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Marianas Airline Sued Over Fatal Plane Crash in CNMI
By Andrew O. De Guzman
SAIPAN, CNMI (Marianas Variety, Nov. 29, 2012) – Star Marianas Air Inc. has been sued in Superior Court by four passengers who were hurt in aplane crash on Runway 26 at the Tinian International Airport on May 7, 2012. The complaint cited "mechanical/engine failure" in mid-air as the cause of the crash.
The plane, Star Marianas' Cherokee number N4127R, was en route to Saipan, and the passengers had just attended the San Jose Fiesta annual celebration of Tinian's patron saint, St. Joseph.
According to the 16-page complaint submitted by the plaintiffs' attorney Ramon K. Quichocho, the Commonwealth Ports Authority released information to the media and "misrepresented that '[i]t was a Star Marianas plane coming in with a flat tire,'"
Star Marianas immediately terminated the employment of the pilot, Jacob McHenry, after the May 7 crash landing, the complaint added.
Aside from Star Marianas, and McHenry, the plaintiffs named 10 Does as defendants.
Quichocho represents Jesus S. Cabrera, Roman U. Maratita, Brinae Jessilyn M. Cruz, a minor represented by Rep. Janet U. Maratita, and Kayhana Faith C. Manglona, a minor represented by Janae M. Cabrera. The plaintiffs want a jury trial.
Sought for comment, Star Marianas legal counsel Timothy Bellas told Variety: "I have contacted my client and the company does not wish to comment on this document," referring to the complaint.
CPA had yet to respond to inquiries of this reporter.
On May 5, 2012, Quichoho said, his clients flew from Saipan to Tinian on a Star Marianas aircraft to attend the annual celebration of Tinian's patron saint, San Jose.
At 4 p.m. on May 7, the plaintiffs boarded a 1968 Piper PA-32-300 Cherokee 6-seat, owned and operated by Star Marianas, from Tinian to return to Saipan. The Cherokee was piloted by McHenry.
Cabrera and Brinae were seated in the middle portion of the Cherokee while Maratita and Kayhana were seated in the back seats.
The fifth passenger, who was not identified in the complaint, was seated in the co-pilot seat of the plane.
"As soon as the pilot started the engine, the Cherokee started to taxi out to the runway, without the pilot giving any safety briefing at all," the complaint stated.
The Cherokee took off, and while "at least 200 feet in the air, the Cherokee engine died, due to negligent piloting, operation, maintenance and/or control," the complaint said.
In a footnote, Quichocho said, "Whether the engine failure was due to the pilot's failure to switch the fuel tank or negligence or faulty maintenance is hard to ascertain at this point because the Commonwealth Ports Authority negligently turned over the Cherokee to the control, possession, and custody of Star Marianas immediately after it was towed away from the crash site."
McHenry, the pilot, "attempted to restart the engine but it did not start."
"The Cherokee then suddenly and violently dropped several feet once, then suddenly and violently dropped twice and made a crash landing on Tinian's Runway 26," the complaint said.
"The Cherokee landed hard with its tail hitting the runway and the Cherokee bounced at least twice on the runway, causing severe damage to the front tire, the left tire, the rim had collapsed and was bent toward the right, the left and right gear struts pierced the left and right wings, and hydraulic spillage was observed on the runway," the complaint said.
Quichocho said "[w]while the pilot was cussing, Ms. Maratita, Brinae, and Kayhana were screaming and crying in fear, and clearly everyone was severely traumatized."
Cabrera "violently hit his head on the roof" of the Cherokee causing severe neck pain and other internal pain, distress, and suffering, the complaint said.
Maratita "violently hit parts of her body" causing severe body aches, pains, and headaches, the complaint said.
Brinae "violently hit her shoulder" causing severe pain, the complaint said.
"Because she is very young, Kayhana has not been able to completely articulate her pain and suffering as a result of the violent and hard landing," the complaint added.
Quichocho said all of his clients "have been clearly traumatized and suffered severe emotional distress and [developed a] fear of flying."
"During the ordeal, the pilot failed to warn passengers to hold on or brace for the crash landing. The pilot failed to make a distress call, until everyone deplaned on their own, then the pilot used his cell phone to report the crash," Quichocho said.
"The CPA's emergency response team did not immediately respond to the crash," Quichocho added.
The victims "were transported from the crash site to the terminal on a hazardous material vehicle."
CPA ports police and Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting personnel interviewed the pilot and one of the five passengers, "but absolutely failed to interview any of the plaintiffs," Quichocho said.
"As a proximate result of the negligence of defendants and the crash landing, plaintiffs have suffered nightmares since May 7, 2012, and they continue to have flashbacks, nightmares, and fear of ever getting on an airplane again," Quichocho said.
On May 8, the plaintiffs proceeded to Saipan by boat and were later examined by their doctors and prescribed medication.
On May 9, the plaintiffs through Quichocho, wrote a letter to CPA regarding the "misreporting, the premature turnover of the Cherokee to Star Marianas, and a request to allow inspection and to photograph the Cherokee and the crash site, and a request for any reports of investigation, but it was too late because CPA had turned over the Cherokee to Star Marianas without completing its investigation. Needless to say, CPA did not respond to the request."
On or about July 16, 2012, Star Marianas' Cherokee number N4599X made an emergency landing due to "engine mixture of gas and water," and the engine was "choking" in midair, according to the complaint.
On Nov. 16, 2012, Star Marianas' Cherokee number N4599X had a flat tire before takeoff at the Tinian Airport, the complaint said.
On Nov. 19, 2012, Star Marianas' Cherokee number N4267R crashed at the Saipan Airport leaving one passenger dead, five in critical condition, "including Star Marianas' best pilot," and one with minor physical injuries, the complaint added.
As a proximate result of the negligence of defendants, and the resulting crash, Quichocho said his clients were "seriously injured and experienced conscious pain and suffering, and thus seek recovery thereof," adding plaintiffs have incurred medical and other expenses, and thus seek recovery thereof.
Quichocho said his clients are invoking the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur (the thing speaks for itself) against Star Marianas; negligent training and supervision of personnel; and willful misconduct.
Maratita, and Cabrera are suing Star Marianas for loss of consortium.
Cabrera and Maratita have been living together like husband and wife for over 20 years. Before sustaining the injuries alleged above, Maratita and Cabrera were able to and did perform all the duties of a husband and wife, including assisting in maintaining the home and taking care of the family, the complaint stated.
All plaintiffs are suing the defendants for negligent maintenance and inspection of aircraft.
Quichocho said his clients are asking for a judgment against defendants, jointly and severally, for actual, general, compensatory, and consequential damages in an amount to be proven at trial; for medical expenses; for loss of earnings; for punitive damages, in an amount appropriate "to punish defendants and set an example to others," to be proven at trial; for such other damages as plaintiffs can show; for attorney's fees and costs; for pre- and post-judgment interest; for such other and further relief to which plaintiffs are entitled under law or equity as the court deems just and proper.
Marianas Variety:www.mvariety.com
Copyright © 2012 Marianas Variety. All Rights Reserved
Go back to Pacific Islands Report


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If your course books are in high demand you may find that you have to wait to use them and you may only be able to borrow them for a short time. You will therefore probably need to buy important course books and you should budget for this.
Essential course books are likely to be available in Blackwells bookshop located in Cardiff University Students' Union. You may also be able to buy the books on your reading list before you arrive in Cardiff.
In September some lecturers give the reading list for some courses to Blackwells Bookshop. So if you pre-order them, they could be waiting for you when you arrive in Cardiff. To find out if Blackwells have your reading list and to order your books contact by email firstname.lastname@example.com or web www.blackwells.co.uk
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May 5, 2016
TALLAHASSEE 6/14/2012 -- It's not often you hear English* on Spanish-language TV, but up and down the state, when novelas go to commercial break, the unmistakable voice of Mitt Romney takes over.
Two superpacs backing President Obama are pouring four million dollars into running an ad in Colorado, Nevada and Florida; criticizing Romney for neglecting Latinos.
Never before has that much money been devoted to a Spanish-language political ad, but perhaps never before have Latinos been as influential in American politics.
The ad is overwhelming evidence Latinos are being seen through a whole new lens, especially here in Florida and especially by Democrats.
All things being equal, the Latino vote could make or break Obama's chances come November.
Four years ago, Florida Latinos broke for the president, 57-to-42.
Rafael Marte was one of those Obama voters, but he doesn't plan to back him again. Even after watching the new ad, Rafael says he's disappointed.
"When you are not good enough and you try to show that your opponent is bad or as bad as you are, then you get lost, confused, and you say, 'what are you going to do'? Most of the people, we don't vote. We will not spend our time and money to go vote," said Marte.
Not all of Florida's 1.5 million Latino voters feel that way, and many may well be moved by the ad.
The bigger question is if it's worth it. The answer may not come until November.
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|Quickdirt OMBC #2 Mohican State Park Race Report
|Registration for GREAT SEAL open
|Mohican Detour Alert
Mohican DETOUR ALERT: SR97 is closed between 6 miles east of Butler until two miles west of SR3.
Racers arriving via I-71 onto SR97 east toward SR3 please take note. Reroute through Ashland SR60 if coming from the North(Cleveland). Reroute using SR3 through MT Vernon if arriving from the South (Columbus). Back roads are open and there are posted detour signs east of Butler on SR97. Be sure to allow extra time.
|Mountwood Challenge on Quickdirt


