At Least 17 Killed in Syrian Attack on Homs
Syrian rights activists say at least 17 people have been killed and many more wounded in a new bombardment by Syrian forces on the flashpoint city of Homs.
Arabic satellite television stations broadcast images from Homs Monday that showed smoke billowing into the sky from buildings damaged in the violence. The attacks occurred in several parts of Homs, where an oil pipeline also exploded.
Syrian state television says “terrorist gangs” were behind the bombings.
There was no independent confirmation of the casualties as Syria restricts independent reporting in the country.
The violence comes several days after activists reported what they called a massacre in Homs, saying at least 200 people died in a government bombardment late Friday into Saturday, in what appeared to be one of the deadliest incidents of the 11-month revolt.
Homs has become a focal point of opposition resistance to the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Meanwhile, China reiterated its defense of its veto of a U.N. Security Council resolution that would have endorsed an Arab League plan for Mr. Assad to transfer power. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin also rejected criticism that China is favoring President Assad's regime in the conflict.
China and Russia vetoed the Western and Arab-backed resolution on Saturday, a move criticized by Western governments.
Russia said it vetoed the resolution because of what it viewed as “ultimatum-like” demands for the removal of Mr. Assad, Moscow's only military ally in the Middle East. China said it issued a veto to oppose what it perceives as an effort to promote “regime change” in Syria through “external force,” in violation of international norms.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denounced the double veto as a “travesty.” She said the United States will work with its allies outside the United Nations to tighten “regional and national” sanctions on Syria.
Syria's opposition uprising against Mr. Assad's autocratic rule has escalated in recent months into open conflict between rebels and pro-Assad forces. Last month, the United Nations estimated the death toll from the unrest at 5,400 before it stopped updating the figure because of difficulties in obtaining information.
On Sunday, activists said fighting between pro-Assad troops and loosely-organized rebels killed at least 56 people, about half of them civilians.
Palestinian Factions Agree to Form Unity Government
Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas have agreed to form a unity government led by current President Mahmoud Abbas.
A Palestinian official said Monday the agreement was reached at a meeting in Qatar.
The official said the deal calls for Mr. Abbas to assume the role of prime minister, replacing Western-backed Salam Fayyad.
It was not immediately clear when the new government will be formed.
Hamas and Fatah first agreed to form a unity government in May of last year. Hamas rules the Gaza Strip, while Fatah heads the more moderate Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.
Hamas, an Islamic militant group regarded by the West as a terrorist organization, won a landslide victory in Palestinian elections in 2006. It took over Gaza from forces loyal to Mr. Abbas's Fatah movement in 2007, after months of factional unrest.
Patriots heartlessly release Tiquan Underwood with hours before the Super Bowl XLVI
Tiquan Underwood, the guy who loved being a Patriot so much that he did that to his hair, was released by the team on Saturday, just hours before the Super Bowl.
It's callous and it's cold-blooded, but that's football, and that's Bill Belichick. I'm sure that Underwood is emotionally devastated, but that's a head coach's job. If he feels like another player might help a little more on Sunday, even if it's just for one play, then it's the coach's job to make that decision. Feelings aren't a part of it.
Underwood probably didn't expect this, but he's no stranger to being released, either. It's the third time the Patriots have cut him this season.
What might make it even harder on the guy is that he didn't do anything wrong. And in an impressive four-tweet barrage following his release, Underwood put it all in perspective.
That, friends, is a class act.
According to the Boston Herald, the move has no disciplinary motive behind it. The Patriots simply wanted another defensive lineman on the roster. Alex Silvestro (ironically, like Underwood, a Rutgers product) is the guy who will take his place. He's been on the Patriots practice squad all season.
Belichick recently spoke glowingly of the Rutgers players on the Patriots roster, Underwood, Silvestro, Nate Jones and Devin McCourty.
"I think all four players are very team-oriented, and they come from a great program. I think that program has, under Coach (Greg) Schiano, prepared their players well for the NFL. I think if you look around the NFL, you see a lot of players from Rutgers in the league, not necessarily all of them are high draft choices like (Devin) McCourty, also including other players who were not drafted or lower draft choices. They've made teams, and I think that speaks to the preparation of that program in terms of getting players ready to play in the NFL — how to prepare, how to work, how to train, how to compete, how to play football similar to the way it is played in the NFL. Those four players have done a good job for us. In terms of the program, you can see those types of players on a lot of teams. When they get to the NFL, most of those players end up making it, at least for a while."
