Now you can follow VOA on Twitter! As always, VOANews.com, with its community
site USAVotes2008.com, will continue to provide you with coverage on the
transition from President Bush to President Obama. And be sure to contact VOA
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Former Rwandan Army Colonel Convicted Over 1994 Genocide
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Tanzania-based International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda finds Theoneste
Bagosora guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes
A former Rwandan army colonel has been sentenced for life in prison for his
role in carrying out the 1994 genocide. Colonel Theoneste Bagosora (file
photo)The U.N.-backed International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda convicted
Theoneste Bagosora of war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. The
United Nations has described Bagosora as one of the main instigators of the
1994 massacres that killed an estimated 800,000 people. The Tanzania-based
tribunal ruled Thursday that Bagosora was responsible for organized killings of
ethnic Tutsis around the capital, Kigali, and the city of Gisenyi at the start
of the genocide. It also held him responsible for the killing of 10 Belgian
peacekeepers and several politicians, including former prime minister Agathe
Uwilingiyimana.
2 other former army officers convictedTwo other former army officers were
convicted on genocide charges and given life in prison, while another officer,
General Gratien Kabiligi, was acquitted of all charges.Earlier Thursday, the
court sentenced Protais Zigiranyirazo, the brother-in-law of Rwanda's former
president, to 20 years in jail following convictions for genocide and
extermination.The genocide began almost immediately after the plane of
President Juvenal Habyarimana was shot down on April 6, 1994. The Canadian who
led U.N. peacekeepers in Rwanda, Romeo Dallaire, has described Bagosora as an
extremist Hutu who declared the army in charge of the country. In a recent
interview, Dallaire told U.S. broadcaster CNN that within hours of that decree,
government troops and civilian death squads began slaughtering Tutsis.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
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UN Says Zimbabwe Cholera Epidemic is Worsening
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New figures show more than 20,500 cases of disease reported since August
Woman suspected to be suffering from cholera, is transported in wheelbarrow to
Harare clinic for treatment The United Nations says Zimbabwe's cholera epidemic
continues to worsen, with the death toll from the disease rising to more than
1100.The new figure released Thursday shows an increase of 133 cholera deaths
in just two days. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
OCHA, says more than 20,500 cholera cases have been reported in Zimbabwe since
August.The agency reported a new outbreak Thursday in Chegutu Urban, west of
the capital Harare, where it says more than 378 suspected cases and 121 deaths
have been recorded. The U.N. says a lack of clean drinking water and sanitation
continues to be a problem, as well as a strike by most of the country's health
workers.Aid agencies are warning that supplies of intravenous fluids, used to
treat cholera, could run out early next year.Cholera is a bacterial infection
that spreads through contaminated water. The disease has been spreading
rapidly in Zimbabwe because of the failure of the country's health, sewage and
water systems.Zimbabwe's government has been paralyzed by hyperinflation and a
stalemate in power-sharing talks between the ruling ZANU-PF party and the
opposition MDC.The growing crisis has triggered international calls for
President Robert Mugabe to step down.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
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Obama to Name New Chief Securities Regulator
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Sources close to transition team say president-elect will nominate Mary
Schapiro to head Securities and Exchange Commission
U.S. President-elect Barack Obama is expected to announce his choice Thursday
to run the federal agency responsible for regulating many financial
markets.Mary Schapiro (file photo)Sources close to Mr. Obama's transition team
say he will nominate Mary Schapiro to head the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Schapiro currently heads a self-regulatory group for securities
firms. She also is a former head of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission
and a former SEC commissioner.The SEC has come under fire for what many say was
lax oversight of Wall Street financial institutions before the collapse of
investment giants Bear Stearns and Lehman Brothers. The SEC is also accused of
failing to heed warnings about an investment fund run by money manager Bernard
Madoff.Madoff has been accused of defrauding his clients of $50 billion.Current
SEC Chairman Christopher Cox has ordered an internal investigation to determine
how the agency missed the warning. Democratic Party officials say Mr. Obama
has offered U.S. Representative Ray LaHood, an Illinois Republican, the job of
transportation secretary. The nomination would make LaHood the second
Republican in the Cabinet after Defense Secretary Robert Gates. At a news
conference Wednesday in Chicago, the president-elect named former Iowa Governor
Tom Vilsack to head the Department of Agriculture, while Colorado Senator Ken
Salazar was named for the post of interior secretary.