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April 11 2012, Central Park, Scene where Dr Who begins to Cry
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October 30, 2008
Dave Childers
Recruiting may have slacked off some for Powder Springs (McEachern HS), Ga. linebacker Emmanuel Edouarzin, but his season certainly hasn't.Up to 6-foot-2, 232 pounds from his Rivals.com measured height and weight of 6-foot-1, 225 pounds, Edouarzin has amassed approximately 80 tackles this fall, which includes 15 tackles for a loss, five and a half quarterback sacks and is credited with three forced fumbles. He projects as a linebacker in college, but has played both linebacker and defensive end this fall for McEachern."I'm hearing a lot from Western Michigan and Tennessee-Chattanooga right now," Edouarzin said on Wednesday. "I'm still getting a lot of mail from schools like Ole Miss, West Virginia, and Mississippi State."The fact that coaches aren't calling doesn't concern Edouarzin."I want to finish the season strong and see what happens," he said. "I'm just now putting my senior highlight video together and when I send that out, I think it'll attract some attention. I actually sent one recently to West Virginia and I'm going to send one to Ole Miss and Mississippi State. I want to wait until after the season and then I'll focus on recruiting."Edouarzin's season may be over sooner rather than later as his McEachern team is now 4-4 on the season with just two regular games remaining. The team has a shot at the playoffs, but could be left out without a win or perhaps two.Ole Miss had shown some interest in Edouarzin back in the spring, with Rebels defensive line coach Tracy Rocker talking to Edouarzin."He said they were going to watch me during the season," he said. "I expect them to be back in touch after our seasons are over. We'll see."Should Ole Miss pursue Edouarzin, he would be the second player from Power Springs that Ole Miss has been after in the last three years. The Rebels signed Ted Laurent, whose parents are Haitian. His family moved to Canada before Laurent moved to the Atlanta suburbs prior to his freshman year. Laurent was a four-star nose tackle prospect signed in the 2007 signing class and has emerged on the Rebel defensive line as a force for Ole Miss.Ironically, both players are of Haitian descent. Edouarzin, attended the Gainesville NIKE camp earlier this year where he checked in at 6-foot-1, 225 pounds and logged a 4.7 40-yard dash. He said his best 40-yard dash time is in the 4.67 area.The prospect played defensive end for South Cobb last year, but transferred to McEachern last summer. Edouarzin, racked up 94 tackles with ten tackles for a loss and three sacks for a struggling South Cobb team that went just 2-8 last season and was named all-county and defensive lineman of the year for his team.While Laurent is a McEachern alumn and it appears Edouarzin will be also, the two players' paths have seldom crossed with Edouarzin's South Cobb team playing against Laurent's McEachern team two years ago."Ted was on the defensive line and I was on the punting team," Edouarzin said. "But Ted wasn't exactly rushing the punter."Laurent struggled some academically in high school because of English being his second language, but Edouarzin doesn't have that to deal with."I was born in Haiti, but moved here when I was real young," he said. "English is my first language and I can speak just a little Creole."Edouarzin said he currently has a 2.6 GPA and just recently took the SAT and that he doesn't expect transferring will have any impact on him being able to qualify academically. ...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now!
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Reviews by Gruntman14
Great Tower DefenceGruntman14 | June 7, 2013 | Review of Sanctum - PC
This game is a great game if you are a fan of the TD genre. It plays very much like the game "Fieldrunners", being that you build the path that the enemies must run through. The graphics on the game are very nice, but certainly not the best. It has a bit of replayability when doing the game solo, but when you team up with friends, the fun never ends. The multitude of weaponry that you can use is amazing. You can upgrade them differently each match you play so it is even more diverse. The game can be difficult at times, but always turns out fun.


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May 4, 2016
If eating better is one of your New Year's resolutions, Kim is here to help by showing you some recipes that are not only tasty but also good for the waistline.
Monday, Jan. 2: Sweet Potato Pizza
Wednesday, Jan. 4: Pork Chops in Warm Cherry Sauce
Friday, Jan. 6: Suggestions for More Mindful Eating
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text: I posted some help questions awhile ago about a treadmill test I had to take to return to work. Well, I failed that test because my HR went too high in the 3 minutes I was running. My employer, sent me to their own Dr. to get re-assessed for my return to light duty. He asked me a few questions about my cardiac history, (none) and he said the test I took was crap and wrote me a note to return to work which my employer would not accept. So my empoyer sent me for a stress test today which I passed with flying colors. Cardiologists looked at my charts and asked, "why are you here"? So its back onto the mean streets tomorrow night. Bad guys beware, Ive got 4 months of making up to do


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Ghost Music Of Vaudeville
General Fiction Mystery/Detective
by Billie A. Williams
excerpt author's page interview
Order ebooks from Barnes and Noble, Smashwords or Amazon
268 pages
cover art by: Richard Stroud
Damien Callistrari orders his henchmen to remove the tenants of the old Keith Theatre Building. They refuse to be bought out. Did he mean at any price, including kidnapping, arson, murder?
When Damien's son falls in love with Charlie Wolfe, Reporter for the Ironwood Daily Globe, all bets are off. He is suddenly confronted with the evil man his father has become. Can Roberto stop Damien from destroying the theater, more importantly the lives so wrapped up in the memories of the Vaudeville shows that still haunt the walls of the beloved Keith Theatre —what will be the cost?


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Your Opinion: Thoughts on faith and reason
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Dear Editor:
I would like to thank Dennis Givens for his recent LTTE. He has succinctly paraphrased the essential argument between faith and reason as it stands in the popular consciousness. His letter also implies the question: Is there any way that the advocates of these two apparently antagonistic, divergent concepts can be reconciled or at least co-exist?
I have characterized my position as compatible with atheism. I am actually no atheist. I just don't believe in the existence of a personal god in the way it is generally understood.
I realize my next statement may scandalize my fellow materialists. I find the argument for Intelligent Design intuitively compelling, in spite of the theological, social and political hay its advocates attempt to make of it.
According to Chaos Theory, certain kinds of undifferentiated masses of particles have a tendency to self-organize — often into extremely complex structures, seemingly without any outside forces in play.
Like many other strange discoveries in science, advocates of divinity and scientific materialism come to divergent conclusions. Cosmologists will be the first to tell you that the present conditions of life on earth are highly unlikely, although they are not prepared to attribute it all to an Old-Man-In-A-White-Beard.
As Eddington asserted, "The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can imagine." Science's inability to explain certain phenomenon does not automatically invite a Deus-ex-Machina.
I suggest the following article: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-krauss-cosmology-design-universe-20120401,0,4136597.story.
Givens seemed to imply that our ethical standards somehow must derive from a Biblical God. Of course our codes of conduct from earliest history have often had divine imprimaturs attached "Thou Shalt Not!" etc. Social codes and the cooperative values of love, justice and survival more likely arose from human social evolution, from the ground up rather than from Heaven down. Anthropology has demonstrated that a belief in God is not necessary for human morality. As a guide to ethical behavior, I personally have found the Old Testament God a highly unreliable role model.
To (badly) paraphrase St. Paul: We may disagree on faith. It will be proven — founded or foolish in the last day. We may disagree on hope. It will either be fulfilled or dashed. But the greatest of these remains the universal constant of love. Whether we agree or disagree, whether we have faith or are skeptics, we have no excuse for not loving one another, in spite of our differences.
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Servicemembers walk for sexual assault awareness
April 18, 2011
By Sophia E. Piellusch H&S Bn, Henderson Hall
The Sexual Assault Awareness Month Walk on D.C. took place April 7. Servicemembers and civilians gathered at Freedom Plaza, Washington, D.C. to show their support for eliminating sexual assault.
Marines from Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall joined with members of the Army, Air Force and Navy marching up Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street to the Capitol building holding signs and chanting ''no means no."
Sexual assault response coordinators from the National Capital Area, including Stacy Johnston from the Defense Intelligence Agency, Lisa Thomas from Henderson Hall, Jean Wertman from Anacostia Naval Station, D.C., and Linda Schmid from Patuxent River, Md., and Dahlgren, Va., worked together to organize the walk in D.C.
A District of Columbia Police squad escorted the walkers to a U.S. Senate plaza. Rear Adm. Michael Brown, director of the Navy Staff's Personal Readiness and Community Support Branch and Alisha Cole, director of Sexual Assault Response and Awareness Program at the Office on Women in Alexandria, Va., addressed issues of awareness, victim care and prevention.
Cole is a survivor of sexual assault and a victims' advocate who speaks out in order to help other survivors.
''If I tell my story and I help one other person who listens to my story, then that's what I need to do," she said.
''Victims are real people, we're your neighbors, your friends, your sister, people you work with."
''For an actual victim to come out here and tell her story is a good way to encourage us to stop these things happening in the future," said Cpl. Juan Deluna, H & S Bn., Henderson Hall.
''Sexual assault is something very difficult to talk about and I think the speakers have a lot of inner strength and courage to come out and speak to us about situations they've been through and dealing with themselves," said Cpl. Crystalee Munoz, H&S Bn., Henderson Hall.
''I thought [the event] was very good."
Brown shared with the audience how the crime of sexual assault had touched his Family as recently as last summer.
''I tell you my story because I'm working through it in my own mind." the admiral said.
''It's a crime. It starts with harassment ... little things."
The services are committed to increasing the awareness of sexual assault because the only way to combat the crime is to have everyone understand the dynamics.
When a bad situation is developing, bystanders have an opportunity to intervene. We depend on those folks to watch out for the safety of our shipmates, fellow Marines, Sailors and Soldiers.
''I thought is was very touching and very informative. The next time they have a walk I want to definitely be in the front," said Cpl. Cedric Reed from H & S Bn., Henderson Hall.
''The walk was for a great cause. It actually taught me a lot and made me more aware of the problem of sexual assault," said Lance Cpl. Anthony Quinones from, H&S Bn., Henderson Hall said,
To close the event Wertman took the lid off a small box she carefully carried during the walk.
Like many survivors, the butterflies were slow to fly away after being released.
The walk symbolizes the journey survivors must make so that they can change and be free to fly like butterflies.


