Yahoo Search Engine

The new Yahoo! Search offers these services and tools to help you find whatever you're looking for, faster and easier than ever.

Yahoo offers the following different types of searches:

Web Search:
Yahoo uses a powerful search algorithm powered by its crawler, Yahoo Slurp, to list webpages related to keywords entered by the user.

News Search:
This section is used to search for news stories, pictures, and audio/video.

Image Search:
The Yahoo image search is used find photos and illustrations from all over the Web. It lists images by crawling the image src tag and lists them.

Directory Search:
It lists webpages from the yahoo directory, related to keywords entered by the user

Yellow Pages Search:
It is used to search for local businesses serving a particular area.

Product Search:
This search is used to find product reviews and prices on the web.

Search Tips
• Try to use specific words rather than general words. For example: If you are searching for the history of books, use “history of books” rather than “books”.
• Avoid using words with more than one meaning.
• For including and excluding words, use + and -.
• You can also use logical words like OR, AND.
• To search for an exact prase, include quotation marks.

Search Meta Words
Here is a list of special keywords that give you results unique to that special keyword instruction. You can enter these Meta words directly into the Yahoo! Search box.

• site: this allows one to find all documents within a particular domain and all it's subdomains.
Example: site:searchenginegenie.com

• hostname: this allows one to find all documents from a particular host only.
Example: hostname:autos.yahoo.com

• link: this allows one to find documents that link to a particular url.
Example: link:http://www. searchenginegenie.com/

• url: this alllows one to find a specific document in yahoo’s index.
Example: url:http://www. searchenginegenie.com/links.html

• inurl: this allows one to find a specific keyword as part of indexed urls.
Example: inurl:bulgarian

• intitle: this allows one to find a specific keyword as part of the indexed titles.
Example: intitle:Bulgarian

Yahoo purchased Overture (the leading Pay Per Click provider) in the middle of 2003. By purchasing Overture, Yahoo now owns AltaVista and AllTheWeb (which were purchased by Overture earlier in the same year). By February 2004, Yahoo stopped showing Google results on their SERPs( Search Engine Result Pages) and started using results based on their own database. The search results were now powered not only by Yahoo’s algorithm, but also by technologies from AltaVista, AllTheWeb and Inktomi.

Memorable victory for Inter over their cross-city rivals

Dejan Stankovic

Thiago Motta and Diego Milito scored in their first competitive Milan derby, Maicon added a third before the break, and Dejan Stankovic struck midway through the second half as Inter completed a memorable victory over their cross-city rivals. The Italian champions bounced back from their 1-1 draw with Bari in style, sending AC Milan, who were reduced to ten men after the dismissal of Gattuso on 40 minutes, to their heaviest derby defeat since 1974.

José Mourinho threw new signing Wesley Sneijder straight into the fray and the Dutch midfielder fired an early warning with a trademark long-range drive, forcing a difficult one-handed save from Storari. Inter's first-time passing was mouthwatering and the move that led to our opening goal was text book stuff. Thiago Motta received from Zanetti and continued his run into the box to curl first-time past the Milan keeper after deft touches from Eto'o and Milito.

Milito opened his scoring account for Inter with the second goal seven minutes later from the penalty spot after Gattuso carelessly brought down Eto'o in the box. The Italy midfielder's personal nightmare continued when he was sent off for a second yellow after fouling Sneijder. Mourinho's men took full advantage and increased their lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half, Maicon outwitting Jankulovski on the right and one-twoing with Milito before rifling past Storari.

Inter, reports official Nerazzurri's website, continued their domination in the second half and Eto'o fired a right-foot shot just wide in the opening seconds. Sneijder came even closer with a long-range effort that dipped inches over the bar. Thiago Motta pulled up with a high problem and on came Sulley Muntari, who assisted Stankovic for Inter's fourth midway through the half. The Serbian picked his spot and let rip and long-range swerveshot that flew into the top corner. Stankovic was denied a second with Milito seeing his rebound saved as the Nerazzurri came forward in search of a fifth on what was a humiliating evening for Milan.

http://www.soccerway.com

Ukraine beat Finland in final group game

UEFA Women's Championship 2009

Ukraine ended their UEFA Women's Championship campaign on a positive note, beating hosts Finland 1-0 at Helsinki's Olympic Stadium.

Finland had already secured a spot in the quarter finals by winning their first two games, and had little left to play for in their final group match.

Although the Scandinavians did have the better chances, the Ukranians took the lead on 69 minutes. A poor back-pass from defender Tuija Hyyrinen allowed Lyudmyla Pekur to intercept and round keeper Minna Meriluoto for 1-0.

Despite the defeat, Finland win Group A ahead of the Netherlands, Denmark and finally, Ukraine.

http://www.soccerway.com

Ronaldo bags debut goal as Real ´Galacticos´ triumph

AFP - 29 August 2009 22:20

Real Madrid´s Cristiano Ronaldo controls the ball during their Spanish league football match against Deportivo de la Coruna at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid. Real Madrid won 3-2.

MADRID (AFP) - Cristiano Ronaldo, the world's most expensive player, scored a dream debut goal as Real Madrid's new generation of expensive 'Galacticos' defeated Deportivo La Coruna 3-2 in Saturday's Spanish league curtain-raiser.

Real spent over 250 million euros in the summer with Ronaldo accounting for 94 million euros of that, and the Portuguese star got off to a great start converting a first half penalty for his first competitive goal in the famous white shirt.

The cameras were out in force for Ronaldo and Kaka, the past two Ballon d'Or winners, but it was a player that cost Real nothing, captain and youth product Raul, who stole the first half headlines.

Raul, the club's all-time leading scorer, netted the first goal of the new season with a simple tap-in on 26 minutes and won Ronaldo's penalty on 35 minutes after Depor had equalised.

Real twice went ahead only to be pegged back at 1-1 and 2-2 through Riki (30min) and Juan Carlos Valeron (46).

French midfielder Lass Diarra was the unlikely hero firing in on the hour mark to ensure new coach Manuel Pellegrini and his Galacticos got off to a winning start.

"I am happy because it was very important to win the first game and we did," explained Pellegrini.

"Being just a goal ahead can cause panic because your opponents can equalise with just one chance. It was a tough game."

As Real's new superstars took to the field, there was a special guest appearance as Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt dribbled a ball to wild applause.

It was Bolt's first time on the Bernabeu pitch and there were seven other debutants for Real with Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema forming an attacking force alongside Real veteran Raul.

Xabi Alonso, a 30-million-euro summer arrival from Liverpool, made his bow alongside Diarra in midfield while his old Liverpool team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa began at right back.

With Pepe suspended, Argentine Ezequiel Garay began in central defence alongside fellow debutant Raul Albiol.

With just 48 seconds gone Kaka, a 68.5-million euro-purchase from AC Milan, almost scored a debut goal but dragged his shot wide of the post.

Real's formation resembled a 4-2-2-2 but Ronaldo, sporting the number nine shirt, often roamed in from the right into a central striker's role.

Depor, who had beaten Real 2-1 on the opening day of last season, were under the cosh for the first 20 minutes and the breakthrough came on 26 minutes with Benzema racing onto Kaka's pass.

The Frenchman fired against the post but Raul was on hand to roll in one of the easiest goals of his career.

Depor replied quickly with Riki heading in on the half hour mark after some poor defending.

Raul then won a penalty as goalkeeper Daniel Aranzubia clipped him and Ronaldo stepped up to smash his spot-kick low into the corner for his first Real goal.

A minute after the interval Depor caught Real off-guard with veteran Valeron thundering a volley past Casillas to make it 2-2.

Ronaldo screamed a shot past the post with his supposedly weaker left foot before Diarra, hardly prolific in front of goal, fired in the winner.

"Madrid are a powerful team with so much talent that it is difficult to concentrate against them for the 90 minutes," said Depor boss Miguel Lotina.

Title holders Barcelona are not in action until Monday when they host Sporting Gijon at Camp Nou.

Barcelona have been impressive in pre-season lifting the Spanish Super Cup and European Super Cup to add to their historic league, Champions League and Kings Cup treble last season.

Later on Saturday two promoted sides face off when Real Zaragoza host islanders Tenerife.

http://www.soccerway.com

Champions Inter hand four-goal mauling to 10-man Milan

FP - 29 August 2009 23:00

Inter Milan´s midfielder Patrick Vieira (L) controls the ball despite AC Milan´s forward Klaas-Jan Huntelaar during the Italian Seria A football match at San Siro Stadium in Milan. Champions Inter Milan claimed derby honours by hammering city rivals AC Milan 4-0 after Gennaro Gattuso was sent off in the first half.

ROME (AFP) - Champions Inter Milan claimed derby honours by hammering city rivals AC Milan 4-0 after Gennaro Gattuso was sent off in the first half.

Milan, and Gattuso in particular, self-destructed in spectacular fashion during a 10-minute first half period in a match that suggests the loss of Kaka to Real Madrid has hit the red and black half of the city harder than they thought.

Thiago Motta scored his first goal for Inter and fellow new-recruit from Genoa Diego Milito added a penalty before Brazilian full-back Maicon's strike had all but ended the contest by half time.

