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Police step up hunt for Mumbai bombers

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MUMBAI: Police stepped up search for the Mumbai bombers tracing calls made to Pakistan and Bangladesh as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrives in the city on Friday to meet people wounded in the attacks.

Police continued raids in Mumbai and surrounding areas, a day after India named Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group as the prime suspect behind Tuesday's rail network bombings that killed 179 people and wounded hundreds more.

Officials had said the toll was 186, but revised it downwards due to what they said was duplication in counting.

Investigators said there were looking at international calls made from phone booths immediately after the blasts.

Police detained a young man, dressed as a burqa-clad woman, late on Thursday night at the city's international airport, besides the 20 people already held.

"We have detained a man moving about suspiciously at the international terminal. He has been changing his statements," Chandrahans Chauhan, a police investigator, told Reuters. "He also claimed that he is a pilot".

The police had stepped up security in the city as Prime Minister Singh will visit at least one hospital and possibly a bomb site.

Investigators have also made sketches of three suspects seen at sites of the attacks, which hit crowded railway carriages and stations in the nation's financial hub during evening rush-hour.

India's nuclear rival and neighbour Pakistan -- often blamed by Indian officials for abetting terrorism in India -- said on Thursday it was ready to help India in its investigation.

But India's Minister of State for foreign affairs told Reuters on that Pakistan was not doing enough to control Islamist militant groups on its soil which launch attacks on India.

"What I would like to say is they surely should do more," Anand Sharma said in an interview.

India widens hunt for Mumbai bombers

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India widens hunt for Mumbai bombers


MUMBAI, July 14: India broadened its search for the Mumbai bombers with police tracing calls made to Pakistan and Bangladesh as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arrived in India's biggest city on Friday to meet people wounded in the attacks.

Police continued raids in Mumbai and surrounding areas, a day after India named Lashkar-i-Taiba militant group as the prime suspect behind Tuesday's rail network bombings that killed 200 people and wounded hundreds more.

Investigators said there were looking at international calls made from phone booths immediately after the blasts.

The Times of India newspaper said authorities were probing a call from Mumbai to Karachi where the caller told his mother he was fine but could not reveal his location or talk at length and then hung up.

Police detained a young man, dressed as a burqa-clad woman, late on Thursday night at the city's international airport, besides the 20 people already held.

'We have detained a man moving about suspiciously at the international terminal. He has been changing his statements,?Chandrahans Chauhan, a police investigator, told Reuters.

'He also claimed that he is a pilot.?br>

Investigators have also made sketches of three suspects seen at sites of the attacks, which hit crowded railway carriages and stations in the nation's financial hub during evening rush-hour.

Pakistan said on Thursday it was ready to help India in its investigation.

But India's junior foreign minister told Reuters on Thursday that Pakistan was not doing enough to control Islamist militant groups on its soil which launch attacks on India.

Parent activist group halts efforts

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LONGMONT ' A group of parents pushing for the school district to place a new mill-levy override on the November ballot has put its plans on hold.


Steve Love, the group's organizer, said he 'kept running into roadblocks, and in talking to (school board President) Sandi Searls, she was really against trying again this year.'


And it 'would take a lot to convince her otherwise.'


The St. Vrain Valley Education Association also did not support a new mill-levy override.


'They want to try again in the future. Maybe 2007 would be a better year,' Love said.


Searls said she believed the group did not get started early enough to garner community support and that was why she was against moving forward in November.


'A citizens campaign takes a great deal of planning, and I was very concerned that we are too far along without having more work done,' she said. 'If you want a campaign to be successful, you need to make sure you have enough time.'


St. Vrain tried for a $15.47 million mill-levy override in November 2004, which failed by 128 votes. The district tried again with a ballot measure last November, asking voters for a property tax increase that would have generated $17.3 million in revenue. That proposal was defeated by an even wider margin.


About 50 people from throughout the St. Vrain Valley School District had expressed interest in helping Love in his quest this year, but only seven to 10 people came to meetings, he said.


The district has three overcrowded elementary schools ' Eagle Crest, Erie and Prairie Ridge ' and though the district has 2002 bond money to build three new schools, it does not have the operating funds to pay faculty and staff.


