“spectacular performer, and a music icon”.

His Music Will Live Forever

On June 25, 2009, Jackson collapsed at his rented mansion at 100 North Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills area of Los Angeles. Pending confirmation from toxicology reports, he was allegedly administered Demerol shortly before he stopped breathing.

Attempts at resuscitating him by his personal physician were unsuccessful. Los Angeles Fire Department paramedics received a 911 call at 12:22 p.m. (PDT), arriving three minutes and seventeen seconds later at Jackson’s location.

He was reportedly not breathing and CPR was performed. Resuscitation efforts continued both en route to the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, and for an hour further after arriving at approximately 1:13 p.m. (20:13 UTC).

He was noted to have been in cardiac arrest by the paramedics who attended him at his house. Jackson was pronounced dead at approximately 2:25 p.m. local time (21:25 UTC).

Rumors and news of Jackson’s death broke web records triggering a cyberspace traffic jam giving Google, Twitter, Facebook, and Yahoo their highest traffic on record. Vigils were held by members of the general public after the death.

Jackson’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame became a focal point for public grief including many flowers and rememberances.




Jackson had been scheduled to perform 50 sold-out concerts to over one million people, at London’s O₂ arena, from July 13, 2009, to March 6, 2010. During a publicity press conference, he had made suggestions of possible retirement.

Randy Phillips, president and chief executive of AEG Live, had stated that the first 10 dates alone would have earned the singer approximately £50 million.

Phillips said that the promotion company had a three-and-a-half year plan to work with Jackson, including a possible world tour, the release of new music and a 3D film based on Jackson’s groundbreaking album, song and music video, Thriller. Jackson made a music video, currently known as “Dome Project”, in early June, 2009. The video is scheduled to finish post-production in mid-July, 2009.

Jackson’s death triggered an outpouring of grief. Fans gathered outside the UCLA Medical Center, his Holmby Hills home, the Apollo Theater in New York, and at Hitsville U.S.A., the old Motown headquarters in Detroit where Jackson’s career began, now the Motown Museum.

Streets around the hospital were blocked off, and across America people left offices and factories to watch the breaking news on television. A small crowd, including the city’s mayor, gathered outside his childhood home in Gary, where the flag on city hall was flown at half staff in his honor.

Fans also mistakenly gathered around the Hollywood Walk of Fame star of another Michael Jackson, a radio commentator, stating that “they didn’t care” when told by reporters. Jackson’s own star had been temporarily covered for the premiere of Sacha Baron Cohen’s comedy, Brüno, which had featured a segment involving La Toya Jackson, now cut.

U.S. President Barack Obama sent a letter of condolence to the Jackson family, and during a press conference the Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said that President Obama viewed Jackson as a “spectacular performer, and a music icon”. In Congress, Representatives Diane Watson and Jesse Jackson Jr. asked members to observe a moment of silence.

Madonna and Diana Ross released statements saying they could not stop crying.

Jackson’s former wife, Lisa Marie Presley, said the singer had told her he was afraid he would end up like Elvis Presley, her father.

Elizabeth Taylor, a long-time friend, said she, “can’t imagine life without him.

“Liza Minnelli told CBS, “When the autopsy comes, all hell’s going to break loose, so thank God we’re ­celebrating him now.”

Gary Taylor of MJJcommunity.com, described as the world’s biggest online Michael Jackson fan club, has said that several of Jackson’s fans have committed suicide.

Jesse Jackson has recorded a YouTube video, urging fans not to “self destruct”. “This is a time when hearts are heavy. There is great pain but great cause to celebrate Michael’s life. It made Michael happy saying ‘We Are The World’. Don’t self destruct. We fall down sometimes, we get back up. That’s the right thing to do. In Michael’s name let’s live together as brothers and sisters and not die apart as fools.

 World Grain Forum opens in St. Petersburg

    The first World Grain Forum opened in St. Petersburg, with participants focusing on grain prices, food security and technology. Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov, who supervises the agricultural industry, opened the forum, which gathered about 1,500 participants, including agriculture ministers, representatives of international organizations, Russian and world companies working in the sphere. The forum is being held on the initiative of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev backed by G8 leaders who took part in the Japan summit in June 2008. Speaking at the forum, Medvedev said a new international policy in grain production and trade was needed. “We need to ensure that leading exporters coordinate their actions to maintain affordable prices on grain markets.

