September 28, 2005. 0230 z (gmt) Noted as well and not placed on the shelf because of larger dynamics: there is building heat systems south of Haiti and especially over northern South America.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
UNISYS Enhanced Infrared Satellite 12 hour loop - "Click On"
September 28, 2005. 0230 z (gmt) Noted as well and not placed on the shelf because of larger dynamics: there is building heat systems south of Haiti and especially over northern South America.
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite 12 hour loop - click here
The two Cat 5 storms in the Western and Northern Hemisphere, namely "Katrina" and "Rita" resolved a lot of the heat in the troposphere. Not that it is concluded for this year but there is an intereting set of dynamics including the return of huge vortices over the northern oceans. Plainly seen is the North Pacific Vortex. The North Atlantic Vortex seems to have moved off Greenland and east with only the 'edge' of rotation noted. Oddly, the 'remainder' of the systems including the trailing edges of these vortices are again moving north to fall in line at higher latitudes near or above the USA and Canada border. Noted a very 'odd' stream of water vapor starting at the left lower corner, across the North American continent to the Arctic Ocean. I believe that is the trailing end of the larger vortex that moved off Greenland. These systems are so large it has gotten difficult to see them in completeness. I don't understand how The National Weather Service can sit back and simply state "This is a ten to twenty year pattern" when it obviously is so destructive including to the icefields that there is no such event since the beginning of the industrial when the Human Induced Carbon Dioxide levels started to rise relentlessly. The USA government is so negligent to the people of this country it literally ignores a gross change in Climate Patterns without investigation or change in policy to reverse the trend. Amazingly stupid.
UNISYS Infrared Satellite 12 hour loop - click here
The dynamics of the Arctic Ocean Vortex has become so overwhelming there is no definition of it across North America.
GOES EAST Loop showing this vortex in motion - "Click On"
This is the latest according to GMT of a huge North Pacific Vortex.
Morning Papers - It's Origins
Rooster "Crowing"
"Okeydoke"
History
1779 John Adams negotiates Revolutionary War peace terms with Britain
1787 Constitution submitted to the states for ratification
1822 Hiram R. Revels, is born free in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He will become the first African American U.S. Senator, elected from Mississippi.
1825 Railroad transportation is born with 1st track in England
1854 Steamship Arctic sank with 300 people aboard
1862 The First Louisiana Native Guards, the first African American regiment to receive official recognition, is mustered into the Union army. The Regiment is composed of free African Americans from the New Orleans area.
1867 Louisiana voters endorse the constitutional convention and elect delegates in the first election under The Reconstruction Acts. The vote was 75,000 for the convention and 4,000 against.
1875 Branch Normal College opens in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. A segregated unit of the state university, the college is established by Joseph C. Corbin.
1876 Edward Mitchell Bannister wins a bronze medal for his painting "Under the Oaks" at the American Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The award to Bannister will cause controversy among whites who think African Americans incapable of artistic excellence.
1877 John Mercer Langston is named Minister to Haiti.
1894 Aqueduct racetrack opens in NY
1905 1st published blues composition goes on sale, WC Handy Memphis Blues
1919 Democratic National Committee votes to admit women
1928 US recognizes Nationalist Chinese government
1930 White Sox 1st baseman Bud Clancy didn't handle the ball at all in a 9 inning game vs St Louis Browns
1931 Lou Gehrig completes his 6th straight season, playing in every game
1934 Greg Morris is born in Cleveland, Ohio. He will come to Hollywood in the early 1960s to become an actor after some minor stage experience in Seattle. He will have guest roles on such series as "Dr. Kildare," "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The Twilight Zone" before being cast in "Mission: Impossible." He will be one of the first African American actors to star in a hit series during the 1960s, playing Barney Collier, the quiet, efficient electronics expert on "Mission: Impossible," which ran from 1966 to 1973. In 1979, he will go to Las Vegas to film the television series "Vega$," in which he plays Lt. David Nelson. He will like the city so much he will decide to make it his home. He will join the ancestors after succumbing to cancer there in 1996.
1936 Don Cornelius is born. He will become the creator, producer, and host of the TV show, "Soul Train" in 1970. The show will become the longest running program originally produced for first-run syndication
in the entire history of television. The show’s resounding success will position it as the cornerstone of the Soul Train franchise which includes the annual specials: "Soul Train Music Awards," the "Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards" and the "Soul Train Christmas Starfest."
1937 1st Santa Claus school opens (Albion NY)
1940 Black leaders protest discrimination in US armed forces
1940 African American leaders protest discrimination in the U.S. Armed Forces and war industries at a White House meeting with President Roosevelt.
1944 Stephanie Pogue is born in Shelby, North Carolina. She will become an artist and art professor whose works will be collected by New York City's Whitney Museum of American Art and the Studio Museum of Harlem while she will exhibit widely in the United States, Europe, Japan, and South America.
1950 Heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles defeats Joe Louis.
1953 Diane Abbott is born in the working-class neighborhood of Paddington in London, England. Her mother (a nurse) and father (a welder) had moved there in 1951 from Jamaica. A graduate of Cambridge University, she will make history on June 11, 1987, becoming the first female of African descent to be a member of the British Parliament. Her outspoken criticism of racism and her commitment to progressive politics will make her a controversial figure in Great Britain's Labour Party.
1954 Public school integration begins in Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland.
1954 School integration begins in Wash DC & Baltimore Md public schools
1959 Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev concludes his US visit
1961 Sierre Leone becomes the 100th member of the United Nations.
1962 US sells Israel, Hawk anti-aircraft missiles
1963 At 10:59 AM the census clock, records US population at 190,000,000
1964 Warren Commission released, finding Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone
1967 Washington, DC's Anacostia Museum, dedicated to informing the community of the contributions of African Americans to United States social, political and cultural history, opens its doors to the public.
1973 Nolan Ryan strikesout his 383rd batter of the year
1979 Congress' final approval to create Dept of Education
1980 WHOT (Bkln NY pirate radio station) begins on 1620 AM & 92.5 FM
1986 Senate joins House of Reps voting for sweeping tax reforms
1988 Several athletes, among them black Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, are expelled from the Olympic Games for anabolic steroid use. Johnson's gold medal, won in the 100-meter dash,is awarded to African American Carl Lewis, the second-place finisher.
1988 Grand jury evidence shows Tawana Brawley fabricated rape story
1988 Lab tests reportedly show Shroud of Turin not Christ`s burial cloth
1988 Senate votes for major federal tax code changes
1989 Sony purchases Columbia Pictures for $3.4 billion cash
1990 A gunman holds 33 people (killing 1) hostage in Berkley Calif
1990 Senate Judiciary committee approves Souter's Supreme Court nomination
1990 Tour de France champion Greg LeMond visits White House
1991 Pres Bush decides to end full-time B-52 bombers alert
Missing in Action
1965 HALL GEORGE R. HAITTIESBURG MS "02/12/73 RELEASED BY DRV (ANNAPOLIS, MD)" ALIVE AND WELL 98
1966 SPILMAN DYKE A. WILDWOOD NJ
1966 STINE JOSEPH M. EVERETT PA
1968 SMITH WILLIAM A. JR. BATTLE CREEK MI
1969 FISHER DAVID JOHN AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
1969 HUNTLEY JOHN N. PORTLAND ME
Michael Moore Today
www.michaelmoore.com
Purported al Qaeda Newscast Debuts on Internet
Masked Anchorman Lauds Gaza Pullout, Iraq Attacks, Hurricane Katrina
By Daniel Williams / Washington Post
ROME, Sept. 26 -- An Internet video newscast called the Voice of the Caliphate was broadcast for the first time on Monday, purporting to be a production of al Qaeda and featuring an anchorman who wore a black ski mask and an ammunition belt.
The anchorman, who said the report would appear once a week, presented news about the Gaza Strip and Iraq and expressed happiness about recent hurricanes in the United States. A copy of the Koran, the Muslim holy book, was placed by his right hand and a rifle affixed to a tripod was pointed at the camera.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4285
Baghdad Neighborhood's Hopes Dimmed by the Trials of War
Some Who Welcomed Americans Now Scorn Them
By Ellen Knickmeyer / Washington Post
BAGHDAD -- In the chaotic, hopeful April of 2003, Baghdad's Karrada district was one of those neighborhoods where residents showered flowers on U.S. forces entering the capital. Revelers threw water on one another and the Americans, exuding joy at the crushing of a dictatorship that had silenced, tortured and killed their people.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4280
TV Show May Help Both Bush, Victims Recover
'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' episode will feature the first lady at a Mississippi shelter.
By Faye Fiore / Los Angeles Times
WASHINGTON — Facing criticism that he appeared disengaged from the disaster wrought by Hurricane Katrina, President Bush has been looking for opportunities to show his concern. But the White House will take the effort a step further today, venturing into untested waters by putting the nation's first lady on reality television.
Laura Bush will travel to storm-damaged Biloxi, Miss., to film a spot on the feel-good, wish-granting hit "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Mrs. Bush sought to be on the program because she shares the "same principles" that the producers hold, her press secretary said.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4281
Small, Rural Towns Hit Hardest by Rita
By Michael Graczyk / Associated Press
BEAUMONT, Texas - While much of Texas and Louisiana dodged the worst of Hurricane Rita, the damage to some small, rural towns was virtually complete — and the storm was being blamed for new deaths long after it moved away.
As temperatures climbed well into the 90s and the heat index was near 106 degrees Monday, the damage from the storm was evident in small communities in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4277
Many Contracts for Storm Work Raise Questions
By Eric Lipton and ROn Nixon / New York Times
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 - Topping the federal government's list of costs related to Hurricane Katrina is the $568 million in contracts for debris removal landed by a Florida company with ties to Mississippi's Republican governor. Near the bottom is an $89.95 bill for a pair of brown steel-toe shoes bought by an Environmental Protection Agency worker in Baton Rouge, La.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4259
Trial of 4 War Protesters Upstate Ends With a Mixed Verdict
By Michelle York / New York Times
BINGHAMTON, N.Y., Sept. 26 - Jurors handed four antiwar activists a mixed verdict on Monday, apparently deciding that pouring human blood on walls, windows and an American flag at a military recruiting station to protest the Iraq war was neither Gandhi-like nor a "slippery slope" to the kind of destruction caused by violent extremists.
After seven hours of deliberations over two days, the jury in Federal District Court found Daniel J. Burns, 45; Clare T. Grady, 46; her sister, Teresa B. Grady, 40; and Peter J. De Mott, 58, guilty of trespassing and damaging government property. Each faces up to 18 months in prison.
They were acquitted of the most serious charge, conspiracy to impede an officer of the United States, which carries a penalty of up to six years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4278
A Look at U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq
By The Associated Press Mon Sep 26, 8:46 PM ET
As of Monday, Sept. 26, 2005, at least 1,919 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the
Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. At least 1,494 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers. The figures include five military civilians.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/iraq_us_deaths
US troop deaths take Afghan toll this year above 50
By David Brunnstrom / Reuters
KABUL - A U.S. soldier and a U.S. Marine have been killed in militant attacks in Afghanistan, bringing American combat deaths in the country this year to 51, the bloodiest period for U.S. forces since the fall of the Taliban.
The casualties in Kandahar and Kunar provinces on Monday took U.S. deaths in Afghanistan in two days to seven. A Chinook military transport helicopter crashed on an anti-militant mission in Zabul province on Sunday, killing its crew of five.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4282
U.S. Weapons, Foreign Flavor
By Leslie Wayne / New York TImes
Before the Iraq war, one of the Pentagon's biggest concerns was that American troops would face unknown biological and chemical threats. But when the order came in to step up production of two-piece protective suits, the Pentagon had to look overseas to get all the parts - even to countries that opposed the war.
