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Monday, April 29, 2013

The Sahara Conflict Reached a Deadlock: Christopher Ross ...

By Loubna Flah

Morocco World News

Casablanca, April 28, 2013

Mr. Christopher Ross, the UN envoy to the Sahara said in his latest report to the Security Council on Monday that his attempts to bridge the gap between Morocco and the Polisario Front failed according to the daily al Massae.

I could create a less formal atmosphere for face-to-face negotiations, I pinpointed the commonalities between both parties and I suggested a detailed study of the pending issues but all my efforts failed, he was quoted by the Moroccan news paper as saying.

He went on to say that ?the Sahara conflict has reached a deadlock.?

Mr. Christopher Ross stated also hat he has been conducting secrete talks with Morocco and the Polisario Front in order to move forward and reach a mutually accepted solution to the conflict.

Ross revealed that he had expected the conflict to ease in the wake of the Arab spring and with the terrorist threat lurking in the Sahel region.

?I thought that the threat in the Sahel region would create a feeling of urgency but is did not,? he noted.

Ross hailed Morocco?s efforts to promote Human Rights through the National Council for Human Rights and especially its regional committees in Layoune and Dakhla cities. On the other hand, he reported growing disgruntlement among the youth in Tindouf camps and their inclination to armed struggle.

Earlier this month, the US had submitted a proposal to task the MINURSO (The United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara) with new prerogatives namely, the monitoring of Human Rights in the Sahara.

The American proposal stirred strong reactions and staunch opposition from the Moroccan government. Morocco deployed intensive diplomatic talks against the American proposal and called on the Security Council to show wisdom and to refrain from taking any step that may derail the political process.

After the lobbying of other members of the Group of Friend of the UN Secretary General on the Western Sahara, Washington withdrew its proposal.

Need to paving the way towards a political solution

In his annual report on the ?Situation concerning Western Sahara?, the UN chief, Ban Ki-moon, called on the parties to move beyond their stern positions and pave the way towards finding a solution to the conflict.

Ban makes went on to make it clear that no party can expect to obtain the totality of its demands, hence, the need that the two parties, Morocco and the Polisario, ?move beyond presenting and defending their respective proposals.?

?Each party must accept that neither will obtain the totality of its demands, but rather has to engage in a logic of give and take?, said the report in a direct message to the parties to show more flexibility and realism in the negotiation process.

Source: http://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2013/04/88878/the-sahara-conflict-reached-a-deadlock-christopher-ross-2/

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James leads Heat over Bucks and into next round

Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) dunks against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Sunday, April. 28, 2013, in Milwaukee. Giving chase are Bucks' Brandon Jennings (3), Ersan Ilyasova (7), of Turkey, and Heat's Shane Battier. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) drives against Milwaukee Bucks' Ersan Ilyasova, left, and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Sunday, April. 28, 2013, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Milwaukee Bucks' John Henson fouls Miami Heat's Norris Cole, left, during the second quarter of Game 4 in their first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Sunday, April 28, 2013, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/The Miami Herald, Al Diaz) MAGS OUT.

Miami Heat's LeBron James (6) drives against Milwaukee Bucks' Ersan Ilyasova during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Sunday, April. 28, 2013, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

Miami Heat's LeBron James dunks against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of Game 4 in a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Sunday, April. 28, 2013, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)

MILWAUKEE (AP) ? After getting treatment "around the clock" for two days, Dwyane Wade tested his aching right knee in warm-ups before Game 4.

It still hurt.

"I could have pushed through it," he said. "But my teammates told me if it's hurtin', they got it."

The Miami Heat reminded everyone Sunday why they're heavy favorites to win a second straight NBA title. Despite Wade being reduced to a spectator, the Heat completed their sweep of the Milwaukee Bucks and advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Heat never trailed in their 88-77 victory, finishing the first-round series with a fourth straight double-digit win.

LeBron James did most of the work with 30 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Ray Allen added 16 points, the third game in the series he reached double figures, and also had seven rebounds. Mario Chalmers had eight rebounds and six assists.

"We're a good basketball team. That's nothing that's a secret," Wade said. "We're not a one-man show, a two-man, a three-man (show). We're a basketball team."

