Pujols gets first hit as Angel in loss to Royals

Associated Press Sports

updated 7:22 p.m. ET April 7, 2012

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) - Luke Hochevar was tired of getting knocked around by the Los Angeles Angels so he took a new approach.

Hochevar took a shutout into the seventh inning and the Kansas City Royals got solo homers from Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas against Dan Haren in a 6-3 victory Saturday.

"That's a good ballclub, no doubt about it, and it's not an easy lineup to navigate through," Hochevar said. "They're stacked from one to nine, so I knew that I had to execute a lot of quality pitches. That was my focus, especially with Haren on the mound. Early on, I think the results were better than my execution, and then I kind of hit a groove in the fourth and started making a lot of quality pitches in key situations."

Hochevar (1-0) was charged with two runs and five hits over 6 1-3 innings in his season debut. The right-hander, who was the first overall pick in the 2006 draft by the Royals and their opening-day starter last year, came in 0-3 with a with an 8.02 ERA in his four previous starts against the Angels.

Hochevar gave up a pair of one-out singles in the seventh and was relieved by Tim Collins with a 5-0 lead. Bobby Abreu lined the left-hander's first pitch into the right field corner for an RBI double and Torii Hunter scored on a groundout by Vernon Wells.

The Angels, who were shut out through the first five innings a major league-worst 50 times last season - have done so in each of their first two games despite the addition of three-time NL MVP Albert Pujols. Friday night they won their opener 5-0 with a five-run eighth after getting blanked for six innings by Bruce Chen.

"We're still in spring training mode and pitchers are way ahead of us, but I think we'll catch up soon. You can't panic right now with 160 games to go," Hunter said. "Today was one of those days. Hochevar kept us off-balance and we couldn't score any runs off him. He changed speeds, had his cutter working, and that's something we couldn't make adjustments on."

Jonathan Broxton, who became the Royals' closer after two-time All-Star Joakim Soria had season-ending Tommy John surgery April 3, followed Collins and Greg Holland out of the bullpen and got the final three outs after inheriting a 6-2 lead. He gave up a sacrifice fly by Abreu before retiring Wells on a game-ending double play.

Broxton hasn't had a save since May 2, 2011, with the Dodgers - he was shut down two days later because of bone spurs in his elbow and missed the rest of the season. The Royals signed him as a free agent in November.

"It feels pretty good to get out there again. My elbow felt fine," said the two-time All-Star. "It was very frustrating last year, especially because I couldn't go out there and help the team win. I hated that the season ended up the way it did for me, but hopefully they got everything straight. I'm fine right now, so we'll just continue to go forward."

Pujols got his first hit with Los Angeles, a double in the fourth. He lined a 2-2 pitch over the head of left fielder Alex Gordon with one out in the fourth and tried to score on a single to left by Kendrys Morales. But Gordon, who won a Gold Glove last season, charged the ball and made a one-hop throw to the plate to get Pujols, whose hook slide appeared to have beaten Humberto Quintero's tag.

Haren (0-1) gave up five runs and 11 hits over 5 1-3 innings and struck out five. Morales was 4 for 4 with a double in his second game with the Angels after a severe ankle injury in 2010, when he jumped on home plate after a walkoff grand slam.

Jeff Francoeur, playing in his 1,000th regular-season game, hit a two-run single with the bases loaded in the first. It was the fourth straight hit allowed by Haren, who minimized the damage by striking out Betancourt and Moustakas. Quintero led off the Royals' second with the first of his two doubles and scored on Lorenzo Cain's sacrifice fly.

"I didn't make too many quality pitches, and that's a recipe for disaster," Haren said. "I threw too many pitches up in the zone and wasn't really controlling the count too well. Obviously they got off to a quick start, getting four singles in a row, and I just never really got into a rhythm. ... But you've got to hand it to them. They've got a good ballclub and they did the most with the pitches I left out over the plate."