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Classic game collection
This review is from: Metal Gear Solid HD Collection Xbox 360 Game
Pros: An excellent collection of classic games from a previous generation of console gaming. In this case, the Playstation 2, Xbox, and the Sony PSP. Not an entirely, "high Def" remake of these games, but more of an "up rez'd" version of Metal Gear Solid2, Metal Gear Solid3, and Metal Gear Solid: Peacewalker. I loved Kojima's Metal Gear Solid series and how they popularized the "stealth game" sub genre of action games. So this purchase was more of a nostalgia fix than anything else. If you loved the original Meta Gear Solid on PS1, then you will really like these games.
Cons: The game play is dated and the games are not HD remakes, but more up rez'd games. There is no HD remake of the original 1999 Metal Gear Solid. The versions currently available for download on the Playstation Network is only the PS1 version. Oh well.
Other Thoughts: If you were a fan of the original Metal Gear Solid then this collection of 3 classic games will be for you.
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Saturday, June 28, 2014
Sather on free agents: "It's going to be complicated;" All RFAs except for Falk get QOs
Rangers GM Glen Sather provided a realistic assessment on the Rangers' chances of retaining all their free agents after the team made its seven selections in rounds 2-7 Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center.
To paraphrase, they're not good, and that was even before Sather said the NHL general managers were taken somewhat by surprise by the salary cap being set at $69 million instead of the previously expected $70 million.
"We already traded one guy (Derek Dorsett) to give us some relief," Sather said. "We didn't know then but we had a real good idea that it wasn't going to be $70 million so we had to make some room. We'll see what happens here in the next week.
"I'd like to have everyone back," Sather added. "Realistically I think it's going to be complicated for the two reasons I said: One, the cap is not going up and the other one is where we ended up at the end of the year (in the Stanley Cup Final).
"We didn't win so I think, realistically, some of these guys have got to pull the horns in a little bit," Sather said.
Sather did say the Rangers extended qualifying offers to their restricted free agents - though he didn't mention it that's excepting defenseman Justin Falk.
That would be Derick Brassard ($3.7 million QO); Chris Kreider ($850,500); Mats Zuccarello ($1.15 million); John Moore ($850,500). Other than Brassard, it's unlikely that those qualifying offers will be accepted. Most likely, even Brassard will look to get a better deal.
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Sather also touched upon a few other subjects in his 10-minute meeting with the media, conducted at the back end of the draft floor.
On the Rangers' draft: "We drafted two goalies today (Brandon Halverson in the second round and Igor Shestyorkin in the fourth round). Realistically they're probably not going to be ready for a few years. But they're good looking goalies. I don't think you can ever have enough. We had some guys get hurt this year (Cam Talbot in the Eastern Conference Final), another guy retire this year (Marty Biron) so it changed our whole goaltending rotation. Marty, I think was probably thinking of retiring all summer, and then when he did retire it put us in a bit of a jam. But it worked out for Talbot, he turned out to be a pretty good goalie. Then he got hurt, that puts you in a spot."
On buying out Brad Richards: "Yes (the Rangers had to make that move). I thought Brad had a real good bounceback year from last year. He worked his tail off, came into camp in tremendous shape, he had a great year and it was tough to do. Not only for us but for him. Because he was really a quality guy. The rules (cap recapture in the new CBA) changed midstream, nothing we could do about it."
On building a team: "You start to look at the philosophy of a team and how it's structured and whether you've got first, second third or fourth line players or whether they play 18 minutes or they play 10 minutes. They're all important guys on a hockey team to get to where you are and the reason we got to where we did get to is because we have a good coach, a good coaching staff, we have a team philosophy. That is the reason that you're going to win and inside that philosophy there's roles for different players to play and if they can accept them you can have a good team. But if you have players that aren't willing to accept their roles then you've got conflict all the time and that creates problems. I'm not interested in problems. I want people who want to play within the team's structure and that's how you win."
Those last few sentences would seem to apply directly to Brian Boyle, who said on breakup day he was looking for more than a fourth-line role.
On the need for younger players in the lineup because of the cap situation: "We expect (J.T.) Miller to come and play this year. He probably would have played throughout the playoffs if he hadn't had a separated shoulder. He's young, he fits into the price range, he's going to develop into becoming a very good hockey player. He had a lot of growth this year and did well. As far as the other guys are concerned, I don't know where it's going to go but that's why we have all summer to figure it out."
On the five-day free agency interview period leading up to July 1: "Ahhh. To me it's a little strange. You're not supposed to negotiate, you can talk, you're not supposed to make a deal but I hear all kinds of numbers being bantered around by guys that have offered contracts to guys for huge dollars that I don't know whether that's true. That's what I heard on the street. But if you don't have it, you can't pay it and you want to keep your own team intact if you can and then you just want to improve it."