     The talk is actually about new policies in production and the international trade in grain,” he said. Earlier St. Petersburg governor Valentina Matviyenko said the possibility of establishing a grain cartel would be discussed at the international forum, to last until June 7. Medvedev also said that the Asia Pacific region is becoming very important for Russian grain exports. “Taking into account the extent of our borders, considering the size of our state, the Asia Pacific region is extremely significant for us,” he said. Zubkov said in May that as the world’s fourth-largest grain exporter Russia planned to improve its export policy on the grain market and increase deliveries to Asia Pacific region countries.

    Medvedev also called on the international community to develop cooperation in grain production, including innovation. “The search for innovations, the use of modern agro-technology and achievements in breeding programs and seed growing, are a prerequisite for the dynamic development of grain production. We invite you all to take part in joint research, scientific and technological cooperation,” he said. Medvedev also urged that producers avoid excessive protectionist policies in agriculture. Experts say grain consumption by 2030 will grow by 30-40%. This means the international community could face a food crisis in the future. The forum is being held by the Russian government, Agriculture Ministry and the Russian Grain Union, supported by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and other organizations.

 

 

 

 

The urgency of the climate crisis requires each of us to do our part.

There is no time to waste. The Clinton Climate Initiative, a project
of the William J. Clinton Foundation, works with more than 40 cities
to reduce their giant carbon footprint. But we can’t continue our work
without the generosity of supporters like you.

Watch President Clinton’s video response to your questions about
climate change, and support our work today using the form to the left.

 

 

  Watch the Video and Make a Donation Today 

Last week President Bill Clinton invited you to ask questions about the work of the Clinton Climate Initiative.

We were amazed by your response — nearly 2,000 of you submitted questions. President Clinton recorded a video response to a few that reflect the wide range of topics.

Many of you asked, “How can I be a part of the solution for climate change?” The urgency of the climate crisis requires each of us to do our part to reduce our carbon footprint and encourage others to follow.

The Climate Initiative, a project of the William J. Clinton Foundation, operates on a larger scale, working with more than 40 cities to reduce their giant carbon footprint. There is no time to waste. More than half of the world’s population lives in cities, and that number will nearly double by 2050. But we can’t continue our work without the generosity of supporters like you.

Watch President Clinton’s video response to your questions — then show your support with a donation today.

Backed by your commitment, we’ve already accomplished so much this year.

Last month we announced our new Climate Positive Development Program, in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council, which will transform our cities and towns. Our initial 16 projects — in 10 countries on 6 continents — will prove it’s possible not just to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero, but to create climate positive development generating a surplus of clean energy for other purposes.

We’re working around the clock to build strategic coalitions, change policies, and bring solutions to life around the world. We need you by our side.

I hope you’ll take a minute to watch President Clinton’s video response — and make an important investment in protecting our planet.

Supporters like you play an immensely important role, especially in the midst of this economic crisis. Thank you for your questions, suggestions, and messages of support. We’re grateful to see such enthusiasm build around our mission to combat climate change.

Sincerely,

Bruce R. Lindsey
Chief Executive Officer
William J. Clinton Foundation

P.S. To learn more about our Climate Positive Development Program, watch this video to hear President Clinton describe the project in greater detail

 

Russian Anthem, Гимн России, Military Parade 2007

Glory to you soldiers of GREAT PATRIOTIC WAR!
Glory to the victorious nation!
Congratulations to you …on the Day of Graet Victory!

LONDON EVENTS

Michael Jackson in London O2 will entertain fans with his shows & band of highest quality.

BOOK ONLINE NOW

OR CALL +44 (0) 20 7835 2000

FOR GUARANTEED LOWEST RATES

Michael Jackson in London O2 will entertain fans with his shows & band of highest quality.

Michael Jackson Concert in London

8th July – 29th September 2009 & 7th January – 24th February 2010

London O2 Arena, Peninsula Square, SE10 0PE

Telephone: 0844 856 0202

Michael Jackson, unanimously the King of Pop, is returning to London O2 Arena for 50 phenomenal performances that have been sold out within a record period of time. The hottest tickets on the planet have been sold to 750,000 fans at an average rate of 40,000 an hour, over 650 tickets per minute – an astonishing 11 per second! The King of Pop, Michael Jackson in London will definitely offer his fans a phenomenal and, as officially announced, the last set of shows.

