Poland's ruling party seeks charges against opposition leader

WARSAW (Reuters) - The party of Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Thursday it would vote to have the country's main opposition leader tried at a special tribunal on charges of leading a witch hunt against rivals while his party was in power.

The move marks a new low in relations between Tusk, the leader of the Civic Platform party, and Jaroslaw Kaczynski, the head of the Law and Justice Party, who are engaged in an angry war of words.

The allegations - denied by Kaczynski - were made several years ago, but until now Tusk's party was reluctant to back a vote in parliament required to bring Kaczynski, and his former justice minister, before the tribunal.

"Our intention is mainly to protect the state against the abuse of the constitution by those in power in Poland," said Rafal Grupinski, the Civic Platform's parliamentary leader.

The abuse-of-office charges would be heard by the State Tribunal, a special political court. The tribunal could strip Kaczynski and former minister Zbigniew Ziobro of their parliamentary mandates.

Charges can be initiated in the tribunal if three-fifths of the lower house of parliament vote in support. No date has been set for a parliamentary vote. Tusk's party and two leftist-opposition parties have said they would vote for the charges, leaving them two votes short of the required threshold.

The charges stem from the suicide of leftist politician Barbara Blida in April 2007. When police arrived at her home to arrest her as part of a corruption investigation, she went into the bathroom and shot herself in the heart.

Blida's supporters said she was a victim of a politically-motivated campaign by Kaczynski's party to sideline its opponents. Kaczynski and Ziobro say the investigation into Blida was part of a legitimate effort to root out high-level graft.

Some Civic Platform leaders feared backing charges in the tribunal would exacerbate already difficult relations with Kaczynski, and could be interpreted by some as the government cracking down on dissent.

But in a sign the Civic Platform was taking a harder line against Law and Justice, Tusk accused Kaczynski on Thursday of creating an atmosphere of intolerance and hatred.

Kaczynski angered Tusk when last month he suggested the prime minister was in some way behind a plane crash in Russia in 2010 which killed Kaczynski's twin brother, Lech, and dozens of other officials.

An official investigation blamed the crash on a combination of bad weather and misjudgments by the crew and ground control.

Tusk said this sort of accusation was driving some people to take extreme actions. He has cited the example of a 45-year-old radical nationalist arrested on suspicion of plotting to blow up parliament.

"If somebody thinks of himself as a patriot and believes Kaczynski, that Poland is ruled by killers, then I'm not surprised that some react in this way," Tusk said.

"It's not like everybody can just use words that won't leave a mark in people's minds and hearts," he said.

(Reporting by Chris Borowski; Editing by Rosalind Russell)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/polands-ruling-party-seeks-charges-against-opposition-leader-165614729.html

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Jesse Jackson Jr. resigns from House, citing health (reuters)

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The Paleo-Diet: Dinosaurs Lose Weight in New Study

The fact that bones have curves has now thrown a curveball into calculations of dinosaur weight, researchers say.

New estimates suggest dinosaurs may have been lighter than once thought, scientists explain.

With the rare exceptions of fossilized scraps of skin, feathers, bristles and other relatively soft tissues, all that remains of most extinct creatures are their skeletons. One way that investigators seek to learn more about these lost animals is to deduce their weight from their bones.

Traditionally, researchers would calculate estimates of dinosaur mass using a leg measurement such as the circumference of leg bones, understanding the relationship between body mass and this circumference in modern animals, "and scaling this up to the size of a dinosaur," said researcher Charlotte Brassey, a biomechanist at the University of Manchester in England.

For the sake of simplicity, these calculations often model leg bones as columnar beams. However, "as soon as we introduce irregularities into their shape ? the lumps, bumps and curves that are typical of animal bones ? then they no longer behave like columns," Brassey told LiveScience. [Gallery: Stunning Illustrations of Dinosaurs]

Dinosaur crash tests

To overcome any errors that simplifying these curved organic structures might introduce, the scientists developed complex 3-D models of leg bones from eight modern animal species ? the giraffe; the white-tailed eagle; the American flamingo; the European hedgehog; the common murre, a large bird; the rock hyrax, a guinea piglike animal; the Senegal bush baby, a type of monkey; and the European polecat, a weasel-like animal.

When the researchers digitally crash-tested the bones by virtually loading stress on the ends of the bones, they found "the smallest change in the position or direction of loading induced significant amounts of bending," Brassey said.

By simplifying leg bones down to basic columns, previous studies could have underestimated the stresses experienced in animal limbs by up to 142 percent.

"We've always known that reducing bones down to simple beams was a huge simplification," Brassey said, but it was only after she created the models and compressed them "that I realized how infeasible it was."

