Merry Christmas To you

I would venture to guess there is not a parent alive who did not,at one time or another depending on the situation, say to one kiddo or another, "I can't wait until you have your own children. Then you'll see!"

When my children were very young one of those times was the annual visit to Santa Claus at G Fox, which not only included a lot of excitement but the annual tear-filled meltdown as they were hoisted onto Santa's lap for the annual picture.

I received this photo from my oldest yesterday of his three daughters, including poor Amelia who clearly was not happy about the situation. I could not help but smile because we have a very similar one of her dad, my son (circa 1972) crying his eyes out as the Jolly Old Elf tried his best to at least get the sobbing to stop long enough for a decent picture.

To all of you with children and family, hold them close and enjoy lots of smiles during the holidays. Time goes by too fast.

And Merry Christmas to readers and best of 2011 to you all. I have appreciated your support, comments, criticism and wonderful stories and good deeds.

P.S. The picture of all the happy kiddos with Claus? Some of my grandchildren who were more than happy to grin during an outing with Nana to Hartford Stage!

(source:courant.com)

Joulupukki

Joulupukki is a Finnish Christmas figure. The name Joulupukki literally means Yule Goat. The Finnish word "pukki" comes from the Swedish "bock" (equivalent of the English "buck" or "billy-goat") and is an old Scandinavian tradition. Over time, the figure became more or less merged with Santa Claus.

There is a long Finnish tradition of persons dressing in goat costume to solicit or perform for leftover food after Christmas. Historically, such a person was an older man, and the tradition refers to him as a nuuttipukki. The term now also describes the practice, reportedly continuing in some parts of Finland.

Today Joulupukki looks and behaves mostly like his American version, but there are differences. Joulupukki's house and workshop are situated in the mountains of Korvatunturi, whereas the American counterpart resides at the North Pole. Another difference is that instead of sneaking in through the chimney during the late night hours, Joulupukki knocks on the front door during the Christmas Eve celebrations. When he comes in, his first words are traditionally "Onkos täällä kilttejä lapsia?" (Are there (any) well-behaved children here?)

He usually wears warm red clothes, uses a walking stick, and travels in a sleigh pulled by a number of reindeer. Unlike the American version, the reindeer do not fly. In Lapland, pulka rather than a sleigh can be encountered. The popular song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in its Finnish translation, Petteri Punakuono, has led to Rudolph's general acceptance in the mythology as Joulupukki's lead reindeer. Joulupukki has a wife, Joulumuori ("Old Lady Christmas"), but tradition doesn't have much to say about her.

Home

Joulupukki lives in Korvatunturi in Finnish Lapland.

Joulupukki's assistants are called tonttu, or more precisely joulutonttu (from Swedish tomte); they are not elves, but essentially human, often dwarflike in character. They usually wear similar attire to Joulupukki's, and males also have a white beard; but joulutonttu are often smaller in size and may be of any age and either gender. While only a rather large, aged person can convincingly dress as Joulupukki, conveniently everyone can dress as a joulutonttu, with less special attire required.

Trivia

The location of Joulupukki's workshop comes from a children's radio show called Markus-sedän lastentunti ("Children's hour with Uncle Markus") hosted by Markus Rautio and broadcast by the Finnish Broadcasting Company between years 1927-1956.

Finland's Joulupukki received over 700,000 letters from children all over the world in 2006, according to a news report by the Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE.

The US-based Coca-Cola Santa Claus was designed by the son of Finnish emigrants, Haddon Sundblom.

Joulupukki is a prominent character in Rare Exports, a movie based on the award winning shorts by Jalmari Helander.