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Bush Highlights National Security Progress
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US president says battle against terrorism will continue long after he leaves
office
President Bush speaking at US Army War College, 17 Dec 2008President Bush says
the United States is safer now than before the attacks of September 11, 2001,
but that the battle against terrorism will continue long after leaves office.
Mr. Bush made the comments to military personnel at the U.S. Army War College
in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
In what was likely his final major national security address, Mr. Bush paid
tribute to America's fighting men and women and took stock of momentous events
that happened during his time in office.
He acknowledged the country and his presidency changed dramatically on
September 11th, when hijacked planes struck the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon, and another crashed in Pennsylvania.
"By nightfall, the sun had set on a very different world. With rumors of more
attacks swirling, Americans went to bed wondering what the future would bring,"
he said.
Mr. Bush said the country rose to the challenge posed by terrorists.
The president outlined steps taken to enhance security since the attacks. He
noted greater intelligence sharing, increased border security, and the creation
of the Department of Homeland Security. He said U.S. forces are also now more
easily deployed to trouble-spots.
Mr. Bush acknowledged some decisions made in the war against terror have
provoked debate, but said no one can argue with the end result.
"This is for certain, since 9/11, there has not been another terrorist attack
on American soil," he said.
One of Mr. Bush's most controversial decisions was the 2003 invasion of Iraq.
However the president said U.S. efforts there have struck an important blow
against global terrorism.
"Thanks to the success of the [U.S. troop] surge, courage of our troops, and
the determination of the Iraqi people, we have delivered a devastating blow to
al-Qaida in the land Osama bin Laden once called the central battleground in
the war on terror," he said.
Despite progress, the president said the fight against terror is far from over
and will test his successors
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China Vows to Continue Reforms
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President Hu Jintao speaks on 30th anniversary of 'reform and opening program'
- saying China hopes to continue past success, moving forward into future
China is marking the 30th anniversary of what it calls its "reform and opening
program", which is the economic development path that is credited with helping
the country grow. Although Chinese leaders vow to continue with economic
reforms, they also stress the overall importance of maintaining social
stability. President Hu Jintao delivers a speech at the Great Hall of the
People in Beijing, 18 Dec 2008Chinese President Hu Jintao drew on the spirit of
late leader Deng Xiaoping, who coined the phrase "to get rich is glorious."
Deng is credited with the 1978 launch of the economic reforms that propelled
China on a path of rapid growth and prosperity.President Hu praised Mr. Deng's
reform and opening program, saying China hopes to continue its past success, in
the future.
Economic development is main focusHu says making economic development the
government's main focus is the key to national rejuvenation. He says economic
development is also crucial for the ruling Communist Party and for China to
maintain prosperity and stability.At the same time, he indicates there will
continue to be a strong state role in guiding market reforms.The Chinese
president spoke, Thursday, before a full house of current and former
officials, gathered in Beijing's Great Hall of the People.
President promises more social equityHu says the government's efforts to cope
with the global economic downturn are working and he renewed his promise to
create a more equal society. He also stressed the importance of maintaining
social stability - an issue that is taking on increasing importance as
export-driven factories shut down and unemployment rises.On the political
front, the Chinese leader called on officials to meet the needs of citizens,
but he rejected any notion of Western style democratic liberalization.Hu says
China must draw on what he describes as "the beneficial fruits of political
civilization," but will never copy the Western political model.Liu Jianchao
(file photo)This point was underscored by Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu
Jianchao, who was asked China's position on the European Parliament's decision
to award its top human rights prize to jailed Chinese dissident Hu Jia.
No relief in sight for activists Liu says China will continue to follow
its path of what he called "socialism with Chinese characteristics," regardless
of the European Parliament's actions.Meanwhile, China has dealt harshly with
the more than 300 activists who signed the '08 Charter, a manifesto made public
last week that calls for legal reform and more democracy. Dozens of the
signatories have already been briefly detained or harassed. And, more than one
week ago, police detained one of the most prominent organizers, dissident
writer Liu Xiaobo. He remains in custody.
