47 dead from flooding in the Philippines; 1.5 million affected
The death toll from flooding in the Philippines has climbed to 47, the country's national disaster agency said Sunday.
Parts of the Philippines have been dealing with the effects of heavy rainfall for weeks. A monsoon triggered rains, flooding and landslides affecting 25 provinces, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in a statement.
More than 1.5 million people have been affected, the disaster agency said. Among 10 impacted regions, Caraga -- on the eastern island of Mindanao -- has the greatest number of people affected at more than 600,000.
Many of the 47 fatalities -- ranging from ages 1 to 80 -- died from drowning, landslides or electrocution, according to the disaster agency. At least four people remained missing Sunday.
In addition, 503 homes have been destroyed, and 1,914 have been damaged, the agency said.
An aircraft carrying a medical team and emergency medical supplies was scheduled to land in Siruma, Camarines Sur, on Sunday "to address the life-threatening condition" of about 450 households affected by diarrhea, the disaster agency said.
Tunisian protests: Tunis marchers urge Ben Ali to go
Thousands of people are staging an unprecedented protest in the Tunisian capital, calling on President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to quit immediately.
Police have fired tear gas at the crowds protesting outside the interior ministry in Tunis over corruption, unemployment and high food prices.
Doctors say that 13 people were killed in overnight clashes in the capital.
On Thursday night, Mr Ben Ali - who has governed Tunisia since 1987 - announced he would stand down in 2014.
Human rights groups say more than 60 people have died in recent weeks as unrest has swept the country and security forces have cracked down on the protests.
The demonstrators have called on Mr Ben Ali to go straight away, saying Tunisia cannot have true democracy while he remains in charge. Trade unions have called a general strike.
The BBC's Adam Mynott in Tunis says there is now a public clamour for change that has become a tide which will be very difficult to hold back.
A BBC Arabic reporter, Mohamed Ballut, says demonstrations are reportedly taking place in other cities, including Sidi Bouzid in the south, where the protests began four weeks ago.
They started after an unemployed graduate set himself on fire when police tried to prevent him from selling vegetables without a permit. He died a few weeks later.
Mr Ben Ali, 74, is only Tunisia's second president since independence from France in 1956. He was last re-elected in 2009 with 89.62% of the vote.
Tourists going home
Meanwhile, UK tour operator Thomas Cook is pulling out all 1,800 of its customers currently on holiday in Tunisia.
Thomas Cook and another holiday company, Thomson First Choice, are cancelling departures to Tunisia scheduled for Sunday 16 January. However, Thomson are not bringing home visitors already in Tunisia.
Tourism is key to Tunisia's economy and an important source of jobs.
The UK, the US and France are among the countries advising against non-essential travel to Tunisia.
"The situation is unpredictable and there is the potential for violence to flare up, raising the risk of getting caught up in demonstrations," the UK Foreign Office said in its latest travel advisory.
In his speech on Thursday night, Mr Ben Ali said there was "no presidency for life" in Tunisia. He said he did not intend to amend the constitution to remove the upper age limit for presidential candidates, which would have allowed him to stand for a further term in 2014.
The president, who earlier this week had blamed the unrest on "terrorists", also said he felt "very, very deep and massive regret" over the deaths of civilians in the protests.
He said he had ordered troops to stop firing on protesters except in self-defence, and pledged to take action on food prices, which have gone up fourfold in recent weeks.
Afterwards, Mr Ben Ali's supporters took to the streets of Tunis, cheering and sounding car horns.
In a further overture, Foreign Minister Kamel Mourjane said it would be possible to form a government of national unity involving the opposition. Speaking to France's Europe 1 radio on Friday, he also held out the possibility of early parliamentary elections.
But human rights activist Mohamed Abbou said he believed President Ben Ali was "fooling the Tunisians with promises that have no tomorrow".
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Arab leaders they would face growing unrest unless they enacted real economic and political reform.
Mrs Clinton was speaking in Doha at the end of a four-nation visit to the Gulf.
Denver beat Miami Heat 130 to 102 in Denver
The Denver Nuggets are beginning to tear it up on the court just when they may be torn apart away from it.
With trade talks heating up lately, the end of Carmelo Anthony's time in Denver could very well be close at hand.
Reserve J.R. Smith scored 28 points and Anthony added 21, leading the Nuggets to a 130-102 win over a Miami Heat team missing LeBron James on Thursday night.
The Nuggets have now routed two straight opponent, beating Phoenix by 34 points two nights ago.