The origins of Joulupukki

One interesting theory about the origins of Joulupukki and his flying reindeer, comes from the aboriginal Saami people of Lapland. In the forests there is a common poisonous mushroom, Amanita muscaria, that is red with white dots. The Saami shamans used to feed this mushroom to the reindeer, whereby the intestinal tract of the reindeer would filter out the poison, but leave the intoxicating substances. The urine of the reindeer would then be collected and used as a hallucinogenic by the shamans. The shamans would often have out-of-the-body experiences and fly in the sky, returning through the chimney hole of their tent or cottage to their bodies. This shamanistic tradition would explain the flying reindeer, the use of chimneys, and even the red-white colouring of Joulupukki.

Joulupukki's dark side

Pagans used to have festivities to ward off evil spirits. In Finland these spirits of darkness wore goat skins and horns. In the beginning this creature didn't give presents but demanded them. The Yule Goat was an ugly creature and frightened children.

It is unclear how this personality was transformed into the benevolent Father Christmas. Nowadays the only remaining feature is the name. The process was probably a continuous amalgamation of many old folk customs and beliefs from varied sources. One can speak of a Christmas pageant tradition consisting of many personages with roles partly Christian, partly pagan: A white-bearded saint, the Devil, demons, house gnomes. Nowadays the Joulupukki of Finland resembles the American Santa Claus.

Popular radio programs from the year 1927 onwards probably had great influence in reformatting the concept with the Santa-like costume, reindeer and Korvatunturi as its dwelling place. Because there really are reindeer in Finland, and Finns live up North, the popular American cult took root in Finland very quickly.

(source:wikipedia)

Etihad Airways الإتحاد

Etihad Airways الإتحاد للطيران

IATA EY ICAO ETD Callsign ETIHAD
Founded	2003
Hubs	Abu Dhabi International Airport
Frequent-flyer program	Etihad Guest
Member lounge	Etihad Premium Lounge
Alliance	Arabesk Airline Alliance
Fleet size	57 (+103 orders)
Destinations	65 incl.cargo destinations
Company slogan	From Abu Dhabi to the World
Headquarters	Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Key people	HH Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Chairman) James Hogan (CEO)
Website	www.etihadairways.com

 Etihad Airways (Arabic: الإتحاد‎, ʼal-ʻitiħād) is the flag carrier airline of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Etihad means "union" in Arabic, the name deriving from the Arabic for United Arab Emirates (الإمارات العربية المتحدة). Established in 2003, Etihad commenced operation on November later that year.

The airline operates close to 147 daily flights to 64 destinations in 42 countries, via a fleet of 57 aircraft. Its operation is heavily centered in Europe and Asia, as well as Oceania, Africa and North America. Its main base is Abu Dhabi International Airport, with its head office in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi.

Apart from its core activity, passenger transportation, Etihad also earns revenue from its cargo operations and ancillary revenue. The airline has a cargo division called Etihad Crystal Cargo. In 2009, it carried more than seven million passengers, compared with 340,000 in its first full year of operations in 2004. Its revenue totalled US$2.3 billion.

History

Etihad Airways Airbus A340-500 taking off at
 London Heathrow Airport

Etihad Airways was established as the national airline of the United Arab Emirates in July 2003 by Royal (Amiri) Decree issued by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It started with an initial paid-up capital of AED500 million. Services were launched with a ceremonial flight to Al Ain on 5 November 2003. On 12 November 2003, Etihad commenced commercial operations with the launch of services to Beirut, and has gone on to become the fastest growing airline in the history of commercial aviation.

In June 2004, the airline made an US$8-billion order for new aircraft in 2004, which included five Boeing 777-300ERs and 24 Airbus aircraft, including four A380-800s. The airline announced the largest aircraft order in commercial aviation history at Farnborough International Air show in 2008, for up to 205 aircraft – 100 firm orders, 55 options and 50 purchase rights.

As of July 2010, the airline operates services to 64 destinations around the world from its home base in Abu Dhabi.

In 2008 Etihad carried more than 6 million passengers, up from 4.6 million in 2007.

In 2009, seat factor was 74%, holding steady on the 2008 level.

