MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Countries around the world marked the world's population reaching 7 billion Monday with lavish ceremonies for newborn infants symbolizing the milestone and warnings that there may be too many humans for the planet's resources.
While demographers are unsure exactly when the world's population will reach the 7 billion mark, the U.N. is using Monday to symbolically mark the day. A string of festivities are being held worldwide, with a series of symbolic 7-billionth babies being born.
The celebrations began in the Philippines, where baby Danica May Camacho was greeted with cheers and an explosion of photographers' flashbulbs at Manila's Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital. She arrived two minutes before midnight Sunday, but doctors say that was close enough to count for a Monday birthday.
The baby received a shower of gifts, from a chocolate cake marked "7B Philippines" to a gift certificate for shoes.
"She looks so lovely," the mother, Camille Galura, whispered as she cradled the 2.5-kilo (5.5-pound) baby, who was born about a month premature.
The baby was the second for Galura and her partner, Florante Camacho, a struggling driver who supports the family on a tiny salary.
Dr. Eric Tayag of the Philippines' Department of Health said later that the birth came with a warning.
"Seven billion is a number we should think about deeply," he said.
"We should really focus on the question of whether there will be food, clean water, shelter, education and a decent life for every child," he said. "If the answer is 'no,' it would be better for people to look at easing this population explosion."
2011年10月31日星期一
No anthrax vaccine testing on children for now
An advisory board said Friday that ethical issues need to be resolved — but if that can be accomplished the vaccine can be tested in children to be sure it's safe and to learn the proper dose in case it's needed in a terrorist attack.
Because of concerns that terrorists might use the potentially deadly bacteria, the government has stockpiled the vaccine. It has been widely tested on adults but never on children.
The question is whether to do tests so doctors will know if children's immune systems respond to the shots well enough to signal protection. The children would not be exposed to anthrax.
The National Biodefense Science Board said Friday a separate review board should look into the ethical issues of doing such tests in children. If that is completed successfully, the panel, said, the Department of Health and Human Services should develop a plan for a study of the vaccine in children.
How to protect young people after an anthrax attack is a challenging issue, said Dr. Nicole Lurie, a member of the board and assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Public Health Service. "Protecting children still stands, for me, among the most important responsibilities that we have as a nation."
The board gives advice to the Department of Health and Human Services on preparations for chemical, biological and nuclear events. Its vote was 12-1.
There is no deadline for the government to decide whether to go along. And if it does agree, it's not clear how much time it would take to find money for such research and get clearance from review boards at medical centers that would conduct studies.
Another big question is whether parents would sign up their children to test a vaccine when there is no immediate threat. It's not possible to get anthrax from the vaccine, but there are side effects. In adults, shot-site soreness, muscle aches, fatigue and headache are the main ones, and rare but serious allergic reactions have been reported.
Anthrax is among several potential bioterror weapons and is of special interest because it was used in letters sent to the media and others in 2001, claiming five lives and sickening 17. That prompted extensive screening of mail and better ventilation and testing at postal facilities and government agencies.
The FBI has blamed the attacks-by-mail on Bruce Ivins, a scientist at an Army biodefense laboratory, who committed suicide before he could be charged.
Anthrax can be difficult to treat, especially if someone has breathed anthrax spores. Millions of doses of antibiotics have been stockpiled since the 2001 episode, and two experimental toxin-clearing treatments also are being stored.
U.S. troops deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan and some other countries are required to get anthrax shots. Since 1998, more than 1 million have been vaccinated. After lawsuits objecting to the requirement, a federal judge suspended the program in 2004, finding fault in the Food and Drug Administration's process for approving the drug. The next year, the FDA reaffirmed its finding that the vaccine was safe.
Because of concerns that terrorists might use the potentially deadly bacteria, the government has stockpiled the vaccine. It has been widely tested on adults but never on children.
The question is whether to do tests so doctors will know if children's immune systems respond to the shots well enough to signal protection. The children would not be exposed to anthrax.
The National Biodefense Science Board said Friday a separate review board should look into the ethical issues of doing such tests in children. If that is completed successfully, the panel, said, the Department of Health and Human Services should develop a plan for a study of the vaccine in children.
How to protect young people after an anthrax attack is a challenging issue, said Dr. Nicole Lurie, a member of the board and assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Public Health Service. "Protecting children still stands, for me, among the most important responsibilities that we have as a nation."
The board gives advice to the Department of Health and Human Services on preparations for chemical, biological and nuclear events. Its vote was 12-1.
There is no deadline for the government to decide whether to go along. And if it does agree, it's not clear how much time it would take to find money for such research and get clearance from review boards at medical centers that would conduct studies.
