The Chicago Tribune
Defending the zoo
By Charlie Madigan
Tribune senior correspondent
Published May 24, 2005, 5:52 AM CDT
What a glorious Sunday morning at Lincoln Park Zoo. Here's what's going on. In the big cat house (sounds a little titillating doesn't it, but it's actually just a big cat house) the serval is pacing, its long legs measuring its pen. Very alert, it hops up to the top of a big rock and just sits there, gazing.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-gleaner,1,1375290.htmlstory?coll=chi-news-hed
Metra train delivers on boy's dream
Ollie Tibbles, who died last year of a brain tumor, was so enthralled by trains he wanted to be one
By Virginia Groark
Tribune staff reporter
Published May 24, 2005
When Oliver "Ollie" Tibbles was 4 years old, he announced to his mother that he wanted to be a train someday.
"I said, `Don't you mean you are going to be a train conductor?'" his mother, Debi, recalled.
No, Ollie replied in a loud voice, shaking his head vigorously. He was going to be a train.
A little more than a year after he died of a brain tumor, Ollie's wish has come true.
Metra announced Saturday that it had named locomotive No. 401 after the train-loving little boy, marking the first time the commuter rail agency has named a train engine after a child.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0505240022may24,1,3231681.story?coll=chi-news-hed
City Hall discovers clout
After years of denial, Daley administration admits patronage exists, vows to end it
By Gary Washburn and Laurie Cohen
Tribune staff reporters
Published May 24, 2005
After years of denying the existence of patronage in a town famous for the practice, the Daley administration on Monday announced an overhaul of city hiring to eliminate political influence and favoritism.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0505240070may24,1,4739012.story?coll=chi-news-hed
The Jerusalem Post
Israel marks five years since southern Lebanon withdrawal
Five years ago, the streets of Kiryat Shmona were virtually deserted. Most residents were in bomb shelters or had temporarily left the city fearing heavy rocket bombardments as the IDF completed its withdrawal from Lebanon and thousands of former South Lebanese Army soldiers and their families fled to Israel for safety.
It was a time of great uncertainty for residents of the North and especially of Kiryat Shmona, which had suffered most from the terror threat emanating from Lebanon, as Hizbullah gunmen raised the organization's flags literally along the border.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1116728308431
Ezra to 'Post': Pullout may take until Rosh Hashana
While the government has set a three-week time limit starting August 15 to complete the evacuation from the Gaza Strip, the final cutoff date is the eve of Rosh Hashana on October 3, Internal Security Minister Gideon Ezra told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.
"The government first spoke about evacuating Gaza within three months, then cut it down to three weeks, meaning more forces will be needed to carry out the mission in such a short time," he said. "Three weeks is certainly realistic... but the cutoff date for us however is the eve of Rosh Hashana... By then we need to be done."
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1116814794143
'One-stop shop' for evacuees
A special office is being created to provide jobs for settlers evacuated during this summer's disengagement, The Jerusalem Post has learned. The office, to be located in Ashkelon and to be opened as early as June 25, will be staffed by specialists attuned to the settlers' needs.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1116814793531
A separate evacuation
With the country focused on the evacuation and compensation of some 1,500 Jewish families from the Gaza Strip, the real population transfer has quietly begun with the Negev Beduin in a NIS 1 billion government plan.
According to government officials, in the past few months great progress has been made with Beduin tribes living in illegal villages. They are starting to sign deals to give up their land claims and have agreed to move to permanent towns where they will receive free plots and huge housing grants.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1116814794403
Jewish terrorist convicted in Haifa
Alexander Rabinovich, 22, was convicted Tuesday of aiding an attempt to kill Israeli Arab lawmaker, Issam Makhoul, and carrying out eight other bomb attacks against Arab targets in the port city of Haifa.
According to the ruling, Rabinovich supplied Eliran Golan - the main suspect in the case - with the explosives that were used to manufacture the homemade bombs.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1116901692554
Washington Post
Analysis
Breakthrough Pact Unlikely To End Battle
By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 24, 2005; Page A01
In a dramatic break with the ideological warfare that has defined the politics of Washington for much of the past decade, the center held firm in the Senate last night, as a bipartisan group of senators unexpectedly signed a compromise that yanked the institution back from a historic clash over judicial nominations.
The negotiators had spent a week laboring to find the language to define their agreement. But with the Senate just hours away from pulling the trigger on the "nuclear option," the seven Republicans and seven Democrats managed to defy predictions. They found both the language to make a deal possible and the courage to risk the wrath of partisans on both sides who were pushing for an all-or-nothing outcome.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/23/AR2005052301904.html?sub=AR
Cholesterol Drug Crestor Poses Risks, Journal Says
Study Suggests Use Only as Last Resort
By Marc Kaufman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 24, 2005; Page A01
The powerful cholesterol-lowering drug Crestor is significantly more likely than other statins to cause muscle deterioration that can lead to kidney disease and failure, according to a study in the American Heart Association's journal, Circulation.