Company affairs and identity

Etihad head office in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi

In the financial year 2008, Etihad carried 6 million passengers and 330,000 tonnes of cargo. Etihad has 6,300 members of staff which includes around 3,000 cabin crew and 600 pilots.

Head office

Etihad has its head office in Khalifa City A, Abu Dhabi, near Abu Dhabi International Airport.[6] Etihad spent 183.6 million UAE dirhams ($50 million USD) in 2007 to arrange to have its new head office and training center built. The new head office was scheduled to be finished by the end of 2007.

Structure

Board of directors

Etihad is governed by a board of directors chaired by HH Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, HH Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan being the vice chairman and operates in terms of its founding legislation and the Article of Association of the Company. The Board consists of seven independent non-executive members and has two sub-committees, being an Executive Committee and an Audit Committee, each with its own charter and chairman.

Management team

The airline is led by James Hogan (formerly CEO of Gulf Air) who was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in October 2006.

Corporate sponsorship

Etihad's logo on the rear wing of a Ferrari F1 car

Etihad Stadium Logo

Etihad is a sponsor of UAE sports clubs, including the Abu Dhabi Rugby Union Football Club, the Abu Dhabi International Sailing School and the Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC), as well as the Al-Jazira Club.

For the 2007 season, Etihad was one of the title sponsors for the Etihad Aldar Spyker F1 Team. Because the team was purchased by the chairman of another airline (Vijay Mallya, of Kingfisher Airlines), Etihad switched to Scuderia Ferrari from 2008 onwards.

On July 30, 2007 it was announced that Etihad Airways would become the main sponsor of Harlequins rugby club and Harlequins Rugby League club (UK). The sponsorship also includes renaming the East Stand at the Twickenham Stoop Stadium (the home of Harlequins) to the Etihad Stand. Etihad's logo is painted on the roof of the stand which is under the flight path to London Heathrow Airport.

On 18 December 2007 Etihad announced that they would become the title sponsor for the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to be held on Yas Island.

On 19 March 2008 it was announced that Etihad Airways would become a main sponsor for the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship from 2008–10.

In October 2008, it was announced that Etihad would take over sponsorship of the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne (previously known as the Telstra Dome). The name change to Etihad Stadium took effect on March 1, 2009.

In May 2009, it was also announced that Etihad would be the official sponsor of Manchester City Football Club.

Etihad also holds another aircraft line maintenance facility at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore (Pakistan), its second largest facility outside the UAE.

Financial performance

Etihad Airbus A330-200 taxiing to the runway at Frankfurt Airport

Etihad has never posted a profit since it began operations in 2004. Etihad Airways won’t break even in 2010 after its yields were hit by the global economic crisis and swine flu. The company lost more than $30m in revenue in April 2010 when a cloud of ash from Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano forced the cancellation of flights to and from Europe.

In the financial year 2008 Etihad carried 6 million passengers and 330,000 tonnes of cargo. International Air Transport Association (IATA) statistics indicate that in 2007 Etihad ranked among the top-ten airlines in the world in terms of growth since its inception in 2003.

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, took the top award – World's Leading Airline – at the World Travel Awards (WTA) in 2009.

In June 2010, Etihad's chief executive predicted that the airline would break even in 2011.

Cargo

Etihad Crystal Cargo is Etihad's cargo division, operating two A330-200F, two A300-600F and two MD-11F cargo aircraft . It started operations in September 2004.

Etihad Crystal Cargo is expected to double its turnover of AED361.50 million (US$98.5 million) in 2005 to over AED734 million (US$200 million) in 2006. Crystal handled 115,000 tonnes of cargo in 2005, about 50 per cent of the cargo uplifted from Abu Dhabi International Airport. Etihad’s new facility at Abu Dhabi International Airport will be equipped to handle more than 500,000 tonnes annually. New aircraft, particularly the Airbus A330-200F will play a role in cargo expansion. Etihad has reached an agreement with World Airways to provide additional uplift.