NOTES: Pujols, who was 0 for 3 with a walk in his Angels debut, has never gone hitless in his first two games of the season. ... Francoeur's first big league game was on July 7, 2005, with Atlanta. ... It was the first time that Moustakas and Hosmer homered in the same game since making their big league debuts five weeks apart last season. ... pujols grounded into a double play his first time up, something he did a career-high 29 times last season - including three on opening day.

? 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Prince Fielder hit his first two home runs with the Detroit Tigers and Miguel Cabrera added a pair of his own in a 10-0 rout of the Boston Red Sox on Saturday.

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Self-Regulated Understanding (SRL), A Path of Achievement ...

Self-Regulated Understanding (SRL), A Path of Achievement

1 could not have come across this term ahead of, but 1 can possibly guess what it indicates?studying motivationally and behaviorally. SRL can be a theory of educational psychology built on the most recent developments in cognitive science and according to the learner?s intended work towards understanding objectives. It emphasizes the emerging autonomy from the students and also the responsibility from the students to take charge of their studying. It incorporates

Setting precise objectives for oneself

Adopting highly effective methods to attaining the objectives

Concentration on directions

Making use of efficient techniques to organize the tips

Utilizing resources efficiently

Managing time efficiently

Holding positive beliefs about personal capabilities

Restructuring personal physical and social situations of studying to create it compatible to attain objectives

Self-evaluating personal technique of mastering

Examining personal self, thinking and behavior

Comparing oneself to a regular

Reacting to personal judgment via self-administered awards and punishments

An individual who?s self-regulated is characterized to become an active dilemma solver and aims to increase his or her efficiency. Folks that are self-regulated attain tasks effectively since they make attempts to close the gaps amongst their present status and objectives.

SRL is an integrated mastering approach, consisting from the improvement of a set of constructive behaviors that influence one?s understanding, it incorporates info organizing behavior, purpose setting and preparing behavior, monitoring behavior, rehearsing and memorizing behavior, self-evaluative behavior and social help behavior. In the course of understanding method, self-regulation of studying examines these circumstances which enacts productive understanding and discover the improvement of self-regulatory expertise. It improves students? self-directed and proactive studying due to the fact it truly is the efforts place forth by the students to deepen monitor, manipulate and increase their very own studying.

Self-regulation of mastering is cyclically initiated when learners set academic objectives, pick studying techniques and assess the feelings and motivational beliefs, they must attain the objectives. Then they approach to self-monitor their objectives and use of technique by comparing their efficiency with suitable common and by in search of essential aid. Ultimately, self-regulation procedure ends with learners? self-regulation and self-evaluation of how they total the activity effectively simply because it?s a self-directive method via which learners transform their mental skills into activity connected academic ability, by utilizing a systematic and standard approach of understanding. Self-regulated learners personally initiate and direct their very own efforts to acquire expertise and abilities as an alternative to relying on teachers, parents as well as other agents of directions due to the fact it?s a procedure guided by metacognition (contemplating one?s personal thinking), strategic action(preparing, monitoring and evaluating individual progress against a common) and motivation to discover. It?s the crucial dimension of classroom studying as students typically turn out to be the victims of environmental strain i.e., poor class area directions, poor parental and teachers guidance and sometime more than crowdedness of classes. If learners do not create the capability of directing their very own understanding, they?re going to be only partially educated.

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Ppc Advertising Courses train an inexpensive Kind of promotion on ...

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Since the title signifies, you have to pay of those ads when someone really clicks them. These ads are very effective precisely since you pay on their own account for those who have a possible prospect click them. As well as, its guaranteed traffic even if the internet user doesn?t buy this time around. You?ll find many other advantages to ppc advertising, for more compact companies around the tight marketing budget.

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What You Need to Become A Good Internet Marketing Consultant ...

April 8, 2012 admin Internet

In a world that relies heavily on the powers of the Internet, it is not surprising that many of us have found help, in one way or another, from the online world. Even big businesses use the Internet in their daily dealings. In fact, most companies hire their own Internet marketing consultants to help them promote their business properly.

