"My entire career depends on me getting off this list," said Erich Scherfen, who served as an infantryman in the US Army for 13 years.

"I probably won't be able to get a job anywhere else in the world having this mark that I'm on this list."

Scherfen's quandary may have come about as a result of his conversion to Islam.

His wife, Rubina Tareen, emigrated from Pakistan when she was 17 and is now a US citizen.

She now runs a small business selling Islamic books and DVDs, which she claims are non-political in content.

"I have no idea why I am on the list, and they're not telling officially that I'm even on the list," Scherfen said.

Colgan Air, Mr Scherfen's employers, informed him in April that his job would be terminated on September 1st unless he got his name removed from the list.

A lawsuit has now been filed in a federal court in Pennsylvania, asking the US government to remove Scherfen and his wife, from any watch lists or databases that prevent them travelling.

"It is quite clear when the government does something that takes away not just your job but your occupation, your career, they have to provide you with some means to clear your name," said Witold Walczak of the American Civil Liberties Union, who is representing Scherfen and his wife in court.

"Unfortunately, it is a problem that is shared by countless individuals who have no connection to terrorism, have no connection to crime and don't belong on this list."

"The problem with what the government is doing is that they really don't care about innocent casualties."

Scherfen feels that an already terrible situation has been made worse by his 13 year record of serving his country in conflicts such as the Gulf War.

"We served honourably," he said.

"We served in a war."

"And they're thumbing their noses at us, basically, and that makes me feel...really sad about this situation."

"Women named Jill and Hillary should be raped," read one of the postings by 'AK-47'.

Lawyers for the students have now determined the true identity of AK-47 -- and once his identity is revealed on court papers, his nascent legal career may be over before it really began.

The controversy began even before one of the women began law school in 2005.

Identified as 'Jane Doe I' in court papers, she was alerted to a comment thread on the AutoAdmit site titled 'Stupid Bitch to Attend Law School.'

The thread contained remarks such as 'I think I will sodomize her. Repeatedly' and a reply claiming that 'she has herpes.'

The second plaintiff, 'Jane Doe II', also recieved similar treatment.

Although the lawsuit was filed one year ago, there has been silence from the litigants and their legal team.

Some lawyers are starting to wonder whether the case is worth pursuing.

"You have good lawyers putting their time in on the case, and in a policy sense, they are achieving something," said Professor Ann Bartow of the University of South Carolina School of Law.

"But in a victim sense -- assuming you think of the women as victims -- it's not clear what this is going to achieve."

Some feel that the case is symptomatic of a culture where technology changes so quickly that regulators are struggling to catch up.

"The internet isn't a radical-free zone where you can hurt people," said Professor Daniel Solove of George Washington University.

"But on the other hand, we can't have everyone rushing to the court, because the court is a blunt tool."

"We need something to help shape norms -- there needs to be some kind of push back against the notion that the internet is a place where you can say what you want and screw the consequences."

"That's not what free speech is about."

One solution that has been mooted is a regime similar to the DMCA, where intellectual property violations on websites are subject to a 'take-down' notice -- if the host complies, they are immune from further legal action.

But even that solution has detractors who feel that it threatens free speech protected by the US constitution.

"I think you run the risk of too much take-down," said Jason Schultz, acting director of the Law, Technology and Public Policy Clinic at the University of California in Berkeley.

"I think you need procedural hurdles in place since we are talking about a constitutional right."

The ruling by the court gives a green light to all gay and lesbian groups in Greece who want to use the term.

"This is a good decision for lesbians everywhere," said Vassilis Chirdaris, lawyer for OLKE, the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece.

"A court in Athens could not stop people around the world from using it."

"It was ridiculous."

Although the lawsuit was widely interpreted as homophobic, the plaintiffs denied that this was the case.

"My sister can't say she is a lesbian," said Dimitris Lambrou, one of the litigants.

"Our geographical designation has been usurped by certain ladies who have no connection whatsoever with Lesbos."

"This is not an aggressive act against gay women."

"Let them visit Lesbos and get married and whatever they like."

"We just want [the group] to remove the word lesbian from their title."

"The word lesbian has been associated with gay women for the past few decades but we have been lesbians for thousands of years."

Lesbos was home to the poetess Sappho in the 6th century BC, who was renowned for her poetry in praise of same-sex love.

But the islanders were in denial about Sappho's proclivities -- an idea that modern scholars find laughable.

