Emmy organizers honor TV crime show host John Walsh (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – "America's Most Wanted" host John Walsh, whose TV crime show has helped police capture 1,500 fugitives and find 50 missing children since 1988, is being given an honorary award from organizers of the Emmys.

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on Tuesday said it will give its Governors Award to Walsh for making an impact on society through the use of TV.

"John Walsh has dedicated his life to the betterment of society, and while doing so has used television in an inventive and extraordinary way," academy chief executive John Shaffner said in a statement. "His contribution to society goes far beyond just hosting a hit TV show, but sets a prime example of how television can be used to convey an important message."

Walsh became known around the world as a crime fighter and victims' advocate after his 6 year-old son Adam was abducted from a mall near his home in Hollywood, Fla., on July 27, 1981 and found murdered two weeks later.

The case remained unsolved for 27 years until 2008 when police linked the slaying to a serial killer who died in prison and who claimed responsibility for hundreds of murders.

Walsh's personal tragedy is credited with sparking the creation of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children in 1984 after President Ronald Reagan signed the "Missing Children's Assistance Act."

His work on America's Most Wanted, which tells viewers of crimes and alleged perpetrators who are still at large, helped spark child protection laws, including "The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act" that tracks convicted sex offenders who disappear after they're released from prison.

He is one of three Honorary U.S. Marshals and was named "Man of the Year" by both the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI. Walsh will receive the Governors Award during the Creative Emmy awards in Los Angeles on September 10.

(Reporting by Jason Kandel, Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)

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Berlusconi faces bribery, sex crime hearings on Monday (AFP)

ROME (AFP) – Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi faces trial hearings for bribery and paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl on Monday, as the Italian leader fights off growing unpopularity and financial woes.

Berlusconi, 74, is a defendant in three ongoing trials.

He had been due to attend one of them, the corruption hearing in which he stands accused of paying a bribe to his former British lawyer, David Mills, to give false testimony in court.

But he has since said he will not be present because of a meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.

The other hearing centres around allegations that Berlusconi had sex on several occasions at his villa last year with Moroccan-born nightclub dancer Karima El Mahroug, better known by her stage name as "Ruby the Heart Stealer".

The prime minister is also suspected of abusing his powers by having the girl sprung from police custody when she was arrested in May 2010 for alleged theft -- a move prosecutors say was an attempt to hide his sex crime.

He faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted of abuse of power.

Berlusconi has repeatedly protested his innocence of all the charges and insists that prosecutors are waging a personal vendetta against him.

The billionaire tycoon has been under investigation ever since entering politics in the early 1990s.

Monday's hearing is expected to be important procedurally after Berlusconi's lawyers challenged the court's authority to hold the trial at all, saying the abuse of power charge should be considered by a special ministers' court.

Berlusconi's defence also contends that the prostitution charge for the television magnate should be heard by a court closer to his luxurious personal residence in Arcore outside Milan where the alleged crime took place.

In the other trial hearing, he is accused of bribing his former lawyer with 600,000 dollars. Several witnesses living in Switzerland are set to testify in that hearing on Monday via video conference.

Berlusconi is also a defendant in a third trial involving alleged tax fraud committed by his business empire Mediaset with distribution rights deals.

He is also being investigated for fraud in a fourth case involving another of his companies, Mediatrade, which has not yet gone to trial.

Berlusconi is on the backfoot politically following his People of Freedom party's defeat in key local elections in May and a round of referendums last month in which several key policies for his government were struck down.

Despite reports of serious infighting with key coalition partner the Northern League -- and with ministers inside his own cabinet -- Berlusconi still holds a majority in both the lower and upper houses of parliament.

He has vowed to see out his mandate, which runs until 2013.

Italy's record-high public debt and near-zero growth are also beginning to weigh on Berlusconi's leadership, however.

There are growing signs of investor unease about Italy's ability to stay out of the eurozone debt crisis.

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Top 10 Most Wanted Terrorist after Bin Laden's Death

The United States has finally inflicted a solid wound to their numero uno enemy, the Al-Qaeda. In a night-raid carried out at a location barely a few kilometers away from the Pakistani capital Islamabad, Osama bin Laden was killed in a dramatic CIA-led operation which involved extensive use of helicopters and ground troops.
The most dreaded terrorist in the world until now, Bin Laden gained attention in September of 2001, when the attacks on the United States left as many as 3,000 people dead and several hundred injured. It was only a matter of time and the man had become one of the most hated and feared men in the world.
After Bin Laden's death, US President Obama told the world “Justice has been done”.
However, even after Osama's death, terrorism continues to remain a major threat to the people across the globe. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) rolled out a list of most wanted terrorists in late 2001 which has been constantly updated since then. Here's a brief description of ten of most wanted terrorists out of that list which features at least 30 names.
The list also contains the name of Osama Bin Laden, who is now dead.

