UPI NewsTrack articles from April 2007

UPI NewsTrack archives from April 2007

Judge recommends release of Palestinian.
April 1, 2007... NORFOLK, Va., March 31 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Virginia says a Palestinian man held as an illegal immigrant should be released because he has spent too long behind bars. Majed Hajbeh was picked up in an immigration sweep in June 2003,...

Baseball's disabled list swells.
April 1, 2007... PHOENIX, March 31 (UPI) -- Spring training ended for most Major League Baseball teams Saturday, and the list of players heading for the 15-day disabled list grew considerably. Among the latest DL entrants are southpaws Randy Johnson (back)...

NBA: LA Clippers 99, Portland 86.
April 1, 2007... PORTLAND, Ore., March 31 (UPI) -- Cuttino Mobley had 25 points, three rebounds and three assists Saturday night to lead the Los Angeles Clippers over Portland, 99-86. The Clippers surged to a 38-18 lead after the first quarter and led,...

Russian company to build Saudi pipeline.
April 1, 2007... DHARAN, Saudi Arabia, April 1 (UPI) -- A subsidiary of Russia's national energy company has signed a $100 million contract for construction of an oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia. Stroytransgaz, which operates Gazprom's construction business,...

Deaths at hospital blamed on super-germ.
April 1, 2007... GREAT YARMOUTH, England, April 1 (UPI) -- At least 17 deaths at a hospital in eastern England have been blamed on a virulent form of bacteria that causes stomach disease. Administrators at James Paget University Hospital in Norfolk could...

NHL: Calgary 3, Vancouver 2.
April 1, 2007... VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 1 (UPI) -- Daymond Langkow had a goal and two assists Saturday night to lead the Calgary Flames to their sixth straight win, a 3-2 victory at Vancouver. Langkow scored the game's first goal at 4:07 of the...

Rally calls for ouster of Thai government.
April 1, 2007... BANGKOK, April 1 (UPI) -- About 4,000 people joined a demonstration in Bangkok, defying a ban on political activities. The Saturday rally was organized by PTV, a satellite television station founded by members of the Thai Rak Thai party of...

NHL: Toronto 5, Pittsburgh 4 (OT).
April 1, 2007... TORONTO, April 1 (UPI) -- Tomas Kaberle scored his second goal of the game with 1:05 left in overtime Saturday night as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 5-4. The overtime was needed after regulation ended in a 4-4 tie....

Aussies send blackout message on climate.
April 1, 2007... SYDNEY, April 1 (UPI) -- Most areas of Sydney, Australia's largest city, blacked out Saturday night to raise awareness of global warming. The lights on the white-shelled roof of the city's famouse opera house, and on the harbor bridge and...

East Asia economic union urged.
April 1, 2007... FUKUOKA, Japan, April 1 (UPI) -- Former leaders of five East Asia nations had a rare reunion in Japan and urged the formation of an economic alliance to promote their common interests. Former Prime Minister Yashurio read the proposal...

Bush calls for detainees' release.
April 1, 2007... WASHINGTON, April 1 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush for the first time has demanded 15 British naval personnel be freed, calling their seizure by Iran an "inexcusable" hostage-taking. Bush backed the British contention the sailors were...

Phelps ends with seven gold, five records.
April 1, 2007... MELBOURNE, April 1 (UPI) -- U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps claimed his record seventh gold medal and smashed a fifth world record Sunday at the world championships in Australia. Phelps won the 400-meter individual medley in 4 minutes, 6.22...

UPI NewsTrack TopNews.
April 1, 2007... Bush calls for detainees' release WASHINGTON, April 1 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush for the first time has demanded 15 British naval personnel be freed, calling their seizure by Iran an "inexcusable" hostage-taking. Bush backed...

Dust storm turns Seoul sky yellow.
April 1, 2007... SEOUL, April 1 (UPI) -- Dust storms raging in neighboring Chinese deserts have turned the sky over Seoul yellow. The yellow haze was so bad it prompted many people on holiday break to wear breathing masks or to stay inside their homes, The...

