Bob May Of "Lost In Space" Dies

LOS ANGELES — Bob May, who donned The Robot's suit in the hit 1960s television show "Lost in Space," has died. He was 69.

May died Sunday of congestive heart failure at a hospital in Lancaster, said his daughter, Deborah May.

He was a veteran actor and stuntman who had appeared in movies, TV shows and on the vaudeville stage when he was tapped by "Lost in Space" creator Irwin Allen to play the Robinson family's loyal metal sidekick in the series that debuted in 1965.

"He always said he got the job because he fit in the robot suit," said June Lockhart, who played family matriarch Maureen Robinson. "It was one of those wonderful Hollywood stories. He just happened to be on the studio lot when someone saw him and sent him to see Irwin Allen about the part. Allen said, 'If you can fit in the suit, you've got the job.'"

Although May didn't provide the robot's distinctive voice (that was done by announcer Dick Tufeld), he developed a following of fans who sought him out at memorabilia shows.

"Lost in Space" was a space-age retelling of "The Swiss Family Robinson" story in which professor John Robinson, his wife and their children were on a space mission when their craft was knocked hopelessly off course by the evil Dr. Zachary Smith, who became trapped in space with them.

May's robot was the Robinson family's loyal sidekick, warning them of approaching disaster at every turn. His line to one of the children, "Danger, Will Robinson," became a national catch phrase.

The grandson of famed vaudeville comedian Chic Johnson, May was introduced to show business at age 2 when he began appearing in the "Hellzapoppin" comedy revue with Johnson and his partner, Ole Olsen.

He went on to appear in numerous films with Jerry Lewis and in such TV shows as "The Time Tunnel," "McHale's Navy and "The Red Skelton Show." He was also a stuntman in such 1950s and '60s TV shows as "Cheyenne," "Surfside 6," "Hawaiian Eye," "The Roaring 20s" and "Stagecoach."

He was particularly fond of his Robot role, once saying he came to consider the suit a "home away from home."

Lockhart said May wore the suit for hours at a time and learned the lines of every actor in the show so he would know when to respond to their cues. Because it wasn't easy to get in and out of the suit, he kept it on during breaks.

"He was a smoker," Lockhart remembered. "From time to time (when he was on a break), we'd see smoke coming out of the robot. That always amused us."

May and his wife lost their house in November when a wildfire destroyed their upscale mobile home park in the San Fernando Valley.

Survivors include his wife Judith; his daughter; his son, Martin; and four grandchildren.

Funeral services are pending.

___

Associated Press writer John Rogers contributed to this story.

Read More: Bob May, Lost In Space, Robert May, Television, Entertainment News

Obama: Massive security @ inauguration

In a front-page article in last Sunday’s paper about beefed-up security at the inauguration, the Washington Post again missed the forest for the trees.

Based on figures compiled from the Post article, the total security presence for the 2009 inauguration will be 67 per cent larger than for George W. Bush’s 2005 inauguration, while total attendance - currently estimated to be between 1.5 million and 3 million - will be four to eight times larger.

In other words, the proportional security presence at Barack Obama’s inauguration will be anywhere from half to nearly a quarter of that provided for Bush in 2005.

According to the figures reported by the Post, the FBI’s Washington Field Office will bring in a 20 per cent larger force than is typical for an inauguration. The Park Police, which oversees the National Mall, will increase its force by 66 per cent. The D.C. police presence, bolstered by 4,000 officers from outside the District, will be 25 per cent larger than that at George Bush’s 2005 inauguration. Relative to this year’s expected turnout, those increases would be paltry without a massive increase in military personnel acting as security.

Also 11,500 active duty troops will be in Washington on Inauguration Day, compared with 7,000 in 2005, a 64 per cent jump. But if the 5,000 servicemen and women who traditionally participate in the inaugural parade are discounted as security, the size of the military’s security footprint, in real terms, will increase from 2,000 to 6,500, a 225 per cent larger force than in 2005. According to the Post, 1,300 unarmed National Guard soldiers will bolster the ranks of 1,000 Park Police tasked with controlling the 309 acres of the National Mall.

The remaining 5,000 military personnel – a full brigade – will assist “with crowd control, communications, security, medical care, logistics, weapons detection and other needs,” the Post reported.
That means Obama’s inauguration, with a substantially smaller security presence relative to crowd size, will be substantially more militarized. Given that inaugurations are exercises in symbolism, filling Washington with thousands of uniformed troops seems like a potential public relations gaff. Obama rode into office on a wave of public discontent with the Iraq War. The last time the National Guard flooded DC’s streets was 1968, during the race riots that exploded after the assassination of Martin Luther King. A militarized inauguration could evoke both.

For Chicagoans, it’s frenzy over parties, events & balls
For sure, most Chicagoans are exhausted now that the holidays have passed, but they are very excited about Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington DC. Expectedly, Oprah is going to attend. A lot of Chicagoans are planning on going out to DC for the 44th President’s inauguration on January 20, 2009 to see it in person because they are so excited.

Others have to work at a day job and will be in Chicago’s frigid snowy cold watching TV on that day, yet will still be thrilled to witness history. If you are considering going to Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington DC, you might have a hard time finding tickets. All 240,000 of the Inauguration Tickets were available for free but by request from your local representative or senator. So, all the requests were early and now people are turning around and selling some for very high prices. Probably not what Barack intended.

And since a lot of the hotels are booked too, the next best choice is following along at home and having an Inauguration party of your own.

There is an Inauguration Schedule, Inauguration Blog, and a lot of information already online 35 days before the event from the PIC Presidential Inauguration Committee. Barack’s teams are so organized and on top of things, this seems like such a change for the better in the communication department. The web teams that built all these sites for the campaigns and now after the elections have done a great job with it.

Inaugural Schedule:
Yesterday, January 17, Barack Obama traveled by train to Washington for the Inauguration. Kind of an old fashioned twist.
Today, January 18, the Official Inaugural Activities begin with a welcome event on Sunday in the afternoon. It is open for the public to attend.
On Monday, January 19, which is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a National Holiday, President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden will commemorate the holiday with community involvement activities in the Washington DC area.

By THE SUN PUBLISHING

Martin Luther King Jr. Day events in Bay Area

For those looking to celebrate the 80th birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. through public service, song, good food or study, here is something for everyone. All events are free.

BERKELEY

Walk in celebration of change

10 a.m. to noon. Meet at Jefferson Elementary School, at 1400 Ada St. for refreshments and a walk (sidewalks only) to King Middle School, at 1781 Rose St. for a program of stories and celebration of the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in the auditorium. Signs and banners encouraged. Sponsored by parents.

EMERYVILLE

Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet at newly renovated Anna Yates Elementary School, 1070 41st. St., for arts activities, music, dancing, games, gardening, student performances, BBQ lunch, and a tour of the school and science center. Sponsored by Partners for Community Life.

OAKLAND

Multicultural Peace Celebration and Rally

10 a.m. to noon. Free event at the ILWU Warehouse Hall #6, 99 Hegenberger Road will feature speakers, including Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson and the Rev. Byron Williams. Sponsored by the Martin Luther King Jr. Rally Committee.

MLK Jr. Shoreline Park cleanup

10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at Garretson Point parking lot at the end of Edgewater Drive for coastal cleanup and restoration work at Damon Marsh, Damon Slough, Arrowhead Marsh and the Martin Luther King Jr. Grove. Sponsored by East Bay Regional Park District, Save the Bay, Golden Gate Audubon Society, Earth Team and Hands on Bay Area. Visit: www.ebparks.org/parks/mlk.

'Make The Dream Real' celebration

10 a.m. to noon. Meet at Taylor Memorial Methodist Church, 1188 12th St. at Adeline. Kokomon Clottey will open with sacred drumming, honoring ancestors. There will be young performers, three Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Awards given to community members doing exemplary service work and a luncheon. Sponsors are the Attitudinal Healing Connection, Inc.; Taylor Memorial Methodist Church; the Rev. Ron Swisher; and Dr. Matthew Fox. Visit: www.ahc-oakland.org.

MLK Jr. Birthday Celebration and Economic, Health and Peace Fair

Noon to 5 p.m. Event at Star Bethel Church, 5800 San Pablo Ave. focuses on how to live a healthy, peaceful life. Presented by Embracing the Dream. Donations encouraged. (510) 978-6470.

MLK theater matinee

12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Experience the life of Martin Luther King Jr. through an extraordinary film collection, including "The Rise and Death of a Great Leader," at the African American Museum & Library at Oakland, 659 14th St. RSVP encouraged at (510) 637-0200. Visit: www.oaklandlibrary.org/AAMLO.

Rejoice! Preinaugural gospel concert

7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30 p.m.) At Star Bethel Church, 5800 San Pablo Ave. $20 suggested donation. Featuring gospel artist Jonathan Nelson, and many local artists, choirs and groups. Program to benefit people living with HIV/AIDS and local young Brothers of Barack, a mentoring program. Sponsored by Embracing the Dream. Call (510) 978-6470 or (510) 663-7979 ext. 119.

SAN FRANCISCO

Bayview mural dedication and community service

10 a.m. Light gardening at the Quesada community mural site on the 1700 block of Quesada Avenue just west of Third Street.

2 p.m. The "Bayview Is..." mural will be unveiled half a block away at Newhall Street and Bridgeview Drive. Meet the artists, Malik Seneferu and Heidi Hardin, and share refreshments.

Help for veterans

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Help decorate a transitional housing facility for homeless female veterans on Treasure Island. A barbecue for volunteers and program residents will follow. Sponsored by Swords to Plowshares.