"The term lesbian to define women who love women exists in every dictionary of just about all UN member nations," said Andrea Gilbert, spokesperson for Athens Pride 2008 and a member of OLKE.

"The term is recognised universally."

Some think that the case was symptomatic of a culture that is still in the grip of Orthodox Christianity.

"The church is literally out of control in its approach towards us, the media full of hate speech and the conservative government both hypocritical and indifferent," said Grigoris Valianatos, a well known gay rights activist.

"This trial is a reflection of the homophobia that prevails in Greece."

The plaintiffs were ordered to pay costs in the amount of 230 euros (£182).

"The paparazzo is just as much covered by the First Amendment as you or I, or any Joe Schmo up the street," said Lucy Dalglish, executive director of the Virginia-based Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.

"I don't think under any First Amendment law you can single out a paparazzi photographer."

But concerns over public safety are making city leaders contemplate measures to restrict how paparazzi can operate -- Malibu is the latest area to propose legislation.

"My obligation is to protect everyone, not just the paparazzi," said Councilman Andy Stern, representing Malibu City .

"If they want us to ignore them, that's just not going to happen."

Earlier this year in nearby Los Angeles, a law proposed that paparazzi should stay several feet away from the stars that they photograph.

"It's becoming more combative where people are saying they've had enough with these people," said LA Councilman Dennis Zine.

"Right now, you have no laws that really apply."

"You have a chaotic situation that keeps on getting worse."

The number of paparazzi increase every year, driven by falling equipment costs and the growing desire of the public to see celebrities at their most vulnerable.

"They want to see them with their hair kind of messed up, they want to see them with maybe some spaghetti sauce on their shirt, they want to see them a little bit pudgy," said Brad Elterman, co-owner of Los Angeles-based agency Buzz Foto.

Elterman pointed out that one good shot could be sold to multiple outlets, making the business a lucrative way to make money without excessive effort.

"It's like the Mafia, once you're in you never want to leave," he said.

Coombe End Farmhouse on the banks of the Thames near Goring-on-Thames in Oxfordshire featured a boathouse thought to have been the model for the home of Ratty, one of the heroes of Grahame's classic tale.

The property was bequeathed to the National Trust in the 1930's, but recent years have seen it neglected.

After the previous tenants moved out in 2006, the house remained empty until April 2007 when the squatters took up residence.

"We took direct action in protest at the National Trust's neglect," said Hannah Beasley, squatter and qualfied care worker.

"We wanted to highlight the fact that old historic buildings are being left to rot while a lot of young people are struggling to afford a place to live in."

The National Trust states that they are seeking to 'secure a long-term future' for the house and are drawing up conservation plans -- but the squatters claim action is needed now.

"There are numerous options, but they are choosing to just board it up and let it fall into greater disrepair," said Beasley.

"It leaves you wondering whether they are waiting for this wonderful building to be condemned."

After a series of court hearings, the National Trust have been granted a possession order -- meaning that the squatters could be evicted within days.

But the National Trust have gained little sympathy amongst some locals for their treatment of the house.

"It's disgusting the way they have left such a beautiful house go to ruin," said Richard Hazell, whose farm is near the property.

The National Trust were anxious to point out that they have no plans to allow the house to collapse or sell it off.

"We would never contemplate anything but a restoration of this farmhouse which is on land which the National Trust can never sell," said a spokesperson.

"The squatters have delayed our efforts to examine all of the options to secure the future of this listed building."

'Bean curd made by a pock-marked woman' becomes 'Mapo tofu', whilst 'Chicken without sex life' has been renamed 'Steamed pullet.'

Officials will no doubt have been keen to see 'Government abused chicken' rebranded as 'Kung pao chicken.'

Beijing's local government have produced a book of these translations and are calling on restauranteurs to pick up their copy and begin translating menus in readiness for the Olympics.

"It's not compulsory," said Su Shan of the Beijing Tourism Administration.

"They can choose to use the translations or not for bilingual menus."

"About one third of the hotels in Beijing, including the 119 designated Olympic hotels, have received the pamphlet."

But this kowtowing to foreigners has not gone down well with the Chinese.

"I don't like this new naming method, it's abandoning Chinese tradition," said one Internet commenter.

"There are many stories in the names of these dishes."

Commentators have also been critical of the translations.

"The process of standardising a menu translation is a double-edged sword," said Raymond Zhou of China Daily.