Usama Bin Laden
Apart from the 9/11 attacks, the Saudi-born dissident was also wanted in connection with August 7, 1998, bombings of the United States embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya. The Al-Qaeda leader was also a suspect in various other terror attacks throughout the world.
Bin Laden was a southpaw who walked with a cane. After 9/11 attacks the United States launched several operations to track the man. But they were not to taste success until 10 years. He had a reward of about $27 million dollars on his head and operated under eight alias names.

Adam Yahiye Gadhan
Born as Adam Pearlman in California, US, he converted to Islam in his teens. He is reported to be the cultural interpreter, spokesperson, and media advisor for the terrorist group Al-Qaeda. He has been indicted of treason and material support to Al-Qaeda and is said to be involved in numerous terrorist activities.
Gadahn has scars on his chest and right forearm and operates under eight aliases. The Rewards for Justice Program, United States Department of State, is offering a reward of up to a million dollars for information leading to the arrest of Gadahn.

Daniel Andreas San Diego
He is wanted for his alleged involvement in the bombing of two office buildings in San Francisco. A vegan, he is known to be linked to animal rights extremist groups. The man wears glasses, is adept at sailing and is always expected to be armed.
He is reported to have at least three tattoos on his bodies. He has three alias names as well. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $250,000 for information leading directly to the arrest of San Diego.

Ayman Al-Zawahiri

Currently the leader of Al-Qaeda, he is reportedly a qualified surgeon who has a deep and radical understanding of Islamic theology and Islamic history. Al-Zawahiri has been indicted for his alleged role in the August 7, 1998 bombings of the US embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya. Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ), the group he founded merged with Al-Qaeda in 1998 under his leadership.
Operating under 12 alias names, Al-Zawahiri can speak Arabic, English and French. The Rewards for Justice Program, United States Department of State, has offered a reward of up to $25 million for information leading directly to the apprehension or the conviction of Ayman Al-Zawahiri.

Fahd Mohammed Ahmed Al-Quso
The man is wanted by the FBI, the Interpol and the US Department of State. He has been indicted in the Southern District of New York for his role in the October 12, 2000, bombing of the USS Cole in Aden, Yemen in which 17 Americal sailors lost their lives.
Al-Quso is believed to be hiding in the mountains of Yemen. He operates under nine aliases. The Rewards For Justice Program, United States Department of State, is offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading directly to the apprehension or conviction, in any country, of Fahd Mohammed Ahmed Al-Quso.

Abdul Rehman Yasin

Born in Bloomington, Indiana, US, Yasin is of Iraqi heritage. He is wanted for his alleged participation in the terrorist bombing of the World Trade Centre, New York City in February of 1993. The bombing led to six deaths, wounding of several individuals, and intense damage to property. He is believed to be held as a prisoner in Iraq since 1994.
FBI reports that Yasin epileptic. He is believed to have a chemical burn scar on his right thigh and operates under at least four alias names. The US Department of State has offered a reward of up to $5 million for information leading directly to the apprehension or conviction of Yasin.

Husayn Muhammad Al-Umari

He has been indicted for his alleged role in the August 11, 1982 bombing of Pan Am Flight 830, while it was en route from Japan to Hawaii. A mechanic and explosives expert, he formed an organisation in 1979 whose mission was to promote the Palestinian cause through violence towards the supporters of Israel.
A holder of Lebanese passport, Al-Umari has three alias names. He has a scar on the fingers of his right and one on his left hand in the web between the thumb and the index finger. A reward of up to $5 million is being offered by United States Department of State for information about Al-Umari.

Anas Al-Liby

Born in Tripoli, Libya, Al-Liby is under indictment in the United States for his part in the 1998 United States embassy bombings. He has worked as a computer specialist for Al-Qaeda. He recently lived in the United Kingdom where he was granted political asylum.
Al-Liby has a scar on the left side of his face and operates under at least four alias names. The reward on him offered by the United States Department of State is about $5 million.

Wadoud Muhammad Hafiz Al-Turki

Born in Iraq, Al-Turki faced indictment for his alleged role in September 5, 1986 hijacking of Pan American World Airways Flight 73 during a stop in Karachi, Pakistan. 20 passengers and crew members were killed in the attack.
The man is a heavy smoker and is believed to be residing in a Middle Eastern country. He has five alias names and there is a reward of up to $5 million on offer for information related to him.

Ahmed Ibrahim Al-Mughassil

This man is wanted by the United States government for his alleged involvement in the June 25, 1996 attack on Khobar Towers military housing complex near Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The attacks claimed the life of 19 US Air Force personnels and one local.
Al-Mughassil has been identified as the head of military wing of the Pro-Iran Saudi Hizbullah. He has just one alias name and the US Department of State has offered a reward of up to $5 million dollars for him.

• Reference/Source: allvoices.com by soniyaa of Dimāpur, Nagaland, India

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