Sewol Disaster: Anger Despite Ship Salvage Vow

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 16 April 2015 | 18.46

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Families of some of the 304 victims of the Sewol ferry disaster have blocked South Korea's leaders from attending a memorial event marking the first anniversary.

The protest came amid anger from bereaved relatives over the government's handling of the tragedy and the recovery of the vessel.

Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo was confronted by demonstrators clutching placards as he attempted to visit the memorial venue in the city of Ansan.

Earlier, protesters had put up a barrier to block President Park Guen-hye from getting into the hall.

Of those who died, 250 were children from the same high school in Ansan, which has been the focus of anniversary activities.

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Gallery: Sewol Victims Remembered A Year On

Relatives of victims of the Sewol ferry disaster react as they throw flowers to pay tribute to the victims of the 16 April sinking last year

The ferry capsized off the coast of South Korea's southern island of Jindo. Continue through for more images

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At the venue where Mr Lee was turned away, one of the protesting relatives said: "If we can't get enough answers from the government, we cannot mourn the first anniversary."

A minute's silence was held across Ansan and flags flew at half mast on Thursday, exactly a year to the day since the ferry capsized.

Thousands of mourners visited the memorial hall where portraits of the students were displayed with flowers and black ribbons.

One tribute among the framed photos read: "My son, I hope you're happy up there. Mom misses you so much."

Uniformed students from Danwon High School also stood in silence inside the venue.

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Gallery: Scene Of Sewol Ferry Disaster

Hundreds of high school pupils were on board the Sewol when it got into difficulties - only 75 survived. Continue through the gallery for more images from the scene and the rescue effort.

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Nine of the victims remain unaccounted for after the search was called off in November. Only 75 of those on board survived.

The government is now under pressure to commit to raising the 6,825-tonne ferry, which is expected to cost the equivalent of £75m, and carry out a more thorough investigation.

While President Park pledged on Thursday to start the operation "at the earliest possible date", families were still not satisfied and boycotted official anniversary events, including one on the island of Jindo, close to where the Sewol sank.

The disaster has been largely blamed on overloading and an illegal redesign of the passenger ship, but in its aftermath wider questions have been raised about safety standards and regulatory failings.

The captain, Lee Joon-seok, was jailed along with other crew members after they were accused of abandoning the stricken ship, telling passengers to stay in their cabins.

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Written By Unknown on Rabu, 15 April 2015 | 18.46

The remains of 388 Americans killed during the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor during World War Two are to be exhumed for DNA testing.

Most of the crew on board the torpedoed USS Oklahoma could not be identified after Japan's surprise attack - a pivotal moment which convinced the US to enter the war.

Their remains were interred at Hawaii's National Memorial Cemetery but now the Pentagon plans to transfer them to a Defense Department lab on the island to hopefully bring closure to some families.

Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work said the government remained "committed to fulfilling its sacred obligation to achieve the fullest possible accounting for US personnel lost in past conflicts".

"Recent advances in forensic science and technology, as well as family member assistance in providing genealogical information, have now made it possible to make individual identifications for many service members long-buried in graves marked 'unknown,'" said Mr Work.

"While not all families will receive an individual identification, we will strive to provide resolution to as many families as possible."

For the exhumation to happen, Government rules state there must be a chance of identifying at least 60% of the troops. Family members of the dead crew are set to provide samples to help the process.

Some 429 sailors and Marines on the USS Oklahoma died in the attack on 7 December 1941.

In all, Japan's two-hour airborne onslaught destroyed eight battleships and 164 planes - more than a 100 other vessels were also sunk or damaged.

But it was the deaths of more than 2,400 serviceman and civilians on home soil that truly shocked the US and led President Roosevelt to famously declare it "a day that will live in infamy".

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Hundreds Of Migrants Feared Drowned Off Libya

Some 400 illegal migrants may have drowned when their boat capsized off the coast of Libya on Sunday, according to survivors who were rescued and brought to Italy.

Those rescued claimed the vessel was carrying between 500 and 550 people trying to make their way to Europe when it sank.

Flavio Di Giacomo, a spokesman for the International Organisation for Migration, said between 144 and 150 survivors arrived on Tuesday at Reggio Calabria in southern Italy after being picked up by the Italian coastguard.

"We are continuing to investigate in order to understand how the shipwreck happened," he said.

There has been a suggestion the boat may have capsized after passengers began moving around when they saw the Italian rescue team approach.

The Italian coastguard says it has recovered nine bodies.

"There were 400 victims in this shipwreck, which occurred 24 hours after (their vessel) left the Libyan coast," the charity Save the Children said in a statement, citing survivors.

"There were several young males, probably minors, among the victims," the statement continued, adding there were also children among the survivors.

Speaking to Sky News, Save the Children spokeswoman Carlotta Bellini said: "The situation in Libya is really bad.

"Many migrants, including many children, have been victims of violence and many of them have reached Italy over the past few days.

