Thursday, August 25, 2011

** Swiss paramedic’s solar powered yacht project 2/3 done circumnavigating world

** LA police chief takes heat over arrest of suspect in California paramedic’s beating

CHINA NEWS

** A former Swiss paramedic’s aim to circumnavigate the world via solar powered yacht is one step closer to reality, with the Turanor Planet Solar departing Hong Kong for Singapore Tuesday. That is the word from the New York Times (Bettina Wassener/August 18) which said the New Zealand designed vessel has now completed 2/3 of its journey. Beginning in Monaco in September 2010, the ship has now covered 24,000 miles. The brainchild of medic/rescue specialist turned mountain guide Raphael Domjan, the project is aimed at demonstrating alternatives to fuel based propulsion.

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Los Angeles’ police chief is taking heat for wrongfully arresting a gang leader in the March beating of EMT Bryan Stow. KION (August 19) said Charlie Beck has defended detaining Giovanni Ramirez. Beck said the perception being trotted out that he was hiding from discussing the arrest is false. Ramirez, who is currently in a San Diego jail cell for a parole violation, was taken into custody after a tip from his parole officer. Two suspects have now been charged in the March 31st incident at Dodger Stadium. Stow, meanwhile, continues to recover from brain injuries at a San Francisco hospital.