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    <title>The Dombrovski Report</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/" />
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    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010-01-25:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641</id>
    <updated>2010-04-26T04:38:48Z</updated>
    <subtitle>News blog entries and analysis reports by Miles Dombrovski.</subtitle>
    <generator uri="http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/">Movable Type Enterprise 4.31-en</generator>

<entry>
    <title>Analysis: Computer assisted reporting</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/analysis-computer-assisted-reporting.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.231981</id>

    <published>2010-04-26T04:19:52Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-26T04:38:48Z</updated>

    <summary>Crime and federal spending The records used in this report by IRE include the Federal Procurement Data System and www.federalspending.org to track government spending. Crime is being tracked by the FBI&apos;s Uniform Crime Reports. The reporter for this article had...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
    <category term="analysis" label="Analysis" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
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        <![CDATA[<p>Crime and federal spending</p>

<p>The records used in this report by IRE include the <a href="http://data.nicar.org/node/51">Federal Procurement Data System</a> and <a href="http://www.federalspending.org">www.federalspending.org </a>to track government spending.  Crime is being tracked by the FBI's <a href="http://data.nicar.org/node/36">Uniform Crime Reports.  </a></p>

<p>The reporter for this article had to have knowledge in where these databases lie, knowledge that not many Internet users necessarily have.  </p>

<p>The writer(s) are able to provide insight as to which sites are better than the others.  </p>

<p>I can see these sites being useful in a number of ways in reporting.  For instance, if you're tracking a string of crimes happening around the U of M campus you might find national trends of similar crimes in the Uniform Crime Reports page.  <br />
</p>]]>
        
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</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Free for all: Straight Gucci salesman sues gay manager</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/free-for-all-straight-gucci-salesman-sues-gay-manager.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.231964</id>

    <published>2010-04-26T03:46:34Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-26T04:02:41Z</updated>

    <summary>Former top Gucci salesman Adolfo Mendez has filed a lawsuit against the brand&apos;s flagship store in New York City for $5 million on charges of discrimination because he was straight. Mendez, who is married, said his gay manager, Michael Daly,...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Free for all" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="freeforall" label="Free for all" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
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        <![CDATA[<p>Former top Gucci <a href="http://advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2010/04/23/Straight_Gucci_Salesman_Files_Gay_Harassment_Suit/">salesman</a> Adolfo Mendez has filed a lawsuit against the brand's flagship store in New York City for $5 million on charges of discrimination because he was straight. </p>

<p>Mendez, who is married,  <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2010/04/23/2010-04-23_bias_not_in_style_gucci_salesman_sez_he_was_discriminated_against_by_gay_manager.html">said</a> his gay manager, Michael Daly, got too personal.  He allegedly approached Mendez from behind and gave him an unwelcome massage.</p>

<p>Mendez communicated his discomfort with the situation to Daly saying, "Look, I really don't appreciate this. You touched me. I don't think it's professional."</p>

<p>Another manager, David Gray allegedly told Mendez, "I know you're gay."</p>

<p>Mendez's lawyer Rick Ostrove told New York Daily News, "Not only are the managers engaging in inappropriate sexual banter on a public floor, the HR department retaliated against the employee who brought it to their attention."<br />
</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Local news: &quot;Angel of mercy&quot; charged with coaxing two to kill themselves</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/local-news-angel-of-mercy-charged-with-coaxing-two-to-kill-themselves.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.231954</id>

    <published>2010-04-26T03:05:33Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-26T03:40:24Z</updated>

    <summary>Nurse William Melchert-Dinkel of Faribault is charged with encouraging up to 11 strangers to kill themselves via chat room. Melchert-Dinkel, 47, is allegedly addicted to online pro-suicide chat rooms and spent time in his Faribault home encouraging dozens of strangers...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Local news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="localnews" label="Local news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
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        <![CDATA[<p>Nurse William Melchert-Dinkel of Faribault is charged with <a href="http://www.startribune.com/local/91916484.html?page=2&c=y">encouraging</a> up to 11 strangers to kill themselves via chat room.</p>