Chinatown cleanup

9 a.m. to noon. Cart out trash and obliterate graffiti from Chinatown's alleyways, playgrounds, parks and streets. Meet at Portsmouth Square Plaza, on Kearny Street between Clay and Washington streets. Sponsored by Supervisor David Chiu and the Chinatown Community Development Center.

source:www.sfgate.com

Obama whistle-stop trip: Going along for the ride

(CNN) -- President-elect Barack Obama strode down the platform with his family, greeted the conductor, and boarded the Philadelphia train bound for Washington, an ordinary scene that belied the extraordinary significance of the ride.

The 137-mile journey from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Washington, D.C. -- where Obama takes the oath of office Tuesday -- retraces the train route taken by his hero Abraham Lincoln as he traveled to assume the presidency in 1861.

Obama is planning to stop in Wilmington, Delaware; and Baltimore, Maryland, along the way. In Wilmington, spirits were high as crowds shivering people gathered, sang and celebrated waiting for the train to pull in.

The train will slow down as it passes through Claymont, Delaware, and Edgewood, Maryland, for what's called a "slow roll," so that Obama can wave at residents who gather near the tracks.

CNN's Best Political Team was there for the ride:

ABOARD THE OBAMA EXPRESS IN PHILDELPHIA:

JASON CARROLL: President-elect Obama kicked off his whistle-stop tour to the nation's capital in the City of Brotherly Love.

Some 200 invited guests were on hand at the 30th Street Station. What was immediately clear after speaking to a number of them was that they weren't sure why they had been chosen to be invited. Others had a pretty good idea.

Heather Wehr and Talia Kasic, two 20-year-old Obama volunteers, told me they were chosen because they had volunteered on the campaign in its early stages.

Chosen to accompany the Obamas were 51 people, including 16 families from 15 states. Mark Dowell, a third-generation autoworker from Louisville, Kentucky, believes he was chosen because he had spoken with Obama about surviving in the auto industry.

In his speech Obama explained why he was bringing the group on the tour, saying, "I will be taking with me some of the men and women I met along the way. Americans from every corner of this country, whose hopes and heartaches were the core of our cause, whose dreams and struggles have become my own."

One of the more excited people was 6-year-old Victor Cozzone from suburban Philadelphia, who was able to shake the next president's hand. Victor said he was hoping to give the next president a fist-bump.

CANDY CROWLEY: This is not just a march through history and the Obama team certainly wants the Lincolnesque sort of symbolism to catch on.

But this is also a way to roll into Washington and try to keep that enthusiasm that Barack Obama saw on the campaign trail because there are so many tough times ahead.

The themes he wants to fit here are not just, "We need to get that spirit of patriotism, and we need to go back to what our forefathers believed in." He also said at the end of his speech let's make sure this election is not the end of what we do to change America, but the beginning.

So it's the sort of commonality -- I'm going to need you -- and certainly he is, even though out there if they are not people who vote on Capitol Hill, they are certainly people who can pressure Capitol Hill.

And as he looked ahead and talked about the frustrations and the setbacks that are coming, he wants this train ride to begin that role and say, "I know the election is over, but you [have] got to stick with me because I need it."

So it's a dual trip, a little history and certainly pushing very far into the future

source:CNN

Indonesian Ready to send forces to Gaza

JAKARTA - The military of Israel to the Gaza Strip the day intense. Seeing this, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) states ready to send troops to Gaza. Whether Indonesia would participate in war?

Neither. The President is willing to send troops to maintain peace on the border between Israel and Palestine.

"The government is ready to send troops as guards perdamian conducted in Lebanon to ensure that no more attacks from both parties," said SBY in tasyakuran Milad to VIII Bazis in Bidakara Hotel, Jalan Gatot Subroto, Jakarta, Saturday (17 / 1 / 2009).

Currently, more SBY, the primary need is not the Palestinian people needed the weapons, arteleri, tank, or dynamite.

"Instead of food, beverages, and help to reduce the suffering of Palestinian people," he said. (Isfari Hikmat / Sindo / Kem)

Egypt law Sarkozy and Abbas to Discuss Gaza

Egypt has invited French President Nicholas Sarzoky and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to hold talks on how to end a three-week Israeli offensive in Gaza, said the state media reported Saturday.

Office News Middle East (MENA) reported that Abbas and Sarkozy are scheduled to talk with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday.

Israel security cabinet meeting scheduled for Saturday night to decide whether to attack menghetikan-serangannya in the Gaza Strip without any agreement with Hamas fighter.

Western diplomats say the plans are made to hold a meeting world leaders as soon as Sunday. They also expected to attend include the Secretary General of the United Nations (UN) Ban Ki-moon and Prime Minister of Spain José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, said the dipolmat.

A Western diplomat mengatkan to Reuters that the talks will aim to coordinate the various efforts to reach ceasefire but added that if Israel decides to serangannya "This meeting will be very different."

He did not give more details. Egyptian officials unprepared to comment.

Israeli attacks on Gaza have been better grasp of the soul of Palestine 1000. Ten Israeli soldiers and three civilians, the rocket-hit Palestinian rocket from Gaza, also died

Thais hold more migrants amid row

By Jonathan Head
BBC News, Bangkok

It comes amid accusations - denied by the military - that units set hundreds of refugees adrift at sea last month.

A boat carrying 46 Rohingyas was intercepted this morning off an island in southern Thailand, police confirm.

Survivors who drifted to Indonesia and the Andaman Islands accuse the Thai military of towing them out to sea in boats with no engines and no food.

The commander of the military units responsible for dealing with asylum-seekers has denied the accusations.

However, testimony from exhausted and dehydrated survivors who have reached the Andaman Islands or Indonesia's Aceh province over the past week describes brutal treatment at the hands of the Thai security forces.

'Security risk'

They say they were detained on an offshore island, then pushed onto boats without engines, and with their hands tied. They say many of the asylum-seekers died trying to swim back to land.

Privately, some Thai military and police sources have admitted to the BBC that this has been happening - they say the escalating numbers of Rohingyas reaching Thailand from Burma or Bangladesh are seen as a security risk, because of fears they may include Islamic militants.

The reason they disable their engines, they say, is to prevent them trying to come back to Thailand.

Refugee welfare groups have condemned the practice as inhumane.

The Thai government says it has ordered an investigation of the incident, but stressed that is committed to humanitarian principles in handling illegal immigration.

Thailand accommodates millions of illegal migrants, mainly from neighbouring Burma, but takes a hard line against some, forcibly deporting those thought to threaten security.

Urgent drive for Gaza ceasefire

An Israeli government spokesman said he hoped the conflict was "entering its final act", as high-level talks were being held in Egypt and Washington.

Medics said they had pulled 23 bodies from rubble in Gaza City as the Israeli bombardment continued. Militants are continuing to fire rockets into Israel.

A teenager has reportedly died during anti-Israeli protests in the West Bank.

He was killed as violence broke out between demonstrators and Israeli soldiers in the West Bank town of Hebron, reports said. Clashes were also reported at the Qalandya checkpoint.

The Israeli army had earlier closed all access to the West Bank for the next two days following a call by Hamas, the militant group which controls Gaza, for all Palestinians to observe what it called a day of wrath after Friday prayers.

The Palestinian Authority issued a similar call to action to followers of Fatah, a rival Palestinian faction to Hamas.

After meeting Palestinian Authority leaders in the West Bank, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Israel to end the fighting

"I would like to see an immediate ceasefire," he said, adding that a deal between Israel and Hamas to stop the conflict might be possible within the next few days.

But Israel insists any ceasefire has to be "durable and sustainable".

Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said they would not accept Israeli conditions for a ceasefire.

Health officials in Hamas-controlled Gaza say at least 1,105 Palestinians have been killed and 5,100 wounded since Israel launched an operation on 27 December to end rocket attacks against its people.

Thirteen Israelis - three of them civilians - have died, while 233 soldiers have been wounded, the Israeli army says.

Hamas funeral

Tens of thousands of mourners took to the streets of Gaza City for the funeral of a top Hamas leader Said Siyam.

Mr Siyam, who controlled thousands of Hamas security troops in Gaza, died along with his son, brother and two other Hamas officials when his brother's house in Gaza City was bombed on Thursday.

Israeli military officials said 40 overnight air strikes targeted smuggling tunnels, rocket launching points, weapons stores and a militants' training camp.

The bodies of 23 people were later recovered in the Tel al-Hawa district of Gaza City, medics said.

The BBC's Christian Fraser, allowed over the Egypt-Gaza border for the first time, says conditions for Palestinian families seeking refuge from the Israeli bombardment of Rafah in a UN-run school are very difficult.

There are hundreds of children there, he says, but food supplies are limited, electricity is available for only eight hours a day and there is no running water.

Our correspondent says that from the damage he has been allowed to see in Rafah, homes and a playground were right next to one Israeli strike on what it said were Hamas militants.

Israel has been bombing heavily along the border area, our correspondent says, with the aim of destroying tunnels running between Egypt and Gaza.

In Gaza City, the BBC's Hamada Abuqammar says Israeli artillery fire has continued - even during the daily humanitarian ceasefire, although the bombardment was not as intense as on Thursday.

He said the Quds hospital was now empty, after sick and wounded patients had to be evacuated from the building overnight because of a fire caused by a tank shell.

The UN headquarters in Gaza was also hit on Thursday.

Hundreds of Gazans had been seeking refuge in the compound when it was attacked by Israeli shells, causing a fire that destroyed vital food supplies.

Speaking a day later, the senior UN official in Gaza, John Ging, described as "total nonsense" claims by the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that militants were using the compound to fire on Israeli troops.

Meanwhile, rockets continue to be fired from Gaza into Israel. About 10 were launched on Friday but caused no injuries, the Israeli army said.