The polyester fabric used by American companies to make the suits came from Germany and Austria. Finnish and British manufacturers made the eyelets and washers, while Japan provided the carbon beads in the suit's liner. Critical to the suit's protection was a fabric available only in Germany, one of the war's strongest critics.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4286
Antiwar Rallies Staged in Washington and Other Cities
By Michael Janofsky / The New York Times
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 - Vast numbers of protesters from around the country poured onto the lawns behind the White House on Saturday to demonstrate their opposition to the war in Iraq, pointedly directing their anger at President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
A sea of anti-administration signs and banners flashed back at a long succession of speakers, who sharply rebuked the administration for continuing a war that has cost the lives of nearly 2,000 Americans and many more Iraqis. Many of the speakers also charged Mr. Bush with squandering resources that could have been used to aid people affected by the two hurricanes that slammed into the Gulf Coast.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4246
Veterans, Grieving Families Give Somber Mood to Iraq War Protest
by Sarah Ferguson
September 25th, 2005 8:41 AM
Veteran Tomas Young, 25, was paralyzed by a bullet in Iraq.
Sarah Ferguson
by Jarrett Murphy
Organizers with the dueling anti-war groups United for Peace and Justice and International ANSWER estimated the crowd size for Saturday’s march on Washington, D.C., at 300,000—making it the largest demonstration since start of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. Capitol police gave a loose estimate of 150,000—still a heap larger than the 4,000 or so who turned out for the Pentagon’s "Freedom Walk" on 9-11.
http://villagevoice.com/news/0539,fergusonmarc,68195,2.html
Haaretz
Hamas releases picture of Nuriel
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS AND JPOST STAFF
Hamas released on Tuesday graphic pictures of Sasson Nuriel taken after his abduction but before he was murdered.
The photograph was published after Hamas terrorists claimed responsibility for kidnapping and killing Nuriel, the 51-year-old Jerusalem man who was found dead Monday.
Hamas announced that it had established new "kidnapping units" whose top priority would be capturing Israelis to be held hostage as leverage in prisoner release negotiations with Israel.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127701203801
First Temple-era seal discovered
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
A First-Temple period seal has been discovered amidst piles of rubble from Jerusalem's Temple Mount, an Israeli archaeologist said Tuesday, in what could prove to be an historic find.
The small - less than 1 cm - seal impression, or bulla, discovered Tuesday by Bar-Ilan University archaeologist Dr. Gabriel Barkay amidst piles of rubble from the Temple Mount would mark the first time that an written artifact was found from the Temple Mount dating back to the First Temple period.
The 2,600 year old artifact, with three lines in ancient Hebrew, was discovered amidst piles of rubble discarded by the Islamic Wakf that Barkay and a team of young archaeologists and volunteers are sifting
through on the grounds of a Jerusalem national park.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127787594479
IDF fires 4 artillery shells at Kassam launch site in Gaza
By ARIEH O'SULLIVAN AND JPOST STAFF
The IDF fired live artillery shells into the northern Gaza Strip for the first time on Tuesday night, in what the military said was a response to Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.
For in-depth focus on the post-pullout situation in and around Gaza, check out SPECIAL REPORT: GAZA UPHEAVAL
Security officials said four shells were fired into open ground from which Palestinians had earlier fired rockets into the western Negev town of Sderot.
The rocket, the second fired at Sderot on Tuesday, landed in one of the town's neighborhoods, fortunately causing no injuries or damage.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127701199526
Musharraf's missed opportunity
By JUDEA PEARL
The September 17 meeting in New York, at which Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf addressed the Jewish community under the auspices of the American Jewish Congress, was characterized by many observers as "historic."
Indeed, formally speaking, Musharraf's address was unprecedented in that it was it was the first time that a leader of a Muslim nation, which has no diplomatic relations with Israel, held a public dialogue with Jewish leaders.
However, the signals radiating from that meeting need to be evaluated on their individual merits, in the context of the opportunities that the meeting opened to Musharraf and the Jewish community.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127701207957&p=1006953079865
Ynet News
Gaza evacuees: Where are you now?
Gush Katif evacuees gather near Kissufim crossing to hold rally marking recent evacuation; settlers then march to Kfar Maimon
Anat Barshkovsky
Gush Katif evacuees gathered in the parking lot near the Kissufim crossing Tuesday to say goodbye to Gaza for the last time, one month after Israel's disengagement.
The rally was held several meters from the border crossing, the exact place where settlers would have their ID checked each time they wanted to enter Gush Katif.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3148286,00.html
'Peace Now' beats 'Primaries Now'
Likud is dead. Long live the Likud
Why would anyone have expected the Likud Central Committee to support a move for early primaries? The party has been in power for 20 of the 28 years since winning the 1977 election, becoming Israel's perennial governing party
Sharon wins Likud vote / Attila Somfalvi
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon celebrates victory over arch-rivals MKs Benjamin Netanyahu, Uzi Landau; Vice Premier Shimon Peres (Labor) calls PM from London to congratulate him on his victory.
During that time, the party has just about divested itself from any binding ideological platform. Likud governments have pursued economic and social policies of all types and stripes, from wasteful populism to strict capitalism.
Likud governments have sent the IDF to Beirut to trap PLO leader Yasser Arafat, and sent U.S. President Bill Clinton to Gaza to nudge the same Arafat as head of the Palestinian Authority.
Likud governments have both passed laws proclaiming "eternal" Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and negotiated secret agreements with Damascus to return 95 percent of that territory.
And lest we forget, Likud governments energetically built settlements in Judea, Samaria, Gaza and Sinai, and Likud governments destroyed settlements in Sinai, Gaza and Samaria.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3147981,00.html
Israel requests Security Council seat
Ambassador to the U.N Dani Gillerman submits formal request to the U.N. Security Council for Israel to be included as a member, says, ‘This is a very important moment for Israel, until recently no one thought this would be possible’; even if request accepted, country will have to wait 13 years for Council seat
Yitzhak Benhorin
Israel's ambassador to the U.N., Dan Gillerman, has submitted a formal request to the U.N. Security Council for Israel to be included as a member.
This marks the first time Israel has submitted its candidacy for a seat in the Security Council, and U.N. sources said reactions to the move have been positive.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3148224,00.html
Mubarak: Sharon’s moves thwart peace
Prime minister adopted several negative measures that undermine peace process, Egyptian president says
Ali Waked
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is taking a number of negative steps, which undermine the peace process and hurt the prospects of political negotiations, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said in interview published in the Egyptian newspaper Roz al-Yusuf Tuesday morning.
The Egyptian president was sworn in for the fifth time Tuesday in a festive ceremony in the parliament. On Wednesday, Mubarak is expected
to meet with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3148086,00.html
continued …
"Okeydoke"
History
1779 John Adams negotiates Revolutionary War peace terms with Britain
1787 Constitution submitted to the states for ratification
1822 Hiram R. Revels, is born free in Fayetteville, North Carolina. He will become the first African American U.S. Senator, elected from Mississippi.
1825 Railroad transportation is born with 1st track in England
1854 Steamship Arctic sank with 300 people aboard
1862 The First Louisiana Native Guards, the first African American regiment to receive official recognition, is mustered into the Union army. The Regiment is composed of free African Americans from the New Orleans area.
1867 Louisiana voters endorse the constitutional convention and elect delegates in the first election under The Reconstruction Acts. The vote was 75,000 for the convention and 4,000 against.
1875 Branch Normal College opens in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. A segregated unit of the state university, the college is established by Joseph C. Corbin.
1876 Edward Mitchell Bannister wins a bronze medal for his painting "Under the Oaks" at the American Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The award to Bannister will cause controversy among whites who think African Americans incapable of artistic excellence.
1877 John Mercer Langston is named Minister to Haiti.
1894 Aqueduct racetrack opens in NY
1905 1st published blues composition goes on sale, WC Handy Memphis Blues
1919 Democratic National Committee votes to admit women
1928 US recognizes Nationalist Chinese government
1930 White Sox 1st baseman Bud Clancy didn't handle the ball at all in a 9 inning game vs St Louis Browns
1931 Lou Gehrig completes his 6th straight season, playing in every game
1934 Greg Morris is born in Cleveland, Ohio. He will come to Hollywood in the early 1960s to become an actor after some minor stage experience in Seattle. He will have guest roles on such series as "Dr. Kildare," "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The Twilight Zone" before being cast in "Mission: Impossible." He will be one of the first African American actors to star in a hit series during the 1960s, playing Barney Collier, the quiet, efficient electronics expert on "Mission: Impossible," which ran from 1966 to 1973. In 1979, he will go to Las Vegas to film the television series "Vega$," in which he plays Lt. David Nelson. He will like the city so much he will decide to make it his home. He will join the ancestors after succumbing to cancer there in 1996.
1936 Don Cornelius is born. He will become the creator, producer, and host of the TV show, "Soul Train" in 1970. The show will become the longest running program originally produced for first-run syndication
in the entire history of television. The show’s resounding success will position it as the cornerstone of the Soul Train franchise which includes the annual specials: "Soul Train Music Awards," the "Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards" and the "Soul Train Christmas Starfest."
1937 1st Santa Claus school opens (Albion NY)
1940 Black leaders protest discrimination in US armed forces
1940 African American leaders protest discrimination in the U.S. Armed Forces and war industries at a White House meeting with President Roosevelt.
1944 Stephanie Pogue is born in Shelby, North Carolina. She will become an artist and art professor whose works will be collected by New York City's Whitney Museum of American Art and the Studio Museum of Harlem while she will exhibit widely in the United States, Europe, Japan, and South America.
1950 Heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles defeats Joe Louis.
1953 Diane Abbott is born in the working-class neighborhood of Paddington in London, England. Her mother (a nurse) and father (a welder) had moved there in 1951 from Jamaica. A graduate of Cambridge University, she will make history on June 11, 1987, becoming the first female of African descent to be a member of the British Parliament. Her outspoken criticism of racism and her commitment to progressive politics will make her a controversial figure in Great Britain's Labour Party.
1954 Public school integration begins in Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland.
1954 School integration begins in Wash DC & Baltimore Md public schools
1959 Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev concludes his US visit
1961 Sierre Leone becomes the 100th member of the United Nations.
1962 US sells Israel, Hawk anti-aircraft missiles
1963 At 10:59 AM the census clock, records US population at 190,000,000
1964 Warren Commission released, finding Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone
1967 Washington, DC's Anacostia Museum, dedicated to informing the community of the contributions of African Americans to United States social, political and cultural history, opens its doors to the public.
1973 Nolan Ryan strikesout his 383rd batter of the year
1979 Congress' final approval to create Dept of Education
1980 WHOT (Bkln NY pirate radio station) begins on 1620 AM & 92.5 FM
1986 Senate joins House of Reps voting for sweeping tax reforms
1988 Several athletes, among them black Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson, are expelled from the Olympic Games for anabolic steroid use. Johnson's gold medal, won in the 100-meter dash,is awarded to African American Carl Lewis, the second-place finisher.
1988 Grand jury evidence shows Tawana Brawley fabricated rape story
1988 Lab tests reportedly show Shroud of Turin not Christ`s burial cloth
1988 Senate votes for major federal tax code changes
1989 Sony purchases Columbia Pictures for $3.4 billion cash
1990 A gunman holds 33 people (killing 1) hostage in Berkley Calif
1990 Senate Judiciary committee approves Souter's Supreme Court nomination
1990 Tour de France champion Greg LeMond visits White House
1991 Pres Bush decides to end full-time B-52 bombers alert
Missing in Action
1965 HALL GEORGE R. HAITTIESBURG MS "02/12/73 RELEASED BY DRV (ANNAPOLIS, MD)" ALIVE AND WELL 98
1966 SPILMAN DYKE A. WILDWOOD NJ
1966 STINE JOSEPH M. EVERETT PA
1968 SMITH WILLIAM A. JR. BATTLE CREEK MI
1969 FISHER DAVID JOHN AUSTRALIA AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE
1969 HUNTLEY JOHN N. PORTLAND ME
Michael Moore Today
www.michaelmoore.com
Purported al Qaeda Newscast Debuts on Internet
Masked Anchorman Lauds Gaza Pullout, Iraq Attacks, Hurricane Katrina
By Daniel Williams / Washington Post
ROME, Sept. 26 -- An Internet video newscast called the Voice of the Caliphate was broadcast for the first time on Monday, purporting to be a production of al Qaeda and featuring an anchorman who wore a black ski mask and an ammunition belt.
