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US activist Robert Park has been freed from detention in North Korea
and is heading home to the US, officials say.
Mr Park left Pyongyang and arrived at the main airport in Beijing,
China. A US embassy official said he was likely to travel to the US
later on Saturday.
Mr Park, a religious activist, crossed into North Korea from China by
walking over a frozen river on 25 December.
North Korean authorities said on Thursday they had decided to “forgive
and release” Mr Park.
Mr Park was carrying a letter for the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il,
when he crossed the river.
He had reportedly wanted to highlight human rights issues in North
Korea, but was said before his release to have admitted his “mistake”
Mr Park, a US citizen of Korean ancestry from Tucson, Arizon, entered
North Korea on foot, walking across the frozen Tumen river.
According to his associates, 28-year-old Mr Park claimed he had seen a
vision from God of North Korea’s liberation and redemption.
On Friday Mr Park was reported to have confessed that he crossed the
border because his view of North Korea was based on false Western
propaganda.
He now fully realised that religious freedom is fully ensured in North
Korea, the country’s main news agency reported.
However, the statement has been dismissed as “propaganda” by Mr Park’s
colleagues.
In addition, analysts say his release could be seen as a goodwill
gesture by the North’s leader, reports the BBC’s Michael Bristow in
Beijing.
The two countries have been negotiating on a range of issues, including
the North’s covert nuclear weapons programme.
Mr Park becomes the third US citizen released in recent months.
In 2009, North Korea detained two US journalists on the border with
China.
Laura Ling and Euna Lee were sentenced to 12 years’ hard labour but
were freed as part of a diplomatic mission spearheaded by former US
President Bill Clinton in August after four months in captivity.

An Australian firm has signed a $60bn (AUS$69bn; £38bn) deal to supply
coal to Chinese power stations.
Clive Palmer, chairman of the company, Resourcehouse, said it was
Australia’s “biggest ever export contract”.
Under the deal, the firm will build a new mining complex to give China
Power International Development (CPI) 30m tonnes of coal a year for 20
years.
Analysts say it is further evidence of China’s strong demand for
resources boosting Australia’s economy.
Most of China’s power stations rely on coal – and demand has risen
sharply in recent months after a government stimulus programme re-
energised its economy.
The plan involves building a huge new mining complex in the Australian
state of Queensland, and laying 500km (311 miles) of railway line to
move the coal to the coast.
Resourcehouse’s executive director, Phil McNamara, said the “once-in-a
-century project” would include open-cast and underground mines, with
construction likely to begin later this year.
The complex in the Galilee basin, to be called China First, is expected
to start coal production in 2013 and will churn out some 40 million
tonnes a year.
Queensland state premier Anna Bligh anticipates the project will create
tens of thousands of jobs and produce multi-million dollar royalty
payments for the state government.
But the lucrative Sino-Australian deal will almost certainly disappoint
some environmental groups, says the BBC’s Phil Mercer in Sydney.
They believe Australia’s reliance on plentiful reserves of coal, both
for domestic electricity generation and for export, should be reduced
in favour of renewable sources of energy.
Analysts say the deal signals a thaw between the two nations, following
a string of incidents in 2009 that strained relations, from the arrest
in Shanghai of an Australian mining executive from Rio Tinto to the
high-profile visit to Australia of Uihgur activist leader Rebiya
Kadeer.
An attempt by the state-owned resources company, Chinalco, to buy into
the Anglo-Australia mining giant, Rio Tinto, also ended in acrimony.