Destinations

 Etihad Airways destinations

As of July 2010 Etihad serves 64 destinations and Etihad Crystal Cargo serves 14 destinations (including 6 destinations served by Etihad Airways also) in 42 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania from its hub at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Aer Arann Air Malta Alitalia (ST) All Nippon Airways (SA) American Airlines (OW) Asiana Airlines (SA)

Bangkok Airways BMI (SA) Brussels Airlines (SA) Cyprus Airways Flybe Jet Airways

Kuwait Airways Malaysia Airlines Malev Hungarian Airlines (OW) Middle East Airlines Olympic Air Pacific Blue Airlines

Fleet

Airbus A330-200F Freighter

The Etihad Airways fleet consists of the following aircraft (as of 11 November 2010):

Boeing 777-300ER at Brisbane Airport

Airbus A330-200 taxiing for takeoff atManchester Airport. This route is now operated by the Boeing 777-300ER since June 2010.

Airbus A330-200F Freighter

Etihad Airways Fleet

Aircraft	Total	Orders/ Options	Passengers
			F	J	Y	Total
Airbus A319-100	2	—	0	20	90	110
Airbus A320-200	13	20/20	0 0 0	16 20 0	120 120 164	136 140 164
Airbus A330-200	16	—	0 12 10	22 24 26	240 180 164	262 216 200
Airbus A330-300	3	3/—	12	40	151	203
Airbus A340-500	4	—	12	28	200	240
Airbus A340-600	7	—	12	32	248	292
Airbus A350-1000	0	25/25	TBD
Airbus A380-800	0	10/10	TBD
Boeing 777-300ER	6	9/14	0	28	384	412
Boeing 787-9	0	35/35	TBD
Etihad Crystal Cargo Fleet
Airbus A300-600RF	2	—	97,000 lbs
Airbus A330-200F	2	—	152,100 lbs
Boeing 777F	0	1/—	225,000 lbs
McDonnell Douglas MD-11F	2	—	203,860 lbs
Total	57	103/104

Etihad Crystal Cargo is the launch customer of the Airbus A330-200F, and received the first aircraft on 20 July 2010 during the Farnborough Airshow.

Services

Cabin

Diamond Zone

Etihad Airways Airbus A330-200 (A6-EYB) landing at London Heathrow Airport

First class is known as the Diamond Zone. The Diamond First Class Suites have seats that rotate 180 degrees and recline into 6'8" flat beds. Each Diamond Suite has a privacy shell that ensures maximum privacy and direct access to the aisles; within this space there are a coatroom, a mini-bar, a fold-and-swivel meal table, an integrated personal mirror, a magazine rack, a reading light and a desk lamp. Each Diamond seat has pneumatic lumbar support, a six-way movement headrest and a built-in massage facility. Each Diamond Suite has a 23" personal LCD. The Diamond First Class Zone will be changed throughout the long-haul fleet with new suites and changed toilets.

Pearl Zone

Business class is known as the Pearl Zone. The Pearl Business Class seats recline to 180 degrees into a fully flat 6'1" business bed. It has an 88" pitch and direct access to the aisle for plenty space and privacy. Each self-contained seat is equipped with individual lighting and a reading light. The Pearl Business seats each has a 15" personal LCD screen. Aircraft also have in-flight telephone. There is also a built-in massage facility.[citation needed]The Pearl Business Class will have adjustments to its seats (wider armrests, bigger TV screens, closing up the TV to the seat, and bigger dining tables).

Coral Zone

A PTV aboard an Etihad Airways aircraft, part of the in-flight entertainment system

Economy class is known as the Coral Zone. The Coral Economy Class seats feature lumbar support, headrests and foot rests and up to 33 inch seat pitch. Each Coral Economy seat has a 10.7" personal LCD screen. The Coral Zone also includes in-flight telephone.