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India Cancels Cricket Tour of Pakistan
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New Delhi says timing is not right for such an event
A tour by India's national cricket team to Pakistan early next year has been
canceled. The move was widely anticipated, in wake of the terror attack on
Mumbai which India blames on Islamic extremists from Pakistan. From left,
former Olympian Milkha Singh, Indian Sports Minister M.S. Gill and Indian
Olympics Association Secretary General Randhir Singh in New Delhi (File)The
announcement was made Thursday in parliament by Sports Minister M.S. Gill and
the Board of Control for Cricket in India. BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla
told reporters in New Delhi the timing is not right for such an event. "Taking
into account the recent developments, as well as the overall circumstances
prevailing at present, it is not considered feasible to accord government
permission to the proposed tour," he explained.The Indian team had been
scheduled to be in Pakistan from January 13 through February 19. The tour was
to consist of three test matches, five one-day games and a 20-20 international.
Mumbai attacks put strain on diplomatic relationsIndia blames Islamic radical
gunmen from Pakistan for the 60-hour siege of Mumbai that left about 170 people
dead. The terrorists attacked luxury hotels, a train terminal, hospitals, a
cafe and a Jewish outreach center. Government leaders in Islamabad say they
have seen no proof that any of the ten men who attacked India's commercial
capital were from Pakistan. Cricket is a national obsession in India and
Pakistan, stemming from the colonial era when the subcontinent was under
British rule.
Pakistan accuses India of airspace violationThe announcement of the
cancellation of the tour came just hours after it was reported that Islamabad
registered a formal complaint with New Delhi, alleging violation of its air
space by Indian fighter jets, last week. Indian air force officials have denied
there were any such incursions. Indian media have spoken of a heightened state
of alert by forces on both sides of the border. Indian government and military
leaders deny they are planning any strikes into Pakistani territory in
retaliation for the Mumbai attack. Both countries have nuclear weapons and have
gone to war three times since gaining independence from Britain in 1947. India
is insisting those responsible for planning the Mumbai operation, which it
blames on the outlawed group Laskhar-e-Taiba, be brought to justice and that
Pakistan dismantle the terrorist infrastructure on its soil.
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North Korea Warns South of Further Restrictions on Joint Industrial Project
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Pyongyang says unless it sees a change of 'attitude' in South Korea, sharp
restrictions on North-South contact will remain in effect
Senior North Korean military officials are making a rare inspection of a joint
North-South Korean industrial project. Pyongyang says unless it sees what it
calls a change of "attitude" in South Korea, sharp restrictions on North-South
contact will remain in effect.
Kaesong reductions symbolize Pyongyang's attitude shiftNorth Korean workers
labor at South Korean shoe factory in inter-Korean industrial park at Kaesong (
Oct 2007 file photo)A senior North Korean official spent Thursday inspecting
production facilities at the North-South industrial park in the North Korean
city, Kaesong. Earlier this month, Pyongyang sharply reduced the number of
South Korean managers allowed to remain at the project, which has long been
seen as a symbol of North-South reconciliation.Lieutenant-General Kim Yong
Cheol has been meeting this week with South Koreans remaining in Kaesong.
South Korean Unification Ministry Spokesman Kim Ho-nyoun says he has been
passing on a message for Seoul. He says, if there is no change of
attitude by the South, current restrictions will not be lifted.
Border traffic sharply reducedIn addition to scaling back Kaesong's staffing,
North Korea sharply restricted crossings of its border to the South and
suspended daily freight train service by South Korean trains. North-South
tourism projects are also on ice.Kim, the South Korean spokesman, quotes Kim
the North Korean lieutenant-general as saying the relationship between the
Korea's is now strained and stands at a crossroads.
South Korean president defends business-like stance towards NorthSouth Korea's
President Lee Myung-bak (file photo)North Korea is angry at the administration
of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, who Pyongyang has labeled a "traitor"
on many occasions. The North accuses Mr. Lee of violating previous North-South
agreements which promise billions of dollars to the North in aid and massive
infrastructure investments.President Lee brought what he describes as a more
"practical" and "business-like" view of aid to the North, when he took office
in January. He says the transfer of South Korean public funds to North Korea
must be more closely indexed to the North's cooperation on reducing its nuclear
weapons and other key issues.The North Korean military visit to Kaesong has
fueled media speculation Pyongyang may be considering a total shutdown of the
zone - a move that would cost the impoverished North millions of dollars
annually.
