Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/12019
8A – Daily News – Tuesday, June 15, 2010 WORLD BRIEFING Obama predicts better times coming for Gulf THEODORE, Ala. (AP) — In a newly optimistic tone, President Barack Obama promised Monday that ‘‘things are going to return to normal’’ along the stricken Gulf Coast and the region’s fouled waters will be in even better shape than before the catastrophic BP oil spill. He declared Gulf seafood safe to eat and said his adminis- tration is redoubling inspec- tions and monitoring to make sure it stays that way. And his White House said Monday it had wrested apparent agree- ment from BP PLC to set up an independent, multibillion-dollar compensation fund for people and businesses suffering from the spill’s effects. He declared, ‘‘I am confident that we’re going to be able to leave the Gulf Coast in better shape than it was before.’’ That pledge was reminiscent of George W. Bush’s promise to rebuild the region ‘‘even better and stronger’’ than before Hur- ricane Katrina in 2005. Bush could not make good on that promise, and Obama did not spell out how he would fulfill his. With Obama hoping to con- vince a frightened Gulf Coast and a skeptical nation that he is in command, he is marshaling the tools at a president’s dispos- al: a two-day visit via Air Force One, helicopter and boat in the region, a prime-time speech Tuesday night from the symbol- ically important stage of the Oval Office and a face-to-face White House showdown Wednesday with the executives of the oil company that leased the rig that exploded April 20 and led to the leak of millions of gallons of coast-devastating crude. Uzbek refugees flee to border JALAL-KUDUK, Uzbek- istan (AP) — Standing behind barbed wire with other Uzbek refugees, the woman tearfully raised her hands in a Muslim prayer Monday for her dead husband. She had left his body at their burned-down house in southern Kyrgyzstan while flee- ing ethnic riots that reduced much of a major city to ruins. ‘‘He’s lying there unburied,’’ lamented the woman, who iden- tified herself only as Khadicha, a doctor in her 50s, as she wait- ed in a no-man’s land to cross into Uzbekistan. She is among tens of thou- sands of minority Uzbeks who have fled the deadliest violence Kyrgyzstan has seen since the two ethnic groups fought over land 20 years ago as Moscow lost its grip on the former Sovi- et republic in Central Asia. In the southern Kyrgyz city of Osh, three miles (five kilo- meters) from the border with Uzbekistan, gunfire pierced the air and fires raged for a fourth day. Officials said 138 people were killed and nearly 1,800 wounded since the violence began last week, but an Uzbek community leader said at least 200 Uzbeks had already been buried, and many bodies had not been recovered from charred homes and businesses. The United States and Rus- sia, which both have military bases in northern Kyrgyzstan — away from the violence — worked on humanitarian aid air- lifts, as did the United Nations. Body of young girl brings to 20 number of flood victims LANGLEY, Ark. (AP) — Crews on Monday found the body of a young girl who was the 20th victim of a flash flood that devastated a popular Arkansas campground, but they continued searching because it wasn’t clear whether the girl was the last person reported missing. Officials had said earlier that they still were looking for a young girl missing from the Albert Pike Recreation Area campground. But State Police Capt. Fletcher said searchers weren’t sure if the girl whose body they found was the same one reported missing by her family. Police will wait to announce the girl’s name until her identi- ty is confirmed by dental records or DNA, Fletcher said. Dozens of people were feared missing after the pre- dawn Friday flood, but authori- ties narrowed their search Sun- day to just one person known to have been camping at the Albert Pike Recreation Area. They said they believe many others first feared missing were camping in other parts of the state, without cell phone cover- age. State police and other agen- cies were to decide Monday night whether to continue the search Tuesday, spokesman Bill Sadler said. Congressman apologizes for swatting camera RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A Democratic congressman apol- ogized Monday after video posted online showed him swat- ting at a video camera and demanding that two men taping him with it identify themselves. ‘‘I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction an I apolo- gize to all involved,’’ Rep. Bob Etheridge said in a statement. ‘‘No matter how intrusive and partisan our politics can become, this does not justify a poor response.’’ Etheridge, a congressman in North Carolina since 1997, reit- erated his apology at a hastily called news conference Mon- day afternoon. ‘‘The truth is I had a long day,’’ he said. ‘‘I’ve had bad days many times. It’s not a good crutch to lean on and I won’t use that.’’ The video was posted Mon- day on websites owned by Andrew Breitbart, the conserva- tive Web entrepreneur who also released video of workers for the community organizing group ACORN counseling actors posing as a pimp and prostitute. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Got Tickets? Courtesy photo Pictured with Golden Tickets are L to R back row are Kyle Sanders, RB police; Clay Parker, TC Sheriff; Mark Eidman, Tehama District Fairgrounds CEO; Greg Stevens, Publisher - Daily News; Bob Carrel, RB City Council; Dave Gowan, RB-TC Chamber of Commerce; Shane Budden, Coldwell Banker. contest; Tonya Redamonti-4th of July Event Chair, United Country Real Estate; Bill Hill, Chamber of Commerce Director and Events Committee; Ali Abassi, Bud’s Jolly Cone and Victoria Campbell, Cornerstone Bank. There’s still time to purchase your $100 Golden Ticket and a chance to win up to $10,000. But don’t delay … the 4th of July committee is selling only 300 tickets. While you can, improve your odds by buying more than one. Or go in with some friends to split the cost of a ticket! The proceeds fund the fantastic 25 minute fireworks display on July 4 at 9:50 pm at the Fairground. This year’s festivities include a Water World for kids, vendors, music, talent contest, Miss Teen contest, horseshoe tourney, carnival and more. Gates open at 3:00 pm. Gate entry and parking are free. For only $5 you can get a seat in the grandstands to watch the finals of the National Strongman Competition, the Lawnmower Racing and a front row seat for one of the biggest fireworks show in the North State! Golden Tickets may be purchased at the Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Commerce, Tehama District Fairgrounds, Bud’s Jolly Kone, Red Bluff Yamaha, Nu-way Market in Los Molinos and Napa Auto Parts in Corning. Credit Card payments for tickets are accepted at the Fairgrounds. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Front row: Sonja Akers, Miss Teen Ted Kennedy faced constant death threats WASHINGTON (AP) — For decades after gunmen shot down his brothers, Sen. Edward Kennedy lived under constant assassination threats of his own, sometimes chillingly specific, as he became a target for extremist rage, previously private FBI docu- ments disclosed Monday. Five years after President John F. Kennedy was killed and shortly after Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was shot, one letter warned that the third brother was next: ‘‘Ted Kennedy number three to be assassinated on Oct. 25, 1968. The Kennedy residence must be well protected on that date.’’ Nearly two decades later, in 1985, the threats continued, this time including the Republican president as well as the liberal Democratic senator: ‘‘Brass tacks, I’m gonna kill Kennedy and (Pres- ident Ronald) Reagan, and I really mean it.’’ Releasing 2,352 pages from Kennedy’s FBI file, many of them concerning threats over the years, the agency said on its website: ‘‘These threats originated from multiple sources, including indi- viduals, anonymous persons and members of radical groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, ’Minutemen’ organizations and the National Socialist White People’s Party.’’ The Back Packs ARE HERE! The Back Packs ARE HERE! Look for them at local businesses Some of the threats prompted investigations, some resulted in warnings to Kennedy or local law enforcement authorities. There is no indication any attempts were carried out. Sunday school teacher gets life for killing girl STOCKTON, Calif. (AP) — A Sunday school teacher who plead- ed guilty to kidnapping and mur- dering a neighbor girl in Northern California made a tearful apology to the victim’s family Monday as she was sentenced to prison for the rest of her life. The punishment came after Melissa Huckaby, 29, reached a plea deal with prosecutors that took the death penalty and the possibility of parole off the table in the killing of 8-year-old Sandra Cantu of Tracy, whose body was found in a suitcase pulled from an irrigation pond. Huckaby offered no motive for the 2009 killing as she addressed the girl’s mother, Maria Chavez. The victim was a playmate of Huckaby’s daughter. ‘‘I still cannot understand why I did what I did. This is a question I will struggle with for the rest of my life,’’ Huckaby said, her voice trembling. She said Sandra ‘‘did not suf- fer, and I did not sexually molest her.’’ Woman nabbed for pouring mayo in book drop box BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Police in Idaho think they might have solved a yearlong condi- ment crime spree. Authorities said a 74-year-old Boise woman arrested after pouring mayonnaise in the Ada County library’s book drop box is a per- son of interest in at least 10 other condiment-related crimes. Joy L. Cassidy was picked up Sunday at the library, moments after police say she pulled through the outside drive-through and dumped a jar of mayo in the box designated for reading materials. Cassidy was released from jail and faces a misdemeanor charge of malicious injury to property. Boise police say Cassidy is under investigation for other cases of vandalism that started in May 2009. Library employ- ees have reported finding books in the drop box covered in corn syrup and ketchup. What’s on TV? ✓ Check out ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE select TV Free - Online - 24/7 Broadcast/Cable/Satellite Listings-Sports-Movies & More! redbluffdailynews.com Feed the Children FOODS DRIVE Collection at participating Downtown Merchants. This is to replace meals local Breakfast and Lunch families in need lost when school let out for the summer. Info 528-8000 Jesse Recliner’s Save additional $10000 off any recliner over $ 49900 and up Furniture Depot Expires 6/20/2010 235 So. Main St., Red Bluff 527-1657 MON.-THURS. 9:00-6:00 • FRI. 9:00-6:00 • SAT. 9:00-5:00 • SUN. 11:00-5:00 COUPON COUPON