In-flight entertainment

Etihad uses the Thales TopSeries i5000  in-flight entertainment system with AVOD (audio-video on demand) system on its new long-range aircraft and on some of its new A320-200 aircraft. Etihad brand this system as the 'E-box'. International destination fleets have a Plug-And-Play system which works on USB technology, that allow passengers to play their own audio, video and picture media. The Airbus A330-200, A340-500, A340-600 and Boeing 777-300ER all have in-flight telephone facility.

Loyalty programme

Etihad Guest is the airline's frequent flyer program, launched on 30 August 2006. It offers a discount web shop for loyalty program members.

Etihad is not part of any airline alliance, but has a partnership agreement with:

Alitalia SA

All Nippon Airways (SA)

Bangkok Airways

Brussels Airlines (SA)

Jet Airways

Oman Air

Pacific Blue

SriLankan Airlines

Ukraine International Airlines

V Australia

Virgin Blue

Etihad has released information on a new partnership deal with Virgin Blue and V Australia and would begin direct flights to Abu Dhabi from Sydney. All Virgin Blue services will be available to Etihad customers, opening up 44 destinations in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands, and to Asia and Los Angeles. The airlines will share their frquent flyer benefits

Awards

This section does not cite any references or sources.

Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (November 2010)

Being the world's fastest growing airline, Etihad Airways has received over 30 awards since its inauguration in 2003. It has a 4-star rating by Skytrax. Etihad also has a 5-star rating for its First and Business Classes. It has won the World Travel Awards (WTA) designation for having the best Business Class in the world in 2009.

In November, 2009 Etihad Airways won the "World's Leading Airline" award at the World Travel Awards in London. This award is the first for any Middle Eastern airline and also a record in the commercial aviation history to be recognised as the world's leading airline in such short period of time since its establishment.

In 2010, Etihad Airways won the 'World's Best First Class' award by Skytrax at Hamburgh. Etihad also received awards for 'Best First Class catering' and 'Best First Class Seat' as well. The same year Etihad Airways was awarded the title of “World’s Leading Airline” for a second consecutive year at the World Travel Awards (WTA) in London. Etihad’s success in London caps a great year for the airline as it had won six titles at the WTA ceremony for the Middle East in May, including the coveted title as the region’s Leading Airline.

Incidents and accidents

F-WWCJ, 15 November 2007

Etihad Airways has had no fatal accidents and no major accidents in revenue service.

On 15 November 2007 an Airbus A340-600 due to be delivered to Etihad ran into a concrete blast fence during an engine test at the Airbus factory at Toulouse Blagnac International Airport, France. This was due to the crew not following proper test procedures, raising all four engines to maximum thrust while the wheels were unchocked. The attempt to steer away from the wall resulted in decreased braking power. Five people were injured and the aircraft was written off.

(source:wikipedia)

Malta flights cancelled

Malta flights cancelled, delayed because of European weather

Profile Facts-A number of flights to and from Malta were cancelled or delayed today because of the extreme weather conditions in Europe.

The first flight cancelled was the Airmalta/Lufthansa morning flight to and from Frankfurt, Germany.

Ryanair's to and from Pisa, Italy was initially delayed but it was then eventually cancelled. This was followed by Easyjet's flights to and from Gatwick and Manchester.

Also delayed are the Air Malta/BMI flights to and from Heathrow and Gatwick and the Malta/Lufthansa flight to and from Frankfurt.

In Spain, air traffic controllers staged a mass 'sick day' in protest over austerity measures but as military controllers took over emergency services, the government invoked special emergency powers and warned that the controllers' action threatened national security.

"If the situation doesn't normalise, the government will declare a state of alert," Deputy Prime Minister Alfredo Rubalcaba told an emergency cabinet meeting.

"The controllers will be mobilised and if they don't get back to work, their cases will be passed immediately to the judiciary and they will be accused of a crime which could mean a prison sentence."

