Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter Subscribe Madonna: Israel is as safe as New York TEL AVIV, Israel, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Pop-star Madonna said Sunday she found Israel just as dangerous as New York. Advertisement Madonna arrived Wednesday night to celebrate the Jewish New Year and study Kabala (Jewish mysticism) in a hotel opposite the Dofinarium, site of one of the worst intifada attacks. Speaking at a gala event Sunday evening Madonna attributed her hesitation to come to Israel to "so many news reports about terror attacks" and State Department travel warnings. "I realize now that it is no more dangerous to be here than it is to be in New York," she said. Madonna benefited from special security precautions: bodyguards surrounded her and clashed with photographers, the hotel was closed to people who were not its guests, and a police motorcade accompanied her. Advertisement Her complaint was about the paparazzi whom she claimed were "naughty." At Sunday's gala event, an Israeli children's choir and a Palestinian sang to more than 1,000 people and Tourism Minister Gideon Ezra praised Madonna for having come to Israel. The Tourism Ministry was hoping her visit would boost Israel's image as a tourist destination. General: Britain 'still at war' LONDON, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- General Mike Jackson, head of Britain's Army, said Sunday that British troops in Iraq are "back at war." The comment made Jackson the first official to publicly say war is still being waged in Iraq, 16 months after President George Bush declared combat operations over, The Telegraph reported Sunday. Jackson told The Telegraph in an interview that August had been a difficult month for coalition soldiers serving in Iraq. "Soldiers are now fighting a counter-insurgency war," Jackson said. "August was a very busy month and British soldiers were involved in war fighting." However, Jackson said he did not believe the situation was irresolvable, or that the British Army had been unprepared to deal with the insurgency. "I don't think we were caught out by this counter-insurgency war. From a British dimension, the planning for post-war Iraq had allowed for a less-than-benign atmosphere, so I don't think it is fair to say that we were caught out or unprepared," he said. Advertisement PM: Iraq elections will not be delayed LONDON, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said Sunday that elections will take place as scheduled in January despite the raging insurgency. Allawi, who spoke with reporters after meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair in London, said his government was determined to hold elections Jan. 31, Arab News reported Sunday. "We are adamant that democracy is going to prevail, is going to win in Iraq," said Allawi, who is heading to the United Nations for this week's General Assembly session. Allawi also said ousted Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and his lieutenants would go on trial soon. "Roughly speaking, I think October," he said. Scotland sex offenders to get home visits GLASGOW, Scotland, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- The BBC reported Sunday some of Scotland's serious sex offenders will be allowed escorted home visits for the first time. The move, ordered by the governor of Peterhead Prison, is part of a plan to reduce re-offending rates for sex crimes, the BBC said. Peterhead Jail Chief Ian Gunn has said he wants to see changes to the way offenders are prepared for release. He said criminals who are re-introduced into society before the end of their jail term are less likely to commit crimes in future. Advertisement Prisoners will be allowed out for work placements, short home visits, and trips to shopping centers escorted by private security guards. Some opposition parties have expressed concern about the policy, which they claim could compromise public safety.
