NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

US/ ENDEAVOUR BLASTS INTO SPACE: Space shuttle Endeavour blasted to space on its final mission today, carrying a long-grounded $2-billion astrophysics device and a little bit of the hearts of thousands of space shuttle workers. Endeavour's launch was watched by perhaps a half-million people crowding the Brevard County coastline, seeking a chance to witness what should be the next-to-last launch in the 30-year history of the shuttle program. Among those with top vantage points at Kennedy Space Center was US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., whose husband, Navy Capt. Mark Kelly, commanded the Endeavour in his 4th flight into space. Giffords, amid what her doctors have labeled a "miraculous recovery" from a gunshot wound to the head from a gunman who killed 6 and wounded 12 in a January assassination attempt, made the trip from a rehabilitation hospital in Houston to watch the launch. Minutes after the launch, Giffords' Twitter account called out to the full Endeavour crew with a tweet, "God Speed-We'll see you in about two weeks". Endeavour is on a 16 day mission to deliver equipment, supplies and the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the International Space Station.

US/ PHOENIX SUNS PRESIDENT COMES OUT: Rick Welts, the president and chief executive of the NBA Phoenix Suns basketball team, has come out as gay.  He made the announcement in a newspaper interview with The New York Times this weekend. The 58 year old, who has been involved in basketball for more than 40 years, said he wanted to break down one of the last social barriers in sport. Before coming out in the interview, Welts spoke to NBA commissioner David Stern, WNBA president Val Ackerman and players Bill Russell and Steve Nash. He told the newspaper: “This is one of the last industries where the subject is off limits. Nobody’s comfortable in engaging in a conversation". Welts, who began his career as a ballboy, was out only to his parents and sister. His longterm partner Arnie died of complications of AIDS in 1994. Stern said he sensed that Welts was gay but felt unable to broach the subject, even when Welts called him in tears after Arnie’s death. Speaking about last month’s meeting, when Welts came out, Stern said: “What I didn’t say at the time was: I think there’s a good chance the world will find this unremarkable. I don’t know if I was confusing my thoughts with my hopes". Welts says he plans to encourage others to be open about their sexuality, especially young people in sports.

US/ TRUMP SAYS HE WILL NOT RUN FOR PRESIDENT: Donald Trump, whose public flirtation with a presidential run has overshadowed the early stages of the Republican primary race, announced today that he will not be a candidate in 2012. Speaking at an event to announce NBC's fall network lineup in New York, Trump said he would continue hosting his reality show, "Celebrity Apprentice." "I will not be running for president, as much as I'd like to," he said. In a statement, Trump said the decision "does not come easily or without a regret," and said that he believes that had he run, he could have won. Although Trump insisted his talk of running was serious, many considered it nothing more than a flirtation and to garner publicity for his television show and businesses.

US/ CHICAGO'S NEW MAYOR TAKES OFFICE: Rahm Emanuel took the oath of office today to become Chicago's 46th mayor. The city's new mayor then laid out the challenges ahead: Improving schools, ending gun violence and downsizing a city government taxpayers can no longer afford. And he asked Chicagoans, the City Council and the business community to help him. Emanuel became Chicago's 1st new Mayor in 22 years. Emanuel also paid tribute to the outgoing Mayor, Richard Daley, who was on hand with his wife, who is battling cancer, for the ceremonies today.

US/ THE SAHARA CLOSES IN VEGAS TODAY: The Moroccan-themed Sahara hotel and casino closes in Las Vegas today, ending a 59 year run. Once a hangout for Elvis Presley and the Beatles, the resort was stricken in recent years by the recession. In its heyday, the Sahara was a favorite haunt of the Frank Sinatra-led Rat Pack, featuring Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., who also performed there. The resort even had a cameo in the original "Ocean's Eleven" movie. In 2007, new owners took over and vowed to reinvigorate the property. But in March, the company, SBE Entertainment, announced that continuing business was "no longer economically viable". More than 1000 employees will lose their jobs.

WORLD/ TAIWAN'S PANDA MAY BE EXPECTING: Reports from Taiwan say the country is in a state of excited speculation, as many believe that Yuan Yuan, the giant panda, is expecting. She is 1 of 2 giant pandas given to Taiwan by China in 2008 to symbolize improving relations between the 2 countries. The Taipei Zoo says Yuan Yuan is showing signs of pregnancy - sleeping more, eating less and is unusually cranky. Experts at her birthplace in Sichuan told zoo keepers that her mother showed the same signs when she was expecting. Yuan Yuan was artificially inseminated in February, because the panda pair, pictured, showed a disappointing lack of interest in each other. Zoologists believe they are simply too young and inexperienced. But it will not be until June or July that Yuan Yuan's keepers will know for sure if she is pregnant, just 2 weeks before the birth. Panda embryos are so tiny they do not show up on early ultrasound scans. And Yuan Yuan objects most examinations, so officials are leaving her well alone. 

