India gets first woman president

Amidst controversy, Pratibha Devisingh Patil became India’s the first woman President when she was sworn in by the Chief Justice of India K.G. Balakrishnan in the Central Hall of Parliament on Wednesday.

The position, though largely ceremonial, has earned India the distinction of being the largest country to have a female head of state. However, critics say Patil is not deserving of the honor. She was elected through ballots cast by federal and state legislators and succeeded President Abdul Kalam.

“India is an ancient civilization, but a young nation. We look back to the past with pride,” Patil said, noting that the United Nations dedicated October 2, Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday, as the international day of non-violence.

Indira Gandhi was India’s first woman prime minister.

 South Florida colleges reeling from tax cuts

Both Broward Community College and Miami-Dade College are faced with the real possibility of cutting back their budgets, in response to a directive from state governor, Charlie Crist’s directive for all state agencies to cut their budgets by 4 percent, and possible 10 percent of the state’s revenue collection does not improve.

The 4 percent cuts mean that at BCC the budget would be cut by $3 million and $7.6 million at MDC. At BCC these cuts could likely result in wage freeze, limit to traveling and set back in the upgrading of equipment, and at MDC, a hiring freeze and a hold on some new classes that were planned.

The last time we checked, Barrington Irving was in Anchorage, Alaska. The young pilot’s blog did this time did not include much about his surroundings. Like a good son, he took the time out to pay homage to his father on Father’s Day which was Sunday, June 17, 2007.

Here’s what he wrote about his dad.

Dear Friends,

I want to take this moment to recognize my father on Father’s Day. I am grateful to have a caring father who has truly instilled great values in me and always made our family his top priority. I am fortunate to have such a loving father and hope that one day I can be as great a Dad as he is. Both my mom and dad always wanted the best for me and from me. I will NEVER forget the late nights my dad worked doing construction and every dollar sacrificed for my education. Now that I am a man, I am truly grateful for every sacrifice they have made for me and my younger brothers. I wish I could be home with the family and I miss you all dearly. Happy Father’s Day, Dad!!!

Your Son,
Barrington

www.experienceaviation.com

Barry Irving is on the final stretch and we’re waiting with bated breath for his safe return. This is an exciting time for Jamaicans, Blacks and anyone who feel any kind of affiliation with the young pilot. He has been keeping up with media coverage and individual blogs and wrote “Never would I have imagined that this flight would touch so many people--children, students, adults, and those who wish they could fly but aren't physically able.” He said he wished he could do more to assist those who have dreams in aviation. When last we heard from him, he was in Shemya, Alaska. Here’s what he had to say:

Dear Friends,

I finally made it safely to Shemya, Alaska after crossing the North Pacific. What an experience it was, with shifting winds, different layers and types of clouds, and the possibility of icing on the wings. It was critical to avoid the visible precipitation that can cause icing, which forms rapidly at near-freezing temperatures and high aircraft speed. There is no real way to describe the experience of that flight; I'm simply grateful to be on U.S. soil again.

It is very cold here in Shemya, but I was given a warm reception when I arrived. The Air Force, which contracts this airfield, has been more than supportive of the Experience Aviation mission. They are the real heroes by graciously allowing me to stop in Shemya. I will forever be grateful.

Four Caribbean men – three Guyanese and a Trinidadian – have been implicated in what US law enforcement officials said was a massive terror plot targeting John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Three of the men have been arrested and one is being sought in connection with the plan to set off explosives in a fuel line that feeds the airport and runs through residential neighborhoods.

Arrested are Abdul Kadir, a former Member of Parliament in Guyana and Kareem Ibrahim of Trinidad. Both are being held in custody in Trinidad. Russell Defreitas, a U.S. citizen, native to Guyana and former JFK employee, was also arrested and is being held in Brooklyn where he is expected to be arraigned Saturday afternoon. A fourth man, Abdel Nur, of Guyana, was still being sought by US officials who believe he might be hiding in Trinidad.

Police in Trinidad called a press briefing for Saturday afternoon to give an update on the involvement of local law enforcers in nabbing the men.

U.S. Attorney Roslynn R. Mauskopf called the plot "one of the most chilling plots imaginable."

"The devastation that would be caused had this plot succeeded is just unthinkable," she said at a news conference Saturday.

All four men are accused of being members of a terrorist cell that planned to attack the airport, one of the nation’s busiest, by blowing up major fuel supply tanks and the pipelines.