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Ben Affleck, UN Team Up to Raise DRC Refugee Awareness
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Short film released highlighting plight of refugees in Democratic Republic of
the Congo
Ben Affleck (2nd from left, on stage) introduces a short film "Gimme
Shelter," shot in the North Kivu region of DRC, 17 Dec 2008American actor and
activist Ben Affleck has teamed-up with the United Nations releasing a short
film highlighting the plight of refugees in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo. For the last 10 years, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been
riddled with conflicts. More than five million people have been killed and more
than a million others displaced. Children have been recruited to fight, two out
of three women have been the victims of violent rape, and families have been
torn apart as they try to survive. Academy Award-winning actor and director Ben
Affleck has taken a strong interest in Africa, visiting the continent many
times to learn more about its conflicts. His latest project is a four-minute
film showing the horrors of life as a Congolese refugee. The public service
announcement was created for the United Nation's Gimme Shelter campaign. The
film is set to the Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter song, which Mick Jagger, the
lead singer of the band, donated to the campaign. The footage was shot on
Affleck's most recent trip to the North Kivu region of eastern Congo - the
epicenter of fighting between rebel and government forces that resumed in
August. The United Nations hopes the campaign will raise awareness about the
very real, but neglected situation of displaced persons in the Congo. For his
part, Affleck says he hopes the film will move people to demand action from
their leaders."When awareness is raised, when constituencies start to pay
attention, they are more likely to pay attention to that one thing than
another," said Ben Affleck. "What I can do is care about something. What I can
do is make it important to my elected officials. Diplomacy is free." In
addition to raising awareness, the Gimme Shelter campaign hopes to raise $23
million in 2009 for emergency humanitarian assistance kits to help displaced
persons in the DRC. The film will be distributed worldwide through the
Internet, television, mobile phones, cinemas, and hotel chains.
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Astronomers Detect Water at Record Distance From Earth
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Astronomers say they have detected water vapor at a record 11.5 billion light
years from Earth using 100-meter Effelsberg radio telescope
The 100-meter Effelsberg radio telescope at the Max Planck Institute for
Radio Astronomy in Leipzig, GermanyThe water vapor was found 11.5 billion light
years from Earth, using the 100-meter Effelsberg radio telescope at the Max
Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Leipzig, Germany. A light year is the
amount of time it takes for light to travel through space in a single
year.Astronomers say the water vapor is in the form of a disc, called a maser,
orbiting a black hole.Black holes are regions in the universe where gravity is
so strong everything around them, including light, is sucked in.John McKean,
who is part of the research team at the Max Planck Institute, says some black
holes, are inactive. And McKean says masers are safe from their gravitation
pull, offering astronomers an opportunity to trace the gases swirling around
black holes."We can actually see the gas rotating around the black hole, and
how fast it is rotating depends on how massive the black hole is," he said.
"And this is one of the main science goals of studying these water masers in
local galaxies. And they really get tremendous results for measuring the masses
of black holes."Violette Impellizzeri, formerly of the Max Planck Institute and
now with the National Radio Observatory in Virginia, led the investigation of
the ancient water disc. She says the existence of water in a galaxy that is
close to the 13-billion-year-old age of the Universe is not unexpected, but it
is the first time it has been shown."This is also a result by itself, that we
were able to find a molecule [water] seemed to have produced after a very short
time after the Big Bang," she said. "I mean the Universe is young and already
there is already a high abundance of molecules."The study on the discovery of
ancient water in the Universe is published in the journal Nature.
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2008 Was Banner Year for Sports
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Among year's highlights: Michael Phelps stellar Summer Olympic performance,
Tiger Woods injury, Philles MLB championship win; Rafael Nadal's grand slam
success
2008 was a banner year in the world of sports, topped by the Summer Olympics in
Beijing.
Phelps smashes Olympic swimming records
The athletic highpoint of the Beijing Olympics was almost certainly the
record-setting performance by American swimmer Michael Phelps. He won eight
gold medals, breaking the single-Games record of seven set by countryman Mark
Spitz at the 1972 Munich Olympics.
"I have dreamed of a lot of things, you know, I have written down a lot of
goals. This was the biggest one I really ever wrote down and everything was
accomplished. It has been a fun last four weeks and it has been one fun week,
that is for sure," Phelps said.
Michael Phelps stands on podium for men's 4 x 100m medley relay swimming final
medal ceremony at National Aquatics Center in Beijing, 17 Aug 2008Phelps set
seven world records and one Olympic mark in Beijing to become the winningest
Olympian ever with a total of 14 career victories.
The 23-year-old Phelps also became the first swimmer honored as Sportsman of
the Year by Sports Illustrated magazine.
Host-nation China finished the Summer Games with the most gold medals - 51 and
a total of 100. The United States had the most overall medals with 110,
including 36 golds. Russia was third with 23 gold medals and 72 overall.