<p>Melchert-Dinkel, 47, is allegedly addicted to online pro-suicide chat rooms and <a href="http://wcco.com/wireapnewsmn/Minnesota.man.charged.2.1652361.html">spent time</a> in his Faribault home encouraging dozens of strangers to kill themselves and informing them on methods that would help them to do so.  </p>

<p>Two charges against Melchert-Dinkel were filed in the aiding of suicide of Mark Drybrough, 32, hanged himself  in Coventry, England, in 2005.  He set up a webcam for Melchert-Dinkel to view as he hanged himself. Also, he encouraged Nadia Kajouji, 18, of Brampton, Ontario, to drown herself in 2008.  She was a student at Carleton University.</p>

<p>Melchert-Dinkel faces up to 15 years in prison if sentenced, however, authorities say these laws are difficult to enforce.  </p>

<p>"I believe a compelling argument can be made that not only are the charges unconstitutional but the underlying statute is unconstitutional," George Washington University Law School professor Jonathan Turley said.</p>

<p>Melchert-Dinkel's nursing license was revoked in 2008 after being negligent and rough with patients.  Authorities have since started investigating his case.</p>

<p>"Nothing is going to come of it," Melchert-Dinkel said in October. "I've moved on with my life, and that's it."<br />
</p>]]>
        
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</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Local news: 6 dead in east central Minnesota crash</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/local-news-6-dead-in-east-central-minnesota-crash.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.231944</id>

    <published>2010-04-26T02:50:45Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-26T03:05:22Z</updated>

    <summary>Six people were killed in a head-on automobile crash Saturday night. Four of which have been named; Kelsee Blackledge, 15, Stephen Kendryna, 16, Travis Buchan, 17, and Travis Gryczkowski,21. The 16-year-old driver Sabrina Schumacher is currently in serious condition at...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Local news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="localnews" label="Local news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en-us" xml:base="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Six people were <a href="http://wcco.com/local/6.dead.fatal.2.1655105.html">killed</a> in a head-on automobile crash Saturday night.  Four of which have been named; Kelsee Blackledge, 15, Stephen Kendryna, 16, Travis Buchan, 17, and Travis Gryczkowski,21.  </p>

<p>The 16-year-old driver Sabrina Schumacher is currently in serious condition at a nearby hospital.  </p>

<p>Lieutenant Eric Roeske of The State Patrol said this accident is "<a href="http://www.startribune.com/local/north/92041709.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aU1yDEmP:QMDCinchO7DU">the worst </a>he's ever seen in his life," saying the vehicles were "completely burned up." </p>

<p>Eleven people have been killed in highway crashes this week, including the six in this crash.  </p>

<p>"It's mind-boggling, it truly is," said Deborah Kendryna, mother of Kendryna-Whitefeather, 16, who died in the crash.  "Why, God? Why?"</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>US news: Obama eulogizes at miners&apos; funeral</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/us-news-obama-eulogizes-at-miners-funeral.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.231936</id>

    <published>2010-04-26T02:23:08Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-26T02:49:02Z</updated>

    <summary>The 29 miners killed in the Upper Big Branch mine, 35 miles from Asheville, North Carolina, were remembered Sunday in a service with a eulogy from U.S. President Barack Obama. USA Today reports Obama spoke broadly of the miners, with...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="US news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="usnews" label="US news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en-us" xml:base="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/">
        <![CDATA[<p>The <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2010-04-25-obama-miners_N.htm">29 miners</a> killed in the Upper Big Branch mine, 35 miles from Asheville, North Carolina, were remembered Sunday in a service with a eulogy from U.S. President Barack Obama.  </p>

<p>USA Today reports Obama spoke broadly of the miners, with the executive of the mine company they worked for sitting in the rear of the venue with the miners' families.  </p>

<p>"How can we let anyone in this country put their lives at risk by simply showing up to work, by simply pursuing the American Dream?" <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-coal-mine-20100426,0,5906346.story">Obama said</a> in his eulogy.  Nearly 2,800 mourners joined in the memorial.</p>

<p>"The men we remember here today went into the darkness so we could have light," Biden said. "It was dangerous work and they knew it. But they never flinched," the president said.</p>

