Identity Theft Forum

Identity theft is a growing problem and it can happen even in Sweetwater.Texas National Bank and Texas State Technical College are teaming up to help local residents learn just a little bit about the problems of identity theft and fraud. On Tuesday, Dec. 4, a "Fraud Awareness Forum" will be held at The Center beginning at 6:30 p.m. in order for residents to learn just a little bit about the growing problem. An expert will lead the forum, which is free to the public, and will discuss some of the current scams that are taking place, not only in West Texas, but the world. "It is really easy to get wrapped into," said Texas National Bank spokesman Chris Casto. Casto, who spoke to the Sweetwater Lions Club recently about identity theft concerns, said he hopes the forum will turn into a classic discussion of what people are concerned about.

Malaysia, not truly Asia?

Last year, the Indian High Commission in Guyana published an advert in a local newspaper offering scholarships to 'Children of the Diaspora'. An angry reader wrote in that the Indian government should surely know that while assistance to Guyana was welcome it should be on non-discriminatory grounds, regardless of ethnic origin. The spark ignited by so innocuous an offer of help illustrates how combustible is the race vs nation debate. Most recently, India was delivered a stinging slap in the face when it spoke up on behalf of the 1.8 million-strong ethnic Indian population in Malaysia and was told to Lay Off.

India has the third largest Diaspora in the world after Britain and China. These two countries have never fought shy of taking up cudgels on behalf of their scattered brood.

From the Editor :

But Arrogant Oz, though you claim to be no fan of Warne, if I recall correctly you placed him in your top 6 bowlers of all time. To me that proves a point, that many Australians will always have a bias against anyone who provides a genuine threat to their standing in history. In your words, Warne should be thrown out of the game for being a drug cheat and match fixer, but that doesn't stop you from considering him one of the greats. Aussie' s are renowned for protecting their own I guess. Anyhow, I don't want to have another month long debate so let's agree to disagree.

ZIMBABWE: New crackdown on Zimbabwe opposition

The detention of the opposition members came as President Robert Mugabe was reportedly scheduled to attend a South African Development Community (SADC) meeting in Tanzania on Thursday and Friday, called to discuss the situation Zimbabwe. The meeting will be attended by the SADC's security 'troika', Angola, Tanzania and Namibia, as well as current SADC chair Lesotho, outgoing chair Botswana, and incoming chair Zambia.

Otto Saki, an attorney with Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, an NGO that defends victims of rights abuses, confirmed that Tsvangirai and other opposition members had been "arrested". "But we still don't know on what grounds, and we have not been allowed to access them."

A statement from Crisis in Zimbabwe, a coalition of more than 300 civil society organisations, said Tsvangirai had been arrested when he was about to announce Makoni's abduction by unknown assailants, who were suspected of being military intelligence officers.

Go, Fishermen! Go, Hornets!

Gloucester, which has struggled since 2001, finished off a perfect 11-0 regular season on Thanksgiving Day, trouncing traditional rival Danvers by a Patriots-like margin of 48-7 at Newell Stadium.

The win made the Fishermen the Northeastern Conference Large champs and takes them into the postseason for the first time in six years. They are scheduled to play Tuesday in Lowell against Cape Ann League Large champs Masconomet, and, if they win that contest, will play next Saturday where the Pats play - at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro - in the Division 2A Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, the Manchester Essex Hornets have been close to perfect at 9-2 and are headed for the postseason as well, after a decisive 27-7 win over Georgetown on Thursday to take the Commonwealth Conference Small title.