News Briefs
Various news updates from around the country and around the world
Laura Beth Stricker
Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: News
Somali Pirates Hijack Saudi Tanker Loaded with Oil
News.yahoo.com reported that Somali pirates hijacked a Saudi supertanker loaded with crude oil hundreds of miles off the coast of East Africa on Saturday. The ship, MV Sirius Star, was a 25-crew tanker that came in at 1,080 feet and was carrying about two million barrels of crude oil. While the details of this attack are still unknown, previous attacks on the ship have involved pirates climbing the up the sides and crewmembers using hoses to knock them off. There have been more and more attacks from pirates in recent years in the Indian Ocean because the water is so vast and difficult to control.
Obama, McCain vow to work on D.C.'s 'bad habits'
President-elect Barack Obama and Arizona Sen. John McCain met briefly on Monday for a photo-op and discussed working together to bring about change in the country, according to news.yahoo.com. After the meeting, the two once-rivals released a joint statement saying, "At this defining moment in history, we believe that Americans of all parties want and need their leaders to come together and change the bad habits of Washington so that we can solve the common and urgent challenges of our time." Obama has said it is likely that he will appoint a Republican in his cabinet, but it is unlikely to be McCain.
Man Who Had Ricin Sentenced to Prison
Roger Bergendorff was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for the possession of the deadly toxin, ricin, according to msnbc.com. The 57-year-old Bergendorff made the toxin over a decade ago and carried it around with him as he moved from state to state. Apparently he made enough to kill hundreds of people. Authorities took him into custody in February after the ricin was found in his motel room. Authorities say Bergendorff is a troubled man, but not a terrorist, and he claims his intentions were not to harm anyone. "I know it sounds crazy. I made it just to have – and that's why I kept it," he said.
Residents Tour Fire-Ravaged Mobile Home Park
After wildfires destroyed nearly 500 homes in the Los Angeles area, residents of Oakridge Mobile Home Park were taken back to see the rubble and collect anything that was salvageable according to a report on msnbc.com. Dogs were sent to search for bodies in the park, but so far only a few dead animals and three live cats have been found. However, the fires spread to other areas, destroying over 64 square miles. Schools near the fire zones were canceled on Monday, and over 6,200 firefighters have already been deployed. Firefighters are working to get the fire contained.
Heat-Lamp Fire Kills Two Baboons at Texas Animal Center
According to a report on foxnews.com, a fire that was started by a heat lamp killed two baboons, Mindy and Mufasa, at Animal World and Snake Farm in Texas. The baboons were first said to be missing, but were later found in their winter home. Mindy was killed in the fire, and Mufasa died after being treated by a veterinarian. The two were both rescued and had been at the facility for nine years. "I've been with those guys for years," said Jarrod Forthman, a caretaker of the primates at Animal World. "They were both rescued animals coming from bad situations. You always hold a special place and care for the rescue animals." Three tortoises also died in the fire.
News.yahoo.com reported that Somali pirates hijacked a Saudi supertanker loaded with crude oil hundreds of miles off the coast of East Africa on Saturday. The ship, MV Sirius Star, was a 25-crew tanker that came in at 1,080 feet and was carrying about two million barrels of crude oil. While the details of this attack are still unknown, previous attacks on the ship have involved pirates climbing the up the sides and crewmembers using hoses to knock them off. There have been more and more attacks from pirates in recent years in the Indian Ocean because the water is so vast and difficult to control.
Obama, McCain vow to work on D.C.'s 'bad habits'
President-elect Barack Obama and Arizona Sen. John McCain met briefly on Monday for a photo-op and discussed working together to bring about change in the country, according to news.yahoo.com. After the meeting, the two once-rivals released a joint statement saying, "At this defining moment in history, we believe that Americans of all parties want and need their leaders to come together and change the bad habits of Washington so that we can solve the common and urgent challenges of our time." Obama has said it is likely that he will appoint a Republican in his cabinet, but it is unlikely to be McCain.
Man Who Had Ricin Sentenced to Prison
Roger Bergendorff was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison for the possession of the deadly toxin, ricin, according to msnbc.com. The 57-year-old Bergendorff made the toxin over a decade ago and carried it around with him as he moved from state to state. Apparently he made enough to kill hundreds of people. Authorities took him into custody in February after the ricin was found in his motel room. Authorities say Bergendorff is a troubled man, but not a terrorist, and he claims his intentions were not to harm anyone. "I know it sounds crazy. I made it just to have – and that's why I kept it," he said.
Residents Tour Fire-Ravaged Mobile Home Park
After wildfires destroyed nearly 500 homes in the Los Angeles area, residents of Oakridge Mobile Home Park were taken back to see the rubble and collect anything that was salvageable according to a report on msnbc.com. Dogs were sent to search for bodies in the park, but so far only a few dead animals and three live cats have been found. However, the fires spread to other areas, destroying over 64 square miles. Schools near the fire zones were canceled on Monday, and over 6,200 firefighters have already been deployed. Firefighters are working to get the fire contained.
Heat-Lamp Fire Kills Two Baboons at Texas Animal Center
According to a report on foxnews.com, a fire that was started by a heat lamp killed two baboons, Mindy and Mufasa, at Animal World and Snake Farm in Texas. The baboons were first said to be missing, but were later found in their winter home. Mindy was killed in the fire, and Mufasa died after being treated by a veterinarian. The two were both rescued and had been at the facility for nine years. "I've been with those guys for years," said Jarrod Forthman, a caretaker of the primates at Animal World. "They were both rescued animals coming from bad situations. You always hold a special place and care for the rescue animals." Three tortoises also died in the fire.
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