Another big question is whether parents would sign up their children to test a vaccine when there is no immediate threat. It's not possible to get anthrax from the vaccine, but there are side effects. In adults, shot-site soreness, muscle aches, fatigue and headache are the main ones, and rare but serious allergic reactions have been reported.
Anthrax is among several potential bioterror weapons and is of special interest because it was used in letters sent to the media and others in 2001, claiming five lives and sickening 17. That prompted extensive screening of mail and better ventilation and testing at postal facilities and government agencies.
The FBI has blamed the attacks-by-mail on Bruce Ivins, a scientist at an Army biodefense laboratory, who committed suicide before he could be charged.
Anthrax can be difficult to treat, especially if someone has breathed anthrax spores. Millions of doses of antibiotics have been stockpiled since the 2001 episode, and two experimental toxin-clearing treatments also are being stored.
U.S. troops deploying to Iraq, Afghanistan and some other countries are required to get anthrax shots. Since 1998, more than 1 million have been vaccinated. After lawsuits objecting to the requirement, a federal judge suspended the program in 2004, finding fault in the Food and Drug Administration's process for approving the drug. The next year, the FDA reaffirmed its finding that the vaccine was safe.
Oregon, Texas activists defy city requests
PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 31 (UPI) -- Occupy activists in Portland, Ore., vowed to expand where they protest after the mayor told them to focus on their goals instead of the real estate they occupy.
"I hope in its next phase of growth it gets back to its core mission. The Occupy movement is not about expanding the takeover of local parks in cities like Portland where the mayor and the City Council are very supportive of the founding purpose of Occupy Wall Street," Mayor Sam Adams was quoted in The (Portland) Oregonian as saying.
"If this becomes about picking fights with local governments that are generally supportive of its founding purpose, I think it will lose its way," he said.
Cameron Whitten, 20 -- among 27 Occupy Portland activists arrested in a heated encounter with police early Sunday for refusing to leave a city park after a midnight curfew -- said protesters intended to expand their efforts beyond their downtown encampment in the wealthy Pearl District's Jamison Square park.
"Now we realize this is not just that park," Whitten told The Oregonian. "You've got Colonel Summers, you've got Holladay Park, you've got Piccolo Park, you've got Overlook Park.
"Each one of those has their own crowd" to which the movement can direct its message, he said.
City officials had no immediate response.
Meanwhile, Austin, Texas, officials asked activists to appoint leaders to work out new rules for the occupation after police arrested 30 men and seven women early Sunday for violating new rules forbidding a food-distribution table at the encampment from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The food table does not violate city ordinances, but officials thought prohibiting it would weed out troublemakers who have infiltrated the protest, Assistant City Manager Michael McDonald was quoted in the Austin American-Statesman as saying.
Authorities have received complaints about public urination, drug use and public sex in the City Hall encampment, Police Chief Art Acevedo said.
City leaders said they wanted Occupy Austin protesters to appoint leaders because negotiating with the amorphous group has been difficult, Acevedo said.
Working with a steering committee of occupiers would allow for more consistent, efficient decision making, he said.
The Occupy Austin activists had no immediate response.
In Tennessee, Occupy Nashville protesters arrested this weekend for refusing to leave a public park after curfew were freed by a judge who said the state had no authority to impose the curfew.
Gov. Bill Haslam's administration imposed a curfew in the encampment park citing safety concerns, and police took 29 activists into custody early Friday and then 26 more early Saturday.
But Night Court Magistrate Thomas Nelson let the activists go both times, refusing to sign arrest warrants for which he found no legal basis.
Nelson said the state changed the rules midstream, without giving the protesters time to apply for permits.
"For three weeks they've sat up there and protested, under no admonition whatsoever that they are violating state policy with regard to camping out ... or that they are committing a crime," WKRN-TV, Nashville, said Nelson told a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer. The highway patrol made the arrests.
"When the state issued its memorandum imposing a curfew and changing the rules, right in the middle of a protest, they can do that, but they have to give them adequate time to comply with those rules," he said.
The highway patrol issued a statement Sunday saying "the curfew remains in effect."
The ACLU of Tennessee said it would file a lawsuit challenging the curfew, The Tennessean reported.
"I hope in its next phase of growth it gets back to its core mission. The Occupy movement is not about expanding the takeover of local parks in cities like Portland where the mayor and the City Council are very supportive of the founding purpose of Occupy Wall Street," Mayor Sam Adams was quoted in The (Portland) Oregonian as saying.
"If this becomes about picking fights with local governments that are generally supportive of its founding purpose, I think it will lose its way," he said.