<p>The 29 miners died in an explosion twenty days ago.  The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.  Senate will hold a hearing on the investigation Thursday.  </p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>International news: Lebanon march calls for secular marriages</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/international-news-lebanon-march-calls-for-secular-marriages.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.231927</id>

    <published>2010-04-26T02:22:27Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-26T02:22:58Z</updated>

    <summary>Protesters seeking recognition of civil marriages took to the streets in Beruit Sunday to make their voices heard. Lebanon is divided between Christianity and Islam, making inter-religious couples decide whether they will marry in a church or a mosque. The...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="International news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="internationalnews" label="International news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
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        <![CDATA[<p>Protesters seeking recognition of civil marriages took to the streets in Beruit Sunday to make their voices heard.</p>

<p>Lebanon is divided between Christianity and Islam, making inter-religious couples decide whether they will marry in a church or a mosque.  The protest sought to gain civil marriages, ridding the country of religious tugs-of-war.  </p>

<p>The "<a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8642385.stm">divisive sectarian system</a>," as BBC reports, has been the status quo since the 15-year-long civil war in Lebanon, starting in 1975.  </p>

<p>More than 2,000 protesters joined in on the march.</p>

<p>Al-Jazeera <a href="http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/04/2010425172547763119.html">reports</a> that social networking sites were utilized to organize the event.  </p>

<p>Said Shaito, one of the march's organizers said, "We are for citizenship, which is being Lebanese, not Muslim or Christian.  We want people to talk about it, to create a public debate in Lebanon."</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Free for all: GLAAD awards</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/free-for-all-glaad-awards.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.229942</id>

    <published>2010-04-19T04:29:10Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-19T04:40:44Z</updated>

    <summary>&quot;Glee,&quot; Drew Barrymore and Wanda Sykes top the list of GLAAD Media Award winners Sunday. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation held it&apos;s 21st awards, giving recognition to media who promote fair and accurate stories of LGBT people in...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Free for all" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="freeforall" label="Free for all" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en-us" xml:base="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/">
        <![CDATA[<p>"Glee," Drew Barrymore and Wanda Sykes top the list of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/arts/television/19arts-AGLAADAWARDF_BRF.html">GLAAD Media Award</a> winners Sunday.  </p>

<p>The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation held it's 21st awards, giving recognition to media who promote fair and accurate stories of LGBT people in the news, television and film.  </p>

<p>Writer and director of "Glee" Ryan Murphy <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3iec3c2452ddf8270c49a40367ec081744">accepted his award</a> saying, "This show is about arts education and inclusion, and we are using the show in a great way."</p>

<p>Wanda Sykes took home the Stephen F. Kolzak Award, which is awarded to gay entertainers who works to eliminate homophobia. Sykes' most recent work to raise awareness of homophobia can be found in her PSA for GLSEN.</p>

<p>Actress Drew Barrymore was also awarded the Vanguard Award for being a voice for the LGBT community.  </p>

<p>"The thing that means the most to me about an evening like this or why I want to fight and be outspoken about (gay rights) is there are so many people who are in desperate need of families," Barrymore said. "That is the most important thing in the world: that we take care of each other because this is a family."</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>US news: Obama gives same-sex partners hospital rights</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/us-news-obama-gives-same-sex-partners-hospital-rights.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.229933</id>

    <published>2010-04-19T03:56:46Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-19T04:17:38Z</updated>

    <summary>President Obama mandated visitation rights for same-sex couples Thursday. The decision marks Obama&apos;s first visible form of change regarding same-sex rights and equality in the United States. The Washington Post reports Obama has been advised to make change in small...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="US news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="usnews" label="US news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en-us" xml:base="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/">
        <![CDATA[<p>President Obama <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?node=admin/registration/register&destination=login&nextstep=gather&application=reg30-nation&applicationURL=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/04/15/AR2010041505502.html">mandated</a> visitation rights for same-sex couples Thursday.  </p>

<p>The decision marks Obama's first visible form of change regarding same-sex rights and equality in the United States.  </p>

<p>The Washington Post reports Obama has been advised to make change in small steps, such as this, to achieve overall equality.  </p>