Serbian Dejan Stankovic's second half rocket put the gloss on an accomplished performance as coach Leonardo suffered a miserable first derby in charge of Milan.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho gave a debut to Dutch attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder following his move from Real.

He showed his worth on six minutes, testing Milan goalkeeper Marco Storari with a curling effort from outside the box.

On 13 minutes Ronaldinho should have done better when teed up by Pato but after skying his shot miles off target and falling over in the process, the Brazilian tried claiming a penalty despite there being no contact from Stankovic when he tripped over his own feet.

Milan looked lively at that time but the first goal on 29 minutes changed everything.

It came from a sweeping team move on the edge of the Milan box as Motta fed Samuel Eto'o, who shifted the ball on to Milito before the Argentine played the ball behind the backline where Motta, who had continued his forward run, unchecked by either Mathieu Flamini or Marek Jankulovski, curled a shot beyond Storari.

Six minutes later and Milan fell to pieces.

From a Milan free-kick Inter broke at pace with Maicon lumping a long ball down the line for Eto'o to chase. The Cameroon forward skinned Gattuso who slung his arm around the Inter man's neck and hauled him down inside the box for a clear professional foul.

Inexplicably the referee only showed Gattuso a yellow card but Milito exacted adequate punishment by smashing his penalty home, straight down the middle.

Captain Gattuso had already signalled to the bench that he wanted to come off before the goal but his attempts to leave the field were hampered as substitute Clarence Seedorf wasn't ready.

Play continued and on 40 minutes Gattuso hacked down Sneijder, earning a second yellow before Seedorf had a chance to enter the fray.

Gattuso was irate and blasted his bench as he trudged off, leaving his team a man down.

To add insult to injury, Maicon scored a third on the stroke of half-time after a one-two with Milito as Flamini once again failed to track a forward run.

Stankovic's howitzer from 25 yards halfway through the second period was the final nail in Milan's coffin but tellingly, the nominal hosts at the San Siro -- a ground the two teams share -- had a hand in their own downfall as Andrea Pirlo failed to close down the Serbian, giving him time and space to pick his spot.

http://www.soccerway.com

Benitez relief as Liverpool scrape past 10-man Bolton

Liverpool´s midfielder Steven Gerrard celebrates after scoring his side´s third goal during the English Premier League football match between Bolton Wanderers and Liverpool at The Reebok stadium, Bolton. Liverpool got their spluttering campaign back on track as Gerrard´s late goal sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory at 10-man Bolton.

BOLTON, England (AFP) - Rafael Benitez breathed a huge sigh of relief after Liverpool dug deep to beat 10-man Bolton 3-2 and get their Premier League season back on track.

Steven Gerrard scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute on Saturday after Glen Johnson, then Fernando Torres had dragged Liverpool to 2-2.

Kevin Davies and Tamir Cohen scored Bolton's goals, the club's first league strikes of the season.

After losing to Tottenham and Aston Villa in their first three matches, Liverpool couldn't afford to drop points at the Reebok Stadium and Benitez insisted the victory proved his team have the ability to challenge for the title.

"We showed that we have quality and when they play at that level, they can beat anyone," Benitez said.

"It was a difficult game, twice we had to come from behind but I think that was very positive. They showed character and they showed quality."

The turning point was referee Alan Wiley's decision to send off Sean Davis for a second yellow card after a 55th-minute foul on Lucas Leiva.

Bolton manager Gary Megson was furious and criticised the Liverpool player for making the most of minimal contact.

"There's not a lot you can do, when you're chasing against someone who's got away and he slows up," Megson said. "We've either got to accept it or we've got to start copying it and getting better at chucking ourselves all over the field.

"You control the ball, you wait for the hit from the back and over you go and the referee gets sucked into giving it. We're not clever like that, we never slow down for the hit and then over we go."

Megson also said he didn't believe referees had a good understanding of gamesmanship tactics.

"Footballers know what's going on," he said. "But the knowledge of what's going on, in my opinion is not there (for referees)."

Unsurprisingly, Benitez said Davis's dismissal was appropriate.

"When is a foul from behind, it was yellow card. For me, it was clear," he said.

Benitez preferred to look at the positives after a rocky start to the season. After Liverpool lost two of their first three games - the same total as all of last season - Benitez had criticised his players' lacklustre form.

But the Spanish coach, bidding to lead Liverpool to their first title since 1990, got the response he wanted.

"It was the perfect response from the players," he said. "All the players wanted to impress, they wanted to do well.

"You could see all the players, from the first minute we play, with a lot of determination to win. It's important to have this mentality."

Benitez hopes the forthcoming international break will sharpen his players' match fitness even further.

"We have to improve in other things but at least we have won and the people will be more calm and we can prepare for the next game a little bit more relaxed," he said.

Megson praised Fabrice Muamba's man marking of Gerrard, but said the sending off changed the England midfielder's influence on the game.

"As soon as Sean got sent off, he (Gerrard) got deeper and deeper and just orchestrated everything from there," he said. "It made life very difficult for us."

http://www.soccerway.com

Spurs sweat over Modric and King injuries

Tottenham Hotspur´s midfielder Aaron Lennon celebrates scoring the late winner during their English Premier League football match against Birmingham City at White Hart Lane. Tottenham´s perfect start to the Premier League season continued on Saturday as Lennon´s stoppage time strike secured a 2-1 win over Birmingham at White Hart Lane.

LONDON (AFP) - Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp is sweating over injuries to key stars Luka Modric and Ledley King after his side extended their perfect start with a 2-1 win over Birmingham.

Redknapp is already without Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Dawson, Heurelho Gomes and Jermaine Jenas due to injuries, and now defender King and Croatian midfielder Modric could face time in the treatment room.

King suffered a groin strain, while Modric is complaining of a sore calf following a kick to the side of his leg.

That could rule Modric out of the World Cup qualifying encounter against England on September 9, and Redknapp is worried about the impact it may have on him for upcoming games against Manchester United and Chelsea.

"I could be looking to bring someone in before the window shuts because we are short," he said. "Now we don't see the players again for another two weeks because they are on international duty. We just have to keep our fingers crossed that nobody gets injured.

"It's ridiculous that we don't see about ten of them until they come back on the Friday morning before the Manchester United game."

Redknapp did take delight in seeing Peter Crouch score his second goal in a week though. The striker headed home from a Tom Huddlestone cross to put Spurs in the lead, and was impressive throughout after replacing Modric on 49 minutes.

"I thought Peter Crouch made a big difference when he came on," Redknapp added. "He was marvellous and was possibly our best player.

"We should have battered them out of sight, shouldn't we? We were all over them in the first half and should have got the early goal.

"Then we lost Ledley King at half-time with a groin injury and then Luka Modric with a calf problem and we were left short.

"We give away a really silly goal and by the end, after Birmingham got their equaliser, they looked as likely to score as we did."

Birmingham's equalising goal came through Lee Bowyer, following an error that had allowed Christian Benitez to pressurise Alan Hutton and Carlo Cudicini into a muddle.

Lennon's goal five minutes into injury time sealed a win that ensures Tottenham continue a best start to a league campaign for 49 years.

For Birmingham it means they have lost both their away matches so far, and McLeish is also concerned by the lack of squad depth he has at his disposal.

It means he will step up his pursuit of Sporting Gijon midfielder Michel, who had been a target for the majority of the close-season.

"We only named six substitutes and that says a lot about our injury troubles at the moment," McLeish said.

"Liam Ridgewell was supposed to be out for a year but he has made remarkable progress. David Murphy is a month away after a broken knee cap at the end of last season, Marcus Bent has a hamstrong injury and Damian Johnson has a knock.

"I'm now waiting on word from the Spanish side over Michel. We are working hard to get paper work in place. We could do with an extra body, without doubt."

http://www.soccerway.com

Abramovich backs UEFA plan to curb spending

After Liverpool's poor start to the season Rafael Benitez has been slashed to be the next Premiership manager to leave his job. See all the 'Sack Race' best odds here

Chelsea, one of the biggest spending clubs of recent years, are backing a proposal that would limit the amount clubs can spend.

The Uefa president, Michel Platini, is intent on ensuring that, by 2012, Champions League entrants will be obliged to balance their books.

Roman Abramovich, the club's owner, will be accused of trying to undermine rivals Manchester City, who have inherited Chelsea's mantle as the Premiership's big spenders. City's outlay in this transfer window alone has amounted to £120m.

"It's mainly the owners that asked us to do something: Roman Abramovich, [Milan's] Silvio Berlusconi, [Internazionale's] Massimo Moratti," Platini said. "They do not want to fork out any more.

"Manchester City can spend £300m if they want to but if they are not breaking even in three years then they cannot play in European competition. I haven't spoken to Manchester City about this and I don't remember meeting their owner [Sheikh Mansour], but I'm sure I will. Roman Abramovich is a football person and passionate about the game. He loves football. He has come to me and said that we must do something about this."

Abramovich embarked on a huge spree after his takeover of Chelsea in 2003. It has been sustained and a loss of £67.5m in the most recent accounts took the overall outlay to almost £700m.

The Chelsea chief executive, Peter Kenyon, broadly welcomed Platini's stance but added: "The real work is in the detail and those discussions will continue in earnest over the next 12 months. I don't think anyone could disagree with the broad principle."