Bush renews push for nominees.
April 1, 2007... WASHINGTON, April 1 (UPI) -- President Bush is not backing off his intention to put three nominees in top environmental regulatory posts despite objections about their pro-industry views. The White House has resubmitted the names of William...

New Nepal cabinet includes Maoists.
April 1, 2007... KATMANDU, Nepal, April 1 (UPI) -- Nepal's prime minister Sunday heralded the start of a "new chapter" in the nation's story after swearing in 21 new ministers, including five ex-Maoist rebels. Communists now are in charge of Nepal's...

Hamas-al Qaida feud emerges.
April 1, 2007... GAZA, April 1 (UPI) -- The slaying of a highly regarded leader in Gaza City reveals a fissure between Hamas and an al-Qaida-affiliated group that follows the Salafi brand of Islam. Witnesses said Adnan Manasreh, 30, was shot to death as he...

Pope's Palm Sunday mass begins Holy Week.
April 1, 2007... VATICAN, Vatican City, April 1 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI began a series of Holy Week ceremonies on Palm Sunday by conducting mass for thousands of faithful Roman Catholics in Vatican City. Surrounded by bishops, cardinals and priests, the...

Johnston likely abducted by clan leader.
April 1, 2007... GAZA, April 1 (UPI) -- BBC reporter Alan Johnston's abduction nearly three weeks ago was likely the work of a powerful Mideast clan leader, Gaza security sources have said. Sources told The Sunday Times of London that clan leader Mumtaz...

Arab settlers paid to leave Kirkuk.
April 1, 2007... KIRKUK, Iraq, April 1 (UPI) -- Arabs ensconced in Kirkuk by Saddam Hussein are being paid to voluntarily return to their homes in southern Iraq as envisioned in the country's constitution. The Arab settlers had been placed in the oil-rich...

Blast misses Iraqi lawmaker.
April 1, 2007... BAGHDAD, April 1 (UPI) -- A roadside bomb just missed an Iraqi lawmaker Sunday but wounded two of his body guards as they traveled by convoy in Baghdad. Security officials said the blast that threatened Omar Abdul Sattar, a member of the...

Three killed during search by Indian army.
April 1, 2007... JAMMU, India, April 1 (UPI) -- Three people, including two top militants, were killed Sunday in Kishtwar, India, where an army search operation was being conducted. Authorities said the two militants and one soldier were killed in a...

UPI NewsTrack TopNews.
April 1, 2007... Pope's Palm Sunday mass begins Holy Week VATICAN, Vatican City, April 1 (UPI) -- Pope Benedict XVI began a series of Holy Week ceremonies on Palm Sunday by conducting mass for thousands of faithful Roman Catholics in Vatican City. ...

3 children killed, 6 hurt in Afghan blast.
April 1, 2007... MIHTARLAM, Afghanistan, April 1 (UPI) -- A suicide bomber killed at least three children and wounded six more Sunday with an explosives-ladened car near an Army convoy in Afghanistan. Police said the attack near Mihtarlam in eastern...

GOP leader appears lukewarm on Gonzales.
April 1, 2007... WASHINGTON, April 1 (UPI) -- U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., is refusing to say whether he has confidence in Attorney General Alberto Gonzales. Asked on "Fox News Sunday" whether he still has confidence in Gonzales,...

Bush will talk but won't buy Iraq deadline.
April 1, 2007... WASHINGTON, April 1 (UPI) -- White House counselor Dan Bartlett says President Bush is willing to talk with Democratic leaders in the Senate and House about funding U.S. troops in Iraq. But Bartlett said the president would not accept and...

'Blades of Glory' puts No. 1 spot on ice.
April 1, 2007... LOS ANGELES, April 1 (UPI) -- "Blades of Glory" skated into first place at the U.S. box office this weekend with $33 million in estimated box office receipts. "Meet the Robinsons" animated movie-goers as well, raking in more than $25...