Truce offer

The violence is continuing amid a diplomatic push for a ceasefire.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni has gone to Washington for talks, aimed at formalising an agreement with the US to help prevent Hamas smuggling arms into Gaza across the border with Egypt - a key Israeli demand for ending its offensive.

Israeli ministers also held late-night talks on Egypt's latest mediation bid.

Meanwhile, Hamas has been invited back to Cairo on Friday for more talks, an official told the Al-Jazeera network.

Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev told the BBC that Israel wanted a prompt end to the violence.

"The diplomacy now is in high gear. Hopefully we're entering the final act. We want this to be over as soon as possible," he said.

"The minute we can be sure that the solution will not be a band aid... the minute we can understand that the situation will be a sustained peace, then we're going to go for it."

source:BBC

Hit Birds, U.S. Airways Aircraft Log In River

NEW YORK - U.S. airline U.S. Airways emergency landing in the Hudson River after a bird strike during take off from the new airport LaGuardia New York Thursday afternoon local time. The aircraft carry 155 passengers.

Officials cited airlines such as CNN, Friday (16/1/2009) states, there is no sacrifice of the soul, but there are 15 passengers who must be brought to the hospital.

Aircraft with flight number 1549 that will fly to Charlotte, North Carolina. According to the federation spokesperson Laura Brown FAA flight aircraft that fly just three minutes before the crash birds.

Source police state New Jersey, said the pilot had time to contact the airport control tower and issued an emergency condition. Meanwhile, U.S. Airways Chief Executive, said too early to conclude the causes of the incident until the National Transportation Safety Board of sending a team to conduct investigations.

"I think at that time passengers can only berdo'a and try to save themselves," said Fred Berretta a passenger. He thinks the plane fall and will be destroyed, but apparently not. "The aircraft landed perfectly, even though the river," he said.

Control tower saw the plane was passing through the bridge Goerge Washington with distance 900 feet before entering the water at 3:31 pm local time. Meanwhile, an eyewitness said Ben Vonklemperer his view events from a 25-storey building. "This is the right decision to enter the plane in the water," he said.

Israel Threatens Lebanon Serang if rocket attacks have More

BEIRUT - Israel bombard Lebanon will threaten the country if it is still used as the location of rocket-launching rocket to the region of Israel. Israel has twice received a rocket from Lebanon in a single weekend.

As reported daily Al-Nahar and Lebanon cited Press TV, Friday (16/1/2009), Tel Aviv has warned related missile attack on the eastern border sebalah some time ago. Israel promised the government will make the war against Lebanon if the incident is repeated again.

On Wednesday, the rocket ditembakkan from Hasbaya south Lebanon to areas near the Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona. No damage to life and the victim in the attack. This is the second rocket ditembakkan in less than a week. Israel responded with a volley of missile launches dozens misilnya.

until now, no party that is responsible. Both Hamas and Hezbullah oppugn attack. Hamas rocket attacks occurred during the first comments, his side will not use the other Arab countries to do to attack Israel.

In connection with the attack, Israel menyiagakan thousands of troops backed up on the Lebanon border.

As reported As Safir media, Tel Aviv is also to send a written statement to the UN troops who served in Lebanon United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) related tensions on the border after the rocket firing. In the report, Israel will not let foreign troops have to give a decision against Tel Aviv.

Honda cuts jobs; Subaru to post losses

TOKYO, Japan (CNN) -- Japanese automaker Honda announced Friday it will cut production and eliminate its temporary, part-time workforce of 3,100, while smaller rival Subaru's parent company warned it would post losses for 2008.

Both companies blamed slumping global demand for the moves.

Honda said it would let contracts with its entire force of temporary, part-time workers lapse at the end of April. It also said it would cut domestic production back to 1.17 million vehicles from 1.31 million, reducing output by about 10 percent.

In a brief statement, Japan's No. 2 automaker blamed "the change in the global market" for the moves. In December, Honda CEO Takeo Fukui announced reduced forecasts for 2009 and matching production cuts, warning there was "no prospect for recovery" on the horizon.

And Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd., which makes Subaru, revised its financial projections for the 2008 fiscal year downward from an expected profit to a likely loss of nearly 19 billion yen ($190 million).

Fuji had predicted a 10 billion yen profit for its fiscal year, which ends March 31. The company blamed slow global demand and a strong yen for its reversal
source:CNN

One student in Internet Auction maidenhead

California - A student in the United States desperate to sell his virginity via the Internet. The money obtained is used as the plan will cost course.

Natalie Dylan (22 years) - the student - reveals that the highest bid so far has reached surprise, U.S. $ 3.7 million.

Freshman master got this idea after witnessing his sister, who works in the prostitution business for a couple of weeks, able to finance education independently.

The men also like to bid fight. Dilansir and Telegraph quoted detikINET, Friday (16/1/2009), claim to have been Dylan's bid to get about 10 thousand men belonging to the site via bureau prostitution called Moonlite Bunny Ranch is based in Nevada.

"Some men seem to find my boyfriend and I try to explain that the offer is valid only for one night only," he said.

Dylan surprised to see the claim that there are men who want to pay so much only to someone virginity. But according to him, virginity seems to have no value in the current period.

"I know many people will condemn me because of this taboo, but it is not a problem for me," he added.
source:detiknet

Garuda expects 30 pct income increase in 2009

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia has set itself an income target of Rp765 billion in 2009, or an increase by 30 percent from that in 2008 which stood at Rp589 billion, a Garuda director said.

"We hope our income next year would increase by 30 percent," Garuda director for commercial affairs, Agus Priyanto said here on Thursday.

He said that in order to achieve the target Garuda would increase the number of its new routes and increase operational efficiency.

In 2008, Garuda set an income target of Rp589 billion but up to September 2008, it only booked an income of Rp369 billion.

"This year we will open 18 new domestic flight routes and four international ones," he said.

The international routes which would be opened in 2009 are Surabaya-Hong Kong, Denpasar-Hong Kong, Denpasar-Adelaide and Bali-Singapore.

The new domestic routes included Tanjungkarang-Jakarta, Jakarta-Malang, Jakarta-Ujungpandang-Kendari, Manado-Ternate, Balikpapan-Tarakan, Denpasar-Lombok, Jakarta-Jambi, Jakarta-Bengkulu and Jakarta-Gorontalo.

Priyanto said that the new route addition would improve the company`s financial performance.

The increase in the number of routes is in line with Garuda`s plan to procure 14 new airplanes of the B737-800 type beginning in 2009.

"At least four new planes are expected to arrive early this year. The remaining ones will arrive in stages. I don`t remember the amount of investment needed for this program. Not all of the planes are to be purchased, however. Some are leased," he said.

At present, the Indonesian flag carrier owns 58 units of airplanes.

Regarding the airline`s plan to increase efficiency, Priyanto said that the company would save much from the operational costs, especially with regard to the lowering of aircraft fuel (avtur) prices.

"The company will become more efficient in the use of avtur. This would enable airplanes to fly longer with efficient use of fuel," he said.

Ministry of foreign indonesian Degree Cross Society meeting Palestinian criticism

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (department of foreign affairs) to invite religious leaders across the community and the elements together to discuss the issue of Israel-Palestinian conflict.

"This forum is routine, we have 50 times the meeting such as this. Today dispesifikkan in exchange thoughts and views on elements of the community in response to Palestinian view," said department of foreign affairs spokesman Teuku Faizasyah, in his office, Pejambon Street, Jakarta, Friday (16 / 1 / 2009).

Faizasyah hope, through the meeting that there are similarities to the front of the views between the government and elements of society. "This certainly does not have the difference between the position of the government with elements of society," he said.

Cross-religious elements that are present representatives NU, Muhammadiyah, MUI, Wali Greja Conference, Representative Buddhist people, media representatives, and representatives from the universities.

Daikui Faizasyah, what has been done in this forum have been capturing the desire of people to lay a cross-sectoral solidarity. "We support the Palestinian struggle for independence because we also antipenjajahan. To future action we should not dikotak-kotakkan with all the attributes are," explained

RAFAH, Gaza (CNN) -- More airstrikes rattled northern and southern Gaza early Friday morning as Israeli forces stepped up their campaign against the P

Streets were deserted after sundown in Rafah, along the Egyptian border, as Israeli airstrikes shook buildings a kilometer (0.63 miles) from the target. No running water was available Friday, and stocks of food were running low, CNN Senior International Correspondent Ben Wedeman reported from Rafah.

The latest strikes followed the heaviest shelling of the Palestinian territory since Israel launched its military operation nearly three weeks ago. Israel's push deep into Gaza City triggered heavy battles with Hamas militants, and the third-ranking Hamas leader in the territory died in an Israeli airstrike Thursday, the Islamic militant group reported.

Other bombardments set the United Nations' main relief aid compound afire and damaged a Red Crescent hospital and a foreign journalists' building.

The Al-Quds Hospital, run by the Palestine Red Crescent Society, was hit twice Thursday -- the second time around 10:30 p.m., leaving the facility in flames and forcing the staff and patients to evacuate to the streets. The hospital is located in the Tal Al-Hawa neighborhood, west of central Gaza City.

Meanwhile, Hamas announced that Israeli forces killed Saeed Siam, along with his son and brother, and vowed to avenge his death.

"His blood will be the fuel for the coming victory" according to a statement on Hamas television, Al-Aqsa TV.

Al-Aqsa TV said Siam was killed "in the latest shelling on a house" in Gaza City's Sheikh Radwan neighborhood. It showed images of a body that it said belonged to Siam.