Uefa has to consider seveal factors. It would not, for instance, oppose clubs which spent money to construct a new stadium, as Arsenal have done in going in the region of £400m in debt while building the Emirates.

Sugar daddy unhealthy
The Uefa initiative is under the aegis of its deputy general secretary, Gianni Infantino.

"If you have a sugar daddy it is unhealthy," he said. "The club has to stay on its own legs and generate its own revenue.

"For the club to be healthy it has to live on its own means and generate income and this is not impossible.

"Clubs have generated revenues by investing in stadiums otherwise it is an artificial bubble which inflates the system and is unhealthy and unsustainable."

Uefa is aware that, unless there is some flexibility in its plans, it could mean small clubs stagnate at their existing levels. In effect, Uefa would be in danger of ensuring that the current hierarchy could never come under threat.

Platini said that Uefa had to act when the current financial problems were being felt across the continent.

"We are not trying to put down Chelsea, Real Madrid or Manchester United," he said. "It's for all clubs.

"We have everyone on board with this, the owners, the players, the leagues, the national associations.

"If a club can get loans from a bank to buy players and is able to pay back bank loans then it is not a problem. But if a club gets a lot of money or subsidies from a big backer and is still in deficit in two years then it is a problem and we don't want that."

Platini added that an independent panel would be set up to judge whether clubs had broken the rules.

"The panel will refer any matter to the disciplinary committee and sanctions will be taken from a reminder to a fine to expulsion from the Champions League," he said.

http://www.worldsoccer.com

Europa League draw

It's the Champions League group-stage draw today. See all the 2009/10 prices here.

The draw for the group stage of the inaugural Europa League has taken place in Monaco.

Previously called the UEFA Cup, for the 2009-10 football season is now known as the Europa League following a change in format.

The first round of matches will be played on Thursday, 17th September, with the top two teams from each group progressing to the last 32, where they will be joined by the eight third-placed teams from the Champions League group phase.

Draw
Group A
Ajax
Anderlecht
Dinamo Zagreb
Politehnica Timisoara

Group B
Valencia
Lille
Slavia Prague
Genoa

Group C
Hamburg
Celtic
Hapoel Tel-Aviv
Rapid Vienna

Group D
Sporting
Heerenveen
Hertha Berlin
FK Ventspils

Group E
Roma
Basle
Fulham
CSKA Sofia

Group F
Panathinaikos
Galatasaray
Dinamo Bucuresti
SK Sturm Graz

Group G
Villarreal
Lazio
Levski Sofia
SV Red Bull Salzbug

Group H
Steaua Bucuresti
Fenerbahce
FC Twente
FC Sheriff

Group I
Benfica
Everton
AEK Athens
BATE

Group J
Shakhtar Donetsk
Club Brugge
Partizan Belgrade
Toulouse

Group K
PSV
FC Copenhagen
Sparta Prague
CFR Cluj-Napoca

Group L
Werder Bremen
FK Austria Vienna
Athletic Bilbao
Nacional

http://www.worldsoccer.com

Eduardo charged with diving

How has the Champions League group draw affected the outright betting? See all the latest here.

UEFA have charged Arsenal striker Eduardo with diving after the Croat sriker was awarded a penalty against Celtic in their midweek Champions League play-off clash at the Emirates.

The forward could now be handed a UEFA two-match suspension that will rule him out of the Gunners' first two Champions League group games.

Following complaints by Celtic and Scottish football bosses UEFA decided to examine video evidence of the incident, which saw Eduardo falling theatrically to the ground despite no evidence of contact being made with Celtic 'keeper Artur Boruc.

A statement on Friday said: "Having studied video evidence of the incident in question, the UEFA disciplinary inspector decided to charge the player concerned. The UEFA control and disciplinary body will examine the case on September 1."

It means Eduardo could now be sanctioned in accordance with Article 10, paragraph 1c of the UEFA disciplinary regulations (misconduct of players) which states: "Players may be suspended for two competition matches, or for a specified period, for acting with the obvious intent to cause any match official to make an incorrect decision or supporting his error of judgment and thereby causing him to make an incorrect decision."

If banned he would miss Arsenal's away trip to Standard Liege on September 16 and the home match with Olympiakos on September 29.

UEFA's decision drew a furious response from Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who accused the governing body of conducting a witch-hunt against his player.

"I find it a complete disgrace and unacceptable. We won't accept the way we have been treated in this case for two reasons," Wenger said.

"I believe that you can debate whether it was a penalty or not. For me it's a witch-hunt that we see and not an objective judgement of a case.

"This charge implies there was intent and a desire to cheat the referee. Having watched the pictures again there was nothing conclusive.

"It singles out a player in Europe to be a cheat and that is not acceptable. UEFA has taken action that is not defendable."

UEFA chief Michel Platini said Thursday he was considering introducing an extra referee to deal with the problem of diving.

"I have been battling for ten years to put in place more referees rather than add procedures following a mistake after it has been seen on the television," the former France star said.

"We have had years of cheating as the referee sees nothing - with an extra referee you would see better what is going on."

http://www.worldsoccer.com

Chelsea to release Shevchenko

Burnley have won their last 2 Premiership games but can the Clarets pull off a huge upset at Chelsea on Saturday? Simon Hopper gives you his tips.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has given the go-ahead for striker Andriy Shevchenko to leave the club.

The Ukrainian forward was signed for £30million from Milan in 2006, but has failed to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since the move.

Ancelotti decided to take the 32-year-old back to the San Siro on loan last season, but Shevchenko failed to recapture his form and returned to Chelsea over the summer.

"I spoke with Shevchenko and he said he would like to play with continuity," confirmed Ancelotti.

"Here for me it is difficult to give him the opportunity to play a lot of matches and I think he will take the right decision for him. He will take his decision, it is not our problem, and he will choose the team that is right for him.

"I spoke with him and he takes this decision. I have time to choose the squad in the Champions League, the only thing is Shevchenko didn't have the possibility to play with continuity, he took the decision only for this."

Shevchenko has been strongly linked with a move back to old club Dynamo Kiev, where he started his career.

http://www.worldsoccer.com

Inamoto hopes for another World Cup chance

Veteran Japanese midfielder Junichi Inamoto is hoping that his move to French First Division side Rennes will boost his chances of playing in a third World Cup finals next year.

The 29-year-old - capped 71 times and scorer of four goals - was an iconic presence, aided by his dyed blond hair, when Japan co-hosted the 2002 World Cup finals with South Korea which saw the Japanese go out in the second round.

However, since then Inamoto - part of the Japanese squad that won the 2000 Asian Cup in Lebanon - has, like many of his compatriots who have tried to make a career in European club football, earned the moniker of ‘much travelled’ with Rennes being his seventh club since he signed for Arsenal in 2001.

However, Inamoto is insistent that being reunited with one of his former bosses, the fiery Frederic Antonetti, who coached him at J-League club Gamba Osaka, will get him to settle at last.

“Up till now I have not stayed longer than two years at any one club in Europe,” said Inamoto, who scored two of his four international goals in the 2002 World Cup.

“But that is not very important for me, nor that I am the Japanese player to have played abroad the longest.

“What is important, is that I have been able to acquire an enormous amount of experience and if that can be put to good use at Rennes, that would be ideal.

“If I can contribute in steering them into the European Cup that would be my first target this season.

“Of course I have a burning ambition to play in the World Cup and in that sense playing in a top championship will make it easier for me to be selected.

“And if that is the case then I want to play well in the World Cup.”

Inamoto, who just appeared in the League Cup for Arsenal before moving on to Fulham and has also seen service with Turkish giants Galatasaray, West Brom, Cardiff and German team Eintracht Frankfurt, said that Antonetti being coach of Rennes had helped him make his mind up.

“I was delighted the club were interested in me and came in for me when my contract with Eintracht was finished,” said Inamoto, who has not scored in 26 games for the national side since a 2003 friendly with Uruguay.

“And then I know the coach with whom I worked with 10 years ago.

“When he got angry he would always express himself in French, but it is 10 years since I have not heard his voice and it gives me great pleasure to hear it once more.

“Rennes is a good club, with a nice atmosphere, so all that motivated me to come here.”

Inamoto conceded that he had a habit of playing under French coaches having been with Arsene Wenger at Arsenal and Philippe ‘the white witch doctor’ Troussier for the national side in the 2000 Asian Cup and the 2002 World Cup.

“It is true that there have been a lot of French coaches who have appreciated my style of play,” said Inamoto.

“Now I must show in France that these coaches were right and I am really happy to be able to play there.

“When I came to Arsenal, everyone said that I was going to help sell a lot of shirts. But in reality there were no sales in Japan, therefore I don’t think that my presence here is going to help increase sales of Rennes shirts,” he added laughing.

http://www.soccernews.com

Fergie prefers Arsenal to Chelsea

According to the Daily Mirror, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has said that if United fail to retain the Premier League title, he would prefer Arsenal to win it rather than Chelsea.

When you think back to some of the battles United and Arsenal have had isn’t it amazing that Fergie has found a club to hate more than he hates them?