"It removes the ambiguity and unintended humor, for sure."

"But then it takes away the fun and the rich connotation too."

"It turns a menu into the equivalent of plain rice, which has the necessary nutrients but is devoid of flavour."

Zhou also pointed out inconsistencies in the way that dishes have been translated.

"What is puzzling is the use of transliteration when the meaning can be tersely put across in English," he said.

"Why is 'fish-flavoured' passed up and 'yu-shiang' chosen?"

"The latter does not mean anything for those who are not into the Chinese language."

But restauranteurs appear to be grateful for the translations, which they see as being of great help.

"Thanks to the pamphlet, we do not have to struggle to come up with the English translations of dishes any more, which is usually time consuming," said Mr Wang, a senior manager at Beijing's Guangzhou fine dining restaurant.

The temple at Sabarimala in Kerala is dedicated to the forest deity Ayyapa and is visited by nearly 50 million people during the autumn pilgrimage season.

As a result, the temple receives huge amounts of donated cash, as well as gold, silver and diamond jewellery.

For some of those working as money counters ten years ago, temptation proved too great and several thefts occurred.

The temple's management then instituted a policy that money counters could only wear a dhoti (a type of sarong) and nothing else, in the belief that this would deter thieves.

But the policy has caused misery for those innocent of any crime -- and now a petition filed with Kerala State Human Rights Commission has resulted in censure for the temple.

“Those engaged in counting were silently suffering the insult because of the misdeeds of a few,” said G. Baiju, general secretary of Travancore Devaswom Employees’ Front (TDEF), which filed the petition before the commission.

"We are made to wear only a mundu (dhoti) and perhaps a second one, a randaam mundu, but were often made to strip on the demand of security guards."

"This has been causing us mental agony."

Employees on their way out were also scrutinised by security guards.

"The employees on duty are made to strip before an officer before leaving the office to ensure that they do not carry anything in their underwear," said Chavara Gopakumar of TDEF.

"It is humiliating and an insult to human dignity."

The temple's management have now agreed to end the practice, and are now looking into installation of modern surveillance systems.

It is now hoped that the Government will set up a trust to better manage the affairs of the temple -- and prevent controversies like the underwear ban from occuring again.

Chief Douglas Zeigler, the head of the NYPD's Community Affairs Bureau and the highest uniformed black officer on the force, was off duty and sitting in his department-issued SUV on a street in Queens when two plain clothes officers approached.

Supporters of the two officers -- both white -- claim that the vehicle was parked near a fire hydrant, giving them just cause to question the driver.

For reasons that are unclear, Zeigler apparently identified himself as a fellow officer but his ID badge wasn't trusted.

Doubts have been expressed anonymously about the behaviour of the officers.

"How you can not know or recognise a chief in a department SUV with ID around his neck, I don't know," according to an unnamed source inside the force.

The NYPD appear to be taking Zeigler's side, with their official spokesperson claiming that the officers attempted to wrest open the door, even after the chief had made efforts to identify himself.

"He dealt with the chief in a discourteous manner, which is unacceptable," said Paul Browne for the NYPD.

The incident is the latest in a long line of controversies involving race and the NYPD.

There have been recent protests against the acquittal of three police officers accused of killing an unarmed man as he left his own stag party.

"You can't make this stuff up!" said the Reverend Al Sharpton, in his condemnation of the Zeigler incident.

"The problem isn't that they didn't recognise him."

"It is that they don't recognise our rights!"

Criticism of the officers' behaviour also came from New York politicians.

"Something is wrong with our Police Department and their interactions with people of colour," said State Senator Eric Adams, a former police captain representing Brooklyn.

One of the officers involved, Michael Granahan, has now been stripped of his badge and gun.

He has now been placed on 'modified duty', pending a full investigation.

Members of the Hawaiian Kingdom Government took over the grounds of the 'Iolani Palace, seat of Queen Lili'uokalani, for nearly four days in a peaceful protest against perceived US imperialism.

The 'Iolani Palace is currently a museum, open for school groups and paid tours.

Employees, volunteers, and tourists were prevented from entering during the occupation -- only members of the media were allowed inside.

"This is our seat of government and always will be," said Mahealani Kahau, elected leader of the secessionist group.

"As long as we have breath to speak, we'll be here."

The group claims that more than one million acres in the Hawaiian Islands were illegally seized during the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy in 1893, 11 years after the 'Iolani Palace was built.