An internet marketing consultant is somebody who knows the ins and outs of business marketing, particularly the techniques involved in bringing businesses to the top. In addition to this, he or she should be knowledgeable about the best ways to increase traffic for the company webpage. This is an important aspect in ensuring good online presence, which will eventually equate to consumer awareness.

There are also certain educational qualifications that an Internet marketing consultant should possess.

An Internet or online marketing consultant should be the holder of a high school diploma. It will help a lot if he or she has high grades, although it is not necessary for one to have straight As throughout high school. Basic educational knowledge is important for any aspiring online marketing consultant.

College education is also important. Those who complete a Bachelors Degree in Business have an advantage over those who finished non-business courses. It is also advisable to add computer subjects as not all business courses have advanced classes in computer. The vital computer courses are those that focus on blogging, website or webpage designing and other important aspects involved in online marketing. Background knowledge in SEO or search engine optimization will also be a big help.

Internet marketing consultants who want to go up higher in the corporate ladder and improve their skills take up post degree courses. A Masters of Business Administration or MBA with special focus on marketing will help achieve this goal.

Joining training sessions, workshops and seminars in marketing, specifically in Internet marketing, will likewise be helpful.

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Supporting Child Wellness in Early Childhood Education

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I am currently participating in the Wellness Grant in WI. The goal of the CACFP Wellness Grant is to improve the health and nutrition of children participating in child care settings in WI by implementing or strengthening wellness policies in child care institutions.? I think it?s a great program and I?m glad to participate.
Physical activity and eating habits develop early, making the ECE setting important. It?s true that on average children under age 5 spend more than 30 hours per week in early childhood settings so ECE professionals can improve child health and wellness by establishing child care program policies within their business practices.

wellness:? Mental & physical soundness, especially when maintained or achieved via a good diet and regular exercise.

Focus Areas for Early Childhood Health:
  • Increase fruit & vegetable consumption
  • Decrease sweetened beverage consumption
  • Decrease food portion size (portion control)
  • Increase physical activity
  • Decrease TV and other ?screen? time
  • Increase Breastfeeding
I find these things have been fairly easy to implement in my day care.? Some if it is just about education & awareness? for myself, the children and the challenging part, bringing this education and awareness to families.
1. Serve less {or no} juice. We?re down to serving 100% apple juice twice/week or less for snack time. Milk or water is served at snack time. We have apple slices, Cutie oranges, grapes, bananas, fruit kabobs or applesauce instead.

2. Ban it.? I don?t serve hot dogs, American Cheese, Kraft mac & cheese, chicken nuggets, hash browns/tator tots or fish sticks.(basically anything pre-fried) any canned vegetables, or sweetened grains. Encourage parents to bring healthier snacks for celebrations. We?re eating a lot less crackers too.

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3. More fruits and vegetables. I?ll admit it, I?ve used the excuse ?they won?t eat it? for too long. It?s so frustrating to plan a meal, buy it, prepare it, serve it just to throw it in the trash.? We need to change the idea in kids? heads, parent?s heads, MY head that ?kids don?t eat vegetables?. Guess what? If we keep offering it and limit their other options, they will. My group likes peppers, cucumbers, carrots, grape tomatoes, and broccoli. I offer these family style at snack time so they can choose what they want. Yes, I?ve taken pictures for parents because they can?t believe it!? A little low-fat Ranch goes a long ways.Winking smile

4. Encourage water drinking. I have a child sized water pitcher & Dixie cups on a tray for the kids to help themselves throughout the day. Yes, we have spills, yes it?s one more thing to have ready each day but yes, it?s important. Not only is it available, I?ve found I need to remind kids that they can & should have some water throughout the day.

water

5. Serve 1% milk {plain, not flavored} milk to children 2 & up. Lots of providers don?t like this switch from whole milk the food program now requires, but I?ve always served 1% for day care. On a rare occasion I mix up some chocolate or strawberry milk but that?s 2x/year max. I pour small amounts of milk and that is my one expectation, that the kids finish their milk before leaving the table.