The rivalry between Fergie and Arsene Wenger was built up to the extreme by the media and culminated in the infamous pizza throwing incident at Old Trafford. Since then I think there has been a thawing in the frosty relations between them.

Could it be that they have reached the stage where they actually respect each other?

(Source - Daily Mirror)

http://www.soccernews.com

Why do so many people hate Manchester United?

Let’s get one thing straight right away. I am not a Manchester United fan. Many people have accused me of being so when I write praise about their side, but I am not, definitely not, a fan. OK?

Recently I wrote an article in which I selected my Premier League team of the year. In the team I put in a few United players. That caused outrage amongst the various people who commented on the article. ‘Typical Manchester United fan’ they said. Well I hope I’ve answered that one. ‘Typical idiot who only sees the top four clubs,‘ said another. Well, if you’re picking the team of the year aren’t a majority of them likely to come from the four most successful teams?

Actually, as a NEUTRAL I have spotted that Manchester United have more points than anyone else, have scored more goals than anyone else and have conceded less goals than anyone else. I would say that there is an arguable case for United to supply all eleven players for the team!

I didn’t do that though, I looked at the situation without bias and with total objectivity. That, of course, is where I went badly wrong. You cannot be objective about football at all, and don’t ever try to be objective about Manchester United.

So why do Manchester United cause so much discussion? Why are they so loved by millions of people all around the world and so hated by many more? There is a great old joke that says that the only three teams in England with a swear word in their name are ARSEnal, S****horpe and F****ng Manchester United.

Clearly I understand why Liverpool fans and Everton fans and Manchester City fans might hate them. It is only right that you hate your local neighbours. I have an irrational hatred of Luton simply because it is located twenty miles up the M1 from my beloved Watford.

I suppose I can understand why Chelsea and Arsenal fans might hate them because they are in direct competition with them to win the only two major competitions.

Apart from that though, why do the club provoke such extreme emotions in people?

Many people hate their fans. They are portrayed as arrogant and conceited. With due respect to everyone, it is difficult for me to be arrogant and conceited as a Watford fan, but if we became the most successful club in England I might not be able to avoid it. Are Liverpool fans not just a wee bit arrogant and conceited about their historical dominance of England and historical and recent successes in Europe?

Many people hate Sir Alex Ferguson. I’m the first to admit that he doesn’t always come over as being a likeable, jolly fellow. I get as upset with his constant harassing of referees, looking at his watch and gruff manner as anyone else.

Despite having no particular liking for the public character of Sir Alex, I have absolute respect and admiration for him. I don’t really see how it is possible not to, however grudgingly. The thirty-seven trophies he has won over the past thirty years, together with the twenty-one manager of the month awards, seven manager of the year awards and three World Soccer manager of the year awards, tend to make it hard to dismiss his ability.

So is it the players? Well, most people seem to have total admiration for Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. They have had fabulous careers and even the most fervent hater of Manchester United must recognise the contribution they have made to the game.

What players cause the controversy? Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo and Rio Ferdinand seem to be the most despised and of course, by many, the most loved. As an England fan I believe that Rio is one of the best defenders in the world and Wayne Rooney is one of only very few players we have that can win a match with a piece of brilliance. As a football fan, forget the whinging and the diving, watching Ronaldo this season has been a joy.

A look at the club’s history produces past greats like Dennis Law, Bobby Charlton and George Best. It shows them to be the first English team to win the European Cup, and for an England fan, again, on the day we won the world cup there was Nobby Stiles and Bobby Charlton from United right there in the hub of the team.

There was the Munich tragedy of 1958 which was a terrible tragedy to anyone who is not emotionally challenged. They could easily have won that European Cup years before they eventually did.

I’m still no closer to establishing the reasons for this irrational hatred of Manchester United found all over the country. One of the main things that is constantly brought up is that United fans don’t come from Manchester and that all people from that area support City. Of course, that is a myth. They do have many thousands of fans from outside Manchester but a majority of their match attending supporters come from the Manchester area. Everton fans accuse Liverpool of not having any fans from the City. Of course, this is another myth.

I went to school in Watford back in the sixties and seventies. A lot of my mates and I supported Watford but there were many others who supported Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and United. If young people don’t support their local team they are quite likely to pick a team that is successful. Like it or not, over recent years that is quite likely to be United.

People say that most United supporters have never been to a game. Probably true, they have millions of fans worldwide and the ground only holds 77,000 or so. That doesn’t mean that there is very often a spare seat at Old Trafford though!

I’m a Watford fan. I am not a United fan, I have no feelings for them either way. It is just that as a football fan I enjoy watching their team play and admire their record. Why do so many people have such a problem with them? It isn’t jealousy is it?

Graham Fisher writes at Views of a fan.

http://www.soccernews.com

Stuttgart give up on Huntelaar

Despite reports in Spanish media on Wednesday, Real Madrid’s Klaas Jan Huntelaar and VfB Stuttgart failed to reach an agreement and a transfer can now be ruled out.

Sportspaper Marca had reported that Huntelaar agreed terms with the German side, but soon after, Stuttgart confirmed the opposite.

“We wanted to sign Huntelaar because his style would fit into our team. But we aren’t ready to be kept waiting like this,” Stuttgart manager Horst Heldt said.

The main candidates to sign the Dutchman now appear to be Tottenham Hotspur and, to a lesser extend, Arsenal. Spurs manager Harry Redknapp reportedly wants to sign the player, and the chance of this happening seems to have increased after the failed negotiations with Stuttgart.

http://www.soccernews.com

AC Milan is a ‘special place’ for Huntelaar

New AC Milan signing Klaas Jan Huntelaar has admitted that his new club is a ‘special place’ for the Dutch.

Huntelaar completed a £12.5million move from Real Madrid to AC Milan on Thursday.

“Milan is a very special place for the Dutch. Van Basten was my Coach at Ajax as well as for Holland and I know him very well,” the 26-year-old told Milan Channel.

“I am relaxed and truly happy to be here. I know that the football and the training methods are different in Italy, but I am ready, I’m eager to get started and begin this adventure.”

http://www.soccernews.com

Romanian President on Moldova's National Day: Thank you for keeping Romanian language alive

Romanian President Traian Basescu addressed Republic of Moldova citizens a message on Thursday to mark Moldova's Independence Day and the Romanian Language Day: "I'd like to thank you as the Romanian Language remains alive in the Republic of Moldova through you and your children", he said.

He said he thanked all those who identify themselves with the values of the Romanian people, European values and with the hope of a better future by speaking the Romanian language.

A presidential press release continues by saying that the Republic of Moldova faces a milestone in its history, as it was the moment the Moldovan citizens chose that the future of the Republic of Moldova was that of a modern, democratic state.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Romanian wins Christiaan Huygens 2009 prize for best PhD thesis in Netherlands

Raluca Marin-Perianu is the winner of the Christiaan Huygens 2009 award for best scientific PhD thesis. The thesis, titled "Wireless Sensor Networks in Motion", was presented as bringing a significant contribution to the development of telecom and information technologies.

Raluca Marin-Perianu will receive the 10,000 euro award from the Dutch Education minister during a ceremony due to take place on october 7, 2009.

The event is sponsored by IBM, the European Space Agency, De Nederlandsche Bank, ING, the Utrecht University and TNO.

Raluca Marin-Perianu graduated the computers faculty at the Bucharest Politechnica University and continued her studies at the Twente University in Netherlands.

http://english.hotnews.ro

George Enescu festival draws over 300 international participants

Over 300 participants from more than 30 countries convene in Bucharest for the period of August 30-September 6 to attend the 12th edition of the George Enescu international music competition.

The jury of each section of the contest (piano, violin, composition), is formed of music personalities in Romania and abroad. The Gala concert will take place at the Romanian Athenaeum in Bucharest on September 6 and will be broadcast by Mezzo Television.

The competition has played a key role to launch and promote young artists

http://english.hotnews.ro

Turkey to remove visas for Romanian citizens

Turkey will remove visas for Romanian citizens, Romanian Foreign minister Cristian Diaconescu told news agency Mediafax on Thursday. The political decision has already been adopted and would be made official by a Turkish governmental act in the upcoming period.

The Turkish governmental document will mention when the measure to remove visas will aply, the minister said.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Coca-Cola closes Iasi factory, moves it to Republic of Moldova

Coca-Cola HBC will close its factory in the Eastern Romanian city of Iasi and move production to the Republic of Moldova following a consolidation of its bottling operations, a company press release says. All production activities at the mineral water bottling facility in Floreni, Romania, will also be transfered to the factory in Poiana Negri.

Mugurel Radulescu, PR manager at Coca-Cola HBC, told HotNews.ro on Thursday that the Floreni factory will be kept for use in case of peak demand.

Sales, financial, marketing and human resources operations will continue activity in Iasi.

Coca-Cola HBC thus consolidates its bottling operations in Romania in Ploiesti, Timisoara and Poiana Negri.

The 75 employees affected by the moves will be offered vacant positions available within the company.

http://english.hotnews.ro

What the newspapers say: August 28, 2009

Authorities in Bucharest claim to have invested 270.000.000 euros in rehabilitating schools that will not be able to function this year. Elsewhere in the news, the President's brother regrets having involved his sibling in the arms trade scandal. Last but not least, the Romanian Government renounces the anti-fraud software for presidential elections in November, due to lack of money and time.