Old photos show Paul McCartney in glasses.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- Beatles fans knew John Lennon as the one who wore glasses, but Paul McCartney also had his own pair of specs and wore them behind the scenes in London. A rare picture of McCartney from 1967 shows him wearing the...

'The View' co-star denies Rosie feud.
April 1, 2007... NEW YORK, April 1 (UPI) -- A co-star of "The View," Elisabeth Hasslebeck, says she and Rosie O'Donnell are not feuding on the U.S. show -- in fact, she says they are pals. "Everyone's always thinking Ro and I don't get along, we're...

Rescued dog makes Broadway debut.
April 1, 2007... NEW YORK, April 1 (UPI) -- An 8-pound Chihuahua named Chico, who was rescued from a New Jersey humane society, is about to make his New York stage debut in "Legally Blonde." The underdog himself is playing Bruiser in the musical version of...

UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News.
April 1, 2007... 'Blades of Glory' puts No. 1 spot on ice LOS ANGELES, April 1 (UPI) -- "Blades of Glory" skated into first place at the U.S. box office this weekend with $33 million in estimated box office receipts. "Meet the Robinsons" animated...

Leahy: Gonzales 'has not been truthful'.
April 1, 2007... WASHINGTON, April 1 (UPI) -- Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., says Attorney General Alberto Gonzales "has not been truthful" about the firing of eight U.S. attorneys. Gonzales has been caught up in the controversy over the...

Glastonbury Festival tickets sold out.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- The tickets for Britain's Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts went on sale early Sunday morning and were sold out less than two hours later. The festivals organizers had been fearing that the new...

HMV music stores change mascot.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- Britain's HMV record store chain is changing its mascot from Nipper the terrier, usually pictured with a gramophone, to Gromit from "Wallace and Gromit." The move comes as an attempt to attract younger customers and...

Inmate allegedly violent in death row move.
April 1, 2007... NEW YORK, April 1 (UPI) -- A convicted cop-killer allegedly injured a guard at a New York jail when he violently opposed a transfer to an Indiana prison where he will sit on death row. The New York Post said when guards at the Metropolitan...

New York's Astroland park near its end.
April 1, 2007... NEW YORK, April 1 (UPI) -- Astroland Park on Coney Island, N.Y., has opened for its last season of fun after nearly 50 years of providing thrills to both children and adults. "I feel like a roller coaster. I feel very happy that we're...

Rescue under way for Chinese copper miners.
April 1, 2007... WUHAN, China, April 1 (UPI) -- Officials in China's Hubei province have launched a rescue operation to save six miners who became trapped this weekend when a copper mine flooded. The copper mine began filling with water Saturday and while...

British royalty embracing environmentalism.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has appointed consultants to evaluate royal affairs and palaces to ensure they are environmentally friendly. In apparent response to Prince Charles' ongoing efforts to make Britain more...

New 'Dr. Who' series gets good ratings.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- The new "Dr. Who" series on BBC One in Britain has proved to be a success after 8.2 million viewers tuned in to watch the first episode. The show stars David Tennant as the Doctor and also introduced Freema Agyeman...

Bush stays the course on Gonzales.
April 1, 2007... WASHINGTON, April 1 (UPI) -- President George Bush again issued a strong statement of support for his attorney general, who is under fire for the dismissal of eight U.S. attorneys. Bush told reporters at Camp David Saturday that Attorney...

British bishop accused of discrimination.
April 1, 2007... HEREFORD, England, April 1 (UPI) -- The decision by a bishop in the English city of Hereford to block the employment of a gay youth worker has led to allegations of discrimination. With the Right Reverend Anthony Priddis set to face an...

Report: Tokyo population on the rise.
April 1, 2007... TOKYO, April 1 (UPI) -- Japanese migration statistics show Tokyo had the largest population hike in more than four decades last year with 90,079 new residents. Up from its 2005 total of 86,562 new residents, Tokyo's remarkable population...

