World  |  FranceThey also urged the rebels to let the civilians leave

World  |  FranceThey also urged the rebels to let the civilians leave.The civilians, estimated by the United Nations to number as many as 50,000, are caught in a tiny area on Sri Lanka’s northeast coast, which the military says is down to just 2 square miles (5 square kilometers).It is the last redoubt of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), who have been fighting a 25-year war with the government for a separate ethnic Tamil homeland.”Protection of civilians is absolutely paramount at this moment. The LTTE must end preventing civilians leaving the conflict zone and the fighting must stop,” British Foreign Secretary David Miliband told reporters.His comments were in line with a European Union call earlier this week for a ceasefire, a position widely taken by the international community but so far resisted by Sri Lanka.Although the government says it has stopped regular combat operations using heavy weapons and is concentrating only on freeing trapped civilians, it fears a complete ceasefire would give the Tigers space to rearm and regroup.Miliband denied international calls for a ceasefire had anything to do with trying to help the Tigers.”No one in the international community has been calling for a ceasefire or to stop firing to save (Tiger leader Vellupillai) Prabhakaran. tally of casualties says nearly 6,500 people have been killed in fighting since late January.Britain’s Miliband and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said they want Sri Lanka to provide access to the conflict zone for U.N and other aid agencies.In New York, U.N. humanitarian chief John Holmes, just back from a visit to Sri Lanka, told reporters he was disappointed not to have been able to achieve a temporary ceasefire or access for U.N. aid workers to the combat zone.He said the world body had the “strong impression” after an earlier visit by Vijay Nambiar, chief of staff to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, that the government had agreed to a small U.N. technical mission going in.But President Mahinda Rajapaksa made it clear to him at a meeting that “he did not think this kind of mission …

CHICAGO, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Old Republic InternationalCorporation (NYSE: ORI), announced that it has completed its previouslyreported public offering of 8% Convertible Senior Notes due 2012.The Companyindicated that the underwriters had exercised fully their option to purchaseadditional Notes to cover over-allotments.As a result the total offeringreached $316.25 million aggregate principal amount of Convertible Senior Notesup from the $275 million announced on April 23, 2009. Old Republic expectsto use the net proceeds of the offering to increase the capital of its generaland title insurance business segments, to repay a portion of short termindebtedness, and for general corporate purposes.The Convertible Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 8.00% per year(payable semiannually on May 15 and November 15 of each year) mature on May15, 2012, and are convertible into 86.8056 shares of common stock at any timeprior to maturity.Merrill Lynch & Co., and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., acted as jointbookrunning managers for the offering.About Old RepublicChicago-based Old Republic International Corporation is an insurance holdingcompany whose subsidiaries market, underwrite and provide risk managementservices for a wide variety of coverages primarily in the property &liability, mortgage guaranty, and title insurance fields. One of thenation’s 50 largest publicly owned insurance organizations, Old Republic hasassets of approximately $13.29 billion and shareholders’ equity of $3.64billion or $15.47 per share.Its current stock market valuation isapproximately $2.27 billion, or $9.45 per shareSOURCEOld Republic International CorporationA.C. Zucaro, Chairman & CEO of Old Republic, +1-312-346-8100; orInvestors/Media, Leslie Loyet of Financial Relations Board, +1-312-640-6672,, for Old Republic. With no CBJ games between now and the NHL Trade Deadline, the spotlight has shifted from the on ice games to off ice activities. Yep its Trade Deadline time and if your like me (which you probably are if your reading this blog) then its one of the most fun times of the year to be an NHL fan.What makes it even more interesting this year is how big of player the Jackets could be.They have seven potential unrestricted free agents and of course the talk of Jackets fans everywhere is this Brad Richards situation.

First, let's take a look at the unrestricted free agents and their situations in terms of their performance, importance to the team and then I'll give a prediction as to what I think will be their fate come Tuesday, 3:00 p.m.Unrestricted Free Agents:Sergei FedorovThe most likely of all UFA's to be to move by the deadline.Sergei Fedorov has 28 points and is a -3.He is the best center we have although I don't think that's saying a whole lot. He also can't hang onto all of these players especially when there will be a demand for them and moving them can help the franchise now and in the future.So Howson has some interesting decisions to make.He could be a buyer, seller and trader.He's got a real opportunity to shape this franchise for years to come.Which brings us to Brad Richards. By now everyone reading this has certainly heard that the Jackets are very much in the mix for the 27 years old No. 1 pivot.Obtaining this guy would be a bold move for Scott Howson and the Jackets.Obtaining him would send a strong message that the Jackets aren't screwing around they want the playoffs now and in the future.This would show the Jackets are ready to spend if its on the right players that address real needs.Well as I've posted before, Richards addresses a HUGE need on this roster and that's a No. 1 center.Here is what we know.We know Howson will not give up Nash, Zherdev, Leclaire, Russell, Brassard, Voracek or Mason.That leaves everyone else in play.We know Tampa does not want UFAs (or rentals) and what they do want are young cap friendly players that will give them flexibility in their budget to resign Dan Boyle, find a legit No. I also think its exactly what the Jackets need in terms of where their franchise is and it will completely re-energize this fan base.Also keep an eye on Manny Malhotra.I think there may be a market for him and I think the Jackets would take that opportunity to offload him for the right deal.For those that want up to minute trade happenings here are a few good sites:NHL Trade Deadline '08.

WASHINGTON, April 29 (Reuters) – The unique wildlife of the Galapagos Islands — penguins, fur seals, swimming iguanas and flightless birds — is profoundly threatened by climate change, scientists said on Wednesday. Animals and plants are likely to face specific threats from invasive species and disease, reduced food sources and damage to coastal habitats from warming oceans and rising sea levels, the scientists said after a workshop on the impact of global warming on biodiversity on these Pacific islands. “If we want the unique biodiversity of the Galapagos to survive for future generations we have to help it to adapt to climate change,” said Emily Pidgeon of Conservation International, which convened the workshop in the islands last week. The Galapagos Islands, located about 600 miles (970 km) off South America’s coast along the equator and a province of Ecuador, are volcanic islands with a vast array of native species. One of the species most at risk is the Galapagos fur seal, which could be threatened by an expected drop in the number of fish, their main food source, and an increased threat of disease, the scientists said in a statement. Galapagos penguins may require “apartments” to recreate their preferred nesting conditions and provide shade and protection from introduced predators in areas outside their usual nesting sites, the statement said.

Coral reefs are threatened by changes in ocean temperature and acidity, while warmer waters are also causing more tropical Pacific fish to swim into the northern part of the Galapagos. The Galapagos marine iguana, already considered vulnerable, could face high mortality levels, and the flightless cormorant could be threatened by nest flooding and other environmental fluctuations. English naturalist Charles Darwin developed his evolution theory in the 19th century after studying the islands’ unique animal population.(Editing by Eric Beech). With no CBJ games between now and the NHL Trade Deadline the spotlight has shifted from the on-ice games to off-ice activities. Yep, it's Trade Deadline time and if you're like me (which you probably are if you're reading this article) then its one of the funnest times of the year to be an NHL fan.What makes it even more interesting this year is the how big of player the Jackets could be this year.They have seven potential unrestricted free agents and of course the talk of Jackets fans everywhere is this Brad Richards situation.