Bolt amazes in Olympic track and field events
Jamaica's Usain Bolt celebrates winning men's 200m final at "Bird's Nest"
National Stadium in Beijing, 20 Aug 2008Other notable Olympic performances
included the three gold medals won by Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, with world
records in the 100- (9.69 seconds) and 200-meter (19.30) sprints, and as part
of Jamaica's world record-breaking four-by-100 meter relay team (37.10).
"It means a lot to me and I know it means a lot to the country also because I
talked to the prime minister and he told me every road in Jamaica is blocked
off pretty much. Everybody is in the street. So it means a lot to me, I have
written history, pretty much so I am happy with myself, I am just real proud,"
Bolt said.
He later captured the International Association of Athletics Federations
(IAAF) World Athlete of the Year award.
Russian pole-vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva won the women's World Athlete of the
Year award after successfully defending her Olympic title with a
world-record-breaking leap of 5.05 meters, and going undefeated in outdoor
competitions.
No. 1 Golfer Tiger Wolf struggles with injury
Tiger WoodsWorld No. 1 golfer Tiger Woods of the United States won his third
U.S. Open title, while struggling with a serious knee injury. Wincing in pain
and limping down the fairways, Woods survived a 19-hole playoff with
fellow-American Rocco Mediate at Torrey Pines near San Diego, California.
"I think this is probably my best ever," he said. "All things considered I do
not know how I ended up in this position to be honest with you. A long week, a
lot of doubt, lot of questions going into the week and here we are, 91 holes
later."
A week later Woods had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee. He
also revealed that he had won the U.S. Open, despite a double stress fracture
in his left tibia. Woods will not begin practicing again until early 2009.
Irish golfer Padraig Harrington became the first European named PGA Tour
player of the year, after winning two major tournaments. In July, he
successfully defended his title at the 137th British Open Championship at Royal
Birkdale in Southport, England.
"Definitely last year was a thrilling win and it was exciting, and I was on
top of the world when I won. This year is more satisfying. I feel more
accomplished this year. It is the first time I was in the last group in a major
tournament on a Sunday, so it is a different pressure, it is a different
stress. And I am delighted that I managed it," he said.
Just three weeks later, Harrington won the 90th PGA Championship near Detroit,
Michigan, by two-shots over Spain's Sergio Garcia and Ben Curtis of the United
States.
South African golfer Trevor Immelman won the first major of the year, the
Masters at Augusta, Georgia. Immelman survived swirling winds and a late
double-bogey in the final round for a three-shot win over Tiger Woods.
The United States Ryder Cup team, without Tiger, used a mix of experience and
six rookies to defeat the 12-man European team 16.5 to 11.5 at the Valhalla
Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky. The American squad, captained by Paul
Azinger, won the biennial event for the first time since 1999.
"[For] two years, I honestly did not think about what the outcome could be. I
never tried to get ahead of myself. I never tried to think about what the
outcome might be. I started to dream about it a little bit today, thinking this
could actually happen. This could happen. It feels great to have it [the Ryder
Cup] back," Azinger said.
Lorena Ochoa of Mexico was named the LPGA Tour's Player of the Year for the
third season in a row. The Guadalajara native won seven times this season and
recorded 10 additional top-10 finishes in 21 starts on the LPGA Tour.
The game also bid farewell to former world number-one Annika Sorenstam. The
38-year-old Swede said she wants to start a family and is stepping away after
winning 72 tournaments on the LPGA Tour.
Spain's Nadal enjoys stellar tennis season
Rafael Nadal In tennis, Spaniard Rafael Nadal extended his success past
the clay-courts, winning the French Open, Wimbledon, and the Olympic gold
medal. He took the world No. 1 ranking, ending Swiss star Roger Federer's
237-week reign at the top.
Nadal beat Federer in the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon, but says he
has a lot of respect for the Swiss player.
"He is a great champion, no? He is positive when he loses, when he wins," he
said. "We have a very good relationship, but at the same time I am very happy
for me. But sorry for him because he deserves his title too, no?"
But Federer won his fifth-straight U.S. Open men's title.
"It really means a lot to me. I really thank the fans as well, the crowds. They
were great. I mean, from the beginning that is really what I was hoping for.
And losing my number-one ranking, I mean, that is also what meant a lot to me
this season. So to come, to bounce back straight-away after losing the
number-one ranking, this is the best scenario ever," he said.