Siam served as interior minister in the Hamas-led government before it was dissolved in 2007. He is considered to be the third most senior member of Hamas' leadership inGaza, behind former Prime Minister Ismail Haniya and former Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar.

The Israeli military said its aircraft struck a house near Gaza City where it believed three senior Hamas operatives were present, including Siam. It had no details on casualties.

As it stepped up its military campaign, Israel on Thursday also dispatched senior Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad to Cairo to discuss a cease-fire proposal. A Hamas delegation is also in the Egyptian capital, talking with leaders there who are trying to hammer out a temporary truce.

Israeli officials have said that it was likely the Jewish state would increase its military incursion in Gaza as movement toward a cease-fire progressed.

srael said it initiated the operation into Gaza -- which is controlled by Hamas -- to stop rocket fire on its southern cities and towns. Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, have died in the operation in Gaza and from rocket strikes on southern Israel, according to the Israeli military. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed, including many civilians, Palestinian medics said.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is in the region as part of the diplomatic effort to secure a truce. He met with Israeli officials on Thursday, and condemned an Israeli strike that damaged the U.N. Relief and Works Agency's compound in Gaza City that sparked a massive fire and injured three people.

Speaking at a news conference in Tel Aviv with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Ban said Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said the shelling of the compound "was a grave mistake and he took it very seriously."

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert expressed sorrow over the incident, but maintained that Israeli forces were reacting to militant fire near the compound. UNRWA director John Ging denied there were any militants at the compound, and also said that at the time there was "no fighting in the vicinity of the compound."

UNRWA's headquarters -- located in a densely populated neighborhood -- was hit repeatedly by shrapnel and artillery, including white phosphorous shells -- the use of which is restricted under international law, according to Ging.

Some 700 Palestinians were taking shelter in the compound at the time.

Ging said that Olmert apologized to Ban over the incident.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the allegation of the use of white phosphorous, but Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev noted that Hamas is also armed with phosphorous shells and have recently fired them against Israelis.

According to the U.S.-based group Human Rights Watch, the use of white phosphorus to obscure military movements is "a permissible use in principle," but the substance can burn civilians and start fires in the densely populated region.

The Israel Defense Forces initially denied using the ordnance. But by Monday, Israeli officials said only that any shells fired in Gaza "are in accordance with international law."

The Foreign Press Association has also complained to Israel regarding the shelling of international news agency offices in Gaza City on Thursday. Palestinian security sources said two employees for Abu Dhabi television were wounded in Thursday's incident.

The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross has also complained to Israeli leaders about the shelling of numerous humanitarian aid facilities, including Al-Quds Hospital run by the Palestine Red Crescent Society in Gaza City that was struck during Thursday's assault, sparking a fire.

The blaze "[risked] the lives of around 100 patients and the medical staff caring for them." the ICRC said.

ICRC president Jakob Kellenberger met Thursday with Livni and Barak to ask that its forces protect medical facilities and give the agency access to all parts of Gaza for humanitarian assistance.

source:CNN

Gempa 5,4 SR Kembali Guncang Manokwari

Lamtiur Kristin Natalia Malau - Okezone

JAKARTA - Kabupaten Manokwari, Papua Barat malam ini kembali diguncang gempa berkekuatan 5,4 skala richter (SR).

Badan Metereologi dan Geofisika (BMG) mencatat, gempa terjadi pada pukul 20.33 WIB dengan kedalaman 30 Km. Pusat gempa terdapat di 0.23 LS - 132.99 BT atau 138 km Barat Laut Manokwari, Papua Barat.

Ini merupakan gempa ketiga yang mengguncang Manokwari pada hari ini, Rabu (14/1/2009). Sebelumnya, gempa berkekuatan 5,2 SR terjadi pukul 18.09 WIB dan 5,5 SR pukul 14.19 WIB siang tadi.

Israel Reply hiding rocket Lebanon

BEIRUT - Israeli enemy in the Middle East is one. Lebanon send a rocket to the north of Israel. But, the country is not Zionis stay silent. Only every few minutes Israel rocket landed in southern Lebanon. The war is increasingly fierce.

As quoted AFP on Wednesday (14/1/2009) Israel launched at least as much 17 to rocket southern Lebanon.

"Previously one of the three rocket landed in Lebanon as much four-kilometer Shebaa village. Then give Israel a few minutes later with a rocket that landed in northern Ghajar," said Lebanese security officials to the AFP.

Lebanese television station, LBC TV, Lebanon mengonfirmasi send two rocket from Hassbia in southern Lebanon toward northern Israel in the city of Kiryat Shmouna. But some time later with the Israeli reply to the rocket attacks.

Until now, there has been no information obtained from the UN security guards (UNIFIL) in Lebanon, the attack is related incidents.

Simply known, Hizbullah and the Palestinians in a number of faksi often send a rocket to Israel as a sign of their anger on the invasion of Israel to the Gaza

Secretary of State of Israel: Gaza is not to attack Destroy Hamas

Anton Suhartono - Okezone-translate

Tel Aviv - Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said, even though his side has attacked Gaza for 19 days, Tel Aviv has not been successful and that the Hamas is not the main objective to attack Gaza.

In an interview with the German Der Spiegel that was released Tuesday (13/1/2009), Livni said, although there, weakening the already successful and provide a wallop to Hamas.

He berkilah that the military operation to Gaza "Cast Lead" is not to destroy Hamas. "Our goal to prevent Hamas attacks. They will think twice before to the rocket fire with Israel," he said.

Soal ceasefire, Livni argued that no peace talks with the group that does not recognize Israel. "This is not a war that could end with a peace agreement," Livni demolished.

He added that the war against Hamas is still far from complete. According to him, this military operation is not the way to end Hamas.

When asked why Israel delegasinya to send cease-fire talks to Cairo Egypt, Livni said that in private negotiations that do not agree. "Negotiations with Hamas is wrong," specifically.

osama proclaim jihad against israel

Metrotvnews.com, Jakarta: The group of Al Qaida, Osama bin Laden calls for solicitation strive to stop Israel attacks Gaza Strip, Palestine. He invites the Muslim world united against the forces Zionis.

Appeal that shaped the recorded voice to hear on the Islamic militants. In the same appeal, Osama Arab leaders blame the sloping was allied with Israel.

The recording was 22 minutes is the first since Israel aggression three weekends back. Osama did not send a message through a voice recording since May 2008. Have not yet confirmed the authenticity of the voice recording.

UN contingent includes Garuda Anticipating South Lebanon Situation

Jakarta, (ANTARA News) - UN Peace Force affairs in South Lebanon (UNIFIL) to increase the vigilance, including setting up a number of refuge (shelter) for civilians and military UNIFIL, the security situation following a heat in the Gaza Strip.

Readiness refuge either in the vicinity of UNIFIL and the Headquarters of the respective camps contingent joined several countries in the UNIFIL, to be reviewed directly by the Deputy Commander of sudden UNIFIL Brigjen Apurba Kumar Bardalai, so e-mail received by ANTARA in Jakarta on Wednesday from the officer Garuda contingent lighting (Konga) XXVI-A Sea Captain (KH) Hondor Saragih.

Headquarters of UNIFIL have 64 places perllindungan used to accommodate 2,200 people. Each shelter can accommodate 14 to 300 personnel UNIFIL, both civilian and military who are from various countries.

Each shelter has ransum ready meals and water in the bottle for three days / person and the other in order to support the completeness of life in emergency situations such as P3K, telephone communications and emergency toilet facilities.

The allocation of personnel for each shelter specified Force Protection Center (fpc) in accordance with the distance of the office location shelter and shelter capacity, the Logistics Department of the duty to complete the needs of the entire shelter.

The placement of personnel was not only during working hours, but also on the outside of work hours, or are in transit.

In addition to the readiness shelter, the UNIFIL has also revised the procedures remain the emergency departments in both the office environment, accommodation and places to stay in the trip, which all staff must be in the Headquarters of UNIFIL.

Conflict in the Gaza Strip could trigger revenge actions against Israel that Palestinian refugees be done and also support Hammas in Lebanon. In the last week in which three rocket tembakkan from Lebanon and northern Israel strike resulted in two people lightly injured.

Rocket-missile that is the first in tembakkan from Lebanon since 2007, and going on day-to-13 attack Jewish state in the Gaza Strip. Not immediately clear who the rocket-fire with the rocket.

Security sources said Lebanon, about three to five tembakkan missile in southern Lebanon from Israel to the north.

Up to now Israel does not meyurutkan decrease air to Palestinian attacks even though the United Nations (UN) has issued a resolution to the Israeli aggression associated to the Palestinians, has entered the third weekend

source:antara.co.id

Premium prices can still down below Rp 4000

Nurseffi Dwi Wahyuni - detikFinance-google translate
Jakarta - The price premium may still be down below Rp 4,000 per liter, although no longer subsidized government. Price premium economy is a plus tax per liter Rp 3500-3800. Price is using the oil price assumption of U.S. $ 45 per barrel and the exchange rate of 11,700 rupiah per U.S. dollar.

"Because the premium is expressed as non-fuel subsidies, then it should hrganya at this time could go down again in the 3500-3800 Rp per liter. Later, if oil prices higher than U.S. $ 45 per barrel, can be adjusted again," said the observer of energy Reformer Institute Priagung Rahmanto to detikFinance, Wednesday (14/1/2009).

Crude oil prices continue to go down the world and is now under the U.S. $ 40 per barrel. On this day in the trade market in Asia, the type of light oil February delivery rose 1.18 dollars to the level of U.S. $ 38.96 per barrel. While the type of Brent oil rose 13 cents to the level of U.S. $ 44.96 per barrel.