Cameron Whitten, 20 -- among 27 Occupy Portland activists arrested in a heated encounter with police early Sunday for refusing to leave a city park after a midnight curfew -- said protesters intended to expand their efforts beyond their downtown encampment in the wealthy Pearl District's Jamison Square park.
"Now we realize this is not just that park," Whitten told The Oregonian. "You've got Colonel Summers, you've got Holladay Park, you've got Piccolo Park, you've got Overlook Park.
"Each one of those has their own crowd" to which the movement can direct its message, he said.
City officials had no immediate response.
Meanwhile, Austin, Texas, officials asked activists to appoint leaders to work out new rules for the occupation after police arrested 30 men and seven women early Sunday for violating new rules forbidding a food-distribution table at the encampment from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
The food table does not violate city ordinances, but officials thought prohibiting it would weed out troublemakers who have infiltrated the protest, Assistant City Manager Michael McDonald was quoted in the Austin American-Statesman as saying.
Authorities have received complaints about public urination, drug use and public sex in the City Hall encampment, Police Chief Art Acevedo said.
City leaders said they wanted Occupy Austin protesters to appoint leaders because negotiating with the amorphous group has been difficult, Acevedo said.
Working with a steering committee of occupiers would allow for more consistent, efficient decision making, he said.
The Occupy Austin activists had no immediate response.
In Tennessee, Occupy Nashville protesters arrested this weekend for refusing to leave a public park after curfew were freed by a judge who said the state had no authority to impose the curfew.
Gov. Bill Haslam's administration imposed a curfew in the encampment park citing safety concerns, and police took 29 activists into custody early Friday and then 26 more early Saturday.
But Night Court Magistrate Thomas Nelson let the activists go both times, refusing to sign arrest warrants for which he found no legal basis.
Nelson said the state changed the rules midstream, without giving the protesters time to apply for permits.
"For three weeks they've sat up there and protested, under no admonition whatsoever that they are violating state policy with regard to camping out ... or that they are committing a crime," WKRN-TV, Nashville, said Nelson told a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer. The highway patrol made the arrests.
"When the state issued its memorandum imposing a curfew and changing the rules, right in the middle of a protest, they can do that, but they have to give them adequate time to comply with those rules," he said.
The highway patrol issued a statement Sunday saying "the curfew remains in effect."
The ACLU of Tennessee said it would file a lawsuit challenging the curfew, The Tennessean reported.
2011年10月28日星期五
Promising session brings new hope to league's lockout negotiations
At long last, the NBA looks forward to a day of promise. For the first time since Dirk Nowitzki's Mavericks finished off LeBron James' Heat in the NBA Finals four months ago, the league is within reach of rescuing itself from ruin.
On Friday, the owners and players will convene in the privacy of a New York meeting room in order to salvage the NBA's season by seeking accord on the crucial elements of a collective bargaining agreement that could enable basketball to be played by early December.
Talk of salvaging an 82-game slate -- as helpful as that would be financially and inspirationally -- is far less important than getting the details right on Friday. The negotiators spent more than 22 hours Wednesday and Thursday hammering away at a new system of financial rules that can maintain guaranteed contracts and free-agent opportunities for players while shrinking the competitive gap between the richest and less-rich franchises.
Those recent talks have provided commissioner David Stern with a vision for the rules that will govern the league in a new agreement, as he acknowledged Thursday night with unprecedented optimism. "I think we'll get there tomorrow," he said of Friday's talks, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Union executive director Billy Hunter agreed, describing a deal as "within striking distance."
Once they reach agreement on the "system issues" -- salary cap exceptions, luxury tax, raises, contract lengths -- they will attempt to work out a split of revenues. Last week the owners demanded a 50-50 sharing of the money, but then agreed to put aside that demand in order to renew conversations on the system this week.
"I expect that tomorrow we'll be in a position to see whether we've made adequate progress on that, to be able to turn to the split," said Stern.
Union economist Kevin Murphy was unavailable for Thursday's session, but will be back Friday to help resolve the most difficult financial issues.
Months of conversation and argument have enabled both sides to understand each other's positions. Weeks ago, the players were openly willing to surrender money in order to install a system to their liking. That barter has influenced the latest round of talks this week: If the owners want players to compromise down from their latest proposal guaranteeing them 52.5 percent of basketball-related income -- down from the 57 percent earned by players last season -- then the union's interests in the system have to be taken into account.
But that view is not necessarily shared by the NBA. "We don't see the two issues as tradeoffs," said deputy commissioner Adam Silver. "We don't need to know where we are or they are on BRI in order to discuss the system issues and vice versa. One goes to the overall economic health of the league, the other goes to competitive balance and parity.
