Four victism have been identified today, after the huge Tsunami's tragedy in Asia.
They are scheduled to be buried as they will arrive at their homeland.
Sharon Haliel, 22, from Gan Yavne, Hemda Cohen, 53, from Rishon Lezion, Zohar Aloni, 25, from Tel Aviv and Esther Levy, 57, from Ra'anana, are the official victims from Israel.
http://www.jpost.com
Il Romanaccio at 11:27 PM
A navy commander and his opinion about U.S. true interests:
Tehran, December 31, 2004 : Admiral Abbas Mohtaj is conviced that U.S. will do everything in its power to control Iranian's oil resources since that's the only thing that count for them.
Speaking to ISNA, he said, "America has not concluded any accord with the regional countries and its presence in the region is merely aimed at protecting its oil interests and the interests of the Zionist (Israeli) regime in order to prevent the spread of Islamic fundamentalism."
He also said that America's Middle East military campaign is threatening the arab nations more than everything else.
Il Romanaccio at 1:49 PM
Final months of 2004 deadliest ever for U.S. troops
Despite the official end of the occupation, last months have been bloody for the American soldiers inlvolved in this war.
Sovereignty passed to the Iraqi government on June 28 of 2004, when U.S. military expected this change to be positive.
Instead, the situation became worse and violence has increased against the American troops and the Iraqis.
Il Romanaccio at 1:36 PM
Baghdad: Three roadside bombs against Iraqi security troops.
-South of Mahmoudiya: a roadside bomb exploded at the passage of an Iraqi national guard patrol: one guard is dead, six wounded.
-Another bomb went off close to a U.S. military convoy that was passing from Baghdad's south district Dora: no one was wounded, some damages to the nearby shops.
-Town of Youssifiya, south Baghdad, two guardians wounded during patrolling operations, said the police.
Il Romanaccio at 1:29 PM
TURKEY:
Tayyip Erdogan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has been leading the nation since 2002, certainly is responsible for providing Turkey an entrance door in the European bloc.
The reformist is the son of a poor sea captain but his party has given Turkey a wave of changes lately: abolishing the death sentence, cracking down on torture, increasing human rights for Kurds and fighting the power of Turkey's military.
CYPRUS:
President Tassos Papadopoulos of Cyprus said on a tv interview that unless Turkey includes the island in joining the European nations, his conutry will veto the membership.
An opposition is coming also from Italy's "Lega Nord" (Union for the North) deputy Roberto Calderoli, who said that Turkey is a "Trojan Horse in the earth of the west".
Il Romanaccio at 1:03 PM
Srange days have found us...it's hard to be in a party somewhere and enjoy the happiness of this new year.
The "unhuman" tragedy that is going on in Asia is also a sign, someone says, and not only a terrific catastrophe for those who are living there.
After the Tsnunami's strike on Asia's coasts, economic helps are arriving from all over the world but that's natural and expected.
What is not expected but, perhaps, hoped is a better understanding of our environment.
This tragedy should at least be useful to the human race to remind us about nature and its strenght.
It is not easy to be able to process this facts but, fortunately it's easy to send an SMS to this number 48580 (in Italy) and send a euro (1 euro) tax free to help the involved members of Asia's population.
Il Romanaccio at 1:38 AM
Tsunami darkens world's New YearReuters - 34 minutes agoAircraft, naval vessels and trucks are struggling to deliver aid around stricken southern Asia where the death toll has hit 124,000 from a ...
Aid effort now race against disease The Canberra Times
Tsunami death toll nears 150,000, UN says; Canada joins aid ... Macleans
Defenselink.mil -
Dispatch Online -
ABC News -
Bloomberg
Buenos Aires declares three days of mourningXinhua - 37 minutes agoThe Buenos Aires governmentdecreed Friday three days of mourning for the victims of the firein a local night club. Mayor of Buenos Aires Anibal Ibarra said the decision ...
ARGENTINA FIRE KILLS 175 Special Broadcasting Service
175 die, 889 injured in Buenos Aires disco blaze Turkish Press
Darfur Casts Shadow Over Sudan Peace Pact in SouthReuters - 1 hour agoSudanese hailed a New Year accord ending a north-south civil war, but celebrations were tempered by fear the fledgling pact may unravel under pressure from the separate Darfur conflict in the west.
Sudanese gov't, southern rebels sign agreement on permanent ... Xinhua
Sudan's Government Signs Peace Deal With Rebel Group New York Times
Kansas City Star (subscription) -
Voice of America -
Sudan Tribune -
Al-Jazeera.Net
Prayers substitute for parties as tsunami tragedy weighs on New ...San Francisco Chronicle - 4 hours agoFor Sweden's prime minister, celebrating New Year's after the Asian tsunami felt "completely wrong." Paris, its gay heart heavy with the tragedy, draped black cloth along a favorite haunt for romantic reveling -- the Champs-Elysees.
World Reins in New Year Festivities After Tsunami ABC News
Sombre tone to New Year celebrations ABC Online
Winnipeg Sun -
Guardian -
The Age (subscription) -
Seattle Post Intelligencer
Congressman to push for tsunami warning system for Atlantic coastNewsday - 3 hours ago_ New Jersey US Rep. Frank Pallone says the Atlantic coastline needs a tsunami warning system and he plans to introduce legislation to create one in the next congressional session.
Background on South Asia Quake WXXA
How Scientists and Victims Watched Helplessly New York Times
Honolulu Advertiser -
Independent -
Washington Post -
Albany Times Union
Heavy Security Surrounds Abbas During Gaza VisitReuters - 4 hours agoTens of thousands of Palestinians pledged support to front-running presidential candidate Mahmoud Abbas on Friday as he made his first visit to Gaza since the start of a campaign to succeed Yasser Arafat.
Palestinian Death Toll Rises to 12 as Israel Presses Gaza Attack New York Times
EU official: Poll shows Palestinians eager to vote Ha'aretz
Turkish Press -
The Scotsman -
Voice of America -
Newsday
Sweden declares day of mourning for Tsunami deadFinancial Times - 9 hours agoNew Years Day has been declared a day of mourning in Sweden where, five days after the Indian Ocean tsunami, it is becoming clear that this nation of 9m may well have suffered the largest losses in proportion to its size.
Thailand spends New Year's Eve in sombre mood as death toll soars Turkish Press
Sweden says toll will hit 200,000 Reuters
CTV -
New Zealand Herald -
Zaman Online -
ABC News
Militants Warn Iraqis to Shun ElectionsABC News - 12 hours agoBAGHDAD, Iraq Dec 31, 2004 - Three militant groups released a statement saying democracy is un-Islamic and warned Iraqis that if they vote in Jan. 30 elections they risk being attacked.
3 Insurgent Groups Warn Iraqis Against Taking Part in Elections New York Times
Iraqi militants issue pre-election warning DeHavilland
Boston Globe -
The Age (subscription) -
Melbourne Herald Sun -
Sydney Morning Herald (subscription) -
Il Romanaccio at 1:24 AM