The anchorman, who said the report would appear once a week, presented news about the Gaza Strip and Iraq and expressed happiness about recent hurricanes in the United States. A copy of the Koran, the Muslim holy book, was placed by his right hand and a rifle affixed to a tripod was pointed at the camera.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4285
Baghdad Neighborhood's Hopes Dimmed by the Trials of War
Some Who Welcomed Americans Now Scorn Them
By Ellen Knickmeyer / Washington Post
BAGHDAD -- In the chaotic, hopeful April of 2003, Baghdad's Karrada district was one of those neighborhoods where residents showered flowers on U.S. forces entering the capital. Revelers threw water on one another and the Americans, exuding joy at the crushing of a dictatorship that had silenced, tortured and killed their people.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4280
TV Show May Help Both Bush, Victims Recover
'Extreme Makeover: Home Edition' episode will feature the first lady at a Mississippi shelter.
By Faye Fiore / Los Angeles Times
WASHINGTON — Facing criticism that he appeared disengaged from the disaster wrought by Hurricane Katrina, President Bush has been looking for opportunities to show his concern. But the White House will take the effort a step further today, venturing into untested waters by putting the nation's first lady on reality television.
Laura Bush will travel to storm-damaged Biloxi, Miss., to film a spot on the feel-good, wish-granting hit "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition." Mrs. Bush sought to be on the program because she shares the "same principles" that the producers hold, her press secretary said.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4281
Small, Rural Towns Hit Hardest by Rita
By Michael Graczyk / Associated Press
BEAUMONT, Texas - While much of Texas and Louisiana dodged the worst of Hurricane Rita, the damage to some small, rural towns was virtually complete — and the storm was being blamed for new deaths long after it moved away.
As temperatures climbed well into the 90s and the heat index was near 106 degrees Monday, the damage from the storm was evident in small communities in southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4277
Many Contracts for Storm Work Raise Questions
By Eric Lipton and ROn Nixon / New York Times
WASHINGTON, Sept. 25 - Topping the federal government's list of costs related to Hurricane Katrina is the $568 million in contracts for debris removal landed by a Florida company with ties to Mississippi's Republican governor. Near the bottom is an $89.95 bill for a pair of brown steel-toe shoes bought by an Environmental Protection Agency worker in Baton Rouge, La.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4259
Trial of 4 War Protesters Upstate Ends With a Mixed Verdict
By Michelle York / New York Times
BINGHAMTON, N.Y., Sept. 26 - Jurors handed four antiwar activists a mixed verdict on Monday, apparently deciding that pouring human blood on walls, windows and an American flag at a military recruiting station to protest the Iraq war was neither Gandhi-like nor a "slippery slope" to the kind of destruction caused by violent extremists.
After seven hours of deliberations over two days, the jury in Federal District Court found Daniel J. Burns, 45; Clare T. Grady, 46; her sister, Teresa B. Grady, 40; and Peter J. De Mott, 58, guilty of trespassing and damaging government property. Each faces up to 18 months in prison.
They were acquitted of the most serious charge, conspiracy to impede an officer of the United States, which carries a penalty of up to six years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4278
A Look at U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq
By The Associated Press Mon Sep 26, 8:46 PM ET
As of Monday, Sept. 26, 2005, at least 1,919 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the
Iraq war in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count. At least 1,494 died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers. The figures include five military civilians.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/iraq_us_deaths
US troop deaths take Afghan toll this year above 50
By David Brunnstrom / Reuters
KABUL - A U.S. soldier and a U.S. Marine have been killed in militant attacks in Afghanistan, bringing American combat deaths in the country this year to 51, the bloodiest period for U.S. forces since the fall of the Taliban.
The casualties in Kandahar and Kunar provinces on Monday took U.S. deaths in Afghanistan in two days to seven. A Chinook military transport helicopter crashed on an anti-militant mission in Zabul province on Sunday, killing its crew of five.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4282
U.S. Weapons, Foreign Flavor
By Leslie Wayne / New York TImes
Before the Iraq war, one of the Pentagon's biggest concerns was that American troops would face unknown biological and chemical threats. But when the order came in to step up production of two-piece protective suits, the Pentagon had to look overseas to get all the parts - even to countries that opposed the war.
The polyester fabric used by American companies to make the suits came from Germany and Austria. Finnish and British manufacturers made the eyelets and washers, while Japan provided the carbon beads in the suit's liner. Critical to the suit's protection was a fabric available only in Germany, one of the war's strongest critics.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4286
Antiwar Rallies Staged in Washington and Other Cities
By Michael Janofsky / The New York Times
WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 - Vast numbers of protesters from around the country poured onto the lawns behind the White House on Saturday to demonstrate their opposition to the war in Iraq, pointedly directing their anger at President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney.
A sea of anti-administration signs and banners flashed back at a long succession of speakers, who sharply rebuked the administration for continuing a war that has cost the lives of nearly 2,000 Americans and many more Iraqis. Many of the speakers also charged Mr. Bush with squandering resources that could have been used to aid people affected by the two hurricanes that slammed into the Gulf Coast.
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/index.php?id=4246
Veterans, Grieving Families Give Somber Mood to Iraq War Protest
by Sarah Ferguson
September 25th, 2005 8:41 AM
Veteran Tomas Young, 25, was paralyzed by a bullet in Iraq.
Sarah Ferguson
by Jarrett Murphy
Organizers with the dueling anti-war groups United for Peace and Justice and International ANSWER estimated the crowd size for Saturday’s march on Washington, D.C., at 300,000—making it the largest demonstration since start of the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. Capitol police gave a loose estimate of 150,000—still a heap larger than the 4,000 or so who turned out for the Pentagon’s "Freedom Walk" on 9-11.
http://villagevoice.com/news/0539,fergusonmarc,68195,2.html
Haaretz
Hamas releases picture of Nuriel
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS AND JPOST STAFF
Hamas released on Tuesday graphic pictures of Sasson Nuriel taken after his abduction but before he was murdered.
The photograph was published after Hamas terrorists claimed responsibility for kidnapping and killing Nuriel, the 51-year-old Jerusalem man who was found dead Monday.
Hamas announced that it had established new "kidnapping units" whose top priority would be capturing Israelis to be held hostage as leverage in prisoner release negotiations with Israel.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127701203801
First Temple-era seal discovered
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
A First-Temple period seal has been discovered amidst piles of rubble from Jerusalem's Temple Mount, an Israeli archaeologist said Tuesday, in what could prove to be an historic find.
The small - less than 1 cm - seal impression, or bulla, discovered Tuesday by Bar-Ilan University archaeologist Dr. Gabriel Barkay amidst piles of rubble from the Temple Mount would mark the first time that an written artifact was found from the Temple Mount dating back to the First Temple period.
The 2,600 year old artifact, with three lines in ancient Hebrew, was discovered amidst piles of rubble discarded by the Islamic Wakf that Barkay and a team of young archaeologists and volunteers are sifting
through on the grounds of a Jerusalem national park.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127787594479
IDF fires 4 artillery shells at Kassam launch site in Gaza
By ARIEH O'SULLIVAN AND JPOST STAFF
The IDF fired live artillery shells into the northern Gaza Strip for the first time on Tuesday night, in what the military said was a response to Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel.
For in-depth focus on the post-pullout situation in and around Gaza, check out SPECIAL REPORT: GAZA UPHEAVAL
Security officials said four shells were fired into open ground from which Palestinians had earlier fired rockets into the western Negev town of Sderot.
The rocket, the second fired at Sderot on Tuesday, landed in one of the town's neighborhoods, fortunately causing no injuries or damage.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127701199526
Musharraf's missed opportunity
By JUDEA PEARL
The September 17 meeting in New York, at which Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharraf addressed the Jewish community under the auspices of the American Jewish Congress, was characterized by many observers as "historic."
Indeed, formally speaking, Musharraf's address was unprecedented in that it was it was the first time that a leader of a Muslim nation, which has no diplomatic relations with Israel, held a public dialogue with Jewish leaders.
However, the signals radiating from that meeting need to be evaluated on their individual merits, in the context of the opportunities that the meeting opened to Musharraf and the Jewish community.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1127701207957&p=1006953079865
Ynet News
Gaza evacuees: Where are you now?
Gush Katif evacuees gather near Kissufim crossing to hold rally marking recent evacuation; settlers then march to Kfar Maimon
Anat Barshkovsky
Gush Katif evacuees gathered in the parking lot near the Kissufim crossing Tuesday to say goodbye to Gaza for the last time, one month after Israel's disengagement.
The rally was held several meters from the border crossing, the exact place where settlers would have their ID checked each time they wanted to enter Gush Katif.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3148286,00.html
'Peace Now' beats 'Primaries Now'
Likud is dead. Long live the Likud
Why would anyone have expected the Likud Central Committee to support a move for early primaries? The party has been in power for 20 of the 28 years since winning the 1977 election, becoming Israel's perennial governing party
Sharon wins Likud vote / Attila Somfalvi
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon celebrates victory over arch-rivals MKs Benjamin Netanyahu, Uzi Landau; Vice Premier Shimon Peres (Labor) calls PM from London to congratulate him on his victory.
During that time, the party has just about divested itself from any binding ideological platform. Likud governments have pursued economic and social policies of all types and stripes, from wasteful populism to strict capitalism.
Likud governments have sent the IDF to Beirut to trap PLO leader Yasser Arafat, and sent U.S. President Bill Clinton to Gaza to nudge the same Arafat as head of the Palestinian Authority.
Likud governments have both passed laws proclaiming "eternal" Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and negotiated secret agreements with Damascus to return 95 percent of that territory.
And lest we forget, Likud governments energetically built settlements in Judea, Samaria, Gaza and Sinai, and Likud governments destroyed settlements in Sinai, Gaza and Samaria.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3147981,00.html
Israel requests Security Council seat
Ambassador to the U.N Dani Gillerman submits formal request to the U.N. Security Council for Israel to be included as a member, says, ‘This is a very important moment for Israel, until recently no one thought this would be possible’; even if request accepted, country will have to wait 13 years for Council seat
Yitzhak Benhorin
Israel's ambassador to the U.N., Dan Gillerman, has submitted a formal request to the U.N. Security Council for Israel to be included as a member.
This marks the first time Israel has submitted its candidacy for a seat in the Security Council, and U.N. sources said reactions to the move have been positive.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3148224,00.html
Mubarak: Sharon’s moves thwart peace
Prime minister adopted several negative measures that undermine peace process, Egyptian president says
Ali Waked
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is taking a number of negative steps, which undermine the peace process and hurt the prospects of political negotiations, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak said in interview published in the Egyptian newspaper Roz al-Yusuf Tuesday morning.
The Egyptian president was sworn in for the fifth time Tuesday in a festive ceremony in the parliament. On Wednesday, Mubarak is expected
to meet with Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo.
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3148086,00.html
continued …
September 26, 2005.
Any Cindy Supporter had to know her goal was always to represent the circumstances surrounding her son's death.
An illegal war based in lies.
She has been ignored by this president for months and she staged a sit in no different than her sit in at Crawford. If you supported her at Crawford then you support her now.
The Arrest was avoidable and unfortunate IF the president of the country Casey died for spoke with her.
Any excuse is a good excuse !
Ms. Sheehan has buried a son in an illegal war. She has been shunned by the president for months. The march at the White House was the closest she got to asking her questions of 'The Obstructionist' George Walker Bush so she staged another sit in just like she did in Crawford.
Obviously, the White House Cops were well versed in what to expect.