"They have mentioned that extremism and violence on migrants is growing (in Italy).

"They are being transferred to a migrant centre in northern Italy."

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Gallery: Stranded Migrants Leave 'Ghost Ship' In Italy

Migrants smile after disembarking from the ship

The Ezadeen cargo ship was stopped by Italian authorities after smugglers sent it speeding toward the coast in rough seas with nobody at the helm

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Russian-Language Siri Accused Of Homophobia

A Russian-language version of Apple's Siri personal assistant has been accused of providing homophobic responses to questions about gay people.

The voice-activated helper responded to a question about whether gay marriage is "normal" by saying: "You are so rude" and "I consider this emotion should be considered negative."

When asked the same question again Siri said: "I will pretend I didn't hear that" and "Now you are using obscenities and then you are going to eat bread with the same hands."

It has been reported that the responses were due to a bug that has now been fixed.

Gay rights are a controversial subject in Russia. A law banning gay "propaganda" that was passed in 2013 prevents people from giving information about homosexuality to people under 18.

Apple chief executive Tim Cook came out as gay in October.

Last November, a tribute to Steve Jobs was removed from a college campus in St Petersburg after Mr Cook's announcement.

When the English version of Siri launched there were complaints about some its responses, which included refusing to look up the locations of local abortion clinics.

Sky News has contacted Apple for comment.

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Robot Reveals Inside Of Wrecked Nuclear Plant

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 14 April 2015 | 18.46

Robot Reveals Inside Of Wrecked Nuclear Plant

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A specially-designed robot has become stranded after capturing the first grainy images from inside one of the melted reactors at Japan's doomed Fukushima nuclear plant.

It withstood the deadly radioactive environment but then became stuck two-thirds of the way through its mission and had to be abandoned.

Pictures lit by a lamp on the robot showed steam wafting around the chamber and debris that looked like small rocks and metal parts.

The video also showed numerous white spots believed to be caused by gamma rays.

Despite the glitch, officials said the images were a success and showed it was possible to send in more sophisticated robots as they embark on a 40-year mission to make the plant safe.

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Gallery: Robot's Pictures Inside Fukushima

A still image of a video taken by a small cord-controlled robot shows inside the reactor vessel of the No. 1 reactor building at Tokyo Electric Power Co's tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant

The robot was used to film inside one of the reactors that melted down at the damaged Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant last week, but the robot itself lost control and become disconnected

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The 60cm Hitachi robot entered the disaster zone through a pipe and then morphed into a crawler device, collecting radiation and temperature data as it crept along. Continue through for more pictures

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The robot also picked up lower than expected radiation readings, according to Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), possibly paving the way for wireless devices to explore the site.

However, radiation levels inside the plant are still far too dangerous for humans.

The 60cm Hitachi robot entered the disaster zone through a pipe and then morphed into a crawler device, collecting radiation and temperature data as it crept along.

TEPCO spokesman Teruaki Kobayashi said its journey had been halted possibly after one of its tyres got stuck in a grating.

A different amphibious robot is set to enter the site next year for more tests.

Large volumes of cooling water continue to leak from the damaged reactors, causing contamination and hampering the cleanup process.

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Gallery: Archive: Timeline Of Events

March 11. Cooling problems at the nuclear plant emerged. The government declared state of emergency

March 12. Plant owners TEPCO said pressure was rising in some of the reactors and could not be controlled

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A £1.8bn ice wall extending down 1,500 metres is hoping to freeze the earth around the wrecked plant and stop contaminated water leaching into the sea.

The nuclear meltdown in March 2011 was the worst since Chernobyl and happened after a magnitude 9 earthquake hit the area and triggered a deadly tsunami.

Three reactors at the plant went into meltdown and hundreds of thousands had to be evacuated.

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Gallery: Images Of A Nuclear No-Go Zone

A boat lies stranded on the ground after the powerful tsunami two years ago.

One of the Google Street View camera cars drives through the deserted Namie streets.

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So far, more than 1,600 people have died from health complications brought on by the disaster.

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Written By Unknown on Senin, 13 April 2015 | 18.46

It's Official: Clinton Running For President

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Hillary Clinton has told donors she is to run for US president and seek the Democratic nomination.

A top adviser to the former First Lady and Secretary of State made her 2016 plans official with an email message sent to veterans of her first presidential campaign.

Minutes later, Mrs Clinton announced the details on her campaign website.

She said in a video, uploaded to her new campaign website, that "everyday Americans need a champion. I want to be that champion".

"I'm getting ready to do something too, I'm running for President," she said.

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Gallery: Former First Lady Makes Announcement In Emails And Online

Hillary Clinton used Twitter to post a message about her decision to run for president

Her daughter Chelsea was quick to express her pride

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The news broke in an email from a senior member of her team, John Podesta

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The wannabe president released a video on her new campaign website

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The Hillary For America logo

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"Americans have fought their way back from tough economic times but the deck is still stacked in favour of those at the top.

