Travel

понедельник, 12 марта 2012 г.

UN: Thousands Leave Lebanon Refugee Camp

TRIPOLI, Lebanon - A majority of families from a besieged Palestinian refugee camp caught in the crossfire between Islamic militants and the Lebanese army have fled but thousands remain trapped inside, a U.N. official said Sunday.

The Nahr al-Bared camp, located near the outskirts of this northern Lebanon port city, was calm Sunday after sporadic gunfire overnight between the army and Fatah Islam militants inside punctured a four-day-old truce.

Hoda al-Turk, a spokeswoman for U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees, known as UNRWA, said more 5,000 refugee families - or about 25,000 refugees - have left the camp since the fighting began one week ago. The camp is home to about 31,000 people.

A majority of the families have fled to the nearby Beddawi refugee camp, while others are staying in Tripoli and other villages, she said.

In a videotape obtained Saturday by AP Television News in Tripoli, the head of the Fatah Islam, Shaker Youssef al-Absi, said his fighters would not surrender but would kill those who storm the camp.

"We wish to die for the sake of God ... Sunni people are the spearhead against the Zionist Americans," said the bearded leader, who is suspected of having ties to al-Qaida. He was shown seated before a black banner, as another militant holding a machine gun stood next to him. The tape also showed militants training in an unidentified camp.

The Lebanese government has vowed to crush the militants. The military has rolled more troops around the camp, which is already ringed by hundreds of soldiers, backed by artillery and tanks. Fatah Islam has claimed to have more than 500 fighters with automatic weapons, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades, inside the camp.

Three U.S. transport planes carrying military aid arrived from Kuwait on Saturday in an effort to help shore up the army. So far, eight military transport planes have landed at Beirut airport since Thursday - four from the U.S. Air Force, two from the United Arab Emirates and two from Jordan. Media reports said the planes carried ammunition, body armor, helmets and night-vision equipment.

U.S. arms are a sensitive issue in a nation deeply divided between supporters of Prime Minister Fuad Saniora's government and an opposition backed by America's Mideast foes, Iran and Syria. The Shiite Hezbollah-led opposition accuses Saniora of having too close ties to Washington.

Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah criticized the American aid, saying Friday that Lebanon was being dragged into a U.S. war against al-Qaida that would destabilize the country, and warning the military against attacking Nahr al-Bared.

Saniora defended the U.S. aid, telling the Arabic-service of the British Broadcasting Corp. that the aid was not a "crime" and that the weapons had been offered by different countries a year ago.

Palestinian factions, meanwhile, have been scrambling to find a negotiated solution to end the siege and avert what many fear would be a bloody battle between the Lebanese army and the Fatah Islam.

An all-out army assault could spark violence elsewhere in Lebanon, host country to some 400,000 Palestinian refugees who mostly live in camps that are rife with armed groups.

The U.S. military aid could inspire other militants into what they perceive as an all-out battle against the West.

At least 20 civilians and 30 soldiers have been killed in the fighting. The Lebanese military says 60 Fatah Islam fighters were killed, though the group put the toll at 10.

Seniors retreat on global neighbours

New Hamburg, Ont.--The one-day Seniors' Fall Retreat (for age 55 and over) will be held at Hidden Acres Mennonite Camp here on September 23 as well as the 24th. (Participants can choose either day.)

The theme this year is "Reaching out to global neighbours: Stories from MEDA and MCC." Resource persons are Allan Sauder of Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) and Anita Fieguth of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC).

For details, call (519) 625-8606.--From retreat release

Spokesman: SC governor hiking Appalachian Trail

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford has been hiking along the Appalachian Trail, a spokesman said Monday night, explaining a dayslong absence that perplexed fellow state leaders.

Sanford hadn't been at work for several days and his office hadn't been in touch with him. The lieutenant governor, other fellow lawmakers and even his wife said they didn't know where he was, leading critics to question who was in charge of South Carolina.

"I cannot take lightly that his staff has not had communication with him for more than four days, and that no one, including his own family, knows his whereabouts," said Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer. Bauer said he'd been rebuffed by the governor's staff when he tried to find out where Sanford was.