text:
PubMed Submission Abstract PDF Cover Contents Editorial Board Count: 2752 Download Count: 571
Tian-Jie Qin, Gai-Li An, Xin-Han Zhao, Fang Tian, Xiao-Hua Li, Juan-Wen Lian, Department of Medical Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical School of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
Bo-Rong Pan, Outpatient Department of Oncology, Cancer Institute, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China
Shan-Zhi Gu, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education; School of Medicine of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China
Author contributions: Qin TJ, Gu SZ and Zhao XH designed the research; Qin TJ, Zhao XH, An GL and Tian F performed the study; Qin TJ, Zhao XH and Gu SZ analyzed the data; Qin TJ, Zhao XH, An GL, Li XH, Lian JW and Pan BR wrote the paper.
Correspondence to: Dr. Shan-Zhi Gu, Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education; School of Medicine of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710061, Shaanxi Province, China. email@example.com
Telephone: +86-29-82655475 Fax: +86-29-82655472
Received: November 12, 2008 Revised: December 14, 2008
Accepted: December 21, 2008
Published online: February 21, 2009
AIM: To investigate the efficacy and side effects of the combined therapy of oxaliplatin and capecitabine in patients with metastatic esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) and the survival of the patients.
METHODS: Sixty-four patients (median age of 63 years) with histological or cytological confirmation of ESCC received oxaliplatin 120 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 and capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 orally twice daily on days 1 to 14 in a 21-d treatment cycle as palliative chemotherapy. Each patient received at least two cycles of treatment. The efficacy, side effects and patient survival were evaluated.
RESULTS: The partial response (PR) rate was 43.8% (28/64). Stable disease (SD) rate was 47.9% (26/64), and disease progression rate was 15.6% (10/64). The clinical benefit rate (PR + SD) was 84.4%. The main toxicities were leukopenia (50.0%), nausea and vomiting (51.6%), diarrhea (50.0%), stomatitis (39.1%), polyneuropathy (37.5%) and hand-foot syndrome (37.5%). No grade 4 event in the entire cohort was found. The median progression-free survival was 4 mo, median overall survival was 10 mo (95% CI: 8.3-11.7 mo), and the 1- and 2-year survival rates were 38.1% and 8.2%, respectively. High Karnofsky index, single metastatic lesion and response to the regimen indicated respectively good prognosis.
CONCLUSION: Oxaliplatin plus capecitabine regimen is effective and tolerable in metastatic ESCC patients. The regimen has improved the survival moderately and merits further studies.
© 2009 The WJG Press and Baishideng. All rights reserved.
Key words: Oxaliplatin; Capecitabine; Metastatic esophageal squamous cell cancer; Survival analysis
Peer reviewer: Satoshi Osawa, MD, PhD, First Department of Medicine, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, Japan
Qin TJ, An GL, Zhao XH, Tian F, Li XH, Lian JW, Pan BR, Gu SZ. Combined treatment of oxaliplatin and capecitabine in patients with metastatic esophageal squamous cell cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2009; 15(7): 871-876 Available from: URL: http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/15/871.asp DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3748/wjg.15.871
Esophageal cancer, which has the highest incidence and mortality worldwide[1-4] is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. Linzhou (formerly known as Linxian) and nearby cities, such as Anyang and Huixian in Henan Province of northern China have been well recognized as the highest incidence area for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in the world; the average incidence rates for men and women are 161 and 103 per 100 000, respectively[5].
Due to the lack of obvious early symptoms, the patients were often diagnosed at advanced stages, more than half of them with metastasis[6]. The recurrence and metastasis rate after treatment of esophageal cancer have the trend to ascend in recent years. In 2007, Grunberger et al[7] have confirmed that palliative chemotherapy can prolong the survival of stage Ⅳ esophageal cancer patients, relieve their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Nevertheless, no optimizing chemotherapy regimen has been developed so far, the combined regimens based on cisplatin and 5-FU has been used frequently, with an effective rate of about 25.0%-33.0%[8,9]. Squamous cell esophageal cancer is the most common histology in China, and the constituent ratio is different from that in Europe and America. Some experts state that there are complete differences between esophageal adenocarcinomas and squamous cell cancer, such as the treatment protocol and prognosis. Therefore, the focus must be laid on the study of palliative chemotherapy of metastatic ESCC.
Oxaliplatin is a kind of chemotherapeutic drug belonging to the third generation of platinum compounds, which has played an important role in the treatment of colon cancer and other solid tumors[10,11]. Oxaliplatin's side chain is substituted by the diamino-cyclohexane radical (DACH). Therefore, compared to cisplatin, DACH-platinum combines to DNA much faster with stronger cell toxicity, which has no cross tolerance with cisplatin and no oto-renal toxicity. Furthermore, it has a synergistic effect with 5-FU, with slight digestive tract reaction and hematotoxicity. Its common side effect is reversible peripheral nerve paresthesia. Oral capecitabine can be rapidly absorbed as an intact molecule in the gastrointestinal tract and most of a given dose of capecitabine is initially hydrolyzed in the liver by a carboxylesterase to 5'-deoxy-5-fluorocytidine (5'-DFCR) without bioactivity. Cytidine deaminase, an enzyme found in many tissues, including tumors, converts 5'-DFCR to 5'-DFUR. Certain human carcinomas express the enzyme thymidine phosphorylase in higher concentrations than the surrounding normal tissues, which potentially converts 5'-DFUR to higher concentrations of active 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) within these tumors.
This study aims to explore the efficacy and toxic reaction of the combined treatment of oxaliplatin and capecitabine in metastatic ESCC and the survival of the patients. The results will be used to supply information and instruction for clinical treatment.
From January 2003 to January 2006, 64 patients (45 males and 19 females) with histological or cytological confirmation of metastatic ESCC received oxaliplatin plus capecitabine therapy. The median age of the patients was 63 years (27cases under 60 years and 37 cases over 60 years). The metastatic sites of ESCC patients were lymph node, bone, liver, lung, membrana pleuralisa, abdominal membrane, adrenal gland, skin and soft tissue. Among these patients, 42 had single-site metastasis and 22 had multi-site metastases. Karnofsky performance status (KPS) of the patients was between 60 and 100 (60-80 in 42 patients and 90-100 in 23 patients). Before the study, 28 patients had received no chemotherapy, and 36 had received previous chemotherapy, and oxaliplatin and capecitabine treatment was excluded.
All patients were required to take pathological examinations, upper gastrointestinal tract barium meal perspective, computed tomography (CT) for neck thorax and abdomen, magnetic resonance imaging or CT for skull, emission computerized tomography for bone, blood routine test, liver-renal function test, electrocardiography (ECG) and other routine tests.
All patients received oxaliplatin and capecitabine as follows: oxaliplatin 120 mg/m2, infused on day 1; capecitabine 1000 mg/m2, taken orally twice a day on days 1-14. Before taking oxaliplatin, the patients received 5-hydroxy-tryptamine inhibitors to prevent vomiting. During the medication, the patients should keep their body warm, avoid cold drinks, and take vitamin B6 100 mg orally three times a day with capecitabine to prevent and decrease the occurrence of extremity syndrome. Blood routine and liver-renal function tests should also be performed, and abnormal tests should be managed to accomplish the chemotherapy. Patients with bone metastasis should receive the radiotherapy and diphosphonate simultaneously in the 21-day cycle treatment. Each patient received at least two cycles of chemotherapy.
Evaluation criteria
After completion of two cycles of chemotherapy, all patients received overall check-up. Tumor response was assessed using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, such as the change of the tumor size, quantity and the appearance of new lesions. Toxicity was evaluated according to the Common Toxicity Criteria for acute and subacute toxicity reactions, and confirmed again at 4 wk after treatment. Patients benefited from the treatment complete response (CR) and partial response (PR) were given one or two more cycles of chemotherapy based on their agreement and tolerance. If the disease was progressive, they should receive other chemotherapeutic protocols, and optimized supportive treatment should be administered if the patients agree and are tolerant.
After completion of chemotherapy, all patients were followed up every 3 mo in the first year and every 6 mo in the second year by outpatient service and telephone interview till patients' death.
Statistical analysis
Overall survival, progression-free survival, death or last follow-up results were evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method. The life table method was used to evaluate the 1-year and 2-year survival rates. Single factor was compared by log-rank test, and multi-factor was analyzed by Cox regression proportional hazard model.
Short-term effects
All patients were evaluated for short-term effects and toxicity. There was no CR; 28 patients (43.8%) had PR, 26 patients (40.6%) demonstrated stable disease (SD) and 10 (15.6%) patients presented with cancer progression. The effectiveness rate was 40.6% and the overall clinical benefit rate was 84.4%.
Toxic and side effects
The main side effects of chemotherapy were alimentary tract reaction such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, and different grade bone marrow suppression. The occurrence of nausea and vomiting was 51.6%, and that of diarrhea was 50.0%. All side effects were slight or moderate. The main bone marrow suppression was leukopenia. The incidence rates of grade Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ and Ⅳ leucopenia were 31.3%, 15.6%, 3.1% and 0.0%, respectively. One female patient had the symptom of digit anesthesia and anodynia late in the second cycle of chemotherapy, but this relieved gradually without treatment. The others only had grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ nerve toxicity such as dead limb, dysesthesia, and cold sensitivity. All of these recovered soon during the intermission of chemotherapy. No severe hand-foot syndrome occurred. The incidence rate of slight and moderate hand-foot syndrome was 37.5%. The other toxicities were grade Ⅰ or Ⅱ tolerable oral mucositis (39.1%), liver function abnormality (1.4%) and alopecia (6.2%). There was no renal function abnormality and death related to chemotherapy (Table 1).
Survival analysis
The 64 patients were all followed up either for 2 years or until death. The follow-up rate was 100.0% (Figure 1). The median progression-free survival was 4.0 mo, and the median overall survival was 10.0 mo (95% CI: 8.3-11.7 mo). The 1- and 2-year survival rates were 38.1% (24/63) and 8.2% (5/61), respectively. Kaplan-Meier monofactorial analysis indicated that there was a statistical significance between the influence of KPS index, metastasis and short-term effect and survival (P ≤ 0.0001), but there was no statistical significance between the influence of sex, age and therapy and survival (P > 0.05), (Figure 2). Cox regression proportional hazard model polyfactorial analysis indicated that KPS index, the number of tumor metastasis loci and short-term effect (P < 0.001) were independent survival prognostic factors, while sex, age and former therapy (P > 0.05) were not (Tables 2 and 3).
It is very important to treat enteric tumors by oxaliplatin plus capecitabine. There are few reports about this protocol used in esophageal cancer[12,13]. As a result of different pathological types, there have been some reports about combined treatment of oxalipatin and capecitabine for esophageal adenocarcinoma. However, there has been no report about this protocol for ESCC. Compared with other treatment of advanced ESCC, our effectiveness rate is slightly lower than that of protocol of paclitaxel and cisplatin reported by Huang et al[14], but higher than that of combined regimens based on cisplatin and 5-FU, as well as irinotecan and cisplatin, and similar to that of FOLFOX 4. The median overall survival is longer and the 1-year survival rate is a little higher in our study than the regimens based on cisplatin and 5-FU, as well as FOLFOX 4, both of which are frequently applied clinically. Moreover, our regimen has fewer side effects.
Mauer et al[10] reported that oxaliplatin and 5-FU protocol (oxaliplatin 85 mg/m2 iv, 5-FU 400 mg/m2 iv quickly and then 600 mg/m2, iv for 22 h, on day 1 and 2), has better results. The PR rate was 40.0%, the median overall survival was 7.1 mo, and 1-year survival rate was 31.0%. The main toxicities were neutrocytopenia (grade Ⅳ, 29.0%,) and peripheral neuropathy (grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ, 26.0%).
Huang et al[14] used paclitaxel and cisplatin regimen (paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 , iv less than 3 h on day 1; cisplatin DDP 40 mg/m2, iv on day 2 and 3; and repeated every 3 wk), with a PR rate of 55.5%. Of seven patients with severe neutrocytopenia, one patient died of grade Ⅳ neutrocytopenia.
Polee et al[15] used cisplatin, etoposide and 5-FU regimen (cisplatin DDP 80 mg/m2, iv on day 1; etoposide 125 mg/m2, iv on day 1 and 200 mg/m2 , iv on day 3 and 5; 5-FU 375 mg/m2, iv on days 1-4; folic acid 30 mg, taken orally every 4 h, on days 1-4; and the cycle was repeated every 4 wk), the PR rate was 34.0%, the median overall survival was 9.5 mo, and the 1-year survival rate was 36.0%. The main toxicities were leukopenia (grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ, 16.0%), fever related to leukopenia (19.0%), thrombocytopenia (grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ, 7.0%), mucositis (grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ, 23.0%), nausea and vomiting (grade Ⅲ, 32.0%) and diarrhea (grade Ⅲ, 6.0%).
Lorenzen et al[16] used capecitabine (1000 mg/m2 taken orally twice daily on days 1-14) plus intravenous docetaxel (75 mg/m2 on day 1). The median survival was 15.8 mo (95% CI, 7.8-23.9 mo). The intent-to-treat efficacy analysis showed an overall response rate (ORR) of 46.0%.
Lee et al[17] used 60 mg/m2 of CDDP iv on day 1 and capecitabine 1250 mg/m2 taken orally twice a day on days 1-14. The ORR was 57.8% (95% CI, 43.3-72.2). The median duration of response was 4.6 (1.0-15.6) mo, follow-up of 25.7 (10.8-42.6) mo, progression time of 4.7 mo (95% CI: 2.5-7.0 mo) and the median survival time was 11.2 mo (95% CI: 8.5-13.9 mo).
Lin et al[18] used the regimen, composed of paclitaxel 35 mg/m2 1 h iv on day 1, 4, 8 and 11; cisplatin 20 mg/m2, 2 h iv on day 2, 5, 9 and 12; and 5-FU 2000 mg/m2, leucovorin 300 mg/m2 24 h iv on day 5 and 12; and repeated every 21 d. The median progression-free and overall survival rates were 6.3 and 8.9 mo, respectively.
Evans et al[19] used docetaxel and oxaliplatin on day 1 and 8 and capecitabine individually, twice daily, on day 1-10, with each cycle repeated every 21 d. The docetaxel dose ranged from 30 to 35 mg/m2, the oxaliplatin from 40 to 50 mg/m2, and the capecitabine from 750 to 850 mg/m2 twice daily. Grade 3/4 dose-limiting toxicities of diarrhea, nausea, fatigue and febrile neutropenia occurred in three of four patients at dose level 3. An intermediate dose was added (2A) and the capecitabine dose reduced to 750 mg/m2. One of 6 patients had a dose-limiting toxicity at level 2A.
Tsai et al[20] used carboplatin (area under the ROC curve AUC = 2) on day 1 and 8, docetaxel (35-40 mg/m2) on day 1 and 8, and capecitabine (500-2000 mg/m2) on days 1-10. The maximum tolerated dose of docetaxel was 40 mg/m2 on day 1 and 8; carboplatin, AUC = 2 on day 1 and 8; and capecitabine, and 1500-2000 mg/m2 on days 1-10 in a 21-day cycle. Ten of 25 patients who could be evaluated (40.0%) responded and eight of 14 patients treated at the final dose level responded (57.0%).
Lee et al[21] used two cycles of XP induction chemotherapy, consisting of capecitabine 1000 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-14, and cisplatin 60 mg/m2 iv on day 1, every 3 wk. Patients classified as M1a and M1b (non-visceral lymph node metastases) were treated with 54 Gy radiotherapy, concurrently with weekly capecitabine 800 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-5 and cisplatin 30 mg/m2 iv on day 1 during radiation. Patients classified as M1b (visceral metastases) were treated with chemotherapy only until disease progression or intolerance to chemotherapy. The median time of progression was 7.8 mo (95% CI, 6.0-9.5 mo) and the median overall survival was 12.0 mo (95% CI, 9.0-15.0 mo).
Evans et al[22] used a regimen comprised of docetaxel 40 mg/m2, on day 1 and 8, carboplatin (AUC = 2) on day 1 and 8, and capecitabine 2000 mg/m2, on days 1-10 in a 21-day cycle. The median survival was 8.0 mo (95% CI, 5.5-13.0 mo), and the 1-year survival rate was 36.0%.
In our study (oxaliplatin 120 mg/m2, iv on day 1; capecitabine 1000 mg/m2, taken orally twice a day on days 1-14; and repeated every 3 wk), the rate was 43.8%, the median overall survival was 10 mo, and the 1-year survival rate was 38.1%. The main toxicities were leukopenia (grade Ⅲ, 31.0%) and neuro-toxicity (grade Ⅲ, 1.5%).
Capecitabine can be taken orally, so the protocol has superiority in medication. The mono-factorial analysis by Kaplan-Meier indicates that patients with low KPS and multi-locus metastases benefit little from this therapy. The short-term effect indicates that the prognosis demonstrates the importance of prompt, objective and precise therapeutic effect in clinical practice. Cox regression proportional hazard model poly-factorial analysis indicates that KPS index, the number of tumor metastasis locus and short-term effect are independent survival prognostic factors.
Our results demonstrate that oxaliplatin plus capecitable regimen has the advantage of good short-term effects, convenient administration and minor side effects in metastatic ESCC. The functional status of prior treatment, the number of tumor metastasis loci and short-term effects are independent survival prognostic factors.
Esophageal cancer which has the highest incidence and mortality worldwide is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. Esophageal squamous cell cancer (ESCC) is the most common histology. It has been confirmed that palliative chemotherapy can prolong the survival of stage Ⅳesophageal cancer patients, relieve their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Nevertheless, no optimizing chemotherapy regimen has been available so far, the combined regimens based on cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil have been used frequently, but the effectiveness rate is only about 25.0%-33.0%.
Research frontiers
Oxaliplatin is a kind of chemotherapeutic drug belonging to the third generation of platinum compounds, which has played an important role in the treatment of colon and rectum cancer and other solid tumors. It has a synergistic effect with lesser digestive tract reaction and hematotoxicity. Capecitabine, which has milder side effects, can be taken orally and is rapidly absorbed as an intact molecule in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, the combined regimen of oxaliplatin and capecitabine may produce more clinical benefits.
Innovations and breakthroughs
This study explored the efficacy and toxic reaction of oxaliplatin plus capecitabine in the treatment of patients with metastatic ESCC and the survival of the patients. The partial response (PR) rate was 43.8% (28/ 64). Stable disease (SD) rate was 47.9% (26/64), and disease progression rate was 15.6% (10/64). The clinical benefit rate (PR + SD) was 84.4%. No grade Ⅳ side effect in the entire cohort was found. The results can be used to supply information and instruction for clinical treatment.
Higher response and survival rate, and lower rate of toxicity were obtained by the combined treatment in this study. Capecitabine can be taken orally, therefore, that this treatment can be used clinically.
RECIST stands for Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. KPS stands for Karnofsky performance score.
Peer review
This is the first report to examine the efficacy and toxicity of the combined therapy of oxaliplatin and capecitabin in patients with metastatic ESCC. Higher response and survival rate, and lower rate of toxicity were obtained by this treatment than the other treatment protocols reported previously. It seems that this treatment has become a candidate for phase Ⅲ study. Furthermore, since this treatment can be given on an outpatient basis, this study has great value.
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S- Editor Li LF L- Editor Ma JY E- Editor Lin YP