Serbian tennis players, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic both spent time at
the top of the women's rankings before Jankovic ended the year at number-one.
While Serbia's Nenad Zimonjic teamed with Canada's Daniel Nestor to break
American brothers Mike and Bob Bryan's three-year reign as the men's top-ranked
doubles team.
Maria Sharapova of Russia and Novak Djokovic claimed the Australian Open
titles. Ana Ivanovic took home the French Open trophy, while the Wimbledon
woman's title went to Venus Williams of the United States. American Serena
Williams captured the women's U.S. Open crown.
Without the an injured Rafael Nadal, Spain was able to defeat host Argentina
(3-1) in the best-of-five Davis Cup men's team tennis final in Mar del Plata,
while Russia captured its fourth Fed Cup women's team tennis title in five
years with a 4-0 victory over Spain in Madrid. In the best-of-three Hopman Cup
mixed team tennis competition in Perth, Australia, Mardy Fish and Serena
Williams of the United States upset top-seeded Serbia, 2-1.
Giants upset Patriots in US football championship
Eli Manning talks to reporters after Super Bowl win, 03 Feb 2008In January,
Super Bowl XLII (42) provided one of the biggest upsets in the history of the
National Football League's championship game. New York Giants quarterback Eli
Manning threw a 13-yard touchdown pass with just 35 seconds left to beat the
New England Patriots, 17-14.
The Giants win destroyed New England's chance to be the first undefeated NFL
team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins. Manning, the game's Most Valuable Player,
says the Giants were confident.
"Unbelievable the fight on this team. I am so proud of our players, our
coaches, everybody, just for always believing. Having faith in each other,
having faith in our team that no matter what is thrown at us we can find a way
to win. We had no doubts, we believed the whole time and we made it happen,"
Manning said.
Spain aces European football championships
In June, at the European Football Championships, Spain became just the second
team in history to win all of its group stage matches on the way to capturing
the title, in the event jointly hosted by Austria and Switzerland. Fernando
Torres scored the only goal of the match to send Spain to a 1-0 win over
Germany in Vienna.
A month earlier, defending champion Manchester United defeated fellow-English
side Chelsea on penalty kicks, 6-5, to retain the European Champions League
title in Moscow.
And Zenit St. Petersburg of Russia topped Rangers of Scotland, 2-0, to win the
37th edition of the UEFA Cup, European football's second-tier club tournament.
The victory in Manchester, England was the Russian team's first UEFA Cup title.
At the Beijing Olympics, Argentina scored a 1-0 victory over Nigeria and a
second-straight men's gold medal. The United States claimed the women's gold
with a 1-0 extra-time win over Brazil.
Major League Soccer's Columbus Crew won their first MLS Cup with a 3-1 win
over the New York Red Bulls at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.
Celtics win NBA championship, US men's team wins Olympic gold
In the National Basketball Association finals, the Boston Celtics defeated the
Los Angeles Lakers four games to two in the best-of-seven series. It was
Boston's first title since 1986 and 17th overall.
The U.S. men's basketball team won the Olympic gold medal and the
international stature it has been seeking to regain since 2000. Head coach Mike
Krzyzewski says his players rose to the challenge against Spain for a 118-107
win in the final.
"Spain was fabulous. Everything we did, we tried to stop them. We could not
stop them completely. It was a great basketball game, where everybody involved
played at the highest level. And I think it brought out the best in us," he
said.
The United States women's basketball team claimed its fourth straight Olympic
gold medal with a dominant 92-65 triumph over Australia in the final.
The Kansas Jayhawks won the U.S. men's college basketball national
championship tournament, known as March Madness, with a 75-68 overtime victory
against the Memphis Tigers.
The women's collegiate title went to the defending champion University of
Tennessee which defeated Stanford, 64-48. It was Tennessee's eighth title under
Hall of Fame coach Pat Summitt.
And, in the National Hockey League (NHL), The Detroit Red Wings held off
a last-gasp rally by the Pittsburgh Penguins to capture the team's
Stanley Cup, four games to two.
Hamilton becomes youngest Formula 1 champion
Britain's Lewis Hamilton became the youngest world champion in Formula One
auto racing history, thanks to a fifth place finish in the season-ending
Brazilian Grand Prix. It was first driver's title for McLaren Mercedes since
1999.
Scott Dixon of New Zealand won the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500 for
his first triumph at the so-called "Brickyard."
