US/ IDA, THE POLAR BEAR, DIES AT 25: One of New York's Central Park Zoo's most beloved polar bears has died. Zoo officials announced early today that Ida, age 25, was euthanized Friday after veterinarians determined she had liver disease brought on by cancer. She was born in New York's Buffalo Zoo in 1985 and went to the Central Park Zoo when she was 2. She was seen by millions of guests through the years, often cuddling beside her male companion Gus, seen in the background in the 2nd photo above. New York City zoos director said Ida will be missed every day by staff and guests. He said millions of visitors have been inspired to care more about the plight of polar bears in the wild because of her. Ida's zookeepers were allowed to share quiet time with her before she was euthanized.
US/ RIGHT WINGERS ATTACK BANK OVER PRIDE FLAG: The Richmond Federal Reserve Bank's attempt to show inclusiveness in the workplace by flying the rainbow flag outside its building has reignited a divisive gay-rights debate. Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, is calling on the bank to remove the flag, terming its presence "a serious deficiency of judgment by your organization, one not limited to social issues". In a letter to the Richmond Fed President, Marshall says the homosexual behavior "celebrated" by the bank "undermines the American economy". "What does flying the homosexual flag, or any other similar display, have to do with your central banking mission under the Federal Reserve Act passed by Congress?" writes Marshall, one of the General Assembly's most conservative members. The Fed, which deems itself an independent entity within the federal government, placed the flag at the request of PRISM, a group of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender bank employees, to coincide with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month. A bank spokesman, said the flag was raised to fly for the month of June, and that there are no plans to change the timetable. It hangs under the American flag on a pole in front of the building. "We are flying the pride flag as an example of our commitment to the values of acceptance and inclusion," the bank's first vice president and chief operating officer, said earlier this week. The right wing hate group, Family Foundation, also attacked the pride flag, while Equality Virgina, a gay rights group, threw its full support behind the bank.
Yemen's president arrived in Saudi Arabia tonight to receive medical treatment, a day after being injured in an attack on a mosque in his palace. According to media reports, after his arrival in Riyadh, Ali Abdullah Saleh was taken to a nearby hospital. The Vice President of Yemen, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, has taken over Saleh's responsibilities as president. A senior Yemeni government official told reporters that Saleh was fine after sustaining a slight head injury in Friday's attack, and he gave a televised address later that night. But Saleh's medical condition is worse than first reported, according to new reports from Saudi Arabia. The attack killed 11 and critically injured 5 others. Meanwhile, the unrest in the impoverished Arab nation continued today.Tens of thousands of demonstrators congregated in Sanaa's Change Square today, pictured left, demanding the government resign. Human Rights Watch has confirmed the deaths of 166 people in attacks by security forces and pro-government assailants on largely peaceful protesters since February. It said at least 130 people have died in heavy fighting since May 23.
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