The Boston Globe
Recent growth hasn't erased recession losses, study says
By Mark Jewell, AP Business Writer October 5, 2005
BOSTON --New England continues to recover from recession more slowly than most of the nation, economists with the federal government's insurer of bank deposits said Tuesday.
A quarterly report from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. ranks New England eighth among nine regions nationally for job growth in this year's second quarter, compared with last year's April-June period.
The FDIC attributes the slow growth to lagging population growth across New England.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2005/10/05/recent_growth_hasnt_erased_recession_losses_study_says/
French and US chemists win Nobel for carbon "dance"
MIT professor Richard Schrock at his home in Arlington, Massachusetts October 5, 2005 after learning he is being recognized with the Nobel Prize for his contribution to the development of the metathesis method in organic synthesis. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)
By Simon Johnson October 5, 2005
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Frenchman Yves Chauvin and Americans Robert Grubbs and Richard Schrock won the 2005 Nobel Chemistry prize for showing how to tailor-make molecules for cheaper, cleaner chemicals and drugs to combat major diseases.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded them the 10 million crown prize for work in metathesis, where molecules "dance round and change partners" to create new molecules.
In an unusual step, two men and two women from the committee then took to the floor of the wood-panelled academy hall and danced quietly from partner to partner to give a simple illustration of the trio's complex work.
http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2005/10/05/frenchman_americans_win_nobel_for_organic_chemistry/
Jagger denies reports of Stones rift
Mick Jagger, nominated for a Golden Globe for his music in "Hotel Rwanda" arrives with L'Wren Scott for the 62nd Annual Golden Globe Awards in this Sunday, Jan. 16, 2005 file photo, in Beverly Hills, Calif. Jagger says his girlfriend, stylist L'Wren Scott, isn't trying to rehab the Rolling Stones' choice of clothing and smoking habits. "We have not had any disagreements about clothes, smoking or L'Wren, and this is all very hurtful for her," the 62-year-old rocker said in a statement Tuesday. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, FILE)
October 4, 2005
LONDON --Mick Jagger says his girlfriend, stylist L'Wren Scott, isn't trying to rehab the Rolling Stones' choice of clothing and smoking habits.
"We have not had any disagreements about clothes, smoking or L'Wren, and this is all very hurtful for her," the 62-year-old rocker said in a statement Tuesday.
He issued the statement after British newspaper reports suggested that Scott had angered band members by giving them fashion tips and urging some of them to stop smoking.
"It is completely untrue to say that L'Wren has caused a rift between myself and the rest of the band," Jagger's statement said. "This is all nonsense, everyone has their own style."
http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2005/10/04/jagger_denies_reports_of_stones_rift/
Iraq assembly changes mind, defuses vote rule row
An Iraqi man walks past a row of pro-constitution posters in central Baghdad October 4, 2005. (REUTERS/Ali Jasim)
By Alastair Macdonald October 5, 2005
BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraq's parliament reversed itself on Wednesday over rules governing a forthcoming constitutional referendum, interpreting wording in a way that should make the October 15 ballot fairer, the assembly's acting chairman said.
The parliamentary about-face followed a storm of protest over its decision three days ago to define the word "voters" two ways in the same sentence -- in effect making it virtually impossible for Iraqis to reject the constitution.
Objections came particularly from disgruntled Sunni Arabs who dislike the constitution but also from the United Nations, which said such an interpretation was unfair and did not meet international standards.
On Wednesday, and under pressure from the U.N. and the United States, parliament decided to row back.
http://www.boston.com/news/world/middleeast/articles/2005/10/05/iraq_assembly_changes_mind_defuses_vote_rule_row/
Freeway chase in Wash. ends in suicide
October 5, 2005
OLYMPIA, Wash. --A 10-mile freeway chase ended early Wednesday when the man pursued by police killed himself, authorities said.
Police said the chase began sometime after 3:30 a.m. when a man was suspected of driving drunk. During the chase, the man's car hit a spike strip that flattened his tires, and he crashed into a concrete barrier.
After the crash, authorities said the man appeared agitated and took pictures of officers with his cell phone. He then dialed 911 and asked that the officers back off for a minute, said Washington State Patrol trooper John J. Gunderson.
About five minutes later, an officer moved to open the car door. The man drew a gun and shot himself in the head, Gunderson said.
"That bullet almost hit one of the officers," he said.
Interstate 5 was closed near the state Capitol just before the morning commute started. Police did not immediately release the driver's identity.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2005/10/05/freeway_chase_in_wash_ends_in_suicide/
Putting the squeeze on Mayor Nagin.