In the grand scheme of things, Underwood still has to count himself lucky. He was a part of a Super Bowl team. He experienced everything about Super Bowl week except for the Super Bowl itself. And if the Patriots go on to win, he'll still get a ring, and it will be just as big and shiny as Tom Brady's or Wes Welker's.
Rodgers wins MVP by landslide
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers has won the 2011 Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award in a landslide.
Rodgers earned 48 votes to two for New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 media members who regularly cover the NFL. The Packers star is the first Green Bay player honored since Brett Favre concluded a run of three straight seasons as MVP in 1997.
"It means a lot to be recognized as a consistent player and contributing on my team," Rodgers said. "I think it's an award that relies on a player having the support of his teammates, obviously, guys blocking, guys running, guys catching, guys making plays. But I'm very honored to receive the award."
Rodgers received a standing ovation after his name was announced by Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, the league's only four-time MVP. The award was presented on the "NFL Honors" primetime special Saturday night on NBC.
"We're all really excited to see you back on the field next year," Rodgers told Manning.
Rodgers led the NFL in passing with a 122.5 rating built on 45 touchdown passes, six interceptions and a 68.3 completion percentage as the Packers went 15-1 and won the NFC North. The Packers were beaten by the New York Giants at Lambeau Field in the divisional round.
"People really count on me to be consistent each week, to play well. Knowing that my performance, the fact that I touch the ball every play, I have a direct impact on the game, the way I play," Rodgers said. "And if I'm playing consistent and doing things I know I'm supposed to do, we've been able to have some success because of it."
He joins former Packers Bart Starr, Jim Taylor and Paul Hornung as MVPs.
SI
Parker's 42 powers Spurs past NBA-best Thunder
Tony Parker wasn't playing for an All-Star invitation. He made a strong case just the same.
Putting together his most dazzling game in three years - and doing it against the NBA's hottest team, no less - Parker scored 42 points and became the all-time franchise assists leader for the San Antonio Spurs in a 107-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night.
His nine assists moved him past Avery Johnson in Spurs history, but this night wasn't about his passing. Parker joined Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Anthony Morrow and LeBron James as the only NBA players to eclipse 40 points in a game this season.
Bryant, Howard and James were chosen All-Star starters this week. Reserves are announced Thursday.
If Parker's name wasn't in the mix before, it almost certainly is now.
"I would like to go again eventually," said Parker, a three-time All-Star who hasn't been since 2009. "We'll see what happens."
All-Star Kevin Durant had 22 points and 11 rebounds for Oklahoma City (18-5), which was headed for its first blowout loss of the season before closing a 24-point deficit in the fourth. The convincing win over the NBA's winningest team was just the springboard San Antonio needed before spending next three weeks on the road - where the Spurs have hardly been as dominant.
The Thunder has jumped ahead of the rest of the NBA, in part, by being the best road team. But this time they ran straight into the NBA's best home team, which was never clearer than in the third quarter when the Spurs tripled an 8-point lead in a span of 8 1/2 minutes.
Parker's most electrifying game since scoring 43 in a playoff win over Dallas in 2009 saw to that.
"Coming off pick and rolls, (Parker) was getting to the rim," Durant said. "He is so quick and he was beating our bigs to the lane sometimes. It's tough for our bigs to guard someone as fast as Tony."
Parker, who's spent all his 11 years in the NBA in San Antonio, now has 4,477 career assists. He scored 16 points in the third, going 6 for 9 from the floor and sinking all four of his foul shots. In a game worthy of a standing ovation, his came before it was even over - with 2:28 left in the third, when he surpassed the franchise assists record that Johnson had held since 2001.
The record dish fittingly came on a pick-and-roll with Tim Duncan, his longtime co-pilot in San Antonio's last three championships. And up against the NBA's top team, the duo looked as though they didn't even miss Manu Ginobili, who's missed the last month with a broken hand.