"What a day, man. I just could not believe it. We seemed to have a good car and
we just had to hold on to it. Coming toward the end, as long as we got a good
jump on those guys, I do not think they were going to get past us," he said.
It was the first 500 since the Indy Racing League (IRL) and the Champcar
open-wheel series came together under the IndyCar banner.
Philadelphia Phillies win MLB championship
Cole Hamels, left, and Charlie Manual talk to reporters after the game, 29 Oct
2008The Philadelphia Phillies won Major League Baseball's best-of-seven World
Series four games to one over the Tampa Bay Rays. The Fall Classic crown was
only the second for Philadelphia after first winning in 1980. Phillies pitcher
Cole Hamels was named the Series' Most Valuable Player.
In early December, All-Star pitcher Greg Maddux announced his retirement. The
42-year-old Maddux, considered a certain first-ballot Hall of Famer when he
becomes eligible in five years, is eighth on the career win list. He compiled a
355-227 record during his 23-year career with a three-point-one-six (3.16)
earned run average. Maddux said he was ready to retire.
"I pretty much knew last spring training. You know, I had kind of told some
teammates and people in baseball that this was going to be my last year. I do
not really think they believed me but I think I was telling the truth that
time. I did not want the big show, whatever, you know, the dog and pony show
going out the last couple of months of the career," Maddux said.
The right-handed Maddux won the Cy Young Award for pitching excellence four
times and a record 18 Gold Gloves for fielding excellence.
Spain's Sastre wins Tour de France
Carlos Sastre of Spain won his first Tour de France title in 2008. Another
Spanish cyclist, Alberto Contador, triumphed at the 2008 Tours of Italy and
Spain to join a select club of riders to have won all three of the sport's
major Tours. He won the Tour de France in 2007.
In cricket, The International Cricket Council (ICC) postponed September's
Champions Trophy tournament because of security concerns in Pakistan. South
Africa had pulled out of the event and Australia, England and New Zealand
voiced concern for their players' safety. The ICC says Pakistan can host the
event starting September 24, 2009, if it passes a security assessment in
February.
Ireland defeated Namibia by nine wickets to win the ICC Intercontinental Cup
in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, while the Under-19 World Cup title went to
India. They topped South Africa by 12 runs in the final in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
Another fatal injury mars horse racing season
Thoroughbred horse racing was marred by its second fatal injury in two years.
Big Brown won the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in
Louisville, Kentucky. But seconds after galloping past the finish line in
second place, filly Eight Belles collapsed on the track, both of her front
ankles broken.
Big Brown won again two weeks later, winning the Preakness Stakes, but hopes
for the first Triple Crown winner (sweeping the three races) in 30 years were
dashed on June 4, when 38-to-1 longshot Da'Tara won the Belmont Stakes in New
York.
Athletes nailed for illegal drug use
Away from the playing fields, illegal drugs in sports made headlines.
Roger Clemens testifies before Congressional committee in Washington, D.C., 13
Feb 2008Major League Baseball pitching great Roger Clemens and his former
personal trainer gave conflicting testimony to the U.S. Congress about claims
the pitcher used performance-enhancing drugs.
Clemens' former trainer Brian McNamee testified he had injected Clemens
numerous times with human growth hormone and steroids between 1998 and 2001.
The claims were made public in 2007 with the release of the Mitchell Report,
Major League Baseball's doping investigation headed by former U.S. Senator
George Mitchell. Clemens denied the claims.
"I am not saying Senator Mitchell's report is entirely wrong. I am saying
Brian McNamee's statements are wrong. Let me be clear: I have never taken
steroids or HGH. Thank you," he said.
Clemens was among 80 current or former baseball players accused of using
performance-enhancing drugs.
Disgraced Olympic track star Marion Jones of the United States was sentenced
to six months in prison and community service for lying to federal prosecutors
investigating her use of performance-enhancing substances.
After years of denying the use of performance-enhancers, Jones pled guilty to
charges of lying to a federal agent in 2003 about her use of steroids.
"I stand in front of you today. I stand for what is right. I respect the
judge's orders and I truly hope that people will learn from my mistakes," she
said.
A new drug was discovered during this year's Tour de France when a number of
riders tested positive for CERA, a new generation of the blood booster EPO
(erythropoietin).
The drug raised its head again at the Beijing Olympics, where nine athletes
failed doping tests. In early December, the IOC announced it would re-test
around 500 doping samples from the Games. Endurance events such as cycling,
rowing, swimming and athletics will be targeted.
