Fair Proxy Web

Sweet surprise: Lost diamond ring turns up in fudge

LAFAYETTE, Indiana (AP) — A woman whose diamond ring vanished while she was making fudge for a bake sale was despondent after scouring her home and finding no sign of it.

But Linda Vancel recently got a sweet surprise: A relative of the woman who bought the fudge found the ring when he bit into a piece of the candy.

It’s a very sentimental ring, Vancel said of the white gold ring her mother, who died 15 years ago, wore for 50 years before passing it on.

Linda Rhoades bought the fudge during a bake sale in West Lafayette. She took some of it to her sister-in-law’s father, Charles Red Matson, in hopes of cheering him up after recent health problems.

When Matson snacked on a piece of the fudge, he bit into something hard — the ring.

Rhoades said Matson called her and said, Well, Linda, it’s got chocolate all over it, but it doesn’t look adjustable. It’s got a stone that’s really shiny.

Vancel said she had scoured her home, even dumping the trash can on the kitchen floor to sort through the rubbish for the ring.

Finally she thought to track down Rhoades and sent her a long-shot e-mail, which Rhoades returned as soon as she got back from vacation.

It renews your faith in people, Vancel said. Sometimes there’s so much negative in the world, to hear a story like this is reassuring. E-mail to a friend

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Analysis: Bush’s Pakistan policy — forget ‘Plan B,’ time for ‘Plan C’

Ed Henry is a CNN White House correspondent.

CRAWFORD, Texas (CNN) — What’s next for the U.S. in Pakistan?

That’s the burning question President Bush must contemplate as he tries to get some down time for the New Year’s holiday.

He has a slew of foreign policy challenges to confront in 2008 — ranging from Iraq to Afghanistan, Iran and North Korea to name just a few.

Perhaps none is as pressing on January 1 as the unfolding crisis in the wake of the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

The stakes for the U.S. are enormous, from the fear of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons getting into the hands of extremists to questions about whether President Pervez Musharraf is focused hard enough on the war on terror and hunting down Osama bin Laden.

The Bush administration finds itself in a box after sticking so long with the policy of standing by Musharraf’s side at all costs, and it has little choice but to stay with him now, otherwise the White House would run the risk of making Pakistan even less stable.

So do not expect Bush’s policy to shift much at all, despite questions about whether Musharraf has misused billions of dollars in U.S. aid intended to fight terror. He has been an absolute reliable partner in dealing with extremists and radicals, Bush told CNN’s Wolf Blitzer in November.

But with Musharraf’s grip on his government slipping, the Bush administration had recently turned to what you might call Pan B, a potential power-sharing pact between Bhutto and Musharraf.

In the wake of Bhutto’s murder, the U.S. faces a bunch of bad options, so the White House is now searching for what might be dubbed Plan C — finding someone to unite a nation teetering on the brink.

That’s the key dynamic to watch now and that will determine whether Musharraf and others in the country can move ahead, said Daniel Markey of the Council of Foreign Relations.

One option is former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The U.S. had kept its distance from him because of his connections to Islamist parties, but in light of the current disarray the Bush administration is taking another look.

Another option would be for the U.S. to scrap the goal of democracy and let Musharraf focus on cracking down on extremists. But Bush is committed to his Freedom Agenda, spreading democracy around the world, and U.S. officials say they still want free and fair elections in Pakistan as early as next month.

The most acceptable option may be that the winner of the elections form a partnership with Musharraf. But finding someone to fill the Bhutto half of the partnership will obviously be a Herculean task.

Those elections are scheduled to take place on January 8, coincidentally the very same day Bush is headed to Israel for a mission that was supposed to focus on Israeli-Palestinian peace. But the issue of broader stability of the Mideast has suddenly shot to the top of that trip’s agenda.
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Sharapova: Women’s tennis is clean

SINGAPORE (AP) — Maria Sharapova has praised the WTA Tour for taking the necessary precautions to remain clean while men’s tennis is hurt by allegations of match-fixing and illegal betting.

Sharapova said on Saturday, on the eve of an exhibition match against fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze, that she was impressed by the actions of WTA Tour chief executive and chairman Larry Scott.