Parker was 16 of 29 from the floor, made 10 of 12 free throws and upped his scoring average to 18 points.
"(Parker) knew he had to have a big game tonight, and we knew we had to score points against these guys," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.
Duncan had 13 points and 15 rebounds. Rookie Kawhi Leonard, getting his starting job back so he could guard Durant, added 15 points and hit all three of his 3-pointers. San Antonio's four-game winning streak is its longest all season.
James Harden had 19 points off the bench for the Thunder. Russell Westbrook had 18 points and six assists.
"Tony Parker had his way with us," Thunder coach Scott Brooks said. "That's as aggressive as I've seen him in a long time."
At times, it was an intense start to the Thunder's five-game road trip. A scramble for a loose ball between Parker and Westbrook in the second quarter escalated into a quick scrape of swats and kicks, with Parker getting whistled for a personal foul and Westbrook shoving aside the Frenchman's leg so he could get up.
Parker, visibly annoyed, was pulled off the pile by Blair, and the players on the Thunder's bench sprung to their feet. Parker responded by darting full steam on a fast break and drawing a foul at the rim. One possession later, Parker hit a tough 17-footer falling away, adding to an entire game's worth of highlights.
The Spurs improved to 13-1 at home, best in the NBA. But they'll now play their next nine away from the AT&T Center as part of their annual Rodeo Road Trip. San Antonio is 3-8 on the road.
SI
Manchester City struck two ealy over Fulham
Manchester City struck two early goals before seeing off a heavy snow storm to open up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Sergio Aguero opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Adam Johnson had been tripped by Chris Baird.
City's lead was then doubled when Baird turned Johnson's cross-shot beyond his own goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
Play had to be halted twice to allow groundstaff to clear snow from the lines before Edin Dzeko added a third.
At one point midway through the second half, the heavy snowfall posed a real threat to the fixture as referee Mike Dean twice stopped play to allow the lines around both penalty areas to be cleared with shovels.
City's title rivals - and Fulham - would certainly have been pleased with a postponement but, shortly after Dzeko's third goal, the weather improved and the game was able to conclude with Roberto Mancini's men maintaining their 100% home record.
After defeat to Everton last time out , City were in need of a strong performance and victory was never in doubt from the moment Aguero broke the deadlock after 10 minutes.
Referee Dean was quick to award a spot-kick when Johnson was sandwiched between Baird and Brede Hangeland, although replays suggested that the England winger initiated contact by flicking out his leg as he went down.
Aguero thumped in his 18th goal of the season from the spot, smashing the ball high to Mark Schwarzer's left.
In-form Fulham forward Clint Dempsey sent a speculative effort wide from 30 yards before Dzeko failed to make proper contact as he looked to get on the end of a shot from Aleksandar Kolarov.
Fulham belatedly began to pose a threat as fit-again Simon Davies hit a low shot at Joe Hart at the end of a flowing move before David Silva exchanged a sumptuous one-two with Aguero before dragging his low shot just wide from 15 yards.
That triggered an intense period of pressure from the home side, Johnson and Silva both going close from range before the hapless Baird bundled in the second.
Kolarov whipped in a cross from left which Aguero helped on with a deft flick, Johnson put the ball back across goal and Baird could only divert past Schwarzer from close range.
The hosts could have had another penalty when Silva went down under a challenge from Dickson Etuhu before Senderos almost added to the own goal tally when he turned Micah Richards' cross goalwards, but Schwarzer saved.
FIFA puts Burrell on Olympic committee
FIFA says it has appointed Caribbean official Horace Burrell to its committee that organises Olympic football tournaments, three weeks after he completed a suspension for unethical behavior.
Burrell had lost his long-standing position on FIFA's disciplinary panel in December while he served a three-month ban following a widespread investigation into alleged bribery by FIFA presidential candidate Mohamed bin Hammam and vice-president Jack Warner.
Burrell had a further three-month sanction deferred for a two-year probationary period.
The Jamaican football federation president has told Caribbean media that FIFA punished him for not cooperating with investigators.
Burrell is also vice-president of the Jamaican Olympic Association.
Suriname police on strike
A strike action of the Suriname Police Force entered its third day on Friday, even as President Desi Bouterse called on the Suriname Police Union (SPB) to suspend the work stoppage.
