Romania announces Iraqi terror ring
BUCHAREST, Romania, May 15 (UPI) -- Romanian authorities say they have uncovered a terrorist network including Iraqi diplomats who aimed to hit U.S. and Israeli targets in Romania, Mediafax said Thursday. The Romanian news agency reported the network of some 40 agents planned to use grenade launchers provided by Iraq's intelligence chief at its embassy in Bucharest.
Arafat: Refugees have right to return
GAZA, May 15 (UPI) -- In commemoration of the 55th anniversary of Nakba, a Palestinian memorial honoring those who lost their homes or lives when Israel was created in 1948, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat said Palestine "is our country, to which every Palestinian refugee has the right to return." In a speech broadcast Thursday by the Palestinian Authority-run local channel, Arafat said that he will not "accept humiliation and Israeli colonialism and the Israeli aggression carried out against Palestinians and their holy sites." Israel must withdraw from all the lands it occupied in the 1967 Six-Day War and Palestinian refugees must be allowed to return to their homes, he insisted.
Singapore to launch SARS TV
SINGAPORE, May 16 (UPI) -- Three Singaporean media companies are combining forces to launch a TV channel fully dedicated to coverage of severe acute respiratory syndrome. StarHub, MediaCorp and rival Singapore Press Holdings will work together for the joint community project, which will be officially launched May 21. The SARS Channel will re-broadcast programs aired by MediaCorp and SPH MediaWorks, with a mix of news and educational shows about the deadly virus, as well as some overseas programs to give an insight into how other countries are dealing with the outbreak.
Police arrest five Aceh rebel delegates
JAKARTA, May 16 (UPI) -- Indonesian police arrested five rebel delegates from Aceh province Friday as they were leaving for Japan to attend talks with the government, due to start Saturday. Rebel sources denounced the move as an effort to sabotage the talks. Four of the delegates were members of the Free Aceh Movement, which has been fighting for Indonesian independence since 1976.
Lawmakers question $5.6B bioterror bill
WASHINGTON, May 15 (UPI) -- House Homeland Security Committee members Thursday sharply questioned the cost, usefulness and adequacy of a $5.6 billion, 10-year Bush administration plan to pay drug companies incentives to make vaccines and treatments for deadly terrorist bio-weapons like anthrax. The program, called "Bioshield," assures drug companies they will have a federal market for bioterror defense products if they put their "best and brightest" to work developing them, testified Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Fauci was one of the architects of the plan, which President Bush introduced in his January State of the Union address.
June Carter Cash dead at age 73
NASHVILLE, May 16 (UPI) -- June Carter Cash, the daughter of one of the great country music families and who became the matriarch of another in a career that covered more than 60 years, has died. Cash, 73, died Thursday from complications following heart surgery with her husband, Johnny Cash, at her side. Cash had undergone heart surgery May 7 and her health began to fail further last week. Johnny Cash had asked the family's fans to pray for his wife's health -- just as she had done for him during one of his recent hospitalizations.
Asian shares close mostly lower
SINGAPORE, May 16 (UPI) -- Asian shares closed mostly lower Friday, with investors concerned about the impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome on regional economies. In Tokyo, the Nikkei average was down 0.08 percent to 8,117.29.
Report: Sampras out of French Open and Wimbledon
LOS ANGELES, May 16 (UPI) -- The Los Angeles Times reported Thursday Pete Sampras had withdrawn from the French Open and Wimbledon. The decision to skip the next two major championships could lead to his retirement. The former world No. 1 has not played since winning the U.S. Open last September, a triumph that increased his record haul of Grand Slam titles to 14. He has entered several tournaments this season, but pulled out of every one.