Fairness in new New Orleans
By Xavier de Souza Briggsand Margery Austin Turner October 5, 2005
PRESIDENT BUSH has acknowledged the tragic consequences of residential segregation and poverty concentration exposed by Hurricane Katrina and pledged that the new New Orleans will not repeat the mistakes of the past. But that promise could easily get lost in the scramble to make investment dollars flow and to win contracts.
Planners have to get much more specific about both the ends and the means of rebuilding to ensure the equitable redevelopment of poor communities. Many observers have raised the prospect that a rebuilt New Orleans will resemble a Las Vegas or Disneyland on the Gulf, dominated by the entertainment and tourism industry, favoring luxury housing, and planned by a group that even The Wall Street Journal labeled ''the power elite." Clearly, that is an outcome to be avoided.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/10/05/fairness_in_new_new_orleans/
OR. Harvard can actually do the studies that will solve New Orleans problems forever in cooperation with a mayor and city council that would like to put their city back together without hardship and gentrification.
Harvard's chump change
By Mike Conway October 5, 2005
SO THE Harvard endowment grew 19 percent and is now up to $25.9 billion. Oh, what the heck, let's just say $26 billion. After all, what's a measly $100 million?
Actually, $26 billion is a lot of money -- no, it's an obscene amount of money. Seriously, how do you make $26 billion without cheating someone along the way?
For the sake of full disclosure, I am an ex-employee of Harvard Business School, but I assure you there are no hard feelings, even though they did make me pay to park in their huge employee parking lot. But that was back when they only had a shaky $19 billion, not like today.
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/10/05/harvards_chump_change/
The nation's weather
By The Associated Press October 5, 2005
A tropical disturbance may produce scattered rain and embedded thunderstorms in the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states Wednesday, with downpours forecast for some areas.
Heavy rain also was possible in northern Florida and the coastal Carolinas. Otherwise, highs were expected to reach the 70s and 80s across much of the East.
In the nation's midsection, a strong low pressure system and draping cold front threatened to spark thunderstorms across much of the Plains and Mississippi Valley.
Snow showers were expected in North Dakota and Minnesota, with accumulations ranging from a trace to 3 inches. Rainy weather was likely in southern Texas.
http://www.boston.com/news/odd/articles/2005/10/05/the_nations_weather/
RIA Novosti
Russia to stop free space trips for U.S. astronauts -- RSA
MOSCOW, October 1 (RIA Novosti) -- Russia has fulfilled its obligations on free space trips for NASA astronauts to the ISS. Financial conditions on the return trip for William McArthur, commander of the 12th expedition, which started on Saturday, will be discussed with NASA officials who are due to arrive in Moscow on October 6, Alexei Krasnov, head of the Russian Space Agency's Manned Space Programs who is currently at the Baikonur space center, said.
"We have fully met our obligations on free space trips for NASA astronauts to the ISS. Formally, we are not even obliged to take William McArthur back from the ISS in six months time aboard the Russian Soyuz craft so the conditions for his trip will be discussed with our NASA colleagues," he said.
While U.S. space shuttles are grounded, the only means of crew rotation are Russian Soyuz spacecraft, which are even used as rescue vehicles. Beginning with W. McArthur's return to earth, all trips to the ISS, as well as return trips for U.S. astronauts will be provided on a commercial basis.
http://en.rian.ru/russia/20051001/41568040.html
Pravada
Russia to become strategic economic partner of the European Union
10/04/2005 16:21
The question of Russia's fuel deliveries to Europe has topped the agenda of the current Russia-EU summit in London
The leaders of Russia and the European Union sat down in London today to discuss most important political and economic issues. President Putin chairs the Russian delegation at the summit. Over 50 percent of the foreign trade turnover of Russia falls on EU countries: this fact has become the peculiar feature of the current summit, for such an accomplishment has been achieved for the first time in history. European leaders do not conceal that their economies depend on
Russia's energy sources. It goes without saying, though, that the EU's economic stronghold is not afraid of such ties. Quite on the contrary, EU's old-timers are ready to develop and deepen reciprocal cooperation with Russia.
http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/88/354/16245_EU.html
President Putin brings Russia's national treasures to Belgium
10/03/2005 13:47
Putin is set to participate in the opening of Europalia-Russia cultural festival in Brussels
President Putin is leaving to Belgium today with an official visit. The meeting, which Putin is to have at the airport of Brussels is said to become an unprecedented undertaking in diplomatic practice, Russia's ambassador to Belgium, Vadim Lukov said. According to the ambassador, the King of Belgium, Albert II, the Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, three vice premiers, several ministers and the leaders of the two houses of the country's parliament are expected to see the Russian president in at the airport.
