Vitchenza OnLine: News and Sport | |||||||||||||||||
| Blair Sends In More Troops | |||||||||||||||||
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BRITAIN AND the United States announced a huge escalation of the war against the Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic yesterday, as the two allies said they were sending "substantial reinforcements" to back Nato's action against Serbia. The Prime Minister said a second armoured battle group would be sent to support military personnel already in Greece and Macedonia, swelling their number by about 1,800 to 6,300. "They are being sent so that the UK can be in a position to play our proper role in the international effort, to ensure the refugees are able to return to Kosovo in safety," Tony Blair said. "The conflict we now face in Kosovo is a test of our commitment and our resolve to ensure that the 21st century does not begin with a continuing reminder in Europe of the worst aspects of the century now drawing to a close." The first units will sail today from Emden in north Germany to Thessaloniki in Greece, with the "heavy metal" armoured vehicles leaving on Friday. The troops will fly out to join their equipment when it arrives in about 10 days. | ||||||||||||||||
| Mardi Gras Bombed Jailed | |||||||||||||||||
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Mardi Gra bomber Edgar Pearce has been jailed for 21 years after admitting a three-year blackmail and terror campaign. Pearce, 61, of Chiswick, west London, pleaded guilty last week to 20 charges including causing an explosion, possessing firearms and wounding. On Monday the Old Bailey was told he suffered from a degenerative condition, Binswanger's disease, which was gradually eating away his brain. But after hearing further medical reports on Wednesday the Recorder of London Michael Hyam ruled out the prospect of Pearce receiving psychiatric treatment. Sentencing Pearce to concurrent terms totalling 224 years, the judge said he was motivated by greed and an "insatiable appetite for notoriety". Afterwards Detective Superintendent Jeff Rees said he hoped the sentence would serve as a deterrent to prospective blackmailers. The Mardi Gra bomber blackmailed Barclays Bank and Sainsbury's supermarkets, making at least 36 devices, some of which injured staff and customers. | ||||||||||||||||
| Sunderland Gain Promotion To The Premiership | |||||||||||||||||
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SUNDERLAND returned to the FA Carling Premiership last night as a result of a 5-2 victory over Bury at Gigg Lane. A first-half hat-trick from Kevin Phillips eased their way to a victory that also effectively wrapped up the Nationwide League first division title as well. A point from their match away to Barnsley on Friday will suffice. Fulham also secured promotion, from the second to the first division, when they defeated Gillingham 3-0 at Craven Cottage. It will make the decision of Kevin Keegan, Fulham's chief operating officer and England's part-time coach, all the more difficult when he has to choose between club and country during the coming summer. Sunderland went ahead through a penalty from Phillips early on and although Darren Bullock equalised in the 22nd minute, a goal from Niall Quinn - his twentieth of the season - and two more from Phillips as good as ended the contest. Phillips, despite missing three months of this season because of injury, added a fourth in the final minute and has now scored 57 goals in 77 appearances for the club. | ||||||||||||||||
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