About the number of fuel subsidies in 2009 that APBNP down Rp 33 trillion to only Rp 24 trillion, Pri said that this is because it is not disubsidinya premium.

"This is a premium is no longer subsidized so that the budget for the premium subsidy of Rp 13.5 Trillion or 25 percent of the total subsidy budget in 2009 will not be there," said Priagung.

By doing so, go Priagung at this time only the government subsidize diesel and kerosene only. "Oil Subsidy for solar now only around Rp 800 per liter and kerosene around Rp 2,500 per liter," he said.

Israel pursues its Gaza offensive

Fighting has intensified in the Gaza Strip between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants.

Gaza residents have spoken of heavy machine-gun fire as Israeli troops clashed with Hamas gunmen near Gaza City. Israel said it launched 60 air strikes on Gaza overnight.

The fighting has reportedly killed nearly 1,000 Gazans and 13 Israelis.

Diplomatic moves to end the crisis continue, with UN head Ban Ki-moon in Cairo to discuss a ceasefire plan.

Egypt has been leading efforts to broker a ceasefire deal, that could include a new force of peacekeepers to prevent smuggling on its border with Gaza.

Meanwhile, three rockets were fired from southern Lebanon towards the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona.

The rockets fired from Lebanon landed on open ground near the city. There are no reports of injuries or damage.

Israeli strikes on Gaza continue

Lebanese security officials say the Israeli army fired eight shells into southern Lebanon in retaliation, the Associated Press news agency reported.

Four rockets were fired on northern Israel from Lebanon last week, prompting fears of a widening of the conflict.

As attempts to end the crisis by diplomatic means continue, Israel pressed ahead with its military offensive overnight, hitting 60 targets, including about 35 weapons-smuggling tunnels on the border with Egypt.

However, analysts say Israel may be holding back from all-out urban warfare in Gaza City.

Intense street fighting could cause heavy casualties on both sides, they say, which would be politically risky less than a month before Israel holds elections.

Diplomatic moves

Israel had planned to send its chief negotiator, Amos Gilad, to Cairo, to meet with Mr Ban, but the trip was cancelled.

Israeli media have reported divisions within the government.

Defence Minister Ehud Barak is said to favour a week-long ceasefire in Gaza to allow for the delivery of much-needed supplies and to give politicians the breathing space to hammer out a long-term truce

But Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he wants to press on with the military campaign for however long it takes.

After Cairo, Mr Ban will visit Israel and the West Bank as well as other regional powers.

Mr Ban has said he will also be encouraging initiatives to open border crossings with Gaza, which is subject to an Israeli blockade, and provide humanitarian aid.

The UN chief is not scheduled to meet representatives of Hamas, but he has already held talks with Saudi King Abdullah amid reports Cairo is putting increasing pressure on Hamas leaders to accept a truce proposal.

A spokesman for Hamas, which controls Gaza, said any ceasefire agreement would have to entail a halt to Israeli attacks, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and the opening of border crossings to end the blockade of Gaza.

The Israeli foreign ministry has said there is no guarantee Hamas would respect any ceasefire agreement.

Both Hamas and Israel rejected last week's UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.

'Wiping out Palestinians'

Humanitarian concerns have increased amid the fighting, although some aid is getting through to Gaza during daily three-hour lulls Israel has allowed to let in supplies.

On Tuesday, a senior UN aid official appealed to the international community to provide protection for civilians in Gaza, calling it a "test of our humanity".

"Whatever is being done is not sufficient until the guns fall silent," John Ging said.

Since Israel's offensive on Gaza began on 27 December, nearly 1,000 Gazans have been killed, 4,400 have been injured, and an estimated 90,000 have fled their homes, according to Palestinian figures.

Thirteen Israelis have died, three of them civilians, Israel says.

It is impossible to independently confirm casualty figures as Israel has refused to allow international journalists to enter Gaza.

A UN watchdog has accused Israel of showing a "manifest disrespect" for the protection of children in Gaza.

More than 40% of those killed in Gaza were women or children, said the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, even though Israel had signed a UN protocol condemning attacks on places where children were likely to be present.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has accused Israel of trying to "wipe out" his people.

But Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the military operation would continue in order to stop Hamas rockets being fired into Israel and to prevent arms smuggling into Gaza.

Asked if Israel's war aims had been achieved, he said: "Most of them, probably not all of them."

And militants have kept up rocket attacks, firing 25 mortars and rockets into southern Israel on Tuesday, Israel's army said.

source:BBC NEWS

3 rockets fall in northern Israel; Gaza fighting continues

GAZA CITY, Gaza (CNN) -- Three rockets fell on northern Israel from Lebanon for the second time in a week, striking in open fields, Israeli police said Wednesday.

The rockets in northern Israel hit near the town of Kiryat Shmona, police said. No damage or injuries were reported from the attack, which came six days after a similar strike.

In Beirut, the Lebanese army said two rockets had been fired from the town of Hasbaya, and that the Israeli military had retaliated with rocket fire of its own. No further details were released.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, which came amid a nearly three-week Israeli campaign to stop similar attacks from the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory of Gaza to the south.

Israel fought a similar battle against the Lebanese Shiite Muslim militia Hezbollah in 2006, during which Hezbollah rained rockets on cities in Israel's north for a month before a cease-fire was reached.

Hezbollah has kept a tight rein on its forces in southern Lebanon since the cease-fire, and a number of Palestinian factions operate in southern Lebanon as well.

Lebanon's government condemned the attacks and ordered its troops to investigate the firings alongside U.N. peacekeepers.

In Gaza, Palestinian medical sources said 47 people had been killed since midnight Monday, bringing the death toll in Gaza to 971 since Israel began its offensive 18 days ago. Among them, 311 were children, 13 were medics and four were members of the local media, the sources said.

Missiles from Israel's air force continued to fly as Hamas militants lobbed rockets over the border.

"I never witnessed anything like this, and I am 75 years old," said Abu Majed Sultan, a refugee from Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza, where heavy Israeli shelling was reported on Tuesday. He was speaking to Al Arabiya at a United Nations school that is being used as a shelter.

"Our kids, 14 years and younger, they are wetting their pants of fear; they can't control themselves any more because of the fear, because of the horror," said Sultan, who said 35 members of his family are staying at the school. "And the older ones just slap each other -- no more respect. We all need psychiatrists now to come here so we can go back normal."

More than 28,000 Palestinians displaced by the fighting are being housed at makeshift shelters at 36 U.N. schools, the International Committee of the Red Cross reported Tuesday.

While the Israeli military has been pausing its assault for a three-hour break each day over the past week, few people manage to leave their homes for food and other necessities, the ICRC said. Those who do get out often return home empty-handed because of food shortages and long lines.

Meanwhile, Israel's military reported one soldier was critically injured and two others received lesser wounds after an explosion in a booby-trapped house in northern Gaza. Weapons, including a machine gun, and a bulletproof vest were found in the house, Israel's military said.

Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, have died in the operation in Gaza and from rocket strikes on southern Israel, according to Israeli police and military.

The Israeli Defense Forces said Hamas militants fired 18 rockets into Israel on Tuesday, though no one was injured. Israel's stated purpose for the offensive in Gaza is to stop the rocket attacks.

Last week, the U.N. Security Council overwhelmingly approved a call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. Neither Israel nor Hamas -- which Israel, the United States and the European Union consider a terrorist organization -- heeded the call.

Israel has defended the incursion as necessary to stop constant rocket fire by Hamas into southern Israel and said it makes every effort to avoid harming civilians.

On the diplomatic front, U.N. Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon was scheduled to arrive in the region on Tuesday to try to ramp up the push for a truce.

He is scheduled to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Arab League leader Amr Moussa on Wednesday in Cairo, then head to Jerusalem, where he is to meet Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, on Thursday.

Mubarak has hosted peace talks with leaders from Israel and the Palestinian Authority. Hamas has not been invited to take part in the talks, although Egypt in the past has acted as a go-between between the group and Israel, which will not negotiate directly with the group.

source:CNN

el-Rais hospital in the Rafah

Raise and lower the victim of Israel's ambulance into the ordinary happens every day in the General Hospital El Aris, about 35 kilometers from the Gaza border in Rafah. Each new attack occurred patients who come to reach an average of tens of people. Those who come are the latest victims of Israel.

Hospital El Aris only hospital between. Patients who have to get treatment early enough and the condition has been stable, will be referred to other hospitals in Egypt to get further treatment. This policy applies to avoid the cumulation patients.

Typically, treatment is done up in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Travel the land to reach Cairo takes five to six hours across the desert Sina. Victims usually suffer from Gaza wounded shoot or bomb explosion injured as a result. They experience bleeding in, broken bones and nerve damage.

Currently, victims of Gaza are still treated in the Hospital El Aris only eight people. One of them is still treated in the ICU. Deputy Director of Hospital El Aris Mohammad Mansyur explains, Egyptian Ministry of Health has sent 96 specialist doctors to treat victims of Gaza. By doing so, the bid does not accept foreign medical aid workers who want to become volunteers.

In addition to having tens of medical, hospital Umm El Aris also has dozens of ambulance unit. Ambulance is ready to pick up and deliver any conflict victims in Gaza who need help

RI, Netherlands to strive for cease-fire in Gaza

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesian and Dutch governments have agreed to strive for the achievement of a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip where more than 900 Palestinians have been killed during three weeks of Israeli military aggression.

"At a meeting between the Indonesian and Dutch foreign ministers both states urged the declaration of a cease-fire in Gaza," Retno LP Marsudi, the Indonesian foreign affairs ministry`s director general of American-European affairs, said here on Wednesday.

Both countries would continue to push the United Nations to work for the realization of a cease-fire in the war-torn area, she said.

