Beyond the farm
A weekly e-mail news summary - WORLD EDITION
For the week preceding this Saturday, November 11th, 1995, here's what happened Beyond the Farm:
The United States government seems on a collision-course to default on its loans for the first time in modern history. On Nov 9th, Congress passed bills to allow the Federal government to keep operating past the current end of spending authority (midnight Nov 13th) and to raise the debt ceiling so that it can borrow enough money to operate. However, both bills are laden with riders, from a rise in Medicare premiums to the elimination of the Department of Commerce, which have been dubbed a "Republican wish list." President Clinton made it clear Nov 8th that he would veto bills of this kind, and repeated that he will veto the current legislation Nov 11th. Vice President Al Gore has even called them, "watching Robin Hood in reverse." An attempt by both sides to meet and resolve their differences failed Nov 10th, with both sides claiming the other would not compromise. If no agreement is reached, only essential government services (such as Air Traffic Controllers and the Post Office) will operate from Nov 14th until new legislation is approved.
Nigeria executed Ogoni writer and dissident Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight others Nov 10th. All were convicted of murdering soldiers during a crackdown by the government of General Sani Abacha in the Ogoni region about a year ago. Their trial has been universally called a farce by outside observers and their execution was seen as message from the Abacha regime that no political differences will be allowed. The British Commonwealth suspended Nigeria's membership in response, and most nations have recalled their Nigerian ambassadors. The United States has stopped all arms sales to the Abacha regime.
In Shorts:
- An earthquake registering 6.3 on the Richter scale shook the southern region of Sumatra island in Indonesia Nov 5th.
- Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and his wife were threatened by someone who infiltrated nearly to his hotel room Nov 5th. The police were called and the intruder was apprehended.
- The Haitian parliament elected Claudette Werleighil the nation's first female prime minister Nov 5th.
- The Cleveland Browns announced they will be moving to Baltimore Nov 6th.
- The funeral for slain Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin was held Nov 6th, with most of the world's leaders in attendance. Particularly emotional speeches were made by Jordan's King Hussein and Rabin's granddaughter. Subsequent investigation into his murder have revealed significant breaches of security protocol at the scene of the murder and have resulted in the arrests of at least six other people, and have revealed a plot to bomb Arab areas around Jerusalem.
- A US soldier pleaded guilty in Okinawa, Japan to the rape of a Japanese girl Nov 6th. Two other US soldiers also charged in the case pled not guilty.
- In elections nationwide Nov 7th, Democrats claimed victory as Republicans failed to gain the governorship of Kentucky and control of the legislatures in Maine and Virginia. However, a Republican did capture the Mississippi governorship, and the GOP made gains in the legislatures of most states.
- A Jordanian airliner diverted to Vienna Nov 7th after a bomb threat.
- Colin Powell announced that he will not run for president, but that he is a Republican Nov 8th. Powell cited personal reasons.
- Journalist David Rohde was released by the Bosnian Serbs Nov 8th after international outcry over his incarceration.
- The United States and Russia announced an agreement on a command structure for a joint Bosnia peacekeeping force Nov 8th; Soviet troops will report to a Russian commander who then reports to both NATO and Moscow.
- The United States Senate voted to delay action on the "live-birth abortion" issue Nov 8th.
- Sri Lanka launched an offensive on Jaffna Nov 10th. Meanwhile, a bomb went off in the capitol of Colombo early Nov 11th, killing two rebels and ten victims.
- The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose to three new records this week. The final close on Nov 10th of 4870.37 stands as the highest mark in history.
Finally:
David Cannon decided to make a deposit at his bank. The British farmer was not happy with New Westminster Bank for its treatment of his accounts. So, he brought in a huge truckload for the bank, which in fact required several trucks. However, after he dumped four tons of cow manure on the building, Cannon was charged with vandalism and destruction of property-and he had no bank from which to withdraw bail money.
And that's what happened Beyond the Farm.
Sources this week included All Things Considered (NPR), the Associated Press newswire, the BBC Newshour (BBC/PRI), the Christian Science Monitor, KCBS radio news, LeShow (KCRW/SASS/KALW), Marketplace (PRI), Newsday (BBC/PRI), the Newshour with Jim Lehrer (PBS), and the Reuters newswire. Compiled by: Lance Gleich, Stanford CA
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