Sheehan Arrested During Anti-War Protest
Cindy Sheehan, Mother of Slain Soldier Who Led Crawford Anti-War Protest, Arrested at White House
By JENNIFER C. KERR Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
Sep. 26, 2005 - Cindy Sheehan, the California woman who has used her son's death in Iraq to spur the anti-war movement, was arrested Monday while protesting outside the White House.
Sheehan and several dozen other protesters sat down on the sidewalk after marching along the pedestrian walkway on Pennsylvania Avenue. Police warned them three times that they were breaking the law by failing to move along, then began making arrests.
Sheehan was the first taken into custody. She stood up and was led to a police vehicle while protesters chanted, "The whole world is watching."
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Copyright © 2005 ABC News Internet Ventures
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1160430
WE LOVE YOU CINDY.
Obviously, the White House Cops were well versed in what to expect.
Sheehan Arrested During Anti-War Protest
Cindy Sheehan, Mother of Slain Soldier Who Led Crawford Anti-War Protest, Arrested at White House
By JENNIFER C. KERR Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press
Sep. 26, 2005 - Cindy Sheehan, the California woman who has used her son's death in Iraq to spur the anti-war movement, was arrested Monday while protesting outside the White House.
Sheehan and several dozen other protesters sat down on the sidewalk after marching along the pedestrian walkway on Pennsylvania Avenue. Police warned them three times that they were breaking the law by failing to move along, then began making arrests.
Sheehan was the first taken into custody. She stood up and was led to a police vehicle while protesters chanted, "The whole world is watching."
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Copyright © 2005 ABC News Internet Ventures
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1160430
WE LOVE YOU CINDY.
"Katrina" and landfall. There was no preparedness of thei Global Warming eddy off an Arctic Ocean Vortex. New Orleans and Louisiana was not on the agenda of the Bush Administration. If anything it was being eliminated as a priority. There was absolutely no priority in this administration for environemental protection, global warming, levees or wetlands. If there had been NEITHER of these storms would have existed.
Morning Papers - concluded
RIA Novosti
Russia, with huge oil and gas reserves, enjoys stability - Putin
MOSCOW, September 27 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia's constant economic growth created an atmosphere of stability in the country which had enough oil and gas reserves for many generations to come.
Putin, speaking live on TV and radio said economic growth this year would hit 5.9% and that real per capita income was likely to come in at between 8.5%-10%. Last year's growth rate was 7.1%.
"During the past several years, Russia's economy has been growing at about 7% year on year. This is much higher than what we are seeing in a large number of developed countries, as well as in economies in transition," Putin said.
Putin said the Central Bank's gold and currency reserves had grown from $12 billion in 2000 to $155 billion in 2005 and that Russia was regularly making payments on its foreign debt.
http://en.rian.ru/business/20050927/41522269.html
URGENT: Russia not set to change oil export duty - Putin
MOSCOW, September 27 (RIA Novosti)-Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia had no immediate plans to change the export duty on oil.
"The export duty is directly linked to world prices for oil derivatives," Putin said. "And there are no plans yet to touch it."
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20050927/41522882.html
URGENT: Putin warns against excessive government spending
Moscow, September 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that using the Stabilization Fund for extra social spending would spark inflation and harm the economy.
Speaking on live television and radio, Putin said: "We could spend these funds today, but nobody would feel it. There is not so much money as it seems, and inflation would eat it up in no time. It would be a senseless act of political populism, which would harm the economy and, consequently, every Russian family."
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20050927/41522844.html
IRAN IS COUNTING TOO MUCH ON RUSSIAN CLOUT TO GET ALL OF WHAT IT WANTS. AND IT WANTS ISRAEL GONE ! It would be foolish to believe anything else. I don't even see Tehran extending aid to the Palestinians for reconstruction. Why? Because it has plans to destroy the area instead of make peace with it? The Arab nations are impatient for more disengagement but Israel is correct, the PA can't handle what it currently has. Iran is not loyal to any ally. Russia should understand that 'Cold War' double standard better than any other country.
Iran stakes its all?
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Pyotr Goncharov.) In its relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Big Three (United Kingdom, Germany, France), with who it is negotiating the fate of its nuclear dossier, Iran is clearly staking everything.
There is no way else to interpret the words of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani that, in case the Big Three goes on pressing for full rejection of the nuclear fuel cycle program, Iran may withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and deny IAEA inspectors access to Iranian nuclear facilities.
Tehran does understand that for Europe its withdrawal from the treaty will be a clear signal that a nuclear program is ready for military application. What kind of answer does Tehran expect from the European Union and the United States?
http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20050923/41487703.html
Conditions for Ukraine's WTO membership unfavorable -- minister
WASHINGTON, September 26 (RIA Novosti, Alexei Berezin) - Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said at a Washington news conference that the conditions set for Ukraine to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) were "very unfavorable."
The minister, who was in the U.S. capital Sunday to attend a session of the International Monetary and Financial Committee at an annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund boards of governors, said: "We will not join the WTO on such conditions."
He said that Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref would discuss the issue during his own visit to Washington, which would start on Monday.
Kudrin said Russia was concluding bilateral discussions on WTO issues with several countries. The minister said that even if agreement on Russia's membership in the organization were reached by the end of 2005, technical procedures would take between six months and a year to complete.
http://en.rian.ru/business/20050926/41506130.html
THIS IS FALSE SECURITY WITH AFGHANISTAN. CALLING IN NOTES IS MORE LIKELY TO DESTABILZE THE GOVERNMENT AND NOT OPPRESS THE REBELS AND WARLORDS. IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO LEAN ON KARZI TO PRESSURE POLITICAL SHIFT IN THIS MANNER. AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE POPPY CULTURE IS A FAR BETTER IDEA AS THAT IS WHERE AL QAEDA, THE TALIBAN AND THE WARLORDS OBTAIN THEIR WEALTH. NOT ONLY AN ALTERNATIVE BUT A DESTRUCTION TO THE POPPY CULTURE SIMULTANIOUSLY. Answers to the problems of the Afghan people will shift an alliance in a meaningful way. I don't believe Putin wants Osama bin Laden as president of Afghanistan again just to embarrass Bush.
Afghanistan's $10 billion debt yet to be settled -- Russian minister
WASHINGTON, September 26 (RIA Novosti, Alexei Berezin) - Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin has said that a decision will still have to be made on restructuring and partially writing off Afghanistan's $10 billion debt to Russia.
The minister, who was in the U.S. capital Sunday to attend a session of the International Monetary and Financial Committee at an annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund boards of governors, said: "We have been holding difficult discussions on a partial debt write-off. A solution has not yet been found."
Kudrin said after a meeting with his Afghan counterpart that Afghanistan's Soviet-era debt to Russia was non-performing. When asked whether Afghanistan was able to pay debt, he said: "This possibility is being discussed."
Kudrin also met with finance ministers from Angola, India, Moldova, and Britain during the session.
http://en.rian.ru/business/20050926/41506589.html
The Guardian
Armed and dangerous - Flipper the firing dolphin let loose by Katrina
by Mark Townsend Houston
Sunday September 25, 2005
The Observer
It may be the oddest tale to emerge from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Armed dolphins, trained by the US military to shoot terrorists and pinpoint spies underwater, may be missing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Experts who have studied the US navy's cetacean training exercises claim the 36 mammals could be carrying 'toxic dart' guns. Divers and surfers risk attack, they claim, from a species considered to be among the planet's smartest. The US navy admits it has been training dolphins for military purposes, but has refused to confirm that any are missing.
Dolphins have been trained in attack-and-kill missions since the Cold War. The US Atlantic bottlenose dolphins have apparently been taught to shoot terrorists attacking military vessels. Their coastal compound was breached during the storm, sweeping them out to sea. But those who have studied the controversial use of dolphins in the US defence programme claim it is vital they are caught quickly.
Leo Sheridan, 72, a respected accident investigator who has worked for government and industry, said he had received intelligence from sources close to the US government's marine fisheries service confirming dolphins had escaped.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1577753,00.html
600 barrels of loot found on Crusoe island
Jonathan Franklin in Santiago
Monday September 26, 2005
The Guardian
The archipelago is named after Robinson Crusoe, but perhaps it should have been called Treasure Island.
A long quest for booty from the Spanish colonial era appears to be culminating in Chile with the announcement by a group of adventurers that they have found an estimated 600 barrels of gold coins and Incan jewels on the remote Pacific island.
"The biggest treasure in history has been located," said Fernando Uribe-Etxeverria, a lawyer for Wagner, the Chilean company leading the search. Mr Uribe-Etxeverria estimated the value of the buried treasure at US$10bn (£5.6bn).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1578135,00.html
Bush plea for cash to rebuild Iraq raises $600
Mark Townsend in Houston
Sunday September 25, 2005
The Observer
An extraordinary appeal to Americans from the Bush administration for money to help pay for the reconstruction of Iraq has raised only $600 (£337), The Observer has learnt. Yet since the appeal was launched earlier this month, donations to rebuild New Orleans have attracted hundreds of millions of dollars.
The public's reluctance to contribute much more than the cost of two iPods to the administration's attempt to offer citizens 'a further stake in building a free and prosperous Iraq' has been seized on by critics as evidence of growing ambivalence over that country.
This coincides with concern over the increasing cost of the war. More than $30 billion has been appropriated for the reconstruction. Initially, America's overseas aid agency, USaid, expected it to cost taxpayers no more than $1.7bn, but it is now asking the public if they want to contribute even more.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1577750,00.html
Entire arsenal was destroyed, monitors say
· Blair hails momentous day in the peace process
· Church witnesses 'utterly certain' arms are unusable
Angelique Chrisafis, Ireland correspondent
Tuesday September 27, 2005
The IRA's entire arsenal of weapons has been destroyed, the head of the international decommissioning body said yesterday. The retired Canadian general John de Chastelain said that he had examined "large quantities of arms" which he was satisfied made up the "totality of the IRA's arsenal". This included "a full range of ammunition, rifles, machine guns, mortars, missiles, handguns, explosives, explosive substances and other arms".
This is the first time in their 200-year history that Irish republicans have agreed to give up their weapons.
Tony Blair hailed it as a momentous day in the Northern Ireland peace process, in the wake of the IRA's announcement in July that its armed struggle was over.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,2763,1579158,00.html
The Boston Globe
Polling places to usher in a new era
City offering more translation services
By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff September 27, 2005
Boston election officials will post signs in seven languages and staff each of the city's polling places with translators as observers from five separate groups, including the US Department of Justice and the secretary of state's office, monitor today's preliminary City Council election.
It is the city's first election since settling a federal lawsuit earlier this month that alleged violations of the Voting Rights Act, and city officials said they are scrambling to comply with its requirements.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/09/27/polling_places_to_usher_in_a_new_era/
Newton parishioners hold vigil to protest pastor's resignation
By Mark Pratt, Associated Press Writer September 27, 2005
BOSTON --Parishioners in Newton held an overnight prayer vigil to protest the ouster of an outspoken Catholic priest and accused the archdiocese of trying to weed out dissenting voices in a "witch hunt."
The Rev. Walter Cuenin was asked to step down as pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians in Newton for financial improprieties that violated archdiocesan rules and Canon law, the archdiocese said in a release Monday.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/09/27/newton_parishioners_hold_vigil_to_protest_pastors_resignation/
New Jersey sues three oil companies
By Angela Delli Santi, Associated Press Writer September 27, 2005
TRENTON, N.J. --New Jersey has sued three oil companies and several gas stations for allegedly gouging drivers during Hurricane Katrina.
The lawsuits accuse Hess, Motiva Shell and Sunoco with artificially inflating gas prices and for increasing prices more than the once-a-day legal limit. Independent gas station operators selling Hess, Shell, Sunoco and Citgo brands were also sued.