The Heat won't play again until Saturday, at the earliest, facing the winner of the Brooklyn-Chicago series. While the extended time off provides a much-needed break for Wade, who is still recovering from the three bone bruises that forced him to miss six games near the end of the regular season, this is no vacation for the Heat. They won't be spending the week lounging in South Beach or jetting off to some exotic location.

They'll be working, trying to get even better.

"That won't be a problem," James said. "We've got an opportunity to rest because we took care of business, but our business is not done. The only thing we guaranteed ourselves is the next round. That's it."

Miami knew it would get a spirited effort Sunday from the Bucks, who were hoping to extend their first playoff appearance in three years even if it was only for a few more days.

After the Heat raced out to an 11-point lead in the first half, the Bucks steadily chipped away and were within a basket or two for most of the third quarter. When Mike Dunleavy drained a 3 and Monta Ellis scored on a floater with 9:34 left in the game, Miami's lead was down to 69-67.

"We knew they were going to come out and play as hard as they could and with as much desperation as they could to try and continue series," James said.

But James was even more determined.

When Ellis missed a free throw, failing to convert the three-point play, James grabbed the rebound and directed a 19-5 run in which he had a hand in every single score. First he fed Allen, who knocked down ? what else? ? a 3. After J.J. Redick missed a long jumper, James found an open Chalmers for another 3 that gave the Heat a 75-67 lead with 8:27 left.

The 3 was Chalmers' 80th in the postseason, tying Tim Hardaway's franchise record.

After Luc Richard Mbah a Moute made the second of two free throws, James scored on a layup. Redick made a jumper, but Shane Battier and Allen closed out the Bucks with a pair of 3s, with James credited with the assist on each.

He then converted a three-point play and added a layup to finish up the run.

"At some point during that stretch right there, (James) decided he was going to put his imprint on the game and he did. In a big way," Bucks coach Jim Boylan said. "When you're a superstar player like he is, that's what superstar players do."

Superstar teams, too.

Though Milwaukee had chances to win Games 2 and 4 late, and led Game 3 by 10 in the first half, there was never a sense Miami would lose any of them. Any time the Bucks showed the slightest bit of momentum, the Heat were quick to snuff it out.

"They'd either make a big play or it was a turnover on our part," Boylan said. "When you're playing against a quality team like Miami, you make some mistakes, they usually capitalize on them. And they did that."

The Bucks had seven turnovers before the first quarter ended Sunday, and shot just 37 percent for the game. Ellis led the Bucks with 21 points, and Larry Sanders had 11 rebounds to go with seven points.

But Milwaukee got almost nothing again from Brandon Jennings, who was benched for the entire fourth quarter. Jennings, who had guaranteed the Bucks would win the series in six games, finished with three points on 1-of-7 shooting.

After scoring 26 points in Game 1, Jennings had 27 total in the final three.

"We've been playing close, playing hard," Ellis said. "They're just a better team."

And that is what makes them so dangerous at this time of year.

Despite their star-studded roster, the Heat have little use for individual accolades or accomplishments right now. They have one goal in mind, and one goal only, and it will take the entire team to achieve it.

"I'm glad to get this," coach Erik Spoelstra said. "It's the first step in our journey. Hopefully, a long journey."

NOTES: This is the first time the Heat have swept a playoff series since James and Chris Bosh came to Miami three years ago. ... The Heat have won eight straight postseason games dating to last season. That matches the franchise record. ... NBA Commissioner David Stern was in attendance. ... James scored 30 or more for the 54th time in the postseason, second only to Kobe Bryant among active players. ... The Bucks are 20-26 in elimination games. ... Packers LB Clay Matthews was at the game.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/347875155d53465d95cec892aeb06419/Article_2013-04-29-BKN-Heat-Bucks-Folo/id-81d0a9f5c96c47aebd35d30601dcd6af

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Researchers Put Sense of Touch in Reach for Robots

[unable to retrieve full-text content]A group of roboticists has developed a robot arm that moves and finds objects by touch, a vital ability if robots are ever to begin to undertake tasks in human environments.