The Spanish army took over air control towers on Friday after unofficial strike action by controllers grounded planes and disrupted travel for around 250,000 people on one of Spain's busiest holiday weekends.

If enough controllers do not show up for work Saturday to restore normal flight operations, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero affirmed that he intended to declare a national emergency that would force them to do so, Rubalcaba said.

No-show controllers will face unspecified criminal charges punishable by "serious prison time," he said.

By Saturday afternoon, as many as two-thirds of air controllers were back at work but officials in various Spanish airports said the damage had been done and it would take at least a day before normal air services can resume.

Qantas flights from Heathrow:Weather delays

Qantas has confirmed that four Australian-bound flights due to depart from London's Heathrow airport today have been delayed due to the severe weather in Europe.

The flights are bound for Sydney and Melbourne.

Freezing temperatures and record snowfalls have closed roads and other smaller airports, including Gatwick, and led to significant delays at Heathrow.

A Qantas spokesman says the flights have not been cancelled, but it is not known when they can be rescheduled for departure.

Christmas security

Pofile Facts-MANILA, Philippines — The city government of Caloocan firmed up oin Thursday measures to ensure the security of the public especially shoppers doing last minute shopping for the holidays.

Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri said that the security of his constituents this Christmas season against unscrupulous and abusive individuals has been always the primary concern of the city government.

In line with this, Echiverri directed the local police to further intensify its campaign on street crimes particularly those against holdup men and snatchers which increase in number during this time of the year.

Echiverri said that aside from uniformed cops, members of the Reformed Department of Public Safety and Traffic Management (RDPSTM) and barangay tanods are also making rounds in order to discourage criminal activity.

“Most of us are now busy shopping for gifts at different stores and in order to guarantee their safety from criminals, I’ve ordered the deployment of additional security personnel,” the mayor said.

The Special Weapons and Tactic (SWAT) operatives from the Caloocan City Police are also conducting surveillance at stores, bus terminals and places with heavy volume of people as a deterrent to terrorists this coming Christmas.

Authorities are particularly keeping a close watch on locations with ATMs (automated teller machines) as there have been reports of robbers targetting people who have just withdrawn their hard-earned cash.

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at different establishments in Caloocan have also been checked to see if they’re still functioning.

(source:mb.com.ph)

Christmas Charity,Projects Top 5

Christmas Charity,Projects,

Looking for ways to reach out to needy and hurting children in an effort to make their Christmas season a little brighter. Choosing a trustworthy and reliable charity for your special Christmas project may seem overwhelming with so many organizations to choose from. Each of these favorite Christmas charity projects offers unique distinctions, allowing you to choose the donation most appealing to your personal spirit of giving.

1. Angel Tree

Angel Tree is a ministry of Prison Fellowship, delivering love in the form of Christmas gifts and a message of hope to children of prisoners. Angel Tree Christmas connects the parents in prison with their children through the delivery of Christmas gifts by local church volunteers who purchase and deliver these gifts and the gospel to children. Often times the local church will host a Christmas party for the children, their caretakers and family. Learn more now about getting your church involved with Angel Tree projects:

2. Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child invites you to pack a shoe box with small toys, school supplies, other gifts, and a personal note to introduce a hurting child to God's love. The small gifts of love and messages of hope through Jesus Christ are delivered to needy children overseas.

3. Make a Wish Foundation

Make this holiday season special by helping a child’s dream come true. Make a Wish's unique holiday donation options will help grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.

4. Toys for Tots

Donate a new toy or give a donation to help make Christmas a little brighter for a needy child in your community.

5. My Two Front Teeth

My Two Front Teeth offers a personalized online gift-giving experience to aid underprivileged children. These children are selected through community organizations and allowed to individually pick their one holiday wish. The child's wish profile is entered into the online database where donors then choose an online sponsorship.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

The Christmas message from the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints helped members of the church get into the Christmas spirit and remember Christ. The First Presidency spoke about the importance of Christmas and the Mormon Tabernacle preformed beloved Christmas songs.