True dinosaur mass

This raises concerns that past equations regarding fossil species, including dinosaurs, could have overestimated the maximum body weight their legs were capable of supporting.

"Unfortunately, it's not as simple as saying, 'These equations underestimate stress by 20 percent.' Instead, it depends on the underlying shape of the bone," Brassey said. "A whole-body approach to mass prediction in dinosaurs might be preferable."

When the researchers carried out such a whole-body approach to mass prediction with Giraffatitan, the giant dinosaur previously called Brachiosaurus, they came up with a body mass of 25 tons (23 metric tons), "which is quite a bit lower than some previous predictions," Brassey said. Previous mass estimates for Giraffatitan ranged from 31 to 86 tons (28 to 78 metric tons.)

"Other scientists will argue that finite element analysis remains too computationally expensive and time-consuming," Brassey said. "We appreciate this, and have also introduced improvements to the beam equations in our study for those who do not wish to use finite element analysis." (Finite element analysis is a method of breaking down a problem into many small elements that can be solved in relation to one another using complex equations.)

The findings another intriguing question: Why are bones curved in the first place?

"We've found that it massively increases stress levels when loading the bones in compression, which would be disadvantageous, yet most bones still have some degree of curvature, so evolution hasn't acted to get rid of this curvature," Brassey said.

There have been plenty of suggestions as to why the curvature is there ? for instance, to pack muscles around the bones. "But we still haven't really come up with the solution yet," Brassey said.

The scientists detailed their findings online Nov. 21 in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface.

Copyright 2012 LiveScience, a TechMediaNetwork company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/paleo-diet-dinosaurs-lose-weight-study-140153384.html

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Trouble not over for Jesse Jackson Jr. | Wichita Eagle

CHICAGO ? Jesse Jackson Jr.'s resignation from Congress might end his once-promising political career but it doesn't mark the end of troubles for the civil rights icon's son.

Just two weeks after voters re-elected him to a ninth full term, Jackson on Wednesday sent his resignation letter to House Speaker John Boehner, citing his ongoing treatment for bipolar disorder and admitting "my share of mistakes" while confirming publically for the first time that he's under a federal probe and cooperating with investigators.

The federal investigation is reportedly into possible misuse of campaign funds, but Jackson was also under a House Ethics Committee investigation over dealings with imprisoned ex-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but it was unclear how the committee would proceed with the resignation. The committee could still decide to release a final report with their findings, but they no longer have the power to punish him.

Jackson, 47, was never charged with wrongdoing and in his resignation letter wrote, "they are my mistakes and mine alone."

The letter also immediately prompted his attorneys to come forward also though they offered few details of the probe reportedly into misuse of campaign funds.

"Mr. Jackson is cooperating with the investigation. We hope to negotiate a fair resolution of the matter but the process could take several months," said a statement from Jackson attorneys including former U.S. Attorney in Chicago Dan Webb. "During that time, we will have no further comment and urge you to give Mr. Jackson the privacy he needs to heal and handle these issues responsibly."

Experts said confirmation by Jackson of the federal investigation and his resignation signaled more details are likely to follow.

"I think it won't be too long before we hear an announcement of a plea agreement," said Bruce Reinhart, a white-collar defense lawyer in West Palm Beach, Fla., who was a federal prosecutor for 19 years. "The government doesn't like people who are going to plead guilty to abusing public office to remain in a position of public trust. ... Resignation would be a significant bargaining chip for Congressman Jackson in order to get a better deal from the government."

Late Wednesday the longtime Chicago congressman's father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., told reporters his son resigned because he didn't believe he could continue to serve effectively while also trying to get well.

"He made the decision to choose his health," Jackson said.

He also said there is no way of knowing how long it will take for his son to recover from what he characterized as an "internal unresolved challenge."

"It's not the kind of illness you can put a timetable on," Jackson said, adding that he is confident that his son "will get well in time."

Jackson first took office in 1995 after winning a special election in a largely urban and Democratic district and began his career in Washington with a star power and pedigree that set him apart from his hundreds of other House colleagues.

But despite high expectations, he largely went unnoticed as a policymaker.

Jackson went on medical leave in June, though his office was never forthcoming about details about his condition, his whereabouts or if he would return.

It was later revealed that he was being treated at the Mayo Clinic for bipolar disorder and gastrointestinal issues. He returned to his Washington home in September but went back to the clinic the next month, with his father, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, saying his son had not yet "regained his balance."

Jackson has not detailed what his treatment entails. Attempts by The Associated Press to locate Jackson were unsuccessful, and family members either declined to comment or could not be reached.