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/28/science/researchers-put-sense-of-touch-in-reach-for-robots.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

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Big Papi stays hot as Red Sox roll over Astros

By KEN POWTAK

Associated Press

Associated Press Sports

updated 11:05 p.m. ET April 27, 2013

BOSTON (AP) - David Ortiz has even run out of ways to talk about his red-hot return.

Ortiz had two hits and three RBIs to extend his torrid start after a long layoff, and Felix Doubront overcame a wild first inning to pitch into the seventh as the Boston Red Sox beat the struggling Houston Astros 8-4 on Saturday night.

"I ain't talking about that anymore," said Ortiz, joking with the media as he dressed quickly in front of his locker. "You make up a new question, I'll answer it. Otherwise, copy what I said yesterday and the day before."

The 37-year old Ortiz made quite a return in his first seven games. He is hitting .519 (14 of 27) with two homers and nine RBIs since getting back into the lineup last Saturday after missing the 71 of the final 72 games last season and all of spring training with a heel injury.

"He's doing things that look to him to be very easy, but its hard to imagine or even script out that he'd have this kind of performance considering the layoff," Red Sox manager John Farrell said.

It was 14th win in 19 games for the surging Red Sox (17-7). Boston can tie a club record for the most wins in April by completing a four-game sweep over Houston (7-17) on Sunday.

The Astros, coming off 56 and 55 wins seasons the last two, respectively, in the National League, are finding their new league just as tough.

"I don't get caught up in the record," Astros first-year manager Bo Porter said. "I deal with each day, each game, one game at a time."

Boston matched its best start since 2002 with its fourth straight win.

The Red Sox went 18-8 in April 1998 and 2003.

Jacoby Ellsbury had a two-run single for the Red Sox. Dustin Pedroia and Daniel Nava each added two hits and an RBI.

Doubront (3-0) walked three in the first, hit a batter, and had a wild pitch before settling down to hold the Astros to three runs, four hits, striking out eight and walking four over 6 2-3 innings.

"Seriously, I don't know what happened in the first inning," Doubront said. "I was feeling like I was using more of my arm than my body. I was frustrated because I was thinking a little too much. But overall, after the first inning, I was really focused and I wasn't thinking about my mechanics at all. I was throwing the ball. I was so happy I did that."

Houston starter Brad Peacock (1-3) gave up five runs on six hits in 3 2-3 innings. He hasn't gone past five innings in each of his five starts.

"I know we've got to start doing better," he said. "I'm just going to keep working and hopefully I can get out of this."

Doubront retired 17 of 19 batters after the rough beginning. He was pulled with a runner on in the seventh. Alex Wilson escaped a bases-loaded, eighth-inning jam and Andrew Miller pitched the ninth.

Trailing 2-0, Boston scored four runs in the second on Ellsbury's two-run single and Ortiz's two-run double into the left field corner.

Ortiz's sacrifice fly made it 5-2 in the fourth after Nava doubled leading off and advanced on Pedroia's ground out to second.

Jose Altuve's run-scoring ground out cut it to 5-3 in the seventh.

Stephen Drew, Nava and Pedroia each had RBI singles in the seventh.

The Astros took advantage of Doubront's wild first to grab their first lead of the series. Doubront hit Brandon Barnes after a leadoff single before walking Brandon Laird. He then walked Chris Carter, forcing in a run, before Ronny Cedeno's sacrifice fly made it 2-0. The left-hander walked the next batter on four pitches, but got the final two outs easily.

NOTES: Farrell said OF Shane Victorino, sidelined since leaving Wednesday's game with a stiff lower back, has made slight progress, but was out again. ... Farrell also said that LHP Franklin Morales has been shut down for a few days with a strained muscle on his left side. Morales has been on the DL since March 22 with a strained lower back. ... Porter loaded his lineup with right-handed hitters from 1-7, with switch hitters in the final two spots. ... Porter had glowing praise for Boston 2B Pedroia before the game. "I think people should ask, `Why don't more people play the game that way?' I've been a fan of Dustin Pedroia's before I came to Fenway for these four games," he said. "He'll do what he can to beat you." ... Boston RHP Ryan Dempster walked out the player's parking lot and went for a jog on the streets outside the park about 2 hours before the game. Fans that were lined up to get in didn't even seem to notice. ... RHP John Lackey (0-1, 4.15 ERA) is set to make his return from the disabled list Sunday against Houston's Bud Norris (3-2, 4.13 ERA). Lackey went on the DL April 7 with a strained right biceps. ... The Red Sox improved to 13-0 when scoring first.

