World Waits For Greek Lawmaker Decision On Bailout Requirments

Greek lawmakers are poised to begin debate on legislation introducing the severe austerity measures necessary for the country to secure a €130 billion bailout ($171.6-billion) and stave off bankruptcy.

The legislation will also approve a bond-swapping deal with private creditors that will allow Greece to shave off at least €100 billion of its €360 billion debt.

Unions have called for a large protest outside Parliament.

The two parties backing the coalition government have 236 deputies in the 300-member parliament. But at least 13 conservative and seven socialist lawmakers have declared they will vote against, defying their leaders' threats of sanctions.

Early Sunday, a conservative lawmaker resigned, joining three socialists who did the same earlier this week.

All have been replaced.

PM defends austerity measures

On Saturday, Greek leaders urged lawmakers to pass more painful spending cuts or face a "catastrophe" that would leave residents subsisting on food stamps and the country wallowing in bankruptcy.

In a televised address, on the eve of the vote, Prime Minister Lucas Papademos defended the austerity measures. Papademos and the other party leaders backing Greece's coalition government — socialist George Papandreou and conservative Antonis Samaras, as well as socialist Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos — used stark images of a country under bankruptcy to convince the public and members of Parliament to support the austerity measures.

"The deal will ensure our country's future inside the euro," Papademos said. "A bankruptcy would lead to uncontrollable economic chaos and social explosion."

He added that a bankruptcy would lead to Greeks losing their savings, the state being unable to pay salaries and pensions, and shortages in import items such as medicines, fuel and machinery.

Dissidents unconvinced

Several dissident lawmakers were unconvinced. At least 13 conservative deputies and seven socialists declared they would not vote and two more socialist deputies resigned, bringing the total to three.

Their replacements will be seated Sunday.

The austerity measures in the bailout deal, including the layoffs of 15,000 workers and a 22 per cent drop in the minimum wage and pension cuts, have set off street protests and led to the resignations of half a dozen Cabinet officials.

Debt-stricken Greece does not have the money to cover a €14.5 billion bond ($19.1 billion) repayment on March 20, and must reach a vital debt-relief deal with private bond investors before then. The country's woes have threatened its future in the 17-country zone that uses the euro currency.

The European Union is waiting to see Greece finally act on their commitments.

Whitney Houston Dead, Drugs, Alcohol or Natural Causes?

Whitney Houston's body was moved Sunday morning from the Beverly Hilton hotel to the L.A. County morgue, where an autopsy will be performed.

Video showed a coroner's van pulling out of the hotel, where Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. Saturday.

Authorities said they don't know how Houston, 48, died but said foul play does not appear to be involved.

"There were no obvious signs of criminal intent," Beverly Hills Police Lt. Mark Rosen said, adding it's unclear whether she died from natural causes or something else.

Paramedics performed CPR for about 20 minutes before the pop star was declared dead.

The Beverly Hills Fire Department said it was called to the hotel about 3:30 p.m. and Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m.

Houston was in the Los Angeles area for a musical tribute for music executive Clive Davis and had performed earlier this week.

Houston was planning to attend Davis’ annual pre-Grammy party Saturday at the Beverly Hilton.

Earlier this week, the 79-year-old Davis perused page after page of guest lists in a bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel, where he conducts business when he’s in the Los Angeles area.

Among those Houston was expected to rub elbows with were Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, Akon, Cee Lo Green, Miley Cyrus, Sean "Puffy" Combs, Jennifer Hudson, Jackson Browne, Elvis Costello and Diana Krall.

"It’s a great time where everybody can set down their swords, so to speak," Davis said, seated on an overstuffed divan next to a coffee table cluttered with papers, CDs and videos. "I was grateful that, inviting them to my home, that they would feel comfortable and just keep coming back, and they've kept coming back every year to where it's expanded to be this incredible haven for musicians."

Houston had drug and alcohol problems for years, and in May her spokeswoman said she was going back to rehab.

Publicist Kristen Foster told the Associated Press on Saturday that Houston had died but did not provide further details.

Houston was known for such hits as "How Will I Know," "Saving All My Love for You" and "I Will Always Love You." She also starred in movies such as "The Bodyguard."

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Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Warns World

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sarturday his country would soon unveil "very important" nuclear achievements and that the West's efforts to slow it down were futile.

Meanwhile, Hamas' leader in Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh, said the group would never recognize Israel. The two were speaking in Tehran on the 33rd anniversary of the Islamic revolution.

Demonstrators carrying Iranian flags and pictures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei chanted "Death to Israel" and "Death to America."

"In the coming days the world will witness Iran's announcement of its very important and very major nuclear achievements," Ahmadinejad told a crowd at Tehran's Azadi Square in a speech broadcast live on state television. He gave no details.

"The world should know that despite all pressures, Iran will not withdraw one inch from its principles and [nuclear] rights," he said.

"All countries have put pressure on us for not obtaining nuclear know-how, but all these pressures were futile. We not only now have the nuclear know-how but also are capable of providing for our [nuclear] needs by our own local experts."

In recent weeks, the United States and its European allies have imposed new sanctions to try to force Iran back to talks. Iran says its nuclear program has only peaceful purposes.

The United States and Israel have not ruled out military action to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Tehran has warned of a "painful" answer, saying it would hit Israel and U.S. bases in the Gulf as well as block the vital oil shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.

Haniyeh, meanwhile, maintained his hard stance on Israel. "They [the West] want from us to stop resistance and acknowledge Israel, but I herewith announce that this will never happen," Haniyeh said through an interpreter.

"Our message and the message of all those who lost their blood in the Palestinian lands is that all occupied lands will eventually be liberated from Israeli occupation."

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