This is what the Nuggets could be like down the road, possibly even a threat come playoff time. That is, if Anthony doesn't get dealt and the team blown up.
"I'm definitely not happy about the situation," Smith said. "But what Melo has done for this city and for this team, this organization, has been so big, I think it's his time. Whatever he wants to do, I think it's his time."
Chris Bosh scored 24 points and Dwyane Wade added 16 for Miami, which lost two in a row for the first time since dropping three straight in late November.
However, the Nuggets know that to many around the nation this win will come with an asterisk.
After all, James sat out after spraining his left ankle the night before in a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
And with one part of their Big Three missing from the court, the Heat simply weren't the same squad. Along with James went leadership and a 25.4-point scoring average.
"Now everybody is going to look at it and say, 'LeBron didn't play,'" Smith said. "As a competitor, you always want to play against the best players available."
The Nuggets led by 32 points in the third quarter and cruised from there. Both teams pulled their starters for the fourth quarter. It's the most points the Heat have allowed this season.
Not having James definitely threw off the team's rhythm. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said before the game that James was "feeling a little better." He will likely try to play Saturday in Chicago.
"We had to adjust to him not playing and we haven't had a lot of time to do that," Wade explained. "We will move on and hopefully have him for our next game. If not, we will have more experience and know how to play without him."
Smith did most of his scoring from long range, hitting eight 3-pointers against a Miami team playing a lot of zone defense.
"When he's in that zone, it's pretty impressive stuff," Nuggets coach George Karl said.
Anthony has drawn frequent boos from the Pepsi Center crowd as trade rumors continue to swirl, especially since Denver native Chauncey Billups' name has been dragged into the ordeal.
But Anthony heard far more cheers than jeers against the Heat, hitting 8 of 17 shots from the field. His loudest ovation of the night came after a steal in the third quarter, followed by a dunk at the other end.
"Tonight, we came out played a hell of a game defensively, offensively," Anthony said. "We just want to keep it up."
Last summer, James dominated the news with "The Decision," leaving everyone wondering where he would take his game before announcing he would join fellow superstars Wade and Bosh in South Beach.
And now the winter has been dominated by Anthony's own version of the drama.
Anthony's future has been the subject of intense speculation ever since he spurned the Nuggets' three-year, $65 million contract extension over the summer. He also put his Denver mansion on the market.
The most recent talks have Billups and former Detroit teammate Richard Hamilton reuniting in New Jersey along with Anthony in a blockbuster deal that involves three teams and more than a dozen players.
But the likely stipulation of any team willing to trade for Anthony would be that he signs the extension, so he doesn't bolt next summer and become the headliner of the 2011 class.
Anthony has given no indication if he would agree to sign it and go to the Nets should a deal be consummated.
Bosh can sympathize with Anthony and the difficulty of staying focused in the midst of all the rumors and reports.
"You can't escape. People are asking you every minute of every day," Bosh said. "Mentally, whether you know it or not, it's going to take a toll. You might just be playing bad and you don't know why. You could be aware of it, you may not."
Anthony is definitely aware, to the point where the court has become his sanctuary.
"Coming here, it's therapeutic," Anthony said. "I try to stay strong for myself and I have to do what's best for me. Keeping a positive attitude for my teammates, and when they see that, when they see me come on the court, in the gym early, shooting after practice, laughing and joking, it wears off on them, too."
The Heat haven't won a game in Denver since Jan. 29, 2002. ... Despite the loss, Miami is 30-11 at the midpoint of the season, tying their best start in franchise history.
Lawrence Taylor Pleads Guilty in Sex Case; No Jail Time
Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor pled guilty to two misdemeanor charges in court Thursday, stemming from a May 6 arrest for felony statutory rape. He will receive no jail time and is expected to be sentenced to six years probation.
Taylor pled guilty to one count of soliciting a prostitute and a second count of sexual misconduct in having sex with a woman without consent. Since the victim in the case was 16, by law she was not old enough to give consent.
In court, under oath, Taylor admitted that he had six with a 16-year-old and he said that he was aware that results of a DNA test identified him.
“She told me she was 19,” Taylor said in court.
On March 22, a hearing will be held to determine the level of his sex-offender status. There also was an order of protection against him that was renewed.
Taylor was arrested early in the morning of May 6 at a Holiday Inn in Montebello, N.Y. Police said they were led to his hotel room by a 16-year-old runaway who had allegedly been forced into prostitution by Rasheed Davis.
