August 2009

Iran MP says rape of some vote detainees proven (Reuters)

Posted Thu, 08/27/2009 - 06:34 by admin

TEHRAN (Reuters) –
The rape of some Iranian reformers who were jailed after a disputed presidential election has been proven to a parliamentary committee, a lawmaker was quoted as saying on Thursday.

"Raping of some detainees with a baton and soda bottle has been proven to us," the Parlemannews website quoted the unidentified member of the investigative committee as saying.

Iran's moderate defeated presidential candidate, Mehdi Karoubi, had alleged that some of those detained after the poll were raped while in custody.

The authorities had rejected the accusations as baseless, but parliament speaker Ali Larijani last week said he would be ready to consider any documents or other evidence submitted by Karoubi to back up his claims.

Karoubi had said that four people were ready to testify to parliament that they were sexually abused in jail.

The reformist cleric has come under pressure by hardliners for raising the allegations, some suggesting that Karoubi should be jailed or lashed if failed to prove his claims.

Another moderate, losing candidate Mirhossein Mousavi, backed Karoubi, accusing "establishment agents" of raping and abusing detainees.

Iranian moderates say the vote was rigged to secure President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's re-election.

The poll and its turbulent aftermath have plunged Iran into its biggest internal crisis in the past three decades.

Thousands of people were arrested during widespread street unrest after the election. Moderates say at least 69 reformers were killed since the vote, contradicting the official figure of 29 deaths.

(Writing by Parisa Hafezi, Editing by Angus MacSwan)

Flexible LED Strips

Posted Thu, 08/27/2009 - 00:48 by admin

Flexible LED Strips

Lighting is the deliberate application of light to achieve some aesthetic or practical effect. Lighting includes use of both artificial light sources such as lamps and natural illumination of interiors from daylight. Daylighting (through windows, skylights, etc.) is often used as the main source of light during daytime in buildings given its low cost. Artificial lighting represents a major component of energy consumption, accounting for a significant part of all energy consumed worldwide.

Artificial lighting is most commonly provided today by electric lights, but gas lighting, candles, or oil lamps were used in the past, and still are used in certain situations. Proper lighting can enhance task performance or aesthetics, while there can be energy wastage and adverse health effects of lighting. Indoor lighting is a form of fixture or furnishing, and a key part of interior design. Lighting can also be an intrinsic component of landscaping.

Eduardo's deception helps Arsenal ease past Celtic (AFP)

Posted Thu, 08/27/2009 - 00:30 by admin

LONDON (AFP) –
Arsenal moved into the Champions League group stages in controversial fashion as Eduardo's dive helped secure a 3-1 victory over Celtic in Wednesday's play-off second leg.

Arsene Wenger's team went through 5-1 on aggregate after outclassing the Scots for the second time in the tie, but they needed a moment of deception from Eduardo to end Celtic's hopes.

The Croatia striker won and converted a first half penalty when he exaggerated his fall as Celtic keeper Artur Boruc came out to make a save.

In truth, Arsenal were always in control and second half goals from Emmanuel Eboue and Andrey Arshavin rubbed salt into Celtic's wounds as the Premier League team comfortably secured their place in Thursday's group stage draw.

Wenger said: "Having seen it again on television it doesn't look to be a penalty but we were likely to score the first goal and we always looked in control of the game.

"I believe it was not a penalty but I'm not sure if the keeper touched him. Eduardo might be a bit cautious because of the injury that he had. He might have jumped out of the way.

"I never asked in my life any player to dive to get a penalty but sometimes the player goes down because there is no way to get out of the way."

Hoops boss Tony Mowbray added: "I haven't seen the reruns but all the boys felt there wasn't any contact for the penalty.

"But we can't say Arsenal didn't deserve to go through."

Mowbray had no option but to go for broke as his side chased an unlikely comeback and he restored Scott McDonald and Marc-Antoine Fortune to the starting line-up after surprisingly dropping his most potent forwards for the first leg.

With the tie effectively wrapped up in Glasgow last week and Saturday's visit to Manchester United in mind, Wenger left Arshavin and Robin van Persie on the bench, while captain Cesc Fabregas missed out with a hamstring injury.

Although Arsenal benefited from a deflection and an own goal to win the first leg, there was no doubting their superiority and they were quickly back in the ascendency.

Eboue flicked a Gael Clichy cross into Nicklas Bendtner's path and the Dane's shot was parried by Boruc. The rebound dropped towards Eduardo but he somehow managed to poke a lunging effort wide from no more than four yards.

The speed of Arsenal's passing and movement bewildered Celtic at time and Mowbray's defence stood statuesque as Eboue's flick sent Denilson clear for a shot that crashed past the near post.

Arsenal were well on top but it took Eduardo's exploitation of the game's dark arts to open the scoring in the 28th minute.

He raced onto Bendtner's pass and waited for Boruc to come sliding off his line before tumbling theatrically to the turf. To Boruc's disbelief Spanish referee Manuel Mejuto Gonzalez ruled that the incident was worthy of a penalty.

