(As this article was not published and I could no longer find its page on Wikinews I had to use

my original version) Peace talks resume between Israel and Palestine, authorities not convinced Palestinian and Israeli governments have agreed to engage in direct peace talks in a bid to resolve their conflicts for the first time in over three years. Justice Minister, Tzipi Livini, revealed in a broadcasted interview on Israels Channel 10, that these meetings would take place on an alternating basis - with the first to be held on Israeli land. We and the Palestinians both determined that the first meetings would be held once in Israel and once in the Palestinian Authority, we want to do it directly, and close to home. Livini stated. Israels Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has too mentioned support for these actions, stating: this moment is not easy for me but there are times when difficult decisions must be made for the good of the state, and this is one of those times. U.S President Barack Obama has welcomed the announcement of peace talks, and as reported by The Times of Israel, has urged them to move fast and make speedy progress toward a permanent solution. These events come one week after announcing the release of 104 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. While these actions may appear promising to the future, not everyone is convinced on the effectiveness that these meetings will have in resolving this conflict. Shir Hever, an economist studying the Israeli occupation of Palestine, stated in an interview with Jaisal Noor of The Real News Network: as long as Israel shows its willingness to continue the peace process, that should be enough to get the international community content about the continued occupation, the continued apartheid and colonization of Palestinians. Hever, as well as director of the New Internationalism Project, Phyllis Bennis (who too featured in the interview), both pin much responsibility on the U.S in pushing these issues forward. Bennis attributes cases such as Obamas lack of viable policy in dealing with civil and regional war in Syria, and his failure to sufficiently prevent the political crisis in Egypt, as other examples of the U.Ss weak strategy in times of global conflict. I think that what we're seeing here is an effort by the United States to somewhat divert attention from the other crises in the region to make the claim that we are back on track, we're back negotiating, as if simply talking was a solution in its own right.

- Pasrael

Australian tennis ace Stosur splits with long-term coach on verge of US Open
Australian top-tier female tennis player, Samantha Stosur, yesterday revealed to the press she has split with long-term coach and mentor David Taylor. The break-up took place after she lost to Simona Halep of Romania in the third round at last week's Cincinnati Masters. "I think we both were kind of feeling that we'd almost come to the end. Unfortunately, it happened to be last week," she declared.

File photo of Sam Stosur and Serena Williams in 2011.

Image: Boss Tweed.

Stosur claimed her fourth WTA title in Carlsbad earlier this month, against Belarusian Victoria Azarenka a former world number 1 and victor of last week's Cincinnati Masters. "Neither of us, I'm sure, would have wanted it to happen right then, and obviously with winning that tournament almost makes it seem a little bit strange," Stosur acknowledged. In eight days, the US Open which Stosur won in 2011 is scheduled to begin at its usual venue in Flushing Meadows, New York. Stosur says she feels confident for the weeks ahead, having already proved capable of ousting Azarenka: "I think now coming into the US Open I'm feeling quite good. Of course it's a new week and you've got to make sure you keep doing everything you need to do to continue on with that success." Australian former tour player Alicia Molik, already with other duties at the Open, has agreeed to fill the role of Taylor. While these arrangements are not permanent, Stosur now has someone to support her on the practice court, and closely watch her matches during the two weeks as per usual. No word yet has been made on who her new coach may be, and she anticipates no change in this until the Open has concluded: "after this tournament I will kind of assess what I want to do, who maybe it can be, and go from there. But there is no one in particular at the moment." Stosur nor Taylor haven't spoken since last week's break-up; however, she says she hopes this does not remain the case. "[W]e spent so much time together and have been through so much, I'm sure we can look past it and be friends", she stated. Stosur's first-round much is set for Tuesday against US newcomer Victoria Duval.

Houston stabbing leaves parents in fear

Sunday, September 8, 2013 One student has been killed and three others injured, in a confirmed stabbing at Spring High School in Houston, Texas. The incident, which is being investigated as gang-related, took place early Wednesday morning inside the school cafeteria. 17-year-old, Luis Alonzo Alfaro, had admitted to the stabbing and has been placed in custody. The stabbing reportedly escalated from a group brawl during the schools morning break, which led to Alfaro pulling a knife on the teens killing one of them, Joshua Broussard. "We believe that a confrontation of some sort occurred ... that ultimately led to a physical confrontation that then produced weapons," Harris County Sheriff, Adrian Garcia stated. Additionally, another was student transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital, undergoing surgery. Two others received only minor injuries. Investigation into the nature of the crime is currently being conducted, with many suspecting it to be gangrelated. Last year, there were gang fights consistently. This is ridiculous. This is an ongoing situation, said a concerned mother. However, Alfaros attorney dismisses such claims at this current moment as speculative and offensive: "My client is a 17-year-old who had a part-time job and no criminal history that I can tell," Milan Marinkovich states. Parents of children at the school have expressed fear and disappointment over the incident to both the school, and the wider community. According The Huffington Post, many claim that this fight was the continuation of a conflict the day before; these comments have not been confirmed by officials. "Every parent sends their child to school believing school should be one of those safe haven places," Independent School District Superintendent Ralph Draper states. Others expressed grave disappointment at how the news was announced, with the school being in lockdown for hours before most knew about it, no one could tell me anything. Then I called the school district asking questions and she hung up on me. The lady I spoke to hung up. I am so mad. I want answers," Tricia Mollard said. Since the stabbing, the school has planned to remain closed for the rest of the week until Monday, to allow police to conduct their investigation and to provide peace of mind to all involved while the situation boils down. According to the school district web site, crisis counsellors are being provided to all members of staff, students, and family at the facility. All buildings in the district will have tighter security in the following weeks to come, to assuage concerns of worried locals.