Like a number of countries in the world, the Dutch government also expressed concern over the Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip which had caused a humanitarian crisis, she said.

Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Jacques Marce Verhagen is on a visit in Indonesia from January 13 to 17, 2009 to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations.

The Israeli military aggression in Gaza has killed more than 900 Palestinians, including women and children, and injured over 4,000 others.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has sent a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to help stop the war in Gaza.

source:antara.co.id

Rupiah continues to rise Wednesday Afternoon

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The exchange rate of rupiah against the U.S. dollar in the spot market antarbank Jakarta, on Wednesday afternoon near the increasing number Rp11.000 per U.S. dollar, because the market is still the U.S. dollar after the release sepekan ago menguat.

Growth is happening rupiah since the morning until the afternoon, so an increase of 75 points higher than the morning only 40 points, said Director of Retail Banking of PT Bank Mega Tbk, Kostaman Thayib in Jakarta on Wednesday.

The rupiah against the U.S. dollar rose to become Rp11.120/11.160 compared to previous day's closing Rp11.195/11.225 or take 75 points.

Kostaman Thayib said, the increase rupiah was previously suspected, because the release of U.S. dollars trying to find happiness.

In addition, the currency is the U.S. dollar also continued down since Thursday, so they encourage the active release of currency United States (U.S.) that, he said.

According to him, if market conditions still continue like this, then the following day on the rupiah will return to menguat reached Rp11.000 per U.S. dollar.

Rupiah opportunity to return to the increased number Rp11.000 per U.S. dollar is actually quite large, especially with Bank Indonesia (BI) will again lower interest rates in the BI Rate this January, after the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) is optimistic inflation in January will still be experiencing deflation .

BPS previously stated, is optimistic that inflation in January will be a deflation of BI to encourage lower interest rates again acuanya.

BI Rate When interest rates are lower tribes, the bank also estimated to reduce the interest rate tends to survive at this time, although the BI has been down as much as 75 percent to 8.75 percent.

"We are optimistic rupiah menguat more opportunities there will be a national economic indicator because of the growing well," he said.

The analysts previously concerned, a number of indicators membaiknya not accompanied with the stability of the rupiah at that time the number had fallen to near Rp11.200 per U.S. dollar.

Rupiah who had previously reached Rp10.850 had fallen sharply to reach Rp11.200 per U.S. dollar, but on this day rupiah rise triggered action offshore U.S. dollars to search for happiness, he said.

source:antara.co.id

Israel tightens grip on Gaza City; Hamas stays defiant

GAZA CITY, Gaza (CNN) -- Israeli tanks rolled into Gaza City early Tuesday from two directions despite U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon calling on both sides in the conflict to "just stop."

The rumble of artillery fire and airstrikes continued throughout the Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory as Israeli troops and armor pushed into Gaza City from the northwest and northeast, approaching the headquarters of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service.

The Israeli military reported clashes between its troops and Hamas fighters and said at least 30 Palestinian combatants were killed or wounded.

Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes and helicopter gunships struck 60 targets overnight, the Israel Defense Forces said.

"We are tightening the encirclement of the city," Brig. Eyal Eisenberg, commander of the Israeli offensive, told reporters brought in to Gaza to observe the deployment.

Israel launched its military operation in Gaza on December 27 to halt rocket attacks on southern Israel. At least 14 rockets were fired into Israel on Monday, causing no injuries, an Israeli ambulance services spokesman said.

For a sixth day, Israel halted the bombardment temporarily to allow civilians access to needed supplies. The IDF said it expected 100 trucks loaded with aid to be transferred to the territory through the Kerem Shalom border crossing.

Both Israel and Hamas, the Islamic militant group that has ruled Gaza since mid-2007, have ignored last week's U.N. Security Council resolution that called for a cease-fire. In an adamant message Monday directed at both sides, Ban demanded that they comply with the cease-fire call.

"My message is simple, direct and to the point -- the fighting must stop," the secretary-general told reporters in New York. "To both sides, I say, just stop now. Too many people have died.

"There has been too much civilian suffering. Too many people, Israelis and Palestinians -- live in daily fear of their lives, and in Gaza the very foundation of society is being destroyed."

Ban is scheduled to hold a series of meetings in the region starting Wednesday with nearly all the players in the conflict except Hamas. The group has been branded a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States and European Union.

A senior Israeli official, Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai, said Sunday that the Security Council resolution "doesn't leave us much leeway" and that the end of the campaign may be near. Hamas leader Ismail Haniya remained defiant, however, declaring in a speech Monday that the bloodshed so far "will not be wasted for nothing."

Haniya said Hamas would deal with every peace initiative "responsibly, openly and positively," but told Palestinians, "We are closer to victory than ever."

More than 900 Palestinians have been killed, nearly half of them women and children, Palestinian medical sources said Monday. More than 4,000 others have been wounded.

Thirteen Israelis, including 10 soldiers, have died in the operation in Gaza and from rocket strikes on southern Israel. An Israeli officer was critically wounded while entering a booby-trapped house, the IDF reported, while two other soldiers suffered minor injuries.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch urged Israel to stop firing weapons containing white phosphorus, a powerful incendiary, in Gaza. The group said that while the use of white phosphorus to obscure military movements is "a permissible use in principle," the substance can burn people and start fires. iReport.com: Share your thoughts, reactions to crisis

The IDF last week denied white phosphorus shells were being used. But by Monday, Israeli officials said they would not specify what types of munitions were in use, adding that any shells fired in Gaza "are in accordance with international law."

source:CNN

Obama to make case on bailout, rally support for recovery plan

(CNN)President-elect Barack Obama will go to Capitol Hill on Tuesday to meet with Senate Democrats and make his case for how he wants to spend the second half of the $700 billion bailout, two Democratic sources said.

Obama will attend the weekly lunch of the Democratic senators in what will be his final visit to the Senate before his inauguration next week, according to the transition team. He's also expected to continue to push for his economic stimulus plan.

Obama has been making phone calls already to senators asking for their support, a senior Democratic congressional source said.

Obama is expected to meet with the Republican Senate caucus after the inauguration.

Obama on Monday made his case to Congress for access to $350 billion in remaining federal bailout funds, the White House and Congressional officials said.

In a letter addressed to the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, a top Obama economic aide laid out five priorities for the use of the remaining balance under the Treasury Department's $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program, or TARP. Read how Obama wants to use the money

Earlier Monday, Obama asked President Bush to inform Congress of his intent to use the remaining TARP funds, and Bush sent a request to Congress on behalf of the incoming administration.

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Massachusetts, and his House Financial Services Committee meet Tuesday to look at how the TARP money has been spent so far. Democrats are calling for more accountability when it comes to distributing the funds.

Frank said Monday that the remaining funds should be made available "under the appropriate conditions."

"We should not allow our disappointment at the Bush administration's poor handling of the TARP program to prevent the Obama administration from using the funds in more appropriate ways," he said in a statement.

Frank said he hoped the House would pass a bill this week that would lay out the conditions necessary to assure the public gets "full benefit of these funds."

A vote on the House bill -- which requires the next installment of TARP funds to be spent according to stricter rules -- is expected as early as Wednesday.

"It seems clear the Obama administration agrees with what we are setting forward, and I believe this creates a framework so that the release of these funds can go forward," Frank said.

Meanwhile, confirmation hearings continue Tuesday on Capitol Hill for a number of Obama's Cabinet nominees, most notably Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-New York, Obama's pick for secretary of state.

Clinton is expected to face tough questions, specifically about her husband and his foundation, but she is expected to be confirmed.

She plans to tell senators that her goals, if confirmed as secretary of state, will include a renewal of American leadership and a revitalization of diplomacy as a means of promoting the nation's security interests and advancing its values, a transition official said Monday.

In addition to testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, she will submit answers to many of lawmakers' questions in writing, the official said

source:CNN

Shells hit Mogadishu market, 11 dead

Mogadishu (ANTARA News/Reuters) - Shells hit a crowded Mogadishu market and nearby residential area on Monday, killing at least 11 people in fighting between Islamist insurgents and Ethiopian-backed government forces.

Medical staff told Reuters they had transported 11 corpses and 16 wounded people from Bakara market and the Gedjael neighbourhood after the insurgents exchanged shells with Somali soldiers and their Ethiopian military allies.

"I saw eight dead people and more than 10 wounded in Bakara market," shopkeeper Osman Aden told Reuters in the shattered, coastal capital of Somalia.

"Shells landed on them as they were taking cover behind a hotel wall. Some of them could not be identified as their flesh was mangled."

Islamists have been battling government and Ethiopian troops for the past two years, since Addis Ababa sent forces to oust the Islamic Courts Union from Mogadishu.

More than 16,000 civilians have been killed in the insurgency, a million people have been forced from their homes, more than a third of the population depend on aid, and large areas of Mogadishu lie empty and destroyed.

With an estimated 3,000 Ethiopians now withdrawing, some Islamist factions appear to be turning on al Shabaab fighters, a hardline insurgent group that wants to impose a strict version of Islamic law traditionally shunned by Somalis.

Witnesses said about 51 people, including civilians and fighters, died in battles at the weekend between al Shabaab and another Islamist group, Ahlu Sunna Waljamaca, as that group took over the central Somali trading town of Gurael.

Analysts say while the Ethiopian withdrawal could usher in a new chapter of violence, it may also be a window of opportunity to bring some Islamist groups into the political process and form a broad, inclusive government.

Somalia has been without effective central rule since 1991
source:antara.com

Rupiah weakens on Monday morning

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The rupiah in the Jakarta interbank spot market early Friday weakened to more than Rp11,000 against the US dollar after remaining within a range of Rp10,9000 - Rp11,000 per US dollar over the past few days ago.