Love, whose children attend Eagle Crest, wanted to start a grass-roots community campaign to pass a mill levy so the district could operate new schools, but that push may not be necessary.


During its June 28 meeting, the St. Vrain Valley Board of Education said it would meet Sept. 6 to discuss issuing the remainder of its 2002 construction bonds. If the board decides to move forward with the bonds, construction on one or more of the new elementary schools could begin in the fall.


It takes about a year to build an elementary school.


Love's committee voted at its last meeting to become an advocacy group for public schools, but in the meantime, he registered the group, Invest in Student Success, as an issues committee with the Colorado Secretary of State's Office. That way it will be ready if the district decides to move forward with a mill levy request in 2007 or 2008.


'I plan to stay connected with what the district is doing,' he said.


Invest in Student Success will meet in August to establish a vision for the school district and to 'see where the school district aligns with that and where it doesn't align with that and come up with a strategy for how we can make those changes.'


Love said he hopes the citizens group will allow people to 'voice their opinions and carry those opinions to the board.'


'And we hope to have some say in their decision making,' Love added.


Paula Aven Gladych can be reached at 303-684-5211 or pavengladych@times-call.com.
St. Vrain tried for a $15.47 million mill-levy override in November 2004, which failed by 128 votes. The district tried again with a ballot measure last November, asking voters for a property tax increase that would have generated $17.3 million in revenue. That proposal was defeated by an even wider margin.


About 50 people from throughout the St. Vrain Valley School District had expressed interest in helping Love in his quest this year, but only seven to 10 people came to meetings, he said.


The district has three overcrowded elementary schools ' Eagle Crest, Erie and Prairie Ridge ' and though the district has 2002 bond money to build three new schools, it does not have the operating funds to pay faculty and staff.


Love, whose children attend Eagle Crest, wanted to start a grass-roots community campaign to pass a mill levy so the district could operate new schools, but that push may not be necessary.


During its June 28 meeting, the St. Vrain Valley Board of Education said it would meet Sept. 6 to discuss issuing the remainder of its 2002 construction bonds. If the board decides to move forward with the bonds, construction on one or more of the new elementary schools could begin in the fall.


It takes about a year to build an elementary school.


Love's committee voted at its last meeting to become an advocacy group for public schools, but in the meantime, he registered the group, Invest in Student Success, as an issues committee with the Colorado Secretary of State's Office. That way it will be ready if the district decides to move forward with a mill levy request in 2007 or 2008.


'I plan to stay connected with what the district is doing,' he said.


Invest in Student Success will meet in August to establish a vision for the school district and to 'see where the school district aligns with that and where it doesn't align with that and come up with a strategy for how we can make those changes.'


Love said he hopes the citizens group will allow people to 'voice their opinions and carry those opinions to the board.'

Now come on down 'C it's open all ours!

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Now come on down 'C it's open all ours!
13 July 2006
EDITORIAL - news@royston-crow.co.uk




ARTISTS will be opening their studios to the public at the weekend.

Each year Cambridge Open Studios gives people a chance to visit artists, browse their work, and exchange ideas and views.

About 300 artists in Cambridgeshire will be displaying a range of work, including paintings, ceramics, prints, hand-made jewellery, drawings, textiles, sculpture, and mixed media.

Jane Hollidge of Barrington is a self-taught potter and a painter, and will be holding her exhibition this weekend and next weekend (July 22-23) at her German Huf Haus - 30 Ivy House, Foxton Road - which was seen on Channel 4's Grand Designs programme.

She said: "My family was always rich in artistic value and created things out of nothing."

Jane draws on a range of themes for her work. She enjoys painting abstract pieces and minimalistic landscapes.

"Me and my husband Peter like nature and going on walking holidays, and images just stick in my mind," she said.

Jane and Peter lived in the Far East for several years and this gave her a range of artistic influences, but she also said her favourite artists - Peter Hayes, Robin Welch, and Tjok Dessauvage, gave her encouragement as a new artist.