He is doing all the things possible, from having meetings throughout the year to encouraging players to be safe and smart about their choices, the 20-year-old world No. 5 said.

Unfortunately we have to be realistic about the fact that some of these things do go on — but at the end of the day, I believe that women’s tennis is doing a great job of being clean.

Concerns about match-fixing in men’s tennis have risen since August, when an online betting company reported unusual betting patterns during a match between fourth-ranked Nikolay Davydenko of Russia and Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina.

Since then, several players have said they were approached with offers to fix matches for money.

The ATP, which recently introduced new anti-corruption rules, suspended Italians Potito Starace and Daniele Bracciali for making bets on tennis matches involving other players.

Sharapova also praised the new surface to be used at the Australian Open next month. Firmer Plexicushion has replaced the Rebound Ace court surface at Melbourne Park.

Especially in extreme heat, the court gets very sticky and a lot of injuries can occur, Sharapova said. So I’m very excited about it, and it will be good to have a good week of practice before to get used to it.

Organizers expect the new surface will produce a lower ball bounce and retain less heat.
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Purported bin Laden message has warnings for Iraq, Israel

CAIRO, Egypt (AP) — Osama bin Laden warned Iraq’s Sunni Arabs against fighting al-Qaeda and vowed to expand the terror group’s holy war to Israel in a new audiotape Saturday, threatening blood for blood, destruction for destruction.

Most of the 56-minute tape dealt with Iraq, apparently al-Qaeda’s latest attempt to keep supporters in Iraq unified at a time when the U.S. military claims to have al-Qaeda’s Iraq branch on the run.

The tape did not mention Pakistan or the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, though Pakistan’s government has blamed al-Qaeda and the Taliban for her death on Thursday.

That suggested the tape was made before the assassination.

Bin Laden’s comments offered an unusually direct attack on Israel, stepping up al-Qaeda’s attempts to use the Israeli-Arab conflict to rally supporters.

Israel has warned of growing al-Qaeda activity in Palestinian territory, though terror network is not believed to have taken a strong role there so far.

We intend to liberate Palestine, the whole of Palestine from the (Jordan) river to the sea, he said, threatening blood for blood, destruction for destruction.

We will not recognize even one inch for Jews in the land of Palestine as other Muslim leaders have, bin Laden said.

In Iraq, a number of Sunni Arab tribes in western Anbar province have formed a coalition fighting al-Qaeda-linked insurgents that U.S. officials credit for deeply reducing violence in the province. The U.S. military has been working to form similar Awakening Councils in other areas of Iraq.

Bin Laden said Sunni Arabs who have joined the Awakening Councils have betrayed the nation and brought disgrace and shame to their people. They will suffer in life and in the afterlife.

White House spokesman Tony Fratto said bin Laden’s tape shows that al-Qaeda’s aim is to block democracy and freedom for all Iraqis.

It also reminds us that the mission to defeat al-Qaeda in Iraq is critically important and must succeed, Fratto said. The Iraqi people — every day, and in increasing numbers — are choosing freedom and standing against the murderous, hateful ideology of AQI. And we stand with them.

Several hours before the tape was issued, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, said al-Qaeda was becoming increasingly fearful of losing the support of Sunni Arabs and had begun targeting the leaders of the Awakening Councils.

Petraeus said al-Qaeda attaches enormous importance to these tribes that have turned against them, and to the general sense that Sunni Arab communities have rejected them more and more around Iraq.

They are trying to counter this and they have done so by attacking them, which is increasingly turning Sunnis against al-Qaeda, he said.

In the audiotape, bin Laden denounced Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha, the former leader of the Anbar Awakening Council, who was killed in a September bombing claimed by al-Qaeda.

The most evil of the traitors are those who trade away their religion for the sake of their mortal life, bin Laden said.

Bin Laden said U.S. and Iraqi officials are seeking to set up a national unity government joining the country’s Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds.

Our duty is to foil these dangerous schemes, which try to prevent the establishment of an Islamic state in Iraq, which would be a wall of resistance against American schemes to divide Iraq, he said.