President Uchtdorf spoke about the importance of noticing the beauty of Christmas. He talked about the children’s story Dr. Seuss wrote, How the Grinch Stole Christmas. He said that we often can feel like the Grinch because we see the commercialism of Christmas. It is easy to feel like Christmas time is overwhelming or a burden but we should remember the true meaning of Christmas. We can see Christmas with new eyes. He said there are three things we should do during this Christmas time.

1. Rejoice in the birth of our Savior

2. Ponder the influence of Christ in our lives

3. Look steadfastly for His coming

President Eyring spoke about Christ’s ministry and the restoration of the gospel. He also said that we should never give up hope and that the Lord loves us so much that He gave us the atonement. He told the story of an elderly woman who still remembered her Redeemer and was comforted by Him in her older years. He also suggested that we should help those in need during this season because anything we do to others is like helping Him. He said that “each act of kindness is an act of kindness to Him.”

President Monson concluded the Christmas Devotional and spoke about the Christmases that he remembered growing up. The Christmases that were the most important and memorable were the ones that were filled with the Christmas spirit. He told a story from John Matheson Jr. who was an American officer in Germany 1945. He had an elderly Housekeeper and thought that he would give her a Christmas gift. He was proud of himself for giving her such an expensive gift. He thought that she was very lucky to have him give her such a gift. He gave her a gift out of pity and self-satisfaction.

She had also given him a gift of 10 postcards of Frankfurt before the tumult of war. She had made these postcards into a star. He was touched by her gift because she was so poor and that it was all that she had. The most important Christmases are the ones that we feel closer to the Savior. He concluded saying that we should help other and take this time to remember the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Christmas Island,boat disaster: 28 dead

Between 70 and 100 asylum seekers on boat

Two women flown to Perth in serious condition

Many couldn't swim to reach lifejackets

Minister believes boat wasn't tracked

Asylum policy slammed

The death toll from yesterday's Christmas Island tragedy has risen to 28 this morning, with the federal government conceding up to 100 asylum seekers might have been aboard the ill-fated vessel.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen's office confirmed the new toll today as questions mount about how the boat managed to get so far, and into so much trouble, without being intercepted.

Asylum-seeker boat crashes off Christmas Island

Twenty-seven people had been confirmed dead last night after the boat smashed against rocks off the island.

Mr Bowen told radio station 3MTR today that 44 Iranian and Iraqi asylum seekers had survived the crash, which occurred about 6am in Flying Fish Cove.

Of the survivors, 11 said they were younger than 18, Mr Bowen told Sky News this morning.

Mr Bowen said initial reports suggested between 70 and 100 asylum seekers were on the vessel, but that figure had not been verified.

"It's too early to say. We're obviously talking to some of the asylum seekers, and that will continue to happen," he said.

"People who have survived say there were between 70 and 100," he told 3MTR.

"But we really don’t know and we probably never will," Mr Bowen said, adding weather conditions in the area were extremely dangerous.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has cancelled holidays as her government braced for the high death toll.

The dead include women and children.

Home Affairs Minister Brendan O’Connor confirmed the search for survivors would continue today.

"The search will continue at first light. We’ll have to continue the search before we can determine precisely the number [on board].

"It’s clearly a tragic situation for the victims, the victims' families and the people of Christmas Island," he said.

Urgent treatment

A temporary mortuary has been established on the island.

Six survivors have been taken to hospital, while the others have been taken to the Christmas Island detention centre, Mr O’Connor said.

The Perth Royal Flying Doctor Service flew two women to Royal Perth Hospital in a serious but stable condition for urgent treatment.

"We brought the most serious two patients back," Dr David McIlroy told ABC Radio. "One lady with abdominal injuries, one lady with lung injuries probably from inhaling sea water and a bit of diesel."