Davis pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, while Taylor pleaded not guilty to charges of third-degree rape, patronizing a prostitute and endangering the welfare of a child. The rape charge carried a maximum of four years in jail.
Taylor has cooperated with authorities in their investigation of sex trafficking in the New York area.
At the time of the incident, Ramapo town supervisor Christopher St. Lawrence alleged that Taylor paid her $300 for sex. Taylor posted the $75,000 bail later that day.
Aidala on Dec. 8 asked Rockland County Judge William Kelly to dismiss the charges on grounds that Taylor’s fourth amendment rights were violated when the hotel room was searched upon his arrest. Physical evidence, including condoms, was recovered in the search. Kelly denied the request.
Rockland County prosecutor Arthur Ferraro said on Dec. 8 that Taylor had been offered a plea deal which included six months in jail and 10 years’ probation if he pled guilty to a felony, but he also would have needed to register as a sex offender. At the time, Aidala said the terms were unacceptable.
Brett Favre's sister among 5 booked in meth bust
Police say the 34-year-old sister of Vikings quarterback Brett Favre faces drug charges after she was arrested in a raid on a Mississippi condo where people were making crystal methamphetamine.
Maj. Matt Karl of the Hancock County Sheriff's Office said Wednesday that Brandi Favre was among five people arrested in Diamondhead. He says she will be charged with manufacturing methamphetamine and generating hazardous waste.
Karl says about nine grams of the drug -- worth about $1,000 -- was recovered and hazardous materials teams had to clear the condo.
Brandi Favre is in custody and has an initial court appearance scheduled Thursday morning.
A message left for Brett Favre's agent James "Bus" Cook wasn't immediately returned.
The arrest was first reported by WLOX-TV in Biloxi.
AP
Bolt announced for May 26 meet in Rome
Usain Bolt continued to give shape to his running schedule, when he confirmed another date for the international season.
Organisers announced yesterday that the 100 and 200 metres world record-holder will run at the Golden Gala meet in Rome on May 26.
No details were disclosed about what events he will contest, and a spokesman for the Italian athletics federation said they were still working things out.
Earlier this week, Bolt announced that he will run at the Bislett Games in Oslo in June. It was the first date for this year that the 23-year-old sprint megastar had confirmed.
The Jamaican sprint megastar also disclosed that his recovery from a season-ending injury last year has gone well, and he'll be looking to be razor sharp for this season, which also includes the World Championships in South Korea.
Bolt is the reigning World 100 and 200 metres champion, having set World records to win the events at the last World Championships in Berlin, Germany.
Brian Lara to work with Zimbabwe
Brian Lara has been confirmed as a technical adviser for Zimbabwe ahead of the 2011 World Cup, which is to be staged in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh next month.
The West Indies legend had signed a contract as batting consultant to the national team, following a brief stint in the national Twenty20 league competition with the Southern Rocks last year.
Following his attendance at the funeral service for his mentor, Joey Carew, the late Trinidad & Tobago captain and West Indies batsman, Lara will fly to Dubai to join the Zimbabweans for a pre-World Cup training camp, which also includes two practice matches there.
The former West Indies captain is also expected to travel to India with the side to help them continue their preparations there.
Zimbabwe play two official warm-up matches in India, before they open the World Cup against reigning four-time world champions Australia on February 21 at Ahmedabad in India.
Meantime, Zimbabwe have announced their 15-member squad for the World Cup and it includes Hampshire batsman Sean Ervine, who is currently playing in the Caribbean Twenty20 Championship with the English T20 champions.
However, the squad does not include their best known batsman, Hamilton Masakadza. He was omitted due to poor form.
Zimbabwe will be led by all-rounder Elton Chigumbura, who has been in charge of the side, since off-spinner Prosper Utseya resigned from the position following a trip to the Caribbean, where they won one Twenty20 international and one of five one-day internationals against Chris Gayle's West Indies.
Utseya will form part of a lethal spin-bowling attack with leg-spinner Graeme Cremer, left-arm spinner Ray Price (nephew of three-time golf major champion Nick Price) and off-spinner Gregory Lamb, as the Zimbabweans seek to exploit typically subcontinental conditions.
Squad: Elton Chigumbura (captain), Regis Chakabva, Charles Coventry, Graeme Cremer, Craig Ervine, Sean Ervine, Gregory Lamb, Shingirai Masakadza, Chris Mpofu, Ray Price, Edward Rainsford, Tatenda Taibu, Brendan Taylor, Prosper Utseya, Sean Williams.