More newsChristian Petersen / Getty Images

At their best beyond nine

Extra-innings seem to suit the Diamondbacks just fine, as Arizona improved to 6-0 in extra-inning games this season on Saturday.

Source: http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/51690800/ns/sports-baseball/

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Today in History

Today is Monday, April 29, the 119th day of 2013. There are 246 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On April 29, 1913, Swedish-born engineer Gideon Sundback of Hoboken, N.J., received a U.S. patent for a "separable fastener" ? later known as the zipper.

On this date:

In 1429, Joan of Arc entered the besieged city of Orleans to lead a French victory over the English.

In 1861, the Maryland House of Delegates voted 53-13 against seceding from the Union. In Montgomery, Ala., President Jefferson Davis asked the Confederate Congress for the authority to wage war.

In 1863, newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst was born in San Francisco.

In 1916, the Easter Rising in Dublin collapsed as Irish nationalists surrendered to British authorities.

In 1945, during World War II, American soldiers liberated the Dachau (DAH'-khow) concentration camp. Adolf Hitler married Eva Braun and designated Adm. Karl Doenitz (DUHR'-nihtz) president.

In 1946, 28 former Japanese officials went on trial in Tokyo as war criminals; seven ended up being sentenced to death.

In 1968, the counterculture musical "Hair" opened on Broadway following limited engagements off-Broadway.

In 1974, President Richard M. Nixon announced he was releasing edited transcripts of some secretly made White House tape recordings related to Watergate.

In 1983, Harold Washington was sworn in as the first black mayor of Chicago.

In 1992, rioting resulting in 55 deaths erupted in Los Angeles after a jury in Simi Valley, Calif., acquitted four Los Angeles police officers of almost all state charges in the videotaped beating of Rodney King.

In 1993, Britain's Queen Elizabeth II announced that for the first time, Buckingham Palace would be opened to tourists to help raise money for repairs at fire-damaged Windsor Castle.

In 2011, Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton were married in an opulent ceremony at London's Westminster Abbey.

Ten years ago: The Palestinian parliament approved Mahmoud Abbas (mahk-MOOD' ah-BAHS') as prime minister, clearing the final obstacle to the launch of a U.S.-backed "road map" to peace. Pakistani authorities captured Waleed bin Attash, accused of playing a leading role in the Sept. 11 attacks.

Five years ago: Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama angrily denounced his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, for what he termed "divisive and destructive" remarks on race. Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann, the discoverer of LSD, died in Burg im Leimental, Switzerland, at age 102.

One year ago: Despite past differences, President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton began a summer fundraising blitz with an event in McLean, Va. An out-of-control SUV plunged more than 50 feet off the side of a New York City highway overpass and landed on the grounds of the Bronx Zoo, killing all seven people aboard, including three children.

Today's Birthdays: Poet Rod McKuen is 80. Actor Keith Baxter is 80. Bluesman Otis Rush is 79. Conductor Zubin Mehta is 77. Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff is 75. Pop singer Bob Miranda (The Happenings) is 71. Country singer Duane Allen (The Oak Ridge Boys) is 70. Singer Tommy James is 66. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., is 63. Movie director Phillip Noyce is 63. Country musician Wayne Secrest (Confederate Railroad) is 63. Comedian Jerry Seinfeld is 59. Actor Leslie Jordan is 58. Actress Kate Mulgrew is 58. Actor Daniel Day-Lewis is 56. Actress Michelle Pfeiffer is 55. Actress Eve Plumb is 55. Rock musician Phil King is 53. Country singer Stephanie Bentley is 50. Actor Vincent Ventresca is 47. Singer Carnie Wilson (Wilson Phillips) is 45. Actor Paul Adelstein is 44. Actress Uma Thurman is 43. Tennis player Andre Agassi is 43. Rapper Master P is 43. Actor Darby Stanchfield is 42. Country singer James Bonamy is 41. Gospel/rhythm-and-blues singer Erica Campbell (Mary Mary) is 41. Rock musician Mike Hogan (The Cranberries) is 40. Actor Tyler Labine is 35. Actress-model Taylor Cole is 29. Actor Zane Carney is 28.

