News Briefs
March 8, 1996
Web posted at: 12:10 a.m. EST
Clinton to attend terrorism summit next week
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Administration officials say President Clinton will attend an international one-day summit on terrorism in the Egyptian town of Sharm al-Sheik on Wednesday.
A formal White House announcement was expected Friday.
After the summit, the president plans to spend Wednesday night in Jerusalem and return home from Israel Thursday, administration officials said.
The sources say the president wants to underline his personal support for the peace process; he also wants to bolster Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who will be up for re-election at the end of May.
- U.S. aids Israel - Mar. 5, 1996
- Will bombings in Israel end peace process? - Mar. 3, 1996
- Israel and Syria keep peace - Feb. 28, 1996
Cuba may deny U.S. use of air corridor
HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- Cuba is considering preventing U.S. airlines from using its air corridor in response to sanctions against Cuba for downing two small civilian planes.
A spokeswoman for the Cuban Foreign Ministry, Marianela Ferrio, said Thursday, "It is not something we would like to do. But it is well known that the United States has long prevented Cuban airlines from using its air space. No decision has been taken yet."
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration reports a total of 132 flights from U.S. airlines go through Cuban airspace each day. The bulk of those, 91 flights a day, are those of American Airlines.
Cuba earns hard currency from the flights through licensed fees of about $178 per flight for flyover rights. The fees earn Cuba an estimated $8.5 million dollars a year.
- CubaWeb - National web site of the Republic of Cuba
- Cuba from the CIA World Factbook
- Cuban-American Pilots Association
- Bio from the Congressional Directory
- The Strom Thurmond Institute at Clemson University
Manhattan subway bomber convicted
NEW YORK (CNN) -- The man accused of firebombing two Manhattan subways in 1994 was convicted Thursday after the jury rejected the notion that the drug Prozac led him to commit the crimes
Edward Leary, 50, sat motionless as the verdicts were read.
He was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder, 14 counts of first-degree assault and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon. He faces a possible prison sentence of from 35 to 105 years.
The jury, which was given the case yesterday, deliberated for just under two hours Thursday before delivering its decision.
In December 1994, Leary ignited firebombs on two Manhattan subway trains. The second blast injured 50 people -- 16 seriously, including Leary.
The defense argued that Leary was not responsible for his actions because of "toxic psychosis" caused by the Prozac. He was acquitted of second-degree grand larceny, which stemmed from his alleged attempt to extort money from the New York Transit Authority.
Town may remain evacuated for three weeks
WEYAUWEGA, Wisconsin (CNN) -- With derailed propane tank cars lit up like blowtorches, officials said the town's 1,700 residents may have to remain away from their homes for three weeks.
The officials fear a massive explosion, and have warned they will arrest people trying to return home.
Residents were forced out of their homes Monday morning after 35 cars of a train jumped the tracks. Fourteen of the derailed cars were carrying one million pounds of liquefied propane, which ignited.
By late Wednesday, six cars were still burning, four more were believed to be gutted and four others were still full of propane that had not burned.
Bitter cold and heavy snow has hindered operations. A damaged natural gas line has been shut off, and residents fear water pipes could burst.
Car slams into bus stop, killing one
LONG BEACH, California (CNN) -- After swerving to avoid a station wagon, a man's car slammed into a bus stop Wednesday, killing an elderly woman and injuring eight other people.
The car hit people sitting on a bench and standing nearby, said Fire Department Capt. James Watson. The car pinned Lolita Abenoja, 79, to a wall, killing her.
The car's driver, William Chan, 60, and his 13-year-old daughter, suffered minor injuries. Chan was not charged.
Police found the station wagon abandoned nearby, but could not immediately find the driver. That vehicle's driver could face hit-and-run charges.
Customs agent convicted of phone stalking
MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- A retired U.S. customs agent was convicted Wednesday of two misdemeanor counts of aggravated stalking after harassing a woman by telephone for two decades.
Henry Blair, a highly respected and decorated federal agent for 24 years, repeatedly called Susan Billig, threatening her and claiming he had information about her missing teen-age daughter, Amy. The calls were anonymous.
He described Amy Billig in detail and said she had been sold into slavery. The daughter disappeared 20 years ago this week and still has not been found.
Blair admitted that he made the calls, but said he could not help himself because he suffered from a psychological disorder. He testified that the calls gave him sexual pleasure, and he never meant to hurt anyone.
Prosecutors had asked for conviction on three felony counts and said they were stunned that the verdict was just for misdemeanor charges. A mistrial was declared on a third felony count. Susan Billig said she wasn't totally satisfied with the verdict but was glad it was over.
Blair's wife told reporters she was upset with the guilty verdict and that her husband already had suffered enough.
Stamp to promote breast cancer awareness
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Postal Service will release 100 million stamps to help boost awareness of breast cancer, Postmaster Marvin Runyon announced Thursday.
The stamp depicts a woman in partial profile, along with a ribbon and the logo, "Breast Cancer Awareness."
The 32-cent stamp will be issued on June 15 in conjunction with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation National Race for the Cure.
Also, before Mother's Day, the Postal Service will hand out four million brochures featuring the personal stories of four women affected by the disease.
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