CMT drops Miss America Pageant.
April 1, 2007... NEW YORK, April 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. cable channel CMT has decided not to renew its option for the Miss America Pageant, leaving the pageant without a TV spot, a report says. CMT, which has aired the pageant for the last two years, had a...

Myleene Klass is expecting a baby.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- British TV presenter and Marks & Spencer model Myleene Klass says she is expecting her first child this summer. She also said that she and her fiance Graham Quinn are thinking about getting married before the baby...

Georgia president buried again.
April 1, 2007... TBILISI, Georgia, April 1 (UPI) -- The body of the first president of Georgia after the breakup of the Soviet Union was reburied Sunday in the capital city of Tbilisi 14 years after his death. Thousands of admirers of Zviad Gamsakhurdia...

Pelosi meets Israeli families of captives.
April 1, 2007... JERUSALEM, April 1 (UPI) -- U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi met with families of abducted Israeli soldiers Sunday in Israel before leaving for Lebanon and Syria. The California Democrat, who was in Jerusalem as part of her Middle East...

School under scrutiny for 'cyber-bullying'.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- A prominent independent school in Britain is under police investigation over extreme "cyber-bullying" that involved Internet images of torture and child abuse. All computers have been removed from the school and are...

Britain, Iran communicating on sailors.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- Britain and Iran are talking directly about 15 kidnapped Royal Navy personnel, British Defense Secretary Des Browne says. Browne said British leaders "are anxious that this mater be resolved as quickly as possible...

UPI NewsTrack TopNews.
April 1, 2007... Bush will talk but won't buy Iraq deadline WASHINGTON, April 1 (UPI) -- White House counselor Dan Bartlett says President Bush is willing to talk with Democratic leaders in the Senate and House about funding U.S. troops in Iraq. But...

British DNA workers accused of espionage.
April 1, 2007... BIRMINGHAM, England, April 1 (UPI) -- Five employees of Britain's national DNA database agency have been suspended amid allegations they had engaged in industrial espionage. The Mail on Sunday said the five Forensic Science Service workers...

As women move up, so do their standards.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- As women earn higher degrees and move up in the workforce, the number of single women is also increasing, a British study says. The study found that women, who now make up 57 percent of university graduates, may be...

Four killed in Japanese helicopter crash.
April 1, 2007... KAGOSHIMA, Japan, April 1 (UPI) -- All four crew members in a Japanese military helicopter were killed when the vehicle crashed into the side of a mountain, a report says. Regional officials told the Kyodo news service the helicopter had...

Iran celebrates 'Republic Day'.
April 1, 2007... TEHRAN, April 1 (UPI) -- Iranians marked "Republic Day" Sunday with President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad saying insolent nations will disappear like "bubbles on water." Ahmadinejad made the comment while in southwestern Khuzestan where he...

Caribbean gelato popular in New York.
April 1, 2007... NEW YORK, April 1 (UPI) -- Businessman Alfredo Thiebaud opened the season's first Caribbean gelato cart over the weekend in New York City, assisted by Rep. Jose E. Serrano, D-N.Y. The New York Times reported on the ceremonial opening, which...

Indonesian volcano active after heavy rain.
April 1, 2007... PEMALANG, Indonesia, April 1 (UPI) -- A control post officer assigned to Indonesia's Mount Slamet said Sunday the volcano's activity has increased after the area endured heavy rains. The officer said the increased activity at the volcano in...

NHL: Detroit 4, Columbus 1.
April 1, 2007... COLUMBUS, Ohio, April 1 (UPI) -- Thomas Holmstrom scored twice Sunday afternoon to lead the Detroit Red Wings past Columbus, 4-1. Holmstrom's first goal, midway through the second period, was the eventual game-winner and Detroit went in...