text:
May 5, 2016
BENNINGTON, OK -- A man arrested for several arsons in Bennington was sentenced to 15 years in prison Friday.
59-year-old Lonnie Williams pleaded no contest to 2nd Degree Arson and Endangering Human Life During Arson.
Investigators say Williams set fire to three abandoned homes and one garage back in September.
Authorities arrested him after they found him hiding in some brush near one of the fires he allegedly set.
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Stop smoking cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco products without weight gain.
We help promote a feeling of well-being, lower anxiety levels and mood swings, and improve sleeping patterns.
The Anne Penman Weight Loss Program combines laser therapy, guidance, continual support and motivation.
There are over 30 Anne Penman Centers in around the world, all independently owned and operated.
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text:
This is my submission for the latest edition of the Feminist Odyssey Blog Carnival. Its theme is Feminism and Love.
Three months ago, I got married. I did not change my surname.
In those three months, I've had maybe four or five conversations about this at work, with coworkers over lunch or when we're supposed to be paying attention in meetings or something. They've all ended sort of eerily similarly. Basically, they go like this:
Coworker: Hey, didn't I hear that you got married?
Me: Yup, in October.
Coworker: Congratulations!
Me: Thanks!
Coworker: You haven't changed your name yet. Does this mean you're not going to?
Me: No, I'm going to keep the name I already have.
Coworker: Why?
Me: Because it's my name, and I like it.
Coworker: What does your husband think about that?
I was ready for the, "Why?" question, though I didn't expect it to come up quite so frequently. But I was taken aback by so many people's immediate progression to my partner's reaction. The way I'm seeing it, there are a couple of possible responses:
- He is okay with it, and it is a non-issue — which is why we, you know, went ahead and got married.
- It is actually a sticking point in our new marriage, in which case, talking about it with a work acquaintance is at least a little awkward.
In my case, the situation is the former, and I answer as such. Most of the time, people have let it drop there. But on a couple of occasions, people have pressed the issue further.
Coworker the First: He's not worried you're, I don't know, not committed enough to change your name?
Coworker the Second: As long as he doesn't think you love him less or anything.
And —
I am now going to make a statement that should not — and probably will not — shock regular readers of this blog: Whether a woman keeps, changes, hyphenates, or does otherwise with her surname upon marriage is not an inherent indication of either her love for her partner or her commitment to their marriage. I mean, it may true in some individual circumstances, but it's not the sort of connection that one should assume as the default.
Here's the thing: We got married in the year 2012, and one of these conversations took place in 2013. I thought people already freaking new this! Apparently, that is also something I cannot assume as the default.
I'm not really sure why this is still a Thing. I don't think it can be my degree of love or commitment that these folks are actually concerned about, on account of love and commitment are expected qualities for both participants in a marriage to display, and no one has yet asked why my husband hasn't changed his surname to mine. They may, however, be calling into question my levels of selflessness and submission — qualities that are, on the whole, more socially expected of women than they are of men.
I'm also not sure as to whether not legally adopting my partner's last name makes me any more assertive. While this was a choice on my part, it was not a choice that faced any kind of pushback from either my partner or from any legal or official channels. (Clueless relatives and annoying coworkers, however, remain another story.)
As for whether it makes me selfish? Maybe. Probably. But when it comes to valuing my right to dictate the terms of my identity, "selfish" is not actually a bad thing.