Deposed 2006 Tour de France winner Floyd Landis, who was stripped of the
crown for using synthetic testosterone, lost his final appeal to regain his
title. Second-place finisher Óscar Pereiro of Spain was named the champion of
the 2006 race.
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2008 Consumer Electronica 'Turns On' the Public
http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=2114FDE:2DA063D257D43931E16CA6A4BDA4C2835C6F54A6CF9DC2CA&;
Even experts have caught the buzz this holiday season
Retailers around the country are reporting a slower-than-usual holiday shopping
season this year. But 2008 has been a terrific year for those who love consumer
electronics - whether they are buying or just looking. Despite the current
economic downturn, large consumer electronics chains like Best Buy are doing
brisk business this yearDuring lunch hour at the Midtown Manhattan outpost of
Best Buy, the largest consumer electronics chain in America, the checkout line
is 30 people deep and counting. That's no surprise to Nicholas Thompson, a
senior personal technology editor at Wired magazine. "It's been a cool year,"
says Thompson. "There has been lots of stuff introduced that's faster, smaller,
sleeker, cheaper, better than anything we've had before." Thompson adds that
product design also has improved this year, partly as the result of Apple
products."Apple makes beautiful things, and these things sell. So now everyone
is making beautiful things!"Wired Magazine editor Nicholas Thompson says that
in 2008, the smart money for portable music players is on the Sansa FuzeOne of
the new products that Thompson believes deserve high marks for both design and
affordability is the Sansa Fuze. It's one of dozens of handheld digital music
players on sale here. "It's about $80, which is much less than it would have
cost a year ago, [and] you can watch TV shows. You can watch movies. You can
listen to music, and you can look at photographs you can put on it, all your
little media files." Thompson soon heads straight for the camera aisle, where
he unhesitatingly picks up a stylish Sony T700. Unlike most digital cameras,
which have smallish viewing screens, the entire back portion of the T700 is
designed for viewing photos. He says people often put their photographs online,
but relatively few people trouble themselves with viewing. "But if you have a
nice screen on your camera, it makes it a lot easier to share your photos with
your friends," he says. The T700 digital camera has a screen almost as large
as a traditional photographAnother important feature of the Sony T700 Thompson
touts is its Smile Shutter technology, which is able to detect when a person
the camera is aimed at smiles. It then shoots the photo without the user having
to press a button. Nearby, shoppers are snapping up a surprisingly small and
simple looking video camera called the Flip Ultra. "Video cameras used to cost
$300 to $400," recalls Thompson. "And for a lot of people, all you want to do
is take a little video of your dog and stick it on YouTube. And why pay $300
for that?" In contrast, at $129, the Ultra is relatively inexpensive. It also
has what Thompson considers another virtue: almost no buttons. "Buttons can
sometimes be good, but they can also confuse you. This very simple, very nice
present for someone." "Next in line, please" is a request this cheerful Best
Buy cashier calls out hundreds of time a dayVideo games are bigger than ever in
2008. Thompson's favorite this year is the FIFA 09 virtual football game based
on the teams in the World Cup. "For example, say you want to be the United
States, or you want to be Brazil," explains Thompson, "You actually have the
simulation of all the soccer players who play on that national team. And if
Brazil plays the United States, Brazil wins!" When this Voice of America
reporter asks him just why Brazil is sure to win, Thompson is quick to
laughingly opine, "Brazil is better!" He adds that in the football-oriented
video games of the past, the players would all look the same "… and they would
kind of run in the same direction, kick as hard, run as fast as each other. Now
everybody is an individual," he says. Samsung high-end, flat-screen televisions
offer images that can be almost too realistic for comfortThompson says
hard-core couch potatoes who want excitement from their electronic toys without
exercise - even of the virtual kind - will love Samsung's new top-of-the-line,
large-screen flat televisions. The store's demonstration model uses liquid
crystal display technology enhanced with light-emitting diodes as backlights.
"The colors are truer. The blacks are a lot better, and it's much easier to
watch for a long time," Thompson says. "You actually feel like you are in a
movie theater even though are just sitting in your own living room."Soon, a
chase scene from The Dark Knight, the franchise's most recent Batman film,
begins to play on the television monitor. But Thomson says that virtually
zooming through the streets of Gotham City at 250 kilometers per hour in the
Batmobile - while sitting in one's own living room at the same time - is only
one of the high-tech thrills in store for gadget lovers during the 2008 holiday
season.
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