Last Week in the World of News

by Shanna Lynn Fanelli staff writer

9/21 Hurricane Georges Update

Hurricane Georges is being called the most powerful storm of the season with gusts of 190mph winds.

It has left Puerto Rico without water and electricity, ripped up building and power lines in the Leeward Islands and devastated the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba and the Florida Keys. Damage report is in the billions and fatality reports exceed 200.

9/22 Shark Life Disappearing

Fast

Shark populations have been diminishing due to over-fishing by huge global industries. Dr. Carl Safina, marine conservationist, is stressing global fishery conservation measures in order to save decreasing species.

Populations have dropped 85 percent and are still declining in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Safina wants hunters to take up tagging, where sharks are captured, marked and then released to be tracked and studied by a federal program.

9/22 Clinton's Testimony Tapes Released

President Clinton's four-hour grand jury testimony, which took place Aug. 17 at the White House, was broadcast to the nation.

Issues and questions on whether or not the President should be impeached are dominating the country and public views and reactions on Clinton's relationship with Monica Lewinsky were divided.

9/23 Peanut Butter Banned From Schools

Due to rapidly increasing peanut allergies, peanut butter is being banned in a number of private and public schools in the country, with most of the banning taking place in New York.

The Food Allergy Network is supporting campaigning parents to create peanut-free regions. Allergy reactions to peanuts are similar to an asthma attack and in some rare, severe cases can cause blood pressure to drop and breathing passages to close.

School teachers and workers are being trained in how to use Epipen, which contains an antidote for peanut attacks and is placed in syringes which are being stored in the schools.

9/24 Iranian Death Threats Dropped, British Ties Restored Iranian Foreign Minister Karma! Kharrazi dropped a death threat against British author Salman Rushdie.

The Satanic Verses offended the Iranians. An Iranian foundation still has a $2.5 million bounty out for Rushdie, but Kharrazi says his Government is not connected with the foundation.

Britain has restored diplomatic ties with Iran.