PRAVDA - Why do Russian generals criticize Russian arms? Nov 18, 2011

"Russian top defense officials say it again: Russian arms are worse than their Western analogues. The latest statement on the subject was made by Nikolai Makarov, the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia. Russian defense officials have already expressed their concerns about the quality of Kalashnikov assault rifles, SVD sniper rifles and T-90 tanks. This time, Mr. Makarov criticized Smerch (Tornado) multiple rocket launchers.
Russia's T-90 tank lags far behind Israel's Merkava-MK4, whereas Smerch is much worse than USA's HIMARS, the general said. Makarov claimed that the firing range of the Merkava-4 tank is 6 kilometers vs. 2.5 kilometers of the T-90. In its turn, Smerch systems are capable of striking targets in the radius of 70 kilometers. This makes the Russian multiple rocket launcher inferior to USA's HIMARS, which is supposedly capable of destroying enemy's forces at a distance of up to 150 kilometers."

INDIA Today - Economic woes to take centre stage at Asean summit, Nov 18, 2011

"On the margins of the Asean and East Asian Summit in Bali, Indonesia, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is readying to meet US President Barack Obama and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao on Friday morning. This is the first meeting between the Indian PM and President Obama since his visit to India last November.
Manmohan Singh's meeting with Wen Jiabao, immediately after the Obama meeting, needs to be viewed against the backdrop of recent controversies notably the oil exploration fracas in the South China Sea, the purported confrontation between INS Airavat and the Chinese Navy in the same area and the Chinese Ambassador asking an Indian journalist to shut up after a distorted Indian map appeared in a Chinese brochure.
Government sources played down maritime and border security issues with China saying that the East Asian Summit (EAS) needs to start examining such issues. The big question swirling in this beach destination is - who owns South China Sea? Sources said, "The law of the sea needs to be accepted because a difference of interpretation exists. Hence, a Commission should be set up to look into the dispute. It is not only a decision on territorial waters.""

INDIA Today - Government may soon prosecute 60 people holding bank accounts in France, Nov 2011

"Under pressure over the black money issue, the government seems to be in the process of lining up a host of measures to get back the cash parked in overseas accounts. The standing committee on finance has indicated that the government would soon initiate prosecution against 60 account holders in France, sources said on Friday.
The committee held a meeting on Friday ahead of the winter session of Parliament to discuss steps being taken by the government.
As many as 782 names with illegal money in accounts in France have been under the scanner."

XINHUA NET - Former Philippine president Arroyo arrested at hospital, Nov 18, 2011

"MANILA, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Former Philippine president and now congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was arrested on Friday evening on the charge of election sabotage.
Senior superintendent of the Southern Police District James Bucayo said the arrest warrant was served to Arroyo in her room at St. Luke's Medical Center in Taguig City, Metro Manila, where she has been under the police custody.
"When we served the warrant of arrest, she (Arroyo) just came from a sleep," Bucayo told reporters, adding the former president apparently expected the warrant of arrest.
Bucayo said Arroyo's formal booking, such as finger printing, will be conducted in the hospital on Saturday.
Pasay City Regional Trial Court Branch 112 Judge Jesus Mupas issued warrant of arrest against Arroyo, former Maguindano Governor Andal Ampatuan Sr. and former election supervisor Lintang Bedol for alleged electoral sabotage in 2007 national elections."

JAPAN Today - Police reopen investigation into Natalie Wood's death in 1981, Nov 18, 2011

"LOS ANGELES — A yacht captain pointed the finger Friday at actor Robert Wagner over his screen idol wife Natalie Wood’s mystery death in 1981, as police re-opened a probe—but said her husband was not a suspect.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said it had received “substantial” new information about the actress’s drowning—deemed an accident at the time—and assigned two murder detectives to revive the case.
The captain of the boat on which the couple were holidaying with a fellow actor said Wagner had a fierce row with his wife shortly before she vanished, and then delayed a search which could have saved her.
But Lieutenant John Corina, asked whether Wagner was a suspect, replied simply: “No.”"

ABS- CBN PhilippinesObama says US 'looking out' for Philippines, Nov 18, 2011

"NUSA DUA - US President Barack Obama on Friday told Philippine President Benigno Aquino, who is embroiled in a territorial spat with China, that the US was "looking out" for his country.
Manila, which has been in a security alliance with the US for 60 years, is caught up in a long-running dispute with Beijing over the strategically vital South China Sea, where the two countries are among six claimants.
Obama, in the Indonesian resort of Bali for the East Asia Summit, said the US-Philippines relationship ensured "we are looking out for each other when it comes to security."
"This is an opportunity for us to discuss how we can further deepen that relationship; also, to discuss the topics of the East Asia Summit -- issues like maritime security, nonproliferation, disaster and humanitarian relief," he said.
He hailed Aquino has an "outstanding partner.""

