 6, 2009. The Yankees defeated Philadelphia Philles and won the champion in the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series.

A celebration for the New York Yankees is held at City Hall in New York, the United States, Nov. 6, 2009. The Yankees defeated Philadelphia Philles and won the champion in the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series.

New York Yankees fans celebrate during a parade in New York, the United States, Nov. 6, 2009. The Yankees defeated Philadelphia Philles and won the champion in the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series.

Hideki Matsui of the New York Yankees waves to the crowd during a parade in New York, the United States, Nov. 6, 2009. The Yankees defeated Philadelphia Philles and won the champion in the 2009 Major League Baseball World Series.

Police cordon off the site of the crime scene in Yokohama, Japan, Friday, Nov. 6, 2009. A gunman was found dead inside a building in Yokohama on Friday afternoon, after having shot and seriously injured three men in an apparent dispute over a loan repayment, Kyodo News reported.

TOKYO, Nov. 6 -- A gunman was found dead inside a building in Yokohama on Friday afternoon, after having shot and seriously injured three men in an apparent dispute over a loan repayment, Kyodo News reported.

The gunman, who claimed to be a gang member named Kenji Hayashi, had holed up in the building after the shooting shortly after 2:30p.m. and apparently shot himself, Kyodo quoted police as saying, adding he had not responded to police calls.

Of the three men injured, two were shot in the neck and were conscious when they were taken to hospitals. The other one was shot in the left side of the chest and it was not known if he was conscious, firefighters said.

The gunman claimed to be a member of a gang affiliated with the crime syndicate Inagawa-kai, according to the police.

The incident took place in a busy urban area near the Yoshinocho subway station in Yokohama's Minami Ward, the report said.
(Xinhua)

(L-R) Actress Jennifer Coolidge, German director and screenwriter Werner Herzog, actress Fairuza Balk and actress Eva Mendes, attend the AFI Fest 2009 gala screening of "The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" in Hollywood, November 4, 2009.

Actress Eva Mendes attends the AFI Fest 2009 gala screening of "The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" in Hollywood, November 4, 2009.

Actor Shawn Hatosy attends the AFI Fest 2009 gala screening of "The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" in Hollywood, November 4, 2009.

Actress Fairuza Balk attends the AFI Fest 2009 gala screening of "The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" in Hollywood, November 4, 2009.

Actress Jennifer Coolidge attends the AFI Fest 2009 gala screening of "The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" in Hollywood, November 4, 2009.

German director Werner Herzog attends the AFI Fest 2009 gala screening of "The Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" in Hollywood, November 4, 2009.
(Reuters Photo)

Kira, a 5-day-old baboon baby, is fed by an employee of the Royev Ruchey Zoo in Russia's Siberian city of Krasnoyarsk November 5, 2009. Kira's mother refused to feed her cub and now it will be bottle fed.
(Reuters Photo)

South African actress Charlize Theron attends the AFI Fest 2009 gala screening of "The Road" in Hollywood November 4, 2009.

Director John Hillcoat attends the AFI Fest 2009 gala screening of "The Road" in Hollywood November 4, 2009.

South African actress Charlize Theron (L) and actor Viggo Mortensen (R) and attend the AFI Fest 2009 gala screening of "The Road" in Hollywood November 4, 2009.

Actor Viggo Mortensen attends the AFI Fest 2009 gala screening of "The Road" in Hollywood November 4, 2009.
(Reuters Photo)

U.S. rock band Green Day performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin November 5, 2009. November 5, 2009.

Shakira performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin November 5, 2009.

U.S. singer and host Katy Perry performs at the 2009 MTV European Music Awards in Berlin, Thursday Nov. 5, 2009.

Shakira performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin November 5, 2009.

U.S. hip hop artist Jay-Z performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin November 5, 2009.

U.S. singer Beyonce performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin November 5, 2009.

U.S. singer and host Katy Perry performs at the 2009 MTV European Music Awards in Berlin, Thursday Nov. 5, 2009.

U.S. hip hop artist Jay-Z performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin November 5, 2009.

Bill Kaulitz of German rock band Tokio Hotel performs during the MTV Europe Awards ceremony in Berlin November 5, 2009.
(Reuters Photo)

Zimbabwe PM withdraws boycott on unity gov't

MAPUTO, Nov. 5 -- Zimbabwe Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai announced on Thursday evening that he and his party the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have withdrawn their boycott on the unity government in the country.