"The goal here is to protect consumers' hard-earned money from artificial inflation and economic exploitation," Attorney General Peter C. Harvey said Monday. "Some of these dealers were using Katrina to artificially inflate the price, because there were sufficient supplies that this kind of pricing did not have to occur."
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/09/27/new_jersey_sues_three_oil_companies/
OF COURSE EXXON DIDN'T THINK THE VALDES WAS SERIOUS EITHER.
Exxon: Rita damage doesn't look serious
September 27, 2005
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp. <XOM.N> said on Tuesday it appeared its facilities in the U.S. Gulf were not badly damaged by the passing of Hurricane Rita.
Exxon President Rex Tillerson said it would take some days to make a full assessment but told journalists at the sidelines of the World Petroleum Congress in Johannesburg that "the early indications are (that the damage is) not very serious."
Tillerson added that hurricane damage could affect the U.S. gas market this winter.
"There's no question that things could get tight this winter because of the interruptions we've had in the Gulf of Mexico," he said.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2005/09/27/exxon_rita_damage_doesnt_look_serious/
Kerry fears Katrina-like lack of preparation for global competition
By Glen Johnson, AP Political Writer September 26, 2005
BOSTON --Hurricane Katrina exposed the nation's lack of preparation for a natural disaster, Sen. John Kerry said Monday, and the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee is worried the United States is similarly unprepared for global competition with the likes of India or China.
Kerry told a Boston Chamber of Commerce luncheon the country needs to invest more in so-called building blocks such as education while eliminating roadblocks such as soaring health care costs.
"Why are we doing things that don't make sense?" the Massachusetts senator asked. "Politics? Ideology? Favoritism? Special interests?"
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2005/09/26/kerry_fears_katrina_like_lack_of_preparation_for_global_competition/
VA drug program said cheaper than Medicare
By Kevin Freking, Associated Press Writer September 27, 2005
WASHINGTON --People who get their drug benefits through the Veterans Affairs Department paid about $220 less for a yearlong prescription than those who used the government's Medicare drug card, said a study released Tuesday.
Families USA, an advocacy group, said older people using the discount cards paid more than they would have paid through the VA for 49 of the 50 most frequently used drugs for senior citizens.
The discount cards have been in effect for less than 18 months. They will be replaced Jan. 1 by a comprehensive benefit that beneficiaries can obtain by enrolling with a private plan.
http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/aging/articles/2005/09/27/va_drug_program_said_cheaper_than_medicare/
The Miami Herald
U.S. to apologize for WWII seizures
(image placeholder)
A federal judge approved a $25.5 million settlement that also calls for the U.S. government to apologize to Hungarian Holocaust survivors whose possessions were sold or seized by American troops after World War II.
BY SCOTT HIAASEN
shiaasen@herald.com
Hungarian Holocaust survivors whose possessions were plundered by the Nazis and later seized by American soldiers will finally get what has eluded them for 60 years: an apology from the U.S. government.
The apology is part of a $25.5 million settlement approved Monday between the government and Hungarian Jews who lost art, jewels and other items when the 40-car German ''Gold Train'' was seized in Austria in 1945 at the end of World War II.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/12752994.htm
An imperfect immigration policy
OUR OPINION: ENSURE THAT NO CUBAN IS RETURNED TO FACE PERSECUTION
Last week's cat-and-mouse chase by U.S. authorities of 10 Cuban men desperate to reach U.S. soil shows how flawed the U.S. ''wet-foot/dry-foot'' policy is. The policy creates a strong incentive for Cubans to cross the dangerous Florida Straits but has few protections that ensure they will not face persecution or torture if they are returned to the island.
Ultimately, the policy worsens the plight of Cubans desperate enough to leave Cuba to escape Fidel Castro's tyranny. For it is the lack of hope and opportunity in Cuba that drives thousands of Cubans to take to the seas in rickety boats or cast their lots with dubious smugglers.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/12749924.htm
Campaign targets deadly-force law
OUR OPINION: SHOOT-FIRST LAW IS DANGEROUS AND UNNECESSARY
Florida's new shoot-first law was a bad idea from the start -- and state lawmakers should revoke the law at their first opportunity. So don't blame the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence for warning visitors to stay calm if they become involved in a public confrontation after the law takes effect on Saturday.
The gun-control group is launching a low-budget campaign to advise visitors that Florida residents now can use deadly force in public places if they believe they are threatened. ''Please be careful,'' the group's fliers and signs say. Peter Hamm, communications director for the Brady group, says the goal isn't to discourage visitors to Florida but to prevent violence. ''We don't want anything bad to happen,'' he said. The law extends the ''Castle Doctrine,'' which says people can use deadly force if they feel threatened by an intruder in their home, to in a public place where they have a lawful right to be.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/12749922.htm
BBC News
Ice explorer readies for launch
By Helen Briggs
BBC News science reporter, Plesetsk
Cryosat has the task of filling in the data gaps
Europe's Cryosat spacecraft is about to launch on a three-year mission to study the Earth's ice caps.
The satellite's main objective is to test and quantify the prediction that global warming is causing ice to thin at the poles.
Scientists hope the data will give a clearer picture of the impact of rising temperatures on ice and, ultimately, global sea levels.
Climate models suggest that as the Earth gets warmer, the planet's ice cover will shrink.
But while there are already some signs this is under way, scientists want conclusive evidence.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4282420.stm
UK 'needs yearly climate updates'
By Richard Black
Environment Correspondent, BBC News website
An annual report is a good way of focussing attention on the problem
Mark Lazarowicz MP
Draft legislation just published in the UK would require the prime minister to make annual reports to Parliament on measures to curb climate change.
It would also establish national targets for small-scale renewable energy projects.
Britain's greenhouse gas emissions have risen for the last two years.
The private member's bill, which has cross-party support, is being introduced by Labour's Mark Lazarowicz, and will be debated in November.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4284502.stm
Microgrids as peer-to-peer energy
Alternative energy technologies are falling in price
Small networks of power generators in "microgrids" could transform the electricity network in the way that the net changed distributed communication.
That is one of the conclusions of a Southampton University project scoping out the feasibility of microgrids for power generation and distribution.
Microgrids are small community networks that supply electricity and heat.
They could make substantial savings, and emissions cuts with no major changes to lifestyles, researchers say.
Electricity suppliers are aiming to meet the UK government's Renewables Obligation, requiring them to generate 15% of electricity from renewable sources by 2015.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4245584.stm
Turn your home into a mini power station
As autumn sends a chill down the spine, heating one's house doesn't have to hurt the environment. Technological advances have given us a range of innovations for turning the humble home into a mini-power station.
This summer millions of people were made to think hard about something they had always taken for granted - electricity.
The massive power cuts in Italy, Canada and the US, coupled with notable outages in London and the West Midlands, wrought chaos and confusion.
Some experts say more are to come, as utilities companies try to square pressure on overheads with increased consumer demand.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3208216.stm
Blair promising to step up reform
Mr Blair will not announce a date for his retirement
Tony Blair will tell the Labour Party it must continue to modernise Britain as he seeks to show he has not run out of steam as prime minister.
He will outline to the party's conference in Brighton a host of reform plans for the public services.
The solution to challenges facing the UK is "not less New Labour but more New Labour", Mr Blair will say.
He speaks after Gordon Brown delivered a speech seen as confirming his status as leader-in-waiting.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4284710.stm
Weapons witnesses 'IRA-nominated'
Ian Paisley said his party now wanted to meet the government
The DUP was "shocked" by what it learned in a meeting with the chief of the decommissioning body, party leader Ian Paisley has said.
He said the two church witnesses to disarmament were "IRA nominated" and the party now wants to meet them.
Catholic priest Father Alec Reid and ex-Methodist president Rev Harold Good were not appointed by the government or IICD, said Mr Paisley.
The party said the list of IRA weapons had been "revised and tampered with".
"These are the things that put a very big question over what has taken place," said Mr Paisley.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4286266.stm
NI soldiers 'face combat stress'
Soldiers can suffer psychological trauma years after serving
Soldiers from Northern Ireland form the single biggest group showing the symptoms of combat stress.
The Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, known as Combat Stress, is urging the government to do more to help soldiers and former soldiers cope.
The problem is not confined to young soldiers. One case involved an army veteran who is 100 years old.
The society's chief executive Toby Elliott, who is visiting Belfast, said 600 new cases came forward each year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4285696.stm
Zarqawi's number two 'shot dead'
There has been a recent spate of attacks on police recruits
Al-Qaeda's second-in-command in Iraq has been shot dead, reports say.
Iraqi and US officials said Abu Azzam, described as an aide to leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was killed in a joint operation on Sunday morning.
In a separate incident, at least 10 people died in an attack on police recruits north of Baghdad.
At least 26 people were injured in the suicide blast in Baquba - the third major attack on Iraqi police in the last three days.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4285394.stm
Iraq charter 'will fuel strife'
The group says a last-minute deal could prevent further violence
Iraq's draft constitution has deepened the country's ethnic and sectarian rifts and is likely to fuel the insurgency, a new report says.
The text was not based on broad consent, and the country appears to be heading towards partition and civil war, the study says.
The report, by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, calls on the US address Sunni concerns.
Iraqis are due to vote in a referendum on the draft text on 15 October.
The constitution will pass unless voters in three of Iraq's 18 provinces muster a two-thirds majority against it.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4283416.stm
S Africa hits back over Aids slur
Health Minister Tshabalala-Msimang (r) has been criticised by Aids activists
South Africa's health ministry has angrily denied accusations that it had "betrayed" the population by not doing enough to fight HIV/Aids.
It said the trade union leader who made the attacks was "irresponsible" and "needs to get his facts straight".
Cosatu leader Zwelinzima Vavi had also accused President Thabo Mbeki of a "failure of leadership".
Six million of South Africa's 45m people are infected with HIV, according to the health department.
Strains have emerged in the alliance between Mr Mbeki's ANC and the unions, who demand more action on poverty.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4285542.stm
Senior Afghan minister 'to quit'
Mr Jalali is said to have been at odds with President Karzai
Afghan Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali has said he will resign.
Correspondents say Mr Jalali has been outspoken over the role of senior officials in the drugs trade.
He has also disagreed with President Karzai's choice of provincial officials. It is not yet known if Mr Karzai will accept the resignation.
Mr Jalali said he wanted time to pursue an academic career. A presidential spokesman said Mr Jalali was resigning for "personal reasons".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4285550.stm
The Belfast Telegraph
IRA lay down arms
Provos to confirm today all weapons destroyed and gun removed from Irish politics
Brian Dowling, Tom Brady and Dominic Cunningham
26 September 2005
The IRA will confirm today that the gun has finally been removed from Irish politics after nearly 40 years of violence.
Today's historic development will herald the end of the IRA and pave the way for new talks on restoring devolved government in the North.
The announcement from P. O'Neill, long-awaited and coming at the end of a bloody trail of death and destruction, will confirm that the paramilitary group has allowed its vast arsenal of weapons to be destroyed in the presence of independent witnesses.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=663090
IRA's dramatic move now puts it up to loyalists
Dominic Cunningham
26 September 2005
Part of the domino effect of the IRA's decision to dump arms could be a move by the North's various loyalist paramilitary groups to follow suit now.
It is known that the Ulster Volunteer Force has been monitoring IRA weapons moves carefully and with increased interest over the past few months.
There was growing speculation last week that the UVF - the oldest Protestant terror group in Northern Ireland - was involved in a major internal debate on how to react to confirmation that IRA guns were being finally silenced.
The loyalist paramilitaries have always maintained they existed only to meet the threat from armed republicans and that once that perceived danger to their communities had gone they too would stand down.
Despite the decision last week by Northern Secretary Mr Peter Hain to declare the UVF ceasefire to be over, the group's political spokesman Mr David Ervine - leader of the Progressive Unionists - said that he did not believe they posed a threat to the peace process.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=663095
'Unionists need to absorb IRA move'
Adams rejects secret deal claims
By Marie Foy
27 September 2005
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has insisted that there is no secret agenda behind IRA decommissioning.
