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Questions grow over quake tragedy
The people of San Giuliano di Puglia have spent another night in tents as police patrolled the otherwise deserted streets of the grief-stricken town. Now three days after an earthquake claimed the lives of 26 children and three adults, an inquiry has been launched into whether the tragedy could have been averted. The key question is why was it that the school collapsed while other buildings remained standing? Was the second storey extension built according to regulations? San Giuliano was evacuated on Friday afternoon when another earthquake struck,and just before midnight another tremor was recorded. Experts predict there will be several more in this region of Italy over the coming week. But warnings had been issued ahead of Thursday's deadly quake. Locals now want to know why the Mayor, who lost a daughter in the tragedy, did not follow the example of neighbouring villages and order the closure of the school. The funerals of the victims take place on Sunday. But some of the youngsters will be buried in adult coffins. There are not enough children's coffins to go round. Parole for Colombia's Cali drugs barons
The Colombian government is bracing for a showdown with the judiciary following the suprise news that the former bosses of the notorious Cali drug cartel are to be released from prison. Judge Pedro Jose Suarez ruled Miguel Rodriguez Orejuela and his brother Gilberto, arrested in 1995 and sentenced to 17 and 15 years respectively, should be paroled for good behaviour. But the Government swiftly pledged to block the ruling, accusing the cocaine barons of buying justice. And it has fired the director of the prison where the brothers are being held for supporting the release. Courtroom victory for Microsoft - until the next round
The flags are out at Microsoft after a federal judge endorsed the computer giant's antitrust settlement with the United States government and nine states. Attorney general, John Ashcroft, welcomed the ruling, saying: "Today consumers all across America won a great victory. "This settlement resolved the anti trust claims brought against Microsoft nearly four and a half years ago, and resolved them in a manner that serves the interests of consumers, competition in the technology industry and justice." If this does indeed mean an end to the case, then Microsoft founder, Bill Gates will no doubt be very pleased. But there is already talk of an appeal from plaintifs who feel the software giant has got off too lightly. The case began when Microsoft was accused of unfairly using Windows to promote its Internet Explorer software over a rival browser, Netscape. Netanyahu may return to Israeli cabinet
Proof that politics does indeed make for strange bed fellows, Israeli prime minister, Ariel Sharon, has turned to his arch rival, Binyamin Netanyahu as he tries to cobble together a new government. The man who will stand against Sharon at the next Likud Party leadership vote, has been offered the post of foreign minister. The move follows the invitation to former army chief, Shaul Mofaz to become new defence minister - as Sharon lurches further right in a bid to hang on to power. Both Mofaz and Netanyahu back a tough stance on Palestinian unrest and Netanyahu opposes a Palestinian state. If approved, their appointments will not make life easier for Palestinians or their leader Yasser Arafat. On Sunday, Sharon begins talks with ultra-nationalists to shore up his government, after the centre-left Labour Party bolted the coalition this week. Nervous Turkey awaits Sunday vote
Turkey goes to the polls on Sunday in a general election following months of political uncertainty after the outgoing government began to unravel in the summer. The election is certain to bring new faces into government. The three parties in the outgoing coalition - the centre-right Motherland Party, centre-left Democratic Left Party and hard-line Nationalist Action Party - are not expected to win more than 10 per cent. Economic stagnation is at the root of much voter discontent and the Republican People's Party is well placed to take advantage of it. The markets also favour this party, not least because it features Kemal Dervis, the architect of Turkey's International Monetary Fund crisis plan. Another party expected to win strong support is the Justice and Development Party, known in Turkey as the AK Party, which is seeking to form a government on its own. It was created only last year from the more progressive wing of a party banned for being a focus of Islamist militancy. Party leader Regep Tayyip Erdogan was convicted in 1997 on charges of sedition and banned from running for office. He is, however, popular and charismatic, and being from a modest background himself he has successfully wooed the poorest in society, promising better days as a future member of the European Union. The Turkish constitution bars religious parties from standing but as long as they do not campaign on religious grounds they can not be prevented. In 1995, for example, the Party of Prosperity won the elections and its leader Egmettin Erbakan became the first Islamist Prime Minister. HMS Grafton to the rescue - again
For the second time in a matter of months a British warship has rescued a stranded sailor in the Caribbean. Lenny Leon Peter was on the brink of death after spending 26 days at sea without food or drink when his speedboat broke down. He was spotted drifting by the crew of HMS Grafton and quickly brought aboad. The ship's doctor's treating the Guadaloupan for dehydration and malnutrition. In August the Grafton came to the aid of an injured American yachtsman. The warship is in the area conducting anti-drug operations. However, there is nothing to suggest either of the rescued men were involved in drugs. |