Jane also produces slab work and pots. She keeps the pots simple and paints them free-hand, so every image is always unique.

She said she enjoyed taking part in the Open Studios, because it enabled her to meet new people and talk to them about her work.

"Normally most of my work goes to clients I never meet so I don't get any feedback," she said.

Francesca Biggar of Shepreth is a jeweller and will be holding her exhibition at the weekend at 75 Frog End.

Her fascination with jewellery was inspired by her childhood memories in the Middle East.

Her designs range from classic to modern, with 18ct gold and platinum being a common theme.

It is the third time Francesca has taken part in the Cambridge Open Studios.

She said: "I really enjoy taking part because most of the year I work to commission and deal with people on a one-to-one basis. But at this exhibition I meet people who give me new ideas and feedback and I enjoy the social interaction."

Francesca is a prize-winning graduate of the Sir John Cass School of Art and Design and has been making jewellery for about four years after changing careers in 2000.

Joyce Seddon of Barrington has been an oil painter for the past 30 years, and will be displaying her work at the weekend at 61 High Street.

Joyce is self-taught painter who paints traditional small still life works. She has been so successful that her work has been recognised by the Royal Academy.

She said: "It started off as a hobby, but over the years it's become much more professional."

Joyce's husband Geoff, will be exhibiting his jewellery and stained glass work.

Anthony Hopkinson of Melbourn is a print-maker and will be holding his exhibition this weekend and next weekend at Melbourn Bury, Royston Road.

He has been producing limited edition prints for the past eight years.

Anthony produces prints of architecture and animals. Some of his animals are in human situations, including a pig driving a sports car which is called Road Hog.

He said: "I was sitting in a traffic jam and someone over-took me on the wrong side. I often come up with ideas for prints when I'm waiting in traffic because I have time to think."

Anthony describes some of his prints as bring quite comical.

"They are also fairly simple, but I like to use bold and simple colours."

Frances Colquhoun, will also be displaying some of her oil and water-colour work at Melbourn Bury.

Lizanne van Essen of Meldreth, who is a book artist and painter, will be holding her exhibition at 6 Fenny Lane this weekend, and on July 22-23.

Lizanne produces modern pop-up books in the form of a sculpture.

"When I was at art school I did print making and wanted to make them 3D," she said.

In between producing the books, she also produces traditional paintings.

This is the 10th year Lizanne has taken part in the Open Studios event.

Mother and daughter Hilary and Safi Butler, of Foxton, are varied media artists, and will be holding their exhibtions at 79 High Street at the weekend.

Safi, who has a degree in fine art sculpture, specialises in mono prints and fused glass.

She said: "My inspiration comes from nature and children's illustrations which are fun and quirky."

Hilary produces sculptures made of sea glass, wire, driftwood, and fused glass.

"My work is influenced by the sea. I spend a lot of my time beachcombing," Hilary said.

There are no entrance fees and visitors are not expected to buy work.

For more details visit the website: www.camopenstudios.co.uk



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Jennifer Martikean

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If you are living in the United States and feeling lonely, your neighbor probably feels the same way.

In June, researchers released a study that reported that most Americans have fewer close friends than they did in the past. Study participants were asked how many people they had discussed important matters with. In 2004, Americans answered "two." That is a decrease from about two decades ago, when Americans answered "three."

Older generations often bemoan the erosion of friendships and family ties of the younger generation. I sometimes wonder whether every generation in history heard about the good ol' days from their seniors. Sure, there are clear signs of problems increasing in society today. But I can't help but think that maybe some of the evidence of the decline in our society is that we now have more researchers with better surveys to track such things. I digress.

However, it's not hard to understand how a decline in close friends happens. From drive-through windows to the way some developments are designed, it is harder to make and keep friends because so much is conspiring against you.

In McHenry County towns, it can be difficult to meet people and make new friends. Developments are designed with attached garages, so you don't ever have to see your neighbor as you drive up the concrete driveway, park the car in the garage, close the door, and walk directly into the house.

Residents can get dinner from a take-out window 'C again, without leaving the car 'C or run errands at the local strip malls by running into a store, then hopping into the car and driving to the next store. Rather than talking to our neighbors we have TVs and car radios to keep us constantly informed about our world.