Royal Flying Doctor Service medical director Stephen Langford said some of the survivors at Christmas Island could require extra medical care in Perth.

"They [Christmas Island] don’t have a surgical capacity," he told ABC Television, noting that "half a dozen" patients had "minor traumatic" injuries.

"There are ones that may need some tertiary level care," he said, adding they could be sent to Perth on a routine flight. "Or they may be treated on the island."

Additional federal and West Australian police are due to arrive on the island by plane. A disaster victim identification unit is also en route.

"There will also be people authorised to inquire on behalf of the West Australian coroner, so that will commence quite quickly as well," Mr O’Connor said.

'There was nothing we could do'

Traumatised residents watched the tragedy unfold from Christmas Island's lethal limestone cliffs. Their efforts to rescue children drowning below them were thwarted by roaring winds that threw back lifevests.

''I saw a person dying in front of me and there was nothing we could do to save them,'' said a Christmas Island councillor, Kamar Ismail.

''Babies, children, maybe three or four years old, they were hanging on to bits of timber, they were screaming 'help, help, help'. We were throwing lifejackets out to them but many of them couldn't swim a few metres to reach them.''

Mick Tassone watched the boat hit the rocks and saw people dashed against the cliffs. ''There was a lot of screaming. It was very rough out there,'' he said. ''They had no chance.''

Wooden boat appeared close to shore

The Prime Minister said: ''This has been a tragic event, and it will be some time before there is a full picture of what has happened. The government's focus and absolute priority now is on rescue, recovery and treatment of those injured.''

The opposition and the government put aside the bitter politics of an election fought over boat arrivals, saying it was not the time to debate policy.

Customs and Border Protection refused to answer questions about whether HMAS Perie had been tracking the boat for at least two days before its engine failed early yesterday.

"My understanding is that it wasn’t tracked, but this is early days," Mr Bowen said.

In a statement the department said the vessel had been sighted north-east of Flying Fish Cove in the morning and foundered in severe conditions.

Residents said the naval vessel was sitting on the horizon when the wooden boat appeared close to shore at Rocky Point about 5am, and the heavy swell and rain may have initially obscured it from view. Naval tenders then raced towards the stricken boat.

Customs said the rescue was conducted ''in extremely difficult and dangerous conditions''. HMAS Pirie and ACV Triton offered immediate help and lifejackets were thrown to people in the water, Customs said.

Asylum policy slammed

Refugee advocates said the tragedy highlighted the dangers of the country's asylum policy. ''The Australian government are to blame,'' said Ian Rintoul of the Refugee Action Coalition.

''They should be processing people in Indonesia. They should be dropping the anti-people-smuggling laws so that people feel they can safely contact Australian authorities without any recriminations.''

Mr Bowen said the accident would not change the government’s border security policy.

"We need to break the people-smuggling business model, absolutely we do," he said. "To do so we need international cooperation and that’s what we’re working very hard on to do."

A documentary maker, Philip Stewart, watched seven people clinging desperately to part of the hull. He said one swam to a rescue boat and safety.

''The other six couldn't get off and each one of them was eventually knocked off and just disappeared.''

From the cliffs, residents threw a rope which snapped, but could not launch rescue boats because of the dangerous swell.

The opposition immigration spokesman, Scott Morrison, said the tragedy was ''the realisation of our worst fears'' and would haunt the people of Christmas Island.

A source at Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency said Australian authorities had not alerted them about the departure from Indonesia of the vessel.

Australia, with its superior radar, satellites and intelligence, frequently shares information with Indonesia about suspected people-smuggling boats in its waters.

But the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said such an alert had only been issued once in the past week, for a smaller vessel that departed Padang in Sumatra on Tuesday.

An information line has been set up for people who may have known someone on board the boat which crashed on rocks at Christmas Island.The Department of Immigration and Citizenship line is 1300 724 010.

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(source:smh.com.au)