Zimbabwe's Prime Minister and opposition Movement For Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai attends the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in Mozambique's capital Maputo, Nov. 5, 2009.

The announcement came after the Southern African Development Community (SADC) troika, which comprises Mozambique, Zambia and Switzerland, held talks here with Zimbabwe parties.

Speaking to reporters, Tsvangirai said he and his party would give President Robert Mugabe of the ZANU-PF party a period of one month to fully implement the power-sharing deal signed by the major political parties of Zimbabwe in September 2008.

The SADC troika on politics, defense and security cooperation, called the meeting to discuss the latest political crisis in Zimbabwe.

The unity government in Zimbabwe involving President Robert Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara (MDC-M) is currently charting rocky seas following Tsvangirai's partial disengagement from the government on October 16.

Mugabe and Tsvangirai are literally in a war of words, heightening tension in a country that had hitherto been brimming with the hope that its economic woes are about to end.

While not totally disengaging from the government, Tsvangirai and his ministers had said that while they would continue to operate from their government offices, they would, however, not attend Cabinet and Council of Ministers meetings until all outstanding issues to the power-sharing deal are solved.

Since then, the government has not been operating at full throttle, with inter-ministerial business being hampered by the non-availability of Tsvangirai's ministers.

The outstanding issues include the future of Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gono and Attorney-General Johannes Tomana, the appointment of provincial governors and the activation of the National Security Council.

Chairman of the SADC troika and President of Mozambique Armando Guebuza said at the opening of the meeting that Zimbabweans can overcome their challenges,

Guebuza urged the leaders of Zimbabwe's three main political parties to capitalize on the points that unite them for the good of the people of the country and of the entire region.

"We would like to stress that the challenges are enormous, but they can be overcome," Guebuza said, expressing his hope that the summit could obtain from Zimbabwean leaders the undertakings to continue working together to overcome the present challenges for the national interest of the country in first place.

Guebuza said that everything should be done to maintain political stability for the continued inflow of foreign investment needed to continue the relaunching of economic activity.

He said he was optimistic because the SADC mission to Zimbabwe has found that there are more points of convergence than disagreement.
(Xinhua)

Former tennis champion Andre Agassi salutes the crowd during the opening ceremony at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, August 31, 2009.

NEW YORK, Nov. 5 -- Andre Agassi pleaded for compassion in a TV interview in response to criticism of his crystal meth use while depressed in 1997.

Agassi, who revealled drug taking in his new autobiography incurring a wave of criticism, told TV's "60 Minutes" he needed help when he took the drug.

"It's what you don't want to hear. I would hope along with that would come some compassion that maybe this person doesn't need condemnation," Agassi said to the interviewer.

"Maybe this person could stand a little help. Because that was at a time in my life when I needed help.

"I had a problem, and there might be many other athletes out there that test positive for recreational drugs that have a problem. So I would ask for some compassion," added he.

In his book "Open", which goes on sale on Monday, the eight-time Grand Slam champion says he used crystal meth in 1997 and failed a drug test, a result he says was thrown out after he lied by saying he unwittingly took the substance.

But Agassi told "60 Minutes" he has no regrets about his disclosures.
(Xinhua)

Austria Vienna's Aleksandar Dragovic (L) challenges Werder Bremen's Naldo during their Europa League soccer match in Bremen November 5, 2009.

BERLIN, Nov. 5 -- German soccer powerhouse Werder Bremen stay top of Europa League group L after a 2-0 victory over Austria Vienna on Thursday at home.

Tim Borowski's goal in the 81st minute and forward Almeida's strike just minutes later were eventually the difference between the two sides in a game which was really marked by an outstanding performance by Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese.

Wiese was decisive in securing the points for the Bundesliga side who reached the final of the UEFA Cup last season.

Bremen started with aggressive attacks, but the guests fought back with more dangerous counterattacks.

After 17 minutes Acimovic found himself one on one with the Wiese, but the German keeper closed the angle and made things difficult for the Vienna captain. Not ten minutes later and Wiese was called into action again, this time making an even more impressive save from Sulimani's shot.

