Joel Przybilla

Joel Przybilla (born October 10, 1979) is an American professional basketball player. A 7′1″ (2.16 m) center of Polish and German descent, he currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA. His nicknames include “The Vanilla Gorilla” and “The Thrilla’.

India Has to Confront China, Pakistan: Mishra

NEW DELHI: Former Indian National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra has said in the next five years India would face the danger of battling China and Pakistan simultaneously on both the east and the west fronts, which had never happened in the past. Mishra, who released two books on Chinese military thinking and India’s defence planning at the Observer Research Foundation here, blamed China of hegemonistic and very aggressive posture against India. “China is bent upon cutting India down to size.” He said China has become very aggressive against India – at Line of Control, in the writings in official media, think tanks and party media.

American Airlines Crash in Jamaica

KINGSTON: American Airlines Crash in Jamaica, Forty passengers were injured when an American Airlines jet crashed late Tuesday at Kingston’s international airport, Jamaican Information Minister Daryl Vaz told media. American Airlines Flight 331, carrying 148 passengers and six crewmembers, was en route from Miami to Kingston, the airline confirmed to media. The plane overshot the runway, according to local media reports. “The injured passengers have been taken to the Kingston Public Hospital,” Vaz told media, adding that there were no reports of fatalities. Local media said the Boeing 737 plane broke in two after landing in heavy rain at Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport at about 10:00 pm (0300 GMT Wednesday). American Airlines “will not speculate on the cause of the incident,” airline spokesman Billy Sanez said in a recorded statement.

Polling Underway in Balcohistan By-polls

QUETTA, Pakistan News: The polling continues in by-polls on Balcohistan Assembly’s seat PB-1 Quetta-1, which was vacated after the murder of provincial education minister Shafiq Khan. Shafiq Khan’s brother Tahir Mehmood of PPP is vying for the seat, while Mohammad Ali Shadezai is his rival. Around 65,000 voters comprise the said constituency, however due to the intense weather, the turnout is likely to remain low. The provincial government has stationed 328 people at 54 polling stations, while strict security arrangements have been made in this regard. The polling would continue till 5:00pm.

US 'balloon boy' parents must pay $42,000 rescue bill

A US couple who triggered a major alert by claiming their son was adrift in a helium balloon have been ordered to pay the $42,000 (£26,000) rescue bill. The Colorado couple reported in October their son had been carried away by the balloon - causing a media drama. Six-year-old Falcon Heene was finally found hiding at home. It later emerged the hoax was a bid to secure a TV deal. Falcon's parents have pleaded guilty to a number of charges and face a sentencing hearing on Wednesday. Their lawyer, David Lane, said on Tuesday that Richard Heene and his wife Mayumi had been ordered to pay restitution for the emergency services' rescue efforts.

China dissident Liu Xiaobo tried for subversion

Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo has gone on trial in Beijing on charges of "inciting subversion of state power". Mr Liu, a prominent government critic and veteran of the 1989 Tiananmen Square democracy protests, could be jailed for 15 years if convicted. He has been in jail since 2008, after being arrested for writing a document calling for political reform in China. The EU, US and rights groups say the trial is politically motivated and have called on Beijing to release Mr Liu. China has dismissed criticism of the trial as an "unacceptable" attempt to interfere in its internal affairs.