1. (BBC HEADLINE) Megrahi's 'health deteriorating'

Adbelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, 9 September, 2009
Megrahi appeared in a mask at a hospital gathering days ago

The health of convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi has worsened, his brother has told Reuters.

Megrahi was freed on compassionate grounds from a Scottish jail in August, having been jailed for the 1988 attack which claimed 270 lives.

A Reuters journalist said Megrahi, suffering from terminal cancer, was unable to talk due to a "sudden deterioriation" in his health.

Megrahi was weak when he appeared in front on journalists three days ago.

"He is at a special ward at Tripoli Medical Centre. His condition has deteriorated rapidly since yesterday," his brother Abdenasser Megrahi told Reuters at the hospital.

"His situation is worrying."

MY COMMENT:

Good! About time! May the pain be horrible and linger a while before he dies!

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2. (BBC) Venezuela to get Russian missiles

Chavez included Russia on his recent tour and met Vladimir Putin

Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez has announced that the country will soon take delivery of Russian missiles with a range of 300km (185 miles).

Returning from a 10-day tour of Africa, Asia and Europe, including Russia, Mr Chavez is also planning to buy Russian T-72 and T-90.

"Soon some little rockets are going to be arriving... and they don't fail," he announced at the presidential palace.

But he denied they would be used for offensive purposes.

"We are not going to attack anybody, these are just defence tools, because we are going to defend our country from any threat, wherever it may come from," the president said.

MY COMMENT: Yeah. Right. That's what we tried to teach you people in 1962... Don't EVER put missiles in OUR hemisphere! Go ask Castro. The reality is this: Buy all the tanks you want but those missiles will never be delivered.

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3. US penalizes Chinese tires, infuriating Beijing

By JENNIFER LOVEN (AP)

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's decision to impose trade penalties on Chinese tires has infuriated Beijing at a time when the U.S. badly needs Chinese help on climate change, nuclear standoffs with Iran and North Korea and the global economy.

China condemned the White House's announcement late Friday as protectionist and said it violated global trade rules. At home, the punitive tariffs on all car and light truck tires coming into the U.S. from China may placate union supporters who are important to the president's health care push.

Chen Deming, China's minister of commerce, said the penalties would hurt relations with the U.S. A ministry statement said Obama had "compromised to the political pressure of the U.S. domestic trade protectionism."

"The Chinese government will continue to uphold the legitimate interests of China's domestic industry and has the right to take corresponding measures," Deming said.

Obama had until this coming Thursday to accept, reject or modify a U.S. International Trade Commission ruling that a rising tide of Chinese tires into the U.S. hurts American producers. The United Steelworkers blames the increase for the loss of thousands of American jobs.

The federal trade panel recommended a 55 percent tariff in the first year, 45 percent in the second year and 35 percent in the third year. Obama settled on 35 percent the first year, 30 percent in the second and 25 percent in the third, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said

"The president decided to remedy the clear disruption to the U.S. tire industry based on the facts and the law in this case," Gibbs said.

MY COMMENT: Who would buy a Chinese tire? Their dog and cat food tried to poison our pets last year! Every autumn they send us some new influenza plague! How would you feel with their tires on the car your loved ones were driving? Geez! Don't tax them, BAN THEM! Isn't eating their column A/column B dinners with all that MSG bad enough for our health? Besides, if we want something made in China we can always shop at Wal-Mart!