Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/28315
Friday, April 1, 2011 – Daily News – 7A WORLD BRIEFING Gadhafi defiant after 2 insiders abandon him TRIPOLI, Libya (AP) — Moammar Gadhafi struck a defiant stance Thursday after two high-profile defections from his regime, saying he’s not the one who should go — it’s the Western leaders who have decimated his military with airstrikes who should resign immediately. Gadhafi’s message was undercut by its delivery — a scroll across the bottom of state TV as he remained out of sight. The White House said the strongman’s inner circle was clearly crumbling with the loss of Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa, who flew from Tunisia to England on Wednesday. Ali Abdessalam Treki, a for- mer foreign minister and U.N. General Assembly president, announced his departure on several opposition websites the next day, saying ‘‘It is our nation’s right to live in freedom and democracy and enjoy a good life.’’ Gadhafi accused the leaders of the countries attacking his forces of being ‘‘affected by power madness.’’ ‘‘The solution for this prob- lem is that they resign immedi- ately and their peoples find alternatives to them,’’ the Libya state news agency quoted him as saying. Gates, Mullen get tough questioning from House WASHINGTON (AP) — As the U.S. debates its future partic- ipation in the Libyan conflict, defense officials slammed the brakes Thursday on any major American role aiding opposition groups and insisted that the Obama administration should not be the one to arm the rebels. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that if the rebels are to get arms and training, coun- tries other than the U.S. should provide that assistance. With the U.S. role in Libya at a turning point, the next critical decision is how, if at all, the U.S. chooses to support the opposi- agency spokesman Hidehiko Nishiyama. Experts from French nuclear giant Areva, which supplied fuel to the plant, are helping figure out how to dispose of the contaminat- ed water that has begun leaking into the ground and the sea. Wis. judge does what protesters could not do MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A Wisconsin judge on Thursday did what thousands of pro-union pro- testers and boycotting Democratic lawmakers couldn’t, halting Republican Gov. Scott Walker’s plans — at least temporarily — to cut most public workers’ pay and strip them of most of their union rights. tion forces, particularly in the face of the ongoing budget crisis at home. ‘‘My view would be, if there is going to be that kind of (train- ing) assistance to the opposition, there are plenty of sources for it other than the United States,’’ Gates told the House Armed Services Committee. The ongoing scope of U.S. military action drew heated debate among senators unhappy that the Pentagon will no longer be conducting airstrikes in the coming days — leaving that key combat responsibility to allies such as the French, British and Canadians. Boehner signals compromise WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite fresh pressure from tea party conservatives, House Speaker John Boehner said Thursday that Republicans ‘‘can’t impose our will’’ on the White House and Senate Democrats on legislation to cut tens of billions of dollars in fed- eral spending. At a news conference, Boehner, R-Ohio, denied Democratic suggestions that he has already agreed to jettison nearly half of the $61 billion in cuts passed by the House a month ago. But as was the case with Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R- Va., earlier in the week, he did not say the demand was non- negotiable. ‘‘Our goal is to cut spending, not shut down the government,’’ he said. The government is running on the second of two short-term spending bills, and at the insis- tence of Republicans, a total of $10 billion has been cut so far. Without action by Congress, the money will run out on April 9. Lawmakers are seeking a compromise that will extend to the Sept. 30 end of the spending year. Japan turns to other countries to help with crisis TOKYO, Japan (AP) — Japan is increasingly turning to other countries for help as it struggles to stabilize its tsunami-stricken nuclear plant and stop radiation leaks that are complicating efforts to recover the bodies of some of the thousands swept away by the towering wave. French, American and interna- tional experts — even a robot — are either in Japan or on their way, and French President Nicholas Sarkozy visited Tokyo on Thurs- day to meet with the prime minis- ter and show solidarity. Workers are racing to find the source of contaminated water that has been pooling in the Fukushi- ma Dai-ichi nuclear plant since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. The leaks have often forced workers to flee the plant, preventing them from restarting