Speaking after yesterday's historic announcement by the Independent International Commission for Decommissioning, Mr Adams said: "I understand that some unionists don't trust us, that they think this is some sort of secret deal".
"We need to politically listen to unionism at this time. I go forward very proud of my republicanism. We want a united Ireland.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=663136
Chicago Sun Times
A farewell to arms, but not to violence
September 27, 2005
BY JOHN O'SULLIVAN
With the news that the IRA has announced its positively final arms decommissioning, a stately political minuet will begin to revive a power-sharing Northern Ireland Executive that includes Sinn Fein (the unarmed half of the Sinn Fein-IRA octopus).
According to the Whitehall leaks that always precede these declarations, Britain's Tony Blair and Ireland's Bertie Ahern hope that, making due allowance for the usual horse-trading, such an Executive can be up and running by the new year. Both governments will be employing formidable incentives and penalties to make it so. And the first incentive will be their stress on the ''historic'' and ''unprecedented'' nature of the IRA's gesture.
That is especially necessary because, as Sinn Fein's president (and sometime member of the IRA Army Council) Gerry Adams has publicly conceded, the last historic and unprecedented IRA announcement that its terrorist war was maybe over did not have the favorable public impact that it had counted upon.
http://www.suntimes.com/cgi-bin/print.cgi
Fawell: Ryan knew about fund-raising scheme
September 27, 2005
BY NATASHA KORECKI Federal Courts Reporter
The man who once worked closest with former Gov. George Ryan has dumped public corruption allegations right onto his old boss' lap, claiming Ryan, while in elected office, knew of a "master list" tracking political favors and of political fund-raising tickets being sold at state offices.
In a statement to the feds -- revealed in part through defense motions Monday -- former Ryan protege Scott Fawell said Ryan, as the Illinois secretary of state, knew prior administrations bought and sold political fund-raising tickets on state time but, "We took it to a higher level."
Fawell told prosecutors -- who accuse Ryan of steering state contracts to cronies and taking cash, gifts, vacations and other perks in return -- that Ryan knew about a master list that Fawell kept. The list included people and companies that had helped Ryan's election efforts, and it was used by Fawell to dole out contracts.
http://www.suntimes.com/cgi-bin/print.cgi
New Zealand Herald
Biggest typhoon in 30 years batters China island
26.09.05 3.50pm
Beijing, Sept 26 Reuters - A typhoon roared across China's southern Hainan on Monday, the strongest storm to hit the tropical resort island in more than 30 years, and forced more than 170,000 people to flee their homes.
Typhoon Damrey had caused "casualties", flattened houses and damaged crops on an island often referred to as China's Hawaii since it made landfall on Sunday, but the full extent of the destruction was unknown, a disaster relief official said.
"The primary threat now is strong winds, but judging from our experience in recent years, river floods are also possible if the heavy rains continue," he told Reuters by telephone.
He gave no details of the casualties and there was no immediate word of damage to hotels. But he said 170,000 people had been evacuated to safety.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10347362
Australian leaders meet for anti-terror laws
27.09.05 1.00pm
CANBERRA - Australian state and territory leaders look set to reach agreement with the federal government today over a raft of controversial anti-terror laws.
Despite general in-principle support for more severe measures to combat the terrorist threat in Australia, state governments have expressed concerns the tough new proposals as they stand contain no sunset clause.
The leaders will come together with the federal government at a Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) meeting in Canberra to discuss the plans.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10347504
Australian PM says terror laws don't target Muslims
26.09.05 1.00pm
CANBERRA - Australian Prime Minister John Howard says new laws to be discussed at a national security summit will not target Muslims.
Mr Howard will seek the agreement of state and territory leaders in Canberra tomorrow on tough new anti-terror powers, including the detention of terrorist suspects for up to 14 days and a new crime of inciting violence against the community.
Hundreds of Muslims and civil libertarians gathered in Sydney yesterday to call for an end to the government's grab for greater anti-terrorism powers.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10347331
New Zealanders caught up in hurricane jam
26.09.05 4.00pm
New Zealander Tim Duerr does not know what is left of his home in Port Arthur, Texas, nearly two days after it was battered by Hurricane Rita.
Like other Port Arthur residents Mr Duerr, from Wellington, was still barred today from returning to the Gulf Coast town near the Louisiana border which bore the brunt of the storm on Saturday (local time).
"They just won't let us in. If anyone tries to get there, the police will escort them out," he told NZPA from the hospital near Houston where he works as a respiratory therapist.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10347334
Fiji senator jailed for coup role
27.09.05 1.00pm
A Fiji government senator has been jailed for eight months for his role in the Pacific nation's 2000 coup.
The Lautoka High Court today gave prison terms to Apisai Tora, 71, and 12 indigenous Fijian villagers after convicting them of unlawful assembly last week, the news website Fijilive reported.
Tora and the villagers took over a military checkpoint in the final days of the two month crisis.
He told the court yesterday their action had been staged to help persuade Fiji's indigenous chiefs to appoint Ratu Josefa Iloilo president and not in support of coup frontman George Speight.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10347516
Second attempt to clone human fails
27.09.05 1.00pm
By Steve Connor
A maverick fertility doctor announced yesterday that he has for a second time failed in his attempts to implant a cloned human embryo into a woman's womb.
Panos Zavos travelled from his fertility clinic in Kentucky to an expensive London hotel to publicise his failure at producing the world's first cloned baby.
Professor Zavos claimed - without producing any evidence - that he had created four cloned IVF embryos, which he had then implanted into a 33-year-old woman living in the Middle East.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10347502
Michael Campbell shirt fetches $10,000 at auction
27.09.05 1.00pm
A shirt signed by Kiwi golfing pro and man of the moment Michael Campbell has gone under the hammer for $10,000 at a high-profile charity luncheon in Tauranga.
A glove signed by golfing legend Tiger Woods also sold for $10,500 at the luncheon which raised $104,000.
The framed glove, along with two golf balls, was one of 26 items auctioned at the 11th annual Tauranga CIB charity luncheon, which raised money for the Bay of Plenty Down Syndrome Association.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10347512
The weather in Antarctica (Crystal Ice Chime) is:
Scott Base
Some cloud
-32.0°
Updated Tuesday 27 Sep 8:59PM
The weather at Glacier Bay National Park (Crystal Wind Chime) is:
41 °F / 5 °C
Overcast
Humidity:
87%
Dew Point:
37 °F / 3 °C
Wind:
Calm
Pressure:
30.11 in / 1020 hPa
Visibility:
10.0 miles / 16.1 kilometers
UV:
0 out of 16
Clouds:
Overcast 5000 ft / 1524 m
(Above Ground Level)
end
Russia, with huge oil and gas reserves, enjoys stability - Putin
MOSCOW, September 27 (RIA Novosti) - President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia's constant economic growth created an atmosphere of stability in the country which had enough oil and gas reserves for many generations to come.
Putin, speaking live on TV and radio said economic growth this year would hit 5.9% and that real per capita income was likely to come in at between 8.5%-10%. Last year's growth rate was 7.1%.
"During the past several years, Russia's economy has been growing at about 7% year on year. This is much higher than what we are seeing in a large number of developed countries, as well as in economies in transition," Putin said.
Putin said the Central Bank's gold and currency reserves had grown from $12 billion in 2000 to $155 billion in 2005 and that Russia was regularly making payments on its foreign debt.
http://en.rian.ru/business/20050927/41522269.html
URGENT: Russia not set to change oil export duty - Putin
MOSCOW, September 27 (RIA Novosti)-Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia had no immediate plans to change the export duty on oil.
"The export duty is directly linked to world prices for oil derivatives," Putin said. "And there are no plans yet to touch it."
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20050927/41522882.html
URGENT: Putin warns against excessive government spending
Moscow, September 27 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that using the Stabilization Fund for extra social spending would spark inflation and harm the economy.
Speaking on live television and radio, Putin said: "We could spend these funds today, but nobody would feel it. There is not so much money as it seems, and inflation would eat it up in no time. It would be a senseless act of political populism, which would harm the economy and, consequently, every Russian family."
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20050927/41522844.html
IRAN IS COUNTING TOO MUCH ON RUSSIAN CLOUT TO GET ALL OF WHAT IT WANTS. AND IT WANTS ISRAEL GONE ! It would be foolish to believe anything else. I don't even see Tehran extending aid to the Palestinians for reconstruction. Why? Because it has plans to destroy the area instead of make peace with it? The Arab nations are impatient for more disengagement but Israel is correct, the PA can't handle what it currently has. Iran is not loyal to any ally. Russia should understand that 'Cold War' double standard better than any other country.
Iran stakes its all?
MOSCOW. (RIA Novosti political commentator Pyotr Goncharov.) In its relations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the European Big Three (United Kingdom, Germany, France), with who it is negotiating the fate of its nuclear dossier, Iran is clearly staking everything.
There is no way else to interpret the words of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani that, in case the Big Three goes on pressing for full rejection of the nuclear fuel cycle program, Iran may withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and deny IAEA inspectors access to Iranian nuclear facilities.
Tehran does understand that for Europe its withdrawal from the treaty will be a clear signal that a nuclear program is ready for military application. What kind of answer does Tehran expect from the European Union and the United States?
http://en.rian.ru/analysis/20050923/41487703.html
Conditions for Ukraine's WTO membership unfavorable -- minister
WASHINGTON, September 26 (RIA Novosti, Alexei Berezin) - Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said at a Washington news conference that the conditions set for Ukraine to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) were "very unfavorable."
The minister, who was in the U.S. capital Sunday to attend a session of the International Monetary and Financial Committee at an annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund boards of governors, said: "We will not join the WTO on such conditions."
He said that Economic Development and Trade Minister German Gref would discuss the issue during his own visit to Washington, which would start on Monday.
Kudrin said Russia was concluding bilateral discussions on WTO issues with several countries. The minister said that even if agreement on Russia's membership in the organization were reached by the end of 2005, technical procedures would take between six months and a year to complete.
http://en.rian.ru/business/20050926/41506130.html
THIS IS FALSE SECURITY WITH AFGHANISTAN. CALLING IN NOTES IS MORE LIKELY TO DESTABILZE THE GOVERNMENT AND NOT OPPRESS THE REBELS AND WARLORDS. IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO LEAN ON KARZI TO PRESSURE POLITICAL SHIFT IN THIS MANNER. AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE POPPY CULTURE IS A FAR BETTER IDEA AS THAT IS WHERE AL QAEDA, THE TALIBAN AND THE WARLORDS OBTAIN THEIR WEALTH. NOT ONLY AN ALTERNATIVE BUT A DESTRUCTION TO THE POPPY CULTURE SIMULTANIOUSLY. Answers to the problems of the Afghan people will shift an alliance in a meaningful way. I don't believe Putin wants Osama bin Laden as president of Afghanistan again just to embarrass Bush.
Afghanistan's $10 billion debt yet to be settled -- Russian minister
WASHINGTON, September 26 (RIA Novosti, Alexei Berezin) - Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin has said that a decision will still have to be made on restructuring and partially writing off Afghanistan's $10 billion debt to Russia.
The minister, who was in the U.S. capital Sunday to attend a session of the International Monetary and Financial Committee at an annual meeting of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund boards of governors, said: "We have been holding difficult discussions on a partial debt write-off. A solution has not yet been found."
Kudrin said after a meeting with his Afghan counterpart that Afghanistan's Soviet-era debt to Russia was non-performing. When asked whether Afghanistan was able to pay debt, he said: "This possibility is being discussed."
Kudrin also met with finance ministers from Angola, India, Moldova, and Britain during the session.
http://en.rian.ru/business/20050926/41506589.html
The Guardian
Armed and dangerous - Flipper the firing dolphin let loose by Katrina
by Mark Townsend Houston
Sunday September 25, 2005
The Observer
It may be the oddest tale to emerge from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Armed dolphins, trained by the US military to shoot terrorists and pinpoint spies underwater, may be missing in the Gulf of Mexico.