"We need to resolve both issues and both issues are critical. One is not dependent on the other."
At the end, however, there may be a need for the owners to relent on the system in order to net the split of money they need in order to reach agreement. "For deal-making purposes, everything is on the table," offered Silver. "There's no question that trades are often made when you have the final pieces of a deal that you need to put together."
The optimism was tempered by an understanding that promising talks have broken down in previous weeks. Union president Derek Fisher pointed out that the momentum of this week's talks guarantee nothing, that finding agreement can grow "tougher down at the end."
A breakthrough would provide enormous relief to a league that simply cannot afford to lose the entire season. That both sides came back to the table after the acrimonious ending of last week's mediated talks served as proof of their shared understanding: They need each other desperately, because their league may not be able to recover from the consequences of an extended loss of games.
"There are no guarantees that we'll get it done, but we're going to give it one heck of a shot tomorrow," said Stern. "I think that Billy and the union's negotiators feel the same way. I know that ours do."
On Friday, the owners and players will convene in the privacy of a New York meeting room in order to salvage the NBA's season by seeking accord on the crucial elements of a collective bargaining agreement that could enable basketball to be played by early December.
Talk of salvaging an 82-game slate -- as helpful as that would be financially and inspirationally -- is far less important than getting the details right on Friday. The negotiators spent more than 22 hours Wednesday and Thursday hammering away at a new system of financial rules that can maintain guaranteed contracts and free-agent opportunities for players while shrinking the competitive gap between the richest and less-rich franchises.
Those recent talks have provided commissioner David Stern with a vision for the rules that will govern the league in a new agreement, as he acknowledged Thursday night with unprecedented optimism. "I think we'll get there tomorrow," he said of Friday's talks, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Union executive director Billy Hunter agreed, describing a deal as "within striking distance."
Once they reach agreement on the "system issues" -- salary cap exceptions, luxury tax, raises, contract lengths -- they will attempt to work out a split of revenues. Last week the owners demanded a 50-50 sharing of the money, but then agreed to put aside that demand in order to renew conversations on the system this week.
"I expect that tomorrow we'll be in a position to see whether we've made adequate progress on that, to be able to turn to the split," said Stern.
Union economist Kevin Murphy was unavailable for Thursday's session, but will be back Friday to help resolve the most difficult financial issues.
Months of conversation and argument have enabled both sides to understand each other's positions. Weeks ago, the players were openly willing to surrender money in order to install a system to their liking. That barter has influenced the latest round of talks this week: If the owners want players to compromise down from their latest proposal guaranteeing them 52.5 percent of basketball-related income -- down from the 57 percent earned by players last season -- then the union's interests in the system have to be taken into account.
But that view is not necessarily shared by the NBA. "We don't see the two issues as tradeoffs," said deputy commissioner Adam Silver. "We don't need to know where we are or they are on BRI in order to discuss the system issues and vice versa. One goes to the overall economic health of the league, the other goes to competitive balance and parity.
"We need to resolve both issues and both issues are critical. One is not dependent on the other."
At the end, however, there may be a need for the owners to relent on the system in order to net the split of money they need in order to reach agreement. "For deal-making purposes, everything is on the table," offered Silver. "There's no question that trades are often made when you have the final pieces of a deal that you need to put together."
The optimism was tempered by an understanding that promising talks have broken down in previous weeks. Union president Derek Fisher pointed out that the momentum of this week's talks guarantee nothing, that finding agreement can grow "tougher down at the end."
A breakthrough would provide enormous relief to a league that simply cannot afford to lose the entire season. That both sides came back to the table after the acrimonious ending of last week's mediated talks served as proof of their shared understanding: They need each other desperately, because their league may not be able to recover from the consequences of an extended loss of games.
"There are no guarantees that we'll get it done, but we're going to give it one heck of a shot tomorrow," said Stern. "I think that Billy and the union's negotiators feel the same way. I know that ours do."
Rick Perry may pull out of Republican debates
Texas Governor Rick Perry may skip some upcoming Republican presidential debates in the race to challenge President Barack Obama, his campaign says, after he saw his frontrunner status fizzle out following a string of poor debate performances.
A decision to sidestep a campaign staple could cause other Republicans to bow out of the more than half-dozen face-offs scheduled between now and the first primary voting at the Iowa caucuses on 3 January.
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who is considered the Republican candidate to beat because of his leads in national polls, fundraising and organisation, also has not committed to debating beyond Michigan.
Perry was a late entry in the Republican race, missing the first debate, and he quickly became the frontrunner only to fall behind following a series of mistakes.