WORLD/ BOMB THREAT ISSUED IN LONDON: A bomb threat for London has been issued by Irish dissidents in the 1st coded warning outside Northern Ireland in 10 years, officials say. Whitehall officials said the call with the coded warning came from a number in the Irish Republic on Sunday evening. The threat level for Northern Ireland-related terrorism, which stands at severe, has not been changed. Streets around the Mall were closed this morning in a security alert which police said was unrelated. The warning comes ahead of the Queen's historic visit to the Republic of Ireland on Tuesday, amid a massive security operation. The Metropolitan Police said the threat was not specific regarding location or time.

WORLD/ JAPAN EXTENDS EVACUATION ZONE AROUND FUKUSHIMA PLANT: Residents have been moved further away from the crippled Fukushima nuclear plant in northern Japan as the no-go zone is extended and there is a new setback at the plant. Residents of the towns of Kawamata and Iitate were sent to evacuation centres. Attempts to stabilize 1 of the plant's stricken reactors have had to be halted amid fears that highly radioactive water is leaking. The power plant was badly damaged by the 9.0 earthquake and tsunami on March 11. More than 80,000 local residents living within a 20km radius of the plant have been evacuated from their homes. A "stay indoors" policy has been operating in the area 20-30km from the plant. A wider evacuation zone was decided upon last month as radiation levels were expected to increase, making the move necessary. The towns are more than 30km from the Fukushima plant, which is continuing to leak radioactive material. About 5000 people have been moved into public housing, hotels and other facilities in nearby cities. Theses 1st evacuees were reported to be mainly those with small children and pregnant women, who are thought to be more vulnerable. The Mayor of Kawamata told the 1st group of evacuees: ''I know you are worried but we will overcome difficulties together". More evacuations are expected in the coming days.

WORLD/ NEW ZEALAND DECLARES LAST 9 QUAKE VICTIMS DEAD: The 9 final victims of New Zealand’s devastating earthquake earlier this year, were declared dead today, ending an agonizing wait for families of people whose remains have not been found in the wreckage. Even DNA testing proved unable to identify 9 of the 181 victims killed in ruined parts of the city of Christchurch in the February 22 quake, so the government set up a special coroner’s inquest to examine other evidence. The Chief coroner  made his official finding of death for 9 people whose mobile phones, bank accounts and passports have not been used and whose remains could not be located. He concluded they died from traumatic injuries as a result of the quake. He said their families deserved closure. The 9 were 6 women and 3 men. They were from China, the Philippines, Peru and Russia, some visiting and some living in New Zealand. Witnesses reported seeing all 9 in the Canterbury Television Building before the earthquake, but no one had seen any of them since. A total of 115 lives were lost in the CTV building, pictured, which totally collapsed and burned. The magnitude 6.3 earthquake is one of New Zealand’s worst disasters. Some 10,000 houses and nearly 1000 downtown commercial buildings will have to be demolished and some parts of suburban Christchurch likely will have to be abandoned altogether. The quake is New Zealand’s most expensive natural disaster, costing an estimated $15 billion.

WORLD/ ICC SEEKS GADDAFI ARREST: The International Criminal Court chief prosecutor is seeking the arrest of Libyan leader Col Muammar Gaddafi and two others for crimes against humanity. Luis Moreno-Ocampo said Col Gaddafi, his son Saif al-Islam, and intelligence chief Abdullah al-Sanussi bore the greatest responsibility for "widespread and systematic attacks" on civilians. ICC judges must still decide whether or not to issue warrants for their arrest. The Libyan government has already said it will ignore the announcement.

WORLD/ UGANDA'S ANTI-GAY BILL SHELVED: Uganda's parliament has adjourned without debating a controversial bill which includes the death penalty for some homosexual acts. The Anti-Homosexuality Bill has been condemned by Western leaders and human rights groups. The bill, 1st introduced in 2009, could still be brought up when the new parliament meets later this year. Uganda is a largely conservative society and many people condemn homosexuality both as un-African and un-Christian. But in recent years, some gay rights groups have been set up in the country. Homosexual acts are already illegal in Uganda but the bill would increase the penalty for those convicted to life in prison

WORLD/ KENYA'S OLYMPIAN WANJIRU DIES AT 24: The Kenyan Olympic marathon champion, Samuel "Sammy" Wanjiru, has died after falling from a first-floor balcony at his home in the town of Nyahururu. Police say they are investigating whether it was suicide or an accident. The 24 year old won in Beijing in 2008 in an Olympic record time, pictured, becoming Kenya's 1st marathon champion. A National police spokesman said Wanjiru killed himself but the Nyahururu police chief  said it may have been an accident during a confrontation with his wife. The dispute began when his wife found Wanjiru with a female friend in their home in the town 93 miles NW of Nairobi. She then locked both of them in the bedroom and ran outside. Wanjiru them ran out onto the balcony and leapt from the balcony. Wanjiru suffered internal injuries as a result of the fall and was pronounced dead in hospital after attempts to revive him failed. Police are currently questioning both women about the incident.