"If you know the culture, how Lili'uokalani was overthrown, then you would understand the urgency of the Hawaiian people," said Marialena Kalamau, a member of the Hawaiian Kingdom Government.

"The white man came and made us think the government was overthrown -- it was not," added Kalamau's mother Dixie, also a member of the Government.

The protesters plan to re-establish the 'Iolani Palace as the seat of their Government.

"This is the manifestation of the frustration of the Hawaiian people for the loss of sovereignty and land," said Kalani English, a Native Hawaiian State Senator.

"This made a statement."

"It got the word out about the plight of the Hawaiian people."

Kippen de Alba Chu, executive director of the 'Iolani Palace, was highly critical of the protest.

"It is historically wrong for any individual or group to state that the palace is to serve as a Government building," said Chu.

"We welcome any group who would like to celebrate the history of 'Iolani Palace and Hawaii's monarchy in a historically appropriate manner that embraces all visitors."

The island was home to the poetess Sappho in the 6th century BC, hence the coining of the phrase 'sapphism' to also describe lesbianism.

Although little of Sappho's work remains, she garnered a reputation as a poetess of great talent.

According to an epigram in the Anthologia Palatina attributed to Plato:

Some say the Muses are nine: how careless!
Look, there's Sappho too, from Lesbos, the tenth.

But the islanders contend that Sappho never practiced same-sex love -- a notion refuted by modern scholars.

Now they want modern-day lesbians to stop using the term and have turned to the Greek courts for redress.

They have targeted a group called the 'Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece' (OLKE), saying that their use of the term 'insults the identity' of the islanders.

"My sister can't say she is a lesbian," said Dimitris Lambrou, one of the litigants.

"Our geographical designation has been usurped by certain ladies who have no connection whatsoever with Lesbos."

"This is not an aggressive act against gay women."

"Let them visit Lesbos and get married and whatever they like.

"We just want [the group] to remove the word lesbian from their title."

Lambrou's contention is that lesbian has only been used as a term to describe gay women for decades.

"But we have been lesbians for thousands of years," said Lambrou.

The group targeted by the lawsuit sees it as the product of 'prejudice'.

"The claim is based in serious prejudice and hatred," said Andrea Gilbert, spokesperson for Athens Pride 2008 and a member of OLKE.

"The term lesbian to define women who love women exists in every dictionary of just about all UN member nations."

"The term is recognised universally."

"OLKE, the Homosexual and Lesbian Community of Greece, is a legal entity whose name is legally accepted and registered in Greece."

"It has existed since 2003."

"This is a ridiculous claim that most Greeks find laughable."

"However, the underlying homophobia and reactionary sentiment is no laughing matter."

"We 'despised, name-usurping lesbians' from all over the world bring tons of money to the island in the form of tourism."

Gilbert is alarmed that the islanders seriously believe that Sappho was in fact heterosexual -- in contradiction to writings by the poetess in the first person that contain references to love for other women.

"According to them, the notion that she practiced same-sex love is a heinous distortion," said Gilbert.

"This would be hilariously funny if it wasn't so pathetic -- and so scary."

"Since it's a universally legally recognised term, their case will likely be thrown out, but with the New Democracy regime, one never knows how much pandering will go on."

58-year-old Kirkby grandmother Dot Reid was furious to discover that plans for a new Everton football stadium and associated retail complex would mean losing her home of 15 years.

She was one of the founders of St Patrick's Housing Co-operative, which now faces the compulsory purchase of their entire housing stock for subsequent demolition.

"I do not want my home knocking down for a superstore and a football stadium, but that is what will happen if the plans get passed," said Mrs Reid.

The tenacious Mrs Reid decided that the boss of Tesco, Sir Terry Leahy, deserved a taste of his own medicine.

Mrs Reid drew up plans in collaboration with architects to demolish Sir Terry's Hertfordshire mansion and replace it with a community garden.

"I thought how would Sir Terry and his family feel if their home was being threatened?" she said.

"That is why I put in an application to knock his house down."

As part of her research, Mrs Reid used Google Earth to get a satellite view of Sir Terry's mansion and the surrounding land.

“It’s massive," she said.

"You would be able to put Everton’s new stadium on his land.”

This controversy has come at a bad time for the supermarket -- profits are under pressure from the credit crunch, their plans for US expansion are believed to be failing, and they are currently suing critics in the UK and Thailand for libel.