Eduardo dusted himself down, ignored the chants of cheat from the Celtic fans behind Boruc's goal and calmly sent the Polish keeper the wrong way from the spot.

Celtic had the ball in the net just before half-time when McDonald tapped in Fortune's cross but the Australian's effort was rightly ruled out for offside.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was in the stands to check out Arsenal and, apart from the dive, he must have been impressed by Eduardo's display.

The Brazil-born Croatian almost scored again with a curling effort that Boruc tipped over before Bendtner headed the resulting corner wide.

Arsenal were always capable of carving open the Celtic back-four and Eduardo should have doubled the lead, only to drag his shot wide with just Boruc to beat early in the second half.

A second goal was inevitable and it arrived in the 53rd minute when Eboue's powerful finish capped a fine move between Clichy, Bendtner and Diaby that exposed the gulf in class between the teams.

Arshavin, on as a substitute for Eduardo, gave Arsenal a final flourish in the 74th minute when he took Aaron Ramsey's pass and shot past Boruc.

Massimo Donati got one back for Celtic with a superb volley in stoppage time but it was too little too late.

Ryan chooses rookie Sanchez as Jets starting QB (AP)

Posted Wed, 08/26/2009 - 20:33 by admin

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The future is now for the new face of the New York Jets, Mark Sanchez.
Sanchez was selected as the team's starting quarterback by coach Rex Ryan on Wednesday, making him the first rookie slated to open a season under center for the Jets.
"This comes with a lot of responsibility," a beaming Sanchez said. "As happy as I am, I know that this is just the beginning and I'm just excited, really excited, to get to play with such great players."
The fifth overall draft pick out of Southern California beat out Kellen Clemens for the job and will make his regular-season debut at Houston on Sept. 13.
"This is something I've always wanted to do and dreams are coming true now," Sanchez said. "It's a special opportunity."
Ryan, who made the announcement after practice, said early in training camp he'd like to make a decision on a starter by the Jets' third preseason game.
"I think Mark gives us the best opportunity to win," Ryan said, "and I think that's what I owe this franchise."
The Jets' next preseason game is Saturday night against the Giants.
Sanchez replaces Brett Favre as the starter after generally showing poise and solid decision-making skills during training camp.
Ryan met with Sanchez and Clemens on Wednesday morning and told them of his choice.
"I'm glad the decision was made earlier rather than later," said Clemens, who added he thought the competition was fair.
The last time a rookie started a season for the franchise was in 1960, when Dick Jamieson quarterbacked the then-Titans. Joe Namath didn't start until the third game of his rookie season in 1965. Matt Robinson was the last rookie quarterback to start a game for the Jets in 1977.
"I feel very comfortable and confident in my decision," Ryan said.
Sanchez won't have an easy welcome to the NFL, though, facing a tough Texans defense in the opener, followed by home games against New England and Tennessee.
Sanchez struggled early in his start at Baltimore in a preseason game Monday night, but threw a touchdown pass to Leon Washington to cap his final series. Sanchez was 3-for-8 for 43 yards and had an interception — his first pass of the game — returned for a touchdown.
"I think it's not about just one game and I think that defense, I'm not making excuses here, but they're a great group," Sanchez said. "They make veteran quarterbacks look silly out there. It wasn't my best game, that's for sure. Do I need to improve? Absolutely."
Meanwhile, Clemens was 5-for-10 for 60 yards and a score, but also had an interception returned for a TD. Entering his fourth season with the Jets after being a second-round pick in 2006, also had a solid but unspectacular camp, but threw 12 interceptions compared to the rookie's five during practices.
"I'm disappointed overall because I think I left some plays out there that I should've made, both in practice and in the games," Clemens said. "It's Mark's job and I'll support him moving forward."

It was the third quarterback competition for Clemens, once considered the team's future QB, but he lost out to Chad Pennington in 2006, Favre last summer and now Sanchez.

"Each competition is different," Clemens said, "but it never feels good to be the guy who'll be holding the clipboard on Sept. 13."

Clemens, a free agent after this season, said he believes he can start in the NFL — whether it's in New York or elsewhere.

"It's a bump in the road," he said. "It's not the end of the road."

The Jets traded up in the draft to acquire the fifth overall pick from Cleveland and former coach Eric Mangini. Just a few weeks later, the Jets signed Sanchez to a five-year deal that could be worth up to $60 million, including $28 million guaranteed.

Sanchez was already being touted as the new face of the franchise and it appeared it was his job to lose after that. Clemens didn't help his cause by being just as good as the rookie, but not clearly better than him.

It was expected if the competition was close, the organization would move forward with Sanchez. Ryan made it clear after the team drafted Sanchez that he wouldn't be afraid to start a rookie quarterback, particularly after watching Joe Flacco lead the Ravens to the AFC championship last season.

"At the end of the day, I'm going to rely on my instincts, just a gut feeling that I had," Ryan said.