Romney has failed to break away from the pack in polls, unable to ignite the party's conservative base who are suspicious about some of his liberal positions and his Mormon faith. Perry has attacked Romney on both such points .
Perry is essentially returning to the play-it-safe strategy he successfully employed in running three times for governor of Texas.
The state's longest-serving governor, he never has lost an election and has debated his rivals only when it could not be avoided. Perry has long conceded he's not a strong debater, and he contends that his up-close charisma and ability to take a more personalised message directly to voters is key. His closest advisers have built campaigns around that approach and their candidate's ferocious campaign-trail energy.
It remains unclear whether this approach will work in a national campaign, where debates provide candidates new to the national stage with a huge dose of free media as they look to make themselves better known to primary voters. The stakes are high. Do well, and you could enjoy a burst of momentum as Minnesota representative Michele Bachmann did over the summer. Perform poorly, and you risk falling out of favour, as Perry can attest.
Perry does plan to participate in a debate on 9 November, his sixth, but he has not committed to any others.
"We haven't said no, but we're looking at each debate," spokesman Mark Miner said. "There are numerous 15, 16, 17 debates, and we're taking a look at each one and we're making the appropriate consideration."
This year, the Republican primary debates have drawn large audiences and have significantly shaped the contours of the race. Eight debates have been held, and nearly a dozen more are scheduled before January's end.
In the debates so far, Perry has fluffed his lines of attack and rambled through answers. He has looked unprepared, if not angry and confused at times. In one debate, in which Perry's advisers thought he had improved, observers tagged him as a bully.
A decision to sidestep a campaign staple could cause other Republicans to bow out of the more than half-dozen face-offs scheduled between now and the first primary voting at the Iowa caucuses on 3 January.
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, who is considered the Republican candidate to beat because of his leads in national polls, fundraising and organisation, also has not committed to debating beyond Michigan.
Perry was a late entry in the Republican race, missing the first debate, and he quickly became the frontrunner only to fall behind following a series of mistakes.
Romney has failed to break away from the pack in polls, unable to ignite the party's conservative base who are suspicious about some of his liberal positions and his Mormon faith. Perry has attacked Romney on both such points .
Perry is essentially returning to the play-it-safe strategy he successfully employed in running three times for governor of Texas.
The state's longest-serving governor, he never has lost an election and has debated his rivals only when it could not be avoided. Perry has long conceded he's not a strong debater, and he contends that his up-close charisma and ability to take a more personalised message directly to voters is key. His closest advisers have built campaigns around that approach and their candidate's ferocious campaign-trail energy.
It remains unclear whether this approach will work in a national campaign, where debates provide candidates new to the national stage with a huge dose of free media as they look to make themselves better known to primary voters. The stakes are high. Do well, and you could enjoy a burst of momentum as Minnesota representative Michele Bachmann did over the summer. Perform poorly, and you risk falling out of favour, as Perry can attest.
Perry does plan to participate in a debate on 9 November, his sixth, but he has not committed to any others.
"We haven't said no, but we're looking at each debate," spokesman Mark Miner said. "There are numerous 15, 16, 17 debates, and we're taking a look at each one and we're making the appropriate consideration."
This year, the Republican primary debates have drawn large audiences and have significantly shaped the contours of the race. Eight debates have been held, and nearly a dozen more are scheduled before January's end.
In the debates so far, Perry has fluffed his lines of attack and rambled through answers. He has looked unprepared, if not angry and confused at times. In one debate, in which Perry's advisers thought he had improved, observers tagged him as a bully.
Last witness on stand for defense in Conrad Murray trial
Tune in to HLN for full coverage and analysis of the Conrad Murray trial and watch live, as it happens, on CNN.com/Live and CNN's mobile apps.
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Round two in the battle of the propofol experts enters its final stage Friday in the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor as the defense anesthesiology expert resumes his testimony that began Thursday.
Dr. Paul White is expected to counter the conclusions of prosecution anesthesiologist Dr. Steven Shafer, whose earlier testimony spanned more than a week of Dr. Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial.
When the defense direct questioning of White concludes, likely around noon Friday, the court will recess until Monday morning when the prosecution will begin its cross-examination, according to the transcript of a meeting in the judge's chambers.
Closing arguments could come as soon as Tuesday in the trial that began in late September.
Dr. White said that after reviewing the reports, evidence and analysis from investigators in Jackson's death he was not convinced Dr. Murray was responsible.
Dr. Conrad Murray listens to testimony Thursday during his involuntary manslaughter trial into Michael Jackson\'s death.
Dr. Conrad Murray listens to testimony Thursday during his involuntary manslaughter trial into Michael Jackson's death.