Authorities in Bucharest claim to have invested 270.000.000 euros in rehabilitating schools that will not be able to function this year either, Evenimentul Zilei reads. Thousands of pupils will return to school-building sites on September 14. Exoneration works have been stagnating for several years for unexplained reasons. The worst situation is recorded in the Capital: after six years of works, only nine out of 102 schools will open this September. The rehabilitation of these 102 education institutions is part of a project financed by the European Investment Bank.

According to authorities, 270.000.000 euros have been invested so far in rehabilitating schools. Out if the sum, 3 million euros went into the pockets of a consultant that should have seen the building works completed by now. As before, the pupils will migrate between several schools during the coming academic year.

Many schools in Romania, especially in the country side, do not meet sanitation regulations imposed by law. In Alba county (Central-West Romania), over half of the 658 schools do not meet the health conditions. The problem is mirrored in Timis (West), Hunedoara (Central-West), Olt (South), Iasi (East) and the list could go own. The main problems are the toilets and the lack of running water. The pupils risk hepatitis, diarrhoea, lice and scabies. In some counties, local authorities do not even know how many schools will be able to receive their students in two weeks.

In an exclusive interview for Gandul, the President's brother regrets having involved his sibling in the arms trade scandal. Mircea Basescu considers that there is no relationship between Desintco and Romagro, in their arms trade. Despite the fact he previously said he was only acquainted with one Desintco shareholder, he now confessed to knowing three, one of them Mr. Geamanu, whom he claims to have known for 1 year.

But Mr. Geamanu said they've known each other for 23 years. Mircea Basescu said he was invited by Geamanu and Romeo Oita to join Exhibition Aircraft, Defence & Security SRL (EADS) and says he was not informed by the company's change in name, now Defence, Security and Intelligence Co – Desintco SRL, until August 21.

Mircea Basescu said that he seized a legal business opportunity, but Aurel Cazacu actually hoped for his surname to attract foreign investors. "We're in crisis. I would use anyone to be introduced to someone", Cazacu said. Mircea Basescu said that he was not aware that the company's profile could hurt his brother's image, since it was only organising events. But he regretted having joined Cazacu, Geamanu and Oita in business, which he now suspects for ulterior reasons of inviting him in the company.

The Romagro business implies international illegal ammunition and explosive traffic and Mircea Basescu is allegedly involved. It surfaced immediately after Desintco. Mircea Basescu thinks that the two scandals are not related. He distanced himself from Romagro, denying his company unloaded containers with arms and ammunition".

The Romanian Government renounces the anti-fraud software for presidential elections in November, due to lack of money and time, Romania Libera reads. One month ago, the Romanian PM Emil Boc saw the electronic vote and the anti-fraud software as a brilliant idea to save the elections fro electoral tourism. Now he considers there is no need, should all the necessary steps be taken to combat fraud.

Lib-dem executive secretary Mircea Toader said the system was dropped for fear it might encounter errors and people would accuse fraud. PSD deputy Valeriu Zgoneas said the electronic vote wouldn't have been effective because middle-aged and older people, especially from the country-side, cannot use the computer.

On the other hand, the Permanent Electoral Authority is attempting to buy software for archiving the elections' results. According to the law, the fraud can be identified and named within six months from the election day. The Boc Cabinet announced that the presidential elections are scheduled on November 22nd.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Romania's Government plans to get 1 billion euros by selling the land serving nationalised houses

The Government prepared a project that will secure 4 billion lei – approximately one billion euros: property owners, who have bought nationalised houses, using the law 112/1995, will now have to buy the plots of land as well, since the land is currently owned by local councils, Romanian press agency Mediafax informs.

"The tenants, who have bought or are buying the flat’s ownership, will buy from local administration authorities the land serving the flat. Where the property is made up by several flats, the common space serving them will also have to be bought", the project shows. The document also indicates that the inheritors or other buyers will obey the tenants' duties.

The price for the land will be considered according to current market prices, based on an evaluation report. The evaluation will be carried out by specialists hired by the ones selling the land: the local councils and the General Council of Bucharest County. The lands that are currently involved in administrative or judicial claims will not be sold.

One billion euros

"In the current crises, selling these lands represents an income which could balance the local administrations' budgets. The procedure has been debated at a political level and it has been decided that it would be introduced in the anti-crisis programme, to increase the budget incomes", sources from one minister declared.

The Government estimates that the finding will bring four billion lei (approximately 1 billion euros) to local budgets, out of which 3 billion lei already in 2010.

Right or duty?

National Authority for Property Return (ANRP) representatives said that the project has not been yet sent to them for further analysis and observations. But they underline that the text indicated that the "owners are complied" to buy the land. They also said that a contract between a buyer and a seller is sealed with both sided consenting to it, except when the law says otherwise.

They have explained that they cannot say whether the law draft is meant to give the owners the right to buy the land or forces them to do so, because they do not know the reasons behind the project.

The law 112/1995 allowed ex-owners to receive through retrocession the properties that have been nationalised by the state after March 6, 1945. The properties that have not been given back in nature to their previous owners were bought by tenants. But the land serving the properties are still owned by local councils, despite the fact that the home-owners are allowed to use it.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Dinamo: historic qualification takes the fans in the streets. Slovan - Dinamo 0-3, 8-9 after penalties

A dramatic match took place in Liberec (the Czech Republic), where Romanian team Dinamo won its dignity and scored more than goals: the team gave the football club an image they have never had since the Revolution in 1989. Dinamo scored three goals on foreign grass, pushing the games into the penalties, where the Romanians won after the goalkeeper Florin Matache defended the decisive strike.

Andrei Cristea marked Dinamo's forst recovery sign, then Marus Niculae mirrored him and Dinamo's fans started to dream. Dinamo culd have won in the first 90 minutes, but Zicu, Bostina, Torje and Adrian Cristea missed the fourth goal. Physically drained, Bonetti's players fought heroic in the minutes to come and the goalkeeper worked wonders in front of the unleashed Czechs. Used towards the end of the game, Papousek was blowing cold wind in the necks of the Romanian players, managing to threaten Matache's gate several times.

The Czech fans wore sad faces after 120 minutes. Niculae stroke and scored first, but the Czechs scored back. It went in a limbo until 8-8, when junior Molinera stroke a lucky goal, and Liska saw the faith of his strike kept in the arms of the same Matache. Dario Bonetti's students win gloriously!

Several hundreds Dinamo supporters ended up on the stadium after the match, where they were peacefully celebrating. This is a premiere in Dinamo's recent history, after Steaua and Rapid managed to take happy fans in the streets.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Deputy proposes fines or jail for electoral lies

Politicians who make promises during the electoral campaign but fail short to live up to them should be either fined or jailed, lib-dem deputy Mircea Giurgiu believes. He intends to submit a law draft to be introduced in the Penal Code in this sense in the beginning of the parliamentary session, according to news agency Mediafax.

The deputy considers this measure to be necessary, in the context where, in every electoral campaign, "a politician may promise anything in order to be elected, without respecting his promises later. There will be a new article introduced in the Penal Code, addressing the lies from the electoral campaign that mislead a person on the occasion of elections who would not have elected a certain candidate in the absence of this error. The punishment is prison from six months to four years or a fine between 1,000 to 5,000 lei.

Mircea Giurgiu said that a politician subject to such a conviction would not be allowed to run for another mandate. "My belief is that, 20 years after the Revolution, politicians should be responsible for what they declare. We need to take the matter further by incriminating any form of lie, including the electoral lie", Mircea Giurgiu concluded.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Madonna says she felt compelled to talk about the Roma discrimination in Romania

During her concert in Bucharest, Madonna attracted negative reactions from the spectators after she talked about the discrimination n Romania. "Madonna toured accompanied by a spectacular band of Roma musicians, who made her aware of the discrimination they have to face in certain countries", the artist's publicist Liz Rosenberg explains, quoted by the bbc.co.uk.

"It has been brought to my attention, that there is a lot of discrimination against Romanies and Gypsies in general in Eastern Europe - it made me feel very sad. We don't believe in discrimination, we believe in freedom and equal rights for everyone", Madonna declared during her concert from Izvor Park.

Liz Rosenberg claims the artist made the statements after learning about the prejudices the Roma have to deal with in East Europe. Madonna also told her publicist there were both jeers and cheers coming from the 60.000 spectators present at her concert.

"Madonna has been touring with a phenomenal troupe of Roma musicians who made her aware of the discrimination toward them in several countries so she felt compelled to make a brief statement," Liz Rosenberg says.

Romania hosts the largest Roma minority in Eastern Europe. About half of the 12 million Romas from Europe claim they have been victims of discrimination within the last 12 months, according to a EU Fundamental Rights Agency report.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Romanian Finance minister: We will find a legal way for the unpaid 10 days holiday

Romanian Finance minister Gheorghe Pogea declared on Friday that the Government will find one legal way or another to send the state-paid employees into a 10 days unpaid holiday, Romanian press agency NewsIn informs. "Let them sue us, the unions can do it, but we will find a legal way to have the state employees taking a holiday. We will respect the law", Pogea said after discussions with union reps.

