Kashmir Quake stories

Pope Makes Appeal for More Earthquake Aid,   UNICEF: Thousands May Die in Quake Zone

Pope Benedict XVI appealed for more international aid for the victims of the Oct. 8 Kashmir earthquake. About 80,000 people are known to have been killed. The U.N. Children's Fund warned that many more could die. UNICEF Executive Director Ann Veneman toured the area by helicopter, saying "The fear is that we could lose thousands of people additionally to diarrhoea, disease and injuries that are not treated. It's absolutely urgent that as much aid gets in as possible. This is an area that will get much colder as the winter comes and the people are going to need shelter and blankets".

UN hails quake relief accord

India and Pakistan agreement to open their Kashmir border was welcomed by the United Nations. Earthquake survivors and relief supplies will be able to cross. Whilst helpful in the immediate area, there are still a lot of roads to be rebuilt and millions of people to be housed and fed.

Hurricanes stories

Hurricane Beta Pounds Nicaragua Coast

Hurricane Beta lashed the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua Sunday as a small category 2 hurricane, but weakened as it moved inland. A boat with 10 people on board was missing.

Mobile Homes Get Worst of Wilma's Damage

Many people choose mobile homes when retiring in Florida as they are cheaper, but as Wilma demonstrated, they are very vulnerable in hurricanes.

Hurricane Wilma's Death Toll 21 in Fla.

Hurricane Wilma was responsible for 38 deaths overall; 21 of them in Florida. The most recent deaths were due to accidents.

Bird Flu stories

Beijing takes anti-flu steps in live bird markets

China has taken steps against wild bird trading in Beijing and is disinfecting the city's largest wholesale market for live poultry thrice daily as a precaution against bird flu.

Other stories

Dems Criticize GOP Over Energy Prices

Democrats say that Republicans are not doing enough about high energy costs at a time of huge oil industry profits. They want strong anti-gouging laws and more federal money for alternative energy and fuel efficiency research.

Government's Dairy Advice Questioned

U.S. government dietary guidelines recommend that Americans drink three cups of milk a day, but many people, particularly non-Caucasians, are lactose-intolerant. Critics say that the information on alternative sources of calcium should be far more prominent.

Birds vs. windmills battle heads to California courts

Many migratory birds are killed by the wind farm at Altamont Pass east of San Francisco, which produces clean electricity for more than 120,000 homes. Environmentalists are filing suits seeking an environmental impact report on the windmills, and eventually want the farm to shut down for three months during the migration season. There will be a partial shut down starting Tuesday.

Italy environment minister floats nuclear option

Italy's environment minister said that his country might look at nuclear power again, but it would take 10 to 15 years to build a plant.

Water Spill Halts VX Destruction in Ind.

Nearly 500 gallons of caustic wastewater spilled in a sealed area at the Newport Chemical Depot where the deadly nerve agent is being destroyed. The facility was shut down. Nobody was hurt.

Firefighters capture python in shop near Paris

It took a dozen French firefighters to cut a hole in a ceiling and capture a 3 meter (10 ft) python in a shop near Paris.

Index of topics in this series.

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Sue [sysop in NewsForum, World Issues, All Animals forums]