<p>A poll in the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/17/us/politics/17hospitals.html">New York Times</a> says eight out of 10 people think same-sex couples deserve the same rights straight couples get when their partners are in the hospital.  </p>

<p>The New York Times also reported the socially conservative Family Research Council stated they have "no objection" to individuals needing to make decisions with whomever they wish.  </p>

<p>The unexpected move allegedly came after White House officials heard a story about a lesbian couple kept apart during a stay at a hospital and one of them collapsed and died.  </p>

<p>"In this day and age, basic rights are deemed to be accorded to everyone. This allows him to give something to his base without worrying too much about backlash on the other side," Whit Aryes, a Republican pollster from Virginia said.  </p>

<p>But gay rights activists are still wanting more. </p>

<p>"This is a small and welcome step forward,"  Evan Wolfson of Freedom to Marry said.<br />
"This isn't about just hospital visitation but the full measure of protections that families seek and want, and the real answer here is to end the exclusion on marriage." </p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Local news: Three motorcyclists die in crashes </title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/local-news-three-motorcyclists-die-in-crashes.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.229916</id>

    <published>2010-04-19T03:38:50Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-19T03:54:38Z</updated>

    <summary>Corey Endl, 27, Wayne Gollmer, 40, and Lori Sobania, 50, all died in motorcycle related crashes in Wisconsin Saturday. Endl had reportedly owned his bike for less than 48 hours before he was struck dead by a semi truck on...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Local news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="localnews" label="Local news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en-us" xml:base="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Corey Endl, 27, Wayne Gollmer, 40, and Lori Sobania, 50, all died in motorcycle related crashes in Wisconsin <a href="http://wcco.com/local/two.vehicle.crash.2.1640206.html">Saturday</a>.  </p>

<p>Endl had reportedly owned his bike for less than 48 hours before he was struck dead by a semi truck on Highway 85 in Dunn County <a href="http://kstp.com/article/stories/S1518269.shtml?cat=0">Saturday</a>.  </p>

<p>Authorities say he is a Dunn County native.  </p>

<p>Gollmer was reportedly not wearing a protective helmet at the time of his collision with a fence in Dane County. </p>

<p>William Sobania was driving Lori Sobania on a motorcycle northbound on Highway 35 when a vehicle drove into oncoming traffic, striking the two.  Lori was killed and William was airlifted to the hospital.  </p>

<p>William Sobania remains in critical condition.  <br />
</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Local news: Hutchinson man&apos;s body found in river</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/local-news-hutchinson-mans-body-found-in-river.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.229898</id>

    <published>2010-04-19T03:27:38Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-19T03:34:19Z</updated>

    <summary>Jeffrey Degn, 37, was found dead in the Crow River Sunday, according to McLeod county authorities. A caller tipped off rescuers after reportedly seeing a red jacket floating down the river near Tartan Park. Degn was identified by his driver&apos;s...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Local news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="localnews" label="Local news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en-us" xml:base="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Jeffrey Degn, 37, was found dead in the Crow River Sunday, according to McLeod county <a href="http://wcco.com/local/crow.river.body.2.1640641.html">authorities</a>.  </p>

<p>A caller tipped off rescuers after reportedly seeing a red jacket floating down the river near Tartan Park.  Degn was identified by his driver's license.  </p>

<p>Degn fell into the river Tuesday, <a href="http://www.startribune.com/local/91433844.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr">according</a> to a witness.</p>

<p>The extensive rescue search involved sonar gear from Hennepin County.  Boats and helicopters were used to try to find Degn this past week.  Cadaver dogs were also used along the river to find Degn.  </p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>International news: Iceland volcano eruption disrupts air traffic</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/international-news-iceland-volcano-eruption-disrupts-air-traffic.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.229893</id>

    <published>2010-04-19T03:15:15Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-19T03:25:45Z</updated>

    <summary>Over sixty-three thousand flights have been canceled in the past four days, according to BBC News. The cancellations come after a volcano in Iceland erupted last week, spreading ash through most of Europe&apos;s airways. Millions of travelers were left stranded...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="International news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="internationalnews" label="International news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en-us" xml:base="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Over sixty-three thousand flights have been canceled in the past four days, according to <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8628867.stm">BBC News</a>.  The cancellations come after a volcano in Iceland erupted last week, spreading ash through most of Europe's airways.  </p>