http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/88/354/16237_Belgium.html
New takeover to make Russia's giant Gazprom one of world's largest oil and gas corporations
10/01/2005 17:33
Experts differ in their opinion about the recent deal, when Gazprom paid $13 billion for the oil company Sibneft
The deal conducted by Russia's gas giant Gazprom to acquire oil company Sibneft has already won the reputation as "the largest deal in present-day Russia." Indeed, the transaction has become one of the most important events of 2005. The acquisition may help Gazprom become another Russian company to run for the title of a world-class oil and gas corporation. Experts, however, differ in their opinions about the consequences of the deal.
http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/89/356/16232_Gazprom.html
Putin firmly defends Russia's sovereignty for Kurile Islands, Japan insists on their return
09/30/2005 12:09
The return of the islands is the basis of the peace treaty with Russia, Japanese politicians say
The scandal between Russia and Japan regarding the sovereignty of Kurile Islands has resumed this week again. Answering a question from a resident of Sakhalin in Russia's Far East during a call-in conference held on September 27, President Vladimir Putin stated that the sovereignty of Russia's four Kurile Islands was not to be discussed. Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi said two days later, though, that Japan would continue to insist on the return of the islands. According to Koizumi, it would be the mandatory condition upon which Japan would agree to sign the peace treaty.
http://english.pravda.ru/main/18/88/350/16223_Kurile.html
U.S. may be planning to overthrow Syria's president
17:58 2005-10-05
Shaul Mofaz, Israeli defence minister, said he believed sanctions would follow publication of a United Nations report expected to implicate senior Syrian officials in the murder of Rafik al-Hariri, the former Lebanese prime minister.
"I won't be surprised if Syria gets a red card," Mr Mofaz told Israel radio. "[The United States] will take actions against Syria, beginning with economic sanctions and moving on to others, that will make it clear to the Syrians that their policies do not comply with UN decisions, the US's new world order or the prohibition of sovereign states to support terrorism."
On Saturday, President George W Bush and his national security council are to discuss America's options on Syria, ranging from tightening existing limited sanctions to military action.
Washington regards Syria as a transit point for fighters travelling to Iraq and a safe haven for Iraqi Ba'athists to organise and finance the insurgency.
Any action will have to await the outcome of the UN investigation into Hariri's murder in February.
Amid a wave of anti-Syrian anger and pressure from America and France, Assad was forced to withdraw his troops from Lebanon after a presence of 29 years, The Daily Telegraph reports.
http://newsfromrussia.com/world/2005/10/05/64522.html
Thailand: five soldiers allegedly killed by Islamic insurgents
17:56 2005-10-05
Gunmen in a pickup truck and motorcycles killed five soldiers at a south Thailand military outpost Wednesday evening, a Thai Army spokesman said.
Two other soldiers at the outpost were wounded, said Col. Somkuan Saengpataranetr.
The attackers, believed to be Islamic insurgents, shot the men with assault rifles and then escaped, laying metal spikes and logs on the road to thwart pursuers, Somkuan said.
Wednesday's attack took place in the southern province of Narathiwat.
The victims were members of the paramilitary Ranger force, as were four other soldiers killed in an ambush last week in nearby Yala province.
http://newsfromrussia.com/world/2005/10/05/64524.html
US dollar aims high, economy rises fast after Katrina and Rita hurricanes
10/05/2005 16:48
Specialists were surprised to register a rise of major economic indexes in the USA in September
The euro rate dropped to its all-time minimum over the recent two years on the Russian market on Tuesday. One euro costs 34.12 Russian rubles today: a similar price level of the European currency was registered only in September of 2003. The euro rate dropped in Russia on account of the current dynamics of the international market, where the dollar neared the euro and thus set the maximum level of the current year. The euro lost over 1.5 percent of its value against the dollar within only one day.
http://english.pravda.ru/world/20/91/368/16256_dollar.html
Russia and post-Soviet states to challenge USA's global dictatorship with a new economic block
10/04/2005 12:31
The West is interested in Russia solely as an exporter of natural resources, oil and gas first and foremost
Prime ministers of the Eurasian Economic Community gathered for a session of the community's international council in Dushanbe (the capital of Tajikistan) on September 27. Observers were not expecting any surprises from the session, although the results of the meeting turned out to be quite unexpected.
