Of Human Interest: News-lite

SKINS NO MORE

The Lincoln, Neb., Journal-Star newspaper will no longer call the pro football team in the nation's capital city the Washington Redskins -- it will just be Washington.

Editor Kathleen Rutledge also tells readers the newspaper will stop printing logos for professional and college sports teams that use American Indian symbols -- "ones that adopt imagery such as an arrowhead and ones that caricature Native culture." Instead the paper will use alternative logos that stay away from such symbols.

Another change is the paper will drop the stereotypical modifier "Fighting" when used with team nicknames, such as Fighting Sioux or Fighting Illini.

"We've made this decision out of respect for Native people. Plain and simple," Rutledge writes to readers.

BYO AT THIS HOSPITAL

In Siloam, in northern South Africa, the old washing machine at the local hospital is on the blink so patients are being told to bring their own blankets, bed linens and clothing with them.

The Mirror on Zoutnet.co.za reports Khumbudzo Rasivhetshela, 17, suffered from malaria but still was told by an admitting nurse he must bring his own blankets and linens from home.

He said he was also told he could provide his own meals if he was not happy with those provided by the hospital -- which he was.

Nurses blame health officials for not giving them enough resources to properly run the hospital and, in the meantime, the washing the hospital generates itself must be taken to another hospital where the washing machine does work.

SHOCKING CHAIR STORY

A Detroit city councilwoman said someone tampered with the electrical wires in her chair in such a way that she would either be shocked or the chair would catch fire when a massage was turned on.

Councilwoman Sharon McPhail said she has no proof but she believes either Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick or his supporters were involved. Police were investigating.

McPhail told WDIV-TV, Detroit she has been subjected to harassment from Kilpatrick's office, likely because of speculation she will challenge him in the next mayoral election.

"I think Sharon really needs to get some help right now," Kilpatrick responded and denied any involvement.

SPY JOB ENTICING

Help-wanted newspaper advertisements bought by the CIA have resulted a big response by job seekers in Tampa and four other cities. So far the inquiries are double the usual rate.

CIA spokesman Mark Mansfield said the agency is seeking spies, intelligence analysts and other candidates for language-related positions. He said salaries begin in the $40,000 range.

Ads were placed in The Tampa Tribune, The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and the Detroit News and Free Press.

The ad reads: "For over 100 years, Arab-Americans have served the nation. Today we need you more than ever." Mansfield said the drive for Arab-American operatives and analysts was generated by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the response has been encouraging.