Toyota is to recall the latest model of its flagship Prius cars because
of a possible fault with the brakes, reports from Japan say.
The firm did not comment on the reports, but said it would be
announcing soon what action it would take over problems with the Prius.
Toyota has already recalled about eight-million vehicles with faulty
accelerator pedals.
Company president Akio Toyoda has publicly apologised for the problems.
The brake problem is thought to affect about 270,000 Priuses that were
sold in the US and Japan starting last May. Toyota blames a software
glitch and says it has already fixed vehicles sold this year.
According to Japan’s largest newspaper, Yomiuri, Toyota has already
notified car dealers in Japan that it plans to recall its latest Prius
model. It will make a formal announcement after reporting to the
government, according to the reports.
It is unclear whether a similar total recall is planned for the US, but
dealers there have reportedly been told that Toyota plans to repair the
brakes on thousands of Prius vehicles.
The US Transportation Department said last week it was investigating
braking problems in the 2010 Toyota Prius after Toyota admitted brake
problems with the model.
The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has received 124
reports from drivers about the braking issue, including four of
crashes.
There have been no reports of any such accidents in the UK.
The US investigation will look into allegations of momentary loss of
braking power while travelling over uneven road surfaces. Toyota said
the glitch was not legally a safety hazard, and that it had received no
reports of any accidents related to it.
Toyota estimates its losses will reach $2bn (£1.23bn) in costs and lost
sales from its worldwide recall of vehicles that might have faulty
accelerator pedals, but a recall of Prius models would send this figure
even higher.
But these losses could escalate if the trust and reputation the company
built up over a period of decades is demolished, observers say.

The chairman of a Nepalese television station and satellite network has
been shot dead in the capital, Kathmandu.
Jamim Shah, the head of the Space Time Network, was gunned down by two
masked men on motorbikes near the French embassy in the Lazimpat
district.
Mr Shah died during treatment at a nearby hospital an hour later.
His Channel Nepal TV station was banned temporarily 10 years ago after
wrongly attributing anti-Nepal sentiments to a Bollywood star, sparking
riots.
It reported in December 2000 that Hrithik Roshan had said he “hated
Nepal and the Nepalese people”. Four people died in the violence that
followed and many Indian shops and businesses came under attack.
Mr Shah, a Nepali was of Kashmiri origin, was accused by the Indian
government of having links to a major Indian crime syndicate, and to
Pakistan’s ISI intelligence agency. He denied the allegations.
At one time, he ran two newspapers that have now closed, Space Time and
Space Time Today, and had a virtual monopoly on the distribution of
foreign TV channels though his satellite network.
Mr Shah’s driver, Mathura Man Malakar, was shot in the thigh in
Sunday’s incident. His condition is said to be stable.
Police said they were investigating the attack, but were not aware of
the motive. They reportedly know the motorbikes’ number plates.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has told a conference of the world’s top
defence officials in Germany that he is considering introducing
conscription.
The Afghan president said at the summit in Munich he wants to build an
army and police force of 300,000 by 2012.
His comments come as US-led forces are poised to launch a major
offensive in Helmand province against the Taliban.
The Nato commander, General Stanley McChrystal, said the operation
would “send a strong signal”.
Mr Karzai told the Munich conference that a number of Afghan community
leaders had urged him to consider conscription.
“Afghanistan should be able to provide security for its people, so we
are no longer a burden on the shoulders of the international community
and the partners that are there with us today,” he said.
The idea of reintroducing a military draft – which was used in
Afghanistan until 1992 – has been suggested before.
Afghan Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak said last week there was no
need for conscription as the army had no lack of recruits.
The Nato commander in Afghanistan, Gen McChrystal, promised a major
offensive about to begin in central Helmand would send a “strong signal
that the Afghan government is expanding its security control”.
Thousands of coalition and Afghan troops are converging for the
operation to capture the town of Marja, a Taliban stronghold.
The attack – codenamed Moshtarak, which means “together” in the Pashtun
language of southern Afghanistan – is expected to begin any day.
UK Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said on Sunday the British public
should be ready for military casualties once the offensive begins.
“We shouldn’t deny or pretend to people that … casualties are not a
very real risk on these kind of operations and people have to be
prepared for that,” he said.
Planning has been under way for weeks, with Nato helicopters dropping
leaflets on the area warning residents to flee.
Provincial officials said about 35,000 residents of Marja were taking
the advice and heading to other parts of Helmand.
One Marja resident, Gul Muhammed, told AFP news agency why he had left
town.
“There are Taliban all over the place and foreign troops around Marja,”
he said. “So I was scared that we might get hurt.”