Tesco is notorious for maintaining poor relations with the media, and their response to Mrs Reid's campaign was typically bullish.

"This is clearly a publicity stunt and has no chance of ever being implemented," said a spokesperson for the supermarket.

"The only outcome will be to waste council time, effort and taxpayers' money."

Welwyn Hatfield Council has confirmed that Mrs Reid's application will be treated like any other.

"I am appalled our homes are under threat," she said.

"It would mean the break-up of a happy community."

"I have not had any proper consultation over these plans and if I was asked, the answer would be: 'I am not moving and you are not knocking down my home.'"

The statement was issued by all 27 EU foreign ministers gathered at Brdo in Slovenia for a two day summit.

"The film equates Islam with violence and this view is sharply rejected," it read.

"The vast majority of Muslims reject extremism and violence."

The film has already been disowned by the Dutch government, and has attracted criticism from the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon.

But the EU ministers were careful to point out that the EU also recognised the importance of freedom of expression.

"Feeling offended is no excuse for aggression or threats," they said.

"Muslims, Christians, and people of all convictions and beliefs must live together in peace and mutual respect."

Responses to the film inside the Netherlands have been surprisingly muted -- a stark contrast to the furore over the Danish cartoons of Mohammed.

The relaxed response may be attributed to statements before the release of Fitna by Mohammed Rabbae, a prominent Dutch-Moroccan leader.

"When the film is released, we should conduct ourselves with dignity," he said.

"If we get angry or even turn to violence, we will be doing exactly what Mr Wilders wants us to do."

Even Wilders was forced to admit on Dutch television that Dutch Muslims had behaved well in the aftermath of the film's release on the Internet.

"Ode to the Muslims in the Netherlands," he conceded.

Meanwhile, Wilders has been attracting comparisons to Osama Bin Laden (OBL), as some commentators have pointed out that Fitna is remarkably similar to Al-Qaeda's own propaganda films.

"Wilders and OBL do exactly the same thing -- they read 10% of the Koran, and use it to ‘prove’ that the Koran can be used to excuse terrorism, and conveniently ignore the other 90% of Islam’s Holy Book," wrote Michael van der Galien on the PoliGazette website.

"It’s a political manifesto -- Wilders wants to convince the viewer that Islam itself poses a threat to the West."

"Sadly for him, however, he can only make that case by ignoring the peaceful verses of Islam, and Islam’s long, peaceful, and intellectual history."

Omar Bakri, the former 'Tottenham Ayatollah' now banned from Britain, found the film so similar to Jihadist propaganda that he couldn't see much to be offended by.

"On the contrary, if we leave out the first images and the sound of the page being torn, it could be a film by the Mujahideen," he said.

To add to Wilders' miseries, businesses in the Netherlands may sue him if they are adversely affected by boycotts as a result of the film.

"A boycott would hurt Dutch exports," said Bernard Wientjes, chairman of the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers.

"Businesses such as Shell, Philips, and Unilever are easily identifiable as Dutch companies."

"I don’t know if Wilders is rich, or well-insured, but in case of a boycott, we would look to see if we could make him bear responsibility.”

"I felt surprised, embarrassed, humiliated, scared and angry," said Mandi Hamlin, a 37-year-old from Texas.

"This situation was totally out of control."

"I will not sit quietly."

"No one deserves to be treated this way."

Her ordeal took place at Lubbock International Airport -- although she did not set off the metal detector, officals pulled her to one side for additional screening.

A handheld scanner used by a TSA officer beeped when it was waved over her breasts.

She was then told to remove her piercings, having to resort to asking for pliers when one nipple ring proved hard to remove.

"As Ms Hamlin struggled to remove the piercing behind the curtain, she could hear a growing number of predominantly male TSA officers snickering in the background," said Gloria Allred, the lawyer representing Ms Hamlin.

"Ms Hamlin did not want to remove her nipple piercings."

"After nipple rings are inserted, the skin can often heal around the piercing and the rings can be extremely difficult and painful to remove."

"In addition, once removed, the pierced skin may close up almost immediately, making it difficult and painful to reinsert the piercing."

The initial response from the TSA was initially bullish.

"TSA is well aware of terrorists' interest in hiding dangerous items in sensitive areas of the body, therefore we have a duty to the American public to resolve any alarm we discover," said a spokesperson for the agency.

But the TSA changed their tune after a flurry of negative publicity around the incident.

