Irish vote on budget, EU says crisis pot is enough

BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union insisted its bailout pot has enough money to handle the continent's government debt crisis — but conceded its earlier bank stress tests were not tough enough and that Greece will need more time to repay its bailout loans.

While EU officials in Brussels sought to calm markets by stressing that their anti-crisis measures were enough to support the euro's credibility, the government in bailed-out Ireland announced a brutally tight budget and more taxes for next year as protesters banged drums and blew whistles outside parliament's gates.

The budget cleared a first hurdle by an 82-77 vote. The measures proposed by the Irish government are the …

Afghanistan slips in corruption index despite aid

Afghanistan has slipped three places to become the world's second most-corrupt country despite billions in aid meant to bolster the government against a rising insurgency, according to an annual survey of perceived levels of corruption.

Only lawless Somalia, whose weak U.N.-backed government controls just a few blocks of the capital, was perceived as more corrupt than Afghanistan in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index.

Iraq saw some improvement, rising to 176 of 180 countries, up two places up from last year. Singapore, Denmark and New Zealand were seen as the least corrupt countries in the list based on surveys of businesses and …

Brazilians boost Barcelona

Are two Brazilians better than one? That's the question that will beanswered this season by Barcelona, which lost Ronaldo to Italy'sInter but added Sonny Anderson from France's Monaco and most recentlyRivaldo from Deportivo La Coruna.

Anderson is a forward who has been a prolific goal scorer in theFrench League, but the coup for Barcelona was landing Rivaldo, 25, anoffensive midfielder who scored 21 goals last season for Deportivo.He was named to most All-Spanish League teams last season. His gametook off once Deportivo fired John Toshack and hired BrazilianCarlos Alberto Silva as coach.

Deportivo president Augusto Cesar Lendoiro was incensed withBarcelona's …

Cam Cavasso wins Republican nomination to challenge Inouye for Hawaii Senate seat

HONOLULU (AP) — Cam Cavasso wins Republican …

Betancourt: Rescue in Colombia was 'impeccable'

Colombian spies tricked leftist rebels into handing over kidnapped presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. military contractors Wednesday in a daring helicopter rescue so successful that not a single shot was fired.

Betancourt, who was seized on the campaign trail six long years ago, appeared thin but surprisingly healthy as she strode down the stairs of a military plane and held her mother in a long embrace. The Americans _ Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes and Keith Stansell _ also appeared well as they arrived in Texas to undergo tests and reunite with their families.

"God, this is a miracle," Betancourt said. "Such a perfect …

Peter is star of his own show

At the age of 85, most people would expect to sit back and beentertained on their birthday.

But when Peter Finnigan celebrated his big day at Saltford GolfClub on Saturday, he was the one putting on a show.

Peter, who has always loved to dance, performed with his groupStardust, which entertains in care homes. More than 70 friends andfamily enjoyed the occasion.

Peter, whose friends helped him organise the party along with hisfamily, said: "It was a wonderful day and the show went down very,very well.

"Everybody got up and sang, which was fantastic, and the food wasbrilliant. Everybody thoroughly enjoyed themselves and I was sopleased …

2004 HIGHLIGHTS

A Review of the 10-Year Vision Study: How are we doing?

The 10-Year Vision Study was formally adopted in January 1999. As the Society neared the half-way point on this road map, the Council set up a Mid-Term Review Committee to review the Society's progress in implementing the Study and suggest any actions the Society should take to better achieve this Vision. This Review Committee comprised of five subcommittees aligned to the five areas of the Vision - multidisciplinarity, inclusiveness, outreach, technology, and finance and development. This Annual Report is organized according to activities and accomplishments in each of these areas in 2004. The complete summary of the Mid-Term …