"I was somewhat perplexed at how a determination has been made that Dr. Murray was infusing propofol," White said. "It wasn't obvious to me, I thought there were questions."
A drug-addiction specialist testified earlier Thursday that Jackson was "probably addicted" to a powerful painkiller given him during frequent visits to a Beverly Hills dermatologist in the three months before his death.
Dr. Robert Waldman was called by the defense in an effort to show Jackson's insomnia the day he died could have been caused by withdrawal from Demerol shots he was given along with botox injections, treatments that Dr. Murray didn't know about.
White, who is the last witness before the defense rests, spent most of the first two hours establishing his credentials as one of the world's foremost experts on the surgical anesthetic propofol, which the coroner ruled was the chief drug that killed Jackson.
The personal and professional rivalry between Dr. White and Dr. Shafer played an odd role in Thursday's testimony.
White's longtime friendship with Shafer has been tested during the Murray trial, including an incident last week that resulted in the judge scheduling a contempt-of-court hearing against White for next month.
Jackson 'probably addicted to opioids'
Dr. Drew, Dr. Klein's attorney debate
Former patient kisses Dr. Conrad Murray
At one point Thursday, White suggested someone "tell Dr. Shafer he needs to learn how to spell plasma," because it was misspelled on a graph he created. The prosecutor said Shafer did not make the graph.
White, however, attempted to downplay his rivalry with Shafer when the judge mistakenly called White "Dr. Shafer" for a second time.
Los Angeles (CNN) -- Round two in the battle of the propofol experts enters its final stage Friday in the trial of Michael Jackson's doctor as the defense anesthesiology expert resumes his testimony that began Thursday.
Dr. Paul White is expected to counter the conclusions of prosecution anesthesiologist Dr. Steven Shafer, whose earlier testimony spanned more than a week of Dr. Conrad Murray's involuntary manslaughter trial.
When the defense direct questioning of White concludes, likely around noon Friday, the court will recess until Monday morning when the prosecution will begin its cross-examination, according to the transcript of a meeting in the judge's chambers.
Closing arguments could come as soon as Tuesday in the trial that began in late September.
Dr. White said that after reviewing the reports, evidence and analysis from investigators in Jackson's death he was not convinced Dr. Murray was responsible.
Dr. Conrad Murray listens to testimony Thursday during his involuntary manslaughter trial into Michael Jackson\'s death.
Dr. Conrad Murray listens to testimony Thursday during his involuntary manslaughter trial into Michael Jackson's death.
"I was somewhat perplexed at how a determination has been made that Dr. Murray was infusing propofol," White said. "It wasn't obvious to me, I thought there were questions."
A drug-addiction specialist testified earlier Thursday that Jackson was "probably addicted" to a powerful painkiller given him during frequent visits to a Beverly Hills dermatologist in the three months before his death.
Dr. Robert Waldman was called by the defense in an effort to show Jackson's insomnia the day he died could have been caused by withdrawal from Demerol shots he was given along with botox injections, treatments that Dr. Murray didn't know about.
White, who is the last witness before the defense rests, spent most of the first two hours establishing his credentials as one of the world's foremost experts on the surgical anesthetic propofol, which the coroner ruled was the chief drug that killed Jackson.
The personal and professional rivalry between Dr. White and Dr. Shafer played an odd role in Thursday's testimony.
White's longtime friendship with Shafer has been tested during the Murray trial, including an incident last week that resulted in the judge scheduling a contempt-of-court hearing against White for next month.
Jackson 'probably addicted to opioids'
Dr. Drew, Dr. Klein's attorney debate
Former patient kisses Dr. Conrad Murray
At one point Thursday, White suggested someone "tell Dr. Shafer he needs to learn how to spell plasma," because it was misspelled on a graph he created. The prosecutor said Shafer did not make the graph.
White, however, attempted to downplay his rivalry with Shafer when the judge mistakenly called White "Dr. Shafer" for a second time.
2011年10月27日星期四
Syrians stage yet another pro-regime rally
BEIRUT (AP) — State-run Syrian TV is broadcasting footage of another massive pro-regime gathering in support of President Bashar Assad as authorities try to galvanize supporters in the face of a seven-month uprising.
Thousands took to the streets on Thursday in the coastal city of Latakia, carrying Syrian flags and chanting in support of reform measures that Assad recently proclaimed.
The large turnout was the second in as many days, after a similar rally Wednesday in the capital, Damascus.
