Kashmir Quake stories
Pakistan seeks more medical aid as quake toll rises, Â Quake killed more than 57,000 in Pakistan: PM
Pakistan has appealed for antibiotics and painkillers and better co-ordination of relief efforts. Nearly 79,000 are believed to have injured and 57,597 to have died. Much more money is still needed, particularly immediately to keep the helicopter sin the air. Emergency field hospitals will be needed until at least March. 2.3 million people need emergency food.
U.S. Relief Copter Apparently Fired Upon, Â US admiral aboard mercy flight for Pakistani baby
A U.S. Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter delivering aid to quake victims in Pakistan's part of Kashmir was apparently fired upon by a rocket-propelled grenade on Tuesday. Neither the crew not a journalist on board was hurt. Whilst the people are appreciative of American aid, some are suspicious of America's intentions. There was a story of am an having been rescued from the rubble. Rear Admiral Michael LeFever, commander of the U.S. disaster relief mission, used his helicopter to rush a baby to hospital.
Bird flu stories
Drug combo could stretch Tamiflu supplies: doctors
It is possible that Tamiflu, which governments are stockpiling ready for a bird flu epidemic, could be made to go further by combining it with another drug, Probenecid, but there is no clinical data and regulatory approval.
Proposed Flu Pandemic Spending in U.S., Â Bush Outlines $7.1B Flu-Fighting Strategy, Bush seeks $7.1 billion for flu defense
President Bush wants emergency spending of $7.1 billion for preparation for a potential flu pandemic, including $1.6 billion for production of cell-based vaccines and $1.2 billion to get enough vaccine for 20 million people by 2009.
Bird Flu Makes Rumsfeld Rich
U.S. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld has shares in Gilead Sciences Inc., the company that invented Tamiflu, the drug of choice for coping with the initial stages of a bird flu pandemic. Gilead licensed Tamiflu production to Roche.
Asia-Pacific Region to Stage Mock Outbreak
It was announced at a two day meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in Brisbane that there will be a mock bird flu pandemic exercise in the first half of next year.
Hurricane stories
La. Lawmakers Summoned for Katrina Session
Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco has ordered a two-week special session starting Sunday where lawmakers will debate 77 topics relating to Hurricane Katrina, including tax relief, borrowing money, the New Orleans school system and cutting spending.
Other stories
Edible rice-based vaccine may combat hay fever
Researchers have found that an edible vaccine produced in genetically modified rice can reduce pollen allergy in mice. This is an example of biopharmaceuticals; medicines and vaccines that are mass-produced using genetically modified plants.
New Way to Grow Virus May Speed Vaccine
Researchers have developed a new process which they hope will become a new way to grow the flu virus and speed up production of vaccines.
Study: Mice Sing in the Presence of Mates
Researchers have discovered that male mice sing to their mates using high frequency sounds that humans cannot hear. They hope that they can study the mouse behaviour to learn more about the human brain, particularly autism and other communication disorders.
Britain calls for global approach to curb pollution, Â UK holds energy summit to tackle global warming
Energy ministers from 20 countries were in London Tuesday for informal talks on pollution and global warming in advance of the main meeting to discuss the Kyoto Protocol in Montreal at the end of the month. Britain called for broad international agreement.
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Sue [sysop in NewsForum, World Issues, All Animals forums]
Caviar Farmers Hope to Fill Market Void
The Idaho farm-raised white sturgeon caviar industries hopes to fill the gap left by the federal government's ban on beluga caviar from the Black Sea basin.
Illegal Fish Threaten Wyo. Trout Stream
Burbot, or ling, have been found in a reservoir in southwest Wyoming, where they must have been taken illegally. Since their normal food is not present there, they will likely eat young trout, reducing the catch for anglers.
Mont. Wildlife Officials Kill Nine Wolves
Nine wolves in a month have been killed in just over a month in southwest Montana because they were suspected of killing livestock and injuring guard dogs. Three may have been innocent.
Great Salt Lake May Return to Normal Level
Experts hope that the Great Salt Lake will return to normal in just a few years, if the drought does not return. Its lowest level was in 1963.
Wis. to Require Livestock Registration
Wisconsin is the first state in the USA to require registration of all places where livestock are kept. This is the first step in a 3-step response to animal disease outbreaks. The second is registering all animals, and the third is tracking them.
Ariz. Researchers to Study Urban Coyotes
Researchers from the Arizona Game and Fish Department and the University of Arizona are to study urban neighbourhoods that have become hot spots for coyotes by trapping and radio-collaring animals that have set up home there.
Armadillos Spread North in Georgia
Armadillos have spread from South to North Georgia. They first invaded Texas in the 1800s. The main problem is that they dig up flower beds, leave holes to trip unwary animals and humans, or destroy quail eggs on hunting plantations. They cannot survive in colder climates.
October Sets Rainfall Records in Northeast
October was the wettest on record in 15 cities throughout the Northeast, and in some case the wettest month on record. The jet stream was more to blame than hurricanes. Central Park, New York had a record 16.73 inches. The last time there was similar wet weather across the North East was in August 1955.
Report: Grazing on Public Land Costly
According to the Government Accountability Office, the Bureau of Land Management, the Forest Service and several other agencies receive only a sixth of the cost of managing grazing on public lands back in grazing fees.
Truck with missile parts explodes in S.Korea tunnel
A 15-ton truck carrying a guided missile propulsion device exploded inside a South Korean highway tunnel on Tuesday. Nobody was hurt but the tunnel was blocked.
Structure Fire Burns in San Francisco
There was a fire at the back of a Hertz Equipment Rental lot where propane was stored, setting off explosions and sending heavy smoke over an area of San Francisco.
Runaway Cat Sails to France
A cat disappeared in Wisconsin and turned up in France. Another was accidentally built into the walls of a new house.
Index of topics in this series.
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Here's an Executive Order issued by President Bush on Tuesday, November 1 2005:
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Here's another Executive Order issued by President Bush on Tuesday, November 1 2005:
