A weekly e-mail news summary WORLD EDITION

It has not been a kind spring in the upper midwest. A severe snowstorm hit from Minnesota to Montana Apr 6th, knocking out power in much of North Dakota and creating some of the worst white-out conditions in recent years. In the wake of the blizzard, flooding has worsened in the region, with the Red River and the Mississippi River among the major rivers over their banks and forcing evacuations. By Apr 9th, President Clinton had declared 21 counties in Minnesota disaster areas. Eight deaths had been reported by Apr 10th, when rescue operations were still underway.

The end of President Mobutu Sese Seko's rule in Zaire now seems inevitable. Reports started coming in Apr 8th that rebels led by Laurent Kubila had captured the nation's second-largest city of Lubomboshi, though actual control apparently did not exist until Apr 10th. This prompted Mobutu to declare a state of emergency, effectively ending the reign of rival Prime Minister Etienne Tshisekedi. On Apr 10th, Kubila offered a "pause" in his advance for three days to allow Mobutu a chance to enter peace talks. On Apr 12th, Mobutu did finally say that he would meet with Kubila, but only if he "asked nicely." Kubila now controls about half of Zaire. Meanwhile, the United States and other western powers made announcements implying that they had no interest in Mobutu remaining in power.

They're Talking About It:

The network is also refusing to accept advertisement from Olivia Cruises, a travel agency catering to Lesbians in Oakland CA.

In Shorts:

• The Space Shuttle Columbia was ordered home Apr 6th because of power supply problems, and returned to Earth Apr 8th. Uncompleted portions of the scientific mission may take place in July or August.

• Turnout for local elections in Haiti were a dismal 10% Apr 6th.

• President Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Washington DC Apr 7th.

• The Pulitzer Prizes were handed out Apr 7th. Among the remarkable awards were Frank McCourt for biography and Wynton Marsalis for music.

• Former senator Sam Nunn took Paul Tsongas' old position as co-chairman of the Concord Coalition Apr 7th.

• The Air Force announced Apr 7th that an A-10 "Warthog" attack jet flown by Captain Michael Doubleday had broken away from its pattern and flown as far as Colorado before being lost on radar. An investigation was still ongoing at press time; neither the plane nor the pilot has been found.

• Sandra Thurman was named Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy Apr 7th.

• New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani threatened Apr 7th to withdraw the diplomatic plates of the UN if parking fines are not paid. The UN is now threatening to leave the United States.

• Rioting broke out in Hebron in West Bank Apr 8th, and three Palestinians died in confrontations with the police.

• Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan (R) won re-election Apr 8th.

• Former Secretary of States testified against the Chemical Weapons Treaty Apr 8th as Sen. Jesse Helms (R-NC) continues to hold the treaty in committee. If the US does not approve it by Apr 29th, it will have limited enforcement rights.

• A firebomb exploded in an Urbana IL courtroom Apr 8th; an arrest was made Apr 9th.

• An injuction against California's Proposition 209, outlawing affirmative action, was lifted Apr 8th.

• House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) on Apr 8th criticized Palestinian Leader Yassar Arafat for giving a "green light to terrorism."

• Hong Kong's incoming government announced restrictions on protests Apr 9th.

• 66 members of the UNITA movement were sworn in as members of parlimaent in Angola Apr 9th as the nation moves toward a government of national unity.

• The next-generation F-22 fighter was unveiled Apr 9th.

• Japanese officials admitted Apr 9th that they had understated the severity of a nuclear accident Mar 11th.

• A Federal Judge ruled the Presidential line-item veto law unconstitutional Apr 10th, preventing President Clinton's potential use of it in this budget cycle.

• A solar storm expected to disrupt communication technologies did not pan out Apr 10th.

• Egypt and India signed five economic accords Apr 10th.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 12.3% of its value (over 150 points) to close at 6391.69 Apr 11th.

• Chrysler was forced to shut down four plants Apr 11th because of a continuing strike at a parts facility.

• The first Italian troops arrived in Albania Apr 11th.

• A 6.6 earthquake struck in Jiashi, Xinjiang province, China killing eight.

• President Clinton extended family leave to government employees by 24 hours Apr 12th.

• The shroud of Turin in Italy was rescued from a fire in the building containing the alleged burial cloth of Christ Apr 12th.

• Pope John Paul II visited Sarajevo despite death threats Apr 12th.

• Thousands turned out `to protest the separation of church and state (well, actually in support of a judge who has been injecting religion into the courtroom) in Alabama Apr 12th.

• A series of bomb attacks in Addis Abbaba, Ethio pia killed at least one person Apr 12th.

• Jack Kent Cooke, owner of the Washington Redskins football team, died at the age of 84 Apr 6th.

• Singer-songwriter Laura Niro died Apr 9th at the age of 49.

Remember to file income tax returns by tonight!

Compiler's Note:

Finally:

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