The uprising against Assad is the most serious threat to his family's four-decade dynasty. Protest leaders reject any dialogue with the regime while it continues its brutal crackdown, which the U.N. says has killed more than 3,000 people since March.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
BEIRUT (AP) — Arab officials held a "frank and friendly" meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad Wednesday, the head of the delegation said at the beginning of a regional effort to resolve a bloody 7-month revolt, the most serious challenge yet to the four decade Assad dynasty.
The Arab committee is trying to start talks between Assad's government and its opponents, but protest leaders reject any dialogue with the regime while it continues its brutal crackdown, which the U.N. says has killed more than 3,000 people since March.
Activists said at least 15 civilians were killed Wednesday in military operations across the country, 12 of them in the flashpoint central city of Homs.
The meeting in Damascus between the Arab ministerial committee and Assad came hours after tens of thousands of Syrians packed a main square in the Syrian capital, chanting, "the people want Bashar Assad." Assad succeeded his father, and together the family has ruled Syria for more than 40 years.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabr Al Thani was quoted as saying that the Arab delegation felt that the Syrian government is eager to work with the Arab committee "in order to reach a solution."
Sheik Hamad told reporters that the Arab committee and the Syrian government will hold another meeting on Sunday either in Syria or in Qatar.
"What is important for us is that there are no victims from any side in Syria," Sheik Hamad told reporters. "The fighting should stop and the dialogue should begin between the Syrian brothers so that, God willing, they agree on points that fulfill people demands."
Syria has rejected previous Arab initiatives, and it was not clear if this would be different, or if the regime was trying to gain time to try to crush the uprising.
The Arab officials' visit follows a meeting in Cairo last week by the 22-nation Arab League, which gave Syria until the end of the month to end military operations, release detainees arrested in the crackdown, and start a dialogue with the opposition.
Human Rights Watch quoted Syrian activists as saying at least 186 protesters and residents have been killed in Syria since the Cairo meeting.
The activists said towns and villages in southern and central Syria, as well as some areas in the north and east, closed their businesses in compliance with an opposition call for a general strike.
Amateur videos showed shops closed in different parts of the country as well as counter-demonstrations to the one held in Damascus. One of the largest took place in the village of Halfaya in the central province of Hama.
A giant banner raised on an electricity pole there read: "To the Arab League. How do you want us to have a dialogue with the killer of children and women when all laws say that the killer should not be negotiated with, but put on trial?"
The Syrian government has staunchly defended its crackdown on protesters, saying it is the target of a foreign conspiracy.
Bassma Kodmani, spokeswoman for the broad-based opposition group, the Syrian National Council, said it is "impossible" to talk about a dialogue within the current security crackdown.
"And even if the right conditions for dialogue prevail, the only thing to discuss would be a roadmap for the peaceful transfer of power," she told The Associated Press.
"Russia gives Bashar international protection, Iran gives him weapons, and Arabs give him time," read a banner carried by protesters in northern Syria Tuesday evening. "No dialogue with the killer of children," read another.
Human Rights Watch called on the Arab ministers to demand that the government allow independent, civilian monitors into Syria to observe the behavior of security forces.
In a pro-government rally timed to coincide with the Arab ministers' visit, tens of thousands of Syrians carrying white, red and black flags and posters of Assad gathered at Damascus' Omayyad square .
The opposition says authorities regularly stage such rallies in support of the embattled leader.
Assad still has significant support among Syrians, including those who benefited financially from the regime, minority groups who fear they will be targeted if the Sunni majority takes over, and others who see no clear and safe alternative to the president. He also still has the loyalty of the bulk of the armed forces, key to his remaining in power.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and other rights groups said 15 civilians were killed Wednesday in shootings by security forces nationwide, including 12 in the rebellious city of Homs. The Observatory also reported 11 soldiers were killed in Hama province when the bus they were traveling in was hit by a rocket propelled grenade.
The Local Coordination Committees, another activist group, also said 15 people were killed Wednesday nationwide, most of them in Homs.
In Washington. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland expressed hope that U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford would return to Damascus in a month. He was withdrawn this week after the U.S. said "credible threats" were made against him. Ford often defied Syrian demands that he refrain from visiting areas where protests are strong.
She said the U.S. will expect Syria's government to stop its attacks on Ford through state-sponsored media.
"He's bought his Thanksgiving turkey for his embassy staff," Nuland told reporters. "So that's our expectation. It'll be, you know, sometime before Thanksgiving," which is in late November.
Zeina Karam can be reached on http://twitter.com/zkaram
Thousands took to the streets on Thursday in the coastal city of Latakia, carrying Syrian flags and chanting in support of reform measures that Assad recently proclaimed.
The large turnout was the second in as many days, after a similar rally Wednesday in the capital, Damascus.