important cooling systems. ‘‘The amount of water is enor- mous, and we need any wisdom available,’’ said nuclear safety NOTICE TO TAXPAYERS Monday, April 11, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. is the last day for paying the second installment of real estate taxes without a 10% penalty and $20.00 cost. When the delinquent date falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, the time of delinquency is 5:00 p.m. on the next business day. Payment can be made at 444 Oak Street, Room D or by mailing to the Tehama County Tax Collector, P. O. Box 769, Red Bluff, CA 96080. Copies of bills and tax information and credit card payment information is available online a www.co.tehama.ca.us PAYMENTS MUST BE POSTMARKED ON OR BEFORE APRIL 11, 2011. All payments postmarked after 5:00 p.m. on April 11, 2011 will be charged a penalty. DANA HOLLMER Tax Collector Vanessa Wilson-Rodriguez Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. MAIL YOUR PAYMENTS EARLY! Dane County Circuit Judge Maryann Sumi issued a declara- tion stating in no uncertain terms that the collective bargaining law that led to weeks of large protests at the state Capitol had not taken effect, contradicting Republican arguments that it had because a state office published it online. Hours later, Walker said his administration would comply, despite misgivings about the order. ‘‘In my mind it’s not a matter of if the law goes back (into effect), it’s just a matter of when,’’ Walker said. Democrats and union leaders said Sumi’s declaration showed the arrogance that Walker and his allies, including top aide, Depart- ment of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch, have shown in try- ing to push through the polarizing law. ‘‘Mr. Walker and Mr. Huebsch chose to ignore her warning that they were jeopardizing the finances and stability of state gov- ernment, apparently believing they are above the law. This morn- ing with her added order she has taken away their last excuse,’’ Assembly Democratic Leader Peter Barca said. Mo. poised to cut off extended benefits for unemployed JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Thousands of people in Mis- souri who have been unemployed for more than a year soon will lose their jobless benefits, marking a significant victory for Republican fiscal hawks who are crusading against government spending. When eligibility ends Saturday, Missouri will become the only state to voluntarily quit a federal stimulus program that offers extended benefits. Michigan, Arkansas and Florida also recent- ly took steps to cut back on money going to the unemployed, although they targeted state bene- fits instead. ‘‘We have to take a stand and say, ‘When is enough enough?’ and send a message to the federal government, and hopefully shame them into doing the right thing and quit spending money that they don’t have,’’ said state Sen. Jim Lembke, a Republican from St. Louis. Lembke has led a coalition of four filibustering senators who have blocked legislation necessary to reauthorize Missouri’s partici- pation in a federal program offer- ing long-term unemployment ben- efits. It’s been a stunning setback for a bill that had passed the Republican-led House 123-14 two months ago and had the support of GOP Senate leaders and Democ- ratic Gov. Jay Nixon. Ex-New Orleans police officers head to prison NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Calling the crimes inexcusable and barbaric, a judge sentenced two former New Orleans police officers to prison Thursday for their roles in the shooting death of an unarmed man whose body was later set on fire in the chaot- ic aftermath of Hurricane Katri- na. The 25-plus years David War- ren received for shooting 31-year- old Henry Glover to death was the stiffest punishment so far in the Justice Department’s investiga- tions of post-Katrina police mis- conduct. Ex-officer Gregory McRae was sentenced to more than 17 years in prison for burning Glover’s body after he was gunned down. U.S. District Judge Lance Africk rejected the notion that the cases would deter officers in the future from staying after a storm to protect the public. When Hurri- cane Katrina hit in August 2005, many officers fled the city, leaving the police department with deplet- ed forces. The National Guard was eventually dispatched to help prevent looting and control much of the city. for a mother of four diagnosed with a rare cancer Fingerlake MX Park Concession Stand Benefit MX Race RACE DATE: Sunday 4/3/11 (Weather permitting), practice Sat. 4/2/11, 9-2 p.m. RACE FEES: $25 1st , $20 2nd , $15 3rd ($5 extra non-members) SPECTATOR GATE FEES: Adults $7, Children $4 (ages 5-14 years) 4 & under free Taking donations for raffle Please call (530) 529-4777 13751 Mendenhall Rd., Red Bluff www.FingerLakeMXpark.com All proceeds to help with Vanessa’s medical expenses.