In a place like McHenry County, there are lots of new people moving in all the time, so some might think that it is easy to meet people with whom they have lots in common. But it isn't easy to be new.

Our lives disrupt our development of friendships. Most couples live in two-career households. We often work late, work on weekends or have our free time filled with errands and family obligations. Unlike college, there isn't a free night to just hang out for hours at the bar talking with a group of pals.

So, researchers always are quick to tell us that we are more isolated than ever, despite the new technologies of cell phones, e-mail and blogs that are supposed to keep us more connected to our community.

But no one ever tells us how to make and meet new friends. In school, it's easy. You talk to the kids at recess. You fall into a crowd that has similar interests as you, like the football team or the drama club.

So now that we've grown up, is it government's fault for allowing the design of houses to include attached garages? Or is it our fault for perhaps spending too much time in front of the TV, either at the grocery store, restaurant or home?

Impeach backers eye countryside support

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Feeling abandoned by the bishops, impeachment complainants on Saturday said they have turned to the countryside in gathering support for their case against President Arroyo.

At the weekly Kapihan sa Sulo, actress Leah Navarro said the Black and White Movement and other groups are going around the country asking people to convince their congressmen to vote for the complaints.

The actress, a veteran of EDSA revolutions, said the groups decided to meet people in the grassroots because of fear that the new complaints might suffer the fate of last year's cases.

In September last year, the House of Representatives voted down the impeachment complaint filed by 51 opposition congressmen.

During the forum, Navarro and fellow complainant Vicky Avena, a University of the Philippines law professor, presented an open letter addressed to the bishops.

The letter was in response to the CBCP pastoral letter, which said the conference was not inclined to back the impeachment process as a way of ferreting out the truth on whether Mrs. Arroyo cheated in the May 2004 elections.

Avena said the bishops should have at least given their suggestion as to how to "seek the truth" about questions on the President's legitimacy.

Navarro, meanwhile, said that aside from "extra-constitutional means," which the anti-Arroyo groups do not support, they see no other way to seek the truth about allegations of graft, cheating and abuse of power against the President.

In their letter, the complainants said they think that the "[bishops] might just have been misled into understanding where we are now politically and constitutionally."

The complainants said the pastoral letter made them feel abandoned and more confused as to what steps they should take to seek the answers on the allegations against Mrs. Arroyo.

"Should we fail this time because we were abandoned, we pray that you, our dear bishops, might take us down from our Cross, anoint us with your precious oils and perhaps see us to that place where we may resurrect and again, despite being crucified, carry on and finish what we had started to do," they said in the letter.

Meet on security forces excesses and role of women

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Commemorating the historical protest by the Imas of Manipur at the western gate of Kangla against the alleged murder of Manorama in custody by the Assam Rifles, a discussion was held on the movement against the excesses of security forces and the day was marked as a day for respecting the contribution of women in the movement.

Speaking as a presidium member, P Sakhi, president AMKIL, said, "We should stop resigning ourselves to our fate. What we are facing today is not due to our fate, rather it is the creation of our own doing and we alone can undo it. Indian Constitution has given us the right to vote but our right to free and safe life is not given."

She spoke on the need for protecting our youths from the armed excesses and the role women should play. She also advised the youths, specially men, to be not victimized by drugs and other foreign influences.

"If the government can used the strength of security forces to arrest an alleged insurgent, why can`t the same force be used sincerely and with equal passion against drug addiction and trafficking?" asked S Leirangton, advisor AMUVA, speaking as an invitee.

Lamenting that there is no governance in Manipur, Leirangton said that whether the people burn themselves, got raped or fast unto death, the government shows no concern. She asked, "Are we electing our leaders to use tear gas and rubber bullets against us once the election gets over?"

Calling the present government most irresponsible, A Sitara Begum, president United Manipuri Women`s Organisation, presidium member of today`s function, said, "This government ignores all its responsibilities and put the burden on others and use meira paibis for political gains."