The uprising against Assad is the most serious threat to his family's four-decade dynasty. Protest leaders reject any dialogue with the regime while it continues its brutal crackdown, which the U.N. says has killed more than 3,000 people since March.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.
BEIRUT (AP) — Arab officials held a "frank and friendly" meeting with Syrian President Bashar Assad Wednesday, the head of the delegation said at the beginning of a regional effort to resolve a bloody 7-month revolt, the most serious challenge yet to the four decade Assad dynasty.
The Arab committee is trying to start talks between Assad's government and its opponents, but protest leaders reject any dialogue with the regime while it continues its brutal crackdown, which the U.N. says has killed more than 3,000 people since March.
Activists said at least 15 civilians were killed Wednesday in military operations across the country, 12 of them in the flashpoint central city of Homs.
The meeting in Damascus between the Arab ministerial committee and Assad came hours after tens of thousands of Syrians packed a main square in the Syrian capital, chanting, "the people want Bashar Assad." Assad succeeded his father, and together the family has ruled Syria for more than 40 years.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheik Hamad Bin Jassem Bin Jabr Al Thani was quoted as saying that the Arab delegation felt that the Syrian government is eager to work with the Arab committee "in order to reach a solution."
Sheik Hamad told reporters that the Arab committee and the Syrian government will hold another meeting on Sunday either in Syria or in Qatar.
"What is important for us is that there are no victims from any side in Syria," Sheik Hamad told reporters. "The fighting should stop and the dialogue should begin between the Syrian brothers so that, God willing, they agree on points that fulfill people demands."
Syria has rejected previous Arab initiatives, and it was not clear if this would be different, or if the regime was trying to gain time to try to crush the uprising.
The Arab officials' visit follows a meeting in Cairo last week by the 22-nation Arab League, which gave Syria until the end of the month to end military operations, release detainees arrested in the crackdown, and start a dialogue with the opposition.
Human Rights Watch quoted Syrian activists as saying at least 186 protesters and residents have been killed in Syria since the Cairo meeting.
The activists said towns and villages in southern and central Syria, as well as some areas in the north and east, closed their businesses in compliance with an opposition call for a general strike.
Amateur videos showed shops closed in different parts of the country as well as counter-demonstrations to the one held in Damascus. One of the largest took place in the village of Halfaya in the central province of Hama.
A giant banner raised on an electricity pole there read: "To the Arab League. How do you want us to have a dialogue with the killer of children and women when all laws say that the killer should not be negotiated with, but put on trial?"
The Syrian government has staunchly defended its crackdown on protesters, saying it is the target of a foreign conspiracy.
Bassma Kodmani, spokeswoman for the broad-based opposition group, the Syrian National Council, said it is "impossible" to talk about a dialogue within the current security crackdown.
"And even if the right conditions for dialogue prevail, the only thing to discuss would be a roadmap for the peaceful transfer of power," she told The Associated Press.
"Russia gives Bashar international protection, Iran gives him weapons, and Arabs give him time," read a banner carried by protesters in northern Syria Tuesday evening. "No dialogue with the killer of children," read another.
Human Rights Watch called on the Arab ministers to demand that the government allow independent, civilian monitors into Syria to observe the behavior of security forces.
In a pro-government rally timed to coincide with the Arab ministers' visit, tens of thousands of Syrians carrying white, red and black flags and posters of Assad gathered at Damascus' Omayyad square .
The opposition says authorities regularly stage such rallies in support of the embattled leader.
Assad still has significant support among Syrians, including those who benefited financially from the regime, minority groups who fear they will be targeted if the Sunni majority takes over, and others who see no clear and safe alternative to the president. He also still has the loyalty of the bulk of the armed forces, key to his remaining in power.
The British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and other rights groups said 15 civilians were killed Wednesday in shootings by security forces nationwide, including 12 in the rebellious city of Homs. The Observatory also reported 11 soldiers were killed in Hama province when the bus they were traveling in was hit by a rocket propelled grenade.
The Local Coordination Committees, another activist group, also said 15 people were killed Wednesday nationwide, most of them in Homs.
In Washington. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland expressed hope that U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford would return to Damascus in a month. He was withdrawn this week after the U.S. said "credible threats" were made against him. Ford often defied Syrian demands that he refrain from visiting areas where protests are strong.
She said the U.S. will expect Syria's government to stop its attacks on Ford through state-sponsored media.
"He's bought his Thanksgiving turkey for his embassy staff," Nuland told reporters. "So that's our expectation. It'll be, you know, sometime before Thanksgiving," which is in late November.
Zeina Karam can be reached on http://twitter.com/zkaram
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