He added that the main credit providers will be flexible in their discussions with government and staff representatives. He also said the government does not wish to "disturb" the employees working for the state.

SedLex union president Vasile Marica declared after the talks with the Finance Ministry that the unions are seriously considering taking the unions into court to get the annulment of the measure meant to force employees into an unpaid time off. "We do not agree with the 10 unpaid free days. We need to find the way to a compromise", Marica declared. He noted that the budget rectification is relying too much on the unpopular measure.

The Executive is planning to assume responsibility for a law project according to which credit providers can decide whether employees will have to take the 10-days unpaid holiday during September-November. The measure is meant to save he budget 1.5 billion lei, according to the Finance Ministry's estimates.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Republic of Moldova: The anti-communist opposition favours a partnership with Moscow and opposes joining NATO

The four anti-communist opposition parties from the Republic of Moldova that won the early parliamentary elections oppose the country joining NATO and pronounce themselves in favour of a partnership with Moscow, Marian Lupu, ex-Communist Party member who joined the Demmocratic Party right before the elections, declared quoted by AFP.

"Regarding relationships with the Occident, the four parties are in favour of Moldova's neutrality", and keeping the country outside any alliance Lupu declared for Kommersant. "The issue of not joining NATO was backed by all our partners. We easily reached a consensus in this matter", he went on.

"Developing a dialogue with Moscow is our first priority and it represents our national interest", the democratic leader believes. He noted that in this way, a solution could be found regarding the Transnistrian conflict.

The Democratic Party, the Liberal-Democratic Party, the Liberal Party and Moldova Noastra Alliance, owning 52 of the 101 parliamentary seats, formed a governing coalition in the beginning of August, called "The Alliance for European integration".

Despite the coalition being able to form the Government, it does not have enough deputies to elect the country's new president without the support of the communists. If none of he candidates meets 61 votes, the Parliament risks being dissolved.

The Parliament of the Republic of Moldova met on Friday for its first session, with a fair chance to elect its speaker. The opposition candidate for the role is Mihai Ghimpu.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Republic of Moldova: Liberal Mihai Ghimpu was elected the Parliament's speaker

The leader of the Moldavian Liberal Party (PL) Mihai Ghimpu was elected speaker of Moldova's Parliament, meeting 53 votes from the deputies of the Alliance for European Integration. Nobody voted against him. The Communists boycotted the voting.

Mihai Ghimpu: A hard life is only where here's communism, dictatorship. A good life is where there's democracy and I hope that we, the Alliance members, will built what the citizens of the Republic of Moldova have been waiting for years.

The session's president Ion Hadarca: We demonstrated courage with this election. We proved responsibility during crisis. We showed that the Alliance is united and we hope that no one will ever doubt the legality of this decision.

Hadarca congratulated Ghimpu and thanked the deputies for their choice. The previous dean of the Parliament, communist Ivan Calin, left the session together with his friends in an ironic mood: he offered Hadarca the chance to lead the session.

Vlad Filat: It is important that the communist party legally transfers the power, the way we received it in 2001.

Dorin Chirtoaca: One of our priorities is getting rid of the difficult totalitarian inheritance and implementing a rightful democratic state. The change in forces in the Parliament demonstrates that the heavy communist governance is over. From this moment on, we consider that president Voronin's mandate is finished.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Hungarian Party leader: Changing government after elections would be beneficial. We want to be part of the new government

The president of the Hungarian Democratic Union from Romania (UDMR) Marko Bela declared on Friday in Targul Mures (North) that it was absolutely necessary for the Government's composition to change, but only after the presidential elections to take place in November this year. He sees UDMR as part of the new Cabinet.

"I believe it would hypocritical to state that we are not interested in being part of the Government. (...) At the same time, we have very serious requests. I would first recommend everyone thinking of a new governance to give it a thought after the presidential elections. These are tactic considerations. But honestly, after the presidential vote, it would be beneficial for everyone if the government changed", Marko Bela declared.

UDMR's requests for joining a new government:

• an appropriate representation that could secure the necessary links for UDMR to implement their programme;

• a majority in the Parliament for the future Cabinet.

In regards to supporting a motion initiated by the liberals (PNL), Marko Bela indicated that UDMR will not make any move until the Hungarian party from Romania will not see projects for their requests.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Tourism minister: In Romanian tourism, everybody commits fiscal fraud

The new Tourism law will entail regulations meant to reduce fiscal fraud, Romanian Tourism minister Elena Udrea said. She believes that "Everyone or almost everyone commits fiscal fraud" in the Romanian tourism business. She says it's the same from pensions to big hotels: because they "never declare how many tourists they lodge".

• One regulation featured in the new law for Tourism addresses the minimum tax, and it is likely to affect only pensions and restaurants. We hope that this measure, alongside other approaches we have taken - like introducing holiday tickets - would bring to light the dark regions of Romania's tourism, namely the areas evading tax. After showing all summer long on TV how crowded our beaches are, we hear that there have only been a few, that clients were scarce", Elena Udrea said.

• The Tourism minister notes that the new law plans a system of centralising data that hotel owners or administrators will need to supply to the minister faster than they're currently required. For example, the number of tourists may have to be reported weekly. "We're trying to put a great pressure on lodgers, to force them into legality", she added.

• According to Elena Udrea, another problem of Romania's tourism relates to the authorisation requirements. The pensions in the country side need to respect the same conditions as a hotel with 100 rooms, according to the law, a detail which the Tourism minister tags as "unfair". Udrea said that the requirements in this case should be very relaxed and implying minimum costs, because "authorising a pension can costs up to 100 million lei. That is a lot for the owners and many of them prefer to function illegally. To expect them to respect the law, one must be reasonable and logical", the Tourism minister said.
  

http://english.hotnews.ro

American Ambassador in Romania, Mark Gitenstein, begins his mandate

The American ambassador in Romania Mark Gitenstein started the fist phase of his mission in Bucharest on Friday. he exchanged letters with the Romanian Foreign Affairs (MAE) chief Cristian Diaconescu. The two met at MAE and said the meeting has a "special character of the bi-lateral relationship", according to a MAE report. Despite previously announcing there will be declarations for the press, there was only a press communiqué. The next step Gitenstein needs to complete is to hand the accreditation letters to Romania's president Traian Basescu.

Mark Gitenstein's discussions with the Romanian minister for Foreign Affairs focused on the bi-lateral relation, on "the excellent level of cooperation between Romania and the US on multiple levels", the report reads.

"The American diplomatic mission chief also underlined the special importance the authorities in Washington give to their relationship with our country, one of US's closest friends and partners in Europe, MAE informs. It also adds the two diplomats discussed regional issues "of common interest for both countries".

Before officially starting his mission in Romania, Mark Gitenstein still needs to hand President Traian Basescu his accreditation letters.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Romanian President: Don't delude yourself with salaries boosted before elections, you lose the money to inflation in the coming months

Romanian President Traian Basescu attended the Romanian Academic Staff Congress on Friday. He told teachers and professors to stop deceiving themselves with salaries increased during election campaigns, because they're always losing the money after the elections, due to inflation. He also appreciated that the decline of the Romanian education system was the result of a "good understanding" between politicians and unions.

Present on Friday at the Academic Staff Congress, President Basescu told professors and teachers that he was not there to promise them better incomes. "I'm here you to show you my respect and to convince you that you need to be part of a efficient education system. You cannot rely solely on the satisfactions negotiated by unions from time to time", Basescu said according to Mediafax press agency.

According to him, the money showers before elections "mean inflation in the months to come, the incomes are the same and the teacher's capacity to buy drops in line with the pre-election excesses. My appeal to you is do not delude yourself", the President added. In his opinion, if the next generations are not going to produce performance, Romania will end up importing everything.

Traian Basescu insisted to give his opinion on the current situation of the education system, saying that it was caused by its centralisation. "I'm going to tell you something you won't like. If there has been a major depreciation of the education system, it is the result of a good understanding between politicians and unions", Basescu told teachers present at the Congress.

He added that it was always the case before the elections that compromises have been made on education quality. According to him, most of these have been made with "temporarily delusions, with a patched up Income Law or Education Law, with gaining short-life satisfactions, downgrading the core of the educational act and the income system".

In October last year, before the parliamentary elections, Traian Basescu passed the law granting a 50% plus to incomes in the academic sector, voted unanimously in the Legislative forum. But the law has not been enforced. The chief of state said in January 2009 that the increasing economic crises questioned whether the income adjustment.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Sources: IMF agrees with the Unique Income Scheme law project, which could suffer "small adjustments"

The Executive presented the final draft of the Unique Income Scheme to IMF and World Bank representatives on Friday. Governmental sources declared for Romanian press agency NewsIn that the IMF representatives accepted the project.

The only subject discussed with the IMF and the World Bank was the Unique Income Scheme. The Fund's representatives accepted the macro-economic predictions implied by the enforcement of the law starting with 2010. We need to make small adjustments to various project features", a participant at the discussion said.