BRUNEI TIMES - Keep up momentum toward Asean Community, Nov 18, 2011

"HIS Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam yesterday underscored the importance for Asean to continue putting in every effort towards realising the Asean Community by 2015.
Delivering a titah at the plenary session of the 19th Asean Summit, the monarch said that Asean had done well in implementing its plan, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office yesterday.
His Majesty, however, stressed the importance for the regional bloc to continue to work hard towards the realisation of its immediate goal due in four years time and remain committed to its objectives.
The monarch added that coordination among the sectoral bodies, within and across the three pillars of the grouping, is a key factor in determining its success."

BRUNEI TIMES - Asean leaders ink Bali Concord II, Nov 18, 2011

"ASEAN leaders yesterday adopted and signed the "Bali Declaration on Asean Community in a Global Community of Nations" or also known as the "Bali Concord III", to reaffirm the 10-nation grouping's commitment in establishing a common platform to contribute and respond to key global challenges.
Through the Declaration, Asean envisioned a common platform to contribute and respond to global challenges based on several characteristics which includes enhancing Asean's capacity to contribute to global issues of common interest and concern which would benefit all Asean member states and its people. A strengthened Asean Community centred on Asean as a rules-based organisation, with the Asean Charter as the foundation, while upholding the fundamental principles, values and norms of Asean and a strengthened capacity of the Asean Secretariat which is able to support the vision and development of the Asean Community in a Global Community, sum up the characteristics of the bloc's commitments."

ABC News, Australia - Thousands protest in Egypt against army rule, Nov 18, 2011

"About 50,000 mainly Islamist protesters flocked to Cairo's Tahrir Square on Friday to press Egypt's military rulers to transfer power to elected civilians after the cabinet launched a move to exempt the army from parliamentary oversight.
The protesters chanted Islamic songs before Friday prayers while others handed out flyers demanding the withdrawal of the constitutional proposal and that presidential elections be held no later than April 2012, instead of at year end or in 2013.
"Does the government want to humiliate the people? The people revolted against Mubarak and they will revolt against the constitution they want to impose on us!" a member of an orthodox Islamic Salafi group cried out over loudspeakers."

NZ HERALD - Crackdown fires up protesters, Nov 18, 2011

"Occupy Wall Street protesters clogged streets and tied up traffic around the United States yesterday to mark two months since the movement's birth and signal they aren't ready to quit, despite the breakup of many of their encampments by police. Hundreds of people were arrested, most of them in New York.
The demonstrations - which took place in cities including Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Boston, Washington and Portland, Oregon - were for the most part peaceful. Most of the arrests were for blocking streets, and the traffic disruptions were brief."

FIJI LIVE - Jolie to play 'female Lawrence of Arabia', Nov 18, 2011

"Angelina Jolie is set to play a British woman who helped map out the modern Middle East including Iraq in the early 20th century, the Hollywood Reporter said today.
The Oscar-winning actress is attached to play Gertrude Bell, described as the female Lawrence of Arabia for her pioneering work in establishing the framework for what would become Jordan and Iraq.
The project is still in development by British director Ridley Scott's Scott Free Productions, said the Reporter, noting that Jolie has a history of playing strong female characters.
Bell was passionate about archeology and languages, spoke several languages including Arabic and Persian, and wrote about her extensive travels in a number of books, including "Persian Pictures," and "Syria: The Desert and the Sown.""

FIJI LIVE - Pope visits voodoo heartland, Nov 18, 2011

"Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Benin on Friday, marking his second visit to Africa in a heartland of voodoo and warning against "unconditional submission" to the laws of the market and finance.
Thousands of residents welcomed Benedict, including women wearing skirts with his picture, and crowds cried out to him as he traveled through the economic capital Cotonou by popemobile.
The three-day visit will culminate with a mass on Sunday in a stadium in Cotonou and also take the 84-year-old pontiff to Ouidah, a city heavy with symbolism as a centre of voodoo and which served as a major slave trading port."

