News Briefs

Protestors against war with Iraq

Around the world Saturday, millions of protestors showed their disdain for the possible war against Iraq. The demonstrations followed U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell’s speech to the U. N. Security Council that Iraq was defying U.N. resolutions in regard to weapons of mass destruction. The rallies were widely broadcast on the tightly controlled media outlets in Iraq in order to make its people believe the world is united against the United States. The largest war protests took place in London and Rome, where the countries’ leaders back President George W. Bush’s call for war with Iraq. Despite the crowds, British Prime Minister Tony Blair said he “would not shrink” from military action but urged a resolution through the United Nations. In Iraq, thousands of Iraqis walked their streets to pledge their loyalty and support to Saddam Hussein.

Bush says don’t panic

Despite the recent high terror threat warning, President George W. Bush told the American people last week not to panic. He asked the nervous public to only be more alert to their surroundings and suggested they visit the Department of Homeland Security’s Web site for tips. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge said Friday that there is no conclusive evidence about where, when or how terrorists could strike. Americans were urged to stock up on food and water and to purchase duct tape and plastic as a precaution. Some Americans have already sealed their homes with plastic. Ridge said this is not necessary and it could cut off the air supply to occupants in the home. The U.S. terrorism alert level was raised from yellow to high-risk orange Feb. 7.

21 dead in a Chicago nightclub

A stampede in Epitome, a Chicago nightclub, killed 21 people and injured 57 Sunday. The club’s patrons were in a hurry to leave the second-floor dance site after a security guard used pepper spray to break up a fight between two females. Only one exit door was unlocked. Survivors said many people were trampled and crushed as they tried to leave the club, owned by Le Mirage All-Night Studio Inc. The owner claims a total of 28 security guards were on hand to watch the 1,500-person crowd. Authorities say the club had been ordered to shut down last summer because of safety violations, including failure to provide enough exits. Charges against the club could be filed soon. Epitome has featured such performers as R. Kelly and the rapper 50 Cent.
Deadly subway attack in South Korea

A man ignited a carton containing flammable material Tuesday on a subway in Daegu, South Korea. An official said some passengers attempted to stop the man from igniting the carton. The fire consumed two trains, killing about 120 people and injuring 135. A suspect is under interrogation, but officials said they have been unable to identify the flammable substance or the motivation for the attack. Daegu is the third largest city in South Korea with a population of 2.5 million.

Shuttle debris search continues in New Mexico

With the help of radar and eyewitness reports, NASA sent 150 searchers to a 2-square-mile area east of Albuquerque, N.M. to search for debris from the space shuttle Columbia. The searchers are concentrated in Embudito Canyon in the Sandia Mountains. They have been told to specifically look for portions of the leading edge of the shuttle’s left wing. In addition, an external investigative team traveled to the Michoud Operations facility in New Orleans. Saturday, which is where the shuttles’ external fuel tanks are prepared. The space shuttle Columbia broke apart following re-entry Feb.1.

Winter storm in Northeast

The Northeast was crippled by a massive winter storm last weekend. Maryland’s Garrett County received 49 inches of snow. Other areas, such as Richmond, were dealt sleet and freezing rain. The storm system is to blame for at least 28 deaths. More than 250,000 homes and businesses were without power. Air and rail passengers were stranded in terminals throughout the country. Many areas are concerned flooding will occur once the ice begins to thaw. The storm is the worst the region has seen since the blizzard of 1996, which killed at least 80 people.

Study finds perfectionist trait and eating disorders linked

Researchers at VCU have found a link between a perfectionist, one who is overcritical of their performance, and a tendency to have anorexia and bulimia. The study is a step toward identifying a genetically influenced trait that might predispose a person to eating disorders. Researchers found that negative reactions to mistakes were associated with the presence of an eating disorder.