The government meeting did not discuss the project addressing the budget adjustment, which is to be adopted on Saturday, during the Executive's session, according to the cited sources. "The budget rectification will be subject to governmental approval tomorrow, in its version that has already been analysed this week by the ministers, the official stated.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Bucharest magistrates suspend most of the judicial activities starting on Monday. The Unique Income Scheme will cut 60% off their earnings, they claim

Magistrates from Bucharest Tribunal and Court of Appeal will suspend their activity starting on Monday. They will work only on the cases addressing expiring preventive arrest and civil cases involving housing children. Additionally, the judges will refuse to designate electoral offices, and the auxiliary staff will cease any public relation. Magistrates are unhappy about the system proposed by the Unique Income Scheme and claim that their earnings could be cut up to 60% if the new income law is enforced, Romanian press agency Mediafax informs.

Plus, except the dossiers mentioned above, all other cases new court dates will be set in the far future. Requests will continue to be recorded. The magistrates will also consider other forms of protest following future discussions between the Supreme Magistrates Council, judges associations and the Government.

The Judges General Assembly remarked that the new income law breeched Article 1 from Romania's constitution, saying that the tree state powers are equal. Bucharest Tribunal vice-president Laura Andrei opinionated that the unique income scheme is harms the independence of judges. She accuses that nobody asked the magistrates' opinion on the law. The magistrates have not been invited either to take part in the discussions on the law project.

According to the manager of the Court of Appeal in Bucharest on Friday, one expertise shows that the judges' incomes will drop up to 60% should the new salary scheme be enforced.

http://english.hotnews.ro

Mother Teresa Award

Chennai: Vasudha Prakash, founder-director, V-Excel educational trust, has been nominated for the Mother Teresa Award by the U.S.-Asia business forum for the humanitarian and social nature of her work. The award would be conferred upon her at function to be held on September 12 in California, a release said.

http://www.thehindu.com

Canada health care _ a brief history

Until about 50 years ago, the Canadian and U.S. health care systems were fairly similar - part public and part private, for-profit and nonprofit, with large numbers of people uninsured and shouldering their own medical bills.

In Canada, change was driven by Tommy Douglas, Saskatchewan's longtime socialist premier. In the late 1940s he launched a campaign to create what became Canadian Medicare.

He faced stiff opposition from business and doctors' groups. Doctors in Saskatchewan even went on strike for 23 days in 1962 in a failed effort to derail the province's new program of universal medical insurance.

Within a decade, the Saskatchewan model had spread to all of Canada.

Today, Canada's health care system enjoys broad political support, from the left-of-center New Democratic Party founded by Douglas to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservatives, whose political views are closest to U.S. Republicans.

Harper, prime minister since 2006, campaigned on a pledge to reduce waiting times for health care services, but has not launched any major attempt to privatize the system.

As for Douglas, who happens to have been actor Kiefer Sutherland's grandfather, he is considered the "father of Medicare," and in 2004, in a contest run by CBC television, he was chosen as "The Greatest Canadian."

http://www.kansascity.com

ESC: Conference Opens with Big News, Bumper Crop of Abstracts

BARCELONA -- The opening press conference at the 2009 meeting of the European Society of Cardiology highlighted not only a bumper crop of abstracts for presentation this year, but also an overview of preventive cardiology challenges by ESC President Robert Ferrari, MD, PhD, and Fausto Pinto, MD, chair of this year's program committee.

News in brief: BBC, Michael Jackson and traffic jams

BBC ‘must reveal pay’

The BBC will have to publish the salaries of its top talent, according to Ed Richards, the head of the regulator Ofcom. He told the Edinburgh international television festival: “Where the public is paying for something they expect to know where that money is going.”

Bank holiday congestion

Motoring groups warned that routes to the coast were likely to stay busy over a bank holiday weekend forecast to be warm and dry in the southeast. Train companies are operating 3,500 more trains than last year, while car traffic at Dover port is up 16%.

Jackson ‘flashmob’

A “flashmob” of hundreds of people descended on Trafalgar Square, London yesterday to recreate Michael Jackson’s Thriller dance routine on what would have been his 51st birthday. Ilana Lorraine, the organiser, plans further Jackson flashmobs in the capital, including a mass singalong.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk

onstruction of drainage facility begins

SALEM: The Salem Corporation has begun the construction of a new drainage facility on Ariyagoundampatti main road in Old Sooramangalam in the city.

The work has been taken up as the existing drainage channel in the area got damaged and the flow of wastewater remained affected. This had posed a serious threat to the health of residents in a number of colonies in Old Sooramangalam.

People had made repeated representations about the issue. As a result, the civic administration allotted a sum of Rs. 19 lakh for the construction of the drainage channel with a length of 750 metres.

Officials said that the channel would be brought to public use in the second week of July. Meanwhile, residents in Old Sooramangalam have appealed to the Corporation to ensure regular cleaning of the drainage channels.

The sanitary workers from the Corporation and the Bangalore-based private firm Swatchatha Corporation were rarely visiting the inner streets to carry out the cleaning works.

So, an effective system should be evolved to monitor cleaning works, they said.

http://www.thehindu.com

Enrolment for health insurance scheme begins at Pollachi

COIMBATORE: District Collector P. Umanath launched the enrolment of beneficiaries for the State Government’s health insurance scheme at Pollachi on Friday.

A press release from the district administration said the Government had tied up with Star Health Insurance to provide a cover of Rs.1 lakh for a period of four years for the treatment of 51 types of ailments that included heart and kidney disorders.

People with an annual family income of Rs.72,000 could avail themselves of this scheme. The release said 7.8 lakh families in the district would benefit from this scheme.

A press release from the Collectorate said the enrolment of 305 families began at Okkilipalayam Village in the Pollachi sub-division of the district. Of these families, 194 were already under a social security scheme for farmers.

Enrolment camps began at Valparai on Friday.

More camps

The district administration said in an earlier press release that the insurance company would conduct camps at various places in the district to enable people to enrol for the insurance benefit.

At a meeting convened by District Collector P. Umanath on Monday to discuss the implementation of the scheme, it was said that the beneficiaries could enrol at the camps by furnishing identification cards provided to them by the welfare boards (those for farmers or unorganised sector workers) in which they were members.

These people could use the identity cards given by the welfare boards till the insurance firm issued its cards. Those who were not members of any workers’ welfare boards should obtain a salary certificate from the Village Administrative Officer(VAO), furnish their ration cards and submit a filled-in insurance application.

Those who did not possess a ration card would have to produce any other identity proof.

Committees

All the beneficiaries should come to the camps with their family members and get photographed for enrolment. The insurance company had formed 60 committees to carry out the enrolment in the district.

The administration had asked the insurance company to have a number of committees for the enrolment as the district was huge.

The State Government had taken particular care in ensuring that the applications were easy to fill in, a press release issued by the Collectorate said.

Space had been provided in the application itself for a declaration on the salary. The VAO needed to only sign on it.

The Collector told officials that they should be very clear during the camps that the names of children, not mentioned in ration cards, could be included in the insurance scheme after a certification by the Village Administrative Officer or the elected head of local bodies.

The administration had initiated the forming of committees comprising VAOs, Village Assistants and welfare workers in villages to co-ordinate the task of enrolment. Similar committees would be formed in the city corporation limits also.

Special Gram Sabhas would be held on August 30 to discuss the scheme.

Information campaign

The Collector said an intensive information campaign would be carried out in village panchayats, town panchayats, municipalities and corporation areas on the camps to be held in these areas.

Handbills and posters would comprise the other forms of information campaign.

http://www.thehindu.com

Photographing for health insurance

PUDUKOTTAI: Photographing of beneficiaries for issuing smart cards under the ‘Kalaignar Health Insurance Scheme for life-saving treatment’ will commence in Avudaiyarrkovil taluk on Monday.

In a press release issued here on Saturday, Collector A. Suganthi said that all the members of a family would be photographed for extending the benefit to each and every one.

Members of the family who could not be present for photographing would be covered three months later.

The beneficiaries should bring their identity cards issued by either the Landless Agricultural Labourers’ Welfare Board or other Boards. Non-members of any welfare board should submit the annual income certificate not exceeding Rs.72,000; Photostat copy of family card and a certificate of family members issued by the Village Administrative Officer.

The following is the schedule of photographing with dates mentioned within brackets: Meemisal (August 31); Alathur, Velivayal, Thazhanur, Kannakoor (September 1 to 5); All other villages in Meemisal firka (September 2 to 5). Bit-1, Bit-2 Okkur, Alathivayal, Perunthamarai, Sithakkur ( September 4 to 6); Arasur, Chathirapatti, Thunjanur, Sanaanendal (September 7 and 8); All other villages in Embal firka (September 2 to 5). Photographing in the firkas of Ponpethi and Avudaiyarkovil would be taken up at the end of the above schedule, the release added.

http://www.thehindu.com

Utah man feels lucky to have survived bear attack

CARBON COUNTY -- A 78-year-old man was attacked by a bear and saved by his family early Friday morning. The man's daughter jumped on the bear and began beating it with her fists until the animal let go of her father; another family member then shot the bear.

Lou Downard grew up 150 yards from where the bear attack took place. He wanted to show the area to his children and grandchildren, so the entire family went on a Green River rafting trip in Desolation Canyon.
Photo taken of the bear that walked into Lou Downard's family camp. It's believed the same bear attacked Downard early the next morning.