In the letter Jackson said that he returned to Washington the first time against the recommendations of his doctor and then needed to return. He said over the months as his health had "deteriorated" his ability to serve his constituents had "diminished."

"My health issues and treatment regimen have been incompatible with service in the House of Representatives," he wrote.

Bipolar disorder used to be known as manic-depression and it can cause severe mood swings that interfere with the ability to handle daily tasks. Prescription drugs including the mood stabilizer lithium and antidepressants can help manage the symptoms, but it often takes time to find the right drug, or combination of drugs, to be effective.

Fellow congressman said that Jackson had difficulty in the decision to resign.

Rep. Bobby Rush, a fellow Chicago Democrat, told reporters that he spoke to a melancholy Jackson on the phone early Wednesday morning - hours before Jackson submitted his resignation letter.

"He sounded very sorrowful - in so much pain . . . that he wouldn't be able to serve in Congress anymore," Rush said.

Voters in the Chicago area district had been largely supportive of Jackson, who has easily won every election since winning a special election in 1995. But as Jackson's medical leave was prolonged and new details released, there were cracks in that support.

Voter Rodney Butler said Jackson had not handled his leave of absence well. The 62-year-old retiree described the congressman's approach as "hush-hush" and said it made Jackson seem like he did something wrong.

The timing of Jackson's leave and the way it was handled invited more scrutiny. Jackson's leave was announced just after a former fundraiser connected to the Blagojevich allegations was arrested on unrelated medical fraud charges.

The vacancy left by Jackson's departure creates a rare opportunity for someone else to represent his district, which is made up of South Side Chicago neighborhoods, several southern suburbs and rural areas.

Even before the resignation the gambit of potential successors floated around Chicago. Prominent Chicago attorney Sam Adam Jr., a onetime attorney for Blagojevich and R&B singer R. Kelly, said he'd be interested. Other names circulating are Chicago Aldermen Sandi Jackson and Anthony Beale, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and former one-term U.S. Rep. Debbie Halvorson.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, a Democrat, will schedule a re-election in the coming days. He said he planned to set both a primary and a general election.

Henry C. Jackson reported from Washington. Associated Press Special Correspondent David Espo in Washington and Associated Press writers Sara Burnett in Chicago and Pete Yost in Washington contributed to this report.

Source: http://www.kansas.com/2012/11/21/2576749/jesse-jackson-jr-submits-letter.html

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EU nations head into tough budget summit

BRUSSELS (AP) ? Everyone's drawing lines in the sand, but the leaders are so far apart they might as well be on different beaches.

The European Union heads into a critical summit Thursday to hammer out a ?1 trillion ($1.28 trillion) budget through 2020 ? and it promises to be one of its most bitter fights in years.

Finding hard cash to prop up European unity has become a political quagmire for leaders facing angry, crisis-weary citizens at home. Complicating the task is that any one of the member states can veto a deal, giving each tremendous negotiating clout, with even small Denmark able to thwart heavy-hitters Germany or France.

"There is a whole bunch of Tarzan-like chest-beating," said Finland's European Affairs Minister, Alexander Stubb.

It all leaves little hope for a quick solution.

"Now, it looks very unlikely that an agreement will be reached," said Claire Dheret, a policy analyst at the European Policy Center.

At stake is a plan to divvy up the EU spending budget from 2014 to 2020. So far the EU's executive commission has proposed a ceiling of just over ?1 trillion, while EU president Herman Van Rompuy is already seeking the cooperation of spending-shy countries like Britain by offering ?80 billion short of that mark.

"With less money, we cannot do the same as before," Van Rompuy wrote in the invitation letter he sent to the 27 leaders on Tuesday.

Britain, ever the halfhearted EU member, wants to cut even deeper if possible ? arguing that its beleaguered taxpayers shouldn't have to shoulder the rest of Europe's woes.

"If there isn't a deal that is good for Britain, if there isn't a deal that is available," said British Prime Minister David Cameron, "then there won't be a deal."

Leaders from Copenhagen up north to Madrid and Rome down south are already threatening vetoes for often opposing reasons, and the EU has said the summit might go three days and three nights.

"Budget negotiations have always been very intense," Dheret said in an interview. "The problem is that the climate of the negotiations has changed because of austerity."

If agreement cannot be reached this week, there will be other opportunities before 2014. But that's flexibility of the kind that may prove poisonous for the bold leadership Europe needs to turn itself around.

"Let there be no mistake: the absence of an agreement would be harmful for all of us," Van Rompuy wrote Tuedsay.

Already the Germans are hinting that foot-dragging may be the least harmful solution.

