hBrazil's new president reaches out to Castro
hBrazil's new presidentreaches out to Castro
BRASILIA, Brazil -- Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gives the two thumbs-up signs after putting on the presidential sash during his swearing-in ceremony in Brasilia.
The country's new leftist president started his first full day on the job today by meeting embattled Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and scheduling dinner with Cuba's Fidel Castro.
After being inaugurated Wednesday, Silva, a former radical union leader, had meetings scheduled today with top officials from eight foreign countries -- including Portugal, Canada, Sweden and Germany.
Silva first held a breakfast meeting with Chavez, who left his country despite a crippling, monthlong strike aimed at ousting him.
Silva originally was scheduled to have lunch with Castro, but Castro's name was not on the presidential schedule. Local media reported today that Castro would have dinner with Silva.
In an interview with Associated Press Television News before Silva's inauguration, Castro praised the new president and said relations between Brazil and Cuba will intensify.
"I wished on Jan. 1 what could be wished to our beloved brother," Castro said. "Cuba loves Lula very much and feels very happy."
Castro looked healthy and showed no signs of difficulty walking after recovering from a leg infection that kept him out of sight for nearly two weeks last month.
Silva, Brazil's first elected leftist president, counts Chavez and Castro as friends, and they sat in the front row of Congress when he was sworn in.
U.S. asks Israelto suspend arms sales
JERUSALEM -- The United States has asked Israel to suspend sales of military equipment to China over concerns that the technology could be used to threaten Taiwan, officials and the media said today.
Israeli government officials were surprised by the U.S. request but had to comply in order not to jeopardize Washington's massive defense assistance program to Israel, the Haaretz daily said.
Two years ago, Israel pulled out of a deal to supply China with a sophisticated airborne radar system after the Pentagon warned that the early warning planes could be used in an armed conflict with Taiwan. Israel was forced to pay $350 million as compensation after it canceled the contract.
Beijing considers Taiwan a rebellious province and wants it to reunite with China. An improvement in China's military capabilities could intimidate Taiwan into agreeing to integration on Beijing's terms or help conquer it if peaceful means fail.
Military ties between Israel and China have grown quickly over the past decade, and Haaretz said some Israeli officials believe the real reason for Washington's opposition stemmed from the fact that U.S. defense companies were trying to break into China's market and wanted to eliminate their Israeli competitors.
Cops find baby deadin arms of sleeping dad
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- A 2-month-old baby was found suffocated in the arms of his sleeping father early New Year's, police said.
It was apparently an accident, authorities said.
A neighbor checking on Rickey Forcer's family called police when she got no answer about 3:30 a.m., authorities said. Officers discovered the baby and his father, and Rickey was pronounced dead at Rochester General Hospital.
Police have not ruled his death a homicide but are treating it as suspicious, Sgt. Carlos Garcia said.
Officers responded the evening before to a domestic dispute between the boy's father, also Rickey Forcer, and his mother, Tanja Scales, who agreed to leave in a cab, Garcia said.
At this point, "there does not appear to be any intent in terms of causing the child's death," Police Chief Robert Duffy told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Police considered the possibility alcohol might have been a factor in the death, the paper reported.
A ruling from a medical examiner was pending Wednesday night.