50 historic shows by Michsael Jackson at the London O2 Arena will mark the calendars of thousands. With his greatest hits, Michael Jackson in London will again be at the centre of the world media with his shows promising a volatile return with a band of the uppermost calibre, high-tech modern show and splendid bombshell support acts – and that’s all after 12 years of silence.

One of the world’s most popular entertainers Michael Jackson will rock the London O2 Arena this summer!

For more information on Michael Jackson’s concert in London, please phone 0844 856 0202.

Visiting Michael Jackson’s Concert London:

Cost: £75 / £65 / £50 + booking fees.

Time: various

Age Restrictions: n/a

Nearest Underground Stations:

North Greenwich

Nearest Hotels: Our Luxury London Hotels offer an easy access to the O2 Arena, London.

For more information please visit: www.michaeljackson.com/

JACK,

I wish you had believed me…

John Locke

LOST COMMUNITY on ABC

Negotiate nuclear weapons abolition

The abolition of nuclear weapons is achievable through a Nuclear Weapons Convention (NWC). The majority of UN Member States call for immediate negotiation of such a treaty, which would prohibit the development, production, testing, deployment, stockpiling, transfer, threat, or use of nuclear weapons.

The NWC would provide for the elimination of nuclear weapons in much the same way comparable treaties have banned landmines and chemical and biological weapons.

2. No new nuclear weapons

The nuclear weapon states must immediately stop upgrading, modernizing, and testing new nuclear weapons.

Producing new nuclear weapons undermines the goal of non-proliferation, and violates the legal obligations of the nuclear weapon states under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) to negotiate disarmament in good faith.

The five original nuclear weapon states made an “unequivocal undertaking” at the NPT Review Conference in 2000 to “accomplish the total elimination of their nuclear arsenals leading to nuclear disarmament.”

The hypocritical claim that nuclear weapons are valuable instruments of policy and power projection in some hands but are intolerable threats when owned by others must be abandoned.

3. Reduce the likelihood of nuclear weapons use

Nuclear weapons must be taken off high alert. This would greatly decrease the chance of accidental use. Every nuclear weapon state should commit itself to a “No First Use” policy – a pledge never to initiate a nuclear exchange – as an interim step toward abolition and to reduce the stimulus to nuclear proliferation.

Nuclear Weapon-Free Zones, which shrink the geographical space in which nuclear weapons can play a role, should be expanded globally.

http://icanw.org
http://WERICHANEL.WORDPRESS.COM
http://WERI-events.org

Israeli strikes hit UN schools

The United Nations has called for an independent investigation after a third UN school has been has been hit by an Israeli strike, killing 40 people and injuring 45….

Children suffer in Israel’s war on Gaza -

Over 1000 people have been killed as a result of Israel’s offensive..

Israeli assaults bring Gazan factions together – 14 Jan 2009

Israeli officials have been repeating that the assault on Gaza is targeting Hamas, but Hamas’ military wing is not the only group battling Israeli troops. The offensive may have united Palestinian

Demonstrations in NY against Israeli attack on Gaza

Protestors in New York call for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and demand the end of civilian casualties in Gaza….

Interview: Protestor in NY on Israeli attack on Gaza

Ethan Heitner, from Adalah-NY (The Coalition for Justice in the Middle East), calls on Israel to stop bombing the Gaza strip during a protest march in NY.

ABOUT CHILDREN OF CONFLICTS

Radhika Coomaraswamy is the UN Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict.  she expressed grave concern about Israeli attacks on UN facilities in Gaza. Al Jazeera’s Shihab Rattansi began by asking her if her remarks had any effect on the war since then.

Buildings contribute up to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions in some cities. As of March 2009, CCI and its partners have helped building owners evaluate hundreds of opportunities for building retrofit projects in dozens of cities worldwide.

CCI serves as the action arm of the C40, an organization of cities around the world that are working to reduce their carbon emissions. In addition to building retrofits, CCI applies this same macro-level approach to address other major sources of greenhouse gases, and the people, policies, and practices that impact them.