Infection control procedures at an Edinburgh hospital have been
“reinforced” after a woman died from a Group A streptococcal infection.
The 86-year-old patient died in Liberton Hospital on Saturday.
The group A infection is caused by a bacterium usually found living
harmlessly on the skin, nose or throat. The ward is not accepting new
patients.
An elderly man, who had been an inpatient in the same hospital, is also
seriously ill with the infection.
He is currently being treated at the ERI.
Another elderly patient is currently undergoing tests and treatment at
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary after he showed symptoms similar to the
infection.
NHS Lothian said as a precaution, it had reinforced infection control
procedures in Liberton Hospital to help protect patients, staff and
visitors.
Tests are also underway to establish the source and strains of the
infection.
Dr Alison McCallum, NHS Lothian director of public health and health
policy, said: “Our thoughts are with the families at this time.
“Fortunately, in the vast majority of group A strep cases, patients
will only suffer mild symptoms and make a full recovery.
“However, group A strep can be serious for elderly people and others
with underlying health conditions.
“We have reinforced infection control measures in place to protect
patients, staff and visitors.”
The infection can result in a sore throat or skin infection such as
impetigo and can also cause respiratory infections.
There are about one to four serious cases per 100,000 population in
Scotland.

Hundreds of thousands remain without power exists in Washington and
neighboring countries after a snow storm covered the area of snow with
a record result.
The river was at least 300,000 households, as the snow cut felled trees
and cut power lines. Rescuers are struggling to restore power.
Washington was up to 2 feet (61 cm) of snow, one of the heaviest
snowfalls in decades.
The storm stopped the movement of West Virginia, Southern New Jersey.
A record number of 3 feet (91 cm) of snow fell in Maryland.
Washington DC, Virginia and Maryland have declared an emergency in
order to activate the National Guard to better cope with the attack of
winter.
Pepco Electric Company said workers struggling to restore power, but
beware, it could be several days before everyone was running.
Not We have many holidays and scattered road conditions are really
working with us, said spokesman Andrew Francis AFP.
The storm brought huge amounts of capital to almost full.
All flights conducted by the Washington National Airport canceled, as
most flights from Dulles International Airport in Virginia.
The 18in (46cm) at Reagan National Airport has added the fourth highest
total snowfall for the city. Although in Dulles, near Washington, has
broken the record with a 32in (81cm).
A meteorologist at the National Weather Service (NWS) to Dulles airport
told the BBC, snowstorms could reduce in the coming hours.
The NWS has canceled all storm warnings, but said Gusty winds could
lead to icy conditions, snow plows and reduced visibility along the
coastline on the Atlantic coast Sunday.
Even President Barack Obama has been the victim of snowmageddon as
the locals have – including the president – in sync.
A branch broke and fell into a convoy of Mr Obama, but nobody was
injured.
Everywhere in the region have reported hundreds of traffic accidents,
but died two deaths – father and son, and help other drivers in
Virginia.
US National Rail Service Amtrak canceled several trains between New
York and Washington, between Washington and certain destinations in the
south.

A Scottish pensioner has become one of only seven living people to hold
judo’s highest rank.
Martial arts expert George Kerr, 72, was named a “10th Dan” black belt
at a ceremony held by the International Judo Federation in Paris.
He is one of only five non-Japanese recipients of the award, which
honours his contribution to the sport.
Mr Kerr, who runs a judo club for 200 youngsters in Edinburgh, said he
was “humbled” by the award.
Fewer than 20 people have ever received the honour, which recognises Mr
Kerr’s contribution to the sport as a competitor, coach, referee and
administrator.
He received it in front of 14,000 people at the Grand Slam event in
Paris on Saturday.
Speaking from the French capital, Mr Kerr told BBC Scotland: “I feel
humbled and proud to be the first Scotsman to receive this award.
“I was slightly embarrassed because most of the people that get this
award are in their 80s while I am only 72 – and just a young 72 at
that.
“I felt there were a lot of people who deserved it more than I do, but
I suppose when you get this type of award it is like getting made a
lordship of your sport. It kind of takes the breath away from you.”
Mr Kerr, who was an inaugural member of the Scottish Sports Hall of
Fame in 2002 and has written several books on judo and its techniques,
insisted he had no plans to slow down as he grew older.
He added: “Don’t be silly. If you give up, if you retire, you die. I
will never retire. I just don’t work as hard as I used to work but
retiring is not on my horizon.
“I think the sport gives you many things in your life. It teaches you
discipline and honesty, many things that can contribute to young kids’
lives.
“It keeps them off the computer, and the biggest killer in our country
at the moment is not cancer it is obesity and obesity in children
unfortunately, so I think judo can contribute to fitness and health and
it would be a great thing for kids to take up.”
Mr Kerr was also honoured by the Japanese government last month for his
contribution to promoting understanding and friendship between Japan
and the UK.
He won the gold medal in the 1957 European Championships in Rotterdam
and a string of other awards, and is currently president of the British
Judo Association.