On Thursday, the group noticed an unwelcome visitor: a 300-pound black bear. They fired a warning shot and chased it away. The group went to sleep--some in tents; others, like Lou, on cots outside. The bear returned around 12:30 a.m. Friday.

"It came along, and I was laying on my right side, and it got me there," Lou said. "[I] yelped, ‘Help! The bear's got me!'"

"At that time, I said, ‘Dad, I'm here!' And I just grabbed the bear and started cussing and swinging," said Downard's daughter Becky Harvey. "It had my dad, and I was angry."

Harvey pulled the bear off with the help of Lou's grandson Riley Downard; he shot the bear in the back with the gun he'd taken to bed with him.
If you encounter a bear
• Stand your ground. Never back up, lie down or play dead. Stay calm and give the bear a chance to leave. Prepare to use bear spray or another deterrent.
• Don't run away or climb a tree. Black bears are excellent climbers and can run up to 35 mph—you cannot outclimb or outrun them.
• Know bear behavior. If a bear stands up, grunts, moans or makes other sounds, it's not being aggressive. These are the ways a bear gets a better look or smell and expresses its interest.
If a bear attacks
• Use bear spray. Then leave the area. Studies have shown bear spray to be 92 percent successful in deterring bear attacks.
• Shoot to kill. If you use a firearm, never fire a warning shot—aim for the center of the bear and keep firing until it is dead. Notify the Division of Wildlife Resources immediately.
• Always fight back. And never give up! People have successfully defended themselves with almost anything: rocks, sticks, backpacks, water bottles and even their hands and feet.
-Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
"It was just more adrenaline and response more than anything. The fear was not there," Riley said.

Wildlife officials recovered the bear's body a short ways away.

"The family did everything right," said Mark Hadley, with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. "When a bear is exhibiting that kind of behavior, you have to protect yourself."

Lou was flown to a local hospital with puncture marks and scratches on his torso and arms. He was released later Friday morning.

While wildlife officials aren't sure why the bear chose that particular campsite, Lou believes the bear was simply hungry. Tonight, he can't thank his family enough.

"It's a little sore, but I think I came out of it pretty damn lucky," he said.

The bear's carcass is now at a lab in Nephi, where it will be tested for disease.

The family would like to thank the rafting guides at Colorado River and Trail Expeditions for administering first aid, as well as Red Tail Aviation for flying them out of the canyon.

http://www.ksl.com

Three bombs reported near Hamas security compounds in Gaza

Gaza City - Three successive bombs exploded at midnight just outside the ruling Islamic Hamas movement's security compounds in western Gaza City, witnesses said. Residents of the western part of the city said that a first, huge explosion was heard near what is known as Ansar security compound. No injuries were reported. The second explosion was heard about half an hour later from a bomb that exploded near the Gaza residence of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which has been seized by Hamas militants. Hamas security sources said that a third bomb was discovered near what is known as the department for security and protection near the Gaza City seaside. The bomb was defused by Hamas anti-bomb squads. Following the explosions, Hamas security forces erected checkpoints across Gaza City, stopped cars and prevented journalists from reaching the scene. Police declared western Gaza a closed military zone. There was no immediate comment by Hamas officials of the Interior Ministry, however, dozens of Hamas security men were seen closing streets and stopping and searching cars. No one has claimed responsibility for placing the bombs. Two weeks ago, Hamas security forces killed 24 people, including the political and military leaders of a radical Jihadi Salafi (Sunni Moslems) group called Ansar Jond Allah (Warriors of Gaza) in a mosque in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. The al-Qaeda inspired group has repeatedly threatened on its website to avenge the deaths of its leaders.

source : http://www.earthtimes.org

Govt has no authority to try war criminals: SQ Chy

Outspoken BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury MP Saturday challenged that the present government has no authority to hold trial of the war criminals, but it does have the power to do so, reports UNB.
"I will challenge that this government has no authority to try the war criminals," he emphatically said and also sardonically called into question its source of power.
He told his audience at a BBC Bangladesh Sanglap programme at Bangaban-dhu International Con-ference Centre that the present government got in to power with the blessings of almighty Allah and help from Gen Moeen U Ahmed, the immediate-past army chief, who is seen as the main behind the 1/11 political changeover and subsequent political purge amid a crisis over election issues following the BNP-led alliance rule.
"With the blessings of Allah (Rahmat) and the benediction from Moeen U Ahmed (Barkat) you are in power," he said to dissent from the ruling Awami League''s Mahiuddin Khan Alamgir MP.
AL presidium-member Alamgir, Bangladesh Kalyan Party chairman Maj Gen (Rtd) Syed Muhammad Ibrahim and Barrister Tania Ameer took part in discussion at the dialogue arranged by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
In his skepticism about the last polls, SQ Chowdhury further said that in the history of Bangladesh and the Indian subcontinent no elections in the last 100 years had witnessed 87 percent voter turnout. "But the last election in the country got 87 percent voters'' participation."
He questioned the actual number of voters that cast their votes in the December 29 general election, which brought the AL-led grand alliance to power with over two-thirds majority and reduced the previously ruling party, BNP, to a dwarf opposition.
MK Alamgir crossed swords with SQ Chy on both the counts, saying that the present government has the power and the authority as well to put the war criminals on trial. "The constitution of the country gave us that authority," he said.
But the AL presidium member said that they are very much cautious regarding the trial of the war criminals. "We are very much cordial to bring the original war criminals in the trial process and make the trial process as international-standard one."
SQ Chowdhury retorted: this issue is not just a child''s play--this is a very serious issue.
"I don''t know why this issue was raised suddenly after 35 years," he said on a note of surprise, while government preparation for staging the trial is on.
MK Alamgir replied: the issue of war criminals never stopped in the course of time. "The war criminals of the Second World War are going under the judicial system," he said.
Responding to a question from the audience, the AL leader said that the government has the ability to bring the war criminals to trial and the process has started already. "You will see the results in December," he added.
Responding to a question, the discussants of the BBC Bangladesh Sanglap opined for running the mutiny-ridden BDR with their own cadres to avert such an internecine conflict as is believed to have erupted into the Feb 25-26 bloodletting in which the army officers in the border force''s command were massacred.
"If you want to separate BDR from the army leadership, then you have to make leadership from the BDR. And this is a long process. If the government wants to do so after 10 years, then this process has to start right now," General Ibrahim said.
SQ Chowdhury totally and clearly corroborated this view as he opinioned against the deputation of army officers to the BDR.
He bitterly criticized the role of army in the last two years, when many top politicians, including SQ Chy himself, were thrown behind bars. He said that the army has many major things to do in the country.
"Army has taught politics to the politicians in the last two years. They had been engaged in business, trade, extortion, land and flat buying. At the time when the price of rice went up sharply, army people asked us to eat potato. They had many things to do. I think there is no justification of deploying army officials in the BDR," he said.
About the publishing of the BDR inquiry report, SQ Chowdhury deplored that the reports did not see the daylight and the main culprits were not unmasked as he said "the politicians of the country do not have political honesty".
MK Alamgir said that the deputation of the army officials to the BDR is a temporary solution. This force has to create their own cadre service and the government is heading to that end.
"This force has to be built as a mixed force adopting officers from the army," he said.
About the price hike, the bureaucrat-turned-politician admitted that there are weaknesses in government institutions and the government "failed to provide security in all levels".
SQ Chowdhury observed that extortion is present now and this was during the BNP regime also.
The Kalyan Party chairman, Syed Muhammad Ibrahim, blamed lack of farsightedness of the politicians for the price hike of essential commodities during special times like Ramadan.

source : http://www.newstoday-bd.com

Outlaw killed in Kushtia gunfight

KUSHTIA, Aug 29: A top cadre of the outlawed Gano Bahini was killed in a gunfight between his cohorts and law enforcers at Bamongram under Islami University thana early Saturday, reports UNB.
The deceased was identified as Baul Joardar alias Bablu, 45, also member of Jhawdia union parishad and resident of Baidyanathpur village in sadar upazila of the district.
Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) conducted a drive in the area at about 4:15am when the members of the outlawed Gano Bahini were holding a clandestine meeting.
As the team reached the area, the outlaws opened fire at them, prompting the law enforcers to retaliate.
"Baul was caught in the line of fire and killed on the spot," said a spot account of the incident.
Baul''s associates, however, managed to escape.
Police said Baul was leading Azibor group of the Gano Bahini after its chief Azibor chairman fled to India. He was accused in a dozen of cases, including three of murder.
UNB Jhenidah correspondent adds: A cadre of outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (ML-Janojuddho) was shot and wounded in a gunfight between his accomplices and police at Kushna village in Kotchandpur upazila early Saturday.
Police identified the outlaw as Ashman, 35.
Acting on secret information, a team of Kotchandpur thana police raided a field at the village at about 1:30am when the outlaws were holding a secret meeting.
Sensing the presence of police, the outlaws opened fire at them, prompting the law enforcers to fire back that triggered a gunfight.
Ashman received bullet injuries in his knee and hand during the gunfight. Later, police arrested him and admitted him to Sadar Hospital.
Ashman''s accomplices, however, managed to flee the scene.
Police recovered a shutter gun and two rounds of bullet from the spot.