<p>Millions of travelers were left stranded while waiting out the ash.</p>

<p>Over twenty countries in northern Europe was put under a no-fly zone over the weekend, but the Spanish Minister for Europe Diego Lopez Garrido said half the flights could resume Sunday.  </p>

<p>However, Eurocontrol told BBC that despite half the landmass in Europe had cleared, flights were still not advised to go through those areas.  </p>

<p>Test flights have since been sent out to check out the visibility.  </p>

<p>"We observed no irregularities either during the flight or during the initial inspection on the ground," KLM's Peter Hartman<a href="http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2010/04/201041904039342966.html"> told Al-Jazeera</a>.  "We hope to receive permission as soon as possible after that to start up our operation and to transport our passengers to their destinations."</p>

<p>Wind patterns later this week are expected to help blow away the ash, allowing for flights to continue as regularly scheduled.  </p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Analysis: Thailand protest killings</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/analysis-thailand-protest-killings.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.228813</id>

    <published>2010-04-12T04:18:05Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-12T04:29:33Z</updated>

    <summary>This article written today details killings in a Bangkok protest Sunday. Twenty people were killed. The people protesting were considered &quot;loyal&quot; to the Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. This article has no room to go into stereotypes about Thai or...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Analysis" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="analysis" label="Analysis" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en-us" xml:base="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/">
        <![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7018368132">This article </a> written today details killings in a Bangkok protest Sunday.  </p>

<p>Twenty people were killed.  The people protesting were considered "loyal" to the Thai Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra.</p>

<p>This article has no room to go into stereotypes about Thai or southeast Asians at all.  It's strictly reporting an event in which people were killed.  The closest I can see this article getting to being presumptuous is in it's wording of:   <blockquote></blockquote>"The protesters are loyal to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was overthrown in a military coup in 2006. His supporters are made up largely of the country's poor majority, according to the New York Times."<blockquote></blockquote></p>

<p>I wouldn't necessarily use such an active verb (like "are loyal") because what if some protesters weren't loyal and just wanted to protest for the sake of protesting?  This isn't to say I think the article meant to generalize Thai people in the slightest.  Some wording could have just been edited.  </p>

<p>The story goes to substantive material simply by avoiding speculation on the protesters, where they're from, who they are, who they work for, any of that...just simply goes to say that they protested and 20 were killed.  </p>

<p>My Thai friend Namgyal (a freshman at the U who grew up in Thailand and moved here before high school) doesn't think this article speculates on southeast Asian stereotypes at all.  He thought the article went straight to the newsworthiness, as it ought to.  He was, however, surprised that there was a protest because he grew up not seeing anything violent in Thailand.  </p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>Free for all: Elizabeth Taylor is reportedly engaged</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/free-for-all-elizabeth-taylor-is-reportedly-engaged.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.228798</id>

    <published>2010-04-12T04:03:10Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-12T04:15:02Z</updated>

    <summary>78-year-old film star Elizabeth Taylor is reportedly engaged, according to Us Weekly. According to ABC, she is engaged to her 49-year-old talent manager Jason Winters. &quot;It&apos;s no secret that they have been together forever, so it wouldn&apos;t be a surprise...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="Free for all" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="freeforall" label="Free for all" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en-us" xml:base="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/">
        <![CDATA[<p>78-year-old film star Elizabeth Taylor is reportedly engaged, according to <a href="http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/source-elizabeth-taylor-to-wed-for-ninth-time-201094">Us Weekly</a>.  </p>

<p>According to ABC, she is engaged to her 49-year-old talent manager Jason Winters. </p>

<p>"It's no secret that they have been together forever, so it wouldn't be a surprise if they were engaged," a source told Us Magazine.  </p>

<p>Us Weekly also reported on the actress' previous gushings about Winters, saying  he's "one of the most wonderful men I've ever known, that's why I love him." </p>