source: Wikicommons

Anticipated US Open show-down between top seeds Williams and Azarenka

Sunday, September 8, 2013 Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka have each progressed to Sundays US Open Final at Flushing Meadows in startling form. The respective first and second seeded players both ousted their opponents in straight sets to set up the highly anticipated clash, which could bring either them one step closer to history. The American number 1 soared over Chinas Li Na in her semi-final clash, claiming the match in straight sets: 6-0, 6-3. However, she remained modest: It was a good match. It was tough at the end, Williams stated. This is Serenas sixth straight-sets win this open, only conceding 16 games in total much lower than Azarenkas still desirable 40. Williams attributes much of her success to the home crowd: To hear constantly, Go Serena. Go Serena, it is really a pleasure. I hear young voices and older voices and it really makes me feel so special, she added. The Belarusian, Azanrenka, too played strongly against her opponent, defeating Italian Flavia Pennetta 64,6-2 on Saturday. Im so excited. Its been a long road to the final. Its an amazing feeling, to fight for the trophy she said post-match. However, the major competition is still ahead of her. It will take a great fight to knock Williams out of her 24 match winning streak: In the final, I will be facing a great player, whoev er it is. I will have to give it all I have got, all my heart, all my body and all my mind. Azarenka too has had a strong season, and is looking a great shot at snatching her first ever US Open title, winning the lead-up tournament against Williams in the final, as well as the Australian Open earlier that year, ousting Li Na. If Williams were to win tomorrow, her grand slam titles would total up to 17 putting her just one behind Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, and five behind Steffi Graffs all time singles tournament record of 22. I never really want to focus on the numbers, I started playing tennis not to be the greatest, but just because I had a racket and a dream. Now people are saying I could be the greatest. But for me, Im just not there yet. There is also the chance of Williams receiving the single largest sum of prize money in open history of $3.76 million if she is to win. As she did last year, scraping past Azarenka in a tight three sets. The battle will take place on Monday at 6:30 EST, on centre court.

Victoria Azarenka, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova with medals 2012 source: wikicommons

Coalition wins election, Rudd stands down as Labor leader

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Tony Abbott - 2010

Overnight, leader of the Australian Liberal Party, Tony Abbott, has been voted in as Australias next Prime Minister, ousting his opposition Kevin Rudd, in a landslide. At this stage, the Coalition is looking to land 85 seats, Labor 54 seats, the Greens 1 seat, and other parties with 2 giving Abbott clear control of the lower house. The defeat was imminent from very early on in the night, with large swings against the Labor party in every state especially Tasmania. Ex-Defence minister, Stephen Smith, stated that in all honesty he would be happy to win at least 50 seats this election. With such clear results, Rudd conceded defeat relatively early on in the night delivering a concession speech with a hopeful and positive tone for the future of the party, I gave it my all but it was not enough for us to win, he stated, But there comes a time when you know you've given it your all and a time for the party to further renew its leadership for the future. The big news came toward the end of the speech, with Rudd confirming that he will be standing down as leader of the Labor party, in hope to bring stability to the government, and allow for a new generation of leaders to come through: For me that time is now. So I will not be recontesting the leadership of the parliamentary Labor Party, Rudd stated, with a heavy heart. 'I know this will not be welcome news to some of you. But my responsibility has been to maintain Labor as a fighting force for the future so that we can unite behind the next leader of our party. On the other side of the fence, supporters of Abbotts party were basking in the moment, with Abbotts victory speech being given in a highly optimistic tone, oddly Similar to Rudds concession: I can inform you

that the government of Australia has changed, Abbott declared, while welcoming the victorious applause from his supporters. From today, I declare that Australia is under new management and that Australia is once more open for business. Abbott has hit the ground running, treating his morning after the victory as another working day: "People expect that, the day after an election, an incoming government will be getting down to business. And that's what I'll be doing today," he said, Obviously a very early item of business is scrapping the carbon tax. Abbotts election has left many on social media in fear and uproar: Im terrified. Terrified as a new tertiary student, as a new home-owner, as a woman, and as a decent human being, Pamela Grace stated after I asked her how she felt over the result. I just dont see how scrapping University funding, our emissions trading scheme, and equal marriage rights for all Australian citizens is the way forward. Commerce student Angus Baillie too expressed similar concerns to me since the announcement: while I respect him for his desire to fix the economy, I for one think he is addressing it all in the wrong way, and two, could never support someone with such inhumane policies especially when it comes to Asylum Seekers this is not a win for anyone Abbott is set to be sworn in sometime within the next few days.

Concerned student, Angus Baillie Image owned by author