"TSA acknowledges that our procedures caused difficulty for the passenger involved and regrets the situation in which she found herself," according to a statement issued by the TSA.

"We appreciate her raising awareness on this issue and we are changing the procedures to ensure that this does not happen again."

Hamlin is now demanding an apology over the incident, one which her lawyer says could have been avoided if the TSA has adhered to proper procedures.

According to Allred, her client should have been offered the option of a pat-down to determine if her breasts were hiding a dangerous payload.

"Had she been told that she had a right to a pat-down, she would have chosen that option," Aldred said.

"I know it is important to obey traffic laws - but I have obviously made mistakes on this occasion and I am sorry," he said in a statement.

Journalists from the Daily Mirror covertly filmed Cameron riding his bike unlawfully on several occasions.

His list of infractions includes cycling the wrong way on a one-way street, crossing a road with the 'red man' sign showing, going the wrong way round a bollard, and edging past the white line at red traffic lights.

Road safety groups were critical of Cameron's behaviour.

"It is essential that all road users, including cyclists, obey traffic laws," said Kevin Clinton, head of road safety for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

"The laws are there for everybody's safety and, as always, it is disappointing when someone in the public eye sets a bad example."

A spokesperson for road safety charity Brake said: "The rules are there to protect everybody -- all road users, including motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists, have to stick to them."

"People are dying on the roads every day, and we can't afford to become complacent, because more people are going to be hurt if we start to break the laws."

"As a role model Mr Cameron must be aware that if he does break them, it is going to send out the wrong message to those he hopes to inspire."

But there was sympathy for him from a cyclist's campaign group.

"It shows what an ass cycling regulation [and] traffic management is in this country at the moment," said Kevin Mayne, director of CTC.

"We campaign in CTC for things like opening up one-way streets, which are allowed all over Europe."

"[Mr Cameron] is a yard in front of the white line in front of the Houses of Parliament -- frankly, that's where I'd go to get away from the cars."

"He was hardly jumping the light."

"If you give people power without oversight it is a formula for abuse," said Philip Zimbardo, professor at Stanford University.

Professor Zimbardo was delivering a presentation at the Technology, Entertainment, and Design conference in California.

He believes that a badly concieved environment is capable of turning someone who has been well behaved into a sadistic torturer.

"Abu Ghraib abuses went on for three months."

"Who was watching the store?"

"Nobody, and it was on purpose."

Zimbardo came to prominence in 1971, with the Stanford prison experiment -- students were divided into two groups consisting of prisoners and guards to study how their behaviour was dictated by their role.

The pretend guards grew so sadistic and the prisoners so cowed that the experiment was stopped prematurely as there was a serious risk of injury.

Zimbardo was approached in 2004 to assist in the defence of a soldier under investigation for abuses at Abu Ghraib.

This gave him the opportunity to see previously confidential photographs detailing the acts of torture committed there.

"I was shocked when I saw those pictures but I wasn't surprised."

"Because I had seen those cells before at Stanford."

"The power is in the system."

"It's not bad apples, but bad barrel makers."

"There is an infinite capacity to make us behave kind or cruel, or make some of us heroes."

"The Stanford prison experiment shows the power of institutions to change behaviour."

"We took good apples and put them in a bad situation."

Professor Zimbardo was inspired by his work on the Abu Ghraib case to write a new book entitled 'The Lucifer Effect', where he analyses just how and why good people can be dehumanised to the point where they are capable of evil.

He also suggests that 'heroism is the antidote to evil' -- while superheroes make for unrealistic role models, the soldier that blew the whistle on abuses at Abu Ghraib was the kind of hero that society needs to be encouraging.

"Let's focus on justice and peace, which sadly our administration has not been doing."

Andre Gumprecht, 33, attended the post-final ceremony for his Central Coast Mariners team dressed in a khaki military uniform, along with a toothbrush moustache.

"Hitler was such a monster and for a lot of people, it's a very sensitive thing to be confronted with," said Ernie Friedlander, spokesperson for the Jewish community group B'nai B'rith.

"Even if it was done in jest, he is a role model and he should consider the impact of his actions," said Allon Lee, head of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council.

The head of the Football Federation Australia (FFA) condemned the gaffe, stating that he would be demanding an explanation from Gumprecht.

"Such behaviour is not only stupid, but is also not tolerated by the FFA," said Ben Buckley, chief executive of the sports regulator.