Werder Bremen's Hugo Almeida celebrates after scoring against Austria Vienna during their Europa League soccer match in Bremen November 5, 2009.

Despite having fewer attempts, Karl Daxbacher's side arguably had the better of the chances in the opening 45 minutes. Werder had their reliable keeper Tim Wiese to thank for preventing a less flattering score line at half time.

After the interval, Jacek Bak's headed effort forced yet another solid save from the Bremen keeper, as the visitors pressed for the opening goal. The home side were more dominant in possession and controlled the game in the midfield, but failed to create anything to really challenge Safar's goal.

On 65 minutes Werder almost opened the scoring with their first real chance of the half. Oezil's through ball found Almeida whose shot was blocked by the substitute keeper Almer.

The opening goal finally came with ten minutes to play. Oezil's ball was flicked on by Rosenberg to find Borowski whose header beat Almer. Minutes later Bremen struck again, this time through Hugo Almeida whose unchallenged shot wrong footed the Vienna keeper.

Thanks to the home victory, Bremen extend their lead at the top of group L. Vienna drop to fourth after Nacional Funchal's late winner against second placed Athletic Bilbao.

On the same day, Hamburger SV, another German soccer powerhouse, saw a goalless draw against Celtic Glasgow in the Europa League encounter.

The draw left Hamburg at the second position in group C, Celtic Glasgow is out of competition with only 2 points.

Hugo Almeida, Tim Borowski and Mesut Ozil (L-R) of Werder Bremen celebrate after scoring during the Europa League soccer match against Austria Vienna in Bremen November 5, 2009.
(Reuters Photo)

Abbas confirms not to run in elections

·Abbas said Thursday he will not run in the presidential election in January 2010.
·Abbas warned his announcement not to stand in the election is not the last option.
·Abbas said two-state solution "was still possible despite dangers surrounding this way."

RAMALLAH, Nov. 5 -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said here Thursday he will not run in the presidential election in January 2010.

Palestinian National Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas reads a statement in West Bank city of Ramallah on Nov. 5, 2009. Abbas said here Thursday he won't run for another term in the presidential election in January 2010.

In a live speech, Abbas said he has informed the Central Committee of his Fatah movement and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) about his intention. "I hope they will understand my position," he said.

Abbas announced his decision after he reviewed a grim situation due to the suspension of peace talks with Israel and the failure to end internal Palestinian crisis as the Gaza-ruling Hamas movement rejected an Egyptian offer to reconcile with Fatah.

Abbas warned that his announcement not to stand in the election is not the last option. "There are more steps I will take," Abbas said without elaborating.

He also said during the speech that the Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank and East Jerusalem "destroy the credibility of the peace talks."

Abbas refuses to resume the negotiations until Israel freezes the settlement since the building annexed more Palestinian land to Israel and undermined chances of having a Palestinian statehood alongside Israel.

Meanwhile, Abbas said the two-state solution "was still possible despite dangers surrounding this way."

He added that the entire peace process "stands on a road junction," revealing that the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)"was surprised by Washington's preference of the Israeli position which refuses to stop the settlement."

Meanwhile, the Hamas movement, the bitter rival of Abbas' Fatah party, said running or withdrawing from the elections was an internal affair of Abbas' own Fatah party.

"Abbas' decision not to run in the elections is a personal affair and we don't have anything to do with that," Salah al-Bardaweel, a senior Hamas official, told reporters in Gaza.

He added that Hamas still extends its hand for reconciliation with Fatah.

When decreeing the elections in January 2010, Abbas said polls would be the best way to overcome the political split between the Hamas-controlled Gaza and the West Bank where his Fatah movement holds sway.

The elections decree was issued in late October after Hamas rejected an Egyptian proposal to settle the Palestinian internal crisis.

However, Hamas rejects the elections and warned Gazans not to deal with Abbas' call for polls, threatening to thwart the voting.

Abbas, 70, was elected as president in January 2005 after the death of late leader Yasser Arafat.

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Baboon baby to be bottle fed

Baboon baby to be bottle fed

Charlize Theron promotes new film "The Road" in LA

16th annual MTV Europe Music Awards

Zimbabwe PM withdraws boycott on unity gov't

Agassi seeks compassion in TV interview

Bremen beat Vienna to stay group top at Europa League

Abbas confirms not to run in elections

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