He called on Iraq’s Sunni Arabs to rally behind the Islamic State of Iraq, the insurgent umbrella group led by al-Qaeda. Besides the Awakening Councils, some Sunni insurgent groups that continue to fight the Americans have rejected the Islamic State.

Bin Laden said Sunnis should pledge their allegiance to Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, the little known emir or leader of the Islamic State of Iraq. U.S. officials have claimed that al-Baghdadi does not exist, saying al-Qaeda created the name to give its coalition the illusion of an Iraqi leadership.

Failure to give allegiance to the emir after he has been endorsed leads to great evils, bin Laden warned. Emir Abu Omar would rather have his neck severed than betray the Muslims … Emir Abu Omar and his brothers are not one of those who accept compromise or meeting the enemy halfway.

The authenticity of the tape could not be independently confirmed. But the voice resembled that of bin Laden. The tape was posted on an Islamic militant Web site where al-Qaeda’s media arm, Al-Sahab, issues the group’s messages.

The tape was the fifth message released by bin Laden this year, a flurry of activity after he went more than a year without issuing any tapes. The messages began with a September 8 video that showed bin Laden for the first time in nearly three years. The other messages this year have been audiotapes.

In an October tape, bin Laden sought to patch up splits between Iraqi insurgent factions, urging them to unite with the Islamic State of Iraq — the insurgent coalition led by al-Qaeda. He took a conciliatory stance, chiding even al-Qaeda’s followers for being too extremist in their positions toward other insurgents.

Bin Laden’s deputy Ayman al-Zawahri took a sharper tone in a December 16 video, branding as traitors those who work with the anti-Qaeda tribal councils and calling for Sunnis to purge anyone cooperating with the Americans.
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Arsenal lead again as United crash

LONDON, England — Arsenal returned to the top of the English Premier League with a 4-1 victory away to Everton in Saturday’s late match as both sides finished the game with 10 men.

Previous leaders Manchester United earlier crashed to a 2-1 defeat at West Ham as top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo missed a second-half penalty.

Arsenal will begin 2008 two points clear at the top of the table after coming from behind in fine style at Goodison Park.

Striker Eduardo Da Silva netted twice after Tim Cahill put the home side ahead on 19 minutes, while substitutes Emmanuel Adebayor and Tomas Rosicky sealed the victory with goals in the last 12 minutes.

Arsenal striker Nicklas Bendtner and Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta were dismissed in separate incidents towards the end.

Cahill was credited with the opening goal after Bendtner failed to clear Arteta’s corner, and the Australia international stabbed home as he beat team-mate Yakubu to the ball.

Summer signing Eduardo leveled just after half-time with his first Premier League goal for Arsenal, controlling Gael Clichy’s long pass on his body and then beating goalkeeper Tim Howard.

Yakubu headed wide at the other end before the Brazil-born Croatia forward scored again on 57 with his ninth goal in 10 games in all competitions, gathering Bendtner’s flick-on and racing clear after Phil Jagielka slipped.

Bendtner picked up his second yellow card in the 74th minute for a foul on Everton substitute Andy Johnson, but Arsenal went further ahead with a farcical third goal.

Abebayor took advantage of a mix-up between Joseph Yobo and Howard after a long goalkick from Manuel Almunia, running the ball into the net after he stabbed the ball past the home side’s goalkeeper.

Everton were also reduced to 10 men when Arteta was shown a straight red on 84 after his arm arm caught Cesc Fabregas in the face and his fellow Spaniard hurled himself to the ground.

Fabregas was booked for a foul on Steven Pienaar before being replaced by Rosicky, with the Czech wrapping up victory from the edge of the box in injury-time.

United were in early trouble at Upton Park as Hayden Mullins hit the visitors’ crossbar and Mark Noble somehow sidefooted over from the rebound, but Ronaldo put Alex Ferguson’s side ahead in the 14th minute.

The Portugal winger headed in at the near post from Ryan Giggs’ cross following a fine counter-attack started by striker Carlos Tevez, whose goals last season helped West Ham avoid relegation.

Nolberto Solano was denied from 25 yards by United keeper Tomasz Kuszczak and Carlton Cole headed over before Ronaldo dragged a good chance wide.

