Archive for December, 2009

Floatplane crashes off Canadian west coast, six missing

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Six people were missing but two were rescued after a floatplane crashed off Canada’s west coast Sunday afternoon.

The crash happened at 4:10 p.m. local time (0010 GMT, Monday) off Saturna Island, a small island between Vancouver Island and the mainland of the western province of British Columbia (BC), when the plane was heading for Victoria, the capital city of BC in the Vancouver Island, according to search and rescue officials.

Officials of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Victoria said two people, including the pilot and a female passenger were pulled out of the frigid waters by 5:30 p.m. (0130 GMT, Monday) while rescuers were searching for the other six passengers including an infant, who are feared dead.

Search efforts continue even in darkness with several surface vessels and two aircrafts and are expected to be suspended later Sunday and resume Monday morning, officials said.

The cause of the accident was unclear. Witness said the plane made a loud noise like a muffler backfiring and nosedived into the water.

So, you want to be a poker pro?

Friday, December 4th, 2009

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ranks. The hopes of poker players who long to forego the dreaded nine-to-five work routine
in favour of making their way through life as professional poker players certainly brim
over this time of year. After all, what could be better than being your own boss, booting
your alarm clock out the front door, experiencing unlimited travel opportunity and playing
a game that most of us love as your occupation? If only life were that simple. The
explosion of poker tournaments has led to, as Mike Sexton often states, “The creation of a
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about 5 percent of all who embark down the path to becoming successful professional cash-
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and constant pressure are common roadblocks that derail even excellent players who attempt
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says you can’t start with a small bankroll and give poker a shot. If your poker wallet
begins to burst at the seams, stand back Phil Hellmuth Jr. If you experience diminishing
returns over your designated test period, assuming you’re employable, at least you’ll
have no regrets when you abandon the poker ship and return to playing recreationally and
getting on those working-stiff shoes again. Common Pro Attributes I’ve discussed
professional poker with more than 20 top players. Here are several common traits that I
believe form the foundation of their success: Intelligence—not all are book smart along
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display the ability to think logically and separate important details from actions that a
second-rate player might deem more meaningful. Poker Students—a common thread that runs
through accomplished players is a thirst for learning. None seems complacent when it comes
to thinking about game strategy, amassing and studying written material and frequently
discussing poker with peers. Most are consumed with self-assessment; determined to plug
even the smallest leak in their games.

Thailand announces breakthrough in HIV vaccine development

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Thailand on Thursday announced the breakthrough in the HIV vaccine development — the first time ever that there is evidence that HIV vaccine has preventive efficacy.
“It is found that the vaccine has 31.2 percent efficacy in reducing the risk of HIV infection,” Thai Public Health Minister Withaya Kaewparadai told a press conference in capital Bangkok.
Withaya presided over the official announcement of the outcome of the HIV Vaccine Phase III Trial.
The Public Health Ministry conducted the study, which used strains of HIV common in Thailand. Sponsor of the trial is the US Army Surgeon General, with funding support from the National Institute of Health and US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, while sanofi-pasteur and GSID provide candidate vaccines for the trial.
With field research works implemented by Thais and deemed the world’s largest HIV vaccine study, with the trial of 16,402 Thai volunteers, has now been completed in central provinces of Chonburi and Rayong, Withaya said.
Withaya said although the efficacy rate is not high enough for use, this nonetheless constitutes significant knowledge that can be applied to improve HIV vaccine efficacy in the future.
“All these will form an important foundation for further HIV vaccine development in Thailand in the future,” said Doctor Paijit Warachit, Deputy Health Permanent Secretary.
Meanwhile, Doctor Mom Luang Somchai Chakkrabhand, Director-General, Department of Disease Control, said that “HIV vaccine development must be accompanied by intensive application of other preventive measures.”
The Department of Disease Control is committed to HIV vaccine development in collaboration with networks of researchers in Thailand and internationally aiming to an appropriate HIV vaccine accessible for people, Doctor. Mom Luang Somchai said.
The Phase III Trial of HIV vaccine demonstrates collective efforts and a common understanding that HIV prevention is everybody’s concern, and which requires participation of all sections at national and international levels in search of additional preventive measure.
“The success is the pride of Thailand. We thank the volunteers, communities in Chonburi and Rayong province, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and researchers for their contribution to the HIV vaccine development,” he said.

Capturing Shangri-La

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

The first My ShangriLa photography contest held its awards ceremony Monday at China World Hotel, Beijing. The contest was launched August 18 by ShangriLa Hotels and Resorts in partnership with Top Travel magazine, Photographer’s Companion magazine and sina.com.
Sponsored by Nikon Imaging (China) and Malaysia Airlines, the contest received 3,772 photographs within two months from more than 2,000 people, each conveying their own idea of “ShangriLa”through their cameras.
The official website of the contest collected more than 4.7 million votes and numerous comments.
The ceremony presented prizes for five categories, including a ShangriLa Conservation Prize and a Golden Prize. The winning photographs were the result of a highly professional and critical selection process by a renowned panel of judges, including Oscar winner Timmy Yip; Professor Wang Chuan, Director of the photography department at the School of Design of China Central Academy of Fine Art; media mogul Hong Huang and acknowledged Chinese photographer Zhou Jiansheng.
The awards ceremony also launched the My ShangriLa Photography Contest Exhibition that was held for three days at China World Hotel in Beijing. The exhibition will now head to ShangriLa properties in the cities of Shanghai, Guangzhou and Chengdu.

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Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

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Highway patrol statement on Woods’ car accident

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

NEW YORK, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) — Following is the statement released by the Florida Highway Patrol about Tiger Woods’ one-car accident last Friday:

The Florida Highway Patrol has concluded its investigation of the vehicle crash involving Mr. Tiger Woods. The investigation has determined that Mr. Woods is at fault in the crash. This afternoon, FHP issued a uniform traffic citation for careless driving to Mr. Woods.