6. Skip the treats. I love to bake & I like to celebrate but we have to learn to do it differently, with a focus on fun rather than food. It?s something I have to learn myself. In reality, kids get so many sweets elsewhere so I don?t need to provide it day care. Every holiday is another candy or cookie overload. It?s just too much. I haven?t made cupcakes in ages. I learned a long time ago that kids like to lick off the frosting and leave the rest. What?s the point of that? A good alternative is to make a cracker/cereal/dried fruit snack mix and add in a few M & M?s or colored marshmallows ? something some that relates to the season or holiday.? Or focus on the games, crafts and stories instead.

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7.? Make a menu. Making a 4-6 week cycle menu saves time. You?ll spend less time planning meals because the menu can be repeated {revise slightly to incorporate seasonal items} and less time shopping when you know what you need. I think it saves money too. I make the list and that?s what I buy instead of ?I might need this?.? I make and print a 2 week menu. I post one in my kitchen, one by the day care entry for parents to see, it?s posted on my website/FB page, and a printed copy is sent home with each family. Menus also insure that you?re offering a variety of foods.
menu

8. No TV. This is easy for us since we don?t have a TV in our home. I use online resources or DVD?s occasionally and it?s been very occasionally.? The kids never ask for it, they?re too busy doing other things! Screen time isn?t recommended for children under 2. Usually my group gets bored and is up playing before long and no one?s watching anyway.

9. Teach.? Talk about healthy choices, incorporate it into the curriculum, lead by example. Some kind of wellness education offered at least once a week. Active play time and food should not be used as a punishment or reward.

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10. Focus on active play. I admit, this is the harder area for me. We have to do more than just send the kids outside to play. Licensing requires outdoor play daily so we always do that, weather permitting. YoungStar recommends 60 minutes of daily physical activity. Allowing at least 60 minutes for child-led, free active play each day and incorporating 60 minutes of teacher-led activities throughout the day is challenging, especially with multi-age groups, and all the other facets of the job!

image

Integrate 120 minutes of physical activity each day with:

Add your ideas & resources for supporting child wellness in the early years:

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Making The Most Of A Career In Writing

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By : John Cox ?? 4 or more times read
Submitted 2012-04-06 15:10:20
Writing is a skill that can be learned; it is a craft, and words can be used to craft pieces that express a lot. It is also a gift that involves a writer's ability to spin magic out of simple words. If you feel that you can make effective use of words in your writing and create something that will be more interesting and thoughtful than talking, then you can seriously think of a career in this field. A career in writing does not necessarily mean just playing with words; it means making an effort to mold them in order to express something that you cannot achieve when you speak. This is where the magic of writing lies.
Every writer has different reasons behind writing. Some do it just for fun and some take up writing as an income source to earn their living. No matter what the reason, the most important thing is that you should have the ability to create magic on paper by penning down words. Writing can give any individual a chance to profit. If you have the flair for writing and you want to take it up as your career then you have several opportunities in this field.
Career Options
Each career opportunity in writing may come with certain drawbacks and since it is not a get-rich-quick scheme, it will take some time for you to start earning real money. The career opportunities that lie in this field range from positions such as print journalist, editor, freelance writer, content writer, technical writer, copy editor and more.
You can make a career in print journalism by taking up the profession of a newspaper and magazine reporter. This profession will give you a chance to write on various topics from politics to fashion to human interest. The best part is that you will get the opportunity gather the information yourself, in order to create a story or an article out of it. People with good writing skills can also opt for content or technical writing. If you don't want to work under someone you can also opt for freelance writing, although there is uncertainty of your articles getting published, but you can surely give it a shot. People with good writing skills can write novels and short stories and get them published. Although publishing a book is again not very certain, once completed it can ensure a good profit. It requires a lot commitment as far as time is concerned. You can also try your hand at corporate writing, which again is lucrative and tightly controlled.
Blogging
Creating a blog account is another option for people who are interested in writing. You can create an account on the free blogging sites on the Internet and promote it through article marketing and link development. You can also try online writing where you can place articles on the Internet.
Writing may not seem to be a very promising career to many, but it certainly provides a great deal of satisfaction to those who find it interesting and have a penchant for it. It is advisable to practice writing everyday and be open to reading articles written by others, as you will get to learn more and improve your writing skills. There is no quick fix magic formula that will turn you into a good writer. It is a life's work.
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Making The Most Of A Career In Writing