The Republican governor left town on Thursday, his spokesman Joel Sawyer said, with plans to hike the trail, which passes through 14 states but doesn't cross South Carolina. Sawyer said he didn't know where exactly Sanford was along the 2,200-mile trail and declined to discuss Sanford's travel arrangements or who, if anyone, was hiking with him. The governor is expected back later this week.

"He's an avid outdoorsman," Sawyer said. "Nobody's ever accused our governor of being conventional."

Sanford, who's also chairman of the Republican Governors Association, earned a reputation as the nation's most vocal anti-bailout governor by refusing $700 million in federal stimulus money for schools until he lost a court battle earlier this month.

"He's just up there to kind of clear his head after the legislative session," Sawyer told The Associated Press in an interview. Sawyer wasn't aware that anyone on Sanford's staff had spoken to the governor since Thursday.

Sawyer said if there were an emergency, the office would consult with other state officials before making any decisions.

"We knew he would be difficult to reach, and that he would be checking in infrequently," Sawyer said in a statement.

First lady Jenny Sanford said earlier Monday she had not spoken with her husband for several days, including Father's Day. The Sanfords have four sons.

"He was writing something and wanted some space to get away from the kids," Jenny Sanford told The Associated Press while vacationing at the family's Sullivans Island beach house. She said she didn't know where he was, but wasn't concerned.

A message left for her wasn't immediately returned after the governor's hiking plans were disclosed.

Law enforcement officials who handle his security declined to comment and Sawyer wouldn't say whether Sanford had a security detail with him. Sanford is known for taking walks and runs without security, but flight logs show he seldom leaves the state without it.

Sanford typically is open about his whereabouts, and his office has in the past made no secret of time spent on vacation or out of state.

But politicians, including the lieutenant governor, said they did not know Sanford was taking time away from his office. Bauer said he had not been put in charge.

State Sen. Tom Davis, a Beaufort Republican, Sanford confidante and former chief of staff, said his calls to Sanford were going straight to voice mail. Calls from The Associated Press to the governor's cell phone also went to voice mail.

Sanford's critics were quick to criticize the governor.

"It's one thing for the boys to go off by themselves, but on Father's Day to leave your family behind? That's erratic," said Senate Minority Leader John Land, D-Manning.

Sanford's unannounced absence was a cause for concern because the National Guard and the state's top law enforcement agencies report to him, Land said.

"And when those officials can't get in touch with the commander, it's really weird. That's not responsible," he said.

Sen. Jake Knotts, a Lexington Republican and a persistent Sanford critic, said the state needs to know where its governor is.

"The way things are in the world today and homeland security, we need the governor to be fingertips away," Knotts said. "Somebody's got to be in charge."

___

Associated Press Writers Bruce Smith in Sullivans Island and Michael R. Baker in Raleigh, N.C., contributed to this report.

среда, 7 марта 2012 г.

White Sox Pitcher Garcia Nearly Perfect

A pair of AL races tilted a bit Wednesday as a pair of aces went in different directions. Freddy Garcia took a perfect-game bid into the eighth inning before Adam Kennedy singled with two outs. The Chicago White Sox coasted, beating the Los Angeles Angels 9-0.

"I knew I had a no-hitter going, but I was trying not to think about it and keep making my pitches," Garcia said.

Francisco Liriano's highly anticipated return to the Minnesota rotation came to a sudden halt when he walked off the mound in the third inning because of elbow trouble. A strong Rookie of the Year candidate, the All-Star lefty is done for the season, manager Ron Gardenhire said.

"The last two pitches I threw, I felt a pop and it really hurts," Liriano said. "This was disappointing. I just have to wait and see."

The Twins lost to Oakland 1-0, cutting their wild-card lead to 1 1/2 games over the White Sox.

AL Central-leading Detroit lost again, 11-3 to Texas, and remained 1 1/2 games ahead of Minnesota. Chicago closed to three games behind.

In other AL games, it was: New York 8, Tampa Bay 4; Baltimore 4, Boston 0; Toronto 10, Seattle 0; and Kansas City 6, Cleveland 2.

Liriano was 12-3 with a 2.19 ERA before leaving a start against Detroit on Aug. 8 with a strained ligament in his arm.

Despite a shaky rotation, the Twins tried to be especially careful with his return. When he showed no signs of problems during a rehabilitation start for Triple-A Rochester last Saturday, they thought he was ready.