"Everyday Americans need a champion, and I want to be that champion, so you can do more than just get by, you can get ahead, and stay ahead, because when families are strong, America is strong.

"So I'm hitting the road to earn your vote, because it's your time, and I hope you'll join me on this journey."

Her daughter Chelsea tweeted: "Very proud of you Mom! @HillaryClinton."

Mrs Clinton is aiming to be the first female president.

She enters the Democratic primaries in a strong position to succeed her rival from the 2008 campaign, President Barack Obama.

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Gallery: Hillary Clinton: A Profile In Pictures

Hillary Clinton is launching her bid for the White House - and here is a look back her life in pictures... 1960s: Clinton as a teenager, posing on rock on the shore of a lake

1960s: A sixties teenager

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Following Sunday's announcement, she's expected to travel soon to early voting states, including Iowa and New Hampshire.

Mrs Clinton has signalled that she intends to run on strengthening economic security for the middle class and expanding opportunities for working families.

Republicans are already trying to link Mrs Clinton to President Obama. They say electing her would be no different from giving Mr Obama a third term.

Republican presidential contender Randy Paul said Mrs Clinton was a poor choice.

He said: "Hillary Clinton represents the worst of the Washington machine – the arrogance of power, corruption and cover-up, conflicts of interest and failed leadership with tragic consequences."

Sky's US correspondent Greg Milam, who is in Iowa ahead of an expected speech from Mrs Clinton, said: "She has kept us waiting for it and it didn't come out as expected with an announcement on social media from Hillary Clinton.

"It came in an email from John Podesta, a veteran of the Obama White House and now part of Hillary Clinton's team.

"It's interesting that it was him reaching out to donors, the people who will raise the expected $1bn for her campaign, getting them on side."

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Written By Unknown on Minggu, 12 April 2015 | 18.46

The leaders of the US and Cuba have held their first formal meeting in more than half a century - clearing the way for a thawing of relations that seemed unthinkable to citizens of both countries only a few years ago.

US President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro met in a small conference room in Panama, where they sat side by side.

Mr Obama said the event was "obviously a historic meeting", adding that his country was ready to "turn the page" with Cuba on the past.

He said: "It was my belief it was time to try something new, that it was important for us to engage with Cuban government. And, more importantly, with Cuban people."

He thanked Mr Castro for his "spirit of openness" but warned that significant differences still remain.

Mr Castro said he was ready to discuss issues such as human rights and press freedom, saying: "Everything can be on the table."

But he warned that the two countries may "agreed to disagree" at times, adding that both sides must be "very patient".

The meeting was held on the sideline of the Summit of the Americas, which this year included Cuba for the first time.

It was not publicly announced in advance but White House officials had suggested the two leaders were hoping for an opportunity to meet while in Panama.

The meeting came just hours after the two shared a handshake as the summit opened.

Four months ago Mr Castro and Mr Obama simultaneously announced an ending of hostilities.

President Obama said starkly: "Fifty years of isolation hasn't worked."

It is expected that the US will soon agree to remove Cuba's name from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, something that would also open the door to loans and aid for the South American nation after decades of suffering under the trade embargo.

Fidel Castro came to power in 1959 after overthrowing the US-backed dictator Fulgencio Batista.

For half a century, the leader of the first communist country in the western hemisphere was a thorn in America's side.

In 2006, after abdominal surgery, he started the transfer of power to his brother Raul, who took the landmark step in 2014 of appearing with the US President.

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Hillary Clinton Set To Confirm Presidency Bid

By Greg Milam, US Correspondent

Hillary Clinton is today expected to confirm she is running for the Democratic nomination to be the president of the US, effectively firing the starting gun on the 2016 election campaign.

The former Secretary of State and First Lady has long been the runaway favourite to be the party's candidate for the election next November.

It is expected she will make the announcement via a video message on Twitter before heading off to a first campaign event in Iowa.

The Midwest state was where her last campaign for president in 2008 began to unravel when she lost the caucuses to then senator Barack Obama.

Iowans are the first to vote for their candidates and Mrs Clinton is reported to be planning on a low key meeting a small group of voters. She is trying to counter the image that she is out of touch with real Americans.

The state, which has traditionally been evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, is currently hosting its annual horse fair and attendees gave Mrs Clinton's expected candidacy a mixed reception.

Katherine Resler said: "I won't vote for her. I don't think she is very trustworthy. I don't think she relates well to other people."

Hannah Hilsabeck said: "I definitely think we need to have a woman in office. I think that would be huge for all women everywhere and just show we can do just as good a job as a guy can."

Opinion polls have consistently put Mrs Clinton ahead of potential Republican rivals but the gap has narrowed in recent weeks.

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Gallery: Hillary Clinton: A Profile In Pictures

Hillary Clinton is launching her bid for the White House - and here is a look back her life in pictures... 1960s: Clinton as a teenager, posing on rock on the shore of a lake

1960s: A sixties teenager

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