Any person operating a vehicle upon the streets and highways within the state is required by law to drive in a careful and prudent manner so as not to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person. Failure to drive in such a manner is defined as careless driving. Careless driving is a moving violation and upon conviction may result in a fine of 164 dollars and four points on a driver’s record.
This was a single vehicle crash, with a single occupant. Unfortunately, it is one of thousands that occur in our state each year. Mr. Woods has satisfied the requirements of Florida law by providing his driver license, registration and proof of insurance to us. With the issuance of the citation, the Florida Highway Patrol has completed its investigation into this matter.

The FHP is not pursing criminal charges in this matter, nor is there any testimony or other evidence to support additional charges of any kind. After reviewing the evidence available to us, and in consultation with the Office of State Attorney Lawson Lamar, it was determined that there was insufficient evidence available to issue a subpoena for additional medical information that may exist in this case. We cannot speak to the existence of any blood evidence, nor are there claims of domestic violence by any individual.

Kenya’s former Commonwealth Games champion dies

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

NAIROBI, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) — Kenya’s Patrick Konchellah, the 1994 Commonwealth Games champion, has died in Rift Valley where he was recouping. He was 41.
Konchellah will be most remembered for his achievement on the track especially in 1994 when he clinched the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Born on April 20, 1968, in Kilgoris to a comparatively “progressive” Konchellahs’ family — his uncle was a prominent Member of Parliament — Patrick passed away Sunday morning after over two months struggle with cancer of stomach.

Together with his elder brother Billy Konchellah, a two-time world champion in 800m, they epitomized Maasai domination in the two-lap race, both in the country and internationally where through them, Kenya has won several accolades.

Henry Longfellow, a U.S. poet once said, when a great man dies, for years the light he leaves behind him, shines on the paths of men.

Patrick light will certainly shine in the path of World Junior 800m finalist in Bydgoszcz, Felix Konchellah, who is one of the six children and a widow that Patrick leaves behind from his two marriages.

“It is a blow to us. We were not expecting him to die suddenly because he had shown improvements in his struggle with the disease. But that is it, he is gone and all we are left with are fond memories of his action. He was a very generous man,” said Billy.

Athletics Kenya Chairman Isaiah Kiplagat expressed his shock on the death of Patrick and extended his condolences to the family and friends during this hard time.

“It is with great shock that we learnt of his death. He was a great athlete of course coming from a family with strong roots in athletics. He had a bright future in the sport and could have been a great coach or talent searcher in the Maasai had he lived longer,” said Kiplagat.

Patrick’s life will however, not lack controversies. He was primed to succeed his brother Billy as the new world champion but problems with beer caused him an early retirement after he won Kenyan trials for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but ailed and missed the Olympics. He never recovered to gain his form.

Chinese cinemas to screen Japan anime Detective Conan

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

BEIJING, Dec. 1 — The Japanese anime “Detective Conan 2009: The Raven Chaser”, the 13th movie of the Conan manga series, will show in Chinese cinemas during the 2010 new year season, its domestic publisher has confirmed.
Big news for China’s many Detective Conan fans, the announcement marks China’s first theatrical screening of the series, which debuted in 1997 and has run for 13 years.

Detective Conan, a serialized manga started in 1994 and written and illustrated by Gosho Aoyama, follows the adventures of Kudo Shinichi, a 17-year-old detective who has to solve a series of crimes after being transformed into a child while investigating an illegal trade.

The Detective Conan TV episodes helped fuel its popularity in other parts of Asia, as the comic series has been aired outside of Japan for almost a decade.

Since 1997, each of the 13 feature films based on the comic sensation has been released in April. The latest one earned over 3.4 billion yen in Japan, the highest-grossing film of the series.

One Chinese-dubbed version of the 2009 Conan film will be screened alongside the original Japanese one during its run in China’s theaters.

Chinese minister calls for “positive signal” to help world economy recover

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

GENEVA, Nov. 30 (Xinhua) — Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming on Monday called on the Seventh WTO Ministerial Conference to send a positive signal to the world to help stabilize and improve the crisis-hit global economy.
“Today at this gathering we should send a positive signal to the rest of the world, a signal to ‘open up, advance and reform,’” Chen said at the opening plenary of the three-day conference, which was participated by trade and agriculture ministers from most of the 153 WTO members.

“Now the global economy has shown signs of stabilizing and improving, but the foundation for the turnaround is not solid. The road to complete recovery remains long and winding,” Chen said.

He stressed the importance of trade opening and resisting protectionist pressures for world recovery. “We should not close our doors for fear of risks or challenges.”

“As long as WTO members can form consensus to stand by their WTO commitments, not adopt protectionist measures and remain open, we will be able to gather enormous strength to tide over the crisis,” he said.

The minister also stressed the need to advance the long-running Doha Round global trade negotiations as a way to reform and enhance the multilateral trade system.

Eight years after its launch with a primary goal to help poor countries prosper through trade opening, the complex Doha Round is still not in its endgame because WTO members cannot narrow gaps on such key issues as agricultural tariffs, subsidies and industrial market access.

After several missed deadlines, WTO members have set a latest deadline for concluding the Round in 2010.

Chen stressed that progress made in the past eight years, as reflected in the agriculture and NAMA (non-agricultural market access) texts as of December 2008, “is hard won, and cannot be overturned for any excuse.”

He also called for respecting the Doha Round’s development mandate and keeping multilateral negotiations as the major channel.” Then it is hopeful that the talks can be successfully concluded in 2010.”