Gayle still has Windies in mind
Chris Gayle plans to continue playing for West Indies in the immediate future instead of chasing big bucks in lucrative Twenty20 leagues around the World.
The West Indies opener has been reacting to his shocking snub at the lucrative Indian Premier League players' auction conducted over the last weekend.
Gayle, who also bowls off-spin, was probably the most valuable current star to miss out on a berth in the IPL, after he played for the Kolkata Knight Riders for the first three seasons of the tournament.
"I'm a bit surprised, but I think the franchises look at it that they want their best player to be available for the full IPL," said Gayle in a radio interview.
"It is unfortunate that the IPL clashes with the international duties. [West Indies] have the Pakistan series at the same time."He added: "It's a lot of money, and a lot of guys did pick up a lot of money, which is good for the game to build from there."
But the left-handed opener indicated he has no intention of cutting back on the amount cricket he is playing.
"There's a lot of cricket coming up to be honest," he said.
"When you look at it, I've got the Big Bash now, then Sri Lanka, and the World Cup, then the Pakistan and Indian series at home. It's a lot of cricket for me, but it's up to me to try and monitor it as much as possible.
"I'm accustomed to it, and I've been doing it for quite some time now, so I know what is required. It's nothing to really worry about if I look after myself."
Gayle reiterated he still sees a role for him with West Indies, so fans and officials should not be too concerned.
"It is not about calling it quits because you never know what can happen in the future," he said. "You still have to give back to the international scene.
The day after his IPL snub, Gayle advertised his batting power, when he bashed 32 from one over in 61 to help Western Australia to victory over New South Wales in the Twenty20 Big Bash.
He and fellow West Indian Kieron Pollard will feature in a Big Bash match on Thursday between WA and South Australia at the WACA.
Gayle, who had his first stint with WA cut short by injury last year, said he was enjoying the experience, and looking forward to the clash.
"To come here and represent the Warriors is a tremendous thing," he said.
"The atmosphere and hospitality has been great, and I am definitely looking to be back here again as long as I am free and available."
He concluded: "The pressure is on though, so hopefully I can actually be consistent, and get the Warriors another win."
Buju's Miami concert to be viewed on LIME phones
This weekend promises to be an exciting one for reggae lovers who will be treated to the digital broadcasts of two hot-ticket reggae events on LIME Mobile TV.
The events, Pepsi Rebel Salute, to be held in St Elizabeth on Saturday and the Buju Banton concert, slated for downtown Miami, Florida, on Sunday, will be shown exclusively on LIME Mobile TV during the event.
The telecommunications giant first found success with streaming at a live event during Sting late last year.
"This is just the beginning of the LIME Mobile TV revolution and certainly a big weekend for technology in Jamaica," said Stephen Price, regional special projects manager.
"LIME is intent on evolving the telecoms landscape throughout the Caribbean and is pioneering the entertainment and content provision capabilities of this new technology," Price added.
Thousands of subscribers to LIME Mobile TV network will be able to watch both concerts from beginning to end, exclusively through their handsets.
LIME Mobile TV customers will be treated to coverage of the highly anticipated concert featuring Buju Banton, along with performances by some of the elite in Jamaican music including Stephen Marley, Wayne Wonder, Sly & Robbie, Gramps Morgan, Shaggy and Freddie McGregor.
Banton, who will make his long-awaited return to the stage during the concert, received his fifth Grammy nomination for his latest album Before The Dawn.
The concert is expected to be a spectacular one, especially for Buju fans, who have not seen the artiste perform in many months.
There will be no cost to subscribers for watching the show.
LIME Mobile TV offers premium digital channels including local and international news, sports and entertainment channels.
Black Eyed Peas’ Apl.de.ap Legally Blind from Eye Disorder
Black Eyed Peas member Apl.de.ap suffers from a rare genetic eye disorder that has rendered him legally blind.
This rapper, real name Allan Pineda Lindo, has revealed he has constant blurry vision and severe nearsightedness as a result of nystagmus, which makes his eyeballs vibrate involuntarily. His vision is so poor that even with optimal contact lenses, he is legally blind, reports People magazine.
“I’m good at shapes. If I’m not close, even if it’s big, I can’t read it,” said Apl, who is also colorblind.
Apl admits secretly suffering from the condition as a child sparked his interest in hip-hop.
He adds, “Until I discovered hip-hop, I felt I wasn’t going to accomplish anything. When I dance, I picture myself and the floor in my head…I doubted myself for a long time… I’m comfortable not using my vision. I weave around my problems.”