By: John Cox

Writing is a skill that can be learned; it is a craft, and words can be used to craft pieces that express a lot. It is also a gift that involves a writer's ability to spin magic out of simple words. If you feel that you can make effective use of words in your writing and create something that will be more interesting and thoughtful than talking, then you can seriously think of a career in this field. A career in writing does not necessarily mean just playing with words; it means making an effort to mold them in order to express something that you cannot achieve when you speak. This is where the magic of writing lies. Every writer has different reasons behind writing. Some do it just for fun and some take up writing as an income source to earn their living. No matter what the reason, the most important thing is that you should have the ability to create magic on paper by penning down words. Writing can give any individual a chance to profit. If you have the flair for writing and you want to take it up as your career then you have several opportunities in this field. Career Options Each career opportunity in writing may come with certain drawbacks and since it is not a get-rich-quick scheme, it will take some time for you to start earning real money. The career opportunities that lie in this field range from positions such as print journalist, editor, freelance writer, content writer, technical writer, copy editor and more. You can make a career in print journalism by taking up the profession of a newspaper and magazine reporter. This profession will give you a chance to write on various topics from politics to fashion to human interest. The best part is that you will get the opportunity gather the information yourself, in order to create a story or an article out of it. People with good writing skills can also opt for content or technical writing. If you don't want to work under someone you can also opt for freelance writing, although there is uncertainty of your articles getting published, but you can surely give it a shot. People with good writing skills can write novels and short stories and get them published. Although publishing a book is again not very certain, once completed it can ensure a good profit. It requires a lot commitment as far as time is concerned. You can also try your hand at corporate writing, which again is lucrative and tightly controlled. Blogging Creating a blog account is another option for people who are interested in writing. You can create an account on the free blogging sites on the Internet and promote it through article marketing and link development. You can also try online writing where you can place articles on the Internet. Writing may not seem to be a very promising career to many, but it certainly provides a great deal of satisfaction to those who find it interesting and have a penchant for it. It is advisable to practice writing everyday and be open to reading articles written by others, as you will get to learn more and improve your writing skills. There is no quick fix magic formula that will turn you into a good writer. It is a life's work.

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Woods goes nowhere, Couples on course at Masters

Tiger Woods takes his third shot on the second hole during the third round of the Masters golf tournament Saturday, April 7, 2012, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tiger Woods takes his third shot on the second hole during the third round of the Masters golf tournament Saturday, April 7, 2012, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Tiger Woods reacts after missing a birdie putt on the 15th green during the third round of the Masters golf tournament Saturday, April 7, 2012, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tiger Woods pumps his fist after teeing off on the fourth hole during the third round of the Masters golf tournament Saturday, April 7, 2012, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Tiger Woods checks his course notes before taking his second shot on the first fairway during the third round of the Masters golf tournament Saturday, April 7, 2012, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Tiger Woods hits off the first fairway during the third round of the Masters golf tournament Saturday, April 7, 2012, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

(AP) ? Fred Couples has started his third round at the Masters with a bogey after failing to get up and down from the right side of the first green.

Jason Dufner made par to start his day and is in the lead at 5-under par, tied with Lee Westwood, who birdied the second hole.

The 52-year-old Couples is trying to win at Augusta National on the 20th anniversary of his title here. He striped his first tee shot down the fairway but blocked the approach. After chipping to about 8 feet, his putt lipped out, leaving him tied for second with Matt Kuchar and Louis Oosthuizen.

Tiger Woods shot even-par 72 and remains at 3 over for the tournament, eight shots out of the lead.

Associated Press

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Mali junta agree to stand down in amnesty deal

Mali's military junta and the West African bloc ECOWAS have announced a deal that includes the lifting of sanctions and an amnesty for those involved in last month's coup.