Spokespeople for all member-countries of the community, which incorporates Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Tajikistan, released statements about the results of the meeting. About 30 documents were signed in Tajikistan as a result of the EEC meeting.
http://english.pravda.ru/world/20/91/366/16243_Eurasia.html
Al-Qaeda trains 50 suicide bombers to conduct terrorist attacks in Turkey
10/04/2005 18:14
The terrorist network reportedly plans to perform a series of bloody terrorist acts during the holy month of Ramadan
Suicide bombers from Al-Qaeda and other international terrorist groups have become the horror of modern times. If a woman dressed in a black gown with a hijab on her head appears somewhere in public, in the Moscow metro, for example, she will obviously cause panic among people, especially if she looks like a woman of an Asian nationality. Someone will cast sidelong looks on the potentially dangerous passenger; others will prefer to call the police to avoid a possible life-threatening risk.
http://english.pravda.ru/accidents/21/96/382/16247_Turkey.html
Fun Stuff
Muppet Madness
Tart Time Machine
by Wolfen Moondaughter
In this month's edition, we present the first installment of a two-part article on the legacy of master puppeteer, Jim Henson (and his co-puppeteers, especially Frank Oz, Richard Hunt, Jerry Nelson, David Goelz, Steve Whitmere, and Carol Spinney). This month we'll concentrate on the Muppets (including Sesame Street). Next month we'll discuss his other endeavors, as well as the projects his Creature Shop has contributed to since his death.
Of course, it all started with a little green frog named Kermit, didn't it? The original Kermit, if I recall, was made out of the felt and buttons of an old coat. He was a way for the shy, soft-spoken young Henson to talk to people. Is it any wonder that the Muppets have always had a little something ... extra to them? A certain spark that could totally make us forget that these were just objects of fabric, wire, and plastic that were "speaking" to us, and not "real" people? Something that made us forget about the wizard holding the strings — er, sticks?
http://www.sequentialtart.com/cv_1005_3.shtml
The Chicago Tribune
Daley aide quits amid questions
Planning chief is 9th Cabinet member to exit
By Gary Washburn, Tribune staff reporter. Tribune staff reporters Laurie Cohen, Todd Lighty and Dan Mihalopoulos contributed to this report
Published October 5, 2005
City Planning Commissioner Denise Casalino, once a rising star at City Hall, resigned Tuesday in the wake of questions about her role in real estate projects involving her husband, a developer.
Her decision to leave came after the Tribune made inquiries about a residential condominium unit in a new River North commercial building co-developed by Perry Casalino that city records show should not have been allowed.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0510050184oct05,1,3428291.story?coll=chi-news-hed
Overtime scheme alleged
City water worker says he paid off two of his bosses
By Laurie Cohen and Todd Lighty
Tribune staff reporters
Published October 5, 2005
City Hall said Tuesday it is investigating claims by a laborer in the Water Management Department that he paid bribes to supervisors in exchange for coveted overtime.
The allegation surfaced during a hearing before the city's Personnel Board concerning the firing of another water department worker.
Laborer Richard Pacheco said he testified Tuesday for several hours and disclosed that he paid bribes to two bosses amounting to several hundred dollars during the last few years.
In an interview, Pacheco said that at times he placed the cash directly in the bosses' hands and at other times he tucked the cash in envelopes. He said he always made the payments around the Christmas holidays.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0510050142oct05,1,806845.story?coll=chi-news-hed
Another woman dies of West Nile
Agencies uncertain about fatality total
By Josh Noel
Tribune staff reporter
Published October 5, 2005
The death of a suburban Cook County woman resulted from West Nile disease, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced Tuesday, the second such announcement in two days.
The 86-year-old victim had already been reported as being hospitalized with the disease, state officials said.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0510050242oct05,1,1331134.story?coll=chi-news-hed
Hospitals set goal: Save 100,000 lives
Illinois facilities join effort to improve care
By Judith Graham
Tribune staff reporter
Published October 5, 2005
Seventy Illinois hospitals have joined a national campaign aimed at improving the quality of hospital care and saving patients' lives.
The "100,000 Lives Campaign" targets a well-documented problem: Too many patients receive less than optimal care in medical institutions, resulting in preventable injuries and deaths.
But the scope of this effort is unprecedented. It seeks to inspire enhancements to medical care at every hospital in America and keep 100,000 patients from dying unnecessarily by June.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0510050247oct05,1,3297219.story?coll=chi-news-hed
Please, the term is African-American
Kathleen Parker, Tribune Media Service
Published October 5, 2005
The 1st Amendment has been getting a workout in recent weeks on two college campuses--the University of Florida and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill--where students are learning that free speech is a messy business.
The two cases, one involving a columnist at North Carolina and the other a political cartoonist at Florida, have inflamed minority groups--Muslims and blacks, respectively--provoking protests and debate. That's the good news insofar as protest and debate are the currency of free speech.
What's not such good news is that the columnist was fired, while the Florida cartoonist has been condemned and threatened. Both students have been virtually abandoned by university officials, some of whom apparently are more concerned about burnishing their "multiculti" self-images than in demonstrating the importance of a founding principle that finds itself on increasingly shaky ground these days.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-0510050019oct05,1,2559166.story?coll=chi-opinionfront-hed
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