FIJI LIVE - Tongan firm favourite for blue ribbon event, Nov 18, 2011

"Tongan, Loketi Manu has underlined his intentions for the blue ribbon event after overcoming favourites Suva’s Simon Lilicama in the boys Under -14 200-metres final.
It was a close race to the finish, with Manu getting the nod after a great running technique to pip Lilicama at the finish line. Manu clocked 23.80 seconds to Lilicama’s time of 23.86.
Lilicama was regarded the favourite after coming through the heats with a better time of 24.69 to Manu’s time of 24.74.
It was a proud moment for the Tongan who is a first-timer in the competition.
“I wasn’t expecting to win gold. I am proud and look forward to my remaining events and hopefully get through to more finals,” Manu said.
Proud coach Taiasini Lea was ecstatic with the win. He applauded Manu’s determination and courage to participate in the Fiji primary schools competition."

FIJI LIVE - Police re-open probe into Natalie Wood's death, Nov 18, 2011

"US police are to re-open the investigation into the death of US actress Natalie Wood, who died in mysterious circumstances while boating in 1981, they said Thursday.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LASD) said new information had come to light over the death, which was deemed an accident at the time but which has long fueled speculation.
Wood drowned aged 43 while boating off of Catalina Island, near Los Angeles on November 29, 1981. It was investigated by the LASD and the LA County Coroner's Office, who ruled it was an accident."

LA TIMES - California adult day healthcare centers get a reprieve, Nov 18, 2011

"By Anna Gorman, Los Angeles Times
November 18, 2011
Just weeks before the planned closure of adult day healthcare centers throughout California, state officials and disability rights attorneys reached a legal settlement Thursday that preserves services for those low-income seniors and disabled residents most at risk of being institutionalized.
The state, which faces a $3.7-billion revenue shortfall, had targeted the centers as part of a plan to reduce spending on Medi-Cal, the government health program for the poor and disabled. Adult day healthcare centers provide nursing care, occupational therapy, physical therapy, meals and exercise to people with serious disabilities, brain injuries and chronic illnesses." (A.G.)
   

LA TIMES - 'J. Edgar': Hoover gets under Leonardo DiCaprio's skin, Nov 18, 2011

"For Leonardo DiCaprio, any story worth telling starts with a question.
"Why?" the actor said, banging his fist on a table. "His personal life, his tactics, what drove him, what were his motives? What the hell did he really want?"
The man instigating this particular "why" is J. Edgar Hoover, whom DiCaprio plays in the new biopic of the controversial FBI chief directed by Clint Eastwood. But the star of "J. Edgar" could as easily be asking about the other complex characters he has brought to the screen in the last decade — obsessive magnate Howard Hughes in "The Aviator," mysterious U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels in "Shutter Island," grieving dream hijacker Dom Cobb in "Inception.""

LA TIMES - Hillary Clinton to visit Myanmar, Nov 18, 2011

"By Peter Nicholas and Mark Magnier, Los Angeles Times
November 17, 2011, 10:49 p.m.
Reporting from Bali, Indonesia, and New Delhi— President Obama announced Friday that he is sending Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Myanmar next month, citing progress made by the government in releasing political prisoners, loosening media restrictions and opening its repressive political system.
Obama, in a brief statement during a series of summit meetings in Bali, Indonesia, said Clinton will be the first secretary of State to visit the country in half a century and will make the case that Myanmar's leaders must keep moving toward a more open, democratic government."

BUENOS AIRES HERALD - Man charged with trying to assassinate Obama, Nov 18, 2011

Oscar Ortega-Hernández was charged with attempted assasination of the president

"A 21-year-old man was charged on Thursday with trying to assassinate US President Barack Obama after shots were fired at the White House last week, though the president was out of town at the time.
Oscar Ortega-Hernandez of Idaho appeared in a Pittsburgh court after his arrest on Wednesday at a hotel near Indiana, Pennsylvania, according to the US Secret Service.
No one was hurt in the shooting on Friday night. Obama and wife, Michelle, were not in Washington at the time."

VOA News - Obama Announces Major New Diplomatic Initiative on Burma, Nov 18, 2011

"President Barack Obama announced on Friday a major new diplomatic initiative responding to positive changes in Burma, saying he is sending Secretary of State Hillary Clinton there next month.
Just hours before he attended the annual U.S. - ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit in Bali ahead of the East Asia leaders summit, Mr. Obama came to the microphones to announce the major initiative.
While flying to Bali on Air Force One, he said he had spoken with Burmese opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi - the first conversation they have had."

BBC News - Suu Kyi's NLD democracy party to rejoin Burma politics, Nov 18, 2011

"The party of Burma's pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi has agreed to re-enter the political process, amid signs of reform in the country.
In a statement, the National League for Democracy said it would re-register as a political party so it could contest future elections.
The party boycotted the last polls in November 2010, the first in 20 years.
But the new military-backed civilian-led government has now amended the regulations that led to the boycott."