With news of the scandal causing controversy in his native Germany, Gumprecht wrote an apology to the German people in the form of an open letter.

"My intention was solely to entertain, not insult and any suggestion that I might somehow be trying to support Nazi ideals or behaviour is simply ridiculous," Gumprecht wrote.

"I would also extend that heartfelt apology to everyone in Germany who might feel embarrassed or annoyed by my actions here in Australia."

"I have since apologized unreservedly and often for any offence caused to anyone here who might have been upset by my costume."

Gumprecht uses the letter to explain the rationale behind his choice of costume.

"In this country, the day after a big achievement -- e.g. being grand finalists -- a team will celebrate by enjoying a few beers in costume," he wrote.

"In the spirit of fun, the team, as a group, will decide on a costume for each player."

"This costume will be dependant upon that player's personality and their public perception."

"Given the sense of humour of Australians, this usually means something that makes fun of the player and can border on bad taste."

"Given my German heritage, plus my committed approach on the field, it was decided that I should go as Hitler."

"As it was meant in the spirit of fun, I admit I never gave it much thought, although I didn't wear any Nazi insignia or trappings."

Whilst pointing out that his fellow players selected his costume, Gumprect accepted his responsibility for the gaffe.

"It should be understood that I am not seeking to pass the blame."

"I realize that I am ultimately responsible for my decisions and actions and that on this occasion, I made a mistake."

"I unreservedly apologise for my apparent insensitivity and lack of forethought and any offence caused."

"I can assure you that I will consider my actions much more carefully in the future."

The plane was stationed at Andersen Air Force Base on the Pacific island of Guam.

"The two pilots ejected prior to the crash," Lieutenant Colonel Doug Smith of the USAF.

"One of them was medically evaluated and released and the other is in a stable condition at a naval hospital."

The crash site attracted a large crowd of islanders.

"I heard a loud bang, saw some smoke and a co-worker called me and told me what happened," said Albert Saboy.

"My co-worker was driving the water truck with the air-con on and windows up, he could still feel the burst."

It is believed that the B-2s were moved from their usual base on US soil to the Pacific, in case of any enemies of America exploiting their current deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan to launch a surprise attack.

"Andersen Air Force Base has long had a squadron of heavy bombers, deployed there to be close to Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula," said Robert Kaplan, Distinguished Visiting Professor in National Security at the US Naval Academy,

The crash came as little surprise to military analysts.

“I guess you could say the B-2 was due,” said Owen Cote, a military specialist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“There’s not a plane in our inventory that hasn’t crashed."

"The odds were bound to catch up, even with a small force like the B-2.”

David Bermingham, Gary Mulgrew and Giles Darby conspired with former Enron Chief Financial Officer Andrew Fastow to defraud NatWest.

The trio persuaded NatWest to sell their stake in Enron venture LJM Cayman for the low price of US$1 million (£500,000) -- the stake was then sold on for US$19 million (£9.6 million), with the conspirators dividing US$7.3 million (£3.7 million) among themselves.

Judge Ewing Werlein ordered the three to pay back the US$7.3 million in order to 'regain their respect.'

He said that their former employer should recieve back 'every dollar or, over there, every pound.'

But Judge Werlein did pay tribute to 'the large amount of support each of you have been given by people who have seen your favourable qualities.'

"I wish you well in your future endeavours and I'm confident we will never see you before a court again," he said.

The verdict concludes a long running case -- they were first indicted in 2002, arrested in 2004, and were only extradited from the UK in 2006 after a legal battle.

But the court allowed the three to be released on bail, with the condition that they reside exclusively in Houston.

It is now hoped that the three can serve out the bulk of their sentence in a UK jail.

After paying back the money to Natwest and serving around half of their sentence in a US jail, they can apply to be transferred home.

For their part, the defendants were contrite and remorseful.

"At the time I didn't realise the implications of what was happening," said Darby in court.

"I failed to take the right course of action and I deeply regret that."

Mulgrew apologised 'unreservedly' for his deeds and said that they 'lacked integrity.'

"I'm just very glad this is over now," said Bermingham after the hearing.

"It's been a difficult time."

"We, the democratically elected leaders of our people, hereby declare Kosovo to be an independent and sovereign state," said the declaration.

"This declaration reflects the will of our people."

The declaration was read to the Kosovan parliament by Prime Minister Hashim Thaci.

Thaci was formerly a guerrilla commander during the 1998-99 war, fighting against the late Serb leader Slobodan Milosevic.

