News beyond the farm

A weekly e-mail news summary - WORLD EDITION

For the week preceding this Saturday, September 7th, 1996, here's what made the News Beyond the Farm:

The United States launched 27 cruise missiles from both land and sea at strategic locations in southern Iraq Sep 3rd. The attack was a response to Iraqi troops entering the Kurdish "safe haven" north of the 36th parallel last week and helping the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) oust the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). The PUK apparently had been receiving assistance from Iran, prompting the KDP to request Iraqi assistance in taking the regional capitol of Arbil. The raids did not hit all of their intended targets, so an additional set of 17 missiles was launched Sep 4th. The US also reported that two Iraqi MIGs scrambled into the air and were chased off and that an Iraqi radar installation turned on and locked on to a US aircraft before shutting down. As part of the operation, the no-fly zone over southern Iraq was extended northward from the 32nd to the 33rd parallel, just 30 miles from Bhagdad. UN Secretary General Bhoutros Bhoutros-Ghali had no say on the US-enforced no-fly zone, but did ban potential Iraqi oil sales.

However, while the US has gained some tactical advantages in southern Iraq, the general consensus of experts is that Iraq has gained considerable influence in the Kurdish safe haven. Turkey announced an intention to create its own "security cordon" in northern Iraq Sep 6th as a result. Allied support for the US actions has generally been quite soft, with firm support coming only from Britain. France is refusing to enforce the expanded no-fly zone, and Russia spared no words in condemning the attacks. From the Iraqi perspective, the raids were said to have killed five civilian and injured nineteen more. Explosions were heard in Bhagdad Sep 4th which the Iraqis blamed on a US attack, but the US denied involvement. The Iraqis also claimed to fire anti-aircraft munitions at US aircraft Sep 7th, which US spokespeople refused to confirm.

Hurricane Fran hit the North Carolina coast head-on Sep 5th. 120 mph winds caused damage which may total $1 billion, though accurate financial losses will not be available for weeks. At least 22 deaths have been traced to the storm, which also knocked out power for 6.4 million people, and 800,000 still did not have power at press time. Severe flooding also ravaged Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania, and transportation up and down the east coast has been disrupted.

Russian Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin announced Sep 2nd that he supported Alexander Lebed's Chechnya peace plan. The two rivals for power seemed to be getting along, since Lebed made it clear Sep 5th (while heading to Chechnya to firm up the agreements) that he believed that Chernomyrdin should take charge in the event that President Boris Yeltsin because temporarily incapacitated. Yeltsin, after taking severe criticism Sep 1st for hiding his health problems Sep 1st, announced he would have heart surgery Sep 6th.

They're Talking About It:

President Clinton now holds a 15 to 22 percent lead over Republican Presidential candidate Bob Dole, depending on which major poll is cited. Some political commentators are even suggesting that Clinton may have "coattails" and help Democrats regain seats in Congress. However, Bob Dole stated Sep 5th that he "feels in his heart that Clinton's lead is only eight points, and I can overcome it."

In Shorts:

Hurricane Eduoard veered east Sep 1st after threatening Nantucket MA, in stark contrast to the hurricane following behind.

Seven people drowned in the same lake in South Carolina used by Susan Smith to kill her children Sep 1st.

Helmer "El Pacho," the final leader of the Cali drug cartel still at large, gave himself up as a "present" to the nation of Colombia Sep 1st.

Rafik al-Hariri won 55 of 82 seats available in Lebanese elections held Sep 1st, solidifying the anti-Islamist streak in government.

Palestinian President Yassar Arafat discussed a potential meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Sep 2nd before the meeting finally took place Sep 4th. The two even shook hands, which prompted severe criticism for Netanyahu in the Israeli Knesset Sep 5th.

Black patches on Mother Teresa's lungs were not found to be cancerous Sep 2nd and she was expected to be released shortly after press time.

A hand grenade was thrown at the home of activist Alex Kerr in Nothern Ireland Sep 2nd.

The Zapatista Rebels broke off talks with the Mexican government Sep 3rd, citing misunderstandings about their relation with other groups and slow progress.

The number of wildfires burning in the western United States had dropped to 19 by Sep 3rd, but one of those remaining destroyed 26 cabins in Colorado Sep 6th.

Susan McDougal was cited for comtempt of court Sep 4th for not giving information related to the Whitewater affair to special prosecutor Ken Starr. McDougal, already sentenced to two years in prison, claims not to have any additional information.

Staples, the office supply giant, purchased the Office Depot chain Sep 4th.

Burundi's government claimed to have removed Hutu rebels from the hills around the capitol of Bujumbura Sep 6th.

Taiwan was shook by a 7.0 earthquake Sep 6th; no significant damage was reported.

The state of Oregon executed Douglas Franklin Wright Sep 6th, its first such exectution in thirty years.

Two army CH-46E helicopters connected with President Clinton ran in to trouble Sep 6th; one crashing and becoming totalled and the other making a precautionary emergency landing. No crew members were seriously hurt in either incident.

The Federal government announced the lowest unemployment rate in seven years Sep 6th, 5.1% in August.

America On-Line announced Sep 6th that it will have to allow "spam" (unsolicited, mass-mailed) e-mail to be distributed to avoid a court case Sep 6th.

Shannon Lucid broke the 169-day record for women in space Sep 7th.

Voters in Okinawa, Japan voted on the presence of US bases Sep 7th results have yet to be released.

Finally:

What's the largest prime number? Scientists have now found one that is 378,632 digits long. It was found using a Cray supercomputer and using the formula for so-called "Marcen" primes, or two raised to a known prime number minus one, in this case, one less than two to the 1157787th power. Try using that the next time some wag asks for a favorite number.

And that's what made the News Beyond the Farm.

Sources this week included All Things Considered (NPR), the Associated Press newswire, the Bill Gallant Show (KIRO-AM), the Christian Science Monitor, the Dave Ross Show (KIRO-AM), Marketplace (PRI), the News Hour with Jim Lehrer (PBS/OPB), Newsday (BBC/SW), and the Reuters newsire. Compiled by: Lance Gleich, Eugene OR

News Beyond the Farm is designed to provide a fairly short summary of a week's events for people who would otherwise have no chance to keep up with current news. It is distrubuted by direct e-mail and is published by the Worcester Polytechnic Institute's student newspaper, "Newspeak," when that institution is in session. It may be distributed, re-posted, or forwarded anywhere. Check "http://www.uhra.com/nbtf.html" on the World Wide Web for back issues and further information. Comments, criticisms, and requests for e-mail subscription additions or deletions should be e-mailed to "nbtf@uhra.com." Congratulations for keeping up with the world around you!