Beyond the Farm

A weekly e-mail news summary - WORLD EDITION

For the week preceding this Saturday, April 5th, 1997, here's what made the News Beyond the Farm:

The political battles in Zaire have become three-way. On Apr 1st, Etienne Tshisekedi took office as the new prime minister of Zaire; Tshisekedi is a long-time rival of President Mobutu Sese Seko. By Apr 3rd, he was under heavy criticism by Mobutu supporters in the parliament and may soon be facing a vote of confidence. Meanwhile, rebels led by Laurent Kubila rejected cabinet posts in the new government Apr 3rd, preferring to continue their military campaign. On Apr 5th, Kubila announced that he would allow the UN to start re-patriating Rwandan refugees from eastern Zaire; the re-location effort for 100,000 people will be the largest in UN history.

Unpredictable events keep making headlines in the Middle East. On Mar 30th, the Arab League announced it was seriously considering having all its member states break relations with Israel over the recent construction of Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem. On Apr 1st, two bombs exploded in the Palestinian-administrated Gaza Strip near Jewish settlements, causing no injuries. Then, in a shocking move Apr 4th, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed "Camp David"-style peace talks. The Palestinians quickly rejected the proposal, saying that the Israelis needed to stop construction first. Hanan Ashrawi is to speak to members of the Clinton administration representing Yasser Arafat Apr 6th, and Netanyahu is to be in Washington Apr 7th.

They're Talking About It:

Arkansas governor Mike Hackabee (R) refused to sign disaster relief legislation recently because it blamed the events on "acts of God." Hackabee called the wording sacreligious, and asked that it be changed to "natural forces." After initial disbelief, the legislature agreed to the change and re-passed the legislation with only that change and returned it to the governor's desk, where it was promptly signed.

In Shorts:

In India, the Congress party withdrew its support of Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda Mar 30th. As a result, Gowda will be required to face a vote of confidence before Apr 8th.
Albania approved the entrance of an Italy-led UN peacekeeping force within its borders Mar 30th.
40,000 people turned out to protest against the right-wing National Front party of Jean Marie Le Pen in Strasbourg, France Mar 30th.
Several hundred people took to the streets in Almaty, Kazahkstan Mar 30th to call for a return to a communist economic structure.
Four people were injured by a grenade attack in Srinagar, Kashmir, India, Mar 30th of unknown origin.
Tennessee defeated Old Dominion to capture the Women's NCAA basketball title Mar 30th.
Jury selection started in the Timothy McVeigh Oklahoma City bombing case in Denver CO Mar 31st.
The Supreme Court upheld the "must-carry" law mandating cable companies to deliver all local broadcast channels by a 5-4 margin Mar 31st.
NASA ended the Pioneer 10 mission Mar 31st after 25 years. The spacecraft is running low on battery power after leaving the solar system.
Arizona defeated Kentucky 84-79 in overtime to win the Men's NCAA basketball title Apr 1st.
A huge snowstorm hit the northeast portion of the country Apr 1st, dumping up to 27 inches of snow in the Boston area and knocking out power to at least 500,000.
House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) visited Taiwan Apr 1st, promising that the US would defend the island if attacked by China or any other aggressor.
Both houses of parliament in Pakistan approved constitutional changes Apr 1st which will prevent the President from throwing out the government in the future, as has taken place with each of the last four governments.
An Air Force cargo plane crashed upon landing in Honduras Apr 1st, killing three people and injuring seven.
163 cases of Hepatitis A have been reported, mainly in Michigan but also in Georgia and Los Angeles, as a result of contaminated frozen strawberries served in school lunches as of Apr 2nd. Investigations are proceeding.
Russia and Belarus signed a treaty Apr 2nd which will lead to extremely close coordination on economic, foreign, and military policy without actually merging their republics.
America On Line and CompuServe were reportedly in merger talks as of Apr 2nd.
The White House admitted Apr 2nd that former associate Attorney General Webster Hubbell had received help from White House aides in finding jobs.
The Clinton administraton decided to lift a long-standing ban on arms sales to Latin America Apr 3rd.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average continued a decline which started last week Apr 3rd, dropping below the level it was at Jan 1st.
The Federal Communications Commission approved new rules for High Definition Television (HDTV) Apr 3rd, which will require all stations to convert to the new techology by 2006.
The Space Shuttle Columbia blasted off on a science mission Apr 4th.
An incredible blizzard hit North Dakota Apr 5th, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands.
Bomb threats from the Irish Republican Army forced the cancelation of the Grand National Steeplechase horse race in Britain Apr 5th.
India and Pakistan announced Apr 5th that they will resume peace talks in four days.
Twelve Islamist rebels in the Philippines were killed in clashes with government forces in the southern portion of that country Apr 5th.
Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori reaffirmed Apr 5th that he is ruling out the use of force to end the siege at the Japanese embassy in Lima by the Tupac Amaru group.
"Beat" poet Allen Ginsburg died of cancer Apr 5th. He was 70.

Corrections:

I'm a little surprised that nobody pointed out to me that the correct name for the cult which apparently executed a mass suicide in Rancho Santa Fe CA is "Heaven's Gate." Higher Source was the name of their Internet business only. I apologize for the error.

Finally:

How would you feel if you spent most of your time locked in a basement, had to use the bathroom at a convenience store, and were always fed leftovers? Muriel Smith did that to her retired husband for years before his predicament was discovered. When authorities did find out, they found out that because he had apparently allowed himself to be subjected to the treatment voluntarily, she could only be charged with Improper Use of the Telephone to handle his finances while he was effectively in captivity.

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

Sources this week included All Things Considered (NPR), the Associated Press, the BBC Newshour (BBC/PRI), the Christian Science Monitor, the Newsday (BBC/PRI), and the Reuters newswire. Compiled by: Lance Gleich, Stanford CA.