All 109 deputies present at the parliament voted unanimously with a show of hands.

The new Kosovan flag, with the outline of Kosovo in yellow on a blue background under six stars, was then carried into parliament.

"We feel the end of Serbia in Kosovo," said one onlooker.

"I can't believe I'm alive to see this day," said another.

Serbian Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica was quick to brand the newly autonomous Kosovo as 'a false state.'

In a televised address, he described the US backers of the regime in Kosovo as 'ready to violate the international order for its own military interests.'

Up to 2,000 aggrieved Serbs converged on the US embassy in Belgrade, hurling stones, smashing windows and lighting firecrackers.

In the Kosovo Serb stronghold of Mitrovica, three hand grenades were thrown at UN and EU buildings.

"We'll see what happens during the night," said one Serb in Mitrovica.

"There will be a lot of armed people here."

Russia, a long term ally of Serbia, called for an emergency session of the UN Security Council.

But such a move would be unlikely to deter the United States and most EU members from recognising Kosovo.

Thaci was careful to address Serbian concerns directly, saying that 'Kosovo is the homeland of all its citizens.'

He said than Kosovo's newly independent state would provide guarantees to the Serb minority, ensuring that they would not become second-class citizens.

"Today, a new life begins," the Kosovo daily newspaper Koha Ditore wrote.

"The past should not be forgotten, but it belongs to the past, and should be forgiven."

"The window will open when the shuttle is on the ground," said Army Lt. Gen. Carter Ham, Joint Staff director of operations at the Pentagon.

"All those who have a vested interest in this will then apply their best judgment as to when the best opportunity is to intercept the satellite."

Lt. Gen. Ham, acknowledged the difficulties involved in accurately targeting the satellite.

"It's a bit of an imprecise science at this point," he said.

The satellite is carrying 1,000 pounds of poisonous hydrazine fuel in a tank expected to survive re-entry, as well as a fuel tank liner made from toxic beryllium.

If the satellite is not shot down, the hydrazine could disperse into the atmosphere and severely damage lung tissue or cause death.

The Bush administration is now trying to convince foreign countries that the mission is not a secret weapons test.

If the missile is successful, there are concerns that it could be used as an offensive weapon against enemy orbiting communications and intelligence systems.

The State Department has instructed US diplomats around the world to inform their host governments that the mission is solely about protecting people.

"Our role is to reassure nations around the world as to the nature of what we are tying to do," said Sean McCormack, Assistant Secretary of State.

"It's an attempt to try to protect populations on the ground."

"This particular action is different than any actions that, for example, the Chinese may have taken in testing an anti-satellite weapon."

"The missions are quite different and the technical aspects of the missions are quite different."

Putin made the declaration whilst sharing a platform with Ukrainian leader Viktor Yushchenko.

The two leaders had met to resolve a long running dispute involving the supply of gas.

Whilst there is little popular support for Nato membership in Ukraine, Yushchenko has made no secret of his ambitions to join the alliance.

"That of course is Ukraine's internal process and we don't have the right -- and we won't interfere in this process," said Putin.

But, he added, 'that raises the question for Russia of the need for retaliatory actions.'

"It's frightening not just to talk about, but even to think about, that in response to such deployment, the possibility of such deployments -- and one can't theoretically exclude these deployments -- that Russia will have to point its warheads at Ukrainian territory," he said.

"Can you imagine that for a second? That is what we are concerned about."

Yushchenko responded by stating that Ukraine was entitled to dicate their own foreign and defense policies.

But he also emphasised that the Ukrainian constitution does not allow foreign military bases on their soil.

"You understand well that everything that Ukraine does in this direction is not in any way directed at any third country, including Russia," Yushchenko said.

Putin's remarks will cause concern around the world, especially after recent comments he made in a speech to the Russian State Council.

Last week, he warned that a 'new phase in the arms race is unfolding in the world' -- a move that some saw as an assertion that Russia was firmly back on the world stage.

In Ukraine, politicians backed Yushchenko's stance on Putin's comments.

"We are an independent state and will make our decisions regardless of what others say," said former defence minister Anatoly Grytsenko, a senior member of Yushchenko's party.

Putin's pronouncement came on the same day as it was revealed that he would be attending April's Nato summit in Bucharest, Romania.

"This yet again testifies to the fact that Russia is open to dialogue on any issue," said Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.