The conclusion is at odds with the most recent recommendation of the Food and Drug Administration, which in March rejected a citizen's petition to remove Crestor from the market. At the time, the FDA said Crestor, which has been aggressively marketed by AstraZeneca LP, appeared to be no more dangerous than other statins for most people.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/23/AR2005052301065.html
Preakness Jitters
Tuesday, May 24, 2005; Page A16
THE TRADITIONAL black-eyed Susans and other trappings abounded at Pimlico Saturday for the 130th running of the Preakness Stakes, always a glorious celebration of Maryland's history as horse country. But beyond the festive mood of the afternoon lurked evidence from over the past decade that horse racing in the state is suffering financially, that interest is waning. Owners of the Pimlico and Laurel racetracks used the Preakness festivities to lobby hard for a special session of the state legislature to legalize slot machines as their bailout. Though they have not issued direct threats, officials of Magna Entertainment Corp. are letting it be known that they might pull the Preakness from the state if slots are not approved.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/23/AR2005052301793.html
Senate Panel Set to Debate Patriot Act
By Dan Eggen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 24, 2005; Page A15
The long political battle over the USA Patriot Act will enter a new phase this week as the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence debates whether to approve a bill that not only would renew the anti-terrorism law, but also would give the FBI significant new powers in conducting counterterrorism and counterintelligence investigations.
Legislation proposed by committee Chairman Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) would allow the FBI to subpoena records in intelligence probes without the approval of a judge or grand jury and would make it easier for the bureau to get copies of mail, according to committee aides and a draft copy of the bill.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/23/AR2005052301550.html
Montgomery Parents Rally for Black Students
Group Says School System Treats, Teaches Minority Children Differently
By Lori Aratani
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 24, 2005; Page B04
A group of black parents in Montgomery County yesterday resumed its campaign to pressure the school system to take more aggressive steps toward narrowing the achievement gaps between black and Hispanic students and their white and Asian counterparts.
In a event dubbed the "Let My People Go" rally, parents and children gathered to pray and sing African American freedom songs before the school board's regularly scheduled meeting at the system's headquarters in Rockville.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/23/AR2005052301682.html
The New Zealand Herald
Co-ordinator to help recovery in flood-affected areas
The Bay of Plenty town of Matata has been devastated by flooding. Picture / Alan Gibson
24.05.05 6.00pm
A facilitator is being appointed to work with the Whakatane District Council on a recovery package for the flood-devastated Bay of Plenty town of Matata.
The total bill from the flood damage is now estimated at about $40 million.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10127056
Australasian astronomers help find huge new planet
24.05.05 4.00pm
Australasian researchers have helped discover a huge new planet in the Milky Way galaxy.
Using a new scientific technique, Tasmanian astronomers have helped to detect a large planet, renewing hopes of finding Earth-like planets.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10127229
Syria severs military cooperation with US - NYT
24.05.05 4.30pm
NEW YORK - Syria has severed military and intelligence cooperation with the United States, its ambassador to Washington told The New York Times in an interview published on its website on Monday.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10127255
Flooded owners face future LIM effects
Real estate agents are downplaying the effect the landslides and loss of homes will have on Tauranga house prices. Picture / Alan Gibson
24.05.05 1.00pm
Homeowners were today being gradually let back into their flood-ravaged homes in Tauranga but they have been dealt another blow because their properties will be tagged on official city council files.
Hundreds of neighbours may also have their properties marked as at risk.
The revelation comes as experts clear the backlog of damaged houses still to be deemed as safe to live in.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10127222
Greenpeace welcomes release of Rainbow Warrior footage
24.05.05 1.00pm
Greenpeace today welcomed a High Court ruling that could clear the way for Television New Zealand (TVNZ) to screen never before seen film footage of the court appearances of the two French secret agents who bombed the Rainbow Warrior, killing a crew member.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10127217
One of country’s worst road crashes claims ninth victim
24.05.05 10.15am
One of the country’s worst road crashes claimed its ninth victim early today when an Indian woman died in Waikato Hospital.
Ahalya Thirumuthy, 20, had been in a critical condition since last Wednesday when a mini-bus full of tourists slammed into a timber truck near Morrinsville in Waikato.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10127189
Treasures looted from Iraq museum still untraced
24.05.05 1.00pm
By Louise Jury
Evidence of how quickly and irretrievably a country can be stripped of its cultural heritage came with the Iraq war in 2003.
The latest figures, presented to the art crime conference yesterday by John Curtis of the British Museum, suggested that half of the 40 iconic items from the Iraq National Museum in Baghdad still had not been retrieved.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10127216
China-Japan dispute reignites
24.05.05 4.20pm
BEIJING - China is extremely dissatisfied with remarks repeatedly made by Japanese leaders on visiting a controversial war, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yu cancelled a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Monday and left a day early, prompting a diplomatic stir over a trip some had hoped would help repair frayed ties.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10127234
Annette Taylor: Birdwatchers deserve our gratitude
24.05.05
Birds matter. Just look at what happened when Radio New Zealand proposed taking the birdcall off Morning Report, and called for feedback. Emails flooded in from all around; listeners opposed to dropping the calls outnumbered those in favour 1000 to one.
We're a small, remote country and we don't have as many birds as continental areas, where bird-watching is often treated as a sport, with people competing to amass the biggest lists of rarities. In North America, you're nobody if you don't have a himalayan snowcock or a plain chachalaca on your list.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=466&ObjectID=10127072
Abortion is a reality as well.
Catholics disagree with stem cell breakthrough
22.05.05
Two massive breakthroughs in stem cell research are being described locally as morally repugnant.
Researchers in the UK have created the first human embryo clone and Korean scientists have successfully created eleven batches of embryonic stem cells which genetically match sick patients.
The technique involves growing an embryo for five days, and harvesting stem cells from its interior, which destroys it.
Dr Michael McCabe from the New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre is praising the potential of stem cells to help the sick, but he stresses the ends do not justify the means which involve destroying a human life.
- NEWSTALK ZB
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=301&ObjectID=10126804
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