"If it turns out that Europe still needs a bit more time for discussions, that wouldn't be so bad," said Steffen Seibert, the spokesman of Chancellor Angela Merkel.

If the summit fails to find a compromise, the issue could spill over into a new meeting next month, or into next year. There is no set deadline for a deal but the closer it gets to 2014, the tougher it will be for a smooth introduction of new programs. If there is no deal up to 2014, there would be a rollover of the 2013 budget plus a 2 percent increase accounting for inflation.

At the heart of the budget fight are the conflicting vantage points of rich EU countries and poor.

Wealthy nations like Germany, Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands are becoming increasingly stingy about contributing to the common cause, especially if that means bailing out countries like Greece and Spain, which feasted on EU development funds before collapsing under piles of debt.

At the same time, up to 15 poorer nations are exhorting them to continue funding projects to close the wealth gap between the mostly northern and western nations and the southern and eastern members.

The European Commission, the EU's executive, backs more spending, arguing that cross-border initiatives on everything from science to pipelines will help to create the economic growth and jobs that the bloc of a half-billion people needs.

But just about every EU nation has had to cut into parts of its national budget or raise taxes to fund that vision, which has raised the ire of voters. So spending more on Europe has become pretty much anathema among citizens across the bloc.

Cameron captured some of the general mood when he said: "It is simply not credible to go to Europe and say we have made all these difficult decisions at home but when it comes to the European budget we are going to see it go up and up and up."

Germany and France, the two-stroke engine that has driven EU integration for half a century, also have their demands.

The Germans want to keep a lid on spending, but they are also by no means as uncompromising as the British. They want EU outlays limited to 1 percent of GDP over 2014-2020.

France also knows its priorities, and when it comes to the EU budget, it has long been farming. When Van Rompuy's proposal outlined a reduction in the agriculture budget, it immediately met a firm Gallic "non."

Countries like Sweden specifically seek farm cuts that would slice its share well below the current 40 percent of the budget and instead move more funds into new industries.

"We need a modern budget for the future," said Swedish EU Affairs Minister Birgitta Ohlsson, "not the fifties."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/eu-nations-head-tough-budget-summit-072324404--finance.html

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Botero's bronze "Horse" top seller at NY Latam art auction

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Colombian artist Fernando Botero's "Horse" sculpture was the highlight of Christie's Latin American auction, which also set a record for Cuban-born artist Tomas Sanchez.

Botero's 1999 bronze work with dark brown patina, fetched $938,500 at the sale late on Tuesday and Sanchez's 2005 acrylic on canvas "Buscador de Paisajes," (Landscape Searcher), sold for $626,500, Christie's said.

"The energetic, selective market for Latin American art was highlighted by modern masters such as Botero," said Virgilio Garza, the auction house's Latin American art chief, of the sale which totaled $13.6 million for 61 works of the 79 on offer.

A 1981 Botero painting, "Nun Eating an Apple," which Christie's described as a whimsical representation of Original Sin, showing a portly nun with a bible in her left hand and the forbidden fruit in her right, went for $602,500.

"The apple can represent temptation," Garza explained. "She looks like she's almost being caught, with her eyes glancing outside the frame."

Sanchez's record-setting work shows a miniscule man contemplating an overwhelming forest. Willowy trees form a canopy over a creek and a patch of light blue sky and a pink stripe on the horizon shine through breaks in the foliage.

Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo's 1970 oil and sand on canvas "Tres personajes en un interior" (An Interior with Three Characters) was another highlight of the sale. It sold for $698,500.

A Diego Rivera painting, "Portrait of Linda Christian," was another favorite, fetching $578,500. It was painted in 1947, the year before the Hollywood actress married actor Tyrone Power and played opposite Johnny Weissmuller in his last Tarzan film, "Tarzan and the Mermaids."

Christian, who was born in Tampico, Mexico, and died last year, also played a Bond girl in the 1954 television version of the Ian Fleming novel "Casino Royale."

Among Brazilian works, Ibere Camargo's 1957 oil on canvas "Jogos de Carreteis I" (Set of Spools I) set an auction record for the artist, going for $422,500, about triple its $120,000 to $180,000 pre-sale estimate.

Other records were set for Cuban-born Carmen Herrera's "Amarillo Dos" (Yellow Two), an acrylic on wood relief sculpture, executed in 1971, which fetched $170,500, and for contemporary Colombian artist Olga de Amaral, whose 1998 "Montana" (Mountain), a tapestry of painted woven fabric, went for $103,300.

(Editing by Patricia Reaney and Kenneth Barry)

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/boteros-bronze-horse-top-seller-ny-latam-art-170841891.html

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