text:
North Korean despot Kim Jong Il dead
Sunday, December 18, 2011
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Kim Jong Il, North Korea's mercurial and enigmatic longtime leader, has died. He was 69.
Kim's death was announced Monday by the state television from the North Korean capital, Pyongyang.
Kim is believed to have suffered a stroke in 2008 but he had appeared relatively vigorous in photos and video from recent trips to China and Russia and in numerous trips around the country carefully documented by state media. The communist country's "Dear Leader" — reputed to have had a taste for cigars, cognac and gourmet cuisine — was believed to have had diabetes and heart disease.
The news came as North Korea prepared for a hereditary succession. Kim Jong Il inherited power after his father, revered North Korean founder Kim Il Sung, died in 1994. In September 2010, Kim Jong Il unveiled his third son, the twenty-something Kim Jong Un, as his successor, putting him in high-ranking posts.
Kim Jong Il had been groomed for 20 years to lead the communist nation founded by his guerrilla fighter-turned-politician father and built according to the principle of "juche," or self-reliance.
Even with a successor, there had been some fear among North Korean observers of a behind-the-scenes power struggle or nuclear instability upon the elder Kim's death.
Few firm facts are available when it comes to North Korea, one of the most isolated countries in the world, and not much is clear about the man known as the "Dear Leader."
North Korean legend has it that Kim was born on Mount Paekdu, one of Korea's most cherished sites, in 1942, a birth heralded in the heavens by a pair of rainbows and a brilliant new star.
Soviet records, however, indicate he was born in Siberia, in 1941.
Kim Il Sung, who for years fought for independence from Korea's colonial ruler, Japan, from a base in Russia, emerged as a communist leader after returning to Korea in 1945 after Japan was defeated in World War II.
With the peninsula divided between the Soviet-administered north and the U.S.-administered south, Kim rose to power as North Korea's first leader in 1948 while Syngman Rhee became South Korea's first president.
The North invaded the South in 1950, sparking a war that would last three years, kill millions of civilians and leave the peninsula divided by a Demilitarized Zone that today remains one of the world's most heavily fortified.
In the North, Kim Il Sung meshed Stalinist ideology with a cult of personality that encompassed him and his son. Their portraits hang in every building in North Korea and on the lapels of every dutiful North Korean.
Kim Jong Il, a graduate of Pyongyang's Kim Il Sung University, was 33 when his father anointed him his successor.
Even before he took over as leader, there were signs the younger Kim would maintain — and perhaps exceed — his father's hard-line stance.
South Korea has accused Kim of masterminding a 1983 bombing that killed 17 South Korean officials visiting Burma, now known as Myanmar. In 1987, the bombing of a Korean Air Flight killed all 115 people on board; a North Korean agent who confessed to planting the device said Kim ordered the downing of the plane himself.
Kim Jong Il took over after his father died in 1994, eventually taking the posts of chairman of the National Defense Commission, commander of the Korean People's Army and head of the ruling Worker's Party while his father remained as North Korea's "eternal president."
He faithfully carried out his father's policy of "military first," devoting much of the country's scarce resources to its troops — even as his people suffered from a prolonged famine — and built the world's fifth-largest military.
Kim also sought to build up the country's nuclear arms arsenal, which culminated in North Korea's first nuclear test explosion, an underground blast conducted in October 2006. Another test came in 2009.
Alarmed, regional leaders negotiated a disarmament-for-aid pact that the North signed in 2007 and began implementing later that year.
However, the process continues to be stalled, even as diplomats work to restart negotiations.
North Korea, long hampered by sanctions and unable to feed its own people, is desperate for aid. Flooding in the 1990s that destroyed the largely mountainous country's arable land left millions hungry.
Kim often blamed the U.S. for his country's troubles and his regime routinely derides Washington-allied South Korea as a "puppet" of the Western superpower.
Kim was an enigmatic leader. But defectors from North Korea describe him as an eloquent and tireless orator, primarily to the military units that form the base of his support.
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Newlyweds Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have reportedly landed in Cork for what is expected to be a quiet five-day honeymoon.
According to reports, the couple's private jet arrived in Cork Airport yesterday (May 25) following their wedding in Florence, Italy the day before.
It is not yet known where they are staying while in Ireland although it is rumoured that the acclaimed rapper and his reality TV star wife are residents in the five-star 17th century country manor Castlemartyr Resort.
However, a spokesperson for the resort told RTÉ Ten that they could "neither confirm or deny" whether the couple were staying there.
Their wedding festivities kicked off last week when the couple, and the entire Kardashian clan, touched down in Paris where they enjoyed some sightseeing, a private tour of the Palace of Versailles with their wedding guests, and a dinner party at Valentino's estate in the French countryside.
Kim and Kanye were spotted leaving their Paris residence on May 23.
The wedding guests arrived at the Palace of Versailles for a private tour.
Kim sisters Khloe Kardashian and Kendall Jenner posed with designer Valentino
The nuptials then took place in Florence at the Forte di Belvedere with their closest friends and family in attendance. John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, director Steve McQueen, Serena Williams, Alexander Wang, Franca Sozzani, Big Sean and Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing were among the famous faces that joined "Kimye" on their big day.
Kris Jenner posted an image of Kim with Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci
John Legend is said to have sang at the wedding with Lana Del Rey performing after dinner, her presence thought to be a gift from Kanye to his new wife as her single from The Great Gatsby soundtrack, Young and Beautiful, is Kim's favourite song.
In a speech that reportedly lasted 20 minutes, Kanye is said to have discussed the downside to fame saying, "They feel like it's ok to put you on tabloid covers to sell your image, to use you in an SNL spoof. We don't negotiate, we're not like that, we're not stupid.
"The Kardashians are an industry! At this table . . . the combination of powers . . . can make the world a better place. The most remarkable people of our time."
Kanye is said to have described Kim as "The ideal celebrity, the ideal art" and that he is excited about "spending every day of my life with Kim."
A source told Us magazine that none of the guests were surprised that Kanye made multiple speeches throughout the event saying, "We all knew those would be coming. It would have been disappointing if it didn't happen."
Another source added, "It was just the most perfect night. And for all the talk about it being over the top or crazy - it really wasn't. It was just the most beautifully put together, chic, intimate celebration. I don't think anyone will forget it."