The rupiah traded at Rp11,100/Rp11,150 per US dollar, down 200 points from Rp10,900/Rp11,000 at the market's close last weekend.

The local currency was under pressure as market players bought the greenback for profit taking, Rully Noba, a foreign exchange analyst of PT Bank Himpunan Saudara Tbk, said here on Monday.

The greenback tumbled in the global market last weekend as investors released US dollars on a prediction that the US employment rate would drop due to the sluggish growth of the US economy, he said.

However, he believed the rupiah was still in a secure position although it was at a level above Rp11,000 per US dollar.

"I think, the rupiah will again advance given the sound national economic indicators, including last December's deflation rate of 0.04 percent," he said.

He predicted the Indonesian currency would strengthen to nearly Rp10,500 per US dollar.

"The rupiah's tendency to gain is quite obvious, it's just a matter of time," he said.
source:antara.co.id

Floods hit Denpasar, several districts in Bali

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA News) - Floods caused by incessant heavy rains over the past three days have inundated tens of houses and uprooted trees in Denpasar and several districts in Bali Province.

"At least 71 families living in Legian, Kuta, have been evacuated to safer areas," Anak Agung Gede Alit, head of the Bali provincial social affairs office, said here on Monday.

The local social affairs office, in cooperation with the Badung Red Cross, set up a public kitchen to help the flood victims.

The Denpasar meteorological and geophysics office urged local residents and tourists in Bali to stay alert as the region was entering the peak of the rainy season which could trigger floods, strong winds and huge waves.

La Nina, which is developing into Northern Hemisphere Spring 2009, is expected to cause above-average precipitation over Indonesia, during January-March 2009 according to the US NOAA's Climate Prediction Center (CPC) recently.

The current rainy season has triggered floods and landslides in various parts of Indonesia, including in East Java, South Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, South Sumatra, and Aceh provinces.

source:antara.co.id

OIC should pressure UN to act against Israel: Observer

Medan, North Sumatra (ANTARA News) - Countries grouped in the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) should take a bold initiative and urge the United Nations (UN) to take action against Israel for its military aggression in the Gaza Strip which has caused hundreds of casualties, an observer here said.

"If the UN ignores the demand for action, OIC member countries might as well quit the UN and form a new organization," Ansari Yamanah, executive director of Slokantara Institute, said here Monday.

He said the Israel aggression clearly amounted to an attempt to commit genocide against the Palestinian people and noted the Israeli actions had drawn severe criticism from people around the world.

However, the UN appeared not to be taking the Israeli actions seriously, and not to be doing its duty of maintaining international peace. In fact, the UN seemed to be defending the interests of western countries, those of the United States in particular, he said.

This could be concluded from, among other things, the fact that most of the UN members countries having the veto right were western countries, according to Yamanah.

Countries having the veto right were the US, Britain, France and Russia. They always used their absolute right to block any proposal considered detrimental to their interests such as sanctions against Israel, he said.

If the UN cannot be neutral and firm, including in issues relating to Islam, it should be no problem for OIC member countries to pull out from the international organization, Yamanah said.

If an OIC demand for action against Israel was ignored by the UN, OIC member countries, including Indonesia, could form a new world organization to "counter-balance" the UN in creating international peace.

Yamanah said, an initiative to quit the UN and form a rival world organization was in the past taken by Indonesia's first president, Soekarno who believed the UN's existence was only benefiting the western countries.

The new world organization could be led by the leaders of OIC member countries such as Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad or Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Yamnah also said Indonesia was expected to play a big role in putting pressure on the UN. "We really wish this can be realized. President Yudhoyono is not only a leader of Indonesia but also of the world," he said.
source:antara.co.id

Export Weapons Korut reach U.S. $ 100 Million

SEOUL - MI: Export guided missile North Korea (Korut) and other weapons worth increased about 100 million dollars years ago mainly because of tensions in the Middle East, said the news a newspaper South Korea (South Korea), Monday (12 / 1).

Communist countries that follow a course of the sharp decrease in the export of weapons in 2007 because of international sanctions after a trial-trial rudal and an atom bomb in 2006. Last year the value of sales overseas senjatanya increased to about 100 million dollars or more than 10 percent total export, said the newspaper Dong-a Ilbo.

The newspaper quoted a Seoul government official who is not mentioned his name as saying that progress in negotiations concerning the six-country nuclear disarmament Korut years ago to help the sale of weapons Korut more.

Newspaper proclaim that buyers feel the burden of the less political in buying weapons such as negotiations have made some progress. Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America it is reported to be the purposes of the export of weapons.

"Countries say the Middle East has purchased a large amount of weapons Korut because of the military confrontation with Israel," said the official was quoted in the newspaper.

Korut say rudal supply-rudal to Syria, and Washington officials say Iran is present in the test launch rudal Korut 2006. Ministry unifikasi South Korea and defense ministries said they could not confirm the news that newspaper.

U.S. accuse Korut weapons leading global carrier. But that country refused to export rudal, one important source of their opinions.

Close china 41 Porn Sites

Government of China, last week, 41 to block the website because the materials contain pornographic or obscene, as part of the action a month cleaning the Internet channel in the country.

All sites violate major rules and regulations on the spread to other public sexual image, as, among others, the contents of the statement issued by the Office of Special Operations for the suppression on the contents of lewd and Porno online.

The State Office of the Board of China, Ministry of Culture and Public Security and four other institutions reinforce government repression against online pornography on Monday (5 / 1).

The spread of pornography is a violation to the public in China. Government announce a list of two black network and the Internet portal site that violates the rules of internet in the country this weekend.

China promised to continue to reveal, or even punish the network sites that refuse to fix the error. According to the special operations office, oppression is part of a long-term effort to create a healthy environment for children.

So far, 19 Chinese websites, including search engines Google and Baidu, have been sending online apology after allegations spread in both slow and delete the contents of lewd or pornographic relationship with the porn site.

Russia signs deal, restoring Europe's gas

MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- Russia signed an agreement Monday to restore gas supplies to Europe after Ukraine dropped conditions that had angered Moscow.

Moscow and Kiev have been engaged in a bitter, weeks-long dispute over gas, which interrupted supplies to countries from Turkey to the Baltics during an unusually cold winter.

They agreed earlier to a deal which the European Union brokered to end the standoff, but Sunday it looked as if the deal had hit the rocks.

Russia said it was off because Ukraine -- the key transit country -- had attached unacceptable terms to the agreement.

Russia responded furiously, with the country's president and prime minister and the head of Gazprom all weighing in.

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on television the attachment was unauthorized, and "ties up the existing problem (of transit) with issues that have nothing to do with it."

Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller told Russia reporters the attachment was "an attempt to legalize the theft" of gas, Interfax reported.

But Monday it appeared the deal was back on, and a delegation from Russia went to Brussels to sign it.

"We held talks in Kiev this morning. After the talks the Ukrainian side signed the rules for monitoring natural gas transit via Ukraine without any additional remarks," Deputy Gazprom CEO Valery Golubev told reporters.

Moscow and Kiev have been at loggerheads over the price Ukraine pays for Russian gas, which it distributes to other countries across Europe via pipeline.

Russia demanded sharply higher prices as of the beginning of the year, which Ukraine refused to pay. Russia shut off Ukraine's gas supply as the dispute escalated, and then cut all gas supplies to Europe on Wednesday.

The Russian energy giant Gazprom and the Ukrainian company Naftogaz have been trading accusations about supply. The Russians have accused the Ukrainians of siphoning gas from the pipelines, while Ukraine says Russia has been pumping less than it should.

The dispute has affected the supply of natural gas as far west as Germany and France. About a quarter of Europe's natural gas supply comes from Gazprom.

Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, flew to Kiev and Moscow last week to broker the deal. Both sides agreed to allow international observers to monitor gas flow through the pipelines to end the argument about who was responsible for dips in supply.

When the monitors are in place, Gazprom will start pumping gas for European consumers, Putin said Monday, according to Interfax.

Even if a deal is signed, it could take from 10 to 30 hours for gas to be restored, Gazprom officials said, due to the need to rebuild pressure in the pipelines. At the moment, gas supplies are still off.

The agreement does not resolve the dispute between Russia and Ukraine over prices for gas to Europe. It deals only with gas destined for Europe, which has already been paid for.

source:CNN

Aid worker: Gaza blockade lacks all humanity

I arrived in Israel yesterday to work with Mercy Corps, an international aid organization, to assist the Gazans who are suffering from the conflict and over 18 months of harsh blockades that have left their cupboards bare and their banks empty of cash.

All of Gaza is on the verge of collapse: Most people have no electricity, no running water and inadequate food supplies. Fuel is running low. And only a fraction of aid needed to sustain Gaza's 1.5 million residents is getting in.

Getting basic food and medical aid into Gaza from Israel has proved to be extremely frustrating and difficult for aid agencies trying to help the civilians who are literally stranded in a war zone.

The Israeli authorities have refused to allow almost all expatriate aid workers to enter Gaza since November 2008, so we work in Israel, and our national staff who live in Gaza work inside the territory to carry out the projects on the ground. The Israeli authorities have isolated Gaza from the rest of the world -- no people, money or goods can legally enter Gaza from Israel without the approval of the Israeli authorities.

In 2007 an average of 500 trucks a day entered Gaza with food and supplies. In comparison, yesterday, just 36 humanitarian trucks were allowed access to Gaza. With almost the entire population of 1.5 million Gazans dependent on humanitarian assistance, it is obvious that the incoming aid is not even remotely adequate.