Liriano got through the first two innings against the A's in quick order. But after giving up a bloop single to Nick Swisher to start the third, Liriano threw ball one to Bobby Kielty and that was it.

Liriano slumped off the mound, and trainers and manager Ron Gardenhire rushed out of the dugout. Liriano slowly walked off and fans at the Metrodome gave him a standing ovation.

"Obviously he won't be pitching again," Gardenhire said. "Something is in there bothering and continuing to stop him. ... Obviously when he gets in a game and puts a little extra torque in there, something is not right. We have to make sure we stop it and do what we have to do."

Liriano had an MRI exam after the game, and thoughts immediately turned to Tommy John surgery, a ligament-replacement procedure that typically keeps pitchers out for more than a year.

"I don't even want to think about that," Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson said.

Dan Haren (14-11) pitched eight shutout innings and Huston Street closed for his 32nd save. Matt Garza (1-5) pitched well in emergency relief.

At Anaheim, Calif., Garcia retired the first 23 batters before Kennedy cleanly lined the 100th pitch to center field on a 3-2 count.

Garcia came close to the first perfect game in the majors since Randy Johnson did it for Arizona at Atlanta on May 18, 2004. There have been only 14 regular-season perfect games in the majors since 1900.

Garcia (14-9) struck out three and walked none in eight innings. Neal Cotts pitched a perfect ninth to complete the one-hitter.

A week earlier, Florida Marlins rookie Anibal Sanchez ended a major league record drought of 2 1/2 years between no-hitters. Garcia almost topped that.

"I've been facing those guys for a long time, so I know they're aggressive and they like to swing the bat. Kennedy hit a good pitch, so there was nothing I could do about it. But who doesn't want to throw a no-hitter?"

Jermaine Dye chased rookie Joe Saunders (5-3) with a bases-loaded, two-run double in the fourth.

Rangers 11, Tigers 3

Gary Matthews Jr. hit for the cycle - in order, too - and Texas sent host Detroit to its 10th loss in 15 games.

Matthews led off the game with a single, doubled in the second inning and hit a triple in the fourth. The All-Star center fielder homered in the sixth and joined Mark Teixeira (2004) and Oddibe McDowell (1985) as the only Texas players to achieve the cycle.

Carlos Lee hit two solo home runs as Texas gave Kevin Millwood (15-10) plenty of run support.

Justin Verlander (16-8) lasted only 4 1-3 innings, his shortest outing since April 13 when he went 2 2-3 innings against the White Sox.

Yankees 8, Devil Rays 4

At Yankee Stadium, Robinson Cano drove in five runs and Alex Rodriguez hit a long homer for New York. The AL East leaders won their fifth in a row and cut their magic number to seven.

Derek Jeter stretched his hitting streak to 22 games, the longest by a Yankees player since current batting coach Don Mattingly had a 24-gamer in 1986.

Brian Bruney (1-1) pitched two scoreless innings for his first win with the Yankees. Jason Hammel (0-3) took the loss for Tampa Bay.

Orioles 4, Red Sox 0

At Baltimore, Erik Bedard pitched seven innings of two-hit ball and the Orioles dampened the return of Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield.

The Orioles are 2-12 against Boston this season, with their other win coming in May when Bedard (14-9) beat Wakefield (7-9).

Wakefield was activated from the disabled list before the game. He had been sidelined nearly two months because of a stress fracture in his rib cage.

Before the game, the Orioles said manager Sam Perlozzo would return in 2007. This was his first full year, and Baltimore is finishing its ninth straight losing season.

Blue Jays 10, Mariners 0

Gregg Zaun hit a grand slam during a nine-run fourth inning and also had a solo home run to lead visiting Toronto.

John Hattig, the first major leaguer from Guam, hit a three-run double for his first career RBIs.

A.J. Burnett (8-7) struck out a season-high 11 in eight innings. Cha Seung Baek (3-1) was chased in during the Blue Jays' big inning.

Royals 6, Indians 2

Emil Brown homered and Kansas City completed its first road sweep in more than three years.

Before taking two in Cleveland, the Royals had gone 86 consecutive road series without a sweep. That was the third-longest streak in history - Washington went 100 series from 1901-05 and Montreal went 88 from 1995-98.

Jorge De La Rosa (3-2) won in his first start in eight days. Jake Westbrook (12-10) took the loss.