Firefighters rescue trapped puppy.
April 1, 2007... NEW YORK, April 1 (UPI) -- A puppy who broke away from her owners and jumped into New York's Hudson River over the weekend was rescued by veteran firefighters. The New York Post reported on Bubba, the 15-month-old bull terrier who pulled...

Angels put three players on the DL.
April 1, 2007... ANAHEIM, Calif., April 1 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will start the 2007 baseball season with three key players on the disabled list with injuries. Third baseman Chone Figgins (broken left middle and index fingers) and...

NBA: Detroit 94, Miami 88.
April 1, 2007... AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 1 (UPI) -- Richard Hamilton scored 19 points Sunday afternoon to lead five players in double figures as the Detroit Pistons rallied to beat Miami, 94-88. Miami jumped out to a 24-12 lead midway through the first...

N.Y. Yankees sign new fitness club deal.
April 1, 2007... NEW YORK, April 1 (UPI) -- The New York Yankees have signed a 10-year deal with the 24 Hour Fitness chain to create three new health clubs linked to the baseball team. As part of the new deal, which the New York Post said will likely be...

Amateur wins the Estoril Open.
April 1, 2007... CASCAIS, Portugal, April 1 (UPI) -- Spain's Pablo Martin-Benavides Sunday was a one-shot winner of the European Tour's Estoril Open Golf Tournament at Cascais, Portugal. The 20-year-old Martin-Benavides, who plays at Oklahoma State...

Djokovic wins men's Sony Open title.
April 1, 2007... MIAMI, April 1 (UPI) -- Novak Djokovic beat Guillermo Canas in straight sets Sunday to win the men's portion of the Sony Ericsson Open Tennis Tournament in Miami. In a match filled with long rallies, the 19-year Djokovic -- who has risen...

Cricket coach Woolmer honored in Pakistan.
April 1, 2007... LAHORE, Pakistan, April 1 (UPI) -- Cricket officials and members of the national team attended an hourlong memorial Sunday in the city of Lahore, Pakistan, to honor slain coach Bob Woolmer. The Sacred Heart Cathedral ceremony came two weeks...

Lowery gets new deal from SIU.
April 1, 2007... CARBONDALE, Ill., April 1 (UPI) -- Southern Illinois men's basketball coach Chris Lowery Sunday agreed to a seven-year, $750,000 per year contract extension. Lowery has guided the Salukis to a 78-26 overall record in three seasons at the...

NBA: Chicago 105, Atlanta 97.
April 1, 2007... ATLANTA, April 1 (UPI) -- Luol Deng scored nine of his game-high 30 points in the fourth quarter Sunday afternoon to lead the Chicago Bulls over the Atlanta Hawks, 105-97. Chicago ended a close first half with a 56-52 advantage, and led...

Indonesian flooding limits travel.
April 1, 2007... JAKARTA, April 1 (UPI) -- Travel in Indonesia's Porong district is becoming increasingly difficult as regional flooding has begun covering roads and railways in water. With the water level in the district steadily rising and angry...

Teen gained infamy by crashing parties.
April 1, 2007... NEW YORK, April 1 (UPI) -- A teenager from New York's Long Island has made a name for himself as a professional party crasher, even if it means fines and community service. Ryan Leli had to pay a $1,000 fine and spend 10 days picking up...

Report: Activism declining in Britain.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- Individual activism in British communities is waning, a new poll found. The YouGov survey of 2,500 adults in Britain found that 70 percent of respondents said they have no involvement in any neighborhood groups --...

British MP Clarke eyeing Labor Party bid.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- British Member of Parliament Charles Clarke says that, under the right conditions, he would consider running for the leadership of the Labor Party. The former home secretary said if Environment Secretary David...

Three people shot during robbery at mall.
April 1, 2007... ATLANTA, April 1 (UPI) -- Three people were shot this weekend after an attempted robbery of a jewelry store in an Atlanta mall erupted in gunfire. The three were not identified, but one was described as a security guard. The Atlanta...