Experts who have studied the US navy's cetacean training exercises claim the 36 mammals could be carrying 'toxic dart' guns. Divers and surfers risk attack, they claim, from a species considered to be among the planet's smartest. The US navy admits it has been training dolphins for military purposes, but has refused to confirm that any are missing.
Dolphins have been trained in attack-and-kill missions since the Cold War. The US Atlantic bottlenose dolphins have apparently been taught to shoot terrorists attacking military vessels. Their coastal compound was breached during the storm, sweeping them out to sea. But those who have studied the controversial use of dolphins in the US defence programme claim it is vital they are caught quickly.
Leo Sheridan, 72, a respected accident investigator who has worked for government and industry, said he had received intelligence from sources close to the US government's marine fisheries service confirming dolphins had escaped.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1577753,00.html
600 barrels of loot found on Crusoe island
Jonathan Franklin in Santiago
Monday September 26, 2005
The Guardian
The archipelago is named after Robinson Crusoe, but perhaps it should have been called Treasure Island.
A long quest for booty from the Spanish colonial era appears to be culminating in Chile with the announcement by a group of adventurers that they have found an estimated 600 barrels of gold coins and Incan jewels on the remote Pacific island.
"The biggest treasure in history has been located," said Fernando Uribe-Etxeverria, a lawyer for Wagner, the Chilean company leading the search. Mr Uribe-Etxeverria estimated the value of the buried treasure at US$10bn (£5.6bn).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1578135,00.html
Bush plea for cash to rebuild Iraq raises $600
Mark Townsend in Houston
Sunday September 25, 2005
The Observer
An extraordinary appeal to Americans from the Bush administration for money to help pay for the reconstruction of Iraq has raised only $600 (£337), The Observer has learnt. Yet since the appeal was launched earlier this month, donations to rebuild New Orleans have attracted hundreds of millions of dollars.
The public's reluctance to contribute much more than the cost of two iPods to the administration's attempt to offer citizens 'a further stake in building a free and prosperous Iraq' has been seized on by critics as evidence of growing ambivalence over that country.
This coincides with concern over the increasing cost of the war. More than $30 billion has been appropriated for the reconstruction. Initially, America's overseas aid agency, USaid, expected it to cost taxpayers no more than $1.7bn, but it is now asking the public if they want to contribute even more.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,1577750,00.html
Entire arsenal was destroyed, monitors say
· Blair hails momentous day in the peace process
· Church witnesses 'utterly certain' arms are unusable
Angelique Chrisafis, Ireland correspondent
Tuesday September 27, 2005
The IRA's entire arsenal of weapons has been destroyed, the head of the international decommissioning body said yesterday. The retired Canadian general John de Chastelain said that he had examined "large quantities of arms" which he was satisfied made up the "totality of the IRA's arsenal". This included "a full range of ammunition, rifles, machine guns, mortars, missiles, handguns, explosives, explosive substances and other arms".
This is the first time in their 200-year history that Irish republicans have agreed to give up their weapons.
Tony Blair hailed it as a momentous day in the Northern Ireland peace process, in the wake of the IRA's announcement in July that its armed struggle was over.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Northern_Ireland/Story/0,2763,1579158,00.html
The Boston Globe
Polling places to usher in a new era
City offering more translation services
By Andrea Estes, Globe Staff September 27, 2005
Boston election officials will post signs in seven languages and staff each of the city's polling places with translators as observers from five separate groups, including the US Department of Justice and the secretary of state's office, monitor today's preliminary City Council election.
It is the city's first election since settling a federal lawsuit earlier this month that alleged violations of the Voting Rights Act, and city officials said they are scrambling to comply with its requirements.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2005/09/27/polling_places_to_usher_in_a_new_era/
Newton parishioners hold vigil to protest pastor's resignation
By Mark Pratt, Associated Press Writer September 27, 2005
BOSTON --Parishioners in Newton held an overnight prayer vigil to protest the ouster of an outspoken Catholic priest and accused the archdiocese of trying to weed out dissenting voices in a "witch hunt."
The Rev. Walter Cuenin was asked to step down as pastor of Our Lady Help of Christians in Newton for financial improprieties that violated archdiocesan rules and Canon law, the archdiocese said in a release Monday.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2005/09/27/newton_parishioners_hold_vigil_to_protest_pastors_resignation/
New Jersey sues three oil companies
By Angela Delli Santi, Associated Press Writer September 27, 2005
TRENTON, N.J. --New Jersey has sued three oil companies and several gas stations for allegedly gouging drivers during Hurricane Katrina.
The lawsuits accuse Hess, Motiva Shell and Sunoco with artificially inflating gas prices and for increasing prices more than the once-a-day legal limit. Independent gas station operators selling Hess, Shell, Sunoco and Citgo brands were also sued.
"The goal here is to protect consumers' hard-earned money from artificial inflation and economic exploitation," Attorney General Peter C. Harvey said Monday. "Some of these dealers were using Katrina to artificially inflate the price, because there were sufficient supplies that this kind of pricing did not have to occur."
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/09/27/new_jersey_sues_three_oil_companies/
OF COURSE EXXON DIDN'T THINK THE VALDES WAS SERIOUS EITHER.
Exxon: Rita damage doesn't look serious
September 27, 2005
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil Corp. <XOM.N> said on Tuesday it appeared its facilities in the U.S. Gulf were not badly damaged by the passing of Hurricane Rita.
Exxon President Rex Tillerson said it would take some days to make a full assessment but told journalists at the sidelines of the World Petroleum Congress in Johannesburg that "the early indications are (that the damage is) not very serious."
Tillerson added that hurricane damage could affect the U.S. gas market this winter.
"There's no question that things could get tight this winter because of the interruptions we've had in the Gulf of Mexico," he said.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/africa/articles/2005/09/27/exxon_rita_damage_doesnt_look_serious/
Kerry fears Katrina-like lack of preparation for global competition
By Glen Johnson, AP Political Writer September 26, 2005
BOSTON --Hurricane Katrina exposed the nation's lack of preparation for a natural disaster, Sen. John Kerry said Monday, and the 2004 Democratic presidential nominee is worried the United States is similarly unprepared for global competition with the likes of India or China.
Kerry told a Boston Chamber of Commerce luncheon the country needs to invest more in so-called building blocks such as education while eliminating roadblocks such as soaring health care costs.
"Why are we doing things that don't make sense?" the Massachusetts senator asked. "Politics? Ideology? Favoritism? Special interests?"
http://www.boston.com/news/education/higher/articles/2005/09/26/kerry_fears_katrina_like_lack_of_preparation_for_global_competition/
VA drug program said cheaper than Medicare
By Kevin Freking, Associated Press Writer September 27, 2005
WASHINGTON --People who get their drug benefits through the Veterans Affairs Department paid about $220 less for a yearlong prescription than those who used the government's Medicare drug card, said a study released Tuesday.
Families USA, an advocacy group, said older people using the discount cards paid more than they would have paid through the VA for 49 of the 50 most frequently used drugs for senior citizens.
The discount cards have been in effect for less than 18 months. They will be replaced Jan. 1 by a comprehensive benefit that beneficiaries can obtain by enrolling with a private plan.
http://www.boston.com/yourlife/health/aging/articles/2005/09/27/va_drug_program_said_cheaper_than_medicare/
The Miami Herald
U.S. to apologize for WWII seizures
(image placeholder)
A federal judge approved a $25.5 million settlement that also calls for the U.S. government to apologize to Hungarian Holocaust survivors whose possessions were sold or seized by American troops after World War II.
BY SCOTT HIAASEN
shiaasen@herald.com
Hungarian Holocaust survivors whose possessions were plundered by the Nazis and later seized by American soldiers will finally get what has eluded them for 60 years: an apology from the U.S. government.
The apology is part of a $25.5 million settlement approved Monday between the government and Hungarian Jews who lost art, jewels and other items when the 40-car German ''Gold Train'' was seized in Austria in 1945 at the end of World War II.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/12752994.htm
An imperfect immigration policy
OUR OPINION: ENSURE THAT NO CUBAN IS RETURNED TO FACE PERSECUTION
Last week's cat-and-mouse chase by U.S. authorities of 10 Cuban men desperate to reach U.S. soil shows how flawed the U.S. ''wet-foot/dry-foot'' policy is. The policy creates a strong incentive for Cubans to cross the dangerous Florida Straits but has few protections that ensure they will not face persecution or torture if they are returned to the island.
Ultimately, the policy worsens the plight of Cubans desperate enough to leave Cuba to escape Fidel Castro's tyranny. For it is the lack of hope and opportunity in Cuba that drives thousands of Cubans to take to the seas in rickety boats or cast their lots with dubious smugglers.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/12749924.htm
Campaign targets deadly-force law
OUR OPINION: SHOOT-FIRST LAW IS DANGEROUS AND UNNECESSARY
Florida's new shoot-first law was a bad idea from the start -- and state lawmakers should revoke the law at their first opportunity. So don't blame the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence for warning visitors to stay calm if they become involved in a public confrontation after the law takes effect on Saturday.
The gun-control group is launching a low-budget campaign to advise visitors that Florida residents now can use deadly force in public places if they believe they are threatened. ''Please be careful,'' the group's fliers and signs say. Peter Hamm, communications director for the Brady group, says the goal isn't to discourage visitors to Florida but to prevent violence. ''We don't want anything bad to happen,'' he said. The law extends the ''Castle Doctrine,'' which says people can use deadly force if they feel threatened by an intruder in their home, to in a public place where they have a lawful right to be.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/12749922.htm
BBC News
Ice explorer readies for launch
By Helen Briggs
BBC News science reporter, Plesetsk
Cryosat has the task of filling in the data gaps
Europe's Cryosat spacecraft is about to launch on a three-year mission to study the Earth's ice caps.
The satellite's main objective is to test and quantify the prediction that global warming is causing ice to thin at the poles.
Scientists hope the data will give a clearer picture of the impact of rising temperatures on ice and, ultimately, global sea levels.
Climate models suggest that as the Earth gets warmer, the planet's ice cover will shrink.
But while there are already some signs this is under way, scientists want conclusive evidence.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4282420.stm
UK 'needs yearly climate updates'
By Richard Black
Environment Correspondent, BBC News website
An annual report is a good way of focussing attention on the problem
Mark Lazarowicz MP
Draft legislation just published in the UK would require the prime minister to make annual reports to Parliament on measures to curb climate change.
It would also establish national targets for small-scale renewable energy projects.
Britain's greenhouse gas emissions have risen for the last two years.
The private member's bill, which has cross-party support, is being introduced by Labour's Mark Lazarowicz, and will be debated in November.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4284502.stm
Microgrids as peer-to-peer energy
Alternative energy technologies are falling in price
Small networks of power generators in "microgrids" could transform the electricity network in the way that the net changed distributed communication.
That is one of the conclusions of a Southampton University project scoping out the feasibility of microgrids for power generation and distribution.
Microgrids are small community networks that supply electricity and heat.
They could make substantial savings, and emissions cuts with no major changes to lifestyles, researchers say.
Electricity suppliers are aiming to meet the UK government's Renewables Obligation, requiring them to generate 15% of electricity from renewable sources by 2015.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4245584.stm
Turn your home into a mini power station
As autumn sends a chill down the spine, heating one's house doesn't have to hurt the environment. Technological advances have given us a range of innovations for turning the humble home into a mini-power station.
This summer millions of people were made to think hard about something they had always taken for granted - electricity.
The massive power cuts in Italy, Canada and the US, coupled with notable outages in London and the West Midlands, wrought chaos and confusion.