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Gore's Final Offensive
"Next," "Word," "Prosperity 2," and "Doesn't Add" were produced for the Gore campaign by the Campaign Company, which also produced "Myth" for the Democratic National Committee. For transcripts of the ads, click. To see "Next" on the Gore campaign Web site, click here. To see "Word," click here. To see "Prosperity 2," click here. To see "Myth" on the SpeakOut site, click here.
From: Jacob Weisberg
To: William Saletan
There were few things more certain in this campaign than the inevitability of Al Gore attacking his opponent, in the final weeks, for endangering Social Security. Gore is a strikingly unoriginal politician, and this maneuver is on the first page of his party's playbook. That the charge happens to be true this time around is a kind of unexpected bonus.
The two ads on this topic, the Gore campaign's "Next" and its DNC running mate, "Doesn't Add," strike me as fairly clean, hard shots. "Next" makes the point that Bush has committed the same trillion dollars twice by dragging the image of a 1 with twelve zeros across the screen, from a young redhead to the white-haired old lady. "So what happens when Bush promises the same money to young workers and to seniors?" the announcer asks. "Answer: One promise gets broken. Next question: Which one?" Where the ad may mislead a bit is in the suggestion that people who are now the age of the old lady in the picture would be at risk from Bush's proposal to fund individual accounts. In reality, it's people retiring a decade or so hence who should worry about an incipient shortfall.
"Doesn't Add" repeats the same charge about Social Security, adds assertions that Bush's tax cut would favor the rich and that his overall economic plan "does not add up," and draws in the authority of "eight Nobel laureates" to boot. There's a minor sleight of hand in this one. The ad leaves the impression that the eight Nobel winners, represented by what look like giant worn pennies, made the specific charge about Bush spending the trillion dollars of Social Security money twice. In fact, the Oct.10 statement by 300 economists (including eight Nobel winners) organized by the lefty Economic Policy Institute did not make this claim. But the signatories probably would have made it if the Gore campaign had come up with this line of attack three weeks ago. It's entirely in line with their views.
The second pair of Gore ads, "Word" and "Prosperity 2," broadens the economic attack, making a more general argument that Bush is a hazard to our current prosperity. "Word," the harsher ad, makes the charge directly. ("Bush has a tax plan that gives the fruits of that hard work to the richest 1 percent," the narrator says.) "Prosperity 2" criticizes Bush's recklessness implicitly. ("I think one of the most important things is not to take our strong economy for granted," Gore himself says.) In my opinion, these are both lousy spots—not because they're distorted, but because they don't do a good job making what ought to be a slam-dunk case: that Gore would be better news for the American economy.
The reason that "Word" fails to make this case well is that it's preoccupied with trying to pre-empt the other side's blather. "From high unemployment and record deficits, the hard work of America's middle class turned our economy around," the ad begins. Why does Gore fob off credit for the longest economic expansion in American history in this way instead of taking a bow himself? Of the many factors that have contributed to the current boom, surely one of the most central is that the current administration—urged on by the vice president—mustered the political will to begin bringing down the deficit. But Gore doesn't want to make this claim, for two reasons. The first is the superstition that prevents him from using the word "Clinton." The second is that Gore is afraid of the rejoinder from Republicans that "government doesn't cause prosperity, people do"—perhaps because it could revive the "exaggeration" issue.
But in trying to squelch this counterclaim, Gore simply adopts it himself, producing a nonsensical truism that isn't even true. To be sure, "hard work" by individuals is essential to economic health in the way that oxygen is essential to life. But hard work by itself doesn't bring about a healthy economy. Indeed, many people have to work even harder when the economy's bad, as it was under the president before Clinton. And what's the middle class got to do with it? Billionaire entrepreneurs and immigrants earning the minimum wage are just as essential to our country's economic success. "Word" isn't merely pandering to the middle class. It's moronic pandering.
"Prosperity 2" also accepts Bush's way of framing the economic debate in a way that undermines what should be a powerful case. Rather than tout the strength of the economy that he deserves some credit for, Gore in this spot suggests here that prosperity alone is not enough—it must have a higher purpose, to quote one of the other major party nominees. Gore describes this purpose as making sure that children breathe clean air, giving them "the best education anywhere in the world" and extending access to affordable health care. But there's a problem here. Clean air, first-rate education, and universal access to health care are exactly the things that don't flow automatically from a healthy economy like the one we have now. By bringing these issues up in this context, Gore is essentially devaluing his own economic accomplishment. Moreover, Gore's words are accompanied by gauzy images and soothing flute music that give the ad a tranquilizing effect—exactly the opposite of what Gore needs to produce in the final stage of the campaign.
Finally, we come to the DNC's new education spot, "Myth." If Gore's Social Security ads are both effective and fair, while his economy ads are fair but ineffectual, this one strikes me as both ineffective and unfair. It's ineffective because the charge that Bush has been bad for education in Texas has no resonance. Education is practically the only issue the guy understands or cares about. And it's unfair because it implies that the new Rand study shows that education in Texas is getting worse. In fact, as this "Ballot Box" column explains, the new Rand study makes only a much narrower case that the state's accountability system is flawed. While education in Texas may not be a "miracle," the best evidence suggests that it has improved under Bush in both relative and absolute terms. What's more, the state has made gains by pursuing many of the policies that Al Gore and Joe Lieberman advocate. Were education in Texas getting worse, voting against Bush wouldn't stop the problem from spreading.


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Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011
AUGUSTA, Ga. -- An arrest has been made in connection to the robbery of the Georgia Bank and Trust on Washington Road Tuesday.
Matthew Cook, of Grovetown, was arrested in Greene County Wednesday. Cook was pulled over for a traffic stop and still had some of the money on him. He was booked in Greene County and will likely be brought back to Richmond County soon.
The 47-year-old came into the bank and gave the teller a note demanding money. The teller gave him the money and he took off in a white pickup truck.
Have information or an opinion about this story? Click here to contact the newsroom.
Copyright WRDW-TV News 12. All rights reserved. This material may not be republished without express written permission.


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May 3, 2016
CHICAGO (AP) -- A 59-year-old woman is dead after being struck by a Chicago Transit Authority bus near her home on the city's northwest side.
Authorities identified the victim as Ludwika Szynalik, who was hit by the Number 152 Addison bus Monday.
The Cook County medical examiner's office says Szynalik was pronounced dead hours later at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge.
The accident remains under investigation.
Click Here to access the online Public Inspection File
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twitter talk
book suggestions
OCD, the dude, and me : a novel
Author: Vaughn, Lauren Roedy.
Danielle Levine stands out even at her alternative high school--in appearance and attitude--but when her scathing and sometimes raunchy English essays land her in a social skills class, she meets Daniel, another social misfit who may break her resolve to keep everyone at arm's length.
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Hubby loves macadamia nuts, so as soon as I stumbled upon this recipe, I knew I would make it for him. He especially loves ice cream with nuggets of goodies in it, so making chunky ice cream with his favorite nut was an easy winner.
This recipe requires more than just tossing macadamia nuts into ice cream. You actually make a toffee with the nuts, so the flavor factor increases. Making toffee is easy, by the way, so don't let that part of this recipe intimidate you at all.
Macadamia Crunch Ice Cream
- 2/3 cup roasted & salted macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 tsp. baking soda
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp. water
- 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
Ice Cream
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 6 large egg yolks
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- Butter a small rimmed baking sheet (or use a parchment or silicone mat-lined baking sheet).
- If nuts aren't pre-roasted, either roast them in a saucepan, stirring frequently until slightly browned and nutty smelling; or, place them in a shallow pan and roast in a 350 degree F oven for a few minutes, checking frequently so they don't burn.
- Combine roasted nuts and baking soda in a small bowl.
- Stir sugar, water, and butter in a small, heavy saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves and butter melts, about 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high and boil until mixture is a dark amber color, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes (it actually took 5-7 minutes for me; FYI: mixture gets very foamy while boiling and progressing toward amber color).
- Mix in nuts and immediately pour onto buttered sheet, spreading it as much as possible. Cool completely, then chop with a sharp knife into small pieces.
Ice Cream Base
- Bring cream, milk, and salt to a simmer in a large, heavy saucepan.
- Whisk sugar and egg yolks in a medium bowl.
- Gradually whisk hot cream mixture into yolk mixture.
- Return mixture to same saucepan; stir over medium-low heat until custard thickens and leaves a path on the back of a spoon when a finger is drawn across–do not boil.
- Pass custard through a sieve into a medium bowl; stir in vanilla. Cover tightly and refrigerate until very cold, 3-4 hours but preferably overnight.
- Process custard in ice cream maker according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Add toffee during the last 5 minutes of churning. Transfer ice cream to freezer-safe container, cover, and freeze until firm.
SOURCE: Technicolor Kitchen via Bon Appetit Desserts: The Cookbook for All Things Sweet and Wonderful


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El Niño/La Niña: Links for Teachers
El Niño or El No-no: An Investigation
This web site allows students to predict future weather events. Use current data to build a predictive model for weather in your location.
Features: Hands-on Investigation, Lesson Ideas, Online Interactivity, Graphics/Multimedia, Assessment, Data Sources, History, Inquiry Materials
El Niño: A Web Quest
As an introduction to El Niño, consider using this web quest. Students learn about the phenomenon, find and interpret data, and report on El Niño's effects for a given geographic area.
Features: Hands-on Investigation, Lesson Ideas, Graphics/Multimedia, Assessment, Data Sources, Inquiry Materials