Thought for Today: "Human beings are perhaps never more frightening than when they are convinced beyond doubt that they are right." ? Sir Laurens van der Post, South African author (1906-1996).

(Above Advance for Use Monday, April 29)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/today-history-050206767.html

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Friday, April 26, 2013

Woody Guthrie Center opens Saturday in Tulsa

This April 25, 2013, photo shows workers put the finishing touches on the Woody Guthrie Center, which features a mural of the Oklahoma-born folk singer/songwriter, in downtown Tulsa. The center is set to open to the public on Saturday, April 27. (AP Photo/Justin Juozapavicius)

This April 25, 2013, photo shows some of the more than 400 metal plates featuring copies of song lyrics and illustrations by Woody Guthrie at the Oklahoma-born folk singer?s center opening Saturday in Tulsa. The 12,000 square-foot Woody Guthrie Center features exhibits that chronicle Guthrie?s life and career. (AP Photo/Justin Juozapavicius)

In this April 25, 2013, photo Deana McCloud, of the Woody Guthrie Center, tries out the Woody?s America interactive map at the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa. The 12,000 square-foot center, which opens to the public on Saturday, features many interactive exhibits chronicling the life and work of Woody Guthrie and is home to the folk singer?s archives. (AP Photo/Justin Juozapavicius)

This April 25, 2013, photo shows the entrance to the Woody Guthrie Center, which opens to the public on Saturday in downtown Tulsa. The center features interactive exhibits chronicling the Oklahoma folk singer?s life and career, as well as an original, handwritten copy of ?This Land is Your Land.? (AP Photo/Justin Juozapavicius)

This circa 1943 photo courtesy of the Woody Guthrie Archives shows Oklahoma-born folk singer Woody Guthrie. The Woody Guthrie Center opens to the public on Saturday, April 27, 2013, with many interactive exhibits chronicling the life and work of Guthrie and is home to the folk singer?s archives. (AP Photo/Al Aumuller, Courtesy Woody Guthrie Archives)

TULSA, Okla. (AP) ? Supporters of folk singer Woody Guthrie say the opening of a center chronicling his storied life and career is long overdue in his native state of Oklahoma.

The 12,000-square-foot Woody Guthrie Center opens Saturday afternoon in Tulsa.

It features Oklahoma's only permanent exhibit on the Dust Bowl and also includes Guthrie's original handwritten copy of "This Land Is Your Land," perhaps his best-known song.

Guthrie's daughter Nora says Oklahomans should take pride in knowing that the core of who her father was as a man and a musician was determined in Oklahoma.

The center is also home to the Woody Guthrie Archives, a collection featuring nearly 3,000 song lyrics, hundreds of pieces of artwork, journal entries, postcards, manuscripts and more than 500 photographs, among other rare items.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/4e67281c3f754d0696fbfdee0f3f1469/Article_2013-04-26-US-Woody-Guthrie-Center/id-50f21535a0d045c798666e42810748d5

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International Business Conference 2013 : Conference on ... - WikiCFP

CALL FOR PAPERS

Hosted By:
Northern State University
Center of Excellence in International Business

Email Submissions to:
ckhauck@northern.edu

Click HERE for more information

Rapid City, South Dakota USA
September 26 ? 28, 2013

The Twentieth Annual Conference on International Business and Contemporary Issues in Business will be held the end of September in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. There is much to see and do in this part of state with many monuments and historic sites. We will see some of these sites on our cultural tour which is held on Saturday. The conference will be two days with four academic sessions per day dealing with a variety of business topics that should interest everyone! We hope that you will be able to come and enjoy the beauty of the Black Hills while interacting with many business professionals from all over the world.

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