West Ham lost Solano and fellow midfielder Scott Parker to injury in the second spell, then Ronaldo blazed wide from the spot in the 66th minute after American center-back Jonathan Spector handled his pass in the box.

The Hammers took heart from the escape, and equalized 11 minutes later when substitute Anton Ferdinand powerfully headed home Noble’s corner.

And fellow center-back Matthew Upson netted West Ham’s winner in the 82nd minute with a header from Noble’s free-kick.

Third-placed Chelsea closed the gap on United to five points with a controversial 2-1 victory at home to Newcastle.

Striker Salomon Kalou netted an 87th-minute winner despite appearing to be in an offside position as he pounced on a loose ball after Jon Obi Mikel’s shot hit Chelsea substitute Claudio Pizarro.

Michael Essien put the home side ahead in the 29th minute with only his third goal this season after Shaun Wright-Phillips’ effort dropped kindly for him.

Newcastle leveled when midfielder Nicky Butt bundled in Charles N’Zogbia’s cross while under pressure from Chelsea’s Wayne Bridge in the 56th minute.

Keeper Shay Given made a string of fine saves for the visitors, who were beaten at struggling Wigan on Wednesday.

Tottenham followed up the 5-1 Boxing Day victory against London rivals Fulham with an astonishing 6-4 win at home to Reading.

Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov netted four goals as Spurs came from behind three times to stun a battling Royals side who were beaten 7-4 at Reading earlier this season.

Berbatov put the home side ahead in the seventh minute from strike partner Robbie Keane’s cross, but Kalifa Cisse leveled nine minutes later.

Ivar Ingimarsson headed in Nicky Shorey’s corner on 53 but substitute Jermain Defoe set up Berbatov 10 minutes later.

Striker Paul Kitson put Reading ahead again from a Shorey set-piece before Berbatov’s hat-trick on 73, then scored his second just 60 seconds later to make it 4-3.

Midfielder Steed Malbranque leveled before Defoe capped a sequence of five goals in 10 minutes when he followed up after Marcus Hahnemann saved Keane’s penalty-kick, before Berbatov sealed victory seven minutes from time.

Aston Villa kept in touch with the top six with a first victory in six outings after coming from behind to win 2-1 at Wigan, who dropped into the bottom three.

Titus Bramble’s header from a Ryan Taylor corner put the home side ahead in the 28th minute, with the defender scoring for the first time since August 2006.

But Villa, who lost Norway forward John Carew to injury early on, hit back in the second half as center-back Curtis Davies — making his first Premier League start since joining from West Brom in the summer — nodded in Gareth Barry’s corner 10 minutes after half-time.

England Under-21 striker Gabriel Agbonlahor headed the winner off the underside of the crossbar in the 70th minute from Ashley Young’s cross.

Sunderland moved out of the relegation, a point above Wigan, after beating Bolton 3-1 at home.

Summer signing Kieran Richardson, starting his first match since August following injury problems, fired Sunderland’s opener in the 13th minute after being set up by striker Kenwyne Jones — who made it 2-0 with a near-post header from a corner on 32.

El-Hadji Diouf’s 30-yard free-kick evaded everyone in the penalty box to reduce the deficit five minutes before half-time, but Daryl Murphy settled Sunderland’s nerves in the 90th minute as Roy Keane’s side notched a first win in five games.

Fulham remained second from bottom despite earning a 1-1 draw at Birmingham in Ray Lewington’s last match as caretaker manager.

With new boss Roy Hodgson watching from the stands, American defender Carlos Bocanegra put the visitors ahead in the eighth minute with a header from a corner by Simon Davies.

But Sebastian Larsson equalized from 20 yards out in the 55th minute, and Fulham ended the match with 10 men after Hameur Bouazza was sent off with 11 minutes to play.

Middlesbrough moved away from the relegation zone with a 1-0 victory at UEFA Cup hopefuls Portsmouth, who have slipped down the table after taking just one point from the last four matches.

Turkish striker Tuncay Sanli scored the winner in the 20th minute with his fourth goal in six games after goalkeeper David James could only parry a cross-shot from former Portsmouth midfielder Gary O’Neil.
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