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Not Just A Pretty Picture
Marlina Gonzalez, the new curator of Intermedia Arts' monthly "Films First Fridays" series, has a subversive streak. Consider what happened when her mother--an actress on Filipino radio soaps, as well as a screenwriter--asked Gonzalez to pen an episode for an on-air drama. "I submitted a script where the main character was mute, and the only way she could be present was through noise," says Gonzalez with a chuckle. "There was a rustling of clothes, the throwing of a glass of water on the floor. The other characters had to acknowledge her."
Using radio to imply a personality is no easy task, but Gonzalez, who grew up in a family of film and theater artists in Manila, has never dodged a creative risk. This sort of fearlessness has rewarded the 48-year-old with a fascinating life, including stints with the revolutionary Philippine Educational Theater Association, a job directing children's television (with subliminal political commentary), and, stateside, high-profile curator positions at New York's Asian American Film Festival and the Walker Art Center (where she created the "Women in the Director's Chair" series, now known as "Women With Vision"). That sense of adventure has also molded Gonzalez into a programmer with an eclectic, multidisciplinary sensibility--a perfect match to an organization that celebrates the fusion of disciplines.
According to Gonzalez, "Films First Fridays" will be more of an experience than a set of screenings under her tenure, providing an opportunity for artists from varied backgrounds to become inspired by the moving picture--both onstage and in the audience. "Film is really so rich in its different disciplines," says Gonzalez. "It's affected by technology. It's multidimensional and collective in that you have a cinematographer, a director, a set designer, musicians. But ultimately it ends up being just a can of film or a cassette tape: It's not art until you activate it by throwing it onto a blank space."
Gonzalez is devoted to making the most of that blank space. Her first "Fridays" program in January brought together young video artists from In Progress and members of Young Dance. "Within minutes," she says, "the dancers were choreographing a response to the videos. The content, the feeling, the colors were all translated into movement. Then it was fascinating to see the footage for a second time, because we began to see something we didn't see before. Combing hair or lighting a cigarette suddenly became poetic movement. It made the viewing even more meaningful."
This weekend's event is dubbed "Films First Frida!" in honor of Ken Mandel's impressionistic film Frida Kahlo: A Ribbon Around a Bomb. Gonzalez has paired the Kahlo doc with Helena Solberg and David Meyer's film Carmen Miranda: Bananas Is My Business. Segments of the films will be interwoven with live performances by Tina Maria, Lupe Castillo, and photographer Deborah Ramos. "The partnering of the videos compares and contrasts two Latina icons," says Gonzalez. "The performing artists have decided to do a parody of a game show: Name That Stereotype. It's not a straight performance or a film screening, but it's not like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, either. I want to be careful to preserve the intent of the original filmmaker and the performing artist. The challenge is really to the performing artist, however, to discover what to take away from this experience without imitating the film."
Gonzalez also plans a preview of the April screening of Lourdes Portillo's documentary Señorita Extraviata, which takes a disturbing look at the horror of the missing women of Juarez, Mexico. "This is the spice that shocks your tongue in the program," says Gonzalez. "You go from the exoticized and the commercialized visions of Latina women to real victims." Other "Films First Fridays" programs will include "WARriors and PEACEmakers," held in conjunction with Intermedia's "Immigrant Status" series.
"The fun part is that, as a curator, I can't give you an answer about what a show will be like now," says Gonzalez. "When I used to [just] curate film, I could. Now it's more exciting to say, 'I don't know--even I will be surprised about what will happen.' But isn't risk what art is all about?"
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Edgy Exegesis
Heart Trouble? Reflections on Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23
As Jesus points out in Mark 7:20-23, harmful words express evil intentions that lead to harmful deeds. They come from the heart. For Jesus' listeners the heart was not a faculty separate from the mind, but the seat of emotions, intellect, will, and spiritual life. Our words come from our hearts and often, head straight for the heart of another. Words come from the heart and head for the heart. If the heart is a poisoned well, it has great potential to defile.
When my brothers and I were growing up we got in the usual fights and hurled the usual verbal garbage at each other. My mother would shake her head and say, "I wish you three could hear yourselves." We can all recall hurtful words with which we have fouled the air around us. Looking back, we wish the childhood saying had been true: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me."
No one can achieve purity of heart and speech without the help of God. The habits of judgmental gossip and subtle self-promotion are hard to break. The pure in heart are those who consistently, repeatedly allow God to cleanse them of these corruptions. They are those who find allow God's light to shine in their hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6).
Try listening for healing, wholesome words this week, as well as speaking them. I tried it, and overheard a young father say to his toddler son in a grocery store checkout line, "I love you. I'm so glad I get to be your dad." As he tousled the toddler's hair and the boy smiled, a millimeter of the pain of the hurtful words I've spoken as a parent and heard other people speak, slipped away. I felt refreshed and for some reason, a bit hopeful.
I was on the phone with a relative. They were complaining about a run-in with another relative and starting a familiar litany of the person's failings. I said, "Yes, but even given all that, have you ever noticed that _______ is one terrific listener? She's always willing to put her concerns on hold and listen when you need her to." That made for a shorter conversation, but when it was over I felt purified, the way passing up an opportunity to engage in negativity gossip always makes us feel.
"There is nothing outside a person that by going in can defile, but the things that come out are what defile" (Mk. 7:15).
Most people get heart checkups and start watching what goes into their mouths. Jesus recommends that we check out our hearts and then start watching what comes out of them!
Alyce M. McKenzie is the George W. and Nell Ayers Le Van Professor of Preaching and Worship at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University.
McKenzie's column, "Edgy Exegesis," is published every Monday on the Preachers Portal. Subscribe via email or RSS.


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Illinois GOP ousts anti-gay committee members
Timothy Kincaid
April 21st, 2014
Pat Brady, the chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, started 2013 off with a bang by announcing that he was lobbying state legislators to support marriage equality. While this received immediate reaction, the situation did not play out as might have been expected.
There was movement for Brady's removal and some members of the state central committee called for a vote on his ouster. But this effort did not receive support from party leadership and both the GOP House Leader and US Senator Mark Kirk (who has endorsed equality, himself) supported Brady.
Eventually, Brady resigned from the position. But not before it became clear that he did so on his own volition and that the ouster effort did not have the necessary votes to remove him. Only seven of the 18 committee members signed onto a letter demanding his removal.
In November the state legislature passed a marriage equality bill, by a narrow margin, with the necessary support of three GOP representatives. Anti-gay activists vowed that they'd pay for their "betrayal" at the polls. Last month Republican voters rejected primary challenges to all three.
And now it appears that the social agenda activism of the anti-gay committee members has placed them on the outs in Illinois GOP politics. (Daily Journal)
A crop of Republican officials who wanted to oust former Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady for his statements supporting same-sex marriage have been replaced in their party positions.
Illinois Republicans across the state held elections for all 18 state central committee member posts this week, replacing six of the seven officials who signed on to a letter last year to hold a vote on removing Brady as chairman. The seventh person to sign the letter, Mark Shaw of the 10th Congressional District, was re-elected to a four-year term.
I think it is now clear that irrespective of what they may individually believe about marriage, Illinois Republican voters have no stomach for continuing a culture war against the rights of their gay neighbors.


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Featured Presentation:
F Units in Action (video)
This video shows the development of the EMC/EMD F Unit diesel locomotives. It also describes many interesting railroad historical events and development of diesel locomotives in general.
Date:  June 19th, 2015
Time:  7:30pm
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
      5415 SE Powell Blvd.
      Portland, OR
Meetings of the membership are held every month, usually on the third Friday. Visitors are warmly welcomed! Typically, we first address the general business of the Chapter. This can be a great time to learn about not only what the PNWC is doing, but also what other rail-related groups are doing in the region and around the world. We then break for refreshments, and after the break we have the program. Monthly programs are always interesting and often feature guest speakers, multimedia presentations or videos selected from our extensive library.


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Stephen Smith
Fifth Avenue and 18th St
Thu Oct 5 2006
Photograph by Donald Bowers
"I'd call my style urban-eclectic. I got this leather jacket at Loehmann's. You can get good bargains all over the city."
He must not be talking about real estate. Loehmann's (101 Seventh Ave, 212-352-0856) has men's leather jackets starting at $139.
How old are you? I'm a lot older than I look. I'll tell you, but you have to promise not to print it.
Aw, man. Then don't tell me. Why don't you want people to know? 'Cause in my industry, younger is better. Put it like this: I grew up listening to Hendrix, the Temptations, the Who....
And not on classic-rock throwback stations. [Laughs] No.
So what do you do? I race bicycles professionally. I'm actually about to leave for Argentina because I got invited to go to the Masters Pan Am game. I'm also the fitness director at Credit Suisse.
So you whip executives into shape. Yeah. It's not so bad. You're dealing with a certain type of personality in the financial industry...you know. It's a good stress reliever for them. And I do pretty well financially. It affords me the time to do other stuff. I also work for Crunch and Equinox.
Don't you ever get sick of fitness? Nope. It's my life. That's the reason why I win medals, trophies and money.
So you're not a Mister Softee eater, then? You kidding? Nope, nope, nope. Why, do I look fat ? [Laughs]
Not at all. Are you obligated to eat healthily because of your jobs? No, I'm obligated to myself. I train heavily: I put in up to 200 miles a week on the bike. We ride from Brooklyn all the way up to Nyack and back. Our training groups go from 7am to 9pm. We're serious. This is, like, the real deal.
Are you from New York City? Yes, I'm a native. I went from Brooklyn to Queens to Manhattan, where I lived for 15 years, and then I said, You know what? Back to Brooklyn. And I've been back in Park Slope now for about 15 years. Manhattan is too congested and crazy. And Brooklyn is the new Manhattan anyway.—Kate Lowenstein


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Wright Orthodontics is a leading orthodontic practice proudly serving the residents of Batavia, Illinois and the surrounding areas. From traditional and esthetic braces to innovative appliances, Dr. Randy Wright and his staff have the perfect solution to help you achieve a beautiful smile!
We offer the latest technology in braces available, such as invisible ceramic braces and Invisalign. Invisalign is a series of invisible aligners that are used to straighten your teeth without the metal wires or brackets. They are comfortable and ideal for adult patients who are concerned about aesthetics.
We recognize that every patient has different needs, and we pride ourselves in the courteous service we deliver to each person who walks through our doors. Whether you're an adult, adolescent or child, Dr. Wright and our knowledgeable staff are committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve - a healthy, beautiful one!


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"WASHINGTON – The United States imposed financial sanctions Monday on a terror leader accused of trying to carry out attacks at last year's Beijing Olympic Games.
The US Treasury Department's target was Abdul Haq, head of the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Party. The action means that any bank accounts or other financial assets found in the US belonging to him must be frozen. Americans also are barred from doing business with Haq, who is Chinese.
"Abdul Haq commands a terror group that sought to sow violence and fracture international unity at the 2008 Olympic Games in China," said Stuart Levey, the Treasury Department's undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence."
The ETIP's ploys were foiled by the Chinese police, althoug some attacks did take place in other parts of China and killed dozens of police and civilians.
The latest news from the US Treasury is a comfort to me. More concerted international efforts should be made to hunt down these scums.