Commenting on some remarks allegedly made by the CM at a function yesterday, Sitara Begum said, "The minister made some unsolicited comments yesterday. He questioned whether the state is being ruled by the women organizations and that the state is backward due to the involvement of women in socio-politics of the state. I would like to ask if the CM was not given birth by his mother."

She said that election in the midst of continued killings and human rights violations due to AFSPA is meaningless.

Rose Mangsi Haokip, president Kuki Mothers Association made an appeal to recognize and appreciate the efforts of Manipuri women who are daily waging an untiring war against drug and alcohol. WACAK president S Ibetombi, also questioned the purpose of having narcotic bureaus and excise department when all the initiative against drug in the state is taken up by the women.

Y Leirikleima, president Kanglamei said that instead of taking any problem to the "enemy, let us solve our differences together by discussing and finding out a workable solution." Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur`s president L Memchoubi also appealed that differences can only be worked out by discussion and by using one`s intellect.

Th Ramani, secretary general All Manipur Women Reformation and Development Samaj; P Biduleima, asst general secretary MEEKHOL, Ksh Phajaton, president CLK and Khumanleima, president IMA spoke as invitees.

Most of the speakers appealed for reviving the dimming glory of the meira paibis and to move tirelessly against the Armed Forces Special Power Act, 1958 by remembering that Sharmila is fasting alone in a corner for the people.

Town Center developer to meet with council Monday

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The Jeffersonville Town Center's developer will meet with the City Council on Monday to discuss his schedule for announcing financing and tenants and to secure a $5 million incentive package from the city.

In an interview Saturday, Vision Land Development President Kent Arnold anticipates asking for the first reading of financing ordinance on Aug. 7. He said details relating to leasing and his financial partner for the $130 million retail complex will be announced 'as late as Aug. 7 and likely a little bit before.'

Arnold said his discussion with the council will take place during its special session at 5:30 p.m. Monday. The panel meets in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

The proposed 130-acre retail and office complex will straddle Veterans Parkway at Hamburg Pike. Development on the south side of Veterans Parkway is scheduled to include upscale shops and restaurants and a movie theater. The project's north side, which is being developed by Koetter Development Group of Floyds Knobs, will include an office campus and discount retailers.

Council Vice President Keith Fetz plans to introduce a resolution Monday to withdraw the city's support for the project. The measure was on the council's agenda about a month ago, but Fetz agreed to table it when Arnold said financing and leasing announcements were pending.

'If I'm out anywhere in a public setting ' (the Jeffersonville Town Center) seems to be the number one topic of discussion,' Fetz said. 'We gave them every tool possible to develop a successful development. They have done nothing but waste our time and the taxpayers' time.'

Councilman John Perkins, who plans to support Fetz's resolution, said he spoke with Arnold last week and told the developer, 'If you know something good about your financial package, now is the time to let us know.'

But not all of the board's members believe the city should bail out on Arnold, who is based in Cincinnati.

'Until Mr. Arnold says ' 'I can no longer make this project go,' I think you need to stay with him,' said Councilman Ron Grooms. 'If you had other proposals, other alternatives ' I'd say, 'Hey, you've had plenty of time, it's time to look to some other group.'

Councilwoman Connie Sellers agreed with Grooms' assessment, saying some people who live in her council district have encouraged her not to thwart the development.

'We've not given them anything, so why bother saying we're not going to give them anything,' she said.

The Jeffersonville Town Center was proposed three years ago and broke ground last year. Since then, Arnold has missed several self-imposed deadlines to make announcements relating to financing and leasing. Throughout the process, Arnold has said he would make the information available before asking the city to approve the proposed $5 million bond package, which would be repaid from Tax Increment Financing receipts.

Arnold said that by the time the council takes its first vote on the bond issue, he will be 'approaching 20' leases signed. The council could approve the bond issue only after a public hearing and would likely consider the bond ordinance's three readings over at least two meetings.

Fetz said it is critical that Arnold's vision of an upscale complex come to fruition if anything is to be built at all.

'There's going to be kind of slim pickings (of moderately-priced retailers), based on Clarksville's success' in attracting those types of businesses to its side of Veterans Parkway, he said.

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