The agreement provides a framework for a return to constitutional rule under an interim leader who will oversee democratic elections and handle the crisis in the north, where Islamists and Tuareg rebels have seized control.

It came after Mali's Tuareg rebels declared independence Friday in the north, a move rejected by the international community and the Islamist insurgents they fought beside, as fears grew of a humanitarian crisis.

The United States, Africa and Europe dismissed the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad's (MNLA's) declaration of independence.

The declaration, long a goal of Tuareg rebels, is a bid to formalise the situation on the ground.

A democratic success since its last coup 21 years ago, Mali is now roughly divided into a Tuareg rebel-controlled north and junta-controlled south.

ECOWAS chief Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast said sanctions should be lifted "immediately", Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Djibril Bassole told public television station ORTM, referring to Friday's deal.

He also said President Amadou Toumani Toure, who was overthrown on March 22 and has not been seen since in public, should be able to live where he wants under army protection.

Bassole, speaking on behalf of ECOWAS Mali negotiator Blaise Compaore, the president of Burkina Faso, said: "We wanted... Toure to be allowed to return to the house of his choice and that he could also be protected by the defence and security forces."

He was speaking at Kati near Bamako, the headquarters of the junta, whose head, Captain Amadou Sanogo, read out the accord signed with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

At the same place coup leader Sanogo had announced Tuesday that the junta planned legal action against Toure for "high treason and embezzlement."

The text of the deal was signed by Bassole and Sanogo, with Ivorian Minister for African Integration Adama Bictogo and Nigeria's Foreign Minister Nurudeen Muhammad as witnesses.

Under the agreement, to be carried out "under the aegis of the ECOWAS mediator and with the support of the international community," the speaker of the national assembly would become interim president with a transitional prime minister and government.

The single-chamber Malian parliament is headed by Dioncounda Traore, who is currently abroad.

The accord states that the interim president would have "a mission to organise a presidential election in the constitutional timeframe of 40 days."

However, given the "exceptional circumstances... due to the institutional crisis and the armed rebellion in the north" it would be impossible to hold elections within 40 days and so it was "indispensable to organise a political transition" until electoral lists could be revised and "accepted by all."

On April 2 ECOWAS decided to clamp an immediate total embargo on Mali, a north African country of 15 million inhabitants, in a bid to return to constitutional order after the March 22 military coup.

The embargo included the closing of all borders of ECOWAS states with Mali except for humanitarian reasons, closing to Mali access to ECOWAS ports, and the freezing of Malian bank accounts.

Complicating the picture in the African nation, a radical Islamist group, Ansar Dine, has exploited the chaos to swoop in and instal sharia law in parts of the north.

While for a time the Islamists fought in concert with the MNLA, they have given short shrift to their independence plans.

"Our war is a holy war," Ansar Dine military chief Omar Hamaha said.

"It's a legal war in the name of Islam. We are against rebellions. We are against independence. We are against revolutions not in the name of Islam."

Hamaha was speaking in a video obtained by AFP and France 2 television, filmed on Tuesday and Wednesday after the Islamists' takeover of the fabled city of Timbuktu.

In the city of Gao, witnesses said Ansar Dine had kidnapped seven Algerian diplomats, reports confirmed by the Algerian foreign ministry.

While the Islamists appeared to have the upper hand, the separatist MNLA on Friday morning declared the independence of their desert homeland, which they call Azawad, and where several rebellions have played out in past decades.

This latest one was fuelled by a flood of weapons -- and returning Tuareg fighters -- from Libya following Moamer Kadhafi's downfall.

"We solemnly proclaim the independence of Azawad as from today," Mossa Ag Attaher, a Paris-based MNLA spokesman said on France 24 television, confirming a statement on the group's website.

He told AFP the group was ready to help fight the "terrorism" of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

But the international community swiftly rejected their proclamation.

The African Union dismissed it as "null and of no value whatsoever", while the European Union and United States both called for respect of Mali's "territorial integrity".

Amnesty International warned that north Mali was on the brink of a "major humanitarian disaster".

More than 200,000 people have fled since the rebellion began in mid-January.

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