Some experts say more are to come, as utilities companies try to square pressure on overheads with increased consumer demand.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3208216.stm
Blair promising to step up reform
Mr Blair will not announce a date for his retirement
Tony Blair will tell the Labour Party it must continue to modernise Britain as he seeks to show he has not run out of steam as prime minister.
He will outline to the party's conference in Brighton a host of reform plans for the public services.
The solution to challenges facing the UK is "not less New Labour but more New Labour", Mr Blair will say.
He speaks after Gordon Brown delivered a speech seen as confirming his status as leader-in-waiting.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4284710.stm
Weapons witnesses 'IRA-nominated'
Ian Paisley said his party now wanted to meet the government
The DUP was "shocked" by what it learned in a meeting with the chief of the decommissioning body, party leader Ian Paisley has said.
He said the two church witnesses to disarmament were "IRA nominated" and the party now wants to meet them.
Catholic priest Father Alec Reid and ex-Methodist president Rev Harold Good were not appointed by the government or IICD, said Mr Paisley.
The party said the list of IRA weapons had been "revised and tampered with".
"These are the things that put a very big question over what has taken place," said Mr Paisley.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4286266.stm
NI soldiers 'face combat stress'
Soldiers can suffer psychological trauma years after serving
Soldiers from Northern Ireland form the single biggest group showing the symptoms of combat stress.
The Ex-Services Mental Welfare Society, known as Combat Stress, is urging the government to do more to help soldiers and former soldiers cope.
The problem is not confined to young soldiers. One case involved an army veteran who is 100 years old.
The society's chief executive Toby Elliott, who is visiting Belfast, said 600 new cases came forward each year.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4285696.stm
Zarqawi's number two 'shot dead'
There has been a recent spate of attacks on police recruits
Al-Qaeda's second-in-command in Iraq has been shot dead, reports say.
Iraqi and US officials said Abu Azzam, described as an aide to leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, was killed in a joint operation on Sunday morning.
In a separate incident, at least 10 people died in an attack on police recruits north of Baghdad.
At least 26 people were injured in the suicide blast in Baquba - the third major attack on Iraqi police in the last three days.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4285394.stm
Iraq charter 'will fuel strife'
The group says a last-minute deal could prevent further violence
Iraq's draft constitution has deepened the country's ethnic and sectarian rifts and is likely to fuel the insurgency, a new report says.
The text was not based on broad consent, and the country appears to be heading towards partition and civil war, the study says.
The report, by the Brussels-based International Crisis Group, calls on the US address Sunni concerns.
Iraqis are due to vote in a referendum on the draft text on 15 October.
The constitution will pass unless voters in three of Iraq's 18 provinces muster a two-thirds majority against it.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4283416.stm
S Africa hits back over Aids slur
Health Minister Tshabalala-Msimang (r) has been criticised by Aids activists
South Africa's health ministry has angrily denied accusations that it had "betrayed" the population by not doing enough to fight HIV/Aids.
It said the trade union leader who made the attacks was "irresponsible" and "needs to get his facts straight".
Cosatu leader Zwelinzima Vavi had also accused President Thabo Mbeki of a "failure of leadership".
Six million of South Africa's 45m people are infected with HIV, according to the health department.
Strains have emerged in the alliance between Mr Mbeki's ANC and the unions, who demand more action on poverty.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/4285542.stm
Senior Afghan minister 'to quit'
Mr Jalali is said to have been at odds with President Karzai
Afghan Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali has said he will resign.
Correspondents say Mr Jalali has been outspoken over the role of senior officials in the drugs trade.
He has also disagreed with President Karzai's choice of provincial officials. It is not yet known if Mr Karzai will accept the resignation.
Mr Jalali said he wanted time to pursue an academic career. A presidential spokesman said Mr Jalali was resigning for "personal reasons".
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4285550.stm
The Belfast Telegraph
IRA lay down arms
Provos to confirm today all weapons destroyed and gun removed from Irish politics
Brian Dowling, Tom Brady and Dominic Cunningham
26 September 2005
The IRA will confirm today that the gun has finally been removed from Irish politics after nearly 40 years of violence.
Today's historic development will herald the end of the IRA and pave the way for new talks on restoring devolved government in the North.
The announcement from P. O'Neill, long-awaited and coming at the end of a bloody trail of death and destruction, will confirm that the paramilitary group has allowed its vast arsenal of weapons to be destroyed in the presence of independent witnesses.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=663090
IRA's dramatic move now puts it up to loyalists
Dominic Cunningham
26 September 2005
Part of the domino effect of the IRA's decision to dump arms could be a move by the North's various loyalist paramilitary groups to follow suit now.
It is known that the Ulster Volunteer Force has been monitoring IRA weapons moves carefully and with increased interest over the past few months.
There was growing speculation last week that the UVF - the oldest Protestant terror group in Northern Ireland - was involved in a major internal debate on how to react to confirmation that IRA guns were being finally silenced.
The loyalist paramilitaries have always maintained they existed only to meet the threat from armed republicans and that once that perceived danger to their communities had gone they too would stand down.
Despite the decision last week by Northern Secretary Mr Peter Hain to declare the UVF ceasefire to be over, the group's political spokesman Mr David Ervine - leader of the Progressive Unionists - said that he did not believe they posed a threat to the peace process.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=663095
'Unionists need to absorb IRA move'
Adams rejects secret deal claims
By Marie Foy
27 September 2005
Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams has insisted that there is no secret agenda behind IRA decommissioning.
Speaking after yesterday's historic announcement by the Independent International Commission for Decommissioning, Mr Adams said: "I understand that some unionists don't trust us, that they think this is some sort of secret deal".
"We need to politically listen to unionism at this time. I go forward very proud of my republicanism. We want a united Ireland.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=663136
Chicago Sun Times
A farewell to arms, but not to violence
September 27, 2005
BY JOHN O'SULLIVAN
With the news that the IRA has announced its positively final arms decommissioning, a stately political minuet will begin to revive a power-sharing Northern Ireland Executive that includes Sinn Fein (the unarmed half of the Sinn Fein-IRA octopus).
According to the Whitehall leaks that always precede these declarations, Britain's Tony Blair and Ireland's Bertie Ahern hope that, making due allowance for the usual horse-trading, such an Executive can be up and running by the new year. Both governments will be employing formidable incentives and penalties to make it so. And the first incentive will be their stress on the ''historic'' and ''unprecedented'' nature of the IRA's gesture.
That is especially necessary because, as Sinn Fein's president (and sometime member of the IRA Army Council) Gerry Adams has publicly conceded, the last historic and unprecedented IRA announcement that its terrorist war was maybe over did not have the favorable public impact that it had counted upon.
http://www.suntimes.com/cgi-bin/print.cgi
Fawell: Ryan knew about fund-raising scheme
September 27, 2005
BY NATASHA KORECKI Federal Courts Reporter
The man who once worked closest with former Gov. George Ryan has dumped public corruption allegations right onto his old boss' lap, claiming Ryan, while in elected office, knew of a "master list" tracking political favors and of political fund-raising tickets being sold at state offices.
In a statement to the feds -- revealed in part through defense motions Monday -- former Ryan protege Scott Fawell said Ryan, as the Illinois secretary of state, knew prior administrations bought and sold political fund-raising tickets on state time but, "We took it to a higher level."
Fawell told prosecutors -- who accuse Ryan of steering state contracts to cronies and taking cash, gifts, vacations and other perks in return -- that Ryan knew about a master list that Fawell kept. The list included people and companies that had helped Ryan's election efforts, and it was used by Fawell to dole out contracts.
http://www.suntimes.com/cgi-bin/print.cgi
New Zealand Herald
Biggest typhoon in 30 years batters China island
26.09.05 3.50pm
Beijing, Sept 26 Reuters - A typhoon roared across China's southern Hainan on Monday, the strongest storm to hit the tropical resort island in more than 30 years, and forced more than 170,000 people to flee their homes.
Typhoon Damrey had caused "casualties", flattened houses and damaged crops on an island often referred to as China's Hawaii since it made landfall on Sunday, but the full extent of the destruction was unknown, a disaster relief official said.
"The primary threat now is strong winds, but judging from our experience in recent years, river floods are also possible if the heavy rains continue," he told Reuters by telephone.
He gave no details of the casualties and there was no immediate word of damage to hotels. But he said 170,000 people had been evacuated to safety.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10347362
Australian leaders meet for anti-terror laws
27.09.05 1.00pm
CANBERRA - Australian state and territory leaders look set to reach agreement with the federal government today over a raft of controversial anti-terror laws.
Despite general in-principle support for more severe measures to combat the terrorist threat in Australia, state governments have expressed concerns the tough new proposals as they stand contain no sunset clause.
The leaders will come together with the federal government at a Council of Australian Governments (CoAG) meeting in Canberra to discuss the plans.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10347504
Australian PM says terror laws don't target Muslims
26.09.05 1.00pm
CANBERRA - Australian Prime Minister John Howard says new laws to be discussed at a national security summit will not target Muslims.
Mr Howard will seek the agreement of state and territory leaders in Canberra tomorrow on tough new anti-terror powers, including the detention of terrorist suspects for up to 14 days and a new crime of inciting violence against the community.
Hundreds of Muslims and civil libertarians gathered in Sydney yesterday to call for an end to the government's grab for greater anti-terrorism powers.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10347331
New Zealanders caught up in hurricane jam
26.09.05 4.00pm
New Zealander Tim Duerr does not know what is left of his home in Port Arthur, Texas, nearly two days after it was battered by Hurricane Rita.
Like other Port Arthur residents Mr Duerr, from Wellington, was still barred today from returning to the Gulf Coast town near the Louisiana border which bore the brunt of the storm on Saturday (local time).
"They just won't let us in. If anyone tries to get there, the police will escort them out," he told NZPA from the hospital near Houston where he works as a respiratory therapist.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10347334
Fiji senator jailed for coup role
27.09.05 1.00pm
A Fiji government senator has been jailed for eight months for his role in the Pacific nation's 2000 coup.
The Lautoka High Court today gave prison terms to Apisai Tora, 71, and 12 indigenous Fijian villagers after convicting them of unlawful assembly last week, the news website Fijilive reported.
Tora and the villagers took over a military checkpoint in the final days of the two month crisis.
He told the court yesterday their action had been staged to help persuade Fiji's indigenous chiefs to appoint Ratu Josefa Iloilo president and not in support of coup frontman George Speight.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10347516
Second attempt to clone human fails
27.09.05 1.00pm
By Steve Connor
A maverick fertility doctor announced yesterday that he has for a second time failed in his attempts to implant a cloned human embryo into a woman's womb.
Panos Zavos travelled from his fertility clinic in Kentucky to an expensive London hotel to publicise his failure at producing the world's first cloned baby.
Professor Zavos claimed - without producing any evidence - that he had created four cloned IVF embryos, which he had then implanted into a 33-year-old woman living in the Middle East.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10347502
Michael Campbell shirt fetches $10,000 at auction
27.09.05 1.00pm
A shirt signed by Kiwi golfing pro and man of the moment Michael Campbell has gone under the hammer for $10,000 at a high-profile charity luncheon in Tauranga.
A glove signed by golfing legend Tiger Woods also sold for $10,500 at the luncheon which raised $104,000.
The framed glove, along with two golf balls, was one of 26 items auctioned at the 11th annual Tauranga CIB charity luncheon, which raised money for the Bay of Plenty Down Syndrome Association.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/story.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10347512
The weather in Antarctica (Crystal Ice Chime) is:
Scott Base
Some cloud
-32.0°
Updated Tuesday 27 Sep 8:59PM
The weather at Glacier Bay National Park (Crystal Wind Chime) is:
41 °F / 5 °C
Overcast
Humidity:
87%
Dew Point:
37 °F / 3 °C
Wind:
Calm
Pressure:
30.11 in / 1020 hPa
Visibility:
10.0 miles / 16.1 kilometers
UV:
0 out of 16
Clouds:
Overcast 5000 ft / 1524 m
(Above Ground Level)
end
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