Help wanted: Butler, excellent pay.
April 1, 2007... LOS ANGELES, April 1 (UPI) -- There is a growing demand for butlers in Southern California, and properly trained domestics are earning as much as $80,000 a year. As the number of millionaires grows, the demand for domestic help is putting...

Israeli leader to face second rape count.
April 1, 2007... TEL AVIV, Israel, April 1 (UPI) -- Suspended Israeli President Moshe Katsav will face a second rape count in the case of a Tourism Ministry employee who claims he attacked her. The Israeli attorney general's office announced Sunday that...

NBA: Golden State 122, Memphis 117.
April 1, 2007... OAKLAND, Calif., April 1 (UPI) -- Jason Richardson scored a game-high 26 points Sunday afternoon to lead the Golden State Warriors past the Memphis Grizzlies, 122-117. Memphis held a 97-88 advantage with 10:29 remaining before Golden State...

Ethics may prove costly for kids' league.
April 1, 2007... LOS ANGELES, April 1 (UPI) -- The decision by California's Simi Youth Baseball League officials to offer their players more ethical role models may land the group in major legal trouble. The Los Angeles Daily News said that when league...

Man fires gun at daycare center.
April 1, 2007... ORLANDO, Fla., April 1 (UPI) -- A Florida man faces charges including attempted murder for allegedly firing a gun into a daycare facility as about 30 children watched from inside. The children were protected by bulletproof windows and...

China to monitor fund inflows.
April 1, 2007... BEIJING, April 1 (UPI) -- China, faced with burgeoning foreign exchange reserves, plans to monitor and check abnormal inflows of funds. The move comes in the wake of the country's current account surplus, which jumped to $91.58 billion in...

Orwell's home in real-life '1984'.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- Britain has a reported 4.2 million security cameras in use, at least four of them trained on the former London home of "1984" author George Orwell. Much as Orwell's classic novel described Big Brother watching...

Quake prompts tsunami warning in S.Pacific.
April 1, 2007... HONIARA, Solomon Islands, April 1 (UPI) -- A strong earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale was reported early Monday in the South Pacific Ocean, prompting a tsunami warning. Citing the U.S. Geological survey, the BBC said the quake...

Defense contractor slush fund alleged.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- Britain's largest defense contractor allegedly paid two actresses handsomely for befriending a key Saudi prince and his entourage, it was reported Sunday. Confidential documents indicate BAE Systems used money from...

Airlines balk at Chicago airport plan.
April 1, 2007... CHICAGO, April 1 (UPI) -- Airlines are opposing Chicago's plan to lease Midway Airport to a private operator, stalling a deal that could provide billions in fees to the city. Southwest Airlines Co. and other carriers have been able to push...

NBA: Washington 121, Milwaukee 107.
April 1, 2007... MILWAUKEE, April 1 (UPI) -- Caron Butler and Gilbert Arenas scored 19 points each Sunday afternoon to lead the Washington Wizards over Milwaukee, 121-107. Washington overcame a 10-point deficit after the first quarter to grab a 57-51...

Judge allegedly berates woman over infant.
April 1, 2007... NEW YORK, April 1 (UPI) -- A New York judge is in the hot seat after allegedly ordering a woman to leave her baby at home and pump her breast milk before coming to divorce court. The woman said during a child custody hearing Brooklyn Judge...

British TV ban takes aim at junk food ads.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- Britain has instituted a ban on advertising unhealthy food and beverages during TV programming targeted to young children. Ads for products high in fat, salt or sugar may not be shown during TV shows aimed at...

'Iron Guardsmen' take the long way home.
April 1, 2007... LONDON, April 1 (UPI) -- A group of soldiers dubbed the "Iron Guardsmen" returned home to London after traveling 1,300 miles in an exhausting triathlon. The Telegraph said the troops, who had been stationed in Bosnia, decided to make the...