Syria observers visit more cities

29 December 2011 Last updated at 07:51 ET

Anti-government protests continue across Syria despite the crackdown

Arab League monitors are visiting three more troubled Syrian cities to check if government forces are complying with a peace plan.

The observers, split into teams of about 10, travelled to Hama, Idlib and Deraa, where anti-government protesters continue to clash with security forces.

Unconfirmed reports say violence has broken out in the Damascus suburb of Douma, also being visited by monitors.

The observers earlier visited Homs - a focal point of the unrest.

The team's leader caused controversy by saying he had seen "nothing frightening" on his visit there.

Sudanese General Mustafa al-Dabi later said he needed more time to make an assessment of the city.

Tear gas

During their visit to Homs, the observers were mobbed by anti-government protesters demanding protection.

Correspondents say they are likely to encounter similar scenes on Thursday when they visit Deraa, Hama and Idlib on the third day of their mission.

The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told AFP agency that at least two protesters had been shot dead in Douma "as Arab observers arrived at the city hall".

Protesters in Hama - north of Homs - have tried for two days to stage demonstrations in the city centre, only to be dispersed by security forces firing tear gas and live ammunition, reports say.

An activist there, Manhal Abo Baker, told the BBC's World Today programme that it was almost impossible to speak to the observers without the authorities knowing.

"We can't communicate with the inspectors. The inspectors are watched all the time by the regime thugs and the shabiha (militia)," he said.

"If they saw me and saw that I was talking to them... they would run after me and if I was caught I would be dead for sure."

Another activist, Abu Hisham, said people were going down into the streets of Hama to await the delegation, Reuters reported.

Security was heavy and marksmen were seen on rooftops, witnesses said.

Violence is also reported to be continuing in Idlib. In Deraa on Tuesday, rebels shot at an army convoy killing four soldiers.

Although the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began with peaceful demonstrations, many army deserters and civilians have since taken up arms against the government.

The BBC's Jim Muir, in neighbouring Lebanon, says observers are coming under criticism from activists for not being outspoken enough and for being dependent on the government for transport and security.

He says the Arab League is under strong pressure to produce decisive results.

Activists said nearly 40 people died during the first two days of the observers' mission.

Casualty figures and other information are hard to verify as most foreign media are barred from Syria.

Gen Dabi has defended the Arab League mission, saying it is still in its early days.

The US has also urged activists to give Gen Dabi and his team a chance.

China, a key Syrian ally, said on Thursday it welcomed the observers' "objective investigations".

A foreign ministry spokesman said China hoped all parties could work towards "the proper settlement of Syria's crisis", Xinhua news agency reported.

The mission currently consists of 66 observers and is expected to rise to between 200 and 300. It is to assess an initiative - agreed with Damascus after weeks of prevarication - requiring all armed forces to withdraw from areas of conflict.

Damascus has pledged to allow the monitors full freedom of movement.

On Wednesday, Syria released 755 people detained during the uprising. State TV said their "hands were not stained with blood".

The UN says more than 14,000 people are in detention and 5,000 have been killed as a result of the state's crackdown.

Human rights activists believe as many as 40,000 people are being held.

President Assad says government forces are fighting armed gangs and that more than 2,000 security personnel have been killed.

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Ancient Whale Bones Discovered in Desert, Parents Outraged by Hooters Waitress’s Visit to Special-Needs School

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Paleontologists in Chile have made a surprising discovery in the desert. Scientists uncovered what appears to be a massive graveyard of whale bones in

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Copiapo, more than a half-mile from the ocean. More than 80 whales, including 25 complete skeletons, were found in one of the driest deserts in the world. There is currently a construction project to widen the highway near the Atacama Desert, where the bones were found. Scientists believe the bones could be between 2 million and 7 million years old. So how did the whales make their way from the ocean to the desert and end up so close to one another when they died? Scientists have many theories: Maybe the area was once a lagoon and it dried up, maybe there was a giant wave that flung the whales onto shore, or maybe a giant earthquake sealed them off. Whale bones were not the only find for the paleontologists. A dolphin carcass with walrus-like tusks was also uncovered. Scientists say this discovery gives them a glimpse of ancient sea life. One paleontologist said, "The fossils are exceptionally well preserved and quite complete--a rare combination in paleontology and one that will likely shed light on many facets of the . . . ecology and evolution of these extinct species." People on social media are debating creationism vs. evolution theories. Some people are just waiting for a scientific explanation. Still others are saying they should "accept the biblical account of the flood."

Parents in Clearwater, Florida, are upset after a certain speaker was brought in to talk to their kids at school. Brittany Morgan, a Hooters waitress, spoke during "the Great American Teach-In," a career event at the special-needs school. Morgan discussed looking presentable at work, tipping, and Hooters charity work with the students at Calvin A. Hunsinger School. She did not wear the Hooters uniform (skimpy orange shorts, low-cut white tank top, flesh-toned hosiery, white socks, and white sneakers) to speak in front of the kids. One parent was still disturbed, saying, "It's just the wrong message . . . like we're telling them that you're the bad kids and this is all you'll be in life." Some people on Twitter agree, saying, "Can we raise the bar for kids' aspirations?" Morgan said she understands why the parents might be upset, but that there was nothing inappropriate about her speech. Morgan added, "Most of us are going to school. We're aspiring to do other things in life. This isn't our career." The principal of Hunsinger, Stephani Bessette, defended Morgan's appearance, saying "Working as a waiter or waitress to achieve higher goals should be commended." Hooters states that its mission is "to provide a family of hospitality and services that achieves excellence and enhances lifestyles of all who come in contact with the Hooters brand."

Continue Reading... Labels: Ancient, Bones, Desert, Discovered, Hooters, Outraged, Parents, School, Special-Needs, Visit, Waitress’s, Whale