Police officers went on strike on Wednesday after the government failed to meet their demands.
Meanwhile the government has called on special security units, including the Security and Assistance Service and the National Army to step in. The SPB informed the government that police officers will only carry out duties in case of serious road accidents, murders or brutal armed robberies. Officers will also be on duty to guard detainees and government officials and police facilities.
The police are disgruntled over measures by the government to discontinue several financial benefits, including appropriation for nightly duties. According to Vice-President Robert Ameerali, the government’s Consultation Office advised that the said allowances were already incorporated in the salaries.
At a general meeting the police union sanctioned a motion calling for immediate strike action.
The police union submitted its demands in March 2010 and reached an agreement with the government on December 22 last year, in which the parties agreed that the appropriations would be paid no later than January 31, 2012.
During a three hour meeting with union leaders on Thursday at his office, Bouterse appealed to the union to call off the strike in order to create an atmosphere to continue negotiations with the government. The SPB at a general meeting were due to decide on Friday whether the work stoppage will continue.
By Ivan Cairo
Caribbean News Now contributor
Millions to be spent on Trinidad Carnival for 2012
The Trinidad Carnival has been described as “big business” which now has a total allocation of $96.5 million to be spent.
Yesterday the Trinidad Cabinet approved a supplemental $53 million for the event that already had an expended budget of $43.5 million.
Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism, Winston “Gypsy” Peters explained that with Caribbean Airlines reporting 220, 000 people booked to visit the country for Carnival, which will culminate with two days of mass on February 20 and 21 at various, it was big business.
However, even with the allocation of an additional $53 million, there were some cuts to the popular carnival. These cuts will result in there being no $2 million grand prize from the Trinidad government for the Soca Monarch or Chutney Soca Monarch competitions this year, and no People’s Band, a government initiative allowing people to parade for free.
Instead, the government will contribute money to various organisations such as Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation, the National Carnival Bands Associations and Pan Trinbago, who will be responsible for raising additional funds to maintain the $2 million grand prize.
Mr Peter explained that though the Trinidad Carnival was “big business” for the country, it incurred a lot of debt. “As a matter of fact we had debt that ran over from last year, some of these contractors we owe them from last year and then we have to fund money to pay them this year…so we have a lot of money that we owe for different reasons,” he said.
However other funds have been sourced to bring 11 steelbands from Tobago to Trinidad for the Panorama semi-finals, while a further $3.2 million is expected to be spent funding meals, accommodation, ground and air transport for the band members over a four-day period. Click
Caribbean 360 News
Barbados police fight crime with technology
Victims of crimes in Barbados can soon identify their attackers without having to come face to face with them.
And charges of police brutality during interrogation will also be harder to prove as the Royal Barbados Police Force prepares to roll out new state-of-the-art technology to record such proceedings.
This will all be possible as police implement devices such as the Cardinal Peak CaseCracker and the Promat system, both designed to bring a higher level of transparency to the interviewing of suspects by lawmen, and the identification of suspects.
And the country’s Attorney General, Adriel Brathwaite has promised that amendments to the legislative framework to govern its use will be in place within another six months.
He added that the equipment will be installed at five police stations initially, but noted the intention was to have all stations outfitted.
The Pro Mat system will allow police to show victims of crime photographs and videos of headshots to allow them to point out their attacker. It is mobile and can be transported to victims in hospital or those who are unable to go to a police station.
Mr Brathwaite explained that the Pro Mat system was fair and allowed police to provide eight individuals of similar build and characteristics to an accused person.
But he said there were still some kinks to be ironed out with the Pro Mat as it relates to getting people to volunteer their photographs. “We have one or two challenges from the point of view that not enough suites are readily available,” the Attorney-General said.
As a result the new technology will only be available for serious crimes in the initial stages.
Meanwhile, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Oral Williams explained the CaseCracker involved the use of two cameras, both placed in one room, with one focused on the entire room and the other on the suspect. The interview of a suspect by police in the presence of their attorney is recorded.
“When the interview is finished you can play it back and see exactly what transpired,” explained Mr Williams.
Caribbean 360 News