Former U.S. Vice President The presidential candidate Sarah Palin spoke
at the first U.S. Tea Party convention calls for a return to principles
conservato.
Speaking in Nashville, Palin said Obama President 2011 budget year,
immoral and said it would increase the U.S. debt.
The year-old Tea Party are moving many people, against Barack Obama
plans for health care reform and renewal of the president.
Palin said that future generations would pay the price if the
expenditure was not reduced.
It is easy to understand, why Americans shake their heads when
Washington has his trust with the people that these politicians will
break serve, he said to the agreement.
When warned that the United States drowning in debt , and many of us
are tired, said the former governor of Alaska received a standing
ovation.
The administration criticized Obama’s focus on the enemies of the
United States and its allies.
We have a foreign policy that distinguishes the American friends of his
enemies and the true nature of the threats we face have to recognize
said, Palin.
He praised the leaders of gravity upward The Tea Party, that his
success had politicians in Washington Running Scared.
I am a big supporter of this movement, he said, adding – in an allusion
to the name of The Tea Party, a reference to a famous protest against
the British colonial administration: Is America ready for a revolution
and in part this situation.
Nearly one year of the Tea Party influence in the fierce debate in the
United States won health care reform.
Members of the State assembled, the Tea Party, complained that the big
spending boost for the economy, losing in Washington and on Wall
Street, while a small town in America needs to buckle their belts.
And the coalition of conservatives are unhappy undoubtedly growing
influence – his support for Republican Scott Brown contributed to his
election last month as a senator from Massachusetts, says the BBC’s
Madeleine Morris, of the Nashville event part.
According to our correspondent movement organizers to form a Political
Action Committee have announced with a budget of 10 million U.S.
dollars, which will reach a maximum of 20 Conservative candidates in
the congressional elections in mid-November target
There was controversy about the use of paid lobbyists and PR agencies
in the conference and the rate of appearance of Palin: report as much
as $ 100,000.
Some activists have complained that the $ 500 (317) Registration fees
for the conference in Nashville.
But in an opinion article published on the U.S. site today, before the
conference, Ms. Palin said she did not benefit financially from the
floor to the event.
Instead, said he was due to its objective motivated [...] support base
to fight for responsible government limits – and our Constitution.

The home secretary has said the three Labour MPs and Tory peer charged
with offences relating to their expenses claims should face trial in
court.
All four deny the charges, with lawyers arguing that they may be
protected by parliamentary privilege.
Mr Johnson told the BBC people wanted to see MPs treated like everyone
else.
“They are entitled to a fair trial and the public… would be aghast if
they thought there was some special get out of jail card for
Parliamentarians.”
It is understood that lawyers for Labour MPs Elliot Morley, David
Chaytor and Jim Devine might claim their expenses are covered by
Parliamentary privilege, which traditionally protects them from being
sued for what they say in the Commons.
The politicians face charges of false accounting under section 17 of
the Theft Act 1968. If found guilty they face a maximum sentence of
seven years’ imprisonment.
In a joint statement, the three Labour MPs, who have been barred from
standing as Labour candidates in the general election, said: “We
totally refute any charges that we have committed an offence and we
will defend our position robustly.
“We maintain that this is an issue that should be resolved by the
parliamentary commissioner who is there to enforce any breach of the
rules.”
Announcing the decision to press charges on Friday, the Director of
Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer addressed the issue of Parliamentary
privilege.
“Lawyers representing those who have been charged have raised with us
the question of Parliamentary privilege,” he said.
“We have considered that question and concluded that the applicability
and extent of any Parliamentary privilege claimed should be tested in
court.”
Shadow foreign secretary William Hague told the Andrew Marr Show: “They
should face prosecution, in the courts. I am in no doubt about that.
“The Bill of Rights was intended to secure freedom of speech, the
freedom of speech of members of parliament to speak freely rather than
be at threat from an over-powerful monarch at the time.”