<p>Representatives for Taylor will not comment on her relationship status but have told <a href="http://www.accesshollywood.com/elizabeth-taylor-to-wed-for-ninth-time_article_31013">Access Hollywood</a> that it is well documented that the pair have been together for some time.  </p>

<p>This will be the ninth wedding for Taylor.  </p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>International news: Nine Italians held in Afghan murder plot</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/international-news-nine-italians-held-in-afghan-murder-plot.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.228700</id>

    <published>2010-04-11T22:22:18Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-11T22:45:17Z</updated>

    <summary>Nine Italians were arrested in Afghanistan Sunday for an alleged plot to kill Gulab Mangal, the governor of the province Helmand. Three of the nine arrested are medical workers who worked at a Milan-based charity hospital in Lashkar Gah. They...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="International news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="internationalnews" label="International news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en-us" xml:base="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/">
        <![CDATA[<p>Nine Italians were <a href="http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/04/201041171211170120.html">arrested</a> in Afghanistan Sunday for an alleged plot to kill Gulab Mangal, the governor of the province Helmand.</p>

<p>Three of the nine arrested are medical workers who worked at a Milan-based charity hospital in Lashkar Gah.  They were wearing suicide bomb vests and had weapons at the hospital.  The other six arrestees worked at the hospital as security guards, clerks and translators.  </p>

<p>It is alleged that Emergency staff received $500,000 to kill Gulab Mangal.  </p>

<p>The charity hospital, Emergency, says its employees are innocent.  </p>

<p>Emergency said this in a statement: <br />
<blockquote></blockquote>These are people who for years have worked to ensure care for the people of Afghanistan. We ask that you respect their rights, first of all, the right to communicate with us and let us know where they are and what their condition is.<blockquote></blockquote></p>

<p>Emergency spokeswoman claims the group arrested has <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8613801.stm">no ties</a> with the Taliban.</p>

<p>"It sounds quite ridiculous that they would be involved in any plot. They have spent the last few years in Afghanistan, helping and treating people for free," Cecilia Strada told Al-Jazeera.  </p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

<entry>
    <title>US news: Obama&apos;s summit on nuclear terrorism</title>
    <link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/2010/04/us-news-obamas-summit-on-nuclear-terrorism.html" />
    <id>tag:blog.lib.umn.edu,2010:/dombr031/3101newsspring2010//11641.228692</id>

    <published>2010-04-11T21:59:10Z</published>
    <updated>2010-04-11T22:15:01Z</updated>

    <summary>President Obama said nuclear terrorism is the biggest threat to our country in a speech Sunday. He announced a three-day summit he will hold with four other world leaders hosting over 50 leaders from other nations. Obama has already met...</summary>
    <author>
        <name>dombr031</name>
        
    </author>
    
        <category term="US news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#category" />
    
    <category term="usnews" label="US news" scheme="http://www.sixapart.com/ns/types#tag" />
    
    <content type="html" xml:lang="en-us" xml:base="http://blog.lib.umn.edu/dombr031/3101newsspring2010/">
        <![CDATA[<p>President Obama said <a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/04/obama-kicks-off-nuclear-summit-with-five-leader-meetings/1?loc=interstitialskip">nuclear terrorism</a> is the biggest threat to our country in a speech Sunday.  He announced a three-day summit he will hold with four other world leaders hosting over 50 leaders from other nations.  </p>

<p>Obama has already met with South African President Jacob Zuma.</p>

<p>The focus of this summit is to maintain optimal national security for all countries involved.</p>

<p>"If there was ever a detonation in New York City, or London, or Johannesburg, the ramifications economically, politically and from a security perspective would be devastating," president Obama said.  </p>

<p>The summit was started because the administration is finding out that Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups are mobilizing on their quest for nuclear weapons, which Obama said they "have no compunction of using."</p>

<p>Obama said the other world leaders involved have "<a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/sns-ap-us-obama,0,7737171.story">very specific</a>" ways to solve this international problem.  </p>

<p>The president said securing loose nuclear arms is "a central part of the process" but will focus more attention on the short term.  <br />
</p>]]>
        
    </content>
</entry>

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