We have spent the past 11 days working through Israeli red tape and protocols that seemed to change daily, to secure the permission to deliver food aid. We have a truck filled with rice, cooking oil, canned tuna fish and edible dates that will feed 2,000 people for about a week.

Yesterday the delivery was supposed go through but at 2:00 a.m. we received notice from the Israeli authorities that the delivery was being postponed because it contained edible dates as part of the package.

The dates had been on the packing list for days and were never questioned; not until 2:00 a.m. the morning we are supposed to go to the border. This is just one delay of many that we have been confronted with by the Israeli authorities. There are days when we seriously wonder if our aid will ever get in.

Last night, the truck was repacked, after having removed the offending dates from the package. Once again, we have the permission to go to the border -- let's just hope it stays that way. I am off this morning for the Kerem Shalom border checkpoint with the truck. Fingers crossed.

Friday dawn, January 9

At dawn on Thursday, I fought off my jet lag and drove south to the Gaza border with our Mercy Corps truck filled with desperately needed food aid.

Yesterday the Israeli authorities announced there will be a new daily three-hour cease-fire to allow aid organizations to move throughout Gaza starting today, but we are not very optimistic about it really solving the problems: We're still dealing with the same bureaucratic and twisted approval process for getting aid across the check point and into Gaza.

The temporary three-hour cease-fire is totally insufficient and only applies to aid delivery issues for items that are already inside Gaza. It does not help us get more aid into the territory in any way. We need to have the whole Israeli approval system improved so we can get trucks into Gaza in less than a week.

When we reached the Kerem Shalom border at 9:00 a.m. there was a line of about 25 trucks waiting at the border for entry. After about an hour's wait, the Israeli customs officials inspected the delivery and paperwork and asked several questions about where we bought our supplies.

The Mercy Corps vehicle was admitted into the unloading compound with several other aid trucks, all from various U.N. branches. Workers descended on the trucks with forklifts.

After all the items were removed from the truck and placed on the pavement of the compound the security check began. Sniffer dogs were released to check the material. Next an Israeli border worker probed and stabbed every package with a long metal rod to check if anything might be hidden inside. I am assuming they were looking for stowaways among the rice bags, but I can't imagine who would really be trying to get into Gaza when most people there would do anything to escape the constant shelling and bombing.

After the checks were completed all the Israeli workers and other observers and monitors were told to exit back to the Israel side of the border. Once the compound was empty of all people, the gates on the Israeli side were slammed shut.

Next, the gates on the Gaza side of the compound were opened, allowing the Palestinians to enter the compound and collect the delivery with their trucks. No trucks were allowed to drive from the Israeli side to the Gaza side. Everything was offloaded from the trucks on the Israel side and then reloaded onto different trucks on the Gaza side.

Israeli guards said that at no point in the process are Israelis and Palestinians from the Gaza side allowed to meet each other. I stood at the gate -- on the Israeli side -- and peered through the slats to watch the Palestinians load up our delivery.

I was relieved at the end -- we had finally made the delivery after so much work and our Gaza staff was receiving the items to distribute. But I had a lingering sadness knowing that the Gazans and the Israelis never come face-to-face at this border check. It makes me wonder how peace can be achieved when all humanity seemed to be absent.

source:CNN

Menkeu: Inflasi Januari Turun Minimal 0,53%

Anwar Khumaini - detikFinance

Jakarta - Inflasi bulan Januari diharapkan turun minimal 0,53% sebagai dampak dari penurunan harga BBM yang berlaku per 15 Januari 2009. Penurunan inflasi bisa lebih banyak jika harga barang dan jasa lainnya ikut turun.

Demikian disampaikan Plt Menko Perekonomian Sri Mulyani di Istana Kepresidenan, Jakarta, Senin (12/1/2009).

"Dengan penurunan harga BBM ini, maka diharapkan penurunan inflasi bulan Januari ini sebesar 0,53%. Itu dari penurunan harga BBM saja. Tentu dari komoidtas lain, pemerintah juga mengharapkan ada penurunan," katanya.

Sebelumnya BPS mencatat terjadinya deflasi pada Desember 2008 sebesar 0,04%. Sementara inflasi sepanjang 2008 adalah 11,06%.

Seperti diketahui, pemerintah juga mengusahakan penurunan tarif angkutan, harga daging sapi dan tarif listrik untuk industri.

"Dengan demikian diharapkan Januari dan Februari inflasi bisa mengalami penurunan yang signifikan," katanya.

Minyak Goreng

Selain itu pemerintah juga akan menyediakan minyak goreng curah untuk masyarakat menengah ke bawah dengan harga yang lebih murah Rp 1.000 per liter. Minyak curah ini dinamakan Minyakita.

"Untuk minyak curah, harganya Rp 7.000 per liter yang biasanya dipakai masyarakat menengah ke bawah, Rp 1.000 lebih murah. Namanya Minyakita," katanya.

Cancel Israeli delegation to Egypt, Discussion Peace Delayed

Jerusalem - Israeli delegation to peace talks Gaza conflict, Amos Gilad, cancel departure to Cairo Egypt this Monday. Meeting agenda, to continue the cease-fire talks.

"Amos Gilad will not go to Egypt today," said an Israeli defense ministry official who did not mention his name as quoted AFP on Monday (12/1/2009). He did not disclose reasons for canceling the trip to Egypt Gilad.

Meanwhile, in an interview with Ynet news site this Monday, Gilad said, at this time itself will not go to Cairo. But he disputed the Cancellation if it is anti-Israel stance on the cease-fire that Egypt and France initiated. "Currently I have not seemed to be Cairo. But it does not mean I drop out of communication, I keep in touch with Egypt," said Gilad.

On Sunday yesterday, Egyptian officials said, sebegai envoy Gilad senior Israel Defense Minister Ehud Barak will return a visit to Egypt to continue the ceasefire efforts of speech. This is the second visit Gilad in one weekend.

"Today (Sunday) will have a meeting with the Hamas delegation and will continue tomorrow with the envoys of Israel," said Ismail Khart, Head of Information of Egypt.

According to Israel radio broadcasts, cancellation Gilad journey to Egypt is the leader of Israel as a form of pressure to Hamas.

Israel is 'nearing Gaza goals'

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said Israel is nearing the goals of its military campaign in the Gaza Strip, as he signalled it would continue.

He urged more patience and effort, as Israel's troops reportedly engaged in fierce fighting in Gaza City.

Palestinian medical sources say 29 people were killed across Gaza on Sunday - 17 in Gaza City.

Israeli officials say at least 12 rockets have been fired by Palestinian militants into southern Israel.

Palestinian doctors say the total number of Palestinians who have been killed since the Israeli offensive began on 27 December is 879. Thirteen Israelis - 10 soldiers and three civilians - have died.

'Impressive gains'

As Israel's cabinet met in Jerusalem to consider its next move, Prime Minister Olmert said: "This is a time to translate our achievements into the goals we have set.

He praised the military's "impressive gains " in Gaza, adding: "Israel is nearing the goals which it set itself, but more patience, determination and effort is still demanded."

Referring to last week's UN Security Council call for an immediate ceasefire, Mr Olmert said "nobody should be allowed to decide for us if we are allowed to strike". Both Hamas and Israel have rejected the UN resolution.

The BBC's Mike Sergeant in Jerusalem says the military operation could well intensify before it ends.

Phosphorus controversy

The Israeli army meanwhile denied deploying white phosphorus bombs in Gaza, after Palestinian medics said they had treated patients for burns caused by the munition.

Army spokesman Capt Guy Spigelman told the BBC that Israel "categorically denied" using white phosphorus in Gaza, saying other "smoke bombs and flares" were being deployed.

Israel unleashed its Operation Cast Lead as a six-month truce between it and Hamas unravelled. It comes weeks before a parliamentary election in Israel.

Israel hopes the onslaught will greatly reduce the number of missiles fired from Gaza onto Israeli towns, and also erode support for Hamas.

The Islamist movement won elections in Gaza in 2006 before seizing control of the coastal strip a year later, ousting its secular Palestinian rival Fatah, which now holds sway in parts of the West Bank.

On Sunday militants fired a barrage of rockets from Gaza, two of which struck 42 km (26 miles) inside southern Israel at the city of Beersheba, causing damage but no casualties.

In clashes in Gaza City, at least 10 Palestinians died in a gun battle involving Israeli forces, while at least five Palestinian civilians were killed by Israeli tank fire further north at Beit Lahiya, said medical officials.

The home of Ahmed Jabari, the head of Hamas's military wing, was destroyed in an air strike at Shujaia, a suburb of densely-populated Gaza City, according to the Israeli military.

Israel is preventing international journalists from entering the coastal strip, and none of the incidents can be independently confirmed.

'Holocaust'

Israel said its warplanes had also bombed sites on the Egypt-Gaza frontier near the town of Rafah, including a mosque allegedly used as a weapons storage depot and militant training camp.

Its ground forces were involved in a "number of incidents" as they pushed into the south of Gaza City and reached a key junction to its north, the Israeli military said.

Reports quoted Hamas and the smaller militant group Islamic Jihad as saying they had ambushed the Israelis, engaging them in heavy fighting.

Many Gaza City civilians have reportedly fled their homes.

Israel dropped leaflets and left phone messages on Saturday warning Gazans to stay away from areas used by Hamas and that the operation would soon enter "phase three".

On Sunday pro-Palestine demonstrations continued across the parts of the Far East and Middle East.

Speaking from exile in the Syrian capital Damascus on Saturday, Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal branded the Israeli operation a "holocaust," saying "the enemy has totally failed" and "created resistance in every house".

Aid agencies say Gaza's 1.5 million residents are in urgent need of food and medical aid.

source:BBC News